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CG Giveaway: Pretty Little Mini Quilts

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I’m honoring the Mexican holiday Cinco de Mayo this week by hosting a giveaway. The prize is this lovely little book Pretty Little Mini Quilts by Ray Hemachandra. Entering is simple. Just leave a comment on this post letting me know if you’ve ever been to a Cinco de Mayo celebration no later than Wednesday May 5th. I’ll announce the winner Friday May 7th.

[tags]CG giveaway, quilting book, Pretty Little Mini Quilts, 2010, Cinco de Mayo[/tags]

Looking for more Cinco De mayo quilt patterns? Check these out.

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Comments

  3. I have not gone to one “out” but we usually do something small at home with family and a few friends… a good excuse for having fun with food!

  4. I goggled to find out more about this holiday. Interesting to read about other cultures. No, I have not been to a Cinco de Mayo celebration, but would love to join if there is ever a chance.

  6. I have never been to one. I see them on the news, since the city hosts one, but I am city phobic;) Looks like a lot of fun and community sharing.

    Debbie

  7. I’ve actually been to one in Mexico. The food, drinks, colors, people…it was all so amazing!

  9. I have never been to a Cinco de Mayo celebration, but someday….. Thanks for the chance!

  10. I’ve never been to one – I’m not sure there are many up here in Canada. But it sounds fun!

  11. I’ve never been to one, it’s not celebrated in Canada, but I have seen pictures of the celebrations from different cities, it looks like tons of fun!

  14. Yes, I am a member of a volunteer organization and we celebrate every year by holding a dinner and delicious refreshments for a fundraiser!

  15. Going to a Cinco de Mayo celebration or event has always been apart of my family’s tradition. This year I will be spending it with a group of women artist in Southern California.

  16. When I was growing up the Nuns at school always threw a Cinco de Mayo party. There were a lot of migrant workers who settled in our very Mormon community and the Nuns worked very hard to teach the students at my school to embrace and respect other cultures and traditions.

  18. Its only my third favorite holiday ever (after Saint Patty’s and Halloween, of course)! Every year we go out for Mexican food and margaritas 🙂

  21. No, I live in The Netherlands and we celebrate the end of World War II on the 5th of May

  23. Yes, sort of. One of my friends birthday is on Cinco de Mayo, so we would have a themed birthday party for him.

  25. yes, in honolulu. One of our friends made his mama’s tamale’s from scratch and many other family foods, was wonderful!

  28. no, i dont think so… i live in israel now so we dont have that holiday here
    thanks for the giveaway
    i would love to win

  29. We used to have fun Cinco de Mayo parties in the office with everyone bringing in food and having a big lunch together. Sometimes I miss stuff like that now that I’m a SAHM.

  30. I haven’t been to a “real” one, but I hosted one in the teachers’ lunch room at my kids’ school once. Does that count? (Thanks for the opportunity to win Pretty Little Mini Quilts!)

  31. I’ve never been to one but I heard it’s tons of fun – great food, great parties, lots of bright vibrant colors!

  32. I’ve never been to a Cinco de Mayo party, but I do like an occassional margarita! Thanks for the giveaway – the book looks great!

  33. I have never been to a Cinco de Mayo celebration. I would love to win this book!

  34. I haven’t had a chance to ever go to a Cinco de Mayo celebration, mainly because I have no Mexican friends. All my Spanish speaking friends are from elsewhere, like Spain, Costa Rica and Argentina and they don’t celebrate this holiday.

  35. While I never have been to a celebration, it was 9 years ago on Cinco de Mayo that I was in an awful highway car crash after the car in front of me spun out and came back towards me to crash into us. My son was with me, he was 17 at the time. Our guardian angels were working hard that day as we all escaped with only minor injuries. I say a prayer of thanks every Cinco de Mayo!

  37. I have never been to a big cinco de mayo party but my senior prom fell on May 5th. My prom date later became my husband and we are celebrating 11 years together this month.

  38. Nope, I too have never been to a Cinco de Mayo celebration even though my birthday is May 3rd so I have a good excuse to celebrate

  40. I’ve never been to a celebration that was specifically for Cinco de Mayo, even though I live in Texas. A few years ago we went camping on Cinco de Mayo, which was great fun.

