Tuesday, September 3, 2013

Gray Matters: A Giveaway

 Today I'm kicking off a series called "Gray Matters," and I'm doing it with a giveaway!


So, what is this series all about?  I have to give credit first to my friend, Tracy, for this idea of "Gray Matters;" it's her brain child, really.  Thanks, Tracy!  But in a nutshell...

September is "Childhood Cancer Awareness Month," so I want to do a few posts that focus on raising awareness and raising funds for this awful disease. The National Brain Tumor Society writes, "Cancer remains the leading cause of death by disease for children under 15... and brain tumors are the second most prevalent form of childhood cancer & leading cause of cancer-related death in children under 10, and second for all kids under 20."   Bottom line: brain tumors stink.  And well, my own daughter has a malignant brainstem/spinal cord tumor, so surely you won't fault me for focusing on this one particular cancer, now will you?

It just so happens that September is also "National Sewing Month," so we'll be talking about quilting with gray, too. So I'm calling the series "Gray Matters" due to the brain cancer aspect, but also because I love quilting with gray! It's my new white. Have you noticed?


I haven't shared this next quilt yet, but this is one of my favorites.  It's completely relevant to this series, and oh - I did the backing mainly in gray. 


Tracy and I collaborated on the piecing of this quilt that I named, "We Quilt Gray for Megan." At the fundraising event that we support, I met a young woman who was suffering from a brain tumor. (Her team name is: "We Wear Gray for Megan," hence my naming of the quilt.) I desperately wanted to make her a pretty quilt, and I wanted to make it fast. I'm so fortunate to have great friends who are so generous with their time and talents. First, Megan wanted the angel emblem in the center, so I mailed fabric to my husband's aunt to have that block completed. Then Tracy and I worked hard and late into the night to get the quilt top done, I pieced the backing, and Anne had the quilting done within three hours of it being dropped off at her house! (For the curious quilter: the pattern is the Lattice Quilt by Amy Smart of Diary of a Quilter and is available for purchase here.)



I don't think I'm the only one obsessed with quilting with gray these days, either. I've found so many wonderful uses of this color that I've started a new Pinterest board called "Gray Matters." 




Alright, it's giveaway time! Here are the details. This is a bundle of 15 fat quarters of quilt shop quality, gray fabrics. (It's too many fabrics to name, but yes, you do see "Pearl Bracelets," a few Denyse Schmidt and Aneela Hoey prints, and Riley Blake dots, to mention a few.) Many thanks to Tracy and Anne who helped me put this together with fabrics from their own stashes. 




We want you to stick around for our quilt auction next spring, so you have to get connected in order to win it.  You have four chances to win (leave a separate comment for each):

1. Follow Charlotte's gRACE for a Cure on Facebook and leave a comment telling me you do.

2. Follow my blog via Bloglovin', email, or RSS feed and leave a comment telling me so. (Just click on the social media buttons at the top of the page.)

3. Follow me on Pinterest and leave a comment telling me you do. (Don't want to follow all my boards? Check out "Gray Matters," "Quilt Love," and "Quilting Tutorials.")

4. Spread the love! Re-post this giveaway via your favorite social media network and tell me how you did.


That's it, folks! Giveaway is open to U.S. and international residents and ends on Monday, September 9, at 8 p.m. EST. Winner will be chosen by Random and announced at the end of this post.

And be sure to come back and visit next week for a tutorial and another giveaway!

*Edit: Our winner is comment #84: Ida!  I'll be sending you an email shortly - congrats!



94 comments:

  1. I've just been reading through your blog. What a wonderful thing you are doing for your own family as well as for others who have been touched by this terrible disease. I had a brother who had a brain tumour 30+ years ago. It is fantastic to see such advances in treatment and technology since then due to research. I admire what you're doing to raise money for further research.
    Wishing you and your gorgeous daughter all the best.

    I forgot to add that your quilts are just lovely! The one you made for Megan is stunning - beautiful colours!

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    1. I'm so sorry for your loss of your brother. Brain tumors are so cruel, but I, too, am so grateful for the advancements that have been made in recent years.

