Friday, December 9, 2011

It's Party Time!!

Today's the DAY!!! The Quilting Galleries Blog Hop Party with Giveaways!!

I love Parties and I love Giveaways so I was so happy to have this chance to participate.  Did you check out that huge list of participants!! That should keep you all busy for a few hours :) I know it will me.

I would first like to introduce Gerri Richards, a pattern designer and quilting teacher from Rothesay, New Brunswick. Gerri markets her patterns under the name Cool Cat Creations. I first met Gerri last February when she was a guest at a quilting retreat I attended.  We seemed to click and I loved her humour, her patterns and the fact that she has 4 cats!  Over the summer, on days that we needed a break from cancer, we would pop into Town and Country Quilts, in Rothesay, where Gerri currently gives classes; and, we would have some good chats and receive lots of hugs and support.  It really meant a lot to us.  One of the giveaways for this hop comes from Gerri's line of patterns and she graciously allowed me to interview her so you all could get to know her better!

Gerri has loved to draw and paint since she was a little girl and this talent was greatly encouraged.  After studying tailoring and pattern drafting, she started her own line of children's clothing under the brand name of Miss Scarlett.  In the meantime, she was always interested in quilts and ended up taking a quilting course from her local guild.

This lead to several years of volunteering with kids and quilts which eventually lead to teaching at Town and Country quilts. Gerri loves teaching, loves the people who take her classes and loves how thrilled they are when they finish their quilt!

The first seed of thought to designing her own quilting patterns came about one summer when everyone at a local market wanted to buy her wallhanging with 3 Cool Cats on it.

Several years later, she stopped in at Keepsake Quilting in New Hampshire carrying a bag she had designed.  They encouraged her to  come up with a written pattern for it.  Two and half years later, Keepsake Quilting catalog was featuring her patterns.  Gerri says, "it's "Very Hard" breaking into the quilting industry as there are many, many designers!" I am glad she persisted!

Gerri tells me the most interesting part of designing for her is the actual making of the samples.  "I just love playing with the colors, love fabrics, love the feel of fabrics!"  Sounds like the rest of us quilters too!

When I asked Gerri about designing fabric, she told me she'd love to have a line of fabric; and, in actuality, has already started designing one.  I can't wait to see what you come out with Gerri!

You can find Gerri and her patterns in the following places:
and on Facebook at Cool Cat Creations.

I am offering two items for my giveaway.  The first is Achy Breaky Hearts by Cool Cat Creations!  I fell in love with this pattern this summer!  All Gerri's students were having a lot of fun making them hearts!
 Looks good in country colors too! And, the hearts are made with a Jelly Roll...how easy is that!
 Second giveaway, a new copy of Cutting Corners by Joan Hanson.
 Wouldn't you love to make this??
 Or this!! They're in this book!
To be entered, leave me a comment.  If you don't follow me, I'd love to have you join! I will be using a random number generator to pick the winners on Dec. 17th.  Make sure I can reach you by email because if I can't, I pick someone else.  I will mail Canada and United States.

And most, of all, don't forget to check out all the other participants in the Quilting Galleries Blog Hop with Giveaways! Happy hopping, good luck to everyone and God Bless!

131 comments:

Martina said...

Thanks so much for the lovely give away! I love this cherry star picnic quilt!I am a happy follower!

Pam said...

Looks like a great book!

Stitched With Prayer said...

Hi Shelly, This is such a great giveaway, thanks so much for a chance to win one of these super prizes. I am a long time follower...though I usually lurk (hanging head in shame) I do comments now and then but I love your blog and pop in often. Thanks again and big hugs...

Barb said...

What a fun giveaway, and I have been a follower for some time now. Thanks,

Stray Stitches (Linda G) said...

What a great giveaway! Love the Achy Breaky Hearts pattern. Thanks for the opportunity to enter your giveaway!

Sue Daurio said...

Yep I'm a follower and that looks like a fantastic book!!

dettonlisas@gmail.com said...

I'm a long time follower!
This is a great giveaway! I would love to win! Hugs,

Rosa Robichaud said...

OOOOOH..... I have 2 of Gerri's patterns but I don't have the Acky Breaky heart one and I'd LOVE a quilting book, as well!

