'Under the Sea' bits n pieces AND a giveaway :-)

We're a bit 'newsy' in the willowberry house today, lots to tell, lots to show and a giveaway... but you gotta read through till the end for that... :-)

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Here's the plan for 'Under the Sea' .... finished size approx 24" x 33"

The yardage requirements will also be included in the instructions for block 5 ~ available on May 1st.  You'll meet Sebastian and Lola.... they waltz to the whale's song  :-)   I think Sorena will have to show her face sometime in May as well... she's too gorgeous to stay hidden till June 1st!

A simple 9 patch layout with sashing and cornerstones

~ You'll need ~

Stitchery Blocks ~ 9 x 7" x 9" (18cm x 23cm) blue fabric, trimmed to size after stitching

Sashing & lower band ~ 10" (25cm) contrast 1 ~ I'm using a batik

Cornerstones ~ 2" (5cm) contrast 2

Borders ~ 14" (35cm) contrast 3

Binding ~ 8" (20cm)

Batting and Backing ~ approx 26" x 35" (65cm x 87cm)

How are you going with your underwater stitching?  I know there are LOTS of busy fingers out there and if you'd like to share your doings, join our flickr group so we can all go 'ooh' and 'ahh' over your photos!

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In the current Homespun magazine you'll find projects by Vikki of Sew Useful Designs and Dawn of Dawn Hay Designs ~ they're both gorgeous and 'must do's'

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Now for the giveaway.... J

I'd like some assistance from my assistants... please...

I had a visit yesterday afternoon from Mary (from Fresh Hope).  We chatted about all manner of things but mostly about the Fresh Hope pattern range and Mary's plans for the next few months... a beautiful lady and a tireless worker...

These guys ~ who made their debut in Creating Country Threads last year ~ will have a few little tweaks and become a Fresh Hope pattern in the very near future

I'd like to give them a makeover... and I can't decide ~ just simple smallish prints, but which ones?

Fresh and bright ric rac Rosie the lamb? or a more gentle mottled blue moo cow?

 

  Soft little animal nursery prints? or bold with a purple paisley pony?

  

Help me choose by leaving a comment telling me what you think and I'll throw your name into the pink bucket

At the end of April, Ratty will dive in and choose one of you to win

A full set of finished little farm babies!!

FUN!!!

have a fun day...

Cheryl xx

Special message for my friend Gudrun in Hono, Sweden.... I’ve lost your email addy!!  Please contact me, I have something for you J

Comments

[Tine]

Hi Cheryl,
I think the cute farm babies will look great in the Me & My Sister Favourites - Bright colours is my favourite :-) and the ric rac patterns look so very cheerful!
Tine in Copenhagen

[pam duxbury]

I think Me and My sisters is the best choice and a blue bull sounds just the best.

[SheilaC]

I think that the Little Blessings line would be just perfect for these little guys!

SheilaC

[Sarah]

These type animals were popular in the past, in the 1930's and 1940's and then again in the 70's and early 80's. I remember making them as shower gifts to match baby quilts. I would choose Me and My Sister as they look vintage.

[Elaine Susan Howard]

Me and My sister definitely, it shouts at you as the one for those animals.

[Sharon]

Hello Chez - well as you know - Verna is my fave at this moment...BUT I think those gorgeous creatures would look super special made up in Marabella. As well as yummy colours, it also has that lovely range of designs within the collection and I know they'd look simply devine...Good luck choosing....

[Karen Rosewarne]

Love Me and My Sister with Marabella a close second depends on the "character' of the animal you are making!

[Sandy K]

I LOVE Verna and have been working with it for the Jelly Roll Sampler...would like to see the animals done in that.

[Judy Currie]

Number one the bright and beautiful Me and My Sister followed by Verna for the color diversity. Would love to have these little babies. Judy C in NC

[Annelise]

I love the small animals and my favorite is certainly Marabella - sun and fun and cute animals - this is happiness :O)

[kaholly]

Me and My Sisters, for sure!! ~karen

[midge]

HI, I would pick Me & My Sister Favorites, but really, any of them would be fab..

[Carrie P.]

Those little critters are cute they way they are but you are going to give them a make over, my pick is Verna.

[Tessa]

Very difficult to choose, but my fav would have to be the Verna fabrics. Would love to turn them into a mobile for my little girl till she's old enough to actually hold the critters! Tessa

[ina]

How's Norm doing? How's Cheryl doing?

[Sue from Cyprus]

Hi Cheryl

Awh, how cute!! I think that if it was up to me I would choose Little Blessings. The fabric is cheery and appropriate. But I love them all!

Hugs, Sue from Cyprus

PS Ratty.... choose me, please pretty please :)

[Denise]

Little Blessings would be great and I love Verna so I'd have to make two sets! LOL

[Lyn Smith]

I love the Me and My Sister Favourites, but it's really hard to choose. I think they would look great in any of them

[Chriss Jasper]

I pick anything that is bright and pretty, loving lime green and choc together at the moment, or aqua and purple, so fresh, bright and smart is my choice, but then maybe little people might love something a little more relaxed - so make both!
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Yummmm, lime green and chocolate.... and Yes!!! I think I will make both!!! Thanks Chriss :-)
Cheryl xx

[Lisa E.]

