Another Giveaway I found! - Dawns Quilt Corner

Dawns Quilt Corner is giving away Dr. Seuss fabric! Great opportunity! Check it out! So many yards!

Stray Stitches Fabulous Giveaway!

To celebrate her 300th follower, and the New Year, Linda at Stray Stitches is having a giveaway. Check it out! Fabulous! About 7 yards + pattern..

More Tips and Things Learned: Part III

1)  Giveaways are a great way to meet new and interesting people!

2)  No matter what happens on the next cut, just remember... it's only fabric.

3)  Things happen at your Design Wall when the overhead fan is turned on high.

4)   Pet animals can be very good company when sewing…..Pet birds…. usually……

5)   Sometimes the simplest is the best.

6)  You get more when you give than when you get......

7)   If/When listing projects to create in your quilting life, stretch the list; add several more than you anticipate finishing.....If you reach for the stars, you might get off the ground...

8)  Almost three-year-olds don't notice the many "oops" in their quilt from G'ma.  They just wrap it around and snuggle.....

9)  The best gift for your quilt is a new washing machine to replace the OLD one with the agitator!

10) It's hard to capture a giggle in a quilt, but some do!

Hiatus

As with others, I find it difficult to continue posting during this holiday season. 

I am taking time off from this blog in order to enjoy Christmas and New Years, work on items I want to, and then WOW you with the results come January.

Also, unless things change, I plan to start my mini-giveaways during the first week of January....be on the lookout for all the details then.

Have a safe and happy Christmas and New Years!!

What can I say? I'm a Joiner,,,,

I just joined Myra's PhD  Challenge.  No pictures here, but go see my 5 (yes, 5!) projects (this date).  The pictures will be familiar...  I guess my DH will be cooking and cleaning for awhile...

Talk to you later..

I Just Couldn't Wait......

I received a package the other day----a giveaway prize from Lana at It Seams to be Sew. 

Since I had opened up the other present I received from Amazon (confession in earlier post), I very carefully put it under our tree(s) (future post) . 

But it kept calling to me......and calling.... that red package refused to say "Stop"...

So, here is what I got......

Sorry the picture is so lousy....I have having issues with my camera....sometimes the picture I knew I took did not come out...it took me 4 pictures and time just to get this....

Anyway, you can see the lovely fabric I received....and a pattern for a sewing machine cover! My Janome will stay warm and cuddly if I hurry and make it!

Thanks, Lana, and have fun with the rest of your 12 days of Christmas Giveaway......

Tips I Have Discovered While Sewing and Quilting- Part II

1) Buy more fabric than needed...if you don't make mistakes, you can always make a scrappy back using the extra.....

2) When downsizing pictures for your quilting blog, do not get rid of the original picture until you are sure the new one is okay.

              2a)  Be sure to rename picture so the original won't be replaced.

3) Cut original squares for HSTs and QSTs a bit bigger than directions; when finished, you can always cut down to correct size.

4)  DON'T make decisions when you are tired.

5)  Use "Shout" Color Catcher when washing cloth/quilt/etc in washing machine...no commercial,,,it really works.

6) Do Not hang your quilts out to dry on a dusty day!

7)  Invariably, the top/flimsy using the new(to you) style fabric you were unsure of,  is the one you love more than anything....spread your horizons....

8) Your labels can be anywhere on the quilt ....be inventive...(I put one on a footprint in the middle of the back once).

9)  Don't use the "leftovers" of your UFO on something else until you finish it!  You may need them for the back or binding. (see #1).

10) The chance of your bobbin running dry will depend on your preparedness and level of awkwardness of replacement.

Odds and Ends Mini-Giveaways - Next Year

Let's be honest here......I am going through my stash closet and cleaning it out,,,slowly,,,trying to arrange it so I can see what I have.

Many of us look through our stash and come across something that we know we will never use.  We know someone somewhere could find a use for it.  In my case, I have several (what I call) non-quilt items, as well as fabric I know I won't use.

 Re: non-quilt items:  I know there might be a limited number of you readers who desire or would be willing to have these, and I hate throw anything away when someone with a little more imagination and creativity could use them.

