Friday, March 25, 2016

WHOOMP There IT Is! #24 - Award Winner

WHOOMP There IT Is!  Gossamer got Honorable Mention in the pictorial category at the Arizona Quilters Guild Quilt Show 2016!
Not too bad for my first ever show entry! Thank you Janeen for the wonderful pattern! AND thank you Sue for your thorough and patient instruction!  You can read about the making of Gossamer here.  Needless to say, I'm ecstatic!
Ugh! I could not get this centered! 


And in other news...

Last week's craft sale was pretty much a bust. There wasn't much traffic at all.  I sold 3 bibs all day. We were out there from 8a - 1p.  I came home and listed everything in My Etsy Shop.
Besides the bibs, I'd made several belly bands for small dogs. I decided to give my bands a name; Mr. PeePotty.  I've always heard that baby and dog items sell the best. I sure hope it's true!


I did manage to get another spiderweb block finished. I'm starting to see webs form!
I had a minor mishap though. On one section I cut off the web strings instead of my guide.  It was an easy fix, but I did want to cry when it happened.
There are several patterns/tutorials for the spiderweb quilt.   I chose to go w/ this tutorial because I found it the simplest.  The blocks measure 11.5", so I figure to have a decent size lap quilt I need 42 blocks (6 across, 7 down), which means my 1st block will definitely be in this quilt!

This scrappy Jelly Roll Race quilt is basted and I'm hoping to finish it this weekend to get it sent off on Monday. Then I'll get started on my next commission for 2 baby quilts w/custom labels.

And lastly, for the past few years I've volunteered at the AQG Quilt Show. If I've had a name tag, it's been a sticker but this year I have a real badge! Thanks Sue!

If you are local or just visiting this weekend, come see the 300+ quilts made by amazing Arizona quilters!  I hope I see you there!
And one more pic of  me & Gossamer for good measure. =)


Now it's your turn to show us what you've been up to.
A Quilted Passion
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A Thread for Life

Friday, March 18, 2016

WHOOMP There IT Is! #23 - A Productive Week & Craft Sale

This post contains ad links.

Hello and Happy Friday!  No matter what, it'll always be my favorite day of the week!

The past week was as productive as I wanted it to be. AND I've got some pics to prove it!

I spent quality time w/my grands last weekend. We went to the park and to the picture show to see Zootopia, which is a really cute movie.  We had an all around great time as usual.


I was able to finish an Easy Twirl Skirt for my granddaughter in time for her to wear it to church on Sunday. It's a simple and  free tutorial. The hardest part for me was making the ruffle.  I was bummed when I realized I hadn't taken a pic of her wearing it,  but here's a pic of the skirt itself.
It was while I was making the skirt that I realized one of the threads on my serger had come un-threaded.  I was going to do the tying off method but I had no idea where the heck the stray thread came from and where all it wasn't threaded...so, I decided to take ALL of the threads out.  Of course after I did that, I suffered a brief moment of panic.  Then I calmed down, took out the manual and re-threaded the darn thing! I would be lying if I said I didn't drop a few F & S bombs or work up a sweat, but I got 'er done!
My Serger - Oh Susana! 
I am slowly accepting the fact that my eyes are aging and w/it I'm becoming farsighted, which means I can see things at a distance better than close up. I just recently learned the difference between nearsightedness and farsightedness.

Moving right along, I cut out all the strings for my Halloween spiderweb quilt.  There's all kinds of good stuff in this pile 'o strings; Cotton and Steel, Michael Miller, Dear Stella and Connecting Threads.
I even did a test block! It may or may not become part of the actual quilt. One reason is I don't have anymore of this orange fabric. Another is I'm trying to decide if I want the strings that immediately outline the star to be of the same color (not necessarily the same fabric) to make the star more defined. When I look at this star, it appears wonky. Not that there's anything wrong w/wonky, I'm just not going for that look w/the stars on this quilt.  What do you think?

