Friday, June 8, 2012

Scrap-Appliqué Playground Book-A-Round Tour and Giveaway

Hi everyone:

Welcome to stop #2 on the Book-A-Round tour for Kay Mackenzie's new book, Scrap-Appliqué Playground.To see a complete list of participating bloggers, be sure to visit Kay's website. As each of us are focussing on a different aspect of the book, you'll want to visit each stop. 

I'm so excited to have an opportunity to review this latest book from Kay, her third one with Martingale. It's full of great ideas for using up your scraps and the projects are easy enough for a beginner to complete successfully. You'll be pleased to know that Martingale is generously providing a copy of Kay's new book as a giveaway. I'll tell you more about the giveaway a little later in this post.

If you're visiting my blog for the first time, let me introduce myself. I'm Kim Jamieson-Hirst, the principal designer and social director of Chatterbox Quilts in Calgary, AB, Canada. You may wonder about the choice of my company's name: well, I'm from Chatham, ON and love to chat, so Chatterbox Quilts it was! 

I've been quilting for about 10 years now and have been designing patterns for the past three and a half years. While I appreciate all quilt patterns (you only have to look at my quilting library to know this!), I tend to gravitate - and design - appliqué projects. I was delighted to discover Kay's appliqué patterns several years ago and appreciated her practical and easy to understand instructions - and I still do. Kay's newest book, Scrap-Appliqué Playground, provides more fun appliqué ideas, as well as helps you use up those scrap fabrics that I know you all have in your stash. 

In this book Kay shows you several techniques to use up those small fabric scraps that you've been collecting in the hopes that they can be used in a project some day. Well, now is that day! Kay explains her 3 Scrap-Appliqué methods: shrinking strips, building bits and bobs and crazy patch, which she then uses in the 8 projects included in the book. I decided to try her crazy patch method and create a version of Kay's Crazy Hearts wall hanging. Here's how the process went:



I'm really pleased at how the project turned out and had fun putting all my scraps together to create new fabric to use for my appliqués. Now I just need to add some hanging tabs and quilt it and I'll have a lovely new wall hanging.

I know that you'd like to have your own copy of Scrap-Appliqué Playground, and you'll have a chance to win one, courtesy of Martingale. Here's how you can enter to win your own copy. It's easy! Just leave a comment below with your email address before June 9 at 7:00 p.m. MST letting me know how you organize your fabric scraps. I will be announcing the winner's name in a future blog post. Sorry, but this giveaway is open to Canadian and U.S. addresses only. 

Don't forget to check back with Kay at All About Appliqué so you can visit the next stop on the blog tour.

Oh, and if you don't win a copy of Scrap-Appliqué Playground, you can always find it at your local quilt shop or on-line at Amazon. Of course Martingale also sells it on their website (you also receive a FREE ebook when you purchase the "paper" book) and you can purchase an autographed copy from Kay herself. 

Best of luck in the giveaway and thanks to Kay and Martingale for providing a copy of Scrap-Appliqué Playground to be won by one of my readers.

64 comments:

Michele T said...

I would love to win a copy of this book - it looks amazing and I have a big container of scraps that I have to do something with soon or it'll be out of control!! Thanks!!

MoeWest said...

Nice wall hanging Kim! I would love to win a copy of this book. I have a bin for string scraps which will one day become string blocks. I separate my Christmas scraps in another plastic bin. All others scraps are jumbled together in a third bin.

Sandra said...

Scraps for current project are in a box beside my cutting table. Once the project is finished the scraps join all the others in a big bin. FQ size and larger are stacked on a table by color.

Thanks for the chance to win.

Diane said...

I have my scraps sorted by color. I love scrappy! I would love to have this book in my collection. I am really enjoying the book-around!

JudyG said...

Great job on the wallhanging, Kim. I would love to win a copy of this book. My small scraps are kept in ziploc bags sorted by color.

TexPat said...

Trying to get more organized with my scraps by doing some cutting in different sizes of strings & squares kept in separate containers. I have lots of crumbs in a large zippered bag. Completed string, crumb & crazy blocks are in a 3-drawer roll-around. Love your wall hanging! And would be thrilled to win Kay's book! Thanks for the chance to win.

Unknown said...

LOL! Organized scraps - with me that's an oxymoron. All my scraps are in a huge tub in my sewing room. When I'm using them, they're also "organized" on my floor! ;-) Thanks for the opportunity to win!

SueAnn said...

It's exciting to be looking at different ways of using up our scraps. I loved the way your hearts worked out. skeetersaw@comcast.net is my preferred email

CARMEN S. said...

I really like the video, very enlightening! I want to win a copy of the book, I love it!
Hugs

CARELI

Sharon B said...

For some reason I can't see the pictures of your quilt :( But I did look around your blog and now follow you :)

I organize my scraps in zip lock bags - I am new to quilting so I don't have alot of scraps and will most likely have to come up with another method.

linnyt said...

I really liked the video and love this idea of using scraps for applique. Hope to win the book.