So....I have decided to start some mini-giveaways....odds and ends that may or may not be quilt fabric...  depending on the viewer's outlook.  I am calling it a mini-giveaway because I don't know how many of you will be interested....which means you will stand a better chance if you are the only one!

At this point I don't know how many I will have or how often...some I know I have not found yet...they are hidden in my stash (closet) and possibly I don't even know I have them...lol... and who knows when I'll find them or how many there are.  Let's just say as I run across something I don't need or don't know how to use, I will have a mini-giveaway for it.

I plan to start this sometime during the first two weeks of January.  I will give you notice before I post one.    I have two, maybe three items in mind, but will usually showcase only one item at a time...and the length of time on the mini-giveaways will be only 2-3 days. Because of this, I am showing you pictures now of items I have chosen so far.  Descriptions will be at the time of the giveaway, but you can get an idea...

Also, if you are not interested, but know someone who is, please refer them to this post or the later giveaway post..... These are poor orphans who need to be needed....

I Opened This Early......

I received a package a couple of days ago.  It was one of those packages that come from the internet and usually have some indication who it is from. This one did not.

Of course, I had to open it......before Christmas.....Shame on me......

And this is what was in it.....(the fabric is just a backdrop..something I am working on)

I love them!  I can tell when I have to measure and trim....cut and piece....and can spend the time sewing!!  BTW.  that word you can't read on the magnet is "space"...the clock is back up and I don't want to take another picture....

Finished both tops of Amy's Quilt-Along.....Finally!

Once upon a time, a long, long, long time ago, I joined a Quilt-Along, decided to do two quilts and finished the first one.

Jump to present...

I just finished the second top of the sampler blocks Amy hosted.....same blocks, different arrangement and fabric(Kaffe design, I think)..... One more thing to mark off my list!

This was the one that was sort of out of my comfort zone.  I had never worked with these designs before in this scale.... but I had bought oodles of fqs....It is really striking.. I like both tops, but the second one is my favorite....

Probably because it surprised me and it has more contrast and bright colors than the other one....however, I am really satisfied with both.

Now they are officially UFOs....for awhile..

12 Sounds of Christmas....

Christmas is coming, Christmas is coming....Sights and sounds of Christmas are all over blogs. 

 Our water/windmill.......

Here is a collection of posts that reminded me of Christmas sounds.....

Use your imagination, Click, Look......and (imagine, in part) Listen....... And then comment on their posts if you want.

1)  Clickity -Clack, Clickity-Clack - from the Happy Cottage Quilter as she knits with lovely yarn. (Her post started me thinking of this idea.....Thanks, Cottage Quilter)

2)   Singing - Need a Little Christmas - from Madame Samm at Sew I Quilt as she negotiates with Hallmark.

3) " Ooooh,  Aaaahhhh" -  Thanksgiving Wrap-Up - (Christmas Lights) - from LuAnn at Loose Threads as we see her outside decorations.

4) Footsteps,,,Walking, Walking, Walking- Flea Market Shopping....for Christmas Presents  from Theodora (in Greece) at Theodora Quilts

5)  Ho-Ho-Ho -  Santa with his pack from Mainer from Meinca

6)  Sneak, Tip-Toe, Lips Locked - hints on how to hide Christmas presents (from a stash hider), told in "100 ways to hide your stash" shown by Grandmarockton at Quilting,Sewing Granny

7)   Slurp, Sip, Gulp - of liquids from mugs sitting on Mug Rugs - many sites and more than can be put here,,,,samples.....Lazy Dog Quilts and More with Judy, and That Girl That Quilt with Jennifer.

8)  The Nutcracker - The Dancer from Chris at Crispy Quilts as we see a dancer in rehearsal.

9)   Cut, Cut, Cut Cut - from Trish at Notes of Sincerity - all those projects!

10)   Sighs of Satisfaction -Finally Done With the ABCs from Arden's Scrap of the Net and others who have finished their quilts and projects in time for Christmas!

11)  Visiting Friends-Door Bell Ringing or Knocking on Door - while admiring Santa, of course, from Polly at Pollys Porch.

12) And finally.......Listen to your own sewing machine whirrling away, creating who-knows-what surprises and joy.  Sounds good, right???

