February 14, 2010

Free Pattern Launch: Gifts of Grace

14th February has arrived – the day I promised you would see my new free Block of the Month pattern which I’ve called “Gifts of Grace”. I hope you enjoy stitching it as much as I have enjoyed designing it. I have to confess that it is still a work in progress and, while all the blocks have been designed, I am only three or four ahead of you in actually stitching them!


This BOM design has nine blocks, each with appliqué and embroidery and embellished with beads. I plan to release one block in the third week of each month.

This pattern is FREE, for personal use or to make as a gift. You may also give a copy to friends and tell them where to find me, but please do not use the pattern for profit.

I would love it if you would put my “Gifts of Grace” button in the sidebar of your blog with a link back to http://val-laird.blogspot.com. (Just right click and Save Picture As a jpeg file onto your computer, then upload it to your blog.) It would also be great if you let me know in a comment or e-mail that you’ve decided to download the patterns.  Here is the button:



We all LOVE photos, so please share photos of your finished blocks. You could post them on your blog or email them to me so we can all benefit from your creativity.

Requirements:

Cream tone-on-tone fabric. You will need 40cm to cut nine blocks 7½ x 7½. (Add extra if you plan to use the cream fabric again in a border.)
Border and sashing fabrics
Scraps of fabric for appliqués
Whisper Weft or similar stabiliser
Fusible Webbing
Pigma Pen
B Pencil
Water Erasable Pen
Range of seed beads in neutral, pearl and colours to match fabrics

My favourite stranded threads are by Anchor so I will give you the thread numbers that I am using and you can substitute your own wherever I mention these in the patterns.

76 Medium Rose
77 Dark Rose
122 Deep flax blue
123 French Navy
843 Olive Green
890 Deep Yellow Ochre
901 Dark Yellow Ochre

Now, you’re ready for the pattern, so click here to go to the download site (scroll to bottom of page).

Feel free to e-mail me if you have any questions.

Happy Stitching!

Val

68 comments:

Janelle said...

Hi Mum
How could anyone pass up this wondeful block of the month? I really want to do it too, so somehow I'm just going to have to fit it into my schedule!

By Hoki Quilts said...

Thank-you sooo much Val, I'm now itching to get stitchin'. Your kindness is wonderful
many huga
Miche'le

Allie said...

Oh Val this is incredibly beautiful!!!! Thank you so much! I've saved the button, and if Blogger behaves I'll add it to my blog - I haven't been able to do anything with my sidebar lately, but for this I will try again!

-girl from the bush said...

hi val. thanks for the stitchery , i'm looking forward to this one. Im putting the button on my blog now.. sue

Ana said...

Hi Val,
It´s beatiful, thank you so much!!!
Hugs,
Ana
http://creaciones-artesana.blogspot.com

Unknown said...

Hello Val, thank you so much for your new BOM. I look forward to the middle of each month now!!!

Maryanne

Anonymous said...

Hi Grandma,
I love that BOM!!
It's soooo pretty! Wish the next one will come out soon!
I wonder if I will do it?! What do you think??
Love
Crispian

Sharm said...

Hi Val,
This is my 1st visit to your blog & I was thrilled to see this great BOM that I've caught right at the start! I have added the button to my sidebar & have also posted a little message about it too, since I'm just not sure if the button is working. (I'm fairly new to blogging). Anyhow you can see the post if you visit me at www.countryfragrance.blogspot.com
Sharmayne

Vesuviusmama said...

It is absolutely lovely! I look forward to seeing the subsequent blocks. Thanks so much for your generous and creative spirit!

Margie said...

Visit your blog often, and was excited this morning to see your BOM. I have put your button on my blog even tho I all ready had your page listed there. Thanks

B J Elder said...

Just added your button to my blogsite - http://newgirlbj.blogspot.com. I love the pattern! Thank you for sharing your wonderful talent with us. Now to go download the pattern!

Simone de Klerk said...

It's the first time I visit your blog. Lovely! And what a great BOM. Something to look forward to!

Quiltin' Sandy said...

Thank you Val for another lovely BOM. If the rest of the blocks are as pretty as this one, it is going to be wonderful! :-)

Janet said...

This pattern is so lovely. Thanks so much for sharing your talent with this BOM.

rcp said...

This is very pretty! I've never done applique and I love and do embroidery. So I think I've find a pattern to try my first applique! Thanks!

Annie Bee said...

WOw this is exciting - I have just discovered your BLog. I am slowly working on your Love NEver Fails Wall Hanging and love it. I will eagerly await each month.

