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Wednesday, September 30, 2015

Lovely Year of Finishes Puzzle Ball & Jaftex Day 30

My September goal (posted here) was to finish this handwork while travelling,
I just stuffed it last night! The pattern is from Jinny Beyer's Patchwork Puzzle Balls. Her technique is traditional hand-piecing, however I actually used English Paper Piecing.
Brown Bear came out of the closet for the photo shoot.
He is nearly 50 years old now, and certainly looks it.
Yes, he was favored over all dolls and stuffie's throughout my early childhood!
I made his corduroy overalls almost 30 years ago..
Not sure what I am saving him for, some items just must be kept for others to deal with, haha.

Today is the last day to enter the Jaftex 85th Anniversary Giveaways!
Teresa @ Third Floor Quilts outdid herself with the finale post today!
Her gorgeous art quilt is inspired by the work of William Morris, a must-see!

If you have not entered the FQ bundle giveaway on my site - it ends today too! Click HERE!
 
Linking up with A Lovely Year of Finishes, September Finish Party with Shanna at Fiber of all Sorts!

Friday, September 25, 2015

Alaska Photos & Winners Announced!

I am back early from my trip to Alaska!

First though; I have two winners to announce before I share more pics:)

The winner of the Pattern Bundle by Jacquelynne Steves, given in conjunction with Block Five of the Cozy Afternoon Quilt Along and Blog Hop is Helen! Thank you Helen for the sweet comment! BTW, Jacquelynne's "Catching Up, Sew Along Day" is Saturday! Link up here for more details if you are participating in this BOM!

I also have a winner of my Hearts and Flowers UFO, which I linked up with the Quilty Orphan Adoption hosted by Quilting is More Fun Than Housework. Cynthia is the brainchild of this genius event that connects UFO's with quilter's who are excited to finish them! She will be hosting this again in March, and I have vowed to come up with another project to giveaway, to further lighten my stack. Congratulations to Lee, whose name was drawn at random by those who expressed interest! The match seems meant-to-be, as Lee has a recipient in mind who happens to love hearts, flowers, and the color blue. Perfect!

Comments left by reader's for my current giveaway kept me entertained while shivering in Alaska. Seems many people would prefer the cold temps up North to the hot ones of Nevada, but I am glad to be home and thawing out with all my modern luxuries. A tough and admirable lot of folks I found living up North, but I am not as young as I once was and perhaps I am more pampered than I would have admitted prior to this trip.
The ride inland from Anchorage was about 4 1/2hrs. That was following two flights of course, so I am looking a bit beat here. We found the stuffed moose in a greenhouse along the way.
We skidded to a stop when I spotted a quilt shop in Palmer. These pretty trees were growing outside the shop. They reminded me of crabapples, but I am not sure what they actually are.
I was NOT given permission to take photos inside the store, but I will share the two little prints I selected that gave me a souvenir feeling..
I may overdye the bird print, and the blue will be added to the batiks I am collecting for my mother.
This little guy kept my lap warm on the drive..
The leaves were beginning to turn color when I arrived,
I took quite a few drive-by shots, this glacier pic being the best of those..
Just two weeks later, the Aspens were super vibrant and I caught this shot - my favorite of all!
Alaska was a great experience overall, but I am really glad to be home with my hubby again!

I complain some about the price of food here in Vegas, but I filled my fridge with pleasure yesterday!

Prices at the grocery were astounding.
I was most surprised that chicken was so much more than beef - $16 for one whole chicken.

I couldn't help but snap some cellphone photos while shopping:
Do you like to drink coffee?
$19 for 25oz..
I wont even mention the Starbuck's, haha!
But do you take sugar with that?
4lb bags for $6..
The locals love their pets, but it seems they feed them leftovers more than store-bought kibbles.
6lbs Friskies nearly $15.
It was explained to me that weight of freight was the big factor for high prices,
25lbs kitty litter for $30.
And water of course is heavy.
The water in Glennallen is NOT drinkable-
A case of 24bottles cost $10.
 
The TP wasn't any heavier than the type I buy here in the Lower 48, yet..
$16 for 12 rolls of the type my pampered butt prefers..
I managed to do without chips..
$7 for 13oz!

Home Sweet Home at last, and looking forward to some sewing lock-down time this weekend!

Monday, September 21, 2015

Selvage Along Finale!

