Giveaway & Sales, Sales, Sales!!

Black Friday -- Cyber Monday
So Many Sales... !!!

I'm excited to host the first ever sale on
my printed patterns
and
 A Quilter's Doodle I FMQ Inspiration and Coloring book...

Here's the deal...
 I have 2 published Wool Applique Patterns...

and

One Free Motion Quilting Inspiration & Coloring Book

Buy any two items for $18* and get any 3rd item free!

The patterns, Wooly Wren and Spring Basket, are darling little wool applique designs that I created on cotton backgrounds.

The printed pattern comes complete with detailed instructions AND applique templates already printed on freezer paper -- making the wool applique a breeze.

A Quilter's Doodle is a bound book containing 20 of my hand drawn FMQ Inspired Doodles -- it's printed on heavyweight perforated paper.   I've shared many of the doodles online -- you can peruse them using the #aquiltersdoodles hashtag on Social Media.

The fun part ---
You decide what 2 items you would like to purchase AND any 3rd item is free*!!

You can order through my website
-- OR --
order by leaving your email address, shipping zip code and 3 item details in a comment below.

Mix and match as you like.

*I will use the most cost-effective shipping possible, add shipping to the total, and send a PayPal invoice to the email specified.

Learn More

Spring Basket was my first ever paid pattern -- I created it and started teaching it locally in 2014. It was originally made available as a PDF download from my Craftsy Store.  

Spring Basket Wool on Cotton - 16 wide x 11 tall

You can read more about Spring Basket it in this blog post.

Wooly Wren was my 2nd pattern -- and is only available in a printed version.    I've never done a formal introduction for Wooly Wren but you can read a little more about it in this blog post.

Wooly Wren - Wool on Cotton - 11" x 13"

A Quilter's Doodles I" was introduced earlier this year and is only available in printed format.  The booklet contains 20 of my hand drawn black and white doodles -- perfect to color or for some Free Motion Quilting Inspiration!!
I know you'll LOVE the content.
Here's a sample of one of the pages that were colored by my daughter-in-law -- isn't it fabulous ?

This is one of my favorite doodles in the book:

You can read more about "A Quilter's Doodles I" in this blog post  or on this web page.

*

It's a great sale and I appreciate your support.

Here are a few other Sales you Just Can't Miss!!

Aurifil Thread

 OH MY GOODNESS !

I've never seen such a low price on Aurifil 40 & 50Wt thread...
Spools AND Cones for an amazing price.
Click either image below:

Need a Creative Class?
All Online classes are $17.99 through end of day Monday!
*
100% Satisfaction Guaranteed
Sewing, Quilting, Photography, Baking, Needlework, on and on and on...

Check it out at this link:

Quilting on your Home Machine?

The Gidget II table that I use to do all my Free Motion Quilting on my Janome 7700 (or Bernina 240) is available at an amazing price right now !
*
See my setup in this blog post.
Use my affiliate link below for the great bargain and I'll get a small commission.
I use mine at home and on the road -- I love it.

Also, although I'll be writing more about this awesome beginner FMQ book next week, I just had to share the unbeatable price on Amazon right now!!

Yes -- Pat Sloan's BRAND NEW
  Teach Me to Machine Quilt
book is one of the best beginner Quilting books I've read.

You can read a bit about it and order it online using the link below.
 Be sure to check in next week though when I have a formal review of the book, share some sweet projects, and have a giveaway too....

Giveaway Time:

I recently taught the "Really Mini Redbird and Berries" in Wool to a wonderful Guild in South Carolina - The York County Quilters Guild
You can read more about my trip here.

For that trip I prepared kits for the Guild to use...
AND
I intentionally prepared a few kits to share!!

To Enter the Giveaway:

Leave me a comment and tell me your favorite thing about quilting...
Is it piecing, quilting, applique, gifting... ?
I would love to know.

For extra chances to win -- share the giveaway with a friend.
Share on as many mediums as you like -- you can Blog, Tweet, Facebook or Instagram post...
Whatever you like...
*
Be sure to leave a new comment each time you share -- and you'll get an extra entry!
*
Giveaway is open internationally through end of day November 30th.

