Can I Get A Whoop Whoop? It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas!

Hi, all!

It's Friday again!  Can you believe it?  This month is just flying by…   I hope you've got something to whoop about today - I know I do!  But first of all, let's see where the next stop is for the traveling stash…..

Little Miss Random chose #12…

12 

em's scrapbag said...

Thanks for the heads up on the Kate Spain shop.

December 3, 2013 at 2:06 PM 

Congratulations, Em!  I'll be e-mailing you today to get your address.

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And here's what I'm whooping about today…

These stockings were made at the request of a friend.  

She had this stocking...

that had been in the family for a while, but she wanted enough for her whole family.  After much searching for a cutter quilt for the job, we settled on a beautiful old spiraling dresden star design.

Here's a close-up of the front of the stocking…

...and back of the stocking.

The back of the stocking actually shows the back of the cutter quilt, which was in pretty good shape.  There were only a few holes I had to dodge.  And because the stockings are made with two layers of the quilt, when my friend needs more stockings (like when their sons get married and the grandkids start to arrive) these can be taken apart and the two quilt pieces can become two stockings, backed with another fabric.  I've also got enough of the quilt left to make a few more stockings for her so that 

she has some extras on hand in case of accidents, 

or a multitude of grandkids!

And one more fun thing about these stockings - I commented about them on this Facebook post…

Options

Simply Solids · 1,129 like this

Yesterday at 1:25pm · 

• What are you all sewing this evening then?
  
  I'm hoping to finish a quilt top using Sketch Flannel and Anna Maria Horner Velveteens = yummy!
  
  Post your photos of tonight's sewing onto our timeline and you could win a little gift from the shop!!
  
  Looking forward to seeing your WIPs! Xxxx

…with a picture of all five stockings.  Imagine my surprise tonight when I found this on Facebook…  

Simply Solids

3 hours ago

So last night I said if you posted pictures of your WIPs I'd choose someone to win a little spot prize! The winner I chose is Sarah Grady Craig - those Christmas stockings are awesome!

I've also chosen a second winner as Polly posted such an awesome pixelated quilt of Wreck It Ralph - I love it!!

Message me your addresses and I'll get a little prize to you both!

Thanks to all who played along!

How exciting is that?  It totally made my day!!

So that's what I'm whooping about today!

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And now it's your turn!  

All you little elves out there…

…what have you been doing the happy dance

for this week?

We want to dance along with you - so share!

The party will stay open until Sunday midnight.

Hope to see you there!!

Hugs!

Sarah

Giveaway - The Traveling Stash Is Ready To Ride Again!

Hi, all!

Yes, it's that time again - another traveling stash is ready to make the rounds!  The giveaway ends Thursday afternoon, so please go HERE to enter!  You can see pictures of all the goodies there.

And just a reminder of the rules for the Traveling Stash - you must be an active blogger, willing to pass the stash on quickly to the next person.  You can take what you want from the box, but should replace it with an equal amount or more of quality items.  Please don't put in junk you just want to get rid of - be sure it's something you would want to take out of the box under different circumstances.  It is ok to put in things you are no longer in love with, just not your "trash"!  And because of the weight of the box, this giveaway is limited to the U.S.

So go - enter!!!

Hugs!

Sarah

PS And just because it's pretty, and Christmas-y, here's a pic of my quilt, "In Winter Snows".  If you'd like a copy of the PDF tutorial for this disappearing nine-patch variation, just let me know and I'll send it to you!  Be sure to include your email address if you are a no-reply blogger - and if you ask for it and I don't send it, you are a no-reply blogger!

Make-A-List Monday - Traveling Stash Giveaway and a GREAT Coupon!!

Hi, all!

Well, it's been an exciting week, and a very exciting day!  I opened up my email this morning to find a message from Pete Spain - Kate's husband - saying that I had won Kate's Third Day of Christmas giveaway!!  Look at all this great loot…

A full apron, a half apron, potholders and kitchen towels in Kate's Seaside pattern!  Woohoo!  I have some Kate Spain kitchen towels that I have just about worn out, so it will be really fun to have something new for the kitchen.  Kate's doing a Twelve Days of Christmas series of giveaways - you ought to go to her blog and check it out!!

But here's the best part - you can get a great deal on some of Kate's great stuff even if you don't win!  Because there was a PS at the end of my email that said….

