75th Post Giveaway

I know, in some ways I think ONLY 75 posts. I've been dabbling at this blog thing all along. But I missed the 50th, and I think the last 25 or so I'm starting to get the hang of this.

When I started this blog, I thought I'd be able to consistently post 3 or 4 times/week (I thought I'd get to sew that often--silly me). I thought maybe I'd make some things to sell. I thought none of it would take much time. But then, that's the story of my life--routine underestimation.

I'd tried this blogging thing a couple times before and just couldn't stick with it. False starts. (If you're like me, you've written HUNDREDS of posts in your head!) But then I discovered SWAPs! SWAPS really keep me motivated, not only to finish things but to blog about them. And I love reading so many of the quilty blogs out there. And here I am, talking too much again.

Here's the giveaway:

Two kits + pattern for this table topper--it's easy to make (although I don't want you to have to WAIT for me to make one). With each kit, I'll include some extra goodies, like a take-along sewing kit, perfect for stitching down binding. This little thing is easy peasy and fun to make--one of my favorites.

Just leave a comment with (1) your favorite thing about quilty blogland--free tutes, reading about process, meeting people, just what inspires you most? and (2) your favorite color combination. Deadline: Thursday, noon, Central Time. Winners will be announced on my Friday's Sew & Tell.

Have a great week! And thanks for stopping by!

Gratitudes

• Central Air = real sleep (it's been 90-ish with high humidity all weekend)
• Rhubarb cake--very little redeeming about it nutritionally but so yummy
• Automatic washing machine--if we had to use a ringer machine or a washboard, we couldn't get some sewing in at the same time! (I got 4 loads done while finishing up a mini for the STUD swap.)

::Wednesday WIP and Winners::

First the WIP: I started the ORBC Quilt Along (click the button on the sidebar) a bit sooner than planned. I wanted to finish at least one project, but then I saw some great pinwheels on Flickr and realized I had the same Flora & Fauna fabrics--I couldn't resist. And I had so much fun making HST triangle blocks--very therapeutic! And this one is for me. :)

Now for this week's giveaway winners. I really enjoyed reading the comments about the joy of quilting--I can identify with so much of it. Quilting really helps us meet ourselves again, doesn't it?

Drumroll, please.

For the Super Simple Fat Quarter Quilts book, Cathie is the winner. She said:

The joy for me is partly in the process - while thinking, designing, sewing, quilting and hand sewing, I enjoy the peaceful pace, the time to de-stress and refresh. The other part of the joy is the product - having a thing of beauty I made myself to enhance my life or give as a gift is very satisfying.

Thanks for sharing some of your inspiration on your blog and by giving away these books. All three look interesting and inspiring to me.

And for the Monterrey Medallions/Turning Twenty Again books, Dos Amapolas is the winner. She (?) said:

I love the color combinations and the creativity of quilts.
For me the most interesting book is Monterrey Medallions, it has a colorful cover :)

Congratulations! Email me your address, I'll get these out! 

Thanks to every one who has stopped by and left comments. I will continue to consider what it means to simplify, particularly my stash, and have a few more giveaways in the near future.

Gratitudes

• Reuben pizza--just about perfect.
• Finally above 40 degrees, and the snow is not melting too quickly.
• Pinwheels!

Simply Sanity

Simplify Sunday

 

Of course, I had this post all written in my head last night while I was falling asleep. . . .

Like many of you, I love quilting and beading and crocheting and even cooking because making stuff, CREATING, helps keep me sane. It gives me peace. It gives my brain a different kind of work out than "what's for supper" or "how will I get DS1 to work and DS2 to practice." It takes me away from the the tedium and stresses of daily life. Creating is a place where I am myself (unless I get sucked into a desire to show-off to others--that might be another post). And it gives me something to think about (i.e. design/solve/dream) while doing the particularly mundane stuff like laundry.

I've been reading about the creative process and studios and organizations lately, and I'm struck by how much people obsess over love their stashes--they love having so many choices at hand, an endless supply of fabric and ephemera and supplies, so they can be in a process of creating!

I think that's why I got to this place, a place where I cannot be in a process of creating because I don't have access to my stuff--it doesn't fit in the space where I can work. I can't see it, touch it, even explore it, without making a mess. [Many of you have pointed out that being able to see your fabric not only helps you keep it under control, it helps you create.] 

From what I've read, many of us suffer from this lack of access. In some ways, it's really not lack of ACCESS, but a severe case of EXCESS.

Let's face it: I could organize all my stuff to the n-th degree, and I would still have too much stuff to keep in sight or even in my head. I've been finding fabric I'd completely forgotten about. It's still beautiful, but it's not in my head or my heart. I've moved on. I love the new stuff. And I'm tired of a long list of WIPs shadowing me whenever I want to create something new, something that reflects where I am now.

I haven't quite figured out what to do about that, outside of continuing to give things away, but I'm going to keep posting about it on Sundays. I suspect many of us share the same boat.

