Zakka Along 2.0 Patchwork Please : Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner Towels : :

Happy Monday everyone!! Today is my stop, project # two, on the Patchwork Please! Sew-Along -- a blog-hop sew along organized by Lindsey & Debbie, featuring a new project each Monday by a different blogger, from this amazing book authored by Ayumi Takahashi!



It honestly was so hard to choose what I wanted to make to share here today, this book is full of wonderful projects! In the end I was assigned these adorable kitchen towels. The beautiful RK linens combined with the colorful scrappy applique and sweet details was a standout project in this book for me from my first look through! The reality is, if I'm not sewing, I'm usually in the kitchen, so putting these at the top of my list really was a must! 



In the materials list for this project, it's suggested by Ayumi to choose and assortment of threads to match the fabric you choose for your appliques. The day I first began prepping for this project I had laid out all the fabrics I planned to use, along with the copied and printed out letter and applique templates provided, and my threads. At first I thought I would just stick with a linen/white Aurifil thread for all the machine stitching, rather than do all the thread changes. However, once I started sewing I totally changed my mind, deciding to match my thread as closely as I could to the fabric scraps I had chosen. And I'm SO glad I did!! I really think all those colorful threads is a part of what makes this project both so quality and fun looking!







Aren't they great?! They're hanging in my kitchen now on one of my vintage, wooden drying racks. I love them!!

Throughout each week of this sew-along there's a ton of wonderful prizes up for grabs, thanks to so many great sponsors, plus some serious prizes waiting at the very end for those of you who join us!!!

Here's a schedule of all the other participating bloggers! Together we'll be covering all the projects in the book, from June through the first week in October!

June 3: Penny | Sew Take a Hike :: Bell Pepper Coasters
June 10: Maureen | MC Handmade :: B,L,D Towels
June 17: Anna | Noodlehead :: Lettered Tea Cozy + Pouch
June 24: Angela | Cut to Pieces :: Polka Dot Cafe Apron
July 1: Lynne | Lily’s Quilts :: Diamond Patchwork Placemat
July 8: Lindsey | LRstitched :: Yum Yum Apple Bib
July 15: Sukie | Don’t Ya Know :: Dino-Mite Hat
July 22: Jennifer | Ellison Lane :: Book for Baby Quilt
July 29: Krista | Poppyprint :: My Scrappy Box
August 5: Kerry | Very Kerry Berry :: Swedish Bloom Time Quilt
August 12: Tamiko | Patchwork Notes :: You’ve Got Mail Wall Pocket
August 19: Monica | Happy Zombie :: Happy Hexagon Trivet
August 26: Krista | Spotted Stone Studio :: Piece of Cake Shopping Bag
Sept 2: Lori | Bee in My Bonnet :: Triangle Patchwork Box Pouch
Sept 9: Amy | During Quiet TIme :: Vintage Pencil Case
Sept 16: Svetlana | SOTAK Handmade :: I love My Ipad Quilted Cover
Sept 23: Amber | One Shabby Chick :: Handy Market Tote
Sept 30: Deb | A Quilter’s Table :: Sweet Trips Embroidery Pouch
Oct 7: Leila | Where the Orchids Grow :: Prettified Pincushion

Along with my version of these Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner Towels, in celebration of the sew-along I get to host this bonus Giveaway today!! I'm offering my readers four sample packs of Aurifil thread, a special fabric gift from Form & Fabric, and a sample card of Pellon interfacing and batting!!

Enter to win! 

Here's how,

 
Simply leave a comment here in this post! That's all and I'll pick the SIX lucky winners on Friday!!
     
For those of you joining in the sew-along don't forget -- there's also a Giveaway this week for linking up your finished project over on Lindsey's blog! Share your project by Sunday June, 16th and you'll have a chance to win a $25 gift certificate to Form and Fabric, a bundle of fabric and pattern from the amazing Pat Bravo, and (1) package 805R Wonder Under from Pellon!!!

