Quilters Secrets - Day 2

I hope you enjoyed yesterday's Secrets.  Please remember to visit Mrs Pickles each day for any new information and intro for the day's hostess.  Today is Linda of Buzzing and Bumbling .  For those of you who have helped in sharing the Secrets, Thank YOU!  If you are new to the hop or get lost - just click the button on the sidebar and it will take you to Mrs Pickles and the master schedule. ** and the give away of the day is only available for that 24 hour period **

Is it bigger than a bread box?  No it is a bread box.  Just a summation of my 2013 plans.  I don't make resolutions. I don't worry about counting stash - I use it , play with it, pet it - it makes me happy. I do keep track of thread usage for the year, but that is so I can do a bulk buy at 'sale time' to re-stock and not run out during a project - yes, there will be a need to have that special color as I love thread.  I'm keeping my swaps to just my monthly Doll Quilt group and the 12" Mini group - this will keep me open to anything that comes along .  I am going to try to work with some new color, new fabric lines and new fabric designers, but more importantly, I am going to have FUN and enjoy my quilting.  And yes, my SIL does know me - the bread box I wanted, the coffee cup that says it all (quilt all day-quilt all night), and a new telescoping magnet (with light) to pick up those pins I keep dumping (I think it's Moe).

**speaking of thread - Pumpkin Patch Quilter is going to do a series and review of threads - share the button on my side bar**

** an update on Sandy Hook from Kris at Lavendar Quilts  - please pass the word **

Sewingly Yours,
Sharon     

December NewFO & Secrets

My list is small for December (compared to other months).  The FMQ Challenge monthly project as well as happy to report completed 12 months - whoot, whoot!  Monthly Doll Quilt(Doll) Swap and Konda's Mini Quilt.  And I sent out my pillowcases for Sandy Hook well before the snow storms.  I do have a few projects done for early January, but can't list or show - SO - I had to be honest and show I had to cave to the 'end of year inventory sales'.  But at $1.24 - $2.49 a yard - they were just too good to pass up.  I can see some of these being used in future mini swaps.

  
I did get the last Jelly Roll Quilt Challenge quilt top done earlier in the month and had hoped to have it totally finished, but catching the Flu kept me from getting to the binding.  I used this pattern by Piece N Quilt for inspiration and changed it up a little.  I used 'Tend the Earth' by Deb Strain, simple straight line quilting with robin's egg blue and lilac purple threads -  and will have a  pretty spring quilt ready when my favorite birds and lilacs return. 

** linking to Catpatches and Crookedseams **

secretssecretssecretssecretssecretssecretssecretssecretssecretssecretssecret

Today is the first day of Quilters Secrets Blog Hop.  Please be sure to visit Mrs Pickles each day as well as the quest blogger for the day.  Today it is  Christine of Quilt Monster in My Closet .  I hope you enjoy as well as share the hop with others - not everything has to be kept secret!

Sewingly Yours,
Sharon

**And for those wondering, the Leap Year Box has still yet to arrive**

Santa/Secrets/Winner

First, I want to share what I received from my Santa Sack Swap Partner, Debbie at Tis' The Season to be Quilting.  A real fruit cake to go with the Fruit Cake fabrics, a layer cake of American Jane (which I love), a very unique necklace made with a lace/ribbon/beads, kitchen towel set (which I really needed), extra sashes for that pretty bag so it  can be used seasonal, pins and pin cushion, needle keep, template for flower making , clips, quilter sign for car, and some books.  Thank you Debbie!

You are going to want to keep this one on your calendar.  MrsPicklesGarden Quilting Secrets Blog Hop.  Lots of information and tips from these lovely ladies:

Christine from http://www.quiltmonstercloset.com December 31st

 

       Linda from http://buzzingandbumbling.blogspot.com/ January 1st

Barbara from http://catpatches.blogspot.com January 2nd

Melissa from http://blog.sewbittersweetdesigns.com/ January 3rd

Sharon from http://vroomansquilts.blogspot.ca/ January 4th

Sue from http://quilttimes.blogspot.com January 5th

Hayley from http://mrspicklesgarden.blogspot.com January 6th

 

She has been giving clues to those hidden secrets and sponsors who will be on each Blog for give aways - **NOTE** those give aways will be for ONLY a 24hr. period of that blogger's day.

