A Sewcial Bee GIVEAWAY with Needle in Fabrics Stash!

It's Sewcial Bee Giveaway Friday!  

Each Friday, throughout the Sewcial Bee Sampler sew-along community event that Sharon Holland and I are hosting together, we've lined up a new, special Giveaway with one of our amazing, participating sponsors! If you happened to miss the launch of our Sewcial Bee Sampler you can follow this link for all the info and can join us anytime - it's never too late to jump in!

Today's featured Sewcial Bee sponsor is Needle in a Fabric Stash!

Our sponsor Needle in a Fabric Stash is located in Temecula CA and carries bright, fun, trendy, modern fabrics. Featured fabrics include Art Gallery, Free Spirit, Westminster, Michael Miller, Dear Stella, Timeless Treasure, Riley Blake, Cotton and Steel and more!

Shop  *  Instagram  *  Facebook  *  Blog   We hope you enjoy visiting Needle in a Fabric Stash!

For this week's Sewcial Bee Giveaway, Needle in a Fabric Stash is offering one lucky commenter a complete Fat Eighth bundle of Sharon's beautiful Bountiful collection for Art Gallery Fabrics, including all TWENTY quilting cottons that make up her newest collection! You can find this collection available in the Needle in a Fabric Stash HERE!

Enter to win!

Here's how,

1. Simply leave a comment here under this post! (one entry)
2. Follow Needle in Fabric Stash on Instagram and/or Facebook! Just let me know that you do by making a separate comment here to record that entry. (optional extra entry)
3. My followers get a third entry! If you follow here, on Instagram, or on Facebook just let me know by making a separate comment here to record that entry. (optional extra entry)
4. Help spread the word!! I know that many of you already do, so I've added that as another way to enter! Whether by Instagram, tweet, Facebook, pin, blog, etc... (optional extra entry)

That’s 4 possible entries! Enter now through Monday, May 1st at 4pm EST! The winner will be picked next week at random and I will announce their name at the bottom of this post, here on the blog.

* Note * This giveaway is open to EVERYONE! If you're a "no reply" or anonymous commenter, please remember to include your email address in your comment! 

A BIG thanks to all of you who are joining the Sewcial Bee Sampler sew-along and to those who entered our Giveaway! This week's lucky winner is commenter, Patricia! Congratulations, I will email you shortly! ♡ Maureen

The Sewcial Bee Sampler Sew-Along: Block 13!

It's week THIRTEEN and another block release day of the Sewcial Bee Sampler sew-along! Sharon Holland and I are co-hosting this community sew-along now through early August and as usual, I like to begin each Wednesday by reminding folks just learning about the bee that it's never too late to jump in! We still have quite a few new participants joining us each week, the blocks typically take about an hour, so feel free to join us and play catch-up at anytime! I also love to encourage you all to keep posting to Instagram with #SewcialBeeSampler tagging @sharonhollanddesigns and myself @maureencracknell when you post anything SBS so we can both see and easily keep track of all your wonderful bee posts. We'll continue to try our best to visit with all who join the sew along. We're having so much fun!



Today's free download is for block #13: Flying Geese. I'll be sure to add this new pattern to my Sewcial Bee Sampler Page, so those of you just discovering our bee can find everything you need to begin right in one place! Simply click on the link or the image below for direct access to this week's new SBS pattern!



For my Flying Geese block, I used a combination of Nightfall with Garden Dreamer! Four pretty prints that include Nightfall's Labyrinthine Dawn and Maigical Gust Fog + Garden Dreamer's Moment in Time Light and Flower Dance.

I think I say this every week, but this Flying Geese block is definitely my new favorite! This block is another that doesn't have a frame and we're using the no waste flying geese method we've used already. I've always LOVED making Flying Geese and the method included in this week's pattern is my personal favorite for making multiple units fast and is just so much fun! I'm already planning to make more for today's Soulful fabrics Quilt Market project!



