~ Happy Little Things ~ Giveaway! ~

 *** GIVEAWAY CLOSED***
It's hard to believe the Happy Little Things block of the month is almost over.  If you are just hearing about Jacquelynne Steves and this block of the month you can find all the information on her blog, click here.

Jacquelynne's version of this quilt could be used as a lap quilt or wall hanging.  It can be done as applique, embroidery only in the center block or just a plain pieced block.  Fussy cutting your fabric fabric for the center of the blocks would also be super cute.

 Each year as featured bloggers of Jacquelynne's block of the month we are encouraged to make the quilt our own.  This is my 3rd year as a featured blogger.  I try to do something a little different each year.  You can see my versions of the last 2 years here and here.

My plan for this year was to make a two color quilt, red and white.  Sometimes a plan looks better in our minds than in reality.  But failure is not an option, starting over is also not an option.  So I had to find a way to make my very busy blocks work together or at least get along.  It's just like dealing with a 2 year old child throwing a temper tantrum.  Distraction.  Wave a cookie in his face and BAM...tantrum gone!  The same works for a quilt.  Find something to pull they eye away from the busy blocks.  I tossed around many ideas and I mean that literally.  Fabric was everywhere.  Creativity is a messy process.  After many hours of design changes  and fabric tossing the quilt morphed from an eye sore to a patriotic beauty.  

I was going to stop with the blue border but decided to take a chance on a scrappy border using the leftovers from the red fat quarters used in the blocks.  I love how it completes the scrappy look.

I think she is going to make a nice addition to my ever growing patriotic quilt collection.  The image below is only part of them.  

So let's get to the giveaway!  This months giveaway is a great little bundle sponsored by Thermoweb.    I love this company and all their products!

The rules for the giveaway

1. Open to both US and International
2. One prize per person per giveaway
3. LEAVE A COMMENT ON THIS BLOG POST.    Click on the word comment at the end of this post. (not at the bottom of the page).  Make sure I have a way to contact you.  Leaving your email address is a good idea if your not sure.
4. A winner will be chosen at the end of the day December 8th.
5. If you are chosen  as the winner you will have 24 hrs to respond or another winner will be chosen.  

There are several chances to win, all you need to do hop over to each of the blogs below and follow the the rules for entering the giveaway on each blog.

Good luck to each of you!

The Quilting Nook https://thequiltingnook.wordpress.com/

Happy Quilting Melissa http://www.happyquiltingmelissa.com/

Podunk Pretties http://podunkpretties.blogspot.com/    YOU ARE HERE

The Crafty Quilter   https://thecraftyquilter.com/

Flamingo Toes   https://flamingotoes.com/

Allie-Oops Sweet Happy Life   http://allie-oopssweethappylife.blogspot.com/

Kathy's Quilts  https://kathysquilts.blogspot.com/

A Quilting Life  https://www.aquiltinglife.com/

If you are making this quilt or plan to, make sure you hop over to the Facebook group for inspiration or to share your quilt.  When sharing your quilt on social media use the following tags 

#HappyLittleThingsBOM and #HappyLittleThingsQuilt

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~ Happy Little Things ~ Block 2 ~ GIVEAWAY ~

Hello Happy Quilters!  Today I'm sharing Block 2 of the Happy Little Things Block of the Month by Jacquelynne Steves.  There's still time to sign up for the FREE block of the month if you haven't already.  Just click the image below to be taken to the sign up page on Jacquelynne's blog.  Click here to go to Jacquelynne's Block 2 blog post for block inspiration and blog hop details.

For this years BOM I decided to work out of my color pallet comfort zone by working with 2 colors only.  Normally my quilts are scrappy, bright and happy.   Most of my quilts also have RED as the main color.  So working with red and white was the perfect color combination.   You can read more about my fabric choices, machine stitched applique and specialty stitches on last months blog post for block 1 here.

Let's keep things short and sweet this month and get right to the good stuff....THE GIVEAWAY!