 

 

 

What you have been waiting for - winners of the text and fruit FQs.

 

From the USA - Deb of A Simple Life Quilts

International - Lyndsey of Sew Many Yarns

 

Congratulations ladies, I will be sending them private e-mail for mailing information.  I hope to get them out tomorrow as starting late afternoon for the next 3 days we are to get buried in snow.  I plan to camp out on my couch with the furries as , yep, I got THE COLD for the season!

 

Sewingly Yours,

Sharon

**and the Leap Year Box has not arrived yet**

 

Happy Holidays

Today is the official first day of Winter here in the States.  I will be taking a week long blog break for the Holiday Season - family , friends, and festivities to attend to.  I will be announcing the winner of my give away Christmas Eve and then back either the 28th or 29th to our regular broadcasting schedule - LOL!!

Happy and Safe Holidays,
Sharon

2012 FMQ Challenge

I have enjoyed the monthly challenges sponsored by SewCalGal and the introduction to so many experts and their techniques that they so graciously shared with us.  The simple leaf pattern, feathers (oh, I lament), loopy loops and squigle flowers (I squigle good), motifs and stencils, fillers and scrolls, and playing with finding a pattern with in a fabric.  I mainly used muslin , but some were used on projects - table runners, place mats, little zip purse made from the sample, and mini topper.

I learned I had trouble following lines, but let me go free and organic and I was on the flow!  I tried these with all three of my machines discovering they each had their quirks with technique and threads - notations made in their manuals for when I want to use the process again.  I use single thin bat for most of the samples, a couple I used a combination of ultra thin cotton with a layer of polycotton for a little more 'puff' accent.  And I played with thread - I love thread - and have no fear of color thread!

I know I can FMQ on all three of my machines, with their limitations YET I still want that long arm!!

Thank you SewCalGal and Experts for sharing this year of growth with me,

Sewingly Yours
Sharon

FMQ Challange - December

Since December's challange with Patsy Thompson was borders and a lot of feathers, I decided to go with one of the bonus challenges to complete my 12 months.  One I don't do quilts with borders, and if I do, it usually is just a single. 

I chose the May bonus with Lina Moran, which was finding a pattern with marblized fabric.  Well,,, couldn't find any of that so I pulled this scrolling leaf to use with this project.

I worked a pink , purple, and blue thread, trying to maintain a pattern thru the scrolling leaves and vines. 

When I went to the green, I lost some of the momentum and flow.  Also, I used a different brand of thread which did not stitch as nicely. I would really like to get some of the marblized fabric to try this with (know I have some of it).

Linky with SewCalGal 

Thank You

I am a day late in plans to thank all of you in supporting me, my blog and all blogland activities.  I was observing a day of silence - and thankful for those who posted up the Pillowcases  and Silence & Support for Sandy Hook information.  You are truly all the best.

So to express my thanks to all of you - a Fat Quarter bundle of bright color - I think we all could use a little brightness right now.  The "In Your Words' Blog Hop is around the corner, and there will be lots of inspiration for that great text fabric.  And delicious fruit to go with it (the fruit are a little different in each bundle).  That's 9 FQs of RJR "Farmer's Market" fruit collection - AND I have a bundle for USA followers and a bundle for International followers.  Simply leave me a comment with whether you are USA or International (must be a follower) so I put you in the correct bucket for the draw.  And I will draw winners Christmas - midnight (EST) - like another present to open for me.

My heartfelt Thank You and Blessings to all of you at this time of year,

Sewingly Yours,
Sharon

Silence & Support

 

Tuesday, December 18th, there will be a blogger day of silence. If possible, please try to not post anything other than the above button (feel free to right click and save the above image if you want to upload it to your own blog).

