Friday, April 3, 2015

Make It, Take It Blog Hop

Hello Everyone and welcome to the kick off post for the  Make It, Take It blog hop! I'm so happy that the time has come for all of my wonderful contributors to share the inspiration behind their projects. Many of these talented designers have previously published patterns and their own books, but for others this was a new experience.  I'm grateful to each and every one of them for trusting me with their ideas and supporting this project. I think I speak for all of us that, along with Martingale/That Patchwork Place, we are very proud of this book!

A personal truimph for me is the fact that there are 5 Canadian blogger-designers featured, including Berene, Kristie, Felicity, Leanne and me. Plus the Krista triad is fully represented (myself K1, Krista Withers K2 and Krista Fleckenstein K3). We all met years ago in Flickr swap groups because of our first name and we've become great friends, retreating together once a year. My husband numbered us by age to keep us straight in conversations - I'm the oldest ; ). This book has a lot of friendship within its pages; in fact I've been on retreat with all but 3 of the contributors.

Untitled
K2, K1and K3 at Loon Lake retreat, Nov.2014

I've already written about my inspiration for writing the book and explained how the contents are organized here. Today I wanted to share some of my patterns in the book. The first one you will recognize; it is the most-often requested pattern/tutorial on my blog ever since I started posting them over 5 years ago. There are several ways to make these and tutorials abound on the interwebs, but I like my construction method, materials and little features.  I think you will, too.

All photography in this post is by Brent Kane, copyright Martingale, 2014.
Martingale - Make It, Take It (Print version + eBook bundle)
Here's my handy Big Mouthed Threadcatcher

The next project was a joint effort by Krista Withers and I. She had a beautifully simple design idea that she sketched for me; I made the table runner, and then she quilted it using her Ghost Quilting technique. Read more about it on her blogpost later this week! The runner is charm pack-friendly and a great project for a confident beginner, or level 2 quilting class (teachers and shop owners - every one of these projects is great for classes! I hope you'll introduce your students to the fun of Make It, Take It. Have a look at the copyright info below).


Martingale - Make It, Take It (Print version + eBook bundle)
Stepping Stones table runner

In keeping with the idea of sewing together, I wanted to come up with a group sewing activity that could be enjoyed on retreat, at a guild sew-in, or at home with your stitch group. It would also be a fabulous and supportive way to introduce quilting to a friend who is curious and eager to try!  If your group is in need of emergency charity quilts, gather 5 friends to help you make 6 six quilt tops in about two hours. Check out the Martingale stop on the bloghop to see how the the staff enjoyed their sewing afternoon making 12 versions of this quilt.  Thanks to my friends Andrea, Felicity, Jo Ann, Sindy and Berene for testing this concept one afternoon with me around my dining table over two years ago! Four of our 6 quilts are shown below (I'm holding mine). 

Martingale - Make It, Take It (Print version + eBook bundle)
Rainbow 'Round the Cabin 

I'm going to save one more project of mine in the book for later next week!

A little more about the book...

General Sewing Info
From the very beginning, it was decided that a general sewing section would not appear in Make It, Take It, in favour of more projects. So many books include great information on basic quilting/sewing techniques, colour selection and finishing instructions and you can also find everything you need on the Martingale site.  What I did include are helpful technical tips for most projects as well as information on sourcing unusual materials and incorporating some of these projects into your retreat plans. In addition, each of the contributors has shared a retreat-related story, or thoughts on quilting retreats that you will find humorous and helpful!

Copyright
There is a unique copyright statement in this book. I worked with Martingale to write a statement that would allow personal crafter-scale production of the projects. So many times I've seen cute gift ideas in books, only to see that copyright prohibits production for sale. Well, if you want to sew up 20 threadcatchers for your next guild show boutique, go right ahead! All of the contributors agreed to the statement; we just ask that the individual project designer is credited along with the book title on your labelling or listing. I think that's pretty great.

If you would like to teach any of the projects from the book, you have our permission and encouragement. We just ask that every student purchase their own copy of the book for class.

Sharing
I hope that you enjoy making these projects as much as we have. Along the hop, I'll also be posting photos of the projects I've made from the contributors' patterns. I'm working my way through all of them and thoroughly enjoying myself.  If you make any of the projects, please tag photos on IG with #makeittakeit or tag me in Facebook, or upload your photos to the Make It, Take It Flickr group - there are already lots of people busy sewing and I cannot tell you how happy that makes me! 

Martingale - Make It, Take It (Print version + eBook bundle)

Giveaways!
Everyone on the tour will be offering a digital copy of the book as a giveaway, some may also offer a hard copy if they choose. I'd love to share a hard copy with you! Simply leave a comment below letting me know what would be your first make from the book. Followers get a second entry (just tell me how you follow Poppyprint, be it on IG, Bloglovin', or email subscription).  The giveaway is open worldwide, but your  comment MUST link to your email, or your email addy appear in your comment, otherwise I'll chose another winner.  I'll pick a winner Sunday night, April 5th. COMMENTS ARE NOW CLOSED, thank you!

