Wednesday, May 8, 2019

Autumn Winds & Giveaway

I am so pleased to be a part of the "Autumn in the Air" blog hop with Benartex! You can see lots more Autumn inspiration all week long at their blog Sew in Love With Fabric. Giveaways each day!
Even though autumn is the second furthest thing from my mind right now, winter being the furthest, I do so love the colours of the Fall season, so when I was asked if I would like to be a part of this hop, despite the real life goings-on right now (animals, renovations, summer planning, to name a few) I jumped at the chance. Besides, just say two words: "'free' fabric", okay yes, but I actually meant "Amanda Murphy", and you've got my full attention and adoration! This is her new line for Contempo, by Benartex, named 'Thankful'. It is wonderful, fresh modern colours for Fall. And yes, there is a giveaway of some of it! Be sure to hop over to the Benartex blog to read an interview with Amanda about this line!



The timeline was tight to get a project made, but I just 'saw' my very first published pattern, "Blue Skies and Sunny Days", in this line:
The neighbours' golden Forsythia is about as close to an Autumn vibe as I was going to get!

and I knew it would be perfect to show off all the prints in the collection.
Aren't they pretty? I mean who would think that turquoise would look so pretty with brown? And of course Amanda has her wonderful swirls incorporated in the tone on tone prints. I got a pack of 2.5" strips which Benartex appropriately names, Strippies along with some yardage for background, backing, and binding.

I also put my Accuquilt Go! 2.5" die cutter to use to cut the background, which did save some time.
Check my Instagram to see a video of the cutter in action.

I went from strips, to pieces...


to a bunch of chain sewing...

to a flimsy, in no time at all!

Digression:
That rhododenron/azalea has opened just beautifully over the past couple of days. It has settled into its new home just wonderfully, kind of like the current owners, who, like the plant, migrated from one side of town to the other basically.😎 (We actually brought two rhodos from our other house!)

Such intense colour. Mmm!

I had the perfect piece left of Hobbs Heirloom Natural Cotton batting for the quilt. Then I was off to the basement where Avril now lives while the upstairs is being gutted to the very rafters and roof boards...
This is the guest room my husband, aka the intrepid MacGyver, built last year. It has been dismantled and turned into Avril's lodgings (along with my shelves and cupboards for fabrics and books and sewing supplies, and batting)... for now. I didn't have time to root through the various Rubbermaid tubs for the shorter leaders, so I folded back my 10' ones to 8' and carefully rolled and then loaded this quilt, hoping it would work. I knew I could quilt the motif I wanted to so much faster on her than on my Bernina.

Have you ever known what motif you would quilt on a quilt before you even started making the quilt? This is what happened to me with this quilt.

Can you spot my initials in the lower left corner?
I did wavy lines with intermittent swirls, the same motif I used for my 'Love is All' quilt I made in December.

I just love the backing! Had I had more time, I would have quilted this upside down, using the motifs in this print as my quilting ideas!
Can you see the hexagons? Aren't they just the coolest?

I bound it with the dark turquoise, attaching it to the front of the quilt, pressing it and then gluing it down on the back of the quilt with school glue (such a great method), and then stitching in the ditch from the front of the quilt which catches the edge on the back. It's the closest look to hand-stitching a binding down.

After the label debacle (times two) with Pasque Star, my last quilt, I remembered to do both the satin sew-in and the corner, write-on label.

This shows you the look of the binding on the front, as well as the happy violets throughout the lawns...and yes, I left the yellow flower there, as bees need them, and besides yellow looks great with violet and green.😉

Here is the quilt one more time. I haven't washed it yet, but I'll post a crinkly photo, I mean a photo of the crinkly quilt! when I do. This is the fourth or maybe the fifth time I've made this pattern, and it really does go together like a dream. I made it from start to finish, despite doing a bunch of life things and finishing the sewing of 96 HSTs for my Beothuk Star QAL, in four days. The top can be made easily in one day, without the interruptions I had, all of which are okay: work, family, pets, sun, no complaints!