  

Money is also being raised that will go to an organization in the memory of this tragedy. The organization is called The Newtown Family Youth and Family Services. Here is the official description of the support service being donated to:

"Newtown Youth and Family Services, Inc. is a licensed, non-profit, mental health clinic and youth services bureau dedicated to helping children and families achieve their highest potential. NYFS provides programs, services, activities, counseling, support groups and education throughout the Greater Newtown area.

ANY DONATIONS MADE TO NEWTOWN YOUTH AND FAMILY SERVICES WILL BE DONATED DIRECTLY TO THOSE EFFECTED BY THE SANDY HOOK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL SHOOTING."

Please visit THIS PAGE to make your donation.
And please feel free to copy and share.

 

 

Sewingly Yours,

Sharon 

Pillowcases For Sandy Hook, CT

I have seen this on a few blogs and when I went to my LQS - they are promoting this cause, also.  So I hope you can pull some fun fabrics and participate:

Help the families in Newtown... Here is how... Becky at Quilter's Corner in New Milford, CT is collecting pillowcases for the children at Sandy Hook School. She is trying to collect around 600.
    
There are a bunch of free pillow case patterns HERE.

Keep it bright and happy for anything kid themed, boy or girl –  (no holiday)
 
Pillowcases can be mailed to her at
Quilters Corner
312 Danbury Rd.
New Milford, CT. 06776

***  The Quilters Corner has it on Facebook - they would like to be able to deliver after school break, so I would suggest you send your pillowcases out by December 29th so they have them on time ***

NewFO 2013

Barbara has asked us to list some of our plans for next year's NewFo Challenge - a fun way to challenge yourself to go ahead and do that new project without the guilt or obligation to finish.  In other words - have fun with your quilting!

First, I have been doing a lot of organizing to be better prepared.  Easier to start a project if you can find it.  Pre-cuts and a LOT of panels will be used this year - quick projects for the Christmas Thru the Year - which I want to take part in this year.  The messiest shelves are my cross-stitch books and thread (boxes, tins, containers) and I really want to do more of this in 2013.  I was going to get tubs for the scraps of batt (top of shelf), but I rather use it up rather than store it.  A shelf of extra wides and backing ready to use up.  The other fabrics by yardage and in the rolling tower (1/2 yrd but less than FQ) that I go to first for my small projects.  Oh, I have a lot more fabric but we won't go there!!

Rolling bin of thread ready and waiting to be used.  The two large totes are scraps - for use in Doll Quilt Swap group, 12" Mini Swap, Temecula Quilt Co minis, and the Rainbow Challenge .  The 'under the bed' storage tote has flimsies ready for quilting - oh, there is one quilted and waiting for binding.  Pretty baskets and tubs to hold those new projects as they progress.  The waffle tower has odd/ends of notions and ribbons for those minis, top shelf is some cross stitch project I found 'in-progress' and would like to finish up in 2013.  A shelf of kits and the bagged items are my SILs projects for the new year.

Blurry photo of our FQ storage  and some of those shoe box totes have left over 4-patch, HSTs, and mini blocks that can be incorporated into a project.  My SIL and I go on a FQ buy every so often as colors need freshening.  I have a shoe box waiting for a Batik buy - I really want to challenge myself to work with those in the new year.

Here's those kits - the one I got in the silent auction, a couple I bought during a sale, the Cherry Blossoms kit I won, and 12 red work squares someone gave me - have to put those into a quilt.

A few books I pulled that I want to play with.  Yes, I really want to make a Civil War quilt - a trip to Windham Fabrics in in the future

Does it sound like a lot?  Well, some of the planned projects are for long term play with no hurry.  Mini's and Doll Quilts and Swaps don't take long to do.  And Who knows what is going to pop up on-line thru blog-a-sphere that attracts my attention - I am known to love a challenge.  Yes, the 'Word' Hop (I am scheduled for Jan 7th)- that's the quilt waiting for binding, yeah, I went big AND taking part in the Quilting Secrets Hop with a tutorial on 'web' technique (scheduled for Jan 4th).

