Happy New Year! and a Great Giveaway Over at Stray Stitches

Happy New Year to all.  Cha Cha and I will be safely tucked away in our bed when the ball drops us into 2011. I will be dreaming of projects for the new year - the fun of planning, cutting, sewing, quilting, binding, the list is endless. I am all excited about the possibilities in the new year. Who knows what Cha Cha cat will be dreaming of. Perhaps how to steal borrow spools of thread or other small paw sized sewing items when I'm not looking!

Giveaway:  Linda of Stray Stitches is celebrating 300+ followers by holding a fantastic giveaway ending 1/9/11. There is a "to die for" full color pattern - "Flying Colors" by Georgette Dell'Orco. And! - 25 fat quarters plus 5/8 yard of black fabric to make the quilt top. The colors are so Beautiful! Go on over and check it out. Sign up (if you don't already) to follow Linda at Stray Stitches. I adore reading her blog.

Congratulations, Linda on your blog success. Your giveaway is super generous and much appreciated.

After Christmas Surprise

I have been "limping along" in the Holly Jolly Blog Bingo sponsored by In Stitches. My word selection was SUPER .. the words simply were not getting drawn fast enough! Today instead of a new list of words I found the announcement of their winner - Darlene B. of Worth, IL. Congratulations, Darlene! The package coming your way looks fab!

Maybe next time I thought with a wee bit of sadness and continued reading the In Stitches blog - if you haven't already go check this blog out.

I read .... Congratulations also go to Donna in Panama City, FL. I'm thinking she will enjoy the giveaway prize from yesterday. My brain functions a bit slowly! Then .... much to my surprise ... could that be me .... there are a several Donna(s) in quilting blogland. Do they live in Panama City, FL? 

I WON! -- a fat quarter bundle of 12 Moda Metallic Swirls basics! Yeah!!!!  Many thanks to In Stitches for sponsoring this fun bingo game. I had a wonderful time playing! Of course, winning a prize made me do a happy dance!

Santa Came!

Santa made it to my house! And, he was very generous this year. Thanks to my sister I am going to have one happy, happy day or two at Quilting By the Bay, Panama City, FL. I have been making plans in my head! I, also have an Omnigrid ruler grip, a new rotary cutter, three project filled magazines and several quilt making "gadgets."

My wardrobe increased in shades of blue, silver and white.

My parents were here for Christmas. We had a lovely family holiday.

The tree came down today. All the Christmas decorations are packed away until new Thanksgiving! Cha Cha was not a happy cat when her tree was boxed until she discovered her favorite table back under her favorite window. 

Giveaway(s) opportunity - Dawn is holding a wonderful New Year Fabric Giveaway. She has 7 yards of Dr. Seuss for one lucky winner. Drop over and visit her blog to enter. Should you happen to win please remember to send me my share for sending you over to her blog -- just kidding! Good luck to all!

Charlie of Qubee Quilts is having a giveaway for a Fandango layer cake in honor of his birthday.

Christmas Party, Christmas Decorating, Christmas Fun in Blog Land

The office party was last night. My employer had her home decorated for the season in tasteful, comfortable style. We had quite a gathering of employees and their families. I ate way too much. The caterer was the Chef from Dirty Dick's Crab House, Panama City Beach, FL - fabulous! I believe my favorite thing about living in Florida is how seafood is tradition at every occasion. Should you come this way for the holidays (or any time) make sure to experience Dirty Dick's Crab House. You will be amazed.  Can you believe Christmas is almost here?

My dad got home from the hospital. He walked out rather than the usually mandated wheelchair ride. It seems the Baptist Hospital in Jackson, MS is overflowing. They lacked an available wheelchair, so the nurse walked with my dad to the car waiting at the door. I haven't gotten to speak with him yet. He was napping yesterday afternoon. I'm hoping for my opportunity to talk this morning.

Today is the day to put up the Christmas tree. This is Cha Cha's first Christmas at my house. I am thinking this may be an "experience" for both of us. I will try to get pictures before the "re-decoration" begins.

Be sure to check out the Henry Glass Designers Holiday Blog Parade. Today is day 5 but you have time to get involved. All the links are on a separate page of my blog.

Also, starting December 10, 2010 In Stitches is sponsoring the Holly Jolly Blog Bingo - the link is on another page of my blog. Go to the In Stitches blog to select your 25 words, so you will be ready to play. Don't you love all the fun blog hops and games in blog land?  I certainly do.

Happy quilting to all.

Thanksgiving

I have so much to be thankful for. I spend a wonderful 3 days in Mississippi with family. We did our traditional feast - steaks on the grill, twice baked potatoes and my mom's melt in your mouth pecan pie. The trip was fantastic; even if I did have a major tire blow out on the way back. That is just part of living ... the road ready maintenance was taken care of prior to leaving Florida but that tire decided to go Pop! on I-10 in the holiday traffic. All is well!

Here is the surprise awaiting me as I arrived on that cute little donut tire yesterday evening ............

 

My very own Rose of Sharon Block Book personally signed by the author Sharon Pederson. I was (AM!) so excited. Many thanks to Kelly Jackson of I Have a Notion for the giveaway.

I just got back from eating crab cakes at the Granite Cafe in Panama City, FL. I took my friend who cat sat while I was gone for a treat. Should you be in the Panama City area drop by the Granite Cafe. The food is great!

