Posy Patrol Quilt Giveaway Winner

First, a hearty thank you to all of you that entered the contest to win the quilt.  So many of you sent more than one local quilt shop address to me with such kind and encouraging words about Imagine Quilts.  Thank you from the tips of my toes to the top of my head.  Bear hugs all around!

Picking a random winner was tricky because emails that came in didn't necessarily correspond to the comments left on the blog post.  Huh?  I mean, an email address isn't always easy to match up with an onscreen moniker.

But the random number generator chose Robin Gantt as the winner!  Congratulations Robin!  I'll be sending you an email shortly to get your shipping address.  Whoot!

Thanks again kind, kind people.  You rock my world.

-dana

Quilt Giveaway -- Enter Here!

Contest is now closed.  Winner announced in post dated 8/7/14.

Want to win this quilt?  It's from my book Imagine Quilts that was released this month and is the pattern featured on the cover called Posy Patrol.

I've said numerous times here that I'm generally not a pattern based quilter.  I usually have an idea for a quilt and then sketch, compute, calculate and scratch my forehead until I figure out how to make the idea in my head translate into a quilt. Both as a quilter and as a blogger the number one question I get asked time and time again is, "Where do you come up with ideas for your quilts?"  Imagine Quilts is my answer to that question and an open invitation to grab some graph paper and discover how your design process works.

I made it with the new fabric line from Alison Glass for Andover Fabrics called Field Day.

Alison describes Field Day as a collection of prints representing the growth of plants in their wild and natural settings.  The designs represent the beautiful and often unruly nature of growth and are perfect for my Posy Patrol pattern which was inspired by the daily walks my mom and I take around our yards each day to see what's blooming.  We affectionately call this walk our daily posy patrol.  The fabric and pattern seem like a match made in heaven if you ask me.

The quilt measures 50"x50" and is made with 100% cotton fabrics and batting.  It is machine washable and dryable and a perfect size to have on your lap.

And the quilting.  Can we just stop and pause and admire the work that Russ Adams of The Back Porch Quilters does for a moment?  Breathtaking.  I never tell him what design I want done on a quilt because in my opinion he is an artist and whatever decision he makes will only enhance, compliment and make my quilt sing in ways I didn't know possible.

So you wanna chance to win this quilt?  It's a two step process to enter.  First, send me an email at dana at oldredbarnco dot com with the name, address and contact info of a local quilt shop that you think should carry my book Imagine Quilts.  Do that in an email to me directly so that that info isn't broadcast here on my blog for the world to see.  Second, once you've done that, leave a comment here telling me where you get inspiration for your quilts.

International entries welcome.  The contest entry time will close on Wednesday, August 6, 2014 at midnight US EDST.  A winner will be chosen randomly and announced Thursday, August 7th.

And you should follow both Alison Glass (@alisonglass)  and I (@oldredbarnco) on Instagram because Alison will be giving away a bundle of Field Day fabric and I am giving away signed copies of Imagine Quilts.

Finally, I'd be tickled pink if you'd like to purchase a signed copy of my book.  In all honesty, it'll feel weird and make me all wide-eyed and blubbery.  You can click below if you fancy. It only calculates shipping for US customers but if you're international, let me know and I'll work with you to find the cheapest shipping option possible.  Big wet sloppy kisses.  From my pups.  Not me... cause that would be awkward.

Good luck on winning the quilt!

-dana

DISCLOSURE:  The addresses and contact information that you provide of your local quilt shops will be used by me to send a personalized postcard advertising my book.  I will share those addresses only with Alison Glass and she will use them to personally advertise her products.  This information will only be used for the stated purposes and not shared with any other third party.  If you mistakenly share the contact information in the comment section of my blog instead of sending it directly to me at dana at oldredbarco dot com, I will delete your comment so as to keep the information private.

Quilt Challenge Throwdown & Blogger's Quilt Festival Entry

 

When I dreamed this quilt up in my mind I used the photo and color palette below from Design Seeds as my inspiration.  Cool blues, whites and the warm pop of orange.  And of course the round float on the sea. 



 

I quilted it with loose loops and bound it in a pop of corally red. 

 

This quilt is my entry for both the Quilt Challenge Throwdown over on Flickr and for Amy's Blogger's Quilt Festival.

 

And I happen to love it.

 

-dana

Quilt Challenge Throwdown!

Visit Old Red Barn Co. Quilt Along on Flickr to join the challenge.  Here are the deets:

• GIST:
  Choose a color palette from any of the several color palette generators or websites with preselected color palettes meant for inspiration and then make a quilt that interprets that color palette. ALSO, provide a 40 - 60 word explanation as to how the quilt embodies that color palette.
  
