Bountiful Holiday Tour Week 2 Recap

Bountiful Holiday Tour Week 2 Recap

It's been a fun packed second week on the Bountiful Holiday Blog Tour and an honor to have these talented designers working with my prints. I hope you're getting lots of sewing ideas for the upcoming holiday season!?!? 

Stepping Stones quilt and photo by Blair Stocker / Wise Craft Handmade.

 Let's get right into the recap, starting with Blair Stocker of Wise Craft Handmade on Monday. I'm in love with everything Blair does because her sense of pattern play and quilt style speak to my soul. I have both of her beautiful books, Wise Craft and Wise Craft Quilts and want to make every project in them! Blair used her stand alone Stepping Stones quilt pattern and made a mini quilt with Bountiful fabrics. I love the shadow play of lights and darks and how this design can take on different looks the longer you explore it. Read more about Blair's Bountiful make and more about her on her blog.

Weave quilt and photo by Silvia Sutter / A Stranger View

On Tuesday, the incredibly talented Silvia Sutters of A Stranger View blew all of us away with her Weave quilt of select Bountiful prints and Art Gallery Fabrics coordinating Pure Element solids. Here's another designer that I admire and love everything she stitches. Silvia tells you exactly how she made this quilt in her tour blog post which you must visit just to see all the beautiful photos she took of this quilt--wow. I'm also crazy for the quilting Silvia did on this quilt!

Kitchen Set and photo by Peta Peace / She Quilts A Lot

This beautiful kitchen set trio was designed and made by Peta Peace of She Quilts A Lot. Peta is a highly accomplished and talented designer who also has her own book A Piece of Cake that's absolutely delicious with great quilty projects. Peta's kitchen set project is so lovely in her limited palette of Bountiful prints. Don't you adore the fussy cut farm scene on the towel--perfection! Best thing is Peta has made a free PDF download pattern for this project! If you could bare to part with the set it sure would be a wonderful hostess gift for holiday party going. Read more about this on Peta's Bountiful blog post.

Gather Round placemats and photo by Sharon Holland / Sharon Holland Designs

I couldn't let everyone have all the fun so I took a day on this blog tour to share a new free pattern. Thursday I blogged about my Gather Round placemats. This project is a free PDF download and they go together really quick. The hexagon shape looks great on any size table and the instructions are given for making 6 placemats. Read more about this project on my post and see how they are also reversible!

Knit dress and photo by Heather Andrus / Quilt Story

Friday ended our second week of the tour with Heather Andrus of Quilt Story. Heather stitched with Bountiful Vine Umbra print knit dress for her youngest girl. I adore this color on her and wouldn't this dress be perfect nearly year round? AGF knits are thick and buttery soft and good for all sorts of sewing besides garments. I still want to try making a knit quilt one of these days with simple squares. Read more about Heather's make and how flirty fun this dress is on her adorable girl--I love it!

We still have one more week of great holiday sewing projects to come. Monday will my bestie and sister AGF designer Maureen Cracknell. Maureen's been sewing up a storm and I cannot wait for you to see it!

Here's the entire Bountiful Holiday Blog Tour lineup. 

11-01  Mathew Boudreaux  Mister Domestic

11-02  AnneMarie Chany  Gen X Quilters

11-03  Brooke Sellmann  Silly Mama Quilts

11-06  Blair Stocker  Wise Craft Handmade

11-07  Silvia Sutters  A Stranger View

11-08  Peta Peace  She Quilts A Lot

11-09  Sharon Holland  Sharon Holland Designs

11-10  Heather Andrus  Quilt Story

11-13  Maureen Cracknell  Maureen Cracknell Handmade

11-14  Anjeanette Klinder  Anjeanettek

11-15  Alexis Wright  My Sweet Sunshine Studio

11-16  Katie Skoog  The Simple Life Company

If you're an Instagram user and follow my IG feed, I'll have daily postings and links to the Bountiful Holiday Blog Tour Makers and their projects and it will also be easy to follow along by searching the hashtag #BountifulHolidayBlogTour. I hope to see you following along on that platform as well as visiting and getting to know these amazing blog tour Makers. 