I'm enjoying the SBS for so many reason, and one is getting to see the many new combinations of my fabrics paired together each week that I may have never seen otherwise. I especially love this week's combination!



I'm excited to see the Flying Geese blocks you'll make this week! Be sure to visit Sharon's blog today to see her beautiful versions, and to stop back for details on how to enter this week's Sewcial Bee Giveaway Friday with our wonderful sponsor Needle in a Fabric Stash!



Happy SBS sewing! ♡ Maureen  

A Sewcial Bee GIVEAWAY with the Knotted Thread!

It's Sewcial Bee Giveaway Friday!  

Each Friday, throughout the Sewcial Bee Sampler sew-along community event that Sharon Holland and I are hosting together, we've lined up a new, special Giveaway with one of our amazing, participating sponsors! If you happened to miss the launch of our Sewcial Bee Sampler you can follow this link for all the info and can join us anytime - it's never too late to jump in!

Today's featured Sewcial Bee sponsor is the Knotted Thread!

Our sponsor the Knotted Thread is run by Jenn, a fabric lover with a passion for sewing! In her shop you'll find both bundles and single cuts of Fat Quarters, Half Yards, Yards, and Yardage, as well as some of Jenn's very own handmade items up or sale!! Designer fabrics include many of our favorites -- Free Spirit, Cotton & Steel, and Art Gallery Fabrics just to name a few! You can visit the Knotted Thread blog to sign up for the new monthly Newsletter, HERE! 

Shop  *  Instagram  *  Facebook  *  Blog   We hope you enjoy visiting the Knotted Thread!

For this week's Sewcial Bee Giveaway, the Knotted Thread is offering one lucky commenter a $25 Gift Certificate to her wonderful shop!

Enter to win! 

Here's how, Sharon and I have taking turns hosting Sewcial Bee Giveaway Fridays, due to some scheduling conflicts I'm sending you to Sharon Holland Design's blog to enter once again this week, and then I'll host two weekends in a row!

A BIG thanks to all of you who are joining the Sewcial Bee Sampler sew-along and to those who enter our Giveaway!  ♡ Maureen

The Sewcial Bee Sampler Sew-Along: Block 12!

It's week TWELVE and another block release day of the Sewcial Bee Sampler sew-along! Sharon Holland and I are co-hosting this community sew-along now through early August and as usual, I like to begin each Wednesday by reminding folks just learning about the bee that it's never too late to jump in! We still have quite a few new participants joining us each week, the blocks typically take about an hour, so feel free to join us and play catch-up at anytime! I also love to encourage you all to keep posting to Instagram with #SewcialBeeSampler tagging @sharonhollanddesigns and myself @maureencracknell when you post anything SBS so we can both see and easily keep track of all your wonderful bee posts. We'll continue to try our best to visit with all who join the sew along. We're having so much fun!



Today's free download is for block #12: Right Angle. I'll be sure to add this new pattern to my Sewcial Bee Sampler Page, so those of you just discovering our bee can find everything you need to begin right in one place! Simply click on the link or the image below for direct access to this week's new SBS pattern!



For my Right Angle block, once again I'm working to bring in new prints to add to my Sampler pulling from all of my collections ~ This week all three are from my newest collection for AGF, Garden Dreamer. The lovely, sunny Spring weather we've had the past couple of days definitely inspired this pretty fabric pull!

I snapped the photo below just before adding my linen border. I'm without a design wall, so now that we're into row three, each week I'm laying out my blocks to mostly make sure the colors I choose are spread out evenly. In the early weeks of the SBS, I kept reaching for blues and yellows without noticing, so I'm making sure to make more colorful choices from now on. I love how cute this Right Angle block is before the border!



The combination of the happy, Kelly green and the bright white was a great addition to the blocks I've made so far. I can't believe we're almost halfway through the SBS already!





I'm excited to see the Right Angle blocks you'll make this week! Be sure to visit Sharon's blog today to see her beautiful versions, and to stop back for details on how to enter this week's Sewcial Bee Giveaway Friday with our wonderful sponsor The Knotted Thread!



