Monday, August 27, 2012

Quilt Block Swaps

Hello!  :)

Do you remember how I told you I've done a little bit of sewing lately? Well I'm finally here to share it with you. It hasn't been much but I have managed to get some blocks done for some quilt block swaps. Do you remember the monthly quilt block swap I'm in? You probably don't as I haven't shared the blocks with you since April. Time sure does fly, doesn't it?! I'm ready to share the May, June and July blocks I made and received.

The theme for May was flowers. I made this block for my two partners . . .


It reminds me of the flower child theme from the 60's.  :)

This is the flower block I received from Joan . . .


She used all flower fabrics. Nice job Joan!  :)

And here's one more May block. This one's from Barbara . . .


I love the flower and contrast of colors! Thanks Barbara!  :)

Barbara also sent me this cool bag she made . . .


I love the fabric! Thanks again Barbara!  :)

Now for the June blocks. This is the block I made . . .


The theme for June was summer. What says summer better than the sun?! I designed this one myself. It's pretty simple really. I was looking through my fabric stash and nothing was saying "summer" to me. Then I got to the batik shelf. I saw heat waves, moving water, and sunsets. I knew this was the way to go. I love the way it turned out. I appliqued the sun center and stitched the sun rays with perle cotton.

Donna sent me this block for summer . . .


I love it! Great colors, design, fabrics. The birdhouse as a central feature is perfect! Thanks Donna!  :)

This next block was from Nettie . . .


I love everything about this block! The pink and blue are perfect (especially the pink)! And do you see that bicycle in the center? It's awesome!  :)  Here's a closer view of it . . .


Nettie got a new embroidery machine and she used it to make my block. It's so fitting and so pretty! I love it! Awesome job Nettie!  :)

Now for July. The theme for July was patriotic. I gave my two partners each one of the patriotic blocks I made for the "Celebrating Red White & Blue" Blog Hop.

I received this cool block from Donna . . .


I love the design and fabrics she used. Great job Donna!  :)

Nettie made this patriotic block for me . . .


You can't go wrong with red, white & blue! Thanks Nettie!  :)

Now you're all caught up with the swap blocks. I'll be working on the final two blocks. The theme for August is 'vacation'. The theme for September is 'back to school'. I'm not sure what I'll be doing yet but I'm sure I'll come up with something. Thanks for sharing this with me!  :)

Until next time . . .


Traveling Stash Box UPDATES

Hello!  :)

Welcome!  :)  This is where you find updates for the 8 Traveling Stash boxes traveling around the US!

What is a Traveling Stash Box?  It's a box that's filled with a collection of fabrics, patterns, thread and other quilty fun! When you receive a box you take out what you like, replace it with items from your own stash, hold a giveaway and then send it to the next lucky person. You can find all the rules and guidelines here.


Here's the latest updates as of 9/1/12 . . . 

~ "THANK YOU" to everyone who has been keeping these boxes moving quickly!  :)

TRAVELING STASH & OTHER BOXES:
BOX #1:     Becky @ The Quilting Booklady is the winner of the Giveaway! Congrats Becky! The box will be on it's way to you soon!  :)

BOX #2:     Sharon @ Vroomans Quilts is the winner of the Giveaway! Congrats Sharon! The box will be on it's way to you soon!  :)

BOX #3:     Sandi @ A Legacy of Stitches is the winner of the Giveaway! Congrats Sandi! The box will be on it's way to you soon!  :)

BOX #4:     Terry @ Terry's Treasures is the winner of the Giveaway! Congrats Terry! The box is on it's way to you!  :)

BOX #5:     Marci @ Marci Girl Designs is the winner of the Giveaway! Congrats Marci! The box is on it's way to you!  :)

PASS IT ON BOX:     Tonya @ Hillbilly Handiworks posted the Giveaway! It ended on August 31st! Tonya will be drawing the winner soon!  :)

LEAP YEAR BOX (giveaway begins on the 29th of each month):     Julia @ green Quilts posted the Giveaway! It ends on Sunday, September 2nd at 5pm Central time!  :)     ENTER HERE!

