
What’s a Tomte? Do You Know-m? Giveaway!
I’m not the least bit Scandinavian, so when cute little creatures called “tomten” started appearing in my Instagram feed last year, I had to Google.
It turns out they’re a little bit like gnomes. From Wikipedia:
A…tomte…is a mythological creature from Nordic folklore…typically associated with the winter solstice and the Christmas season.
Another explanation says that a tomte is a mischievous domestic sprite responsible for the protection and welfare of the farmstead and its buildings. Well. I can get behind that!
A designer friend of mine, Sue of Moss & Lotus, is hosting a sewalong on Instagram featuring her Tomte patterns, which are adorable.
The sewalong features many gifts for lucky winners who join in, and lots of inspiration whether or not you’re participating. I’m happy to be the sponsor for this week, which means I’ve put together a fun little bundle of Christmas-themed patterns and fabric and maybe even some chocolate.
See the prize photo above? It’s a charm pack of Moda’s Vintage Holiday by Bonnie and Camille, and the BOM book Peppermint Lane by It’s Sew Emma, plus the current issue of Quilty. They’ll be given to someone who joins the sewalong by making a block and posting it and following the guidelines from Sue on Instagram.
So if you love the pattern and you want to make a Tomte block of your own, you’ll want to get the patterns and enter on Instagram: @mossandlotus.
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And…
I’m hosting a giveaway right here, too.
It’s for all US readers—just leave a comment below. That’s all you need to do. My giveaway will be another set of the same prizes: a Vintage Holiday charm pack, the Peppermint Lane book and the Nov/Dec issue of Quilty in which I have two Christmas designs.

Oh, Christmas Wreath by Diane Harris; quilted by Julie Lechner @beenquiltin
The first is Oh, Christmas Wreath, a modern take on the traditional Bow Tie block with little red berries for interest. Lots of space for gorgeous quilting and oh-so-easy to make. The fabrics are Kona Cotton Solids from Robert Kaufman.

Prancer’s Peppermints by Diane Harris
My second design in this issue of Quilty is Prancer’s Peppermints, a long and narrow quilt at 55″ x 95″ that’s perfect for couch cuddling. I quilted it myself and it was totally doable because I had less width to deal with than usual. The Christmas fabrics are from the Way Up North collection by Jill Howarth for Riley Blake Designs.
Both of these quilts are now part of my Jingle Bells Trunk Show, a collection of Christmas quilts that is so much fun!
But wait—there’s more!
I’m going to sweeten the pot by adding a copy of Quiltmaker’s 1000 Blocks, on which I was a co-editor. So many wonderful possibilities inside. I think you’ll like it.
One more thing: I would love to share a trunk show of my quilts with your group in 2019 or 2020. If you like what you see, would you kindly share my name with your program chair? I’m happy to send you flyers or links. I can be reached using diane@stashbandit.net. I’d be grateful for your help! Peek at the trunk shows now.
To be entered in this giveaway, leave a comment below before midnight Wednesday, December 12. I’ll randomly pick a winner as soon as I get home from Wichita, where I’m doing the Jingle Bells Trunk Show on Dec. 11. This giveaway has ended. The winner is Pauline in Colorado. Congratulations, Pauline!
Thanks for visiting Stash Bandit!
Tags: giveaways, gnomes, jingle bells trunk show, moss and lotus, sew along, tomten
Angela Schultz
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I love Prancer’s Peppermints! Thanks for the giveaway.
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Shasta Matova
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The Christmas Wreaths are so cute! Thank you for the chance to win.
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Paula
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I just saw one of the little guys at JoAnn’s yesterday and thought he was adorable! Thanks for letting me know who he is. Thanks for sharing all of your great quilts as well.
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Kay
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I love all things ‘gnomeish’.
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Vicki Holloway
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What a lovely give away!! I love your patterns!
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LeeAnn
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Of course I’m in! Love all you do! And your trunk shows are so good!
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Bonnie Williams
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I so enjoy reading your blogs and seeing your quilts. Love the info on the tomte, they are adorable.
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Sandi Griepenstroh
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Darn! You are going to miss my trunk show at Hastings in the 6th! I was hoping to see you! I love all the white space in your modern churn dash, and I can’t wait to see your Jingle Bells show next November in GI!