A USA winner receive the kit AND Workshop materials to make the pattern.

A winner outside of the states will receive a PDF copy of one of my patterns.

If you want to download the original (full size) Redbird and Berries, you can do that here.
It's Free!!

I'm booking Redbird Quilt Co. Lectures, Trunk Shows and Workshops for 2017 & 2018

If your Shop, Group or Guild is looking for programs or workshops I would love to hear from you.

Domestic Machine Quilting,  Wool & Needle turn Applique - Technique or Project oriented workshops are available.

Send email inquiries to karen at redbirdquiltco dot com

or redbirdquiltco at gmail dot com

*

Time to run... a have a little shopping to do.

Have a blessed weekend all and many thanks for your continued support!

YOU Make my World a Happy Place!

*

Follow me on social media:

Redbird Quilt Co. on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter, YouTube

Facebook my FMQ Frenzy Community Group

My other Moda Bake Shop Recipes

Note:  The FTC requires that I tell you.... I occasionally use affiliate links on my blog and website.  I may be compensated for purchases made using the links.  Rest assured I will only share sales and promotions for products I know and love myself.  Many thanks for your support of my very small business.

Meet and Greet - National Quilting Weekend - Aurifil Giveaway!

Hello friends and welcome to
Meet and Greet Stitchers Around the World blog hop!   Many thanks to Mdm Samm @ Sew We Stitch for hosting this lovely event.  To see a complete list of participants, drool over some beautiful stitching, and checkout the blogging giveaways, click the button below.  

This first day of Spring AND start of the 2015 National Quilting Weekend I'm excited to share a #slowstitching post AND a fantastic giveaway including Aurifil thread and my latest Wooly Wren pattern.

If you're a current follower, you know that I LOVE to use Aurifil 50Wt Cotton thread for dense machine quilting -- but today I'll share projects that work perfectly with 6 strand AuriFloss and Aurifil 12Wt and 28Wt Mercerized cotton threads. 

I just LOVE to hand stitch with Aurifil floss and thread.  

Image Courtesy Aurifil.com

For those of you that are new to my blog, Welcome!   I'm Karen Miller, chief cook, bottle washer,  blogger, designer, editor, pattern maker, and welcome committee for Karen's Quilts, Crows and Cardinals blog and Redbird Quit Co.

I've sewn for most of my life but became obsessed with quilting about 8 years ago when my sister Janet invited me to join her in a $1 block of the month at a Local Quilt Shop. So thankful to have my sister as my mentor, cheerleader and support system while I learned the art of quilting.

Although I enjoyed learning to piece, I really started having fun when I took my first applique class from the very talented Sharon Stroud in Upstate NY.  Oh My - I fell in love with needle turn applique!!

This is my first applique project, "Dancing Flowers", a Sharon Stroud design that includes needle-turn applique, reverse applique, ruched flowers, berries, bias stems - just all sorts of applique fun!  What a great learning adventure with a wonderfully skilled and patient teacher.

Once I realized how much I loved applique, I branched out and took two different Wool Applique classes from the very talented Debbie Wick.

This is my version of "Folk Art Melody" - design by Lori Smith - a wool on wool wall quilt.

It was fun to customize this block to incorporate a Redbird.   Love this!

 

When you're hand stitching wool applique, 1 strand of Aurifil 12 Wt Cotton thread works perfectly to for the blanket or overhand stitch.  The mercerized cotton has a pretty sheen to it and stitches without knotting or twisting.    It's really FUN!!

My 2nd Wool applique class and quilt was "Flower Baskets" by Wooden Spool Designs.  Here is one of the sweet blocks of this pretty wall hanging -- there were 6 blocks in all.

You can see more Folk Art Melody and Flower Baskets by clicking here.

 

One more wool applique class, this time from the designer herself, Kim Diehl.   This is my revised version of Kim's "Penny Garland" pattern.  We revised the center from a 9 patch to a circular design - I love the way it came out.

