Elizabeth came up the winner of a copy of my book Dolls & Dresses to Appliqué. The cool thing is, Elizabeth said in her comment, “Thanks so much for the opportunity to win the book Dolls and Dresses. I have wanted to get it.” How cool is that? Sometimes random.org knows what it’s doing.

Until next time, with a couple of reader questions.

Kay
By Kay Mackenzie

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Today I’m writing about my entry in Volume 4 of 100 Blocks, a very special collector’s edition of Quiltmaker magazine that hit the newsstands this week.

I’m on the cover again! That’s my block Heartlets with the pink plaid hearts. How very fun.

This is part of a fantastic blog hop that takes you on a trip through cyberspace to find out more about the designers and what inspired them to create their blocks.

Since it’s me we’re talkin’ about, of course my block was going to be applique. I love hearts, and decided to grow some on a sort-of heart-shaped vine. I stitched it up by machine using raw-edge fusible appliqué and sent it in.

Here it is, months later, Block #312!

The designers who contributed blocks were also invited to send in projects showing the block in a different way. When I looked at Heartlets I thought it would be very cute done up in Christmas colors, so I made this little wall quilt for the holidays. I’m happy to say that it made it into the projects sections of the magazine, and is now hanging in the Quiltmaker offices in Golden, Colorado!

The 100 Blocks magazine includes a pull-out section of full-size templates so no worries about blowing up patterns. I already received my advance copy, and let me tell you, each block is more spectacular than the last, whether appliquéd, pieced, foundation-pieced, or mixed-technique. This truly is a treasure trove… you’ll want to save it for your future use again and again.

Today is the last day of the tour, but if you haven’t already done so, be sure to visit Quilty Pleasures, because there are prize drawings still going on.

I happen to have a couple prizes of my own! I have a copy of the magazine to give away, and I’m also going to draw another winner, who will receive my book Dolls and Dresses to Appliqué.

So leave a comment before 7:00 p.m. California time on Monday, November 14, to enter the drawings! U.S. and Canada addresses only. Thanks for visiting, come again soon!

Cheers,
Kay
By Kay Mackenzie

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The tour lasts all week, with visits to designers who contributed a block to this issue. Be sure to follow the tour all week, because there will be lots of goodies and prize-winning possibilities. Start each day at the 100 Blocks blog.

My day on the tour is this Friday, November 11. I’ll show you my block and tell you a little bit about it, and I’ll have my drawing for a couple of prizes!

Hey, here’s an extra special treat. My buddy Sarah Vee has a block on the cover too. In fact, it’s right next to mine, how cool is that! Sarah has created a special coupon just for my readers. It’s valid at her Etsy store: SewJoy Creations, and will give you 50% off Sarah’s e-patterns! The coupon kicks in today, Nov. 7, and ends Nov. 13th.

The coupon code is: 100blockskay

Wow, I never had a coupon named after me before. I’m honored.

See you back here on Friday!
Kay

By Kay Mackenzie

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Debbie also reports that the wash-away product she referred to are Wash-Away Appliqué Sheets from C&T Publishing.

The website says that this product was inspired by Beth Ferrier. Now I happen to know that Beth uses a turned-edge machine appliqué method, not raw-edge. Just want to make sure we’re talking about apples and apples here, not apples and oranges. Here’s a portion of the product review from The Applique Society: “… When your project is finished you have the option of washing the sheet for a softer feeling piece or leaving it in and it will soften over time.”

I think this product is similar to the Appliqué Stabilizer that Sharon Schamber uses. Again, it’s meant for turned-edge appliqué. It remains in your quilt, and even though the stiffy part washes away, it leaves soft fibers behind.

Floriani has a similar thing too, called Stitch n Wash.

And Ricky Tims has one called Stable Stuff.

Whew!

In other news:

____________________________

Over the weekend, at Pacific International Quilt Festival, I picked up a flier from Amidon Quiltworks, home of the amazing Pearl P. Pereira of P3 Designs. The flier features a couple of exciting events coming up for appliqué enthusiasts.

The first is an Appliqué Weekend, May 31 through June 3, 2012. More details on the Special Events tab on their website.

The second is a Hawaiian Cruise in 2013, complete with appliqué classes on-board! They don’t have the dates set yet, but you can contact the shop for more information.

____________________________

I just posted a couple of amazing projects over on my Show & Tell Center. You’re cordially invited to go and see the beautiful teapots and baskets that quilters have been sharing with me.

And, I just heard from Janis Rink that the teapot quilt she made won a Blue ribbon over the weekend at the Empire QuiltFest in upstate New York! How very thrilling! You go Janis!

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Volume 4 of Quiltmaker’s 100 Blocks is coming out very soon! I’m happy to say that I have a block in this one too, and I think I spy with my little eye that it made the cover this time too! I’ll be participating in the blog tour that takes place November 7-11. My day to post is the last day, but I’ll remind you to go and join in the tour on Day 1, so you won’t miss out on all the fun and prize possibilties!

Until next time,
Kay
By Kay Mackenzie

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According to random.org, the winner of a copy of Quiltmaker’s 100 Blocks, Volume 3, is… Subee Mohr! Waving back at you out there in Indiana, Subee! I’ll be contacting you for your mailing info so that Quiltmaker can send you the magazine.

