Too good not to mention

Um. Have you seen this giveaway?  

Bernina has given Fat Quarter Shop a “Hello Lovely” Cotton + Steel B350SE sewing machine to give away. The sewing machine has a MSRP of $1,899!  The giveaway runs through Tuesday, July 25, and the winner will be announced the following day. You can enter by clicking >>>HERE<<< . 

Yowza! That's a good one!

-dana

Giving away fabric over on Instagram!

I got some happy mail and want you to as well! The bundle of fabric that I curated for Fat Quarter Shop arrived and they have generously donated a bundle for me to give away too. Head over to my Instagram page and see how easy it is to enter for your chance to win!

Contest ends tomorrow, Wednesday, April 20th so hop to it!

Happy Spring!

-dana

Winner, winner chicken dinner!

Thanks for all the entries into the contest to win the Tokyo Fat Quarter Bundle from Fat Quarter Shop. The smirky cows mooed twelve times as I approached to ask them to choose a winner. Comment number twelve belongs to Megan.  Shoot me an email with your mailing address Megan.

It seems like an overwhelming majority of you are inspired by the colors of autumn this time of year. Me too!

Happy Tuesday.
-dana

Sale, winner & other housekeeping

I finally got around to getting signed copies of my book, Imagine Quilts, readily available for sale. You'll notice the new button in the sidebar on the right.  Click the button and buy a book.  If you want.  I'm not a pushy sales person.  At least I hope that's not how I come across.

Second, the winner of the Jolly Bar from Fat Quarter Shop is number 171 which is Laney. Congratulations Laney! Shoot me an email and I'll get your winnings on their way to you.

Happy Monday all around!
-dana

Have you seen the new Jolly Bar precut at Fat Quarter Shop?

You guys! Have you seen the new precut offered exclusively by Fat Quarter Shop?  Jolly Bars are precut from Moda Fabric collections and contain 5"x10" cuts of fabric from an entire line.  And, each Jolly Bar comes with an exclusive Fat Quarter Shop coordinating pattern.  

I've been a Fat Quarter Shop fan for years . . .  that's why I've always included a clickable link to their shop right in the side bar of my blog.  And when they asked if I'd like to play around with a Lakeside Gatherings Jolly Bar I obviously said yes.

Precuts by their very nature offer ease and convenience to a modern quilter because a portion (or all) of a fabric needed to make a quilt is already cut to size.  When I opened my Jolly Bar I started thinking of ideas and sketching plans.  My design called for a background fabric and I opted for the pale gray.  Once I did some math to figure out dimensions, I started cutting, sewing, pressing and sewing some more.  I only had enough of the gray for these few blocks so now my quilt is on hold until I purchase more gray.

With less than a yard of background fabric and one Jolly Bar, I can make about 20 of these blocks and once complete my quilt will measure  about 40"x50".  Though I might decide to make quilted pillows instead and have them on hand for gift giving over the holidays.  Don't you think these colors would work in most people's homes?   Hmmm . . . we'll see.

What's even more fun is that Fat Quarter Shop wants to give one of you a Jolly Bar of your choice. To enter visit the Jolly Bar pages at Fat Quarter Shop and then come back here and leave a comment telling me which one you'd pick.  I'll leave the contest entry open through Sunday, November 30, 2014.  A winner will be selected by random draw on Monday, December 1, 2014.  International entries welcome.

Good luck!

-dana

Crafty Traveler Blog Hop

Today I'm reviewing a zippy pouch pattern as part of Jennifer of Ellison Lane's The Crafty Traveler series. 

It should be noted that I sew quilts.  And pretty much only quilts.  I can tackle an easy pillow.  And curtains are a cinch.  But anything with a zipper is waaaaaaaay out of my comfort zone.  Like if I'm Earth then sewing a zipper is at least three galaxies away.

