#1000NamesWins......Eddycrest Sewing Furniture.....Naming Contest!!!

When I say this is Big....I am not kidding.....but how Big? That depends purely upon all of you!!!!

You control the level of prizes in this contest!!! Intrigued?

I'll explain in a minute, but first, let me tell you a little bit about 

@eddy crest.furniture

I first became aware of Eddycrest Sewing Furniture while on a shop hop here in Ontario, Canada. 

It was love at first sight, when I saw the sewing table set up in Country Patchworks 

but I wasn't ready to purchase at the time, because I was still saving for my longarm.

Fast forward a few years and again on the same shop hop, with my husband this time, who is my rock and supports my quilting hobby 100 percent. He also is so much better about spending money on me then I am. Why is it that women feel guilty.... even now that my kids are full grown... I still struggle with spending larger amounts of money 

on things that are "just for me".....

My husband calls them "investment pieces", Happy Wife, Happy Life, lol

and asks me...will they be used, will they make things easier, 

will they last...yes, yes and yes!!!

He's the best, and so right! (don't tell him I said that, 😉)

Ok...back to the original post.....

Left: Short Right                                  Right: Standard

We ended up going back and taking an Eddycrest shop tour....and let me tell you, it's impressive!

Starting with the C.N.C. machine that cuts out each blank sheet of baltic birch

The sewing tables are then routered, sanded and branded by the talented Eddycrest team

The Top Secret finishing process comes next and let me tell you it is smooth!!

(no pictures of that though...lol)

Then the tables are assembled and ready to ship to all us happy customers!! 

You can see in the first picture I ended up buying a Short Right and a Standard....I'll share more pictures and my experience (all good) in another post, being as this is probably going to be my longest post to date, and you are probably anxious to get to the contest......

And I bet by now you are also wondering what the big surprise is.......

or maybe you skipped to the bottom, lol 

Well the Eddycrest team is expanding their product line to include another sewing table size...

It's just perfect for a small room sewer, compact in size, but with the same quality and craftsmanship that Eddycrest puts into all their products......

And

They are having a hard time coming up with a name.....

They've been calling it, 

the Basic Sewing Centre work table that is ergonomic and stores just a little bit, but looks and feels "Real Nice"

As you can image that is quite a mouth full....that's where you all come in....

They have decided to have a naming contest, 

so get your thinking caps on and come up with your best idea! 

This is not a random draw type of contest, best name wins, chosen by the Eddycrest team...

 but there is a catch.....

It's a 3 tiered contest:

Level 1:

If 50 of you lovelies submit your name ideas

The Eddycrest team will award the naming winner with a 40" Quilt Mount with white finish

Valued at $70 Can.

click on picture to be taken to a video on how the quilt mount works

But......

Level 2:

If 500 of you amazing readers submit your name ideas

The Eddycrest team will up the ante and the top prize will become a shelving unit 

(sorry fabric not included)! 

Valued at $400 Can.

And the Second place winner will receive the Quilt Mount

And if that wasn't good enough....

Level 3:

Here it is the top prize, if 1000 of you totally awesome followers and friends submit your name ideas (spread the word)

The Eddycrest team is generously awarding the winning name's submitter with.....

Their very own model of the new desk they just named!! How awesome is that!!!

And the Second runner up receives the Shelf Unit 

And the Third runner up receives the Quilt Mount

Valued at $950 Can.

And I know right about now, some of you are wondering.....is this contest open outside of Canada.....

YES!!!! 

Isn't that Fantastic!!

Open to all!!

And if that wasn't awesome enough....

A few of my other Blog Sponsors 

have generously donated more prizes

So if your name wasn't chosen.....

You still could win in the random draw for these 3 amazing prizes...

Rita from

@fabricplease

is sweetening the pot with this offer for one lucky random winner

Level 1

 Charm Pack of Joel Dewberry's Modernist

or

Level 2

 Layer Cake of Joel Dewberry's Modernist

or

Level 3

Layer Cake of Joel Dewberry's Modernist + 3 yards winners choice from Modernist line 

(must choose in stock yardage)

Pam from

@madaboutpatchwork

Level 1

$10.00 Gift Certificate

or

Level 2 

$20.00 GC

or 

Level 3

$40.00 GC

BeBe from

Level 1

$25.00 Gift Certificate

or

Level 2 

$50.00 GC

or

Level 3

$75.00 GC

So here is what you have to do......

You knew you would have to do something, 😉

I tried to keep it really simple...so share via social media, on FB share original post with blog link

IG share any Contest post with #1000NamesWins 

And if you have multiple name ideas....share one name per comment....so we'll all know when we reach that 1000 names goal!!

