Let me first say this post is NOT sponsored. I just wanted to share something awesome I found and love. I recently shared on instagram how a box of quilts went missing between my house and my binding client’s. It still makes me sick to my stomach to think about it. My husband and I had been talking about the possibility of designing and printing custom tape for my boxes that I send out and this was the catalyst to get that going. We found a company that prints not only tape, but stickers, etc etc etc. The tape we had printed is the same type of tape that Amazon uses on their packages with those threads that make it harder to rip. I LOVE it! I used it for the first time today and it is soooooo awesome. It is not like normal tape and you do have to wet a sponge, then wet the tape, then attach it, but it was really easy. I love the security it adds to package and the recipients will know for sure what is inside the box when it arrives. 🙂 If you have any tape or sticker needs, I highly recommend Sticker Mule. Follow this link to get $10 off your order! (psssst. 300 feet of tape is only $39 so $10 off is a big deal!) Sticker Mule

I was asked a few weeks ago if I’d like to try out a box from Cotton Cuts in exchange for my thoughts. I am always up for trying out subscription boxes or other quilting tools. There are so many options out there and we all only have a limited amount of our budget that we spend on fabric, notions, quilting, tools, etc. and I love suggesting things I feel are worth a part of your budget!

Here’s how Cotton Cuts works:

They ask you a series of questions to try to get to know your quilting style, then they customize a box based on your preferences. You can choose 12 fat quarters or 1 half yard cuts. You can choose to have a box sent monthly, or every other month. They customize the experience so you end up with a box you are pleased with when it arrives in the mail. Beyond that, I love the mission behind Cotton Cuts. They provide jobs to intellectually challenged and others with disabilities. I just LOVE companies that give back or exist to help provide opportunities to those who might not have employment otherwise.

My box arrived today and I was so pleased by the contents. I requested no batiks (they’re just not my thing) and ended up with 12 great FQ’s (plus the one extra they sent!). Surprisingly none of these are repeats with what I have in my stash, which is awesome considering I have accumulated quite a bit of Cotton + Steel lately. I adore Sweet Marion by April Rosenthal and recognized the two florals immediately. The novelty prints are perfect for a boy mom and I forsee some drawstring bags in my future for more hot wheels storage.

In addition to the perfectly folded and packaged FQs, they also included a cute Gingiber greeting card, Lanterns jelly roll friendly pattern by Purple Pineapple Studio, two 12-1/2″ block patterns, a cute zipper pull, and a free pattern download of my choice from Rebecca Bryan. I’m super excited to pick a pattern and get started enjoying this awesome box.

If you’d like to try it out, go to www.cottoncuts.com and use the code VANORMAN for 10% off your first box!

I love instagram, but this has been so much fun to see other bloggers display their lovely creations. I have two that I’ll be submitting, one in the modern category and one in the mini category. 

First up is my Tessellations quilt. I made this earlier this year and it became a fast favorite. I had been drooling over Nadia’s version she made using V and Co Ombre for quilt market and although it scared me to death, I knew I HAD to make one. I am so pleased with how “Tessy” turned out. I entered her in the Utah County Quilt Show and she was chosen to be put on display at the Springville Museum of Art. I chose to follow the gradient in the binding and that might be my very favorite part. 🙂

For the mini category, here is a fun Cotton + Steel (mostly) mini I made for a dear friend’s birthday. It is only 12″ x 12″ and contains some pieces that were cut to 7/8″ and finish at 3/8″. I love, love tiny piecing and this challenged me in new ways. 

Thanks for popping by. I’m in transition to a new web host and wordpress, but leaving a comment is possible if you click on the “disqus” logo directly below this post. Make sure you head to amyscreativeside.com to see everyone else’s amazing creations!