More things to share

  This little doll quilt arrived a couple of days ago.....from Nancy of the HGTV Message Board.   so cute and colorful....thank you, Nancy for your help and being a wonderful Mrs. Claus representing Alaska.

  The Garden Braid table runner is quilted and bound.  This is not up for grabs....but it has been spoken for.  I had some tension issues near the end....so I think it is time for a new needle.





More patterns and blocks to share...

Item 1:   Two patterns.....a needlecase pattern, and a purse.


Taken

Item 2:  Here are three patterns by Eleanor Burns.
 Anything by her is great.  Take your pick or take all three.


All are Taken

Item 3:   The pattern is for Cathedral Windows. And a lot of squares for the insets squares you will need.
This just involves more hand work than I can do anymore.


Taken

Item 4:   Four blocks....Friendship Stars and more squares.


Taken

Item 5:  Patriotic fabrics.....2 are fat quarters, and the other 2 are large chunks of about 1/4 yard.


Taken







I'm hoping someone will put these to good use.....leave a comment and be sure you can be contacted by email.  

Celebrate

   I am finally back to stitching again.....And I can get to the design wall, the cutting table is loaded with project bins, threads, scrap boxes, and watercolor strip bins.  I can find things---mostly---so this is a celebration  post!!!
  I quilted some feathers on the braid table runner this morning. Now I need to trim and bind.

  Those string pieced blocks are being joined too.  This is a smaller size overall than the first one.  It should end up about 40" by 50".  I just love eyeing the colors  in this style  scrap quilt.








Now I need some takers....for the items I am clearing out.   This is the first batch of items.

   Item 1:    There are 23 of these blocks left.  They are about 7" ---square in a square pattern, with a "conversational " print in the center.

Taken

Item 2:
  2 patterns for Autumn  mini wall hangings.  Instructions for fusible applique and some embroidery.

Taken

  Item 3:   Two patterns.  One is for a table runner, and the other is a braid style quilt.  
  I never used either one....note that the braid pattern is for construction only.  It does not explain how to select fabrics combos or provide info on blending.  The person who passed it on to me was discouraged by that.

Taken

  If you are a follower and are interested in one of these,  leave  a comment and be sure you can be contacted by email.    Thanks.
  I will post more items later today.....check back.  :)

It is going to take a while....

    Just to let you know, my "whining" of yesterday---so described by my DD---paid off.   Sir Old Man  (with help from  Hunter from next door)  brought the cutting table up to the sewing room this afternoon!   The actual top is not attached, or made yet, but I can live with this.     I have 2 sides to fill and organize....and a place to cut, trim, and pin if necessary!
   Which brings me to my point.  After going through a lot of bin and boxes of strips and leftover pieces, I realize that I am not Bonnie Hunter, aka the scrap queen.  As much as I love scrap quilts,  I am actually tired of seeing the same fabric and same strips, and so on.  I actually caught myself tossing some strips and hunks aside to trash!
   So some serious, and I mean serious, purging is going to happen.  I just found another bunch of orphan blocks and some patterns too.   I will be putting together a few bundles of  strips, squares, orphan blocks, and such.  I will post some info when I am done, probably Tuesday or Wednesday.....and they will be up for grabs for my followers.  
  See a little whining does pay off.....sometimes!  Thank you, Sir Old Man.  Happy stitching.  

Recycle them, please

   While cleaning out Deana's sewing room in preparation for her move, she found a bag of machine embroidered hankies  ....blue, pink and yellow.  These are not old ones, but still too pretty to discard.
   I can't remember where I saw this idea to turn them into mug rugs.  The fabric is quite thin so I folded them in half and cut off the corner embroidery in a square about 5 1/2".  I added strips around the sides to coordinate with the embroidery.

 
   And now a nice pair of mug rugs and I know just to person to send these to.   Of course,  these could be used in a wall hanging instead, or even a baby quilt, or tote bag.

  I have about a dozen or so of these hankies.....free to the takers.  No, the cup is not included.  Just a gift from me to you.    Send an email with your address for mailing, and note the color or colors you want.
Happy stitching.
Update:   Thank you all for replying and  wanting to recycle!  All the hankies are spoken for and will be in the mail today.