P.S. In case there's anyone you know who might be interested in colorful pillows, flatweave rugs (tufted rugs are coming in early 2014), aprons, table runners, dishtowels, etc., featuring Kate's designs, we'd be happy to offer you and any of your friends 25% off through the end of the year on any/all purchases at shopkatespain.com. The mechanics: At checkout, the "Your cart" screen appears. Just below the cart items, there's a field to enter a "Coupon Code."  Just key in: FabAd25 and apply the 25%-off discount. 

So head over to Kate's shop and get some great stuff for gifts or yourself - that's a fabulous deal they're offering!  I'll be checking to see if there's anything else that catches my eye - - - who am I kidding?  I love Kate's stuff and may have to mortgage my house!  By the way, I'm not receiving any compensation for this post from Kate - she's so sweet and always one of the first to respond to requests for sponsorship for my charity events, it seems the least I can do to introduce folks to her great stuff!

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And now for the Traveling Stash giveaway!  Imagine my surprise when I found out I had won another Traveling Stash - they are so much fun to get and go through!  And now it's your turn.  Here's what I took from the box…

Some fabric, charm squares, a pattern, and a pounce pad for quilting.

Here's what's left…..

Magazines and patterns...

Lots of fabric...

Some cross-stitch goodies and DMC floss...

And a few random notions and books!

And here's what I added back in!

Some IKEA backing fabric,  four yard+ cuts of flannel in two different colors, a quilt pattern, and a  dolly pattern.

And now it's your chance to get in on the fun.  You can have up to three chances to win this great box of surprises.  Here's how…

1.  Leave a comment telling me what you're working on this week!

2.  Leave another comment if you are already a follower, or if you've just signed up to be one.

3.  And if you go over to Kate's shop site, leave me a comment telling me what you'd put on your Christmas wish list from her shop.

Easy peasy!  I'll draw a winner and announce it this Friday, December 6th in my Whoop Whoop post - giving someone else something fun to whoop about!!

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And now, finally, here's how I did on last week's list…

1.  Help clean out my MIL's sewing room and other stuff in the house.

Done!  We did a huge amount of cleaning and tossing, and I brought home a huge pile of fabric and supplies for the quilt ministry.

2.  Make it home despite the incoming winter storm!

Done!  We came home a day early and had to travel through rain, but at least it wasn't snowing or icy!

3.  Finish those butcher's aprons.

Done!  And wouldn't you know, I forgot to take a picture!  But I'm happy to say that all the parts of this commission job - the repaired antique quilt and the aprons - are finished and delivered!

4.  Come up with a Dirty Santa gift for a Christmas party this coming Saturday morning.

Done!  I ended up giving away one of my Dresden plate butcher aprons - it was a big hit!

5.  Decorate the house for Christmas in anticipation of two Christmas parties there this weekend!

Done - and everything went great at both parties!

6.  Get supplies for a knitting project/gift idea I want to try out.

Done!  Now I just need time to work on it...

7.  Take care of any ministry needs that arise.

Fortunately, no needs came up while I was gone - a minor miracle!

And here's what's on my agenda for this week…

1.  Quilt a ministry quilt for a young woman with breast cancer.

2.  Quilt a ministry quilt for a woman who just had a hip replacement.

3.  Quilt two quilts for a friend to give as Christmas gifts.

4.  Make five Christmas stockings (commission job).

5.  Make a back for Emmy's quilt.

6.  Make a back for Lilli's quilt.

7.  Keep up with any other ministry needs that arise.

And I think that's quite enough to keep me busy this week!  Now I'm off to Kate's site to see what else I can find to deck my halls with…

And the only question now is - - - what are YOU working on this week?

Hugs!

Sarah

Can I Get A Whoop Whoop? We Have A Winner!

Hi, all!

Friday is here again - and someone's going to have a lot to whoop about today!!  Remember last week I posted about the Traveling Stash?  Well, it's time to draw a winner!

And the winner is.....

Melissa of Happy Quilting!

Congratulations, Melissa!  I'll be emailing you today to get your snail mail address so I can send this great Traveling Stash your way!!

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We had some great link-ups last week, too...  Here's just a few for you to enjoy!

From Marie at Quilts With Personality, this black and white beauty!

From Holly at Adventures into the Unknown, this great panel with lots of very special quilting!

From Terry at Quilt Crazie, this unique Day Of The Dead quilt (love those colors!)

From Cathy at Sane, Crazy, Crumby Quilting, this great star quilt!

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And now it's your turn!

Are you ready to get your whoop whoops?

Come on and join in the fun - because

whooping's more fun with friends!