 Let's get to a 1000+ name submissions and max out these prizes!!

but, do stop by the links I provided to the sponsors and look around and share some love or stop by their social media sites and say thanks.....

If you are a non reply blogger, please please please leave an email address....I sure would hate for you to loose out because I can't find you

To add your name for submission, click on the comments link below! 

There have been a few comments that haven't made it through...I've checked all my settings and am not sure what is happening. If for some reason you comment doesn't post, email me directly....but try the comment link first! Thanks. Trying to keep all the names in one place. 

upstairshobbyroom at gmail dot com

Thanks Everyone

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Merry Mistletoe X Boxed Quilt and a Merry Discount Code

 I have to say, I have the greatest blog sponsors.....

because it's true! 

This month Pam from

has joined in on the One Block Wonders BOM again as an August Sponsor....

and gave me the opportunity to work with the 

Merry Mistletoe line from Free Spirit

 I absolutely love this line...the colours are amazing and the prints are fantastic....

and maybe it's just me, but I would use most of these prints anytime! 

Yes the one print has snowflakes, but looks enough like flowers too; and the dark green is a Christmas tree print, but not in the traditional way....

I just can't help loving them all.

I did play off the Christmas for the August X Boxed Quilt pattern though and quilted them with a snowflake pattern....

 and showing off my first pedicure of the summer....can't believe we are half way through summer and I just got around to it....oops

and I've become a mini loving, pillow making fool, lol.....(this is 4th and 5th)
You can find the tutorial here...

 and the back....I'm so glad I was forced to piece the backs (not enough large pieces left) because I love how this turned out! And who says you can't turn the zipper end for end!!

Pillow two is the opposite fabric placement of the above pillow

and the second back.....seriously love how the backs turned out....it's a toss up as to which way will get more show time....;)

I even remembered to add my label this time!!

Now for the fun for you....if you haven't seen my IG (#upstairshobbyroom) or FaceBook posts......

Pam is offering a 20% discount code for the month of August

on the Merry Mistletoe line

use code

MERRY20

Enjoy!

Can't wait to see how you make your August blocks!!

#XBoxedQuilt

*read the Blog Sponsors/Affiliates page  if you have any questions about how sponsorships work

Incase you missed the links within this post ;)
here is the FB Group
X Boxed Pattern post

#98 Time to Show Off Your Wiggles

I'm kind of sad that the sew along is over, it has been a lot of fun, and quite a learning experience!
Our FaceBook Group grow to over 80; we had so many encouraging posts along the way when anyone hit a snag; and let's not forget our go getter, Marg...who had her quilt top made and quilted before anyone even started piecing theirs!! And even though there were more followers than sewers, everyone seemed so thrilled with the pattern and wanting to make one of their own at some point!! !!! I couldn't be happier for my first attempt at a sew along. I hope you all feel the same.

More happy news....I have also had some fun things happening with the blog itself, which is a total bonus for all of you too...I found some great blog sponsors, who also sponsored the sew along. I'd like to introduce you to or re-introduce you if you have been following my blog for awhile,  another amazing Canadian online Quilt shop that now also has a store front in Stittsville, Ontario....

Pam's was one of the first shops I found online, and I have been shopping there ever since. The customer service is fantastic, love the modern fabrics she carries, and the monthly stash builder bundle sales, as well as the quick delivery turn around!! 

10 Over Coffee with Pam from Mad About Patchwork

It was fun to get to know Pam better, we've chatted a few times about fabric, but it is so nice to get a sneak peak of the person behind the quilt shop.......so in her own words, here's Pam.

What would you like us to know about yourself? Or as I like to say...name, rank and serial number. 
Small town girl, from Woodstock Ontario. Studied math and computer science in another lifetime. Moved to Ottawa 20 years ago to raise a family. Quilt shop owner for 7+ years. Denyse Schmidt is my quilting muse, and I was thrilled to take her workshop at Quiltcon 2013.


Do you have any hobbies? And do you have any time for them now?
Of course I like to sew, and still make time for both quilt and garment sewing whenever I can. I like to do some bicycle riding in the summer with my husband...we've got a 100k ride coming up later in July which will test my endurance (wow, I'm impressed!!)my words

What is your favourite and least favourite part of making a quilt?
 The excitement of actually starting a new project is probably my favourite thing, and also my least favourite thing. Sometimes I get stalled on making the decisions, which fabric, which pattern, etc. I love it when everything finally falls into place.

What made you think about opening a Quilt Shop in the first place, and why did you originally choose an online store?
I was bored with my part-time work in a local optometrist office, and wanted the flexibility to work from home. At the same time I was becoming aware of the fabulous fabrics that I could find online...but only in the US. I thought it was time for a Canadian presence in the online fabric scene.

