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Friday, August 31, 2018

It's a Wild Life BOM

September is upon us, and the time we change out our wardrobes.
Well, all but 1 maybe. Some just throw on the shades and...
LOL!!
We are counting down the months on our BOM now.
Are you just loving the looks of your quilt?
We've seen lots of "Wild" come to life and this month is no exception.
Carol from "Just Let Me Quilt" has done it again.
 Meet our Centerfold of the month...
"He's So Foxy"
He sure fits his name, now doesn't he?
He just made me laugh as I was stitching him up.
We all know one of "them"!
hahahahahaha
I do believe, he is going to be our Casanova of the forest!
That sweet little hedgehog seems to take it all in stride, though.
:-)
You can find this months pattern over at 
"Just Let Me Quilt"
Remember to get them before the month is up and it's free.
After that there will be a small charge.
A big thank you to "Island Batik" for sponsoring me for this BOM.
They have provided these fabulous batiks from their Basic and Blender collections.
And that means, they are available all the time.
Here's what we have so far.
February-"Sew Incredibly Crazy"
Pattern can be found
March-"Creatin' in the Sticks"
Pattern can be found
April-"Just Let Me Quilt"
Pattern can be found
May-"MooseStashQuilting"
Pattern can be found
June-"Life in the Scrapatch"
Pattern can be found
July-"Creatin' in the Sticks"
Pattern can be found
August-"Sew Incredibly Crazy"
Pattern can be found 
September-"Just Let Me Quilt"

October
MooseStashQuilting

November
Life in the Scrapatch

December
Just Let Me Quilt

January
Sew Incredibly Crazy
Thanks to all of you, who inspire all of us designers every day!

Carol at "Just Let Me Quilt"

Make sure you post your finished block in our Facebook group for a chance to win
a wonderful prize from one of our sponsors!

til next time...
Keep on Stitchin'

Saturday, August 25, 2018

Fabulous Freebies Blog Hop-Final Farewell

Yesterday was a splendid finale for a Fabulous hop.
Marian shared her oh, so cute little Poinsettia table topper and a cute
 bookmark pattern.
Elana shared her reusable shopping bag pattern. These days we all need them.
Selena shared her Easy Peasy Back Packs with us, in so many fabulous fabrics.
I wrapped up with hop with a fun stash buster...Box of Strings.

We've been blown away with all the incredible finds for this fun hop.
My fellow bloggers have inspired us in so many ways.
A big thanks to each and every one of them.
You girls have done an incredible job of bringing new projects,
to our list of must do's.

Yes, I've heard it from many...
Our project list just keeps growing and growing!
What can I say?
We are a great bunch of instigators aren't we!

til next time
Keep on Stitchin'


Thursday, August 23, 2018

Fabulous Freebies Blog Hop Day 5

I sure do hope everyone has enjoyed this hop as much as I have this week.
What a great array of fun "Freebie" projects we can play with.

Yesterday Beth shared her passion for Bonnie Hunter quilts with us.
Daryl shared a fabulous "Arabesque" bag with us. 
Rose shared her "Staggered Strips and Squares" pattern with us.
Kay shared her "My Blue Heaven" Bonnie Hunter quilt with us.
Dione shared an adorable little pumpkin wall hanging and a fabulous assortment of binding options.
Lyndsey shared many of her favorite freebies over the years.
***********************