But, one thing I've wanted to add to my traveling gear is a few zippered pouches to hold things like cosmetics, my small video camera, and cell phone and tablet chargers.  So,  I looked around on the Internet with the search words "cosmetic case pattern" and then chose one from the much trusted source of Sew Mama Sew.  The pattern I chose is the Sew Spoiled Cosmetic Case by Leah Williams. The free PDF of this pattern can be found here.

The pattern calls for fabric, interfacing and a zipper.  I wanted to make mine a quilted zipper pouch instead of just interfaced fabric so as to have the additional padded protection for my video camera.  I made that alteration on my own.

Look!!  That is the first time my zipper foot has ever been on my sewing machine.  In fact, I needed my machine manual to even identify the zipper foot.

Anyway, the pattern's written instructions were clear but I was super glad that there were so many close up photos included with the pattern to show me exactly what to do.

The numerous photos in the pattern is what I credit for the success of my zipper installation.

The bag came together well but certainly doesn't look as professional as the pattern photos of the completed project.  I blame that solely on my choice to have quilted outer fabric panels, as I think that the interfaced fabric would have made the construction easier.  Plus, the trapezoid shape doesn't translate very well to a quilted version and I wish I had just made it rectangular instead.  That being said, however, I am kinda proud of myself for tackling a zipper and this bag will be a welcome addition to my traveling luggage arsenal.

Here’s the Blog Hop Schedule:

2/3: Patchwork Posse & Fabric Mutt

2/6: Random Thoughts Do or Di

2/10: Golden Willow Quilts

2/13: Between Quilts & The Sewing Chick

2/17: May Chappell & Modern Handcraft

2/20: Bryan House Quilts & Love By Hand  

2/24: Petit Lyons & Sew Many Possibilities 

2/27: Owen’s Olivia

3/3: Old Red Barn Co.  & Go Go Kim

There are lots of tutorials and pattern reviews as part of The Crafty Traveler Series.  And you can link up your project over at Ellison Lane for your chance to win great prizes.  Good luck!

-dana

Clogging in moving pictures!

I told you recently how my girls performed at our local fall festival.  Well, here are a few videos that so many of you have requested.








Plus, the winner of the long arm quilting gift certificate is ksrunt.  Shoot me an email at dana at oldredbarnco dot com and I'll hook you up.

Now, back to toe tapping!

-dana

A Double Irish Chain Quilt From Fat Quarters - Tutorial & Giveaway

Today is my 1,000th post and what better way to celebrate than with a free tutorial and giveaway.  You'll be eligible for the giveaway by leaving a comment to this post...AND if you share it on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest or Instagram you'll be eligible for an additional giveaway.  But first, the tutorial.

Please note:  This tutorial is not exhaustive of the process and requires a basic understanding of quilt making. But I've got you covered there . . . go to my How to Make a Quilt tutorials found here first if you'd like.

To make a Double Irish Chain quilt you generally need three different fabrics, or in this case, three distinct color values.  I've used a dark navy blue (Kona cotton in Peacoat from Robert Kaufman Fabrics) and various pinks and melons in a variety of hues (Kona Cotton Pretty Peonies colorstory FQ bundle from Robert Kaufman Fabrics.)  In order to achieve the proper double Irish chain effect, every Block A has a distinct lighter hue pink/melon and a darker hue pink/melon.

To make construction and assembly easier, strip piece your 2 1/2" strips into units that than can be cut down into 2 1/2" x 10 1/2" sections to use according to the graphic below.

Once all 72 total blocks are made, alternate A and B blocks eight blocks across and nine blocks down.  Baste, quilt and bind that puppy!

As usual, Russ from The Back Porch Quilters quilted my Double Irish Chain and he is offering a $25 gift certificate to use towards quilting one of your quilts.  Leave a comment to this post and you are entered for that $25 gift certificate.  BUT if you share this post on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest or Instagram and tag me (I'm oldredbarnco everywhere!) telling me you did so then you will then be eligible for an ADDITIONAL $25 gift certificate to The Back Porch Quilters from me.  Fifty bucks towards long arm quilting ain't too shabby!

