The Splendid Sampler II: Metropolis Block Giveaway Contest Results

My block called: Metropolis, found on p. 32 of The Splendid Sampler II book, available now.

My Splendid Sampler II giveaway contest, mentioned here, came to a close on Wednesday night. Thanks so much to everyone who participated; it was a grand success!

After calculating all of the entries, here are the winners calculated using MrKnot.com random generator:

Each of the following won a Lexington Sampler Quilt Pattern:

1st Place goes to: #109, Laura P.

2nd Place goes to: #124, Sherri B.

3rd Place goes to: #149, Tambry G.

Each of the following won the Block-of-the-Month Quilt-Along I'm hosting beginning on February 14, 2019:

4th Place goes to: #179, Nancy B.

5th Place goes to: #164, Diane D.

6th Place goes to: #81, Cathy S.

Each of the following won a package of 2 spools of Aurifil 50wt. Thread:

7th Place goes to: #21, Cindy P.

8th Place goes to: #15, Shirley V.

9th Place goes to: #55, Betty M.



I will be contacting the winners within the next few days. The pattern and thread winners' packages will be mailed early next week. The BOM details will be emailed by Monday, January 21, 2019.

Congratulations to all, and thank you again for participating!

xo

Susan

The Splendid Sampler II: My Block Design and a Giveaway

I'm so excited that my block design is featured this week along with the blocks of 4 fellow designers: Rob Appell, Gudrun Erla, Laura Kay Houser, and Pat Sloan!

You can find my block, Metropolis, on page 32 of The Splendid Sampler II book, compiled by Pat Sloan and Jane Davidson for Martingale. Be sure to also check out the Splendid Sampler website and Facebook page for much, much more!

The fabrics used in my original block (as shown in the book and the image, above) are from Moda. I always use strong, reliable Aurifil thread for all of my quilting projects; the range of colors is perfect for any of your sewing needs!

About Metropolis:

Sketching design ideas is something I enjoy doing and quilting has given me a platform to transform sketches into patterns. When I was a young girl, our family would often visit museums and historical properties in a variety of cities, such as Toronto, Pittsburgh, Washington D.C., and Chicago, and I believe that's where my love of design began. I always loved seeing interesting architectural elements and the beautiful paintings and fabrics we would see while touring these places. My block represents these fond memories of learning about art and design through our travels.

The center of my block represents a city park in and amongst the 8 pointed-rectangles that represent tall buildings in a metropolitan city. The strips in the  corner patches represent the highways that come into a city center.

You may know that I've been using an older collection called Hometown by Sweetwater for Moda and some other coordinating Moda fabrics for the blocks I've made so far during the Splendid Sampler II journey. Here's the version of my design I made using the fabrics I'm using for my quilt.

Remember the scrappy left-overs you had from trimming the Splendid Sampler II, Block 1 by Alex Veronelli? I used my scraps to make 4 out of the 8 rectangles. I love how the strips of off-white in these patches add interest to my "buildings".

Before sewing my block elements together, I laid out the patches to be sure I liked where they were going to live.

Then, I added my 1" C-squares to make the "building" points, and added my stitch-and-flip 2" B-squares to my corner units for my "highways".

So there you are: My second version of Metropolis.

Tune in later in the week ahead, for tips on how to use my block in new projects.

**Contest GIVEAWAY**

I'm so grateful to be a part of Splendid Sampler II and am pleased to be a part of the momentum of this project. So with that said, I'm giving away a total of 9 items. In order to be considered to win, please carefully read through the following details:

The FIRST item I'm giving away are 3 of my very popular pattern (newly written and released in Fall, 2018): Lexington Sampler. You will have the chance to win one.

The Lexington Sampler pattern is actually 2-patterns-in-one: It includes instructions to make a throw size quilt 68 1/2" x 68 1/2") and a bed size quilt (88 1/2" x 88 1/2"). It also includes a coloring page for the quilt so that you can make this design your own. This was a project that I designed especially for National Quilters Circle last summer and over 44,000 people were members of the group that made the quilt. If you are interested in purchasing the pattern, you can do so, here (please note: if you decide to buy the pattern and also enter this giveaway and become a winner, I'll gladly refund your purchase amount).