Happy SBS sewing! ♡ Maureen  

Bountiful Blog Tour : :

Today I’m excited to share my project for the Bountiful blog Tour! Bountiful fabrics is the newest collection by my talented friend and SBS co-host, Sharon Holland, a fellow designer for Art Gallery Fabrics. I was so thrilled when she invited me to work with these beautiful prints and colors!

With the busyness of our Sewcial Bee Sampler, designing new collections, & preparing for Spring Quilt Market coming quickly next month, I knew I didn't have the time to tackle a Bountiful quilt, although I really wanted to! Instead, I decided to use this as an opportunity to work on my bag-making skills, a goal I had set for myself this year. I LOVE making bags, especially QAYG bags, but it's not easy for me as I don't enjoy following patterns. My confidence to try comes from choosing pretty fabrics from the start - I figure whatever I make is bound to be a successful finish if starts with fabrics that I really love - enter: Bountiful!

First I picked a favorite print from the group, Perennial Optimism, and began quilting it up with a golden yellow 40wt Aurifil thread. 

Next I began cutting colorful, narrow strips for the herringbone quick quilt-as-you-go pockets I planned to add. You know how I love my herringbone qayg!

Recently, the generous folks at Dritz sent me some bag-making goodies to add to a few of the projects I'll have in my new Soulful fabrics Quilt Market booth. This was a successful first attempt at using bag hardware for me and will be such a professional looking way to add the fun tassel that Sharon plans to make using her Bountiful knits!

With added heavy weight AGF studio denims in Solid Textured Canyon Sunset and Crosshatch Textured in Babbling Brook, combined with quilting the Bountiful prints and patchwork to a layer of cotton batting, I love how sturdy my bag turned out without having to use any interfacing. It's soft, but is still hearty enough to use as an all-purpose bag. I really love it!

You can visit Sharon's blog to find a beautiful & inspiring recap of each week of the blog tour here. On Friday, Cindy at Live a Colorful Life shared the most stunning Bountiful quilt, and tomorrow you won't want to miss Lynn's Bountiful project at her blog The Little Red Hen!

I hope you'll take the time to check out all the fabulous designers in the Bountiful blog tour line-up,  it's overflowing with inspiration to get you sewing with this gorgeous collection!

Heidi Staples - Fabric Mutt

Emily Dennis - Quilty Love

Minki Kim - Minki Kim

Heather Andrus - Quilt Story

Sharon McConnell - Color Girl Quilts

Silvia Sutters - A Stranger View

Elina Temmes - Elina Temmes

Kim Niedzwiecki - Gogo Kim

Katie Skoog - The Simple Life Company

Cindy Wiens - Live a Colorfullife

Maureen Cracknell - Maureen Cracknell Handmade (That's ME!)

Lynn Harris - The Little Red Hen

Anjeanette Klinder - Anjeanette K

Mathew Boudreaux - Mister Domestic

Alexis Wright - My Sweet Sunshine Studio

XO Maureen

A Sewcial Bee Giveaway with The Intrepid Thread!

It's Sewcial Bee Giveaway Friday!

Each Friday, throughout the Sewcial Bee Sampler sew-along community event that Sharon Holland and I are hosting together, we've lined up a new, special Giveaway with one of our amazing, participating sponsors! If you happened to miss the launch of our Sewcial Bee Sampler you can follow this link for all the info and can join us anytime - it's never too late to jump in!




Today's featured Sewcial Bee sponsor is The Intrepid Thread!



With over 15 years of experience in ecommerce, The Intrepid Thread is a family owned business employing 5 amazingly creative quilters and sewists. Julie, the owner, is dedicated to offering quality quilting fabrics at competitive prices and takes special pride in knowing her customers receive unparalleled service!

SHOP  *  BLOG  *  FACEBOOK * INSTAGRAM * We hope you enjoy visiting The Intrepid Thread!

