modern blocks (and a little giveaway)
I’ve finally got a copy in my hot little hands! Modern Blocks, published by Stash Books.
Of course, I’m excited because I have a block in there:
But I’m even more excited because there are a couple more Aussies I know with blocks in there as well! They’ve been more prolific than me – Kate has two blocks in the book and Louise has four!
Kate‘s are the top two and Louise‘s the bottom four. But there are many, many more blocks in this book – in fact, there are 99 in total! It’s beautifully presented with a photo of each block and instructions on how to make it on the adjoining page. There are plenty of blocks in there from well known bloggers and quilters, and I think it’s a wonderful resource for anyone looking for some block designs that are a little bit new or are presented in a fresh way. It’s given me lots of ideas about the next quilt I could make…that is, once I finish the four (or five, or six, or is it seven) that are currently in progress. These are all twelve inch blocks, so translate nicely to sampler quilts, dolly quilts, or to cushions, placemats, table runners and similar. Or to fully blown quilts!
And because the nice people at Stash books actually sent me two copies and to celebrate my 1,111th blog post today, I’m going to give one away! I’m going to make you work for it – leave a comment saying what your favourite things to read about on my blog are – the garments I sew myself, the garments I sew for my girls, my crochet projects, vintage crochet Friday, stash building, pattern purchases, book purchases, patchwork and/or quilting, bags, my occasional blitherings, or something else entirely. I’m interested! I’ll draw a winner on Thursday 1st December. I am happy to post overseas so everyone is welcome to enter.
EDITED TO ADD: The giveaway is over – thanks to all the people who entered!
i love your crochet and patchwork, the book looks wonderful! great pictures and inspiration!
Saw the book Tuesday in our quilt store. Loved it!! I only wish that there had been a sampler or two – I guess it leaves it to our imagination. Congratulations on having your block included!
bags bags and more bags………………….
Congrats on getting your block published! And thanks for the opportunity to win the extra copy! While I’m not sure if I could tackle a full quilt, I could definitely handle pillows!
The things I like reading the most on your blog are when you talk about the things that you sew for yourself (although I love when your girls model their outfits- too cute!). And, I especially like that you model them yourself, because it’s nice to see what they look like on an actual person, as opposed to a diagram on a pattern envelope. I’ve bookmarked a few of your posts so I can remember which patterns I’d like to try. I also like when you post the things you’ve crocheted, and I appreciate that you post the links to the patterns (especially if they’re free!). And, finally, I like when you share your quilting projects- I love to look at how people use color and patterns when making blocks and joining them together.
I love reading about your clothing you make! Also love vintage crochet friday! Congrats getting a block in a book! How exciting!!
Sewing! I like to believe that one day I will get around to doing a course and be able to sew some of the things you make!
Quite a difficult question. I actually enjoy reading all of your posts for different reasons. The things you sew for your daughters are lovely because they’re cute (both your daughters and their clothes). I enjoy everything, though, because you inspire me to do more and not be scared to sew and to be a bit more daring with it all.
Congratulations on being in the book, too, by the way. How exciting!
Lee x
Gosh, gotta be in this one. Love everything Lara, but probably the crochet. And to see how the girls are GROWING. Keep up the good work. Oh, and its on the cover too I see, well done.
Congratulations Lara! So many posts. I love seeing what you make and then being able to read your reviews on pattern review. I love how you push boundries and that you post in your bathers too 🙂
Congratulations Lara. I love all your posts but I think I love seeing the clothes you make yourself, I love that you model them not just put them on a clothes dummy and reading your reviews. Of course I also love the things you make for the girls because of their similar ages to mine.
I was introduced to your blog by Karen when she was showing me something you had sewed. And I am drawn back to your blog because I find we have similar taste in patterns – in fact I have many of the patterns you have but I seem to collect them rather than sew them!
I love reading about the clothes you sew, especially clothes for yourself. I am constantly amazed at how much you accomplished and I am stalking you for a post on the twist bodice top you sewed and Karen wore!
Congrats on a block in the book. How exciting.
I read the blog to see what you are sewing for yourself – I like your sense of fashion and you seem to accomplish so much more than I ever do.
