Wow! What a Deal!!

Hi, all!

You know, it's not very often an offer comes along that is so good, you have to share it with everyone you know - but honestly, this offer is that good!

How would you like to have unlimited access to Craftsy's great library of classes for two weeks for only $1?!?!?!  Just imagine - with Craftsy Unlimited you could check out a photography class to learn new techniques for taking great pics for your blog (that's high on my list!), or take a cooking class - maybe even a cookie decorating class?  

With Easter coming up, that could be an interesting new skill to have!  And of course, there's so many great quilting classes - my personal favorites are anything by Christina Cameli, of course!  Want to learn how to knit or crochet?  Now's your chance!  There are so many options you could watch non-stop for two weeks and never see it all!

This great offer from Craftsy is to give you just a taste of what you could have if you sign up for Craftsy Unlimited, available by the month or annually.  But you have to hurry - this two week offer is only available 3/5-3/7 - so sign up now!  What do you have to lose?

Hugs!

Sarah

This post contains affiliate links.  Clicking on these links doesn't cost you a penny, but it helps me support this blog - so your clicks are greatly appreciated!  Thank you for your support!

Craftsy All-You-Can-Watch Day and an Opportunity to Help Texas!

Hi, all!

I just wanted to remind you - today is Craftsy's All-You-Can-Watch Day!  Today, for one day only, you can enjoy 1200+ classes for free!! So stream away, from 12:01 a.m. MST to 11:59 p.m. MST and check out the great offerings from Craftsy - everything from photography to cooking to quilting, knitting, crocheting - if it's craftsy, you can probably find it!  You have to be a member of Craftsy to enjoy this offer, though - but good news! It's free to join, so click here, sign up, and enjoy some great classes!

And another reminder - I am a Craftsy affiliate, so clicking on a link in this post may earn me a small commission - which goes to help support this blog.  It doesn't cost you a cent extra, though, and I appreciate your support!

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Now - have you been wishing for a way to help the relief effort in Texas for those affected by Hurricane Harvey?  You are invited to join in a pillowcase drive that I'm coordinating.  You can read more about it in this post, including information about where to send your pillowcases and a link to a pattern if you don't have one of your own.  We're hoping to collect up as many as possible by mid-September, but you can send them later in the month if necessary.  Our church will be making many trips to Texas to help with the recovery, so we'll have multiple opportunities to get them there.

Photo by Timothy Fadek/Redux for CNN

With a few minutes of your time, and a little fabric from your stash, you can make a difference in someone's life.  Who wouldn't want to do that?  I hope you'll join me!

Hugs!

Sarah

Can I Get a Whoop Whoop? Life's A Beach....

Hi, all!

It's Friday again - and September!  Can you believe it?  Where did August go?   But you know what Friday means.... it's time to get our whoop whoop on!  

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As you may already know, I'm at the beach until the middle of next week.  We LOVE the beach - it's our happy place!  But this morning, when I woke up, this is what greeted me...

A yucky, rainy day, courtesy of the remnants of Tropical Storm Harvey.  (Believe me, I know it could be much worse, and my prayers and thoughts are with the people affected in Texas. More about that below.)

So I went to my other happy place... or at least, my traveling happy place!

This is my traveling sewing area, complete with everything I need to while away a rainy day!

So this morning, I completed this pretty little table runner (top)!  I have the colorful center for another one, but didn't have enough border fabric to finish it.  Looks like I'll need to stop by a fabric store on this trip!

I also finished some more of these components for my Free Spirit Fabric project.  Aren't those colors awesome?

We went to see a movie, and by the time we got back, the weather had cleared some (although it was still REALLY windy!) so we enjoyed some time looking out over the ocean from our balcony.  There's nothing like a good book and an ocean breeze!

The weather promises to be better tomorrow, so I should have my toes in the sand soon.  But I'm never sorry to have time to sew!