Hope you enjoyed listening......Have fun making your own sounds of Christmas this year...

Sitting at Computer After Wrapping Presents.......

I will be mailing presents tomorrow, if DH can find box(es) for them.  

Am running out of wrapping paper....Decided that I will not buy any next year....what do I have my Christmas fabric stash for if not to wrap presents in!......

Also,  Have any of you noticed that the Scotch tape dispensers start looking like little sleighs about this time of year....

I think I need some coffee.................

Yeah! We Have a Winner

.....Of my Giveaway 

MARCIA!

As soon as she contacts me and tells me where to send the lovely 5 yards of fabric, I will cut and send them! 

Congratulations! Marcia!

And thank all of you who entered.  I enjoyed hearing from you and hope your Christmas and holidays will be happy and fulfilled. 

Down Memory Lane - in more ways than one

Ya'll think back.....way back......

'Member when I was working on the Quilt-Along with Amy at Amy's Creative Side this last summer? If not, you can quickly scroll down the page at the left to refresh your memory....

  At the time I started, I found myself at a point (very seldom) where we have finished several items (or goals) at once and are casting around looking for something else to do.

I decided this quilt-along was a good thing, so why not double the fun?  I was foolish brave enough to try to work on two quilts at once.  It was a good thing.  I really tried (after starting 3 weeks late) and caught up, and stayed up with the group until.....the last couple of weeks.  I did finish one of the quilt tops (Quilt B), but lacked 2 blocks in Quilt A. 

All this background laid so that I can tell you one simple thing......

I finished ONE of the two blocks in Quilt A.  Yea!  Hurray!

  I am ready to work on the second block, but Christmas, etc, keeps getting in the way.  Just a couple of days alone with nothing else to do and I could get the top finished....

But then my grandkids wouldn't get their Christmas box before Christmas, and my DH wouldn't have dinner a couple of times (hurts especially since we just spent a wad for groceries!), and I wouldn't get a batch of plum jam made (plum makings in the freezer since the first of the summer).

Now to the other trip down memory lane....or lack of memory. 

I mentioned in making DHs Crazy Quilt that I had some muslin for the backing of the blocks, but would need to buy more (which I did,,,,about $40 or $50 worth!). 

Weeeellllllllll,,,,,, I was rummaging around for fabric for my Giveaway (see last post).........and looked in a plastic container, which happened to be.....on the floor behind me next to my table where I work......yep....

There is a LOT there!  It's in a 'wad" because it was the remainder of a bolt I bought a long time ago.  I groan every time I think of what that $40 or $50 could have bought! 

Do you see why I need to continue working on my sewing room???? 

So now it looks like this......

Still stuffed, but at least in it's own apartment.....with label (index card). 

No telling how much I am going to save next year as I continue to work on my stash!

100th Post GiveAway - What A Novelty!

Welcome to my 100th post!  I started this blog to showcase what I do, and it (and I) have slowly been  evolving into what?  Who knows, but it is fun, whatever it is.  I have opened the door to the world and who knows who will come through (Do you remember Mr. Rogers and Dean Martin, among others, who opened their doors on TV and no one knew who or what you would see next.....Well, There You Go)....

Now I am to sponsor a Give-Away, but what kind?  

   I put my thinking cap on (quilted, of course) and decided.......

 I am going to let one of you into my sewing room closet (so to speak) to SHOP MY STASH.....



You will be able to pick and choose what and how much to win.... Feel free to rummage through the pictures below and decide what you want to have.  You can have a 1/2 yard of this and that, a yard of "oohh, yes" , and even 2 yards of  "specially specials". Up to an overall total of 5 yards.

You see, some of these I bought and have not cut, some I have just "collected" and some I have used and still have oodles of. Some are LQS quality and some I bought when I was first learning to quilt (about 5 years ago), some fabric I have had for a longer time than others, but all are decent, useable stash.

I have chosen mainly Novelty fabrics.  Most will be the normal width sold in stores.  If different, it will be mentioned with the picture.

1)  Time Frame -------not long, only until December 5 at 12:00AM (CST) (midnight)

2)  Overall total yardage to be given away -  5 yards of stash   

3)  Increments:  1/2 yard, 1 yard, 1 1/2 yards, with maximum of any fabric being 2 yards  (if available, of course).