Kim came to Material Rewards in Upstate NY and a few of us traveled to attend her trunk show (swoon) and Penny Garland class... You can find the Penny Garland pattern published in Kim's latest book "Simple Appeal". Of all the wool applique projects I've completed, this one is my favorite -- well, at least so far ;)

I love the texture of wool applique with dense quilting around it. I used wool batting on this piece and, once quilted, makes the wool applique just POP.   You can read more about Penny Garland Revised by clicking here.

Penny Garland is another great project where you can use 2 or 3 strands of Aurifloss, 2 strands of Aurifil 28Wt Cotton or 1 strand of Aurifil 12 Wt Cotton.  I've done some comparison of Aurifil 12Wt cotton with other 12Wt embroidery thread and found the Aurifil to stitch with less twists and knots.  I also just LOVE the sheen that the Aurifil cotton has -- it looks beautiful on my wool applique.

In 2012 I started Karen's Quilts, Crows and Cardinals blog and in 2014 Redbird Quilt Co where I released my first wool applique pattern, Spring Basket:

Spring Basket is an 11" x 13" half-moon WOOL on Cotton Mini-Quilt.  It is so much fun to work-up because you don't need to turn-under wool that is felted or fulled - just cut and sew!!    It uses very simple embroidery stitches and, with the addition of a little wren, looks just so sweet on an entrance or end table.  I really enjoyed using both AuriFloss and Aurifil 28 Wt Cotton on this piece.  Sew much fun!

Spring Basket can be stitched on a dark background with Big Stitch quilting (above). or you can use a background that is lighter and brighter and with dense machine quilting... Here's a sample:

You guessed it... Aurifil Mako Cotton 50 Wt thread for dense machine quilting.  Minimal buildup, breaks, and lint - love that thread!! 

You can see other completed Spring Basket quilts on this Pinterest board.   

You can find Spring Basket for sale in PDF form at my Craftsy Store -- or locally, in printed form, at Quilters Corner in Ithaca, NY.

Stay tuned for another Wool Applique design by Redbird Quilt Co -- Wooly Wren -- on Craftsy soon!

I really enjoy the process of designing and hand stitching wool on cotton quilts.   I also LOVE sharing detailed tutorials with the quilting community (See my Free Moda Bake Shop Recipes by clicking here -- and be sure to check out the "My Tutorials" tab my blog header). 

My latest Moda Bake Shop recipe "Chevron with a Twist" shows you how to make a Faux Ruched flower with just a few gathering and tack stitches.... you can see that recipe here:

Finally -- I not only love to hand stitch, but I consider myself a BIG advocate of teaching others to Free Motion Quilt on their domestic machines. 

Be sure to Read my last blog post -- where I demonstrate how to use The QP Curved Templates to stitch curved crosshatching on your domestic machine! 

Note:  On that blog post, there is an Active Giveaway for a complete set of QP Curved Templates, courtesy Linda Hrcka of the Quilted Pineapple.  

Click -->  The QP Curve Template Giveaway Open through midnight 3/28/15.

Whew!!  Now that was a bunch of information - hopefully some of it was helpful and/or inspirational to you. 

Since it is International Quilting Weekend we need to celebrate!!

The wonderfully generous Aurifil thread company donated a beautiful 12 spool thread collection for one lucky winner.   This collection of Bari J Splendor 1920 12 Weight threads are perfect for cross stitch, embroidery or any wool applique project!!    These 12 large spools will be a wonderful addition to someone's stitching stash.   Just look at those colors, aren't they beautiful ??

To read more about the very talented Bari J Ackerman click here.

 

To go along with this lovely set of threads, the same winner will receive a PDF version of my soon to be released pattern "Wooly Wren".  The BariJ threads will work perfectly with this spring wall hanging.

 

 The Giveaway:

This giveaway will remain open until midnight on the last day of 

National Quilting Month

March 31st, 2015

For one entry:

I would love for you to follow me on at least one of my social media outlets:

Facebook 

Instagram 

Twitter

Pinterest

Blog:  Karen's Quilts, Crows and Cardinals

Patterns: Redbird Quilt Co Craftsy Store

Leave a comment below letting me know which one you follow - if you follow more than one - let me know that in the same comment.  (Don't forget your email address).

