Friday, February 1, 2013

Small Quilt Challenge for February

For the challenge this month we are making the Civil War Scraps quilt from my book The Civil War Sewing Circle  (page 36). There are quite a few quilts in that book we'll be making this year and I'm excited to see your versions.

 
I really love this little quilt and am sure it has something to do with that green mixed with the indigo, am I right? Or maybe it's the red in the blocks and border that makes the quilt dance. I used  a simple, overlapping binding technique, which is explained in the book, just so  I could get an even scrappier look. There's a wonderful blend of scraps in this little quilt and if you're going to try to replicate it, take out your small fabric pieces and play around with the colors a bit this week before you decide. When I look at my tangled strips and squares of fabric in my scrap basket it makes my creative spirit soar. I tell myself: I really need to make something! I wonder, did women of the past feel this way too?
 
The quilt was originally published in Fons & Porter's Easy Quilts  magazine a few years ago but I think it still holds up today. I was going through the basement yesterday looking for my box of Civil War photos and props to include in the pictures of the quilt and I found some extra copies of this magazine I bought when it came out. What am I going to do with them now? Think my kids will want to use them after I'm gone?
 
 
I thought it was so cute that they photographed the quilt with a Shirley Temple doll because as a child I had the one made by Ideal in the early '60s (Wish I still had her now. Yes, don't remind me - I am old old old.). And even though Shirley was born quite a bit after the Civil War I love that she's there in the picture with my quilt.
 
Some of you still may have this magazine lying around in YOUR basements. It's from Summer 2008 and sold out quickly if I remember. Go check -
 
 
Most of you probably don't have this issue anymore so I decided to have a giveaway. Yes, that's right, folks  - I am cleaning out my basement and giving away OLD magazines! What could be better?? The good news is if you do not own the book we are using to make the quilt this month, the pattern is in the magazine. A genuine freebie and winners will have an excuse not to buy the book until later. It's a great book if you like making little quilts with lots of reproduction fabrics though.
 
 
So, leave a comment and tell me what other stupid things you think are in my basement that I should  give away and your name will be entered into the giveaway. I will announce 3 winners on Monday. And if one of you hits the nail on the head and really guesses something I don't need that's there then it's yours! (Please, please, somebody say boxes of AICPA journals from the '90s.  I'm telling you, my husband won't even notice they're gone . . . . )
 
PLEASE include an e-mail address where I can contact you if you win. If there is no way to contact you I will move on to someone else.
 
By the way, this is NOT the fantastic giveaway I keep talking about and plan to hold in a few weeks. You will love that one, which is expected to be announced sometime during the week of Feb 11. It might even have something to do with a special heartfelt holiday. Hint, hint.
 
Remember, you can also follow me on Twitter for more hints as we get closer to the giveaway.
 
 

73 comments:

Audrey said...

This isn't a 'stupid' thing but I'll bet you have some fabric scraps in your basement you could give away! And I'd love an old magazine or two!!
audreybretz@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

Moving from a house to a smaller place gave me an oppurtunity to give a lot away and no I try to use my scraps for smaller projects just what you showed up at your blog today.I´ll love to have a magazine.
Louise D
dvd.elma@comhem.se

Mamaskeeto said...

What fun a give away and chance to win a treasure from your basement. I'm thinking that you might have some old dolls in that basement of yours just looking for a new home besides a special quilt.
kayparks@sbcglobal.net

Anonymous said...

Yea, can't wait to get started on the small quilt! I own your book and am happy I do!

Dawn said...

Yes! I would love to be in the drawing for the "old" magazine. Sometimes, old magazines still are useful. 1990 AICPA magazines happen to be out of date in just about every way! So, go ahead and throw them out.. he'll NEVER need them! (I was a CPA in the 90's :) But, I'm sure you've got empty boxes down in the basement too that should go.
Winterdawn92@gmail.com

Kindred Quilts said...

Looking forward to making the Civil War Scraps mini in February. I have the book but wouldn't mind an oldie but goodie magazine. Now, about what else is in that basement of yours... any old sewing notions???

Anonymous said...

Kathy, you are (happily) undermining my intentions to de-clutter! I just can't resist trying for this giveaway, because my son and daughter-in-law just announced that they are expecting a baby! So I'm looking for the perfect quilt to make! Thinking of your basement, I wonder if there are any small picture frames down there? Cathryn in Corvallis from you Smallquilttalk group (cathryndmk@nwlink.com)

Lesley said...

I'm so glad you chose this quilt! I have admired it since I bought the book but hadn't made it yet...a perfect choice. Although I have the book, i'm sure there are lots of projects in that magazine, and perhaps you have too many needle cases taking up too much room in your basement? Thanks for the chance!

Doreen B said...