*grin*

Pls pick my name.... *s*

Rosa Robichaud
Saint John, New Brunswick
robich@rogers.com

Anonymous said...

HAPPILY FOLLOWING YOU!
SWEET GIVEAWAY!
MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Sherryl said...

Hi Shelley - I ready your blog every day. I'm addicted! And that book looks wonderful. Thank you so much for the giveaway. And Merry Christmas!
- sunshdws at yahoo dot com

Marlene said...

I love a give away. Love the book.

Marlene said...

Love a giveaway. Looks like a great book.

marlenereimer@mts.net

Anonymous said...

How fun!! You just know I'd love a chance...I'm so curious about the book...looks like a good one!!!

Deanna said...

The Cutting Corners book looks particularly nice. Thank for the giveaway chance.

Jen said...

I follow :) Thanks for the giveaway!

Cool Cats and Quilts said...

Hi Shell, what a great article, thanks so much! I have learned alot from following your blog, and so much more to learn! You should come down and spend a couple of hours with me and a computer some time. Thanks again, Gerri

Le blog du tigre said...

J'aimerais gagner ce patron des cœurs brisés.

Merci beaucoup

Gilbert

Sandie @ crazy'boutquilts said...

I'm a happy follower. :-) I love that quilt in the book! Thanks for the chance!

Ana e os Viraventos said...

Great giveaway. Thanks a lot. ana

Vroomans' Quilts said...

Loved your interview and introduction of a new designer, thank you, so sweet. Darling give away.

ThisQuiltingMama said...

Love the patterns and book you are giving away. Thank you for participating! I'm having a great time already!

Michele T said...

The book and pattern is fantastic!! Thanks for the chance!

Robin in New Jersey said...

That book looks interesting!

Pippa Parsons said...

I love the heart pattern

Marilyn said...

The pattern and books look great!! Thanks for the generous offer. Also the intro to Cool Cats - I have checked out her site too. Thanks!

Kate said...

What lovely prizes!! Thanks for the opportunity.

Anonymous said...

Would love to have these lovely prizes. Thanks for the opportunity to win these.

mammafairy said...

I followed the suggestion, and started at the blogs for my initial.
This giveaway is really good, many thanks for your generosity, good luck everyone!
I would love to win this prize!

Linda said...

Hi! I am a new follower. Thanks for the chance to win these awesome prizes. Achy Breaky Hearts looks like a great scrapbusting quilt

Sheila said...

I'm a new follower as well, looks like a fun blog to follow .Thansk for the chance to win these great prizes .

Quilting "b" said...

I am a new follower, thanks for a great giveaway and Merry Christmas

Sewnuts said...

I am now a follower - thanks for participating in this fun "Blog hop" - Happy Holidays!

Kathy S. said...

Love those hearts!...and they are made with my favorite--the jelly roll. Thanks for the chance to win your giveaway. Happy holidays!

Mommarock said...

Wow that book looks fantastic!

JudyCinNC said...

Wonderful giveaways and thank you for the great opportunity to win. Judy C

JoyceLM said...

THanks for the great giveaway. I just became a follower too.

RobbieJoy said...

I would love a quilt patterns book! I'm a beginning quilter and need some good ideas! A new follower too!

Anonymous said...

Nice book. Would love to win that. Thank you

Grandma M said...

Lovely prizes. Thanks for the chance to win.

Anonymous said...

WOuld love to win either item. I enjoy reading your blog.
nlcalendar (Marilyn)

SalemMomma said...

Those patterns are beautiful! Thanks for the chance to win!

Lesley said...

Lovely patterns. Thanks for the chance!

Grandma M said...

Great give away. Thanks for the chance to win.

BillieBee (billiemick) said...

Great giveaway! I especially like the Cherry picnic

michele said...

Thank you for joining in the blog hop party - this is fun!

Merry Christmas!

Linda V said...

Thanks so much for the great giveaway chance!
Linda
http://homesweetquiltinghome.blogspot.com

Calicojoan said...

Great give a way to go with a great blog!

M-R Charbonneau said...

I'm a new follower. So nice to meet you another Canadian quilt blogger! Thanks for the giveaways!

ballardquilter said...

Nice give away
rhaun@clear.net

Lee D said...

both are great giveaways & I hope they can come to Calgary!!! enjoy the party

Cassandra said...

I would love to win a copy of that book! It looks fantastic!

