Sponsored Giveaway--Superior Threads

I've been using my Superior Masterpiece Bobbins for a few years now. I have to say, this handy donut full of bobbins is one of my favorite quilting notions. I use the threads on these bobbins primarily for applique, but I also use them for stitching bindings.  This handy little item has saved me many a trip to the store to buy thread (this has been especially helpful since the closest quilt shops are at least an hour away)!

When I went to the Superior Threads website to get the link for the bobbin I discovered the color numbers are now listed...so glad...you see I completely ran out of one color...and my red is almost gone!  Now that I can check the numbers with what I have, I'll be able to replace my empty bobbins, too!

I was excited to be asked to take part in today's Superior Threads giveaway and asked for some neutral Masterpiece (152) to try for piecing. So...I'll be keeping one of the large spools pictured above, and giving away the three other Masterpiece (152) spools to one of my blog readers. Just leave one comment on this post mentioning a project you'd like to work on for spring to be entered in the giveaway!

Also, there are several other bloggers participating in the Superior Threads Leap Day giveaway today...be sure to visit these other blogs for a chance to win some more thread!

Elizabeth from Occasional Piece-Quilt!

Cindy from Live A Colorful Life

 Lee from Freshly Pieced 

Leanne from She Can Quilt

Thelma from Cupcakes 'n' Daisies

Jeni from In Color Order

Amy from During Quiet Time

Carla from Lollyquiltz

Jennifer from That Girl, That Quilt

Corey from Little Miss Shabby

Terri from Sewfantastic

Have a great day!

Granny Squares & Blogger's Block of the Month

I could hardly wait to make another granny square block--I was just going to do a blue/grey combination and at the last minute added in the organge...love this mix of color! I already have a plan for block 4, too!

Saturday was Amy's day for Jackie's Blogger's Block of the Month.  I love her block and think I could make a whole scrappy quilt using just this block (just another idea to add to the list)!  Anyway...for her block tutorial you can go here, and for a list of all the blocks/tutorials and their links go here.

Here is my little collection of blocks so far...can't believe we are at the half-way point with this quilt already!

Sewing Just for Fun

This bundle of California Girl has been calling my name...and since I'm waiting for some fabric to arrive for a couple of projects with quick deadlines, I decided to sew just for fun yesterday...

I made some half-square triangles for a quilt that's been on my "to do" list for quite a while.

And I made another Granny Squares block--think I'm going to try and make at least one of these a day until I have enough for a quilt top.

Tomorrow will be a fourth Saturday...Christmas project day (See this post for how I'm spending my Saturdays this year).  I'm really looking forward to working on a couple of gifts...I've never started my Christmas sewing this early!

Oh...and I have a couple of giveaway winners to announce...congrats to Leah who won the $25 gift certificate from Fashionable Fabrics.

Congrats also to Bonnie who won the copy of Sonoma Rose.

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Back to Charm School

Recently Mary from Country Threads contacted me and asked if I would be interested in participating in a blog hop for her latest book, Back to Charm School: More Fun Quilts from Country Threads (That Patchwork Place). Of course I said yes!

              Back to Charm School: More Fun Quilts from Country Threads (That Patchwork Place)


Back to Charm School is filled with small projects that use charm squares. The quilts include table toppers, runners, and small quilts perfect for wall hangings.

Along with my review copy of the book, Mary sent along a book for me to give away to one of my blog readers. For a chance to win  leave a comment on this post with your favorite way to use just a single charm pack of fabrics.

That's all...oh...and here is a list of the other blogs participating in the blog hop!



I'll keep this giveaway open until Friday!  Thanks again for stopping by!