Go forth and make quilts, leave comments and tag me when you share on all of your social media accounts.

CONTEST IS CLOSED.  WINNER CHOSEN BY RANDOM DRAW AND ANNOUNCED IN NEXT POST.  

Yay for 1,000 posts!

dana

Please leave a message after the beep

You've reached the Old Red Barn Co. blog.  Seems as though Dana, the sole contributor to this space, is suffering a bit of writer's block. Over the last weeks she has implemented tactics (i.e. "This Week" seen here, here and here)  to force her to sit down and blog but said tactics aren't really her style and made her a bit lazy -- lumping all things into one catch all post instead of more thoughtful, meaningful posts.  Anywho . . .  if you're here today it might be of interest to you that this is post 999 and Dana has a small quilting tutorial (Double Irish Chain from fat quarters!) and a giveaway (free long arm quilting!) planned for post 1,000.  Please be sure to stop back by for that and kindly leave a message after the beep.

>>>> BEEP <<<<<

-dana

Modern Baby eBook Winner

The winner was selected by random draw and is Jennifer.  Congratulations!  Contact me and I'll get all your info and get your eBook to you.

And.

Thanks for all the kind words of support and encouragement.  From each and every one of you.  You've made this week a happy, shiny, bubbly time that I won't soon forget.  Quilting is what I do to relax.  To be creative.  To express myself.  And receiving a supportive Internet embrace from each of you is so very validating.  You are my peeps.  My people.  My tribe.

My friends.

Thank you.

-dana

Modern Baby -- Book Tour & Giveaway

Contest is now closed.  Winner to be selected by random draw and announced in next post.

 

So, back in early 2012 I sent this baby quilt off to Martingale to be included in their new book Modern Baby.  And now, finally, in April 2013 the book is published and out in the world. 

 



This book features 14 quilt patterns for fresh, fun, and modern baby quilts.  Many are quick to sew and can be completed just in time to take with you to a baby shower. 

I'm still pinching myself that one of my quilts was selected for inclusion in the book.  I mean, have you seen the names of the other contributors? 

Designers include Amy Smart, Audrie Bidwell, Carolyn Friedlander, Carrie Bloomston, Me, Jake Finch, Jen Eskridge, Lindsey Rhodes, Melissa Corry, Pippa Eccles Armbrester, Sarah Flynn, Shea Henderson, and Victoria Findlay Wolfe.

Dude. 

I'm giving away one eBook copy of Modern Baby.  Leave a comment for your chance to win. 

You'll have 13... count them, 13... additional chances to win an eBook copy of Modern Baby.  Visit all the contributors' blogs and enter for your chances to win there too.

April 18, Thursday Jenny, StitchThis! http://blog.shopmartingale.com/

April 19, Friday Shea Henderson, http://emptybobbinsewing.com

April 22, Monday Jake Finch, http://generationqmagazine.com/

April 23, Tuesday Audrie Bidwell, http://blueisbleu.blogspot.com/

April 24, Wednesday Carolyn Friedlander, http://carolynfriedlander.com/blog/

April 25, Thursday Melissa Corry, http://happyquiltingmelissa.blogspot.com/

April 26, Friday Jen Eskridge, http://reannalilydesigns.com/blog/

April 29, Monday Sarah Flynn, http://fairyfacedesigns.blogspot.com/

April 30, Tuesday Dana Bolyard, http://oldredbarnco.blogspot.com/

May 1, Wednesday Amy Smart, http://www.diaryofaquilter.com/

May 2, Thursday Carrie Bloomston, http://suchitysuch.blogspot.com/

May 3, Friday Victoria Findlay Wolfe, http://www.bumblebeansinc.blogspot.com/

May 6, Monday Lindsey Rhodes, http://lrstitched.com/

May 7, Tuesday Pippa Eccles Armbrester, http://www.pippapatchwork.com/blog/

So, leave a comment here for your chance to win.  Then go visit all the other blogs listed above for additional chances to win.  I'll announce a winner on Friday, May 3, 2013.