      Thanks so much for your kind words, Kristy. I've been admiring your work for sometime now :)

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  2. I just found your blog through Quilt Story, and have been engrossed in Charlotte's story, and yours, for the last little while. Thank you for sharing it, and for fighting for others in the midst of your own struggles. And thank you for sharing the hope that allows you to rest secure in the midst of so much uncertainty. xx

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    1. Thanks for reading through our story and for following along now. :)

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  3. Oh - and I now follow you on Bloglovin.

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  4. Hi Lauren, I already follow you on GFC and Bloglovin and Pinterest and Facebook. I've just reposted your post on my Facebook page. I hope it helps a little to raise more awareness :)

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  5. I follow your Grey Matters board on pinterest.

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  6. I pinned this to my fabric board on pinterest! Thanks for all the chance to win this lovely bunch of fabrics! I've been collecting greys for a grey quilt.

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  7. what a great cause! i lost my best friend to a brain tumor, so i will spread the word on google+

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  8. i also follow Charlotte's gRACE for a Cure on facebook! keep up the good work!

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  9. I just read through Charlotte's story, and I have to say that she is a beautiful little girl!

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  10. I just started following on Bloglovin, and it is my new favorite site for procrastination and lunch time reading at work, so I'm sure I'll see the upcoming quilt auctions posted.

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  11. Your pinterest boards look right up my alley; I'm following.

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  12. I just posted about your giveaway and childhood cancer awareness efforts on my blog (www.oneenglishteacher.com). I hope that helps spread the word.

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  13. I love that your quilt-making has such purpose and drive, albeit for such a heart-breaking reason. I love your use of grey and would so love to have these greys in my stash so that I can create something as amazing as Megan's quilt. I'm following you on BlogLovin'.

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    1. Thanks so much for your encouragement and for becoming a follower. :)

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  14. I liked you on Facebook - as 'Sarah Bennett'.

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  15. I'm following your Grey Matters board - love the pins on it!

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  16. I pinned your giveaway - http://pinterest.com/pin/169870217168168422/

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  17. We lost our beautiful nine year old daughter Chloe in March to a brain tumor. My husband and I were just discussing doing a fundraiser on her birthday next year.

    I had sewn so many clothes for her that quilting just seemed a natural thing to turn to have something to keep myself busy and my mind occupied. I too find myself turning to the color gray often. My husband pointed that out to me just yesterday. I had done a lot of hand embroidery in the hospital but just don't have the heart for it at the moment.

    Megan's quilt is lovely.

    Charlotte is beautiful. Good luck with your fight against cancer. I know that it is something that the whole family fights together.

    Oh, and I follow on facebook. :)

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    1. I am so sorry for your loss of Chloe. I wish that I had something encouraging to say, but I really have no words for this type of heartbreak. I'm sorry.

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  18. I just followed on pinterest! Great stuff.

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  19. What a great giveaway and a great cause! I am following on facebook!

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  20. I am also following on bloglovin! Thanks again!

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  21. I now follow you via bloglovin, and I'm excited to get to know your blog!

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  22. I already follow your blog via the Blogger Reader.

    Incredible timing of your blog post: just a week ago a local child (10 years old) was diagnosed on one day with tumor and sent into surgery the next. They were able to get 99% of the tumor, and feel that she will be fine with radiation and no chemo. I don't know the child personally, but I do know some members of her extended family.

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    1. I'm so glad that the surgeon was able to remove the tumor. Hoping for the best for this child!

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  23. I am following you on facebook.

    (facebook.com/sewystuff)

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  24. Cant' follow you on Pinterest, as I have (so far) managed to resist the temptation to join that network.

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  25. I shared on Facebook, here: https://www.facebook.com/sewystuff/posts/522234734520022

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  26. Beautiful quilt. Thanks for sharing Charlotte's story and the quilt. Many blessings

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  27. Now following on Bloglovin

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  28. Sharing your blog and giveaway on my FB page! Such a great cause Lauren. Prayers for you and Charlotte and your wonderful work here. Beautiful quilts too by the way:)

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  29. Following all your quilting/sewing boards and Gray Matters on Pinterest! Love this bundle you have here too. I just ordered a few of these and the yellows that match.

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  30. Great post. My father in law died from brain cancer 16 years ago. This is an important cause.

    Thank you for providing some awareness.

    I follow your facebook page.

