December 14, 2010

Seasons Greetings!

Admin note: the previous drawing for a year’s subscription to the new Quilt Pattern Magazine in still underway. The winner will be chosen the first week of January.

Now on to today’s post. Last year at this time I did a special double giveaway to celebrate my birthday on the 17th (not to mention the other holidays). It was so much fun and made me feel like my birthday lasted for a week! So we’re doing it again this year.

When the nephews were kids, Dana and I used to travel to Minneapolis for Christmas. Now that the boys are all tall and college-y, we stay home and enjoy the comforts of our own living room at Christmastime. Much as I loved seeing the boys dive through their presents, now I love our quiet celebration at home.

And so, in keeping with that theme, I’ve selected two titles that play on the theme of Comfort.

First we have ‘Tis the Season: Quilts and Other Comforts.

Tis-the-Season-B1030

As the authors Jeanne Large and Shelley Wicks say, “Adding just a few accents to a room can change the feel of that space from everyday to holiday.” In that spirit, the book offers simple and charming quilts and projects to “keep your home well dressed for winter!”

Screen shot 2010-12-14 at 9.21.40 AM

Jeanne and Shelley should be experts in the field, since they live in Saskatchewan, Canada.

Brrr!

The book starts out with basic information on fabric selection and preparation, then moves on the the authors’ favorite special techniques. Included here are fusible-web appliqué, fusible-interfacing appliqué, working with wool, hand-embroidering, making vines, and finishing basics.

Then, on to the projects! There are detailed instructions for very cute pillows and wall quilts to welcome Santa and the season (you can see one on the cover), cozy lap quilts, cheery welcoming table toppers, a whimsical primitive wool runner, and tons of inspirational decorating ideas.

joy-pillow

wool-runner

What I really like about these projects is all the words! Plus, the templates given in the book are full-size and already reversed for your ease of use in fusible-web appliqué.

Our second offering is Country Comforts: Quilts for Casual Living.

B1038-Country-Comforts

Country Comforts by Cheryl Wall is full of that comfy old-fashioned primitive style that I appreciate so well.

The author’s introduction is an inspiration unto itself. “I’m drawn to the primitive style of quilting and crafting because of the freedom it allows me to make projects that are less than perfect but still beautiful,” says Cheryl. “I believe that the creative process should be fun and soul satisfying.” Right on sister! Worrying about stuff only robs us of the enjoyment of quiltmaking.

The books starts out with the basics of quiltmaking, including supplies you’ll need and some info on the types of fabrics that work well for this style, also rotary cutting, chain piecing, pressing, freezer-paper-on-top hand appliqué, wool appliqué, and hand-embroidery stitches. Finishing your quilt is covered too.

Most of the warm and inviting projects in the book are a combination of patchwork and appliqué, a combo platter that just always works. You’ll find quilts for laps, beds, tables, walls, or just plain draping over something. All of them will lend your home that air of casual comfort and relaxation.

mountains-meadows

baskets-blooms

If you’d like to enter the drawing to win these two titles courtesy of That Patchwork Place, leave a comment by 7:00 p.m. California time on Saturday, December 18.

Those subscribed by email or feed reader, remember that you’re not actually on the blog when you read the posts. You’ll need to click the title of the post to be taken to All About Appliqué on the internet, where you’ll be able to leave a comment at the bottom of the post and enter the drawing. U.S. and Canada only due to the cost of shipping.

Good luck everyone and I hope you are having a happy holiday season!

Until next time,
Kay, Dana, and Willie!
By Kay Mackenzie

willie-mys-val2

Comments

38 Responses to “Double comfort”

  1. Nancy on December 14th, 2010 11:13 am

    Would love to add some Christmas quilts to my home…I haven’t any right now…
    Love those two books…

  2. Robin Gold on December 14th, 2010 11:17 am

    Both books look wonderful! And we’ll be having a nice, quiet Christmas at home, too. Enjoy yours!

  3. Erin in MI on December 14th, 2010 11:56 am

    These 2 books look wonderful! I would love to be included in the drawing. And Happy Birthday!!!

  4. Marilyn Wilson on December 14th, 2010 12:07 pm

    These look like great books. I’m just starting to get into applique’ and I’d love to give these a home.

    Thanks

    Marilyn
    marilynjw1971 at gmail dot com

  5. Maria on December 14th, 2010 12:09 pm

    Wow – how generous a giveaway! I was just looking at both of these books on Amazon today wishing away that I could get one! I hope you have a great birthday this Friday and a Merry Christmas next week!

  6. SewLindaAnn on December 14th, 2010 12:30 pm

    Happy Birthday (on Friday) and thank you for the generous giveaway op.! Merry Christmas!

  7. Janice Parker on December 14th, 2010 12:38 pm

    Thank you for the great giveaway. I love the Tis the Season book, but they are both great.

    Happy Birthday and Mary Christmas

  8. Kathleen Connors on December 14th, 2010 1:43 pm

    I’d love to win either book to give to a new friend of mine (we met by chance at the library when she asked about quilting books). Though both books appeal to me too, of course.
    Thanks very much.

  9. Dolores on December 14th, 2010 1:54 pm

    Both are wonderful books however, I am a bit biased since I have met Shelley, of The Quilt Patch in Moose Jaw and have visited the shop (in the summer.) Every year they have a Mystery Mailout in Oct. and I always participate. Every ten days, we get another installment of the mystery mailed to us and by Dec., the quilt top is done.

  10. betsy on December 14th, 2010 1:54 pm

    Kay, thanks you for the chance to win. Both books look great! Enjoy your holidays.

  11. Debbie St.Germain on December 14th, 2010 7:57 pm

    I love both of those books and would love to make some of the quilts for next year.

