We Have A Winner! Recreating Antique Quilts

Woohoo!  

I want to thank everyone who participated in Blog Hop 2 for Wendy Sheppard's fantastic book "Recreating Antique Quilts".  We really appreciate the sweet comments and feedback you shared.

There were a total of 82 entries for the giveaway!   

If you didn't get a chance to read Wendy's recap of the blog hop -- you can checkout her post (and see images of all the projects) by clicking here.   

Each blogger really had fun with their project and put their own unique spin on it.  

If you like quilty eye candy -- you'll want to check it out.

Here is my version of Ivory Baltimore - done with a flannel background and wool applique.

Sew much fun!!

 (For anyone that is local, I will be teaching this class next semester at Quilter's Corner in Ithaca -- look for it on their upcoming schedule -- Yippee!!).

 Here is Wendy's version of Ivory Baltimore - so very beautiful!! 

I just love the colors in Wendy's version - and those feathers!!

Without further adeau.... 

I used Mr. Random Generator to choose a winner

 

And the winner is:

Jan from Sew and Sow Farm blog and Featherweight Quilt Co!! 

Congratulations Jan - I'll be sending you an email and Landauer Press will be mailing a book your way soon -- good for you! 

Thanks again for joining in the fun!! 

If you're interested in getting your own copy of Wendy's book, be sure to click over to this page to order from Landauer Publishing or - check it out on Amazon - or ask your favorite Quilt Shop to carry it!!   

Stay tuned for more fun on the quilting and giveaway front - I promise!

Take good care,

Karen

Great Projects - Awesome Giveaway

If you missed out on entering the Giveaway for Wendy Sheppard's latest book, jump over to the giveaway post and get in on the fun before 

midnight March 12th!!

On the giveaway post you can:

1. Checkout my review of Recreating Antique Quilts

2. Be reminded of the project I made during the first Blog Hop and Book Giveaway

Garden Lattice 

(Feathered)

(Just look at all the area for FMQ Feathers!!) 

Learn about the project I created for the 2nd blog hop

Ivory Baltimore 

(in Wool)

AND

Visit 3 other very talented bloggers also giving away copies of Wendy's book!!

***

Be sure to leave a comment (and your email) on the Giveaway Post to enter!

Thanks so much for stopping by - there's more fun and giveaways coming up - be sure to visit again!

Cheers,

Karen

Blog Hop and Book Giveaway - Recreating Antique Quilts

Welcome everyone!

I'm Karen from Redbird Quilt Co and I'm thrilled to be sharing the stage with some wonderfully talented ladies for Blog Hop Round #2 celebrating Wendy Sheppard's latest book:  

Recreating Antique Quilts

You're going to Love this book!
Be sure to jump to each person's blog today - see their beautiful projects, and get signed up for the book giveaway -- 4 books will be shared during the hop!!

Lisa: http://lovetocolormyworld.blogspot.com/
Doreen: http://treadlemusic.wordpress.com/
Kay: http://kayharmon.blogspot.com/ 

Many thanks to Landauer Publishing for sponsoring this hop and giveaway!

Image Credit Landauer Publishing

If you've been following along on Instagram or Facebook you'll know that I've been sharing some teasers about my latest project from Wendy's book.
Well, the time has come to tell you about the book and reveal my project!!

Wendy Sheppard according to Karen:  

Let me first say that Wendy Sheppard is one of the most talented designers and domestic free motion quilters that I know!

I've been motivated and inspired by her awesome designs and free motion quilting classes and tutorials for several years now.  Matter of fact, Wendy, in her sweet and graceful way, has encouraged me to become a better designer and quilter and I'm so very grateful for that.
(Thank you friend). 

One awesome thing you'll find on Wendy's Blog (www.ivoryspring.wordpress.com) is Wendy's free motion quilting tips, Thread Talk.  If you FMQ then you must check it out!  All the most fantastic tips and tricks for quilting on a domestic machine!!  Really -- Thread Talk has helped me out of more than one FMQ jam.

