My Favorite Things is All Done!!!!!!!! :)

Hello!  :)

Yes it's DONE!!!! I'm soooo happy! I absolutely LOVE the way it tuned out!!!!  :)  Here it is . . .

And the back (not that you can see much - well maybe if you enlarge it) . . .

I tried to take a close up picture of the hand quilting but you really can't see too much.

In the borders I stitched four-petal flowers in every other square with a loop in between with white. In the strip sections I stitched larger four-petal flowers with 2 loops between with white. Four the blocks I outline stitched them in red and used white to outline all the shapes in the blocks. As for the smaller block sections between them I stitched one, two or three, five-petal flowers on some of the larger squares using yellow for the centers and either red, pink, blue, or dark blue for the petals. Here it is all folded up . . .

And one last peek at all that Pam Kitty Morning goodness! I love that fabric and it really made this quilt a treasure for me.  :)

I stitched this as part of a Stitch-A-Long over at http://stitch-a-long.blogspot.com/. Be sure to go there to check out some of the other girls quilts. Thanks for sharing in this experience with me. It's actually the first quilt I finished for myself. Yes, it's mine! All mine!!!!  ;)

Until next time . . .

Friday Night Sew In & More

Hello!  :)

Well . . . I didn't really accomplish what I planned for my Friday Night Sew-In this month.  :(

The design I ended up putting on my "My Favorite Things" quilt border ended up taking quite a bit longer to quilt than I thought it would. Oh well . . . that's the way it goes sometimes. I ended up loving how it turned out though and that's all that matters!  :)  On Friday I ended up running a lot of errands so I didn't get much done that day. When the night rolled around I sat and stitched more on the border. On Saturday I sat and stitched more and the border. On Sunday I finally finished the border quilting! Yea! I got the binding cut, sewed on and pinned today. Tonight I plan on sitting and stitching the binding down to finish it off. I don't know how long it will take but I don't care. I love it! I can't wait until I'm finished. Here's a small sneak peek . . .

Now no more peeks until I completely finish it. You'll just have to wait!  ;)

I can finally show you the blocks I made last week for my monthly block swap. Here's the one for August that I made for my partners. The theme was camping.

I got my inspiration from My Sew Sweet Studios blog (just scroll down a little to see her camper). I made the same block for myself but with the camper in colors just for me.  :)

The second block was for September. The theme was school.

I love how this one turned out!  :)

Thanks for your patience with me and showing you my projects. Hopefully I'll be back tomorrow to show you my finished quilt! The deadline to finish is October 31st so I'm really cutting it close.

Until next time . . .

Traveling Stash 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 (including how to save on postage) here.


PLEASE NOTE:  There may be delays with some of the boxes because of the storms in the East. Please be patient and pray for everyone's safety. Some delays may be long depending on power losses and how long it takes to get the power turned back on. 


Here's the latest updates as of 11/2/12 . . . 

TRAVELING STASH & OTHER BOXES:
BOX #1:     Melinda @ Melinda Quilts ETC is the winner of the Giveaway! Congrats Melinda! The box will be arriving soon!  :)

BOX #2:     Sew Cal Gal @ Sew Cal Gal is the winner of the Giveaway! Congrats! The box will be arriving soon!  :)

BOX #3:     Julie @ Distant Pickles has posted the Giveaway! It ends at midnight EDT on Thursday, November 8th!     ENTER HERE!!!  :)

BOX #4:     Denise @ Count it all Joy has posted the Giveaway! It ends on Monday, November 5th at 12:00pm!      ENTER HERE!!!  :)

BOX #5:     Rachel @ Suzmademedoit is the winner of the Giveaway! Congrats Rachel! The box will be arriving soon!  :)

TWO SISTERS BOX:     Rachel @ Happily Ever After is the winner of the Giveaway! Congrats Rachel! The box will be arriving soon!  :)

PASS IT ON BOX:     Samantha @ Sami's Quilts & Crafts has posted the Giveaway! It ends on Monday, November 5th around noon PST!     ENTER HERE!!!  :)

LEAP YEAR BOX #2 (giveaway begins on the 29th of each month):     Wendy @ Stitchduchess Crazy & Sane Quilting World is the winner of the Giveaway! Congrats Wendy! The box will be arriving soon!  :)


UPDATE!!!     MIA - LEAP YEAR BOX #1:     In the middle of September this box was mailed and never arrived. It is lost in transit (MIA). If  the original box ever shows up we will continue with it at that time.     UPDATE:  The mailing label from the box has been sent back to the original mailer (it came off during handling at the post office). She is filling out paperwork describing what's in the box. It just may show up yet! We'll have to wait and see! Keep your fingers crossed!  :)


Find all the Traveling Stash Rules & Guidelines (Including how to save on postage) here.