Quilt Stats:
Pattern: An original design, "Blue Skies and Sunny Days'
Size: 40.5 X 48.5"
Fabric: 'Thankful' by Amanda Murphy for Contempo by Benartex
Backing: as above
Batting: Hobbs Heirloom Cotton natural with scrim
Quilted: on Avril
Threads: Pieced with various cottons (Mettler, Gütermann, Aurifil, Coats and Clark); quilted with Essential 100% cotton 50 wt by Connecting Threads, The Bottom Line in the bobbin; binding stitched down with Gütermann 100% cotton 50 wt.

Linking up:
Sew Fresh Quilts
My Quilt Infatuation
Confessions of a Fabric Addict
Busy Hands Quilts
TGIFF at Anja Quilts


I have two giveaways for you today, as well as a sweet deal! First of all, to one lucky person who is a US resident (due to high postage costs), will go a fat quarter bundle of Thankful fabrics. To another winner, anywhere in the world, will go a PDF copy of the pattern I used to make this quilt, my Blue Skies and Sunny Days.

For a chance to win the fat quarter bundle, or the PDF pattern, simply leave me any comment about Fall: favourite colour, activity, why you do NOT like it, favourite memory, have you made a Fall quilt, etc. Followers can get an extra entry through the Rafflecopter widget. New followers welcome.

The deal is that I'm putting my pattern on sale until Saturday at midnight, for half price. It's currently $9CA, so that means it will be $4.50CA. There are two sizes in the pattern, this one, and one slightly smaller. No coupon necessary; I have marked it down. Also, note that if your name is drawn and you've already bought the pattern, I will refund you your money.😊

The giveaway and the sale on my pattern are open through midnight Saturday. I will have Rafflecopter draw two winners and contact them on Sunday.

Please be advised that due to the high number of comments during giveaways I won't be responding to, but I will for sure be reading, your comments! Thanks so much for reading and for your support of my blog!

I do hope you have visited and will visit the following bloggers on this week's hop. You will find a giveaway at each stop!

Monday: Lisa at Love to Color My World
Tuesday: Debby Kratovil at Debby Kratovil Quilts
Wednesday: Sandra at mmm! quilts (you are here!)
Thursday: Alison at Little Bunny Quilts

a Rafflecopter giveaway

87 comments:

  1. Those fabrics are lovely and just perfect for this design, Sandra! I love fall because of the weather, the colors of the leaves and because it's our anniversary season. This quilt makes me think of all that; I can visualize the crisp fall air and those beautiful fall colors!

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  2. That is a great pattern and nice to hear how quickly it goes together. The fabrics look wonderful with the design.

    Fall would not be my favorite season with the shorter days and colder temps, but I do like the autumn colors.

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  3. Pretty quilt with those pretty fabrics! I'm not crazy about fall, as all the plants are dying back to rest over winter. I do love the colors of the changing leaves.

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  4. I love your quilt and those fabrics! I’ve liked chocolate brown with teal and turquoise for a long time. I was gathering fabrics for a quilt, but they must have been in my giveaway pile when we moved because I looked for them last month. (We moved six years ago, so I obviously have enough fabric if I just noticed that they’re missing.) September is my favorite month: birthdays, a fresh start of the school year, and beautiful weather.

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  5. This is a perfect pattern to showcase the Fall colors. I love fall colors as the trees turn from green to red, gold, brown & the enticing smell of fireplaces burning in nearby homes.

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  6. Love the fabrics and the way you used them.

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  7. I SWIM! From first of spring...until the end of fall! These are some happy fall fabrics...in a happier quilt.

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  8. i love fall, the colors, the smells, the feel of the wind, air, on my face, the expectation of something new on the way...all of it. this fabric is also lovely, thanks for the chance to win some! s5821140@gmail.com

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  9. Love the changing colours and of course bringing out my fall quilts to catch a few last days on the deck! That turquoise & brown combo is fabulous! I'm Canadian but have a US shipping address.
    basaran.family (at) rogers (dot) com.

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  10. When the beauty is gone, I cannot keep up with all those oak leaves that cover the couple acres closest to my home so not all fall but also spring is pretty much devoted to the mighty rake!