To learn even more about Wendy check out this blog post by Landauer Press and also this interview with Pat Sloan!  Woot! Woot!

Recreating Antique Quilts Review:

(From Blog Hop Round #1 ~ My original review ~ Nov 2014)

Recreating Antique Quilts is all about re-interpreting antique quilts for the quilters of our time using contemporary fabrics and methods.  It's pretty neat to see antique quilt designs recreated with fun and modern fabrics in sizes that 

won't take forever to complete. 

Here is the book cover,
isn't it just beautiful?

Fresh colors, a beautiful bird, love!

Book Cover ~ Image Credit Landauer Publishing

The 96 page book contains patterns, complete instructions, full-color images, and full-size templates for 5 quilts, 2 table toppers/runners, 1 pillow, and 2 stunning wall hangings.   WOW!! 

In typical Wendy Sheppard style, the designs are fresh and unique and each pattern contains applicable cutting, piecing, applique and quilting tips including an awesome writeup sharing Wendy's machine applique methods.  Sweet!

In all, the book contains more than 27 full-color quilt images!   I love this because you can see full view images of the quilts that inspired Wendy's designs along side her updated design.

There are detail images that show you the beautiful piecing and applique along with the fantastic quilting stitched on Wendy's domestic machine.  

Wendy's Garden Lattice ~ Image Credit Landauer Publishing

You'll also love the detailed and helpful applique templates and quilting diagrams.  

The applique templates are full-size, color coded, reversed where applicable, and easy to follow.

The quilting tips, notes and diagrams are equally impressive.

I was excited to see a page dedicated to quilting an Off-Centered Feather Wreath.
I can see my FMQ skills improving already!

Blog Hop Round #1 Creation: Karen's Feathered Garden Lattice:

Here is a quick recap of what I created for Blog Hop Round #1.
Shown is Wendy's Garden Lattice quilt design - so beautiful!!  

Image Credit Landauer Publishing

And I interpreted the design like this:  Karen's "Feathered Garden Lattice".

You can read my Blog Hop Round #1 post and see more of Feathered Garden Lattice by clicking here:    What a fun project!!

Here we are!! Blog Hop Round #2  

I was thrilled and honored when Wendy invited a few of us to the 2nd round of her book Blog Hop -- it means creating yet another design from the book!  Woot!  Woot!

Of course I was drawn to this applique,  

Ivory Baltimore Wall Hanging.  

It's a mini -- 17" x 21"

It was first on my list of things to make.  

Isn't it beautiful?  

Ivory Baltimore ~ Image Credit Landauer Publishing

Wendy wrote an exceptional overview of how and why she created Ivory Baltimore -- you can read it by clicking here.

I was excited to adapt Ivory Baltimore to wool applique using somewhat more traditional Baltimore Album colors....

and here it is...  my Wool on Flannel version of Ivory Baltimore Wallhanging:

As I did with Feathered Garden Lattice, I decided to jump outside of my comfort zone with this project.  Although I rarely use fusible methods - it sure came in handy on this petite little applique wall hanging.

 For the background fabric I used Primitive Muslin Flannel (by Primitive Gatherings for Moda) and various and sundry pieces of hand dyed wool for the applique.  I used Heat 'n Bond Lite to prepare everything except the stems, baskets, and 3D flowers.  I was happy with how things anchored using the fusible (but you know me, generally I wouldn't use fusible or glue based products).   

 I used Aurifil Mako Cotton 12Wt Thread (and a little Valdani 12Wt) to hand stitch the wool pieces to the background.  I find it relaxing to hand stitch #slowstitching.  

If you want to create this design with machine applique (like Wendy did) and wool, the fusible would help stabilize the wool for you -- so you can machine blanket stitch it. 

I used a combination of a blanket stitch and an overhand stitch on the applique and added a little batting to the wool flowers to give them dimension. Where Wendy used YoYo Flowers, I had fun creating something a little different with wool!!

