Book Giveaway - Week 1

I've been going through some of the things in my quilt studio and I ran across a mysterious bag. What was in the bag? Well, some books that I had put away to be used in a giveaway, that's what! I had completely forgotten about them - things tend to disappear in my studio only to resurface a few weeks later.


So, this means that I have a book or two to give away. Well, actually, I have 5 books to give away. Yup, 5 different books for you to win. With the exception of the first book that I will be giving away, these books have been kindly donated by Martingale & Company. I love their books and am very appreciative of their generosity in providing these books for me to give away. 


One book will be given away each week for the next five weeks; entries will open on Monday each week. Entries will close at 11:59 p.m. each Friday. I will be drawing a winner for one book each week on Saturday, starting on November 20, 2010. 


You will need to enter each week to be eligible for that week's book draw. The entry conditions will vary each week, so be sure to read the details carefully before entering.


You will receive one entry for this week's draw for each of the following that you do:

1.  Become a follower on my Chatterbox Quilts Chitchat blog - and advise me by leaving a comment on this post. Please sign up for posts by email on the right-hand side of the blog, not Google reader, to be eligible. (If you are already a subscriber, just advise me of this.)

2.  Become a fan of Chatterbox Quilts on Facebook - and advise me by leaving a comment on this post. (If you are already a fan, just advise me of this).

3.  Sign up for my Quilt Chatter newsletter by clicking on the top right-hand side of this blog and advise me by commenting on this post. (If you are already a subscriber, just advise me of this).

4.  Let me know what types of quilt patterns that you like to buy - technique and size (ie. pieced quilt or appliqué wall hanging) and advise me by commenting on this post.

You'll receive one entry for every one of the above things that you do - so that's a possible four entries.

You will need to do each of these separately - do not include all your information in one comment or that will only count as one entry. Be sure to comment on this post only so that you will be eligible for the draw.

This contest is open to residents of Canada and the continental United States only; sorry no international entries. 


Now that all of the details are out of the way, let me tell you about this week's book that you'll have a chance to win!

"A Critter Christmas" by Brandywine Design includes several wall hangings, mini quilts, stockings and other projects - 11 in all. I have a copy of this book for myself and think it is so adorable. As the title implies, the projects are full of cute little animals, including mice, bears, and squirrels with a winter/holiday theme. There are several small projects in this book which would be perfect as gifts for special friends.


Please feel free to tell your friends about this opportunity so they'll have a chance to win a book as well. Don't forget to check back next Saturday to see if you've won this wonderful book. 

Lest we forget

No quilting news today - just a time to remember, reflect and be thankful.

In Flanders Fields
By: Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD
Canadian Army

In Flanders Fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

My daughter, Sarah, brought the following video to my attention last year on Remembrance Day. The story of how the song came to be written is as follows:

On November 11, 1999 Terry Kelly was in a drug store in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. At 10:55 AM an announcement came over the stores PA asking customers who would still be on the premises at 11:00 AM to give two minutes of silence in respect to the veterans who have sacrificed so much for us.

Terry was impressed with the stores leadership role in adopting the Legions two minutes of silence initiative. He felt that the stores contribution of educating the public to the importance of remembering was commendable.

When eleven oclock arrived on that day, an announcement was again made asking for the two minutes of silence to commence. All customers, with the exception of a man who was accompanied by his young child, showed their respect.

Terrys anger towards the father for trying to engage the stores clerk in conversation and for setting a bad example for his child was channeled into a beautiful piece of work called, A Pittance of Time. Terry later recorded A Pittance of Time and included it on his full-length music CD, The Power of the Dream.

Thank You to the Royal Canadian Legion Todmorden Branch #10 and Woodbine Height Branch #2 for their participation in the Video. 

Way to GO!

I've been reviewing the comments that I received from the Fall into Fall Quilter Bloggers Giveaway and while there have been lots of ideas for future blog posts, I received many comments asking questions about the Accuquilt GO!. I recently acquired one of these little wonders, before the introduction of the GO! Baby, and have been using it for various projects. While I'm no expert, here's some information about my experience with the GO!

First of all, there is lots and lots of information and patterns, many of them free, available to use with this little baby. If you aren't already familiar with the GO! and its little sister, the GO! Baby, you really should check out Accuquilt's website. They offer advice, videos, free patterns and have just recently started The Daily Deal where they have daily specials on various products. I am amazed at the amount of information and free stuff (don't we all like free stuff!) that they have on their site - very customer friendly. Of course, Accuquilt is also on Facebook, so be sure to become a fan to receive information from them in this format.


I've also found lots of instructional videos on youtube by several quilters. Just put in "accuquilt" in the Search area and you'll see what I mean. Many quilter bloggers have videos and information on their blogs as well and again, just use your search engine to look for "accuquilt" or "accquilt GO!"

Now, as for my experience with the GO! cutter, I have found it to be very quick and easy to use. I have primarily used it to cut appliqué shapes using fabric to which I have ironed fusible web. I have adhered the fusible web to fat quarters, cut out the desired appliqués and then put the excess fabric in a box for the next time that I may want to cut shapes from this fabric. You can arrange small scrap pieces of fabric on the desired appliqué shape on the die and just cut out one or two appliqués. It's not necessary to use a large piece of fabric. 

I have also used the GO! to cut out some half-square triangles for a project and was amazed at how quickly I could cut a large number of these. The tips of the triangles are already cut off for you, again saving you time after you have sewn them together as you don't have to clip off the dog ears.

While the GO! is fun to use, I'm also impressed by how safe it is. My daughter is very reluctant to use a rotary cutter, but I can't keep her from using the GO! No exposed blades to worry about or lining up a ruler to cut along - just place the fabric and fabric mat on the die, turn the handle and you're done. I think that this would be a fantastic tool to use in quilting classes for children due to the safety and ease of use.

One of my favourite things about the GO! is its small size and portability. When I'm done using it, I just put it on the floor under my quilting frame and it's out of the way and waiting for when I next want to use it. It's also easy to carry so I can take it anywhere in the house - or outside - to use it. Just because it folds up and is portable does not mean that it is flimsy. It weighs more than my Bernina and sits solidly on my cutting table when I'm cutting with it. 


I already have several projects where I used the GO! cutter and have many more in mind. Don't forget that you can take pieced patterns that you already have and cut the fabrics using the GO! Accuquilt has provided a very handy table to show you which dies you would use for various shapes in a variety of sizes. 


If you haven't had the opportunity to use a GO!, I hope you get to try one at a local retailer or show. I'm sure you'll be impressed.


GOt to get GOing!