Welcome to the first day of the “Mini Masterpieces” Book hop! This is a project that is near and dear to my heart, as Alyce (the author extraordinaire) is a very good friend of mine. I haven’t blogged, or even had a chance to sew lately, but when Alyce asked me to be a part of her book hop, I jumped (hopped?) at the opportunity.
Mini Masterpieces is a wonderful addition to any quilt library. The book is well organized and clear, with tons of beautiful photos. Each chapter is a skill-building lesson, which include strip-piecing, curves, triangle and paper-piecing, to name a few. Beginning quilters can expand their talents, and seasoned quilters can use it as an inspirational reference book of techniques.
Alyce asked me to make a block from Lesson 1: Simple Squares. I love the simplicity and clean look of a traditional 9-patch and Alyce’s tips for nesting seams create perfect points.
I decided to get into the Christmas spirit and FINALLY use my Pixie Noel Precuts from Riley Blake (cutting into a pristine fat quarter pack is SO difficult for me!). Mini Masterpieces inspired me to keep going and make enough blocks for a festive pillow.
The pillow is about 22″ x 22″ and I’ll post the finished photo once I sew on with the fun, striped, binding. I can’t wait to see it with my other Christmas decorations (but I will refrain from decorating until after Thanksgiving!)
So about the GIVEAWAY! Alyce has collaborated with Aurifil to create a Mini Masterpieces thread collection which coordinates with the quilts pictured in the book (two neutrals and 10 rainbow colors…who doesn’t need those in their stash?!). Aurifil has generously donated 2 spools of thread to each blogger to give away to our readers! My spools are color #2220 and 2000.
I am not going to make you jump through a ton of hoops to enter the contest, but you really should follow Alyce and Aurifil on their blogs and Instagram…and hey, follow me too if you don’t already!
Alyce: Website: BlossomHeartQuilts.com IG: @Blossomheartquilts
Janice: Website: Betteroffthread.com IG: @Betteroffthread
Aurifil: Website: www.aurifil.com IG: @aurifilthread
Leave a comment below OR on my Instagram giveaway post and I will pick one lucky winner on November 29th! If you like, you can comment with any holiday gifts or decorations you are making. I always love easy handmade gift ideas!
You can follow along with the Book Hop each day by visiting the quilters listed below and by checking out #minimasterpiecesbook on Instagram.
November 18 – Simple Squares
Sarah from Sarah Ashford Studio – @sarahashfordstudio
Janice from Better Off Thread – @betteroffthread
November 19 – Strip Piecing
Molli from Molli Sparkles – @mollisparkles
Sarah from SariDitty – @sariditty
November 20 – Snowball Blocks
Ali from Arabesque Scissors – @arabesquescissors
Kitty from Night Quilter – @nightquilter
November 21 – HSTs
Andrea from 3rd Story Workshop – @3rdstoryworkshop
Caitlin – @caitlinpolden
November 22 – Flying Geese
Kirsty from Bonjour Quilts – @bonjour_quilts
Karen from Karen Lewis Textiles – @karenlewistextiles
November 23 – HRTs
Jemima from Tied With A Ribbon – @tiedwitharibbon
Rebecca from Bryan House Quilts – @bryanhousequilts
November 24 – Simple Curves
Nicole from Modern Handcraft – @modernhandcraft
November 25 – Complex Curves
Elisabeth from Elisabew Quilts – @elisabew
Samantha from Aqua Paisley – @aqua_paisley
Christopher from The Tattooed Quilter – @the_tattooed_quilter
November 26 – Improv Curves
Nicholas from Quilts From The Attic – @quiltsfromtheattic
November 27 – Applique
Lauren from Molly And Mama – @mollyandmama
Sedef from Down Grapevine Lane – @downgrapevinelane
November 28 – EPP
Sharon from Lilabelle Lane – @lilabellelane
Jodi from Tales of Cloth – @talesofcloth
November 29 – FPP
Kristy from Quiet Play – @quietplay
Thanks for stopping by!!!
I love your 9 Patch pillow. It would be easy to make yet bright and cheerful with the Christmas prints. Also, thank you making your giveaway easy to enter and this is my birthday month so what a great gift this would be, if I win!!
What cute prints for your pillow! I am hoping to make mini stockings to use for gift giving this year.
Your pillow is darling!! I am making a Christmas tree wall hanging!! I love to make something, and always have something that I am working on!!
Love the little squares you are making into the Christmas pillow. I have to get going on finishing my gifts for Christmas.
Cute pillow, cute idea!
Cute fabrics! I’m working on 2 simple squares pillows and a small lap quilt for Christmas. I’m using Bonnie & Camille’s Vintage Christmas. Thank you for the chance to win and I already follow all of you on Instagram.
Doll quilts!
You have inspired me to get moving on a new project. Think I need to dig thru my stash and start creating some baby quilts for a layette project.
What a darling pillow! Thanks for sharing it with us.
Hi I follow you and Alyce.
Looking forward to seeing all the mini blocks .
I love the colorful Christmas squares pillow! What a great idea!
Love your pillow in the Christmas prints! Thanks for the chance to win.
I may not get any gifts made this year, but last year I made bowl cozies and they were a hit with their recipients.
I’m working on Xmas ornaments!!
Love the prints in your pillow. As for me I am working on a Christmas Stocking for a swap! I love Aurifil and this books looks exciting!
