Quilters Blog Hop Party with Giveaways

Posted by Richard.  Will ship anywhere.

Today is Quilting Gallery's starting day for blog hop with giveaways to celebrate back to school days.  Tanya and I are excited to celebrate because we have 3 kids back in school.

To let you know a little about Richard and Tanya Quilts, our quilting adventure or rather my quilting adventure started back in  December 2011.  I have been married for a while now and at that time had 3 wonderful children ranging from 16 - 7.  My wife and I had decided that it was time to have another child (some of you may be thinking with kids that old we must be nuts), but we decided to have another baby. After Tanya got pregnant, I started to think about all the things I needed for the new baby including a quilt. You probably think that is easy to come by.  At the time I knew no one that could quilt .  I approached my wife and asked her to make our baby (She is born now and her name is Julia) a quilt.

We are not a traditional family in the way we run the house.  I am a kids and baby person (I change diapers, feed the kids, cook etc). My wife on the other hand is a Electronics Tech. She works with her hands repairing and fixing broken electronics devices.  I make this point because I am a programmer and have a serious phobia of getting my hands dirty.  When something breaks around yard or house it usually her fixing it.

So your saying enough of a history lesson, this is a giveaway get to the point.  My wife told me that if I wanted a quilt make it yourself. Hum.  How hard could it be to make a quilt. That started http://richardquilts.blogspot.com/  For a long time it was just me making quilts.  I made my first blog post on Jan 2, 2012. It is worth a read to go back and see where it all started.

Yes I did make the quilt for Julia, it was the 2nd quilt I ever made and its name is Hearts and Flowers, you can follow that link to read more about it.  I did not stop there as my goal was not to make rag quilts (that's what my first few quilts were, because I had no clue how to "Quilt" a pieced quilt.)

It did not take me long to get the nerve to machine quilt that first pieced quilt. The quilts name is Train Wrek you can follow that link to find out more about it.  Note the name is not because there are trains in the quilt, but that the quilt as a whole was a complete wreck from the start (its a interesting read trust me).

This is a batik top that I have recently finished, the largest one to date (Its only twin size). My skills are growing,  but I am far from the quilter I one day hope to be.

 Now 9 months later, I am still lost (OK not lost, but not where I want to be). I set a goal to make 52 quilts this year, 1 per week and I have almost already done that (mostly lap or baby quilts). I am setting a new goal and that is to make a few larger quilts once a month (in addition to the smaller ones).  I want to make a queen size similar to the batik above for my bed (I haven't yet made a quilt for my own bed).

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Yes I have stopped blabbing, its time to giveaway.  I would like to have 3 separate giveaways. Each one with a different way of entering. (I will list at the end some bonus entries for those that want to increase their luck)

Before you get too discouraged, you can make one single post and do any or all of the below to enter contest.  I will put every thing into a spread sheet.  Though if its easier for you, you may have more then one post also.

Contest A

 Leave a comment on the post telling me a quilting goal you have. (no strings attached other then you have to have a goal)

Contest B

 Follow my blog (you can do so via email, GFC, Reader etc) just tell me in  comment how you follow. (if your new tell me that too)

Contest C

  Like Richard and Tanya Quilts page on Facebook, Follow on Google+, Follow me on twitter.  (tell me which ones in your comment)

Now with 3 contests we need 3 prizes. Because I have 3 prizes and 3 contests you would think 1 prize belongs to a specific contest, nope that takes the fun out.  When we draw for winners the first drawing will be which prize of the 3 listed below will go to Contest A, which will go to Contest B and which will go to Contest C.  I know some will not want to do all 3 of the above, which is fine, you will get a chance to win a prize.  But if you do all 3, you will be in 3 different contests not just one (Maybe if supper lucky you can win all 3, but I hope we have 3 different winners).

I will at the end of the post give an example post so if you get lost look at that.

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Prize 1 

This is 2/3 yard of a fabric called Dress Up Days by Doohikey Designs (A Riley Blake Designs)

Prize 2

4 Fat Quarters picked to to match together.  

There is a solid black, and two Butterfly FQ's - Ball not sure the line or designer. The purple flower is an unknown name or designer.

Prize 3

This is my favorite.  With Halloween approaching I just cant wait to make a Ghastlies quilt, the fabric line is from Alexander Henry.  There are 6 FQ's in grays.

I know your saying how can I give away the Ghastlies?  Well I held back a few of them for me.

Pesrsonal stash, not giveaway.

Yes 17 FQ and a little yardage can we say I have some Ghastly plans up my sleeves (Remember this bundle I am NOT giving away, but the 3 above are!

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Bonus Entry (you can have up to 5 bonus entries) Please be specific on the bonuses to which of the 3 contests you are wanting it applied too I will give example below.  (you must have already completed the original requirement to add it).  Note you can do all below if you want, but only 5 bonus entries

1) Blog about my giveaway (linking back to my site)

2) Facebook about giveaway (linking back to my site)

3) Tweet about Giveaway (linking back to my site)

4) Post on Google+ Giveaway (linking back to my site)

5) Pin one of my completed quilts on Pinterest (go to any of my completed blog posts and pin directly to that post one of the images on it please pick posts about completed quilts or blocks you like)  You can do this on up to 3 times (remember only 5 bonus entries).