I also like to see what you’re sewing for the girls since mine is 8, as well.
I love vintage crochet Friday as it always makes me smile. I look forward to it every week 🙂 Congrats on your 1,111 post!!
I love Vingtage Crochet. The patterns are fantastically kitsch. I can’t imagine how many you have in your stash. Oh and the girls – in a non-stalky way. I love it when they show what they have created.
Well … I’ll have to admit I love any of your quilty creations. (Predictable!!)
But I also love seeing the clothes you make for yourself. I have ZERO skills in this area so I’m tres impressed by your skill.
xx
I like reading about lots of things on your blog–the quilting, the clothing making, the crocheting. Those are all interests of mine, too, so that’s fun for me! Good job on all the work you put into your blog!
Lara, I love your blog mostly for the things you sew for yourself. I like the other things too, and the vintage crochet is always good value. I love that you’re comfortable modeling your own clothes, and you always give a good and honest review on patterns that you have tried. I am impressed with how much you manage to sew for yourself. I think I probably like this the most because I don’t sew enough for me.
Well I love your blitherings!! Also anything you sew for yourself, and also your crochet. I live for your sewing and crochet posts. And your blithering. Wait – I already said that.
Congratulations on getting published! It’s an amazing block and looks to be an equally amazing book. I hope you’re very proud of yourself, because I certainly am! (of you, not me)
cool book, and you deserve to get published after all the sewing and needlework you do!
That easy, I love your girls, at least as much as I can from afar, and I love to see, especially what you make for them. Then I like your musings. (better word, dont you think?)
Pick me , Pick me, I unashamedly beg HaHa. I’m back downstairs to work on a modern block quilt and start another.
There are two things I like reading in your blog…
1. Details on the many, many clothes you make for your daughters, (it always amazes me how you get them done!).
2. Vintage fridays – I also collect those old crochet/knitting guides from op shops, so love looking at the ones you show.
Cheers. Lori
Hi lara, I love reading on your blog about all the clothes you make for yourself and your girls. You are truely an inspiration to me and after reading your posts I am inspired to go and sew for my son.
I would love a copy of this book. If I don’t win, I might just have to find out where to purchase it from.
Kind regards
Renee
For me it would be your outfits and pattern reviews, and of course the crochet, love seeing what you’ve got going on the hook!
Great giveaway!
I enjoy all your posts! Vintage crochet Friday is a little scary, because I’m sure one day you will post something I actually made and wore back then..
All the sewing you manage to complete amazes me, and gives me a bit of a kick up the behind to get into my sewing room and do something. I love to see what you’ve made for the girls and for yourself. I don’t do a lot of crochet, but I do enjoy seeing what you’ve made.
Congratulations on 1,111 posts, and on being published in a real live book!
You SEW, CROCHET, and BLATHER , girl!!! Love it all. I love that you tell it like it is and are not afraid to show your bathers and toiles.
I’m loving the look of that book, too…. you famous author, you. (I…ahem… bought a few jelly rolls and charm squares on the weekend……).
Congratulations on the book. How exciting!
I love the crochet posts and, of course, your occassional ‘blitherings’.
i love reading about all the clothes you make for yourself and the girls (and the occasional man shirt ;))
i can’t believe the speed at which you cut and make things and it inspires me to get making on some of my own clothes! one day…
I like reading crochet, sewing, quilting and life posts best! And congratulations – your lock looks great!
Aaah, beautiful book and congratulations on your entry! Just wonderful. As for what I like about your blog – there are so many things! I particularly enjoy your posts about what you sew for your girls, the bags you sew, and your beautiful crochet. I appreciate all your references and links to patterns/stores/fabric used etc. I check in here almost everyday so thank you for blogging and sharing!
I love seeing what you make for your girls. My kids always get a kick out of seeing Claire on-line after seeing her at school and I am always looking for new things to sew for my kids
Hmm, Lara- I hope you are not seriously trying to make a choose! What do I like about your blog? It’s (therefore you!) are generous and somehow we get abit of a glimpse of your ‘process’- it’s really helpful to us less experienced sewers to see you make clothes that fit- you and your wee ones, I envy the crochet, smile at the vintage crochet, love the book talk. Any other questions?