Blog Tour Schedule
Don't miss a thing!!  We're doubling up so this doesn't go on forever and winners can get the book into their hands (or onto their devices) sooner. Here's the schedule, starting Easter Monday:


Friday, April 3 Blog hop kick-off: Right here!
Monday, April 6: Berene at Happy Sew Lucky and Amy at During Quiet Time
Tuesday, April 7: Leanne at She Can Quilt and Felicity at Felicity Quilts
Wednesday, April 8: Martingale Inc. at Stitch this! (check out their Rainbow Round the Cabin staff party!)
Thursday, April 9: Krista at Spotted Stones and Krista at Krista Withers Quilting
Friday, April 10: Lynne at Lilys Quilts and Cindy at Live a Colorful Life
Saturday, April 11: Ayumi at Pink Penguin and Krista at Poppyprint
Sunday, April 12: Kristie at OCD: Obsessive Crafting Disorder and Christina at Sometimes Crafter

90 comments:

Leah said...

Great fun. Lovely projects

Leah said...

Great fun. Lovely projects

paulette said...

Such cute and fun projects...and just look at THAT cover with Krista Hennebury's name on it! YEAH!! Your mom must be SO proud!
BIG congratulatory hug!
P

Anita said...

What a fun book, I would make one of the bags from the cover. I follow your blog in bloglovin. Thank you so much for the inspiration. I've been volunteering a lot lately at my daughter's school and I haven't had as much time as I'd like to sew. The inspiration from blogs really inspires me to get back to my sewing machine.

Pauline G said...

I follow on Bloglovin
The bags look like great patterns

Sandi said...

Your thread catcher with the scissor holder is a great idea Krista. I'm looking forward to hearing you speak at our guild. But I'm sorry I have to wait until September.!

Jackie's Stitches said...

I'd either make the bag on the cover or the needlebook/needleholder first! So cute!

Jackie's Stitches said...

I'm a follower through feedly and IG

Rina Mason said...

I think I would make the thread catcher a I really need one.

Rina Mason said...

I am now following via Bloglovin

Indianna said...

It's a great book and I'm definitely going to make the thread catcher and the bags .... And loads of other stuff too!

Indianna said...

I'm a follower on Bloglovin!

Cassandra said...

The thread catcher would be really useful, and the tote on the cover is super cute!

Cassandra said...

I follow you via Bloglovin

Anonymous said...

FOLLOW ON BLOG LOVIN'!
msstitcher1214@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

HI,SUCH A NEAT BOOK! I'D MAKE A NEW TOTE LIKE THE ONE SHOWN! THANKS FOR SHARING!
msstitcher1214@gmail.com

MoeWest said...

I like the Round the Cabin quilt. It would be great any print that you don't want to chop up too much and so quick to sew!

Barb Neiwert said...

That is very admirable of you for the copyright permissions you have granted - thank you from everyone out here! The designs are wonderful. Can't wait to see this book in person.

Barb Neiwert said...

I follow on IG, and just signed up to follow on Bloglovin'. Would prefer to follow by email because I'm very lazy about checking my Bloglovin' daily.

Stephanie said...

I am really liking those totes on the front

Betsy said...

That Threadcatcher would make a great bday gift for my friends. Can't wait to check out the other projects.

Betsy said...

I follow by email and on IG.

Lisa J. said...

I'm following on bloglovin.

lindawwww said...

I love the placemats made for a circular table. I want to make them for my kitchen table!

lin.web.28 at gmail dot com

Lisa J. said...

Well I definately would make the log cabin quilts as I am on the comfort quilt committee of my guild. That probably wouldn't happen till the fall however. So perhaps the bag as it looks smashing.

lindawwww said...

I follow you by email.

lin.web.28 at gmail dot com

Joan H. said...

Love those bags. Would like to make one for myself.

Lisa England said...

I love making table runners and want to try the one called "Stepping Stones". So cute!

mumbird3 said...

Love that tote bag on the cover...would make that in heartbeat!

Montymoo said...

I love the threadcatcher, and it has a pin cushion, too! :) The book looks great!

Leslie said...

So hard to choose. I would first slowly savor each page before deciding what to try.

mumbird3 said...

Folowing on bloglovin...

Cheryl's Teapots2Quilting said...

I'd like to make the large log cabin block quilt that all of you made. Thanks for the chance.

Cheryl's Teapots2Quilting said...

I do follow you on Bloglovin' (but I never use them to read blogs) I also follow you on my blog dashboard (how I view all blogs I follow). Thanks for the chance.

Gaye said...

I have a friend who has requested a thread catcher. Even though I had the pattern have not made it. Perhaps now the time.

Gaye said...

I follow through emails and by logging into the blog.
My Emails go to a different address than this reply is connected with.

Patricia said...

I would make the Rainbow Around the Cabin! Then the table runner stepping stones.

Patricia said...

I follow your newsletter.

Unknown said...