Thanks for hosting a giveaway. :)

hueisei said...

New follower!
Thx for the chance to win ^^v

conny's quilts en creaties said...

Loveley give away you have here. Thanks for the opportunity. I am participant as well so you might visit my blog too if you like! Kind greetings from the Netherlands.

Quilt Doodle Designs said...

Wonderful give-away. Thank you for the chance to win

The Cozy Quilter said...

That book lookalike it has lots of good eye candy in it! if my name is chosen, please just leave a comment on my blog!

Sally Ann said...

wonderful give away!! the book looks great

Dresden Quilter said...

Great interview! Thanks for the giveaway!

Marg said...

As a new quilter it would be great to win.
Thanks

Unknown said...

I love hearts. thank you for this chance to win. hugs

Anonymous said...

Hearts one can never have to many,or to many Quilts Books or to much Fabric.

Colleen said...

Hi Shelley

I'm loving this Quilters Blog Hop - a good way to find new great blogs. I've followed yours. Thanks for hosting the giveaway.

Kristen King said...

What a wonderful inspiring give away! Those patterns look like a lot of fun! :)

Jennifer said...

great giveaway, thanks!

Joann said...

my husband lived in Rothsay when he was a teenager! I would love to visit the area, he always remembers it fondly. Great giveaway, thanks for the chance to win!

beaquilter said...

what a nice give away, I love patterns and books- have TOO many! but they ARE inspiring! I'm a new follower

Rachel Bates said...

Thanks for the giveaway. Never saw broken hearts before.

bohemiannie! art said...

Love those hearts!

Jsoosay said...

That heart quilt is beautiful. I can't wait to go and see her other quilt patterns.

Missy said...

Thanks so much for the book giveaway, I am a terrible quilting book junkie..I can never have enough!

ritainalaska said...

i, too have fallen for 'achy breaky hearts'!such a pretty pattern! thanx for participating in this blog hop.

Maria Kievit said...

Really like the book giveaway you have. Thanks.

Bright Angel said...

What a great interview! I am a new follower. Thanks for the chance to win! :)

Sara said...

Great giveaway...thanks for sharing with us...

nhsarab at yahoo dot com

Granny Anne said...

I have become a follower today and fully intend to come back to visit after knocking on 240 more sites. I am originally from Canada (BC) so love to hear our humor. Thanks for the chance to win

Anonymous said...

What great gift!!

Sallie said...

Thanks for the generous giveaway! Merry Christmas!

Connie Kresin Campbell said...

What a great giveaway, love the Country Village and Achy Breaky Hearts! I am a new follower.

Martha said...

Thanks for being so generous...I am a new follower...Merry Christmas.

Sandra said...

Thank you for the chance to win. Am a new follower.

Heather said...

Nice giveaway, I love the book. Thanks for the chance to win.

Needled Mom said...

I really enjoy the scrap quilts and that book is so perfect for scraps!

Peggy said...

What a fab giveaway - thanks for the chance!

Peggy said...

Hello, nice to meet you. I would love to win your giveaway. Thanks for the chance.

Laura said...

Love your giveaway. Please enter me.

Cheri said...

Would live to win--thanks for the chance

Melinda said...

Great prizes - thanks for the opportunity.

Kathy H said...

Thanks for the chance to win in your giveaway. I love the quilt with the houses on it.

Marjorie's Busy Corner said...

I love your giveaway choices....thank you

Marjorie's Busy Corner said...

I'm a new follower

Maxine said...

Cutting Corners is right up my alley. Thanks for the chance to win.

Purl Buttons said...

Thank you for a chance at your giveaway. I will go and sign up to follow right now.

Lisa Cox said...

Great giveaway!
Thanks.

Rhonda said...

Love both the prizes. I'm a new follower. Thanks so much for the opportunity to enter. : )

Carolyn said...

I'm a new follower. :0)

Thank you for the chance to win. I LOVE the house pattern.. Love anything with houses!

Kylie Carlson said...

I love those hearts too! Thank you for the lovely giveaway. kcarlson1152[at]hotmail.com

Loves to Quilt said...

I have become a follower and would love a chance to win. I love the "Country Village" pattern.

Michelle said...

Thanks for the givaway!

Gwen said...

