I just have to start by reminding everyone that it's October! (As if anyone could forget.) It's my favorite month and the start of my favorite season. Me and summer just don't see eye to eye, I'm an overall better person when the air is cool and there are pumpkins everywhere! I'm extra excited about fall (and winter!) this year because I am finally out of the North Carolina climate and planted somewhere that actually gets cold. I mean single digits and below zero cold. Sorry NC friends, 30° is not cold! :)
So, onto the topic at hand, my newest hobby. I was destined to be a quilter, I could feel it in my bones, it was just a matter of the right time and place to jump in. It was at the top of my bucket list after the move and crazy enough, it all fell into place! I found a local shop that offers classes and took a beginners class about a month ago. Totally hooked! The class project was a 36" square log cabin style quilt. The hardest part for me was choosing fabrics, but I just had to keep telling myself that it wouldn't be my only quilt, so I picked something I loved and went with it.
It was a blast! Like anything, learning the basics and having the right tools make all the difference, but I do believe this is a craft of patience and the OCD perfectionist in me doesn't hurt either. I'm still pretty slow at it, but now that I have a space to keep my machine and supplies out, it doesn't matter! I can work when I have time and not stress about it. The hard part will be finishing a project before starting a new one, I already have four new quilts in the works and am out of work space!
GIVEAWAY TIME!
I had a ton of extra fabric strips leftover from my first project so I just kept sewing up more squares! I thought they would make an adorable little pillow, was I right? This also gave me a chance to practice actually quilting a piece on my machine and was my first experience with piping. I lost a chunk of my right index finger, but otherwise a smashing success (I promise, it's not inside the pillow).
I thought it would be fun to give this little pillow away and brighten someone's day!
To enter, please leave a comment below telling me who you plan to give gifts to this holiday season (family, friends, co workers, etc) and what you are planning to give (homemade or bought).
Just be sure your first name and email are included in your profile or your comment. I will draw a winner randomly on Monday October 7.
Happy October! ~ nicole
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16 comments:
Oh you know I'm going to enter! You did a great job! Love the colors and everything... I really do wish you lived nearby! I an "planning" on homemade Bible covers, lap quilts, and possibly pillows. Depends on if time allows for everything I have planned. I have good intentions... So we will see!-Amber (barber1029 on IG)
Such a cute pillow! I'm making my cousin's new baby a quilt for Christmas and (if I have time), I also want to make a quilt for my sister-in-law.
Great pillow design! I'll be giving home made gifts this year. I'm still looking for a job, so have plenty of time to make things.
msmaf at ymail dot com
mostly family bc we've been tight on money
My grandmother was an avid quilter and I am lucky to own several of her pieces. Your pillow is beautiful - I'm sure your quilts are as well.
I give Christmas gifts mainly to family - prints of family photos, books, and homemade cookies are always big hits.
crabapple3 at gmail.com
Love! I too have been wanting to start quilting...I already bought some charms packs and layer cakes. There isn't anyone local that teaches so I've been watching tons of videos online...Missouri Star Quilt Company has some great ones!
Family and close friends get gifts...homemade...making vanilla extract and vanilla sugar this year!
Oh my goodness, I love it!! I've always wanted to learn how to sew and make things like this, namely a table runner. I just can't seem to find anything on Etsy I really love and I should just learn to make my own.
This year my dad and stepmom may be coming to spend Christmas with us in CA and I'm over the moon excited, but I have no idea what kind of gifts I'll be doing just yet. It's time to start researching and get it figured out!!
Beautiful pillo Nicole! This year I'll be buyuing handmade items for my family and friends. I find so many beautifully made items on Etsy and am excited to be gifting them again this year!
Thanks!
Erika
erika dot sanday at gmail dot com
Congratulations on your new hobby! I will be making as many gifts as I can. All for family...big family. LOL I've started making coasters and necklaces. Hopefully I will make some little backpacks, so I better go look for a beginners class too. Thanks for inspiring us! Norma W
paperqueen207 at yahoo dot com
I've very much enjoyed reading about your quilting experience, Nicole. Thanks for having this giveaway!
Every year, I give gifts to family and close friends, and try to strike a balance between store bought and handmade. This year, because of time constraints, I think I'll be supporting someone else's handmade crafting rather than giving my own. However, I have a sweater started for my daughter, and am hopeful!
Beautiful Nicole! I've always wanted to make a quilt but haven't gotten around to it yet, yours is pretty inspiring so I might have to start soon! :)
I plan on giving a mix of handmade and purchased handmade, mostly purses of mine to give to friends and family.
What a pretty pillow! I love the blue and coral-orange in the middle, what gorgeous punches of color!
This year, I'm giving baskets of home-baked goodies to family friends. For individual gifts, it will be a blend of homemade and store bought. I also plan on making lots of jewelry as gifts too.
I'll be giving gifts to mostly family. Sister, Brother-in-law, nieces, nephew, grand nephews and nieces! I usually try to do handmade, but this year my time may be limited. We'll see!
I love handmade gifts to give and receive...You are very talented!
I can hardly sew on a button and that is the truth. I give to family, friends, children from a tree posted at out church and many gifts to the Pantry!
Many thanks for this wonderful opportunity...
Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com
Love your new hobby!! :-)
I plan to give gifts to family and extra special friends. I usually buy those gifts.
I also give gifts to the wonderful people I work with who make my work world a better place. Each year, I try to make something little... scarves, potpourri jars, etc. I'm still searching for the perfect idea this year!
~Stephanie
smh519@gmail.com
Lovely pillow Nicole!
I gift mostly to my kids. I try to make a view handmade items for them. But they prefer toys and electronics. I make crafts and bake for my neighbors.
Amber
amber.epps@me.com
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