A Fabric GIVEAWAY : :

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It's Fabric Giveaway Friday!  

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My sponsor The Intrepid Thread is a family owned and run business. In their shop you'll find Fat Quarters, Half Yards, Yards, and Yardage, as well as patterns and embellishments. Their designer fabrics include many of our favorites -- Art Gallery Fabrics, Moda, and Riley Blake Designs just to name a few! 
The owners work extremely hard everyday to bring their customers the best fabrics,
at the best prices, with high quality customer service!
  
SHOP  *  BLOG  *  FACEBOOK
 

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We hope you enjoy visiting The Intrepid Thread's sites!! 

For this week's Fabric Giveaway, Julie at The Intrepid Thread is offering a Fat Quarter bundle from the brand new, beautiful Mint To Be collection by Camelot Fabrics! This bundle includes all of the SEVEN icy prints that make up the Mint colorway. You can find this collection newly available in yardage and in a variety bundles right HERE in The Intrepid Thread Shop!!

Be sure to visit The Intrepid Thread to see what else Julie has newly stocked -- so many new, wonderful collections have arrived and Gift Certificates are on sale until Monday at Midnight for 10% OFF!

Enter to win! 

Here's how,

 
1. Simply leave a comment here under this post! (one entry)
2. Follow The Intrepid Thread on facebook, their blog, or sign up to receive their Newsletter. Just let me know that you did by making a separate comment here to record that entry. (optional extra entry)
3. My followers get a third entry! Just let me know that you follow 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 thought it would be nice to add that as another way to enter! Whether by tweet, facebook, pin, blog, etc... (optional extra entry) 

That’s 4 possible entries! Enter now through Monday, December 16th! Winner will be picked 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!             

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Thank you to all who entered the Giveaway!!

   From 1,917 entries, Mr. Random says the lucky winner is... 

Comment #51 --   * Nancy *
   

Congratulations! I will be in touch shortly! 

A Fabric GIVEAWAY : :

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It's Fabric Giveaway Friday!

*  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  

My sponsor The Intrepid Thread is a family owned and run business. In their shop you'll find Fat Quarters, Half Yards, Yards, and Yardage, as well as patterns and embellishments. Their designer fabrics include many of our favorites -- Art Gallery Fabrics, Moda, and Riley Blake Designs just to name a few! 
The owners work extremely hard everyday to bring their customers the best fabrics,
at the best prices, with high quality customer service!
  
SHOP  *  BLOG  *  FACEBOOK
 

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

We hope you enjoy visiting The Intrepid Thread's sites!! 

For this weekend's Fabric Giveaway offer,  The Intrepid Thread is offering this lovely, custom bundle of SEVENTEEN Designer Fabric prints, the Intrepid Thread's Sun On Sea Bundle!!

This collection is full of beautiful aqua blues, yellows, and grey fabrics, one of my all time favorite color combinations, and is available in The Intrepid Thread Shop HERE!!

 

Enter to win!

Here's how,
 
1. Simply leave a comment here in this post. I'd love to know what you color combo's you're loving right now?! (one entry)
2. Follow The Intrepid Thread on facebook, their blog, or sign up to receive their Newsletter. Just let me know that you did by making a separate comment here to record that entry. (optional extra entry)
3. My followers get a third entry! Whether you follow me here, in your reader, or on Facebook, just let me know that you do 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 thought it would be nice to add that as another way to enter! Whether by tweet, facebook, pin, blog, etc... (one optional entry)  

That’s 4 possible entries! Enter now through Monday morning, December 10th. Mr. Random will pick the winner and I will announce their name at the bottom of this post, here on the blog, I always try to have that up by 9 am EST!
 
* 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 so that I can contact you should you win!
                                        

Good Luck everyone!!! Have a great weekend!

* * * * *  UPDATE  * * * * *

Thank you to all who entered this past weekend's Giveaway!! 

 

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  From 1,609 entries, Mr. Random says the lucky winner is...

