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Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Welcome Autumn - Finishes - A Giveaway!

Here in the Northern Hemisphere it's officially Fall! 

Quoting the Farmers Almanac:  "The autumnal equinox brings the fall season to the Northern Hemisphere on September 22 at 10:29 P.M. EDT. 

The word equinox comes from the Latin words for "equal night."   The fall and spring equinoxes are the only days of the year in which the Sun crosses the celestial equator.

From here on out, the temperatures begin to drop and the days start to get shorter than the nights."

I know what that means to me -- more sewing!  Does it mean the same to you?

Soon the backyard trees will be showing these beautiful colors...  I can't wait!
With some fall lectures and trunk shows at a few local guilds I've been busy getting some finishing touches on a few old quilts.

Here is my "Milkbone" quilt before it was bound....  It was quilted "McTavish" style using #Aurifil Mako Cotton 50Wt thread -- gosh that thread works wonderfully for dense machine quilting!  No breaks, little lint and the backtracks are almost invisible!! 
And here are a couple of "after" shots...
and
 
It sure makes a beautiful table mat.   You can read more about "Milkbone" by clicking here and here.

The other piece I finished is a WAY OLD work in Progress -- Family Estate.  Family Estate is a pattern in the Laundry Basket Quilts book "Friendship Strips and Scraps".  
This little quilt was appliqued and pieced months before I quilted it on my domestic machine.  I used Aurifil Mako Cotton 50 Wt Thread for the needle turn applique, the piecing, AND the quilting.  I love the way it turned out!

To finish it up, I needed to complete the window curtains, the door panels and the door knob.  I used wonderful #Aurifil Mako Cotton 12Wt thread to hand stitch the curtain ruffle (french knots) and the same weight Aurifil thread to machine stitch the panels around the door!   12Wt, 28Wt, 50Wt thread -- the Aurifil never lets me down! 
You can read more about my Family Estate quilt by clicking here.  Many thanks to my friend Debbie Wick for the awesome door knob button.  Isn't it sweet ?

One more thing to celebrate and then we'll get to the giveaway. 

It's been almost a year since my first recipe was published on the Moda Bake Shop -- Can you believe it ?  In October, 2013 I created my first design and tutorial for the "Family Tree Quilted Envelope Pillow".   You'll find the free tutorial and PDF download by clicking here.
It was one of the most fun and enlightening steps I've ever taken in my Quilting career.  Design, applique, piece, quilt, write the tutorial, and publish on the Moda Bake Shop.  It was truly an honor!

So what better way to celebrate this accomplishment than a giveaway of the Family Tree scraps that have been sitting around the sewing room for nearly a year!
One lucky reader will win this pile of scraps, mostly strips, of Family Tree by Deb Strain for Moda.  If you're interested in making the pillow - perfect -- these scraps will go a long way to get you there.  They would also be beautiful for a simple strip runner for Fall (which is why I kept 'em).  Whatever the case, it would be fantastic to see someone putting them to good use!

If an international winner is chosen, instead of shipping you scraps I'll email you a PDF copy of my Spring Basket pattern.

To enter the giveaway leave me a comment letting me know if you are a follower (old or new).

If you follow me on other social media outlets -- let me know that in a comment too!

Did you know I recently started using Instagram ?  You can find me there at RedbirdQuiltCo.   I think I only have two followers... my granddaughter and my niece... lol.  If you start following me on Instagram leave me a comment and let me know.

Get another entry if you share this giveaway with your friends (Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, Blogger, Twitter).   Comment and let me know.

My giveaway will end this Sunday, September 28th at 9pm EST. 

One other thing... there is an awesome Quilt Giveaway going on until midnight Tuesday at my friend Angie's blog.  Click here before Tuesday at midnight to enter!

Have a fantastic week all - finishing up some more tutorials and fun projects -- will share soon!
Hugs,
Karen

84 comments:

  1. Stunning Karen! Magic quilting, the texture is dreamy. Here in New Zealand of course we have the opposite seasons to you, so funny to see your trees turning towards winter, when ours are busy bursting with blooms!

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  2. Like you I love autumn wish we had the spectacular colour in the trees like you have over the pond. 2 beautiful projects you have shared with us today, you are so inspiring. One problem went to download the pdf for the cushion but could not find a download button anywhere, think maybe it has been removed, would love to have a go at this.
    Please do not include me in the draw for the scraps as I live overseas and already have the pattern.The bundle of scraps look a great win for someone

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  3. Wow, Karen! I love the quilting and the pillow. I also use Aurifil gor quilting, because it is the best for my machine.
    Thanks for sharing the giveaway!
    Greetings, Rike

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  4. Your work is stunning. When I build up my confidence, I'll certainly give Aurifil threads a try!! I couldn't find the link to download the Moda Bake Shop pattern, either. Have a great day!