The linky party will remain open until midnight Sunday...

Be there or be square!!

Hugs!

Sarah

Make-A-List Monday - Fall Break Means Time to Buckle Down!

Hi, all!

It's Fall Break in the schools around our area here in Tennessee, and that means that my granddaughters are off on vacation with their parents.  And that means non-stop sewing for me!!  But first, let's see what happened with last week's list...

1.  Sew up all of the craft show items already cut out.

Done!  I'm getting a nice little stash going...

2.  Make up some more aprons.

Done!  I made three more aprons and want to make some more... they're fun!!

3.  Start deconstructing t-shirts for the commission quilt.

Not yet!  I forgot that I had to clean house because my sister and her new fiance were coming for the day on Saturday when I made this list...

4.  Check through all the Rogersville quilts for labels; take photographs of all of them.

All of the quilts now have labels and binding - 51 of them!  I'll be taking pictures on Saturday when we meet for our monthly sewing.

But here's what they looked like on Sunday morning when they were dedicated as part of the mission trip...

5.  Mail my father-in-law's quilt to him.

I had to wait to find a box big enough - and amazingly enough,  one came in last Friday with a fabric donation in it!  It's the perfect size, and I'll be getting that in the mail this week.

And speaking of donations, I received a manila envelope last Wednesday that had some super cute yellow fabric with fire engines on it.  I was so excited I took it to church and put it together in a quilt kit, then threw away the envelope with the return address.  Now I can't remember who sent it so I can send a thank you note!  If you sent that package, please let me know so I can thank you properly!!

6.  Cut out pinafores and ruffled pants for Emmy.

Didn't get to this one yet - there were too many quilts to finish binding and label and I ran out of time!

7.  Sort through the Traveling Stash box and replace items; write a blog post and give it away!!

Done!  And there's still time to enter the giveaway - just go here and leave a comment.  There are several other things you can do for extra chances, too.  Entries close Thursday at 5 pm CST.

8.  Cut out 112 charms from some of my Kate Spain stash for a Kate Spain Charm Swap!

I've pulled my fabrics, but haven't cut the charms yet.  Fortunately, they're not due until early November, so I've got a bit of time yet.

And there's still time and space for you to join in the Charm Swap!   Go check out Michele's blog, Quilts From My Crayon Box, for the info about the swap!

9.  As usual, keep up with any quilt ministry needs that arise!

Done!  We provided a quilt for the mother of a local 6th grader who is expected to die any day (the mom), and another to a man who was just diagnosed with testicular cancer and scheduled for immediate surgery.

Sorry I've only got a pic of one - my SD card isn't reading properly right now...

Okay - not great, but at least I got part of my list done.  So here's what's on tap for this week...

1.  Make a ministry quilt for an autistic 8 year old boy.

2.  Make a quilt for a woman who just lost her husband and adult son very unexpectedly.

3.  Make a quilt for a young man who was in a serious mountain bike accident and sustained major injuries to his face and eye.

4.  Deconstruct the t-shirts for the commission quilt.

5.  Mail my father-in-law's quilt.

6.  Make some more of these cute little elephants...

Meet Plaid and Checkers!  They ran away from the circus because the handlers wouldn't let them play with the children....

7.  Make some more aprons for the craft show.

8.  Keep up with any quilt ministry needs that come up.

That's enough for this week - my husband is taking Friday off, so we'll be doing some fun things!  Maybe it will be boat weather...  fingers crossed!!

And now the question is - - - what are you working on this week?

Hugs!

Sarah

Can I Get A Whoop Whoop? Time to Share the Traveling Stash!!

Hey, y'all!!

I'm feeling rather southern today - you'll never believe what I saw today...  A lady selling live hens out of the back of her car in the Target parking lot!  Only in the south....

And it's Whoop Whoop Friday again!  Are you ready to get your whoop on?  I've got something for you today that will have one of you whooping next week - - - it's time for - - - 

THE TRAVELING STASH!

Yes, that's right - you could be the next recipient of this box full of goodies!  (That is, if you live in the US - unfortunately it's a bit too heavy to send elsewhere!)  

Take a look at the great stuff in this box...

Here's what I left of the original contents..

Here are the fabrics I added - a yard or nearly so of each of these - two great Ikea prints, two boy prints, a piece of Dream On, and a two-sided quilted piece.

I also put in some cute patterns that someone might love!

And here's what I took out - some nice fabrics and a hexie template!

There's a lot of fabric in this box - it is absolutely jam packed into a large flat rate Priority Mail box.  