Comment #599 -- Salamanda's Scrappy Adventures, who said...

I follow you too and have almost finished my quilt using your QAYG tutorial - so easy using your instruction!

Congratulations!!! I will be in touch shortly!

Mod Flower Pillow : :

Sorry I am late today! Since Friday afternoon, in-between volunteering, movie watching, soccer games, birthday parties, and packing, I have been in a Rock & Romance trance-like quilt making state! I have never been so focused on finishing something in all my days of sewing! I am very excited about this, but I have to wait just a little longer before all can be revealed...

So today, I'm sharing this cute, little applique pillow I whipped up the other day! I was inspired by an applique I saw in either Mini Boden or Johnnie B, and my Stockholm fabric from Contemporary Cloth.



Since I love combining felt and fabric, making appliques, and of course, pillows. I sewed up this new design to try. I love how stitchy it is. And the aqua, navy, yellow, and grey color combo is always a winner!



Right away, it reminded me of one of my very favorite color mosaics from a post I shared back in May!



Which I'm sure is why I especially like how the back of this one turned out! Simply Color + my favorite Bryant Park print (sorry, I can't find a source.)



I've listed it in my etsy, and I'm still deciding if I should make more in a variety of color combos?

I have to say.. I quite like this one with my new sewing chair! What do you think??
 

Wishing you all a late, but wonderful start to a new week! ♥  Maureen

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Put A Fox On It : :

Wow everyone!! I have to first THANK YOU all today for being so sweet and supportive in light of our HOME news!! I am a nervous ball of emotions, as you can imagine. I can't wait to share all the details, photos, and decorating ideas as this all plays out. Right now we're looking at closing sometime within the next 6-8 weeks, so I'm going to be super busy...but still sewing all the while, maybe with a few decorating inspiration posts, too?! It's going to be fun, I promise.

So yes, this post is inspired by the silly genius that is Portlandia's Put A Bird On It! That hilarious video actually became a running joke around here between my husband and I. Well that, and the amount of pillows we have! It's ridiculous, and I love it! I am certain that my crazy pillow making will never stop, it's true, and putting birds on things is likely to continue, as well. But today is all about cute little fox things! Want to see?!

It's been quite a while since I made a fox pillow. I love simple applique projects, especially when making pillows, and this adorable fox design is always a fun one for me to make! 



I actually chose an image from my fox pillow making for the front of one of my new mini Moo business cards!



It's one of my favorite fox pillow pictures ever and now it lives on about 300 of these cute, little cards!



On the back is just a list of my sites and contact email. I do plan to share a post sometime soon including what I had ordered a few weeks back to prepare for making, selling, and blogging full time. I was so bad about carrying and giving out my business info before. But not anymore! It really helps to have cards that you love and that represent you well!



While in fox making mode, I decided to make my very first quilted version. Reaching for a few prints from my Simply Color Layer Cake from Southern Fabrics. I love the bright colors and leafy designs in this collection by V and Co., and have been wanting to make something combining blues and orange for a while, so this was perfect!



I added my felt fox applique to the pillow front, and backed it with a layer of soft batting.



I think it turned out cute?! Haila and Jacob both love it, so that made me happy. It's always nice to find things to make that work for both boys and girls. I'm hoping someone will snatch this up from my little etsy shop! SOLD, woohoo!



The back is finished with more blues and orange, in some of my favorite Full Moon Polka-dot from Moona and a little more Simply Color.



So, that's the extent of me "putting a fox on it" for now. Today, I'm off to work on a new, very special quilt top. More on that soon, but first -- I had to make one of these! I just couldn't stop myself!!

LOL!! Happy Thursday, friends! ♥  Maureen 

p.s...my HUGE Willow Giveaway continues HERE today! And, I have a new custom bundle Giveaway beginning early tomorrow, around 7-ish (est)!! Don't forget!