A couple of winners

    Random generator picked the number....7.   That's Cheree of  Morning Latte !!  Congratulations.....this  seem just right  because she loves fall, so I know the fabrics will be great for her.  And then I hit the random generator again....16.   Just for fun,  I am sending a gift/care tag assortment to   Quilting Babcia .  She's a new blogger, who does beautiful quilting.  Drop by for a visit.
    Be sure to view the slideshow.....that was a trial to figure out!  Sorry if you got multiple emails with it, I kept changing things and deleting it until I was happy with the result.   I will be moving it permanently to the Mrs. Claus page soon.
   My thought for today is "let your light shine"....in all that you do.  Happy stitching.

500th Post

  Last night I  realized  that I was at my 500th post.   Milestone, don't you think?   I never really thought I would still be at this.  But I am, I love it, and I thank you all for reading and blogging along with me.  So, for all my followers,  here's a giveaway to celebrate.
    I am sending off  2 fat quarters--fall tones, one stiletto, an assortment of gift/care tags from PodBeLu, and Deana's adding a lavender sachet and discount for any purchase at PodBeLu on Etsy.  
    You must be a follower and be sure your email is linked so I can contact you.  Comment to enter....I will leave this open until Monday night, August 13, and announce the winner on Tuesday.

   I finally got the 3 quilts pinned....it took my 2 days to accomplish.  Still working on my stamina.  I hope to try quilting one with the walking foot and doing wavy lines this week.  I realize I am not up to FMQ a large one yet.  Soon.....I hope.

  Today I am playing with squares from Exuberant Color.   I purchased one of Wanda's bright colorwash packs---bottom squares in the photo, and I am adding to it from my stash.  Amazingly, I only had 3 of the fabrics that she had in the pack.  So I have lots of squares to cut for this one.  And then the fun play time can begin when I get to the design wall.
  Enjoy the weekend and happy stitching.

The correct answer is

    The original pattern was published in 2010 in Quilter's World as White Birches, and recently in a book called Quilting in Black and White.    First correct guess was from  Sharon at Vroomans Quilts.   Congrats to her.  
    I thought the give away hint would be on Saturday and the Foto Finish link to Cat Patches  because Barbara is working on the same project and in her post  she named the pattern!  So, here's a photo of the original pattern I am working from.  Note the cardinals.....that is what drew me in, and I am adding a few more of them.  It just shouted "make me"!    I have all the  blocks together and ready to join the rows.  

      Mrs. Claus News:

    Four more quilts arrived from Selina, Mrs. Claus of NJ.   She sent 2 of each! The colors are so wonderful.  Don't you love those backing fabrics.   Thank you so much.   Drop in and visit her at Selina Quilts.
    Photo shoot day is Friday.....the photo  shoot of the elves went great!


  PT was today.....I began lifting weights, or a weight.  A one pound weight!  I know, I know.... I have a long way to go.  I was so glad to know that I can at least lift more than a piece of paper without help.  Maybe soon  I will be able to lift a bolt of fabric.    Happy stitching.

Here's a block and a hint

   Today completely got away from me.  Everything took  longer or I am just slower.  Anyway, I promised another peek and a hint at my project.
   So here's a block.....the rest are sewn just not pressed.
   I will say that this is not a beginner project...more advance because of the angles.  Those angles can give you fits, but luckily there is some  leeway when it is time to set them together.  I think I will need it when the blocks are trimmed up!




     It is not a traditional pattern, so you will need to connect the threads of hints I have given to find the pattern.  You know the color palette,  and now you see one of the blocks.  
    I'm throwing in a pin cushion ---filled with stuffing and crushed walnut shells for a little weight--- to the prize for the correct guess.
    Happy stitching.
    

Mystery game

    A spark of an idea  came from  the comments  about my new project to sew during the Olympics.   I was referred to as a tease and being sneaky......I love it!   So, a mystery for you to figure out as I progress. I will add a clue or photo as I go along.  Figure out what pattern I am making, leave a comment.   The first comment to correctly identify the  published pattern will win. I am  putting this mug rug into the prize pile for now, and will add to it as we go along.  

