Eventide Update . . . .

Carol, at This and That, who participated in the Eventide sew along and finished her flimsy by the deadline, has now quilted her project. ( For those of you new to my blog, the pattern Eventide was designed by Carrie Nelson for Miss Rosie's Quilt Co, click here to see the more finished projects from the sew along)

Carol's fabric choice was Wiscasset by Minick & Simpson for Moda. I did not buy any of this fabric, definitely a mistake on my part, because I think it makes a stunning Eventide and would look great in some other patterns too.

I love pictures of quilts taken outdoors, I've never attempted it, there's nothing interesting in my yard, like a fence or bench, and Cooper tends to keep our yard a mess.

Here's closeup , great job on the quilting Carol, plus a good shot of that great fabric.

If anyone else out there has finished their Eventide be sure to share it with the group, send me an email with pictures or a link to your blog!

I've finished my next Evening Bloom block, be sure to stop by tomorrow for a peek, it's the center block and has a little different look, but I love it.

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More Eventide . . . .

How about a little more Eventide . . .

I'm still getting updates from folks who participated in the Eventide Sew Along. I'm always excited to hear from my fellow Eventide participants and thought you would probably enjoy hearing from them too.

Eventide was designed by Carrie Nelson for Miss Rosie's Quilt Company.

Gayle finished her Eventide in time for the parade

but now it's all quilted.

Here's a nice shot of the back of Gayle's Eventide.

Gayle went with an overall quilting pattern and used leftover blocks to create those extra rows, which I think look great. It gives her a little something extra when she turns back the quilt.

Gayle also "borderized" her Eventide by adding an extra row of rectangles to the top and bottom, to make it a little longer.

Gayle your finished Eventide is amazing, Congratulations!

Gayle enjoyed having a deadline and sewing along with her Eventide sisters and said, "I would not have made this quilt if it weren't for your sew along". Well Gayle that quilt is lovely, I'm so happy you joined the sew along, we enjoyed watching your progress.

Gayle has an extra Eventide pattern up for grabs, the first person to claim it gets it! (Lesly has grabbed it!)

Our next finish is from Carol . . . Carol had a little trouble getting her pattern (lesson learned, before the next sew along I'll make sure ample patterns are readily available) then had a few other projects bump Eventide from her To Do list,

First she had to make a baby boy quilt for a friend,

so she went with this adorable brown and blue elephant pattern, that's one lucky baby boy!

Then it was Easter,

time to make this adorable Easter basket for her Granddaughter.

Finally Carol was able to get moving on her Eventide.

Carol used Aster Manor by 3 Sister for Moda for her Eventide. We had several 3 Sisters Eventides, but I think this was the only Aster Manor.

I like it, it has a fresh summery feel to it. For some reason it reminds me of strawberry ice cream and yellow buttery sugar cookies, strawberry ice cream in the middle of two buttery sugar cookies, a sugar cookie strawberry ice cream sandwich, yes that's what it looks like to me.

My Eventide is back from the quilter's too, I'll post pictures of it on Monday. I wouldn't want you to suffer Eventide overload.

I'm very thankful that my husband and I both get to share Father's Day with our fathers and that they live close enough for us to visit.

Happy Father's Day to all the Dad's out there.

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One More Finish . . . .

We have another Eventide finish!

This beauty was made by Sharrieboberry at Needles Zing.

Sharrie! Congratulations on sticking with it, I think it was worth the wait!

Sherrie is thinking of changing the name from Eventide to Eastertide, given her choice of colors and the timing of her finish, it sounds like a great name to me.

I've just put the final seam in all the mug rugs I promised anyone who finished their Eventide. I'll be checking to see if I have all the correct addresses tomorrow, they should be in the mail on Friday.

Today is Lisa -Stashmaster's Fat Quarter Winners book tour day, she has a tutorial for your enjoyment.

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Just a Little More Eventide . . .

Thanks so much for all the wonderful comments for our Eventide Sew Along Parade!

I agree, they all are winners!

