Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Spring Placemats and a GIVE-AWAY!! ~ Now CLOSED


I'm lucky enough to be taking part in SewCalGal's Spring Themed Blog Hop!  Follow the link to find the other blogs participating!  Yey! and I am so happy to offer you this place-mat tutorial.  I used 30's reproduction prints for my baskets and a white fabric for the background.  So nice and spring-like!  But, I also think these place-mats would look amazing in country fabrics or in bright fabrics on a black background.  I also thought that the baskets were very appropriate since Easter is coming up and these would look just amazing on the table Easter morning. 



This tutorial features the Accuquilt Go! Bountiful Baskets die by Alex Anderson.  This is such a great die for cutting this cut little basket block.  Because this block is copyrighted I can't give you the cutting directions here but don't worry!!  Alex Anderson gives a video tutorial on constructing this block that you can access here.  And, you can access the cutting instructions here if you don't have this amazing die!  If you want another Basket tutorial you can click on my Wednesday Blog Hop buddy Bits and Pieces because she did the baskets die as well.  Who would have thunk it LOL!

To compare and contrast the die cuts versus cutting by hand I cut one basket block completely according to Alex's directions and video and the rest with the Go!  I can honestly say that not only is cutting easier on the Go! but it is less wasteful!  I get that question all of the time - is the Go! wasteful?  Nope not at all for this block!  Alex's rotary cutting directions on the video ask you to start with 2 squares 5" x 7" and doing this wastes a lot of your feature fabric.  With the Go! Bountiful Baskets die you can just cut your squares and lay them on with very little waste.  I put the picture up of the cuts so that you could see how tight they are - yey!!  I don't like wasting fabric.  And with the price of fabric - here in Canada we pay about $16.00 a meter -  less wasted fabric is great! And, having those dog ears cut off makes the piecing sooo easy!

Ok - so now that you have all made your postage stamp baskets (you will need 4 for each place-mat) you will also need 2 squares 5" x 5" - if you have the 5" square die you can use that and cut two for each place-mat.  You will also need one rectangle 8.5" x 14.5" for each place-mat.  Using the picture at the top lay out your place-mats and sew them together using a 1/4" seam.

Layer your place-mats with batting and backing and quilt as desired.  Because I used some nice vintage fabrics I machine quilted them with a feather motif.  If you don't want to bind your place-mats you can also do the inside out method.  If you would like a tutorial on the inside out method I give one here.  I chose to bind my place-mats to give them a more vintage look and because I had that nice print that I love!  If you do choose to bind your place-mats you will need 2 strips, for each place-mat, 2' by the width of fabric.  Need a binding tutorial?  You can find one right here

Now for a give-away!  It's spring and I love that everything is coming back and is lovely so I am offering 10 die-cut Butterflies and Dragonflies (5 of each) that I featured back in this post.   I have already put Steam a Seam fusible webbing on the backs so all you need to do is peel, stick and stitch!  Sweet!

I'll send 5 whole dragonflies but 5 bodies separated from the butterfly bodies so you can mix and match.  (Ok UPDATE!  I'm sending you everything that you see in the above photo!  It's more than I originally said - and it includes an extra set of dragon fly wings that you can attach to one of the extra bodies.  I'm sending 9 bodies in total) You will absolutely love working with these little guys and they would look great on any quilt!

Ok here's the fine print!

For one chance to win you can comment on this post.  Tell me why you would love to win these little cuties or what you would make with them.

For a second chance to win, become a follower and leave another comment here for a second entry.  If you already follow my blog that's fine just leave a comment here telling me that you do.

For a third chance, blog about my giveaway and leave another comment here telling me where I can find your post!

For a fourth chance to win like me on Facebook and leave another comment here.  Again, if you already like me on Facebook just tell me so in a comment.

Every comment is your entry - 1 comment one entry ;-)


Please, please make sure your blogger is not set to no-reply!!!!  Please see a previous post here on how to make sure that you are not a no-reply blogger!  If a no-reply blogger is chosen then I will be forced to draw another name and I really don't want to do that!


 So what do you think?  Do you want to make some great basket place-mats?  I hope that you will enter my give-away to win some great die-cut critters!  And don't forget to visit the other bloggers!

We'll end the Give-Away Sunday so get entering and good luck!  The give-away is now closed ~ thank you so much for all who entered!