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  11. The colors of Fall are such rich jewels, and the weather is so cool and crisp. It is my favorite time of the year, a perfect time of year to snuggle under a gorgeous quilt such as this.

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  12. I love the changing leaves and crisp air of fall!

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  13. I do love fall, but right now am wishing for some real spring! LOVE LOVE LOVE this quick pattern. Leaders are something I will need or need to make the backs bigger. I don’t think they use them on the hoop but I will figure this out in due time.

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  14. Love all fall colors. I made a falling leaves quilt in fall color batiks.

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  15. I love this line, especially the dark print with the scattered autumnal items--what a wonderful border print it will be! I moved to the Pacific Northwest from Southern California and have been amazed at fall's wonders: its scents, its changing colors, its brisk temperatures, its change of pace. While I don't love the way the days grow so short, there is an accompanying coziness, so I'm growing to accept that, and learning to be content with the ways of nature, to settle in and go with the flow. Every autumn now I think, "This is my favorite season!" (I think the same thing every spring when things start to bloom and the sun returns; I have to be honest.)

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  16. I love the crackle of the fallen leaves as you walk and the smell of the forest in the fall. I love the rich colors of rust, burnt orange, gold, and browns of the leaves.

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  18. This is such a beautiful line of fabrics and is perfect for the quilt pattern you chose! Thanks for the opportunity to win! I love fall - the beautiful colors, the yellow butterflies and crisper (hopefully) air! We seem to skip fall and spring in AL (except for the colors and butterflies!) and go straight from hot to cold and vice versa!

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  19. The cool autumn evenings and the changing colors of the leaves are my autumn favorites

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  20. What a gorgeous quilt & fabric selection!!! Thanks for the awesome giveaway.

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  21. Such a great quilt and so happy to hear it went together so fast. Lovely photos of the yard and the rhodo. Fall is a time a look forward to because all the different colors of the leaves are like eye candy after the long hot summer. The oranges and yellows make such a beautiful show wherever I look.

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  22. First of all, this is a beautiful line of fabric. Fall, huh? Well, summer is my most favorite season, but I enjoy fall because of the beautiful foliage and the glorious September/October weather it brings to Cape Breton. If my entry is chosen, 🤞, my choice would be the fabric, sent to my US address. Can I say that? Lol!

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  23. Turquoise goes well with the usual autumn colors. Love your pattern!

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  24. Beautiful quilt! I love the crisp days and smell of leaves in the fall. Also, there are very few bugs!

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  25. I love the quilting motif!!! And love your initials in the corner. Have to go and read about the label issue in the other quilt.... I love fall colors and have kits or PIGS for 4 quilts to be made in fall colors. I can't wait to move and get started, but that's not until August! Love this quilt and the fabric is just scrumptious. Well done!

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  26. I love fall weather. The crispness in the air, and cooler days give me energy and start the creative juices flowing.

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  27. Living in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mtns of Virginia, I love the changing of the leaves in the fall.. 🌻🍃🍁🍂

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  28. I love these fabrics and the way they stand out in your pattern! Fall is my favorite season for being outside.

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  29. Nancy A: rangerer@sbcglobal.netMay 8, 2019 at 12:54 PM

    I loved the fall colors when we lived in IL. I would collect leaves and press them between catalogs. Then for Thanksgiving I would put them on the table around the centerpieces of the 5 tables we would set up for the 35-40 Americans and Internationals who would join us for the celebration. It was a lot of work but also a lot of fun. Six years ago we moved to AL, and we don't have all the beautiful colors.

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  30. Loooove Fall!! Biggest reason is or Anniversary is in October :) But I love Fall for the changing colors, picking apples for applesauce & pies, getting woodburner going on chilly mornings (& ready for Winter), etc etc...giggle...

    Your quilt is Beautiful, and the fabrics are too...thank you for chance to win your Give-a-way :D

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  31. I love this new fabric collection, which pulls in a beautiful blue and brown. And your new quilt design is lovely, absolutely perfect for this fabric or any fabric one would want to use. Great FMQ too!

