Thursday, June 17, 2010

a retreat for me and a treat for you


Tonight I'm headed out to go on a weekend quilt retreat at Gruber's Quilt Shop! Victoria set it up last fall and it's finally here! Yipee! It's so weird to be making plans to go anywhere all. by. myself. I'm sure I will miss my family as soon as I leave the house, but I'm planning to enjoy every last minute. Seriously, how could I not? I'm meeting up with fellow bloggers to QUILT for the entire weekend! I've got my pile of projects ready to go...probably about 2-3 weeks worth. Overkill is nothing new to me!

Speaking of retreats...I will be speaking at a few this year.

The first one is going to be in Grand Rapids, Michigan for Margaret's Hope Chest at the end of July. You can read up on all the details here. I'm excited for this one! I have designed a quilt pattern especially for them and I will be showing several options to switch up the basic pattern. I'll be talking about color and fabric choices with a little bit of scrap talk thrown in, too. Margaret's Hope Chest is spreading HOPE in Jesus' name. I couldn't think of a better cause to quilt for. The work party is FREE! The majority of the sewing time will be spent making quilt tops for MHC. I think there are 10 remaining spots left.

I'm also going back to Colorado this November to Inn at City Park, which is a beautiful Bed and Breakfast. More details on the retreat here. Of course, I am excited about this one, too! Tara is a fabulous hostess. Last year we had an AMAZING time. I know I gushed on and on about it already, but seriously, it was so. much. fun. It was my first quilt retreat ever, and it set the bar for all future quilt retreats VERY high. This year I will be teaching machine quilting: using both your walking foot and free motion foot. Last time I checked, there were only 8 spots left for this one.

Heather is considering putting together a retreat here (in Western Wisconsin-just across the border from Minneapolis/St. Paul) but is trying to gauge if there is enough interest before she jumps in. Leave a comment on this post if you are interested.

Ok, enough retreat talk...

I also have a giveaway today!!!
Up for grabs is a Roll Up in the Dark Colorstory, compliments of Robert Kaufman. I'm not going to gush about how wonderful Kona cottons are because I'm sure you already know. If you ask me, this would look lovely paired with Ash colored Kona cotton as a background for my quilt along. You know, in case any of you are still on the fence about joining in. :) Of course, if you are the lucky winner, you get to decide what to do with it! Leave me a comment if you want a chance at it. One comment per person please. I will announce the winner on Monday.

Happy weekend to you!

859 comments:

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...so we added chickens said...

Such a fabulous roll of colors! and I would be beside myself with glee to win, since I could jump in on the quilt along! More importantly, though, I am glad you are back to blogging - I kept your blog in my google reader list just in case...

Kari V. said...

Thanks for the giveaway!

Sooz said...

Oooh..what a great giveaway! I'm always a little intimidated by an all solid fabric pack, wondering what on earth I would do with it. You, and others have inspired me in so many ways, I'm sure I would be overcome with ideas if I won. Thanks for the chance. Now, off to work on step 2 of the QAL! Best...

Sian said...

wish I was heading off for a weekend of quilting! oh well, maybe some other time...

jess said...

Thank you for the chance to win! I love working with this fabric! xoxo

Momma C said...

Wow, I'm jealous that you get to spend the whole weekend sewing. Yay. Have fun. Thanks for the chance to win!

Nicole said...

Have a great weekend! Gorgeous jelly roll! I'm envious (of both!);)

Anggi said...

I've recently caught the quilting bug and came across your blog and your designs inspire me! I would love to win and would put this fabric to good use.

Jacque. said...

ohhhhh, how fun it would be to have that Roll Up of Kona! Yummy colors! Thank you for the giveaway...and have a great time at your retreat!

Chateaudepaixinn said...

Have a lovely retreat

Anonymous said...

I hope you have a fantastic time away.

The Bay Area Homs said...

Love these colors. Would love to win too!

Anna R said...

I'd love to win this!! I'm a novice quilter, but what a fun way to build a quilt stash and try some new things out!!! Thanks for the giveaway chance.

Anggi said...

