Sunday, December 15, 2013

A Peppermint Tute and a Little Giveaway!

In case you missed it....I had a little tutorial for my Peppermint Pincushion on Skip To My Lou....you can find the tutorial here!

  
in my instructions you can enlarge or reduce the template....
{you should be able to click on this swirl to print it}

it takes 12 swirls, English Paper Pieced, to complete one Pincushion top...that may seem like a good deal of stitching, but it goes together fairly quickly....

I have made a few, hehe!


the green one is actually machine pieced.
BUT!!!
If you don't have time work on your own, I would like to share one with you! You will have two chances to win a Peppermint Pincushion and a few other stitchy extras.
1. Leave a comment and tell me if you use pins when piecing and which are your favorite.
2. Leave a second comment telling me you have become a follower or you are a follower.

Be sure you are not a "no-reply" Blogger or, please, leave an email address in your comment!
I will leave the comments open until Wednesday {12/18/13}  morning 

And if you decide to follow the Tutorial and make a pincushion of your own, you may want to check out Clare's tutorial on English Paper Piecing!  She is the master!

I haven't had a giveaway of my own in quite some time....but I have been fortunate enough to be spoiled with fun packages from my friend Clare.


How I love getting happy mail!


This heart is amazing! You can read more about Kantha Quilting here.


she knows me well...

yum!


Good luck and Glad Tidings!
xo mary
 
   
     

107 comments:

  1. Pretty pincushions - I'd like to try that swirl design! I normally just nest seams together before sewing but I do occasionally use flower head pins when needed.

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  2. I follow you on feedly - enjoy your blog posts!

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  3. I do use pins but prefer not to. Things are faster without, but I use pins when things are tricky.

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  4. eeek, those pincushions are adorable. Thanks for the chance to win one. I don't know what brand my pins are, but they have flat flower heads.

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  5. and I'm a happy, inspired follower. Love your work.

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  6. I usually use pins and I like to use those flat head pins that look like little flowers.
    I enjoy reading your blog. I have enjoyed seeing all the items you have made.
    I hope I win!
    thanks
    beebee

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  7. I sometimes use pins and sometimes not, depending on what I'm sewing! Love those pincushions! Thanks for the giveaway :)

    hannahlmoser at gmail dot com

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  8. I also follow your blog on feedly

    hannahlmoser at gmail dot com

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  9. What a riot of colour and fun! I won't throw my hat in for the pin cushion- some one else can be the recipient of your amazing sewing talents! Clare's gift is gorgeous- what is it that is labelled 'contrary'?

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  10. Yes I use Clover superfine silk pins w/o the head. I love them, they are so fine compared to the flower and yellow head pins.

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  11. Love your sweet little pin cushions. I use the medium sized ball point pins--just the cheap ones from JoAnne Fabrics but I always buy the same exact size.:)

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  12. I follow you on Google and on Bloglovin' too!

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  13. I always pin and lots of them...only way I can ever get my points to meet up

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  14. I do pin, but not everything and only use fine Crystal Glass Head Pins
    1 7/8 inches long from Connecting Threads.

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  15. I haven't tried paper peicing yet but your gorgeous pin cushion is nudging me to try. I usually try to nest seAms where possible but when I do pin I have mix of flower pins and the pearl looking ones, not sure of brands, just grabbed on the go :-).

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  16. I'm a follower. Your work is always so beautiful :-).

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  17. love the green one and yes I am a follower

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  18. re the pins, when I do EPP I use mini bull dog clips to hold the papers till I tack them on other stitching I use the flower head pins as they are nice and long and very fine

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  19. It is gorgeous Mary...I would like to stitch one in the post Christmas lull....yours is beautiful! I use pins when hand piecing, at the moment my favourites are some little white headed appliqué pins or some clover longer glass headed pins...whichever suit the project best. I will keep my fingers crossed!

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  20. I follow both your blog and IG....you always inspire!

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  21. It's always wonderful to see what you've been making. These pincushions are the best!! And that is a fabulous parcel of gifty goodness! I bet it made your day!

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  22. I'm not passing this giveaway by - that pincushion is ridiculously cute! I'm a terrible non-pinner, although I do love clover pins when I actually pin. The fine ones that are a bit bendy (if I sew over them it doesn't matter too much, they seem to survive ok and don't break my needle!)
    Have a happy holiday xxxx

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  23. Thanks for the giveaway !! I use clover glass beaded pins. They are fine and I can machine over them!

