Is your bed Naked? Unclothed? NUDE?
And don't even TALK to me about duvets. They do NOT count. During Talking Tuesdays on Twitter a few weeks ago, the discussion led to what kind of quilt everyone had on their bed. I was horrified to learn that most of the people in the discussion, despite having made loads of quilts, didn't have a quilt for their own bed.
People!! I mean really, what is the world coming to?? All the beautiful fabric out there, and you don't want to sleep under it? Cara and I talked about it afterwards and decided that you all needed a little motivation, a virtual kick in the pants. And so today we are proud to announce:
The idea is that you all have two months from today, April 2, to make a quilt top for your bed (just the top - we understand that you might not get it quilted in this time!!) and submit a photo of it to our Naked Bed Challenge Flickr group. Make sure you read all the way to the end of this hugely long post, it only gets better!
What can we do to make this even more exciting? How about some incredible prizes from fantastic sponsors? Lovely Shawna at One Choice for Quilting is offering three $50 gift vouchers, and the ever generous and lovely Kimberly at Fat Quarter Shop is offering three $30 gift vouchers, so there are HEAPS of chances for everyone to win!
AND, not only could you win great prizes, but the fabulous folk at Fat Quarterly are going to do our prize draw for us, and publish pics of the winning quilts on their website.
Wow! The little competition that started as a joke on #talknt has grown to large proportions in a very small amount of time, so we hope you all start growing your quilts quick sticks. To help you along, I will be providing a free pattern of mine called Bless You, which is VERY simple and quick to make and comes in 3 bed sizes, and Cara is going to provide you a free called Chain Link too. You don't have to use these patterns, you can use anything you like or design a quilt yourself, but if you don't know where to start and are looking for something easy and fun, these patterns are for you!
Bless You
To give you a bit of a kick start, (and to make sure our challenge is World Community Friendly), we are holding a raffle as well to raise money for Japan through the Red Cross. If you go to this link and donate $10, come back here and leave a comment ON THIS POST with a receipt number attached, you will go into the draw to win a kit for a Queen Bed Bless You, from amazing Melanie at Above All Fabric. The kit will include all the fabric for the top of the quilt, and made up in Queenstreet by Jennifer Paganelli of Sis Boom!! This competition will remain open for two weeks and be drawn at 3pm, Saturday April 16 Sydney time.
Ok, hang onto your hats, now we get to the Huge Mother Prize. Are you ready? If you enter the competition using YOUR OWN DESIGN (That means you made it up and didn't take measurements, settings or drawings from someone else's pattern. If we find that you did, the quilt will not be eligible for the prize), my lovely friend Deb at Down Under Quilts Magazine will pick her favourite quilt from the original quilts entered and publish the quilt and the pattern in the magazine. AND, she will pay you $300 AUS for the privilege. Holy smokes!
Here are the rules of the NBC:
1. The quilt must be made expressly for the Naked Bed Challenge, not previously made.
2. It must be for YOUR bed. No cot quilts, wall quilts or dolly quilts. We do not believe any of you are mice.
3. When you post to Flickr, MAKE SURE you leave your name and a way to contact you, the name of the designer of the pattern you used if applicable, what size your quilt is, and note wether you wish to be considered for the Down Under Quilts prize.
4. Your bed does not have to be naked for you to play. You have just to make it more clothes.
That's it. We aren't very big on rules around here.
Now listen carefully peeps, 'cause this is what we want you to do. You can add your name and or blog to this Mr Linky if you are going to play in any way, then go on over to Flickr and join up to the Naked Beds Challenge group.
And here's a little button to put on your blog if you are so inclined:
use this code (<a target='_blank' href="http://thelastpiece.typepad.com/the_last_piece/2011/04/announcing-the-naked-bed-challenge-1.html"><img src="http://thelastpiece.typepad.com/Nakedbedsbanner.jpg" border="0" /></a>)
Email me or Cara if you can't get it to work and we will send you the code. OK I think that's it! I am now exhausted and need a lie down. Get stitching while I'm sleeping, wont you? Remember, I have a quilt to snuggle under on MY bed......
Sarah! Fantastic idea!!! I have started sewing some blocks for our bed's quilt in the last few months. But I need the omph to finish the quilt! Can I join in even though I already have a head start? The blocks were for our queen sized bed so I will just be continuing it....
Posted by: Helen | Saturday, April 02, 2011 at 01:39 PM
I am SO gonna play along! Blogging and linking and other stuff will happen on Sunday!
Posted by: Tracy in SW WA | Saturday, April 02, 2011 at 01:41 PM
Sure Helen, you can play with a head start!
Posted by: Sarah | Saturday, April 02, 2011 at 01:52 PM
I really wish I could play but I have made so many quilts for my bed that I get to rotate them monthly. Also, I am fully committed to two anniversary quilts that are due to be completed at the beginning of June and July. But have fun, I will be watching.