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  32. Fall is not my favorite season, but I love when the leaves change colors and family time at Thanksgiving. Thank you for a chance to win this pretty fabric and your pattern that I love. ckrutjo at g mail dot com

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  33. Fall is such a pretty time of year with all the leaves changing color and an end to hot temperatures.
    Love the pattern and your fabrics, Thanks for Pattern giveaway.
    djcutting2(at)gmail(dot)com

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  34. I love the colours in this line. Beautiful quilt and quilting!!

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  35. Your quilt is so beautiful and so are the fabrics.
    I love Fall because the temps are cooling down and the leaves are beginning to change their colors. Thank you for the chance.

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  36. I LOVE fall themed and colored fabrics!

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  37. Fall & the cooler temps are so welcome here in South Mississippi, after the heat of the summer! Thank you, Susan

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  38. The color of the leaves turning from green to yellow to red, orange, russet, brown and all shades in between is my favorite part. Thanksgiving with family - cooking with spaghetti squash, sweet potatoes and the smell of cinnamon - ooh yumm!!!

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  39. I love fall because the weather cools off after the brutal Florida summer. Lovely quilt!

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  40. Spring and Fall are my 2 favorite times of the year, not too hot and not too cold. I love the smell of the fall leaves burning and walking in the yard, feeling the beautifully colored leaves crunch under my feet. What fun!

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  41. turquoise as part of fall colors? who'd a thunk? but I LIKE it! and the turquoise as binding is excellent. I love fall for the weather - usually 60's and 70's daytime and nice brisk evenings, to enjoy a nice fire. gives me energy after the hot days of august! deb0web-two@yahoo.com

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  42. I love the colors of fall! I am really drawn to the oranges, reds, yellows and browns. Perhaps because I have a fall birthday I am drawn more to those color than other brights, etc. Thanks for sharing the giveaways!

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  43. I love Fall harvest markets and craft shows (getting in the mood for Christmas but still enjoying the nice weather!) mumbir3atgmaildotcom

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  44. We moved to a new place almost every year, usually in the late summer. So autumn was always the beginning of the next adventure. I loved going to so many different schools, exploring a brand new place. It still feels like the beginning of the year to me, full of possibility!

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  45. Fall, or Autumn as we call it here in New Zealand is not so colourful as in your part of the world. Our native trees are evergreens so the only golden colours and fluttering leaves come from exotics planted in parks and home gardens.
    Our Autumn weather so far has been sunny calm days, not so warm as summer of course, and getting chilly overnight. Still nice enough to sit outside with some stitching and the cat for company.
    Your new quilt is lovely, thanks so much for the chance to win your pattern.

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  46. I love kayaking on the river in fall and seeing all the colors!

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  47. I 4eally enjoy the fall colors on fabric and the trees... happyness04431@yahoo.com

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  48. Hi Sandra! Lovely, lovely finish and I really love Benartex fabrics. All of them look so pretty, but I really like that green leaves and the beige neutral. What's not to like about Fall? It finally cooling off from summer, the colors are spectacular, it's not winter yet and temperatures still seem warm when they are cool. ~smile~ Roseanne

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  49. Gorgeous work on your
    quilt. I love riding
    in the mountains and
    seeing the leaves turn
    colors.
    Carla from Utah

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  50. Just beautiful Sandra! And that backing fabric? Gah - so gorgeous.
    Fall? There is nothing I don't like about fall. Thanksgiving, family time, cooler weather, gorgeous fall leaves - it is all good. Fall has always been my favorite season.

    Please don't enter me in the fabric portion of the giveaway - I have to work off what I have for a while, know what I mean. But feel free to pull my name for a copy of your pattern. ;-)

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  51. Fall is my favorite time of the year. I love the colors and moderate temperatures. I even enjoy raking leaves.

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  52. I love fall! My favorite fall colors are purple and burnt orange.

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  53. Fall's my favorite season. I love the colors of the changing leaves & fall blooming plants. Also warm days & cooler nights. Thanks.

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  54. Well done! The quilting motif is very nice. Fall is not bad around here...late summer/early fall is when we get our best weather..generally.....

