Connecting Threads Giveaway

Pat at Bell Creek Quilts posted this info about a Connecting Threads Giveaway, and I boogied over and filled out the info.

You have to register to create a wish list, and once you do, you must add items to the wish list to total at least $50.00. Then you must email the wish list to someone, and share on your blog or facebook.

But the contest ends tomorrow, and the winner is announced on Thurs., so hurry!

Mail Delivery

Fall has arrived!  Heck, it's almost winter at times--tonight's lows will be in the low to mid 30s. Daytime temps usually reach the low to mid 60s, and it takes a long time to get there.

Look what else arrived last week:

Julie of Quilter Behind the Barn Door (formerly Through the Barn Door) celebrated her 175th post with a giveaway and I won the selvages!  I've been slowly collecting them for the past year or so with no particular project in mind yet, and this bag from Julie has probably doubled my collection.

This is how much I had before Julie's giveaway:

And now look how much:

She just recently attended a Quilt Show, and has several posts of eye candy, so you should treat yourself to a look at them. And take a look at her header--she's made some beautiful little autumn pumpkin quilts.

I also won this adorable handmade pumpkin girl from Jeanne, a Halloween Artist:

Is she not exquisite?  She stands about 8 inches tall and the detail is awesome.  Jeanne has  a blog called The Candy Corn Chronicles and has more items on eBay. Even if you're not a Halloween geek yourself, her blog is a feast for the eyes.

Thanks, Julie and Jeanne! You made my week!

I know the Post Office is considering discontinuing Saturday mail delivery due to a decreased volume of snail mail, but they may as well wait until the first of December.  These are the catalogs that came in today only:

Let the shopping begin!

Fall Blog Hops

Finally, autumn weather has arrived!  Yesterday morning started out with thunderstorms and rain straight through til at least 3:30 this morning. I left some windows open and froze my poor husband, so had to close them and turn the heat on for a little while to take the chilll off.  Today is bright and sunny, but cool and so exhilerating.

There are some blogs celebrating fall and thought I'd share them, in case you haven't discovered them. 

Found this one over at Positively Splendid.

 

This one is for quilters--check it out!


And for anyone even mildly interested in Halloween Art, this is an awesome giveaway:

(You know I had to put something in about Halloween.)

I think there was another quilty one starting out there, but can't find it right now.  When I do, I'll post it!


AHA!  Found it!

Giveaway winner!

Well, there were 7 qualified entries, so I handwrote them on strips of paper and tossed them into a Christmas mug (because I am still taking down Christmas and it was handy!)

J-Man did the honors and this is the name he drew:

Congratulations, Lori! Email me your address and I'll get your fabric out this week!

New (Fabric) Year

Five days into the new year I was already buying new fabric.  Fabric.com had some deals I just couldn't turn away, and shipping is free over $35.00.  So I bought another yard of this fabric, just because I fell in love with it the first time.  I still haven't made DD any placemats yet, but I don't have to worry about not having enough when I finally decide on a pattern. 

My stash of reds are getting skimpy and so are my greens, so these two 1-yard cuts went into the virtual shopping cart as well.

 The camera didn't show the colors well, but that's a spruce green on the left.

And because I can't seem to get enough snow (!), I fell for this print:

Three days later, my order arrived.  That was fast!   But the two yards I ordered of a new Benartex fabric weren't there.  Instead, they had enclosed 2 yards of this fabric:



Now it's lovely fabric, and it was more expensive per yard, but it wasn't what I ordered.

So I phoned customer service and spoke to a very nice lady named Leslie.  Leslie told me just to keep the Michael Miller Carnival Blooms fabric, and stated they would send me the Paris Cats striped fabric as ordered.  And she didn't even balk when I asked if they'd double my yardage, because since I placed my order 3 days ago, the fabric has been marked down half price.  I offered to pay shipping, since it didn't cost me anything the first time, and 4 yards of fabric are heavier than 2, but she declined my offer. 

This is the email I received from her:

Hello ,
We apologize for the error regarding your order #106____. Your replacement order # 106____ has been processed and will be shipped immediately. In this case, there is no need to return the fabric to us. Please use it for another project or donate the item to a local cause or sewing guild.

If you have any additional questions, please do not hesitate to contact us. Thank you for shopping at Fabric.com. We are sorry for any inconvenience this may have caused you.