I was finally able to download a decent picture of Carol's Eventide . . .

Doesn't that make a difference! What a beauty, thanks for being so patient and understanding Carol!

I also posted Sinta's Eventide before it was totally pieced. Here's her finished Eventide.

I never could figure out how to swap the picture in my blog with this one.

Sinta has named her finished Eventide her "Dear John Quilt", check out Sinta's blog for her Dear Eventide letter. Sinta, I think you'll fall back in love with this quilt at some point, maybe not today, or tomorrow, but for sure, one of these days you'll be so happy to have this big lovely Fig Tree quilt on your bed, I just know it.

I learned so much hosting my first sew along. Next time I will give folks more time to work a sew along into their schedule, a little more time to prepare and finish what is currently on their sewing table before the official start date. I'll also make sure adequate patterns are available before the official start date. As a whole, I think things went pretty well.

I will host another sew along and am currently mulling over some ideas. One idea is to go at a slower pace, to give new quilters and busy quilters time to easily participate. Maybe have monthly goals over a 6 month period. Another idea I'm trying to figure out is a sew along where we all use the same fabric but chose our own patterns. I'm having a hard time figuring out how I could get a group to not only agree on a family of fabric, but to go out and buy it. Stay tuned for updates.

Now for our Sew Along Winners -

Gretchen - Stella Bella Quilts, you are the winner of the $50 Gift Certificate from the Fat Quarter Shop - donated by Kimberly

Carol - This and That, you are the winner of a prize donated by Carrie Nelson.

Thanks to both of our very generous prize sponsors!

I'm working on the mug rugs I promised each finisher at the start of the sew along, I hope to get them in the mail next week.

Now that I've wrapped up the sew along, I wonder what to do with all my spare time, maybe some Evening Bloom and a new quilt or two, for sure I'll be back to reading my favorite blogs, checking out the new ones from folks who followed the sew along, and getting caught up on my comments!

Today is Lisa's Fat Quarter Winners Book Tour day, go check out Pinochle, you'll love it!!

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Eventide Parade . . . .

It's Tuesday, and you know what that means . . . it's Eventide Parade Day!!

WOO HOO!!

It came right down to the last minute for some folks but I am thrilled with the number of sew along participants who were able, or almost able, to finish their Eventide for today's parade!!

First Up

the quilt that started it all, the original Eventide by

Carrie Nelson for Miss Rosie's Quilt Company.

Carrie, thanks so much for the inspiration and wonderful pattern.

This Eventide looks more like a Schnibble.....

Sorry Carol, I just could not get your beautiful Eventide, made with Wiscasset by Minick and Simpson any larger in my photo software. I'll try to steal a better one from your blog when you post one! This is a beautiful quilt, this photo does not do it justice.

Sinta - Pink Pincushion, had several variations of her Fig Tree Eventide before settling with the dark brown fabric for the large star points.

Here's Sharrie's, Needles Zing , almost done Eventide. Sharrie pulled pastels from her stash to get this fresh and springlike look. Sharrie said she ran out of steam and thread late last night. Thats OK, we're an equal opportunity parade.

Gretchen, Stella Bella Quilts, finished her Eventide last week but storms in Georgia almost prevented her from getting her finished picture to me, but we made it. And I'm so glad we did, Gretchen, your Fig Tree Eventide is wonderful. I think your Eventide also feels like spring with all your light greens and yellows.

Mary Lou, at Cheaper Than Therapy Quilting, has everything done but the border. And Mary Lou, no one's going to notice you sewed that one block sideways,

really! ; )) It looks great!

Be sure to send another picture when you get your border on.

Here's Lisa the Stashmaster's Luna Notte Eventide. Lisa finished days ago and just kept waiting for a sunny day to take her picture, but she lives in Seattle, so she finally had to take the picture indoors. At least she found a nice bright spot in her house. Great job Lisa!

Marianne was the last person to join the sew along, just three weeks ago, and finished her Eventide made with Garden Party yesterday, at 2:09 pm.....another great job! This was Marianne's first online sew along. Thanks for giving it a try Marianne, I hope it's not your last!!

