Thursday 1 November 2012

Sew Seasonal Blog Hop – Starts today!

It’s time to deck the halls with boughs of holly (fa la la la la), make some egg nog (what is that anyways?!), pull out some Christmas tunes and get festive!

Okay so you don’t have to do all of the above (it is only the 1st November after all), but it’d be lovely if we could get that festive mood happening! We quilters are such organised types (don’t laugh, I’m sure some quilters are anyways) that I’m sure Christmas sewing has already started happening. If not – now’s the time! The Sew Seasonal Blog Hop starts right now! Yay!

Sew Seasonal

Alyce from Blossom Heart Quilts and I have designed 25 Christmas themed patterns to get you feeling super Christmassy. Or at least in the mood to start humming Christmas carols. Each day for the next 13 days, we have some fabulous bloggers sharing projects made with our patterns. But it gets better. You can download our patterns (for free, no less!) and make your own Christmas fabulousness (linky party at the end of the month to share what you've made and maybe win a prize!)!

Sew Seasonal Patterns

You can find the patterns in our Craftsy stores. They are free for the duration of the blog hop. Pretty awesome, right? Paper pieced patterns are here and Ornamental patterns are here. Go on, grab em both, you know you want to!

SewLuxButton Not sure what fabrics you have on hand to make these fab patterns?  Chrissy from Sew Lux Fabrics has set up a special discount code on Christmas fabrics in her shop! So if you need supplies, be sure to check it out. The code is "sewseasonal10" and is for 10% off all Christmas fabric (Joy, Blitzen, and Sentiments) through November 18th. A charm pack or layer cake will work perfectly for these patterns!



But wait, there’s more! No really, you’ll have to wait. Or at least scroll down for the “more” part.
First though, let’s build the anticipation and check out what I made with one of the paper piecing patterns to kick off the blog hop! My block is the paper pieced stocking block.

Sew Seasonal Christmas Cushions

With a bit of cute fussy cutting, some flash stitching and a whole bunch of pillow stuffing, I now have two sweet Christmas cushions with pockets just waiting to be filled with Christmas goodies!

Paper pieced stockingBrr Paper Pieced stocking

I printed out the stocking pattern to make 7” blocks. Fussy cut these perfect little fabrics and whipped these blocks up in no time.

Sew Seasonal cushions theback

A little bit of cute red fabric for the back and they were done! I didn’t include a closure on these cushions, just stuffed them and sewed them up. Of course that means they take up a bit more room when storing the Christmas stuff. I perhaps didn’t think that aspect through too well.

I did think about the pockets though!

Sew Seasonal Brr Cushion

I wanted the pockets to be big enough to fit little presents on Christmas day, or at least some chocolate coins. They’re traditional for Christmas! At least in our household. These little pillows will sit at the end of the kidlets’ beds on Christmas Eve along with their Santa sacks.

Sew Seasonal Cushion

I had planned to embroider the kidlets’ names onto the cuffs of the stockings, but let’s be honest. Embroidery and I aren’t friends. Besides, my kids have personalised fancy pants stockings that I made them previously. They’ll have to content themselves with that.

So! There’s my project to kick off the Sew Seasonal Blog Hop! And this is just the beginning! Here’s the line up for the rest of the blog hop:

1st November: Kristy from Quiet Play & Alyce from Blossom Heart Quilts
2nd November: Marieka from Bespoke Bites & Jane from Where Jane Creates
3rd November: Susan from Patchwork N Play & Kelsey from Kelsey Sews
4th November: Janice from Better Off Thread & Erin from Missy Mac Creations
5th November: Lucy from Charm About You & Rebecca from Making Rebecca Lynn
6th November: Charlotte from Lawson and Lotti & Amy from Amy's Crafty Shenanigans
7th November: Jess from the Elven Garden & Cindy from Live a Colorful Life
8th November: Elaine from Dashasel Sews & Kelly from Jeliquilts
9th November: Beth from Plum and June & Fiona from Finding Fifth
10th November: Juliet from Tartan Kiwi & Fiona from Celtic Thistle Stitches
11th November: Taryn from Pixels to Patchwork & Anorina from Samelia's Mum
12th November: Megan from Jaffa Quilts & Jane from QuiltJane
13th November: Gemma from Pretty Bobbins