Which brings me to my last GIVEAWAY, at least for awhile. (Thank you if you've read this far!) As the photo above shows, I have two items: (1) a great book, Super Simple Fat Quarter Quilts. I have made two quilts from this book, and the instructions are easy to follow. The second is a pair of booklets: Turning Twenty. . .Again and Monterrey Medallions. Both of these are apparently out of print. I have trouble coming up with 3 fabrics, let alone 20, and I just never got around to the other. I like both of these patterns--I just find following directions almost impossible in general. Not my gift, if you know what I mean. 

Anywho, if you are interested in winning one of these giveaways, just a leave a comment here, saying which one you would like AND what about quilting gives you the most joy. I'll start: I love that quilting is both as creative as we want it to be (follow a pattern or not, add embellishment or not) and useful--even the most fanciful quilt can be hung on a wall or sent to a friend. In my mind, quilting is both art and stewardship.

Good luck! I will accept comments through Tuesday, March 9, 10 pm (CST) and announce the winners by Wednesday, 8 am. Thank you for listening!

Stash Stewardship and Giveaway

 Simplify Sunday

 

In the interest of my family's sanity, I'm working on fitting The Stash into a couple dressers and a few boxes (instead of spread out on all 3 floors--that's another post). I read somewhere that we should only have 6 months worth of fabric. I don't know how to measure that, but I do know that I would like to wrap up all my WIPS in the next 6 months. And that I'm trying not to start something new unless I have finished a WIP.

In a wonderful little AHA moment, I realized I could give away sets of fabric for someone else to use (!!!). Someday soon I hope to give away large sets from The Stash, but for now, I'm having fun giving away bits and pieces. 

So here's the deal: Even though I love The Stash, I want to sew more and dig less, AND I want all this perfectly good fabric to be used. It has something to do with stewardship.

If you think you could use the pink fabrics above (or know someone who would), enter this giveaway by Tuesday, March 2, 10:00 pm. Leave a comment sharing one way you care for your stash.

I know, the photo color isn't perfect, and all the fabrics do not go with each other--although they all go with at least 2 of the other pieces. But these pinks are so sweet. All together, someone will receive at least 1 1/2 yards of fabric (the first 5 are fat quarters). Good luck! The winner will be announced Wednesday, March 3, 8 am. Giveaway now closed.

Gratitudes

• Stash abundance soon to be stash reasonable-ness
• Hubby sweetness--he really does put me first, or at least lets me go first.
• Hot coffee first thing in the morning. I LOVE that.

Wednesday Winner

You all had some fabulous ideas for these sweet fabrics. And you've given me another idea--I'll post about that on Sunday.

For today, the randomly chosen winner is . . .

Kristen who said:

I would love to combine these with linen. So pretty. Maybe a bag or journal cover too!

Check out her blog here. She has some cute little linen mice!

Congratulations, Kristen! Email me your address, and I'll get those out right away.

To be honest, I nearly forgot to announce the winner today--hit the ground running at work. Nearly finished with my DQS8, slightly panicking over my BFF's 50th birthday gift (got to get it in the mail, too). I had wanted to make her a fabulous apron, but I always forget how long it takes to travel clear to Montana. Friday is my main sewing day, but this Friday would be too late. I think I have something else fabulous figured out. (Think olympic doilies. . .)
 
Come back Sunday for ANOTHER giveaway (I'm doing at least 4 in a row). And Friday for Sew & Tell.

Gratitudes

• Incredible sunshine (even if only ZERO degrees!) The birds are still singing.
• Apolo is on again tonight.
• Great respect for the Canadaian figure skater who is performing through her grief--God gives us such strength--his creations are such a blessing.

Girly Giveaway

Simplify Sunday

Posh by Chez Moi for Moda + a bit of Alexander Henry's Aragon Swirl

In the name of simplifying, I'm going through my stash and trying to either (a) use it or (b) share it. So what have I discovered? Even though I bought nearly every piece with a specific project in mind, I have collected too much over the years to ever actually sew up, at least with the time I have. I have lovely sets of fabrics that coordinate beautifully--and I can't even remember what the project was. Sad.

I still like most of the fabric, but really, I'm more interested in a different style now. And frankly, what I need to spend time on is FINISHING those projects already started. My brother, for example, is about to graduate again, and I haven't quite finished the quilt I started the last time he graduated! And I need the space to sew in. Lucky for me, I find the swaps and quilt alongs really help me stick with a project, so that, at least, is progress.

Today I had planned to giveaway some charm packs, but then I found this set of scraps someone else had given me. This Posh line is lovely; I used some of it in this STUD mini. They go beautifully with Kona cotton in stone. The lucky winner of today's giveaway will receive enough scraps to make a doll quilt, or even enough for a baby blanket if you combine it with something else like a fab solid. There is nearly a 1/4 yard of the big piece you see. (BTW, I will continue to giveaway pinks--I really don't like them, I just seem to have them.)

To enter, just leave a comment sharing what you might make from this set--I don't want YOUR stash to become full of fabric just for the sake of fabric :)

Comments close Tuesday evening at 10 pm. The winner will be announced Wednesday 8 am. Good luck!