Thank you for introducing to, and telling us a little about, Gerri. I have found some very dear friends through quilting... Quilters are some of the nicest people! :-) Thank you for the chance to win one of your wonderful prizes, too!! :-) I really enjoyed getting to "meet" you!

Nanbon44 said...

I love the heart quilt

Heather O said...

Hi Shelley, I've been following your blog ever since we went to the Villa retreat and you posted a blog of me sewing in my PJs. I hope to see you again this February. I am a cat lover too and Gerri designs great cat stuff. Thanks for all the fun stuff on your blog.

marycromley@yahoo.com said...

Thanks for the give away, I just bought the cutting cornor's ruler, cant't wait to get a pattern to make with it.

Sonja Threadgill Nelson said...

Love the hearts!!! new follower TY!

Average Quilter said...

Looks like fun - count me in. Thanks

Desi @ Wee Share said...

how fun! would love to give that pattern a try :)

Desi
weeshareblog@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the great give away, I love both of your gifts. :) Quilted blessings, Nita

Diane Wild said...

What a great giveaway. I could use another book. And I will follow your blog. Thank you. Merry Christmas from Minnesota.

Kess said...

Oh man, books are my favorite. There are always so many good ideas that you just open up to when you need a new project. Thanks for the giveaway!
kessilari (at) gmail (dot)com

Deb said...

I love quilting books and have some on my Christmas list! I'd love to be included. Thank you!

crafter1953 said...

Hi, Happy Holiday to you and yours, I just love all those hearts so cool. Thanks for your giveaway.

quiltmom anna said...

I love heart shaped patterns and Geri's design is beautiful.
Thanks for participating in the blog hop. I hope you have had fun visiting blogs and meeting other bloggers too.
Regards from Western Canada,
Anna

Mary said...

What fabulous patterns, love the books. THanks for the chance to win!

Marcia said...

I love the patterns you picked. Thanks for the chance:)

B Greene said...

Very cool patterns! Thanks for the chance to win!

Unknown said...

Great giveaway. Thanks

Jocelyn said...

Love the patterns!! Thanks for the great giveaway Shelley.

Back Porch Extras said...

Love your Blog and will be a new follower. Thanks for sharing some great prizes.
Patty
Stash Away, Stash Away, Stash away ALL!

Aimee said...

I would love to be entered for these :) Thank you so much for the chance!

rvquilter said...

great gives for your giveaway.thanks for the chance

Judith said...

Great giveaways. I will be following you and thanks for joining the giveaways.

antique quilter said...

great giveaway and ok just love that country village quilt and the cherry star picnic is wonderful and I just happen to have a lot of red and white fabrics right now!!!!!
Thanks ! and yes I am a follower!
Kathie

SassyCathy said...

Cutting Corners - yep - that sounds like me. I frequently march to my own drum beat. My Aunt say's she's a maverick - I am following that path. It if doesn't work - MAKE it work! Start at the other end and work your way back.
I hope you have a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS! :)
Thank you for the opportunity to win such a nice giveaway.
Cathy Byrd
byrd@gulftel.com

Marcia B said...

Wonderful giveaway! The book looks like one I would love to add to my shelf! :) Thanks for the opportunity!

Judi said...

I'm a new follower - both of these items look like a lot of fun. I love that the hearts are made from a jelly roll - I have a few of those that I haven't figured out what to do with yet!

Donna Joy said...

Hanks for the interview about Jerry. it will be fun to see what her fabric looks like. Love books full of patterns, but never enough time to sew everything we want.

Carla G said...

What a great giveaway! The book looks like a great addition to the 2 books I have. Thanks for a chance to win! :)

nicolesender said...

I like the quilt on the cover of Cutting Corners! Thanks for the chance to win!
nicolesender(at)yahoo(dot)com

Anonymous said...

I just received my first jellyroll, now I know what to do with it!

Thanks for the great giveaway!

Katina
kjkoukla(athotmail...

Mary on Lake Pulaski said...

Love the heart quilt!

needlesinthegrove said...

I am having so much fun with this Blog Hop...just discovered blogging and LOVE it!!

I really like the pattern you are offering.

Luna said...

Love the pattern of the houses and evergreens!

Thank you for the chance to win
Kelly (at) mysimplewalk (dot) com

Katkat said...

I would like either giveaway. Thanks1