For a 2nd chance to win - lets show our Giveaway Sponsor some thanks!

Jump over to the Aurifil Facebook page or Twitter account and share the love - tell them Redbird Quilt Co sent you -- If you don't have one of those accounts, consider following Aurifil's blog here.

Be sure to leave me a comment and let me know what you did to gain that 2nd chance (Don't forget your email)

If you haven't already, be sure to get in on the QP Curve Templates Giveaway - click => here

That's it -- Again I want to thank Mdm Samm for the awesome blog hop and I do hope everyone has  fun getting to know all the talented stitchers that participated - click button below for the list!

Have a great stitching weekend all -- and many thanks for stopping by

Hugs,

Karen

Throwback Thursday Featured Tutorial - Wool Applique Tips and Tricks and Free Design

Hi everyone -- and welcome to another Throwback Thursday Featured Tutorial.

It's been a busy week here in the Finger Lakes, USA - the weather is perfect for lake fun!   Swimming, skiing, tubing and just having fun with our family - there is no better way to spend the summer.

A couple of other fun things going on this week -- first the Throwback Thursday featured tutorial "Wool Lovers Tips and Tricks" was written last year for the Wool Lovers Blog Hop.

This tutorial features Wool Applique Tip and Tricks and includes a free bookmark design for your personal use.  I hope you enjoy reviewing it.

You can see a complete list of my tutorials by clicking the "My Tutorials" tab on my blog header ;)

Next, my blogging friend Carole at
"From My Carolina Home" blog finished a beautiful pillow rendition of my "Spring Basket" pattern and is having a giveaway of Karen Kay Buckley Perfect Scissors on her blog.

These serrated edge scissors work wonderfully on wool.   Hop on over to Carole's blog to see her lovely and creative work and be sure to enter the giveaway - it ends Thursday night, July 17th, so don't delay!!  

Image courtesy FromMyCarolinaHome.wordpress.com

If you're interested in purchasing the "Spring Basket" pattern, you can click on the link on my sidebar to jump to my Craftsy Pattern store.

Stay tuned early next week for my review of Karen McTavish's latest book -- I think a giveaway is in order on that post!!

Happy Quilting!
Hugs,
Karen

PS - If you're on Facebook be sure to follow Redbird Quilt Co .  Thank you!

Sharing WIP Like a Proud Momma

Oh I'm having such fun!!   I still have to pinch myself to be sure I'm not dreaming.... In the last few weeks I started teaching Introductory Wool Applique "Spring Basket" with two different groups and I'm doing cartwheels in celebration!!

Spring Basket Sample by Karen L. Miller ~ Redbird Quilt Co.

Many thanks to the ladies at the New Quilters On the Block Guild in Candor, NY and to the Partners and Students at Quilters Corner in Ithaca, NY for taking a chance on this green instructor!   Thank you ladies -- ya'll are just wonderful to work with...  

New Quilters on the Block - Working Hard

The New Quilters on the Block wanted to learn the basics of wool applique -- knowing that we wouldn't finish any pieces in the 4 hours we spent together.  We reviewed wool preparation, floss basics, Needles: threading - knotting - burying - finishing;  Stitches: blanket, couch, overhand, french knot, and so on...  They did a fantastic job on their quilts -- and Joan came sharing her own overdyed wools with the entire group of 11 ladies (and one lucky instructor)!   We had a fun time!

New Quilters On the Block -- Almost quitting time...

Besides the people, personalities, and comradely -- here are some moments that make this sew much fun....


1.  The "Light Bulb" moment - You're looking in a persons eye -- they're watching the lesson, and listening to what you share, and they sit down and take fabric, needle and thread in hand and "click" -- it works!!  They get it!  WOW - now that is fun!

2. "Individuality & Creativity" -- this is really, really fun for me.  The class comes in with their wools and backgrounds and nobody is exactly sure where they're going.   After 3-6 hours it all starts coming together and everyone is drooling over everyone else's projects.    Oh my that is fun!

Here are some Work in Progress images from Session 2 at Quilters Corner:

My apologies to Ruth -- somehow I managed to get out the door without taking a picture of her quilt -- I promise I'll share in another post.