Tina said...

Val,
Thank you for sharing. This will be a fun BOM to sew.

Susan said...

Hello Val,

I've seen different projects of yours in the craft magazines we have. It's wonderful to meet and know fellow Christians, in a time we all need each other.

I've loaded the button for your free BOM on my blog. And look forward to working on this, along with others!!!

God bless and regards

Yvonne aka sommeke said...

Thanks for sharing! It looks very lovely! Hope to find some time ....

Liz said...

val-this is a really pretty BOM. Looking forward to doing it. Thank you.

Linda said...

Thank you Val. I love your designs!!

Orcsmom said...

Thank you for sharing this wonderful BOM. I am looking forward to each it month!

Hugs!

Pam

QUILTING IS BLISSFUL, DI said...

Hi Val--Jenny sent me over from her blog site---and she said to say Hi---sooo "HI"!!!
I did download the pattern and I know I will love doing these--but I will have to see if I can fit them in--if you could see all the bom's I am doing--PLUS--but---you never can tell!!!
Hugs, Di

Nima said...

thank you so much val for this lovely blocks...

Sharon (Stitches on Mars) said...

Hi Val,

Just tripped over here from Jenny's (of Elefantz) blog. Your new BOM looks lovely. I will pass on the news.

Hugs, Sharon

Anonymous said...

Hi Val,
I'm new to your blog, and I must say you are a very talented lady. I love you designs. I will be joining in on this project. I have added it to my blog. Can't wait to get started http://insanityatwork.blogspot.com

Joy said...

This is a gorgeous BOM, thank you so much :o)!!!
Hugs,
Joy :o)

yvon said...

We put the link on nour quiltforum and also on my blog. http://the5oaks.web-log.nl/ennovy/
It is a lovely block. Thanks

yvon

Bluebell said...

Hello, this is my first visit. Thank you for the lovely pattern I will love doing this.

Love Jill

Siggi said...

Hello Val,
I visit for the first time yours blog and find your things super-duper. I have placed left to your BOM on mine blog.
Lots of Hugs from Berlin / Germany of Siggi

Margot said...

I love your designs ♥
Thank you Val.
hugs from Brasil

Jenny said...

Lovely block Val, thanks for letting us have it!

Jutta said...

Hello Val, thank you for this cute BOM,
Jutta

Anonymous said...

Hello Val!
I have been working on the Corinthians BOM and it is almost finished. I LOVE your designs, they are little, and easy to finish one block so I can feel like Im accomplishing something! I also quilt, and you know they can take a long time from start to finished binding hahah.
I will collect the Grace Series too as they come out!
Thank you very much
Robin, in Idaho USA

Rian said...

hi, thank you so much for the wonderful pattern. I am very curious how you will make the second one. I love it that you used the bible for inspiration.

I still do not have my own weblog, otherwise I would have placed the link to yours.

O, I hardly cannot wait for the next one.....

greetings from a freezing Holland

Rian

Wendyb said...

Another "must do" for 2010. Thanks Val....such beautiful work!
XX sugary hugs Wendy :O)

Anonymous said...

Hello, I'm here from Susan's blog, and have already purchased patterns and downloaded BOM's, as well. Thank you, thank you, thank you! From a fellow Christian stitcher in the US--you've quite a gift and a ministry!

sandra said...

have just downloaded your pattern and added your button to my blog. Can't wait to get started, thank you so much.

MissesStitches said...

So glad I've found your blog (via JennyElefantz). Love your designs.

Sue from Cyprus said...

Hi Val

I have just finished my "what is love?" BOM and I am delighted with it. Thank you for sharing your inspirational designs.

This new BOM is so beautiful and I will get started as soon and I can get needle to thread. Eye sight poor!

The technique of sending photos from camera to computer has not been mastered yet. This requires help from my kids and extra pocket money! Eventually I will send you one.... even if it is via snail post!

Thank you so much for your wonderful blogsite.

Hugs,

Sue from Cyprus x x x

Jantine said...

Thank you very much for this beautiful BOM. I love the name and the first block, so that is very promising for the ones to follow!

wendelien said...

Hello,

What fun to see and do as the link I've posted on my blog great.

I do it not so long so this is great for me.

Thank you very much

Jess @ Scrappy n Happy said...

Hi Val, Excuse me for being a real twit! I found a link to last years BOM and thought that looks great, and linked to it and everything and then realised it was a year old! LOL
So you can definitely count me in for this years!
Cheers, Jess

Just Ramblin' said...