There will a giveaway at the end of the blog tour. My generous sponsor for this tour is the Fat Quarter Shop and they're giving away a 10-pc Bountiful Harvest colorway fat quarter bundle. On November 17th, 2017 I'll post the final weekly recap post along with all the details on how to enter into the Bountiful Harvest fat quarter bundle giveaway. You'll have a chance to enter right here on the blog (on the that final post, so be watching for that) and also on Instagram.

Every time you share a tour image along with the #BountifulHolidayBlogTour hashtag, to your public Instagram account, you'll automatically have your name put into the hashtag pool and automatically be entered into the drawing. So share and repost those Instagram images by the Bountiful Holiday Blog Tour Makers often and use that hashtag (hint, hint)!

A blog winner and an IG winner will be drawn on Monday November 20th. All this information will be given again at the end of the tour but thought you'd like a head's up :)

Bountiful Holiday Tour Week 1 Recap

Bountiful Holiday Tour Week 1 Recap

The Bountiful Holiday Blog Tour is underway and even though this first week has only been three days, it's not been short on stunning projects!

Mathew Boudreaux of Mister Domestic started out the tour on Wednesday, November 1st. Mathew is a sewist extraordinaire and everything he stitches is pure magic! If you have a special someone in your life, how about making a handmade garment for them? This Bountiful Grazing print in Brindle makes to coolest shirt. The gun metal snaps and great fit makes this shirt boutique chic. Visit Mathew's blog post for pattern information as well as all the other goodies and tutorials Mister Domestic has up his sleeve. 

Photo courtesy of Mister Domestic

Photo courtesy of Mister Domestic

Day two, Thursday November, 2nd is hosted by the lovely AnneMarie Chany of Gen X Quilters. AnneMarie is known for her innovative hoop quilts and I was so excited to learn she was planning to make one for my blog tour. 

Photo courtesy of Gen X Quilters

Everything I love is in AnneMarie's Bountiful Holiday hoop quilt. The basket block, hand stitching, embroidery, and the prints she chose for this project all speak to me. This is beautifully drafted and so darn pretty! Wouldn't this be the wonderful gift to receive, I think you should plan to make at least two because it will be hard to give away!

If you've not had the chance to visit AnneMarie's blog you really must. She has tutorials, a block library, block of the month clubs, and so much more!

Photo courtesy of Gen X Quilters

November 3rd finishes out Week 1 with Brooke Sellmann of Silly Mama Quilts. I first met Brooke at spring Quilt Market in St. Louis. Her energy and passion for quilting was so evident and I liked her right away. 

Brooke designed a table centerpiece for the Bountiful Holiday blog tour. The offset, radiating quilting design was such a great way to break up the grid of squares and rectangles. Brooke made great use of the fabrics I sent her for the tour and this would make a cheery table topper and a quick-make home decor project for your holiday table.

Photo courtesty of Silly Mama Quilts

There's more to come on the Bountiful Holiday Blog Tour as eleven super talented designers and myself will be blogging about fast and fun projects you can stitch for the family, decorating for the holidays, and gift giving ideas. I'm so excited to see what next week's bloggers will make. Here's the list of names and dates so you can follow along:

11-01  Mathew Boudreaux  Mister Domestic

11-02  AnneMarie Chany  Gen X Quilters

11-03  Brooke Sellmann  Silly Mama Quilts

11-06  Blair Stocker  Wise Craft Handmade

11-07  Silvia Sutters  A Stranger View

11-08  Peta Peace  She Quilts A Lot

11-09  Sharon Holland  Sharon Holland Designs

11-10  Heather Andrus  Quilt Story

11-13  Maureen Cracknell  Maureen Cracknell Handmade

11-14  Anjeanette Klinder  Anjeanettek

11-15  Alexis Wright  My Sweet Sunshine Studio

11-16  Katie Skoog  The Simple Life Company

If you're an Instagram user and follow my IG feed, I'll have daily postings and links to the Bountiful Holiday Blog Tour Makers and their projects and it will also be easy to follow along by searching the hashtag #BountifulHolidayBlogTour. I hope to see you following along on that platform as well as visiting and getting to know these amazing blog tour Makers. 