    
A few sections to test the pattern instructions.....once again I am sewing angles.  The instructions don't really give a good instruction about matching the strips to the cut angle piece, so I am glad I tried a few before doing a whole block. 
So the lesson learned here:  sew the strips and then trim before attempting to add the next section.  

   Opening ceremonies are tonight.....machine set up, pieces ready, flag up......Go USA!!!!
Happy stitching.

Crossing things off the list

I'm a list maker.  I need to have a list in front of me to get things done...1.  so I don't forget and have one of those awful senior moments and walk in circles  2.  because I love the sense of accomplishment when I can cross something off!

•   I get to cross off small gifts for 6 people......that leaves 4 more to do.  I can get that done. 
•   Cheese ball and bread made for Production Team party tonight.....cross that off.
•   Tree up and decorated......tree is up but not decorated.  No check mark there yet.  Tomorrow for sure.
•    Mrs. Claus project.....doll quilts delivered to guild, emails sent to Mrs. Clauses everywhere.  Mark it done!....the Christmas dinner is Monday night, so look for the final photos on Tuesday, I hope.
•  Finish the 2 lap quilts for gifts....they are quilted and just need to be bound and labeled.  I will finish them!   Can't show the fronts, but here is one of the backs.  I really worked on the swirls on them.  Try as I might, I can't get my swirls to look like the ones that Wendy at Ivory Spring does.  I decided to just concentrate on the spacing and keeping it more open and even.

  Insight:  Free motion quilting is like a signature.  My vines, leaves, or swirls are an expression of how my brain speaks through my hands to the fabric and  thread.   I've never been able to follow a drawn line, so how can I expect to duplicate someone else's pattern!   So take heart if you are learning to free motion quilt.....find a pattern, practice on paper, then practice on fabric until you make it your own. 

   One final thing.....do you applique?  I won this pattern and package of applique needles and want to pass it on to someone who will put them to good use.  Leave me a comment about your last applique project,  must be a follower, and December 4th at 5 pm.  I will pick someone to send this to. 

  Back to the list....happy stitching. 

And the winner is.....

   First, let me say thank you to you all for commenting and helping me celebrate.  I wish I had 2 dozen wall hangings to give away. 

So to the number generator and the winner is......

Number 9----Lynne

   Yes, that was the number that came up.....   Lynne has been my behind the scene supporter this past week with daily emails and encouragement for the doll quilt project.   One last look before I pack  up the wall hanging and send it off  to  Australia!  Glad it will have a good home.  Congratulations!

This Mrs. Claus did some sewing on 14 doll quilts today!  The little cuties are ready to be turned,  pressed, and quilt.
  Check out what Mrs. Claus at Seeing Stars  is doing.   Thank you.
 Happy stitching.

Three years of blogging!

   I just realized I've been here 3 years....and the benefits have been great.  I connect with people all over the world, learned a lot of new techniques, improved my computer skills, and had fun along the way.  So/sew it's time to say thank you. 
  This is Summer Glory II....a watercolor wall hanging that is 21" by 22".  It the second in a series that I did in 2008.  And I am giving it away to celebrate this anniversary.
   Requirements are easy.
1.  You just need to leave a comment.  (No-reply bloggers will be eliminated, so be sure your email is available in your google profile.)
2.  And ...if you want a second chance.
  Go to Quilting Gallery weekly contest and vote for my quilt that is entered there--until Sunday.  Then leave a comment here with the name of my entry.  (I know a little shameless self-promotion.)
3.  You must be a follower to win. 
 Winner will be selected on Wednesday, November 9  and announced on Thursday. 
Help me celebrate....happy stitching.

New banner, update, and a giveaway

A few days ago I decided to play around with a new banner for fall.  Blogger really has limited options for this, and I have been using Picasa and Picnik for the last year.  I noticed a new banner at The Quilt Rat and it made me realize I should try something in my greeting card program.  That's where my banner was created and converted and saved as a JPEG.  I was surprised that it worked, but glad it did.  Now I can put together banners for different seasons. 
  Now I read at The Quilt Rat that she is doing a giveaway for the program she used to create her banner and other things on her blog.  It's the My Memories Software.  It is really for scrapbookers, but works great for blogs, too.  And I bet it would make wonderful quilt labels, too.