Paula's Luna Notte Eventide looks as pretty at the pattern cover quilt. Paula, it wasn't an easy finish, but it sure is a beautiful one.

Here's our only Christmas themed quilt. Judith selected Roses de Noel for her fabric and went looking for a different name, Sinta, also in our sew along, suggested Winter's Eve. Great job, great name! Judith was our Netherlands sew along participant, her blog, Smokey From the Netherlands is mainly written in Dutch.

Here's Nicole's final Eventide. I say final because this project had several different looks before it got to this point. Nicole, your eye for color really came through for you on this project, your subtle background colors make this a beautifully quiet quilt.

Here's Beatrice's Eventide, she used Collection for a Cause - Heritage by Howard Marcus for Moda. Beatrice's solid outer border and her differing large star colors gives her project a great and different look. Beatrice gave our sew along a French flair, I have no idea what she said about our sew along and her project on her blog, but it sure sounded great!

Here's Deb's Eventide made from Jo Morton fabrics. Of course I think the red inner border is the perfect touch, but I also really like punch of color in the Ohio Stars against the light larger star points. Deb said, " It's been a pleasure working with you and the other gals the last 6 - 8 weeks to complete Eventide. I've had a really good time, and with the pressure of getting it done by a set time, I actually was able to complete one timely!" Thanks Deb, it's been a pleasure hearing from you each week.

Here is Sue's Luna Notte Eventide, Sue was the first sew along participant to finish, almost a month ago! Sue liked her quilt just like this and decided not to add the outer border of rectangles. I agree Sue, this quilt does look finished without that outer border. Sue's blog is Cozy Little Quilts.

Peggy, I love your Eventide made from Gatherings and I love your setting for your picture. What a perfect background for this quilt. Peggy said "I really love how it turned out. The larger stars are darker than in Carrie's sample, but I like that." Peggy, you weren't the only one who went with darker star, I think it looks great.

Here's Gayle's finished Eventide. Gayle used an assortment of darks blues, olive greens and khakis for the main portion of her quilt and went with two reds for the inner border, all from her stash. Gayle said," the quilt went together quickly and quite easily". Great Job Gayle!

And finally, my Eventide which I have named "Dancing with the Devil in the Pale Moonlight"

Once I make sure I've not left out any finishes, we'll have the drawing for a $50 gift certificate from the Fat Quarter Shop

and for a prize donated by Carrie Nelson.

If you're working on Eventide but didn't quite make the finish date, be sure to drop me a line when you blog about your finish or a picture if you don't have a blog. I want to see every finished project, regardless of when that finish may be!

If I missed getting your finished project in the parade, I'm so sorry, send me a note and I'll get your quilt added to the parade.

My heartfelt thanks to all for making my first sew along such a success, to the folks who participated in the sew along and the folks who followed our progress every week, every step of the way. I had the best time, I hope you did too!!

PS Don't forget to check out Monique's blog for her first Fat Quarter Winners Book Tour post, my first book tour day is tomorrow!!

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Back Home . . . .

Lifetime Quilt # 60 is home from the quilter!

Welcome Home A Mazing Abundance! My quilter thought a simple all over design with plenty of curves is what this quilt with all its straight lines needed, I have to agree.

The fabric I used was Simple Abundance by Bonnie and Camille for Moda and my favorite fabric from that whole line is on the back.

Perfect timing, I was ready for a change in my bedroom.

The pattern for this quilt is Ashcombe by Carrie Nelson for Miss Rosie's Quilt Company.

It's hard to tell in these pictures, but the background fabric is a green on cream print that is perfect for this time of year, when things are starting just to turn green around my yard.

This quilt is still such a surprise for me, I just love it, unexpectedly so, and I can't even tell you why!! There's just something about that fabric married with that pattern, sometimes it's just as simple as that.