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Scattered : :

I feel like I have sooo much catching up to do and I'm not at all sure where to start?! I didn't sew much since I announced my break back in late July. Just my Indie quilt and a few other little things and that's about it. I did however, SHOP! I took advantage of some very generous fabric sales and was waiting, like many of you, for a few 'must-have collections' to be released. I had planned to start today by sharing my late Summer stashings, and then this morning I thought -- "Do you all want to see?" I personally LOVE taking pictures of new fabric, and with that excitement think that all of you might love to see. Maybe I'll even introduce some of you to something new that you'll love, too. Is that true?? I really hope so!!

While I wait for your answer, I'll admit today that in light of this new routine, I am completely scatter-brained! I'm jumping all over the place with my projects and I'm not sure what I'm doing, because I'm not sure what I want to do?

Here's what's scattered on my sewing table now. I know I love the colors together, but have no idea what I'm making!



I made this block a while ago. It's already quilted and was going to become a tote bag. It's been taped on this wall for months!



I finally took it down yesterday, pulled a few of my favorite coordinating Oval and Pure Elements and started cutting and piecing. Still with no plan!

So, what do you think it should become -- the tote bag, a new floor pillow, the beginnings of a quilt-as-you-go quilt? I'd love some help!!



How about from this angle -- any ideas?? I know it's not much yet, but it's definitely something?



There is one thing I am certain of today -- I love my new vintage, sewing chair! Aqua blue with nail head trim.



Yes, I like it! The blue carpet...hmmm, not so much! ;)



I did finish up the owl pillow wip I shared on my facebook page, too! It's a little something for my Goddaughter Sylvia. I sent out a care package full of goodies to her and my sister Catherine in Hawaii, which they should be receiving today or tomorrow! I can't wait!! It's always fun to make something cute!!

Thanks for all the comments, support, and understanding yesterday! It meant SO much!!

Happy Wednesday, friends!! ♥,  Maureen 

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Color Inspiration : :

Several weeks ago when I had my Handmade Giveaway and had asked what you would like to see more of here on my blog, one of the most popular responses I received was for me to share more of my thoughts on color choices and how I put fabrics together.



I've been thinking about this ever since. It's a challenge for me to explain exactly where inspiration comes from. The easiest answer would be to say "from EVERYWHERE" and that would absolutely be the truth, although not very helpful. So... I decided, the best way for me to share my thoughts and reasons for choosing colors would be to break it down to the individual bundle and/or project, in a new blog post dedicated to just that. Just as I was doing with my Color or Tuesday Inspiration posts.

Vintage Tea Time * Pompoms * Triangle Quilt * Pyrex Cup & Saucer * Fabrics
Houses Quilt * Black & White Quilt * Bedroom * Scandinavian Print
Blue Bowls * Print * Chevron Block * Catherineholm Platter

Today, I thought a great place to start would be my most recent stashed bundle that I had put together for The Intrepid Thread fabric shop.



It's a stack of golden yellows, spring greens, aqua blues, shades of gray, and black that was very much inspired by one of the things I love to collect -- Vintage Pyrex.







I love my collection and collecting things in general. The colors and prints in each of these special pieces inspires me in many ways, just as the mosaic above does -- bursting full of more kitchen collectables and quilt-y goodness! 

How about you? What's inspiring you these days? What colors are you loving together?

p.s. Be sure to stop back from my new fabric giveaway beginning tomorrow morning! Here's a peek!!

Scrappy Improv Quilt : :

This weekend I finally finished up my Scrappy Improv quilt! I'm sooo excited!! It took me a little longer than I thought it would -- beginning Friday, continuing into Saturday, with a nice walk and lots of picture taking on Sunday. It feels really good to be finished with this one!



The final measurement is 68" x 80"! This quilt was made using a quilt-as-you-go method, so for finishing I simply added a few long stitches, running both ways, a 1/2" from each of the quilting seams. I chose to leave the pieced backing large and did an easy peasy roll-over binding to finish. If you look back through the posts for this particular quilt, you can see how it all came together. It was quite the process!