As quilters, we know just how much we spend on our crazy passion, 
and how much stash we have accumulated.
Having a way to use up those extras, is an added bonus for everyone.
Not that we all don't appreciate the time and talent that goes into 
pattern designing. I, by no means want to take away from the lively hood of designers, but I do think its fun to sit down with a free pattern from time to time and just play.
After this week...I've got a lot more of playing to do it looks like.
Whoop whoop!
I'm excited to share the project that put this hop into motion, to begin with.
While drinking my morning "cuppa", I came across a post on the "Quilting Board.com"
 for this great stash buster, that was the perfect way to blast thru all my 
strips, strings and stash.
"Box of Strings"
I just love how much it looks like tumbler blocks.
I have to tell you, this was a big project...
 because I decided that I wanted it to be king size.
Heaven knows, I had the stash for it!
LOL!!
These blocks are all paper pieced, on phone book pages.
It was the easiest most mindless piecing I've done in ages, and was just plain ole fun
to "let 'er" rip thru the machine by the hours.
We aren't going to talk about those times I ran out of bobbin, 
while I was rippin away, stitching absolutely nothing!
Phone book pages are great to stitch on.
They are sturdy enough to handle the stitching, yet tears off easily in the end.
This quilt took more than 1 phone book, to make all the blocks.
Glad I started saving them when I did. I'm thinking that they are going to
be a thing of the past before you know it.
I'm kicking myself for not taking a photo of my strips and scraps that
 I started with. If you have ever shopped at Kolhs, and got one of their huge bags...
That's what was overflowing when I started. This trash can, was what was left when I was done. 
 I actually threw these little bits away! Don't laugh...that's a huge step for me!
HAHAHA
Sewing the rows together cracked me up! 
Last chance to look up that phone number you needed!
It looked like one big yellow pages collage,
 but it sure made things easy to assemble, as well.
The down side to paper piecing is removing all that paper.
I spent about 2-3 hours outside ripping away, and only got about half way done.
This was getting old!
Then I had an idea...
We have had tons of rain and hail lately. The skies looked crappy and the report wasn't good.
I thru my quilt over the bench outside and waited for the weather to do it's job.
Not too bad, I'd say.
What didn't fall off was so wet, that it rubbed off easily with my hands.
As you can see, it did make a mess on the deck, 
but what didn't sweep up when it was dry,
...was gone with the wind in a few days. LOL!!!!!
This is a shot of 2 rows. Doesn't it make you want to break out the scraps and play?
You can find the pattern 
at "The Eclectic Abuela" 
Her original is 74" X 84".
Mine is 98" X 100"
I've been reading online that some have been piecing these blocks on a light weight foundation fabric.
That is much easier to deal with...no ripping paper out, but this quilt has a LOT of seams and is pretty heavy when it's done. It's a personal preference, but the added weight of the foundation fabric is too much for my taste. This quilt going to be great for those cold winter nights, for sure.
Until then...I guess I'll be layin out in my teeny weenie yellow polka dot bikini,
enjoying the sun.
LOL!!
 Now that's a sight no one wants to see!
A big thanks to all the special bloggers who shared this week.
You can catch all the posts on the links below.
Also make sure you check out "The Eclectic Abuela" blog. 
She has loads of fun things to see.

Monday August 20

Tuesday August 21

Wednesday August 22

Thursday August 23

Friday August 24

Still feel like you need more freebie fixes?
Check out my list of tutorials on the right hand side bar, and have some fun!

til next time...
Keep on Stitchin'


Wednesday, August 22, 2018

Fabulous Freebies Blog Hop Day 4

 I just love all the Fabulous Freebies my fellow bloggers are sharing.
I must start off with an apology to Barb. I had a wrong link for her post, 
so if you missed "Bejeweled Quilts by Barb" yesterday, here's the correct link.

Barb shared 5...yes 5 of her designs with us.  They are perfect for towels, pot holders, trivets...with the holidays approaching, we are always looking for those special quick gifts. 

Carla shared one of her many...30 to be exact quilt block projects with us. 
Do you remember 30 Blocks in 30 Days? They are quick and easy and perfect for that new quilter too!

Charlene shared an oh, so fun "Clean Living" retro TV pattern with us. I have to say, I just can't get that suggestion of adding family photos to the screen out of my mind! 

Kathy shared the perfect solution for a great hiding place on a hanger.
Yep, my chocolates are going right in there! 
 Along with 2 sunflower blocks that are perfect for fall.

Susie shared her Christmas Flamingo. Not that we have flamingo's around here, but this one is going to have to be a part of our holidays from now on!

Bea shared an adorable little tulip pin cushion pattern with us. 
She also suggested making the blocks into a mini quilt. 
How cute would Sharon's dolls (from Tuesday) be with that.

You can find the Fabulous Freebies on Pinterest 

Here are our fabulous bloggers who are sharing today!
Thursday August 23


Enjoy!


Tuesday, August 21, 2018

Fabulous Freebies Blog Hop Day 3

Oh, there are more...more fabulous freebies to share today.

Pat shared a "Cheddar Jack" quilt block that she made into a kennel quilt. There are needs all over the country for kennel quilts and people like Pat step up and make it happen. She also linked her all time Favorite Freebie "Hugs and Kisses".

Brenda shared the cutest baskets...she even made one in my favorite Halloween colors and I'm loving it!!! There are links for "All Free Sewing" with literally hundreds of free patterns. And when looking thru the link for Wooden Bear, I found so many that I just have to try!

Anorina shared a gorgeous Linoleum Cushion pattern she designed. 
What a great addition to anyone's home!

Sharon shared the sweetest little dolls complete with their own mini quilts. 
What a fun guild gift!



Wednesday August 22


Enjoy!

Monday, August 20, 2018

Fabulous Freebies Blog Hop Day 2

I think it's safe to say that our fabulous blogger did NOT disappoint yesterday!

Carol shared her Cheerio Quilt...who doesn't love Missouri Quilt Company designs.

Elizabeth shared an adorable wool felt pumpkin mug rug.