I'm still finishing up some items for the Craft Sale tomorrow.  If you are local, come on by. I look forward to seeing you. We'll be in Glendale AZ at 46th Ave & Bryce Lane, which is just south of Northern from 8a - 2p! Click on the pic to see our Craigslist Ad. There will be handmade lovelies of all kinds to choose from. You won't want to miss this sale!

Craftsy is having another sale! Check out their Sale-A-Bration Alert! For a very limited time, you'll find top designers, beloved brands and much more marked down on Craftsy. With up to 60% off best-selling kits and supplies, you can shop 'til you drop! Hurry, the deals end Sunday!

It's party time!
A Quilted Passion
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Happy National Quilting Day!!


A Thread for Life
We have no right to judge where we should be put, or to have preconceived notions as to what God is fitting us for. God engineers everything; wherever He puts us, our one great aim is to pour out a whole-hearted devotion to Him in that particular work.- Oswald Chambers

Friday, March 11, 2016

WHOOMP There IT Is! #22 - Blame It on the Phone!

I got a new phone yesterday! I upgraded from the Nokia Lumia Icon (Windows) to Samsung Galaxy S6 (Android). I know Windows phones are not popular, due to the limited apps, but it was good enough for me and it took great pics!  However, it's not compatible w/the Square Reader. Square Reader is a device that will allow me to swipe credit cards anywhere and it only costs 2.75% per swipe. I plan to use it at the craft sale on March 19th and I'm hoping for a lot of swipes!

Anyway, I spent way too much time refamiliarizing myself w/the Android OS so I have nothing prepared to show today.  I am looking forward to seeing your makes though.  I sure do appreciate all you linky-uppers. Thank you!
A Quilted Passion
Thank the Host
Everyone likes to hear "thank you" and know their effort is appreciated.
Spread the Love
The more love you give, the more you get. Pick a number (mine is 5) and commit to visiting and commenting on that many link-ups. Let them know where you're visiting from and ask them to visit you. (This works well for me!)
Direct Link
Use a direct link to a specific post, not your main blog.
Link Back
In your blog post, include a link back to my post/blog and/or grab the WHOOMP There IT Is! button above and put in your post or sidebar. Thanks for spreading the love.
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Of course I would love for all you linky-uppers to be followers, but it's NOT required.




A Thread for Life
The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you;
the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace. Numbers 6:24-26

Friday, March 4, 2016

WHOOMP There IT Is! #21 - And the Winner Is...

Thank you all for participating in the giveaway! I enjoyed reading what quilt blocks you'd like to see made into earrings.  I promise I read them all, even if I haven't replied yet.  And, I will definitely pass your suggestions on to Sandra. If you have not already done so, be sure to check out all of her fabulous jewelry creations at Fay West Designs.

Now, the moment you all have been wating for:
Congratulations GayLee!  You are # 8 and the lucky winner!  Please email me your address asap.  I'd like to get your prize mailed out on Monday.

Next order of business is about the 2016 UFO Challenge I'm participating in.   March's number is 6.  My #6 project is a Spiderweb quilt. I was inspired to make one after seeing Julie's gorgeous creation pictured below.  Something tells me that I'm going to end up w/more UFOs than I started with!
I've got a good list of  things to do this month.  Besides work on the Spiderweb quilt, I've got to make a gift quilt, several small items for a craft sale taking place in 2 weeks, sew a sleeve and label on Gossamer for the Arizona Quilters Guild Quilt Show, finish 2 test projects for Kids Camp, AND start a commission for 2 baby quilts! Pray for me y'all!

Now it's party time!
A Quilted Passion
Thank the Host
Everyone likes to hear "thank you" and know their effort is appreciated.
Spread the Love
The more love you give, the more you get. Pick a number (mine is 5) and commit to visiting and commenting on that many link-ups. Let them know where you're visiting from and ask them to visit you. (This works well for me!)
Direct Link
Use a direct link to a specific post, not your main blog.
Link Back
In your blog post, include a link back to my post/blog and/or grab the WHOOMP There IT Is! button above and put in your post or sidebar. Thanks for spreading the love.
Follow Me ;)
Of course I would love for all you linky-uppers to be followers, but it's NOT required.





A Thread for Life
Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.Phil 3:12-14 NIV