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  5. Karen, I love your little house quilt. I am an old follower

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  6. Your milkbone quilt is beautiful, and I love the pillow too! Thanks so much for the chance to win some of our scraps! I follow you on Feedly. :0)

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  7. I follow your blog, and love your posts, your tutorials and quilts! I have started your cardinal and berries quilt. Still looking for the perfect red fabric. Love would your scraps. Thanks!

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  8. I love Family Estate and that you personalized it with the embroidered surname. Your McTavishing on Milkbone is amazing and the quilt looks great on the table!

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  9. Forgot to say I follow you by email!

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  10. Good morning! I have been following you on bloglovin for quite some time now. I love your Redbirds & Berries pattern!

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  11. I also follow you on FaceBook (Sue Hoover)

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  12. The quilting is superb! I have been following for quite a while..could it be a year??

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  13. Lovely, Karen. I am an email follower. Thanks do much for sharing.

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  14. I have been following you for a while. These scraps look like fun. Your quilting is beautiful.

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  15. I follow you via Email. I just LOVE the fall colors! Thanks for sharing your BEAUTIFUL work and for a chance to win this giveaway!

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  16. Both quilts are lovely! Ya know, I may need to try the aurifil thread. :) I'm a follower and will look you up on instagram. Happy first full day of fall!

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  17. Your quilting is beautiful! I follow via email. Thanks for the chance to win your scraps, I would use them to make your pillow.

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  18. I have started following you on Instagram. My name is Ceciliaquilts.

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  19. Old follower of your beautiful work!

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  20. Just started following you on Instagram!

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  21. I've been an email follower for a while. Your quilting is beautiful -- I love Milkbone!

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  22. Seems like everything you do is a favorite of mine. I love the home quilt. Might have to make that one! I have been following for a while now through email. Thanks for the opportunity to win the scrap bundle. I have lots of them and use them regularly in my appliqués.

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  23. I am an old follower. I use Aurifil in my sewing and in my embroidery and wool work. My favorite season is fall, mainly for the colors, but also for the moderate temperatures. Not too cold and not too hot.

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  24. I love Milkbone! You are so talented. I love your Family Estate too! I may have to find that pattern- really cute! You know I follow you everywhere you go :) lol. I am not on Instagram though. xo jan

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  25. 90I am an "Old" follower~! LOL. I am practically a stalker. I keep all your emails in my gmail account separately so I can go back and just ogle them! Thanks for a chance to win some "whittlings" as my husband calls them. Keep up the fantastic, inspirational work!

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  26. I shared your contest also on my newsfeed. Thanks for the great inspiration!

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  27. Loving all your projects! I follow you on Facebook and bloglovin.

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  28. I am a new follower, love your work. Going to try to find you on instragram now
    thanks for the give away.

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  29. posting the giveaway on my Facebook page

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  30. I follow you on bloglovin. I am in need of a fall pillow cover!

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  31. Nice collection of fall scraps. Prefect to make a scrappy fall quilt. Following you on bloglovin'. 24Tangent@gmail.com

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  32. Fantastic quilt, and thanks for your great tutorials. I follow your blog via email.

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  33. Can't believe it's been a year since I fell in love with your work! I'd love to win these scraps and run with them for my own spot of autumn love!

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  34. I am an old follower. Love seeing the projects you shared.

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  35. Hi Karen, I just discovered you from an Aurifill FB post. Your work is Lovely! I especially like the Milkbone Quilt. I enjoy the coolness of Autumn, the colors of nature, and the crispy air. It very well could be my favorite season, but I believe I say that at the beginning of every season. LOL! So nice of you to offer your leftovers as a giveaway. :)

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  36. I just signed up to follow you through e-mail. I didn't see a place to click to follow on FB.

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  37. A year ago! Doesn't seem that long ago. I would love to win your scraps.
    I am an old follower.

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  38. Just found somehow your blog...........and I love it. Follow you via blogglovin

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  39. Beautiful work. I could only hope I could ever do something as beautiful.

    Karen London

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  40. Love your designs. Folowing you on bloglovin.

