GROW YOUR BLOG

Flora and Fauna, Parts of the Garden close-up

Welcome! It is time for the Grow Your Blog Party! This event is organized by Vicki at 2 Bags Full. I'm looking forward to exploring and finding new and interesting blogs.

For those of you who are new to my blog my name is Karen H and I am a quilter. I love all sorts of quilting styles and techniques. I've made traditional, applique and improv quilts. To get an idea of what I do you can visit my Quilt Gallery to see some of my quilts.

There's a Snail in Grandma's Flower Garden close-up

I think my favourite shape to work with is a hexagon. If you love hexagons you've come to the right place! I've developed my own fast easy techniques for making great hexagon blocks. Earlier this week I posted two part tutorial on making stars like this one! Part 1 is here and Part 2 is here.

And then on January 23, 2014 I published instructions for making yet another hexagon block which is a variation of the block above.

I've got another fun hexagon block ready and I'll publish the instructions on Sunday or Monday!

I started blogging ten months ago because I wanted to be able to share with others what I do and how I do it. On January 3rd I launched my first ever free quilt pattern, Soupcon Hexagon Quilt Along (QAL). Soupcon is a French word that means a little bit. This QAL includes a little bit of things I designed this quilt so allow others to experiment with methods I love to use in my quilts including hexagons, embroidery, applique and piecing! There are beginners and experienced quilters participating so it is suitable for all skill levels!

This is a six part pattern and every two weeks I release another installment. Each installment includes a number of design options so that you can make the quilt uniquely your own. In addition at the end I'll be providing some ideas for turning the wall hanging into a quilt. If you are interested in participating in my QAL Step 1 is here and Step 2 is here. Step 3 will be available on February 1. I'm making two versions of the quilt and this is how mine look after step 2 is completed! Those making the quilt are posting pictures on my Soupcon FLICKR Group. You will be amazed at how different they look and each one is gorgeous!

I've got loads of quilt tops waiting to be quilted. Here are the three that I think will be the next in line!

81 The Giant Monstrosity

Piccadilly to the Nines

Lazy Girl

And now for the give away! I made hardcover needle books for my friends as Christmas gifts. The free pattern comes from The Studiolo. I've made another hardcover needle book as a give away for Grow Your Blog Day. If you would like a chance to win this needle book simply leave me a comment telling me which needle book you would like to win, the pink leaf or the teal leaf!

I will reply to every comment so if you don't hear back from me it is because you are a No-Reply Blogger. I have no way to contact No-Reply Bloggers so you won't be entered in the draw unless you leave your email address in the comment. Be sure to use the following format: name(at)emailserver(dot)com. Vicky the Grow Your Blog Party organizer has asked that all participating blogs announce prize winner on the same day, February 15. THE GIVE AWAY IS NOW CLOSED.

I hope you enjoy my blog; there are lots of free tips, tutorials, patterns and my Soupcon Quilt Along!I hope you'll take a few moments to look around and if you like what you've seen I hope you'll consider following me on Bloglovin or by email. Until I post again, happy sewing!

Karen H

It's give-away time and a new tiny world make-do pincushion

Close-up of mushrooms and grasshopper in Flora and Fauna, Parts of the Garden

It is day one of Quilting Gallery's Blog Hop Party With Give-Aways and I am a participating blogger. This means I have a lovely give-away that you could win (more about it in a little bit). If you got to my blog via Quilting Gallery you already know about this event. If you are here because you follow my blog just click on the Blog Hop Party With Give-Aways button on the right side bar and you will be taken to a list of all participating blogs (the list will be up in the late afternoon on November 21). Every participating blog will have its own a give-away. What fun and it is a great opportunity to discover new blogs and maybe win a prize!

My blog is less than a year old and I hope you have enjoyed what I've done so far. Have you had a chance to read my booklets on English paper piecing? If not check them out under the tab English Paper Piecing and Hexagon Fun. They are free and loaded with helpful tips! You can learn how to make lovely blocks like this!

Stars in the Loft close-up

Make a few more and you could have a quilt like my Stars in the Loft! I've entered in in Hancock's of Paducah's Quilt Contest. You can see all of the gorgeous entries here and vote for your favourites!

Stars in the Loft

I hope you'll take a tour of my Gallery where you'll find pictures of some of the quilts I've completed.

Stars in the Loft centre medallion

Learn how to make little bees to embellish your quilts! There's a honey of a demo under Tutorials and Tips. During the Blog Hop Party week I'll be showing you how to make a grasshopper!

I also have a Tiny World Pincushion Gallery. The basic pattern was designed by Mimi Kirchner. Her instructions are clear and very well illustrated. Once you learn the basics you can let your imagination run wild. I've made so many tiny worlds and there are more in the works. Here is a picture of my most recent creation. I found a lovely little milk glass bowl in the local thrift shop.

And here's a close-up. These little gems aren't just pretty little tchotchkes....they are working pincushions!

Mimi is wonderfully creative. She has a blog and an Etsy shop where you an buy her whimsical creations and her patterns. Check out her muscle men on her blog - they are guaranteed to put a smile on your face!

Now for the give-away! Mimi has donated a Tiny World Make-Do Pincushion Pattern for my give-away. The pattern is a pdf format and it will be emailed by Mimi to the lucky winner. To enter the give-away just leave a comment below. No-reply/anonymous blogger comments won't be entered in the draw unless a email address is provided in the comment. For an extra chance to win follow me on Bloglovin (if you are already a follower with an email address you are already entered). The winner will be announced in my November 27 blog post. Good luck!

NOTE: Those of you who are Google+ users appear to be showing up as "no-reply" so I have no way to contact you if you win the draw so please make sure your email address is included in the comment!  Thanks!

I've got lots to share with you over the next several days so I hope you'll drop by for a visit and see what's new! Until I post again, happy sewing!