Learn2Quilt

This blog has been one I have been following for the last month.  It has great how-to instructions for beginners, binder sets you can purchase to learn more about a specific area of quilting and so much more!  Chris has gone the extra mile to create a blog that strictly teaches others how to quilt!!  Nothing can beat that folks:) 

The whole month of November she is doing a giveaway with the chance to win one of 4 different prize packages--yippeeee!

Are you in???!!!  Go check her out NOW!!! 

Enjoy Sunday,

Sara

For a special friend indeed

I have been talking AND talking about this "quilt" that I am piecing---then sandwiching and then quilting.  OH and then binding.  Well this has gone on long enough in my book so here is the big reveal.  Just been putting it off because the person whom is receiving this quilt, that I am sooo very proud of, doesn't actually get it until next month.  Still top secret stuff, but I couldn't help myself, hope she doesn't figure it out;)

The quilt top looking all pretty:) approx. 35"x37" wall hanging

see the pockets for some photos or cards---very nice!

Don't you just love the colors here---so calming to me!!

Hand embroidery for the curvy lines

stitch in the ditch in a matching dark blue Sulky thread

my hubby's idea for the backing!

This quilt is very special to me because it is for such a very special lady to me:)

Blanket stitched to the back

Woweee!!!  I got through it and I am feeling that great feeling inside, to say the least, that this gift is going to make a certain someone feel VERY blessed!!! 

May you feel this blessed as you quilt  for someone you dearly love and cherish:)

Take care,

Sara

Yummy Picker Uppers

For all of ya'll that participated in the Fall Into Fall Giveaway recently know that when I say it was so much fun---IT WAS sooo MUCH fun!!!  Yikes!!  I won one of them and it was from Diane over at Sideroadstitcher.  Please feel free to go see her blog and make a comment on any of her posts:)  These are the gifts I received from her today:

I have the perfect scissors for that scissor holder and also I can't wait to stitch the bird pattern;)  The flags and tags will come in handy as well.  Then there is the fabric which a girl can never get enough of as you all know.  (Thank you Diane for everything and some extra scraps too!)

Yesterday I found a very scented package at my door and when I opened it I was ready to go take a bath--take a bath with WONDERLAND BATH that is of course!  My friend, Luci (whom is from MY home state of WI) has started up a bath products business and she wanted some feedback about all her products.  I will tell you this, so far I have worn the Coconut lip gloss twice--yum!  I have also received a tangerine bar, shampoo and conditioner and pear soap bar.  ooh,la,la right?!  Now I have to give some good feedback Luci said so I guess I will have to take some showers with it------------darn, darn!  ***sarcasm inserted***  Just the box it all came in smells VERY lovely!!!  I L.O.V.E. the name of her business too:)  Go over to Luci's blog and see what you can find in her store on Etsy that is calling your name!!

ALSO, don't forget to go on over to Stephany's blog to check out her giveaway!!


Happy Wednesday!

Sara

Sewing to my hearts content ; )

Soooo close to being done with my secret Lucy Goosey quilt.  I am sewing on the binding for the LAST side as we speak.  I stayed up pretty late last night working on this task because I would like to have it done for Amy's Creative Side challenge *smile* as well.  I would love to be entered into the drawing for some Fandango fabric--what beautiful threads!

I have not bought those hair clips that they sell at Joann's for a ridiculous price.  Therefore, I have come to the conclusion that bobby pins work wonderfully!!

Thought it would be really sweet if I did up an embroidered quilt label again too as I did for my dad's flag quilt. 

bible verse from 1Thess. 5:11

I added some flowers to compliment some of the flower prints on the quilt top.  By doing so, I picked up the lazy daisy stitch quite easily after doing a couple of petals.  Then I added the stem stitch into the mix.  Really loving the way it turned out.  L.O.V.E. embroidery Period: )  Now to attach it to the back of my quilt and stand back to admire my work *blush.*  My heart is filled for the day!  What a great way to spend a Sunday.

Check out Green Fairy Quilts for a pretty package that you could win!!!

Enjoy the day,

Sara

Design on a dime?

I have seen these design wall "deals" everywhere and I WANTED to make my own as soon as I could!  My friend, Stephany was throwing away a framed picture that was the perfect size for my little plan;)  I didn't jump on this thought right away though and it got snatched by another friend down the street:(  Lucky me, she gave it back due to her not having time to do anything with it!

