My parents’ families came to the US from Norway and Sweden, and I have had the good fortune to visit Scandinavia in the past. Here in Minnesota, the influence of Scandinavian immigrants in very evident, and the ties to these homelands remain strong. A visit to the American Swedish Institute in Minneapolis is a holiday ritual for my family. (The imported stoves and carvings are amazing to see, and the gift store is filled with delights for all.) Just this week, Norway’s King Harald and Queen Sonja were visiting a nearby college, and a large crowd came to greet them.
When I first saw Kajsa Wikman’s great book Scandinavian Stitches, 21 Playful Projects with Seasonal Flair, I could hardly wait to get it. But I did wait, and the following Christmas I got two lovely copies of it as gifts. Now I am passing a copy on to one of my great readers.
This book came out with a full blog tour in 2008, and features several cheery and whimsical patterns. Kajsa Wikman draws from her Finnish surroundings and the clean design lines so often associated with Scandinavian modernism. Check out her other offerings at her blog, Syko.
THE GIVEAWAY DETAILS
One copy of the book Scandinavian Stitches, 21 Playful Projects with Seasonal Flair, will be given to the lucky winner of this giveaway. You must enter by midnight CDT on October 22, 2011. The winner will be selected randomly, and announced on October 23, 2011. International entries are welcome.
You can have up to five chances to win!
1 – Leave a comment below, sharing a bit about your own heritage.
2 – Leave a comment on The Curious Quilter Facebook page.
3 – Tweet about this giveaway (and comment here to let me know that you tweeted.)
4 – Share this giveaway on your own blog (and comment here with the link to that post!)
5 – Sign up for an email subscription to The Curious Quilter, using the entry line at the top of the right side-bar. (If you are already a subscriber, you are automatically entered.)
Good luck to you all, and Happy Quilting!!
©2011, The Curious Quilter, thecuriousquilter.net, maryeoriginals.com.
Instagram ID: thecuriousquilter
Pinterest ID: acuriousquilter
The Curious Quilter 
My heritage is well known in my family but still somewhat vague. Basically my two grandfathers came to Canada from Britain and my two grandmother’s families had been in North America for hundreds of years. My mother’s mother’s family descended from a British tax collector who fled to Canada with his wife after the Boston tea party. My father’s mother’s family lived next door to Emily Carr (check her out on line – a renowned Canadian artist) in Victoria, B.C. My dad’s father’s family are descendants of Joseph Loembourg, an Austrian Jewish man who left his country in the early 1800s and went to Britain. There you have some bare bones outlines.
Mayflower American. So English/Scot. Some Scot and Irish in the 1800’s. California and Nevada in the 1800’s. Both sides. thae book looks delightful, I’d love to have it.
I would love to win this lovely book, as I am 1/4 Norwegian and 1/4 Swedish. My grandfather came to Rockford IL from Sweden in 1910, and my grandmother’s family emigrated in 1883 from Norway to Kansas. I hope to visit Sweden & Norway when we retire, I’ve kept in touch with my cousins there. Thanks for the chance to win & Happy Fall !
I commented on your FB page and also signed up for your email. But I don’t Twitter and I don’t have a blog of my own … yet ! Thanks
I’m British through and through, nearly all my ancestors are from the county of Suffolk in England. My husband, on the other hand, is from a complete mixture, descended from Germans who came to England in the 1880s, from a Belgian great great grandmother and the rest from London and Hampshire. (But my Mum did live in Ohio and Mississippi for about 12 years!)
I’d love to win this book – thank you for a most generous giveaway!
I have a german heritage and love things that relate
debbie jackson
djackson1958 at hotmail dot com
************
email sub done!
http://twitter.com/#!/jacksondeb/status/125522986274004992
What a neat book. Thanks for the chance to win. My heritage is English, Irish and Cherokee.
My family has Irish & Scottish background, and at least two members came to Australia as convicts. Love the look of this book, and surprisingly do not have it in my collection!
I come from a a mixed heritage that includes German, British, Scotch and Swedish. But, you know, if you have a little Swede in you, it takes over everything else! I’ve visited the American Swedish Institute once quite a few years ago. I’ll be in Mpls. in a few weeks. Perhaps I can go again!
Hey, gf, I would go with you! After all, I haven’t seen you since high school!!
What a lovely book! my granddaughter would adore the fox in snow! My heritage is all German, I married into Johnson.
Wow! Talk about living under a rock! I’m 58 years old, and I’ve never thought about the fact that I know nothing about my heritage. Sadly, my father has passed away, but my mother is still living, so maybe I can find out some info from her.
I already receive your e-mail subscription
I love all things Scandinavian – this book is lovely! I am 1/2 Finnish 1/4 Danish and 1/4 Swedish. I would love to visit Scandivania some day. Thanks for the lovely giveaway!
My heritage is Welsh and Polish German. Tried to do a Genealogy but my brother died before we could get anywhere on it. What cute projects. Keep being Curious.
I receive the Curiousquilter already.