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    1. I'm so sorry for your loss. We do hope to help fund research to advance cures. Too many people have been lost already...

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  31. I'm a new follower on bloglovin.

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  32. I posted the giveaway on pinterest and facebook.

    thanks for the chance to win.

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  33. pineterest and blog lovin. I love gray fabric!!\

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  34. What a great giveaway with gorgeous fabrics. I already follow Charlotte's Grace for a Cure on facebook.

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  35. Just started following via Feedly (vs. Bloglovin - don't know if that counts :).

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  36. Aaaaand, last but not least, just started following on Pinterest. My Pinterest username is bricksilo/Sarah P.

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  37. Great blog post and what a great thing to do, admire your work.

    I am following via blolovin,

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  38. Another beautiful quilt! I follow your blog with Feedly and find it very inspiring. Thanks for the giveaway!

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  39. I also follow you on Facebook. Thanks again!

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  40. Just started following you on Pinterest as well!

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  41. I love the idea of using grey in a quilt to raise awareness of brain cancer. I find myself using a lot of greys in my quilts right now. Just started following you and would love it if you'd follow me too.

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  42. Thank you for doing this! My son also has a tumor, a skull based tumor, and gets his treatment at MD Anderson. I am currently making him a grey hexigon quilt!
    What is it a out those greys?
    Anyway, I have started following you on Blogloving, and am looking forward to more posts.

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    1. I'm so sorry for your son and for your own journey. Of course, MD Anderson is a GREAT place to be (as you know). A grey hexagon quilt? Wow... I'm impressed by your patience! Best of luck and prayers to you and your son. :)

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  43. I also follow you on Facebook as well

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  44. I just started following you on Pinterest, it may take me a while to get through all of your pins, you have some great ideas!

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  45. Hi Lauren,
    First Miss Charlotte is adorable! Such a sweetie. And Thank you for all your hard work. I signed up to follow but I am going back to read previous posts.
    xo jan

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  46. I liked Charlottes gRace for a Cure FB page. Elyse is adorable too.
    jan@sewandsowfarm

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  47. I follow Gray matters on pinterest. Gotta take some time to go through all your boards. They look terrific.
    xo jan@sewandsowfarm

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  48. I shared on FB. I really like the quilt you just finished. love the colorsand the gray backing. I am just starting to use a little gray in my quilts and I love it. The fat quarter bundle is terrific.

    xo jan@sewandsowfarm

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  49. Lauren... More power to you! Love your projects and your enthusiasm to change things for the better! I'm a follower !
    Hugs, Karen on Keuka

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  50. I now follow the blog. I too love the grays and admire your efforts to make a difference and share your story.

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  51. Following on fb, Pinterest, and shared! :) <3 ya friend!

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  52. beautiful quilts and a beautiful story.

    Thank you so much for sharing this at Needle and Thread Thursday!

    :) Kelly @ My Quilt Infatuation

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  53. and I'm a new bloglovin' follower.

    :) Kelly @ My Quilt Infatuation

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  54. Beautiful quilt. I am collecting grays, myself. I am now following several of your boards on Pinterest. Thanks for the chance to win those beautiful fabrics.

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  55. What a lovely story...thank you for sharing. The quilts are beautiful.

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  56. I am following you on bloglovin'. Can't wait to see what's next.

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  57. I love your pinterest pages...I am following.

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  58. I've fallen in love with grey, too! And now I follow you on Pintrest, the Grey and the Homeschooling.

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  59. What gorgeous fabrics! I now follow you on Bloglovin.

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  60. I love gray! I follow your Gray Matters board on Pinterest.

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  61. I also follow your FB page. Thanks for sharing!

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  62. I follow you on BLoglovin'. Thanks for the giveaway.

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  63. I also just started following your quilt tutorial pinterest board. I can always use more tutorials.

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  64. I'm following your PInterest Gray Matters and Quilt Tutorials boards. You have saved me some work/fun/time wasting, because I was just thinking of starting a collection of oh-so-handy tutes. :-)

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  65. I have you on my reading list on blogger and have been following your blog for some time now. Does that count for the giveaway? I hope so, your greys are so pretty.

    Anyway, I think it's pretty cool what you do and it's nice to see the support that you've gotten. Thank you for sharing your story and your quilts. Be well.

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