It's That Time Again -- SMS Giveaway Day!!

I love Sew Mama Sew's Giveaway Day (twice a year).  This will be the second Giveaway Day that I participate in --it's just so exciting.  For those of you unfamilar --

 "We coordinate one day when everyone with a shop or blog can give something away. We create a master list, and we leave the lists up for several days so readers can take their time visiting the hundreds of participating blogs and shops. We also provide some structure with categories and international shipping info. Giveaway Days have been a lot of fun for everyone involved!"  SMS


Now for my little giveaway--

• Two FQ from vintage sheets.
•  Quilt Blocks (6 in all) for you to use for pillows or a wall hanging.  The printed area is 6" x 6" with a bit of fabric for piecing.
•  One yard of a heavier weight birdhouse fabric -- perfect for a bag:)
• One pack of  7/8 "buttons to cover
• One and a half yards of crochet lace

I don't have fancy items--but I hope you like them.  All are welcome to enter;  I will ship internationally:)

                                   

1. To win leave a comment --tell me your favorite craft or quilting blog. 
2. For a second chance become a follower of  "Just One More Thing."

Make sure you check out the awesome giveaway at Flamingo Toes -- if you like jewelry and fabric, this is the one for you.

One Flower Wednesday --

I really did work on my project this week, though you have to look close to see it. I added two flowers and and a bit more than a dozen stepping stones. There is a small section that isn't attached all the way. It is actually starting to look like something. I am seriously thinking of making a wall hanging -- not so large as an actual quilt. (Or...... Maybe a baby quilt.) What do you think? Let me know.

One Flower Wednesday - Check Out My Progress!!

I really don't have much to say, but I like to show what I do each week.  It keeps me working when I am held somewhat accountable.  These are my connected flowers.  I think they are looking fine.

Last Week

This Week

This is my flower of the week.  The color is a vibrant orange,  the picture doesn't do it justice!!

Please leave a comment.  I have to admit I'm addicted to kind comments.

One Flower Wednesday: I Love My Pretty Posies

Since my last post my flowers are growing slowly but surely:)  Last post I had 23 flowers and 34 stepping stones.  Now I have 25 flowers 46 stepping stones .  Here is a picture of my joined flowers:



You can see my progress if you look at my last post.

I didn't have many comments on my last post because somehow I "lost" my pictures.  I think I fixed the problem. (Fingers crossed)
I had a comment on April 9th:
Jenny at http://www.cloverandviolet.com/  said...


Wow, those are lovely! I'm just visiting for the first time, but how large are you making this piece? I cannot wait to see how it progresses!

First, thanks for visiting and commenting, Jenny.  To answer your question I'm not really sure how large I'm making my garden.  I had visions of a double bed size, but I may change my mind.  I love the handwork, but the progress is VERY S-L-O-W.  At any rate, I'm sure I'll still be working on it next year at this time:)

If any of you have not visited Jenny's blog, I advise you to correct the situation immediately.  She makes lovely things and has great tutorials.  I have to admit I enjoy seeing the little man (her son) she posts about.  He is soooo cute.  (Almost as cute as my grandsons, lol)

Just One More Thing -- I'd like to know what all of you are making with your flowers?  This is not a rhetorical question -- I need answers!!  Can't wait to hear from you.

How Does My Garden Grow?

This week I did get one more flower made.  I really like the purple fabric.  I also made a bunch (about 20) of hexigons from the off-white floral I am going to use  in-between  the flowers. 

I started to put flowers together --I'm excited, although it may take me years to finish.  I like seeing them together like that.  I also took a few of the templates out and was amazed to see they really do come out easily.

I think this was a productive gardening week.  I think that this quilt top will look very scrappy and old fashioned.  Just the way I want it.

How big are your hexis or flowers?  My flowers are about 51/2 inches.

Five More Posies to Add to My Garden

This week I completed five flowers for my quilt.  That brings the grand total to 21. I really enjoy making these hexies.  It is so relaxing.  I enjoy seeing the flower combinations other people are making and, of course, the comments to cheer me on:) 

It is a GREAT week for GARDENING!!!!

Ok--it is still cold and rainy, with an occassional snowy day.  My poor little crocus are trying to come up, but that is outside!!  Inside I have six beautiful new blooms for One Flower Wednesday!!  That makes seventeen in all.  I know I'm slower than many of you, but I am very pleased with this weeks progress:)

Four More Blooms and Other Things I've Made:)

This week I finished these four flowers for One Flower Wednesday.  This is where my inexperience shows - my hexis are 1 3/4" and the flowers measure 5 1/2" across. If I make a double bed sized quilt how many would I need? I am trying to make half of the flowers different fabrics-- so if I make 100 flowers 50 would be various colors, only using the fabric again for the center of another flower. 50 will be some shade of off-white or beige and the centers will be the colored fabric from the first 50 flowers.(Does that make sense?) Ok for the Big Question. Is there a place I can go that explains how to figure out what I need?  What I figured so far is that a double bed is about 54x75.  If my hexis are 51/2" then I should need 10 across and 14 down-- or 140 in all.  Is that right??????? 


I've also been busy with other projects:  first I made this teacup pin cushion with a yo-yo on top.

I also have been painting a few things:

This vintage tube pan:

 These vintage milk cans:

I crochet a few candle mats from fabric that was my Grandmothers:  The ends need to be worked in.

And last but not least a combined effort:

This cross-stitched project to display vintage buttons.

A family friend cross-stitched the wreath. (Sister Charlotte Sauers)   I added the center grid.  My mother-in-law and I spent literally days going through buttons to get just the right ones.  I sewed some -- she sewed more!! And then we framed it. The frame was a Christmas present from my mother-in-law. She is a true whiz when it comes to framing!!