And I know it isn't even officially 'winter', but I had to hit a sale - great beginnings for spring don't you think?  Inventory clearance at Connecting Threads - $2.96 yrd!  And they have a thread sale going on too (yes, I got matching thread)!! Panteen announced the color of the year - Emerald Green - but I think yellow and pink are going to be my colors.

Are you challenged yet?  Join us - visit Barbara and see what others are linking up for NewFO 2013.

Sewingly Yours,
Sharon

Quilt Gallery Give Away Winner

I was totally blown away by the response - you confirmed my belief -  that quilter's love chocolate.  And thank you and welcome to the new followers.  I had three 'others' randomly pick from the comments - then one name was pulled from those three.  Donna Spare Time Quilter is the winner of the Connecting Threads Chocolate Gift Set.  As soon as I have her mailing information I will get this right out so she can enjoy it under her Christmas Tree.  Thank you all for participating.

Oh, I see I went past my 400th post and almost to 600 followers - I think next week I need to say thank you - so you all come back,

Sewingly Yours,
Sharon

Feline Friday & A Finish

I added some new pieces to my mantel decor - the closest things to my fur babies.  Bella - my red tabby Queen - and Moe - my laid-back tuxedo.  And why my big tree is in the Quilt Shop instead of in my livingroom or they would be as tangled in lights as these cuties.

Bella just had to try out that huge present hiding under the teddie table clothe - and nibble at a few bits of curling ribbon as well. **since people have asked - I looked it up as this was a gift - the reindeer banner is a Cleo & Me Co pattern found HERE **

 And surprise, Moe had to try the same thing - look at those eyes!  He's the reason there are no fancy bows on any packages - totally gone!!

I made this quilt top last year after completing the Mystery Quilt designed by Sue for the 2011 Christmas Quilt Along.  I FINALLY got it sent to my longarmer for quilting.  This is a free PDF pattern from Moda called 'Gift Boxes' designed by Kate Spain for her 'Flurry' line.

  I used scraps and the background was a piece given me by a sewing student - a cream with gold print Holly leaves thru it.  The back was another 'gifted' fabric and I had my longarmer do a simple large meander with a gold high sheen thread.  Augh - I saved the salvedge to remember the line and I just passed my bag of salvedges to a student I save them for - I think it is a Sandy Gervais.  It reminds me of ribbon candy.  

I will be linking up with Feline Friday - Sarah's Whoop-Whoop Friday - Cheryl's One Week of Christmas (you should check this out - so should have put this on the side bar)

Happy Holidays
Sewingly Yours,
Sharon

Traveling Stash Winner

I wish I could send you all a box - but then I wouldn't have any fabric to play with.  The winner is Char of Cloth Stitched.  AND don't dispare as I have won the Leap Year Box - so another box will be posted for give away on the 29th.

It's been so quiet on the blogaspere - everyone stitching away for the Holiday.  Me, working on prepping a post for the up-coming Quiting Secrets Blog Hop - I'm blogging on January 4th - and ready to quilt up the project for the In Your Words Blog Hop - I'm blogging on January 7th and have a super give away planned.

Sewingly Yours,
Sharon  

Quilter's Gallery 5th B'Day Party

** This give away is now closed and the winner has been pulled and contacted **

We congratulate Michele and her Quilter's Gallery in Celebrating their 5th Birthday!  Whoot!!!!  And she's celebrating with a Blog Hop Party.  Michele will be posting the registered blogs participating on Monday (10th) and will be open until  Saturday (15th) -  hope you all will enjoy the Party Give-Aways.

What party is not complete with some Chocolate!  Now I know quilters love chocolate, but I'm offering a different kind of chocolate for this party.

