Apples to Apples

Apples to Apples

Apple Season Coasters by Sharon Holland

Can you guess what’s the theme is for this blog post? Yup, apples and I have two super fun (and scrappy) apple-themed projects for you to make.

Aurifil 2018 Designer Block of the Month block by Sharon Holland

Apple Season Coasters

It’s always nice to have some quick, small projects that use up scraps and yet are still useful! I had designed these apple mug rugs several years back as a project for my magazines I worked on. The neat thing is I had originally made them with Art Gallery Fabrics and I am again—only this time with my Signature prints and Maureen Cracknell’s newest collection called Autumn Vibes!

Download the free PDF pattern for making these easy coasters. It’s the perfect time of year to have extra mug rugs on hand for family gatherings and cozy relaxation with your favorite hot drink.

If you’re like me you have lots of beautiful fabric scraps as well as left over pieces of batting. I couldn’t stop at just making a set a four Signature Apple Season coasters, I had to make a few more.

Later this week I’ll be sharing a beginner-friendly quilt project made from Maureen’s new Art Gallery Fabrics collection called Autumn Vibes. The beautiful fall colors and motifs really speak to me. I had some scraps left over from the quilt and made an additional four coasters.

Wouldn’t these make the cutest hostess gifts? I can just picture them tucked into a basket with mugs, tea or hot cocoa, and don’t forget some cookies or apple butter!

Aurifil 2018 Designer Block of the Month

Courtesy of Aurifil

Last fall I was asked by Pat Sloan to be part of this year’s Aurifil Designer of the Month sampler sew along—how exciting, huh?!!! This year’s theme is “The Places We Go” and the 12 designers are to make a block inspired by favorite places.

I love NY collage by Sharon Holland

I decided to use New York City, NY as my muse and what better way to show this iconic city than with a Big Apple!

Photo by Nick Holland

For the free PDF download on how to make this block along with my interview with Pat Sloan and a further look at this block and my inspiration, visit the Auribuzz blog post about my September block-of-the-month.

You can jump in at anytime to make this travel-inspired quilt and get to know all the fabulous designers behind the blocks, read about their inspiration, and meet new quilty friends as you share and post your blocks. As host, Pat also has loads of awesome prizes and tips, too!

Big Apple block by Sharon Holland

I used a variety of Art Gallery Fabrics prints and Pure Elements solids in my block. The color theme for this year’s Aurifil quilt is black and white plus one color of choice. There’s so many amazing black and white graphic prints from AGF that narrowing it down was the hardest part! I kept the apple a bit simpler and used solids except for the Mudcloth Bachelorette print that made me think of apple seeds. Of course, Aurifil thread was used and I had some luscious colors to choose from.

Here’s a look at my small and large Aurifil Color Story box sets of curated threads to go with my Art Gallery Fabrics fabric collections. Look for them wherever Aurifil threads are sold.

Happy fall everyone!

Community Sampler Giveaway Week #8

Community Sampler Giveaway Week #8

Each Friday that Maureen Cracknell and myself are co-hosting the Community Sampler will be a Giveaway Friday. We've coordinated special prizes with our amazing participating sponsors for a giveaway each and every week! If you've happened to miss the first Community Sampler posts, take a look back from the first post Community Sampler Week #1 to get caught up to the present. Feel free to start sewing with us at anytime--it's never too late to join in, and it's free! 

COMMUNITY SAMPLER SPONSORS

Lady Belle Fabric  Omnigrid  -  Aurifil Thread  -  Art Gallery Fabrics  -  Hobbs Batting -  Dritz  -  Fat Quarter Shop -  Bloc-Loc

TODAY'S FEATURED Community Sampler SPONSOR IS AURIFIL THREADS!

Aurifil is a wonderful thread company dedicated to developing amazing, new products based on quality and solutions. Established in 1983, Aurifil is an accomplished Italian company based near Milano, with a full- grown experience in producing superior quality threads for professional and domestic quilters. The company headquarters is the ground where new ideas generate original items, always more refined and advanced, to provide assistance to all the quilting needs through a wide range of threads in several weights & accessories. Aurifil's success is based on developing projects carefully, always looking for high quality and great style, with a commitment to create contemporary products that will appeal to everyone!