All I need now is a big square pillow made from the scraps that I saved from this project right in the middle of those two red shams! Maybe I'll get to that next week, stay tuned for an update!

Tomorrow's Tuesday, Eventide Tuesday, and not just any Eventide Tuesday, it's the big reveal, all the finished Eventides will be parading across my blog, don't miss it!

If you're a Eventide Sew Along finisher, make sure you send me a picture or link to your blog of your finished quilt if you've not already done so, THANKS!

Julie I'm Keeping Busy in WA won this Schnibbles Bag O'Goodies from last week's Eventide post. Congratulations Julie, and thanks for following the Eventide Sew Along!

I've been asked to do a book tour for Monique Dillard's new book Fat Quarter Winners. I was happy to agree to do the book tour for several reasons; first because I met Monique last fall and found her to be a delightful person and talented quilter, also, it's Monique first book and I am just so proud and happy for her that I want to shout it from the rooftops, but only a few squirrels and deer would hear me, so I figured my blog would be a more constructive way to get the word out, and and finally, I love the book, it's fresh and fun.

So here's how it's going work, me and a few other bloggers have selected a pattern from the book and plan to dedicate one day each week the month of April blogging about our quilt. We also plan to blog about Monique's book, throw in a tutorial, add a giveaway, Bob's Your Uncle and we have a book tour. Mondays are Nicole's at Sister Choice days to blog. So pop on over to Nicole's blog and read her first official post for the Fat Quarter Winners Book Tour!

See ya right back here tomorrow for the Parade, the forecast is for a perfect day!

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It's Tuesday . . .

and you know what that means, it's Eventide Update Day!

But first, I got a note from a fellow quilter who attended the Red and White quilt show yesterday! She said it was amazing and gave her goosebumps! I got goosebumps just reading about her goosebumps! More importantly, there IS going to be a show book available, however it won't be published until next year. There's been some confusion over this, what great news, count me in!

Wow, can you believe it has been around 8 weeks since I came up with this little idea to see if anyone out there in Blogland wanted to sew along with me while I worked on Eventide? I am still amazed and humbled by the response I received. I was looking for one Eventide sew along buddy and I got dozens.

I live a small life in a small town. I am the only member of my family, extended or otherwise, who quilts. If I wanted to participate in some of the sewing activities held in local quilt shops, I would need to drive at least an hour, one way. Through my blog I have been exposed to so many wonderful and giving bloggers, folks who freely share their expertise, tips, and humor. I am no longer a lonely quilter. I appreciate every friendship I have made.

I selected Eventide for a sew along because I saw the quilt that was used for the pattern cover while attending a Carrie Nelson class, I thought it was lovely, and thought if some other folks thought so too, we might as well have some fun and sew along together. I am so glad I invited others to join me. Imagine my amazement when not only did folks sign up to sew along, but that fellow quilters as far away as the Netherlands and France joined in, it has turned into a real international affair. I've also enjoyed giving quilters without blogs the opportunity to "talk" and share their Eventide adventures through my blog.

I am not an employee of Carrie Nelson or Miss Rosie's Quilt Company. Quilting is my hobby, my passion, not my job. I'm just a simple quilter who wanted to make a quilt and who went looking for a few sew along friends and struck the jackpot. I think this has been one of the most fulfilling events I've undertaken as a blogger and quilter. And when it's all said and done, quilters all over this world will have a beautiful Eventide quilt and hopefully fond memories of making that quilt with others. I could not ask for more.

Now, for the updates. . . .

I promised Anita I would show her progress on today's update post first. Her picture got lost in my in-basket, and after a couple of weeks of no update on my Eventide Update posts, she sent me a very nice note.

Anita is using Rural Jardin by French General for Moda and I think it's going to be stunning. Thanks for your patience Anita, I'm thrilled you've joined the sew along and look forward to seeing your finished project!

Gayle followed Carrie's lead and went with two reds for her inner border.

I love it, but then they are red!

Gayle's all done,

here's a sneak peek of her Eventide.

I heard from Leona, she's still working on her Eventide, but no pictures, yet.

