Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Suz-A-Palooza: Week 2 Winners Announced!

You can still sign up for Suz-A-Palooza! Go here for information on signing up, and for a chance to win the remaining week's prizes, plus Grand Prize! You must participate in the current week's Palooza to be eligible for that week's prizes.

I use a random generator to "pull" the winners of the prizes each week. Here are this week's winners:

Prize 1: One Layer Cake, from the collection called "Perennials" by Kansas Troubles for Moda.
Congratulations! Winner: Susan S.!
 


Prize 2: One Layer Cake, from the collection called "Max and Whiskers" by Basic Grey for Moda.

Congratulations! Winner: Jennie B.!


Prize 3: One Layer Cake, from the collection called "Buttercup" by Fig Tree & Co. for Moda.

Congratulations! Winner: Patricia P.!


Prize 4: My pattern for SuzGuz Designs called "In The Neighborhood" (retail value: $9.50).
Congratulations! Winner: Nancy B.!


Prize 5: My pattern for SuzGuz Designs called "Box of Chocolates" (retail value: $9.50).
Congratulations! Winner: Peggy M.!


Prize 6: One package of full size 50 wt. 100% cotton AURIfil threads (approx. retail value: $38.00)
Congratulations! Winner: Suzanne N.!


BONUS Prize: Photo Wallet and List Pad designed by Amy Butler.
Congratulations! Winner: Jenelle B.!
 


Prizes in the coming weeks will be similar. The Grand Prize will have an approximate retail value of over $150!


I hope you are enjoying participating in Suz-A-Palooza! I'm so excited to get the prizes in the mail to our winners! Each winner has been contacted.

Thanks so much for participating! Congratulations, again, to our winners! And Good Luck to you in Week 3's drawings!

 Please note: I am sad to say that there were 3 people who participated in last week's Palooza on my FACEBOOK FAN PAGE who did not send me an initial e-mail through my website to register (giving their full name, email address and "suzapalooza12" in the comments section, here). This information is required so that I can contact you for prize winnings. In further checking, and I cannot say this for sure, but I believe one of the 3 people sent me their first name only, so I was unable to register them.

Monday, August 20, 2012

Suz-A-Palooza: Week 3

Regretfully, I'm having technical difficulties with my Mac which houses my list of Palooza participants. Will post winners from Week 2 ASAP! So sorry for the delay!

As mentioned in previous posts, The Palooza would not be in existence without my 4-part series quilt, Sugar Roses, being published in McCall's Quilting, and the generosity of AURIfil for providing their 4-spool packages of thread to give away. A heartfelt thanks to both!

This week, I want to quickly share with you a few photos I took while I was making the Sugar Roses quilt, Version II. I'm not the best photographer when in a hurry. Most of my shots are quick and not very well staged due to tight deadlines. Seems every second in the day counts! You can click on each image you'd like to see a close-up of.


This is Sugar Roses, Version I, right after I received the quilt back from my quilter, Linda Barrett of Threads and Traditions. Linda did an all-over quilting on this one, due to time constraints. It certainly would be lovely if custom quilted, as well! I had not attached the binding yet, but ended up using the same fabric as the first border (green roses). Sugar Hill fabric collection by Tanya Whelan for FreeSpirit, compliments of FreeSpirit.

Fabric used: Sugar Hill by Tanya Whelan for FreeSpirit.
This quilt was already in the hands of McCall's Quilting magazine by the first of February, 2012. McCall's has their own style of writing, so the editors then begin their process of writing a pattern for their readers. At this time, the series was unnamed.


After mailing out Version I of the Sugar Roses series, I immediately began working on the alternate version. The thought was to make a second quilt showing it with a different collection of fabrics and an applique border for those readers who like to do hand work.

After finishing the top, I began the process of adding the applique to the border substrate.


When I first began working on the project, I moved it to our dining table.

Hobson slept on his pillow to my right . . .


. . . and Maisy to my left.


On occasion, Hobson would wake up and make sure I was doing okay . . .


. . . then fall back asleep.


The vines were made from Moda's Prairie Cloth in Charcoal. I laid out the design I wanted . . .


. . . then added the leaves. I made the leaves out of scraps from the quilt project. I used 2-3 different prints.


Next, I added a stem in a lighter gray Prairie Cloth in Stone for each of the tulips, then added the 3-part tulip head in Red Rose Prairie Cloth. This worked out well. However, it would be best to add the tulip stems while pinning the main vine in place. Sometimes we're in such a rush to meet our deadline that we miss a step but it usually turns out just fine!

I did this same motif in the opposite corner of the cream print border. After the quilt is returned to me by McCall's, I plan on adding more applique to the cream print center of this quilt.

Image taken in our home in Indiana. The living room, dining area, and kitchen were in one big room. I must say that I really miss the kitchen in that house!


Now for Palooza: Week 3!

This is what we're giving away this week:


Two Layer Cakes: "Full Circle" by Kathy Schmitz for Moda . . .


. . . and "Dilly Dally" by Me and My Sister Designs for Moda.


A Moda Designer Roll: "Nest" by Tula Pink for Moda.


A Sun Blooms Bound Journal designed by Amy Butler (the pages in this small journal are embellished with bits of Amy's designs!).


 Even more wonderful AURIfil thread!


And 4 of my patterns for SuzGuz Designs: Peppermint Candy, In The Neighborhood, my best selling Candy Bar Road, and my Box of Chocolates (a bed size take-off of Candy Bar Road).


How to participate in This Week's Giveaways (if you haven't already done so, please first sign up for The Palooza, here. Thanks!):

1. I'm actually going to make it quite simple for you this week! Please go to my FACEBOOK FAN PAGE and answer the Week 3 question posted there.

2. BONUS Chance To Win This Week's Prizes: Please go to my FACEBOOK FAN PAGE and answer the Week 3 BONUS question posted there. Look for the title: Week 3: BONUS QUESTION For Suz-A-Palooza 2012 Participants.

Thanks so much for your continued participation! It is so nice getting to know you and learn about your interests as a sewist!