6) visit my Etsy store and like store or items in store.  You can do this up to 2 times.

7) +1 any blog post on my site. You can do this up to 3 times.

8) Surprise me and do something more creative as a bonus entry!

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So to recap 3 prizes, 3 giveaways, up to 5 bonus entries (you pick which giveaway)

Example 1

I leave a comment telling about my goal to make 52 quilts in 52 weeks (Contest A entry) I also am a follower in GFC and Reader (Contest B entry) I hate social media and do not enter Contest C.

I also Like the Etsy store (I want Extra entry in contest A) and I +1 this post (Extra entry Contest B)

I have 2 entries in Contest A, 2 entries in Contest B, 0 in the social crap!

Example 2

I share my goal about making 1 Queen size quilt a month (A), I follow in reader (B), I follow on G+ (C) I also Posted about the giveaway on Google+ (C), Tweeted about it (C) +1 Julia's quilts blog post (C), Liked Etsy store (C), I did something surprising (no I am not going to tell you what) (C)

I have 1 in A, 1 in B, and 6 in C (yes hedging my bet that not many will enter this and I want to win it)

Thanks again for visiting Richard and Tanya Quilts, have a GREAT! Day. (Oh and don't forget to click on the big button at top of the post and visit all the other giveaway's going on this week).

This is open for international entries and will giveaway will close on September 3rd.

Link a Finish Friday #29

Every Friday, Richard and Tanya quilts sponsors a Link a Finish Friday with prizes. This is the place you can show off your latest finish.  A finish is any thing you have done up to a point.  That can be a block finish, a quilt finish, a quilt top finish, or you just want to show off what you worked on this week.  The point is that we are all sharing and learning from each other.  Tanya once a month, with the help of our winner picker Jared, will pick one of those link ups from all Link a Finish Friday's.  The winner will win 2 Fat Quarters of your choice from a selection of FQ which Tanya will put together each month.

As our official show off this week, I am pleased to show off Tanya's first Designed and Completed quilt.  Tanya pointed out to me today that she was sad that few visited her post and commented on her quilt.  If any one that has not yet looked at her finish could take a moment to visit it and tell her she did a great job.  That is what Link a Finish Friday is about.  Sharing what you made and more important visiting those shares and patting them on the back for a job well done.

The most visited post from last week was from Mike over at The Amateur Quilter he has Buzz and his friends from Toy Story coming to the rescue on this wonderful quilt for his grandson's 4th Birthday.  What a lucky kid.

Also for any one that missed we yesterday posted a giveaway of some bowls that my sister in law made, if you have not yet stop by and enter.
Thanks again for visiting Richard and Tanya Quilts and supporting  our quilting adventures.

So for the rules.

1) Who likes rules. Toss them out.
2) Add a link to your finish blog or where ever you show off your finishes (Not limited to quilts but I like them the most).
3) Visit a few of the finishes and comment or encourage them on.
4) Monthly random winner picked from all of the months linkups to win 2 fat quarters.

Not Required but fun to do

1) Follow my blog.
2) Follow the blog of all those that link.
3) Link back to my blog.
4) No finish, go quilt and stop reading the web.

I am in the mood for a giveaway what about you?

I was sitting in the sewing room tonight cutting up HST (started a new project, because while you can't have too many projects right?) And it hit me.  No not a brick in the head, it hit me that I have not been as giving lately as I was months ago.

As you can see from the picture I have again stated another project with the Twirl line of fabric my wife bought when I won a $50 gift certificate I blogged about that here.  Also this week my Sister In Law opened her Etsy Store ToshasPottery.

So what is it that I plan to giveaway you ask?

I wanted to give something Quilt like (as this is a quilting blog after all) and I wanted to give something that I bought from Tosha (or she might have given it to me I have so many cool things she has made) .

So when my wife came home from work, I pitched my idea of giving away some of the loot.  She agreed and brought me the 2 bowls ahead and my Lizard FQ that I bought.

You might remember that I have talked about Lizards in the past.  I don't part easily with Lizards, but hey I am in a giving mood.

So again to make things clear I am giving away 2 bowls that are hand crafted pottery from my sister in law which she also sells at her Etsy store here http://www.etsy.com/shop/ToshasPottery and I am giving away one cool Fat Quarter of a wonderful Lizard Print.

I am sure some of you are saying hey there is a blog hop next week, why not wait.



I have decided that I am going to give away today the above listed items and then on Aug 25 though Sept 3 I am going to give away even more stuff.

So yes I am committing to 2 giveaways this week.

OK I know your all saying shut up and just tell me what I have to do to win those wonderful Lizards (I know I am ,can I enter?) Or you want the bowls OK so here it is.

Each item listed below is a entry, so its not do all or lose, its do all and have higher chance to win.

