Saturdays are our Sponsor days..RECAP of our 7th week together ....6 more weeks to go..

Once upon a time this lady , oh let's call her Madame, thought it would be a great idea to invite some wonderful guest bloggers to post on this blog. She thought wouldn't it be nice to have some Sponsors too - for some giveaways . Sh also thought why not invite some WANTOBE  Quilters to the mix and show them how much fun you can have cutting up material and sewing them back together again......YEP that is what she thought in her fairly creative mind... And the story went like this...at least in her 7th  week of memorable moments...

She noted there are 6 more weeks to go...and her room where all the giveaways are stored  doesn't seem to be 

diminishing quite quick  enough.. she .may have to give a whole lot more goodies away...a whole lot more...

The week began like this...

On Monday our guest 

was Mark and he showed us how to 

do a flower arrangement with fabric...

pretty impressive it was..

Our Giveaway was for  Wantobes
and HEATHER won this collection

Ty Penningtons's Fabric collection called Water Flower

I thought choosing Ty Penningtons collection called
Water Flower would be a great choice to make Mark's Calypso
flower arrangement.  Free Spirit Fabrics 
sent along Ty's complete collection of these 3  lines..

 Gray, Chartruese, and Ice..
The winner will get 9 - 1/2 yard
bundles of this collection...


Her  blog Sponsor .... Jacque...won this...

these Presencia Threads Finca #8
and some of these Pebble needles from
Colonial Needle sew you will be able to tackle
some stitching projects...YOU will love these needles
the only ones I ever use..!
Jane's Fabrics has these threads
if you want some...


Big thanks goes out to Mark, Free Spirit Fabrics
Colonial Needle and Great Gerberas for my mini roses...
And YOU, for sharing this with 1 other person-
imagine the possibilities of another
quilting friend in your circle
of influence.

On Tuesday our guest was 

Linda showed

us how to do a RAINBOW Quilt

and wow...

Giveaway  was for Quilters and Deborah

( who was pretty thrilled won this..) 

Denis sent this to me
but I have sew quite
a few L.E. in our home
and there was a smaller one
he sent, sew I asked him
if I could switch the smaller for  this one 
and give you this one instead..
He went for it..Thanks Denis..


It is breathtaking isn't it?
Reminds me of all the quilts that are in our heads
wanting to come out....lol

Limited Edition ART

by Denis McGregor ( website)

Valued $175.00

This is on Foam Core and ready to frame

from the Sisters of Oregon. 

dennis@dennismcgregor.com

16" x 22"

Big thanks goes out to LINDA, Denis McGregor 

and Great Gerberas.com

And YOU for being as excited as all of us

who are quilters...Imagine the possibilities

 of  YOU will always living  on

in what you created...?

On Wednesday our guest

was Geta and she taught us 

how to do colorful binding...

Giveaway for our Wantobes....

And Kelly won this...

sew she can  start making some binding

with these tools...Necessary for every quilter..

( fabric collection was added as well)

Our giveaway was  sponsored by

the GRACE company,  TRUE CUT they sent along the mat

24x36, this amazing ruler that will help you stay on track..

you will know why when you get it and this rotary cutter

that will have you cutting for hours with no fatigue....

Ohhh look for our Blog Sponsor

was LEAH ( she was over the top awed lol)

Carrie Nelson from Schnibbles fame 

and Miss Rosies Quilt Co...

sent along this...

beautiful bundle of pastels..
from Handover Fabrics..

certainly enough to make a nice sized

quilt. And Colonial Needle is adding some

Presencia threads too...to coordinate..

Big thanks goes out to Geta, The GRACE Co.

Carrie Nelson, Colonial Needle and Will

at Great Gerberas for the Gerberas and mini yellow Roses..

and to YOU for encouraging those

around you to be part of something sew unique

imagine the possibilities..I do ! 

On Thursday our guest was Jane

and she taught us all how to make

spool quilts...

Giveaway was for  QUILTERS..

the lucky winner was Christine

she won the cutter  with 2.5 inch strip die and mats

complete....OHHH she is  gonna

love this- ask Katherine..she 

won one here last month. 

OUR sponsor Sizzix sent along another one...

and yes we have still 1 more for a Wantobe in the

not sew distant future...

It is sew easy to turn and the cuts well they 

come out perfectly..

Big thanks goes out to JANE, Sizzix, Colonial Needle for more

threads, Great Gerberas for the flowers...

and YOU for bringing life to our quilting

world...we NOTICE, YOU do make a difference.

( oh and the quilt was purchased by me 

for my grandsons by Melissa...sew thank

her too for the added background to my shot)

this was in our January banner her quilt was...

On Friday our guest was a no show

obviously something very  important kept her 

away...Shawna from 1 choice 4 Quilting..

Giveaway was for both 

Wantobes and Quilters

4 winners ....

2 wantobees, 2 quilters.

winners were..

( will be announced on Monday

as I am away at a retreat)

each  received  a jelly roll called Flurry...

from 1 choice 4 Quilting...

