Friday, June 15, 2012

"A Year of Making Life Beautiful" Blog Tour

** GIVEAWAY NOW CLOSED**

Do you know Melissa of Lilac Lane? If you don't, you really should get to know her. I "met" Melissa a could of years ago, both through her wonderful blog and also as a member of the charity bee "A Dozen Quilters". I saw that they were losing a couple members and asked Melissa if I could join, especially since they were turning their focus to charity projects. She gladly said yes. It was a pleasure to work with her through a year of projects to help those less fortunate than us, but an equal pleasure getting to know her better as well.


I am sure some of you remember me mentioning a couple of secret projects I was working on this Spring. Well, they were for Melissa. The first you saw a while back - her super cute "Picnic In the Park" quilt pattern, which she released this Spring and was also recently featured at her booth at the International Quilt Market. And then came the second secret project... Imagine my surprise when she asked me if I would also be willing to make a quilt for her new book, "A Year of Making Life Beautiful: 45 projects to bake, grow, craft and sew throughout the year". I was honored. Seriously? I'm not worthy!
Melissa sent me her elegant, yet easy, "Make Life Quilt" Pattern along with a beautiful array of Hello Luscious fabrics by Basic Gray for Moda. This gorgeous quilt can be made from pre-cuts. I don't usually work with a lot of pre-cuts but, let me tell you, it made life so much easier not to have to worry about cutting all that fabric. It makes for a quilt top that comes together quickly, yet all your friends and family will think you labored for weeks! She also entrusted me to quilt it too. Whoa! Talk about pressure. It was actually the first quilt I quilted on my new machine, and despite it's size it quilted like a charm! But I'm proud to say it's being featured in the month of April in her book, and also was at her booth at Market. My picture can't even do it justice. The sun was at the wrong angle when I had to take the picture!

Make Life Quilt

That's not even the best part. I got an advance copy of the book, and let me tell you, the whole thing is simply delicious! Melissa has such an amazing sense of style and grace. And her warm and gentle personality shines in each and every one of the projects featured in "A Year of Making Life Beautiful". And each project really does help beautify your life even more.

(Make Life Quilt)

Melissa taken her gift for making life beautiful and translated it to the page with all sorts of fun and yummy projects to create. Each month she cleverly features a variety of sewing, cooking, gardening and craft projects that you can make in your own home. No matter your walk of life or where you live, there's something in this book bound to call out, "Make Me!"

(Stars & Stripes Quilt)

I, personally, can't wait to try making the Memory Bag. I mean, how genius is that? I wish I had seen that before I left Chicago and threw away all of my bulky sweaters!

(Memory Bag)

Just flipping through the pages gives me a sense of calm and peace, so rarely found in my hectic life.
Be sure to get your own copy today! They're available directly from Melissa or on Quiltwoman in either spiral bound or hardcover editions. BUT one of my lucky followers and win their very own copy! Melissa is generously donating a copy of her book "A Year of Making Life Beautiful" to one of my lucky readers. So I'm hosting a giveaway! All you have to do to enter is leave me a comment. You can tell me anything but if you're at a loss, tell me what you would like to do to make your life more beautiful. That's it. I'll keep the giveaway open until Monday, June 18, 2012. One comment per person. International Entries welcome. But please, if you're a "No Reply" commenter make sure I have a way to contact you. Good luck!

** GIVEAWAY NOW CLOSED**

21 comments:

  1. I always have a seasonal centerpiece or tablerunner for our kitchen table! Makes my life more beautiful! thanks!

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  2. I really must have this book - preferably in the spiral bound style :) I have a feeling it will be open quite a bit. Thanks for your review and thanks for a chance to win - laurie

    llsbaskets@comcast.net

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  3. We just moved into a new home, so I am anxious to decorate to make it our own. I need help with coming up with ideas, so I feel this book could help me out.

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  4. This looks a great book! I've read Melissa's blog for a long time and she seems such a serene person!

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  5. The more reviews I see on this book the more I want to get a copy. I am making my life more beautiful by working on becoming fit. I'm on Week 2 of couch to 5K with my 13 year old daughter.

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  6. I like to make things for my family and others I care about and also my home. That's how I try to make life beautiful.

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  7. At the risk of making you jealous, all I can think of is that I have two weeks of vacation coming up in two weeks. |-D

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  8. That sweater bag looks really awesome!

    And one thing I'd like to do to make my life more beautiful is to be a happier person. I'm pretty happy but we could ALL use more happiness in our lives!

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  9. Ooh, how fab, congrats on the features!

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  10. this book would make my life more beautiful

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  11. That's awesome you got to help out in such a wonderful way! The quilt looks fantastic!

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  12. Melissa did an awesome job on this book and I love the way she has incorporated her life into her passion.

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  13. I would love to get my hands on this book! I make my life a little more beautiful by always having fresh flowers in my house.

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  14. I would love to look through this book! Thanks for the chance to win copy.

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  15. The book looks so sweet. Thanks for the giveaway. I'm trying to make life more beautiful by looking for specific things to thank God for each day.

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  16. I love the idea behind this book - so creative. Thanks for a peek inside and for the chance to win!

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  17. I can tell alot of love went into making this book. What a treasure to have. A book full with lots of great information, inspiration, patterns, recipes and amazing photos. I would love to be able to "slow down" and enjoy the little things more that make my life beautiful. Things get so hectic sometimes, need to stop and smell the roses.

    Thank you and Melissa for a super giveaway and a chance to win an awesome book.

    usairdoll(at)gmail(dot)com

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  18. Very inspiring book! Thanks for the chance to win.
    My hubby and son make my life beautiful! ^^

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  19. Thanks for the great giveaway and the quilt you made for the book looks awesome! Cannot wait to make one like that too!! I try to make life more beautiful by having a giving spirit to others....either by my time, things I bake/make or do......it makes my heart happy. :)
    RuthNParadise@aol.com

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  20. Congratulations on being a part of this book! I'm beautifying my life with flowers planted in my yard, fresh baking, and home sewn clothes & quilts. Thanks for a chance to win! :)

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  21. What a lovely book. I am trying to bring more beauty into my life by focusing my time, attention, and energy on those things that matter most.

    wordygirl at earthlink dot net

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