The second winner, who will receive one of my books, namely Growing Hearts to Appliqué, is… Joan Amundsen. Congratulations Joan! I’ll be in touch for your address as well.

BTW, since I did not get my post up quite in time (I made a scheduling mistake with the 24-hour clock), several early birds (including Joan) left their comment on the previous post. I made sure to include those comments in the drawings too.

Until next time,
Kay
By Kay Mackenzie

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Today I’m writing about my entry in Volume 3 of 100 Blocks, a very special collector’s edition of Quiltmaker magazine that hits the newsstands May 10.

Lookie! I’m on the cover!

This is part of a superfun blog hop that takes you on a trip through cyberspace to find out more about the designers and what inspired them to create their blocks.

Since it’s me we’re talkin’ about, of course my block was going to be applique. After my book Easy Applique Blocks: 50 Designs in 5 Sizes came out, I immediately started on another batch of new block designs. Some of them weren’t right for my next book, Inspired by Tradition, so I had a bunch of designs piled up, awaiting their manifest destiny. It was easy to pull one out, stitch it up in the right size, and send it in! Done, done, and fun!

Here it is, months later, Block #206!

I used raw-edge fusible appliqué with a small machine blanket stitch. But of course, you can use whatever form of appliqué you like.

The magazine includes a pull-out section of full-size templates so no worries about blowing up patterns. I already received my advance copy, and let me tell you, each block is more spectacular than the last, whether appliquéd, pieced, foundation-pieced, or mixed-technique. This truly is a treasure trove… you’ll want to save it for your future use again and again.

Follow the 100 Blocks Blog Tour daily May 2-6 at Quiltmaker’s blog Quilty Pleasures for inspiration, ideas and giveaways galore! Look for 100 Blocks from Today’s Top Designers in your local quilt shop, or purchase it at www.quiltmaker.com/100blocks.

Be sure to visit Quilty Pleasures, because there are prize drawings still going on.

I happen to have a couple prizes of my own! I have a copy of the magazine to give away, and I’m throwing in my book Growing Hearts to Appliqué for another winner. So leave a comment before 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, May 8, to enter the drawings! Thanks for visiting, come again soon!

Cheers,
Kay
By Kay Mackenzie

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My day is Thursday, May 5. See you then!

Kay
By Kay Mackenzie

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I’d like to take this opportunity to announce another exciting thing coming up. Hey guess what! I’m a cover girl!

This is Volume 3 of Quiltmaker Magazine’s special 100 Blocks issue, coming out May 10. Lookie! My name’s right there, on the cover! Could this mean… possibly… that I’ve arrived?

And, my block is on the cover too! Can you guess which one it is?

Quiltmaker is conducting a blog hop May 2-6, with bunches of participating designers and giveaway goodness each day. My day is May 5, but make sure you go on the whole tour for the maximum amount of fun.

Here’s a link to the 100 Blocks page over at Quiltmaker. That’ll get you to the links for the hop.

In other news, I’ll be at the Seven Sisters Quilt Show in San Luis Obispo, California, April 30-May 1. I’m really looking forward to this event. It’s at the Expo Center at the Madonna Inn, which is quite storied and is as pink as pink can be. And there are horses pastured where we vendors park our cars! That’s an added treat for me. Full info at aqgc.org.

Until next time,
Kay
By Kay Mackenzie

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Here are the winners from the daily drawings for Inspired by Tradition, including Pat Sloan’s winners.

Deb C. of Breckenridge, Colorado
Lisa F. of Rosepine, Louisiana
Linda P. of Hiawassee, Georgia
Mary K. of Buffalo, Minnesota
Akiko K. of West Boylston, Massachussets
Fran C. of Jackson, Mississippi
Kim D. of Mesa, Arizona
Beth T. of Clatskanie, Oregon
Mary K. of Oakland, California
Dolores S. of Toronto, Ontario
Janet R. of Carcross, Yukon Territory
Billie K. of Elgin, Texas
Robin C. of Richmond, Virginia

My deepest appreciation to everyone who followed the tour, took part in the contests, and left such lovely comments. You made my day, each and every day. I wish everyone could have won!

I wanted to let you know that I’ve extended the $2 off coupon through April 15, 2011. Just use the coupon code BLOG2 during checkout from my website.

Willie's resting up from the tour.

Many thanks,
Kay
By Kay Mackenzie

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(I couldn’t resist putting in an additional place marker for my hometown, Chapel Hill.)

Susan Brubaker Knapp is a quilt artist, designer, and teacher who lives in Mooresville with her husband, Rob, and two daughters. Susan teaches quilting classes at local quilt shops and online through joggles.com.

Susan loves traditional hand quilting and needleturn appliqué, but has also embraced innovative machine techniques and makes “art quilts” — works of art executed in fabrics and fibers. Her award-winning quilts have been exhibited at national and international venues. She’s the author of Appliqué Petal Party and the soon-to-be-released Point, Click, Quilt! from C&T Publishing. Make sure you check out her Quilting Arts Workshop DVDs about machine quilting and thread sketching too!

Here we go, off to Susan’s blog Blue Moon River!

Kay
By Kay Mackenzie

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