For this week's Sewcial Bee Giveaway, Julie at The Intrepid Thread is offering one lucky winner a complete Fat Eighth bundle of our fellow AGF designer sister, Amy Sinibaldi's, brand new, beautiful collection for Art Gallery Fabrics, Charleston!

Enter to win! 

Here's how, since Sharon and I will be taking turns hosting Sewcial Bee Giveaway Fridays, this week I'm sending you to Sharon Holland Design's blog to enter! 

A BIG thanks to all joining the Sewcial Bee Sampler sew-along and to those who enter our Giveaway! Incase you missed it, yesterday I revealed my Spring 2017 collection here on the blog, SOULFUL! Be sure to check it out, HERE!

♡ Maureen

Introducing, Soulful!

Monday was the BIG reveal day for my Spring 2017 collection, SOULFUL! Did you see? I'm so excited to finally be able to share it with all of you!

Art Gallery Fabrics first gave a fun sneak peek on both their Instagram and Facebook pages, in the form of a beautiful Wonky Pinwheel quilt block made using my Soulful strike offs, along with a collage including a few prints from the new collection!





Like all things, there's a story attached to this collection ~ Soulful is inspired by family mementos, pieces of nature, handmade goods, vintage finds, and all the beauty that comes from surrounding ourselves with the things we love most. This collection celebrates the gentle spirit of makers, dreamers, and soul seekers. I hope you love it just as much as I loved creating it!



I'm so excited to sew with these colors - the florals, mandalas, crystals, and lacey-inspired prints! My intention was to create a collection that captured the sweet, softer, romantic boho style that I love so much and I'm really happy with how Soulful turned out!

You can view the complete collection at AGF ~ HERE
Retailers can find the wholesale information for ordering ~ HERE

Start looking for Soulful in your favorite shops next month!  And make sure to hashtag your photos on Instagram #SoulfulFabrics! :)

I'm going to be busy sewing with Souldful these next few weeks, preparing for Spring Quilt Market in St. Louis. I can't wait to share more with you all soon!

♡ Maureen

The Sewcial Bee Sampler Sew-Along: Block 11!

It's week ELEVEN and another block release day of the Sewcial Bee Sampler sew-along! Sharon Holland and I are co-hosting this community sew-along now through early August and as usual, I like to begin each Wednesday by reminding folks just learning about the bee that it's never too late to jump in! We still have quite a few new participants joining us each week, the blocks typically take about an hour, so feel free to join us and play catch-up at anytime! I also love to encourage you all to keep posting to Instagram with #SewcialBeeSampler tagging @sharonhollanddesigns and myself @maureencracknell when you post anything SBS so we can both see and easily keep track of all your wonderful bee posts. We'll continue to try our best to visit with all who join the sew along. We're having so much fun!



Today's free download is for block #11: Four Square. I'll be sure to add this new pattern to my Sewcial Bee Sampler Page, so those of you just discovering our bee can find everything you need to begin right in one place! Simply click on the link or the image below for direct access to this week's new SBS pattern!



For this week's Four Square block I'm bringing in new fabrics to add to my Sampler from my earlier collections ~ Wild & Free's Folk Plaid and Fletching Chant, with Gentle Mantle Flame from Fleet & Flourish! When I laid out all ten of the previous week's blocks, I noticed I was reaching for my Nightfall prints the most when it came time to stitch up a new one. This block pattern was perfect for fussy cutting different elements from each of these older prints!

I especially loved cutting different motifs from the Gentle Mantle Flame stripe to use in my block, the pop from the berry purple flowers and the subtle print used in the outer corners. I really enjoyed making this one!





I'm can't wait to see the Flour Square blocks you'll make this week! Be sure to visit Sharon's blog today to see her beautiful versions, and to stop back for details on how to enter this week's Sewcial Bee Giveaway Friday with our wonderful sponsor The Intrepid Thread!



Happy SBS sewing! ♡ Maureen