That's right....finally the giveaway post.
And here's the quilt in all it's glory.
Several people guessed what the pattern would be. I saw it at this tutorial. I didn't particularly follow the directions, but used the general idea. It has no batting and is made from circles of recycled jeans with fabric inset.
Not MY jeans mind you...but someone's. I didn't want to do very small squares because of time limitations, so I had to go to the thrift store and buy the biggest jeans I could find. The sales people though I was crazy as I could literally fit in one leg of some of them. But I didn't want to pull off pockets and such and have them have changes in color.
The instructions recommended zig-zagging the edges but I really wanted the frayed denim edges. That means this quilt is by no means a study in perfect sewing. I washed it again after I was finished sewing and had to go back and re-sew the edges that frayed a little too much. I suspect the new owner may have to do that as well during it's lifetime.
But I like the rough-around-the-edges look. It feels like a great picnic blanket. And I think it will get better with age. Sorry I can't get it to your for possible 4th of July picnics. :(
So, "how do I win such a beauty?", you ask. Well, if you've never before commented on my site, you can't. Sorry to new readers! I'm not doing it that way to be elitist, but since it's a whole quilt I wanted it to be somebody who's not just passing through for a giveaway. Hopefully whoever gets it will really love it and use it.
But don't fret if you are a lurker. I have consolation prizes. There are two sets that come with: handmade zippered pouch, three fun, bright fat quarters, six 8 1/2" squares of recycled denim, and a little flower I crocheted (I didn't attach them to the pouches but that certainly might be cute). I will be givng one of these prizes randomly to someone who leaves a comment on this post and one to someone who has already left a comment on this previous post where I drew out all the lurkers.
My method for the grand prize selection is this:
1. Randomly pick a number between 1 and 106 (the number of posts before this)
2. Randomly pick a number between 1 and the number of comments on that post (comments left after now won't count)
3. Check to see if that commenter also entered by leaving a comment on THIS post
4. Repeat as necessary to find a winner
So, you have to leave a comment here to win. I won't be overly picky about what you say. If you want to be fun, you can send me your favorite cookie recipe. I'm particularly interested in finding a good shortbread-like sugar cookie recipe for big, thick cutouts. I bought the most amazing ones for Easter with a slightly lemon frosting that I'm hoping to re-create. I'll leave the contest open until Tuesday at midnight, just in case some of you are too occupied with the holiday.
AND....if you can be the first to tell me where I can buy PEACH colored raffia, I will make a special prize just for you. It has to be peach, not coral, or orange, or terra cotta, which I already have.
**** UPDATE: I should have mentioned I'm looking for synthetic raffia!
So good luck to you all.
You should know I appreciate all my readers so much. When I started this all a year ago I never knew how much fulfillment I would get from sharing with you and getting to know you too. A whole year....wow.
JT
The quilt would indeed make a great picnic blanket wouldn't it? It is so cheerful.
Here is the recipe I like for shortbread:
2c flour
1/4 tsp salt
2 sticks unsalted butter
1 tsp vanilla
1T orange zest
chill 1 hour then roll and cut into shapes
350 degrees for 8-10 min.
It's delicious, in my opinion!
Posted by: Amy | July 02, 2009 at 08:35 PM
Wow! I'm going to try out some of those recipes! I've been looking for a great sugar cookie recipe too - I have one from my grandmother that is good - but not easy to frost. I would love that fun quilt!
Posted by: Carolyn | July 02, 2009 at 09:31 PM
That is SO AWESOME!!! I can't believe you made that whole quilt, just like that! I so would love to have this quilt and take pictures of Lilah sitting on it in the bright sunshine, with green grass around it...
I do NOT have a great shortbread recipe. I DO, however, have a wonderful, quick recipe (that you may have seen) for a cookie bar that is the most unhealthy yet delicious thing you have ever eaten!