-dana

Huge Giveaway

 

 

Three lucky winners will receive a Sew South Swag Bag full of amazing sewing products. Each swag bag is valued at over $200!

 

Want to see what Sew South was all about? Take a look a this video.

 

To enter to win, simply head to the Sew South site!

 

Good luck!

Modern Basics II

Amy Ellis is a personal friend of mine.  We started blogging about the same time and chatted back and forth for a few years.  I was lucky enough to meet her and share a few meals and laughs with her at Sewing Summit in 2011.  She has the kind of personality that makes it easy to be her friend . . . when you talk she listens and has a way of making you feel like what you are saying is supremely important to her.  She's awesome.

That being said, I wouldn't sit here and promote her newest book if it wasn't, in my opinion, worth being promoted.  I just don't do that.  I think I've got some credibility in that department over the course of the six plus years I've been running this gig.

So I hope that when I say I love Modern Basics II that you really know that I. Love. Modern. Basics. II.  Amy's first book, Modern Basics I, was good.  A best seller in fact.  But Modern Basics II kicks it up a notch.  I find that I am drawn to every quilt in the book and feel an itch to make each one in fabric that speaks to me.  Cover quilt?  I'm talking to you!

This quilt is called Star Crossed and it has quickly moved to the top of my "to make" list.  As pictured it's got such a 1930s vibe to me.  I can't get it out of my brain.  One minute I think I want to make it with some coveted 1930s repro fabric.  And the next minute I consider making it with neons and black.  Then I scratch both those ideas and think that it might be sheer perfection with nothing but reds and whites.  Or yellow and gray.  I like how it looks like a vintage caned chair seat.  Hmmm . . . maybe I should play up that . . .

Anyway. 

Be sure to see what other quilters are saying about Modern Basics II by visiting these links below.

Emily Herrick http://crazyoldladiesquilts.blogspot.com/
Amy Newbold http://sukiedontyaknow.com/
Dana Bolyard http://oldredbarnco.blogspot.com/
Amy Webb http://www.amylouwhosews.com/
Martingale http://blog.shopmartingale.com/
Victoria Findlay Wolfe http://www.bumblebeansinc.blogspot.com/
Katie Blakesley Www.swimbikequilt.com
Chelsey K www.fatquartershop.blogspot.com
Terri Harlan http://sew-fantastic.blogspot.com/
Mary Kolb http://maryonlakepulaski.blogspot.com/
Pat Sloan http://blog.patsloan.com
Natalia Bonner http://www.pieceandquilt.com/
Candy Glendening http://www.candiedfabrics.com/
Vicki Christensen http://www.sewinspiredblog.com/

You can even visit Amy's shop and buy an autographed copy.

But be sure to click HERE and fill out this form for your chance to win your own e-book of Modern Basics II.

-dana

Winner

Random number generator selected number 61 which belongs to Alice.  Congratulations Alice!  Please shoot me an email at dana at oldredbarnco dot com and let me know which three soaps you want and where to send them.

And in other news . . . I may or may not have worn the same black sweatpants for the last five days in a row. 

But not today.  No!  Today I've opted for color!

-dana

Love notes quilt... and a giveaway just in time for Valentine's Day

 

I had seen a few patchwork hearts over on Instagram from @modernhandcraft and couldn't get them out of my mind.  So last weekend I decided to make some. 



 

 

I knew they were made with squares and half square triangles so I just started playing around.  It was only later that I discovered the great step-by-step tutorial over on Modern Handcraft's blog.  Her blocks finish at 7" square.  Each of my patchwork heart blocks finish at anywhere from 16.5" to 4.5".

 



 

Here is some quick math so that you can make the same different sized blocks I made . . . if ya wanna. . .

 

For a 16.5" block you will need six 4 1/2" colored squares; four 4 7/8" colored squares, two 4 1/2" background squares; and four 4 7/8" background squares.  Make half square triangles ONLY by pairing up the larger of the colored and background squares.