For the quilting, I paired the quilt top with a layer of Quilters Dream 100% Wool batting, a layer of 100% cotton batting and a flannel backing.  I used Aurifil 50Wt Mako Cotton for the quilting with a size 90/14 needle (because of all that batting).

I *LOVE* the way Aurifil thread stitches (hand and machine). 

 Don't you just love the look and dimension quilting adds to the overall pattern?

I could go on all day showing you pictures of Wooly Ivory Baltimore, but I want to be sure you have time to get to all the blogs that are reviewing and giving-away Wendy's book today.

Use the image below to see Wendy's main blog hop post from today:  And don't forget to hop to the other blogging friends...

Image Credit Landauer Publishing

Now how about that Giveaway!

The great folks at Landauer Publishing are giving away one copy of
Recreating Antique Quilts
at each blog hop stop today!

The book giveaway is open to United States and Canadian followers -- however, if an International follower is chosen, I would be happy to share a PDF copy of my Spring Basket pattern - so please everyone, join in the fun!

 To enter the giveaway, leave a comment and let me know what you thought about the book review or the projects in the book -- just let me know whatever you like!

The Giveaway will remain open through March 12th and the randomly drawn winner will be announced on March 13th.
 

In summary, I couldn't be more pleased with Wendy Sheppard's new book  
Recreating Antique Quilts.

The designs (and variety of designs), patterns, instructions, diagrams, layout, colors - just everything about the book is beautifully done.

Here are a couple of helpful links:

You can order the book from Landauer Publishing by clicking here.  

You can order a signed copy of the book from Wendy Sheppard by clicking here:
You can also find the book on Amazon.com or ask your favorite Patchwork shop to order it in.

Thanks for stopping by today and have a blessed week!
Karen

Thank you, Thank you and a Winner!

You guys are the best!

Your responses to my Recreating Antique Quilts book review and resulting Feathered Garden Lattice quilt blew me away.   

Although I couldn't respond to each and every comment, I want to tell you from the bottom of my heart,
"Thank You".
You have a way of inspiring a girl to keep on stitchin'.

Feathered Garden Lattice - from Recreating Antique Quilts by Wendy Sheppard

I just realized I never showed you an image of the pieced back.  Here it is - don't mind my husbands feet ;)  He's a trooper when it comes to taking quilt pictures - love him!

 I had a blast making Wendy's Garden Lattice pattern and was really happy to use the stash fabric I've been hoarding for years.  That, along with pushing myself to work those feathered borders on my domestic machine, was quite a fun adventure.

I do hope you all take the opportunity to do the same - grab some of your most cherished fabric, buy that book,
and get that quilt made!  

I know for certain that both Wendy and I would love, love, love to see it!

Click the image below for a Recap of the Blog Hop and links to order
your copy of
Recreating Antique Quilts.

 Also, stay tuned over the holidays, I hope to post more about the feather borders and the lessons I learned while making them.
Sew much fun.

A few other fun things before we announce a winner:

I was very honored to be featured by Quilter's Dream batting as one of their November #battgirls for my quilting on Feathered Garden Lattice -- isn't that fun?

   I wrote them because I was absolutely thrilled with how the Dream Wool quilted.
It was the first time I'd used Dream wool and I'm hooked! 
I've found a perfect combination -- Dream Wool + Aurifil Mako Cotton.  Love it!

Click the image (above) to read the blog post they shared about me.
 (Can you say honored ?)

WOW!

Click the button (below) to learn how you too can be considered for their monthly #battgirls or #battmen feature.

 Thank you Quilter's Dream Batting.

One more fun thing...
I WON! 
Happy Dance!

Yes, it's my lucky month!

I entered a Giveaway on this post at Kelly's "My Quilt Infatuation" blog and WON a
$25 gift certificate to

Southern Fabric.

Click the button (above) to see the beautiful fabric they carry at Southern Fabric! 
I'm so grateful that I won.
Thank you Kelly and Aubrey for the awesome giveaway!

