January 16, 2011

Free Pattern Launch - Consider the Lilies


Today's the day for the launch of my new free Block of the Month quilt! I hope you like it as much as I do!

But .... first things first.

We have a winner! 

The winner of my giveaway which was a choice of any one of my e-patterns is MariaCongratulations Maria and thank you to all who entered and made my day with your lovely comments.  I was so encouraged by the lovely things you said.


We and are family are safe and sound!

Thank you to all you lovely bloggers who have been concerned about us in the devastating floods that have hit Queensland.  We feel so blessed that all our family were kept safe.  Our son's workshop didn't get flooded though there was water in the street.  Our daughter was kept safe when she and her four children were out shopping in Toowoomba when the tsunami hit.  Their business is very close to the area of devastation and they had lots of water in the workshop but managed to divert it so that the showroom had only minimal damage. 

And as for us in our lovely new home, we were high and dry, though our road in from the highway was cut by flooding for quite a few days, but we had an alternate dry road if we needed to get out.  We had LOADS of rain which our water-logged yard didn't know what to do with, but it quickly got away once the rain stopped. 

There are thousands of people whose lives have been totally devastated, loved ones have been lost, many have lost everything they owned and in some cases their homes have been washed away or been so damaged that they are unliveable. Many will not be covered by insurance.

I would encourage you to give to help these people.  Donations can be made to the Premier's flood relief appeal at the Queensland government donation site.

Then Toni is co-ordinating hundreds of auctions of beautiful hand-crafted items where all the proceeds go direct to the flood relief appeal. Please take the time to do what you can to assist.

---------------------------------

 Now to the free pattern launch.

The new block of the month quilt I am offering for 2011 is called "Consider the Lilies". It is a colourful wall quilt measuring 32 inches square and consists of four large blocks. Each month over eleven months, I will give you the pattern for a section of each block. If you keep up each month, you will have a gorgeous Christmas present ready for someone special!


The concept of this design comes from some wonderful verses in the Bible: Matthew 6:25-34. Why do we go through so much hassle worrying about everyday life? Consider the flowers and birds, God provides everything they need. And we are so much more valuable to Him than those. He will certainly care
for us when we put our trust in Him ... hence the title - Consider the lilies. 

Here is Pattern 1:



This block of the month is a little different to the last two I have given you in that it has some simple patchwork as an integral part of the design. Now, if you haven't noticed, I only do EASY and SIMPLE patchwork - you won't find complicated piecing anywhere in my designs!  The bonus with doing a little bit of piecing each month - apart from it looking just gorgeous - is that you will be able to use up lots of little scraps from your fabric stash, and when you get to the end, all the sashing and borders are already done and your quilt is ready for quilting!

I am big on applique and embroidery so of course there's going to be lots of that. Here's a sneak peak or two (minus most of the embroidery as I don't want to spoil the surprise each month!) 




I would love it if you would put my “Consider the Lilies” 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 jpg file onto your computer, then upload it to your blog.) Here is the button, designed by my lovely daughter, Janelle:



Now, over you go to my website where you can download the pattern - scroll down past all those patterns till you come to the bottom of the page.  And keep a watch in the third week of February for the next instalment.

Happy stitching!

Regards
Val



29 comments:

BubzRugz said...

So glad your family is well.... we are all a bit shellshocked I think.... your new BOM is lovely.... I think I am overcommitted but I will add your button and who knows what the year will bring... .some extra time??
Hugz

Bluebell said...

Hi Val, Glad you are all safe and dry, what a worrying time it has been for you all. Thank you for the pattern it is lovely I love lillies. Take Care and Keep Dry
Love Jillx

Maria McCabe said...

First and most importantly I know we are all so grateful that you and yours are safe. What a tragedy for so many. My heart and prayers go out to all affected by this disaster.
THANK YOU FOR THE PATTERN! I am so happy I won! The verse has such a special meaning to me that I printed it out late last night and have begun my fabric selections already!
A HUGE thank you for this new BOM - it is as gorgeous as I knew it would be! IT gets moved to the top of my to-do list for this year!
Maria

Penny said...

Glad too that your family is safe. Love your new BOM! Added your cute Lilies button to my blog :)

Marsha B said...

I'm so happy to hear you and your family are all safe. Thank you for the lovely pattern, it is so pretty!

Marj said...

Glad to hear that you and your loved ones are OK.
Love your new BOM.

Varga Györgyi said...

Hi Val! This pattren is soooo lovely. I love your design, and the conception too. Thanks for sharing! (I'm sure, that I will sew it!) Györgyi

Kate said...

Val, Consider the Lilies is quite lovely and most appropriate. Thanks

Joy said...