Next up, I'm thrilled to announce that I'm offering a new Block-of-the-Month (BOM) program called: Tea with Milk and Honey. My sample quilt is made using Jen Kingwell's collection called Looking Forward for Moda.

Although I haven't yet announced it publicly until now, the BOM will begin on the first Thursday of February, February 7, 2019, and new installments will occur every first Thursday of the month with the last installment scheduled for Thursday, October 3, 2019. More information will be announced through all of my social media channels and on my website this coming Monday, January 14, 2019.

So, this SECOND giveaway consists of the 9-month, monthly pattern to complete a quilt top (no fabric; monthly pattern, only) for 3 lucky winners!


Finally, for my THIRD giveaway, I'll be choosing another 3 winners to win a set of 2 full-size spools of Aurifil Thread. Two of the sets include (one, each): light cream and cream (just a tad darker than the light cream), and the third set contains 2 light gray spools.

How the giveaway contest works:

Step 1: For a chance to win, please visit my website's CONTACT page; fill out the contact form with your name, email address, and in the comments write: Splendid Sampler 2 Giveaway. Here's a link to my HOME page if you'd like to start there.

Step 2: For a second chance to win, please complete Step 1 and then leave a comment on this blog post letting me know what kind of quilting and/or sewing projects you like working on best, such as: "I love hand appliqué," "I like to make quilts that challenge me so that I can learn or improve upon my skills," "I love to make quilts using traditional blocks," "I prefer to make quick quilts," "I like making table runners," "I enjoy projects I can make in a group," "I like making modern quilts," etc., etc.

Step 3: For a third chance to win, please complete Steps 1 and 2 and then visit your choice of ONE or ALL (for extra chances to win) of my social media pages (Susan Guzman Facebook Page - "Friend" me, SuzGuz Designs Facebook Business Page - "Follow" me, or SuzGuz Designs Instagram Account - "Follow" me).

Step 4: For a bonus chance to win, please complete Steps 1-3 and then look for my post that has an image of my Splendid Sampler II Metropolis block on any of my social media pages listed under Step 3 and let me know what you've enjoyed most about the blocks you've been making. Please note: I won't be posting the image of my block on my social media pages until sometime before Noon, US Mountain Time, today; January 10, 2019. Thanks!

The contest will be open for one week. Anyone can enter (no country exclusions). Everyone who enters will have all of their chances entered for each of the drawings; chance to win (1) pattern, (1) free participation in my upcoming Block-of-the-Month, and (1) chance to win a package of 2 spools of Aurifil thread. In other words, if you complete all of the chances to win (Steps 1-4, above), you'll have a total of 6 chances to win EACH of the prizes. So if you happen to win a pattern, your entry/entries will still be viable for winning the Block-of-the-Month and thread giveaways. Prizes will be given away using MrKent.com random generator.

DEADLINE FOR COMPLETING THE STEPS TO ENTER: 11:59 pm, US Pacific Time, Wednesday, January 16, 2019.

After calculating all entries, and due to the expected large volume of entries, winners will be announced through a blog post sometime on or before Friday, January 18, 2019, US Pacific Time.

Thank you so much for participating and good luck!

**One More Giveaway!**

In addition to my giveaway, Martingale is hosting a book giveaway. All you have to do is make my block and post a photo of your finished block on the Splendid Sampler website to be entered. The giveaway is for both US residents as well as for International residents. The prize for US residents will be physical books and for International residents, you'll receive a set of digital books.

If you haven't yet purchased your copy of Splendid Sampler 2, you can do so, here.

Happy quilting!

The Splendid Sampler II, Week 14: Fruit Bowl

Today is Week 14 of the Splendid Sampler 2 Block-of-the-Week quilt along.

Last time, we introduced you to the block, called: Betty's Bloom by Carl Hentsch. You can see my version of Carl's block, here.


Jo Avery of My Bear Paw is this week's designer and I ADORE her sense of style! I'm also envious of the fact that she lives in Scotland! Right now, she's hosting a giveaway, so check out her blog post and the details, here.