Decluttering is a daunting task. At this moment I am surrounded by my own fabric stash from years gone by and trying
To purge. But I'd say old baby clothes. Not necessarily stupid, but you can't really do anything with old smelly baby clothes.

Shirley--Knot-y Embroidery Lady said...

I think that is would be so much fun to win--thank you for including me in the draw! Let me see - in your basement - old telephone poll glass thingies. Insulators? Conductors? They would sit on the bars of the polls. :o)

marie said...

I'd love the magazine, makeing small quilts is my thing to do right now. You might have boxes of old fabrics you don't like any more.

Anonymous said...

I love giveaways, especially anything that has to do with quilting. I think you might have a box filled with embroidery floss some UFO cross stitch projects and a few punch needle tools.
~Marilyn
hittyhannah@aol.com

Ronnie said...

I don't have that magazine, but would like to add it to my stack. I too had a Shirley Temple doll and wish I had it today, when I left home I left mine to my little sisters. I think you might have old pattern magazines and books.
ronnietall@gmail.com

kmcallister said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Vivian said...

This is a comment and not an entry into the giveaway (so don't include me) because I did look and I do have that issue! I think it was the first one I received after joining QCA. And I'm looking at the binding tip that accompanies the article -- could have used that on my last quilt! That's what you do with old quilt magazines, read them again for the tips you missed the first time.

And by coincidence, I also have the book and had that particular pattern sitting out for consideration because I was planning to make another CW mini so maybe I'll do the challenge this month too!

kmcallister said...

Would love to win the magazine and love your quilts as they don't take forever to see a finished project!

Regina said...

I have all your books so I feel guilty for even wanting that magazine but I do... LOL. How about some clothing you need to give away. Thanks for
the Bread Pudding recipe we love it.
rchihuahua2@sbcglobal.net

Sherryl said...

Just going by what I have in storage that I don't "need", I'm going to guess that you have a box of sewing patterns that you've had since... well for a really long time! You know, 'cause those clothes could come back in style some day. :-)
- sunshdws at yahoo dot com

Linda said...

Hmmm.. not having a basement I don't know what would be the likely things stored there..BUT in my garage are boxes of "interesting"fabric given to me by anyone who hears I am a quilter. I would be happy to trade the magazine for the fabric! lol

Linda B. said...

I have your book, but this will be the first quilt I'll make from it. I was hoping it would be this one! I'm guessing you have some old doll clothes in your basement. Love your blog, and love all of your quilts.
nlinbaker.baker@gmail.com

Bonnie said...

If your basement is anything like mine, there is probably a set of skis from the 1980's - much too dangerous to use today!! Bonnie

Sue SA said...

L suspect that you have a box of favorite children's toys that you cannot bring yoursr
Elf to give away and the kids don't remember you have kept.

pkquilter said...

I have all four of your books and I'm enjoying teaching my sisters quilting by using your patterns. The fairly quick finishes give us all motivation. I'll bet in your basement you have a few scraps that you just couldn't throw away.

Mimi said...

I love your books and can't make these quilts fast enough. I would imagine you have some extra copies of your American Doll Quilts and since I don't have that one, would hope my guess is true. All the quilts are such treasures and I can't get enough of them. Maybe you have extra pink fabric scraps in a box. I never seem to have enough. Anyway, now that I have two little granddaughters and another coming in May, I'm very happy making these quilts for them.

Mimi said...

I forgot my email address. patricia.showe@gmail.com
Sorry!

grann616 said...

I can't imagine how I missed that magazine! I am a magazine hoarder. Sad, but true. Nice giveaway. I think you will find extra needlebooks and pincushions. Both of which I need. Sharon Lozano

Anonymous said...

I imagine you have some antique thread (i.e., nice wooden spool, thread unusable) hanging out somewhere with the magazines. I read somewhere recently (I hope I'm not embarrassing myself by misquoting you) that the best thing to do with old thread is to fill a big glass vase with the spools and enjoy the colors. I have emptied shells from a vase with that intent! BTW, unless you want to give them to me, I want to order both the Prairie Children and American Girl quilt books from you -- could you let me know the total price with shipping?! Thanks, Gail Henry (ghhenrydc@me.com)

cityquilter grace said...

don't know if you have one of these, but i recently let go of my old coleman lantern...yep, my camping days are really over for good...too bad, too, as i loved camping!

gracemth@yahoo.com

Jill said...

I would guess that there are some old toys and clothes in the basement, but I don't know that you would want to part with them.
Love this little quilt, for the month.

Betsy said...

We do not have basements in Florida but I do have an attic full of winter coats I will never use here.

sharonkay65@yahoo.com said...

Is there a possibility that you have a couple old quilting frames just hanging around in the basement? Love your blog. also, have recommended it to a few quilting buddies. Sharon
sharonkay65@yahoo.com

KarenQ said...

