Book Blog Tour Day 5

 It's the last day of the tour-phew! Thanks for sticking with me! I have really enjoyed reading all of your comments. Leave a comment on this post by midnight Saturday Sunday EDT (you get 2 extra days this time!) for your chance to win a copy of my book! And remember that I will list ALL of the winners of my giveaways here on my blog on Monday, so be sure to check in to see if you're a winner.

This has been a dream come true- I have known for a long time that I wanted to do a book, and it took me a while to put it all together in my head, to figure out just what I wanted it to be. I knew I wanted to paint my own illustrations for diagrams and to "decorate" the book, and I knew I wanted to add some recipes, because the kitchen is an important part to my creative life.  I loved putting this book together. As I mentioned, it started in my head about 4 years ago, and it has been a lesson in patience and persistence for me. What I liked most is that it has let me combine so many things that I love doing into one project- sewing, cooking, painting. It was really fun (and sometimes challenging ) to come up with a good balance of projects and recipes, and then paint all of the diagrams and illustrations to go with them.
Someone asked in a comment the other day what part I enjoy most, and I would have to say, all of it... When I'm tired of sewing I do a little painting, and vice versa. As far as the food, my family is always ready and willing to taste and test.... the only thing I don't like about it is actually sitting down to write the pattern, and then the endless proofing when it is time to edit. But the fun of creating new projects and recipes far outweighs that part.

The first project that I worked on, before I ever had the nerve to even THINK about submitting a proposal to a publisher, was the Pineapple Welcome Wall Hanging. I made this sample probably 3 or 4 years ago, knowing in the back of my mind that "someday" it would be in my book:

Another project that I did early on was the Citrus Peel Quilt- I really like the refreshing colors in it. It does not match a single room in my house.... so maybe some redecorating is in order?

And the recipe? Orange Chocolate Chip Scones.

I am happy to announce that today is Sandi Andersen's day for the blog tour!

Her blog is called A Legacy of Stitches. Sandi is the only person on my blog tour that I have never met face to face- but I consider her a dear friend. We "met" while blogging, and have sent many, many emails back and forth, as well as packages stuffed with fabric, little gifts, etc. Last week I got a package from Sandi...

....and I just LOVED what was inside- it's honestly one of the nicest things anyone has ever given me. She made me this cute little pin cushion from my Sewing Room Social fabric, I will always cherish it (and I cried a little when I opened it- which is really rare for me):

 Want to learn to make this pincushion? Click here to go to the tutorial on Sandi's blog.

Sandi is another one of those "Energizer Bunny" type of people! She is always sewing something, blogging something, hosting or attending a retreat, doing volunteer work.... I don't think she ever sits still. She often designs projects for her favorite quilt shop, Firefly Quilt Shop in nearby Mankato, Minnesota. I sent her a big box of Sewing Room Social fabric, and Wow! has she been busy... some of the projects she has made:

A mug rug- click here for Sandi's tutorial.

 a sewing kit

 a tote bag (love this one!)

  a wallet

Sandi is the perfect person to help me finish up my blog tour, because the theme of her blog has a connection to my book theme.  Her quilting blog was inspired by the women who shared their creativity .......her mother, Mary, Grandma Goldie, Aunt Marie and so many more ladies in her hometown of Lehigh, Iowa.

Several years ago, she began sharing the vintage quilts her parents bought at estate auctions and some family quilts along with her own designs, in a program she calls "A Legacy of Stitches". If you check out her blog, you'll find a poem that shares her thoughts on those quilts and quilters who inspired her. Every Monday, Sandi has a post called "What's On the Line" where she shares an antique or vintage quilt from her vast collection. It's the perfect platform for her natural story telling ability, when she shares her memories related to the quilt and some of its background.

(Sandi and I have talked before about trying to get these outdoor photos while the Minnesota wind was blowing- I think we came up with the term "aerobic quilting" ha ha.)

Click here to join Sandi on her blog today for another chance to win a copy of my book and some A LOT other goodies that Sandi is generously sharing with the winner.

Monday: Brenda Riddle of Acorn Quilt and Gift Company
              Jill Finley of Jillily Studio
Tuesday: Pat Sloan of, well, everything!
Wednesday: Natalie Lymer of Cinderberry Stitches
Thursday: Michele Foster of The Quilting Gallery
Friday: Sandi Andersen of A Legacy of Stitches

Thanks to everyone who came along for the tour! 

Have a great weekend!