TWO SISTERS BOX:     Wendy @ Stitchduchess' Crazy & Sane Quilting World is the winner of the Giveaway! Congrats Wendy! The box is on it's way to you!  :)


Find all the Traveling Stash Rules and Guidelines here.

Find out about the Origins of the Traveling Stash Boxes here.

Find all the Traveling Stash posts here.


Until next time . . .


Saturday, August 25, 2012

It's Giveaway Time!!! :)

Hello!  :)

Welcome to sewingly along!  :)

Today's the day!  WooHoo!!!  :)  Please join me for a


Organized by Michelle at Quilting Gallery. Thanks Michelle!  :)  The official blog hop starts Sunday morning, August 26th, shortly after midnight, eastern time. There are LOTS of bloggers participating with each having their own giveaway! There will be LOTS of great stuff to win!  :)  Go to the official Blog Hop Party page to check out the list of all the bloggers participating after midnight tonight!

We will also be celebrating my 1 year Blogiversary!!!  :)  In honor of my 1st blogiversary I'll be giving away TWO prize packages! Yes I said  two! These prize packages are provided by me (I have no sponsors).


The 1st prize package is for the Quilters/Sewers ~


This package includes a charm pack of Moda's "little apples" by Aneela Hoey, a package of long pearlized pins, a package of sewing themed buttons and a kitty cat pin cushion made by me!  :)


The 2nd prize package is for the Cross Stitchers ~


This package includes a "With thy Needle & Thread" pattern- "May Word Play", a 9" x 11" piece of 28ct Quaker Cloth, a skein of DMC White floss, a package of DMC Tapestry needles (size 28), 3 brass charms (butterfly, bee, dragonfly), and a kitty cat pin cushion made by me!  :)


Here's a close up of the kitty cat pin cushion . . .


and the back . . . 


The pin cushion was made by me from a portion of the Lizzie Kate Halloween Mystery Sampler, part two bonus design. It's stitched on 28ct light orange spice evenweave, with a black/orange backing with a hint of purple. It's filled with crushed walnut shells to keep your pins & needles sharp and clean.  :)


So are you ready to win one of these party packages?!!! 


Here's what you need to do . . .

  • Leave me a comment telling me which package (Quilters or Cross Stitching) that you'd like to win! That's all you have to do!  :)
  • For a Bonus Entry follow my blog and tell me you do in a separate comment! I love my followers! :)

These two giveaways are open internationally. They will remain open until midnight, pacific time, Monday, September 3rd. I will choose a winner on Tuesday, September 4th, with the help of the help of the random number generator. I will email the winner and post it on my blog. If you are a no-reply blogger please post your email in your comment or you will be disqualified. 


Thank you so much for visiting and celebrating my Blogiversary with me! I love having you here!  :)

Lots of luck to you! Please come back soon!  :)

Until next time . . .


Friday, August 24, 2012

Lovin' Lizzie Kate! :)

Hello!  :)

I managed to finish up the Lizzie Kate Halloween Mystery Sampler part 1 & 2!  Yea!  :)


Now I'm ready and waiting until the last part (3) is released. I can't wait!  :)

With each part of the sampler there's a bonus design included. There's a cat that's part of the bonus design that comes with part 2. I fell in love with him the minute I saw him! He's so cute!!!  :)  I decided I just had to make him up into a pin cushion so I can look at him all the time! Here he is!  :)


I stitched him on 28ct Light Orange Spice Evenweave. I love how he turned out!  :)  Here's the back . . .


Isn't that just the perfect backing fabric?! The pin cushion is filled with crushed walnut shells to help keep your pins & needles sharp and clean.  :)

Be sure to come back here tomorrow, Saturday, August 25th, for your chance to win one of these kitty pin cushions of your own! I'll also be adding a few extras along with it!  :)

Until next time . . .


Monday, August 20, 2012

My Hermit & Stitch Weekend

Hello!  :)

I had a wonderful, successful Hermit & Stitch Weekend!  :)  On Thursday and Friday I worked on Lizzie Kate's Halloween Mystery Sampler and finished part one.


For the rest of the weekend I worked on part two. I didn't manage to finish it but I'm almost there.


