Wednesday, April 15, 2015

Little Gems Blog Hop and Giveaway!











Have you seen the quilts made from this book yet?  You need to go visit the other blogs, and see the designs.  Little Gems by Connie Kauffman is great!  I've had foundation paper piecing on my bucket list for a few years.  I've looked at videos and read about how to do it. But I kept putting it off. When Connie asked the ambassadors to participate and make a quilt, I realized it was the perfect time to try this!  I picked a design, and said I was in.  I LOVED the look of the quilt, Radiance, in her book. 

Images from Little Gems by Connie Kauffman, Martingale, 2015;  used by permission.  Photos by Brent Kane.  All rights reserved. 

I decided to play with colors from the Full Bloom Collection by Island Batiks and Fourth and Sixth Designs.  I picked some pinks and the pale green for the lighter purple, above.  

But, as a beginner to paper piecing, I hadn't realized that this particular quilt has 143 pieces in it's stunning 12" finished size.  The units were really easy to create, though.  It didn't take long to get the little units done.  I really enjoyed working on this on my vintage machine.  


I know you will want to make more than one Little Gem!  I'm already saving scraps for a second!  You can purchase this book from Martingale HERE, or find it on Amazon.  I highly recommend this book.  The photos are gorgeous, the directions clear and the designs just so varied and cute!  There's something for everyone in the designs.  

I need to get a cute hanger for this Little Gem and display it.  
 Maybe even on my pale pink walls. 

And, if you haven't tried Island Batiks, you really should.  The fabrics are just gorgeous, and the texture is wonderful.  

Today, you have a chance to WIN a FREE copy of the EBook, courtesy of Martingale.  And, since my Facebook page now has over 200 followers, I plan to give away some FQs of Island Batiks fabric. You'll be surprised.  2 winners, one for the book, and one for fabric.  If I get over 250 followers by April 20 on Facebook, I'll add in a 3rd prize from comments here.  

Leave a comment below about anything, and please follow me on Facebook and my blog. Thanks so much for visiting!  Enjoy the rest of the hop!  

All HOP winners will be announced and contacted on April 20th.  

April 8        http://kauffmandesigns.blogspot
April 9        http://blog.shopmartingale.com/
April 10      www.conniekresin.com   
April 13      Ackfeld Wire hosted by www.kauffmandesigns.blogspot.com
April 14     www.tamarinis.typepad.com  
April 15     www.teachpany.blogspot.com    HERE 
April 16     www.beaquilter.com   
April 18     www.islandbatik.com/news   

Maryellen

93 comments:

Lori said...

ohhh your mini is so very pretty. I love the batik pinks. this is one I have to try. thanks for the give a way and the inspiration.

Anonymous said...

This little pink gem is soo beautiful! Looks like spring to me - and the beautiful quilting, love this.
Karin

Dee said...

Loving this little gem - and love your choice of colors - I will be following you on facebook:)

Julie said...

Love the color of your mini. Thanks for sharing.

Anonymous said...

A happy looking little mini! Good job.

Marlene @ KISSed Quilts . com said...

Beautiful job!!

Quilting Tangent said...

Pretty quilts, love batiks. 24Tangent@gmail.com

beaquilter said...

looks great! sleep tight :)

SBDavis603 said...

Love your sweet girlie version. Such pretty spring colors you've chosen!

Anonymous said...

Your Little Gem is beautiful! I love light colors. I'm now following you on facebook - thanks for the extra giveaway and the chance to win :)
Debby E
samtaylorcjsmimi at yahoo dot com

Lyn said...

Pink is my favorite color! I just loved the way you did your tiny quilt. Yes it will look wonderful with a wire stand. Thanks for sharing. I will go and friend you on facebook. Thanks again.

quilter said...

Very cute! Thanks for the giveaway.
cork@pa.rr.com

Calicojoan said...

Gorgeous. I love the design, but you had me at the color! My absolute favorite!!!

jefferson said...

Wow, 250 followers!

Anita said...

Gorgeous pink gem; so lovely! I am a new follower on GFC, I am sorry, but I don't believe in Facebook.

Connie Kresin Campbell said...

Looks beautiful and you did a great job!

Unknown said...