( ready for Chistmas stiching)

Big thanks goes out to 1 choice 4 Quilting-

Great Gerberas for our gerberas

and YOU for waking up with us each morning

and lifting the hearts of our wonderful guests

and letting them know they matter...

You Kind, You Smart, You Important...

Oh my what a most memorable week...

They were there, you were here

and you shared this with a record number

of new Wantobes and we want them to know

they have many more weeks to win some

great tools to start them off an amazing journey..

and for all of YOU who brought them along

you also get to win some pretty amazing prizes..

ask around the extras are almost more than the 

original prizes....oh yes...we have a lot more to share

                                        with you......see you all next week ....

again you know our comments just don't seem to work

on weekends..shame isn't it Ü

#35 Guest ( appearing soon we hope)

OUR guest was to be Shawna from 

1 choice 4 quilting and this was her giveaway...

YOU can read here she was certainly planning 

to make an appearance...

Her notice was sent out , we even spoke this week 

again as a reminder...( something must have happened)

( SHE WAS GATHERING GREAT sewing/quilting TIPS

I invite you to read all about them on her blog)

I know she would be here if she could...

Giveaway today is for both 

Wantobes and Quilters

4 winners ....

2 wantobees, 2 quilters.

each one of you will get a jelly roll called Flurry...

from 1 choice 4 Quilting...

( ready for Chistmas stiching)

Thanks to 1 choice 4 Quilting..

Visit her and thank her for her sponsored giveaway..

She was to be our guest today....

Let her know you are missing her of course..

Leave her a message 

and be a follower here of course

Big thanks goes out to 1 choice 4 Quilting-

Great Gerberas for our gerberas

and YOU for waking up with us each morning

and lifting the hearts of our wonderful guests

and letting them know they matter...

You Kind, You Smart, You Important...

#34 Winner of the Sizzix cutter machine + die and mat is............

Congrats 

QUILTER

 yes you won....

CHRISTINE

( message already sent to you in your email

with take a peak)

You won this cutter with 2.5 inch strip die and mats

complete....OHHH you're gonna

love this- ask Katherine..she 

won one here last month. 

OUR sponsor Sizzix sent along another one...

and yes we have still 1 more for a Wantobe in the

not sew distant future...

It is sew easy to turn and the cuts well they 

come out perfectly..

Big thanks goes out to JANE, Sizzix, Colonial Needle for more

threads, Great Gerberas for the flowers...

and YOU for bringing life to our quilting

world...we NOTICE, YOU do make a difference.

( oh and the quilt was purchased by me 

for my grandsons by Melissa...sew thank

her too for the added background to my shot)

this was in our January banner her quilt was...

#34 Guest Gmama Jane in U.S. with Spooling around with a Sizzix Giveaway and Die

Spooling Around with Klosjes

Valentina from the Netherlands

Hi Y’All,  
Gmama Jane is in the house…
House of Grandmama’s Stories to be exact! 
Such a lovely Invitation from my friend and Mentor, Madame Samm could not be refused.  Hasn’t this Wantobe Quilter’s Campaign been the Bee’s Knees, the Cat’s Meow, or the Cherry on top?  It’s for Everyone I tell ya!

I became a quilter by accident back in 1990.  In trying to find an activity for my aging mother, I took a quilting class WITH her and I was the one who ended up being bitten by the Quilting Luv Bug.

(For some funny stories about Mama, come visit me at Grandmama’s Stories.  Mrs. Mary was a Hoot!)

So…

Who am I? Gmama Jane

A Fabric Designer?...NOPE

A Quilting Book Author or TV Host?...NOPE

An Etsy Shop Owner?...Nope

I’m just like Most of YOU

I’m a regular Grandmother in Chief, retired educator, southern by choice, mother of 3, Grandmama of 5, wife of #1 Husband for 38 yrs or for a better description:

I am a Martha Stewart Wannabe, Married to a Mr. Haney of Green Acres.

(Mr. Haney, a 60’s TV character who for those of you too young to remember, was a lover of collected junk and  That’s a whole ‘nuther story for another day)

As a retired teacher, I enjoy reading about the history behind a particular quilt or quilt block so let the lesson begin

Students,

If I may direct your attention to the latest quilting obsession in the Netherlands:  “KLOSJES” which is the Dutch word for “little spools”

In Holland, many quilters dedicate entire Saturdays or Klosjes Saturdays to making these little beauties.  According to An Moonen, A Dutch Textile Historian, Klosjes or Spool Quilts are one of the oldest Dutch designs among Traditional Dutch Quilts.

Klosje Dutch Crib Quilt 1800's

 Common measurements of little klosjes usually end up with a 2 ¼ in. spool block, center square is 1 1/2 in., and trapezoids around 1 in. which includes ¼ in. seam allowance.   

The klosjes I prefer to hand sew are a little larger and much easier to handle; especially if you battle arthritis like Gmama. Here are some klosjes I made from my Stash using a variety of fabric lines. 

Klosjes with a Modern Twist and a Teeny bit larger...about a 3 in. block

  Sitting nicely for Gmama to play with them!