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

Find all the Traveling Stash Posts here.


Until next time . . .

I'm Still Here!

Hello!  :)

Yes I'm here! Really I am! I've been working hard too! The problem is that I can't or I'm not ready to show you what I've been doing yet. I figured I'd better stop in and let you know that I'm still alive and breathing so no one would worry.  ;)  Besides . . . I missed you!  :)

So what have I been up to? For the most part I've been working very hard hand quilting my "My Favorite Things" quilt.

Of course this isn't a new picture. I want to wait until I finish it to show it to you. I hope you will hang in there with me and be patient. I worked on it all last weekend as part of the

Even though it wasn't cross stitch it was LOTS of stitching!  ;)  I finished all the quilting on the blocks and the flowers between them that I started on last week. It took quite a while as there were many blocks and LOTS of stitches! Here's the picture I showed you last week of how I was stitching them . . .

I also managed to quilt all the strips between the rows yesterday. I actually ran out of white perle cotton and hand to run to JoAnn's and buy another ball of it. I couldn't believe I got it all done in one day!  :)  When I finish this post I'm going to start quilting the borders. I'm hoping to have them finished quickly. My plans are to finish them by tomorrow afternoon and put the binding on tomorrow night during the

It's always fun to sew together on Friday Night with people just like me all over the world! If you'd like to participate just go to http://handmadebyheidi.blogspot.com and sign up and sew.

So if my plans go as planned I'll have my quilt finished tomorrow night!!! I hope, I hope, I hope!!!! Keep your fingers crossed for me!  :)  I'm really loving this quilt and can't wait to be done. I have to admit that I've already been using it even though it's just a work in progress. Sometimes as I sit and stitch I get tired and take a little cat nap under it. It's so warm and cozy already!  :)

During the last week I've also been working on a few other things too. I had to sit down and put the finishing touches on my Fall Exchange piece for my Stitched With Love Exchange that went out Monday. I love the way it turned out. I can't show it to you though until I get the okay that everyone has received their gifts. I actually received my gift and goodies today! I love all of it! Of course I can't show it to you yet either.  :(

I also made up a couple of blocks for my monthly quilt block exchange. These blocks were for August and September (yes I was behind) and are the last of the year long exchange. They were sent off and should be arriving to my partners soon. After they're received I will be able to show them to you. I received my blocks from one partner but haven't from the other one yet.

If you're still with me thanks for hanging in there. Hopefully I'll be back soon with lots of pictures and things to share!

Until next time . . .

The WINNER of the Pass It On Box Is...

Hello!  :)

Thank you all so much for entering the giveaway! I'd also like to thank you for sharing what you last blogged about with me. It was fun checking your blogs out!  :)

Now on to the business at hand . . . This Pass It On Traveling Stash Box

will be traveling to . . .

#8 Samantha who said . . .

Samantha said... 8

The last thing I blogged about was the Star Wars quilt that I'm making for my hubby's boss. :D I would love a couple of the fabrics in that box and I have some really great stuff to add back. :D Thanks for a chance!

Congrats Samantha!  :)  I've sent you an email. Please send me your mailing address so I can send this box to you. Be sure to visit Samantha's blog, Sami's Qulits & Crafts.

If you didn't win this time go here to see all the other boxes you can try for. Good luck!  :)

Until next time . . .

Traveling Stash 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.

Be sure to check out the info, 

below the updates, for hints about 

How to Send a Box for LESS Money and Hassle!  :)

Here's the latest updates as of 10/28/12 . . . 

TRAVELING STASH & OTHER BOXES:
BOX #1:      Melinda @ Melinda Quilts ETC is the winner of the Giveaway! Congrats Melinda! The box will be arriving soon!  :)

BOX #2:     Charlotte @ Grammie Q's has posted the Giveaway! It ended on Friday, October 26th. The winner will be posted soon!  :)

BOX #3:     Julie @ Distant Pickles is the winner of the Giveaway! Congrats Julie! The box will be arriving soon!  :)

BOX #4:     Barb @ Mountain Quiltworks has posted the Giveaway! It ended on Sunday, October 28th! The winner will be posted soon!  :)

BOX #5:     Shanna @ Sparrow in Flight has posted the Giveaway! It ends on Tuesday, October 30th!     ENTER HERE!!!