Jo uses such gorgeous colors and prints in the fabrics she works with; I love her eclectic mix. She has a playful style and her applique and embroidery designs make you smile! Earlier this year, Jo was featured as the Aurifil 2018 March Designer of the Month. Through the interview post on Aurifil's blog, you'll learn even more about her, as well as view some awesome photos of architectural elements she came across while in Portugal with her husband.

Jo's block, called Fruit Bowl, is an applique and pieced block. Here is my version:

I did something a little bit differently than what the pattern called for when I made my block. Before beginning, I trimmed out the Convex template. As I was thinking through how I was going to be making the block, I decided to make it easy on myself and applique the Convex shape to a 3" x 3" square.

Steps to Make an Applique Drunkard's Path Patch:

Please Note: Along with the following steps, refer to Helen Stubbings' video instructions (there are 3 videos, total) on how to use her Hugs 'n Kisses applique paper.

1. As shown in above image, trim off the 1/4" seam allowance along the curve of the Convex paper template, ONLY (leave the 1/4" printed seam allowance along the two sides of the 90 degree angle).
2. Trace the trimmed Convex paper template shape twice onto Helen Stubbings' applique paper; cut the shapes out.
3. With glue-side of the applique paper shape onto WRONG side of cream/gray dot fabric, press the applique paper Convex shape in place.
4. Trim the applique paper Convex shape from cream/gray dot adding 1/4" seam allowance to the curve ONLY; you'll trim the 90 degree angle edges even with the applique paper because it already includes 1/4" seam allowances.
5. Using a glue stick, glue the added 1/4" fabric along the curve of the Convex shape onto the back side of the applique paper.
6. Cut two squares, 3" x 3", from your background fabric (the light gray/medium gray dot fabric shown in previous photo).
7. Line up the prepared Convex applique paper shapes into the corners of the 3" squares from Step 6 and carefully glue in place according to Helen Stubbings' instructions.
8. Use desired hand (what I used) or machine applique along the curve to adhere the Convex shape onto the 3" square base fabric.

Note: I did fussy cut the Convex shapes.

As with all of the applique I've done with the blocks I've made for The Splendid Sampler II, thus far, I used Helen Stubbings' Hugs 'n Kisses applique paper for the circles in the bowl, as well, and hand appliqued them in place.

The Splendid Sampler 2 book will be available October 2018. It is currently available for pre-sale so order your copy, now!

The Splendid Sampler II, Block 9: Flowering Tree

Today, we started Week 9 of the Splendid Sampler 2 Block-of-the-Week quilt along.

Last week, we introduced you to the block, called: My Flock by Brenda Ratliff. You can see my version of Brenda's block, here.

This week, meet prolific Foundation Paper Piecing (FPP) pattern designer, Amy Friend, of During Quiet Time. Amy is a two-time author of books covering the same subject. In fact, she's giving one of her books away through her blog post, today, so go check it out for a chance to win.

Amy certainly knows a thing or two about art and design and her work is always filled with interest and gorgeous color. I love everything she does! You can easily find her through her website and Instagram (@duringquiettime) to see her eye-catching designs. 

Amy's block is called: Flowering Tree. Here is my version:

When I first started quilting, I taught myself how to FPP. I started by making a tea cup and saucer pattern. Once I figured out the rhythm of foundation piecing, I really enjoyed the process. In fact, shortly after learning this technique, I designed one of my first FPP patterns, called Rocky Mountains Sunset. The pattern came in a variety of sizes.

Rocky Mountains Sunset quilt pattern by SuzGuz Designs

At that time, we were living in Massachusetts and I was reminded of how beautiful our sunsets are, here in Colorado, when I came across these gorgeous batiks at a quilt shop in Arlington, called Fabric Corner.

Back to Amy's block: After I completed it, I noticed how my version looked slightly different from the pattern. I then realized that I added the "sky" pieces before I added the tree trunk/center pieces. Sometimes, even with the best of intentions, I go into a zone and think I'm doing it right, when, in hindsight, I wasn't paying attention and took the steps in a different direction. When I find myself making mistakes, I believe that whatever I'm making is supposed to turn out the way it did and I'm okay with it. I've decided to keep my block as-is since the only difference you'll see once the block is sewn into the quilt top will be at the bottom portion of the trunk; the piece across the top will be hidden in the seam allowance.