Leslie Weigel


Fabric.com


Customer Service


1-888-455-2940

Fabric.com can chalk up a new convert.  Their shipping time is so fast that unless I'd waited until the last possible moment for a project,  it would not be an incovenience at all. And this was so quickly and graciously resolved, how could I be upset?

So friends, this could be your lucky weekend! I'm going to give this bonus fabric away. All you have to do is tell me your favorite winter tree.  You know, the one that, when it's all bare, makes you take a second look because the outline of it is so interesting or beautiful or striking.  I think mine would have to be apple trees, because they're so twisted and gnarly and when the leaves are gone, they look almost spooky in their nakedness. What's your favorite?

The catch is, you must have commented on my blog before today.  I don't participate in giveaways that will only allow you to participate if you link to their blog or become a follower--that makes me think of buying votes.  I think if you've stuck with me and my little blog through the dry spells and boring posts, you should be rewarded!

So, all you faithful cyber-friends, leave me a comment with your favorite winter tree on this post before midnight Sunday night, and I'll draw a name Monday morning.  (And if it's a fabric you don't really care that much for, think about giving it to a friend or your own guild.)

Good luck!

Two-week time delay

That's what I seem to be experiencing! I finally have my reader count under 50, but I haven't kept up with my own blogging.  I'm behind in Christmas preparations, I just found the Christmas cards today, the tree is up with lights but no ornaments,  and I have to get out some thank yous. "Time flies when you're having fun" they tell me.  But they also say time seems to go faster as you get older.  Well, either I'm getting old rather quickly, or I'm having lots more fun than I am able to remember. 

The Friday morning after Thanksgiving, we left for my daughter's in VA--a 7 1/2 hour drive.  (I need to remember to send a thank you card to the vet for the doggy Prozac--Tandi traveled really well!) J-Man caught my virus and then passed it on to DD.  It was a family thing--share and share alike. It was nice to see her little city and her office and be able to visualize some of the things she mentions.  She made a point of driving us past one of the hospitals in town. (Did I mention she's trying to persuade us to move up there?)

Mealtime for the animals was a bit busy, but they minded their manners pretty well. 

( left to right: Beautiful But Dumb cat, Cute Chihuahua Mix dog, Tandi, Grumpy Old Man cat)

 It was a nice time, over too quickly as usual, but she's coming down here next week and it'll be good to see them all again.  Yep, the cats are coming, too, as DD has lost her cat-sitter.  Grumpy Old Man cat hates to travel and will yowl approximately 4 hours of the trip.  Beautful But Dumb cat will yowl some, because if Grumpy yowls, it must be the thing to do. Cute Chihuahua Mix dog loves to ride in the car, however.  She's a great little traveler.

Better DD than me.

In the meantime, amongst all the shopping and MD appointments and laundry and work party, the mailman has been mighty welcome at my house.  Look what he brought:

Fabric won from Kate, my name kindly chosen by  Archie, her cat:

Note the Halloween colors! And it has such a nice hand to it.

Fabric bought from Maggie via her eBay auction:

(just the fabrics; the rest will be explained later)

I love batiks!

And look what Lettie sent me from Hawaii: gorgeous fabric, a mug rug, a pincushion, and a yo-yo key ring!

Lettie is the yo-yo queen!  Check out her blog to see what she can do with yo-yos!
Isn't that pincusion just the cutest thing?  Can you see the little bead "sprinkles" on that doughnut?

And macadamias! Omigosh, if these make it to Christmas unopened it'll be a miracle!  What a sweetheart!

And just because I was a good girl and hauled hiney over to my gynecologist's office for the first time in 3 years, I treated myself to these little goodies from one of the local quilt shops:

(OK, now it's time for the rest of the picture)

I had every intention of making that table runner from some Christmas fabrics, but it ain't gonna happen.

In addition, I bought these from fabric.com:

I really like that "Bottled Poetry" fabric. I'd thought of making DD some napkins from it, but it's so pretty, I'm thinking of placemats instead, because I just can't cut it into small pieces!

The holiday plaids were intended to become Christmas gift bags, but again: ain't gonna happen this year.

The bad news is brother and his wife won't be able to come up for Christmas this year. 8^(.
The good news is I don't have to empty out the sewing room for them, so I might get to work on DD's string quilt.  It's on my list of hopeful finishes for Finn's UFO challenge.