I am totally inspired by your quilting designs and would love to try one and this fabric would help me out a bunch!!!

Becky S. said...

Have fun this weekend! I love those colors!

Elizabeth said...

I've never used a roll up before. The possibilities ...

Herding Grasshoppers said...

Yay!

Pick me :D Pick me :D

Julie

Tamara Hampton said...

How pretty!!!

Anonymous said...

love the fabric...fun to win!!

Joanna said...

I love colors!!!

Amy said...

The retreats sound like fun! Fort Collins is only 8 hours away.
Thanks for the opportunity to try and win the jelly roll. Great colors!

Bellgirl said...

Ooh lovely! I keep hearing about Kona solids, but haven't seen them in the flesh yet!

Amy said...

oh.my.stars....that is beautiful!!!

Jan said...

OMG, what a great give away. I've been eying this.

Lee D said...

i just recently started collecting and using Kona solids. They are great and useful. This jelly roll would be great addition. Thanks for the chance

BitnByAQuiltingBug said...

There is simply nothing like a quilt retreat! Enjoy! Thanks for including me in the drawing, too! I look forward to seeing all the creative posts from your retreat!

Jessica said...

I have never done a retreat, but they sound neat.

Put my name in for the jelly roll please! Thank you. :)

Rita said...

What a great jelly roll! Thanks for the generous give away.

Amy C. said...

Love the bright colors - I see so many pastels and light colors, it's a lovely contrast.

sy said...

the fabric colors are beautiful *_*
hope you have a good time.

Valerie said...

Have fun at your retreat!! I live in Colorado, so I'll have to check out the info on that retreat. The rollup is beautiful, its interesting how solids are back in style.

Carla said...

I hope that your retreat is even better than the last one! Enjoy every moment.

Anonymous said...

Have a great time! I wish I could retreat from the Chaos Twins...

Trina said...

Thanks for the great giveaway!

Lyndsey said...

Gotta love Kona cottons! Have fun at your retreat!

Jen B said...

What a great give-away!

Rhonda said...

I hope you enjoy your retreats - they sound really fun! Thanks for the chance at a giveaway. Those fabrics look gorgeous. :)

petiteblogger said...

I'm a fairly new quilter and would love this to help with a project!

Anonymous said...

Have fun on your retreat! Kona Cottons look awesome. I have never used them but I have heard they are amazing!

Nancy said...

It's a toss up which i like better,
Kona or retreats!!

but since I don't have a retreat in the future...maybe some Kona will come my way??...

Moosters said...

Love Kona cotton! Love Jelly Rolls - combine them and I'm all in! Thanks for offering the giveaway. Hope you have a great weekend away!

MandMStudio said...

Oh I need some solids for my stash:) Have fun at all the retreats.

Melinda said...

I have started collecting solids and this would be great to add to my stash. I think I want to make an all solids quilt soon.

Char said...

Have fun at the retreat!

Dottie's Daughter said...

Count me in. I love Robert Kaufman fabrics

cnydalynn said...

I would love to get my hands on some Kona:)

Unknown said...

Have a great time at you retreat!

Leila said...

I would LOVE to win this. I can think of a million projects to use it in. Thanks!

chay said...

I am working on small quilts so this giveaway would be great to add to my stash. Thanks for the giveaway!

Tamara said...

Have fun at your retreat!!! Would love to get my hands on all that Kona!!!! :-)

Kelly said...

Oh wow! This is great! Pick me! Thanks for the giveaway!

Elizabeth said...

Enjoy your retreat weekend!

Ming said...

I always love solids and I would love to win this! Thank you for the giveaway!

Vallee said...

Wow how exciting you are coming to Grand Rapids!! I will definitely try to get one of the spots available!

krisgray said...

Retreats ARE THE BEST!!! Enjoy yourself!

Unknown said...

Yum, pretty fabrics. Have fun on your retreat. May even see you in November.

Crystal said...

I would love to win!

mkbusybeez at yahoo dot com

Chris {frecklemama} said...

Love it! I am seriously lacking some solids.

Jessie Lathroum said...

OH please enter ME!!! I LOVE Kona cotton!!!

Dandelion Quilts said...