I so need a thread catcher to save my thready floor. I'm a new follower and would love your book.
Sharon
ascummings21@gmail.com

Vicki H said...

I like the tool apron on the front cover.

Vicki H said...

I have been following with bloglovin.

Tamie said...

I'm not sure which one would be my first but I'm loving the tote on the cover.

Tamie said...

I follow Poppyprint on BL.

Anne said...

I'd probably make the tote on the cover first.

Anne said...

I follow in my reader The Old Reader

Dan R said...

Pick me!
I follow you on all media.
I need to make that thread catcher.

Colleen said...

I'd have to start with the crafter's apron. That looks pretty handy. Thanks for the giveaway!

Rachel said...

This book looks so fun!

Rachel said...

I'm an IG and Feedly follower :)

Arita said...

I've already made the large tote as a gift and plan on making a few more this year.

Arita said...

8 follow you've IG and your blog.

www.randomthoughtsdoordi.com said...

I'm flipping through the pages tonight trying to decide what to make to swap at Sewtopia Chicago. Congratulations, again

klstitches said...

I would start with the wonderful stepping stones table runner! Thanks for the opportunity!

Anita said...

Looks like a gorgeous book! The threadcatcher looks great, and would probably be my first choice.

Anita said...

I follow your blog.

verykerryberry said...

I think I would start with Amy's scissor keeper- spoilt for choice!

verykerryberry said...

Following on bloglovin/IG

Karen said...

Bag girl here so would have to make the bag on the front. Thanks for hosting this give away. Mrscummings2u at Gmail dot com

Sana Saroti said...

Congratulations on the book! I always wanted to know how to make the threadcatcher. So that would be my first project :-)

Sana Saroti said...

I follow you on bloglovin. Happy Easter to everyone!

Barb said...

I love the sewing machine mat, how clever and practical!
Nice book and give away.

Barb said...

I follow your blog.

Susan said...

Those tote bags on the front cover look fabulous! That's what I'd make! Thanks for the chance to win a copy! And congrats on your lovely compilation!

Jayne said...

What a fabulous book! I see several things I would love, love to make! Congratulations!

Elsa said...

I'd love to win a copy for a friend of mine ~ she keeps trying to borrow mine!
There are so many projects in the book I want to make ~ thought I'd just start at the beginning and go through the book!
Thanks so much for the giveaway and I look forward to the hop!

Patti said...

I'm anxious to make the totes but I'd also like to make the table runner!

Patti said...

I follow you by email!

LynneP said...

I think I would make the needle keeper first as I have many sets of DPN's rubber banded. Thanks for the chance to win your book!
jlpfeffer at gmail dot com

Heather J said...

The rainbow around the cabin would be a great project for using up my stash

Unknown said...

follow on bloglovin. I would make the threadcatcher and then....congrats on the book. dbstef@shaw.ca

Terry said...

What a fun book…I'd start by making those adorable totes on the front cover!!
cwayons(at)yahoo(dot)com

Terry said...

I follow you via Bloglovin'
cwayons(at)yahoo(dot)com

LethargicLass said...

being able to sell items made is awesome! It makes a book so much more worthwhile! Thank you to all of you!

Joy said...

I'd make a Rainbow 'Round the Cabin with an orphan block I've had hanging around here for several years. I've been wondering what to do with that block for a long time. Thanks for the fantastic giveaway!

Joy said...

I'm a longtime follower by email.

Andy Bee said...

I totally need a scissor cozy, so that would be my first project.
distantsub at gmail dot com

Audrey said...

Stepping Stones will be my first project. I appreciate your copyright attitude. I seldom sell my projects but am disappointed when copyright doesn't allow the option. Thanks for sharing and offering your giveaway.

Audrey said...

I follow Poppyprint. Is bloglovin.

ritasiav said...

I would make the stepping stones table runner

Sandie @ crazy'boutquilts said...

Oh I would make the bags first! Love them! Thanks for the chance!

Sandie @ crazy'boutquilts said...

I follow through blogger. :-)

DreiPunkteWerk said...

Your book is very interesting! I'm always looking for cool patchwork totes. The ghost quilting technique is very new to me!
The idea of working together is amazing! I'm curious about the blog hop!
Best regards,
Kathrin

DreiPunkteWerk said...

I follow you via bloglovin :-)

Linda said...

I would love to win this book. I need a thread catcher to take to my guild sew-in days so that is what I would make first.

Linda said...

I love your blog and I follow on BL

Susan Stanton said...

I love the tree of life on the cover and would love to make a lap quilt using that pattern!
yoyopattycakes at hotmail dot com

Alicia said...

Cute little tote on the front.

M-R Charbonneau said...

Fantastic! Congratulations, Krista! Such a great idea for a book and I can't wait to check it out. Definiteiy going to give that thread catcher a try! Thanks for the giveaway!

floribunda said...

My threadcatcher is pretty tired, so my first project would be a new one!

floribunda said...

I follow you on Bloglovin'