Speaking of which, I did finish one item on the list:

It's a tablerunner made from 3 of 12 swap blocks I got 8 years ago.  Hand-pieced and hand-quilted, it was a soothing bit of handwork to take along to appointments or watch TV and do.  In fact, I was actually able to use it for about 3 weeks! The other 9 blocks are assembled into a table topper, but that's only made it to flimsy stage. That one will be machine-sewn for sure.

Well, that's my month in a very large nutshell.  Not much happening, to have been so busy. I have to say, though, I haven't been stressing about what's not getting done. Usually I'd be totally over-committed by now, and pulling my hair out from frustration.  Maybe it was J-Man's illness that made us all slow down and just enjoy being together, no matter what. Maybe it's just tiredness. Or anti-motivation.

Because I swear I didn't take any of Tandi's doggy-Prozac.

Giveaway site

Sketchbook Maggie posted this link to a terrific giveaway--a box of gorgeous fabrics! You've got until Wed. to enter, so go take a look!

More Fun

Just had to share some more fun and giveaways with you. I'm really enjoying the new computer and looking forward to getting my EQ5 loaded up, since the old computer wouldn't run it. So while I do that, here are a couple of giveaways and a fun site to visit.

Cheryl of Polkadots and Rickrack is having a one-year blogiversary giveaway. She has the cutest little doll, some luscious fabric, John James needles (love those) and flat head pins to send to some lucky winner. AND, she has the cutest new little grandson!

Joanna of Applique Today is also celebrating her one-year blogiversary with a giveaway--a cute little framed Fall wall hanging, if you'll share your favorite season with her.

I haven't finished looking around, so if I find any more giveaways I'll post them too.

In the meantime, this is a fun place to visit! I've created one for myself and might just have to scan it for my heading one day.

When I learn to work the scanner/copier/printer/fax machine.

After I get it out of the box and placed somewhere.

Anyway, enjoy!

http://wordle.net/

2 Out of 3 Ain't Bad

Well, I have officially finished both my 4 Seasons Summer Quilt Swap, and the little quilt for my giveaway. Here they are:

This is the one for my swap partner, who needs to remain nameless just a bit longer, since I have yet to mail this off:


Now the one for my giveaway:

As you can see, it's a smaller than the swap quilt, and that is why I'm giving it away--it didn't meet the size requirements posted. But it's basically the same--borders are different and I turned one fish to swim against the crowd, same as the one I'm making me:

I do like the brights, so my borders are a bit wilder, and this is the Papa Bear of them all by size. See, the fish are appliqued, but the quilting, binding and embellishing aren't done yet. I should have this one finished in the next day or so.

The pattern came ouf of Quick Quilts Sept. 2006. It caught my eye from the very beginning and I had decided to make one for us some day, so when it came time for the summer swap, the deal was sealed. It's rated "Easy", but to my mind, this is an intermediate level.

So that's it! Drawing will be by J-Man in the morning at 10:00, so I will be cutting off entries at 9:30 EDT to give me time to gather the names together. To see most of the other items in the giveaway, and be eligible for the drawing, be sure to leave a comment on this post, along with a way to reach you; either email or blog URL.

Good luck, everyone!

One More Day!

(Scroll down for the answer to last Saturday's movie trivia question)

Rough weekend at work! I think what jinxed me was taking the swap quilt to work to hand stitch the binding during "slower moments". Ha! Now I'm happy to be home and participating in a little fabric therapy.

I've found a few more items to add to my birthday/200th post/cleaning-up-the-sewing-room giveaway.

This is a wooden scroll-type plaque ready to paint and place on a wreath, or above a craft display:


Next are two little gold-tone angels, and a 3-dimensional pewter sewing machine, which could be used for embellishments:


The drawing is tomorrow at 10:00am, so you still have time to visit this post and leave a comment. I know it's a long post, but those blogs are worth visiting, as were the blogs I mentioned in a similar post. Besides, don't you want to see all the items I'm going to mail someone?

Good luck, everyone!

Twice the Fun

I'm blown away! Lettie, of Polkadot Pineapple, has honored me with the Arte y Pico award! Yep, that makes me a two-time winner. Move over, Oscars! I've got something more valuable!