Gloria said...

Thank you forthe video-tutorial and the giveaway.

JoyceLM said...

I'm trying to organize my scraps. I have several boxes: 1 for 2-1/2" strips, 1 for other various sized strips, 1 for chunks in miscellaneous sizes, and 1 for Christmas fabric pieces. Then there's the dump box where alot of scraps get dumped before I sort them. I love this idea of making scrap background fabrics. Thanks for the giveaway.

Anonymous said...

I'm a fairly new quilter so I don't have an abundance of scraps. Yet. Right now, I have them divided by color into various containers. (I'm re-using the containers - they used to hold books in my classroom library!) I can see, though, that pretty soon I'll need a new system, and I think that system is going to involve actually USING UP some of the scraps.

I'm glad to find your blog!

ritainalaska said...

i've three bins for scraps ... one for small pieces less that six inches, one for mid size pieces from six to twelve inches and one for the better part of a fat quarter. congrats on the cover piece; enjoyed browsing your blog. thanx for the giveaway

Angie in SoCal said...

I don't organize so that's what I'll do during the rest of Book A Round days. I have a ton. Thanks for the chance and your wall hanging turned out cute.

LeAnne said...

I organize mine by color family in clear Tupperware type containers so I can see what's in them.

martha said...

I separate my scraps by color into thier own plastic see thru containers. So I know what color to pick up . Martha from Minnesota.
marthamumaw@yahoo.com

Dotti said...

I organize my scraps by size in large plastic storage bins. Fat Q's and smaller go into one bin. This way I have a rainbow of colors without having to dig out several containers.

Wanda said...

I organize by color in plastic shoe box size bins. So excited about the Book Around. I love to applique.

Lee said...

I organize by colors in bins - I dont have that much as I am a new quilter. thanks!
butler83ataoldotcom

whistlebet57 said...

Hello, thanks for the Chance to Win. I keep my quilt scraps in a picnic basket (very Big) it has dividers so I can separate the colors. I love it.
Elizabeth
Silverdale, WA
whistlebet57@yahoo.com

dorothy said...

My fabric scraps are in the clear shoe box size tubs, but not sorted at this time...too little time...but would LOVE to win the book.

Dorothy Schreyer
dorocarol@gmail.com

Lisas Mom said...

I liked your take on the appliqued hearts, so cute. The best thing about this book around is that we discover new blogs to follow. I also went and checked out your videos on setting up a sewing room, great tips! :)

Beth said...

Well, I had been organizing my scraps by size, but I'm about to change to organizing them by color. Then, watch out! I have so many ideas to use them up. I'd love to win a copy of this book; Kay's books are always so great: well-written and creative.

wordygirl at earthlink dot net

Loris said...

I have been sorting my scraps into colorways and trimming them down to sizes as taught by Bonnie Hunter. I haven't gotten very far though :-)
I love Kay's idea of sewing the scraps together for this cool applique technique!

gab said...

I just throw my scraps in a bag, then pull out and start sewing. Most are 1 to 2 inch wide strips. Can't wait to sew some together and make hearts. Cool idea for your wall hanging.
G Britten
kwiet1@cox.net

Sherrill said...

My scraps are definitely NOT organized..just a big mess that needs taming!! Thanks for the giveaway!!

Joanna said...

I throw my scraps into a shopping bag and every now and then sort them by color and put the sorted scraps into clear plastic bags. It works for me. The heart wall hanging is really sweet.

Unknown said...

Hi! I dump my current project scraps into a large basket next to my sewing table and when it starts to overflow I sort the pieces into color ways. Some pieces are put through my Go! die cutter to have pieces available for leader/ender projects.

The Jewel's Quilter said...

Hi! I would love to win a copy of this book. I leave scraps from my current project close to my sewing table in case I make an "oops". After that I sort them into size and color. Batik and Christmas scraps are kept separate.

Jocelyn said...

I am not that good at organizing my scraps, but I do keep them in baskets. I just need to sort them by color. Thanks for the giveaway!

Linda said...

Being organized is not my bust suit. My friends would not know me if I was orgaized. Would love to win the book.

Jeanne Gwin said...

I am really liking the scrappiness I am seeing. I can see a very fun whimsical quilt developing here. Thanks for the chance

Teresa said...

Cute idea - I will have to try that one. Please count me in on the giveaway.

Kathy H said...

I try to keep my scraps organized by color in clear plastic boxes. I also have a box for long strips but they are just there in random order.

Maureen said...

Hi Kim, waving to you from Hamilton, Ontario! Which is really not too far from Chatham. I love what I've seen of this book & if I don't win one, I need to purchase it! I'm an organization nut! I love organizing things so my scrappies are in a a couple of bins, colour coded, & labelled accordingly. Thanks for the chance at the give-away!
mgw070 (at) shaw (dot)ca

Candace said...

I have my fat quarters and less than a yard cuts in a cabinet and then the larger cuts in a wire basket type cart, all organized by color and season/holiday. This book looks very interesting! Thanks for the chance to win :D

Anne said...