To put your name in the drawing, just leave a comment below.  You can earn extra entries by linking up for Whoop Whoop Friday, by letting me know you are a follower, and for spreading the word via your blog or other social networking platform.  Please leave a separate comment for each entry!  I'll draw a winner next Thursday night and announce it on October 11th, in next Friday's whoop whoop post.

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And now I want to share a big whoop whoop - look what the newest members of our quilt ministry did!

Their very first quilt tops!!  I think they're hooked - look at those big smiles!

We've got another big group accomplishment this week, but I think I'll wait until next week to share that one...

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And now it's your turn!

What's made you dance the happy dance this week?

Share - we want to dance along - - -

And everyone knows it's more fun to dance with friends!

The party will remain open until Thursday midnight...

Be there or be square!

Hugs!

Sarah

Make-A-List Monday - Lots done, but lots more to do!

Hi, all!

Boy, last week was a blur!  Does it seem like this year is just flying by, or is it just me?  Fall has arrived with its cooler days and more time for quilting - hooray!!  So let's see what got finished last week, and what I need to work on this week...

Here's last week's list:

1.  Quilt at least five quilts for Rogersville.

Don't ask me how I did it, but when I counted up, it turns out that between 9/19 and 9/26 I quilted 25 quilts!  (And went through an entire 25 yard bolt of batting!)  Here's just a few of them - the ones I took to church for binding last Sunday...

2.  Make quilts for a husband and wife who are in the hospital for a kidney transplant; she donated a kidney to her husband.

Done!  We pulled two from the stash of finished quilts...

Hers...

\

...and his!

3.  Make a quilt for a woman just diagnosed with cancer.

Done!  Also pulled from the stash of finished quilts...

4.  Make more aprons for the craft show.

I didn't get to this one, unfortunately!

5.  Make more first aid kits and journal covers for the craft show.

I didn't get to this one either.  But since I think we're finished making quilts for Rogersville, I'll be working hard on craft show stuff for the next few weeks!

6.  Keep up with any new ministry needs that arise.

Done!  We are up to date.  Whew!

This quilt went to a teacher at the local high school who was just diagnosed with cancer.

7.  Start working on a commission t-shirt quilt.

I've been thinking about it really hard!  (Does that count?)  I should be able to get started this week sometime.

8.  Create a mini-size pattern for a pinafore for Emmy.

Done!  I just need to find time to cut it out and sew it up!

 I did get a lot of craft show items cut out and ready to sew up, too. And I found this great rocking chair at a yard sale...

...and guess who just LOVES it??

So even though I didn't get everything on the list done, I had a very good week!

But that was last week - time to see what I need to do this week!

1.  Sew up all of the craft show items already cut out.

2.  Make up some more aprons.

3.  Start deconstructing t-shirts for the commission quilt.

4.  Check through all the Rogersville quilts for labels; take photographs of all of them.

5.  Mail my father-in-law's quilt to him.

6.  Cut out pinafores and ruffled pants for Emmy.

7.  Sort through the Traveling Stash box and replace items; write a blog post and give it away!!

Yes, that's right - I'm the lucky recipient of another Traveling Stash box and soon one of you will be too!  I'll be posting about it sometime later this week, so keep an eye out!

8.  Cut out 112 charms from some of my Kate Spain stash for a Kate Spain Charm Swap!  

Michele over at Quilts From My Crayon Box is hosting this fun swap - she's limiting participation to 54 people, so if you're interested, join in quickly!  I'm hoping to make a Kate Spain quilt for my bed, and what a great way to get a wide variety of beautiful fabrics!  I can't wait to get started...

9.  As usual, keep up with any ministry needs that arise!

So that's my list for this week.  Probably not completely do-able, but something to shoot for!  

Oh, and I just wanted to share this great link...

A Martha Stewart recipe for One-Pot Pasta that I found on Pinterest.  This stuff is amazing!  You cook all the vegetables at the same time and in the same pot as the pasta, stirring frequently.  The cooking water is mostly absorbed, and the stirring makes the pasta super-creamy, almost like risotto.  I added some sweet Italian sausage I browned in another pan just before serving. It was wonderful!  I love Pinterest - it has really expanded my cooking horizons!!  This is definitely one to try if you like Italian food - it was easily as good as anything I've had in a fancy restaurant.  And it only took about 20 minutes to make!

Ok, enough of that.  Now the question is - - - what are you working on this week?

Hugs!

Sarah