Looks like you are going to be busy! Love the jellyroll. Thanks for the chance to enter.

Hosh said...

Ohhh! what a beautiful gift, I would love to win!
Please I would like to participate in your drawing!
My name is Jessica and this is my blog: http://jessypatch.blogspot.com/
Thank you for this opportunity and happy quilt!
Jessy.

Deanna said...

Can you see the unattractive dripping drool? Oh, that would be wonderful and you can bet I would provide it a happy home. Thanks for the offer and enjoy your trip.

Jennifer said...

I have been eying this colorway for a long time...sure is lovely!

Ceamz/Cayleigh said...

I hear my name being called...don't I? : ) A retreat sounds so fun. I am planning to host one in November. I was recently asked to teach a class at the home of author Janice Holt Giles. How exciting! I need to attend a retreat before hosting I think.

Nancy Sue said...

What great colors in this roll up. I think I'll just stare at it, and daydream of cooler days. Anything to take my mind off this heat and humidity!!! (near Washington DC).
Nsue21702 at gmail dot com

Dara said...

I can't tell you how happy to have you back. I am almost done all my blocks for the quilt along- my first one ever. Thanks again for your inspirtation- Dara

Danielle said...

Thanks for the giveaway! I figure I'd try, even IF there are over 250 comments, WOW!

Molly said...

I hope you have a lovely weekend! It sounds wonderful :)

Princess T said...

A solids jellyroll makes such a nice change.Happy quilting!

winceycottagegirl said...

wow, all the colors of the rainbow

Anonymous said...

Amanda Jean....It sounds like you are going to have a great summer of traveling a quilting with "friends". I was so excited to see that you are going to be in GR, then I clicked over and read the info....you will be here exactly one week after my family moves to AL. I would have loved the chance to meet you, and learn from you in person. I hope you enjoy your stay in our lovely city and that MHC has a great turn out for their work day (what a wonderful charity they have made from such sad circumstances).

and BTW....I love the quilting on the houses quilt!

Stacey

qltmom9 said...

OH, HOW I would ~utterly delight~ to win that lovely roll. Thanks for the chance. HAVE A GREAT TIME, and tell us all about it.~

Lucy~

Marguerite Leahy said...

Oooh. Yummy colours. What a fantastic giveaway. Thankyou

Kama said...

Super cool! Would love to win!

Kim said...

You are going to have soo much fun! Kona Cotton IS wonderful.. I have a pattern in mind.. Thank you for a chance to win your giveaway..

Kate said...

Happy weekend to you as well. The dark Konas are beautiful!

Mary5 said...

GORGEOUS! I'd sure enjoy those! Me, please.

Mary

Anne said...

I'd love to enter the giveaway. Thanks for your blog.

Peggy said...

Wow! I would love a weekend with Friends, Fabric and my sewing machine. I have the friends, the fabric and the sewing machine, just need to find the time. Enjoy yourself!!

Annette said...

I'm loving the Kona Cottons which I just recently discovered. I'd love to win these. What a fun assortment of solids. Loving solid colour quilts at the moment. Have fun at the retreat. Hope you will post some pics.

Quilting_Chris said...

Well, I don't know what happened to my first comment. So I'll keep this short. Have an excellent time and love the Kona cottons.

Chris

smarti said...

I always think I'm going to finish up more than I actually can in a weekend (and not just with quilting).

I haven't used much Kona...this roll would be a great start!

Karen said...

Happy retreating!! you will have a fabulous time i'm sure :)

Thanks for the chance to win that devine Jelly Roll.

Delores said...

Love to win this!! Just got a new jelly roll quilt book and I want to try it out!

Unknown said...

I don't have any Kona in my stash yet. Thanks for the great giveaway!

Sarah Craig said...

Gorgeous fabric! I can think of so many things I could do with it.....

Gabriella said...

I'd love to win!

Quilter Mom of 3 said...

I LOVE this!!
I have been planning a rainbow quilt for my friend Annie, who us just getting over a really bad breakup.

Rainbows really brighten up her day, and this would look awesome in her quilt!!

Lisa said...