  Don't have a clue what I'm talking about? Visit these sites to learn more about color palettes:
  
  design-seeds.com/
  www.colourlovers.com/
  
  Of course google "color palette" and you'll see lots more.
  
  RULES:
  1. Submit your quilt, color palette and brief explanation by October 31, 2012.
  2. Please submit a photo of your color palette right along with your quilt so that our judge can see the palette and determine how well your interpreted it into a quilt.
  3. There are three categories that you can enter: (a) mini quilt; (b) lap quilt or wall hanging; or (c) twin sized quilt or larger
  4. Guest judge will evaluate each category based on creativity and integration of color palette. Elaborateness or plain-ness is not a factor. It's really going to be based on the gut instinct of our guest judge. :)
  
  PRIZES:
  The winner in each category will receive a prize pack from www.oldredbarnco.com valued at $25. Also, the winner in each category will receive a custom digital "winners badge" to be displayed on their blog/Facebook/Twitter/Flickr accounts if desired.
  
  Have I forgotten anything?
  
  Yes I have!
  
  PROMOTE IT FOR ANOTHER CHANCE TO WIN:
  If you'd like to promote this throw down via whatever means you see fit, please do so! If you do promote it, send me an email at dana at oldredbarnco dot com with a link to your promotion and you will be entered for a chance at a random drawing for an additional prize pack from www.oldredbarnco.com. This "I helped promote the quilt challenge" prize will be valued at $50 and can be redeemed by you or your selected gift recipient.

Something tells me that our guest judge Jennifer from Ellison Lane Quilts is gonna have some tough decisions on her hand.

Ready. Set. Go!

-dana

Today I'm . . .

::excited::  to see the first snow of the season . . . in November no less.

::hopeful:: that it means we will have a snowy winter.

::smiling inside:: every time I see this blooming Christmas cactus plant. 

::smiling a little less:: when I think about pulling all the Christmas decorations out of the attic.

::bundling up::  cause I'm going to work on the school Christmas parade float.

::smiling even more than before:: cause I've used the word Christmas four times now.

::tickled:: over these winnings from WoollyPetals!

::finger wrestling:: the girls to get to keep the owl and zippered pouch for my own.

::annoyed:: that my dogs chew up dog toys deemed to be "indestructible."

::incredulous::  more people haven't left a comment trying to win this quilt over on Art Nest.

::grateful:: that Mom sent me home with turkey and ham so that I can make sandwiches tonight after working on the parade float all day.

-dana

Letter from American Red Cross Regarding Tornado Relief

Back in May you all so generously donated your money towards the tornado relief effort in Joplin, MO.  I finally received the acknowledgement letter from American Red Cross and, as promised, am sharing it here.

The letter says in part:

Your gift of $3,500.00 on 6/10/2011 to the Joplin Tornado Relief has helped and will continue to help the Red Cross assist those in need following this destructive tornado.  As of July 29, we have served over 449,000 meals and snacks, sheltered 3,450 people, supplied 205,799 bulk items including cleanup and comfort kits and provided health services to over 5,835 in addition to mental health support to 6,778.

We helped do that.  Together.

And although my husband's family was unharmed, this small act from each of us when grouped collectively together, touched them deeply.

Thank you friends. 
-dana

You all donated $3,496.00 to the American Red Cross

$3,496.00.

That is a bunch of money.

Going directly to American Red Cross for tornado victims.



Dear You,
As I contemplated a quilt giveaway for a donation to American Red Cross, I never imagined the response would be so great.  So generous.  So heart felt.  Having gone to high school and college in Missouri I figured that I'd get some donations from fellow school alumni that, much like myself, have since moved away and felt sickened and helpless in light of the destruction in Joplin and elsewhere.  And of course I knew that my family members would step up considering that they know and love my husband and his family and would want to do anything they could do to help as well.  What I didn't bank on was the out pouring of words, stories and generous donations from across our country and to distant shores.

A little less than a week ago I pushed a button on my computer keyboard that published my idea to the world. And within ten minutes I had tears streaming down my cheeks as my computer dinged an alert over and over again letting me know that I had a new email.  A new email notifying me of a donation.  A new email with words saying things like, "I've wanted to help and didn't know how until now."

Your generosity has left me quiet.  And filled up inside.

I'd like to say thank you for supporting my idea but I know that what you've done is far bigger than that. You've seen people hurting and you've helped.  You've thought about what it means for their lives and you've helped.  You've imagined what it would be like if it had happened in your town.  And you've helped.

Thank you for the bottom of my heart.

-dana



Now onto some business.

