Design Wall Monday -- 08/27/2012 and (Mis)adventure

On my design wall today is Hearts in Bloom, my version of a design by Judy Blok titled Love in Bloom.  It was published in the January/February 2010 issue of McCall’s Quilting.  My version of it has been in process for well over a year, but it is finally bound, labeled and done and ready for storage until next February.  Also on my design wall is a slowly growing collection of Jane Stickle blocks.  Progress is slow, but at least it is progress. 

The day began with an adventure.  Let’s say that I hope to never again be able to use these three words in the same sentence:  bedroom, snake, alive.  Husband was out of pocket and the dogs were in the back yard (maybe a good thing) when I saw it as I was preparing to run errands.  If your heard a series of shrill screams about 9:45 this morning, that was definitely me.  It was not a dangerous snake and when I swatted at it with my broom it slithered into my long-handled dust pan.  I carried it outside and flung it over the fence and hopefully it headed for more peaceful locales.  I have no idea how it got in and I sincerely hope it didn’t bring a friend.

I am linking up with other Design Wall Monday posts at  Patchwork Times.  Be sure to stop by and check out what other quilters are up to.

Giveaway Winner!

The True Random Number Generator has done its thing! 

Congratulations to Susie at  Susie's Sunroom, who made comment number 14. 

Susie, I’ve already sent you an e-mail requesting mailing information.  And thanks so much to everyone who participated in the giveaway.

Have a very happy weekend and keep sewing!

Design Wall Monday – 08/19/2012 and Giveaway Alert

On my design wall today is a small wall quilt for the Christmas season.  Piecing it was a breeze, but if I had really looked at the applique the pattern calls for, I might have hesitated.  There are 60 little, bitty red circles for the holly berries.  I spent several hours last week prepping them, a process that involves little no-melt templates, lots of spray sizing, and a very hot travel iron.  They are now glued in place and ready for hand stitching.  Also on my design wall are some of the Jane Stickle blocks I am working on this month. 

My first blog post occurred two years ago on one of Judy’s Design Wall Mondays. So, even though I have been very lax about making DWM posts of late, I knew I shouldn’t miss this one.  Click on this link to find the details about the giveaway I am hosting to celebrate the milestone.  Drawing will be Friday, August 23, when I will reach both my blogaversary and my 200^th post.

And...as always, be sure and check out the other posts on Patchwork Times today.

Blogging Milestones and Giveaway



This giveaway has now closed!

I recently noticed that I am quickly approaching two blog milestones:  my 200^th post and my 2 year blogaversary.  So, to mark both occasions, I am offering a giveaway that includes a pack of 40 5 x 5” cuts from Timeless Treasures’ Blueberry Pie batik collection plus one of my tote bags.  And since it’s a double milestone, I am also offering two chances to win.  First, comment on this post telling me the type of post you find most interesting when reading quilting blogs.  For a second chance, be a follower of this blog and add a second comment letting me know. 

I will draw for the winner on Friday, August 23, when I achieve both milestones.  If you are going to participate in the giveaway – and I sincerely hope that you will – I must be able to contact you.  So if you are a no-reply blogger, be sure to either send me your contact information (my e-mail address can be found in my blog profile) or include it in your comment.

Finally, tomorrow I will be linking up with Barbara at Catpatches' weekly Foto Finish post.  The subject is “Show Us Where You Live.” 

During the last two years I’ve posted several scenes from the Central Texas Hill Country, but today's picture is of Packsaddle Mountain in Llano County, as seen from our ranch.  Calling it a mountain is a real stretch by most standards, but it is a dominant landmark of this area and a source of lots or regional lore.  If you are like me, whenever you are "home" the breeze feels a little fresher and the sun shines a little brighter.

Thanks for stopping by!   

Neat things come in small packages!

I’ve been getting some really neat squishy packages lately. 

There have, of course, been the on-going stash enhancements including this charm kit of 200 batik squares from a sale recently offered by Wanda at Exuberant Color.  She labeled this a starter kit for a colorwash project.  I figured with all the batik remnants my Jane Stickle project is generating; I’ll be able to fill in any gaps.

And a really neat package arrived from Sunny at Quilting Dreams  last week.  Here is what she sent me for our first mug rug exchange.  Since it’s entirely reversible, I made a collage showing both sides.  She even included some biscotti!

Here is what I sent her.  If you guess that we were working with an autumn theme, you’re right!  In my haste to get this in the mail, I forgot to take a picture, and she kindly let me copy it from her blog.

 

Be sure and check back here this Friday.  I will be posting about my first (and maybe only) ever giveaway to commemorate a couple of blog milestones.

Until then, keep stitching!

A New Project -- Sort of

This is the project I have been working on at Sit ‘N Sew on those days when I haven’t been focused on Jane Stickle Blocks.  Although the pattern called it a table topper, I intend to use it as a Christmas wall hanging.  I will be adding holly applique designs in the open areas of the background. 

 

It has been a relief to have a project that is actually repetitive and relaxing and can be interrupted without creating problems figuring out where to resume work on it.

The kit for this project was purchased in San Antonio last December when Bob and I spent a mini-vacation on the Riverwalk.  My birthday is in late November, his is in late December and our anniversary is in the middle of the month.  So, we called it our “birthaversary” celebration. 

July Jane Stickle Blocks

July is a wrap and it’s time to put away the Jane Stickle blocks I completed and do a little record keeping.  I had already done one of the blocks Doreen presented this month, but all the others are on my design wall for a total of 12 center blocks and four border triangles.  That means I have now completed 71 of 169 center blocks and 20 of 52 border triangles/corner diamonds (if I haven't miscounted).  Progress.