And, now since I am all well fed and in my PJs, I do believe I will curl up with my new quilting book. I cannot think of anything better to do.

HAPPY QUILTING TO ALL!

Pink Fig Holiday Giveaway! and More!

Chelsea at Pink Fig Design is having a fantastic giveaway which will run until December 1, 2010. In celebration of her First Fabric Line! she is giving away TWO quilts! One to a random lucky person and one to a random lucky shop owner to display in their store. Go check it out. And good luck to all!

The Henry Glass Designers Holiday Project Parade starts December 1-7, 2010!  There will be free patterns, inspiration, stories, individual blog giveaways, and one Grand Prize Giveaway! I have setup a page giving you the links to the gracious hosts.  I think the schedule and "rules" will follow. Sounds like a great blog hop!

This morning brought a wonderful surprise for me.  I won the "Rose of Sharon Block Book" autographed by Sharon Pederson that Kelly from I Have A Notion graciously gave away. This is the book I have been drooling over at Quilting by the Bay. I've picked it up, admired, carried almost to the checkout stand and put it back regretfully time after time - my quilting skills are still Very Raw!  Each time I have said one day.  I am SO EXCITED!

My recent Friends Swap buddy Leanne of Stitch Selection sent me an email stating she is working on a table runner from the Adoring Moda range I sent.  The Friends Swap was lots of fun. I am looking forward to doing it again.  One more BIG THANKS! to Khris of Sew Prim Khris who organized the fun.

And, now having said all of that I do believe I may go sew. Life has been happening at a rather fast rate for me. My sewing time has unfortunately been almost nonexistent for way too long.  I have blocks to catch up on for the Layer Cake Quilt Along I signed up for - sponsored by Moose on the Porch. Happy quilting to all!

Green Fairy Quilts

Great giveaway at Green Fairy Quilts.  Tell them I sent you. Happy quilting!

Fall-O-Ween & Reality Check

Gundrun is having a FALL-O-WEEN September 27th through October 6th. She has 10 designers ready and waiting. Each day there will be a great project and 10 themed blog posts.  There is also a giveaway! Sound like fun!





I got a reality check yesterday in the difference between blogging for fun and apparent blogging/giveaways for profit. I followed a link from another blog site, filled out a form and received a disturbing e-mail. I actually considered closing my blog .... but I have a great time with my little blog and since I have gained valuable knowledge into what to avoid, decided to keep on being me in my small little space. Thanks to all the quilters/bloggers I am learning from.

Happy Quilting!

GO Giveaway

Ryan at I'm Just a Guy Who Quilts is holding a GO! Giveaway.  Pop on over & check out the details.

Silver Thimble Talk's Giveaway, Quilt Hollow's GO! Giveaway & Cleaning, Planning, Scheming!

Pat of Silver Thimble Talk (I love her blog name!) has let the cat out of the bag. She is writing a BOOK! due for publication next fall. Head on over to her blog and get the details direct from her. This is Sooo Exciting!  To celebrate Pat is holding a fabulous giveaway - called The Cat is OUT of the Bag! - very simple rules - very wonderful winnings - be sure to check it out and Congratulate Pat on the BOOK!

And, another GO! giveaway. Go to Quilt Hollow to enter ... or perhaps don't, so I can win it (Just kidding - head on over).

Spent the weekend cleaning, planning and scheming.  The apartment got an old fashioned spring cleaning - even if it is August in Florida and hot as blue blazes!  Poor Cha Cha cat spent considerable time hiding under the bed.  She has an unreasonable fear of the vacuum, broom, clothes hamper, even the dusting cloth.  I think perhaps she is plain lazy and hides to avoid being asked to contribute to the effort!  The planning and scheming was in preparation for the F-R-I-E-N-D-S Swap Khris at Sew Prim Khris is sponsoring.  My New Friend is Leanne of Stitch Selection. She lives way over in Australia.  I hear they have kangaroos!

Go Giveaway, Fabric Shopping & Dreams

Jackie over at Canton Village Quilt Works is having a giveaway - Go Cutter  from AccuQuilt.  Head on over and check out the details. Then go to the AccuQuilt site to check out all the possibilities the Go Cutter offers.  Jackie's contest ends at midnight Eastern Time on August 26, 2010. The complete rules can be found at Jackie's blog - just click the link above. Good luck to all!

Joann Fabrics had a Sale! yesterday.  Check out my colorful fabric additions.  I have gotten the quilting "bug".  I'm planning a strip throw for a 7 year old.  Perfect for Christmas.  Actually I am dreaming of a handmade quilted Christmas for the family.  We'll see - the cutting takes me ages.

Happy blogging quilting to all.

Another Great Giveaway

Rush on over to Jay Birds Quilts and check out the giveaway - fat quarter bundle - Pure by Sweetwater - from  The Fat Quarter Shop.  There are 5 opportunities to win.  The instructions are simple.  Good luck to all! 

The camera is on the second of three scheduled new battery charges.  Hopefully, by the weekend it will be ready to go.  The timing will be great.  I have a partially cut out baby quilt top ... with luck I can post with pictures some real progress. 

A great Thanks!!! to all you experienced quilters who blog and share so beautifully.  I'm learning lots.