Now how about we announce a winner of Wendy's book: Recreating Antique Quilts?

As of 8pm EST on November 13th there were 113 comments on the giveaway post. 
I called upon Mr. Random Number Generator and he selected comment #58

And the Winner is:   

Congratulations Cindy!  You've won Wendy Sheppard's new book Recreating Antique Quilts, courtesy of Landauer Publishing.

How exciting - I know you'll enjoy the book Cindy - Have fun with it!

Special thanks again to Wendy Sheppard for inviting me to the hop,
and to Landaeur Publishing for sponsoring the book giveaway.  
We had an awesome time!

Here are a couple of helpful links:

You can order the book from Landauer Publishing by clicking here.

You can order a signed copy of the book from Wendy Sheppard by clicking here:

Thanks for stopping by, it's always fun to share with you.

Blessings,
Karen

Recreating Antique Quilts Giveaway ~ Reveal ~ Review!

Hi everyone and Welcome!!
I'm honored to be participating in a Blog Hop celebrating the release of Wendy Sheppard's new book:  
Recreating Antique Quilts

You're going to Love this book!  

Many thanks to Landauer Publishing for sponsoring this hop and giveaway!

Image Credit Landauer Publishing

I know, I know... I've been feeding you teasers about this book for weeks now - but the time has finally come to share some sweet projects from the book and show you a quilt that I made using
the Garden Lattice pattern.

First let me say that Wendy Sheppard is one of the most talented designers and domestic free motion quilters that I've had the pleasure to know.

If you've not already bookmarked Wendy's free motion quilting tips, Thread Talk, you really should!

Wendy not only provides a constant source of inspiration to fellow quilters (in 2014 alone her designs were published in 10 different magazines, 3 books (not including her own) and for multiple different fabric companies), she also encourages quilters to step outside of their comfort zone and try something new.  I'm so excited for her!  

You can learn more about Wendy in this blog post by Landauer Press and also in her recent interview with Pat Sloan!  Woot! Woot!

Recreating Antique Quilts Review:

Recreating Antique Quilts is all about re-interpreting antique quilts for the quilters of our time using contemporary fabrics and methods.  It's pretty neat to see antique quilt designs recreated with fun and modern fabrics in sizes that 

won't take forever to complete. 

Here is the book cover,
isn't it just beautiful?

Fresh colors, a beautiful bird, love!

Book Cover ~ Image Credit Landauer Publishing

The 96 page book contains patterns, complete instructions, full-color images, and full-size templates for 5 quilts, 2 table toppers/runners, 1 pillow, and 2 stunning wall hangings.   WOW!! 

In typical Wendy Sheppard style, the designs are fresh and unique and each pattern contains applicable cutting, piecing, applique and quilting tips including an awesome writeup sharing Wendy's machine applique methods.  Sweet!

In all, the book contains more than 27 full-color quilt images!   I love this because you can see full view images of the quilts that inspired Wendy's designs along side her updated design.

There are detail images that show you the beautiful piecing and applique along with the fantastic quilting stitched on Wendy's domestic machine.  

Wendy's Garden Lattice ~ Image Credit Landauer Publishing

You'll also love the detailed and helpful applique templates and quilting diagrams.  

The applique templates are full-size, color coded, reversed where applicable, and easy to follow.

The quilting tips, notes and diagrams are equally impressive.

I was excited to see a page dedicated to quilting an Off-Centered Feather Wreath.
I can see my FMQ skills improving already!

The Reveal - Karen's Garden Lattice (aka Feathered Garden Lattice)

I was thrilled and honored when Wendy invited a few of us to make projects from the book.

Of course I was drawn to this applique,  
Ivory Baltimore Wall Hanging. 
It was first on my list of things to make.  

Isn't it beautiful?  

Ivory Baltimore ~ Image Credit Landauer Publishing

Well it seems I wasn't the only one in love with Ivory Baltimore -- so for this Blog Hop you'll want to jump over to Cathi's blog (Quilt Obsession) and drool over her version of this beautiful wall hanging. 