I just need to fill in those leaves at the bottom and then I'll be ready for part three. It won't be released until the end of month or beginning of next month. I can't wait! Then I'll be able to see what the whole thing looks like. Thanks for visiting!  :)

Until next time . . .


Happy Blogiversary to Me!

Hello!  :)


I can't believe it! I've been blogging for a whole year now! Wow! Time does fly, doesn't it?!!! I have had a wonderful year here in blogland! Thank you so much to all of you who visit me! It really makes me happy!  :)   I've had a blast this past year and have met many wonderful new friends!  :)

I will be having a giveaway to celebrate my one year Blogiversary but it will have to wait a little bit. So sorry!  I signed up to participate in another Blog Hop Party with Give-Aways


sponsored by Michelle over at Quilting Gallery. It begins this Saturday, August 25th! This is when I will celebrate my Blogiversary with you! Please come back Saturday to see what I'll be giving away!  :)

Until next time . . .


Traveling Stash Box UPDATES

Hello!  :)

Welcome!  :)  This is where you find updates for the 8 Traveling Stash boxes traveling around the US!

What is a Traveling Stash Box? It's a box that's filled with a collection of fabrics, patterns, thread and other quilty fun! When you receive a box you take out what you like and replace it with items from your own stash, hold a giveaway and then send it to the next lucky person. You can find all the rules and guidelines here.


Here's the latest updates as of 8/24/12 . . . 

~ A big "THANK YOU!" to everyone who has been keeping these boxes moving quickly!  :)

TRAVELING STASH & OTHER BOXES:
BOX #1:     Laura Ann @ The Fuzzy Hat Quilter posted the Giveaway! It ends on Sunday, August 26th!      ENTER HERE!

BOX #2:     Jen @ Just Something I Made posted the Giveaway! It ends on Friday, August 31st!     ENTER HERE!

BOX #3:     Carolyn @ I Believe Inn is the winner of the Giveaway! Congrats Carolyn! The box is on it's way to you!  :)

BOX #4:     Terry @ Terry's Treasures is the winner of the Giveaway! Congrats Terry! The box is on it's way to you!  :)

BOX #5:     Marci @ Marci Girl Designs is the winner of the Giveaway! Congrats Marci! The box will be on it's way to you soon!  :)

PASS IT ON BOX:     Tonya @ Hillbilly Handiworks is the winner of the Giveaway! Congrats Tonya! The box has arrived! Tonya will be posting the giveaway next Monday!   :)

LEAP YEAR BOX (giveaway only on the 29th of each month):     Julia @ Green Quilts has received the box! She will be posting the Giveaway on the 29th!  :)

TWO SISTERS BOX:     Wendy @ Stitchduchess' Crazy & Sane Quilting World is the winner of the Giveaway! Congrats Wendy! The box will be on it's way to you soon!  :)


Find all the Traveling Stash Rules and Guidelines here.

Find out about the Origins of the Traveling Stash Boxes here.

Find all the Traveling Stash posts here.


Until next time . . .


Saturday, August 18, 2012

Friday Night Sew-In & Ort Report

Hello!  :)

I had a wonderful Friday Night Sew-In Stitch-In last night! I managed to finish up part one of the Lizzie Kate Mystery Halloween Sampler. Here it is . . .


There are some straight stitches that will go in the triangular border. I'll add those later since I'm using a hoop to stitch this. I'm now ready to start part two.  :)

Yesterday was the day to share my ort's. You can read about them here . . .


I've been adding lots of threads to my jar. I'm finding myself pressing them down more now, as the jar's getting pretty full.  :)


This weekend is also the . . .


I'm going to keep on stitching and will be back Monday with a report of all the stitching I get done over the weekend.  :)

Until next time . . .


Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Long time no post :(

Hello!  :)

I can't believe that it's been over 3 weeks since my last post! (Non Traveling Stash that is.) I knew it'd been a while but just didn't think it'd been that long. I'm so sorry for my absence! It's been a busy time for me plus it's been HOT!!! It's usually not humid in Southern California and right now it's over 100 every day plus high humidity! Yuck! Heat and I don't get along and humidity and I definitely do not get along. I start sweating instantly and get overwhelmed with heat. It really sucks! For the past few weeks I've basically been sitting around working on various cross stitch projects for Christmas and other holidays. I wanted to post about them as I completed each project but it was too hot to get up and take the pictures. Plus I was lazy too. (I'm always full of excuses!)  ;)

The first project I finished was the last one I told you I was working on.