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  24. I use flat headed flower pins that I can sew over!

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  25. beautiful pincushion!! Yes I use long fine dressmaking pins when piecing - not many but enough to hold in place. I follow you over at bloglovin.
    poppyinstitches@yahoo.co.uk

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  26. hehe got any malteasers left?
    Love your pincushions..though I'm not here to win one, I already have lots of Mary goodies xx

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  27. Love your pincushions. I have to use pins, I'm not that good and need some help LOL. Not sure what make mine are, I bought them when I started quilting, and to be honest I could do with some more! Thanks for the giveaway.

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  28. What a beautiful pin pad, so very pretty and almost too cute to stab with any pins at all!
    I use the multi coloured 'ball' headed pins but only because I cannot afford to buy the wonderful heart or pearl headed pins that Id love to use!
    I put them on xmas lists each year but my children arent stitchy so overlook them : (

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  29. And I am already a follower .......just fancy that, foxy lip balm and maltesers too... you always have such wonderful things to see!!

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  30. I definitely use pins when piecing. I prefer thin glass head pins. Thanks for the chance to win your lovely pincushion.

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  31. I'm a GFC follower, reading posts with Bloglovin'. Thanks again.

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  32. I do use pins-I learned this the hard way! I like glass head ones so I an iron over them. There is nothing like getting sewing goodies in the mail!

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  33. Beautiful pincushion! I use pins, but I'm still using some cheap standard pins I got a few years ago. I need to pick up some nice thin ones soon!

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  34. Definitely use pins! My new favorites are the Little House pins.

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  35. I use long pins with a ball top. They work well for me. Thanks for the chance to win!

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  36. Well, I thought I already followed, but turns out I didn't, although I do subscribe on my blog reader. Everything you make is just wonderful!

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  37. I pin if it seems like I need to. Honestly, I use whatever pin is to hand. I do have some pins that are supposed to be especially thin just for patchwork, but I don't know where they are!

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  38. I am a new follower via email - laura84watt. Thanks!

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  39. Yes, I use long thin flat head pins. Great pincushion!

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  40. I rarely use pins, unless I'm sewing really long seams. thanks for the chance to win that great pincushion.

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  41. I avoid pins as much as possible :) I normally would use them once my blocks are in rows and I need to join the rows together, but I am actually starting to use wonder clips for that. I like them so much better than the pins. your pincushions are the cutest!

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  42. How very sweet of you! Thank you! I try to avoid pinning while piecing, except for sashing...I'm just not very good at it. But I often pin while binding. And I always pinned when I used to hand piece. I actually need new pins...I have a hodge podge of 10 to 25 year old pins, now that I think about it :) The long yellow beaded ones and some shorter multi-colored beaded ones.

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  43. Love those pincushions! I use the flat flower pins. Thanks for the chance to win!

    wigglypup2(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  44. I am a follower by GFC & e-mail.

    wigglypup2(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  45. I like the silk pins. Very fine and sharp. Thanks for the template

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  46. I usually sew without pinning, but line up the seam with a pin and then glue it for a very precise match!

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  47. If I really want to be precise ill use pins (just the cheapo ones) but most of the time I sew without. Your peppermint pincushions are too sweet!

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  48. Of course I follow :) with bloglovin.

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  49. I do pin and lots of them. I love get my points to meet up very well.I love long and fine pins.

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  50. Of course a happy follower by email.Have a great week!!

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  51. I almost always pin but if there is a really tight curve, as in many soft toy patterns, nothing beats thread-basting. I love long, flat-head flower pins for most sewing and short appliqué pins for hand sewing.

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  52. I follow you with Bloglovin'. Keep those posts comin'!

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  53. Your pincushions are lovely! I've only done a little English paper piecing, but found I was able to do most of it without pins (at least what I was doing). I actually don't own any flat-head pins, but I did ask for some in my stocking this Christmas, so we'll see!

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  54. I do use pin cushions. One on my cutting board table and one next to my machine. When one gets full then I switch.

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  55. My pins are the flat flower head ones but I have no idea what brand. Sorry!

