It's a celebration and giveaway!!

The secret is out. I wrote a quilting book called 'Soft & Cozy Keepsakes - Faux Rag Quilting', and it's available right now. You can purchase it on websites such as AQS, Amazon, Walmart, Target, Unitednotions (Moda Fabric's company), Checkerdist, and Brewer Sewing. 

In the past 18 months, I designed and made 12 quilts, 6 craft items and wrote detail instructions for the book, but couldn't share with anyone until now. This book will show you how to make unique rag quilts and craft projects using Faux Rag Quilting technique.  All the rag quilts in this book are nothing like you have seen or made before. Here are some pictures of the quilts and craft projects from the book.
 

I hope this book will be on the shelves of shops near you very soon, if not already.  This book is for someone who has little time to sew and need a quick unique quilt to gift to someone or for yourself. I hope this book will be a good resource for your inspirations. We all know that rag quilts are fast to make. They are soft, snugly and comfy to have wrapped around you. The Faux Rag quilting technique will speed up the process even more.

I already have one speaking engagement on April 25th at the Valley Modern Quilt Guild. This will be my first public speaking related to quilt making. I'm so looking forward to it.

To celebrate the release of my book, I have some great giveaway prizes from companies such as Fat Quarter Shop, Aurifil and Maywood Studio. They were very generous in giving when I approached them a few months ago. The Aurifil and Maywood Studio were big supporters of my book from the start. Due to shipping costs, I am limiting the prizes to be shipped within the US. only. The book promotion will be from April 20-30. All you need to do is leave a comment during that time and your name will be entered into a random drawing. One entry per person, please. If you leave more than one comment, your name will be entered only once. I'll pick a winner at 11 pm. on April 30th PST, ( the giveaway is now closed ) and will post it on my blog on May 2nd.

One lucky winner will receive all these prizes.
From Fat Quarter shop: 
  1 Non-slip Stripology Ruler 15"x21"
  1 Olfa Splash 45 mm Rotary cutter
  1 Bag of Jumbo Wonder Clips 
  1 Sew Purrfect Flannel fat-quarter bundle by Bonnie Sullivan
  1 Merry Santa Claus fat-quarter bundle by Tom Browning
 
From Maywood Studio:
  1 Flower Patch Flannel fat-quarter bundle by Bonnie Sullivan
  1 Pearl Essence Colors fat-quarter bundle by Maywood Studio
 
From Aurifil:
  1 box of Classic Collection thread

And from me:
  1 copy of Soft & Cozy Keepsakes - Faux Rag Quilting
 
These are wonderful quilters/bloggers who volunteered to review my book. 

Julie Cefalu at thecraftyquilter.com
Stephanie Palmer at latenightquilter.com
Amy Smart at diaryofaquilter.com
Julie Stocker at pinkdoxies.com

If you visit these blogs during the giveaway time, you will be able to read their review of my book. I hope you visit them all and come back here to leave a comment to let me know what you think. I'm super excited and can't wait to see their blogs. I'm grateful that they took time from their busy schedule to do this for me.

Because of all these activities about the book and recuperating from the surgery, I haven't sewn much lately. But I do have some new ideas in mind and will share with everyone soon.

2016 will be a year for taking it easy, doctors' orders, but also an exciting year.

Love life, embrace the challenges and give back!

HAPPY EASTER!

Last January, as I was preparing my second blogiversary giveaway, I had had a life changing experience.  On Jan. 25th, I had a brain aneurysm which lead to a Subarachnoid hemorrhage and I was treated at Cedar Sinai for a month.  I'm happy to say that the surgery was a success and now I'm recuperating at home.  I am blessed to be able to regain functions of my hands, arms and legs.  My speech is normal, may be a little slower, but I can talk normally.  I am still going through physical therapy twice a week at a hospital near by.  Even though my neurosurgeon cleared me and I don't have to see him for another three years, he said I still have to take it easy for awhile and SLOWLY ease back into my normal activities.  I guess 2016 is going to be a take it easy but exciting year.

In the past two months, I have felt the love that my friends, neighbors and the church members have for me.  Many friends brought food over and many more offered help of every kind.  They will pick me up if I want to go any where.  Some offered to come and sit with me so that I won't be alone.  Not that I'm alone, my dear husband is with me from the start.  He's not working right now because he turned down a job so that he could be with me in the past two months.  Many prayers were said on my behalf and God has heard them.  He has blessed me with many blessings and healed me in many ways.  Everyone was so shocked to see me walk and move around like nothing had happened to me.  Except the bald spot, and the incision, on my head, no one would know what I'd been through in the last two months.

Today is Easter and there is a reason to celebrate.  I know it's late in the day, but I find hope and happiness in Easter and my belief in Jesus Christ.  I know I'm a daughter of God and He LOVES me. 

I haven't sewn much in the past two months.  Before I went into the hospital, I was working on a baby quilt to gift a friend who had a baby girl.  It progresses slowly but I'll get it done.  The top is done, now I just have to quilt it.

My book came out right on the targeted date, March 15, 2016.  There will be a book review and awesome giveaway prizes starting from April 20th to April 30th.  I'll reveal more details when the time gets a bit closer.  I am very happy the way the book turned out.  The pictures are so beautiful, thanks to the editing team at the AQS.

 
I am so grateful for all of you who visit my blog and I wish you a Happy Easter.  I love the renewal and refreshing feelings that Spring and Easter brings.  That reminds me I have to get started in my garden, soon.  We have a very short spring and summer comes early around here.  Whatever your tradition or belief, I wish you and those you love, peace and happiness in all you days.

HAVE A GREAT WEEK!!

Blogiversary Giveaway Winner

Thank you everyone for joining me in this giveaway.  I know it's not much, but they are all my favorite things and I want to support my local quilt shop.  Since there were only 5 people who made comments, I put everyone's name on a piece of paper, folded them and put them in a box with lid.  I shook the box and opened the lid to draw a name and here it is.  Congratulations Zenia Rene !!  Please email me with your address.  Hope you enjoy your prize!
 
I hope you'll join me again in April when I have my book review.  I already got a big box of thread from Aurifil, five items from the Fat Quarter Shop.  There will be some scrumptious flannel fabric from Maywood Studio as well.

Have a great week!!