Pink and green is one of my favorite color combos, and Island Batik is my fave batik company! A winning combination! You did a great job on the paper piecing--something I, too, have been putting off trying. Way to go Maryellen!

Anonymous said...

You did a beautiful job!
--atthebrightspot

Anonymous said...

Hi,beautiful project! Thanks for sharing!
msstitcher1214@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

Such wonderful batiks, they made your item outstanding.

Unknown said...

I love the colors you chose for your "little gem". I have worked with Island Batiks in the past and they are lovely!

Unknown said...

Love your color choices.

barbara woods said...

i love batiks, beautiful quilt

Peg said...

I love all these!

Vicki H said...

Your Gem is so very cute. I already like you on FB.

Lisa England said...

Very nice! I have been enjoying all the lovely projects on this hop.

Rhonda said...

"Little Gems" is packed full of inspiration! I'm loving all the different looks that different fabrics create...and I'm hooked on mini quilts and batiks!!!

Anonymous said...

I love the Radiance quilt pattern and your choice of colors is beautiful. This looks like an awesome book! Thanks!

Please click on the delaineelliott above for my email link.

squirrelie55 said...

Love your little gem! Colors make me think of spring.

Allison said...

I just love these little quilts!

Unknown said...

I really like your little gem. The green is perfect for the pink.

LJ said...

Using a vintage machine on PP is a great idea. Sure wish I had my grandma's machine to use. I love your color combination and the mini is adorable. I do follow your blog but don't do Facebook; sorry. Have a great day!

Sewgirl said...

Such a sweet little gem. Looks like it would be fun to whip up for a special place in the house. Thanks for sharing the giveaway!

Kathy H said...

Your block is perfect for pink lovers or even for a touch of spring or summer color.

SherryB said...

Aww, your mini quilt is so cute! I would love to try my hand at some projects in this book. Thanks for the chance.
slbook3@aol.com

Bonnie said...

What a wonderful book! Your little pink gem is lovely. Thanks for the great giveaway.

Anonymous said...

Wow that's a lot of pieces for such a little gem! Great job on your version. Love it!

Pamela said...

Your little gem is delightful! I love batiks and you use them so beautifully. I follow you on Facebook. Thanks for the chance to win!

VickiT said...

Beautiful pink mini!
I'm following your Facebook page.

Denise said...

Love looking at all the variations of the quilts

Stitchin At Home said...

Pretty mini!! Thanks for the chance to win.

Michele T said...

Ooooooh! That is a very sweet mini and since I am just a beginner paper piecer too, you have given me the inspiration to give it my best and not to be discouraged with the number of pieces!! I am following you via Bloglovin and FB!!

JANET said...

Love your quilt. Really cute.

Anonymous said...

I really like these. I am thinking it is time to jump into paper piecing! I don't know that I would try the one you did. It is so pretty, but looks too complicated for me. :)
thothwife@sbcglobal.net

Brandy said...

It has been fun to see the interpretations everyone is having of the minis, thank you for sharing!
~Brandy

Anonymous said...

I'm fairly new to paper-piecing but it has become my favourite new quilting technique. It' the perfect way to make a mini quilt!

wlinda_ca at yahoo dot com

Kathleen said...

Your little gem is very pretty! I love paper piecing and made a baby quilt with a paper pieced pattern for my new grandbaby. It came out real nice. Thanks for the opportunity to win!

Laura said...

Such a lovely little wall hanging. Love the colours you chose.

Angel, Kirby and Max said...

Very pretty. Each one of these I have seen is fabulous!

MissPat said...

This book looks like a winner. Sorry I don't do facebook or any other social media.

cdore44 said...

Super fun little Quilt! I love paper-piecing and Island Batiks! Great combination, your did a fabulous job!
All the Best with the Hop! Cheryl - TwinSisCreations

Mary Ellen said...

Love the colors you chose for your little Gem Just love love love it.

Kathy E. said...

I am so very much enjoying this blog hop and seeing the tremendous amount of creativity! I love working with batiks and getting so many different looks from them. I'd love to win the book or fabrics!

kbo said...

Nice little Radiance you have completed. Congrats on your growing followers!

Ellee said...