Last week, I mentioned that we had a shop hop going on. On Saturday, my husband and I drove to the last three shops on the list and I ended up purchasing a few more potential candidates for my Splendid Sampler II blocks.

I'm not sure if I'll have opportunity to use it, but I sure do love the berries print. The sweet Corey Yoder stripe is great, but the only drawback is that I haven't used any pink, thus far, so that may end up in my stash, as well. It's surely the cutest stripe I've ever seen!

The Splendid Sampler 2 book will be available October 2018. It is currently available for pre-sale so order your copy, now!

Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks, Vol. 8: GIVEAWAY Announcement

I love to write. I so enjoy the creative process of forming a plan and writing a blog post. But darn it if I can't find the time to do so this year! It's a good thing, though. Really, it is, as I'm working on a couple of huge projects that will be out over the next few years.

In the mean time, I wanted to announce a marvelous giveaway that Quiltmaker is hosting, but you must act fast!

Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks, Vol. 8 is out on newsstands, now!

Image compliments of Quiltmaker Magazine

The giveaway is for the first 8 issues of Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks. That's a total of 800 unique quilt blocks! A bevy of creativity!

You can also read about Ian Davis, the creative lone-wolf guy on Quiltmaker's team!

Here is my applique block found in Volume 8, called: Bouclier de la France. I used coordinating Aurifil 50 wt. cotton thread to machine applique my pieces in place. I felt that the 50 wt. cotton gave the block a cleaner, smoother look and am so pleased with the results.

Image compliments of Quiltmaker Magazine

Looking back, I probably should have used a contrasting thread on the pink flowers to help the petals stand out better.

Fabric is from my stash. Although, I did end up purchasing a fat quarter for the green tulips and the mini print used for the pink flowers from Snappy Quilts (love that store!).

So be sure to hop on over to Quiltmaker's blog, Quilty Pleasures, for a chance to win the pack of 8 magazines . . . good luck!

Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks Giveaways Announced!

Mayhem ensues in my SuzGuz Designs world with lots going on! Also, I was out of town last week for a few days attending my niece's graduation from Rice University. I am so proud of her. It was so nice seeing her and spending time with her and a few other family members. I felt sad when I realized that it's been over 3 years since I've seen any of them, other than my niece. I believe that our next get-together will be much sooner!

With that being said, here are the lucky winners of one issue of Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks, Volume 7:


Winner Number 1 is:

Winner Number 2 is:
(Jean, I tried sending you an email message, but did not find a link through your Blogger profile page. Please contact me through mine so I can get your issue in the mail to you. Thanks!! :)

Winner Number 3 is:

Congratulations, ladies! I will send you an email so that I can obtain your mailing address.

Thanks so much to everyone who participated! I read every one of your responses. It was so nice to get to know of you better and thanks for all the new friendships through social media, too!

Welcome To Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks Blog Tour!

 Hello Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks Fans!

I hope you're enjoying the Blog Tour as much as I am . . .

My block is: Groovy, block #633.

You can find it on page 38 of Quiltmaker's Summer 2013, Volume 7, 100 Blocks magazine (I LOVE this magazine!). The magazine will be on newsstands by May 7.

I was honored to be asked to make Amy Butler's Alchemy Quilt: her free PDF quilt on her website. Here is an image of the quilt I made, hanging in Amy's booth during Fall Market, 2012.

Quilt designed by David Butler, using Alchemy collection by Amy Butler for Westminster/Rowan

At that same time, I came up with this idea of using strips of her Alchemy fabric collection in an easy foundation paper piecing block and submitted it to Quiltmaker for their widely successful 100 Blocks series.



Are you enjoying the blog tour so far? I hope so!

I'm giving away 3 copies of the current 100 Blocks magazine (1 copy directly from Quiltmaker, 2 copies from me, and giving away more this summer!). To enter to win, please let me know what your favorite type of quilting is by leaving a comment, below:

Is it piecing? Or, perhaps, using a special method, such as foundation paper piecing or applique (hand or machine)?