2-20-12        Maureen Baly                moequiltz.blogspot.com

2-20-12        Paulette Doyle                sweetp-paulette.blogspot.com

2-21-12        Lori DeJarnatt                humblequilts.blogspot.com

2-21-12        Jo Kramer                        joscountryjunction.com

2-22-12        Sherri McConell               aquiltinglife.blogspot.com

2-22-12        Karen Griska                    selvageblog.blogspot.com

2-23-12        Julie Winkler                    juliekquilts.blogspot.com

2-24-12        Sarah Craig                      confessionsofafabricaddict.blogspot.com

2-24-12        Suzanne Melkoski            coloradolady.blogspot.com

2-25-12        Michelle Marr                   mychellem.blogspot.com

2-25-12        Pat Wys                            silverthimbletalk.blogspot.com

Just a Matter of Time...

Really...it was just a matter of time.  My heart has been set on making a scrap quilt using the "Granny Squares" tutorial from Blue Elephant Stitches since the first time I saw the block.  But I thought I'd hold out for awhile since I have so many works in progress. It seems like every day someone else has shared photos of their blocks--and seeing so many wonderful versions all over blog-land has been so inspiring!

Then, in the last 7 days I finished up 9 of my works in progress...yes, 9! So that was it...with all of those finishes I thought I deserved to start something new, and here is my first block! All of the fabrics are from Denyse Schmidt--some from her original Flea Market Fancy line, mixed with a few pieces from her recent Jo-Ann collections. I'm going to work with what I have for now...but I'm not ruling out buying a bundle of the new Flea Market Fancy for this quilt!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Sonoma Rose

I've been a fan of Jennfer Chiaverini's quilt novels for quite some time...so I was really excited to get an opportunity to preview her latest Elm Creek Quilts Novel, Sonoma Rose (Elm Creek Quilts).
While I love all of the books in the Elm Creek Quilts series, the ones set in different historical times have  definitely been my favorites. Sonoma Rose is  one of those historical novels and is set in California during the Prohibition era; the novel is one of those "can't put it down" stories, and, well...I haven't been able to put it down! I just started reading a couple of days ago and am now past the half-way point!

Here is a little summary of the plot direct from the publisher:

Rosa Diaz Barclay is touched by the criminality surrounding Prohibition when she discovers that her husband, John, has given over the duties of their Southern California rye farm in favor of bootlegging. Fearing the safety of her four children, Rosa flees, carrying only a case of John’s ill-begotten cash and her mother’s two quilts. Lars Jorgensen, her true love and the father of two of her children, aids in her escape, and together the six travel north to San Francisco. Under assumed names, they are hired to work at a Sonoma vineyard, where Rosa creates a personal and professional identity that she would never have dared imagine at the opening of her tale, and one that brings great honor-and beauty-to all who surround her.

Along with sending a copy for me to read, Dutton/Penguin publishers will provide one copy of Sonoma Rose (Elm Creek Quilts) to one of my readers. Just leave a comment on this post, and you'll be entered to win!

Have a great day! (P.S. Be back soon with weekend sewing).

Organizing, Sewing, and a Giveaway!

I was hoping to get a lot of sewing accomplished the other day. But I decided to do a little cleaning and organizing in the sewing room first, and you know how that can sometimes go. One thing led to another, and pretty soon I was moving furniture and organizing things in a closet and 3 rooms. The sewing room was a complete shambles for nearly a day before I got it put back together; I'm happy with the results, though, and will take some pictures soon to share..

Needless to say, the only sewing I finished that day was my  Fat Quarter Shop 2011 Mystery Designer Block 9.

Oh...and yes, today is also a giveaway day! Fashionable Fabrics is offering a $25 gift certificate to one of my blog readers!


                                   To find out all about the Giveaway...click HERE!

Note: Comments entered on this post will not be eligible for the giveaway...you must click on the link above to enter.  Thanks so much!

Blocks from the Farm

I got a chance to work on my Farmer's Wife blocks the other day--I always have so much fun putting them together!

This was a fun one...Block 62...Old Windmill.

Block 61, Northern Lights was an easy one!

And here is block 56, Maple Leaf.

I'm still making my Christmas version blocks too, although my scraps are getting low for this one...I might have to add in a few more pieces of fabric.