Sometime after the first of the year I'll be sharing my rendition. 

Do you think I might work it up in wool?  

Just maybe?

My next choice, and one I was sure would place me outside of my comfort zone, was this beautiful quilt Wendy named:  

Garden Lattice.   

I envisioned it done in French General or Blackbird Design fabrics (more traditional than modern) and possibly highlighting some of my large stash of bird prints.  

But the piecing... ouch... You know me - never looking forward to too much piecing ;)

Image Credit Landauer Publishing

Well -- I'm happy to say that I sailed through this beautiful pattern with ease -- enjoying every step of the process;  fabric choice, cutting, piecing, and quilting on my domestic machine.  I decided to call my version "Feathered Garden Lattice". 

 I couldn't resist using one of my most beautiful bird print fabrics from  

Collections for a Cause - Heritage 

 by Howard Marcus for Moda (it's been in my stash forever!) along with another beautiful line by  Blackbird Designs for Moda Antique Fair. 

Seriously, I've been hoarding these fabrics for years.   

 It felt good to dig them out and use them to create Garden Lattice.  I made one small revision to the pattern as to avoid cutting my Heritage fabric (I just couldn't bring myself to cut those birds) and voila!!

I couldn't be more thrilled with how this pattern lent itself to this traditional fabrics and how easily this quilt went together using Wendy's extremely detailed instructions and tips.  

Even "Karen the non-piecing Quilter" was able to make this pattern -- sew much fun!

A quick shout-out and many thanks to Quilt Essential in Devils Lake, North Dakota for coming to my rescue and sending nearly 3 yards of Antique Fair - Antique Rose fabric.  I had about a 1/2 yard on hand but needed a bit more to make border # 4.  

Thank you Katie and Janet for your fine customer service and awesome stash of fabrics!

I was so excited about the fabrics, colorway, and pattern that I started auditioning Aurifil threads for quilting before the piecing was done.
I always look forward to the quilting on my domestic machine.

It's one of my favorite steps!

One fun thing about Garden Lattice is the 6 different borders around the lattice center - a perfect way to practice a variety of FMQ feathers.

  

Here are a few images of the quilted borders on Feathered Garden Lattice.

This was my first attempt at feathered borders -- they sure aren't perfect but I learned so much and love the way they turned out.

Paired with Quilters Dream 100% Wool batting, I used 5 different colors of Aurifil Mako Cotton 50Wt thread for the feathers and a background filler.

 Don't you just love the look and dimension it adds to the overall pattern?

Here is the background filler I used on the center fabric. I wanted to highlight the birds and flowers.

I could go on all day showing you pictures of my completed project, but I want to be sure you have time to get to all the blogs that are reviewing and giving-away Wendy's book today.

Use the image below to see Wendy's main blog post -- from there you'll see a list of the other wonderful blogging friends that you can hop to!

Image Credit Landauer Publishing

Now how about that Giveaway!

One last thing - the great folks at Landauer Publishing are giving away one copy of
Recreating Antique Quilts
at each blog hop stop today!

The book giveaway is open to United States and Canadian followers -- however, if an International follower is chosen, I would be happy to share a PDF copy of my Spring Basket pattern - so please everyone, join in the fun!

*** Giveaway Closed ***  To enter the giveaway, leave me a comment and let me know what you thought about the book review or the projects in the book -- just let me know whatever you like!

The Giveaway will close at 8pm EST on Thursday, November 13th.

In summary, I couldn't be more pleased with Wendy Sheppard's new book  
Recreating Antique Quilts.

The designs (and variety of designs), patterns, instructions, diagrams, layout, colors - jut everything about the book is beautifully done.

Here are a couple of helpful links:

You can order the book from Landauer Publishing by clicking here.

You can order a signed copy of the book from Wendy Sheppard by clicking here:

Thanks for stopping by today and have a blessed week!
Karen