I guess I’ve kept you waiting long enough – you want to hear about the “more” part of this blog post right? Well the fabulous Fat Quarter Shop is offering a great giveaway! A $35 gift voucher here at Quiet Play (plus you ought to check out Alyce’s project for today too! – perhaps another giveaway (not-so-subtle-hint-hint)).

Giveaway!
$35 gift voucher from the Fat Quarter Shop!
FatQuarterShop-175

So how do you win this fantastic prize? You’ve got to be in it to win it! I’m trying out rafflecopter for the first time, so give it a whirl and enter up to 4 times for this giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck and thanks for joining in the madness fun! Check out all the details of the blog hop here and find out how you can enter the linky party to win even more prizes!

A big thanks also to our fabulous sponsors for the blog hop – make sure you check them out! Smile

FatQuarterShop-175IntrepidThreadfabricwormStashModernFabricSewLuxButton



89 comments:

  1. I am hoping to make some key fobs and loyalty card wallets, at least! Good luck with your Christmas crafting and thanks for the giveaway!

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  2. 3 years ago I bought some gorgeous fabric to make a kids christmas quilt. Maybe this year I'll get to it..... Maybe I should start now for next year :)

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  3. Such a cute fussy cutting!

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  4. Looking forward to trying these! I'm aiming to make table runners using Alyce's HST BOF - only done one block so far though!

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  5. Those pillows look fab Kristy - love the laurie wisbrun polar bear! Looking forward to hosting tomorrow!

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  6. Love those cushions!! I am making bags galore for pressures this year.

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  7. I'm sewing lap quilts for Christmas gifts. A bunch of them! I started early. I'm going to go get your patterns (thanks!) and will likely add some holiday decorations to my gifts to give. I especially like table runners.

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  8. Doll quilts and zip bags! Your cushions are adorable!

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  9. KRISTY! Those cushions are adorable. I can't decide which one I like the most - they are both fab. Well done!

    No idea what I'm doing for Christmas yet. Do you get the feeling I'm a little unorganised? ;)

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  10. What a fun hop! I'm really excited to see all the posts. For Christmas gifts... Right now I'm designing a table runner, planning a knitted bag, and reminding myself to start making gifts in January next year. ;)

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  11. Have not even thought about Christmas gifts yet. This hop will give me some great ideas for blocks

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  12. I'm making my brother a quilt and I'm making my parents a set of new placemats!

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  13. I'm making my husband a Halloween quilt (it's his favorite holiday) and I've already made a quilt for my baby girl.

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  14. Kristy the cushions are so gorgeous! I may have to give paper piecing a whirl as they look so cute.

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  15. just downloaded the patterns. thanks so much.

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  16. I am making appliques tshirts for all the children that I need to give presents for and the just buying them something small to go with them

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  17. I'll probably be making something handmade, I just have no idea what yet. I need ideas too! I'd like to make a quilt, I just don't know if I'll have the time or not.

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  18. YAY! The 1st is finally here! Just got my yucky surgery out of the way - so now to pull out my Chrissie fabric (and maybe order some more) and have a play. Totally love the cushions - I won't show Miss Moo as I am sure she will talk me into making her and Mr 3 one each.

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  19. I'm making a quilt for my little nephew, some camera cases for my niece, aprons for my girls, some pajamas for my husband, and who knows what else. Thanks for this blog hop.

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  20. I'm trying to whip up some stockings!

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  21. Your creativoty is always inspiring!

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  22. Oven gloves! Its handmade oven gloves all round for Christmas presents this year.

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  23. I'm sewing aprons at the moment!