Old Windmill

Maple Leaf

And Northern Lights. I'm not even going to think about how far behind I am on this quilt-along...I was doing pretty well until December and January came along.  Hopefully I can stay on track now!

Thanks for stopping by...have a great day!

Rejuvenated...

I returned home late Saturday from an amazing quilt retreat held at the historic Ruby's Inn in Bryce Canyon, Utah. The retreat lasted from Wednesday until Saturday and was home to over 250 amazing quilters for a few days! It was so much fun to meet quilters from all over the country and to be inspired by their quilts, their fabrics, and their lives.

I taught two classes Thursday and Friday (both filled with the nicest women--so nice to meet them all) and was able to give a trunk show on Friday evening. We had an after lunch and an after dinner trunk show each day, so by the time it was my turn I had already attended 4 of the most amazing trunk shows.  I was feeling a bit "out of place" and nervous but ended up having a wonderful time sharing the quilting stories of two of my great-great grandmothers and presenting 44 quilts I brought from home.

I did a little sewing during my free time...finally finishing up the binding on my Vanilla & Blooms quilt that just arrived back from the quilter a couple of weeks ago.

And here are my two Vanilla & Blooms quilts together...notice the darks and lights are reversed in these two versions.

I also was able to start setting together my Fat Quarter Shop Mystery Designer 2012 blocks (I'm doing some pattern testing of this project for Kimberly). The blocks and the setting are both amazing...this is such a wonderful quilt.

I relaxed, read, journaled and doodled, and I came home with lots of new project ideas and goals! The retreat was the perfect mid-winter pick me up!

PS...Congrats to BillieBee who won the SkyReve giveaway!

A Giveaway...

I fnished binding "Vintage Dishes" and am getting ready to go to a quilting retreat for a few days.  I'm ready to have a fabric/quilty kind of vacation, and I'll get to teach a couple of classes also. While I'm away, I thought I'd leave you with a giveaway from one of my sponsors...


To Enter a terrific giveaway for a $25 gift certificate from Natasha at SkyReve...

                            Go Here!


Note: Comments on this post will not be eligible for the giveaway...be sure to click the link above to get details and to leave giveaway comments.

Second Time Around

I know this quilt might look a little familiar...but really...this is my weekend sewing...I made another "Vintage Dishes" (pattern and fabric by Lori Holt).

You know you love a pattern (and fabric) when it's just as much fun making a quilt the second time around! I made this quilt last spring for Lori's booth for Riley Blake at International Quilt Market, and since I'm going to be teaching this quilt in a class soon...I needed to make my own version. I cut this out on Friday...sewed like crazy on Saturday...and it's at the quilter today!

Have a great day...hope you get to sew!

Cover Quilt

Quilts and More is one of my favorite quilt publications--they always have super cute projects that are quick to complete! And...the most recent issue has a quilt I pieced right on the cover!

Last spring I had a lot of fun working on a project designed by my friend Kate Spain. It was right before International Quilt Market in Salt Lake City, and Kate's Terrain yardage had just become available.

One jelly roll of Terrain, a jelly roll of white, a little extra yardage--and a whole lot of fun later "Double the Fun" was a completed quilt! Using the jelly roll strips made this quilt so fast and fun to put together!

I went back and forth about which side was my favorite...I never could decide...I love both sides of this quilt! A good friend quilted this for me just in time so I could put it in my suitcase to take to quilt market (Thanks Gail)!

When I got my copy of the magazine the other day I was amazed at the company I was in...I  met so many of the other contributers at quilt market last spring or through blogging: Kate, Joanna, Camille, Monica, Aneela, Vanessa, and Dawn. There are some others whose work has inspired me, though I haven't "met" them--Jo Morton, Lauren + Jessi Jung, Lynette Jensen, and Sue Spargo. There are other designers, too...and their projects are all amazing as well.  In summary...this is a must-have issue! Thank you Kate and Lissa for inviting me to be a part of this terrific project!

More Schnibbles

To find out all about the winners from yesterdays amazing "Full House" Schnibbles parade...GO HERE!