Posted by: Gari | Saturday, April 02, 2011 at 02:20 PM
I think this is the correct number to post. Aside from a tax id number this was the only other number, this tracking number. 1555-8047-1-4731379-5231442.
This announcement made my day! I am going to jump into the game and finish a quilt that I had started and make one that I have had designed for sometime. Thanks for an awesome fun idea.
Posted by: Cat | Saturday, April 02, 2011 at 02:44 PM
Can we (in the US) play, too?
Posted by: Cherie Wright | Saturday, April 02, 2011 at 02:52 PM
Fantastic! Count me in!
Posted by: Chelley Black | Saturday, April 02, 2011 at 03:39 PM
If you're going to play, don't forget to add your name to the Mr Linky above and join the Flickr group. Thanks!
Posted by: Sarah | Saturday, April 02, 2011 at 06:13 PM
OK I'm in!! Just the motivation I needed to get a quilt top done for my bed!!
Posted by: Justine | Saturday, April 02, 2011 at 06:59 PM
Thanks Sarah for the opportunity.
Posted by: Chris Jurd | Saturday, April 02, 2011 at 07:52 PM
This is so fantastic. And just the kick in the bum I needed! I've Mr Linkyed and joined the Flickr group. Hooray!
Posted by: Michelle | Saturday, April 02, 2011 at 08:43 PM
Bummer, I literally just finished a king size for my bed last month. I'm so not doing another for a while!!
Posted by: Becky | Saturday, April 02, 2011 at 09:58 PM
Ha ha! LOVE that you pulled it all together, Sarah!
Posted by: Heidepaneer | Saturday, April 02, 2011 at 10:29 PM
OK, I made a donation. It gave me a tracking number, it looks like that's the only unique ID number in there: 1555-5887-1-4732009-5232182.
Posted by: Heidepaneer | Saturday, April 02, 2011 at 10:43 PM
Okay, I'll play (but this makes me nervous...June? Help!)
Posted by: Laura | Sunday, April 03, 2011 at 12:41 AM
Here is my tracking number : 1555-8047-1-4732283-5232505.
Posted by: Laura | Sunday, April 03, 2011 at 12:44 AM
Yay! I've been anxiously waiting! So many ideas still going through my head. Just need to pick one now!
Posted by: Amanda Wright | Sunday, April 03, 2011 at 12:52 AM
Eek! This is going to be AWESOME! ^_^
Posted by: Kelsey Rose | Sunday, April 03, 2011 at 02:19 AM
How exciting. I'm in!!!!
Posted by: Laine | Sunday, April 03, 2011 at 02:24 AM
Great idea. Last bit of my reciept number = 5233881. I cant wait to dress my naked bed! xoxo
Posted by: Jacqueline | Sunday, April 03, 2011 at 05:20 AM
I am in. Yes I to sleep under a duvet with a quilt being decoration. I think its a fab idea.
Posted by: Saffron Craig Fabrics | Sunday, April 03, 2011 at 12:54 PM
I'm in, it's a go, I'm excited! I actually am making a quilt right now, but have an idea for another that I'm going to make for this challenge!
Posted by: elsa | Sunday, April 03, 2011 at 01:24 PM
Just the kick start I need for my blog and quilting adventures - and I already have the 'Bless you' pattern...Off to find my fabrics!
Posted by: Bluquilt | Sunday, April 03, 2011 at 01:39 PM
what a great idea!!! I have been working on a log cabin/quilt-as-you go for my camper, but one that also will be big enough for my bed in the house as well...it's been a fun process and I love the way it's turning out...six more squares to go and then I can put them together and tack on the backing!!! very exciting stuff!
Posted by: Andrea Gustin | Sunday, April 03, 2011 at 01:55 PM
Here's mine! I totally want to do this challenge!
1555-8047-1-4296122-4720770
Posted by: Amy @ The Nifty Foodie | Sunday, April 03, 2011 at 02:02 PM
What a great idea. Not sure how or when but I really want to join in.
Posted by: Anne D | Sunday, April 03, 2011 at 02:15 PM
fabulous idea! and hopefully just the kick in the sewing machine that I need to FINALLY sew myself up a quilt top!
Posted by: Bron | Sunday, April 03, 2011 at 05:34 PM
I'm going to play ! however , I don't have a blog ; I have Facebook and Flickr , but cant
get my fb profile URL to post on your linky !! I used
https://www.facebook.com/harleywife
and it keeps saying I need http:// any suggestions ???? btw ; my husband and I both use quilts I made (and I use a polar fleece I made when I'm cold!!) on our bed ; yes we are strange , we like our OWN blankets !!!
Posted by: Mickey Kelly White | Sunday, April 03, 2011 at 11:47 PM
okay ! I got it to go with my flickr account ! so I'm in !!
Posted by: Mickey Kelly White | Sunday, April 03, 2011 at 11:55 PM
ready to get stitchin'! :)
Posted by: carolyn | Sunday, April 03, 2011 at 11:57 PM