Peggy has finished her Eventide using Gatherings,

here's another sneak peek to hold you over until next week's parade!

Marianne is continuing to work on her Eventide using Garden Party by Blackbird Designs and made a lot of progress in one week.

Marianne says, "At first I wasn't gong to participate in the sew along, but after seeing all the other projects as they progressed I decided to join in the fun. I've never made a bed size quilt in less than a month's time, but I'm going to spend every spare minute I have to try and finish this quilt in time for the parade".

Marianne, your Eventide is a stunner, I hope to see your Eventide finished and in the parade!

These are the Ohio Star blocks that did not make it into my finished Eventide.

I really liked the block with the blue points, but I thought it was a distraction, my eyes were continually drawn to it, but that may have just been me. When it was in my quilt, someone left a comment saying it looked like a little blue wink in my quilt, which I thought was a cute description, but I still pulled it!

The stripes in the bottom row center block just didn't fit in with the rest of the fabrics that I used.

The other blocks were either too muted or too bold, I just didn't think they fit in. I liked them when I made them but it wasn't until I had all the blocks on my design wall that I realized they were not good fits.

We have a new addition to our sew along group, Melissa couldn't sit on the sidelines any longer, especially when an Eventide Pattern jumped in her shopping basket all on its own! Melissa has chosen Rural Jardin by French General for Moda. Even though Melissa got a late start, her design wall is filling up with blocks.

Bea's finished her Eventide and blogged about it today. She went with one outer border fabric instead of the scrappy rectangles called for in the pattern and I like how it really frames her work. Great Job Bea!

Carol's done, congratulations Carol! No pictures yet, look for her Eventide in the parade.

Gretchen's Eventide is done, check it out! Congratulations and thanks for the sneak peek Gretchen, I look forward to seeing it all next week. I agree, Fig Tree and Eventide are a great match.

Lisa promised to have an Eventide update today too, I've not seen her progress but she's using Luna Notte, how could it not be wonderful.

Mary Lou continues to make progress on her Eventide along with a host of other lovely finishes. She's thinking about maybe making some changes but I think it looks great already.

All Nicole has left for her Eventide finish are the borders!

Paula's finished her Eventide and has several very touching posts of how working on this project brought her comfort as she dealt with the loss of her sister. Paula, I'm so sorry for your loss, your project is lovely and could not have a more perfect name.

Sharrie's still auditioning fabric for her Eventide, personally, I think once you're happy with your fabric choices, this project is a breeze. Hang in there Sharrie, you'll get it to your liking!

Sinta "got crackin" on her Fig Tree Eventide and has new pictures of her progress.

I think that's it for the updates, be sure to drop me an email if I missed yours! I want to make sure no one gets left out!

And now for a few winners . . . Jen - Miss Punkie Pie . . .

you're last week's comment winner. Send me your address so I can send you this lovely little bundle of Charlevoix by Minick and Simpson for Moda.

This week's sew along winner is Peggy ,

send me your address and these two charm packs of Maison de Garance along Carrie Nelson's latest and greatest Schnibbles patterns (yes, all 6 of them) will be heading your way in this cute little Schibbles project bag.

Would you like to win this Schnibbles bag o'goodies,

just leave a comment on this post by midnight, CST, Wednesday, March 30, 2011 to be eligible to win.

Housekeeping - Next Tuesday, April 5th will be the Eventide Parade. All finished projects will be pictured on my blog with links back to your blog if you have one. Send me an email with your finished Eventide pictures if you don't have a blog. If you do have a blog, let me know that you've finished if you've not already done so. All sew along participants who have a finished Eventide in the parade will be eligible to win one of two prizes, a $50 gift certificate from the Fat Quarter Shop (thanks Kimberly!) or a prize from Carrie Nelson (Thanks Carrie!)

Krystena, Gayle will send you her extra Eventide pattern but I don't have a way to contact you, could you please send me an email with your address?

Whew, I'm all talked out...thanks for stopping by!

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