I love the magazines, any kind! Of course buttons would be pretty special too! The quilt for this month is beautiful.
KarenQ
Fountain Valley, CA

marian said...

Kathy, if you're anything like me you probably have a stack of teen mags & craft books dating back to the 60s/70s..just can't seem to part with them lol!!!
btw i love that sweet little quilt..there's something about that green border fabricand the hint of red in the binding.. it's yummy!! Thanks for the giveaway :)))
cheers...Marian

Louise said...

I would guess Halloween costumes from when your kids were younger.
Thanks for the opportunity to win the magazine!

Quilting Babcia said...

Well, I would guess there are some wonderful plaid scraps tucked away that have been there for so long you won't remember them until the box is opened! I'd absolutely love to make this quilt using the magazine since I don't have your book (yet)!

Kristy said...

I am thinking you have boxes filled with additional copies of all of your published books.....Oh how I would love a copy of Remembering Adelia...signed would even be better. I am guessing you have some little wooden doll beds down there too, but I doubt you want to give them away. soardkg@fuse.net

jane nj/wi said...

2nd try......if your basement is truly eclectic like my two attics you will have 13 book boxes of aeronautical engineering notes from 42 years ago hand labeled by you with class number and name.....available to you CID shipped payable on Paypal or swap for a copy of that great magazine...no I didn't see it in news stand back then

Jane Modjeski
Harleyetta@aol.com

Katie said...

Kathy, I have a few yards of the wonderful green border fabric you used. The selvedge reads Windham Fabrics Presents Attic Heirlooms by Pat Speth C. 1845 Pattern # 24165. I hope to make more of your little quilts this year! I have so many fabric scraps waiting for me! And look! I searched for that fabric and found it on sale here: http://www.schoolhousecottons.com/cgi-bin/Store/store.cgi?product=Clearance&productid=24615-5&tracking4=search%2024615-5&pid=1#24615-5

ruthie said...

I think a few old buttons would be fun!

ruthie32001@yahoo.com

Gwen said...

I don't keep magazines - I pull out the articles I want to keep, file them and then toss the rest ( or give it away). If I had that magazine, I would definitely keep your article! But fabric is a whole 'nother issue!

Gwen said...

Oh, my email address (just in case!) is gwenb2x@gmail.com

Jubama said...

merci pour ce jeu ! il y a peut être un ancien quilt dans votre sous-sol !!!

Damenana said...

Comme il est drôle ce jeu.. Moi je pense a l original de ce petit Quilt pris en photo sur le petit lit
Damenana@gmail.com

Carolyn Bahl said...

I already have your book for this months quilt (looking forward to making it), but still would love to win the magazine for other ideas. About your basement:I always try to declutter, but everything has such memories I cannot part with them. I still have fabric my Grandmother gave me over 50 years ago when she taught me to sew.(ok telling my age) c-bahl@hotmail.com

SG said...

I have one of your books and the other three are on their way form yours to my continent and I can't wait for them to arrive... Overseas mail take awhile... But I would love to have a copy of that magazine! About your basement, it's hard to guess what you want to put away, we always tend to keep things that mean something to us... Well, you could send away some old scraps! We would love them!
flores_as_cores1@yahoo.pt

Anonymous said...

Kathy, I would love to win that magazine. I do so admire your choice of fabrics and how you put colors together. I also had a Shirley Temple doll. Wish I still had it today. Guess I'm showing my age too, lol! Thanks for the memories!

Catherine
august1375.c@aol.com

rebecca said...

I would take the tote of 30's fabrics hanging around your basement! wink!

Purl Buttons said...

I think there is a bird cage or more likely, some hamster/gerbil type glass enclosures. Maybe some old canning jars, and a bicycle. Please just send the magazines. And I DON'T mean the AICPA journals!

Debbie Rogowski said...

I love your little quilts, but I bet you have a manaquin in your basement!! lol

Karen said...

I love the small quilt for this month. I'm going to take your advice and break it down to baby steps, to get it done. I'd really like to complete this one.
As far as what might be in your basement, I'm guessing lots of embroidery floss and Aida cloth for cross stitching.

GabiP said...

I love the minis and this one is great! I'm thinking you have a box of old polyester material in your basement!
gkpettit24@gmail.com

KaHolly said...

One of my favorites!! I'm sure there are lots of boxes, bags, and bins of fabric scraps in your basement! With a few UFOs tucked inside!

Anonymous said...

Hi Kathy, I would be tickled pink to win a copy of this magazine. As for your basement, any blue Mason jars or a tennis racquet? On the sewing side, I would also have to guess fabric, buttons, a pin cushion or two?? Janie and my e-mail is denney59@yahoo.com. Thanks!