Chocolate Chip Cream Cheese Yummy Bars
1 egg
3/4 c sugar
1 t vanilla
2 8 oz pkg cream cheese
2 family size cookie dough rolls (or two batches of your best chocolate chip cookie dough)
Beat egg, cream cheese, vanilla, and sugar until smooth. Grease a 9 x 13 pan and spread one cookie roll to form a crust. Empty mixed contents onto crust and spread 2nd roll over top of filling. Bake 35-40 minutes at 350 degrees. Cool, then refrigerate before cutting.
Be careful with these. DANGEROUS!
Posted by: Rachael | July 02, 2009 at 09:43 PM
Holy cow, your quilt turned out fantastic!!!! Even if I don't win, I am super excited for whoever does. You have a great talent and I have loved seeing what you've come up with over the last year!
Posted by: Jessica | July 02, 2009 at 10:18 PM
Holy moly!! Synthetic peach raffia?? The closest I was able to get after looking for a while was http://www.franksupply.com/raffia_supplies.html This is treated natural raffia. It is flame retardant. I'm not sure if that also makes it stronger??
Yikes. Good luck!
Posted by: Trish | July 02, 2009 at 10:24 PM
It's gorgeous! The pinks and oranges just POP out of the denim!
Sorry, no help with the shortbread or raffia.
Posted by: Serena | July 02, 2009 at 10:33 PM
What a fun quilt you have made, Jessica! I love the colors and now i am off to check out the tutorial. Congrats on the year of blogging; quilting blogs like yours is how I have taught myself to quilt in the last couple of months. I truly appreciate you sharing your experiences!
Posted by: Lucia | July 02, 2009 at 10:58 PM
Well, I didn't leave a comment on the post about leaving comments so I am not eligible for the quilt (although I have commented in the past). I do like the quilt idea, though. I have always thought about a denim quilt, but this is really much nicer than just pieced denim would be. As always, your creativity is very inspiring!
Posted by: jan | July 03, 2009 at 12:49 AM
What an amazing quilt! I love your quilt- so happy with all it's colors! My neighbor just started making one with the zigzagging method-cathedral windows is hard enough, that seems like it might bring the fun back into quilting them! I made one cathedral window, ONE, for a Christmas ornament years ago and whew, that is probably the last one I will make!
Okay, so we are moving from AK to WA, and I won't have my recipe box in my hands until early August, but when I do, I will send you my favorite gingersnap recipe. Sorry, no shortbread/sugar cookie goodness here- I am looking for the perfect one too. My sisters and I have vowed to try a bunch this Christmas, so if we find a good one, I'll let you know!
I am so glad you are blogging too- you are an inspiration, and I always love to see what you are working on. I can't wait for your fabric line! (And a book...a book...a book...subliminal message...)
Posted by: Angie | July 03, 2009 at 05:01 AM
What about this website http://www.crafta.com/raf-pe.html or this
http://www.alibaba.com:80/trade/search?SearchText=raffia&Country=&IndexArea=product_en&ssk=y
Love the quilt. Great job!
Posted by: Carrie | July 03, 2009 at 07:40 AM
that would be an amazing picnic quilt! (which i should note i've been itching to make)
also, i would add a sugar cookie recipe, but the last time i baked i attempted 'just add water!' blueberry muffins...and i burned them.
so i think i'll stick to quilting. good luck with your cookies!
Posted by: Heather | July 03, 2009 at 09:50 AM
I love the circular motion of the quilt and the denim, of course! I'm not much help in the raffia department, sorry. . .enjoy your holiday with those kiddos!
Posted by: Dorrie | July 03, 2009 at 10:05 AM
Wow, your quilt is amazing! I think I'm up for the consolation prize...this is I think, my second comment. I'm a new reader, but I follow you on bloglines...just not always so great at commenting!
Posted by: Jessica | July 03, 2009 at 10:09 AM
Your methodology has me giggling, if I ever have a readership I'll totally copy that! And I'm glad I'm not the only one who has the thrift store ladies shaking their heads at my purchases :)
Great quilt, I think it's absolutely perfect!
Posted by: Valerie | July 03, 2009 at 10:25 AM
Sweet! Glad I have commented before and been a reader for about a year now. I have yet to make the belts that you posted about last summer though :)
Posted by: Hannah | July 03, 2009 at 11:16 AM