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  55. Thank you again for some fall quilty inspiration. Love the idea of using the quilt backing motifs as quilting lines. Will definitely borrow that idea!

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  56. I love the cooler temperatures of fall as well as all of the fun combinations of colors that nature provides us with.

    Sandy A

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  57. Thank you for showing the use of your 2.5" die on your Accuquilt. I like your pattern and it looks very doable. Thanks for the giveaways, too.

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  58. One of my Fall memories is visiting my Grandparents who lived in town (we lived in the country) and people would rake their lawns in little leaf piles and they were allowed to burn them at that time--I enjoyed the smell of those burning leaves!!
    barbkaup(at)(yahoo)(dot)(com)

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  59. Loving the colors of this quilt...especially the turquoise! I would never think to follow the design of the backing fabric as the quilting pattern, but in this case, it would be perfect! Fall isn't my favorite season, but it's always welcome to have less humidity in the air and it's lovely to see the trees turn colors!

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  60. I do love the Fall colors and Mums but the best part is apples. I so love all the fresh apples. I can't seem to get enough of them.

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  61. How lovely - the pattern and the fabric! Fall is my favorite season - love the cooler weather, and change of colors. Love your backing with the hexies. Have a great week and thank you for the giveaways!

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  62. Lucky you getting to use these pretty fabrics! I love fall decorating with pumpkins, and eating pumpkin pie!

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  63. I love the turn toward cooler weather in the fall. My favorite time of year.

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  64. I like fall, historically because of my birthday! These past few falls have been bad, with fire.

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  65. Fall, Autumn. I love the frost on the cobwebs, the crispy, crunching as you walk through the fallen leaves; well okay kick through the fallen leaves, the smell of bonfire smoke, the bright blue skies, the frosty patterns on the car, the moonlight through the bare trees. Okay I could go on and on......

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  66. These fabrics just scream fall, there beautiful, its one of my favorite seasons, I love the leaves falling, the changing of colors everywhere, it really is beautiful to see

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  67. Fall is my favorite season. Not only is it my birthday at the start of the season but the perfect time to make a new quilt or wall hanging to decorate with. Cooler, less humid nights and warm days. Perfect.

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  68. These are so beautiful! Definitely an inspiration for my favorite season! I LOVE fall - from all the fun outdoor activities, to the leaves changing and cooler temperatures, it's just an amazing time of year!

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  69. I love fall, or autumn. I love the trees in on the hill near to where we live. The trees around Belfast Castle are lovely in autumn. I don't like the rain. It rains here all year round, but I hate the rainy days. And I am ok if I win the fq bundle, I can provide a USA address. I have friends!

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  70. I love fall in Texas because it means we’re done with the summer heat for another ya!

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  71. I love fall for the colors on the trees, the cooling temperatures, and the start of college football!!

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  72. I love this fabric line and your pattern. I love the colors of fall.

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  73. What I like about fall is the respite from the heat of summer for sure. -- soparkaveataoldotcom

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  74. The fabrics are perfect for fall. It really captures the colors, with the blues being a great representation of the clear skies on a bright, sunny fall day. Your pattern really highlights the fabric.

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  75. all is my favorite season. I LOVE the blue of the sky and the colors of the leaves. Those colors make beautiful quilts!

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  76. I love the crisp morning air in the fall, but don't like the fact that it gets dark earlier. I love your quilt - a great pattern from a simple block!
    jjaw at verizon dot net

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  77. Beautiful work! I love the first fall cool spell when you can feel the crispy cool air for the first time. Plus it'a always such a relief from a hot Southern summer!

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  78. Such a lovely quilt! I like the cooler autumn weather and the changing colors of the leaves.

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  79. My favorite fall activity is the county fair and other harvest festivals.

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  80. Very pretty! The quilting motif you used really represents the season.

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  81. Love your quilt and the fabric!! Fall makes me sad because I know winter is coming.

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  82. I love fall because of the beautiful colored leaves and because it reminds me that I'll be heading south soon-just like the birds.

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  83. The first quilt I made was in Autumn colours

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