There will a giveaway at the end of the blog tour. My generous sponsor for this tour is the Fat Quarter Shop and they're giving away a 10-pc Bountiful Harvest colorway fat quarter bundle. On November 17th, 2017 I'll post the final weekly recap post along with all the details on how to enter into the Bountiful Harvest fat quarter bundle giveaway. You'll have a chance to enter right here on the blog (on the that final post, so be watching for that) and also on Instagram.

Every time you share a tour image along with the #BountifulHolidayBlogTour hashtag, to your public Instagram account, you'll automatically have your name put into the hashtag pool and automatically be entered into the drawing. So share and repost those Instagram images by the Bountiful Holiday Blog Tour Makers often and use that hashtag (hint, hint)!

A blog winner and an IG winner will be drawn on Monday November 20th. All this information will be given again at the end of the tour but thought you'd like a head's up :)

Photo courtesy of Fat Quarter Shop

Cover Quilt

Cover Quilt

Used with permission from Quilts and More™ magazine. ©2018 Meredith Corporation. All rights reserved.

Yup, that's my quilt in the large photo with the chair on the cover of Quilts and More magazine! Not only is my quilt on the cover of this issue but I have two quilts in this Quilts and More Winter 2018 magazine. 

Both of the quilts are made using my Bountiful fabrics for Art Gallery Fabrics and both are super easy to make. 

Used with permission from Quilts and More™ magazine. ©2018 Meredith Corporation. All rights reserved.

The cover quilt is a mix of simple foundation paper-piecing (FPP) and traditional patchwork. I had originally called this quilt Barnstorm because the diagonal FPP sections made me think of barnwood panels. The radiating design has so much energy and makes for a graphic quilt. In the magazine this project has been renamed (editors do that) to: Bursting with Energy.

Photo and quilt by Sharon Holland

The second quilt in this same issue is also made using Bountiful fabrics with the addition of Art Gallery Fabrics natural linen and Shannon fabrics faux rabbit minky. This projects is technically not a quilt but a throw because it has no batting and is tied instead of quilted. The drape on this piece is absolutely amazing and the faux rabbit makes it so luxurious and a high end designer piece. 

Used with permission from Quilts and More™ magazine. ©2018 Meredith Corporation. All rights reserved.

I made both these quilts for Spring Quilt Market to display in my Bountiful booth. I was thrilled when the All People Quilt editor snatched them up for their publications. It's so hard having to wait to share my makes and it feels like all my work since spring is now coming out at once. 

This was a purely for fun project and something completely different than I've ever done before. I wanted to showcase my hide print from Bountiful but interject texture and Farmhouse-style into the project. The answer was the faux fur and pompom ties!

Used with permission from Quilts and More™ magazine. ©2018 Meredith Corporation. All rights reserved. Photo by Sharon Holland

This project has it all and could actually be one to get the kids involved in. Truth be told, I'm not sure how well this project would launder. But I do suggest using tapestry wool for the pompom as it's very hard wearing and I would launder by hand if needed. But who cares, right? This is such an amazing tactile throw blanket and talk about wow power--you just have to make one!

