Thursday, January 12, 2012

A Week of Giveaways Day 4: Project Polka-Dot, Half-Baked

Gold cannot be pure, and people cannot be perfect. –Chinese Proverb

[Note to my non-quilting friends: Up until now, this week of giveaways has been all about raw materials and tools for the quilting/sewing/fabric arts. However, today's giveaway just might be appealing to even the non-quilters, although you might be seriously bored for the next eleven paragraphs.]

Today's post starts with a story. And you have to indulge me because I'm giving away free stuff and if you want the free stuff, you have to at least pretend to humor me. Also, it is my birthday and you have to do what I say.

Once upon a time, I started a project. A fabulous project with lots and lots of polka-dot fabrics. Well, maybe not all of the fabrics were polka-dotted, per se. But they all had dots or spots or circles or roundish splotches of some sort on them. And as my projects tend to do, this one kind of multiplied into more than one project. Because if one is fabulous, four is better, right?

It started out simply. I pulled all the dotty fabrics from my stash. But the project needed even more spots. So, I wrangled swaps for fabrics with dots. I traded quilting services for polka-dotted fabrics. I begged strangers on the internet for their spotty scraps. OK, not total strangers. Just people I've never met in real life. As this project grew and multiplied, I collected fabric with dots from every corner of the earth {special thanks to: Annelise, Iris, Jerri Lynn, Michelle, P., Sara and Wanda for feeding my obsession}. And a terrific plan was set in motion. This plan was for the most fabulous giveaway ever. A giveaway to trump all giveaways. The polka-dotted queen of all giveaways.

I've pooled ideas from several sources {thank you to Sew Sara for her Dots Crazy and Mini Dots quilts, to Amber for her Dot-to-Dot quilt and to American Quilting who published a free pattern called Connect the Dots, which I can no longer find on their site}. I'd originally planned on making two quilts; one for a really special aunt, who did me a solid, and one for me. I knew this polka-dotted monster that I was creating was going to be the best scrappy, dotty, spotty quilt ever. And that right there is reason to share. So I decided that I was going to give away a polka-dot quilt kit. But as I cut and stacked mountains of polka-dots, I discovered that I had enough dots to reach from here to the moon. Or, to make four spotted quilts. And I decided to give away two polka-dotted quilt kits.

My plan was to have those first two quilts finished and ready to go by now so I could show you how fantastic this crazy, dotty project of mine is and get you excited to win a quilt kit to make your own. But work and laundry and dishes kept getting in the way. I adjusted my goal to have just one spotty quilt ready to show you. When I realized that wasn't happening either, I thought for sure that I'd be able to at least get a quilt top done. But my boss gets disgruntled when I don't show up for work and people kept asking me for dinner and clean underwear, so all I have to show you is half of a slightly lumpy, bumpy quilt top.

OK. So it is a really lumpy, bumpy quilt top with seams that don't match. I've been wondering lately if my giveaway is as fantastic as I thought, or if anyone will even want a polka-dotted queen of all monsters?

You see, it is not just the piecing that makes this quilt a little wonky. Admittedly, I thought that piecing curves would be a breeze since I've been sewing since I was eight. But I didn't match my beginning and ending points quite right, which contributes to the wonkiness. Lesson learned.

The major factor in all of this, though, is that the drunkard's path dies I used to cut the pieces are not exactly symmetrical. This poses certain challenges in the assembly because the blocks aren't square. I didn't want to loose a full ¼" on each piece, so I didn't square up the blocks. Lesson learned. Again.

Despite the non-perfectness of it all, I'm still offering my polka-dots as part of my week of giveaways for two three reasons. First, I've been working on this project for over a year and even though it hasn't come off exactly as I'd envisioned, polk-dots make me happy and I'm excited to see this project take shape. Second, I really do think that this is an awesome quilt and I want to share. And third, I've got nothing else for today. So, without further ado, I'm excited to announce today's giveaway.

