Market Maze Quilt Top and a Giveaway!

Just after Christmas last year I started testing a quilt pattern for Alyce (of Blossom Heart Quilts) and she has just released the pattern, so I can finally show you my top and tell you a bit about the pattern. Thankfully I've only had to wait a week or so (I'm not good at waiting, or secrets) ;o)

I honestly loved making this quilt - putting it together is kind of like doing a puzzle. So. Much. Fun. The way Alyce has designed the blocks is seriously brilliant - there aren't many seams to match up and the piecing is really easy as long as you use an accurate 1/4" seam. And pins. Lots of pins.

I used my Denyse Schmidt stash for this one (mostly Flea Market Fancy) - I ended up adding in a few different prints from the ones I originally picked out, just to add a few more warm tones to it. I'm calling mine Market Maze (thanks to Mr 5's immediate reaction of 'Mum, it's like a maze quilt!', quickly followed by 'is it for me? It has my letter all over it!').

There are four size options in the pattern - I made the lap sized version and it finished up at about 62" x 66" so a great size for snuggling under once the weather cools down (or anytime if you're addicted to quilts like my kids!) Even better, it is made using 2.5" strips, so it's the perfect Jelly Roll quilt :o) You could even use a JR for the background!

The pattern is now available in Alyce's Craftsy Store. 

But luckily for you, Alyce is giving away two copies of the pattern to my readers :o) If you'd like to win a copy please leave a comment on this blog post - I'd love to know what fabric you'd use to make it. And because I love you, my followers get a second entry (just leave me a second comment letting me know how you follow me). If you're a no-reply commenter please leave an email address so I can contact you if you win.

I'll pick two random winners next Monday 21st January.

A Lovely Year of Finishes - January

I've decided to link up with Shanna and Melissa's A Lovely Year of Finishes - one finish a month is something I hope I can achieve this year (hopefully more, but one is good starting place, right?)

For January, my hope is to make this pile of squares and rectangles into Jess's Lucky Square quilt top  (which I'm pattern testing so I really have to get this one done ;o) )

For me, the cutting is always the worst part of a project (it's taken me about 3 weeks to actually get these all done...), so I'm hoping I'll knock this one over in the next week or two :o)

If you're keen to join in the finishing fun, the linky party is open for another day!

xx Jess

WIP Wednesday - Making sushi of the fabric kind, and a destash GIVEAWAY!!!