 Jill is hosting this giveaway for the next week, so click over to read and see all the things she has done so far with it.  She has a big list of ways to enter, so be sure to comment and get entered for this neat giveaway. 
  Update:    I cleared one shelf in my laundry room by giving away my pressure canner and boiling bath and etc.  I might actually have room for things that belong there now.  On to my closet next.....I must be ruthless.  It is packed with things I do not wear.  And I might need the space for fabric storage!
Happy stitching.

Finally Fall

Finally Fall!

I've enjoyed the cool mornings and today I spotted a hint of color on my favorite maple trees.  I pulled out this wall hanging from several years ago for the kitchen.  It's only 16" by 24"  and took forever to stitch around all those leaves. 
  Tomorrow is "working in the yard" day.....lots of trimming and weeding and mulching  to do.  It should be beautiful to be outside.
  Just a quick thank you for all the input and ideas on my struggle.  I have only done a bit of scrap piecing for the sashing using some stripes and shirting prints, but I am very happy so far.  I do think it will tone down the mauve and  anchor all the blocks of different sizes. 
  Happy Thanksgiving to my Canadian friends, and have a great weekend to all.
Oh...a reminder about the Wantobe Giveaway.  The next and final 3 weeks are open to everyone, everyday....so Madame Samm says to stop by, leave a comment to enter for the last Big Prizes.
Happy stitching. 

Spreading the word..

Have you heard about this yet?  Read on and click the link button on the right sidebar for more info.

"Hello friends and followers, I would love to welcome you  to a Wantobe Quilters Campaign over here. ( http://stashmanicure.blogspot.com/)

They are having quilting supplies to giveaway 5 x a week for 12 weeks.

Supplies that will have you quilting 

before you know it...From sewing machines to irons, to die cutters, to mats, to rotary cutters, sewing baskets, scissors, batting, needles,

rolled sewing machine bags, patterns, books, magazines...everything

you could imagine to assist you in being a NEW Quilter.

Even if you are already part of this community you can win

quilting stuff too...Tuesday and Thursday are days for us..

All you have to do is give me your name and phone number

and email sew I can submit this to the organizer, because if you win

anything I can win something too.   All you have to do is be my follower and a follower

over at Sew We Quilt @ Stash Manicure....

That is all! There are over 49 Sponsors involved.

I love being a QUILTER!

( p.s you will not be eligible to win anything if you do not register

with a blogger where you see this message)

  

Wantobe quilter has no tools or stash, and at most a hand-me-down sewing machine.  I have had a peek at a few of the prizes, and heard over 300 yards of fabric, and lots and lots of "required" quilting items.  I'm not saying I need any of this, but who doesn't love a giveaway! 

Drum Roll, please

Ta-da!  My husband just pulled two names out of the jar for the Share the Stash giveaway.
The fat quarters go to Lisa.
The watercolor squares go to Bea.
Congratulations to both of you.   I have sent you emails for your mailing addresses.
Thanks to all for participating and for the extra emails and nice words.  I never thought there would be so much interest in the 2 inch squares.  I may do this again next month. 
Happy stitching.

Share the Stash Giveaway time

The yardage that I won on ebay is now washed, pressed and neatly rolled into mini-bolts.   Imagine fabric lengths stretched down the hall, into the guest bedroom,  and through the great room .... and you get the idea of how much I had to roll.   As  I am rolling it up and I realize this is a lot of fabric! 
I cut fat quarters from  them to donate to my guild for the FQ Basket raffle.  And then I cut a few strips for 2 inch squares.  This is still a lot of fabric.........So I think it is time for a giveaway to share the stash.

Fat Quarter giveaway is 2 different  fabrics.  Both are Hoffman floral prints.  

Second giveaway is about 100 watercolor  squares----2 inch squares that include lights, medium, and darks. 

Leave a comment and mention fat quarter or watercolor.  Be sure your email is enabled  or included in your comment.  I will number names and draw winners on Sunday, August 8.  So jump in, if you are interested.

Happy stitching.