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  24. So cute Kristy! I'm not sewing too much yet for Christmas but am pondering some Christmas bunting... :)

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  25. love your pattern and at the moment I am making baby quilts for my dd1 Kate to sell on http://www.squishyboo.com/shop

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  26. I am excited about this hop and hoping to get lots of Christmassy ideas.
    I am making a lot of tote bags for pressies this year.

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  27. Your pillows are realy beautiful !!!! I'm making for christmas a quilt calles christmas bakeshop, there are a lot of stitcheries in it.

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  28. This is going to be fun..and so inspiring! Thanks for organising this!

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  29. I've made placemats and I'm planning on making key fobs, an apron, perhaps a advent calender or two :)

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  30. I'm terrified by paper piecing but I soooo want to make those adorable little stocking

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  31. Cute pillows. I love Christmas traditions!

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  32. Lovely cushions, what a fab idea for christmas!

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  33. Gorgeous cushions. Thanks for the idea and for a great looking blog hop.
    bonnielarson58@gmail.com

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  34. Can't wait to get started on these!

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  35. Aww, those cushions are just adorable!

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  36. I am working on pot holders for Christmas presents.

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  37. Thanks for the free patterns! They look like good fun. I am making my mom a set of placemats for Christmas, as she could really use some fresh ones! BTW, the rafflecopter didn't work for me.

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  38. What cute pillows!!! I LOVE the deer fabric. I bought some several years ago and I don't know what happened to it!

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  39. I'm busy filling my Etsy shop with Christmas goodies! Jesse Tree ornaments, Christmas garland, angels, finger puppets, quilted Christmas stockings, etc. Stop by and say, "Hi!" http://www.etsy.com/shop/PinkScissorsDesign

    Deborah
    pinkscissorsdesign@ gmail .com

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  40. Wow those are the cutest things ever! Lov ethe candy canes sticking out of the pockets - I would have loved having one of teh se pillows at the foot of my bed as a kid!! I'm busy making things for the kitchen as pressies.

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  41. I love the little pillows!!
    I'm not sewing anything for Christmas. Due to the mother in law's religion, we don't do Christmas at our house.

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  42. I am super excited about this HOP and Xmas this year, I cant make up my mind what fabric to buy !!! of coarse I want it all ! Need more money !! for my addiction...... I need to Win, today is my Bday and this would be a great start ! I just learned to Pp and these are really cute, going to make them up tomorrow.... thank you.

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  43. I've got a bunch of potato fabric and picked up some insulbrite last summer, so I'm all set to make potato microwaving bags for Christmas gifts. Must get started on that soon!

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  44. That is so generous of you and Alyce to give away your patterns during this blog hop! Thank you! I will definitely be making up some of them. And thanks for the chance to win!

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  45. Love the fussy cut deer stocking! I've been mainly knitting instead of quilting for xmas...a scarf, and tiny christmas light ornaments (yes, essentially knitted light bulbs!) :-)

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  46. I'm hoping to make some pot holders or pillow covers. Not decided yet but I did buy some cute fabric with Christmas penguins on today, so need to make a start!

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  47. I'm hoping to make some christmas jammie pants and hopefully finish a few quilts!

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  48. I'm a new follower! You Christmas items are so pretty! I like the pockets! I'm planning on some mug rugs and placemats for Christmas gifts!
    hulseybg@gmail.com

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  49. I am making mt sister a reversable apron. On one side it is fall themed and the other winter. Just the seasons, no holiday attachments so she can wear it for a long time.

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  50. I made a few I-pad sleeves and I am going to try to make some kind of purse for my Sister-in-law.

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  51. on my list MUST DO LIST (so far) I have: quilt for mom, quilt for sis, tablet case for boyfriend

    on my wanna do list (so far) I have: doggy bed, 2 stockings, christmas quilt

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  52. Zippy pouches are on my list of things to make and Some Ayumi's bento box bags.