    Debbie

  12. Donna on December 15th, 2010 5:50 am

    I love the look of “Tis the Season…” In fact, comfort seems to be the key word in each book – which is I love – nothing more comforting on a cold or bad day than a nice warm cozy quilt.

  13. Sharon Decker on December 15th, 2010 5:51 am

    Those books both shout “Comfort.” I would love to pick my next quilt from one of those books.

  14. DianeH on December 15th, 2010 5:52 am

    Oh my! Be still my heart! Thank you for a chance. Merry Christmas to you and yours.

  15. Marcia Kosturock on December 15th, 2010 5:59 am

    What beautiful projects these books have to offer! I would love to be entered into the drawing.

  16. Donna on December 15th, 2010 6:12 am

    Great projects! And cute model on the last pic!
    Happy holidays and have a blessed birthday.

  17. Linda Zobrist on December 15th, 2010 6:40 am

    Thanks for sharing these fun looking books. Have a fun, comfortable holiday! The world is a better place because you were born!

  18. Vivian on December 15th, 2010 6:46 am

    An early Happy Birthday and best wishes for another lovely Christmas!

    Two books I was not familiar with but like what you’ve shown from them. I’ve fallen in love with applique and piecing projects so winning one of these would start the year off right!

    Thanks to you and That Pathwork Place for offering these.

  19. Sallie McIntosh on December 15th, 2010 7:01 am

    Both books look wonderful and so much fun. I just lost my wonderful husband of 50 years 9 months and hope when life calms down a little, I can get back to making quilts and all those fun things I so enjoy. Either book would find a welcoming place in my home. Happy birthday and enjoy it to the fullest.
    Thanks for sharing these books with all of us.

  20. Carol Mounce on December 15th, 2010 7:20 am

    Kay – I do so enjoy your newletters. Both of the books in latesst post are wonderful – I would enjoy having both.
    Merry Christmas to you and yours.

  21. Clairellen McLaughlin on December 15th, 2010 7:48 am

    Both of these books are wonderful comforting selections; the projects connect us to the past, and guide us to making heirlooms for the future! I love your writing; thanks and happy holidays.

  22. Bonnie O'Neil on December 15th, 2010 8:47 am

    Please enter my name in the drawing for the two books. I love your website & the emails. Applique is my thing & spend alot of time browing your site. Keep up the good work!

  23. Barbara on December 15th, 2010 9:43 am

    What a wonderful drawing you are having. I also have a birthday in December, what a great present if I won. Thank you for the chance. Love your blog, I read it all the time.

  24. Brenda on December 15th, 2010 9:52 am

    Happy Birthday, Kay. As always, thanks for the intro to these great books. Even if we don’t win, we get a review. Merry Christmas to you and Dana

  25. Sue on December 15th, 2010 10:17 am

    Kay,
    Thanks for the introduction to new quilt books and new authors (at least to me :)! And have a lovely birthday. DH is 12/23 and he said when he was a child people either ignored his birthday, or gave him double to make up for it. He figures it about evened out. Hope yours if fun !

  26. Susan on December 15th, 2010 10:35 am

    Both books look really good, but the first one looks the best. I really need more holiday flavor in my house and spending the year working on some Christmas quilts would be fun.

    Great blog and happy birthday.

  27. Sharon Lam on December 15th, 2010 10:36 am

    Happy Birthday, Kay. These two books look great. Would love the chance to win them.

  28. kathy in NC on December 15th, 2010 12:12 pm

    What a delightful way to share your happy birthday Kay! These are adorable books! I just love their colors & designs. Thanks so much for another.

  29. anna lee on December 15th, 2010 12:37 pm

    What a wonderful Christmas book, These look like great books. Happy Birthday.

  30. Fausta Carnevale Tavares on December 15th, 2010 3:32 pm

    Kay, first of all, Happy Birthday to you.
    These are very good Christmas book and it will be great to win.
    Thanks for the chance.

  31. Sarah Vee on December 15th, 2010 4:14 pm

    Happy Birthday, Kay. These are great books. I’ve had my eye on the second one for awhile. Thanks for a peek inside the first!
    The Best of the Season to you and yours:)

  32. KatieQ on December 15th, 2010 6:44 pm

    Happy Birthday! My birthday is on December 20th. When I was growing up, I hated having my birthday so close to Christmas because my relatives always claimed that they gave me a bigger Christmas present so that it could count for both occasions. Baloney! My cousins who were around my age got the same gifts. Now that I am an old lady, I enjoy having my birthday during the Christmas season and bask in the good feelings of the season.
    Thanks for this lovely giveaway.

  33. Sharyn on December 16th, 2010 6:24 am

    that little doggie is SO cute!

  34. Sonya on December 16th, 2010 7:35 am

    Happy Birthday! What fun books, I make at least one new to add to my Christmas collection every year, looks like some great ideas in these books.

  35. GerryART on December 16th, 2010 8:24 am

    These two books are so appropriate today since our mid-MO roads are icy today.

  36. Carrie P. on December 16th, 2010 12:56 pm

    I love these books. I actually asked Santa for the first book. We shall see but maybe I will win instead. Thanks for a chance.
    Happy Birthday tomorrow. May it be a very good one for you.

  37. Barb Rohrmayr on December 17th, 2010 10:20 am

    These books are wonderful.I’d be happy to be the winner. I have a daughter with a Dec.25 birthday. We always celebrated it on the 6 month date making it her “unbirthday” celebration. We loved that she had a good Christmas and then a proper birthday too. =!=

  38. Gail on December 18th, 2010 7:16 pm

    Birthday wishes to you and a Merry Christmas, too.
    Gosh, I love the stocking quilt on the cover of ‘Tis the Season!
    Thanks for a chance at the giveaway.