 

For a 12.5" block you will need six 3 1/2" colored squares; four 3 7/8" colored squares; two 3 1/2" background squares; and four 3 7/8" background squares.  Make half square triangles ONLY by pairing up the larger of the colored and background squares.

 

For a 8.5" block you will need six 2 1/2" colored squares; four 2 7/8" colored squares; two 2 1/2" background squares; and  four 2 7/8" background squares.  Make half square triangles ONLY by paring up the larger of the colored and background squares.

 

For a 4.5" block you will need six 1 1/2" colored squares; four 1 7/8" colored squares; two 1 1/2" background squares; and four 1 7/8" background squares.  Make half square triangles ONLY by pairing up the larger of the colored and background squares.

 

 



 

I'm calling this quilt Love Notes and it measures about 40"x40".  It will be in my online quilt shop by early next week.  So will a few other new quilts. . . once I get them photographed.

 



 

Perfect for Valentine's Day I think. 

 

And also because Valentine's Day is just around the corner, today I'm giving away three of my handmade goat milk soap sets (you'll get to pick 3 bars) to three lucky winners. I'm giving one away HERE on this blog -- leave a comment for your chance.  I'm giving one away over on INSTAGRAM -- you have to be a follower and you're automatically entered.  You can find me over there by searching oldredbarnco.  And I'm giving away one over on TWITTER -- you have to be a follower of me over there and you're automatically entered too.

 

All winners will be selected by random draw on Sunday, January 26, 2013 at 6pm EST US and announced soon there after.

 

So leave a comment here, go follow me on Instagram and go make sure you're a follower on Twitter.

 

Good luck!

 

-dana



Winners & Another Giveaway!

I've got another little giveway today but before I talk about that let me announce the winners of last week's giveaway.

Winning the Charming Travelers is Kelsey.

Winning the Sugar Block Club Block of the Month Pattern Subscription is Lee D.

Send me an email at dana at olredbarnco dot com and I'll hook you up.

Now, today's giveaway comes from The Back Porch Quilters who very recently opened an Etsy shop to sell unique quilted goods.

Today they are offering one winner two of these quilted turkey placemats.  My girls are currently coloring two of them to give to their cousins on Thanksgiving.  Leave a comment for your chance to win a pair for your littles to color and use or give as gifts as well.

 Leave your comment before Tuesday, November 13, 2012 at midnight US EST.  Winner will be selected by random draw and announced on Wednesday.  International  entires welcome.

Good luck!

-dana

Two Giveaways

Two giveaways today.  Mostly cause I haven't in awhile.



First is a new block of the month pattern subscription from Amy at Stitchery Dickory Dock.  On the first of each month you'll receive a printable quilt block pattern and a dessert recipe.  Can't wait to see this one unfold because it promises to be bright and fun.  Right up my alley.

Second up for giveaway today is a chance to win these Charming Travelers from Blank Pages.

Have you seen these?  Here is how it works:

winners must be active bloggers

you must reside in the US (ONLY the blue pack is traveling throughout Canada as well as the US - you must be willing to ship to either country to enter that giveaway.)

before sending the charm pack off to the next winner, there must be 56 - 5" x 5" squares of fabric inside - please no yucky fabrics

to help keep the map updated, winners will fill out the quick and easy form to let me know where you are!

if the charm pack arrives full of unwanted charms, let me know and we'll clear it out and fill it back up with some more beautiful fabrics!

I won it, swapped out a few fabric charms and am now ready to send it on it's way.

Okay. 

So, leave a comment here for your chance to win.  In order to be eligible to win the charming travelers, you must be an active blogger and live in USA.  However, the chance to win a year subscription to the Sugar Block Club is open to anyone, anywhere.  One winner will receive the block of the month and a separate winner will receive the traveling charms.  One entry per person is all you need . . . and all that will be counted.  Leave your comment before midnight Sunday, November 11, 2012.  Winners will be announced Monday, November 12, 2012.

Good luck!

-dana