Your choice of a quilter's layer cake (42 "10 Squares) or ...
a Jelly Roll (40- 2 1/2'X44' inch strips),
Plus an assortment of sewing and Quilting patterns from Fig Tree Quilts designer, Joanna Figueroa!
Joanna was featured in our fourth issue and is absolutely delightful! Her studio is warm and inviting, and her quilts are a true work of art. We simply loved working with her. And her fabric? Isn't it gorgeous? Think of the beautiful things you could create. Not to mention the patterns! Here's some information about Joanna's company, Fig Tree & Co....
Today at Fig Tree & Co. we produce over 100 quilting, sewing and children’s patterns, design 3 collections a year for MODA Fabrics [we are currently working on our 17th fabric collection], travel to do national and international teaching engagements and seminars, publish Fresh Vintage™ [our style magazine with great color and style advice, ideas and patterns], organize year round trunk shows and trade shows of our work and collaborate on books and magazines.
For the future, we are working on "Fig Tree Home" [we’ll keep you posted], more Fresh Vintage publications and ideas, and who knows what’s in store for us after that. You’ll have to stay tuned to see in which new directions we might fly.
Now, let me introduce you to Joanna Figueroa ...
When I bought my first antique quilt at a garage sale ( for $7), I fell in love with the art of quilting. But when I made my first simple quilt, I fell in love with the process of quilting. After that I was hooked! It was as if something inside of me had “clicked”.For me, quilting is a perfect combination of art and practicality. I can be totally creative and totally utilitarian at the same time, knowing that what I produce can be used to keep my kids warm! Vintage quilts and unusual vintage color combinations seem to inspire most of my designs. I can't seem to go anywhere without seeing patterns or color combinations for potential quilts--in nature, in greeting cards, in wrapping paper, or in dishware & pottery. My favorite quilts utilize a patchwork design that shows off the fabric and color. I am not drawn to complex designs unless they truly showcase a fabric combination in a way that another pattern would not. Whether vintage, soft, bold, contemporary, warm and cuddly, masculine, or romantic, I believe that any feeling can be communicated through a well-chosen palette of color, pattern, and texture. Besides quilting, I enjoy searching for vintage textiles, antique toys, painted furniture, and ceramics--anything that seems loved and well used…anything with personality you might say. My husband says I have an unnatural love of bowls and painted chairs!! Can you relate?? My husband, Eric, and my three kids [ages 2 to 8 1/2] are my inspiration and the core of the "Fig Tree team". Besides being in charge of all production, Eric is truly my right hand man when it comes to marketing, bookkeeping, trade shows and the website. Now that you've read about me… I'd love to hear about you. I'd especially like to hear what you enjoy about quilting and what you enjoy about our designs. If you want to receive regular updates about Fig Tree & Co., our new patterns and whatever else we happen to be thinking about, then add yourself to our mailing list. We look forward to getting to know you and serving you as best we can.
Where Women Create would like to thank Joanna Figueroa both for her involvement in the magazine, and her generous donation! Please visit her at www.figtreequilts.com
Now we know you'll want to quilt and then curl up with a good book, so we've got an additional prize ... this great novel from author Sheila Roberts!
Here's a little about Angel Lane:
Keep the heart in Heart Lake. That’s exactly what three small-town shop owners hope to do when they launch their crazy-ambitious “Have a Heart” campaign—asking neighbors to commit one random act of kindness every day. Emma, Sarah, and Jamie love their lakeside community, but the little town is growing too big too fast, and a doing a good deed never hurt anyone. Or so they thought…
When Emma slashes prices at her quilt shop, practically giving away blankets to anyone who looks vaguely cold, she almost stitches her way into bankruptcy. Sarah’s free cooking class boils down to a hotbed of crime when some punk kid swipes her favorite heirloom. And at Jamie’s chocolate shop, things take a bittersweet turn when a local policeman starts giving her grief, stirring up feelings she’s tried to forget—and slowly melts away her defenses…
With irresistible humor, warmth, affection—and recipes!—author Sheila Roberts serves up a generous, open-hearted story about the friendships we make, the chances we take, and the lives we touch every day.
And Sheila Roberts:
Sheila Roberts lives on a lake in the Pacific Northwest. She’s happily married and has three children. She’s been writing since 1989, but she did lots of things before settling in to her writing career, including owning a singing telegram company and playing in a band. Her band days are over, but she still enjoys jamming on her bass and writing songs. When she’s not speaking to women’s groups or at conferences or hanging out with her girlfriends she can be found writing about those things near and dear to women’s hearts: family, friends, and chocolate. Her 2007 book On Strike for Christmas was a holiday best-seller, has been optioned for film, and will be coming out for the third season this Christmas 2009. Her book, Bikini Season has made Bookscan’s romance best-seller list. Love in Bloom received rave reviews and is soon to be a Reader's Digest Condensed Book. Her newest book, Angel Lane, is getting rave reviews. She is currently working on her next book and hoping Dancing with the Stars will call. (Who says authors can't be stars!)
Thanks so much Sheila for donating this fabulous book to our readers. We can't wait to read it! Please visit her at www.sheilasplace.com
* Leave a comment for a chance to win! Remember, if you have an additional entry, post twice, with the second post being the word "blog". Don't forget that all of the contests are open until the 16th (YES! The Sixteenth Day of Christmas!) at Midnight, so you can post anytime until then. Good Luck and remember to check back tomorrow for another great artist!