I was so thrilled that Meredith Corporation (All People Quilt publisher) bought all my pompom step out photos for this project. I had so much fun making, writing, and photographing this one and then to have the validation of being paid for the photography is a big deal for this gal. So, when you see the article, take note of my name there in the photo credits :)

I'm heading off to Houston tomorrow to attend Quilt Market. There I'll be having a trunk show of quilts from my book at a Schoolhouse session 1:55-2:25 on Friday and three book signings:

Saturday - 11:00 - 11:45 in the Hobb's Batting booth #347

Saturday - 3:00 -3:30 in the Landauer Publishing booth #2040

Sunday - 10:00 - 10:30 in the Brewer booth #734

I hope you'll stop by and say hi if you're planning on attending.

The All People Quilt booth with have both of my quilts on display so I will snap some pics and show you those on my Market Review post when I get back. Otherwise, be watching my Instagram feed @sharonhollanddesigns for postings while I'm at Market. 

Looking ahead: Starting November 1st I will be hosting the Bountiful Holiday Blog Tour and have lined up some super talented Makers that will be bringing you fast, fun, and fabulous sewing projects for the holidays, gift giving ideas, and home decor sewing. Plus I will have a Harvest colorway fat quarter bundle giveaway at the end of the tour courtesy of the Fat Quarter Shop. 

Stop back soon, there's so much more to share with you!

My Book!

Utility-Style Quilts for Everyday Living

My first book is at the printers and I'll have a copy in my hand soon. The whole idea that I will have a book is still a bit unnerving and surreal. Yes, I'm not new to publishing and worked producing two magazines for over two years but this publication is all my vision. All twelve quilt projects were created by me, the fabrics are a reflection of my aesthetics and of my stash, the photographs (all except a few images) were styled and photographed by me, and the book layout is also my baby. No wonder I'm anxious and nervous about how this book will do--there's a lot of responsibilities here!

Hawthorn quilt by Sharon Holland Designs - Utility-Style Quilts for Everyday Living

The premise of my Utility-Style Quilts for Everyday Living book is a very simple one--make quilts to be used. I invite you to play with fabric combinations in a new light and not fuss with having enough of that perfect fabric because substitutions are the mother of all creativity. 

Here's what else you will find in my book:

12 well illustrated projects, ranging from table runners to a queen-sized quilt

Great as a beginner book

Skill-building design tips and suggestions throughout

Techniques are taught in an unintimidating way with a focus on the quilt's ultimate use—not on unattainable perfection

Each fast-pieced project is great for beginners, with skill-building design tips and suggestions throughout. These lovely patterns are a reason to dig into your stash and make a quilt that will be used and loved for years to come.

You can now pre-order this book on Amazon (an affiliate) and it will be shipped November 15th, 2017. 

If you're planning on attending Quilt Market next month in Houston I will be having a trunk show of the quilts from the book during School House on Friday (time and room TBA) and have at least two book signings! More info on book signing times and booth numbers next month. 

Star Crossed by Sharon Holland - Utility-Style Quilts for Everyday Living

There's a quilt design for everyone in this book. I structured the book as more of a life-style book to show how quilts can be used around the home. The cover starts you on the outside of a house and the interior pages walk you through all the living spaces within a home ending in the back yard. Star Crossed was made with a tween girl in mind and I love the funky plaids (vintage and new) mixed with soft pastels. 

I've always been overly ambitious and this book is no exception. Not only are there 12 great projects but I also cover how to quilt them in several utility-style, simple quilting patterns. Machine, hand, and tied techniques are also covered so you can find what works for you with each project. 

Roman Stripe by Sharon Holland - Utility-Style Quilts for Everyday Living

Of course with every book (or fabric collection) there needs to be a free quilt pattern! This beautiful scrap quilt called Roman Stripe will be available for download through Landauer Publishing once the book is available. I love this quilt and secretly wish I'd have thought of it last year when I was sewing the projects for the book. It has the potential of using dozens of different fabrics and is a great one for using up scrap strips.  

It's hard to be patient, believe me, I know! I'm looking forward to sharing this adventure in sewing with you and can't wait till the book is available and you can start sewing your utility-style quilts too!