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Monday, September 22, 2014

It is time for the Rush Hour! + Giveaway

September is here, temperature is dropping, leaves are starting to fall off trees, and it is about time for a new Blog Hop!  Thanks to Mdm Samm for being the mastermind behind these blog hops, and thanks to Carol for keeping us in order and being the cheerleader for the Rush Hour blog hop.

August – September is generally a busy time for me at work, but I just could not resist joining this hop, and the name of it is perfectly fitting: Rush Hour is such a busy time! We were challenged to use only red, white, black and grey fabric for our projects in the hop. A few purchases were needed this summer, but except from that I have used fabric from my stash.

So, what would I create for this blog hop? My small laptop needs protection, so it was off to look for good ideas in cyberspace. The simple things are often the best, and I found a pattern for a laptop sleeve designed by Elizabeth Hartman, over at Sew Mama, Sew. The pattern is ingenious, in my opinion, because it can easily be adjusted to fit any laptop size using Elizabeth’s formula.


I designed  the outside of the sleeve using scraps in the designated colors, framed in black fabric with tiny stars. The sashing gives an exclusive touch to the sleeve. The sleeve is lined with batting and a light grey solid on the inside, for maximum protection. The simple Velcro closure makes it easy to take laptop in and out.


About the same time I had made the laptop sleeve, Fat Quarter Shop came out with a tutorial for a Coffee Koozie, and I just had to make one in matching colors.


My little tableau at the café table is very fitting for a quick coffee break before the early morning Rush Hour. Notice the black and white patchwork jacket over the chair, I am sorry to say I didn’t make it myself. It is made of real patchwork, though, not just printed fabric.


I even had room for the Grinch on the back of the sleeve; see him peeping out!


My last project for the blog hop is an attempt of making a landscape background using 2½” squares in the designated colors. The red sun is my very first attempt in curved piecing. I had to have my square cow with me, since she has joined me in my two previous blog hops: Think Ruffles and A Perfect Picnic


This time she is dressed in appropriate pin-stripes, but she became a little bit “wild” and used red stockings and had the tail braided in red and white. The picket fence, made of white silk ribbon, keeps the cow enclosed. Once she is released from the pen, she will be off for the Rush Hour!


I had great expectations of making one more project for this hop, but, time didn’t permit it. I have this great pattern that will look fantastic in red, white, black and grey, That will have to wait until another time.


Make sure you visit the other participants in the blog hop today:

Tuesday, September 23

Quilt in a not-Shell  <--- that's me


The full schedule for the blog hop is HERE.


NOW FOR THE GIVEAWAY!       Giveaway is over, winner has been chosen.


It was so fun making the Coffee Koozie, so I had to make another one. This time it is in appropriate fall colors. Together with two fat quarters, this will be the the prize for one lucky winner. One fabric features fall leaves, and the other has plenty of tiny Christmas trees all over (let’s face it, Christmas is right around the corner)!

Leave me a comment on this post, and you will be entered in the giveaway.

Random Number generator will help me pick the winner at the end of the blog hop, and I will announce the name at October 1. Make sure you have a valid email address I can use to contact you.

The giveaway is open to everybody, I will send the prize anywhere in the world!

102 comments:

  1. Your quilts and sleeve are beautiful. I live the black white and pop if red color. Four years ago I used that combo for my college bound daughter

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  2. In this overly busy times we live you have created some wonderful Rush Hour projects. Thank you sew very much for sharing and hopping. Creative Rush Bliss...

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  3. Your sleeve for the laptop is really cute and the matching Koozie are so cute but your quilt is fantastic. Love the square cow and the fence keeping her in.

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  4. Anita,
    Love your little traveling cow! Adorable and the vertical stripes are super slimming! Lol! Love the laptop sleeve also. I am going to have to make one of those, just great.

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  5. Your landscape quilt is sew darling! Your laptop sleeve and cup cozy are perfect. Thank you for sharing.

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  6. Oh how I love that square cow on that gorgeous landscape quilt...beautiful! Sweet laptop sleeve, too!

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  7. The lap top cover and cozy are great rush hour projects - but I am over the moon with the landscape piece! Thank you for sharing with us today.

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  8. Great landscape quilt; especially the cow! Your rush hour projects are terrific.

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  9. I just think that cow is the cutest. I love the way he is in a silk ribbon pen. The coffee koozie and lap top cover are great rush hour projects. Fun projects!

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  11. I can remember your cow very good, we have lots of them in Switzerland, but none of them is square, LOL
    I saw the tuto of the cup vozie at FQS, but haven't trief it yet, looks great!

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  12. Your projects are beautiful! The laptop sleeve is very handy. I love the grinch on the back. Just right for those, lets say, more rushed days! The quilt is amazing. I love it. Your scarecow is beautiful in pinstripes. Loving the red socks! Thank you for sharing.

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  13. Great projects! I so need to make a lap top sleeve too. Love the one you did! The cow is adorable on your quilt. My daughter would love it as she is a huge cow collector.

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  14. Your projects are so great. And the quilt is just so stunning. Thanks for sharing your creativity

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  15. Your jacket looks like it was made from rush hour, you will look so put together wearing it and carrying your matching laptop and coffee with cozy and a matching quilt on those cold days ! LOL the cow is very cute.

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  16. The laptop cover is really nice and the coffee cozy is sweet... but that landscape quilt is fantastic! Great job!

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  17. Oh your projects are beautiful.love the quilt. Thanks for sharing.

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  18. Very nice laptop cover and the quilt is great! It is fun to see your rush hour projects.

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  19. really nice Anita....love your jacket too....red white and black always is stylish ..your quilt is adorable

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  20. Wonderful projects. The laptop case is a great use of the fabrics, and your jacket is striking!

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  21. Anita.....they are gorgeous!! the sleeve is sweet, but that quilt...wow!

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  22. Beautiful quilt, love your cow and your bag and cozy are perfect love the scrappiness of them.

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  23. What wonderful projects. Love the travelling cow viewing her world from the other side of the fence. And the laptop case just went on my must do list.

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  24. That cow is sew cute! I love it! The coffee koozie is a nice idea. I may use some scraps to make one. Excellent laptop case!

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  25. Love the square cow almost as much as the grinch peeking from your projects and how fun the coordination reaches your coffee and jacket :)

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  26. Some nice projects. The lap top bag looks like a great pattern. It looks good in red/white/black!

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  27. Your corner for the coffee break looks so inviting. Both projects are beautiful and some quilters must envy you for the jacket.

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  28. Your laptop sleeve is wonderful! What a great reminder to get to work!
    The quilt is beautiful! I love your little square cow!!!

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  29. Great Projects! I especially love the landscape quilt and that COW!!

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  30. I just love your projects -(coffee cozy & laptop sleeve). The black & white jacket goes perfectly.

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  31. Your first two projects certainly scream Rush Hour! Love the landscape quilt with the square cow...darling!

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  32. Cute, cute quilt! Love that square cow. Great projects for this hop!

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  33. Anita I love all your projects but that cow...I love him. :) blessings, marlene

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  34. love them all. I am rushed today, so just saying thanks for sharinf.
    carrotcakeks@gmail.com

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  35. Those are great projects. I love the square cow piece.

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  36. Great projects...that cow looks so sassy in her red stockings and braided tail! Well done.

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  37. Well now...how CLEVER! That little cow is too cute! What a great imagination! That little quilt has stolen my heart!!!! Looks like you are all ready for the day too!!!! Great Projects!!!!

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  38. What a wonderful job on your Rush Hour projects. The sleeve for your laptop and cup cozie is great. Love them both.

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  39. Anita those are great projects. I had forgotten about the square cow until you reminded us. I love her and her wild red socks. A very creative quilt.

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  40. Love your quilt and your cow. So sweet.

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  41. What great projects. I am sure they will become very useful. Your quilt is beautiful. You did a great job with your sun, you would never know it was the first time at curve piecing. (That is one I never tried yet.)

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  42. I love the square cow and all of your projects look great and are useful too. I was admiring the jacket and even if you didn't make it, it goes so well with this hop.

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  43. Your laptop bag is very nice...looks well made too. The zipper pocket is a nice added touch (I'm terrified of zippers, never sewn with one YET)
    Your landscape quilt is so cute as well!!
    Blessings
    Gmama Jane

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  44. Red, black and grey are fabulous together and your laptop bag is wonderful. What a sweet quilt too!

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  45. I love anything that will carry anything. Bags are my thing and I love the laptop top bag and the coffee coszy. The quilt is also great with the cow as your signature. Were every I see a cow square or otherwise I will think of you. Thank you for the giveaway.

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  46. I am loving the color combo for this hop, so great to see that pop of red. Love your laptop cover, I need to make one of those! I will take your advice and visit Sew Mama Sew for info. Thanks!

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  47. What a sweet giveaway! I have a stash for my someday Christmas quilt ~ I love ***s! I am collecting Christmas fabrics for their little points and center square; would love to have your fat quarters and... your fall wrap! Thank you for your post. Kathleen ~ Lane Hill House
    lanehillhouse[at]centurylink[dot]net

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  48. Great lap top bag. I just love the coffee cozies. I've not made one yet. Thanks for a chance to win one.

    bevwalks at aol dot com

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  49. wow your projects are wonderful. What a great idea for your lap top. Thanks for sharing and for inspiring. quilting dash lady at Comcast dot net

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  50. Such fun ideas! Love the matching laptop cover and cup Koozie. Plus, that square cow of yours has certainly got a sense of style. Too cute! Thanks for sharing.

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  51. Oh my goodness, I had to enlarge the photo to se the grinch...I was sure you were not talking the real grinch! LOL I love it. What a fun way to sneak him in! (he's on my work table right now) What a fun quilt you designed too.What a fun space for square cow to end up in! ;-)

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  52. Anita your projects are beautiful!! I just Love the Square fenced in Cow, so adorable!! Thanks for sharing your Rush Hour with us!!
    Huggs, Nancy

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  53. Square cow! LOL The laptop sleeve is a wonderful idea, and the Grinch is a fun added bonus!

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  54. Wow!!!! Love the Cow!!! Too cute!!!! I love the Grinch too!!!!! All very fun!!!

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  55. I like all your projects, but the landscape quilt with the cow takes the cake (or would that be coffee?). Thanks for sharing.

    senstrings(@)yahoo(dot)com

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  56. wonderful set of projects - that quilt is great.

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  57. Love every one of your projects! You did such a great job!

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  58. I love your projects, and I especially love your square cow! Thanks.

    Please click on the delaineelliott above for my email link.

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  59. I love your projects Anita - especially your quilt!!
    Thanks for sharing!

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  60. Love the whimsy of the square cow. She's moovelous in red stockings. LOL You will be quite stylish at any café with your laptop bag and Koozie.

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  61. love your work and thanks for the chance of winning

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  62. Anita
    I'm a "city girl," and when I was young, (this is ancient history), I recall a visit to an uncle's farm in Indiana, in which he and his wife were actively involved in restraining their lonely cow which had somehow gotten out of the pasture. It was halarious as one was "shoo-ing the cow towards the area they wished the cow to go and the other was attempting to assist in their tiny Nash Rambler. Apparently "Bossy" was trying to join Rush Hour, wherever that was, and so your quilt brought back that joyful memory from my childhood! Fortunately for my aunt and uncle, cows don't move too fast and eventually they were able to persuade Bossy back to the familar acreage. Thanks for sharing.

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  63. How fun! I love the red sun and the square cow. You did an awesome job and look forward to seeing more of your works. Thanks for sharing your creations with us today.

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  64. Nancy: rangerer@sbcglobal.netSeptember 23, 2014 at 7:24 PM

    that coffee koozie would be so useful -- I would love to have one, and I think I need to get the pattern or make a pattern so I could make them for gifts.

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  65. Love your project specially the quilt.The ladder is stunning over your quilt.Thanks for sharing!!

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  66. Hi Anita! Just rushing by to say hi and nice job on all your pieces!! Your laptop sleeve rocks and the coffee coozy is nice, but I really like your quilt! That little cow has so much personality and I love your fabric choices! Well done!

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  67. Your projects are wonderful and very inspiring. Thank you.

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  68. LOVE your computer sleeve!!! Thanks for letting us know where you got the pattern! Your quilt is so adorable with the white picket fence and your square cow that always makes e smile!!

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  69. I love your landscape-that is one special cow ! Great laptop cover and the coffee cozie too.

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  70. What fun projects! I haven't been to your blog before ( my own rush hour happened during the last few hops) and I will definitely be back!

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  71. Great "keepers" for your electronics. Yes, I remember the cow! Cute quilt.

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  72. Both of your projects are beautiful!

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  73. all were great projects but the quilt is just to cute.

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  74. Wonderful entries for the hop, Anita. I am still looking for a tablet case ideas, not for the hop as I am running out of time, but seeing yours is an inspiration. THX for the giveaway opportunity.

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  75. Your cow is too cute. As are your projects.

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  76. Great laptop case and I love the cow! :)

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  77. Love that quilt and cowsy-wowsy!! She is decked out with her red socks - perfect and the braided tail was wonderful. Looks like you're set for rush hour with your Koozie and laptop. Really, if you get stopped and need something to relax, just break out the coffee and the laptop!!

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  78. I love that laptop case. I need to make one for my grand daughter. Thanks for sharing

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  79. Love the laptop! Your cafe scenic is great.

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  80. Love the cow and lap top case. Thanks for sharing with us!

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  81. Really great laptop bag and your cow is so wonderfully square. :-) Love it!

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  82. I really like the quilt with your cow. Great job with the curved piecing!

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  83. Your Coffee Koozie is pretty. -- soparkaveataoldotcom

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  84. Lovely! Thanks for sharing! pbstrand@msn. com

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  85. Lovely projects and I think the sun turned out great!

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  86. Anita, is that square cow in or out? I guess it depends on which side of the fence you use your perspective. Having grown up on a dairy farm, I thought she was out - that was always a concern. Great projects. I noticed the lovely patchwork jacket in a flash. I'm thrilled you included it. The laptop protector is a great idea and I should think of that for my travels which seem to be more frequent now. I'm being summoned to granchild sit. Your projects are inspiring. Thanks for participating.

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  87. I liked all your rush hour projects, and the cow quilt is gorgeous! You are very talented.

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  88. Your square cow is adorable!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Thanks for the give a way

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  89. Your laptop case is perfect in the Rush Hour fabric. The cow steals the show. Very nice Cup Kozzie.

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  90. Love love love the cow. So cute
    Sandy

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  91. All of your projects are wonderful but I especially love that square cow. I hope you let her become your 'signature'. yessewingisfun@yahoo.com

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  92. Oh my goodness, your cow just seriously cheered up my very tiring day! It made me chuckle out loud in a fabulous way :) Awesome projects!

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  93. Wonderful projects! I especially like the quilt with the whimsical square cow!

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  94. I just love your quilt with the fence and the cow! All I can say is WOW on that. Love it so much!

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  95. love the coffee cozie. thanks for sharing your creations.

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  96. Great projects, I'm enjoying catching up with all the wonderful creations in the tour:)

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