I've never seen a roll of just solids - how cool!

Mary on Lake Pulaski said...

Oh yes, I am going to join the quilt along Amanda, just as soon as I win that great roll of Kona!!

Dee said...

I love Kona cotton and I definitely tend towards a darker palette. Have a great time at your retreat! I went to my first one last year and had SO much fun!

craftydill said...

Enjoy your retreat! Thanks for the chance for the Kona!!

Anna said...

just finished your zig zag quilt ... perhaps the new quilt along is my next project!!!

Jen said...

Would love to have such a huge range of colours to play with. Thank you for your generosity!

Annie said...

I want to win! Pick me!

Jocelyn said...

Enjoy your retreat! What fun. And thanks for the Kona cotton giveaway! Great colors.

Jodi said...

Who doesn't need more solids? Especially pre-cut!

Laurel said...

Oh, my. Those look sweeter than candy, and i LOVE candy!

thanks for the chance to win it!

Corrie said...

The quilt retreats sound so fun. I'd love to go with my mom sometime! And the fabric looks wonderful. I'm sure I could come up with something to do with it!

Tapestry Tree said...

Oh! I am doing the quilt a-long (love that pattern by the way!) And I LOVE those Kona Cottons! Thanks for doing such a great give away!

cathy said...

I do love to work with Kona cotton. This colors of this roll are wonderful.

smooze13 said...

Such rich colors! I would love to have these.

Anonymous said...

what a great giveaway!!!!

Jackie's Stitches said...

Can you believe I've never tried these fabrics?

Enjoy your quilt retreat!

Kristi M said...

If there was a retreat by Mpls, I am in northern MN and would love to make the trip. I have never tried Kona cotton, but if you say it is good, I am sold!

Kat said...

What gorgeous rich colors. Perfect for the quilt I'm planning for my bed. I want to go with rich fall-colored solids and try my hand at hand-quilting for the first time.

Bethany said...

Have a fantastic weekend! Thanks for the giveaway :)

Marissa said...

ooh, how fun. Thanks for the give away.

Leigh said...

what fabulous colors! Thanks for the giveaway!

kellie: thelemondime said...

can you believe i've never used kona cotton... :( i would LOVE to win!!!! THANK YOU!!!

Unknown said...

oooo beautiful! Have fun at the retreat! I hope to get to one someday!

E. said...

that material looks gorgeous!

Sarah said...

Kona cotton is great- it comes in every color there is!

Mariel said...

Love your blog and would love to win your jelly roll!

SheilaC said...

I just love ALL the kona colors... too hard to decide which ones to get first :)

thanks for the give away!
SheilaC

Unknown said...

This would be a great addition to my very new fabric collection, as I have only recently started quilting!

Anonymous said...

enjoy your retreat! (and I'm really glad I'm not the only one who overkills in the craft packing department!)

Thanks for another gorgeous giveaway (and yay- still thrilled you're *back*!)

paulette said...

Wow!! I'm 304!! But what the hay...someone's got to win...right?! Sure hope it's me because I LOVE these solids!! Thanks for the chance to win!!
Paulette

missbossypants said...

Have a great time at the retreat! I know I really look forward to my yearly scrapbooking retreat - I expect a sewing/quilting retreat would be the same!
I'm just starting out with quilting, and I'd LOVE to have some Kona of my own!

Carla said...

Love the dark colors! Thanks for a great giveaway!

Cheryl said...

Ooh, ooh, me, me! I love solids!

Samantha Lee said...

Count me in!!!!

:)

bluekushu2@gmail.com

Ashers said...

I would love the chance to win! Those colors a fabulous and I can think of a "few" things to do with them.

Jodi said...

Oh what a fun giveaway! I love your blog...I just learned how to quilt a few months ago and your blog is such an inspiration to me! :)

Nicole Marie Lingley said...

I've just started quilting and this is an awesome giveaway. Thank you for your wonderful blog!

Caroline in NH said...

I agree, this would look lovely as part of your quilt-a-long. I've never sewn with a jelly roll, and would love to win it!

Anonymous said...

