Friday, March 8, 2013

An Amish-UFO-Upcycle-Blog-Hop-Party-Give-Away

Today the "Luck of the Irish" is firmly with Bonnie58 who wrote. "Love the colours. I would love to finish it for you. Thanks for sharing and for the opportunity on the draw." 
I hope she means it as the Amish blocks are coming her way. 

Thanks to all my new followers and everyone that stopped by to participate in this fun Blog Hop Party. 
Until next time................Happy Quilting,   
This Quilting Mama

A few definitions to begin:

Amish-An orthodox Anabaptist sect that separated from the Mennonites in the late 17th century and exists today primarily in Ohio and southeast Pennsylvania. (Link to dictionary)
For more information see this list of Amish Facts from National Geographic.

"Amish" for quilters- a font of inspiration can be found in the Amish quilts both in terms of design and color. Known for solids and non-print creations, the Amish often use black as a background to set their beautiful works. The website My Amish Quilt has lots of information about quilting in the Amish Community.

UFO - an (apparently) flying object whose nature is unknown; especially those considered to have extraterrestrial origins, unidentified flying object

"UFO" for quilters- Un-Finished Object. Any of a myriad of projects begun with enthusiasm and then left behind in the wake of yet another class, project, inspiration, or fabric line which came into the quilters scope and set them on another journey.

Upcycling is the process of converting waste materials or useless products into new materials or products of better quality or for better environmental value. (Link to dictionary)

"Upcycling" for quilters-  Using something which seems to be useless for a new purpose. This includes, but is not limited too, turning outgrown children's clothing or tee-shirts into quilts, using jean pockets in a quilt, making old crayons into art decorated with random buttons, etc.

A story:
Once upon a time before children (at least before the second one), I took a class at my local quilt shop, The Joyful Quilter, with a girlfriend. We both enjoyed it as the format was titled "A Pennsylvania Mystery." Bob Silverman taught us in true mystery style-- one hint at a time. By the end of class we had enjoyed a day full of tricks, reminders, fun conversation, laughter, lots of sewing, Lemon Pudding Cake, fabulously rich fabrics and the hope for a lovely quilt.

Many years later here is my work from that day:


Yes, it's set in an Amish way on black and is just lovely--- but unfinished.

In the spirit of this Blog Hop Give-Away, I hope that one of you will take these blocks, extra fabrics (seen below), pattern and make them your own. Do whatever you are inspired to do with them, finish the top, keep or give it away, but help me to upcycle this work into something of greater loveliness.



Please comment below if you are interested in winning the whole thing. I will draw the lucky person on St. Patrick's Day, Sunday, March 17th. May the Luck of the Irish be with you.

P.S. Check out the fun runner I've been testing for Eileen at The Quilter in the Pines.

94 comments:

  1. That looks so colorful! Thanks for the chance!

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  2. This is a lovely pattern - wonderful soft colors with the black make them pop! Thank you for the give away.

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  3. i've an amish quilt on my to-do list ... your start would would count if i won your pieces! would love to finish it! thanx for the chance to do so.

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  4. So cool! Thanks for the chance!! :)

    kthomas26@gmail.com

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  5. Reminds me of an Amish style quilt I started years ago, in bowties. I couldn't handle the hand piecing, and gave it to a friend who said she would love to finish it for me. To make a long story short, we lost track of each other and I never got my quilt back. I would love the chance to finish yours.

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  6. I love Amish quilts and these are lovely! Thanks for the chance!

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  7. Thanks for the chance to win.

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  8. I'd love to finish your quilt. Thanks for the chance to win!

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  9. thanks for the chance to win! hmmm...I think I have some lucky Irish in me ha ha

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  10. Love the colors...thanks for the chance to win!

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  11. I have always wanted to make an Amish quilt! Thanks for the chance!

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  12. Oh I would love to win. I love to upcycle. Reuse recycle repurpose. What ever you want to call it. I call it quilting & sewing on a tight budget.lol..

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  13. I would love to win the whole thing. Pattern, fabric, all of it. I need a new project to help chase the winter blues away and this is exactly what I would like to work on - for me and to just snuggle in it at nighttime. This is just the most precious giveway that any quilter would possible want. Thank you for giving all of your followers the chance to win and for joining in the Beat the Winter Blues Blog Hop.