Linda in IN said...

Basements include all kinds of goodies. I am betting on toys, magazines & books, maybe some fabrics, etc. Things we always believe we might need. Usually we end up getting rid of about 90% later on. Ask me how I know?

Linda in IN

Patti L. said...

It would be wonderful to win a copy of the magazine! I love anything Civil War, vintage and small quilts. Thanks for the chance to win and maybe you have an old trunk down there to store quilts in the living room? I could really use one! Thanks a bunch, Patti plautumn@yahoo.com

Ellie said...

Bet there are some UFO's you have moved on from like some of mine! Would love to win a copy of this magazine.

Diane H said...

Thanks for a chance to win the magazine. Your book is on my list to put on my shelf beside Remembering Adelia. Perhaps you have some quilt stencils "cluttering up" your basement.
I just finished a small scrap quilt that I bound in the same manner. That's how I used to do all my quilts before I learned to miter.
laura84watt(at)gmail(dot)com

Anonymous said...

Hello! I think this is a great giveaway, and as I am relatively new to your blog, and have never made a small quilt, I would love a magazine to get me started. As for what's in your basement, well, I would love to think you had an unused machine down there that could be re-homed, but I live in the UK so the postage might be a bit steep (!), so I wonder if you have a spare pin cushion instead?
All the best,
Kate
kate_orchardmerkel@o2.co.uk

Susan said...

I already have the book (love it!) and am planning to make this month's little quilt.

If you're anything like me, you have books in your basement, and lots of them. We haven't looked at them in years but still can't bring ourselves to part with them.
sueinjeru@gmail.com

kathy osterby said...

I started small quilts after I bought your 1st book from my lqs. If your basement is anything like my storage shed was before my move you could have the Union Army hiding in there AND not even know it!! I love that magazine but don't have that one. Thanks for the chance to add it to my collection. Kathy Osterby-kostyerby@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

Sharon Saturday Feb.2, 2013 7:14P.M.
I love your books! I love the history that goes with them. You may find some cut pieces of fabric between your magazines that you didn't finish. Maybe an old sewing container , a can or box or basket. Maybe something you started to work on as a child and somehow it got put with other things. I look forward to finding something new when I clean out a room or closset. Happy looking!
Thank you for the chance to win a magazine. bedreamer333@yahoo.com

Sue said...

I don't know about your basement but mine is getting cleaned out of baby stuff. My oldest is 28 and my youngest is 7 and it's high time I let go of the sentimental stuff like blankies, cute little clothes; things that unless I go down there and look at it I forget it's there.

Anda W said...

My basement is full of treasures and I can't see myself parting with any of them soon! Do you still have kids' stuffed animals and old clothes/outfits they wore and you can't part with? awolk at rogers dot com

Anonymous said...

Would love a magazine. Thank for the chance. I think there are probably some smashed up stuffed animals, a crib whose slats are probably a little two wide for todays standards, some tax records past 7 years, maybe a clear green lamp base missing the shade..... momathome42000@yahoo.com

Granny Lyn said...

Oh,my...would I love to help clean your basement!!! I own Adelia and Prairie Children, so I would love to add another pattern of yours!! Thank you for all of the inspiration! macadoo977@aol

Anonymous said...

I think there are doll clothes, you lovingly made, for your daughter's dolls. I would love to have a copy of the magazine!

melissa
raddfam4@aol.com

Carmen y Prady said...

Nos encantan todas las viuejas cosas que se guardan en los trasteros o en los sotanos, creemos que como a todas nos cuesta mucho desprendernos de ellas.
La colcha te ha quedado preciosa, los colores son formidables.
Un beso muy fuerte desde España.

Gayle said...

One woman's junk is another woman's treasure, so I doubt if you really have any stupid stuff in your basement! LOL Maybe some vintage toys?

The Woolen Cellar said...

I just down sized my stash and what a job! I found many things that needed to go. One thing you might find are old beads and bling. I have your book and am working on the latest one...have made several of the quilts and my goal is to make one every month. I already have the book so won't need to win another, just wanted to comment.

Sylvia Jacobus said...

I'm new at collecting civil war fabrics and ideas for quilts. I would love that magazine.
Cleaning out basements or any area requires one phrase: Do I love this "thing?" If you can honestly say, "NO I don't." Then you have my permission to chuck it. That phrase helps me so much in parting with my stuff.

Anonymous said...

more magazines, mini quilt holder/rack, and lots of material!

mindingmomma(at)aol(dot)com

Edna Kidd said...

I love a giveaway and hope to win the magazine..Maybe you have some more mags and fabric scraps in the basement that you no longer need and I would love to receive...thanks for the opportunity..

dollsem1@frontier.com

pom country said...

I love!!! It's very pretty!
Sarah

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