Aurifil.com  *  Instagram  *  Facebook  *  We hope you enjoy visiting Aurifil!

For this week's Community Sampler Giveaway, Aurifil is offering the lucky winner my Sharon Holland Color Story Aurifil Thread Collection! This hand-selected set of threads includes TEN colorful spools of Aurifil thread. Five spools of 50-wt sewing thread and five spools of Aurifloss in colors chosen to coordinate with my Art Gallery Fabric collections!

Giveaway now Closed. Congratulations Crystal Conrad Kauffman!

* Note * This giveaway is open to EVERYONE! If you're a "no reply" or anonymous commenter, please remember to include your email address in your comment--you can't win if I can't get a hold of you!

1. Simply leave a comment here under this post! (First comment entry).

2. Follow Aurifil on their Blog and/or Instagram. Just let me know that you did by making a separate comment here to record that entry. (Separate comment - second entry). 

3. My followers get a third entry! If you follow via subscribing to my posts, through Bloglovin (or other service), or on Instagram, just let me know by making a separate comment here to record that entry. (Separate comment - third entry). Note: I'm no longer on Facebook.

4. Help spread the word!! I know that many of you already do, so I thought it would be nice to add that as another way to enter! Spread the word about the Community Sampler on YOUR instagram, facebook, tweet, pin, blog post, etc... (separate comment - fourth entry). 

That’s FOUR possible entries! Enter now through Monday, April 16th! The winner will be picked at random around 4pm Eastern. I will post the name of the winner on this post once they've been notified and responded to my email.

Love,

Sharon

Sewcial Bee Sampler Grand Finale Giveaway

Sewcial Bee Sampler Grand Finale Giveaway

Each Friday, throughout the Sewcial Bee Sampler sew-along, which Maureen Cracknell and I are co-hosting, will be a Giveaway Friday and today is our last giveaway for the SBS. We've coordinated special giveaway prizes with our amazing participating sponsors for each drawing and our final giveaway is very grand with a retail value of nearly $320 (US dollars). 

If you've happened to miss any of the Sewcial Bee Sampler posts, take a look back from the first post The Start of Something Sewcial to get caught up to the present. Feel free to start sewing with us at anytime--it's never too late to join in, it's free, and the instructions will remain up indefinitely! 

Aurifil      Circa 15      The Intrepid Thread      Fat Quarter Shop      Omnigrid      Llama Fabrics      Color Girl     Lady Belle Fabric      Needle in a Fabric Stash      Dritz      Knotted Thread    Needle and Foot      Cotton Cuts    Hobbs Batting   Thread Cutterz

Today's SBS Grand Final Giveaway sponsors are:

Aurifil Thread, Cotton Cuts, Hobbs Batting, Maureen Cracknell, Sharon Holland, and Thread Cutterz!

Aurifil is a wonderful thread company dedicated to developing amazing, new products based on quality and solutions. Established in 1983, Aurifil is an accomplished Italian company based near Milano, with a full- grown experience in producing superior quality threads for professional and domestic quilters. The company headquarters is the ground where new ideas generate original items, always more refined and advanced, to provide assistance to all the quilting needs through a wide range of threads in several weights and accessories. Aurifil's success is based on developing projects carefully, always looking for high quality and great style, with a commitment to create contemporary products that will appeal to everyone!

Aurifil.com  *  Instagram  *  Facebook  *  We hope you enjoy visiting Aurifil!

For the SBS Finale (blog) Giveaway, Aurifil is offering the lucky winner the Maureen Cracknell Bohemian Garden Aurifil Thread Collection! This hand-selected set of threads includes TWELVE large colorful spools of Aurifil thread, in 50wt 100% cotton, in colors chosen to coordinate with Maureen's Art Gallery Fabric collections!

Cotton Cuts is on a mission to create jobs! They've partnered with a local workshop that provides dignified employment opportunities to the intellectually challenged and to those with other disabilities. Every Cotton Cuts membership that you purchase contributes toward enriching the lives of these very talented individuals!

