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Random Acts of Kindness

August 31, 2011

Have you ever been the recipient of a random act of kindness?  I was working at the local quilt shop (have I mentioned that I've been picking up hours at the shop?) on Monday, when sweet Kaye arrived to pick up the sample quilts that she had made.  We got to talking about life, family, and work...I  have to say that I wish I had more time to chat, as I really enjoyed her company!


Small detour...back to the quilt.  I was helping her gather her quilts, and mentioned that I loved her Paula Prass (Woodland Delight) quilt, when she handed it to me and told me it was mine.  It may seem silly, but I was almost in tears.  I've been gifted quilts before (thanks grandma!), but never as an act of kindness from a stranger.  I know how much time and money quilts take, and on the spur of the moment she made my week.  I don't know if Kaye reads my blog, but if you do...thank you again!  :) 

 

Are you ready for one more act of kindness?  One of the sweet quilters at the local quilt shop (its such a small world, I actually graduated high school with her daughter!) offered to teach me how to quilt...on her longarm.  Its always been something I've been interested in, but have been terrified at the thought of possibly ruining a quilt...you know what I mean?  I'll let you know how it goes after my first lesson.  Let's just say that I picked up three quilt kits or so from the local quilt shop, so hopefully I'll be ready to learn in no time!  :)

Trying To Catch Up!

August 30, 2011

I can't tell you how long I've sat on the link this video, as I don't want to embarrass myself!  Remember the Birthday Bash Giveaway Winners post?  Well the lucky winner of the GO! Baby was Duff, and the comment that got her the win was...

"I am a follower! And I'm ready to win one of these puppies!! If I were to be so stinkin' lucky, I'd do cartwheels for Circles, tumbler, and drunkard’s path dies! Yes, cartwheels on a youtube video. promise!! :O)"

I'd like you to introduce you to my new sweet friend Duff.  She is a woman of her word, and I greatly respect that!!!  :)

The Quilted Fish's Summer Camp- WINNERS!

August 18, 2011

I'm starting to think that August should be known as "Giveaway Month"!  :)  Thank you all so much for participating in The Quilted Fish's Summer Camp.  Whether you made a Glamp of your own, voted, or did both, I hope that you had a great time.  I love when the blogging world comes together for such a fun and creative event!  :)

Without further ado, the two winners of the Sugar and Spice fat quarter bundles are:


#24 Jennifer + #35 Michelle

Congrats ladies!  Be on the lookout for an email from me, as I need your mailing address! 
 
Before I go, hop on over to my sweet friend, Kara's blog and enter her giveaway, as she's giving away one of my Mini Coffee Burlap Tote Bags.  I haven't yet had a chance to make any for the shop, so grab this one if you can!  :)

Birthday Bash Giveaway- WINNERS!

August 14, 2011

I'm so excited to announce Made With Love's Birthday Bash Giveaway Winners!  I first want to thank my sweet friends Christa, Brooke, Lindsay, and Meredith for teaming up with Made With Love for such a wonderful giveaway extravaganza!!!  Aren't they all amazingly talented and creative!?!


Without further ado, the winners are:

Giveaway #1- Custom Blog Design by christa.jae= #11 Becky
Giveaway #2- Shop Credit to Silly Mama Quilts= #9 Pat V.
Giveaway #3- Mini Coffee Burlap Tote Bag= #27 R Carter
Giveaway #4- Custom State/Country Painting by Paint Me A Picture= #13 Alicia
Giveaway #5- Hobby Love Charm Necklace by Everyday Keepsakes= #33 Chiska
Giveaway #6- Coffee Burlap Tote Bag= #40 Sherri
Giveaway #7- AccuQuilt GO! Baby and 3 Dies= #22 Duff

Be on the lookout for an email from me, as I will get you in contact with the shop owner.  (Alicia- I left a comment on your blog...please email me, as I don't want to have to pick an alternate winner!)

Thank you to all who participated in the giveaways, as your following and comments always make my day!  :)

The Quilted Fish's Summer Camp Reveal + Giveaway!

August 11, 2011

This giveaway is now closed!

I'm SO excited to reveal my Glamp with my blog friends!  I opted for a burlap Glamp...does that surprise anyone?  :)


I absolutely LOVE how it turned out.  I had envisioned a fun shabby chic meets fleur de lis, meets burlap and I think I hit it head on!


The white ruffle was purchased at my local quilt shop.  Yep, you read it right...purchased!  The ruffle is a new Michael Miller trim, and totally worth the (minimal) price, as it saved me a ton of time.