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  56. Hi! Thank you for sharing that most cute pin cushion! I use pins when my block gets bigger or I sew Lines together. If I had better machine I wouldn't need that so much. I use just the normal 'glass head' pins.
    Have a lovely Christmas time! x Teje
    nerospost(at)gmail(dot)com

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  57. I follow you by Bloglovin.
    nerospost(at)gmail(dot)com

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  58. Love the pincushions! I use a variety of pins to piece- just depends on the size of the project if I use longer or shorter pins. Whatever pins I use for piecing always have a small head though (no decorative heads).

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  59. Sweet little pin cushions. Can you believe I have never made one? I use pins when necessary . . . sometimes only at the end of the piece to keep the ends lined up. If I can piece without them I do. Have no idea what brand of pins they are however but I could sure use some new ones. Merry Christmas.

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  60. you make the most beautiful stuff Mary. i do NOT use pins. probably should.i dont like how it messes with my rhythm at the machine.

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  61. Of course I follow you Mary who doesn't??

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  62. My favourite pins are glass head ones that haven't been stabbed by my machine needle! ;)

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  63. love your little cushions! I'm a paper piecer who tries not to use pins, but when I do I use these vintage glass headed sharps that my mom passed down to me. I follow you, but I think that my blog is a no-reply -
    jomellenthin@vassar.edu

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  64. Love your pincushions! I definitely pin when sewing and love to use flower head pins, but they can be a little thick sometimes. Everyone raves about little house pins so will be purchasing some of those to try. Thanks for the giveaway :)

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  65. I only pin when I'm doing precise piecing. Simple piecing I don't pin. I drive my quilty friends crazy!! :)

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  66. Those pincushions are so lovely! I use clover pins or clips when piecing.

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  67. Mary I love these pincushions! Of course i love everything you make! They are on my list to make for gifts next Christmas but i plan to get started soon. i use medium glass head pins when piecing (most of the time). Wa a great giveaway and blog. Thanks!

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  68. I'm still trying to figure all this out but I think I'm following your blog

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  69. I like the swirly pin cushion. Thanks for sharing it. In Christmas fabrics, it is quite timely. I like fork pins because they hold fabric intersections together so nicely.

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  70. I am a follower & get your emails!

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  71. I guess I'm not confident enough to not use pins. Maybe someday! Many thanks!
    emyerly(at)wideopenwest(dot)com

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  72. I follow you by email. Thanks for the pincushion tutorial!
    emyerly(at)wideopenwest(dot)com

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  73. i only use pins when i absolutely have to and when i di i like the clover quilting pins.

    thanks!

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  74. This pin cushion is adorable! I'm a follower!

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  75. I rarely use pins when piecing except for longer pieces and I'll put a few in to keep from going way off track. Cute pin cushion!

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  76. I use every type of pin under the sun: short applique pins, flower-head pins, quilting safety pins ... My favourites, though, are the Clover superfine glass-headed pins.

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  77. Cute pincushion! I like using pins when I piece and my favorite pins are the fine glass head pins.

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  78. I'm a follower via email. Thanks for the chance to win your cute pincushion.

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  79. I use tons of pins when sewing. And I use the glass head pins. They are really sharp! I also subscribed by email to your blog so I am now a follower. Thank you for the chance to win the pincushion.

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  80. I use pins to match up the seams, I use flathead ones, I subscribed via email. Thanks for the chance to win, Merry Christmas

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  81. I ALWAYS pin!! I love the long clover pinks with the butterfly's on the tips that are flat and also the clover pins that are for quilting, they are long, thin, and they have tiny glass balls on the tips.
    Thanks for the chance, Jessica
    juceyj03@gmail.com

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  82. I follow your blog via bloglovin:-)
    Thanks again, Jessica
    juceyj03@gmail.com

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  83. I do use pins, they are the flat ones.

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  84. Hey there Mary! What a nice giveaway! Love those pin cushions, and could wow my quilt-y friends with it. :-) Thanks for your generosity! (Hmm. Those Maltesers? look pretty appealing too.)

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  85. I've been following for many months now. Thanks again for the chance to win.

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  86. I love the peppermint pincushion and I've printed the swirl to try my hand sewing skills.

    I do use pins--not certain the brand but I like glass bead heads--they are handy at the iron. clara-chandler@att.net

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