What did your learn in the first years of your business that would have helped you to know ahead of time?
If I had known all the challenges I was going to face along the way I might not have started down this path. It's a bit like a long distance bike race- I stay focused on enjoying the ride and let the road unfold in front of me

In the last year you've opened a brick and mortar store front, in Stittsville Ontario, what brought this about?
I ran the business as online only from my home for 6 years, but in the last year I had more local quilters wanting to come to the house to shop. It was getting a bit unmanageable and I thought it was time to separate work from home. A fantastic spot just down the road presented itself to me....so I couldn't say no!!!

What changes did this bring to your already established online business?
More than I realized....back to Q#5! I have to manage my time better, and manage more staff. Orders still have to get shipped out on time (within a day) regardless of what's going on in the shop. On the plus side, it's been good because I can carry more inventory, which means more choices for customers.

What is your favourite part of owning your own quilt shop?
I love my customers....it's so rewarding to see the projects they share, online or in the shop. The quilting communtiy is fantastic, and I love being a part of it.

How would your describe Mad About Patchwork? What should we know as customers?
From the beginning I have carried fabrics that I love, and would want to use myself in a quilt project. There are lots of bundles and precast in the shop for those who want a quick start to a project. 
If you're looking for solids we keep more than 200 bolts of Kona Solids in stock, and this year we have added Freespirit Designer Essential solids to the mix, and will be hosting the Denyse Schmidt modern solids trunk show in the fall. 
We carry a limited inventory of books and patterns, but are always happy to special order items for customers (even full bolts of Kona and Designer Essential solids, at a 10% discount, I have taken advantage of this deal by about 10 bolts, lol) 
The shop focuses mainly on quilting cottons and Essex cotton/linen, but we are also adding other substrates like voiles, lawns, knits and double gauze for garment sewing.
We are offering 2 Clubs this summer (click on either to be taken to more information)

1. Moda Frivols Club Starting in August
2. Cotton + Steel Club is shipping later this month

Anything else you'd like to share that I missed asking about?
I have stopped blogging for the summer so I can play a bit more with the other social media channels like IG (@madaboutpatchwork) and FaceBook, so readers can follow us there for shop news and updates.

More Fun for You!!

Show us your Wiggles!! 

If you've been following along, or just found us, you still have time... complete your quilt top...and post a picture to the pinned post on our Facebook group page by next Friday July 31st, Midnight EST, to enter your name for all the great sponsored prizes!! That's it! If you haven't joined, please do......but I will also be checking Instagram for the #wigglemecolourful and #wigglemecolorful and will be adding these names to the draw bucket too. So if you are in the Facebook group and on Instagram you just doubled your chances at a prize!!

Here is the list of Sponsored prizes

$25.00 Gift Certificate

$50.00 Gift Certificate

$25.00 Gift Certificate

And if that isn't enough reason......

Cantik Batik Strip pack

and

 an offer you just can't afford to pass up.....

Rita is generously offering

Everyone in the FaceBook Group who finishes their quilt top or has even started your quilt top, and posts a picture (within the pinned post) a $15.00 Gift Certificate   

Yup, you read that right, everyone!!      

So what are you waiting for head over to Facebook and sign up and get sewing!!           

#71 Celebrating 1000+ InstaGram Followers with a GiveAway!!

You guys are the best!!

If someone would have asked me when I signed up on InstaGram, how many followers I think I would have after a few short years, I would have said 10 maybe 20, and that would have been mostly family and friends, lol! Boy was I wrong!! I am over the moon happy to be a part of such a supportive network of quilters and crafters!! In the last almost 3 yrs I have virtually met so many amazing and truly talented people. So I want to say thank you, for all your encouragement and support and lovely comments, by hosting a giveaway for all of you! Not to leave out those who follow my blog as well, because I know some follow both, and because RaffleCopter making picking a winner easier, I'm using the blog to host the prize giveaway. Just to explain the blog's difference, I post far more pictures here and share the process of some projects, giveaways, tutorials and Blog Hops here. Please follow along if you would like, I usually  post every other week (sometimes once a month) unless there are a lot of fun things going on!! (like right now)

Mad About Patchwork is a Canadian Online store that recently also became a store front!! Don't worry though they ship Internationally too!!

There are 2 prizes up for grabs, a gift certificate to Mad About Patchwork (one of my favourite shops) for $30.00 and a Homemade Package from me, including the Honey Cowl I just finished knitting, a crocheted market bag, a tiny zippered pouch and a hipster purse. (Prizes are open to all)

Thank You all so much and good luck to everyone!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thanks again to Pam and all the Mad About Patchwork team for the support and fantastic prize they have donated!!

Keep scrolling to the next post if you are interested in a Free Block of the Month, that includes embroidery and or applique. There is also another prize giveaway available!!