I think all the different fabric choices are a bit like coloring with fabric.  I love to gather up bits and pieces from my stash and play with the plethora of fabric combinations while watching TV with #1 husband.  He likes it because I will actually sit still for more than 10 minutes! Most Klosjes were originally made from primitive looking fabrics like these in the picture.  A little too drab for my taste but to each his own.

I’m seeing more and more of a modern spin on fabric choice.  Take a look! Now you're talkin' my language! Do you recognize any line of fabric in these klosjes?

Can you see these little cuties made into a medallion quilt with borders and sashing from another line such as Sew Cherry by Lori Holt? OOH, I do love her fabric lines...so yummy and bright.  I like bright colors more and more...I'm just not a drab kinda gal. I used to be more earth tones but the older I get the Flashier my taste...Go Figure?!

Jean's quilt

 Example of using fabric to look like Thread with a larger Center block

Originalsbylauren...Lauren Darby

 I’m a “fly by the seat of my pants” kind of quilter in that I like to pick and choose parts of quilts and put them together in a whole new design.  I even like making up my own designs using patterns from all over the quilting world.  I don’t design original patterns, but like any good teacher worth her salt, I’m an expert in the art of

C.A.S.E ing

Copy and Save Everything

(Give credit where credit is due of course)

Would the Spool Block or Klosjes be a good way to use up some of your stash?

 Do you like the spools turned the same way??

A picture from an antique store with a spool quilt!

What about making some mug rugs using klosjes and Holiday/Theme fabric?
(More examples on my blog)
How about a cute crib quilt with “little spools” and baby theme fabric?

Spool Quilt Variety

 Or better yet, Black, Red, and White Klosjes for an infant activity quilt which research tells us are most stimulating colors to the infant eye. Here I am spreading my BWR Klosjes out to see how they best go together but since I'm gifting them to some lucky follower, I'll let YOU figure that out!
Oh BTW, i just read the BEST tip...you know those little bumps in the corners of blocks caused by all the bunched up fabric??  Turn them over, right side facing down, Place a piece of muslin or sturdy fabric on top and smash them with a Hammer..kerplop, Bump gone!  Works every time! You should have seen #1 husband the first time he heard/saw me smashing my klosjes with a hammer?  That's a whole 'nuther story as I like to say!

 I have some Black, White, and Red Klosjes to Give-Away (50 in fact)

to one lucky visitor/follower of my blog.  Just comment and tell me you came to visit from Sew We Quilt and I’ll pick a winner on Friday.  No hoops to jump through, easy peasy!  I’ve been working on these BWR Klosjes off and on since March with the intention of making a medallion quilt.  I envisioned these blocks as my Big Center Medallion with BWR Borders, more BWR Klosjes in the outer borders, and perhaps some embroidery around the edges.  You can make them your own but I would love to see the finished result if you win them!

Here is a Brief Tutorial Overview

but if you hop on over to my blog and tell me you want a pattern, I’ll email you the entire file/attachment (or whatever you call it) but basically it’s the instructions with ALL the templates and directions plus a bonus embroidery pattern!  I will contact each of you who want the pattern via email.  If you’re a No Reply blogger…well, just follow the directions from the lovely Madame Samm on this blog on how to fix that issue because I don’t have a clue!  Computer savy, I am not!  

SPOOL Block Pattern

Full illustrated instructions PLUS embroidery pattern for your spool Block emailed to YOU, my New Friends,
at
Grandmama's Stories
I'm not good at written tutorials since I'm a visual person (that's my learning style as we teachers would say).  Give me pictures and turn me loose.  But for those of you who need a bit more precise instructions (OCD), I've put together a full written tutorial giving all the How-to's , much too big for today's post.

This Gmama is quite ordinary but my love of quilting is quite EXTRA ordinary!
I hope you’ve enjoyed

Spooling Around with Klosjes. Make a few and tell me they aren't the most addictive little critters!
Thank You Madame Samm for having me as a Guest Blogger Today!

editors note: and I use that term sew loosely...

JANE you did good...I admit I was worried...not that you

would not do anything spectacular...worried that I would

not have the perfect giveaway for you...

but no more worries LOOK..I was sew inspired

I thought we just have to serve this one up today...

GIVEAWAY for our QUILTERS today...

 with 2.5 inch strip die and mats

complete....OHHH you're gonna

love this- ask Katherine..she 

won one here last month. 

OUR sponsor Sizzix sent along another one...

and yes we have still 1 more for a Wantobe in the

not sew distant future...

It is sew easy to turn and the cuts well they 

come out perfectly..

Sew what do you need to do?

Please follow JANE here...and tell her

how wonderfully she did...I know she

was terribly excited..

and follow here if you would like

to be included in the giveaway

and you know there are always extras

added to every giveaway....

Big thanks goes out to JANE, Sizzix, Colonial Needle for more

threads, Great Gerberas for the flowers...

and YOU for bringing life to our quilting

world...we NOTICE, YOU do make a difference.

( oh and the quilt was purchased by me 

for my grandsons by Melissa...sew thank

her too for the added background to my shot)

this was in our January banner her quilt was...