I am linking up today with the Selvage Along Finale Party,
co-hosted by Jess of Quilty Habit, and Renee of Quilts of a Feather!

 
Unfortunately, I did not get to re-cover my piano bench as I had intended!
 
I did finish up a second pair of slippers though, 
I posted a mini-tute in July.
 
I made these in the same manner, however I added some old leather to the soles to beef them up a bit for my husband.
If you are looking for selvedge inspiration, this is the party to check out!
 
NOTE: Friday is Day Twenty-Five of the Jaftex 85th Anniversary Bloghop & Giveaway!
September 25 - Mary Ellen @ Little Quilts  
September 25 - Mary Jane @ Holly Hill Designs 
 
Link HERE if you missed my day with the hop - the giveaway is open through September!


Thursday, September 17, 2015

Orphan Adoption Linkup and Giveaway!

Hearts and Flowers UFO, up for adoption!

Cynthia Brunz is hosting a brilliant linkup today at Quilting is More Fun Than Housework. I was not prepared the first time around, but when I read she would be hosting an Orphan Adoption link up again this month, I knew I could find something loitering in my stash!

I forgot to measure this! Six of the 12" blocks are shown here, set in an original manner by myself:)  The quilt is well on it's way to becoming a twin or throw size quilt!


This unfinished flimsy came about after participating in a local Block of the Month several years ago. I have more quilt tops than I will be able to quilt on my domestic, so this giveaway really relieves me of one more To-Do!
There are more blocks!

This block was 12", however I expanded it with the outermost, red heart! My estimate is 14x18. This can be used within the quilt, (layout ideas pictured below), or a nice coordinating pillow!

This is a sweet quilt for a young girl and I would love to see it donated, however if you know a girl in need of a hug, and you feel this would suit her, (especially if you have a longarm, *grin*), enter the giveaway by leaving a comment. You can share your intentions with the quilt, if you have someone in mind, or a charity, but the recipient will be selected at random. The flimsy and all the blocks, as well as some extra fabric, will fit in a Priority Mail Legal sized Envelope and I will pay the shipping within the USA only.

NOTE: Shipping will be delayed until October 6th when I return home!!

The fabrics are nice, quilting weight cotton from Hancock's. The theme fabrics are designed by M'Liss, and the royal blue I added - these busy prints were begging for a tonal!

Finally, I would like to share the layout options I was considering before I set this aside, please pardon the flashbulb/floor/shots!
First Option:

Second Option:
Third Option:
Fourth Option:
Fifth Option:

At the time I stopped assembly, I had decided to postpone the layout decision until I knew who the recipient would be. I thought the large, heart block would make a great pillow and that I may do some letter blocks, or applique to personalize it with a name, LOVE, or some inspirational message. The extra blocks I thought I would piece in the backing. 

Well, that is where I was going - you may take it any direction your creativity leads! I will announce a winner next week, hopefully I will have access to a computer on Wednesday, Sept. 23rd!


Friday is Day Eighteen of the Jaftex 85th Anniversary Blog Hop and Giveaways!
Visit Leona @ Leona's Quilting Adventure!

Enter my FQ Bundle giveaway HERE!

Monday, September 14, 2015

Le Challenge - Wilderness!

One of my favorite monthly linkups is Le Challenge - I find it so inspirational and do my best to come up with projects that challenge my own abilities!
Somehow, last month I forgot that we were given two months to complete the theme assigned in July! Soo, in August I rushed to complete a zipper pouch with one of my favorite stash-fabrics. I thought this fabric suited the Wilderness theme :-)
I used the pouch as a giveaway gift for followers, to celebrate my 200th post in August!
You can read about the make, and the tutorial I used HERE.

This month, I am without a sewing machine for SIX weeks, while in Alaska, so I brought a little slow-stitching project along that seemed perfect for the Wilderness Challenge. I finished it up last night, but I still am not real sure what I will do with the little stitchery once I return home.

"CATTAILS"

This is from a kit I have had for years now, designed by Betty Miles for Sunset. The yarns are wool. Only once have I done this kind of thing before, many moons ago...

Visit Le Challenge to view pics and read all the other interpretations of this month's fun theme, "Wilderness"
Thank you Lucy & Nat!