1) Leave a post telling me why you love Lizards (you can lie I won't hold it against you).
2) Follow my blog (or tell me you already follow it) for a entry in separate comment.
3) +1 (found at bottom of this post) this blog post  or Follow Richard and Tanya Quilts G+ page or like us on Facebook. When done add another comment.
4) Post about this giveaway on Facebook or G+ or twitter or all 3 then comment that you did.
5) Last and most important Please visit http://www.etsy.com/shop/ToshasPottery and Favorite her store or one of her items and come back and tell me here.

If you read yesterdays post I am intrigued by this social networking thing so if you you did not read the post go check it out.

This giveaway is open to any one any where in the world.  Thanks again for visiting my blog and helping me out with this giving spirit I am in today.  It seems in my rush to give away last night I forgot to mention when it ends.  This will be open until 9/1/2012

WIP Wednesday #24 and Social Media

Today's Post brought to you by Richard

I have been thinking lately how to bring my blog to the next level and get involved in Social Media.  For me this is a huge thing because I HATE Facebook.  I know that is a sin and I should not do it.  It's all about every one in the world knowing what I am doing.  That sounds funny from a Guy that has a quilting blog (and tons of other blogs and sites I try to promote).  How can I hate social media if I love to be social.

So today I make my first step in the social world by accepting the fact that its not bad to be such.  And as proof of that I have created a Google+ page for Richard and Tanya Quilts.  What can I say I like Google more then Facebook.  But being fair to those that don't like Google, but love Facebook I created a Facebook page for Richard and Tanya Quilts.  But we can't stop there I also love Pinterest and just love to be pinned and pin there under my name https://pinterest.com/rhealey101/.

What do I ask of you my faithful followers?  While if you like my post please G+ it (you can find the G+ at end of each post.  You can also add my Google+ page to your circles.  For those that love or like (or want to convert me back to the Facebook as there stock tumbles) please Like the Richard and Tanya Quilts Facebook page.  You can also Facebook about any of my posts (there is also a button for this, twitter, blogging and emailing about post) right next to the G+ button.  Also please Pin any and all you find or like on Pinterest.

I also sell my wonderful quilts (and willing to make custom quilts for any that might like) though http://www.etsy.com/shop/RichardQuilts and for those that are interested use the Coupon Code BLOGDISCOUNT to get 20% off.

Well enough thinking lets talk about what Tanya and I did this last week.

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I have been busy I finished my newest batik quilt top.  I have yet to come up with a name (or what to put on its back) this is the largest pieced quilt to date.  It is a decent size twin top (Rebecca who's bed I tested it on offered to keep it but I don't think so)  I am pretty sure I plan to sell this one.  I am getting more confident and quilts are getting bigger.  I would love to make one similar to this one queen size for my bed.

My baby Dresden had its binding finished last night.  I was looking around to figure out where my labels where when I got distracted.  I still need to finish putting the label on it and washing it to call if finished so expect to see it again soon.

I also finished my newest Color Blast quilt (I am making a pattern of the same name that I plan to give away) I need to sit down and finish writing it up and then give it out and get feed back so I know how to improve it. (the pattern not my quilt I am keeping it I just love this one)

Tanya this week finished her first quilt (While made me finish her first quilt for her) I tried to get her to quilt it but she would not.  She was afraid to mess it up.  She pieced the entire quilt top her self and pieced the back and basted the quilt.  I quilted and put the binding on.  I will soon get her to do this too.

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You thought my social media thing was all done but NOPE!! you are wrong.  Many of my followers might have noticed that I added many of you on Google+ today and as time goes on I will add the rest of you.  (I simply ran out of time).  While I was in the midst of writing this post it came to my realization that I had never tweeted or been tweeted too (Is that even the correct term?) So I went out and did the ultimate sacrifice and created a twitter account.  So you can follow me or tweet me at @rhealey101.  I have no clue how to tweet so some one tweet me some instructions.

By the way check back next week I will be having a giveaway to any one that can help me get social up to date.  Now tell me your opinion to all this social crap!

Today is a Work In Progress Wednesday.   I will be linking up with Freshly Pieced.  

Purple Papillon & Freedom

Post by Tanya

The Purple Quilt is done.  I haven't thought of name yet or a good name. Swirly Purple Butterfly just doesn't seem right.   Does anyone have  suggestions for a name?  I decided to go with the suggestion Purple Papillon. I pieced the top, and some of the back with leftover blocks, basted it, and Richard quilted it.  I think our joint effort turned out nicely. One more gift for Christmas done, many more to go.  Both Richard and I need to get back to finishing our blocks for the beginner QAL. I am behind at least three now.  I need to take some outside pictures, this doesn't do it justice.

Close up of the butterfly quilted in center of block.

The older two kids start back at school on Wednesday.  It is the first time in 7 years they have been in the same school.  James is starting his senior year and Rebecca her freshman year.  I think I am more excited for them to start than they are.  Jared doesn't start 3rd grade until next Monday. I am looking forward to time with just Julia.  No more "Don't wake Mom" at the top of their lungs.  Working nights can be not so fun when you have a family.