Friday, October 9, 2020

Waltzing With Bears Pattern Release

It's a pretty special day today. Not only do I have a new pattern for you, but I am celebrating the seventh birthday of my blog. The actual birthdate is September 18, 2013 with my Ta Da! post. I didn't celebrate on that day because the originally planned pattern to release on that date did not happen because a sweet reader contacted me asking if I had a pattern for this quilt, and well, why wouldn't I oblige? I actually had the pattern almost written anyhow. Of course it had to go through proper testing, and of course there will be gifts since it's a birthday of sorts.
Strangely enough that photo, taken by my grandson, Brady, was October 6 last year. Little did we know what was about to happen to the entire planet...


The quilt, Seaside Rose, (that link is to the finish post) that I was working on in my first blog post is one of my all-time favourites. We sleep under it each July.

Now the Bear Paw block was the block that got me hook, line and sinker, or should I say paw, bees and honey into quilting. Briefly, it was a contest at the local fancy fabric/budding quilting shop at the time where you paid $1 for the pattern, made the block, brought it back within the week and one winner was drawn from all those entered. I won. So I had to learn what to do next. That was 1995.

I got the Bear Paw Block on Board die last year from AccuQuilt. (affiliate link). As an Island Batik ambassador, we had to make a quilt using that die. I designed this one, a modern take on the traditional Bear Paw block. It is a throw quilt size, 56 1/2" square.

At the time I made this, one of my readers, who is a no-reply blogger, suggested the name Waltzing With Bears. I had originally named it Bear Paw Dance.but I think Waltzing With Bears is a great name, and oh yes, I do know the song!

I had three testers test the pattern and the quilts they made are terrific. In alphabetical order, here they are!

Anja's
You can read about her quilt at Anja Quilts.

Carol's
You can read her post at Quilt Schmilt.

Jennifer's
Jennifer doesn't have a blog and although she has Instagram, she hasn't posted. Yet...bahaha.

Aren't they all fabulous? If you would like to make your own Waltzing With Bears quilt, you can get the pattern in my Etsy Shop, Sandra Jane Quilts. You betcha it is on sale, 20% off. No coupon required.

Now for even more gifts to celebrate. I have a bundle of every single quilt pattern in PDF format in my shop for one lucky reader.  That is eleven patterns! Just head to the Rafflecopter widget below and answer the question! The giveaway ends on Sunday evening and I'll announce the winner on Thanksgiving Monday, October 12. That's our Canadian Thanksgiving. It's not as big a deal as the American version, but in a 'normal' year, we do get together with friends and/or family and have turkey and all the trimmings. This year we are being asked to keep it to immediate family. So, to all my Canadian friends and family, Happy Thanksgiving! Note that due to higher volumes of comments during giveaways, I won't be responding to comments but I will be certain to read each one.

Linking up
Confessions of a Fabric Addict




a Rafflecopter giveaway

50 comments:

  1. This is such a fun, pretty pattern, and Brady did a great job as quilt holder for the photo! Happy 7th blogiversary, Sandra!

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  2. I have made a couple quilts with bear paw blocks. Would love to make Waltzing with Bears as a gift.

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  3. I know I have made bear paw blocks, but I don't recall if I have made a whole quilt with them. Happy blogiversary and have a lovely thanksgiving weekend. Noone has to remind you to be thankful!

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  4. Good morning, Sandra! I have not yet made a bear paw block, and I ask myself why not?! I saw Carol's version yesterday and am admiring all four versions! Each of them have their own charming points. Look at the scallops you quilted in the borders! I'm proud of you for getting this to the release stage - 11 patterns!! WOWEE girlie. You are improving your brand and expanding your audience. No need to answer me but I do have to giggle at thinking of you winning all the blocks back in 1995. Look where that fateful event took you! ~smile~ Roseanne

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  5. I'm a fairly new quilter and have not made a bear paw block...yet! But I love reading your blog for inspiration - not only your beautiful quilts but also life, how we can open our minds to the experiences and truths of others, and attitude of gratitude (I have little ones and this is a frequent chant around here!). Your Grace quilt pattern was one of my first pattern purchases. Happy Thanksgiving!

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  6. I haven't made a bear paw quilt (yet!) but love your modern take on the layout. Many congrats on your anniversary, and Happy Thanksgiving!

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  7. Good morning Sandra. Just wanted to wish you a Happy Blogiversary.

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  8. Seven years, wow, how time flies. Love the testers quilts but Anja’s jumped out at me.

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  9. It is amazing to me how a quilt changes when different colors are used! Jennifer’s seems to move in a circle more. Since I have never made a bear paw block.....guess it might be time!!

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  10. Love this pattern. I have made a few quilts that had bear paw blocks in them along with other blocks. Not just a bear paw quilt.

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  11. I have made a bear paw block. Congratulations on the newest pattern. Wonderful name. Thank you.

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  12. I have made bear paw blocks, but never a whole quilt-full, and this one is delightful, Sandra! I especially love the star that forms in the center. Thanks for your generous giveaway!

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  13. I think I made a bear paw block for a sampler, but I'm not sure. I don't have that quilt anymore, and can't seem to find a picture.

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  14. I have made some mini bear paw blocks, following the quilter colour's quest QAL on instagram. I did not finish, though I stopped mid way, thuis summer, still very far from the number of blocks I was aiming for... I will eventually go back to it... or not

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  15. Happy Blogoversary! And congrats on the publication of your pattern :)

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  16. No I haven't tried a bear paw block, the name, the scallops in the quilting, your colours, another totally amazing finish. And to think this all started from a $1 pattern years ago. Celebrate the anniversary in whatever way you can up there, a stroll to your lovely lake would be perfect.