Today is Day Fourteen of the Jaftex 85th Anniversary Blog Hop and Giveway! Today's stop is with Melissa at Sew Bittersweet Designs, and tomorrow, September 15th is at Kati Cupcake! View the entire lineup, enter my FQ bundle giveaway, and enter to win the Grand Prizes at this link HERE!

Back to that Wilderness theme:
Here is a cell-phone shot I took yesterday after hiking a trail from The Copper River Princess Wilderness Lodge.
The Aspens were absolutely stunning..

Cozy Afternoon Block of the Month - The Fifth and Final Block!

Jacquelynne Steves releases the fifth and final Cozy Afternoon quilt block today!
This month's block features a teacup and butterfly to applique or embroider.
Cute Cute Cute! I plan to use the pattern the pattern to embroider tea towels, however my Quilt Along is a Cozy Christmas version!
I love visiting all the bloghop participants to see their versions! 
Kahryn @ Kathy's Quilts
The Pinterest Board is another fun way to view more versions of this Quilt Along!

This month I have embroidered the bunny character from Jacquelynne's fabric line, "Joy, Love, Peace, Noel".  He is my favorite critter yet, and represents my favorite carol as well, "Noel".
I have found that I love coloring the fabric in preparation of embroidery! It took a bit of practice to ensure each color would hold fast.
Using Crayola crayons, with a heavy hand, I then heat-set with an iron and ran them through the wash before stitching.
Next month, we work on the setting!
I hope you will visit Jacquelynne and share some love!
I've never hosted a Quilt Along, but I know she has put a lot of time and effort into this free pattern and I am filled with gratitude! Perhaps you are interested in joining her Sew Along Day:
Now for the GIVEAWAY:
Jacquelynne has generously offered an electronic 'pattern bundle' giveaway -
This bundle will be awarded to one lucky reader at each stop in the blog hop!


To enter the giveaway:
Please leave a comment on this post prior to Sunday September 20th, at midnight!

The winners will be contacted by email on Wednesday, the 23rd!

Remember to leave your email address if you are a no-reply blogger!

Thank you so much for visiting! Please know how much I appreciate your comments even though I may not be able to reply to everyone during a giveaway - 
especially this month since I am still in Alaska!!
 
  
In other news, today is Day Fourteen of the Jaftex 85th Anniversary Bloghop and Giveaway!
Visit  Melissa @ Sew Bitter Sweet Designs!

Thank you and Good Luck!


Friday, September 11, 2015

TGIFF - Winter in Bloom!

These lovely pictures were emailed to me by Linda Lum DeBono, courtesy of Blank Quilting.
All of the 30 participants in the Jaftex 85th Anniversary bloghop mailed our quilts to New York for photography, to be included in the 'look-book' that will be published at the end of the month!
Winter in Bloom went for a walk in Bryant Park!
I first 'revealed' this quilt on September 9th, my day for the bloghop. 
You can read more about it HERE.
 
Bonus! I listed here as a Q3 Goal (goal #14) for the 2015 Finish Along hosted at On The Windy Side!
 

Meanwhile, I am still freezing working my arse off in Alaska! 
I am undergoing extreme withdrawals from six weeks of NO SEWING! 

This is the view near my 'camp'.
Four mountains are visible facing East from Glennallen (from north to south): Mt. Sanford (16,237 feet), Mt. Drum (12,010 feet), Mt. Wrangell (14,163 feet) and Mt. Blackburn (16,390 feet.)
Mt. Blackburn (not really visible in this picture - on the far right) is the tallest of these four peaks, but because it is the most distant from the road it looks smaller. Mt. Drum, which dominates the view in Glennallen, is actually the shortest. Mt. Wrangell is a steaming volcano..

What a surprise I had when a moose and her calf strolled by my trailer at sunrise a few days ago! 
I was standing just 10ft away and happened to be holding my phone. I switched it to camera mode as I hurriedly sneaked around the truck to get a shot. It seemed as if they were strolling; unfortunately I captured their butts heading into the tundra 'forest'! Their stroll is actually pretty darn fast! I would share the picture, but it is very dark. The sun had not actually risen yet. Still, I am excited to have finally seen my first moose! As well, a cute & playful little ermine visits daily, and I have spotted several ptarmigans, ravens, and hawks. 