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And speaking of Hurricane Harvey victims, our church is planning to send some quilts, but we're also working on a much quicker project that we hope to send off in the next week or two - pillowcases!  One of the women in our group was affected by the Nashville flood a few years ago, and she said that her kids were given pillowcases in the shelter, which they use still to this day.  She said it made a huge difference in how they felt, having something that was uniquely theirs and made for them.  So we're dipping into our stash of juvenile and novelty fabrics to make a whole mess of pillowcases.  Our church will be sending teams to Texas as soon as it won't be disruptive to do so, and I'm sure they can take quilts with them, but we also have contacts in TX so that we can send the pillowcases sooner.

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And FYI, Craftsy is having a super event on Monday, September 4th - on Labor Day, you can enjoy 1200+ Craftsy classes for free - for ONE. DAY. ONLY!  

9/4/17, 12:01 AM MST to 11:59 PM MST

What a deal!  This offer is good for members, so if you're not already a member, all you have to do is sign up using your email address to access this excellent event.  It's totally free to be a member, and as a member, you have access not only to their classes but to great supplies, kits, and patterns.  Many patterns are free, too - it's definitely worth checking out!  

I plan to use this opportunity to check out classes on fun non-quilty things, like calligraphy, or "mobile" photography (using your mobile phone), or crocheting amigurumi animals - the possibilities are endless!  And it's a great way to test-drive a new skill you've been thinking might be fun.  

So click << here >> and sign up if you haven't already, then binge stream on Labor Day!!

FYI I am a Craftsy affiliate, and clicking on one of the links in this post might earn me a little money to help support this blog.  It doesn't cost you a penny extra, though, and your support is greatly appreciated!

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So - - - can I get a whoop whoop?

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And now it's your turn!

What's got you whooping it up?

What's making you dance a little happy dance today?

Share!  We want to dance right along with you - 

And it's always more fun to dance with friends!

The party will stay open until Sunday midnight.

Hope to see you there!

Hugs!

Sarah

Can I Get A Whoop Whoop? A Little Help From My Friends...

Hi, all!

Well, it's Friday again!  You know what that means, don't you?  It's time to get our whoop whoop on!  I'm whooping big time today because we have NOT been blown away by Hurricane Matthew - fortunately for us, it has avoided the Gulf of Mexico and the panhandle of Florida is largely unaffected by the storm - just some rough surf and some clouds today.  Keep Florida in your prayers, though - it looks like it will be bad for the east coast of the state.  They even closed Disneyland - something that's only been done three times before!  

Because I'm on vacation and not finishing much of anything, or working on anything I can show you, I decided to share some of the beautiful things that were linked up last week!  But before we get to that, let me remind you about the Artisan blog tour, which is continuing this week with a stop at 100 Billion Stars.  I'm so excited - I can't wait to see what Melissa has created with these beautiful fabrics!  If you've missed the previous stops on the tour, be sure to check out Simple Simon and Company and CraftSanity - they've both done great things with this upcoming line of fabrics.  And stay tuned for my turn on October 28th!

Now let's get started - and what better way to start than with a quilt made with Kaffe Fassett fabrics?  This one sure is a beauty - made by Ramona at Doodlebugs and Rosebuds Quilts...

And look at this beautiful quilt by Emily of Em's Scrap Bag!  She calls it Wonky Rose Garden and she's even got a tutorial for those lovely scrappy blocks.

Look here - Terri of QuiltNCards has been paper-piecing again!  She calls this mindless, but wow does she have some mad paper piecing skills!!

Check out this fabulous table runner by Sandra of The Bias Edge!  Isn't Storm at Sea a wonderful pattern?  Someday I want to make one too - maybe a table runner is a good compromise!

And while Tish at Tish's Adventures in Wonderland may only have been testing a new block pattern, she made a wonderful little mini quilt!  You really should check out the post to see her quilting - it's amazing!

Kay at Quilts + Color created this fabulous piece of what she calls Ice Tapestry, using a technique called ice dyeing.  However she does it, it's spectacular!  This particular piece is 43" x 89", and I for one would love to see it in person - wow!!!

Let's give them all a huge whoop whoop!  And thanks to everyone who links up each week - it's always inspiring to see the beautiful things everyone is working on.  

Keep up the good work!!