AND . . .

I sure would love it if we became friends on Facebook or Twitter, follow my Facebook Fan Page, follow me on Pinterest (I've just switched my personal page over to my business page, so more quilt-related items will be coming!), or sign-up for my SuzGuz NuzLetter through my Contact Us page! I've met so many wonderful people across the country and around the world and you make such an important difference in my life! :)


Enjoy the blog hop! And thanks so much for stopping by!

Winner Announced Monday, May 6th, 2013

Quilts from Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks Issue Winner Announced!

To all who participated in my Giveaway of 1 issue of "Quilts from Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks", thank you! I thank you for sharing the projects you're working on! I always enjoy hearing what you all are sewing!



The winner of my extra issue of the magazine is . . .

. . . using an online random number generator:

Congratulations to Dee!

Surprise Giveaway!

(Note: PFAFF Tutorial Tuesday will follow this post!)

Imagine my surprise as I opened the Priority Mail envelope to two issues of Quilts from Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks, the newest spin-off issue from the 100 Blocks issues. I was stumped as to why I received them.

 I opened the cover and there was my answer! My applique block, called Bertrand's Arrows, seen in Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks, Vol. 3, was re-created into a quilting motif in Tutti-Frutti, a quilt designed by Jacquelynne Steves, shown on pages 18-21.

Jacquelynne combined her block, Neapolitan, from 100 Blocks, Vol. 4, with a solid white block where she included my block's outline as a quilting motif.

The Quilts from Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks issue has 19 different quilt patterns and a bonus of 7 table runner patterns. It's packed full of great ideas.

So because I now have two issues, and really only need one for myself, I'm giving away the second issue to a lucky winner! Here's what you'll do to enter this giveaway . . .

If you have a Blogger ID: Simply leave a comment on this blog letting me know what sewing project you're currently working on or one you're interested to try. This can be any sewing project!

If you do not have a Blogger ID (and your comment will post as "Anonymous"): I would still love to hear what sewing project you're working on or interested in trying, but you'll have to copy your comment and paste it into an email. Send your message to me with your full name. If you win, I will know who the winner is and can easily email you for your mailing address. You can send your comment to: info at suzguzdesigns dot com.

This giveaway ends at midnight, Mountain Time, Monday, March 11th. I will announce the winner in next week's PFAFF Tutorial Tuesday, on Tuesday, March 12th.

I look forward to reading what everyone is up to!

Good luck!

Suz-A-Palooza Grand Prize Winner Announced!

Dear Friends:

It has meant so much to me that you participated in my first ever Suz-A-Palooza month-long weekly giveaways. It was such fun for me, and I hope the same for you!

Please forgive me for my delay in posting the Grand Prize winner. I injured myself earlier this week and am finally feeling somewhat better. It has actually been a crazy week for both my husband and me. He tore a muscle in his calf and I had a couple of things go awry. Though, all is fine and on the mend; honest!

I hope you'll stay tuned to my blog and Facebook Fan Page as I'll be writing about a myriad of topics and hopefully, figure out the best time to begin the BOM/Sew-a-long, and announce it in more detail.

So here goes . . .

The Grand Prize winner of my very first Suz-A-Palooza is:  Andrea B.!

Congratulations, Andrea! You should have an email message from me already.

Thanks to everyone for participating! Your feedback, comments, and sharing were priceless, and I enjoyed every link, recipe, and comment made! You were amazing!

I love to hold giveaways, so please keep me on your radar for future events!

My best to you, always!

Susan

Suz-A-Palooza Week 4: The Grand Prize Week!

I'd love to tell you all about our trip to the Denver Modernism show this past weekend, but due to some unplanned interruptions today, I would like to get our last week of The Palooza's instructions out to you sooner, rather than later. ;)

Friends, please be sure to rack up those extra entries, as this is the week that counts the most for the Grand Prize giveaway!

The Grand Prize . . .

Grand Prize compliments of AURIfil and SuzGuz Designs.

Here is what is included in the Grand Prize package:

Carry-all by Amy Butler.