***Giveaway Closed***

This months giveaway (pictured below) is sponsored by Aurifil, with a retail value of $50 US. The Aurifil blog has tons of fun going on each month, click here to explore the fun.     

This giveaway is open to both US and International.  Only one prize per person, per blog, per month.

Each of the bloggers on the list below will be having this same giveaway.  That's 8 chances to win and 8 winners each month!  So be sure to visit each featured blogger and follow their specific instructions for more chances to win.  

A Quilting Life  https://www.aquiltinglife.com/

Podunk Pretties http://podunkpretties.blogspot.com/ YOU ARE HERE

The Crafty Quilter   https://thecraftyquilter.com/

Flamingo Toes   https://flamingotoes.com/

Allie-Oops Sweet Happy Life   http://allie-oopssweethappylife.blogspot.com/

Happy Quilting Melissa http://www.happyquiltingmelissa.com/

The Quilting Nook https://thequiltingnook.wordpress.com/

Kathy's Quilts  https://kathysquilts.blogspot.com/

To enter the giveaway here on my blog all you need to do is click on the button at the end of this blog post.  If you are using a phone or tablet to view this you may need to scroll to the very bottom and click on WEBVIEW or WEB VERSION to see the ADD YOUR LINK button.

After clicking on the button a drop down menu will open.  Add your first and last name and email address, leave all other fields blank, click submit.  Your email address will not be visible to anyone but me.  It will not be sold or used for any other purpose than this giveaway.  Leaving a comment in the comments section of this post will not enter you in the giveaway, but feel free to comment if you like, I love to hear from all my followers.  Giveaway will end on Sunday, September 8, 2019, 11:55 pm EDT.  A winner will be chosen and contacted by email on Sept. 9.  You will have 24 hours to respond to the email or a new winner will be chosen.  SORRY, NO EXCEPTIONS.

#HappyLittleThingsBOM

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~ Happy Little Things Month One Winner ~

I want to thank everyone who enter the Happy Little Things Month One Giveaway.  If you still have not joined the Happy Little Things FREE BOM hosted by Jacquelynne Steves there's still time to join in the fun.  All you need to do is sign up on her blog and the new block each month will be delivered right to your email so you never miss a block!  No searching for the blocks or missing the giveaways each month.  You'll be notified anytime something new is going on with the BOM.  You can sign up here.  Or by clicking the image below.

 

This years featured bloggers had some great ideas and tips for making your blocks.  What an inspiring bunch of quilters.  Again if this is the first you've heard of this new FREE BOM be sure to hop over for a visit and follow each blogger so you don't miss out on all the fun coming over the next few months.  This BOM runs until December and then in January there will be a Grand Prize!  The list of participating bloggers is listed below.

• A Quilting Life  https://www.aquiltinglife.com/
• Podunk Pretties http://podunkpretties.blogspot.com/ (you are here)
• The Crafty Quilter   https://thecraftyquilter.com/
• Flamingo Toes   https://flamingotoes.com/
• Allie-Oops Sweet Happy Life   http://allie-oopssweethappylife.blogspot.com/
• Happy Quilting Melissa http://www.happyquiltingmelissa.com/
• The Quilting Nook https://thequiltingnook.wordpress.com/
• Kathy's Quilts  https://kathysquilts.blogspot.com/

The giveaway for this month is now closed and I have chosen a winner.  The winner will have 24 hours to respond.  If I do not hear from the winner by 9 A.M. EST tomorrow morning a new winner will be chosen.  NO EXCEPTIONS.  Sorry for the strict rules.  But we need to get these prizes out the winners as soon as possible.  So with out further ado.....the winner is........

Brenda West

Congratulations Brenda!  You have won the following prize sponsored by Olfa.  I've sent you an email.  If you do not see the email check your spam folder.  You can also contact me directly at my email.  podunkpretties@gmail.com.