Cottoncut.com  *  Shop  *  Facebook  *  Instagram  We hope you enjoy visiting Cotton Cuts!

For the SBS Finale Giveaway, Cotton Cuts is offering the lucky winner a three month membership to their brand new Mini Pop Box! Cotton Cuts Mini Pop members receive a variety of fabrics, chosen specifically for the winner including SIX fat quarters, a lovely spool of Aurifil Thread, and 25% off all fabric in the Cotton Cuts shop, every day throughout the three months! You can sign up for your own membership, HERE!

Hobbs Quilt Batting has manufactured high-quality batting for hobbyist, commercial, art and show quilters since 1978. They're proud to come from a family of quilters and are committed to providing the same quality Hobbs batting that provide to their own family of quilters. At Hobbs Batting, they never forget that quilts are gifts from the heart - an expression of love, commitment and caring for a specific recipient - or an expression of artistry and skill - artistry and that's submitted and judged in quilt shows and events around the word - or both! At Hobbs they're committed to doing their part to enhance our #JoyofQuilting!

Hobbsbatting.com  *  Blog  *  Instagram  *  Facebook  *  We hope you visiting Hobbs Quilt Batting!

For the SBS Finale Giveaway, Hobbs is offering the lucky winner a Queen size package of their Tuscany Silk batting just like I used in my Tiny Dancer SBS quilt! Tuscany Silk batting is supple, soft and drapes like no other batting. The luxurious feel is ideal for quilts, with it's natural ability to breath, making it an excellent choice for airy, lightweight quilts and coverlets!

Maureen Cracknell is a self-taught artist living in beautiful Potter County, Pennsylvania, a proud wife and mother, Art Gallery Fabrics designer since 2014, Crafty Instructor, Aurifil thread designer, Janome girl, and blogger at Maureen Cracknell Handmade where you'll find lots of sewing + quilting inspiration, tutorials, and Fabric Giveaway Fridays! Maureen loves having you visit her and leaving a comment is even better - so please do both often!

Blog  *  Instagram  *  Facebook  *  Bloglovin'  We hope you enjoy following along!

For the SBS Finale (blog) Giveaway, the lucky winner will receive this 20-piece curated Fat Quarter bundle from Maureen's various Art Gallery Fabrics collections, including prints from Garden Dreamer, Nightfall, and Soulful!

Sharon Holland Designs is the co-host of the Sewcial Bee Sampler and Art Gallery Fabrics designer. Sharon blogs about design, quilting, and photography. Soon to add author to her list of accomplishments with a quilt book title Utility-Style Quilts for Everyday Living (Landauer) coming this fall! Sharon offers many free quilt and sewing patterns on her blog and has PDF patterns for purchasing through Craftsy, Connecting Threads ad UpCraft Club!

Blog  *  Shop  *  Instagram  *  Pinterest  We hope you enjoy following along!

For the SBS Finale Giveaway, Sharon Holland is offering the lucky winner three PDF patterns of their choice! Select from over 30 different quilt and sewing patterns available in her shop, HERE!

Thread Cutterz is a spin-off of sister company, Line Cutterz - a ring originally designed for the fishing industry. After 35 years of fishing and countless attempts to chew through fishing line, Vance, the founder of Line Cutterz, knew there had to be a better way. Necessity drove Vance to design and patent a fully adjustable ring with an embedded stainless steel blade that cleanly cuts all types of fishing line. Within 9 months of launching Line Cutterz to the fishing world, Vance’s wife and other crafters, sewists, and quilters began using the handy fishing tool and found it cleanly cut through thread, yarn, and embroidery floss too! Thread Cutterz officially launched at the Houston International Market and Festival in October, 2015, and is now offered in stores and on ecommerce sites and used by quilters around the world!

Threadcutterz.com  *  Shop  *  Instagram  *  Facebook  *  We hope you visiting Thread Cutterz!