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  17. I love this quilt. The colors are great and your quilting is outstanding! I haven't made a bear paw in at least several years, though I'm sure I made one in my very first quilt back in 1995/1996.

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  18. Happy Blogaversary Sandra. I loved this quilt and am looking forward to setting up my longarm and getting it finished once elections are over! Thank again for allowing me to test your wonderful new pattern. Now to think of a name besides the Debate Quilt! 😉

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  19. The quilt is lovely - and I really wish I could free motion quilt like that, what a beautiful job. I'm learning, but as with anything, it doesn't happen fast enough. As for your blog - 7 years, well done! Coincidentally, I moved back home to Canada 7 years ago on September 30th - and am very happy to be back! So from one Canuck to another, Big Congrats to both of us! Thanks for sharing Sandra (I love the colours, too). Take care, stay safe and healthy.

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  20. this is just a beautiful quilt - but i have to say - your quilting put it over the top!!

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  21. Great pattern. Thanks for a chance at the draw.

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  22. Congratulations on the pattern release and the blog birthday! I have made a bear paw quilt.

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  23. I have made a bear claw block but not a whole quilt. However I do have a bear claw quilt. 58 years ago we received 4 quilts for wedding gifts. One of them was the bear claw.
    Nancy A: SewingGranda@gmail.com

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  24. I've always wanted to make a Bear Paw quilt. Hasn't happened... YET!!

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  25. This is Jennifer. I was one of the testers and I loved making this quilt, even with all those half-square triangles! It went together very quickly. The hardest part was picking out the colors. I was concerned that the center of my quilt might present as too dark, but in the right light, the dark teal is just fine. Thank you, Sandra, for the opportunity to try out this fun quilt. And, yes, the song "Waltzing with Bears" went through my head the whole time, bringing back some wonderful memories of my children when they were little. They are all grown up now and on their own, but every time I look at this quilt, I will remember those special days.

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  26. Congratulations on the blog birthday. This is a beautiful pattern and the different pattern tester versions look great. Of course the quilting on your original is jaw-dropping!

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  27. Congratulations on another blog year! Since finding you, I have been enjoying your great eye for colors and patterns as well as your sense of humor and love of nature. You do great photography with the quilts. Thanks for sharing.
    Connie
    c_s_wolfe@yahoo.com

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  28. It's a wonderful quilt, Sandra, with a perfect name! Congratulations on your blog birthday - it's always enjoyable to read your posts. Hugs!

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  29. I have not yet made a "Bear Paw" quilt, but I believe that was the first quilt my Mother made as a young girl for her first quilt. I enjoy your blog very much.
    barbkaup(at)(yahoo)(dot)(com)

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  30. I have only made 1 bear paw block but would like to make a quilt of them Yours is gorgeous!

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  31. Hi Sandra, that's a really great quilt! Congratulations on the pattern release and on your blog anniversary. Take care.

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  32. I haven’t made a bear paw block! I want to now, though! I love Waltzing with Bears!

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  33. Yes I have! I made bear paw blocks as my Rainbow Scrap Challenge project three years ago, sewed them into a lap quilt, and called it "Rainbow Bears' Square Dance". What is it with dancing bears?!
    I like your pattern, and can imagine the bears laboriously counting: 1, 2, 3 as they shuffle round the dance floor!

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  34. Happy Blog Anniversity! I've made a bear's paw block in a sampler quilt many years ago at my local YWCA quilt class in 1989. Ii's always been a favorite though. I recently bought the Accuquilt BOB bears paw die and I'm going to try it soon. I love the new modern take on bears paw. Your quilting is fabulous.

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  35. i have had it on my list for toooooo long, seeing waltzing with bears may just have pushed it up to the front, it's stunning and the quilting puts it over the top!

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  36. What a great blog post. Congratulations on 7 years of posting blogs. I love reading them. Your quilt is so nice with the blues and turquoises. Bear Paw is one of my favorite blocks and I always like to put it in sampler quilts. Haven't done more than one block for any quilt, though.

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  37. When my kids were little, we loved the A. A. Milne poem about Lines and Squares. "Bears! Just look at me walking in all of the squares!" I love bear paws.

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  38. i have made bear paw quilts, one of my favorite blocks

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  39. Great quilt, Happy Anniversary! I don't think I have ever made a bear paw block.

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  40. Congrats and happy anniversary! I have made bear paws for a sampler, but never as the featured block! I really like your setting.

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  41. Happy anniversary! I have never made a bear paw block but I love this lay out! My brother has a farm in Kansas that he calls Bear Acres, even though he has no bears. Maybe he needs some bear paws!!

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  42. I have a thing for bears. They are everywhere in my house. I even have a 5 foot butler bear that I make seasonal clothes for. Kind of over the top here. I have yet to make a bear paw quilt. I have been waiting for that perfect one. I think I found it. Thanks for the chance to win.

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  43. Yay, a giveaway! I love reading your posts, always interesting and fun. I am Canadian but living in the United States. My children thought they were the luckiest kids on the block, getting to celebrate two Thanksgivings! They loved taking left-overs for lunch on Tuesday.

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  44. I made a few bear paw blocks for Stash Bee one year when it was the Queen's request. I also considered bear paw blocks to go with the teddy bear from the Fat Quarter Baby book but I ended up with more bears instead. I love your Waltzing with Bears quilt! I, too, know the song :)

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  45. Happy blogiversary and congrats on the pattern release. Love the movement created with the block placement!

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  46. I made a vest using Bear Paw blocks back in the mid-90’s. It was a commission for a student at Baylor University - the Baylor Bears.

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  47. Wow! I love this one and so much fun to see the different versions. It is a great quilt and I hope the pattern is a very successful one. You are sure cranking them out.

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