+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + 

Thank you to all who entered this special Giveaway!!

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

From 662 entries, Mr. Random says the lucky winners are...

Aurifil Thread Winners!
 
   * Debbie *   
* Lisa Mather *
* BizyStitches *
* Stephanie @ Quarter Incher *
   
Form & Fabric Gift Winner!

* WoolenSails *

Pellon Gift Winner! 

* Mama Said Sew * 

Congratulations!!! I will be in touch shortly!

Zakka Style Sew-Along {and GIVEAWAY!} : :

Here we are at week 23 of the Zakka Style Sew-Along and it's finally my turn to share!!



This sew along is being led by Lindsey and Amy. They have invited 24 bloggers to sew the projects found in Rashida Coleman-Hale's book, Zakka Style, and what a wonderful book it is! I was lucky enough to be gifted a signed copy when I met Rashida at a sewing retreat in Atlanta -- I love my book!!



And, I LOVE my Happy Garland Message Board! This project was designed by Katrien Van Deuren of A bit of Pilli Pilli. I adore her style!



Made with Robert Kaufman's Essex Yarn Dyed Linen and colorful fabric scraps, with a sweet stitched bow detail, a little twine, and mini clothes pins -- It's the perfect place to hang a note and was such a fun project! As for my BIG news....I'll be sharing that soon!



If you join in and are making the Happy Garland Message Board this week, don't forget to post a photo of your finished project in the Flickr pool and link it up to Lindsey's blog, LR Stitched, for a chance to win a $25 gift certificate to Fabricworm. WOW!! Good luck!



Today, I get to giveaway FIVE sample packs of amazing Aurifil Thread! I've been using nothing but Aurifil for several months now and I love it! I'm so excited that five of you will get a chance to win some. A Big thanks to Aurifil for sponsoring this Sew-Along!!

Enter to Win!

 
Here's how,
 
Simply leave a comment here in this post!  Enter now through Thursday morning, September 6th. Mr. Random will pick the winner 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 so that I can contact you should you win!

Good luck everyone!!
* * * * *  UPDATE  * * * * *

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

 

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

  From 430 entries, Mr. Random says the lucky FIVE winners are... comments #

 75 --  Colleen
124 -- linda
203 -- Kristi
34 -- Jackie Dudek
11 -- pennydog

Congratulations, friends!!! I will be in touch shortly!

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

A Weekend Retreat : :

This morning I'm leaving very early on a road trip to Georgia! In Atlanta, I will be meeting up with several sewing blogger friends for a long weekend sewing retreat. I am so nervous and excited, and today I thought I would share quickly what I plan to work on while I'm gone!

For that long car ride -- a little knitting! These lovely skeins are from Loop, a Christmas gift from my sister-in-law Anne. It's about time I put these in action! I'm thinking a scarf like this one might be pretty for Fall.



As far as fabrics go, I have so much packed!

Some Art Gallery Fabrics -- LillyBelle for my very first Fat Quarter Gang project! And, some Rhapsodia too, even though I don't have a plan for those just yet!



Some Riley Blake Fabrics -- The brand new collections Seaside, for my next Design Team Project, and some Willow for my project later in the Summer! I love the yellow, gray, and pale aqua combo. These are so pretty!



I hope to start a new quilt with these! My Sweet Summer Dreams Bundle for Pink Castle Fabrics and my very favorite Lillybelle print in both colorways. I love these colors so much right now!!



My Zakka Style project for later this Summer, as part of the Zakka Style Sew-Along!



Yes, I think that should be plenty to keep my busy during our little Sew-cation! And, if you're a local to Atlanta, we'd love for you to join the group of us by meeting up with us at Whipstitch on Saturday morning, June 23rd. We'll be there around 10 am on Saturday, shop and then we plan to have lunch next door. Everyone gets 10% off that morning in-store at Whipstitch, we would love to see you then! 