TWO SISTERS BOX:     Kelsey @ Kelsey Sews has posted the Giveaway! It ends on Sunday, October 28th! The winner will be posted soon!  :)

PASS IT ON BOX:     Samantha @ Sami's Quilts & Crafts is the winner of the Giveaway! Congrats Samantha! The box will be arriving soon!  :)

New! LEAP YEAR BOX #2 (giveaway begins on the 29th of each month):     Lynn @ Alamosa Quilter has received the box! Lynn will post the Giveaway on October 29th! Stay tuned!  :)

MIA - LEAP YEAR BOX #1:     In the middle of September this box was mailed and never arrived. It is lost in transit (MIA). If the original box ever shows up we will continue with it at that time.  



HOW TO SAVE MONEY & TIME WHEN MAILING A STASH BOX:

• Did you know that you can purchase postage online from the United States Postal Service (USPS)?
• Did you know that when you purchase postage online you get a discount and FREE Delivery Confirmation?
• Did you know that when you purchase postage online you can also schedule the Post Office to pick up your package at your home or office?

Yes you can do all of these! 

HERE'S HOW . . .
1.  Go to USPS.com.

2.  Click on Ship a Package.
3.  Click on Print a Label with Postage.
4.  Log on or create a new account.
5.  Enter the mailing information for your package. Enter the package details. We use Flat Rate boxes to mail the Traveling Stash so check "I am shipping Flat Rate". Then choose your ship date and click "Next: Choose a Service".
6.  Scroll down the shipping options. Click on "Large Flat Rate Box". (Note: some of the stashes are in medium boxes so if the stash you have is in the medium box you will choose that option.) Scroll down to "Add extra services". The "Delivery Confirmation" box is already checked. You get it for FREE when you purchase flat rate postage online! How cool is that?!!!  :)
7.  Click on "Next: Review your Cart".
8.  Verify the mailing address then click on "Next: Billing Information".
9.  Follow the instructions to pay for the postage.
10.  Print the mailing label out. Trim it and tape it to the box.
11.  You're package is now ready for mailing. Either drop it off at the post office (you can simply put it in the package drop box inside) or schedule a pick up online.

SAVINGS:  Did you notice that you only pay $14.65 online for postage (large flat rate box), instead of the $15.45 you pay at the post office? You save $ .80! You also receive FREE Delivery Confirmation. That is a value of $ .75. For a total savings of $1.55! Plus you can track the delivery of the package!  :)

This may seem like a lot of steps but it's really not. I just tried to spell it out carefully so I didn't confuse anyone. If you have any questions you can contact the post office or me (Cherise) and I'll be happy to help you! It really is an easy process and one that saves you time and money! I know everyone likes that!  :)


Find all the Traveling Stash Rules & Guidelines (Including how to save on postage) here.

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

Find all the Traveling Stash Posts here.


Until next time . . .

A Finish ~ Ort Report & Progress Finally!

Hello!  :)

Last week and over the weekend I got some stitching done. I actually finished stitching the piece I'm doing for my Fall Exchange but of course I can't show it to you. I'm hoping to get it made into a finished piece in the next few days. Especially since I need to have it mailed out by Monday.

After the exchange piece, I picked up the Poinsettia House again. Here's where I had left off last time . . .

Here it is all stitched up and ready to make up into the mini quilt I had planned for it.

Now I just need to pick out the fabrics to go with it and get 'er done.  :)  With all the stitching I've been doing my ort (old ratty threads) jar is getting full.

I wonder how full it will be by the end of the year. I'm posting it as part of the

Now to show you the progress I made. I finally got my act together and sandwiched my "My Favorite Things" quilt.

I kept putting it off and putting it off. The sandwiching is my least favorite part of the whole progress. I think it's because it's so big and hard to do in my small home. Here's a closer view and a sneak peek at the backing fabric.

I think the red gingham backing (a recycled sheet) really goes well with the quilt and looks fabulous!  :)  Now I just need to sit down and start quilting it. I'm using perle cotton and doing it by hand. I think doing it that way will really add to the quilt. I wasn't really sure how I wanted to quilt it and am just figuring it out as I go along. I did get a chance to sit down with it last night and begin. Here's how I'm quilting the blocks and pieced areas between them.