It's "Christmas Is..." by Lizzie Kate. It's stitched on 28 ct Ultra Very Light Antique Blue evenweave. I basically kept the colors the same. I'm not too sure about the pink string on the mittens. It was supposed to be a light blue but it blended into the fabric too much. What do you think?

The next project I completed will eventually be an ornament.


It's "Snow in Love" by Little House Needleworks. It's the hunky dude and I enjoying the snow!  ;)  This one is stitched on 28 ct Beige evenweave. I really like how this turned out. I kept all the original colors.  :)

After this I wanted a quick project. I was waiting on some over-dyed threads to arrive and needed them for the other projects I wanted to work on. In the meantime I stitched this up . . .


It's "Happy Haunting" by Lizzie Kate. I stitched it on 28 ct Light Tan evenweave. This one will probably become a pillow. I'm not too sure about it but I think I'll like it more once I add the perfect fabrics to it.  :)

After the Halloween project I received some of the threads I was waiting on. I stitched this ornament up.


It's another Little House Needleworks ornament. This one is called "All Dolled Up". It's stitched on a 28 ct Beige evenweave. I changed some of the colors. I will be adding black beads for the Snowman's eyes and buttons. I'm happy with how it came out!  :)

Then I worked on my Garden exchange piece for the "Stitched With Love" exchange. I loved the way it turned out! I wish I could show you but I have to wait until everyone receives their packages . . . sorry.  :(

The next project I did was the one I was waiting on the threads for. The moment I saw this design I just had to get it and stitch it up.


I'm so happy with the way it turned out! I love it!  :)  It's a design by Homespun Elegance called "Delivering Plenty". It turns out there's a whole series of these "delivering..." designs. I'll definitely be doing more of these! I stitched it on a 25ct Gray Green evenweave. I'm not sure of the correct color of the fabric as it was part of a variety of fabric ends that I got from a shop owner. I will be adding some buttons for the cart wheels and a charm or two. There was supposed to be a squirrel on the turkey's back but I didn't like it so I left it off. You'll have to wait and see how I finish this one off.  ;)

Remember the swap project I told you about? Well I liked it so much that I decided to stitch one up for myself. I actually finished stitching the piece today. I still can't show it to you though . . . so sorry!  :(  I can show you what I'm starting on tonight though.


It's the Halloween Mystery Sampler by Lizzie Kate. It took me a little while to decide whether I wanted to do this one or not but of course I decided "Yes!". I have part one & two of the design already. The third (& last) part will be out at the end of the month. I'm hoping to have the first two parts finished by then. I'm stitching it on a 28ct Mushroom evenweave instead of the Tin Roof fabric it called for. I am using all the original threads though. I'm hoping it will turn out nice!  :)

The last few weeks I actually have managed to get some sewing done too. Not a lot because of the heat though. I've discovered that my dining room, which is where I sew, is very hot. It just doesn't cool off in there. By the time I finish sewing I'm soaked with sweat (yuck!) I was wondering why I haven't been sewing much this summer and I now know this is why. I'm dying to work on some projects that have been waiting for me so I hope it cools off soon so I can get back to some sewing. I'll be showing you one of the items I did finish later this week. The other sewing project will have to wait longer as it was for the swap I mailed off.

Well that's it for now. Be sure to come back later in the week to check out my sewing plus some fun stuff I have planned.

Until next time . . .


Sunday, August 12, 2012

Traveling Stash Box UPDATES

Hello!  :)

Welcome!  :)  This is where you find updates for the 8 Traveling Stash boxes traveling around the US!

What is a Traveling Stash Box?  It's a box that's filled with a collection of fabrics, patterns, thread and other quilty fun! When you receive a box you take out what you like and replace it with items from your own stash, hold a giveaway and then send it to the next lucky person. You can find all the rules and guidelines here.