Actually, she did this on 7/11, and it was so close on the heels of my first Oscar, er, Artie, I forgot to mention it. That makes me seem ungrateful, but really, I'm very grateful. I'm grateful for those of you who visit my little scrapbox and play movie trivia with me and offer suggestions for my quilting dilemmas and like my photos. In the year since I started blogging, I have swapped Halloween goodies with fellow ghosties, swapped quiltlets with people from around the world, found (and sometimes tried) new recipes, learned new words, sponsored another little girl, vented, laughed, mused, and cried. My life is so much richer with all you cyber-friends in it. Who knew?

So, since I've been doubly blessed, I will do the same. First, the Arte y Pico:


This is what it means:
What is the meaning of the expression: Arte y Pico
Basically, ironically, it translates into a wonderful phrase in Mexico, “lo maximo.” LOL! It will never find its counterpart in English, but if it HAD to, it would be something like, Wow. The Best Art. Over the top.

This is why it's given:
This lovely statue is called the "Arte y Pico" award which was created to be given to bloggers who inspire others with their creative energy and talents no matter whether it be in the form of writing, artwork, design, interesting material, or contributions to the blogger community. When a blogger receives this award it is considered a "special honor" and, once presented to you, it is to be passed on to at least 5 other bloggers who meet the criteria.

The rules:

1. You have to pick 5 blogs that you consider deserving of this award.

2. Each award has to have the name of the author and a link to his/her blog to be visited by everyone.

3. Each award winner has to show the award and put the name and link to the blog that presented her/him with the award.

4.The award winner and one who has given the prize have to show the link of "Arte y Pico" blog so everyone will know the origin of this award.

5. To show these rules.

Okey dokey.

Here are 5 more bloggers I'd like to send this on to:

Ellia of Greenbean baby. This is one of the first blogs I ever started reading. Ellia does very intricate cut paper work of the cutest cast of characters you ever saw. She is a SAHM to Diego and Isabella who are no doubt the inspiration for her designs, and married to Ramel, an artist in his own right. If you get a chance, check out her Etsy store--if it hasn't all sold out yet!

Julie Stiles Mills (no, not the actress Julia Stiles) has several blogs, but the one I read most often is Pragmatic Compendium. I won my first giveaway from her site--a copy of "Kite Runner". Julie is so very down to earth, funny, and caring. She would deserve the award for this entry alone, but you must read more. One of her posts gives a website where you can figure out how much your donations to charity thrift shops are worth for tax deduction purposes. She's a very handy gal to have around!

I don't remember how I found Wendy of Wisdom of the Moon, but I'm glad I did, if for no more than her worm composting tutorial. What a blast! She has 4 kiddos, "only one of who was raised from scratch", is in love with her husband and is trying to tread lightly on the world. I've only been reading her blog for about 3 weeks now, but she's on my Reader already.

A blogger I found last week is Jessie, of Diary of a Self-Portrait. She has re-started her "Be Brave" movement (check her July 8 entry), and I am giving it some serious thought. Jessie is an artist with a passion for dogs and life. I am enjoying reading her past entries and learning more about her.

Last, but most definitely not least, is Stefani of Blue Yonder. Mom to 3 bright, active, funny little boys, she writes of her and her husband's efforts to raise these little guys into wonderful men. She turns everything into a life experience or memory for them. We should all have such moms. Life is never dull there, and this post will have you rolling in the aisles. Once you start reading her blog, you're hooked. It's a healthy addiction, though.

Well, that's the roster. My Google Reader list is getting longer and longer by the day, and now I'm starting to have to choose between sewing and blog-reading. (I already chose between my blogroll and housework; THAT one was a no-brainer). If it comes down to choosing between work and visiting all my blog friends, well, we might be back on the red beans and rice diet.

Now for the second part of the "Twice the Fun" title, and your reward for sticking with this extra-long post: I'm having a giveaway.

I know, it's about darn time! Well, I missed my 100th post, and I missed my one year blogiversary, but there are always events to be celebrated here in blogland, no?

Sometime in the next week or so will be my 200th post. (Good Lord willing and the creeks don't rise.) Also, it's my birthday. Today. It was at ten past midnight, to be exact, so let the party begin!

First in the package:

That's a yard of 100% cotton, quilt shop quality fabric, from the "101 Wishes" line by Makower. With it is a little box of tiny gold glass beads, suitable for embellishing or other crafts, and a strip of hand-painted silk.