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On a different note, 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.  If you don't know about Stash Builder Box, you should check it out.  They have a great quilt-y 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!  This kind of giving needs to be encouraged, and you can help do that by voting for them!  Go to www.voteforsbb.com to vote - you can vote once per day from now until Sunday, 10/9.  

Vote early and vote often!!  

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And one more public service announcement - Craftsy has a whole new look!  They've updated their website and it looks AMAZING! And just to give you an incentive to check it out, they're offering $5 off your $25 purchase with the coupon code FRESHLOOK25. That code expires 10/7/16, so hop on over there quick and stock up on some holiday crafting supplies!

(FYI - I am a Craftsy affiliate and therefore may make a small amount of money if you click on a link on my blog.  It doesn't cost you a penny more and helps pay for my ridiculously overpriced internet service. Thanks for your assistance!)

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And now it's your turn!

What's got you whooping it up this week?

What's making you dance the happy dance?

Share - we want to dance right along with you - 

And it's always more fun to dance with friends!

The party will stay open until Sunday midnight - 

Hope to see you there!

Hugs!

Sarah

Say "Farewell Summer" With Craftsy!

Hi, all!

The days are growing shorter, temps are getting cooler, and that means it's time for crafting season to start!  And just in time, Craftsy's having a Farewell Summer Clearance Sale!  It's your last chance to save on some of Craftsy's most popular supplies - - - before they sail away (Sunday, 9/18 at 11:59 PM MDT).

How about this gorgeous Kona stash builder bundle (12.5 yards of fabric) for only $59.87?  That's less than half price!

Or this great kit - Tonga Treats 10" Squares and a Banana Split pattern to make a 51.5" square quilt for only $24.58?  What a great and quick gift quilt!

And look at this 20-piece Anthology Shibori Fat Quarter Bundle for only $31.27!  Oh, these colors make me drool - imagine the beautiful visual texture they would put into a quilt!  I may have to get a set of these myself.....

That's only a taste of the great items on clearance at Craftsy right now - with almost four hundred different items for you to choose from, you're sure to find something that makes your heart sing!

So call me an enabler - but when there's a good deal to be found, I like to share.  I hope you find something wonderful!  But don't hesitate - this sale ends at 11:59 PM MDT on Sunday, September 18th.

Hugs!

Sarah

FYI, I am an affiliate for Craftsy, so if you click on a link in this post and purchase something from them, I will make a little bit of money, which helps me pay my ridiculously high rural internet charges.  It doesn't cost you a penny more, and I appreciate you helping support this blog!

Black Friday in August? Yup!

Hi, all!

It's that time of year again - the time when, around the periphery of our minds, the thought keeps sneaking in - - - "Only about 4 months until Christmas!"  Eek!  

Just a sample of what's available!!

Well, Craftsy has decided to do something really helpful about that, and this weekend only, they are hosting "A Maker's Handmade Holiday" with their best deals of the year, so you can gear up for your greatest gifting yet!  Imagine that - Black Friday when you really need it!  Get started on those great handmade gifts now, with sale prices to make it really affordable.

This sale ends at 11:59 PM MT on Sunday, August 21, 2016, so don't miss out!

Happy making!!

Hugs!

Sarah

PS There are affiliate links in this blog post.  Clicking on a link in this post doesn't cost you a thing, but it helps me support this blog and the insane cost of rural internet!  Thanks!!

Kaffe Fassett on SALE at Craftsy!!!

Hi, all!

Have you been bitten by the bohemian bug?  I sure have - and I don't know any better way to indulge in bohemian splendor than by using Kaffe Fassett fabrics. So imagine the thrill that went through me when I saw that Kaffe Fassett fabrics are on sale today at Craftsy!

Kaffe's classic fabric with all those gorgeous colors and patterns, AND the shot cottons - y'all, if you haven't felt the shot cottons, you must - they are fabulous!!!

Kits and pre-cuts, too, if you love the fabric but don't have a plan in mind - there's a little something for everyone!  All 50% off - a steal!! So hop on over to Craftsy and check it out!

Hugs!

Sarah

PS I am a Craftsy affiliate, so clicking on a link in my blog may earn me a little money and help support this blog - but it doesn't cost you a penny extra! I hope you find something you LOVE!! 