113 comments:

Lisa England said...

Love your blog! Those butterflies and dragonflies are fabulous! My stepmom is crazy over dragonflies so I make all kinds of things with dragonflies for her -- quilts, totes, placemats, etc. I'd love to have some die-cut dragonflies to use. The butterflies would likely go on a baby quilt. I made a twister baby quilt recently and added an applique butterfly for fun. The concept was cute, but I wasn't really happy with my butterfly -- my art is a little lacking. A die-cut butterfly would be just the thing!

Unknown said...

Wow! and worth waiting for!!!! I love the basket tutorial AND those butterflies are a MUST HAVE! I love butterflies and would use them on a baby quilt for my newest granddaughter's quilt...so sweet.

hugz

Unknown said...

I am now following you!

hugz
Pam

Unknown said...

...and I LIKED you on FACEBOOK!

hugzzzzz

beaquilter said...

I want to get the basket die AND the cute critter die, they are just adorable!
I do follow your blog as well

matate10 said...

Great post. Love those butterflies and dragonflies. I will make my sister and I matching bags hers with the butterflies and mine with the dragonflies. Thanks.

Teresa F. said...

Lovely butterflies. I wish I could win the Go Cutter so I could make such wonderful projects. I'm so jealous of Go cutter owners.

Teresa F. said...

I'm a follower of your lovely blog.

Melissa ;-) said...

What adorable placemats, though I could never make them in white for my sloppy crew!!! Thanks for the give away of the die cuts. Why would I like to win them? Because that is one die I haven't purchased yet and they would look great with some flowers (which die I do have!!)! Thanks for the tute and the give away chance!!

Melissa ;-) said...

I am already of follower!!

Melissa ;-) said...

I liked you on facebook, too!

edakid said...

Love the butterflies and dragonflies and would love to make the placemats with them....

edakid said...

I am a follower and love your blog...

edakid said...

I like you on facebook....

Jessica said...

These would be a perfect addition to the quilt I am making for my niece, with ladybugs and flowers :) That's why I want to win!

Jessica said...

I follow!

Kathy H said...

I haven't made any basket placemats or quilts yet and was holding off as they looked complicated. But with the basket die, it looks so much easier. The placemat is very cute, especially for Easter basket time.

Stray Stitches (Linda G) said...

If I were to be the lucky winner I would add the darling butterflies and dragonflies to a quilt that would be donated to Project Linus. Thanks for the opportunity to enter your giveaway.

susan said...

I knew it! I am so happy when I am right! You came up with such a great idea. I am going to two Easter dinners so those placemats will make a great hostess gift. Thanks again.

susan said...

I am already a follower of your blog

susan said...

I already like you on facebook. My fingers are crossed. I think I would make a table runner with the butterflies as I have some batiks from my guild challenge I am hoping to finish up this week.

Sandi P said...

I would love to win these cute little critters. I fell in love with them on your other post, but have no die-cutter to cut them with. I think I would make something springy for my table - placemats or a table runner.
I also think I got my ID fixed so I'm no longer a "no-reply". Thanks for the link.

Sandi P said...

I already follow you through my Google Reader. You are one of my favorites. Love nearly all your stuff.

Barb said...

What cute cute placemats...just love them.

I have a Go cutter and the dies so no need to add me to your awesoe giveaway...Thanks!!!

Unknown said...

Love the placemats. Don't have the die yet, but will check out the cutting directions.

Unknown said...

I am a follower--joined a few days ago.

Unknown said...

I have liked you on Facebook

Needled Mom said...

I love those little baskets and the quilting is beautiful.

Those butterflies would look great on a quilt or a tote.

bluebonnet said...

I am already a follower and check your blog about once a week....thanks for this cute pattern for Spring.

Terrie Sandelin said...

I'm your partner doing the blog hop today. I also did a tutorial using the Basket die I'm with you -- it's a great die to work with.

bluebonnet said...

I liked you on FB.

Sandi P said...

Almost forgot my 3rd chance - I already "like" you on FaceBook. Like I said earlier, you are one of my favorites. I don't blog, so no more chances in your generous drawing.

Connie Kresin Campbell said...

Love your blog, I am already a followers. Great giveaway!

Connie Kresin Campbell said...

