Tuesday 12 September 2017

It's my turn for Christmas Caroling...

Welcome to day three of the 3rd Annual Row A-Long, hosted by Marian at Seams to Be Sew.



 This 6-week event  features 42 bloggers bringing their interpretation of their favourite Christmas Carols in a  row and offers you the chance to download a copy of each pattern, so you can make your own for FREE. 

The row along started on September 5th, finishes up on the tenth of October 2017 and a number of bloggers from all around the world will feature each Tuesday and Thursday. There's lots of giveaways each day so make sure you check into each one to see what giveaway is on offer, and to download the patterns! (The schedule is towards the end of this post).
Northcott Fabrics is the main sponsor of this row a-long and generously provided some fabrics to each blogger to use to sew their row.  I however, was a little late in coordinating my fabrics, and didn't order in time but funnily enough, the fabric I had purchased and decided would be 'perfect' for the night sky in my row is in fact, a Northcott fabric!   Just goes to show.
Calibre-Arts
Northcott are sponsoring a weekly giveaway all throughout the Row A-Long, as is Calibre Art.  Click HERE for more information on these giveaways and the all-important links to enter. (however, I'm featuring the links at the bottom of this post as well, just so you don't forget!)
I was invited earlier this year to participate in this Row A-Long and I just couldn't say no.  Choosing a Christmas Carol to feature wasn't too hard either, as a picture popped into my head as soon as I read through the list......"Once in Royal David's City" was the one that 'spoke' to me.  I pictured the 3 wise men riding their camels over the hills on their way to visit Mary and Joseph with their newly born son, Jesus in a barn complete with animals, under the light of the brightest star, guiding them to their destination.
I love the way the Northcott fabric makes the night sky look so much brighter.  This beautiful blue starry fabric is from Northcott's  Magic of Christmas range SKU 21701-44 (if you were looking at ordering some for your own row). 

Not a big applique designer, I did find the smaller pieces a bit challenging, however I did try to invent an easier way for myself by taking three plastic loose leaf sleeves and trimming off the reinforced edges and the bottom edge.  That way I could open them out at the fold, tape them together to form a plastic cover for my row. 

 Once taped, I placed the plastic sheet over my design, traced the design onto the plastic with a black sharpie pen, making sure to mark the registration points (corners) on the 'map'.  I then used this 'map' to ensure I had the correct placement for each of my applique pieces on the background before I fused them.  Worked a treat! 
Another tip I have is making sure you place each of the applique pieces in individually marked bags for each section of the row.  This made it much easier to keep them together and find them again.
With such fiddly pieces, I did find it stitched better on the machine using smaller blanket stitch.  
Now I still have a bit of stitchery embellishment to go, but I'll show that on my blog as the week goes on.  I've decided I'll make mine as a wall hanging ready for Christmas, so I've got the borders done already, using scraps of the fabric within the row.
You can download my pattern at either Payhip or Craftsy at the following links: 

                                   PAYHIP:  Once In Royal David's City Row

                                CRAFTSY:   Once In Royal David's City Row

I decided to offer it at both of them as there have been issues of sites crashing with overloaded downloads, so I'm hoping this will make it less frustrating for you.  Please note, my pattern is free to download, but if you feel inclined, as a thank you why not donate a couple of dollars to the charity of your choice, whether it be a hurricane support fund, earthquake fund, cancer fund or some other fund, we're all needing a little help, and if we can help one another, that's awesome!


My row is being sponsored by June Taylor and I have been provided some June Taylor  cotton pressing cloths for three lucky winners.  If you're not really familiar with this product, visit HERE for more information.   You could also visit their website to view their many other products. 
To enter, log in to the rafflecopter link below.  Entries will close midnight 19th September, EST   * please note, shipping is anywhere however, shipping must be paid for by the winners.  
Be sure to read through all the giveaway guidelines and rules over HERE.  These are valid for all of the giveaways during the Row-a-Long.




GIVEAWAY #2

Northcott Fabrics

Visit each of the four bloggers featured in the row-a-long today, enter the rafflecopter link below and you will go into the draw to win a Northcott Fabrics fat quarter bundle totalling 2 yards to the value of $20 USD.  
This giveaway will end at midnight on September 19th, EST when a winner will be drawn and notified.   This giveaway is open worldwide and Northcott will ship the prize to you anywhere in the world.


                                                                     GIVEAWAY #3
Calibre Art Rotating Mats
Our final giveaway is from Calibre Arts and they are offering  a 50% discount on an 8 x 8 Rotating Cutting Mat to the value of $29.95 USD.  There are 5 coupon codes you have a chance of winning.   You will have 6 days to use your coupon code.
This is a daily giveaway, it starts on Tuesday, and ends Wednesday Morning.   

 *Please note, if you win, you will be responsible to pay 50 % of the cost of the mat and the shipping for this prize.


That's if from me.....be sure to check out the wonderful bloggers/designers who are participating in the Row-a-Long and leave a comment....believe me, your comments mean the world!   Here is the schedule I promised you at the beginning of this very long post -

The Christmas Caroling Row Along Schedule
Thursday, September 14, 2017
Barbara Dieges
Cynthia’s Creating Ark
The Quilted Snail
Ms. P. Designs USA
                                                        (sponsored by Just Let Me Quilt)
Tuesday, September 26, 2017
Cheryl LaPlante
                                            (sponsored by Quilt In Piece)
Morning Glory
Pampered Pettit
Fun Threads
Tuesday, October 10, 2017
Show and Tell Day
Bloggers will be announced at a later date
Make sure you pop along and say Hi!  Thank you for joining in on the Row-a-Long with me.  I hope you enjoyed my row and when you do make it, I'd love for you to send me pictures or share a link so that I can feature it on my blog.

xox big sugary hugs :o)

83 comments:

Anonymous said...

Wendy, I think your row is fabulous! I was right in my guess that your row would have something to do with the spiritual reasons to celebrate Christmas. Thank you! I'm going to have to look for that blue sky, I think.

Christine M said...

Hi Wendy. I love your row. It's great to have the Nativity. xx

kelley likes said...

Your row is fabulous! Thank you Thank you

Michelle said...

This is a wonderful row! Love it!

Marian said...

This is a beautiful row, and I'm so happy you accepted that invitation. :)

lisa0116 said...

Beautiful row! Thank you!

Susan said...

This block is so beautiful, can't wait to make this.

Susie H said...

What a beautiful pattern! Although it does look a bit "fiddly" -- your word! ha! -- a little organization goes a long way. Gorgeous!

Marjorie's Busy Corner said...

Wendy, you did a wonderful job on this piece...love it!

Allison said...

Your row is beautiful! This carol was one of the first I learned to play on the piano when I was younger.

Liz Horgan said...

For me, your row is what Christmas is all about! Thank you!

Sheila said...

Your row is just beautiful, perfect for Christmas
, thanks so much .

Betsy said...

This one is my favorite!

Monica said...

Thanks for the hints. I like the idea of using tracing the design on plastic for use with plaement. It last longer specially if you are making more then one.

Chelsea said...

Such a neat row! Lots of detail! Great work!

Carol Swift said...

You did a wonderful job creating this row...love it!

Nancy L said...

Your detail is amazing!! Beautifully done.

Carol W said...

I love the way you created your block. There are several different areas that are each spectacular.

Unknown said...

Absolutely adore this pattern

quilter said...

Very nice! I really really like it, thanks for sharing!!
And for the giveaways!!
cork@pa.rr.com

Maria said...

I love your row Wendy. What a lot of work. Well done.

Karen said...

Your row is beautiful. Not sure I would tackle all the applique, but your tutorial looks very helpful.

Jackie said...

I love your row! Thank you....

Needled Mom said...

This is gorgeous. The detail is all fabulous.

Sue Green said...

Lovely row! Thank you

Butterflai said...

Awesome Row! Thank you!

Susan said...

I really like your row. This is my favorite Christmas carol. Thanks.

Calicojoan said...

I love a good scrappy project. This row is gorgeous and really sums up what the holidays are all about. Thanks for a wonderful addition.

bdieges said...

What a beautiful row. Really like that it emphasizes what Christmas is all about.

Thunderfan said...

Wow, that is lovely. I love the colors in the starry night sky and it really makes the silhouettes of the Wise Men stand out so much more strongly. A great visual presentation

Thunderfan@protonmail.com

tac73 said...

This is a lovely row and I will attempt the challenging applique. Thank you for sharing.

Angie said...

Such a detailed row! So pretty!! Have a great day!!

Sewgirl said...

Wow, really detailed and lovely row. Thanks for taking the time to make it and share it!

Jayne said...

I love your row. Lots of detail and the sky fabric is just right. Thank you

teachpany said...

Beautiful row. Thanks.

Anonymous said...

NEAT JOB! PRESS CLOTHS SEEM GREAT! LIKE TO WIN ONE! THANKS FOR SHARING! msstitcher1214@gmail.com

Brenda said...

Really a beautiful wall hanging!

Cynthia's Creating Ark said...

A beautiful row. I think by the time we collect all the rows we are going to have a few Christmas quilts.

sewlost said...

Your row is just beautiful and it really reflects what's it's all about. Thank you so much
Swoot@att.net

rosemaryschild said...

This is a perfect Christmas row - very nice! Thank you, Susan

Kathy H said...

What a beautiful Christmas scene. That blue sky is perfect.

wendy said...

Very nice Christmas row and thank you for the tips to make it easier.

Anonymous said...

How lovely, and how much work you put into designing it for use. Truly a labor of love!

Kim said...

Your row is beautiful!

JANET said...

Love your block! Hope I will be able to download it sometime this week. Tried on Craftsy and it showed an "oops" thingy. Went to Payhip and it is a zip file which somehow I can't open on my computer. But it is a very nice block! Thank you.

Kat said...

Wow Wendy, you did an outstanding job of representing this carol. So much detail and I agree about the color from the Northcott fabrics. Great design and execution! :*)
Kat

Janarama said...

So much detail ... a fabulous row!

mlbenoit said...

Nicely done row

e said...

Hi Wendy,
What a gorgeous design you've shared. Thank you so much. I just love it. I hope to get it made in time for Christmas.

Bonnie58 said...

Beautiful Row. I love your depiction of the song. Thanks for sharing

Anonymous said...

Wonderful row! You designers are awesome. Thanks for sharing. sandi1100 at yahoo dot com

Marti Morgan said...

Oh no I just told another site that I liked their row best, but then I saw yours - don't spread this around, but now I think I will have to change to yours, ha ha Merry Christmas

ShirleyC said...

I love your nativity scene! You are right! The blue sky looks so real - just how I'd picture how it would have looked that night.

Anna brown said...

Very clever tyty for the vision...Makes my mind work better with cool ideas like yours and every bodys....love blog hops... happyness04431@yahoo.com

BarefootThunder said...

Merry Christmas ! beautiful row

Karen @ Tu-Na Quilts, Travels, and Eats said...

The pieces may have been fiddly but the effect is stunning!! Great row for the reason for the season. Thanks for the pattern.

Anonymous said...

This is a beautiful row. It is so much a part of the Christmas story. Thank you.

Lois Wright

apple blossom said...

Beautiful row. however when I follow the link to the craftsy site I get an error and can't download it. I have clicked on the link three times and gotten an error all three times.

Kathy E. said...

Your row is a beautiful depiction of the holy night! You are right about the fabric chosen for the night sky...it's perfect!

Carla said...

Oh Wendy, such a beautiful row and great tips. It's such fun rowing and supporting fellow designers. Thank you!

Robin said...

This row is beautiful. The true meaning of Christmas. I have followed you for years and have enjoyed all your patterns, but this is on top :)

Robin said...

This row is beautiful. The true meaning of Christmas. I have followed you for years and have enjoyed all your patterns, but this is on top :)

Elizabeth Coughlin said...

Great job! What a beautiful row.

Sharon said...

So beautiful! I love it. Thank you for sharing.

Amy said...

Love your row! Thank you for sharing it with all of us.

Denise Pierce said...

I like your nativity row. Very creative. Thank you

Susan said...

I LOVE your organization! I hope I've learned a lesson from you as I often lose little pieces. Would love to win a pressing sheet- that would come in very handy!

Anonymous said...

Love your nativity row!
nikilsend(at)outlook(dot)com

Lee said...

Such a detailed and beautiful row!! thank you!

Carol said...

Love, love, love your row! I collect nativities--another one to make! Thanks for sharing!

Susan L. said...

I love your row! Thank you!

Moira said...

Thank you for this row pattern! And for the tip on making the overlay.

BunnyeB said...

I think I posted to the wrong day. Jesus is the Reason for the Season. Love your row. Thanks so much.

Susan said...

Very nice row - lots of detail, telling a great story!

Margaret Handlin said...

Wendy, Love your Row, its so bright and the nativity is great. Thanks

Nancy in IN said...

Thank you very much for pattern. I love your row.

Renee said...

What a gorgeous row! Thank you so much!

Joyce Carter said...

Wendy, you did a wonderful job with your row. It is really beautiful. Thank you so much for sharing.

Alice Ronne said...

Great row and lots of tips/info! akronne17@gmail.com

Cecilia said...

Beautiful row! Thank you for the pattern.

Bethan said...

Such a beautiful and detailed row. Just wow! x

Janet said...

Your row is a beauty! Thanks for sharing.

Sharm said...

What a lovely Row you've designed! I really love it and will be downloading this one! Thanks for the tip of having to pay for US postage - I find that is often more expensive than the product which is a shame as I've not used those ironing thingys before.