How about a box of Connecting Threads "Quilter's Chocolate Candy Gift Set"?  14 Fat Quarters and 5 coordinating Threads all in a pretty box.  Waiting to sit under someone's Christmas Tree.  You don't have to be a follower, but always welcomed - Just leave me a comment on what is your favorite chocolate candy (if you don't like chocolate - any candy).  I will ship international and comments will be left open until Saturday, December 15th (midnight EST).  All attempts will be made to contact the winner so be sure I have a way to reach you - I do not accept Anon.  
**I will respond to every comment - if you do not hear from me you may want to check your settings - see side bar red button for no-reply**

Seasons Greetings and Happy Birthday,
Sewingly Yours,
Sharon

Christmas Quilt Along Finale

Today is the last Christmas Quilt Along with Sue - Visit the link-up of the Christmas Parade of those who participated thru the year.  This was the doll quilt I made for my Swap Parnert for December - Theme was for the Season.

And one of my little dollies that I send with each quilt - made from scraps from the quilt.

And the back with the label on Aida Clothe - yes, signature tiny buttons used.

Please visit thru the day to see additions to the parade,

Sewingly Yours,
Sharon

Traveling Stash Ready

Yes, I have another Traveling Stash Box!  Although I had this box not too long ago - only 2 items remained of the original and only 2 of what I had placed in that box - so lots of new things.  This is what I kept.  2 bag patterns (my SIL fell in love with), all the Thangles for one of our students, 6 Bernatex FQs, 6 various 30's FQs, 5 DS FQs, 2 panels, and  yardage of lovely 'Tapestry' Santas by Peter Pan fabrics.

This is what was left  - yes, I put the text fabrics back - approximately 13 yrds. of fabric.  Now to spruce that box up!!

Oh, yeah - thre were also LOTS of patterns - way too MANY patterns.  But a lovely mix of bags, quilts, and penny rug minis.  A few notions and novelties.  I had to throw out the 'made' stelettos as a couple had broken and one ended up jabbed well into a finger - ouch!  Loose items need to be bagged.

It seems people prefer FQs to yardage, so I gleened my tubs and pulled a mix.  Moda, Kaufman, Timeless Treasure, Connecting Threads, etc......  A few cat prints in there, so pulled 1 yrd pieces of birds/owls and a generous 2 yrd piece of cute doggie print.  That covered the amount of fabric I took.  Since there were so many patterns already - I decided to add 2 Tonga Treats batiks charm packs instead. 

Due to the cost of postage - shipping only in the USA.  Must be an ACTIVE blogger and pass the box on quickly.  Please go HERE for all the rules and guidelines - Cherise updates regularly, so please go check the status of those 8 boxes - several are ready to move on.

Leave any comment so I know you are interested and be sure I have a way to contact you.  Comments will be left open until midnight (EST) Tuesday, December 11th and winner announced immediately.  All efforts will be made to contact winner and box shipped out immediately due to the holiday season.

Sewingly Yours,
Sharon

More Minis

This lovely piece was from my 12" Mini Swap partner Peg of Happy in Quilting,  Wrapped up so nice (saving that tiny dot grograin ribbon) and a cute little reindeer ornament.  A sweet card - my first Christmas card!  I just love this and it fits my decor so perfectly.  Thank you Peg. (Did you notice those tiny buttons eyes? Squeel!!)

And the next mini from Konda's Mini Quilt Along - worked up so quickly.  An 18" Criss-Cross Applesauce done up in a Bernatex "Heritage" prints charm pack.  Now to find a backing, binding - know how I want to quilt it. 

And I did hang my Sulky Wonky Christmas Village - 30" x 36".  This has beads and metallics in it, so I can't really press it - my SIL is going to bring down her steamer and maybe that will straighten it out.  For my new followers, this piece was finished when I first started blogging and one of my first paper-pieced projects.  This is to be a project to share with my grands - decorating a house each year.  I have my box of little 'goodies' for when my grandsons visit next.  Maybe they will work on Santa's Workshop this year. 

**since I have been asked by so many - and I should have - the source of this Sulky BOM is:
Sulky International **

CLOSING THOUGHT

We were in the 60's yesterday!  BUT overnight, a suddon drop, rain and wind, and then wonderous snowflakes.