4)  To enter, just leave a comment on this post and mention the Giveaway on your blog, or wherever. Hopefully you will become a follower if you aren't one already, but it's not necessary.

5) I will announce the winner within 24 hours after the giveaway closes.  The old fashioned name in a bowl will be the method, assisted by (drum roll....) my DH.

5) Please make sure that I have some way to reach you!  If your name is drawn and you cannot be reached, then you can't win and another winner will be picked.  If you are a "no-reply blogger", then leave me your e-mail.  If you do win, you have 2 days to give me your "order".   It will take a couple of days to cut the fabric and then it will be on the way to its' new home. 

Each picture will have an identifying name and/or code above each picture to help in the ordering. 

   Have fun shopping !



Click on pictures for a larger view... 

1)  Planets - 3 fabrics

1a (only 1 yard  available)

                               

1b (1 panel - 1 yard)

1c



2)  chef's special - 1 fabric

2

3)  License Plate - 1 fabric

3



4) Musical Instruments/Black background - 1 fabric

4



5) Musical Instruments/Cream background - 1 fabric

5



6) Various John Deer Fabric- 6 fabrics

6a

6b

6c

6d

6e

6f



7) Christmas Apron/Pot Holder Panel- 2 panels (1 panel = 1 yard)

7

8) Christmas Patriotic Santa Stars

8

9) Large Christmas Stars (Thimbleberry brand) - must take all, little over 1 yard so count 1 yard

9

10) Christmas Scarf Fabric (Silky feel, must take all - count 1 yard)

10



 Have fun choosing.  I'll have my order pad ready.

Tips I Have Learned While Sewing and Piecing - Part I

These are some of the discoveries I have noticed/learned during the piecing and sewing process of making quilts....(not necessarily in order of importance...)

1) Do not pin on the seams of a 9-patch when sewing together - pin on either side of the bulk.

2) I am not ready for WOF strip sewing yet....only the length of my 24" template I am using. Varied widths ensue on same strip.

                 2a) Leaning over too far while rotary cutting a strip causes your (add guilty portion of anatomy here) to dislodge the ruler you are using.

3) Measure, measure, measure!

4) Starch and iron Everything! (almost)

5) Take pictures of the layout.  Don't rely on memory...it ain't isn't there no any more!

6) Look at the finished pieces as long as you want.......but the job won't get finished unless you do it.

7) Cutting fabric could be the most important step in creating a quilt....after measuring correctly.

8) Maybe in a year I will get a "Go"....

9) Stash moves! Pieces of fabric visit each other in the middle of the night.

10)  Look at enough patterns and they start morphing together into weird great ideas!



Part II  will evolve at a future date.........duplications are possible due to Importance Quotient  or just plain Memory Loss...

BTW:  THIS IS MY 99TH POST....MY GIVEAWAY WILL BE NEXT..........KEEP LOOKING.....

One Thing One Week Challenge #5 Completed!

 I pulled an almost "all-nighter" to finish the binding on my blue/white Sawtooth quilt.  I started this in 3/2010 and finished the top around 2-3- months later.  I sandwiched and started hand quilting it.  I did not quilt "in the ditch", rather on both sides of the ditch.  It took awhile. 

The block and pattern I found at Marcia's Quilter's Cache.  She has two (2) Sawtooth Square patterns. The one I used was the one with only one (1) pin.  The pattern was on the second page of this block.

I love the blue fabric and its' variety of hues. The main reason I made this quilt was to give me practice on HSTs.    I got plenty of practice!

So here is my completed challenge for Amy's One Thing, One Week Challenge .  See what others have done during this week...it's awesome! 

Stray Stitches Giveaway.....

Just found a new (to me) blog...what fun! Linda at Stray Stitches is having a great giveaway! :: Thimbleberries Quilt Club 2006 BOM Quilt Kit.  It is minus a couple of pieces of fabric (outer border for one), but still a LOT of fabric.  Go check it out.