This is Barbara's Spring Basket - she is stitching it onto black wool -- so soft and plush.  Don't you just LOVE that basket and how she cut it on point... the piece is coming together beautifully - I love how she used different color berries for her hyacinth. 

Barbara's WIP

This is Cathy's WIP -- Cathy took a whole different approach with a Gray wool background and a complimentary gray wool basket -- She used buttons for the centers of her mums -- how sweet!  And how about that bird ?  Don't you just love the red breast?   It's fabulous!

Cathy's WIP

Here is Mary Ann's WIP -- Mary Ann had fun with colors that were closer to the original pattern sample and it worked out wonderfully.  Her forsythia are bright and cheery, and the entire piece just jives... I love it!

Mary Ann's Work in Progress

No matter if you're the teacher or the student -- it's just fun to share quilting moments.  If you're a quilter you LOVE to see other people's work....

Here is "the other" Cathy's Spring Basket -- she nearly finished it in our 2nd 3 hour session.  The background is cotton fabric but it comes off plush and full -- and almost looking like green grass.  Cathy went with brights and WOW -- what a fantastic finish.  Congratulations Cathy!

The other Cathy's Spring Basket -- All done except for the quilting

After class Mary Ann worked hard and finished her piece over the weekend.  Here is an image she sent me -- didn't it come out beautifully ?  Way to go Mary Ann !! 

If you live locally and would like to take Introduction to Wool Applique ~ Spring Basket, I'll be teaching it in a 1 day Workshop at Penn Yan Sewing Machines on Tuesday, August 19th from 9am to 3pm.   You can reach the shop by calling 607-243-7879.   

I'll be updating my Facebook Events Page with a complete lineup of classes this week.

If you're not local, a PDF version of Spring Basket is available for immediate purchase and download at my Crafty Pattern Store.

Thanks for stopping by today and sharing in my excitement!!

Hugs,
Karen

Thank You! Bloggers Quilt Festival Results

Many thanks to everyone that clicked through and voted for my two entries in Amy's Bloggers Quilt Festival.  Thank you, thank you!

Although neither quilt won in its particular category -- Redbird and Berries tied for 11th place out of 25 quilts in the Viewers Choice category. 

Best of all - Redbird and Berries was one of three quilts tied for first place in the Original Design category !! 

Shucks -- we missed it by a vote!!  

Seriously though -- it made a fantastic showing and I do appreciate all of your votes and sweet comments.   The tie was broken by looking at the click through URL counts and Anne's "Matrix" quilt won that by a long shot!  Congratulations to Anne. 

Needless to say -- I think ya'll know I'm really proud of Redbird and Berries and now you also know why I was motivated and inspired to create it.  If you missed that background you can read it here.

Thanks again for your support and encouragement.

Spring Basket fared pretty well too -- placing 16th out of 50 some entries in the Mini Quilt Category.

I'm off to spend the day with the New Quilters on the Block Guild in Candor, NY today.

They are excited to learn wool applique and will be making Spring Basket!!  It should be a fun time and I'm honored to be working with these lovely ladies.

Have a blessed weekend everyone.  I hope to be doing some quilting on Sunday and can't wait to share it with you.

Take care,

Karen

Work In Progress and Please Vote!!

Hello dear friends....  Do you ever get into that "too busy to stitch" mode that results in stitching withdrawal symptoms?   That was me over the last few days.  Thankfully, this evening, I was able to begin preparations for a new sample of "Spring Basket".  It will be a demo piece for a class with The New Quilters on the Block Guild this weekend.  18 ladies, wool, patterns, excitement -- oh yeah!  

I hope you enjoyed your long weekend.... We were thankful and took the opportunity to remember those who sacrificed for our freedeoms and those that continue to make our beautiful Country free and strong...

 

Did you hear the word ??  Being thankful that "Redbird and Berries" was nominated in the "Viewers Choice" category over at Amy's Creative Side Bloggers Quilt Festival!!   

So honored.... 

I hope you've had a chance to jump over and browse the Viewers Choice quilts and vote for your favorite.  There are so many talented quilters out there!!