I come from a long line of Germans!
SUCH A NEAT BOOK!
THANKS FOR SHARING!
MY HERITAGE IS DUTCH.
I’VE NOT VISITED THE NETHERLANDS YET BUT HOPE TO SOME DAY!
LOVE THEIR STITCHERY+BAKING TOO!
THANK YOU FOR SUCH A NICE GIVEAWAY!
I used to wonder why people thought I came from the UK, when I was born and bred in Australia. It wasn’t until I stayed in the UK for a few months, that I realised how totally English my upbringing had been! My maternal grandparents emigrated from England. I reckon one’s heritage has a huge impact on very many facets of life.
I agree with the person who said that if you are little Scandinavian it takes over everything else. That’s certainly true in my case. I’ve been to Norway, Sweden and Denmark as part of my schooling at a Lutheran university in the states and I’ve also been to the American Swedish Institute. I absolutely love Scandinavian design and thought long and hard about getting married in a bunad, the traditional ceremonial dress for all ocassions, including marriages. However, I don’t have any currently family ties in Norway so that would have been hard to do because I don’t know which region my ancestors came from.
I’ve a mixed heritage, but mostly German and English with a pinch of Welsh and French thrown in, and maybe some Swiss. Would love a chance to play with this book!
I too have a mixed heritage; German and irish–great combo! Thanks for a chance to win this lovely book!
Lisa
Thank you for the opportunity to win such an inspiring book! Just like you….
Two of my greatgrandparents were from Sweden, but I’ve only been able to trace them back to Smaland. The information gets lost in immigration records. The rest were from Ireland and Norway. I was raised ‘Swedish’ and still use lingonberries on roasts, cake, toast, just about anything. This book would be wonderful to continue the traditions.
My mom’s family came from Smaland as well, but many leaving there actually changed name before reaching Ellis Island. And of course half the incoming Swedes were assigned the name Johnson at Ellis! Hard to trace through all the name changes.
This book looks lovely, thank-you for a chance to win a copy. I’m French Canadian & Irish on my Dad’s side, and my Mom’s side is what she calls American Mutt – too much mixed together too far back to list it all out 🙂
I saw this book and asked for it for Christmas. Perhaps I will be the lucky winner?!
my ancestors are from England and Scotland.
I am Portuguese and so is all my family. Scandinavian scraft are quite different from Portuguese ones but we also have a rich tradition of embroidery and lace. Thanks for the giveaway, it’s a beautiful book.
I left a comment on The Curious Quilter Facebook page.
I posted at Twitter (ap_lemos) and Facebook (Paula Lemos)
I subscribed to The Curious Quilter
This book makes me wish I were Scandinavian!
In actuality, my upbringing was Midwestern American Farmer-turned-City Dweller through and through, but on my father’s side, my ancestry is 100% German and a few traditions are still kept up on that side of the family, mostly because the family stayed in a highly-German area of MO. Mom’s adopted, so who knows on that side!
My mother’s parents came from Poland. My father thought his paternal grandparents were Bavarian Germans, while his mother’s family were English. My daughter and I were on a Girl Scout trip to Switzerland 8 years ago and visited Castle Oberhofen. We were really excited because my maiden name was Oberhofer.
What a cool book, from a cool Part of the world, being given away by a cool blogger!
My dad’s mist noted ancestor was a redcoat defector in the Revolutionary War, so we have always assumed he was British. Mom’ side was a mish-mash of German, French, Italian, Turkish, and Seminole as I understand it.
My own heritage is mostly English with about 25% German in the mix. My married name is Sorenson so you can guess where my DHs ancestors came from…..well some of them. Though it is spelled with an “on”, the original was “en” from Denmark. But the “en” did marry a Carlson from Sweden thereby giving my DH double Scandinavian heritage. His ancestors landed in Montana not Minnesota.
My only connection to any Swedes are the friends I go to quilt retreats with…Mrs Fiskness and her “twin” Olga and Oley (not sure about that spelling). When we are at retreat, she’s our bingo caller and fills in the spaces with the antics of her Swedish jokes. I’m Texas and California mix – before that, something exotic, I’m sure…but have no clue. Who knows, maybe that’s why I like Swedish meatballs~
Your blog is a blast – thanks for sharing your words!
In ‘Minnesnowta’ we are full of Ole and Lena jokes… Garrison Keillor and his two Lutheran Bachelor Brothers could have been my dad’s elderly cousins… some ‘stereotypes’ hold true!
I’m English with a tiny bit of Canadian thrown in and my husband is English all the way through!
I’ve signed up for your newsletter
My husband’s family is Norwegian and we had the joy of visiting his relatives in Norway in July. It is a beautiful country and we came home with lovely pictures. I would love to have you draw my name in the book giveaway.
My heritage is American melting pot: English, Scotch, Welsh, Irish, German, Swiss, American Cherokee Indian, and probably many more. I’m drawn to the colors of the projects and stitchery in Scandinavian Stitches and would enjoy using a copy of this book. Thanks for the chance.