Internet is quite sporadic here, and my time online very limited.
Please do not think me rude if I am unable to reply to comments throughout the month of September!
Thank you for visiting, I look forward to reading what others are sharing today for Friday Finishes - 
TGIFF is hosted today by at What a Hoot!

Today is Day Eleven of the Jaftex 85th Anniversary Bloghop!
Visit Penny at Sew Simple Designs to see what she made with Peppered Cottons!

Wednesday, September 9, 2015

Jaftex 85th Anniversary Blog Hop and Giveaway Celebration - Day Nine!

 Welcome to Day Nine of the Jaftex 85th Anniversary Blog Hop!
We are celebrating in style today, 
Fusion-Illusion Style that is!
A bundle for you, and a bundle for me!
This bundle is courtesy of Blank Quilting!

 Working with these fabrics was such a treat!
I began by pulling a wintertime palette from my bundle..
As I selected the colors, flowering Christmas Cactus came to mind. (I seem to be on a non-stop Christmas fling this year!!) The pattern I went with is a duplicate of my Summer Gathering quilt...
And here it is!

"Winter in Bloom", 58" Square

Machine pieced with 900 squares and more than 200 Half-Square Triangles.


20 HST's were sewn from each color used..
 My favorite marking tool for this method..
Silvery text background fabric: 'Crystal Palace' by Studioe!
I LOVE these fabrics!
Cross-hatch quilting on the background..
Quilter's Dream Wool Batting gives a fluffy texture.

'Stacked Back' - pieced with leftover Illusion fabrics..
Machine-bound with 'Season's Elegance' by Studioe
..and a custom label for the finishing touch!
 Thank you so much for visiting!

This project has been one of my greatest blogging pleasures - I hope you have enjoyed the stop!

To enter the drawing for the FQ Bundle of Fusion Illusion:

Please leave a comment on this post prior to September 30th, at midnight - Vegas time!


I live in Southern Nevada, where most summer days are over 100 degrees in temperature, and many of those reach over 110 degrees...
However, I am blogging all month from inland Alaska, (Copper River Valley)! The wintertime temps here average 0 degrees, and dip down in the -40's on a fairly regular basis!


My questions is: If you had to choose, in which of these locations would you choose to reside?


Follow the hop all month for more inspiration and prizes at all the stops!

September 1 - Kim Diehl guest posting @ American Patchwork & Quilting
September 2 - Pepper @ Pepper at the Quilt Studio 
September 3 - Anjeanette @ Anjeanette Klinder 
September 4 - Leanne @ The Whole Country Caboodle   
September 5 - Mark @ Mark Lipinski's Blog
September 6 - Heather @ Heather Kojan Quilts  
September 7 - Heather @ Trends and Traditions  
September 7 - Martha @ Wagons West Designs  
September 8 - Linda @ Linda Lum DeBono 
September 9 - Heidi @ Red Letter Quilts 
September 10 - Jill @ Jillily Studios  
September 10 - Dana @ My Lazy Daisy  
September 11 - Penny @ Sew Simple Designs  
September 12 - Ida @ Cowtown Quilts 
September 13 - Liz and Beth @ Lizzie B Cre8ive  
September 14 - Melissa @ Sew Bitter Sweet Designs
September 15 - Yvonne @ Quilting Jetgirl    
September 16 - Amy @ Kati Cupcake 
September 16 - Barbara @ QuiltSoup2 
September 17 - Erica @ Kitchen Table Quilting 
September 18 - Leona @ Leona's Quilting Adventure 
September 19 - Margot @ The Pattern Basket  
September 20 - Sylvia @ Flying Parrot Quilts   
September 21 - Lorna @ Sew Fresh Quilts  
September 22 - Kim @ Aurifil Threads  
September 23 - Rebekah @ Don't Call Me Becky   
September 24 - Julie @ The Crafty Quilter 
September 25 - Mary Ellen @ Little Quilts  
September 25 - Mary Jane @ Holly Hill Designs 
September 26 - Daisy @ Ants to Sugar
September 27 - Melissa @ Happy Quilting
September 28 - Janet @ One S1ster
September 29 - Jenny @ Martingale& Co.
September 30 - Teresa @ Third Floor Quilts

You can also enter more fabulous prizes from Jaftex!
 Packages are awarded by Aurifil, Schmetz Needles, and the Grand Prize includes a sewing machine from Janome!: