Monday, April 6, 2015

Sanibel Summer Candy with a Giveaway

Good Morning and Happy Monday my friends! I hope you had an excellent holiday weekend.



Today I have a special treat for you! It is my stop on the Sanibel Blog Hop. This line of fabric by Gina Martin (a Moda designer) is super summery and it makes me want to go to the beach. It has sunglasses, adirondack chairs, bright flowers and gorgeous summer colors.

I had such tough time deciding on what to make with my stack of fabric. Then my bestie Lee of May Chappell sent me a bunch of her patterns and I fell in love with her Eye Candy Pattern. It was perfect to show off the beautiful focal prints and blenders from Sanibel. I think you will agree.


I fussy cut those summer flowers and lined up some of my favorite chair prints. I love those basket weave prints, they remind me of lawn chairs my parents had growing up. This line is nostalgia made bright and modern. It is perfect for beaches, picnics, and cuddling by the bonfire.


The Eye Candy pattern is also pretty much amazing. To get real life all on here for a second. I have been super busy with work and my husband and I are house shopping and he is busy with work and I have been traveling a ton (a run on sentence for my run on life). Shocking no one, I got super sick the weekend I was supposed to work on this project. I am telling you all this because I ran low on time and I made this throw quilt top in two sittings. One night after work, I cut the whole thing. Then I sewed up the whole top in 3 hours on a Sunday! Stay tuned for a complete quilt top to come very soon. I need to finish it in time for summer concert season. This will be the perfect picnic blanket. 


I wanted to give you some tips for sewing up this pattern. The pattern itself is great and doesn't need too many tips, but I have a couple of general pointers.

- This pattern is really ideal for chain piecing. I recommend cutting all of the pieces in one sitting and labeling each of your cut types.

- There are three types of blocks you make for this quilt: flying geese, hourglass blocks, and your center "candy" squares. I recommend making all of each type of piece in batches.

- Once you have made all of your blocks you can decide how you want to place your "candy" blocks.

- I had fun with my center fussy cuts. This pattern is great for showing off those focal prints you fall in love with. I think it is great for showing off a fabric line or specific color story you love too.

- Try a fun background. I decided to go bold with Moda Bella Summerhouse Lime, but you could try anything. I tried to think outside my comfort zone with this one.


I saved the best for last, I am giving away a Sanibel Jelly Roll and a PDF copy of the Eye Candy pattern right here right now! All you have to do is comment on this post and tell me where you go for your favorite vacation. This summer I don't think we will get a long vacation (buying a house and all), so I need to live vicariously through you. I will choose the winner via random number generator on Sunday, April 12th. International winners are okay! Make sure you are not a no-reply blogger.


That is not all, nope! I am doing a bonus giveaway. I am giving away this bundle of 10, 1/3 yard cuts of Sanibel and another PDF copy of Eye Candy on Instagram. Incidentally, this is exactly what you need to make your very own Eye Candy quilt (minus background). Click on over to my instagram (@stitchingandbacon), follow me, and comment on the contest photo for another chance to win a bundle and pattern! For this giveaway I can only do U.S. winners, I am so sorry friends. 



There are two chances to win two prizes! Once on this blog and once on instagram. 

The winner of the blog post was comment number 3! Cassandra, who is headed off to Myrtle Beach this summer! I have already emailed Cassandra. Thanks for playing my friends!


Be sure to check out the other blog hop participants this week for more precut giveaways and fun project ideas.

Monday - April 6th
Stitching and Bacon - That's me!

Tuesday - April 7th

Wednesday - April 8th

Thursday - April 9th

Friday - April 10th
Gina Martin at Pattern and Hue

87 comments:

  1. It's been ages since I've been on vacation but the last one I had was camping in Northern Ontario and it was killer

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  2. I first went to New England in the fall in the early 1990's and fell in love. After that first trip we went every year because it seemed to fill something in my soul. I haven't been in three years and am planning on making the trip this fall. I can't wait! The mountains are beautiful when the leaves are showing off their peak colors and staying on the coast of Maine for a couple of days allows us to listen to the sounds and soak in the negative ions. Two week road trip to discover new and interesting things along the way.

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  3. Going to myrtle beach this summer! Can't wait to boogyboard! Thanks for the giveaway :)

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  4. Right now, we are a one-income household so we will probably do a stay-cation and visit some local spots or visit some close-by family.

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  5. cant wait love blog hops you learn so many different ideas...

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  6. Last year my husband, daughter, and I toured Europe and visited with my French relatives... It was a trip of a lifetime!!! I would love to do it again but for now... Only in my dreams!!

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  7. HELLO,we enjoy going to Flathead Lake in Montana!
    Thanks for a neat giveaway!
    msstitcher1214@gmail.com

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  8. we gave up vaca's when we retired but loved to gpo to The Smokies

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  9. We have had two especially wonderful vacations in the last several years -- one to Hawaii and one to the National Parks in southern Utah. Both places had spectacular scenery and lots of opportunities for outdoor activities.

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  10. You're right: this will be the perfect summer picnic blanket! I love that giant floral print. my favorite vacation for summer, or any time of year because it's always summer there: the Big Island of Hawaii. Almost every single climate zone (except tundra) in the world plus active volcanoes, all on one island. Amazing hiking, amazing beaches. And empty. 200,000 people on an island the size of Rhode Island. Fly there on frequent flier miles, camp at the county beach parks, and spend all your money on food. It can be a cheap vacation!!

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  11. I would go anywhere warm with a beach but in reality I won't take a vacation this year. It's OK, you can't go every year.

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  12. Hi there,
    That quilt has some awesome colours!!!
    My favourite place to go in the summer is Summerland, BC at the Peach Orchard campsite. There is an amazing beach about a 15 min drive from the lovely, shaded family campground. It is truly heaven on earth for me. We haven't been able to go on a vacation in 5 years due to me getting a permanent disability…and since I was the driver in the family…we can't go anywhere now. I still dream of going back to Summerland one day.
    Thanks!
    Quilty Huggs,
    Jacqueline

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  13. We love to go to Lake Placid for a week every summer. Relax and walk and swim! Great for dogs and hand stitching. Leeanna at not afraid of color email: leeannaquilts at gmail dot com

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  14. Oh, your quilt is fantastic. So summery! I would love to make one in time for my 2nd Annual Sister Camp at Cedar Creek Lake in Texas. My Mom and her sister, me and my two sisters, and our 2 sister cousins started it last year. We fish and swim and eat, and do it all over again for 4 full days in a lake cabin. So much fun!! We're all age 50 and up. Great memories we are creating here.

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  15. I love going to Ireland - we go most years!

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  16. we love to go to Colorado just for a quick getaway. thanks for the chance to win this fabric

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  17. My favourite place in the world is London, I love the culture, the history, the shops, the theatres. Life is just fun there. saying that we are having a British seaside holiday this yea run the Isle of Wight. Thanks for a great giveaway. x

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  18. My favorite place to vacation is Radium Hot Springs in British Columbia, Canada. Thanks!

    Please click on the delaineelliott above for my email link.

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  19. America is my new favorite vacation spot! I haven't been for vacation yet, but soon!
    Hope you are well, the quilt looks great, nice and bright. :)

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  20. My favorite vacation destination is Kauai.

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  21. My favorite vacation spots are the Oregon coast and the North Carolina coast. These fabrics are so bright and cheery. Thanks for the chance to win!

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  22. My favorite place to vacation is at a cottage on a lake in Michigan. It's such a nice escape from our hot, Texas summers!
    tstanulis@verizon.net

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  23. My best vacations are when I can get together with my 3 sisters. We live in 4 different states, and usually only get together once a year. Last year we met up in Houston for the International Quilt Festival - had a blast. Thanks for the great giveaway.

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  24. I love visiting my grandparents at the cabin in the middle-of-nowhere Wyoming, and the Outer Banks!

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  25. Most of my vacations are going to MN to visit my mom and family. I love going to my sister's cabin on the Horseshoe chain of lakes. It's nice and relaxing and so not Kansas.

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  26. We haven't decided on where to go yet. We might go to San Francisco and the Monterey. We love it there.

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  27. We've taken many wonderful vacations. My favorite place in the U.S. is Sedona, Arizona. The natural scenery is the best and the Grand Canyon is a few hours away. it's so beautiful and relaxing.

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  28. I think my favorite vacation spot so far is a cottage we have gone to in northwest Washington that is right by a lake! I've only gone there once but it's my favorite!

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  29. I would love to go to Alaska!
    thanks for the giveaway - merryorganic@gmail.com

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  30. Love your quilt! We stay home in the summer and go fishing in the fall at a lake in Eastern WA!
    nikilsend(at)outlook(dot)com

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  31. I would love to go to Maine to visit my brother's family. I've been there before and enjoy seeing the lighthouses, ocean, and all the little towns. Of course, I'd have scallops and lobster and perhaps some Maine Blueberries!

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  32. I would make the quilt with the fabric. It is delightful. Thanks for the chance to win. (debbie at wowilikethat dot com)

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  33. I love to go to San Juan for vacation - I love it there! thanks!

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  34. We always go to North Myrtle Beach, SC. Just LOVE it there!

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  35. we don't really go on vacations every summer, when we do we usually we go to dubai to see family or we go to colorado

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  36. We don't have a favorite vacation spot. We try to go different places every time we go some where. We have been to lots of places in the US, Ireland, London, and then we did our honeymoon in Italy. I don't feel like I can pick a favorite until I have seen it all. France is the next place I want to go.

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  37. Oh, your quilt is so pretty!!! I just love it and find you so inspiring!!
    I don't get to take vacations often, but my favorite was my solo trip to New Orleans a few years back. I did everything I had always wanted to there....beignets and café au lait on Bourbon St., authentic live jazz, taking the St. Charles street car to the Garden District and touring through the neighborhoods of old Creole homes and 200 year old architecture; even a very old and distinguished cemetery (a bit on the creepy side for my taste). On the last day, I drove an hour out of town to the Laura Plantation, an old sugar plantation with original standing slave quarters and separate kitchen, which was enlightening and somewhat overwhelming to see how people lived in those days. Then I treated myself to a real Cajun lunch of shrimp Po'boy and hurricane punch. ;) My best trip ever. Thanks so much for letting me share with you today! And thanks for being a part of this fun summer hop!!

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  38. Such lovely fabrics and such a lovely quilt. The perfect pairing! Every summer I go home to Ireland (from Switzerland) and we spend two to three weeks at the Eagle Point campsite, in the village of Ballylickey in West Cork. My family has been going there for 30+ years, and I've only missed one year there. My parents have a caravan, we have a tent and we're right on the shore. It couldn't be better. Come rain or sun it's the place I want to be every summer and I couldn't wish for a better vacation spot. Now that I have children of my own it's lovely to be able to share this special place with them.

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  39. Hope to get to Florida later this year but have lots of house projects to get done also. So we'll see how it goes! Love your candy quilt!

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  40. We try to always run off for a week to Myrtle Beach, my husband and me. It is so nice to get away and disconnect from everything and just enjoy :)

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  41. I don't vacation I can' take my dialysis machine with me but I would love to visit my son in Anacortes WA.

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  42. Oh I love that quilt! Just came back from my vacation in Savannah....lovely saw the Quilt Fest there!!

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  43. My favorite vacation is to take the kids camping! We try to go some place new every year :)

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  44. I can't wait to go back to the Finger Lakes in NY.

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  45. We vacation in Fort myers, Florida and visit Sanibel island regularly so my face lit up when I saw this post. Gorgeous fabrics

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  46. My favorite all-time vacation is to the New Jersey shore! We've been to many of the beach towns but I think my favorite was Sea Isle City!

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  47. We will be staying at a lake cabin on vacation this summer. I can't wait!

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  48. I live in a low desert area near Phoenix, AZ, so, when I think of vacation, I think of the ocean! Last May I went to San Diego where I saw & smelled the Pacific ocean. This year, my sister and I will visit Provincetown, MA to see the Atlantic ocean.
    The Sanibel fabric line evokes thoughts of an ideal summer vacation!

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  49. I sure hope to make another trip to the Wisconsin Dells this summer!!! Maedgel At. Hotmail.com

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  50. I would love to go back to visit our Daughter in NC...went a few years ago...saw the Ocean for first time! Would looove to go see again!

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  51. Trout fishing in the High Sierras would be lovely....many a happy summer trip as a child and wish I was there right now.
    akronne17@gmail.com

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  52. Thank you for the giveaway. My favorite vacation spot is the beach. It can be any beach on a lake, pond, ocean whatever. As long as there is water, I'm there!