Hurry! Time Is Running Out!!!

Hi, all!

In case you haven't heard already, Craftsy is having a fabulous sale on their top quilting classes right now!  But the sale ends tonight, 4/23/16 at 11:59 MDT, so you are running out of time!!  

You all know how much I love Christina Cameli as a free-motion quilting teacher, right?  Well right now, all three of her classes. INCLUDING her newest class, Wild Quilting, are $19.99 each!!!

So click here to be taken directly to the class sale - hundreds of classes are on sale, and you are sure to find something you will love!!!

Hugs!!

Sarah

PS sorry for the short post and lack of pics - you can't imagine how hard it is to do a blogpost from your phone!!

Can I Get A Whoop Whoop? Boundless Solids Rock!!!

Hi, all!

Wow!  Can you believe it's Friday again!  Are you ready for the weekend?  As spring gets closer (or at least the warm part of spring) I get the urge to work in my yard on the weekends - but I still spend my weekdays in the studio!  I've been busy this week working on something fun - so I'm ready to get my whoop whoop on - are you?  Let's get started!

Several weeks ago, Craftsy contacted me and asked if they could send me some of their new Boundless solid fabrics to review on the blog.  Well, let's see - get free fabric to play with and then talk about it?  Yeah!!  

When I looked on their website, this is what I found out about their new line...

"Inspired by quilters and their creativity, talent, and just a dash (or three!) of sass, the Boundless team set out to create collections that live up to every expectation and excite fabric lovers daily.  With a stunning spectrum of colors and original prints and a premium, easy-to-work-with hand, Boundless is designed to delight."

These fabrics come in 30 colors, in yardage, 5" squares, 10" squares, 2.5" strips, 6" strips, and fat quarter bundles.  There are a variety of pre-packaged color ways, too!

And best of all, it's 35% off right now!!  And just to make life interesting, I want to show you what I made with my 6" strip bundle....

Isn't this pretty?  One 6" strip bundle, 25 strips of beautifully saturated solids created this 57" square quilt, a great lap size!! This particular color way is called Crayon Box, and there are five other curated bundles that contain enough strips to make this quilt.

It's a beautifully simple quilt - just hourglass blocks!  I pretty much allowed the colors to fall where they would, just avoiding putting two of the same color next to each other.  Here's a simple tutorial for the hourglass block...

If you’ve never made an hourglass block before, it couldn’t be simpler!  Here’s how you make this block.  Take two 6” squares of different colors, and draw a diagonal line, corner to corner, on the lighter block.  Lay the light block on top of the dark block, right sides together, matching the corners, and stitch 1/4” from each side of that line you drew.  Cut the block apart on the line you drew, and carefully press the seams to the darker side.  (FYI this is also the process for making a half-square triangle block.)  Now make another set of HSTs with a different pair of colors.   You should now have four HSTs, two in one color pairing and two in another.  

Now, take one of each differently colored HSTs and draw a diagonal line from the light corner to the dark corner, crossing the stitched line.  Lay the marked HST on top of the unmarked HST, with the seams matching and the colors in opposite position, as shown above.  (The top HST is folded back so you can see the alternated colors.)  Pin across the pencil-marked stitching line, making sure that your seams are butted together nicely and corners line up.  Stitch 1/4” from either side of the line you drew.  Cut on the line to separate your work into two hourglass blocks!  Tada!  Trim to 5” square.

For this quilt, I cut each 6" strip into seven 6" squares, then paired each with a contrasting color for the first half square triangles.  After those were cut and pressed (but not trimmed), I paired them up as shown in the instructions above and stitched them again.  After those were cut and pressed, I squared them up to 5" square, arranged them on the design wall until I was happy with the design, and put it together!

Time to make the back.  In keeping with my efforts to sew my stash this year, I looked for material in my yardage that I liked.  Nothing there!  Then I remembered the two tubs of random fat quarters I had stashed away, and picked out twelve pretty rainbow colored prints that read as solids.  It all worked up really quickly into a nice back!  