Onward:)  I also stole asked Steph for some spray paint to cover up some ugly spots on the frame.  Joann's was having a $2.99 a yd sale on felt and so I had already bought a 1 1/2 yds.  I got to work and proceeded to put about three layers on the wood frame and then wrapped the felt around the picture and added electrical tape to hold it in place.  Then I placed the newly covered picture into the frame.  WELL.....maybe not so quick as I am trying to perceive it as here;)  First, I found out that the only way for this thing to fit back into the frame was to remove all the staples around the whole frame: /  Yucky, but doable.  In place of the staples, I added a screw to each side to anchor the felted picture.  Voila---- Masterpiece!!

as you can see I haven't finished my pumpkin project yet- naughty me!

Time for bed.  It's hard work coming up with all these ideas and well I have to go dream some more about quilting anyways **wink,wink**

Before you head off to bed, like this little guy did hours ago, please do yourself a favor and go see boy or girled cheese  for an amazing giveaway happening this moment until the 31st of Oct.

he's all mine:)

Night ya'll!

Sara

sweet deal for me; )

sorry about the pic, you can't see the beautiful flowers on it,learning as I go!

Joann's is having a sale--imagine THAT;)  How about a sale good enough to have Kona on sale for $3.99 a YD and red tag fabric is 1/2 off of the already slashed price-OH and also McCall patterns are 99 cents!!  These are just a few of the deals I took advantage of in my last trip there.

I paid $2 for this yellow flowered fabric (2yds) and purse pattern---great deal--great deal! 

Have you gotten any great deals on quilting/sewing notions lately?

BTW, I am almost finished with my secret Santa quilt for a special someone with the Lucy Goosey pattern---eeeeeeekkkkkk!!!   I know it has been taking me awhile with this one---it takes time to make things perfect folks!!  LOL!

 P.S. This boy's  (say hi to Avery) mama is having a special giveaway that you have to go see!! Check out Steph's blog!!  You are not going to regret it: )  : )

XX 

Sara

99 Things about ME!

Things you've already done in bold. Things you want to do in italics. Things you haven't done and don't want to, leave in plain font. Let me know in the comments if you have played along!

1. started your own blog!
2.  slept under the stars
3. played in a band
4. visited Hawaii
5. watched a meteor shower
6. given more than you can afford to charity
7. been to Disneyland/World
8. climbed a mountain
9. held a praying mantis
10. sang a solo
11. was in the Nutcracker in grade school
12. visited Paris
13. watched a lightning storm at sea
14. taught yourself an art from scratch
15. adopted a child
16. had food poisoning
17. walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. grown your own vegetables
19. seen the Mona Lisa in France 20. slept on an overnight train
21. had a pillow fight  
22. hitch hiked
23. taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. built a snow fort
25. held a lamb
26. went on a Catamaran cruise
27. run a marathon
28. ridden a gondola in Venice
29. seen a total eclipse
30. watched a sunrise or sunset
31. lived in AZ and GA two times in each state
32. been on a cruise
33. seen Niagara Falls in person
34. visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. seen an Amish community
36. taught yourself a new language
37. had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. gone rock climbing
40. seen Michelangelo's David in person
41. sung karaoke
42.seen Old Faithful geiser erupt
43. bought a stranger a meal in a restaurant
44. visited Africa
45. walked on a beach by moonlight
46. been transported in an ambulance
47. had your portrait painted
48. gone deep sea fishing
49. seen the Sistene Chapel in person
50. been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris (lovely!)
51. gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. kissed in the rain
53. played in the mud
54. gone to a drive-in theatre
55. been in a movie
56. visited the Great Wall of China
57. started a business (Feral Ceramics!)
58. taken a martial arts class
59. visited Russia
60. served at a soup kitchen
61. sold Girl Guide cookies
62. gone whale watching
63. gotten flowers for no reason
64. donated blood
65. gone sky diving
66. visited a Nazi concentration camp (Dachau)
67. bounced a cheque
68. flown in a helicopter
69. saved a favorite childhood toy
70. went to St Kitts island
71. eaten caviar
72. pieced a quilt (LOL too funny this one! Yes, yes, yes!)
73. stood in Times Square
74. toured the Everglades
75. been fired from a job
76. seen the Changing of the Guard in London
77. broken a bone
78. been on a speeding motorcycle
79. seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. published a book
81. visited the Vatican
82. bought a brand new car
83. walked in Jerusalem
84. had your picture in the newspaper
85. read the entire bible
86. visited the White House
87. killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. had chickenpox
89. saved someone’s life
90. sat on a jury 
91. met someone famous
92. proud Army wife
93. lost a loved one
94. had a baby
95. petted a sting ray
96. swam in the Atlantic Ocean
97. been involved in a law suit (thankfully no!)
98. owned a cell phone (who hasn't?)
99. been stung by a bee
Your turn:)