First of all, after several calls to American Red Cross, I'm getting the donation money transferred so that I can write a check directly to the organization and send to the local chapter that serves Joplin.  That way I can post the receipt here and give you peace of mind that your donation went exactly where I said it would.  It may be a week or more before I get written acknowledgment to show you but I will be patient and hope that you will be too.  Rest assured that I'll post evidence here soon.

Secondly, I asked random number generator to pick one number between 1 and 3,496 to determine the winner of the quilt.

Number 1320 belongs to Jennifer from Morris Plains, NJ.  I'll be emailing you and letting you know it is you.

Again, thank you.

Blog readers ROCK!

-dana

***UPDATED*** Every little thing . . . for Joplin, MO

Charlie Riedel/AP Photo

Joplin sits in the far southwestern tip of Missouri.  My husband grew up in Joplin.  His mother, father, sister, brother-in-law, two nieces and many of his extended family live in and around Joplin.  From birth until he left for college he lived in the same house, on the same street in Joplin.  That neighborhood is destroyed.  As is his high school.  And nearly every bit of his old childhood stomping ground.

Luckily his family is unharmed and their homes were untouched.

I wish this were true for so many others.

So.

I'm going to give away this quilt to my blog readers.  But unlike other quilt giveaways I've done here, you don't need to leave a comment or make a silly video.  Instead, for every dollar you donate using the button below you will get one chance at winning the quilt.

100% of the donations will be given directly to The American Red Cross that is so faithfully providing food, shelter and emotional support in Missouri, Minnesota and other parts of the Midwest struck by horrendous tornadoes this spring.

I'm hoping together we can raise a small sum to donate.  Cause every little bit helps.

The only way I know to accurately keep track of entries is to have you click the donate button below which will send your donation to my Old Red Barn Co. PayPal account.  At the conclusion of the giveaway, I will then forward 100% of all donations received to the American Red Cross.


********   DONATIONS VIA HERE FOR QUILT ENTRY NOW CLOSED! YOU ALL SO GENEROUSLY DONATED $3496.00 THAT WILL GO DIRECTLY TO THE AMERICAN RED CROSS FOR TORNADO RELIEF!! I WILL GET A RECEIPT AND POST IT SOON TO PROVE THAT YOUR DONATIONS WENT EXACTLY WHERE IS SAID THEY WOULD! *****

THERE ARE STILL MANY WAYS TO HELP.  PLEASE SEE THE LIST BELOW FOR SUGGESTIONS.



And if that makes you nervous, cause you don't know me from Adam and you think I might be scamming you please consider other ways you can help.  Here are a few suggestions:



 To make a donation to the American Red Cross' Disaster Relief, visit its online donation page. Once there you can enter the zip code for Joplin, 64801, to make sure that the money will be directed to their local Joplin chapter.
You can also call 1-800-RED-CROSS or text "REDCROSS" to 90999 to make a $10 donation. Contributions may also be sent to your local Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, D.C. 20013. 
  World Vision teams are heading to Joplin, Mo., and northern Minneapolis, Minn., to assess the tornado damage. World Vision focuses on aiding children and is providing hygiene kits, cleaning supplies and other relief and building items.
To donate $10, text the word "TORNADO" to 20222 or call 888-56-CHILD.
To donate to the United Way, call 417-624-0153.
The Salvation Army's emergency disaster services teams are helping to feed residents and first responders in Joplin; Reading, Kan.; and parts of Minnesota affected by the storms.
To donate to the The Salvation Army's efforts, visit www.salvationarmyusa.org and click on the donation page.
You can call 1-800-SAL-ARMY and donors can text "JOPLIN" to 80888 to make a $10 donation. And you can mail a donation to Joplin Tornado Relief, The Salvation Army, 3637 Broadway, Kansas City, Mo. 64111
To Help and Find Relatives
The American Red Cross' Safe and Well website helps friends and family connect with those in devastated areas.
On Facebook, several pages have been created to assist concerned relatives in finding loved ones and getting information on how to help: Help Joplin and Joplin, Mo., Tornado Recovery.
Missouri residents with medical skills who want to help, can go to ShowMeResponse.org.



Every little bit helps and I'm hoping to raise $250 to send on to the American Red Cross.  That would mean you'd have a 1 in 250 chance at winning the quilt.

Usually I now tell you how long the giveaway contest will run and who's eligible and yada, yada, yada.  Anyone who donates is eligible.  I'll run the contest at least until my goal is reached. 

Thank you from the bottom of my heart.


****UPDATE**** Friday, May 27, 2011 10:45am.  Right now the donation total is $3271.  I'm so amazed and grateful.   And, actually, kind of speechless.  I'll keep this giveaway open until the donations start to drop off -- probably sometime over the weekend.  I'm posting updates and there is some discussion over on facebook if you want to keep up with how we are doing.  Thank you so very, very much.

-dana

Quilt Winner!

Wow!  There were 496 comments according to Blogger.  Plus the likers on Facebook and tweeps on Twitter all automatically earning five extra entries.  Add all that together and you have very hard math.  Have I ever mentioned I don't like math?  It is a good thing that my husband, Razor, has a math-ish brain and helps me figure out how to calculate the extra entries and how to and where to add them so that each person gets their fair shake. 

And while I'm on that I should totally market that skill of his. 

Anywho . . .

Mr. Random Number Generator was a little sneaky and picked an integer less than 100 so all of that extra headache causing math figurings was for nothing.  But, alas, it is a random draw.

Drum roll please.

Number 38 belongs to Dena!

I'm thrilled to kind of "know" Dena in the sense that you really can know someone that you've never met before.  I know Dena in the sense that she is a quilt alonger with us over on Flickr.  And I know Dena in that I've visited her blog before.  So, when I saw the name Dena I had a small flutter in the pit of my stomach hoping that it was the same Dena.  And it was.  It is. 

So send me your address by email at danaboly (at) g mail (dot) com and I'll get that quilt boxed up and on it's way to you!  After I finish binding it that is.

Thanks to everyone for entering.  And on Facebook, Twitter and Flickr. 

Sure is fun for me.

Happy Holidays!

-dana
          

Quilt giveaway

Time is up!  Comments now closed.  Winner to be announced shortly!

I'm giving away this quilt.  Because it is Christmas and I haven't given one away in awhile.

We waited a few days to try to take photographs outside but between snow, ice and now rain we just haven't been able to.  So instead you get these less than perfect indoor shots.

The quilting is done by The Back Porch Quilters who are offering special shipping just for you in January.  For any quilt full sized or larger, pay only $5 shipping.  For the month of January only.  Full sized quilt or up.  $5 shipping per quilt.  Yippee!

So, icky weather indoor photography means it's slumped over a chair and has that weird hump in the middle.  I think you get the idea of what the back looks like though.  And that swirly quilting?  ::swoon::

I haven't bound it yet but rest assured that it will be bound and washed before I ship it to it's new owner.

I pinkie promise.

How to win?

Leave a comment to this post by Wednesday, December 22, 2010 by 6pm US EST.  One comment per person.  International entries welcome.  Winner will be selected by random draw and announced Wednesday evening.   Oh, and one more thing.  All my Facebook peeps and Twitter tweeps automatically get five extra entries.  (Cause the peeps and tweeps are there to answer my deep philosophical questions that plague me late in the night.  When I'm scared and all alone.  For helping me with important things like fabric choices and recipe selections, I think those folks deserve extra chances.  It makes this big scary world seem like a safer place.  And it is the right thing to do by golly.)

Good luck.

-dana

Quilt & Fabric Winners

Comment number 226 wins the fabric bundle from Fabric Shoppe . . . congratulations  Andi!!

 

Comment 171 wins the quilt from me. . . congratulations Elissa!!  

In the interest of full disclosure, I was very excited to see both Andi and Elissa's names as I was counting down . . . and eliminating accidental repeat comments, etc  . . . because although I don't know either lady in real life, I have come to know them both a bit by interacting with them via blog land.

Coincidence?  That each of the winners are people that I recognize from blog land?  I dare say I recognized nearly all of the names as I counted down to numbers 226 and 171.

I am pleased that the fabric and quilt are going to friends.  Because you see no matter who the random integer generator picked, be it number 1 or number 449, the fabric and quilt would be going to friends.

For really, that is what this is all about for me.  Giving something  back to those people . . .  YOU PEOPLE . . . that  give me so much by way of inspiration, encouragement and friendship on a daily basis.

Thank you.

And goodnight.

-dana

It's been awhile since I've given a quilt away

TIME'S UP.  WINNER TO BE ANNOUNCED NEXT POST ASAP

And I reckon it is high time I did something about that.

I'm not one to name quilts. 

But this one immediately looked like a fenced berry patch to me.  And I've been calling it that ever since.

Even cutie pie with the pink shoes calls it the berry patch quilt.

It even has bees pollinating the flowers.

This lap quilt measures 38"x46" and is made with 100% cotton.  Machine washable and dryable.

Leave a comment here before 6:00 pm US EDST  on Thursday, July 29, 2010.  As always, international entries welcome.  Only one comment per person counts. 

And . . .

Fabric Shoppe will also give away one of these killer Kona Cotton designer solid fabric by Robert Kaufman basic bundles.  To a second lucky winner.

One winner wins the quilt.  A separate winner wins the fabric.  Both by random draw on Thursday, July 29, 2010 after the deadline and announced soon thereafter.

And, I will be giving away some other stuff over on facebook too.  Check it out.

-dana