I save the tiniest of scraps sorting each color into its own ziplock bag and keep similar colors together in bins.
Anne

amains@sympatico.ca

Unknown said...

I will need to start sorting the scrap this way, tame those scraps. Pick me for the book.
Diane

Bonnie58 said...

I try to keep the scraps organized by size and by colour although am not always successful. Would love the book.

Janet said...

I organize my scraps by colour. Small ones in bags and strips in plastic containers. Bigger ones just go back in the stash. Looks like a great book!

WoolenSails said...

I hate to admit it, but I do not organize my scraps.
I put them in a basket and when I want to make something scrappy or need a small piece, I dig in.

Debbie

sandy said...

I am a new quilter and have only made one rag quilt. I think I would put them all in a plastic bin or baggie depending on the size of the scraps.

Thanks for the opportunity to win.

kc said...

Organized? Oh darn, were scraps supposed to be organized? haha - just kidding....up to a point. Scraps are put into baskets by color...reds & pinks in one, blues in one, greens in one, purples in one, and florals in another. Notice no yellow? yeah, I just did too!

Thanks for the chance to win this very cool book!!

Jytte R said...

I have always sorted my scraps in colours and keep them in boxes.
Looking for something in one of them is a trip on memery lane and I enjoy it.
Thanks for the chance to win this fantastic book.

Lisa England said...

My scraps are mostly NOT organized but sewing always seems to take priority over organizing. I love making scrappy quilts but it seldom reduces the size of the scrap pile. Go figure! This book looks like it has great ideas for using up scraps and adding interest to quilts. Thanks for the chance to win!

Diane Swett said...

I am in the process of organizing my scraps and this seems like a fun way to use them. Diane Swett email: dianeswett7441@msn.com

Purl Buttons said...

I organize my scraps by color in big gallon zip style plastic bags. sewbeads at yahoo dot com

Laurie in Maine said...

I put my scraps in a plastic tote... they produced MORE scraps while I wasn't looking. So now they're in a bigger plastic tote. I want to do a quilt-as-you=go scrappy quilt. Before I need an even BIGGER tote!

Connie Kresin Campbell said...

Great giveaway! I have one container I put all my scraps in and when it is full I sort and cut into strips or squares and put in boxes by color. Works great!

Catskill Quilter said...

I have strips of fabric scraps which are sorted in shoe boxes by type - 1930's, batiks, brights, and other mixed fabrics. My other scraps - sigh - are in a large laundry basket all lumped together, and they need help!

Stella B said...

Look fun and easy to make, I would love to win it

quiltmom anna said...

I have to say that I am not a good sorter of my scraps- I have my yardage , fat quarters and strips sorted by size but I still have a few bags of fabrics that are just that bags of scraps.. I just bring the scraps down and play when I want to make a scrap quilt. I am not a big applique person but that is why this book looks intriguing - Thanks for the chance to win this new book.
Regards from Edmonton,
Anna

The Village Queen said...

Cute project! I've only got a small stash of scraps as I havent been quilting that long but Im sure its going to grow! Would love this book. Thanks for the chance.

Douglas Oliver said...

I cut my leftover fabric into various sizes and store them in clear shoeboxes by size. I never seem to use any of them though. WOuld love to win a copy of this book. Thanks Kay and Kim.

Anonymous said...

Love the wallhanging. What a great use of scraps. goodness knows, I have a LOT of those. Maybe they'll be organized some day.

~Kris~ said...

Hope I'm not too late. I keep my scraps in labels drawers. thanks for the chance to win. I love to appliqué.

Sharon said...

Right now I have two baskets full of scraps. I do need to get them organized! mrssharon62@gmail.com

Edie said...

I have no idea what time it is MST but I know it's time for me to get my sew on! What fun!

free indeed said...

I'm slowly getting my scraps under control. I already have strips and squares together, now I'm trying to corral the 'crumbs' tog and the triangles in their own place. I bought a GO cutter and hope to use that as well. I have at least two bins of stuffed scraps to go!
freeindeed at myfairpoint dot net

Marcia W. said...

MarciaW alternate email mlwright29(at)hotmail(dot)com
Thanks for the giveaway as need some motivation to use (my mother's) scraps. I organize hers by color in long shallow clear plastic bins, labeled, and stacked in the hall linen closet (which has no linens). Periodically I whisk her quilty leftovers away and put them where they belong. I'm new enough to quilting that don't really have scraps. Usually at the end of a project my little bits are sewn together and after a while, a dolly quilt top for the grandnieces is ready.
So, that's how we handle scraps. Thanks for the chance.

Donna Joy said...

I organize by color, this book sounds great . I could teach kids how to sew and use up scraps,

Karrie said...

I organize by type of fabric. Then I put them in the same colors. I separate my prints from my solids. Then I put them in a plastic container. THanks for the chance to win! I put all my little scraps in a plastic scrap box all mixed together. I hope I made it in time to win!