I'm so glad you're back! I wish I could go to a retreat. Any chances you'll be coming to the Pacific NW?

Alice said...

That would be soooooooooooooooooooooo much fun to play with!!!! So would a retreat--I am jealous! L,A-

Kersten said...

That retreat sounds like SO much fun!!! Great upcoming summer plans...sounds exciting.

jenna said...

so pretty - i love those deep, bold konas. thanks for offering these up!

Katie @SwimBikeQuilt said...

Have a great time!

Jo said...

I've wanted to make an Amish Star quilt. This might do the trick. So glad that you back....glad to see you're taking time for yourself too.

allsewnup said...

I'd love some of this!!
Thank you for the chance.

Carolyn

Emily said...

Hope you have fun on retreat! :)

Living Like Ziggy said...

With this giveaway, I would jump off the fence and join in on the quilt along. I'm enjoying your blog!!

Angel said...

I love Kona cotton...lots of colors all at once....perfection!

Hrönnsa said...

I´ve never tried kona cotton, have always used kaffe Fassett solids so far, but I´d love to try this, lots of beautiful colours in there! Have a great weekend :)

Bridget said...

It's an earth tone rainbow!

Kristy said...

I would love to use these lovely fabrics in the quilts that are DANCING in my head! Kristy in Ohio

Little Pelican said...

There are so many lovely projects to do with these fabrics...

CraftyMummy said...

What a gorgeous giveaway! Enjoy your time away too ;)

Tiffany said...

I'm in need of a new project! This would be perfect!

April said...

Such pretty rich colors! Have fun quilting this weekend!

lorena said...

Oh, would love to win it! :)
lorepuckett at verizon dot net

Shanna said...

I just saw this at my local quilt shop tonight and was admiring it!! Have a wonderful retreat and enjoy your "me" time!!

Shanna

Anonymous said...

I've decided that I LOOVE solids and the accent they provide. I'm not too proud to beg!
Melissa Faires
msitton3@comcast.net

Natster said...

I love the colors! So pretty! :)

Melissa said...

Thanks for give-away! I'd love to enter.

Nicole said...

Thank you for the great giveaway!! I'm going to start cutting this weekend for quilt along... so excited, its a beautiful design!! :)

Dawn said...

Enjoy your retreat... how spesh to quilt for an entire weekend... hopefully you'll reduce you 2-3 weeks worth considerably... love the jelly roll colors... so rich...
Hugs Dawn x x x

scraphappy said...

Have fun at your quilt retreats. It looks like you will have plenty to keep you busy.

Lynn said...

Not only are you back, but now you are doing a give-away, how wonderful!

Grey Cat said...

Enjoy the retreat. There's nothing like uninterrupted sewing time :)

Anonymous said...

I would love my first ever jelly roll!!! Great colors! Have fun at retreat. I do 4 a year, they are so addicting. You will miss the family but I is time away well spent.

Cary N from WI

Karen said...

These odds are almost as bad as winning the lottery here in Florida LOL!! They are beautiful and I would love to win. Thanks for sharing.

Sara said...

Hope you have a great retreat and enjoy yourself...

I would love to win these - I love the colors...

Rebecca said...

have a great time at the quilt retreat!!

Candace: said...

I am new to quilting, I have finished four quilts so far and a few WIP. These would be so much fun to work with! Have fun on your retreat!

Lynne said...

You can do so many things with solids. Great giveaway. Thanks for the chance to win.
lynnegibson32@gmail.com

eva said...

I'm looking forward to what you make at the retreat....

please put me down to win the Roll Up in the Dark Colourstory......

i'd L-O-V-E to win...

as always...
xo
eva

Kacey said...

my meager stash could use such a handsome addition!
kaceykendrickwagner {at} gmail.com

Sandi said...

Have fun on your retreat!!!

CJ said...

Have fun at the retreat! I'd love to win that roll of Kona!!

Angela Nash said...

Have a wonderful time this weekend!

Cheryl Arkison said...

Have a great weekend! Say hello to everyone for me.

PioneerValleyGirl said...

Have a wonderful retreat!

leigh7911 said...

