Magazine Winner!

You may recall that late last month I was the winner of a magazine that a fellow blogger was giving away. I generally don't hold my breath to win things, but her question was one that I wanted to answer. She wanted to know what her readers were doing for summer vacations. I wrote about the mini-vacations that my DH and I have taken and are still planning for the next couple of months.

This giveaway was on the blog of Beth Shibley called Love Laugh Quilt. You may have clicked on her link from my blog frequently as I often join her linky party called Monday Making. Anyway, I submitted my comment and lo and behold! My name was drawn from the proverbial hopper.

About a week ago my magazine arrived in the mail and I have spent a few hours perusing all the gorgeous blocks. Some look like real winners, to me anyway. I could see myself making more than a few of them, for sure.

And on page 29, there is Beth's contribution to the 100 blocks - Fall Bloom. What an original block. I searched Beth's blog to see if she'd given a peek at this block that I might have missed - sure enough, I found one. This is gorgeous in spring colors! It would be such a fast and easy table topper for any season.

Thanks, Beth, for the opportunity to win this magazine. I have several of the early editions of 100 Blocks, and am happy to have a new one!

Happy Quilting, Friends!

Home Again

We took off on Thursday morning for a 3-day, 2-night getaway to northern Ohio. It was eventful in a number of ways, both positive and not-so-positive. All in all, though, we had a wonderful time and I will share pics tomorrow, providing I get some time to select and edit them tonight.

I can share a couple of quick things today, though. I just checked my blog from Thursday and my one commenter informed me that I'd won a "just because" give-away from Beth at  Love Laugh Quilt. How nice! She had asked readers about their plans for summer vacation; I responded and won a magazine in which she has a pattern featured. Here's the screenshot from my phone.

We are having the most gorgeous weather today, and this morning we enjoyed quite a refreshing walk on the Frankfort bike path. Absolutely delightful!

I am trying to stay busy today as I have the Frienzie girls coming here for dinner on Tuesday evening. I want to tidy up today, cook tomorrow and take it easy on Tuesday. We will see how that plan works out. Even with the housework, I do want to take some time before the day is over to stitch this little hexie that has been calling to me. Isn't it a pretty thing?

Since I have things to do, I will sign off on a short post today, but promise to bring pics of both Put-In-Bay and Cleveland in some upcoming posts. This is the last week of the month and I have some list items to finish off for June. Too much playing and not enough working for me this month, I fear. Hopefully I can get lots done this week!

Linking up with Kathy at Slow Sunday Stitching!

Happy Quilting, Friends!

I Keep Forgetting

I forget that I should occasionally remind you all that I am conducting a book give-away. I reviewed a copy of Marianne Jones' children's book called Great-Grandma's Gifts and she has generously offered to award a signed copy to one lucky reader who enters in the form below.

If you would like to read the bit I wrote about the book, you can scroll back; it was just a few days ago. Or you can click here if that's easier.

The winner will be chosen on Saturday, November 1! Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Happy Quilting, Friends!

 

My Very First Give-Away

About a month ago I wrote a post about some really awesome aspects of blogging. The top item on that list is the subject of today's post. Click here to go back and check it out.

As a result of my even earlier posts (July) about the contents of my grandma's quilt closet, I received an email from Marianne Jones, the author of a sweet children's book called Great-Grandma's Gifts. Marianne said that she'd seen my posts about Grandma and all her quilts and sewing supplies, and she thought I'd be interested in her book about her own dear grandmother.

 Great-Grandma's Gifts tells the story of Arlene, the narrator's great-grandmother. The twist, though, is readers are told about Arlene as a little girl who loves her doll Maggie. Arlene's mother makes her dresses with pretty fabrics and then Arlene uses the scraps to make clothes and quilts for Maggie.

Arlene grows up and becomes a busy mother, but she still has a love for sewing. Now she sews clothes for her children. The story continues and Arlene becomes a grandmother and a great-grandmother. She makes clothes, toys and quilts for her family. The book is just as darling as can be, with lots of sensory details and color-recognition activities.

It's been in the works for quite awhile, and now all details have been coordinated; I can finally invite you to join in for a book give-away. Marianne will provide a signed copy of Great-Grandma's Gifts to one lucky reader here! Click below to enter. The winner will be randomly selected on November 1.
a Rafflecopter giveaway Happy Quilting, Friends!

Parade Postponement

Well, due to circumstances beyond our control (or maybe a lack of adequate communication), Quilt Sue and I have decided to move our Lone Star Parade off until next week. I posted too hastily, not taking into account that Sue had other blogging obligations this Saturday.

We are sweetening the deal, though, in hopes that you will stick with us just a week longer. I will be uploading some pics of a couple of giveaway items that we will offer to a randomly drawn participant!

So stay tuned! I will have further news in my next post, hopefully tomorrow morning!

Happy Quilting, Friends!

 

Saturday Delivery Excitement

The US Postal Service came through for me yesterday, as the package from Miss Rosie and her person, Carrie arrived yesterday. I was uber-excited to receive it, as I had been keeping an eye out for it. :D

Inside, were the most scrumptious goodies. First, the book and fabric pack that Carrie gave away for the comment in the 'post-project clean-up' discussion.

A lovely note from the generous Carrie, and the book Simply Charming by Tara Lynn Darr. Let me just say right now that I love this book! It is entirely possible that I will make most, if not all, the projects in this book. They are darling!! Traditional blocks, stash-friendly, and small - what's not to like??