Great giveaway! I would make a wall-hanging to go in my granddaughter's room with those cute butterflies as they are one of her favorites. Thanks!

Vicky P said...

Thanks so much for your tutorial. You answered some questions that I had about the accuquilt.
vlpeavler.quilt@gmail.com

Joanna said...

I'm not sure what I'd use the butterflies and dragonflies for but I could make placemats like the one you show.

Joanna said...

I'm a follower.

Ellsie320 said...

Butterflies are symbols of the Holy Spirit. It is perfect for this time of year. We all need a chance for a "do-over". Thanks for the Oppty.

Deb said...

Cute critters! I'd make a totebag for my niece's birthday later this month.

Deb said...

Follower!

Michele T said...

Hey! You are from Ontario too! I live in the boonies, north of Lake Superior!! I will definitely sign up to follow you! Oh and sweet giveaway!

Emma R. said...

Hi Katrina, I have been wanting to make a spring runner for my coffee table and these butterflies and dragonflies would be great!

Kim said...

Oh now how cute would those butterflies look on a baby quilt?

Thanks for a chance to win :0)

Happy sewing

Emma R. said...

I am already a follower of your blog and enjoy seeing what you're up to.

Emma R. said...

I also follow you on Facebook!

Robin (RsIslandCrafts) said...

Love the way you combined the dragonfly body with the butterfly.

Robin (RsIslandCrafts) said...

I'm a follower :)


p.s. I think those butterflies would look great on tote bags or little zipper pouches.

Robin (RsIslandCrafts) said...

I like you on facebook :)

BillieBee (billiemick) said...

Because they're just so cute....grin.

I do want to win.

Vroomans' Quilts said...

Oh, I would give these to my daughter to use - she makes the cutest baby quilts with machine appliques and would just love these.

SewCalGal said...

I love those placemats. What a great idea for this cute die too. Excellent. Also love all the tips you shared and fun giveaway too.

SewCalGal
www.sewcalgal.blogspot.com

Janet said...

Great placemats! I would use these little critters :) on mug rugs. Thanks for a chance to win.

Joyce said...

I would love to make quilts for my grands who love both the butterflies and also the dragonflies. I personally love butterflies and think they are the prettiest things..

Annieofbluegables said...

cute butterflies. I think I will put them on a baby blanket, beings that I have 16+1 (in the oven) grandchildren.
~a

arlette said...

Guess what?, I'm a big fan of butterflies, and I still don't have a butterfly applique, I also love baskets, thank you so much for the tutorial :)

arlette said...

I'm your follower, from a little while, yay!!!!

Michelle said...

Very cute placemats, wonderful idea for the table, love decorating with quilting all over the house. Nice tutorial.

Lee said...

My sister in law who is going through cancer treatments loves butterflies and dragonflies - so i would make her a quilt with them! She is a quilter too so she would love it even more!
thanks for the lovely giveaway.
butler83ataoldotcom

Lee said...

I am a new follower of your blog!
thank you again!
butler83ataoldotcom

Marcia W. said...

New grandniece or grandnephew is due this summer so these appliques would look great sprinkled around a baby quilt. Thanks for the explanation on basket blocks and the Spring projects. Please enter me into the giveaway too.

Beth said...

How generous of you! A new baby is being welcomed into our extended family this summer, and your butterflies and dragonflies would be so charming, dancing across a quilt for little Rose.

Thanks for the chance.

wordygirl at earthlink dot net

Linda said...

Those butterflies are to die for!! I'd applique them over some simple block.

Unknown said...

Oh I would love to win these and I would make my granddaughter a lovely quilt of rher first toddler bed. Thank you for this wonderful giveaway

Unknown said...

I am already a fan of yours on facebook

Stray Stitches (Linda G) said...

I included your giveaway in my blog today:
http://straystitches1.blogspot.com/2011/04/happiness-finish.html

fabricfrog said...

Thanks for this great contest....my wheels are turning already..just thinking of the great project I could make with the dragonflies and butterflies.....hmmmmmmm!!!!!!
April Hinton

Anonymous said...

I would love to win these cuties! They would make a great gift for my daughter who loves the 30's prints as much as you and I !

Laine from JustPlainLaine.com said...