Oh my, how fun! I have no definite idea of what I would do with so much Kona goodness, but that's not gonna stop me from throwing my hat in the ring. :)

WendyLou said...

OH!! I know exactly what I'd do with this :) Have fun at your retreat!

sonoma craft said...

how wonderful to get time to yourself to be with like minds doing what you love! excited yet jealous!

i can't imagine it was easy to decide which project(s) to bring.

enjoy!

Annette said...

I have never used Kona cotton yet, but have heard so much about it! Thanks for the giveaway, have a great retreat!

AnnieO said...

I fondled a similar solids Kaufman jelly roll just recently in my local fabric store. It would be great to win one!

I've never been on a quilt retreat but have dreamed about it for years. It will have to stay on my bucket list for now, but someday...

Deb Pflager said...

The Kona solids are so pretty! I have been eyeing them...but haven't been able to make up my mind which one I like best!!

Deb said...

The Kona solids are so pretty! I have been eyeing them...but haven't been able to make up my mind which one I like best!!

ice cream said...

oooh...i already have a quilt in mind!

Fabric Fanatic said...

I love Kona Cottons and would love these. crossing my fingers!

Devi Bhatti said...

Enjoy your retreat. I'm so glad you decided to return to blogging.

Alison said...

Please enter me in your drawing. Thanks so much!

Alison

♥Duff said...

of course I want a chance t it--who wouldn't?! LOL! Hope you have at the retreat, lucky , lucky girl!!

Tyler & Rose-Ellen said...

Me me!!

Aviva said...

me, me, pick me, amanda!

Mary Jo said...

For sure I would come to a retreat in Wisc. if I could. I have never been to a quilt retreat.
I'm still thinking about the quilt along too. Love the Kona rollup, beautiful colors. Have fun at Grubers, and the MN Quilt show is there this weekend to. See you there maybe. Thanks, Love your blog, Mary Jo from Long Prairie

Gwen M. said...

The colors are lovely!

Laura said...

Ooh I like the dark colors! I've only used brights so far- that would make a great looking quilt!

-Laura

Lynda Halliger Otvos (Lynda M O) said...

Wouldn't that gorgeous pile of colors make my first giveaway win special!!

jennifer said...

I must admit, I've never used Kona cotton. I've only heard about it. But this would be a great reason to try it!

Anonymous said...

I have done two really simple quilts already for my baby boy, I still have lots and lots to learn!

Jeannie Gan said...

I love Robert Kaufman fabrics. Good luck to all and ME too!
Happy retreat to you.

Holly said...

OH I Definately want a chance at those Kona Solids!!!!!!!
Thanks for the chance and have a great week-end!!!

Becky said...

How funny. I just bought 8 yards of Kona cotton in parchment today for - your Star Quilt Along that I've been wanting to do forever. This would be a wonderful gift. The colors are so beautiful.

Enjoy your retreat. You're SO lucky.

Crystal Hendrix said...

I will definately have to think about the retreat in November!! That sounds so fun! I would LOVE to do that!! Maybe I could talk my mom into it too!!

Anonymous said...

pick me pick me! I LOVE these colours!!!!

Stacy said...

Have a lovely time at your retreat!

I've never used a jelly roll before - they look like fun. :)

Cris A said...

Comments on giveaways: 4763

Giveaways won: 0

Excitment when I see a new giveaway:
PRICELESS :)
Thanks for the chance to win

Jo Chu said...

I love the colors! I hope you have a safe trip.

sosarahsew said...

Wow, a year's worth of comments already on this post! Just goes to show how beautiful this give away is. Happy weekend to you too!

soggybottomflats said...

Hi Amanda Jean, great giveaway, thanks, please count me in. Elaine
Have a fun time at your retreat!

Tracey said...

I am so intrigued with solids lately. Thanks for the giveaway.

CRN said...

I just really started to get into quilting this spring. I don't have any quilt or fabric stores in the area and only know the joy of Kona through the blog world.

Dana said...

Wow, what nice colors! danainalaska (at) yahoo

Stine said...

I'm so glad you're back blogging! I agree...Kona cottons are fantastic! I'd love to win this roll up.

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