****Sidenote: Go check out my friend Stephanie's blog for a cute giveaway--go see JUST HOW CUTE it really is people!!!


Enjoy your day,

Sara 

Admiration

 Terri of  Sew Fantastic had a great idea recently that she posted on her blog=)  She used comic book boards to organize her fabric by size and color--HELLO!!!  What a creative little quilter that Terri is!!! 

took me 3 days with an hr here and there

When I first started doing this, I was filled with awe right away (doesn't take much for me!)  I was hooked;)  The boards are so cheap at $9 for 100 boards and ACID FREE people!!!  I used a pin to hold the fabric in place and I wrapped everything that was FQ size and bigger.  (don't buy a lot of yardage always, so I have A LOT of FQ'S!!)  I can tell you EXACTLY what I have now---what A concept: P 

OH and some love to my girl Steph for helping me out with some of these yesterday.  I got her hooked now too BTW!  She kept admiring her work after she wrapped each "bolt." 

One more thing to add, this is VERY THERAPEUTIC folks!!!!!  Having a bad day at work,with the kiddos or ready to throw in the towel on a sewing project---fold some fabric around some comic book boards--he,he,he,he : )

Go create something!

Sara

How cute is that?!

I have been wanting to play around with some felt and make a needle book.  I had bought some felt a month ago and then it sat in a drawer.  Then Terri over at Terri's Notebook had made a really adorable one shaped as a hexagon!!  Too sweet to pass it up so I finally buckled down and tried my hand at hexies.  Not addicted quite yet, but they are pretty simple.  The vintage fabric "Holly Hobby" I used wasn't very thick so it was a little tedious, but in the end it turned out just fine;)  Instead of the "d" hook the tutorial called for I used some cute ribbon to dress it up some more.  Creativity satisfied and another useful item to marvel away at every day!!

a little zigzag stitching

needles already in place:)

chenille needles for some embroidery action;)

Night!

Sara

A little here, a little there

Fabric that is!!!

There is a forum called Talk About Fabric headed up by Little-Bluebell and her DH.  They have giveaways constantly.  Naturally I enter away and see what my luck will bring or---- not bring:)
Well I won one and it was for 5 FQ'S of some Castle Peeps!!!  Now, what to do with these puppies:p

Then my new friend, Natalia over at PieceNQuilt has a quilting group on Twitter that meets on Tuesday nights called Talkin' Tuesdays!  She does a giveaway every week that either she or someone else sponsors.  So a couple of weeks ago, I won a $20 gift certificate to her online store;)

I ended up purchasing 4 yds of some beautiful fabric:)  I have three projects that they are going to be used for;)  

All in all, I have been very blessed this last couple of weeks and I am very thankful to my bloggie friends for giving away so many quilting treasures all the time!!!

P.S. GO check out Alderwood Quilts for a GO at winning an AccuQuilt GO!!!!  (See I had to get another GIVEAWAY in there;))


Enjoy your evening,

Sara

WE HAVE A WINNER!!!!!!!!!

Thank you so MUCH for all the individuals that visited my blog and a lot of you that shared some really yummy recipes using apples.  I am going to be going through the comments very often now to retrieve recipes and ideas in the next week or so;)

I have GAINED 18 followers and I had 81viewers to my my blog!!!!  That is pretty impressive to me because after all, this was my very first giveaway!!  So thank you all for making this a memorable trip(can't wait to come up with another reason to do a giveaway)!

THANK you Debi for making this ALL possible and allowing bloggers everywhere to enjoy themselves completely and GAIN some new friends at best!!! 

Please come back for more quilting goodness and to give me some good advice and/or a listening ear along the way:)


OOOOHHHHH so who is the winner you ask???????????????????????

I asked Mr Scarecrow (as my Ayden calls him) if he would like to pick a number and this is the look I got from him.