The fleur de lis was stenciled onto the burlap, and was such an easy little art project.  I picked up Freezer Paper from Wal-Mart (only place I was able to find it!), amongst the zip-loc bags.  I cut out a Freezer Paper stencil with my Cricut, ironed the stencil onto my burlap (plastic side down), and then painted away!


To save some un-needed heart ache, don't forget to place a sheet of wax paper under the burlap (where the stencil is), as the burlap is not a solid surface and paint will leak onto whatever you're painting on!


Now onto the Summer Camp Giveaway!  My sweet friend Amanda, of The Quilted Fish, is generously allowing me to giveaway Sugar and Spice fat quarters!  :)  As shown below, Sugar and Spice comes in three gorgeous colorways (pink/green, red/white, and blue/red).   

TWO lucky winners will be sent one Sugar and Spice fat quarter bundle (colorway will be at random!).





To enter the giveaway:
1.  You must be a follower of Made With Love!
2.  Hop on over to The Quilted Fish's Blog and cast your vote for your favorite Glamp, and leave me a comment letting me know you did so!

One comment per person, please.

This giveaway (separate from the Birthday Bash Giveaways) will run through Wednesday, August 17th.  The lucky winner will be announced on Thursday, August 18th. 

Winner will be selected via Random.org

Also, please make sure there is a way for me to contact you (aka- leave your email address in your comment if you don't have a blog, or if you post as Anonymous), as I need to be able to contact you when you win!  Good luck!  :)

Birthday Bash Giveaway #7- AccuQuilt GO! Baby

August 8, 2011

This giveaway is now closed!

Giveaway #7 is sponsored by AccuQuilt, and is the last giveaway of the day!

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Remember my GO! Baby Scattered Flowers Baby Quilt Tutorial?  Well, you didn't think that I was going to be the only one receiving a GO! Baby Fabric Cutter, did you?  I'm so excited to share with you today, that my friends at AccuQuilt have generously allowed me to giveaway a GO! Baby Fabric Cutter along with three dies of winner's choice.



AccuQuilt is giving away a GO! Baby Fabric Cutter + 3 dies of winner's choice!

To enter the giveaway:
1.  You must be a follower of Made With Love!  
2.  Please leave me a comment letting me know which three dies you would choose.

One comment per person, please.

Don't forget that you can sign up for AccuQuilt's email list, and they'll send you 22 free patterns.  How cool is that!?!

All giveaways will run through August 13th; winners will be announced on Sunday, August 14th (my favorite day!).

Giveaway is open both US and International friends.  Good luck!!! 

Birthday Bash Giveaway #6- Coffee Burlap Tote Bag

This giveaway is now closed!

Giveaway #6 is from me, Squirmy Worm Studio!

Squirmy Worm Studio’s Coffee Burlap Tote Bag is a stylish and eco-friendly solution for all of your carrying needs!  The Tote Bag is fully lined, and has a pocket for your cell phone / keys / and any other essentials!  Burlap Tote Bags make great market / grocery bags, beach bags, bridesmaids gifts, and school bags...the possibilities are endless!




I am giving away a Coffee Burlap Tote Bag!

The Coffee Burlap Tote Bag is a beautiful Bag from Guatemala!  The Burlap Tote Bag measures approximately 14" wide x 14" tall, and 5” deep.  The Bag is lined with a red polka dot print, and has a coffee bean print interior pocket.
 
To enter the giveaway:
1.  You must be a follower of Made With Love!  
2.  Please leave me a comment letting me know what you would carry in a Coffee Burlap Tote Bag.
3.  For an extra entry, Like Squirmy Worm Studio on Facebook, and leave me a comment letting me know you did so.  If you already do, leave me a comment stating so.

All giveaways will run through August 13th; winners will be announced on Sunday, August 14th (my favorite day!).

Open to US only.  Good luck!!!

Birthday Bash Giveaway #5- Everyday Keepsakes

This giveaway is now closed!

Giveaway #5 is from Meredith of Everyday Keepsakes!

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Remember when I introduced you to Meredith, not too long ago?  I wear my Sewing Lovers necklace ALL THE TIME, and always get so many sweet compliments.  There was no way I could throw a Birthday Bash Giveaway without a sweet necklace from Everyday Keepsakes.  Meredith is a very talented stay-at-home-mom, turned graphic designer, turned jewelry maker.  She has mastered the art of combining her graphic design skills, with her metal clay jewelry ideas, by designing her own stamps.  Meredith's necklaces are one-of-a-kind, which make great gifts for yourself, as well as loved ones!  :)





Everyday Keepsakes is giving away a Hobby Love Charm necklace of winner's choice!

Winner will select any Hobby Love Charm necklace of their choice.  Whether you love to read, sew, knit, or drink coffee, there is a necklace for you!

To enter the giveaway:
1.  You must be a follower of Made With Love!  
2.  Please leave me a comment letting me know which Hobby Love Charm necklace you would choose.
3.  For an extra entry, Like Everyday Keepsakes on Facebook, and leave me a comment letting me know you did so.  If you already do, leave me a comment stating so.

All giveaways will run through August 13th; winners will be announced on Sunday, August 14th (my favorite day!).  Good luck!!!

Birthday Bash Giveaway #4- Paint Me A Picture

This giveaway is now closed!

Giveaway #4 is from the so very talented Lindsay of Paint Me A Picture!

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I'm so excited to introduce you to my sweet friend Lindsay of Paint Me A Picture.  Lindsay and I started chatting a couple of years ago, and I've been smitten with her paintings ever since.  I'll be the first to admit that I own two of Lindsay's paintings, have my eye on a couple more, and have gifted one to my sister.  :)  I have to say that Lindsay is genuinely creative, so very talented, continues to reinvent herself, and always keeps her shop fresh and relevant.




Paint Me A Picture is giving away a state/country painting of winner's choice!

Winner will select from a 8 x8 inch OR 8 x 10 inch canvas, the state/country to be painted, as well as where the heart is to be placed.

To enter the giveaway:
1.  You must be a follower of Made With Love!  
2.  Please leave me a comment letting me know which state/country you would choose.
3.  For an extra entry, Follow Paint Me A Picture via Google Friend Connect, and leave me a comment letting me know you did so.  If you already do, leave me a comment stating so.
4.  For an additional extra entry, Like Paint Me A Picture on Facebook, and leave me a comment letting me know you did so.  If you already do, leave me a comment stating so.

All giveaways will run through August 13th; winners will be announced on Sunday, August 14th (my favorite day!).   

Open to US only.  Good luck!!!

Birthday Bash Giveaway #3- Mini Coffee Burlap Tote Bag

This giveaway is now closed!

Giveaway #3 is from me, Squirmy Worm Studio!

Squirmy Worm Studio’s Mini Coffee Burlap Tote Bag is a stylish and eco-friendly solution for your carrying needs!  The Tote Bag is fully lined, and makes great lunch bag / gift / small purse...the possibilities are endless!




I am giving away a Mini Coffee Burlap Tote Bag!

The Mini Coffee Burlap Tote Bag is a Polypropylene Bag (softer to the touch than burlap!) from Brazil!  The front of the bag is composed of the Bob-O-Link logo (first photo), and the back of the bag is the Cafe Do Brasil logo (second and third photo).  The Mini Tote Bag measures approximately 10” wide x 10” tall, and 3.5” deep.  The Bag is lined with a blue Jennifer Paganelli print.
 
To enter the giveaway:
1.  You must be a follower of Made With Love!  
2.  Please leave me a comment letting me know what you would carry in a Mini Coffee Burlap Tote Bag.
3.  For an extra entry, Like Squirmy Worm Studio on Facebook, and leave me a comment letting me know you did so.  If you already do, leave me a comment stating so.

All giveaways will run through August 13th; winners will be announced on Sunday, August 14th (my favorite day!).

Giveaway is open both US and International friends.  Good luck!!!

Birthday Bash Giveaway #2- Silly Mama Quilts

This giveaway is now closed!


Giveaway #2 is from my sweet friend, and fellow Creative Consultant, Brooke of Silly Mama Quilts!

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I'm so excited to introduce you to my sweet friend Brooke!  Brooke is first and foremost a mom to four kids, who loves to sew and scrapbook!  Brooke's shop is full of wonderful home decor pieces, constructed of top-notch quilting fabric.  She lovingly selects the fabric, sews, and quilts everything in her shop.  I had the chance to see some of her work with my own eyes at Quilt Market, and this girl can sew!!!


Silly Mama Quilts Table Runner


Silly Mama Quilts Mug Rug


Silly Mama Quilts Pillow

Silly Mama Quilts is giving away a $20 shop credit!

With a shop credit, you have the ability to choose from Brooke's beautiful creations.  Her pillows, mug rugs, and table runners are all beautiful creations!

To enter the giveaway:
1.  You must be a follower of Made With Love!  
2.  Please visit Silly Mama Quilts, and leave me a comment letting me know which item in Brooke's shop is your favorite.
3.  For an extra entry, Follow Silly Mama Quilts via Google Friend Connect, and leave me a comment letting me know you did so.  If you already do, leave me a comment stating so.
4.  For an additional extra entry, Like Silly Mama Quilts on Facebook, and leave me a comment letting me know you did so.  If you already do, leave me a comment stating so.

