I’ve been hard at work on my McCall’s Quilt Design Star Challenge 1 quilt; I have just one border to add and it will be finished. It’s been fun working on it and I’m pleased with how it’s turned out. There are no sneak peeks allowed; it will be posted on June 19 on the McCall’s website and voting will begin then. I’ll make sure to post the link here and on Facebook.
I certainly had my share of challenges these past few weeks. My father passed away on June 1st after a long illness and my husband spent some time in the hospital with bronchitis. I did make the most of his time there – I brought my almost finished quilt and tore the foundation paper off the back of the quilt while he dozed and got better. It made for good conversation with the nurses who knew I quilted but had never seen foundation piecing.
Thankfully my husband is home and feeling better each day.
Just today I received a package of gifts from McCall’s Quilting for having progressed to the first round.
All I can say is “Wow!” The box was pretty heavy and I couldn’t imagine what was inside. There were many groups of fat quarters, including the entire line of Christmas Spirit from Moda (my non-Jewish quilting buddies will enjoy these!) and assortments of Fresh Fallen Snow from Maywood Studios, Winterberry Lane from Red Rooster Fabrics, Bollywood Bliss – Pink Sari from Northcott, Painted Desert from Windham Fabrics, Shimmer from Timeless Treasures, Happiness Is…Peanuts from Quilting Treasures, Earthtones from P & B Textiles, and an assortment of brights from RJR. They are all lovely; Shimmer, Bollywood Bliss and Earthtones are my particular favorites. Be sure to check them out on the sponsors’ websites!
Colonial Needle Company included a very nice package of items, including scissors, needles, thread and NeedleGrip-Its. Colonial also makes my favorite thimble – the Raised Edge Thimble – and carries Roxanne thimbles which I hope to upgrade to one day.
In addition, I received a Mini Iron, Rotary Cutter and Needle Threader from Clover, products which I use and love! You can never have enough rotary cutters and I like to keep a Needle Threader (it also features a thread cutter) in every spot where I do hand work. My new one happens to be purple – my favorite color.
I was able to share the Mini Iron with a friend who didn’t have one. Tempted as I was to have another Mini Iron, I really thought it would be crossing the Quilt Hoarder line and I know Kathy will use it.
Although it was not in this wonderful gift package, I also must mention Clover’s Dome Threaded Needle Case. You load up your needles with thread and place them in this clever case. As you need more thread you pull out the next threaded needle in the rotating case. No tangles, ever!
I would like to thank the sponsors of the Quilt Design Star Contest as well as McCall’s Quilting magazine for this prize package. I know I’m going to enjoy using and sharing all of the items!
Lynda, You spoil my surprise, but I’m looking forward to receive my box of goodies. The Box has to cross the border…so it will be a question as to when I will actually receive it. As I’m reading all finalists bio, we are definitely sharing all the same passion of quilting. My sincere sympathy on the recent loss of your father, and speedy recovery for your husband. Your Challenge 1 quilt already carries a number of memories, and sometime that is the beauty of a quilt creation. Looking forward to see everyone quilt on Tuesday. All the best.
Hi Lisette – I sent you an email but wanted to thank you for the condolences. I have wonderful memories of my father and my mother, and that’s so comforting. My husband is feeling better and being his usual supportive self. I think he told everyone in the hospital about the contest! Good luck in the contest – Lynda
That is quite the Prize package. Our BIG Box didn’t come until the final round if I remember right. The sponsors are very generous. Good Luck to all the Finalists!