Joy shared the sweetest little kitty stitchery and loads of fun free projects on her blog.

Tu-Na shared the most adorable poodle block as well as lots of fun block patterns. She also reminded us how important it is to download it if you see it right away. You never know when that freebie will disappear and will be gone forever! Great tip Tu-Na!

Susan shared a fun freebie called "Balance Quilt". As soon as I saw it the song "Lollipop Guild" from the Wizard of Oz ran thru my head and was stuck there all day!
LOL!!!! 

I have created a "Fabulous Freebie" Pinterest board for this hop.
You can check it out 

Today we have 5 more fabulous bloggers to share their special finds!
Have fun hoppin!

Tuesday August 21

Enjoy!


Sunday, August 19, 2018

Fabulous Freebies Blog Hop Day 1


Are you ready for some fabulousness?
Is that really a word?
The week of fabulous fun freebies starts now, and
I'm guess that these Fabulous bloggers have an answer for it all today.

Monday August 20

Enjoy!!!!

Friday, August 17, 2018

Great Outdoors Blog Hop Winner

I do hope you have been enjoying the Island Batik blog hop so far.
We are only half way thru and we've been treated to so many wonderful new projects and fabrics.
My little heart is going pitty pat pitty pat!

I do apologize for my Rafflecopter not working properly. I've been righting my phone and Internet service for 3 weeks now and finally, I am back up and running full speed.
Whew! It's quite the challenge to not have access to the Internet!
You can cut off my TV and radio, but please don't take away my Internet!
LOL!!!
After fighting with the phone company, turns out it was an inside wiring issue.
OK! My apologies Century link!  I do you your that one.

But without further ADO...
I consulted Random.org
There were 56 comments and number 30 is our winner.
That is Ms. Anita!
I've sent you and email for your mailing info, and will get this in the mail to you right away!
Congratulations Anita, and a big thanks to all of you who visited and left such sweet comments.
I do love being an Ambassador for Island Batik.
A big Thank you for having me!

There are still 2 weeks left of new fabric lines and project to come.
The complete schedule is 
Monday is the start to our "Fabulous Freebies" blog hop.
I'm very excited to be hosting this fun hop.
We have 27, yes 27 bloggers who are going to share their Fabulous Freebie
with each and every one of you!
With the holidays approaching, what better time.
Everyone will be sharing a freebie project that you can find online.
Can I get a whoop whoop here?
:-)
The schedule for this hop is also in the link above with the "Great Outdoors" hop.
Sew...be there or be square, or round or triangle, or rectangle...
LOL!!!
You know what I mean...
just be there!
;-)

til Monday...
Keep on Stitchin'


Saturday, August 11, 2018

Pets on Parade

This is the first year I've participated in the "Pets on Parade" blog hop.
My old cat, Ms Murphy really didn't love having her photo taken, 
or even spending time in my quilt cave with me. 
She had her own agenda, and it frequently didn't involve people! LOL!!
She passed away on Mother's day night.
"RIP"ole girl.
That left us with a very quiet house and a hole in our hearts, 
especially my hubby, the only one she adored.
We were petless for a month, and then it was time to bring new life in the house.
In came these 2 little bundles of joy.
Making their way to their new BFF, as soon as they walked in the door.
Ms Kenai
Mr Denali
Yes, they are named for a couple of our favorite Alaska places 
and we had to switch their collars once we found out what they were.
Boys really don't like pink, I'm told!
LOL!!
They had a rough start. They were barn cats that had been socialized, but...
 came with worms, ear mites and runny eyes that turned into rip roaring respiratory issues.
This brother sister team, do love each other though, and have grown to love everyone else around.

BUT...

Are they helpful with my sewing?
Well, ask this one who had to be cut out of the cone of thread,
 he managed to tangle himself in, as I was sewing.
Help with binding???
Not so much.
If the stare down doesn't work, I'll just bite the thread as you stitch.
Checking it out...
and knowing he wants it to stop.
Only to find that these quilt things, are pretty comfy after all!
If you want to see the top of this quilt...
I shared it Friday in the Island Batik Great Outdoors Blog hop
Quilting is tough now...
One won't let me sit down to sew...
And the other tells me, I'm not going to do any long arming either.
What is a quilter to do???????
LOL!!
This is our adventures with Kenai and Denali.
They are getting better every day, and my vet bills are growing.
But I think we are finally on top of it all!
Now just teaching them to love quilting...
I don't think anti-biotics will help there!
LOL!!
The things we do, for the pets we love.
Please check out all the other cuties over at Lily Pad Quilting
You can vote for your favorite!

til next time...
Keep on Stitchin!
I'll try to do the same here!
hahahahaha