Next I loaded it up on the frame and did a quick and easy random meander, then bound it with a diagonal stripe from the stash.  A quick turn in the washer and dryer, and voila, a finished quilt!  

And you know the most wonderful thing about this quilt, at least to me?  Right now, the 6" fabric roll I used is only $27.62!  That's all it would cost to make this quilt top - what a great deal!  And there are 6 different color combinations to choose from.  Something for everyone!

Now here's the skinny about these fabrics - they have a lovely hand, nice consistent weave, and the colors are beautifully vibrant and clear.  They sewed well, washed well, and there was almost no color bleed on my Color Catchers (and that was more likely to be from some of the fat quarters I used on the back!)  I would use them again in a heartbeat!  

So - - - can I get a whoop whoop???

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And now it's your turn!

What are you whooping it up about this week?

What's got you dancing a little happy dance?

Share - we want to dance right along with you - 

And it's always more fun to dance with friends!

The party will stay open until Sunday midnight - 

Hope to see you there!

Hugs!

Sarah

PS - There's lots more on clearance at Craftsy, too - you'll find craft project kits and supplies from your favorite brands and designers, discounted at least 40%.  Stock up for spring, and get ready to pack a picnic basket full of inspiration!  Hurry - offer ends Sunday!

Supplies Sale at Craftsy!!!

It's that time again!  Spring has sprung, and so has Craftsy's spring kits and supplies sale!  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!

Hugs!

Sarah

FYI - I am an affiliate for Craftsy, and as such may receive a small commission if you click on one of the links in the post above and make a purchase.  It does not cost you any more, and helps me pay the exorbitant price I have to pay for internet service because I live in the sticks!  Thanks for your help - your support is greatly appreciated!

Amazing Deals at Craftsy, This Weekend ONLY!!

Hi, all!

This weekend only, Craftsy is doing something they almost never do - - - all NEW online classes start at $14.99.  That's right!  That just-released class you've been eyeing from your favorite instructor? It's on sale at prices so rare, you definitely don't want to miss out.  These deals will be gone soon, so shop now!

The Deal:  50% off NEW classes!

Dates:  January 16th - January 18th

Don't miss out on this great opportunity!!

Hugs!

Sarah

Disclaimer:  This is an affiliate post, which simply means that if you click on a link in the post above, I may receive some small compensation as a result of your click.  But rest assured, I won't ever refer you to something that I don't wholeheartedly endorse and use myself.  Your clicks help support this blog and are greatly appreciated!

What's On The Bookshelf Wednesday - We All Love Freebies!

Hi, all!

We all look to our books for new patterns, or to learn new things, right?  I know I do!  But there are so many other resources available to us beyond books these days, and today I want to share one of my favorite places to go for free patterns and great free classes - Craftsy!

I conducted a search of free quilting patterns, looking for fun things to make for Christmas.  Here's just a few of the things I found...

A sweet Christmas table runner ...

Super simple Christmas bell ornaments ...

A no-sew quilted Christmas tree ...

And an adorable paper-pieced trio Christmas tree quilt!

And here are a few great free quilting classes...

I don't know about you, but I've always wanted to learn how to make pixel quilts!

And this is one of my favorite classes - bring some life and style to your quilts with creative quilt backs!

And maybe you like to look at quilt blogs, but haven't taken the plunge into quilting yourself.  This is a great free class that will help you learn the basics easily!

And while free is always good, sometimes you want to take a longer, more in-depth class taught by one of Craftsy's great instructors, such as...

Christina Cameli's great class on free motion quilting...

Or a great class that can help you get a jump on Christmas with Tammy Silver's quick quilted gifts!

Have you always wanted to learn how to design your own quilts?  Take a class with a fabulous quilt designer, Weeks Ringle!

And guess what? Craftsy is really thankful for you, and they want to show you just how much!  For 24 hours only, shop their most popular online classes for just $14.99.  Check them out!  Don't miss this great opportunity!!

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Next week, we'll be back with a review of a great book!  Until then, have you looked at your bookshelf lately?  

Hugs!

Sarah

This post contains affiliate links, and if you click on those links, I may receive compensation.  Your click is sincerely appreciated - it helps support this blog!  Thank you!