Next is a package of inkjet magnetic sheets:

I don't remember why I bought these, nor why I bought so many, but the package has never been opened, and I'm sure one of you crafty ladies can figure out a use for them.

Next up:

A package of three little brass stencil cards, also never used.

A set of small rubber stamps with symbols for sun, moon, sky, star:

I still love rubber stamping but I have more than I will ever use. (Not that that has ever stopped me before.) These can be used with fabric paint to stamp labels for the backs of quilts, or on aprons, or with regular ink for stationery, etc.

This is a hanging magnetic board with 2 magnets:

I won a giveaway at BooMama's blog, and couldn't decide which of two items I wanted more, so I won one and bought the other.
I have the wrapped canvas hanging in the kitchen above my Hoosier, but really don't have a place for this board. Since I have the saying on a bracelet already, I thought I'd pass this one on to another life-lover.

Finally, remember the little quiltlet I was making for my swap partner that is too small for the requirements? It's such a cute pattern, and I'm already making myself a larger one, so I will finish this little one and include it. But I can't post a photo until I get the swap quilt mailed off.

Other things might find their way into the box, too, being as it's still a week til it gets mailed. You never know.

Okay, how do you win? Post a comment on this entry anytime between now and midnight July 30. That's it. Well, you have to give me at least an email address or a blogsite so I can reach you, of course. I'll write these all down on strips of paper and have J-Man pick one out at random. Now is the time for all you lurkers to show yourselves! Come out, come out, wherever you are!

Giveaways

Lettie at Polkadot Pineapple is having a cute giveaway--a polkadot Christmas stocking! All you gotta do is share one of your favorite Christmas memories here.

Then there's a cool camera giveaway at a blog I read about from --where DID I get this? Anyway, it's a Sony digital, but I can't tell you much more than that, because my computer cuts off the sentences. Looks pretty nice, though, and who has enough cameras?

Oh, and here's another for a grocery tote bag and produce bag. You must post a blog about what you do to be "green". Details at the site.

Back to work!

Wins and Hopefuls

Hey, I won some giveaways!

First, and I am so sorry I forgot to post it earlier, was a book from Julie at Pragmatic Compendium. In fact, I was second choice, because Mommybrain had just won a rocking horse for her twins, and graciously bowed out of the winning of this book.

Thanks to Julie and Mommybrain both! I'm only half through with it, but it's because I have to force myself to break away to do mundane things like cook, clean, work, etc...

And last week, on BooMama's site, Show-Offs Art was giving away a small magnetic board, a large magnetic board, and a wrapped canvas. When I got the email from Annette stating I'd won, I asked which was mine and she said to just pick what I wanted!

Since I was incapable of making difficult decisions last night, I chose this one:


and then bought this one:


Be sure and read the story of how they got started--it's beautiful.

Maybe I should try buying a lottery ticket, huh? I seem to be on a roll.

In the hopes of winning more, here are a couple of giveaways I'm entering:
Pat at Bits and Pieces is having a giveaway of quilty items if you'll tell her the name of your favorite quilt shop. Count me in!

And I read about it at Lettie's blog, Polkadot Pineapple (don't you just love that name?), who is having a giveaway of her own, so I entered that one, too!

Now, I know I've been tagged by Lori, but I'm gonna need to think on these a bit, so I'll get to it later!

Contests and Giveaways

Here is a fun one involving words of wisdom from our mothers: May's Blue Yonder First Monday Contest
Her blog is always fun to read. Besides, her name is Stefani, too, even though she spells it differently, so hey, gotta be good, right?

This one is for a $100.00 gift certificate from Target:
http://b-nn.com/2008/05/bloggedin-bounty-may-2008/

The Pioneer Woman Cooks just had a Cuisinart Giveaway and there are to be another 2 coming up soon, so you may want to watch her blog. Besides that, she has some fantastic recipes and just had about 5000 emailed in for a giveaway so there are lots to peruse!

There, that should keep you busy for a bit as I work and hash out my Mother's Day post.

Commercial Break

Best Buy is giving away a Bluetooth MP3 player via this website: 5 Minutes for Mom. It looks really neat, and as we have no MP3 players in this household -- yet--I'm looking forward to winning this one! lol So go visit the site and look this thing over. What fun!