And the winners are of the giveaways, according to the random number generator, are Theresa here who likes Everbloom in Ivory and Light Blue and Wendy Christian over on Instagram!  Congratulations! Ladies, please send me your snail mail addresses.

Hi everyone,

Today is my day to post my project for the Hugs and Kisses Blog Hop going on at Sew We Quilt.  We were asked to sew 1, 2, or 3 Valentine’s-themed paper-pieced blocks designed by Soma from Whims and Fancies.  Proceeds for these patterns go to charity and you can find out more about where to get them at Sew We Quilt.

Of course I had to use Topiary!   I decided to use the heart block since it was my favorite.  I wanted to use the X and O blocks too but in the border.  Since I was shrinking the size of these blocks I appliquéd them, rather than paper-pieced them.

I decided to quilt swirls in the background to contrast with the straight quilting in the heart.

And I free motioned petals in white border blocks.

I debated about the corners and almost did them in the dark pink fabric, but in the end I decided to fussy cut the “Arbor Walk” print to showcase the smaller topiaries.

And now for the giveaway!  I’ll be giving away a copy of my block-of-the-month Under the Veranda, (which is pictured in Topiary on the cover), three patterns from my line, and a fat quarter of the “Gazebo” fabric in all three colors.

The giveaway prize…

To enter, hop on over to the Topiary page at Blend Fabrics and leave a comment below telling me what is your favorite Topiary print.  One comment per person please and let me know how to reach you if you are an anonymous.   For an additional chance to win go follow me on Instagram (AMANDAMURPHYDESIGN) and mark my picture of this project over there as a “favorite”.  So there will be an Instagram winner and a blog winner, okay?  Deadline is today, Tuesday the 18th, at midnight.

And be sure to check out all the other sites on the hop today!

I’m guest blogging over at Blend Fabrics blog today with a free pattern just in time for spring!

Topiary Table Topper

When Blend asked me to create a special design for this line I was sure I wanted to do something garden-related and a Dresden-style garden gate design fit the bill.  

You can find the pattern here.
If you are a shop ordering Topiary  please be sure to contact me so I can add you to the list of those stocking the line on my blog!

Happy sewing!
Amanda

Hi everybody,

Here is the original version of the Sundance quilt in my “Bonjour, Mon Ami” collection…

Sundance in (mostly) Bonjour, Mon Ami

And here are the Topiary options I’ve been playing with…

Sundance in Topiary (Option 1)

Sundance in Topiary (Option 2)

Sundance in Topiary (Option 3)

I think I’m leaning toward Option 1, but what do you all think?  If interested, you can access the SKUs I used for these versions here…

For shops looking to order the Topiary collection please call Blend Fabrics at 1-855-817-0604.  And don’t forget to let me know you ordered Topiary so I can add you to my list!

For all of your quilters out there, I will be keeping a list of shops that are stocking all 15 SKUs of the Topiary collection.  I added a special section to the top right sidebar of my blog to start.

Remember, if you are sewing the quilt, to note #berninausa #sundancequilt to share your fabric choices on Instagram!  You don’t have to do it in my fabrics – choose whatever strikes your fancy!  (My local shop, Sew Much Fun, in Lowell, NC, is doing this quilt in batiks and I just can’t wait to see it!)

Happy quilting!
Amanda

P.S.  I’m sorry, but I can’t sell the directions to Sundance to anyone directly as per the terms of my agreement with BERNINA.  I do have another Block-of-the-month called Under the Veranda available also in Topiary.  You can find it here.  If you are a shop you can contact me directly to place a wholesale order for that pattern or order it through any of the major distributors.