#HappyLittleThingsBOM  #HappyLittleThingsQuilt #quiltinggiveaway #olfa 

Attachments area

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~ Save the Bees BOM #5 ~ 2 GIVEAWAYS! ~

***Giveaway Closed***
This month it's all about finishing your Save the Bee's BOM.  After watching so many creative quilters come up with some amazing block ideas, I can't wait to see how everyone will finish their quilts.   Watching these inspiring quilters post their creations in the Facebook group Sew Quilty Friends is one of my favorite things to at the end of my day. That's what I love about Jacquelynne's yearly BOM, she encourages everyone to be creative. Follow her pattern exactly or by all means dress it up however you like, there's no rules!   Every month a block is published with several different options, a pieced or applique quilt block, an embroidery block or a plain block using our favorite fabric.  You're really getting several quilts with one BOM.   Don't forget to visit Jacquelynne's blog today to see her creative ideas for finishing up the BOM.

This year instead of making a large quilt my blocks each month were turned into mini quilts that will added to the mini quilt wall in my studio or new office.  With each block I tried to think outside the box by adding unique little touches to make them my own.  Block 1 I stuck exactly to the pattern as written but I did tons of fussy cutting to give the block a whimsy feel.

Block 2 was also made exactly as written.  Normally when I do applique I like for my thread to blend into a project.  With this block I decide go a little thread crazy and use a thread that was a few shades darker.  This makes the applique really pop out off the quilt. 

Block 3....Well.......I just jumped off the rails and did my own thing when I stumble across a cute panel print quite by accident.  The colors blended well with the previous blocks and it looks like I spent hours paper piecing hexies.  

Block 4......Since I jumped way off track last month, why not just get a little crazy, go wild and have fun designing my Baby Buzzy.   Baby Buzzy is FREE for you to use in your quilt.  You can find the templates and a description on how I made my Baby Buzzy mini quilt by clicking here.  Or you can download the templates in my Craftsy shop.

During this BOM I also designed a cute little pin cushion.  The pattern is FREE in my Craftsy shop.  You can read more about the pin cushion here.

For more chances to win, visit each of the blog listed below!  Each blog has there own set of rules for entering so read them carefully!

The Crafty Quilter

Podunk Pretties  - you are here

The Quilting Nook

The Sewing Loft

Flamingo Toes

Kathy's Quilts

Freemotion by the River

A Quilting Life

This month there's two giveaways.  One for U.S residents and one for International residents.  Both giveaways are being sponsored by Sarah J. Maxwell and Studio 37.  The U.S. winner will receive  a Fat quarter bundle of Pretty Little Posies and International winner will receive a bundle of printed patterns.

1.  One prize per person per month- you can't win on my blog and on another blog in the same month.

2.  You must enter by the end of the day December 9th.

3.  Winner will be chosen at Random, and must reply to the email within 24 hrs or a new winner will be chosen....NO EXCEPTIONS

4.  To enter on this blog you must do one or all of the following.  The more you complete the more chances you have to win.  Each is counted as one entry.

      - Like my Facebook page....click here = 1 giveaway entry

      - Follow my Facebook page = 1 giveaway entry

      - leave a comment below. + 1 giveaway entry....you don't need to go to Facebook to be entered.  In the same comment let me know if you did either or both of the previous entries on Facebook. Make sure I have a way to contact you by email, If you're unsure just leave your email in the comments.  After the giveaway has ended and the winner has been contacted I will erase all comments on this giveaway blog post.

 

I'd like to thank all you for visiting my blog over the last few months. I've enjoyed each comment and watching your creative minds make some amazing blocks.  I hope the end of this BOM does not mean this is the end of our time together.  Hopefully this was the start of many new friendships for years to come.  You're Welcome in Podunk anytime!  I'm looking forward to our visits and sharing our love of quilting together.  