Finished Tool Top

Yes, I have a brand new UFO.  Just finished the top to the Tool Quilt (52" x 60" ).  I cut a simple panel and simplified its' original pattern.  With the holidays and such, I figure it will lay in its' tool box for awhile.  My side list of things to do before the new year hasn't seen much progress...given the time of year I am not surprised.  

I have also come to the conclusion that grandchildren grow faster than a quilt can be made for them.  I have some darling fabric that is quickly being outdated by their recipients ages.....Wonder if a 12 year old would still be interested in Dr. Seuss??? 

BTW, I have decided what to do with my giveaway on my 100th post...wait and see.....have to take pictures first. I (think) this is my 96th post.

I'm Guest Blogger Again!

Yep! Madame Samm allowed me to come back with the story of DHs Crazy Quilt!

So those of you who followed the saga here, can see it again on Stash Manicure. 

Go check it out!

Amy's One Week One Challenge is here again.

I promised Amy on her post that I would bind my blue/white quilt and Finish it! So be looking for a picture of it in a week....gotta go, have some Thanksgiving cards to mail out today...

Happy Thanksgiving!

BTW, only 6 more posts until I reach 100...keep watching for the giveaway.......

Quilting is like Waltzing.....

Seems I have waltz time in my head.  Slow step, quick, quick steps,,,etc.

Every task  has a behind the scenes action which is necessary to keep up the momentum...reminds me of  the rhythm of a waltz.  1 slow step (starch, iron, measure, cut,) , 2-3 quick steps (sew, sew).

 Yesterday was a big step for me... I gave away a twin bed in my sewing room that was just taking up space.  We have other means for keeping company comfortable now...other bedding that is hidden or folded up in DHs barn...not that we would send people to the barn to sleep (that is another post altogether!)..

I have rolled this into the space temporarily....

while deciding whether to put this in its' place.

or put it in front of the other two windows I have on another wall.   

In the meantime, I am starting to work on a simple tool quilt that is taking a little longer than I thought to cut.  

 I also have to recut some squares for the mystery quilt I am working on... turns out they evolve into half quarter squares, which, if I had known, would have started out as bigger squares than the directions told me.  I do not have very much experience with HQSs, so try to allow myself room to work when I make them.  I should have enough fabric.

So my machine will have a rest for a few days, but I will be working..

See you in a bit.

Quilt Stolen at Festival

I am trying to help get the word out.........

Saw this on Bonnies site(Quiltville Quips and Snips....she referred to this site for further information.  This was stolen at the International Quilt Festival.  The owner is from Tyler, Texas.  I can't believe someone would do such a thing! 

I Found These - They Were Hiding

It's amazing what you will find when you decide to (slowly) straighten out your stash....

I remember doing this....I had read in various blogs and the internet about "leaders and enders".  So when I was working on a quilt (can't remember which one) where I was able to sew a lot of  pieces together in a long string (see, I so can't remember this morning!...what is the phrase I am looking for...string pieces??),,,anyway,,,,,I decided to try it, spur of the minute. So I grabbed what was handy, which was left over pieces from this quilt I finished in Oct 08,

 and just started sewing.  I left the shapes the way they were (basically) and then started sewing them together.

I guess I finished sewing the pieces I was really working on, and then just put these away.  I know I have some other leaders and enders of other fabric somewhere.....I know I did not throw them away.....hopefully....maybe....

Anyway, I was thinking of using these as they are, throw them on a neutral colored background, and just sew.  What do you think?

Yes,  in the background are strips, larger pieces, and left over binding that I could use if I wanted to.....

(Sigh.....) Leave it to me to find these AFTER Halloween this year.. Well, I have a whole year to decide how to do this, if I don't lose them again!

Nice Giveaway from Retromummy and Catch Up Time

Just wanted you to know that Retromummy is having a nice giveaway consisting of 14 fat quarters of Sweet Broderie fabrics.  And there will be two (2) winners!

I am working on the Mystery Quilt that started the first of September.  One clue every two weeks.  I got behind due to quilts beyond my control, but it should be easy to keep up.  Would let you see what I am doing, but then it wouldn't be a mystery, would it?  Will be taking pictures along the way, tho'

Picture of DHs Crazy Quilt

It's not an outside picture....things got hectic around here for awhile (sick car, etc) so I resorted to my ususal display spot...the den floor, with a little help from a tall ladder....