A Project Polka-Dot Quilt Kit for each of 2 winners

Each kit includes:
• Fabrics to make a 52" x 66" {ish} quilt top as {partially} pictured above, including small and large quarter-circles and background pieces cut with the Go! Fabric Cutter and Drunkard's Path dies and fabrics for 1" and 4" borders
• Fabric for the backing, including sixteen small quarter circles for use in creating a quilt label and row of "floating" dots up the back.
• 2½" wide bias binding to finish your quilt.
• All fabrics have been washed, dried, starched and pressed.
• All fabrics will have dots {defined as spots, circles or roundish splotches of some sort} on them.
• The background fabric for the quilt top and the fabric for the back of the quilt will be the same.
• Quarter circle pieces, borders and binding will each be a different dotted fabric, with the exception of the pieces for the quilt label, which are all white.


Giveaway Addendum
[This is where the non-quilters can tune back in.]
If you're not a quilter, but you like my dots and want to enter my giveaway, I'll pinch-hit for you on the assembly, quilting and binding. In non-quilting terms, I'll make the quilt and send it to you finished and ready for use. Please allow six to eight months weeks for delivery. In the even that two non-quilters enter and win this giveaway, please allow twelve to sixteen months weeks for delivery.

If you're remotely interested, leave me a comment and you'll be entered to win a kit {quilters} or a quilt {non-quilters only} that has 112 different dotted fabrics in it.

The Fine Print:
• You can enter each giveaway during the week only once. However if you spread the word about my week of giveaways by posting on your blog and sending people on over to check it out, you can have one additional entry on one giveaway of your choice. After you post on your blog, leave a comment on my giveaway post for which you'd like a second entry with a link to your post. Please make sure to include my giveaway button somewhere in your post.


Such a Sew and Sew

• Non-blogging/non-Google users and international entrants are welcome.
• If you do not have a Google account, use the name/url {url optional} commenting option and make sure you leave your e-mail in your comment in the following format: address (at) domain name (dot) com.
• Comments with no contact information will be deleted.
• Google account users: not sure if your contact information will be attached to your comment? Click here:



• Duplicate comments will be deleted. Comment moderation is on, so don't panic when your comment doesn't show up. I'm notified of new comments and will approve them periodically each day, after which they'll show up on the post.
• The giveaway will close at 10:00 pm {MST} on Thursday, January 19th. Winner will be chosen by random drawing and notified by e-mail and announced here by noon January 21st.

Good luck!

Week of Giveaways Directory:
Embroidery Gift Pack
Backyard Baby Fat Quarter Bundle
$50 Long-Arm Machine Quilting Gift Certificate
Machine Quilting Gift Pack

55 comments:

Vicki said...

Super cute! What size are the quilt blocks? I found with the 2 circle quilts I've made in the last... year and a half that bigger is easier. I did trim and square up all the blocks for the one made with 7" blocks, but totally didn't need to on the 10" one.

Oh, and guess what, it will all quilt out and your quilt will look fabulous! Happy Birthday!

arlette said...

Oh please, please!!!!!, enter me in the drawing, I'm a big fan of dots!!!! yippeeeeee

Ann Marie @ 16 Muddy Feet said...

OMG! Are you kidding me, I love the happiness in all your polkadots!

Mhairi said...

WOW. This one is generous, I am a quilter so I would love to have a precut, ready to go quilt that could join my pile of UFO's and keep my house insulated while it waits to be turned into something wonderful to keep my toes insulated.

Quilting "b" said...

I would love to be part of this giveaway. I did read your entire blog and I think you are very generous. I would welcome a chance to complete one of these quilts. I would even send pictues.

Coloradolady said...

I am a quilter...and sometimes wonky and not on purpose...so this is right up my alley!! I have been wanting to make a polkadot quilt, and this is perfect!! Thanks for the chance.

mom said...

wow! what alot of spots befor our eyes! fun I would love some. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

B Greene said...

Love the polka dots!! I would love to give your kit a try - Thanks for the great giveaway!

Paulette said...

Whee! It's polka-dotty delicious! Okay, that's just my silly way of saying how cute that quilt is going to be. Throwing my name into the mix and crossing my fingers! You know that I've procrastinated--er, planned--on making a DP quilt for a year or so, so winning this would mean the stars all align (even if the seams don't), and all signs say go. So how's that for a verbose entry? :)

retdairyqueen said...

That is a very generous giveaway
Happy Birthday

Richard Healey said...

Oh Oh Pick me. I need to make me a polka dot quilt. I am new to quilting and would just love to make this quilt.

Oh and last but not least Happy B-Day. And thanks again for a week of give aways.

hueisei said...

Thanks for the generous away! I love to have it!!

Richard Healey said...

I am a sucker for Poka Dots. I have put a post on my site about your give away (or was it giving my son away?) any way Again Happy B-Day. This is good for Entry number 2 today!

http://richardquilts.blogspot.com/2012/01/giveaways.html

Martina said...

Oh yes, polka dots make happy! What a great give away! I would love to win a kit to make a quilt myself. This would just be amazing! Thanks so much!

Jodi - usairdoll said...

What a super duper fun giveaway !! Dots are fun and make me smile. I saw a quilt awhile back that was made with all kind of different polka dot fabrics. It was so awrsome! I thought it was a great idea and have slowly been collecting my own polka dot fabrics. I think it's great and nice to know how long you have been thinking of and planning this giveaway. I'm glad I'm not alone as I also have people in my house that require to be fed and taken care of. hehe.

Happy Birthday!! Thank you for a great story and generous giveaway. If I'm lucky enough to win, I'm a quilter and would love your kit. Linda from Stray Stitches sent me your way and I'm also a new follower.

usairdoll(at)gmail(dot)com

jqluo said...

Happy Birthday! Great giveaway! I love to own the quilt. What a precious gift from you!! TQ....

Christine M said...

Please count me in. I just love all those dots. I can't believe there's 112 different dotty fabrics! Thanks for the chance.

Diane N said...

WOW...this is an awesome giveaway. I would love to try making this. And I love dots!

Anita in Florida said...

Dots really do hit the spot! Please enter me in your giveaway. Thanks!

Lee said...

Happy Birthday (it is my bffs today too) so I win the quilt kit I will make it for her! She love dots too! thanks and have a great weekend!

Angie said...

Curved seams scare the heck out of me! That is why they are on this year's 'things to try'. ;)

Michelle said...

That would be such a fun quilt to make. Love the dots!

Needled Mom said...

I have always admired the dotted quilts too, and am SLOWLY collecting dots. I would love to win these already cut and ready to sew dots!!!!

Happy birthday. I hope the day is full of time to do what YOU want to do.

Gill said...

I love dots and Drunkards path so count me in please!!! I'm a quilter so please enter me for the kit!

Mommarock said...

Polka dots are so happy and cute, they would be wonderful to win.

Lisa said...

Wohoo, I have made one circle quilt already, and I love it! Even better, one with lots of dots! My birthday is also the 24th, so it would be perfect timing. ;)

Bente-I like to QuiltBlog said...

Happy birthsday to you!!!!
I´m a quilter and I would love to piece thes wonderful fabrics together.
Liebe Grüße
Bente

Bente-I like to QuiltBlog said...

-and today I´ll use my second chance,
I´d posted about your giveawayweek here
http://iliketoquiltblog.blogspot.com/2012/01/week-of-giveaways.html
be velcome to visit my blog, and you´ll see that I took your button into my sidebar too ☺
Liebe Grüße
Bente
and have a nice birthday!

Gwen said...

Wow! I've love your polka-dot quilt!!!! :-) Please, oh please, let me be the lucky winner!! :-) I will have to admit that if I *do* win, I'm going to have to work on my curved seam sewing, but it would be worth the effort-- yours is beautiful! Thank you for the chance to win one of your wonderful giveaways!

Sandie @ crazy'boutquilts said...

How fun! I've slowly been collecting dots, but to win the whole kit would really be awesome! Thank you for the chance!!

hueisei said...