Gratitudes

• Time with my family watching the Olympics
• Another great band concert--our school has the best music program
• Some quiet time to just putter around (my stash)

Giveaway Winner and Wednesday WIP

And the winner is . . . (picked by my personal random number generator, DH, who did not read the comments in advance)

#4

Ginger and Pickle said...

ooh! I LOVE the ugly bag idea! Thanks for the generous give away chance! We have stopped using wrapping paper - it is so much fun using handmade and recycled items (fabric, magazines) to make a gift look special and garbage free!

Ginger and Pickle, please send me your name and address, and I'll get Betz White's Sewing Green out right away.

I loved everyone's ideas, from baby food jars to hold used needles (I use them to hang minis on the wall) to making ugly fabric bags for the grocery store to lend out to reusing containers to store works in progress. I really like the idea of using fabric trimmings to tie plants (I have no pantyhose because I'm always willing to sacrifice them for the clematis). And upcycling clothes into bags and and quilts--the rag bag really holds riches!

I'm realizing once again (how many times until something is actually learned?) how better stewardship of stuff gives one not only more room but also more satisfaction--truly waste not, want not. Instead of so much stuff, more creations that one treasures and shares with others. 

A stash is great, but if you have more stash than finishes--is that really what we want? That just makes us stashers instead of creators!

WIPS: By the way, crocheting through the Olympics works well for me--I have doilies and granny squares so far! Just the right level of creation to keep me from turning into a couch potato but not so taxing after a day of work. Now for an afternoon to really get going on my DQS8 (above fabric is really tan, not green--must be my crazy blue table).

Come back Sunday for another GIVEAWAY.

Gratitudes

• Incredible sunshine all day, even if it means slush (we have had 60 inches of snow so far this winter--also incredible!)
• Chinese food made by someone else (and leftovers for tomorrow's lunch)--our own version of Fat Tuesday
• Fabric cut for my Doll Quilt Swap 8

Simplify Sunday 2

Plus Giveaway!

 

 As I mentioned last week, I love quilting and sewing and beading and generally crafting so much that I have acquired a lot of stuff supplies over the years. To top it off, I'm better at starting projects than finishing them. So I have lots. Make that lots of stuff. In the interest of simplifying my life, I'm trying to use things up and share them with others who can use them now instead of trying to use them myself SOMEDAY.

So during the Olympics, I am using up my yarn with lots of crochet. Now most of these have to be small (like the cute doilies above, pattern from Crochet Today) because my yarn stash consists mostly of single skeins. In the end, it's mostly eye candy to me. So far I have 6 of these little cuties. (Above, though, I'm going for the Olympic look.)

GIVEAWAY TIME

 To giveaway today, I have Betz White's book Sewing Green. Last year I won one in a giveaway at The Long Thread, and then someone gave me another copy. So, I'm passing my extra copy along to one of you, lovely readers. This is filled with some great projects that make great use of our resources, as well as great gifts. Really, it's a great book. For Christmas, I made several produce bags for my anti-plastic bag friends. They were easy and fun.

To enter the giveaway, just leave a comment by Tuesday, noon (central time). Share with us your favorite recycle/upcycle idea--something SIMPLE that makes better use of our resources. Or tell us something green you would LIKE to do. Wednesday 8 am central I'll announce the winner.

And check back next week--I'll have something else to share with you in another giveaway. For now, the Olympics beckon!

Gratitudes

• Home to watch Apolo Ohno win a medal.
• Hot fudge sundae for Valentine's Day.
• Nearly 20 years with same SWEETIE

Feb STUD Finish

Sew & Tell Friday

Sunday Giveaway

"Love is in the Air" IS finished and ready to mail to Norway for the February Swap Til You Drop (STUD), but I can't show it to you yet! However, I CAN show you this cool & easy way to display those minis-- Fast Finish Triangles! I've seen this around the blogosphere, but the Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative has a great tutorial here. It's so easy to add some small triangles to each corner when you sew on the binding. Then simply add a dowel across the top and hang your mini just like a picture!

You can also weigh down the lower edge if necessary OR use a lower triangle as your label. (The pink paper is just so you can see the triangle.)

Are you ready for the Olympics? We love watching all the Olympics at our house--from figure skating to skiing to curling--the spirit of the Olympics is just contagious. And to justify all that couch time, I've been digging out all my yarn and getting it ready for some hooky crochet fun.

I should have at least a dozen dishcloths and part of a sweater by the time the Olympics are finished! What is your favorite part of the Olympics?

Come back Sunday for a special giveway--in an effort to simplify my stash, I'll be giving away some fabric selections every Sunday for a month. You never know what might be up for grabs! And check out Amy's Sew & Tell Friday for more great finishes.

Gratitudes

• The Olympics--go TEAM USA!
• Chili & cornbread for supper
• Great Middle School Band concert with the cutest bass/trumpet player on the planet--even if he has to wear that uniform.

Whirlygig WIP

Nearly Wordless Wednesday

Playing with scraps & whirlygigs.
Counting down to the Olympics!
Giveaway on Sunday. . .