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  53. Such fun. Thanks for the free patterns and ideas.

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  54. Those cushions are fantastic! I love the stockings and so cute to make them a pocket :)
    I have a quilt and a cushion to make for presents... oh and a blog hop project I just finished to share on Monday!

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  55. Cute pillows! I'm making house-shaped pincushions for some friends this year. One looks like a gingerbread house!

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  56. Such cute cushions, I love the pockets!

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  57. I made a pillow cover with embroidery. Also, my husband was in the military as well as his father. i made his father a kindle cover our of my husband's old uniform.

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  58. I am thinking of making some more Zakka Style pleated coin purses - they are quite quick to make.

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  59. I love looking at new patterns i love quilts

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  60. I am a newbie sewer so would love to add these to my new stash so I can make gifts, bags and maybe some bag tags or passport wallets, just some lovely little things for family and friends
    nicole@beveridge.id.au

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  61. Thanks for the free patterns! Awesome!

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  62. Love the idea of little pockets in the cushions! For Christmas I'm making my nieces and daughter wallhangings of our favorite coastal view. I'm excited to get started, but first, I'm going to try my first paper piecing with these pillow and your pattern. Thanks!

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  63. Great idea for the cushions. I usually give the teenagers in my life money for Christmas and this is far better then putting it into a card. Your giveaway would help me add to my stash, I'm hoping to get to the point where I will have enough to start donating quilts to families here in need.
    Marj in Mexico

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  64. Cute! I am making table runners for Christmas gifts :O

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  65. I am excited to try out some of those paper piecing patterns. I love the ones that celebrate Christ.

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  66. Great job, ladies!:) you are so generous;)

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  67. I found a pattern for a scarf. So I got the idea to make my daughters a scarf for Christmas. I'm also working on a quilt for one of them.

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  68. I am making my sister a couple travel bags for Christmas. :) She alone in my family really likes handmade presents, so I tend to focus the bulk of my holiday gift making on her. I might throw together some ornaments for everyone else though so that they don't feel completely left out. ;)

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  69. I just downloaded your amazing paper pieced patterns - thank you!! Loving your cute little cushions, gorgeous inspiration :)

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  70. Oh there are too many good ideas!! I'm sewing a few mug rugs (started a few months ago and they are still waiting to be finished!), a king single quilt (that's why the mug rugs aren't finished!!), a lap quilt and some ornaments/gift tags for gifts. Will probably whip up a few bags and other bits at the last minute!

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  71. I'm not sure I will have time for Christmas sewing although I do want to make my youngest a robot softie

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  72. I really need to make a table runner, or wall hanging, or cushions to add a bit of Christmas to my family room. It seems as if we abandon that room at Christmas in favour of the living room, even though it's the most used room the rest of the year. Thanks for the great giveaway opportunity.

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  73. I do like your cushions. I feel read yto start making Christmas now, thanks for the ideas!

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  74. So cute!! Thanks for the tutorial on piecing as well. Seems so easy, but not so much!! :)

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  75. It sounds odd, but I am trying to finish up a red, white, and blue star quilt for my mother-in-law for Christmas. Wish me luck!

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  76. cute projects, Christmas is just around the corner!!

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  77. stockings for my husband and daughter, one down, one to go.

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  78. I am working on a lap throw and a wall hanging. I am crocheting the rest.

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  79. I have made 2 wall hangings so far. Have 1 more to do

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  80. Wow, such a lovely Pillow.. Feeling seasonal already!

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  81. Just found your blog hop via Flicker, will go hopping now! Thank you

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  82. awesome!!! this would be a great start to the holiday season!!

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  83. Thank you for all the free patterns. I love the fussy cut deeper.

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  84. I am making apple pin cushions for my sewing group. I think I got the pattern from the Sixxix blog. They are cute and quick to make. I am also making fabric baskets and bowls.

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Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a comment. I read each and every word! I'll do my best to reply to them either via email or here on the blog, when time permits!