I can see this is going to become a really beautiful quilt ... thank you Val :o). So glad to hear that you and yours are safe!!!
Hugs,
Joy :o)

Christine M said...

Hi Val. I'm glad to hear you and your family are safe. It is just awful watching it on tv and now the floods have hit done here in Victoria. I'm looking forward to seeing what you've come up with each month. The colours you've chosen are lovely. Hugs, Christine

Allie said...

Congrats to Maria! Val, I'm so thankful to know that you and your family are safe - what a scary, scary time. Especially as your dd and her children were SO close in Toowoomba.

Your new BOM is GORGEOUS. I love that verse, love the pattern, and am very thankful for easy piecing. Thank you so much! I'll put your blog button on mine right now.

CraftyMummy said...

Beautiful pattern, Val!

Teresa said...

Good to hear you and your family are ok.

Your new pattern is so pretty and so encouraging in times like these. I will include the link on my next post and will be following along on the project.

Stitched With Prayer said...

Val, I have been keeping you in my thoughts and prayers along with all those in Queensland. My heart aches for so many devastated by this disaster so needless to say, the prayers will continue. I'm so happy to hear that you are doing okay and hope your daughters workshop is not lost due to damages. Your new BOM is just gorgeous and I can't wait to get started. Of course, the new projects are stacking up in my sewing room as we try to climb out of our remodeling mess. I think there is a tiny light shining through at the end of the long tunnel though, lol. New carpet and linoleum being installed a week from Monday, then we are truly ready to put the house back together. Then, my sewing machine will be running full steam ahead. Thank you so much for sharing this lovely pattern with us. Hugs...

Evita said...

Hello Val. You have blessed me again with this beautiful BOM. Your Christian testimony is great.
May G'd bless you and yours. Evita
in So. CA-USA

boysmum2 said...

That looks so cute, just have to remember this year to go and download last 1 or 2 patterns before they get taken off the web site!

Sue from Cyprus said...

Hi Val, So glad to hear you are all safe. You have been in my thoughts. Thank you for the intructions of your new BOM. It's going to be a winner... as usual. Just one thing.... do we still make sure that our page on the printer selection is on 'none'?. I couldn't see a note anywhere and it makes a difference to the block sizing.
Hugs, Sue from Cyprus x x x x

Val Laird said...

Hi Sue from Cyprus,
I'm afraid I accidently deleted your e-mail address so can't contact you.
Thanks for reminding me about the page scaling. Yes, it should be NONE. I've revised the Pattern to show that important sentence.
Regards
Val

Jytte R said...

It is good to hear that you are all safe. It is awful sceneries we have seen from Queensland.
Thank you so much for the pattern for your new BOM with lilies.

KatieQ said...

Thank you for the stunning BOM. The television coverage of the flooding in Australia that we are seeing here in the US is overwhelming. I can't imagine how difficult it must be to experience the devastation firsthand.

So many quilters around the world feel a tie to Australia because of the quilters and designers we have met in online groups and through blogs and you are all in our thoughts and prayers.

Amy said...

What day of the month does the Lilly pattern come out? I am so excited to have a new project.I have some wonderful florals to use with it.

Clothed in Scarlet said...

I add my thanks to the Lord for your safety! And my gratitude for your generosity in sharing :0) Be blessed in your day! Sarah

Clothed in Scarlet said...

Oops I didn't realize my e-mail address wasn't showing up. Thanks for the advice, Sarah

Alicia said...

Love the lilies i'm going to do it
When it comes out ?
I follow you from mexico

Unknown said...

I just downloaded your new BOM pattern and will start it as soon as I can get some fabric together. Thank you so much for doing this.

Sharon said...

Hi Val, I'm so glad you and your family are safe. Thank you for the lovely new BOM you designed. I've been away from blogging because my dear mother passed away on Jan 16th. It has been a difficult time as it was so unexpected, but I know that she is enjoying Heaven now.

Vicki ♥ said...

Hi Val....thank you so much for this going to be gorgeous BOM. I love it...well of course I do ..it has flowers and needleturn and piecing :) Love it and love the fabrics you are using. Gorgeous!!
So glad you are safe from the floods too :) hugs Vicki

Carolien said...

Hello Val,

I just discovered your blog and the lovely BOM Consider the lilies. I can't participate right know, but hope to make it later, it looks so gorgeous! I put the button in my sidebar and will tell others.
Thanks for sharing!!!

Greetings from Holland, Carolien

Doris said...

It looks so lovely, and your idea of having it as a Christmas gift is wonderful. I think this would be ideal for my sister. Thanks so much.