Along with the great book came this Fat Eighth bundle of Collection for a Cause Faith. BEE-YOO-TI-FUL!!! Again, just so scrumptious I could dive right in and start gobbling it up!! (Much restraint on my part to finish the project I'm on before daring to indulge!!)

And in true Carrie and Rosie fashion, their generosity knows no bounds...bonus goodness was included.

Not one, but two! charm packs of Lily and Will. Gorgeous designs and colors! The roll of French General FaLaLaLaLa just puts me over the top! I've been a fanatic for FG ever since they came out with Rouenerries (did I spell that right?). Can you believe my incredible luck??

One of the reasons I began reading blogs was seeing the photographs of the amazing projects that quilters were working on and completing. Then I found a few that I consistently admired, so I 'followed'. Next, I began writing a blog, and it's just blossomed from there. It was ages before I ever left a comment, but soon I was regularly commenting, and then that led to entering giveaways.

My goodness gracious, getting to talk to other quilters from all points around the globe - that's just like living a dream! How else would I ever have corresponded with one of my 'favoritest' designers - Carrie Nelson?!? That's how great blogging is; it brings people together. I'm a small-potatoes blogger compared to a lot of others out there. Regardless of how involved a blogger wants to be, the access one gains to hundreds of other quilters, designers, authors, shop owners, and more, is nearly unlimited. What resources, too; if I ever find myself stumped about something, the answer is just a blog question, comment or search away!

Ehhh, pardon that tangent!

Thank you so very, very much Carrie and Miss Rosie for the wonderful chance to win goodies in your giveaway! I love the book and the fabrics; your generosity is incredible!

Happy quilting, friends!

A Cluttered Workspace

I make no bones about it. When I work in the sewing room, all I need is a path to the sewing machine and a somewhat cleaned-off ironing board, my ipod tuned in to some good old classics like The Eagles or Journey, and my Ott-lite. Consequently, my sewing room looks like this at the moment:

Oh, dear, I can't believe I'm showing this mess...oh, well, there is my path from the door of my sewing room. Just go past the dresser with the open drawer, the pile of recent on-line purchases, and make a left at the 2 empty bins on the floor.

This is the view from my sewing chair. The closet on the opposite wall has DH/s summer clothes hanging on the left, and my quilt tops hanging on the right. The chair, aka 'The Thoughtful Spot,'  has two tubs of fabric stacked in it from last week when I was digging around for a particular red. Generally, that chair is clear for sitting and thinking great thoughts. In the foreground are the stacks prepared for my current project, Long Road Home.

Ok, so here's the reason why I bared my soul (and my messiness) to all of the blogosphere. About a week ago, I made a comment on a blog. The topic asked how quilters handle post-project clean-up. Obviously, my comment wanted to know "What cleanup???"

So, this blogger was offering a giveaway to 2 responders who shared their stories, and the random generator selected my number! How cool is that? Just goes to show that a cleaned-up sewing room would have gotten me nowhere in that giveaway!

Here's the most awesome part of all...the blogger was one of my favorite designers: Carrie Nelson of Miss Rosie Quilt Company! I have had a quilting love affair with her since seeing "Tag Sale" made up and on display in a quilt shop. I tracked down the pattern, made it, HAND QUILTED it, and currently use it on my guest bed (when I can keep my two girls' hands off it!)

(Brief tangent: Erin, DD#1, told me as I was quilting it, "Mom, this is the prettiest quilt you've ever made." Awwww, shucks.)

So, Carrie, and Miss Rosie, I thank you not only for offering the giveaway, but also for the years of great patterns! I own at least 3 of your books and at least a dozen Schnibbles patterns.

I will post the giveaway goodies upon their arrival.

Please feel free to make me feel better about my messy workspace by sharing your own messy stories! I need validation!! lol

PS: Tag Sale is one of the quilts pictured up there in my blog header.

Eventide Arrives!

Oooohhh, this was in my mail yesterday! Is there anything more pleasant than presents in the daily mail delivery?? I think not! Look at the tag - a cupcake with a daisy - 3D creativeness!!

Thelma at Cupcakes 'n' Daisies sure makes a pretty package. And what's inside is even prettier!

A few weeks ago I entered a giveaway at Cupcakes 'n' Daisies, and learned last week that I had been the lucky winner! So here is my Eventide pattern by Carrie Nelson. *uber-excitement!!!* It just so happens that I have made several of Miss Rosie's patterns over the years, and really love their looks. This one is getting me pretty excited, I can tell you! If I didn't have several already queued up, I would start on this right away. I am considering, however, moving an item or two down on the list, to make room for inserting this project...hmmm, we'll see.

Thelma is leading a quilt-along group for Eventide. Check it out at this location. Also, Nicole at Sister's Choice Quilts has a nice post today about fabric selection for this quilt.

Thank you, Thelma, for the giveaway! I am so, so appreciative!!

Back Home

Good Old Home Sweet Home - trips are always nice, but I love being home, in my own bed with my own stuff. Petting my dog, opening my mail, checking my messages. Routine stuff, but my stuff on my turf.

Before we left, Emma wanted a new purse. She dug through my Kaffe/Westminster collection and came up with 2 fabrics that worked fabulously together. We made up a pattern with all the features she wanted and voila! Here's what we ended up with, and I think she is a very happy camper.

Doesn't she look like a happy camper?

I will post full vacation recaps as soon as I possibly can. This is the last of my "scheduled" posts.

I haven't forgotten that I promised a giveaway celebrating my 100th post sometime while we were away. Hope I can come up with something fun and worthwhile for a giveaway...this is not my forte!