I love the Little Blessings prints. I think they'd be perfect. I just took up making softies and I love it - they are so forgiving when you are learning and testing new patterns and ideas - and best of all, kids don't care if your piggy has one tiny ear and one gigantic one! LOL

[sewlindaann]

I think the large prints of Marabells would go great with the smaller ones of Me and My Sister to make adorable, fun and eye catchy animals.

[Beertje Zonn]

Ithink also they look great in Verna!
Bear regards,

Beertje Zonn
Bear from the Netherlands

[Tammy J]

I think the "Me and My Sister Favorites" would be so fun.

[verna Sherwood]

I'm going to have to say Verna, for obvious reasons.

[Monica]

All by themselves I like the Mirabella and Verna but I think a mix of Me and My Sisters with the Mirabella would be fantastic.

[Julz at Simple Stitches]

Marabello...some cute prints there,
Julz

[Jennifer]

I like Little Blessings!!!! They are so cute, I have the pig and the chick made up - they just need some stuffing - they are so cute!!!

[Joy]

Ooooh I love them all ... choices choices!!! Well if I HAD to pick just one I'd probably pick the Me and My Sister range too .... but those little farmyard darlings would look gawjus in any of those fabrics I'm sure!!!
Love the layout for the BOM ... how did you go with the corally fabric you bought?? Did it pass the audition??? We'll have to do that again ... next time I'll travel up the hill to you ;o)!!!
Miss ya madly ....
Love n hugs,
Joy xxxxxxxx *mwah*
PS ... Please give Normie a hug from me ;o)!!

[sandee]

Love the sisters range so bright fresh

[Sara]

I pick Verna! I like it the best...

[Sabine]

I'd absolutly go for the Sister And Me one (I love this group!) The colours are ready for the summer, nice and bright. I'd love the pig with the daisies fabric :-) Too cute!

[Ruth Oblinski]

Wow, Me and My Sisters seems to be the favorite. I guess I'll agree!!! Hee Hee

[maria wilson]

I think the farm animals would look fabulous in MARABELLA

[Jytte R]

I would definitely choose 'me and my Sister Favorites'. Imagine more small animals with the ric racfabric and also the stripes are very good.
Thank you for this chance to participate in your giveaway.

[Kelly]

Oh my choices would be Marebella first, then another set in Me and My Sister Favorites...both very sweet...and my favorite colors too!! I can just see my grandbabies playing with them!!

The layout for "Under the Sea" leaves me excited for the rest of the patterns...thanks for sharing these with us!!

[Margie Crewse]

This is a hard one, but I think "Me and My Sisters" would be the one!!

[Lynn]

I like the Me and My Sister Favorites.
Thanks for the op. to win.

[Elyte]

Little blessings gets my vote - the soft and gentle nursery colours with the smaller all over prints. Second choice would be Me and My Sister.

[Quilter faye]

Hi Cheryl, Me and My Sisters is #1 with me,Verna is a close second. They'll be sooo cute!

[Kerry]

I really like the Marabella, or second choice the Verna. Sooo cute.

[Cory]

I think these cute critters would look cute in nursry animal prints. They are adorable. Take care and God bless, Cory

[Annette]

They would be sweet in any of them but I am partial to Me and My Sister. The little animals are soooo cute!

[mirja]

I love the marabella. the bright colors are wonderful!

[Shari]

I love the Marabello - purple paisley pigs just appeal to me! What a cute little group of animals!

[Melanie]

Hia Cheryl, sorry I'm behind everywhere at the mo.

I'd choose Me and my Sister's Favourites as little folk like bright colours usually. What could be more cheering? The horse could become a zig zag zebra in that range. Then there's the curly pig, the floral cow the dotty chicken. Oh now you've set my brain off. LOL

[sewusefuldesigns.blogspot.com]

Hello gorgeous!

Ooh - I'm thinking Marabella for those little farmyard beauties! :-) But all would be equally gorgeous! I really love the 'verna' range too!

Gosh darling, I've been catching up with all your fun and frolicks over the past few posts! Your BOM is looking absolutely divine! And oh wow do I ever love the linen... luxurious, romantic, Victorian... love it, love it, love it! And Normie is just so gorgeous - please give him a hug from Theresa!! :-) Oh and the scrolls! How could I forget?! Can't wait to see the rest of that project!

Is this turning into an essay?! LOL! Your Homespun block keeper is such a great project! It's lovely when people share - and what great fabrics hey?!!!

Lots of love sweetness! Catch ya! :-)
Vikki xxxxx

[Janelle]

I think Marabella would look great!

[fleurette]

The farm babies are tooo cute! I love bold with a purple paisley pony. MARABELLA!

[Marilyn]

Mmmm. Gorgeous animals. I think Me and My Sister, followed by Marabella.
But all will work amazingly well.

[Bec Clarke]

I like the "Little Blessings" range, very cute and very appropriate.