Fat Quarter Bundle: Fairy Tale Friends by American Jane for Moda. Includes 40 Fat Quarters!

4-pack 50 wt. 100% cotton thread by AURIfil.

3 SuzGuz Designs Patterns.

Stationery designed by Amy Butler.

Samples from the entire line of Sugar Hill by Tanya Whelan for FreeSpirit and small fat quarter bundle from Rouenneries Deux by French General for Moda.

Total retail value of Suz-A-Palooza Grand Prize package: over $260.00.

You may recall me saying earlier that the Grand Prize was worth over $150.00. I decided to add a few more items and hope you like it!

How to participate in our Final Week Grand Prize Giveaway:

1. Please answer the 2-part question found on my FACEBOOK FAN PAGE. (worth 2 entries)

2. All month long, we've had the chance to learn lots of new things. I hope you've enjoyed finding out about new projects, new ideas, or perhaps even a new collection of fabrics you'd like to incorporate into your next quilt!

For your final BONUS entry, please leave a comment on this blog post, below, letting us know what most inspired you during this month-long giveaway. Please contribute anything that made you take note of, such as a new project or fabric collection you'd like to try--or buy!, a new recipe that appealed to you, or perhaps a new skill you'd like to take up!

Sugar Roses I, designed by Susan Guzman of SuzGuz Designs. Image compliments of McCall's Quilting magazine.

Finally, just a quick reminder as to why I decided to host Suz-A-Palooza . . . There are two more issues of McCall's Quilting magazine that will include Part III and Part IV of the 4-Part Sugar Roses Series Quilt project. Please be sure to pick up the first two parts (McCall's Quilting July/Aug 2012 issue and McCall's Quilting Sept/Oct 2012 issue) if you haven't already done so, here! The Sugar Roses quilt you make could become a treasured gift for someone you love or to keep for yourself.

A heartfelt thanks to my sponsor, AURIfil threads.

Suz-A-Palooza: Week 3 Winners Announced!

Insanely busy morning. I've been thrown off task more times today than I'd like, as I have winners to announce! Living in Mountain Time doesn't fare well for the East coasters, as they've been waiting an extra two hours . . . so very sorry for the delay, my friends.

Can you believe it is already the beginning of the final week of The Palooza?! I sure can't . . . Wow, has this month flown by! Before announcing the winner's of Week 3 prizes, I wanted to add how beneficial it is to participate each week. Almost HALF of this week's prizes are going to people who have participated consistently. Therefore, they've racked up many extra entries. Extra entries equals a higher percentage to win, and it has definitely shown in who this week's prize winners are!

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

Prize 1: Once Layer Cake from the collection called "Full Circle", by Kathy Schmitz for Moda.
Congratulations! Winner: Emily C.!

Prize 2: One Layer Cake from the collection called "Dilly Dally", by Me & My Sister for Moda.
Congratulations! Winner: Peggy M.!

Prize 3: Designer Roll from the collection called "Nest", by Tula Pink for Moda. (this is one of my all-time favorite collections!)
Congratulations! Winner: Pauline F.!

Prize 4: Sun Blooms Bound Journal by Amy Butler.
Congratulations! Winner: Jenelle B.!

Prize 5: One package of full size 50 wt. 100% cotton AURIfil threads (approx. retail value: $38.00).
Congratulations! Winner: Sally M.!

Prize 6: My pattern for SuzGuz Designs called "Peppermint Candy" (retail value: $9.50).
Congratulations! Winner: HueiSei O.!

Prize 7: My pattern for SuzGuz Designs called "In the Neighborhood" (retail value: $9.50).
Congratulations! Winner: Barbara M.!

Prize 8: My pattern for SuzGuz Designs called "Candy Bar Road" (retail value: $9.50).
Congratulations! Winner: Suzanne N.!

Prize 9: My pattern for SuzGuz Designs called "Box of Chocolates" (retail value: $9.50).
Congratulations! Winner: Janet F.!

The Grand Prize with an approximate retail value of over $150, will be given away this week!

I do hope you are enjoying Suz-A-Palooza! Please be sure to participate this week for your extra chances to win the Grand Prize!