#SaveTheBeesQuilt #SaveTheBeesBom #JacquelynneSteves #quiltalong #beequilt #podunkpretties

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~ Block One ~ Save the Bees ~ GIVEAWAY

***GIVEAWAY CLOSED***

 Yeah!  It's finally here!  The first block of the Save the Bee's Free Block of the month.  If your just hearing of this block of the month and would like to join in the fun, you can find all the details by CLICKING HERE.  After joining in the fun and getting your first free block you can share your creations in the Sew Quilty Friends Facebook Group.

As soon as I heard the theme of this years BOM I knew it was for me.  My husband is a beekeeper and I've said for years a bee quilt was on my bucket list of quilts to make.

Instead of  making the blocks into a quilt I decided to use the blocks to make wall hangings for the studio.  

In true Lea Anne style these blocks will be made with Lakehouse Drygoods fabrics.  Over the years I've collected a fairly large stash of the discontinued fabrics.  In the block 1 pattern it called for adding stitches to each petal.  By fussy cutting the hearts on the outer petals and the stripes on the inner petals I gave the petals the whimsical look without doing any stitching.   

In order to get my hearts to fit inside each petal the patter had to be altered just a tiny bit.  The image below shows how I made two templates from the original pattern.  The templates were made from 3 layers of freezer paper.  For more information about how to make freezer paper templates CLICK HERE

Normally I would use the freezer paper templates for turned edge applique.  But these blocks will be made using raw edge applique so the templates made tracing onto Heat N Bond Lite a little bit easier.  They also were used to trace the shape around the hearts before cutting them out of the fabric.

In the original pattern all the petals are not uniform.  So my flower head ended up a little larger than the pattern.  It's not noticeable until I layer the pattern on top of my block.  Below shows the difference in size.

For the half square triangles in the border of the block I decided to use some scrap flippy corners left over from another quilt.  You can see the quilt here.  The blue basket sets beside my sewing machine.  When making a quilt with Flippy corners I sew an extra diagonal line to make a bonus HST.  No scraps!  See how to make the bonus HST's here. 

They needed a little trimming down. 

A true quarter inch binding was made for the the binding.  I like the look of a smaller binding on a small quilt.  However I did have a bit of trouble getting it to the right size.  You can read about it here and download an print a free double fold binding chart.

The backing fabric is a scrap from a previous project.  

I love how this little wall hanging turned out using nothing but scraps! OOPS...the background fabric was a new fat quarter.

Another alteration to the pattern was using a striped fabric for the Bee body instead of  the little bitty applique or stitching the stripes.

All machine stitching, no hand work at all except for sewing the binding to the back of the quilt.

I think the whimsical flower is my favorite part of this block.  

So let's get to the fun stuff...The GIVEAWAYS!  Each blogger in the blog hop will be giving away a copy of The Splendid Sampler book courtesy of Martingale.

  Make sure you visit each featured blog for more chances to win.  The list bloggers below.

The Crafty Quilter

Podunk Pretties you are here

The Quilting Nook

The Sewing Loft

Flamingo Toes

Kathy's Quilts

Freemotion by the River

A Quilting Life

To enter for the giveaway here at Podunk Pretties follow the directions below.  Giveaway will end 8/12/2018

~ Lea Anne ~

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Save the Bees!

It's been so hard keeping this adorable new BOM a secret.  Once again I'll be a featured blogger for Jacquelynne and her creative idea.  Thanks Jacquelynne for this amazing opportunity!  

Buzz on over to her blog and sign up to have the block delivered right to your email so you'll never miss the free block.  They don't stay free forever!

CLICK HERE TO GO TO HER BLOG.

Here's a little teaser of the quilt. As always Jacquelynne gives several ideas for finishing the blocks. 

*pieced blocks

*applique blocks

*embroidered blocks 

So whatever your quilty style she has it covered.  

Kits are also available, but they are limited, so Buzz over for this honey of a deal!

See you soon with my fabric pull for this quilt.

~ Lea Anne ~

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