I decided to use red to stitch around each block. I'm using white to outline each shape. Then I'm using yellow, red, pink and blues to stitch flowers in some of the larger blocks in the pieced areas between the blocks. I'm really happy with how it's turning out so far. I've gotten the first row done already. Only four more to go... lol! My plan is to finish each row of blocks. Then the rows of strips and then the borders after that. I have a few ideas of how to quilt the strips and borders but haven't decided exactly what I'm going to do yet. It's kind of fun figuring it out as I go along. Thanks for visiting me!  :)

Until next time . . .

Animal Antics Exchange Reveal

Hello!  :)

I got the okay today that the Animal Antics Cross Stitch Exchange I participated in, through Stitched With Love Exchanges, is complete. That means that now I can share the goodies with you!  :)  If you'd like to view all the goodies the participants exchanged you can view them here.

In this exchange we were to list 3 animals we liked to give our partner choices of what to make for us. One of the animals I choose was the Ladybird or Ladybug. Yes I know it's not really an animal but it was for this exchange.  ;)  Here's what my partner Catherine in Pennsylvania sent to me.

It included the exact chart I hoped my partner would stitch for me! Can you believe that?! It has ladybugs and pink! My favorites!  :)  She only stitched part of the design for me so she gave me the pattern so I can stitch the whole thing later. Cool!  ;)  She also gave me a variety of pink hand-dyed threads, some linen fabrics, lots of buttons, cute ladybug ribbon and an adorable sterling silver ladybug charm! I love it all!  :)  Thanks so much Catherine for your generosity! You made me a happy girl!  :)

Did you notice she included my initials in the stitched design? Cool huh?! She did such an awesome job with the stitching and finishing! I love it!  :)  Here's a close up . . .

Usually in these exchanges you send items to one person and receive items from another. This time Catherine and I actually had each other! How fun is that?!!! Catherine liked sheep and birds so I included both. Here's what I sent her . . .  

I stitched her a Homespun Elegance design called "Sheep Button Sampler". I made it into a mini quilt for her to hang. I also included a Bird pattern, hand-dyed threads for the pattern, some bird fabric (in 4 colors), a bird button, some other buttons, ribbons and needles. Here's a close up of the quilt . . .

And a closer view of the stitching . . .

I always have lots of fun with these exchanges! Right now I'm finishing up my project for the Fall Exchange and will soon be receiving my partner for the Christmas Stitches Exchange. This will finish up the exchanges for the year. I'm having so much fun! Thanks Lainey for hosting! You're the best!  :)

Until next time . . .

Pass It On Stash Box GIVEAWAY!

Hello!  :)

It's time for another Traveling Stash Box Giveaway! This time it's the Pass It On Box. Jill from Jill- Jill Via the Grapevine had won the box but was unable to participate so I had her send it to me. It arrived today.  :)  I opened it up to take pictures, but didn't take anything from the box as I didn't win it.

This box is packed full of goodies! Here are the larger pieces of fabric and a couple of smaller ones too . . .

These are the smaller cuts plus a couple of charm packs . . .

There are 10 books and 4 patterns inside . . . 

These books make the box pretty heavy so it would be great if the person who gets this box replace some of the books with fabric or notions.

The box included just a few notions . . .

Since I didn't take anything from the box I'm not adding to it either. I packed everything back up in a new box (the old one was very worn). Here it is ready to travel to the next lucky person. Will it be you?  ;)

Would you like this box to come for a visit to your house?  Here's how . . .

Rules:
1.  Be an active blogger. Post about receiving the box and the giveaway quickly after receiving it.
2.  There's a note in the box that logs where it's been. Please add your info and place the note back in the box.
3.  There's a list of Rules and Guidelines in the box. Please read and follow these and return the list to the box.
4.  You may take anything you like from the box. Just replace every item with comparable quilt shop quality items equal to the amount taken.
5.  Ship the box to the next person soon after the giveaway ends.
6.  Due to the amount of postage shipping is only within the USA.

Giveaway:
Please leave a comment on this post telling me what the last thing you blogged about was. Comments will be open until midnight (pacific time) on Monday, October 22nd. I will email the winner and post on my blog on Tuesday, October 23rd. If you are a no-reply blogger please post your email in your comment or you will be disqualified.

LOTS OF LUCK TO YOU!    :)


Until next time . . .

Traveling Stash 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 10/21/12 . . . 

TRAVELING STASH & OTHER BOXES:
BOX #1:     Judy @ Scrappy Pieces has posted the Giveaway! It ends on Friday, October 26th at 11pm EST!     ENTER HERE!!!

BOX #2:     Charlotte @ Grammie Q's has posted the Giveaway! It ends on Friday, October 26th!     ENTER HERE!!!