  41. I haven’t been lucky enough to celebrate Cinco de Mayo yet. It sounds like a lot of fun though.

  44. I haven’t been to a Cinco de Mayo celebration. I was, however, asked by a girl at local pizza hangout/bar several (10+) years ago when Cinco de Mayo was. lol. It was late. 😉

Have you read?

My Fabric Buying Rules (That I Break All the Time)

I have fabric buying rules.

Very sensible rules.

Responsible, grown-up, “I have teenagers and a mortgage” rules.

And yet… somehow… I still come home with another bundle of florals.

If you’ve ever typed “quilting fabric sale” into Google knowing full well you do not need more quilting fabric, this one’s for you.

Let’s talk about the rules I made for myself — and how often I quietly ignore them.

Rule #1: Only Buy Fabric for a Specific Project

This is my most repeated rule.

Only buy quilting fabric if I have a pattern in mind.
 Only buy fabric yardage if I know what quilt I’m making.

In theory? Sensible.

In reality?

“I don’t have a pattern yet, but this would make a beautiful lap quilt.”

Which means it joins the “future project” pile.

That pile is thriving.

Rule #2: Shop Your Stash First

Before buying new quilting cotton, I tell myself:

You have a whole cupboard of beautiful fabric.

And I do.

But sometimes I open that cupboard and think:

“Yes… but not this shade of blue.”

Apparently there is always room for “just one more perfect blender.”

Rule #3: No Buying Just Because It’s On Sale

This one gets me every time.

Clearance quilting fabric is dangerous.

Because suddenly I’m not buying fabric…
 I’m “saving money.”

Which is how three metres of something I wasn’t even looking for ends up in my sewing room.

On sale fabric has a way of whispering,
 “You’ll regret it if you don’t.”

And honestly? Sometimes I would.

Rule #4: Stop Buying Novelty Prints You’ll Never Use

I love novelty quilting fabrics.

Chickens. Teacups. Tiny strawberries. Vintage florals.

Do I make novelty quilts often?

No.

Do I convince myself I will?

Absolutely.

There’s something about quirky fabric that makes my creative brain light up — even if it takes five years to turn into something.

Rule #5: Don’t Duplicate What You Already Have

This is the funniest one.

Because I absolutely have:

Three nearly identical cream background prints.
 Four versions of “soft dusty pink.”
 More neutral blenders than I could sew in a year.

But when I see “the perfect low-volume print” — logic disappears.

Apparently I believe each new one is slightly more perfect than the last.

Rule #6: Only Buy Quality Quilting Fabric

This one I actually stick to.

If I’m investing in fabric for a quilt, I want quality quilting cotton that presses well, holds up over time, and doesn’t fade after washing.

I’ve learned that lesson.

Cheap fabric looks like a bargain… until it doesn’t behave.

So at least I’ve matured in one area.

Rule #7: Finish One Quilt Before Starting Another

This isn’t strictly about buying fabric, but it’s related.

Because nothing triggers fabric shopping like:

  • A tricky block
     • A frustrating seam
     • A quilt top that won’t lie flat

Suddenly a new project feels like a fresh start.

Which means new fabric.

Which means the cycle continues.

Why We Really Buy Fabric

If I’m being honest — and this is the handwritten, tea-in-hand honesty — I don’t just buy fabric for quilts.

I buy fabric for:

  • Possibility
     • Inspiration
     • A future version of myself
     • A quiet hour I haven’t had yet

Sometimes buying quilting fabric is less about productivity and more about hope.

And that’s not entirely a bad thing.

My Real Fabric Buying Rule (The One That Matters)

Here’s the rule I actually try to follow now:

Buy fabric that genuinely makes you excited to sew.

Not pressured.

Not influenced.

Not because someone else says it’s trending.

If I can picture it on my cutting mat.
 If I can see it stitched into something useful.
 If it makes me want to sit down and sew tonight.

Then I don’t feel guilty.

A Little Gentle Reality

Most hobby quilters don’t struggle because they don’t have enough fabric.

We struggle because:

  • We don’t have enough time
     • We don’t have enough energy
     • We’re juggling life

Fabric buying is the easy part.

Making space to actually sew? That’s the real challenge.

So yes.

I have fabric buying rules.

And yes.

I break them.

But as long as the sewing room still feels joyful — and not stressful — I’m okay with that.

Because quilting isn’t about being perfectly disciplined.

It’s about enjoying the process… even if that includes another bundle of florals.