    Sandi Timmons
    sandit1@sbcglobal.net

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  14. love the colours and the pattern. I am on a roll finishing up my UFO's.

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  15. I would love to finish that into a great table runner!

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  16. Wow I love it. I would love to figure out something to make. Thanks

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  17. Amish quilts are gorgeous. Thanks for the chance.

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  18. I've never made an Amish style quilt, that's a challenge.
    I like your choice of fabrics.
    Thanks for the chance!

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  19. Oh I love to finish others projects. I am new to quilting about 1 1/2 years now (I am also a guy quilter) so I look at quilting different from others. It inspires me to get a project half or not done and try to finish it in the style it was intended. Todays post on my blog http://richardquilts.blogspot.com/2013/03/another-late-christmas-finish.html is exactly that a quilt top that some one in my guild started and then did not want to finish they gave me the pile of material in bags and I figured out what they were doing and finished a twin size quilt for my daughter. I would love to try and finish your project.

    Richard and Tanya Quilts

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  20. I would love to finish this project. Thanks so much for the chance!

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  21. Well, this would be a lot of fun, between other projects! Thanks for the chance!

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  22. I love all of the different colors! Thanks for the great give away!

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  23. How fun to giveaway a UFO. At a Quilt Retreat I attended everyone brought a UFO and we gifted them to a fellow quilter who claimed she didn't have any UFO's. We couldn't have that! I've read a few books about the Amish, I like to see their quilts. For my Guild we are making the Amish Diamond from the Quilter's Cache. Have fun with the Blog Hop!

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  24. Lovely giveaway! I love to win.

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  25. I would love to finish your UFO. Thanks for the chance.

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  26. wonderful giveaway. thanks for the chance.

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  27. What fun! Thanks sew much for this chance to win!
    back2loghome (at) yahoo (dot) com

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  28. I love making quilts from others cast-offs. Thanks for a chance to win.

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  29. What a great idea! I would love to finish that quilt and donate it to a foster child. Thanks for the chance!

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  30. Love this giveaway! Thanks so much for the chance to win :)

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  31. This is such a fun give away! Those colours look great with the black background. It would be fun to finish this UFO, since this is my year for finishing UFOs and I'm already finishing my third! Thanks for the chance.

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  32. I wouldn't mind trying my hand with those. It'd be fun. Thanks.

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  33. Hi, Lynn ... just stopping by and saying hello ... pretty blocks! ... :) Pat (from the Q&N group)

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  34. My philosophies are, "There is always room for another UFO." and, "One woman's junk is another woman's stash." Send 'em over!

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  35. I love this bright colours with the black background. Really stunning! Thank you for this give-away.

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  36. There is nothing better then a quilt kit, except for a quilt kit that is already cut and started. I would love to finish this. I will either keep it or I will give it as a gift to my niece or nephew.

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  37. I do do do do do do want your UFO! I will treasure it!

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  38. Thanks for the nice giveaway. Your start of the quilt is beautiful

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  39. Okay, out of all the ones I've entered so far (lots) THIS is the one I want to win! I LOVE other peoples UFO's! It's so beautiful...I can see the vision in my head now....

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  40. Oh what a cool giveaway! I love solid quilts and these blocks could be very useful! Here is hoping I win this one! Thank you I love Unique Giveaways!

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  41. What a wonderful give a way. I would love to make these into placemats, dependng one size, or pillows. Thanks for this chance.

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  42. Oh, I would love to play with these! Thanks for the chance.

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  43. I love the colors and would enjoy working with them. Thanks for the chance.

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  44. Oh, how fun to finish someone else's quilt! I would love to win. Thanks for the chance!

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  45. Love the colours. I would love to finish it for you. Thanks for sharing and for the opportunity on the draw. bonnielarson58@gmail.com

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  46. Todos esos sólidos son una tentación !
    Gracias por la idea y por su oportunidad .Cariños.

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  47. I like the colours againgst the black - I'd love to finish this!

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  48. I would love the chance to get to finish this quilt. The colors are beautiful and I am very fond of Amish quilts. Thank you so much for a great giveaway.