My estimated size of this was off the mark also.  It ended up being 87" X 105", draping well over a queen size bed.  Weight:  10 lbs. (seemed like more when I was working with it!)

Have fun looking..

Working on Necessary Chores.....

Since finishing with THE QUILT, and while waiting for DH to help with PVC and rope so I can get a good picture,  I am starting to clean up and work on my sewing room. Since it has been ages since I have picked up, sorted, thrown away, etc in here, I am ashamed to show it to you.  Just trust me when I say it needs it.....


After I finished  THE QUILT .  I had quite a bit of leftovers from DHs old clothes, and although I could have kept them for future use, I decided to use them as stuffing in this:

I used some striped denim and made one huge doggie pillow....I really had enough stuffing for two pillows, but opted for just one.


Another benefit from using the leftover stash.....

I went from this

to this:

Empty containers ready for new contents..... and just in time for the sewing room fabulous clean-up (I hope).  I am alloting about a week, during which I will not start anything new and will satisfy myself (quilt-wise) by continuing to handquilt the two I am working on  now.


And that is my cue to quilt procrastinating and get busy,,,,


Bye for now....

IT'S DONE !!!!

I finished the quilt!!!

Had to show you a picture.  You can't see all the blocks because it hangs down.  I hope to bore you with another picture in a couple of days or so, when DH works his magic with PVC and rope on the front porch.  This dude is too heavy and big to hold up by itself... (approx 80" x 96")

I'm Not Teasing, Honest.......

By now, those wanting to see the finished quilt are expecting to see pictures....

Evidently, I am slowing down...I know I have said this before, and I am definitely not the only quilter to face this situation, but that dude is heavy!!  I find myself having to relax after tackling it.  I am thinking I made a mistake by adding the batting....but not to dwell on that.,.,adds to its' charm....

But this is the last of the sashing I have to do, and then I can work on the sides, hopefully which will not be as demanding.....

Just wanted to show you the new configuration of tables and sewing machines I have come up with since the last picture.  As said before, this is the last sashing to be done and by the time I finish this post, I will be rested enough to sew. 

BTW, please note my "elevator" chair.  That is no optical illusion....it really is almost as high as the table.  The up/down spring is messed up on it and if I am not sitting for a short length of time, it proceeds to rise to the occasion.  I have to pull the lever to make it go down so I can reach the foot pedal of the machine.  I get up to do something, and up it comes again......Oh, since that picture was taken......it has gotten higher....the arms are above the table now....  It's a comfortable chair, but its' days (or weeks,,,or months...) are numbered

How to Get Exercise at Your Machine......

.....And this is only 4 of the 6 rows I am putting together. 

I admired machine quilters before, but my admiration has multiplied expotentially! Just the exercise to keep in shape to manhandle the weight of  these babies is something else.  I have to stop and rest after each row!  And all I am doing is creating the sashing between blocks!

Toward the end of the row it gets easier, but I have to be careful about the weight in back...

I have two more rows to complete and put together and only tomorrow to do it...then the sides...I may not get them done by the end of the month...

 But I will get them done!!!

A Pictureless Post, sort of, almost....

My progress on DHs quilt is coming along.  Thank goodness October has 31 days and I still have a chance to finish it by the end of the month.

I now have 2 sets of blocks on each row (6), one with 2 blocks and one with 3.  I have 6 blocks that do not have ties.  After I finish with them, then I can sew the 2 sets in each row together, and eventually manhandle the rows through my sewing machine to finish the job!

I started not to post any more pictures until the grand finale, but changed my mind and decided to give you one more picture.....of how it looked before I started.... and this is mainly DH's shirts, he added more pants later...

 

Musings on Post 100 and Rainbows....

According to all the blogs I have seen, protocol suggests that I do something special for my 100th post.  So I am working on it.  Probably some sort of giveaway.....

People say when you give a gift, you should choose something you really would want to keep for yourself, or would want someone to give you.......

I'll just have to think about this for awhile.....

In the meantime,  here is a visual gift we received in our back yard about a year ago.  Hope you enjoy it also.