Snowflakes
by Linda A. Copp

Snowflakes spill from heaven's hand
Lovely and chaste like smooth white sand.
A veil of wonder laced in light
Falling Gently on a winters night.

Graceful beauty raining down
Giving magic to the lifeless ground.
Each snowflake like a falling star
Smiling beauty that's spun afar.

Till earth is dressed in a robe of white
Unspoken poem the hush of night.

 

Sewingly Yours,

Sharon

Buttons, Buttons, Buttons

I do LOVE these kinds of buttons, BUT please take note of a lot of new buttons on my side bar.  Some are for December, some for future projects coming in January.  Please, I don't do them all - but, someone out there may find something that fits their fancy.  I still am on a much slower pace with sewing - devoted to the future "Words" and  "Quilting Secrets" - oh, you want to take note of this one as Mrs Pickles has come up with a great idea!  And SewMaMaSew's give away starts, but staying away from that, but you enjoy.  I will be taking part in Quilt Gallery's 5th  B'day Party Hop.

For now, I am cleaning house and doing a small tad of decorating - and scaring the beejeebers out of the cats with the vacumm!!!  Where are they hiding????

Sewingly Yours,
Sharon

Remember To Vote

This weekend is the time to go vote for your favorite entrant in the 2012 Christmas Quilt Show over at  Michele's.  Just leave a comment with your entrant number for 'viewer's choice'.  And while you are there, take the time to visit each blogger and leave them a sweet comment - I know they will appreciate it. Oh, and thank Michele, too!!

Since some have asked me how to place a vote - this is the rule from Michele's post:



4) Viewers Choice Award: On Saturday, December 3rd and Sunday, December 4th you can vote for your favorite entry. Just leave one comment with the #/name of your favorite quilt entry and let me know that you are voting for your favorite quilt. The entry with the most votes will win the Viewers Choice Award. If their is a tie, a non-partisan blogger will be asked to randomly select a number that will determine the ultimate winner. Prizes will also be awarded to a random selection of those that took time to vote. 

November NewFO

Thankfully I had done a lot of my monthly projects early in the month - the unexpected health scare of my Mom has put a 'slow-down to hold' on my sewing for the later part of the month and probably for the next few month.

Things that have been shown on previous posts:
FMQ Challenge, 12" Mini Club , X-mas QAL (table toppers, candle mats, gift bags), Doll Quilt Swap, Santa Sack swap - finale,  and Blocks for Sandy.

I needed to get the blocks off the floor so I can clean and prepare for seasonal decorating.  This will be my November entry into the Let Me See Your Jelly Roll with Megan.  I have one JR left for December, but not sure I will get to it.

 This was the November Color Challenge Palette with link-up to Patchwork Times.

I had this Ricky Tim's Convergence piece as a flimsie for several months - so used my minimal sewing time to geometric quilt with red, dark green, and  yellow threads - and finish off with a dark green binding.  I call it 'Broken Muse'.

And I have always enjoyed Beth's annual 'Neighborhood' block quilt project.  You send one house block for the lotto and one (or more) for a charity quilt that Beth will do up for donation.  This is one of the house blocks I sent earlier this month.

This is the piece that I sent earlier this month to my Once Upon A Season Swap partner Pauline - she was the one who sent me those lovely daisy strips I used in a floral mini.  I got a chance to repay her with her own flower mini .  This is just 12", just so you can tell how tiny those flowers are - I had to sew those little buttons in the flower centers with a beading needle, but I love them.(borrowed photo from Pauline as I forgot to photo this one before mailing)

And I have been having such fun with Konda's Mini Quilt Along.  I did change the pattern from tiny pieced centers to tiny yo-yo's - yeah, I hate yo-yo's, but I do make them and I like the look in this piece.  And pearlized beads added to their centers.

Thank you Barbara for organizing and hosting the NewFO project and I will be linking up.  Please hop over and check out other's new monthly starts/finishes.

CLOSING THOUGHT

One kind word can warm three winter months.
- Chinese Proverb

Sewingly Yours,
Sharon