 He said he would love to help me out, but at this time of the year he was a little occupied with all the preparations for some holiday ---he referred to it as Halloween, I believe.  SO........................

Then I went up to our 75 lb boxer and asked him and this is the face I got in return.

He was a little sad because he had planned on going outside to catch some squirrels, he wasn't ready to pick out numbers for momma's drawing --of all things, and so he just gave me this face, a simple RUFF and walked away.  SO...............

How about Ayden?????  HE would help his momma:)

See how happy he was to help me;)

sorry for the blur:(

He had just woken up----so give him some love here!!!! 

"Momma I have a number!!"



AND that number IS:

Just JaiCi's Crafts said...

I have found a GREAT recipe for Apple-pie BARS! Then they're not messy...my husband can't wait to try them :) Thanks for this chance! JaiCi you got your chance to win----Congrats!!!!!!!  I will now have my chance to try out those Apple-pie bars you speak of fondly!! ;)   (I noticed on your blog that you said that you never win---well think again missy!!!) JaiCi please wait patiently as I type up an email to you to let you know that you have WON!!!! And people, you have your chance to go see Jaici's blog---go,go,go now to see what she has cooking up over at her house blog!!! Alrighty everyone----- thank you one more time for taking the time to visit little ole' me and making my days all smiles ;):):):) Take care and talk to ya'll soon, Sara

Pumpkin Goodness

You see I had this little embroidered project that I finished last month.  It was sitting on my white wall looking down at me while I sewed----AND sewed some more.  It was calling me to tell me that some nice pumpkin companions would be nice and maybe some more colorful friends along the way:)  This is what I came up with using Silly Boo Dilly's tutorial.

I vowed to use only scraps from my stash bin for the backing--I was on a mission for a few hrs after that thought.  VERY stunning results in my opinion!!

Sunflowers aren't normally an eye catcher for me, but with the orange and yellow they seem to take on some life;)  The black makes all the colors jump out.  *Proud quilter*


I will, I will, I will be making some more wonky stars in the future.  They are too much goodness to pass on by.  My heart is in love with some wonkyness!!


Will post pics when this is complete;)

Have a lovely day quilters,

Sara

Couldn't Pass Them By...

Started with a trip to Aiken Quilt Shoppe for some of their Chez Moi and Momo.  If you are ever in the SC area and are looking for a great shop with very down to earth staff look no further--this is the place to go!  They will cut a fat quarter from any bolt and they have a galvanized tub full of fabric(didn't see that as the owner had it for a quilt retreat--NOW I have to go back for sure!).

Saturday came and I decided that once seeing a yard sale with lots of fabric for sale posted on Craigslist that I had to go check it out.  7:45 we were at the house that was supposed to have the "goods."  We pull up (Ayden and I), get out and I start looking around as we cross the street.  I don't see any fabric:/  I go straight to the owner of this event and ask her.  She informed me that there were cars lined up at 6AM (mind you the sale didn't start until 7AM!) WHY were they there??  For fabric silly!  The poor woman had to relunctantly give up her huge Hefty bags of priceless threads immediately----------- or ELSE!

Needless to say, all she had left was a bag of some girly ballerina fabric:(  No thanks!  Anyway, I gave her my info and hope to hear from her soon.  She commented that she still had 5 totes inside to go through yet:P

Four Veggie Tales later and some stuffing for pillows, I didn't have my fabric dosage:/  I knew that the Quilt Shop on the Corner downtown Augusta was having a 30% sale until the 31st due to the closing of their store (unfortunately).  After 1/2 hr of trying to track down this place (only been there once with a friend), a stop at a bakery for some energy food--we made it to the quilt shop at least 45 min. before they opened their doors!!  Veggie Tales it is--thank goodness for car DVD players:O)  The owner let us in 1/2 an hr early--well because she is this awesome lady whom listened to my Ayden for an hour contently while mommy searched the shelves for some steals!! 

The last three pics above are the fruits of my labor *beaming*  She had a wash basin full of scraps.  My brain naturally went to my fall embroidery project  that needs to be "blocked" and backed and dug right in.  As you can see I got some great fall/Halloween prints in there.  Even found some bird fabric for my friend Steph **psyched**  Filled a bag for $4 plus 30% off-SCORE!!   Also, found lots of greens for my sherbet quilt top. Best find there was the Amy Butler fabric that I adore sew much.  $36 later not bad---we were outta there.  Now Steph wants to go there and sneak a peek too--soon honey, soon.  MY fabric spending is at a halt for this month--cut myself off----- or else!!

