Hatched and Patched

'Love to Garden' Fabric GIVEAWAY!

I received a little bit more of my new fabric line 'Love to Garden' in the post last week, so thought it would be fun to give some of it away!!

For your chance to win a fat eighth bundle of the range (18 pieces measuring 10"x21") plus a panel, all you have to do is let me know your favourite project that I have designed. Whether it is something small like a pincushion, or one of my larger designs, I would love to hear from you.

On Tuesday 9th October I will draw the name of the lucky winner out of a hat.

Good luck everyone!!!!
Anni

One Million Pillowcase Challenge Blog Hop

I was lucky enough to be invited to visit the Meredtih group, (the gurus behind Better Homes & Gardens American Patchwork and Quilting plus other brilliant titles) last time I visited America. It was like walking into Willie Wonkas world with the most wonderful people you could ever meet. Well, if you didn't know, these great people decided to set up a fantastic challenge for charity called the The One Million Pillowcase Challenge. For the month of September the people behind AP&Q decided to run a One Million Pillowcase Blog Hop and I was fortunate enough to be asked to participate!!

The schedule of participants are as follows -

1. Welcome from American Patchwork & Quilting (http://www.allpeoplequilt.com/blogs/apqstaff/)
2. Rashida Coleman-Hale (http://www.iheartlinen.typepad.com/)
3. Olivia and Alayna's Pillowcase Project (http://www.allpeoplequilt.com/blogs/apqstaff/)
4. Morgan’s Smile Factory (http://www.allpeoplequilt.com/blogs/apqstaff/)
5. Pat Sloan (http://blog.patsloan.com/)
6. Northcott (http://pattispatchwork.com/)
7. Betsy Chutchian (http://betsysbestquiltsandmore.blogspot.com/)
8. Vanessa Christenson (http://www.vanessachristenson.com/)
9. Andover Fabrics (http://blog.andoverfabrics.com/)
10. Laurie Simpson (http://minickandsimpson.blogspot.com/)
11. Oak Hill, Ohio (http://www.allpeoplequilt.com/blogs/apqstaff/)
12. Robert Kaufman Fabrics (http://www.swatchandstitch.com/)
13. Pam Buda (http://www.heartspunquilts.blogspot.com/)
14. Indygo Junction (http://www.indygojunction.com/blog/)
15. 4-H (http://www.allpeoplequilt.com/blogs/apqstaff/)
16. Katie Hennagir (http://baywindowquiltshop.wordpress.com/)
17. Anni Downs (http://hatchedandpatched.typepad.com/)
18. FreeSpirit Fabrics (http://www.freespiritfabric.blogspot.com/)
19. American Patchwork & Quilting Staff (http://www.allpeoplequilt.com/blogs/apqstaff/)
20. Patty Young (http://modkidboutique.blogspot.com/)
21. Moda Fabrics (http://modafabrics.blogspot.com/)
22. Monica Solorio-Snow (http://thehappyzombie.com/blog/)
23. Moda Bake Shop (http://www.modabakeshop.com/)
24. Andover Fabrics (http://blog.andoverfabrics.com/)
25. Roseann Kermes from Rosebud’s Cottage (http://rosebudscottage.typepad.com/)
26. Ann Kelle for Shannon Fabrics (http://www.annkelle.com/category/blog/)
27. Therm O Web (http://blog.thermoweb.com/)
28. Edyta Sitar (http://www.laundrybasketquilts.com/blog/)
29. Fabri-Quilt (http://inspiredbyfabric.blogspot.com/)
30. Cherri House (www.cherryhousequilts.com)

...so yes, it is September 17th, so my turn! I, like many of the other designers asked, decided to use one of my fabric collections when making up my pillowcase - my very first range 'My Favorite Things', as it encapsulated a few of the simple pleasures that can put a smile on our face.

With my son in hospital just recently for the scary operation of brain surgery, I ALMOST donated my pillowcase to paediatrics. But then I got thinking. Everyone I saw in the hospital had a loving family by their side. Instead, I decided to donate my pillowcase to a charity that provided hope to people who may never have experienced a loving home or a caring family. Enchanted Makeover was my charity of choice. 

The pattern I used for my pillowcase was the Ric Rac Band pillowcase and can be found in free patterns instructions. I am a stickler for applique and often use ric rac in my patterns, but there are many other patterns, some of which take hardly any time to make!

The challenge is open for anyone to make a pillowcase for any charity, so come on board!! It doesn't take long to make one and there are HEAPS of different patterns to use.

Keep stitching!
Anni 

Time out for Gardening....

I seem to always apologise for not manning my blog as much as I should, and here I go again! I think LIFE gets in the way, which is, I think, an important thing to take hold of!

My son has been in hospital for awhile to have what we think was major surgery. It was so frightening waiting to hear the verdict on whether the operation was a success. My heart goes out to everyone who has to go through this. Luckily everything went very smoothly and Tim is now once again smiling, walking and talking. I think smiling mainly because he is having an extra holiday before returning to school!! 

Just before leaving for hospital, there was a much awaited parcel in the post with strike-offs of my new fabric collection yayay!!!
As you can guess, I have been dreaming up some ideas to use it, so here's a small sample of what is to come. I only have small pieces to work with, so more dreaming than doing just yet...

Gardening is one of my all time favourite things to do, not that you could tell with my neglected one at home! I am spending a bit more time than usual in my garden at the moment, pruning it into shape slightly. Still MUCH to do!! Because of my love of gardening, I had an absolute ball creating this range, my favourite piece being the panel - here are a few snippets...


This range is called 'Love to Garden' and I believe it will be available toward the end of October. Can't wait!!

Until next time (whenever THAT will be wink wink)
Anni