It must be wonderful to see something you’ve created in print. I look forward to all your blogposts but particularly like those about your crochet projects and your general thoughts on Life.
I am a crocheter and look farward to seeing your crochet items. I like to see everything else you do too, but crochet is what I look for. I would love if you would start putting your tips and tricks for us too. Thanks!!!!
This looks a great book! I’d love to win a copy!
I enjoy reading about everything! especially bags and garments for you!
Hi Lara, I love getting to know you – everything you blog about makes me feel more normal in my male dominated household! You are a friend I haven’t met yet! Your generous sharing of information is very much appreciated.
I love reading your blog Lara and it is one of the select few that I check on everyday. Reading your blog has really let me get to know you and I love seeing what you are doing.
Hi Lara, I don’t think that I have a favourite type of post – what I like about your blog is your honesty and enthusiasm. I like that you give details about what you’ve done to alter a pattern, where you got the fabric, etc. but also that you talk about your successes and ‘failures’. Congratulations on being published too!
I love your blog cause you don’t hold back. Each post is full of links, places you bought stuff, patterns you used, tips for what needs altering, tips on good or bad fabric choices, alternative finishes, mistakes made, good honest, helpful, friendly and funny advice. You present a real you, that everyone can relate too.
Someone not afraid to show us what a real woman looks like in leggings and bathers she made herself is a woman I would present a gold medal to in the stakes of being a truly authentic, crafty and tre’ cool.
Jay xx
Good grief – how do I describe just how much I love your blog? Is it the vintage crochet, the sewing skills, your beautiful girls – that model their clothes so wonderfully or the fact you are so down to earth about all of what you do? Maybe it’s the fact I met you in person and that makes your blog all that more “real” if that makes sense. Regardless – you are a “must read Thornberry’s blog” habit that I just can’t and don’t want to kick.
Crochet and sewing are my two crafty passions, so I love that you have a mix of both. Like everyone else, I love that you model your clothes – the pictures on the pattern envelope are nothing like seeing the real thing made up and worn with flair! I love all the hyperlinks to patterns, and to local suppliers – you put me onto Bendigo Wool, thanks! And the actual creations themselves are so frequently eye candy – I kept the post about the denim-and-granny bag you made recently on-screen for days just to ogle it! Thanks very much! 🙂
For me it’s the clothes you sew for yourself first and foremost Lara – because you inspire me to actually have a go at making for ‘me’ and not just the kids. Then of course I love to see the kids things you do – you know from my very recent post that this inspires me!
I also love your blatherings – I am interested to read the opinions on life and family and the world, of the people whose blogs I read.
Oh and congrats on the publishing – but don’t count me in on the giveaway – you know I don’t do the ‘Q’ thing!! (just wanted to tell you what I loved!).
hi there! I like to visit your blog and see the great clothing you make for yourself and then of course ALL the stuff you make for your girls. I just read your post about your new gingham skirt, and see where your girls get their twirling abilities!
I love your blog and the amazing things you make. The book looks wonderful and you must be very excited to see your work in print. Congrats!
Congratulations, Lara on the 1111th post and also inclusion in the wonderfully modern book. Your posts are encouraging, energising and fascinating. You’ve encouraged me to try clothes sewing again (with varied success!), you’ve certainly encouraged me to get back into crocheting (oh no! another addiction to cope with and where on earth will I squeeze all this wool I’m acquiring??) and I love the honest way you express yourself. And those gorgeous girls remind me so much of my own two when they were growing up and I could sew for them. I don’t need to ‘win’ the book as I consider myself a winner already because I’ve discovered your blog and you have enriched my craft life tremendously. Thank you.
I like to see what sewing you’ve been up to. And I also like to follow any of the links that you include in your posts.
Just wanted to say congrats! What a buzz for you. Will keep my eye out for a copy in NZ. By the way I actually just enjoy reading everything you write 🙂 oh and also… It’s probable that my son James will be in Melbourne late next year as his school orchestra is touring there.