All giveaways will run through August 13th; winners will be announced on Sunday, August 14th (my favorite day!).  

Giveaway is open both US and International friends.  Good luck!!!

Birthday Bash Giveaway #1- christa.jae

This giveaway is now closed!

Welcome to Made With Love's Birthday Bash Giveaway Day!!!  I'm so excited to have the opportunity to celebrate handmade shops, as well as my birthday week with YOU!  :)

Giveaway #1 is from my sweet friend Christa of christa.jae!  Christa is a very talented graphic design student, photographer, and artist.  I've had the pleasure of collaborating with her on my custom blog design, as well as my sewing pattern photos and graphic design.  I can't say enough nice things about Christa, as she is such a sweet young girl that loves God, her boyfriend Cody, and is uber talented!  :)


christa.jae is giving away a custom blog design!

Custom Blog Design includes: header, posting area, fonts, buttons, signatures, the works. everything a custom blog could have. ($55 value)

To enter the giveaway:
1.  You must be a follower of Made With Love!  
2.  Please hop on over to Christa's blog here, and leave me a comment letting me know which one of her custom blog designs is your favorite.

One comment per person, please.

All giveaways will run through August 13th; winners will be announced on Sunday, August 14th (my favorite day!).  Good luck!!!

Birthday Bash Giveaway!

August 7, 2011


Hi friends!  I hope that everyone is having a wonderful weekend.  I'm so excited to announce that Made With Love's Birthday Bash Giveaway starts tomorrow!  Woo hoo!

Here are the details:
  • A new giveaway will be posted every hour and a half (starting at 7am).
  • Enter one giveaway, or enter them all...the choice is yours!
  • All giveaways will run through August 13th; winners announced on Sunday, August 14th (my favorite day!).
  • Winners will be selected via Random.org.
  • Also, please make sure there is a way for me to contact you (aka- leave your email address in your comment if you don't have a blog, or if you post as Anonymous), as I need to be able to contact you when you win!  Good luck!  :)

Keeping It Real

August 6, 2011

I've really been thinking about what I want my blog to be, and who I want it to inspire.  For the most part I try my best to keep the content upbeat and inspirational, but sometimes I just need to keep it real, which brings me to today. 

For the past couple of weeks I have been struggling with motivation, specifically lack there of!  I don't have motivation to blog, very little to sew, not wanting to take the time to sit down and work through additional pattern ideas, and the list goes on.  I find myself glued to my computer (reading other people's blogs!), as well as the Food Network (I don't cook, but love watching others create yummy dishes!), instead of doing anything constructive.  I anticipate that this funk (totally borrowed the word from my sweet friend Amanda!) is just a phase, as life within the past year has been nothing I've wanted for myself.  I'm coming up on the last final transition, which technically sets me free, yet gives me great concern for the future.  I'm also coming up on a birthday, which adds stress to my life situation, and all I want at this time in my life is to be wanted, both in my personal life as well as my professional life.

Deep down inside I know that God has a great plan for my life.  Yet sometimes I question it, as I don't think I'm strong enough to deal with everything that has been thrown my way, and that makes me sad.  He knows what He's doing, thus who am I to question his timing and his ways? 

Looks as though I kind of got off on a tangent, but if you have any motivation tricks/ideas/ways, I'd love for you to share them in the comment section, as frankly I'm desperate!

One lat thing before I sign off...I want to share my new ringtone.  Not like my phone rings frequently, but when it does, I enjoy hearing that "this has gotta be the good life".  It always reminds me that I have to take initiative to make this the "good life".

GO! Baby Tutorial: Scattered Flowers Baby Quilt

August 2, 2011

I'm so excited to debut my FIRST Quilt Tutorial- woo hoo!  The sweet folks at AccuQuilt sent me a GO! Baby Fabric Cutter, along with three GO! dies (I had such a hard time choosing, and am so happy with my decision to select the diamonds, circles, and strips).

