Saturday, October 15, 2016

Shop Hoppin'!

I had a blast participating in my very first shop hop!  It was the Rally in the Valley Shop Hop Tour 2016 and included 11 stores in the Phoenix Metro Area from October 7 - 15, 2016.

Me and my friends, Teresa and Kelly, hopped on Mon & Tue Oct 10 & 11.

Of the 11 stores participating in the hop, I'd only been to one prior and that was 3 Dudes.

Here is how we hopped.

Monday
3 Dudes Quilting - Phoenix, AZ
Cutting Edge Quilts - Chandler, AZ
Quilters Ranch - Tempe, AZ
Mad B's Quilt and Sew - Mesa, AZ
A Quilter's Oasis - Mesa, AZ
BERNINA Connection - Phoenix, AZ
Bonus stop SAS Fabrics Phoenix, AZ

Tuesday
The Olde World Quilt Shoppe - Cave Creek, AZ
The Other Quilt Shop - Phoeniz, AZ
You Can Quilt - Peoria, AZ
Arizona Quilts - Surprise, AZ
Sun Valley Quilts - Sun City, AZ
Bonus stop 35th Ave Sew & Vac Phoenix, AZ

I had a great experience and bought a few goodies...


...and a little bit of fabric.

Here's a better view of my lovelies!

The only thing that would've made it better is if I was spending someone else's money!

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time, God Bless.

Linking up at:
Show Off Saturday
Main Crush Monday

A Thread for Life
Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my concerns. See if there is any offensive way in me; lead me in the everlasting way. Psalms 139-23-24 HCSB


Thursday, October 13, 2016

Works In Progress - Nines and Attic Windows

I currently have several works in progress, but am only sharing two today.

The first is a quilt I'm making for my newest grand Cali, who was born on August 8th.


The pattern is a Disappearing Nine Patch and the fabric collection is Hashmark for Michael Miller. Cali's quilt will be finished soon!


Me and some friends sew together the 3rd Saturday of each month.  Most of the time we work on our own projects, but occasionally we plan to make the same project.  Last month we decided on an Attic Window quilt inspired by the Missouri Star Quilter's Attic Window Tutorial.  The tutorial called for a panel, but I didn't think any of my panels would look good as an Attic Window.


So instead I chose to use this older Springs Industries fabric that I've dubbed Flowers in the Meadow.  I think it works perfectly! Don't you agree?  I'll be adding borders and hopefully have this finished soon as well.

Until next time, God bless and happy stitichin'!

Linking up at:
Midweek Makers
Let's Bee Social

A Thread for Life
There are two ways to be fooled. One is to believe what isn't true; the other is to refuse to believe what is true. - Soren Kierkegaard



Friday, October 7, 2016

The Party's Over

Last week I got an Account Expiration Notification email from InLinkz,  saying my subscription would soon expire.  I was surprised to learn it had already been a year since I started my WHOOOMP There IT Is Linky Party! The notice said my options were to extend my account (pay) to create image linkups or use for free as a text-only linkup.  I opted for neither, and so the party has come to an end.


 And to be honest, I'm not sad about it. I enjoyed hosting the linky, which started out as a weekly party, and later became a monthly one, but something about me and deadlines...  After experiencing both sides; host and linky-upper, I like being the linky-upper better.

Alas, a huge thank you to all who linked up and partied w/me along the way.


Moving right along...

I had a fairly productive month and have a few things to share w/you today to prove it.

One night I was jonesing for a finish. It felt like it had been forever since I'd finished a quilt.  I needed to make one and I needed to make it fast! I dug out some blocks that were given to me. Originally there were seven and they measured approximately 16" x 19". I used six of them to make this scrappy little number.  I used the quick turn/envelope/birthing method (no binding), and a combo of stitch-in-the-ditch and other straight line quilting.  And Tada! I got my fix!


I had used the 7th block a few months ago to make a pillow for Moe. This is usually where he is when I'm sewing.



This is Zebrina. A fun applique quilt from Heidi Pridemore of The Whimsical Workshop.  My grandson says Zebra's are only supposed to be black and white not "grey". He was not impressed w/mine. She's not grey though, She's made w/Sarah Watts' Shibuya in linen, from the Tokyo Train Ride collection.


I just have to add some quilting to the sky, and then she'll be hanging on the wall in my sewing room.

Oh! I also finished Scrappy Litter Blox a pattern by Lillyella. I pattern tested this before it was released in the June Stash Builder Box.



The Scrappy Litter Blox  pattern will soon be available directly from Lillyella.



And here it is in crinkly splendor after warshing and drying. I used a lot of Alison Glass' Sun Prints in this quilt.  I even got fancy and did FMQ meandering in the borders!


By the way, Stash Builder Box has been nominated for a Brassy award, which could mean $10,000 for their business if they are one of the winners. They have a great quilty box subscription program, and 20% of the proceeds go towards providing quilts for children in need.  They also have great ways for others to join in the giving - you can apply to be an Ambassador and help promote the program, or you can sign up to be a HeartBuilder and actually help create the quilts that are given out!  Go to www.voteforsbb.com to vote - you can vote once per day from now until Sunday, 10/9.
Vote now!

My last finish is from my UFO Challenge 2016 list.  It's a wall hanging for my grand-daughter and has been a wip for 1-2 years.


It'll make the perfect gift for her 6th birthday next month as it has 6 tulips on it. I wish I could say that was the plan all along, but it's simply coincidence.



The pattern is called Tiny Tulips by Quilting in the Rain. I won the pink fabric I used for the tulips from a QITR giveaway on IG! I got a little fancy w/the quilting on this one too. Anytime I say I did "fancy quilting", I mean I did FMQ in the form of meandering or a back & forth I learned in an Angela Walter's Craftsy Class. I also did my fave Faux Piped Binding.

That's all I've got today for finishes.  But I do want to mention that I'm super duper excited Katy of KatyQuilts will be spending several months in AZ!  I have all kinds of sew days and such planned for us. She's a talented and prolific quilter/blogger who inspires me immensely. Thanks Katy!

Linking up at:
Can I Get a Whoop Whoop?
Finished or Not Friday
Fabric Frenzy Friday

A Thread for Life