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Leslie Martin
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Hi Diane, LOVE your Oh, Christmas Wreath. Have a great holiday season! Leslie
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Terri Vanden Bosch
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Oh. Those candy canes have been on my radar. Jan st haven’t found the magazine yet!! Would love to win.
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jean
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I absolutely LOVE your quilt patterns in the Quilty magazine. The tomtes are so cute. I had not heard of them before, but I am familiar with gnomes……love them too!
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Carol Ann Lovejoy
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LOVE your vintage fabrics and patterns. Thank you for the giveaway!
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Edna
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I’m in.
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Mary Olson
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I’ve heard about tomte since I was a little kid. My swedish grandfather (born in 1872) said “he” brought good luck to farmers. His parents were farmers in Sweden.
Love your Christmas quilts. See you soon.
Mary
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Loretta J Tejkl
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What a great Christmas surprise this would be to get! Love the Christmas Wreath Quilt.
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Teri
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Thank you for your giveaway. I would love to make Prancers Peppermints tablerunner.
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Jan Turner
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The little tomte is new to me. But so cute. Thanks for letting me participate in this give away. I do enjoy your blog, too.
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Edwina
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What a nice give away! Merry Christmas!
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Rebecca Ball
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Loved seeing these quilts of yours in person at Lee’s summit guild. Have a happy day.
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Diane Harris
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Thanks, Becky. It was great to see you in Missouri! 🙂 Another Scrap Squad friend.
Karen Anderson
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The Nested Nicks made me laugh out loud! It is too cute!
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Diane Harris
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Thank you, Karen. It’s one of my favorites!
Jenny
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The Quiltmakers book looks quite inspiring. What a great collection of quilt inspiration for a give-away.
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Diane Harris
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They’re a real treasure trove, that’s true!
Gretchen Barclay
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If you stop in Lindsborg, Kansas ( on your way to Wichita), you can see lots of tomtens in the shops. There are nice storybooks for kids, too, featuring tomtens.
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Diane Harris
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I might have to do that, Gretchen. Thank you for the heads up! I hear you’re coming to a guild near me in 2020. Can’t wait to hear your lecture!
Beth T.
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I could spend my entire year just making Christmas quilts. I love the fabric, love the designs, and love the way it gets me in the holiday spirit.
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Diane Harris
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Ditto! I am obsessed.
Linda Rouse
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I love the wreaths and the candy cane patterns. Thank you
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Diane Harris
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It’s my pleasure, Linda. Thank you for visiting!
Janet sabol
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I really love Prancer’s Peppermints and the Wreaths throw can be done so many ways. I’d love to win this package! I knew about tomtes but we call them nisse in Norwegian. Thanks for telling us about the paper piecing project!
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Diane Harris
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Thanks so much, Janet! I did read about “nisse” when I did my research. I guess it’s all about where you’re from. 🙂
Diane
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Last year I made 10 quilts for my family (one for each daughter, son-in-law and granddaughter) from the first 10 100 blocks magazine when you were editor. One year I won 10 mugs, each one matching a magazine and last year I finally got around to making a quilt to match each mug and gave them each a quilt and a mug. I love the 100 blocks magazine and look at them for inspiration for quilts all the time.
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Diane Harris
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That’s so cool, Diane! Did you take photos? I’d love to see the mugs and the matching quilts. What a great idea. You must be very prolific in your quilting. Good for you!
Mary Hope Watters
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Hi Diane! I lived in Germany when I was a kid nd remember seeing Tomtes all over but never knew their actual name. I called them gnomes also! I love the patterns and of course will think of a way to make them smaller. And I have been searching for Quilty magazine so I can make the peppermint quilt but can’t find it here! I may have to order it online…it sure is adorable! I love candy canes! Well…you know me… I love Christmas!!! I’m in my element now…just wish it snowed here!!! What a fun giveaway!
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Diane Harris
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Well that’s cool! Send me pics of what you’re making some time, okay?!
Donna Amos
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Love both, but think that O Christmas Wheath is my favorite. I’m always excited to see your posts. Thank you for sharing your talents.