I can't wait to get sewing with my friends, and to come back home with some wonderful new memories and pictures to share here with all of you! They are surely to be happier than this oh-so-sad shot I snapped of Lily while I was packing -- she knows I'm leaving and she's not liking it.



Alright, either that or she's thinking, "Really?! You're taking that much stuff?! Well, you see that bag Rachael made you out of Rashida's Washi Fabrics behind me, I guess I better lay on it now while I still can."



Oh yes, that was it! No worries, me and my stuff will be back soon! Until then, I have a new Fabric Giveaway beginning this Friday morning with Canton Village Quilt Works, here's a peek!! Be sure to stop back and to have yourself a lovely weekend, too!!  ♥ Maureen

Zakka Style Sew-Along : :

Last week I signed on to be a part of a Zakka Style Book Along and I am very excited!! Rashida’s book is so completely lovely and jammed packed full of the most beautiful projects! Have you ordered your copy yet?

Amy and Lindsey have put together a sew along/blog hop that will include 24 fabulous bloggers and you! I really hope you join in!! There are 24 projects in the book and the group of us will be sewing right through it from start to finish!

The sew along starts Monday, April 2nd with the first project in the book and will continue through Monday, September 10th with a new project  introduced each Monday. Each blogger will sew a different project and will be sharing their finished project and inspiration each week!

The Schedule : :

• April 2nd :: Zig Zag Tote with Sew Fantastic 
• April 9th :: The House Pouch with During Quiet Time
• April 16th :: Zakka Pincushion with Pink Penguin
• April 23rd :: Sewing Kit with Monkey Do
• April 30th :: Patchwork Pencil Case with VeryKerryBerry
• May 7th :: Itty Bitty Quilt Block Magnets with Little Bluebell
• May 14th :: Raincloud Mug Rug with Quilt Dad
• May 21st :: Zakka Block Quilt with I like Orange
• May 28th :: Stem Messenger Bag with Sew Sweetness
• June 4th :: Zip Organizer with Spotted Stone
• June 11th :: Orchard Path Tweed Pouch with Don’t Call Me Betsy
• June 18th :: Happy Couple Handwarmers with A Cuppa and a Catchup

• June 25th :: Patchwork Potholder with Sew Take a Hike
• July 2nd :: Water Bottle Holder with One Shabby Chick
• July 9th :: Elephant Bookmark with Cut to Pieces
• July 16th :: Patchwork Ribbon with {House} of A la Mode
• July 23rd :: Delightful Linen Bag with Sukie
• July 30th :: Bread Basket with Patchwork Notes

• August 6th :: Sweet Sugar Cookie Sack with BettyCrockerAss
• August 13th :: Little Pocket Pillowcase with Freshly Pieced
• August 2oth :: Sweet Memories Photo Frame with Noodlehead
• August 27th :: Pleated Coin Purse with Shape Moth
• September 3rd :: Happy Garland Message Board with Maureen Cracknell Handmade
• September 10th :: Nesting Boxes with From the Blue Chair

I made my week bold, because I wanted you all to laugh at just how predictable I am!! Me...Happy Garland...YES! Of course!!

Be sure to keep an eye on Lindsey’s blog for more details. You'll need a copy of the book to participate. While we will be sharing tips, hints, inspiration & ideas,  we won’t be sharing the  patterns or any templates.

Check your local book store or Library for a copy of Zakka Style, or Lindsey has so kindly compiled a list of some places you can purchase it online and it also comes in e-book form.

E-book:

• C&T Publishing
• Google Play
• Diesel E-Book

Paperback Book:

• Signed Copy directly from Rashida!
• Amazon
• Amazon UK
• Sew Mama Sew
• Overstock
• Barnes & Noble
• Create for Less

There will be some lovely prizes offered each week! We are so thankful to have the support of : :

If you are interested in participating as a sponsor please email Amy, thank you!

Feel free to join in the flickr group and be sure to grab a button!