My second chance :)
Blogged here - http://loveitsewit.blogspot.com/2012/01/lots-of-great-giveaways.html
Thank you!

SassyCathy said...

Love the dots! :) Seeing Spots ? I'll bet you are :0 SO pretty! Dots makes me think about the time I had a rip in the back of my pants - didnt' realize it until bedtime that night... when I started trying to remember all the places I had been that day and if I had bent over in front of anyone (hope not) ... anyway - I told one of my quilting friends about it and she said - Awh -don't worry about that - it's just a "polka dot"...
Thought you might could appreciate that one :)
Thank you for the chance to win -
Cathy Byrd
byrd at gulftel.com

SassyCathy said...

http://sassycathy-sassycathy.blogspot.com/2012/01/polka-dots-dots-and-spots-what-cute.html I posted on my blog about your spots. :) Love the story - yes - clean underwear does seem to get in the way of quilting sometimes, and bosses just don't seem to understand, growly tummies don't help either - but I have faith in you! You WILL sew those spots together no matter what!
Up with spots and dots!
I'm following you -
Cathy Byrd
byrd at gulftel.com

Sarah Craig said...

That's such a cute quilt! And how wonderful to have a kit for it!

Stacy said...

Happy birthday! I love the dots snd love that there are so many different fabrics in it. Well done. Stacy tateisgreat54 at gmail dot com

Jen said...

Happy Birthday! Mine is coming up soon too ;) love the dots, and I'm not afraid of wonkiness, I'm actually very experienced! Very fabulous giveaways, thanks for the generosity!

pinksuedeshoe said...

Number one HAPPY FREAKING BIRTHDAY! And number two, you are seriously amazing. One kit would have been awesome, but the chance for two? Or two finished quilts! Seriously, you are amazing. Every time I turn around you've got some great new thing up your sleeve! Happy Birthday, I hope this next year makes up for all the less than awesome year's you've had in the past. You totally deserve it.

Carla G said...

I love the dots! Very cool quilt! Thanks for a chance to win! :)

free indeed said...

What a great little quilt! You are brave to attempt curves! Actually, I did some curve sewing yesterday for Block Lotto which I am a part of and it wasn't half bad...kind of gets me over the hump about curve sewing. I'd love to make a dotty quilt!

Sallie said...

Happy birthday! I love dots! Thanks for the great giveaway!

ledamewood said...

What a fun giveaway. I love polka dots and so do the young females in my family. I'd love to be your winner.

robin said...

:) People kept asking for dinner and clean laundry. I can relate to that. ;) Thanks!

Kylie Carlson said...

I love polka dots- partially because the fabric can end up any which way and look the same. Stripes and I are nemesis (possibly arch-nemesis). Thank you for the chance to win a lovely quilt kit!

Janet said...

Oh wow! Lovely giveaway. Thanks for entering me.

Connie Kresin Campbell said...

I'm a quilter, what a sweet giveaway!

Susan said...

I am on a polka dot kick myself, so I'd be happy with a kit or the quilt. It doesn't look lumpy and bumpy and mismatched to me! Giving piece of yourself is the best gift of all! Thank you!

Carin@Ullhärvan said...

I'm a quilter and would love to win a kit!

Priya said...

I would love to win ! What an adorable piece of work.

LethargicLass said...

I'm almost wondering if there are hidden cameras around or something lol... this is amazing! Happy birthday! I would adore the kit, it would pretty much make my year LOL :)

caitlindevlin(at)hotmail(dot)com

RandR Serenity said...

This one so generous, I would love to have this pre cut quilt. Just divine.

RandR Serenity said...

Hi Again I also posted on my blog
http://raelenesramblings.blogspot.com/
Thanks again

Sherri said...

I love the wall paper on your blog!

Michelle said...

How did I miss this post? I'm must have been asleep that day! Of course I want in on this one!

And a belated Happy Birthday! How did you celebrate?

QuiltNut Creations said...

Super super cute! Glad I picked today to get caught up on my blog reading :)

Julie said...

Please enter me on your quilt give-a-way. Thanks.

Your Sister.