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Diane Harris
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And I am always excited to see that you’ve visited, Donna! My old Scrap Squad buddy! 🙂
Lisa Phillips
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I bought my first gnome at a Scandinavian crafts fair this fall—they are adorable and a welcome addition to my holiday collection . Thanks for the opportunity on the giveaway—-I love the wreath .
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Diane Harris
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Thank you, Lisa! Welcome to Stash Bandit!
Marilyn McG
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Oh Christmas Wreath looks beautiful. A Christmas quilt for ME has been on my list for a long time. This pattern should do the trick–and maybe next year at this time, I will be the proud owner of a Christmas quilt!
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Diane Harris
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Yes, you should make a quilt for YOU! So nice to see you here, my friend. 🙂
Amy Brandt
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I love Prancer’s Peppermints! What a cute, quick idea!
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Beth Schneider
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I’ve been to two of your trunk shows and thoroughly enjoyed each one. Your quilting talents amaze me!
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Diane Harris
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Hi Beth, thank you for your kind words! That’s really nice to hear. I hope our paths will cross again!
Vicki Bartels
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I had to go out and buy Quilty for the candy cane quilt. Love it.
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Diane Harris
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I’m glad to hear that, Vicki! Send me photos as you progress! diane@stashbandit.net 🙂
Julie Shirley
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Love the Christmas wreaths, but the Quiltmaker book is drool-worthy!! What a marvelous collection of all things quilty to make!
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Julie
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I love the wreath quilt! So clever!
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Diane Harris
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Thanks, Julie. That one has been in my head for a long time. 🙂
Linda Cecil
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Would love to win, thank you for the opportunity!!
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Tina Wright
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What a clever idea to have a couch quilt for family-size cuddles! And I love the Wreaths, too. Enjoy Wichita, and thank you for adding to the fun of the Tomte season! 🌲🍄
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Diane Harris
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It’s my pleasure!
Nancy
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I love your Prancer’s Peppermints. I have been having so much fun with Moss and
Lotus’ Tomte – both making them and seeing the ones others are creating.
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Diane Harris
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It’s pretty inspiring, isn’t it?! I just found the Tomte I made last year!
Anne
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Thank you for hosting the Tomte giveaway and the one with your darling patterns too! Great fun! Happy Holidays!!
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Diane Harris
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It’s my pleasure, Anne. Happy to have you visit!
Susie
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Thanks for your lovely giveaway chances! I love your Peppermint quilt!
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Diane Harris
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Thanks, Susie! I appreciate that. 🙂
Charlene
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I just found your website and the tomte are so cute! Love this site!
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Diane Harris
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Thank you, Charlene! Welcome!
Beth Tomte
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My last name. These are cute!
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Diane Harris
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Oh my gosh, what are the odds?!? Love it, Beth!
Trudy Jacobson
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I will see you at the Prairie Quilt Guild meeting in Wichita. Love the Norwegian Tomte story. Safe travels.
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Diane Harris
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I will look forward to it, Trudy!
Trudi Albertine
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What a wonderful giveaway! I’d have such fun with these wonderful prizes.
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Linda
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Thanks for the giveaway! I love gnomes 🧙♂️
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Michelle McGinley
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What a fun giveaway! I‘ve been loving all the cute Tomten popping up in my feed!
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Linette
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You are so talented. Creativity is your middle name. Those little guys are precious.
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Diane Harris
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Oh dear friend, thank you for visiting my blog! You’re the best. 🙂
Pauline
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Hi Diane! I loved your presentation when you came to our guild in Colorado Springs. Thank you for a chance to win your giveaway!
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Diane Harris
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Hi Pauline! Thank you for your kind words. I hope I’ll get to come back to the Springs with another trunk show someday!
Diane Harris
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Pauline, you’re the winner of the giveaway! Congratulations! Please send me email: diane@stashbandit.net
Julie Lechner
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Diane, thank you for letting me quilt Christmas Wreaths! Love how it turned out and seeing it in a magazine! It’s on my list to get one made soon! Thank you for the give away.
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tiffany winchester
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I can’t possibly decide which to do first! Such cute fabrics too!
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Lisa H
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What a great giveaway! Thanks for having it.
And would you believe just yesterday I found the 1000 blocks book whilst perusing Amazon. I was aghast one book could hold so many blocks! So kewl.
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