For the SBS Finale Giveaway, Thread Cutterz is offering the lucky winner their Black Ring, a ring worn on the finger that cuts thread and is perfect for all of your crafting needs! Thread Cutterz rings are sleek and adjustable with a double-sided blade perfect for quick and efficient cutting. Thread Cutterz rings are great for all types of crafting including sewing, jewelry making, quilting, knitting, and cross stitching!

WOW!!! This Grand Finale SBS Giveaway might just be the most spectacular Giveaway I've ever had the pleasure of offering my wonderful readers, with an incredible value totaling nearly $320!!

Maureen and I send a BIG thank you to all of the sponsors who have generously offered their products in our Grand Finale Giveaway and to all of the wonderful sponsors that offered amazing prizes throughout the Sewcial Bee Sampler sew-along!

ENTER TO WIN!

I'm sending you over to Maureen Cracknell Handmade blog to enter the giveaway for this wonderful prize featuring Maureen's curated AGF fat quarter bundle, Maureen's Bohemian Garden Aurifil large spool thread set, three Sharon Holland patterns of your choice, a three month Cotton Club membership, Hobbs Tuscany Silk Batting, and the black Thread Cutterz ring. Maureen will have all the how-to's enter info at the end of her Grand Finale SBS Giveaway blog post. 

In addition, be sure to stop by my Instagram for a chance to win our Sewcial Bee Sampler Instagram Grand Finale Giveaway that includes a special curated 20-piece Tiny Dancer FQ Bundle of my AGF fabrics, my Color Story Aurifil thread collection, three Sharon Holland patterns of your choice PLUS the same three month Cotton Cuts membership, Hobbs Tuscany Silk Batting, and a pink Thread Cutterz ring prize pack! How cool is that--two chances to win two amazing prize packages!

A BIG thanks to all who joined the Sewcial Bee Sampler sew-along and to those who enter our Giveaway!

XOXO Sharon

Week #9 SBS Giveaway

SEWCIAL BEE SAMPLER GIVEAWAY FRIDAY

Each Friday, throughout the Sewcial Bee Sampler sew-along community event that Maureen Cracknell and I co-host, we've lined up a special giveaway with one of our amazing participating sponsors! If you happened to miss the launch of our Sewcial Bee Sampler you can follow this link for all the info to start sewing and catch up in chronological order - it's never too late to jump in!

Aurifil      Circa 15      The Intrepid Thread      Fat Quarter Shop      Omnigrid      Llama Fabrics      Color Girl     Lady Belle Fabric      Needle in a Fabric Stash      Dritz      Knotted Thread    NeedleandFoot      Stash Builder Box

 

Today's featured Sewcial Bee sponsor is Aurifil Threads!

Aurifil is a wonderful thread company dedicated to developing amazing, new products based on quality and solutions. Established in 1983, Aurifil is an accomplished Italian company based near Milano, with a full- grown experience in producing superior quality threads for professional and domestic quilters. The company headquarters is the ground where new ideas generate original items, always more refined and advanced, to provide assistance to all the quilting needs through a wide range of threads in several weights & accessories. Aurifil's success is based on developing projects carefully, always looking for high quality and great style, with a commitment to create contemporary products that will appeal to everyone!

Aurifil.com  *  Instagram  *  Facebook  *  We hope you enjoy visiting Aurifil!

For this week's Sewcial Bee Giveaway, Aurifil is offering the lucky winner my Sharon Holland Color Story Aurifil Thread Collection! This hand-selected set of threads includes TEN colorful spools of Aurifil thread. Five spools of 50-wt sewing thread and five spools of Aurifloss in colors chosen to coordinate with my Art Gallery Fabric collections!

You can find the large spool Color Story thread collection available at Amazon, Fat Quarter Shop, Checker Distributers, and Red Rock Threads!

{THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED}

CONGRATULATIONS TO Renee Castro FOR BEING THE WINNER OF THE SEWCIAL BEE SAMPLER AURIFIL GIVEAWAY!

A BIG thanks to all joining the Sewcial Bee Sampler sew-along and to those who enter our Giveaway!  ♡ Sharon