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Friday, August 19, 2011

A Day of Firsts....

As I planned this post I realized that this is a day full of firsts....
I used my scraps of Birch fabric to make a little pillow of simple patchwork....


This was my first experience using Wool Aurifil Thread to machine stitch the pillow top....
The Wool Aurifil is 50% Wool and 50% Acrylic.  Acrylic is a man made fiber often used as a substitute for wool. 


I am pleased to say I love the results....it is a heavier thread {12 wt} and at the same time a bit of a loose twist.  So the thread definitely has the appearance and feel of wool....the real test was how it would perform in the sewing machine.


To prevent the thread from shredding, I used a metallic needle.  A metallic needle has a larger eye - so less friction on the thread.  I also adjusted the speed of my machine to slow down my stitching...again a great idea to keep thread from shredding.


The squares are 3 inches square...and the entire pillow is just about 12 X 18....I stuffed it full with a small travel pillow.  I really love this pillow :)


So on to my next first!  I am pleased pink to be able to share samples of Aurifil thread with you!


  Yes....this is my first giveaway!!!  YAY!!!  
I will keep this easy...just leave one comment on today's post and you will be registered to win.


  I will close the giveaway on Monday at midnight....and the winners {yes I said winners!}  will be chosen at random and be announced {hopefully} on Tuesday.... August 23rd. 


And now for the best news yet....I have 5 sample packs...so there will be 5 winners chosen!!!  Yippee!!!  Do the Happy Dance :)
Just be sure if you want to win that you are NOT a No-Reply Blogger...
I want to be able to find you and let you know that you are a Happy Winner!

I did have another fun first today.  I worked on a cute little 'person' block for a student in my quilt class....I thought she may like to incorporate this idea in her quilt...


I first fell in love with people blocks when I saw the adorable block done by Marit....
How cute would it be to dress your person in those bits of baby clothing saved from when your children were little.  

    
And now, just one more first....I continued plugging away at my first ever Spiderweb Quilt...Or Star Quilt....however you want to look at it :)  I wanted to share my progress with you!


Whew....what a day!
Have a wonderful weekend!
mary :)
  
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244 comments:

  1. Sandra Coleman ClarkeAugust 20, 2011 at 10:59 PM

    Cute pillow!!!

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  2. PhoebeAugust 20, 2011 at 11:17 PM

    That pillow is crazy kinds of cute!!

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  3. CarlaAugust 20, 2011 at 11:35 PM

    And I don't know what to comment on first....it is all such lovely eye candy!

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  4. HasieBAugust 21, 2011 at 12:19 AM

    i love the little pillow. and to do a travel pillow--awesome! i love the effect of the thread. i want to be you when i grow up! ;-)

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  5. robinAugust 21, 2011 at 12:53 AM

    Great giveaway! And I like your spiderweb quilt. :)

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  6. AnonymousAugust 21, 2011 at 2:18 AM

    i just love that pillow. Thanksfor havin a giveaway!

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  7. SheilaAugust 21, 2011 at 8:53 AM

    Love your pillow and quilt and what a great giveaway...I´m keeping my fingers crossed - LOL :)

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  8. ElizabethAugust 21, 2011 at 9:19 AM

    Congrats on your first giveaway! I've never experimented with different threads, but maybe now is the time to start!

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  9. Jenny GastlerAugust 21, 2011 at 9:44 AM

    I love the way this thread looks on your pillow and would be thrilled to try it myself! Thanks for the chance to win!

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  10. OmaAugust 21, 2011 at 11:07 AM

    Interesting that they used wool. Loved the pillow and thank you for doing a giveaway!!!

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  11. CatAugust 21, 2011 at 3:20 PM

    Thanks for the opportunity to win this thread. I love the person block. This will have to go on my To Do list. I have already started a String Spiderweb Star quilt. Yours looks awesome.

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  12. AnonymousAugust 21, 2011 at 4:11 PM

    I love the pillow and the sweet made-with-love detail from the thread! I'd love a chance to try it! Thanks for all your inspiration :)

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  13. BetsyAugust 21, 2011 at 6:07 PM

    Love the pillow, Love the spider web quilt and sure would LOVE to win the thread!!!!!

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  14. Mary JaneAugust 21, 2011 at 6:36 PM

    Aurifil in a multi-pack = love!

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  15. Nancy BAugust 21, 2011 at 8:05 PM

    I'm so ready to do a patch work "something" and your little pillow may just be it! Thanks for the giveaway.

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  16. CraftyMummyAugust 21, 2011 at 8:21 PM

    Thanks for a lovely chance to win. Your cushion is gorgeous!