Love your post! So well done. Don't you just love your Accuquilt :D

Unknown said...

lovely and inspirational blog you have.
Thanks for the chance of winning these gorgeous criters!
Gina
http://gina-catswhiskers.blogspot.com/

Linda said...
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Linda said...
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Linda said...
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Linda said...
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Anne said...

Wonderful giveaway! I would use the butterfly bodies on placemats. The dragonflies would embellish a spring-themed wall hanging for my mother-in-law!

Anne said...

I am a follower!

Anne said...

I also "liked" you on FB!

Jo said...

I follow your blog. Love your work! You are very talented!

Jo said...

I think the placemats are adorable! I have them on my 2 do list. I would really love to win the butterflies, I saw them in your other post, and was again moaning to DH about not having a GO cutter.

Linda said...

Test comment! Testing... 123...

Mommarock said...

Wouldn't these be completely cute as appliques on a baby bib? I think so.

Slovenka said...

LOOOOOVE your butterflies and dragonflies. They would end up in a cute baby quilt.

Slovenka said...

I am your follower. You have neat ideas how to combine Accuquilt and fabric. Thanks for the giveaway.

Donna G. said...

Love this project! The baskets look great and perect for Spring!

Donna G. said...

Like you on Facebook!

Donna G. said...

Hey! I'm a follower too!

rgaribay said...

Just found your site...looks like you have done and are doing some interesting stuff. The dragonflies and butterflies are super cute and would look great as parts of the border of a quilt!!!

free indeed said...

Love the beautiful colors of your giveaway 'bugs' :) I'd probably use the dragonflies on bibs, and the butterflies in a wallhanging...

Sundar Koyal said...

I would love to be able to use those dragonflies, for a couple of projects I am working on. One is for a special needs project. The recipient lovesssss dragonflies. And the second project I would use the dragon flies on a quilt I am trying to finish. That would be like the icing on the cake!

Sundar Koyal said...

I am now following your blog. Thanks to SewCalGirl's blog, it led me to you. Great blog by the way!

Sundar Koyal said...

Lolll, I just selected "LIKE" on your facebook page.

Linda said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Linda said...

I am a follower of your great blog!

Linda said...

I have shared this link on my fabook wall!

Linda said...

I have liked you on facebook also!

Linda said...

I would love to win the appliques, they would be so cute on a baby blanket I need to make for a grandbaby due later this year!

RobynLouise said...

I want to make a quilt for my 9yr old GD after I finish the ones for her siblings and these would look great on it. Thanks for making these a giveaway.

Gidget said...

These little bugs are adorable just like my little daughter...who we nicknamed bug! I would put them on a quilt for her or maybe a dress.
Thank you

Gidget said...

I also liked you wonderful facebook page!

Kathy S. said...

I follow your blog. Thanks for the great giveaways.

Kathy S. said...

I "like" you on Facebook too.

Kathy S. said...

My sister-in-law LOVES dragonflies. I would make a cute wall hanging for her for Christmas if I won this giveaway.

Valspierssews said...

At present I am mad keen on tablecloths and would use the butterflies and dragon flies around the border.

Valspierssews said...

I am now a follower.

Anonymous said...

Loved theuse of tghe Accuquilt cutting machine.
Mary Fioretti

Deanna S said...

Those are so cute! I could certainly find a place for them...

Deanna S said...

I'm a follower, and I'm certainly going two look into that machine!

Deanna S said...

I like you on facebook! I always look forward to seeing you pop up.

Kathleen C said...

Your butterflies and dragonflies are adorable; the dragonflies bring back memories of my daughter when she was afraid of them even though other bugs were ok. Why? Because the word 'dragon...' scared her. She's all grown up now; a patchwork quilt with butterflies and dragonflies on top of the patchwork would make her smile!
Thanks very much.

Kathleen C said...

I'm already a follower. Thanks!

Kathleen C said...

I've already Liked you on Facebook. Thanks for your blog and your giveaway.

Kim Reid said...

I'd love a chance to enter and use the butterflies and dragonflies for a quilt and tote bag!
Thanks :)
kimberlybreid at hotmail dot com

Kim Reid said...

I am a new follower - Thanks!
kimberlybreid at hotmail dot com

Kim Reid said...

I like you on FB - Thanks!
kimberlybreid at hotmail dot com

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