So in conclusion--I've been busy!!

Sad, Sad News

Please have a moment of silence for my sad sad news.  My sewing machine is (sniff) broken.  The repairman is an hour away and then it takes 1-2 weeks for it to be repaired.  I don't have a back-up sewing machine like some of you do -- so I am sad, very sad.  Before the final stitch I did complete this new paper pieced church block.  It is not perfect -- but it is closer than I got with my first two tries.

Well when the sewing machine breaks--start hand sewing.  I'm making hand-sewn hexigons --tune in next week for my progress!!  I look forward to hearing from you!!

Soscrappy Rainbow Scrap Challenge

While the rest of you have completed whole quilts, beautiful runners and mug rugs, and multiple gorgeous and intricate blocks --I finished my hotpad.  But isn't it beautiful?????? 

 I also completed a Log Cabin block and I am still working on my runner.  Hand quilting is a slow process -- in all honesty I don't have as much time to work on it.

So there you have it -- make sure to check out my BOM church.  Keeping in mind I am just learning --please comment. 

My First BOM for Quilting Board

This is my first attempt at paper piecing -- actually it's my first block period. When it was finished I really didn't like my fabric choices and the pattern wasn't right. (One window is bigger.)

This is my second attempt. Pattern tweeked and I sure like these fabric choices better. I did add window sills and a window in the steeple.  I didn't notice the roof doesn't line up right until I posted it.  Maybe  I'll try again.  Cross your fingers.

Scrappy Saturday-- Well You Can't Say I'm Not Trying!!

This is what I've come up with so far for the Soscrappy Rainbow Scrap Challenge.  I made this crazy patch to use  for the top of a hotpad.  I think it is pretty.  It certainly isn't a whole quilt like some people are posting -- but it is something.  I hope to quilt and bind it by next week.

The lower left corner looks a little messed up -- it is just the picture.  Honest it is square.

I also was piecing this table runner.  Someone said if you can sew a straight line you can make this block in a block design.  Ok --maybe I can't sew a straight line then.  I will plod on and practice and hope to make progress.  In the meantime--be kind.  I am going to try to hand quilt this runner.  I want to try a variety of things to see what I enjoy.  I do like sewing by hand.  Binding projects looks scary to me.

COME ON--MAKE MY DAY--LEAVE A COMMENT!!

Blog/Craft Goals for 2011

1. Learn to Quilt – I just mean the basics. I don’t expect to churn out 25 quilts or even two I would like to complete one quilt from piecing to binding by next January – is that too lofty a goal?

To help meet this goal I joined So Scrappy’s Rainbow Scrap Challenge (See button on side bar.) I plan to post something each Scrappy Saturday – even if it is just to say –not much progress this week.

I also joined the Quilting Board and will participate in the BOM that Sulabug is moderating. The first block is a paper pieced church. Each block is a house of some sort. I’ll post pictures of my blocks monthly and may need suggestions to help with problems.

2. Make something hand-made for everyone on my Christmas list.

3. Submit at least two projects for publication in a magazine –Create and Decorate, perhaps.

4. Write a new post weekly about crafting that week – this may be just the perils of a hopeful quilting newbie or it could be about other creations I’m working on.

5. Also –write once a week on a non-craft related topic. This may include: my yard, projects at my house, thrifting, a new favorite blog –or anything that suits my fancy at the moment

6. Write at least one or two tutorials for my blog – nothing too detailed.  Start small.

7. Leave more comments.  Everyone loves comments!!

That’s it. Wish me luck!

"Sew" Now I'm A Quilter??????

     I joined So Scrappy's 2011 Rainbow Scrap Challenge.  I didn't know you were a quilter you say.  I'm not -- but I hope to be one by the end of the year:)  I've been wanting to start quilting for some time now.  I do have a stash of fabrics from other sewing projects--so I do have "scraps."  I also have most of the supplies that a beginning quilter needs--I think.  I like to jump in with two feet.  (When I began thread crochet I made my grandson's Christening Gown.)  Joining the challenge will force me to piece/quilt something every month.  I may not do a complete project.  I may not do a great job at what I try to quilt--but I have to start somewhere.  I'm thinking that maybe I'll get terrific advice from the other participants. I'm hoping to post something monthly--maybe just one block.  This month's color is blue -- great choice I have a lot of blue scraps.  Look for my creation by the end of January.

The Big Bowen Christmas Party:)

Tonight we went to our annual Bowen get together at my sister-in law Cher and her husband Harry’s home.  Cher always has their home decorated beautifully.  She has a that special touch.  The Bowen family is ever growing with new babies and marriages.  This year there were 43people.  The food was great and a good time was had by all.  We celebrated my father-in-laws birthday. 

We exchanged Christmas gifts and some of them were handmade.

Cher knitted us all this adorable Snowman Ornaments --THAT IS A LOT OF KNITTING --when you are making so many.

My mother-in-law, Pat, cross-stitched some Kate Greenway patterns for Emily and Ali, two of her seven great-grandchildren.

And............... I made this Crewel picture for Cher who just adores pansies and chickadees!!

And this has nothing to do with the Christmas get together........

Cher made this absolutely gorgeous quilted wall hanging for ...... her bathroom!!  She is such a talented quilter.  On a later blog post I'll show you the quilt she made for me. (It will make you all jealous.)

And I have to show a few pictures of the kiddos...

Grace with her Mommy and Nanny.  Grace's sisters were Em and Ali in the cross-stitch pictures.

Drew, Georgie and Lexi -- our adorable grandchildren.

Jack

You have to admit Bowen Babies are Pretty Babies!!

And Just One More Thing .....................

This is my niece Kassy with Lexi.  She has been our best and most consistent helper since George's diagnosis.  The kids adore her and so do I.  Thanks Kassy.