Love your Christmas prints. No sewing for me at the moment as I’m busy knitting scarves
Love your nine-patch Christmas blocks!
I’ve had my eye on this mini masterpiece book.
A great project! I am making a few drawstring bags for my friends for the holidays.
Pretty pillow. I’m making some Christmas ornaments. Hopefully I’ll finish them soon.
Your fussy-cut blocks are just adorable! I need to collect more fabrics for just this purpose (don’t tell my husband, OK?).
This Christmas, I am making sets of bowl cozies that I know everyone will use and love!
Nothing better than something fun to make and useful too!
duchick at gmail dot com
I am considering buying the book. I like making small quilted items. Thank you for the chance to win.
I have followed Alyce and Aurifil on Bloglovin for years and now I am a new follower of your blog! Thanks!
This book is delightful, and wow – nice giveaway! I appreciate the simplicity, and I have signed up for your newsletter!
I signed up for your newsletter, but think I already belong and also Instagram. Beautiful giveaway and love and congrats on your book. judieharron@yahoo.com #gjquilts
I love your so cute Christmas fabric! Voila! A sweet pillow too! I am planning on making some small zippered pouches for my family members for Christmas, with perhaps a gift card to boot! Merry, Happy Christmas to all!
I love the fabrics you used in you 9 patch pillow.
I’m working on a couple of table runners for our December dining table. I’m trying to quilt a couple of runners for each month, that way my table doesn’t get boring! HeHe!
Such a sweet pillow! I am ‘trying’ to make embroidered hand towels for everyone this year….we’ll see how it goes!
I’m sure your pillow will be precious! It’s off to a good start. I’m looking forward to getting my hands on this book.
I love the pillow, so much fun.
Love the colors
I’m making a couple of table toppers for the hospice nurses who visit my dad every week. I so appreciate what they do for both of us.
Love your pillow! I’m busy making Christmas ornaments for all of the family, a tradition!
Love your pillow and those wonderful fabrics!
I have been making some small pouches with appliquéd hexagons on the front and will be filling them mini nail kits. Thank you for a great giveaway. x
I am making big tote bags for my 4 aqua fitness buddies…2 are done, 2 to go.
This year I am making and gifting 3 quilts as christmas gifts, for 3 little girls who are sisters, I can’t wait to take pics! I think I will make some christmas pillows for my sofa, love yours! That is my favorite fabric!
Your pillow is gorgeous, I’m in the process of making mug rugs for veryone for Christmas
Right now I am working on pincushions and backpacks for gifts.
The book looks fun!
I am making pillowcases, but otherwise we are having a low key Christmas as we are traveling.
I love the fabric you used in your project. I am making two lap quilts for the holidays and some mug rugs!
Love your nine patch project. I have three grandsons and Christmas is a great time to sew for them. I usually make lap quilts, quiet book pages, and activity bags for starters. They love colorful pillowcases, crayon roll ups, etc. The Aurofil colors you have for give away are beautiful. Have a great Thanksgiving and Christmas!
I plan to work on some applique to paper bags as gift bags. Your domain name is awesome! Any play on words can really stump some people, but I was brought up on puns and word play. Alyce’s book is appealing to me, and watching what her friends create chapter to chapter is inspiring.
I love the vintage-look prints in your pillow! I’m planning to make a Christmas stocking with a lobster theme for one of my nieces! I better get shopping for the fabrics!
Love the fabrics you’re using for your pillow! Going to be so cute!! Right now I am busy making Jamma’s for the Kiddo’s ..is a Tradition for Christmas since they were little..& now we have some Grankiddo’s added to my busy making 😀 Thank you for chance to win your Give-a-way too 🙂 I found you thru this Hop…signing up to follow you too…
This year I’m working on scrappy pot holders as gifts. I’ve made so many full quilts that I’ve got lots of tidbits that need to be used up or given away!
I’m trying not to decide I must get anything new started and finished before Christmas, just carrying on with scaling WIP mountain.
Easy, achievable block. I like that book.
Great giveaway!
The pillow is so adorable. I need to make new pillows. Great ideas for me. Thank you for your time and generous giveaway
I currently knitting a hat for a present. If I get that done, perhaps some mittens too.
Pouches are always good gifts!
For now, I’m working on advent calendars …
Hi, I’m working on a unicorn quilt for my granddaughter, and a challenge for my guild.
i like my fat quarter packs too… several on my shelf!!
Looks like a great book to learn quilting!
What a delightful pillow! I think mini’s are such fun. Thanks for the chance to win this great book!
I always make 9 patches with my project leftovers. This year they will be made into some throw quilts for gifts.
I am making placemats and table runners to be gifted at Christmas.
Finishing up Christmas quilts for 2 granddaughters! Thank you for the giveaway.
-Jean ❤
I’m stuck in the hospital with a little breast cancer reconstruction hiccup (infection) so my Christmas project awaits on the dining room table. I’m working on Maker Valley’s mini quilt Christmas Tree. Fingers crossed I escape for home tomorrow. I have much to do before Thanksgiving! I love your blog and glad I found it through this sew-along.
Best,
Laura Scott
I am making a binder cover for my brother’s guitar music notebook. I will also be making some small gifts for other friends….I need to get to work!
beautiful!! LOVE those oranges.