Here's the latest updates as of 8/19/12 . . . 

~ A big "THANK YOU!" to everyone who has been keeping these boxes moving quickly!  :)
~ There is 1 Giveaways posted! More coming soon!  :)

TRAVELING STASH & OTHER BOXES:
BOX #1:     Laura Ann @ The Fuzzy Hat Quilter has received the box! She is very excited!  :)  Laura Ann will be posting the Giveaway later this week!  :)

BOX #2:     JL Verde @ Just Someting I Made is the winner of the Giveaway! Congrats JL! The box will be on it's way soon!  :)

BOX #3:     Carolyn @ I Believe Inn is the winner of the Giveaway! Congrats Carolyn! The box will be on it's way to you soon!  :)

BOX #4:     Terry @ Terry's Treasures is the winner of the Giveaway! Congrats Terry! The box will be on it's way to you soon!  :)

BOX #5:     Bree @ My Crafty Crap posted the Giveaway! It ends on Thursday, August 23rd!     ENTER HERE!

PASS IT ON BOX:     Tonya @ Hillbilly Handiworks is the winner of the Giveaway! Congrats Tonya! The box will be coming your way soon!  :)

LEAP YEAR BOX (giveaway only on the 29th of each month):     Julia @ Green Quilts is the winner of the Giveaway! Congrats Julia! The box is on it's way!  :)

TWO SISTERS BOX:     Josie @ Insanity Defense posted the Giveaway! It ended on Friday, August 17th! The winner will be announced soon!  :)


Find all the Traveling Stash Rules and Guidelines here.

Find out about the Origins of the Traveling Stash Boxes here.

Find all the Traveling Stash posts here.


Until next time . . .


Monday, August 6, 2012

Traveling Stash Box UPDATES

Hello!  :)

Welcome!  :)  This is where you will find updates for all 8 of the Traveling Stash boxes traveling around the US! I want to thank everyone who has been keeping the boxes moving quickly the past few weeks! Thank you so much!  :)

What is a Traveling Stash Box?  It's a box that's filled with a collection of fabrics, patterns, thread and other quilty fun! When you receive one you take out what you like and replace it with items from your own stash, hold a giveaway and then send it to the next lucky recipient. You can find all the rules and guidelines here.


Here's the latest updates as of 8/11/12 . . .

~ Box #3 has been received after 7 weeks of waiting!
~ Two Giveaways are now posted! More coming soon!  :)
~ Girls please post the giveaway within a few days of receiving the box!  Thank you!  :)

TRAVELING STASH & OTHER BOXES:
BOX #1:     Laura Ann @ The Fuzzy Hat Quilter is the winner of the Giveaway! Congrats Laura Ann! The box should be on the way!  :)

BOX #2:     Rebeckah @ Handmade by Rebeckah (Rose Creations) posted the Giveaway! It ends on Saturday, August 18th!     ENTER HERE!!!

BOX #3:     Irene @ Hilachas finally received the box!!!!!!!!  :)   Irene said, "the box is full of nice stuff!" She will be posting the giveaway this weekend!  :)

BOX #4:     Wendy @ Stitchduchess Crazy & Sane Quilting World is the winner of the Giveaway! Congrats Wendy! The box has been received! Wendy will be posting the Giveaway on Monday!  :)

BOX #5:     Bree @ My Crafty Crap is the winner of the Giveaway! Congrats Bree! She has received the box and will be blogging about it soon!  :)

PASS IT ON BOX:     Linda @ Casa Boose in Stitches is the winner of the Giveaway! Congrats Linda! She has received the box and will be blogging about it soon!  :)

LEAP YEAR BOX (giveaway only on the 29th of each month):     Julia @ green Quilts is the winner of the Giveaway! Congrats Julia! The box should be on the way!  :)

TWO SISTERS BOX:     Josie @ Insanity Defense posted the Giveaway! It ends on Friday, August 17th at midnight!     ENTER HERE!!!


Find the Traveling Stash Rules and Guidelines here.

Find out about the Origins of the Traveling Stash Boxes here.

Find all the Traveling Stash posts here.


Until next time . . .