BOX #3:     Julie @ Distant Pickles is the winner of the Giveaway! Congrats Julie! The box will be arriving soon!  :)

BOX #4:     Barb @ Mountain Quiltworks is the winner of the Giveaway! Congrats Barb! The box will be arriving soon!  :)

BOX #5:     Shanna @ Sparrow in Flight is the winner of the Giveaway! The box has arrived! The Giveaway will be posted soon!  :)

TWO SISTERS BOX:     Kelsey @ Kelsey Sews is the winner of the Giveaway! Congrats Kelsey! The box will be arriving soon!  :)

PASS IT ON BOX:     Cherise @ Sewingly Along has posted the Giveaway (for Jill)! It ends on Monday, October 22nd at midnight PST!   ENTER HERE!!!  :)

New!  LEAP YEAR BOX #2 (giveaway begins on the 29th of each month):     Lynn @ Alamosa Quilter has received the box! Lynn will post the Giveaway on October 29th! Stay tuned!  :)

MIA - LEAP YEAR BOX #1:     This box was mailed to Lynn @ Alamosa Quilter in the middle of September. It never arrived and is lost in transit. Sharon @ Vrooman's Quilts volunteered to start a New Leap Year Box and mailed it to Lynn so she can still participate! Thanks Sharon! If the original box ever shows up we will continue with it.


Find all the Traveling Stash Rules & Guidelines here.

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

Find all the Traveling Stash Posts here.


Until next time . . .

And The WINNER is...

Hello!  :)

Thank you all so much for entering the giveaway and telling me what you're working on for Christmas gifts this year! It was fun reading them! You gave me some great ideas!  :)

This Traveling Stash Box #2

will be traveling to . . .

#6 Charlotte who said . . .

charlotte said... 6

I am making several small quilt, a couple of pillows and some wristlet phone pouches. I would love to be added to the list for the stash.

Congrats Charlotte!  :)  I've sent you an email. Please send me your mailing address so I can send this box to you. Be sure to visit Charlotte's blog, Grammie Q's.

If you didn't win this time go here to see all the other boxes you can try for. Good luck!  :)

Until next time . . .

The Weekend Update :)

Hello!  :)

I have a little update for my "My Favorite Things" quilt.

Did you notice I said "little"? The only thing I've done this last week on the quilt is to order more of the blue polka dot Pam Kitty Morning fabric for the binding. (I told you it was a "little" progress... lol!) I ordered it from The Quilting Bug on Thursday night. It shipped Friday and arrived Saturday! How's that for great service?!!!  :)  Here it is . . .

Did you notice I also ordered more of the fabrics from the same line? The white one on the left is more of the same I already had. The others to the right are all new ones that I didn't have before. Aren't they awesome?!!! Believe it or not there's still more that I don't have yet! I love that fabric line and will be using it on another project that I'll be starting when I finish my "My Favorite Things" quilt. I really need to get started on quilting it but I couldn't on the weekend as everyone was home and I can't lay it out on the floor where everyone needs to walk. I was going to start it today but then the boy stayed home sick. He has pretty bad asthma and when the weather changes it really acts up. Plus he has a cold on top of it. I may have to take him to the doctors tomorrow for some steroids. They're the only thing that relax his bronchial tubes and lungs enough for his normal medicine to be effective when he's sick. I really hate seeing and hearing him struggle to breathe.  :(

Saturday was a great mail day! Not only did I receive the fabric I ordered, but I also receive a couple of patterns and floss that I ordered from 123 Stitch on Thursday as well. I can't show them to you as they're for an exchange. If that wasn't enough yummy mail, I also received a surprise pattern that day from my Blog Buddy Karen of Sew Much 2 Luv! She sent me this awesome pattern . . .

Isn't it adorable! It's so me! She know's me so well!  :)  She didn't even know that this has been on my wish list for a while now. I love it and can't wait to start it! Here's a close up of the pattern . . .

I love it! Thanks so much Karen! You're the bestest!!!!  :)

Since I couldn't work on my quilt this past weekend I worked on a cross stitch swap piece and this Christmas piece for myself . . .

I loved this pattern the first time I saw it! I've had it for a while now but finally got around to starting it. I'm going to make a mini quilt out of it. Sad to say I will have to put it away for a little bit though as I have to finish that swap piece first. I only have a week before I have to mail it out. I hope I get a chance to get started quilting my quilt soon too. I'm hand quilting it so it will take a little while. I definitely have a lot on my plate, but I always do. That's the way I am. I have to keep busy.  :)

Until next time . . .