I was delighted to find your first BOM pattern and am going to try hard to keep up with them. Surely there must be an extra hour in the day for this! Thank you for sharing. I have posted your button on my blog. Nola

Lolita said...

Hi Val: thanks a lot for share this BOM, I am finish the other bom because I now sewing all the patterns a slowly because a little much work.Thnks again.
When i finish i send a picture.
Bye,
Lolita

Anonymous said...

Dear Val, you are so very kind to share your patterns! I am still working on Love is:
Can a girl have lots of WIP's in embroidery as well as her quilting??? LOL! I will post a pic too when done! Again, thank you for your kindness! Love the spiritual side of these BOM's. Please keep them coming! You are an inspiration to me!

Dawn said...

Thanks Val for the free BOM... can't wait to start this..
Hugs Dawn x x

Jeanette said...

Hi Val, sorry not to have left you a message when you first put the BOM up. Thankyou so much for the BOM. Have it in my 'to do" list. Hugs, Jeanette

Hazel said...

I'm a little late in starting this but its so cute
I just have to do it .Thank you so much for the design .I've put you button on my blog .

Kelli said...

Thanks to a friend, I've just "found" you - and your work is wonderful! Thanks so much for sharing your free BOM - they are beautiful!

Jude said...

thanks for the bom patterns, they look great and eagerly awaiting the others.

Linda in Calif. said...

Val, I just love this bom! I've just started a blog and have posted your button on my sidebar. (thanks for telling me how to do it!) I just wanted to let you know.

Anonymous said...

I just found you, and the pattern for Peace is not coming out on one page. I only got a partial pattern. Do not see anything for march also. Not very techie, what am I doing wrong, or where should I click? I do not blog. Got this from quilt barns gallery page from golden thimble. Patricia Stroud

Val Laird said...

Hi Patricia

Both the patterns for Gifts of Grace can be found at http://home.exetel.com.au/val_laird/index_files/Page1153.htm. Click on the "Download Block" to open the pdf file. If you still have trouble, e-mail me and I will see if I can help you through the process.

Regards
Val

Susan said...

Hi Val - this is my first visit - but not my last one now! Love the Gifts of Love project and will be looking for some of the others that people have mentioned. I will make sure I put you on my blog too - I have to spend a lot of time getting that up to date! Thanks for your generosity.

Marieke said...

Hallo, thank you for your free wonderfull pattern. I am a beginner quilter, but i like stichery also. I had ad the link on my site.
Your welcome.
Marieke

Judy said...

Thank you for the blocks, Val...

I especially love this BOM.

oxo

elliesue said...

Thank for the blocks Val, I have nearly finished the Peace block, have changed the colours, but it still looks good, will post it as soon as I have finished.
Elaine

N.C.Fabric Junkie said...

Thanks so much Val for you new bom this is really beautifull! you are a very talented lady! I will try add you too my blog too.

BubzRugz said...

Hello, I just found you whilst I was blogsurfing today I am a new blogger and enjoying meeting so many other crafters ....... this pattern is so pretty so I have added the button and hope to start these soon ........ Hugz

Penny said...

Thank you so much Val. Added your button to my blog when you first started this wonderful gifts. Just to let you know that I have printed all 6 and ready to roll!
Hugs,Penny.

Joobee said...

Thank you for the lovely blocks.

send gift Philippines said...

Thank you so much for bringing up this. Anyway,will certainly visit your site more often now.

vitton

Terri's Place said...

Thank you, Val, for these wonderful stitcheries. You are so kind in giving them to us and obviously practice the love that Galatians 5:22,23 tells us to put into practice. I look forward to starting them very soon. You button will remain on my blog where it has been since you started this BOM. Thank you again for your generosity.

Lois said...

Hi. I just found your blogsite and downloaded you BOM. Thank you very much. I put your button on my blog and am glad to share such a friendly and talented spot with others. Love Lois

Anonymous said...

Hello. Just want to thank you SO much for the free block of the month.
These block are an inspiration for us who cherish the Word of G'd.
I also appreciate you leaving it till the end of December, otherwise
I would not have the opportunity to
enjoy them and make a cute quilt to donate to a Nursing Home.May G'd richly bless you and your business.
Sew Happy, Evita in So. CA-USA

Anonymous said...

Thanks so much... how very generous of you !!!
I just downloaded the BOM and blogged about it as well.
I love stitching !!! ... and I'm venturing into quilting.
This quilt is sooo cute and I think very doable for a beginner quilter like me.
Thanks Again !

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