WARNING!!  I have not been able to do that yet so I am not guilty one bit folks---maybe a tiny bit, but not too much!  Early B-day gift?

P.S. The "Wordless Wednesday" wasn't going to cut it for this adventure;)

P.P.S. If you are wanting to shower me with some more love on my already flourishing giveaway please go HERE.  Thank you, thank you wholeheartedly for willingly gambling for your chance to win some great notions and fabric---CAN'T wait to pick the winner on Oct. 15th.

Love ya bloggie friends,

Sara

Dreamin' On No More

Well I am finally able to drool over the Dream On fabric line in person:P  Now I just need a project to use these beauties up!!  Oranges,pinks,,yellows, greens are so appealing and so vintage:) 

While I was at one of my new favorite quilt shops I also found some of this pretty lime green fabric to go with my sherbet quilt top that I will be starting soon.  I do know that it is going to be a stacked coin quilt from the Fons and Porter magazine a couple months ago.

Just think the lady at the store said they didn't carry this line--I did a little exploring and found it by accident!  What a great day for me:)

See you soon,

Sara

Quilt Chat Tonight!

Come JOIN IN!!

This is headed up by Natalia of PiecenQuilt and she is doing an amazing job of entertaining us:P There is also a giveaway sponsored by a different quilter/sewer every week!!! 

What better way to spend a Tuesday evening!!

What are you waiting for???


GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO...................!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

See you there,

Sara

Thank yous!!!

Thank you first to all my new followers and some old that have made a comment on my blog for the Fall Into Fall Giveaway that ends October 15th!!

This is turning into a very exciting time and thank you Debi for making it worthwhile!!!


Who is this handsome little guy to my left?  Ayden has been adorned with a new costume this year for Halloween as an assassin!!  (Not my idea!)  Doesn't he look cute!!!!  You are thinking I created this??  -----This is all the work of my hubby, Josh!!  He bought all the material and designed the whole thing:)  Took him about a month with his work schedule, but he managed to finish it!  Now he is headed off into Warrant Officer training through the Army for the next 6 weeks!  We are VERY PROUD of him!!!!

We will be missing him dearly, but thank goodness for a God who love me soo much, a 2 yr old's energy, bible study and sewing projects to keep my mind busy!!!

Don't forget to enter my giveaway if you haven't already right here.


P.S.  Don't forget to get entered in a drawing for a 2011 Sewing Calendar as well over at The Creative Juices of Ariel too!!!

Take care,

Sara

Fall Into Fall Quilter's Blog Giveaway:)****COMMENTS CLOSED****

So Excited that Debi over at Quilting with Debi thought of this great idea to do a blog hop!!!!  Thank you Debi!!!  Please take advantage of this hop and click on my scarecrow to the right of my blog and check out the list of participating bunny hoppers;)  Thank you participants for making this all come true!!!


Without further adieu......................................................this is what I am giving away:


                                 Fun cotton and flannel novelty prints

                               
                          
                             Rayon prints in various colors

 

 And then I thought how about a few notions that I have that are just collecting dust!! June Tailor ruler, Omnigrid small ruler, a pincushion with pins and some baseball buttons--just because they are cute, BUT I don't think I will ever USE them;);)


Rules are as follows (I know, I know why does everything have to have rules??!!  LOL:P  Keeping it simple--promise.)

U.S. entries ONLY please!! 
Non-reply comments automatically disqualified unless you include an email address to be contacted at.
Winner drawn on October 15th and notified by email.

 THE SCOOP ON HOW TO GET A CHANCE TO WIN?????????


1. Since it is FALL, you are welcome to tell me your favorite apple recipe and if you don't cook/bake tell me your favorite thing about fall :)2. If you want to be my friend:) please feel free to follow me:)  If you already follow me, then let me know please.
3. Post this blog giveaway on your blog  pretty please!  If you don't have a blog, then post about it on Facebook OR Twitter!



Remember you have a lot better chance to win if you do all 3 requests;)

There is going to be soooo much excitement flooding through the blog world---I cannot stand it!!!

Fall is truly a Beautiful time of the year--wouldn't you say?!

Enjoy the Fall Into Fall Quilt Giveaway and don't giveaway your chance to win something spectacular:!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sara