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  41. Thank you for sharing your beautiful creative gifted talent. I enjoy following you! I quilted (& crafted) many years ago & had health issues that kept me from being able to continue. I gave all my fabric & tools to a friend. I now am so excited to get back, but can only manage slowly to get tools & fabric stashed back. I'll get there & then be able to make beautiful memories!

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  42. Your quilting is so lovely. I follow you by email.

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  43. I am a new follower and love your work. I am in awe. I don't have the confidence to try anything like this. But I am hopeful to find some Aurfil and use it. I also follow you on Facebook.

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  44. Milkbone and Family Estate are gorgeous!! I also love your Family Tree pillow! Your work is stunning! I would love to try Aurifil threads someday. I like the idea of making a simple strip runner with the scraps. I am an old follower. Thank you!

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  45. I follow on Bloglovin, Facebook and Pinterest. Thank you!

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  46. I already follow you thru Bloglovin & Email :)

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  47. I follow you on Pinterest too :)

    (don't do FB, Etc Etc)

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  48. "Milkbone" belies the beauty of that quilt, Karen. It's gorgeous!

    Thank you for offering the scraps. I follow you on Feedly (though I may also follow with Google FriendConnect - but I read on Feedly).

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  49. All your work is stunning! I love Fall so much myself.

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  50. I follow on facebook. Just love the pillow and the McTavishing. Beautiful work.

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  51. I've been a follower on Bloglovin for a few months. I love your work, especially when there are birds!

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  52. Sharing on FB! My friends will love seeing your work too.

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  53. I just found you!!!!! How could that be???
    I love the birds on the fabric pile you showed.
    I love that you are sharing them with some lovely person.

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  54. Love the pillow. I'm a relatively new follower - haven't explored your older posts yet.
    Thanks for the giveaway.

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  55. I love your designs. Old bloglovin follower and new gfc follower.

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  56. Tweet
    https://twitter.com/minibea/status/514953516532510720

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  57. I enjoy your posts. Your quilts and quilting are beautiful. Will leave here and go directly to IG.

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  58. Beautiful quilting on both pieces Karen, wow! We're enjoyiong the change of seasons too - just the opposite way round!

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  59. Hi
    That pillow on Moda was my first encounter with your work and I have enjoyed following you since. I love your wall hanging with the cardinal and berries and intend to make it as soon as I finish the Storm at Sea quilt I am working on. It's to be a Christmas gift for my son and his wife, which I'm sure they don't even remember asking me to do, quite a few years ago.

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  60. Wow ~ I'd love to win those yummy scraps! Thanks a bunch for the chance!

    Isn't Fall awesome!

    my nana maree @ yahoo . com

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  61. LOVE following you on Facebook ☺ Thanks for the chance to win!

    my nana maree @ yahoo . com

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  62. The quilting is Beautiful. Yes I am a follower. I love this, who wouldn't the bird is irresistible!

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  63. I follow you with blog lovin.' This pillow is gorgeous!

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  64. Ti seguo su BillieBee e trovo i tuoi lavori veramente belli. Complimenti. Se vincerò penso che farò uguale al tuo. Grazie Silvana
    elosarig59@gmail.com

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  65. First of all the scenic shots are just gorgeous !! Love the finished pieces and the fall colors and speaking of all did you fall clean the windows before you hung the curtains? :)

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  66. Wow! Love the Milkbone quilt. Fabulous work. Family Estate look so much fun to make. Yes, I would love to win the scraps so I can make myself a beautiful Family Tree pillow. I have found you through Angie' A Quilting Reader's Garden. Thanks for the chance to win.

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  67. I am now a new follower on Blogger.

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  68. I love your work, and was happy to see you on Instagram! I'm following you now. Thanks for having a giveaway.

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  69. I follow via GFC. Love the Family Tree fabric scraps, they would be perfect with a charm pack of that line that I've been hoarding!

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  70. I followed you over on Instagram - you're up to 12 now! Come follow me over at Mountain Quiltworks.

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  71. And I meant to say "Congrats" on a very successful year :)

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  72. Your quilting is stunning. The quilting on your Milkbone quilt is amazing. Thank you for a chance at those lovely scraps. I follow you by e-mail.

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  73. All three projects are gorgeous, Karen. Thanks for the advise on the Mako 50wt thread - I've just bought some to try on my next quilt. Thanks for linking to Hexie Weekend. Hope you will do it again to share your great eye candy.

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  74. Karen, I love your house! This is gorgeous! I love how your mixed the fabrics. The colors, the curtains, the quilted door and roof... everything is so beautifully done.

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