I really can't say enough nice things about my experience with the GO! Baby, as I found the cuts to be precise, super fast, and safe!  I've never been a fan of the cutting phase of quilts, thus using the GO! Baby to reduce the time I spend at my cutting table is time I can spend doing other things that make me happy!  :)


Today's Scattered Flowers Baby Quilt Tutorial will feature AccuQuilt's Circle and 2.5" Strip die...I hope you love the quilt as much as I do!  :)

 
(Finished quilt measures approximately 36" x 36") 
 
Materials:
  • Coordinating Fabrics for Stripes (7 total): 1/3 yard each
  • Backing: 1 1/8 yard (I used the same fabric for the Backing and one of the Stripes.  If you choose to go the same route, you will need 1 1/2 yards for Backing/Stripe and 6 Coordinating Fabrics for the Stripes.)
  • Quilt Batting: 1 1/8 yard
  • Large Ric Rac (11/16"): 5/8 yard each (5 colors to coordinate with Strip Fabrics)
  • Heat n' Bond Lite (Sewable)
  • Fray Check

1.  From the seven Stripe Fabrics, cut an assortment of strips (varying in widths x +/- 37" in long).  Note, when cutting the strips, fold the fabric in half as shown below, and cut at +/- 18.5".  

 

The large piece will be used for the stripes and the binding, the remaining rectangle +/- 5.5" x 12" will be used for the circles.  I cut my strips as follows:
    
     #1= 2"           #6= 2.5"        #11= 3.75"      #16= 2.25"
     #2= 4.25"       #7= 2"           #12= 3"          #17" 1.75"
     #3= 1.5"         #8= 1.5"        #13= 2.5"       #18= 4"
     #4= 2.25"       #9= 4"           #14= 1.75"
     #5= 1.5"        #10= 2.5"      #15= 2"

2.  After cutting the stripes, use the remaining fabric and cut five 2.5" strips of fabric for the binding.  I used the GO! Baby 2.5" Strip Cutter die to cut my binding, and it was SO quick! 

3.  Roll five of the leftover stripe fabrics, designated for the circles (see photo from step #1), through the GO! Baby Fabric Cutter, using the Circle die (2", 3", and 5").



4.  Roll the Heat n' Bond Lite (sewable) through the GO! Baby Fabric Cutter, using the Circle die.  Per the Heat n' Bond directions, adhere the Heat n' Bond to the wrong side of the small and medium circles.  Set the large circles aside.

5.  Layout the stripes as desired, and with a 1/4" seam allowance sew the stripes, right sides together.  Press the seams towards the darker fabric.

6.  Sandwich the quilt batting between the wrong sides of the quilt top and backing.  Quilt as desired.  (I used a large zig zag stitch, every third row).


7.  Place the circles (small and medium) on the quilt, as desired.  Remove the Heat n' Bond backing from each circle, and iron in place.  Appliqué circles as desired.  (I used a zig zag stitch around each circle).


8.  For the large circles, pin the large ric rac around the circle.  Trim the ric rac and Fray Check both cut ends.  On the wrong side of the fabric, center and iron on the Heat n' Bond (carefully, making sure to not melt the ric rac!).  Remove pins and repeat with remaining large circles.



9.  With the large circles, repeat step #7.
 

10.  Square up the quit, as needed.

11.  For the binding, piece the 5 strips by placing the fabric right sides together, perpendicular to each other, and sew across the two strips at a 45 degree angle.  Trim excess fabric at 1/4" and press seam open.

12.  With wrong sides together, press the binding in half.  With a 3/8" seam allowance, sew the raw edge of the binding to the quilt top, leaving a +/- 6" tail from the start of the binding.  When approaching the corners, make sure to stop 1/4” from the corner, lift your needle and presser foot and fold the binding up onto itself.  Fold the binding down again, aligning the raw edges and resume stitching.

13.  When approaching the start of the binding, with right sides together, stitch the end of the binding to the tail of the binding (from Step #11).  Finish sewing the raw edge of the binding to the quilt top.

14.  Fold over the binding to the back of the quilt and hand or machine stitch the binding in place, making sure to neatly miter the corners.          

  
I'm loving the stitching details on the back of the quilt!


Like what you see?  Make sure to sign up for AccuQuilt's email list (<------------ button is over there, towards the top of the column!) and they'll send you 22 free patterns.  How cool is that!?!

P.S.- Before I sign off, I want to give a 'thank you' shout out to my Momma, as she is always helping behind the scenes.  She knows exactly when I need to be pushed, and I am forever grateful for her!  Thanks, Mom!!!  :)

Sneak Peek at Wednesday's Tutorial!

August 1, 2011

Oooh, I'm so excited to show you guys a sneak peek at my first quilt tutorial, which will be posted on Wednesday!  The quilt is made from Riley Blake's Alphabet Soup Girl (which is darling!).  Have I mentioned my love of gray and turquoise?  :)


I'll also be adding a handful of ric rac to the baby quilt.  I went shopping today solely for ric rac, and came home with the following.  I personally think everything is BETTER with a bit of ric rac?  Does anyone share the same belief?  :)


I'll be back on Wednesday, if not before then!  I hope everyone is having a wonderful Monday!  :)