We liked you on FB and left a comment (the butterfly Margaret)
Pretty much heniz 57…..German, Scottish, English, and plenty more I’m sure….grin.
My older daughter married a wonderful Swedish man, and they live in Sweden with my two grandchildren. The book looks amazing!
My Grandma Sigrid (maternal) and Gramma Larson (paternal) were both from Sweden. Both of my grandfathers were from Germany and immigrated here before WWII. My mom still has cousins that she keeps in touch with, in Sweden and in Norway….we’ve met a few times. Thanks for the giveaway – it looks like a fun book.
I’ve tweeted…I don’t have many followers/friend on twitter, but one is a misplaced Norwegian currently living in Hawaii…I wouldn’t be surprised if he posts here!
Definitely linking in my blog post today! What a wonderful giveaway! Thank you! Please enter my name. I would love to win this book.
Heritage?! Well – according to my family tree, mostly the British Iles with a bit of Dutch and German. BUT I am convinced that at least some of my genetic makeup must certainly be directly from the Norse men and Danes that settled in England! I am drawn to and emotionally respond to so much in Scandinavian culture – love at first site from my earliest memories.
I have often heard that there were no red-heads in Ireland before the VIkings arrived, LOL! All our heritages are so entwined.
Pingback: More Scandinavian Inspiration | The Curious Quilter
My father’s side of the family is Irish. Parents took a trip there to look up his family background (way before there was Ancestry.com etc.-it must have been 50 years ago). All the records in the town that was of interest to them was burned in a fire…(no computers back then) My mother’s background is part Prussian & part English….I think. She grew up having met her father once when she was 11. So I really don’t know very much about my heritage or know of any stories about my predeccessors, I’m sad to say.
I remember when this book came out, and how amazing it looked. I really don’t know much about my own heritage as I was a late in life baby for my own parents. Did not know my grandparents, but they were all immigrants from the Old World 🙂 Thanks so much for sharing the book.
All 4 of my grandparents came from Sweden. We have some swedish ornaments but I would really like to make more. This book sounds wonderful. Thanks for the chance to win.
I’d love to have a copy of that book! My mother’s father (my grandfather) was a carpenter from Sweden who died of TB in Boston when my mother was a baby, so I never had the chance to meet him. I inherited his light hair and blue eyes, though, and I’d love to travel to Sweden some day.
What darling projects. I’d love to have a copy of that book. I am already a follower of your blog.
Have German, Czech and a sprinkling of American Indian. Love to craft, passed down from both grandmothers. Though I really don’t think either of them quilted. But for some reason, I can see my paternal grandmother, the Czech side, crazy quilting. Maybe it is wishful thinking that one day I will come across a wonderful vintage quilt handmade by my grandmother 🙂
Just signed up for the email subscription!
OOO what an opportunity! I’ve been admiring the Scandinavian Sitches book on Amazon for a while but haven’t yet taken the plunge! I’ve just subscribed you your email alerts, so looking forward to hearing more! I am a Brit Down Under in Western Australia with a thoroughly British heritage. I have been imersed in sewing since I was small and my mother made my summer dresses, and I remember my grandmother making her own dresses and stitching landcape pictures in a very 1970’s style!! Before I left the UK my mother and I used to have fun together at the Knitting and Sitching Show, and even more so at the National Quilt Show where the quiliting creativity was awesome.
I so have all fingers crossed here!!!!!!
Hello from tropical Mauritius in the Indian Ocean! I’m from Norway, but love brought me to this paradise. Thanks for the opportunity to win this gorgeous book!
I’m not Scandinavian but my parents did meet in Minnesota 🙂
OK here is my link to the tweet I twittered. http://twitter.com/#!/laneycath/status/127299514544566272
I am not Scandinavian…my parents met in Minneapolis, MN and my mother’s family is from Canada – She’s Ojibwa So I’m English (Father) French & Ojibwa Indian
I love scandinavian design and, waiting for my travel to sweden and norway (I’m planning it right now), I’m enjoying this giveaway! Thank you for this opportunity.
I’m italian, All my relatives are from north of Italy and always lived there. Ok, it’s a bit boring 🙂
Now I live in the south with my boyfriend.
I live the book very much and would love to win. My grand father came to Argentina from Germany, my father came from Chile, my mother family were from Italy and Portugal, the rest had been in Argentina for always. No scandainavians, but the designs are really nice.
Thank you.
My last attempt didn’t “take”, so I’ll try again–I so want this book! On my dad’s side, they came from England and Germany in the mid-to-late 1800’s. My mom’s folks have been here since the Revolutionary War. Mom was an Iowan, Dad was a Washingtonian, but we had a very happy life in Southern California.
I signed up for your email updates, and was confirmed.
I tweeted! http://twitter.com/#!/wordygirl11/status/127647543617273857
Super book! I would live to make that fox quilt.
My family is Polish and German American, my parents immigrated here in 1950. I think that makes us “cousins” to Scandinavians!!