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  49. I would love to give these beauties a new home! Thanks for the chance!

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  50. Such a nice opportunity to have new blocks in the house! I like the Amish stile!
    Gun, Sweden
    gun@lapp.se

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  51. Great prizes! I would love to win. thanks

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  52. Thank You For A Chance To Win These Blocks, They Are Beautiful.

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  53. Those blocks and fabric would be really fun to finish up. Thanks for the chance.

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  54. I love those bright colors! Thanks for the giveaway!

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  55. So colorful. Thanks! bettyann@carrollfamily.org

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  56. It would be fun to finish up the blocks and play with the fabric, thanks!

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  57. Ich bin noch Anfänger aber ich würde gerne versuchen einen schönen Quilt daraus zu nähen.. Danke für die nette Verlosung

    Grüße aus Deutschland
    Marion

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  58. What a lovely quilt. I would love to have a try at making an Amish quilt and having the start of one to work from would be wonderful.
    Thanks for the dictionary meanings, they were great too.

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  59. I think I could put this to good use. Thanks for the chance

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  60. I would love to make this for my sister in law who lives in Amish country. Thanks for the chance.

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  61. I love up-cycling and try to have at least one little bit in each project.

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  62. Very interested in winning! What a wonderful bunch of color!!
    Thank you

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  63. Oh yes, I would love to upcycle those! Thanks!

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  64. What cool blocks! And I love the colors! I try to upcycle as much as I can! I even purchased a quilt top at the thrift store that was not cut straight or sewn straight and took it apart and made a new top. Thanks for a chance to win! :)

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  65. Wonderful colors and blocks! Upcycling makes so much sense. Thanks for the chance to win!

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  66. I love the bright Amish colours and would love to win this. Thanks for the opportunity.

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  67. I Love Your Fabrics and Blocks! Thanks for this Great Giveaway!

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  68. I never made a Amish Quilt... and my hometown is right in the middle of Amish country...

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  69. ohhh a fab giveaway, thanks for the chance

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  70. What a fun giveaway! Here's my chance to work with solids and make an "amish" style project.

    Thank you for a great giveaway and a chance to win.

    usairdoll(at)gmail(dot)com

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  71. Ooh. I love those colors. would love to upcycle them for you. Thanks for the chance to win.

    senstrings at yahoo dot com

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  72. I so hope the Luck of the Irish will be with me. I'd love to quilt with the upcycled fabric in your giveaway!
    nicolesender(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  73. Would love to incorporate these with a modern quilt for an unique twist. I hope I win!!

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  74. I love UFO's and orphan blocks! Check out my book, Orphan Block Quilts for ideas for finishing blocks, new or old. Or, just give them to me to finish! LOL!

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  75. OOOOOOH!!! YES!!! I would be delighted to win!!! thank you soooo much for great Give-Away!! :)

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  76. Thank you so much for a chance to win this.

    ktreve (at) hotmail (dot) com

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  77. I would love to give those blocks & fabrics a new home! Thanks for the chance to win!

    wigglypup2(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  78. I am always looking for unfinished quilt tops to finish. Thank you for the oppotunity to win!

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  79. I love the secondary black pattern that emerges :) Thank you for participating in the blog hop!

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  80. I would love to finish this beautiful quilt! I can only hope that someone will finish my ufos for me!
    hulseybg at gmail dot com

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  81. I would love to win this project , the Colors are wonderful , thanks so much for the chance.

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  82. thank you for this great chance to win. hugs Alessandra

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  83. Hi Lynne, I would love to finish that top for so just bag it all up and post it to me that is if I win. It is a party a person can hope. Thanks for the giveaway and a chance to win and thanks for joining the party.

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    1. I'm a slow quilter so it would take me a while to get it finished. I would use it to help practice my machine quilting.

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  84. Amish quilts are really stunning, I think I could manage to make a quilt out of those fabrics. Thanks for the chance.

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  85. I would love to win! Thanks for the chance!

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  86. I would love to win the whole thing!! Thanks for the chance to win.

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  87. I'd love to have this. Thanks for the giveaway!

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  88. What neat idea for a giveaway! Thanks for the chance.

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