The front of my quilt is made up entirely of the scraps I've accumulated from all the projects I've made over this last year or so, and I finished off the back with five different one yard cuts of aqua & red fabrics pieced together randomly. I chose the aqua & red since from way back when I first began sewing I've wanted to make an all aqua and red quilt. Finishing this one with some of the fabrics I've saved for that quilt just seemed like the perfect thing to do.

Here we have two prints from Riley Blake Designs new collections Apple of my Eye, one from Millie's Closet, all from Skye Reve Fabrics. The others are a Riley Blake Red solid and a Michael Miller Red & Aqua Dumb Dots.



Now that's it's finished, if I'm being honest, there are several things I would have done differently with the overall design. Of course there always will be, but if I just look back it really was such a fun project! I didn't plan anything about it, not even the Improv girl in the corner. I just had an idea and decided to give it a go. It was great to have a project that didn't require much thought,  just fun! Now I have this beautiful, large quilt for my family to use, a lot less scraps taking up space in my studio, and a keepsake that is very special to me.



I see a hundred different projects when I look at it, it's wonderful!



 ♥ Maureen

A Custom Bundle Giveaway Winner!

Thank you to all who entered and to The Intrepid Thread 

for offering just a lovely giveaway this weekend! 

 

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  From 1,470 entries Mr. Random says the lucky winner of the Utterly Inspired by Maureen Part 2 custom bundle, including 10 fat quarters of golden yellows, spring greens, aqua blues, and shades of gray, is.... 

Comment #215 -- mean sarah jean who said...

i follow the intrepid thread

Congratulations!!! I will be in touch shortly!

I'll be back later today with a regular blog post to share, and I have yet another new fabric shop giveaway beginning this Friday morning!!   
So be sure to stop back!!

A Fabric GIVEAWAY : :

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It's Fabric Giveaway Friday!

  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *   

My sponsor The Intrepid Thread is a family owned and run business. In their shop you'll find Fat Quarters, Half Yards, Yards, and Yardage, as well as patterns and embellishments. Their designer fabrics include many of our favorites -- Art Gallery Fabrics, Anna Maria Horner, and Riley Blake Designs just to name a few! The owners work extremely hard everyday to bring their customers the best fabrics,
at the best prices, with high quality customer service!
  
SHOP  *  BLOG  *  FACEBOOK
 

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

We hope you enjoy visiting their sites!! 

For this weekend's giveaway The Intrepid Thread is offering a custom bundle including 10 Fat Quarters of Art Gallery Oval Element and Pure Element fabrics! This particular bundle was designed by me, which is always such a treat!! This stack of golden yellows, spring greens, aqua blues, and shades of gray is one of my most favorite color combinations! I've already ordered a bundle for myself. 
One of you is going to be very lucky!!

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The winner will receive one Utterly Inspired by Maureen Part 2 bundle (Julie really knows how to make a girl feel special :), including 10 fat quarters for you to use to create something beautiful! I know you will!!
 
You can find the bundle available in both fat quarters and half yards in The Intrepid Thread shop, and right now there just so happens to be a HUGE sale going on!!

In celebration of Market The Intrepid Thread is offering 20% off using Coupon Code  : :  MARKET20 : :
-- beginning today and running throughout Sunday. There are a few rules, so be sure to read those here!

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Enter to Win!

Here's how,
 
1. Simply leave a comment here in this post. I'd love to know what your own favorite color combination is right now? (one entry)
2. Follow The Intrepid Thread on facebook, blog, or sign up to receive their Newsletter. Just let me know that you did by making a separate comment here to record that entry. (optional extra entry)
3. My followers get a third entry! Whether you follow me here or on Facebook, just let me know that you do by making a separate comment here to record that entry. (optional extra entry)
 
That’s 3 possible entries! Enter now through Monday morning, May 14th. Mr. Random will pick the winner and I will announce their name in a new 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 so that I can contact you should you win!
                                        

Good Luck everyone!!! Have a great weekend! And, Happy Mother's Day to all you wondering Mama's out there!!