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  53. My favourite vacation spot is Italy, it combines beach, marvellous food, culture and history. Wonderful quilt! Thanks for the chance!

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  54. My family loves to go camping. We enjoy vacationing in "nature" ha.

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  55. My favorite vacation spot is the Great Smokey Mountains, but we just moved last month, too. So, I don't think we will be going anywhere either, but since we moved to Florida, our kids and grandchildren will be visiting us. :-). Thanks for the great giveaway, the fabric and quilt are beautiful.

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  56. I love the beach in Florida panhandle.

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  57. I love the beach in Florida panhandle.

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  58. These prints are beautiful!!! I love the sunglasses!

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  59. We went to the Thousand Islands and it was an amazing trip! Thanks and God bless! ILuvTheEucharist @ aol.com

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  60. I look forward to going to Island Park, Idaho (just south of Yellowstone) every year for lots of water skiing and relaxing at the cabin.

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  61. That chair print is too cute! Thanks for the giveaway!! I won't get a vacation this year either (or next year most likely), but I love camping in the mountains with my family. We would get to hike, go kayaking, swimming, bike riding and explore what little bit is nearby throughout the mountains. :) jnph223 @ g.uky.edu

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  62. Love this print!! Love the sunny beachy theme. Your eye candy quilt is adorable!

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  63. No vacation for me this year Plan on spending the summer at home in the pool .

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  64. We are visiting family and friends in North Carolina this summer - a family reunion.
    Thanks,
    Peggy
    peggy_verdongibbs@att.net

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  65. I love visiting Hot Springs Arkansas. Lots of history and natural beauty. Thanks for the chance to win this delightful fabric. I hope you are enjoying your new house and your beautiful quilt!

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  66. My all time favorite place to vacation is Switzerland! sarah@forrussia.org

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  67. I love this fabric and I love the pattern!! The lime green is perfect, Bacon! So excited to hear about the future house...long awaited.

    My favorite vacation is where ever the family reunion is being held...Gold Beach, Snow Mountain Ranch, Red Feather Lakes, Robbers Cave...you get the idea!

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  68. Vacation? Haven't had one in 4 yrs. I think the best vacations are staycations. Thanks for the chance to win!

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  69. My favorite place to go for a vacation is the South Pacific. I like to go to upstate NY ,too.

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  70. We like to go to the east coast of Yorkshire for our holidays. I'm not well so I can't travel far and we are lucky to live not so far away.

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  71. Absolutely beautiful!!!! I would LOVE to visit Ireland! :)

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  72. What a cute quilt!! Our family loves Cody, Wyoming, any season...it is hands down our fave vacation spot :)

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  73. love your quilt. these would be great as out doors placemats also. thanks for a chance

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  74. I would go to San Diego..........love the ocean and looking for shells.......love this fabric and hope to win...........thanks for sharing!!

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  75. No vacation for us this year but there is a silver lining. We are getting custody of our sweet little four month old grandson in 10 days. I see lots of little boy quilts in my future and maybe our next vacation will incluse lots of quilt shops.

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  76. I have never been on an actual vacation, but I lived in Florida for a while and my favorite thing to do was visit islands, like Sanibel and go shelling for the afternoon. :)

    determineddebby at gmail dot com

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  77. My favourite ever vacation was Manhattan - even though I didn't get to visit any fabric stores!

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  78. We live in Iowa, but my husband is from New Hampshire, so we love to visit family and friends there, and see the mountains and ocean!

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  79. Ever since we moved to Oregon, my favorite vacations are when I go home to Southern California. I love our new state, but going back to where I came from is oh so good.

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  80. My favorite vacation is anywhere there is a beautiful, warm ocean... preferably Hawaii. Thanks for the great giveaway and the chance to win!

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  81. We love going somewhere we can be fishing. Last year we got to go to Alaska and it was fantastic.

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  82. My favourite place for a summer vacation is Kincardine, Ontario.

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  83. My favorite place to vacation is Savannah, Georgia but we like to go in the fall when it is cooler.

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I love comments! Thank you so much for sending me a message. I try to respond to every single comment I get, but sometimes it takes me a bit when life gets crazy. I see them right away and I love you all.