Click here to vote "Viewers Choice" quilts.  

You can read my original post for Redbird and Berries in the Spring 2014 Bloggers Quilt Festival by  clicking here.

Don't forget to please also vote for Redbird and Berries (or your favorite) in the "Original Design" category.  Click here to vote "Original Design" category.

Last but not least, "Spring Basket" was placed in the "Mini Quilt" category at Amy's Bloggers Quilt Festival. 

You can read my original post for "Spring Basket" in the Spring 2014 Bloggers Quilt Festival by  clicking here. 

You can see all quilts and vote for your favorite "Mini Quilt" by clicking here.

I leave you with a lovely sunset from Sunday evening.... What a beautiful country and region we live in.  We are very blessed.

Many, many thanks for your support!

Have a wonderful week,
Hugs to all,
Karen

Bloggers Quilt Festival - Mini Quilt - Spring Basket

It's like Lays Potato Chips -- you can't enter just one!!

I just couldn't help myself and decided (at the last minute) to throw a 2nd entry into Amy's Bloggers Quilt Festival.

Here it is "Spring Basket".  For those new to my blog - Welcome! Here is a bit of history...

"Spring Basket" is an 11" x 16" wool applique on cotton, half-moon, mini quilt.  The Original Design quilt represents a lot of First's for me!!

• My first ever completely wool design
• My first ever published "for sale" pattern
• My first ever Big Stitch quilted piece (ouch -- that hurt -- I Love to FMQ)
• My first ever teaching adventure (thanks Quilters Corners for taking a chance on me)
• My first ever ...

Well - you get the picture.  It all started when I shared a picture of my "Penny Garland Revised" wool on cotton quilt to Cheryl.  Penny Garland is a pattern by Kim Diehl..  You can learn more about "Penny Garland Revised" by clicking here.

Cheryl is a very talented Wool Felt Artist and a local Fiber Arts cheerleader.  Each year she organizes a Spring Fiber Festival event which includes animals, vendors, felters, woodworkers, and other wool related craftsmen.  Cheryl took a chance on me and invited me to show my Wool quilts at the next event.

One thing led to another, and a handful of ladies at the event signed up to learn wool applique!

I reached out to a Local Quilt Shop - Quilters Corner in Ithaca, NY -- and the partners there decided  to give me a chance.   (Thank you ladies!).

But wait, I needed something original to teach -- In two weeks time, I designed, stitched and delivered a "Spring Basket" sample to the shop so a class could be formalized and announced in their upcoming Newsletter.  See the debut in the Newsletter by clicking here (I was so honored and excited...)

The Spring Basket design came to me as I longed for warmer weather, spring flowers, and the return of the Carolina Wren to our cottage.  I also wanted it SIMPLE, and easy to learn, so beginners would feel comfortable making it.   I hope I've achieved that goal.  The PDF pattern includes many color photos and step by step instructions for preparing your background, wool pieces, order of stitching, etc.

Spring Basket is available as a PDF Download from my Craftsy Pattern Store.  If you are interested in a printed version of the pattern, feel free to send me an e-mail.   The printed version of the pattern includes the applique shapes already printed on freezer paper -- a sweet little shortcut for you!

Carrie from A Passion for Applique Blog graciously reviewed and stitched her own version of Spring Basket.

Image courtesy of http://apassionforapplique.blogspot.com

You can read her review here:

If applique appeals to you, you should jump over to Carries' blog, look at her beautiful work, and take in her awesome tutorials. (Thank you Carrie).

Well I hope you've enjoyed the "Spring Basket" tour with history.   You can see a sweet little Printed Quilt Label tutorial I made with Spring Basket by clicking on the image below...

"Spring Basket"

an Origial Design Mini Quilt

by Karen L. Miller

11" x 16" half-moon shape

Wool applique on Cotton background

Big Stitch Quilted

Quilt Festival Category: Mini Quilt

Voting starts later today -- I hope you have time to jump over to the Quilt Festival and see all the beautiful work by very talented Bloggers in the Quilting Community!

Hugs,

Karen