The pink batiks you chose for your Radiance quilt are absolutely beautiful and the green batik accent is a perfect contrasting hue. -- soparkaveataoldotcom

Sallie said...

Love the colors you chose! I like you on FB.

Audrey said...

Every mini quilt I have seen on this blog hop has been spectacular. Yours is no exception. I love it. Thanks for sharing and for offering the giveaway. I do not use FB but I hope you achieve your goal soon.

BJ said...

If skipping a stone across a pond produced squares instead of circles, the result would be this quilt. Love the motion. Another adorable quilt stitched out to perfection. Wonderful job! Thanks for the chance to win. mtlakequilter@gmail.com

Rose Santuci-Sofranko said...

Cool! I like you on FB and on GFC as Rose Santuci-Sofranko. Thanks and God bless! ILuvTheEucharist @ aol.com

Shawna said...

your colors are beautiful. I love the batik fabrics.

Kathryn said...

I love seeing you sew on a Featherweight. I have one too. Great small little project.

Aunt TC said...

Such a pretty mini! I don't have a Facebook account but would like to be entered in the drawing. Thanks.

GranChris said...

These little quilts look like fun. I think since they are paper pieced I could do these without struggling too much. I love your colors. I am so in love with batiks.

Susan L. said...

Stunning mini!

vwlady said...

I'm a real fan of paper piecing ....I love the accuracy! And your mini, too!

Nancy said...

Your Pink Gem is very pretty and I am so enjoying this little blog hop each day. I have a tabletop stand that would love to have something on it, so would be so happy to win this book and also add to my batik stash.

Deb G. in VA said...

I love your little mini! Your first attempt at paper piecing looks great!

Pam Geisel - For Quilts Sake said...

I'm glad you showed the in progress photo because it helps to realize how small you're really working here.

Seaexplore said...

Cool mini quilt! The book has some great designs! I could see making a few minis and putting them together into a big quilt.

mumbird3 said...

Following you on Facebook - really love the pink fabrics!

Janie said...

Yes you need a hanger for the quilt. It turned out beautifully. Thank you for the giveaway.

Rozz01 said...

Nice to see you putting your vintage sewing machine to good use.

Donna W said...

Love these minis. This book would be a great addition to anyone's home library.

Gill said...

I love your mini quilt!!
I'd love to make one too!

Anne D said...

Love your mini. The book looks great. Thanks for the chance to win

Weezie said...

Really like paper piecing. Book looks great! Weezie mtntop2@netptc.net

Sharon said...

I love Island Batiks. Your pink little gem is so cute & adorable. Thanks for the chance.

Dale said...

Thanks for showing your Little Gem. It is great seeing the little quilts made in different colors. Like your sewing machine too :)

Maureeneh said...

I need some more practice paper piecing, this looks like a great pattern to try!

AlidaP said...

Your mini is just lovely! Thanks for the chance!!

cookie said...

I would love to learn to paper piece but am very hesitant. Probably need someone sitting right next to me directing fabric traffic through my fingers.

Mary Ellen said...

Thanks for the give away. Your quilt is so sweet.Just love the colors

cookie said...

Would love to dot my home with a few of these mini's. Thanks!!!

carol said...

Such happy minis. Nice.

Jen Barnard said...

I love that this quilt only uses 3 fabrics, it really lets the pattern shine.
jen dot barnard at btinternet dot com

LeAnne said...

I like your version. I'm a pink person too.

quilter said...

Wow, sew pretty, I am going to have to try a mini, instead of a queen, which I usually make, think of the fabric I will save!
cork@pa.rr.com

Lydia said...

Oh my gosh that's a lot of little pieces. I had no idea. And still, everyone is saying how much fun it was to make a little quilt using paper piecing. I think I will stop thinking about the number of pieces, and focus on how sweet these little quilts are. Love the batiks in them.

Mom C said...

Those are really cute, pretty little bits in the book. And I love yours. Also love batiks, great combination. Thanks.

apple blossom said...

beautiful pink little gem. thanks for the chance to win your giveaway

Sally said...

You little pink gem is lovely! Thanks for sharing

Dar said...

Well done! Love the color choice!

Scrapatches said...

What a Little Gem of a quilt! The batiks are lovely in this pattern. Thanks for the chance to win ... :)