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  17. BrendaAugust 21, 2011 at 10:00 PM

    I'd love to try Aurifil. Thanks!
    Brenda

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  18. JulieAugust 21, 2011 at 11:03 PM

    yay, mary! a giveaway! you are 'big time' now! :-) your followers aren't listed, but did you reach 500? you were close the last time i looked. how exciting. i love the pillow and the way the stitching turned out. hope i win so i can try it out. as always, i love to see what you are making. thanks for sharing!

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  19. LynneAugust 22, 2011 at 12:12 AM

    Love your people block. Thanks for sharing the idea of using baby clothing.

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  20. PiggyscrapsAugust 22, 2011 at 3:32 AM

    I'd love that thread! That pillow, the whale fabric, is just so "me". wonderful site you have.

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  21. Jan QuigleyAugust 22, 2011 at 6:06 AM

    I love the cushion!! Please add me to the draw. :-)

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  22. phillips fosterAugust 22, 2011 at 11:18 AM

    I really like the way your stitching came out on the travel pillow. So cool!

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  23. KelseyAugust 22, 2011 at 11:53 AM

    Your spiderweb quilt is looking great!

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  24. Ana's WorldAugust 22, 2011 at 12:14 PM

    Your work is such an inspiration! Thank you for the great ideas, great giveaway and wonderful motiviation!

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  25. AnonymousAugust 22, 2011 at 1:18 PM

    LOVE TO TRY THIS THREAD!
    THANKS SO FOR SHARING!
    HAPPY QUILTING!

    jldouglas@wispwest.net

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  26. SelfsewnAugust 22, 2011 at 3:36 PM

    It's all too beautiful!!

    Funny how comments coming flying at you when you're having a giveaway, tsk!

    Clare xx

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  27. Lindsay ConnerAugust 22, 2011 at 3:39 PM

    Pretty thread colors--love it!

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  28. BendingPins.comAugust 22, 2011 at 6:40 PM

    Please include me in you AURafil giveaway! I love a longer, heavier stitch!

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  29. HeatherAugust 22, 2011 at 6:56 PM

    Love, love, love this quilt!

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  30. LeeAugust 22, 2011 at 7:26 PM

    Adorable pillow! thanks for entering me for the thread!

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  31. Allison CAugust 22, 2011 at 7:54 PM

    Cute pillow! I hear such great things about this thread. I would love to try it for myself!

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  32. Melody AnnAugust 22, 2011 at 8:30 PM

    Thank you for sharing your blog and the Aurifil thread. I always love looking at what others have made. I have not tried the wool thread and I appreciate that you shared how you used it on your machine. I need to get some of those larger head needles.

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  33. MichelleAugust 22, 2011 at 8:33 PM

    I love the spiderweb quilt. Thanks for the giveaway.

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  34. TurnedgypsyAugust 22, 2011 at 8:48 PM

    Awesome projects...thanks for the chance to win this thread too..

    Chris
    mcwooten1999@carolina.rr.com

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  35. Nicole KellyAugust 22, 2011 at 9:06 PM

    You are so full of inspiration! Please tell Molly her embroidery stitches are so much fun to learn. I wish I lived near you and your LQS I would so love to take a class with you. Right now your spiderweb is my favorite. (until the next one, cause I covet all of your quilts) Pillow is adorable. Thanks for hosting a give away!

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  36. CeciliaAugust 22, 2011 at 9:27 PM

    Thank you for the chance to win the sample pack!

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  37. annabelleAugust 22, 2011 at 9:46 PM

    I love the girl block, so cute and great job on the spider webs such fab colors. Thanks.
    -annabelle

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  38. N. PerezAugust 22, 2011 at 10:23 PM

    I've been hearing wonders about this thread and can't wait to try it out myself. Thank you for the lovely giveaway!
    naslyyadid(At)gmail(dot)com

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  39. LeanneAugust 22, 2011 at 11:17 PM

    I love that pillow. Thank you for having a give away, it would be fun to try the threads.

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  40. Catskill QuilterAugust 22, 2011 at 11:39 PM

    I am dying to try this thread! Thank you for hosting this giveaway!

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  41. MagAugust 23, 2011 at 3:40 AM

    nice giweaway

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  42. hueiseiAugust 23, 2011 at 10:34 AM

    Thanks for a chance to win!!
    I likes your Spiderweb Quilt!! So colorful!

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  43. Live a Colorful LifeAugust 23, 2011 at 5:12 PM

    I was completely taken with Marit's little girl quilt, and your little girl is equally as charming.

    Your spiderweb quilt is awesome!!

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  44. TaraAugust 26, 2011 at 12:28 PM

    Hi Mary! I just love love love your blog and have been checking it weekly for months now. Thanks for the chance to win this great thread! tarapage22(at)gmail(dot)com

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