SHE WHO SEWS BLOG HOP

Welcome to Day 3 of the She Who Sews Blog Hop!

First, let me thank Carla of Creatin' in the Sticks who, as usual, did a wonderful job organizing this blog hop, along with Madame Samm of Sew We Quilt.  Please make sure to stop by their blogs to give thanks and maybe sign up for a give-away!

When the She Who Sews blog hop was announced, I knew immediately what I wanted to make from this fabulous fabric.  I'm taking a lot of quilting classes lately, and always like to bring my own iron (there never seems to be one available when I need it!) and I had this pattern for an iron caddy that I picked up a local quilt show.

So, without further ado, my entry and my new favorite sewing accoutrement!

I can't wait for my next quilting class so I can use it!

Once again I want to thank all of you for dropping by with a little prezzie (Atkinson Designs "Bucket Brigade" and five fat 8ths in assorted blues).  The usual drill of leaving a comment will get you one entry, and then tell me how you follow me for a second entry.  I will announce the winner on the last day of hop.

And before I let you go, I would be remiss if I didn't remind you to go visit all the other tremendously talented quilters who are participating in the She Who Sews blog hop today!

January 29th

Why Knot Kwilt

BumbleberryStitches 

 Quilt Doodle Designs

Sew Incredibly Crazy 

Thimblemouse and Spouse

Words & Stitches

The Cosmic Quilter (You're Here!)

WAKE UP TO KONA GIVE-AWAY!

Sorry for the delay in getting this post out.  Weather and work have been conspiring against me!

The winner of my little give-away from the Wake Up to Kona blog hop is.......

Debra Kay Neiman!



Debra, thanks for the comment and for following me, I will be emailing you tomorrow to get your address!

Thanks to everyone who was so kind to drop by and comment.

A BRAND NEW YEARS DESERVES A FEW GOALS, YES?

For the first time, I've had a chance to sit down and take a deep breath and realize that 2014 is actually here.  I know, no one should be that busy, and yet I am.

I sat in bed last night and wrote out a few things I'd like to get done this year.  Not really resolutions as such, but just some targets to aim for.

Losing weight, always top of the list.  This year, I need to add keeping it off, so that I don't lose and regain the same 30 pounds again this year.  I joined Gold's Gym over the holidays hoping that the guilt of paying for that membership each month would get me exercising regularly.  So far, I have been able to make that particular guilt trip a short one.

I'd also like to get more involved with dog rescue and the two rescues that I volunteer with.  I can't adopt another dog (there are already three in my house), but I would like to do more short term fostering.

Here is my newest baby, Max, doing what he loves best, napping on the sofa.  Like mother, like son.

As for quilting, I am in the process of joining a finish along (hopefully will be posting about that tomorrow) and would like to sign up for some more blog hops and link parties, as well as grow this tiny blog a bit.  And on that note I found a link up for small blogs at Lily's Quilts!

And before I forget, as I did once before, here is a holiday project that didn't quite get finished this year.  A dresser runner, that just needs to have the binding sewn on and it will be ready to give to my sister when I see her next.  My first time with meandering quilting -- not perfect by a long shot, but better than I had thought it would turn out.

Linked here:

KNITTING PROJECT BAG

Worked on another project bag for yet another knitter friend of mine.

I tell you, sitting around this holiday, surrounded by friends knitting, almost made we want to learn to knit.

Almost.

I see those tiny needles (they were all, to a one, working on socks) and that thin yarn and I just know that as some point I would get frustrated beyond my capacity to cope and that seemingly innocent project would go hurling through the air and become a pointy little missile.  It's much harder to throw a sewing machine.

So, I sew....much safer for me and those around me.

Besides, I had those cute yarn/knitting focused fabric -- behold the knitters project bag I completed!

WAKE UP TO KONA BLOG HOP

Welcome to Day 6 of the Wake Up to Kona Solids blog hop!  A hop focused on quilts made from Kona solids!

Today is my turn at bat and if you make it through to the end of this post, there might just be a wee give-a-way!

First, before jumping in I'd like to thank Madame Samm from Sew We Quilt for organizing this wonderful hop, and Carol from Just Let me Quilt for shaking her pom poms for all of us!

Wake Up to Kona Solids Blog Hop was inspired by the new book Color Essentials by Amanda Murphy from C&T publishing, as well as Aurifil, and, of course, the lovely Sunrise and Sunset Kona bundles by Robert Kaufman.

      

The Kona Solids I went with for my quilt were Amethyst, White and Artichoke, purchased online from Canton Village Quilt Works.

The pattern I used came from My Quilt Infatuation's Easy Peasy Chevron Quilt Tutorial.

I loves me some HSTs and I'd never made them the way this particular tutorial details.  I am in LOVE....yes, it takes a bit more time pressing and starching the HSTs because of the bias edges, but it well worth it and creates a beautiful, crisp block.

I also have to stress here that my mind was TOTALLY and COMPLETELY focused on SPRING when I chose these colors and made this quilt.  I've had enough of this dreary, snowy, icy weather and needed something bright and cheerful.  And without further ado, the quilt I call Chevron Spring Dreams:

Please take the time to visit my fellow January 14th playmates for more gorgeous quilts made from Kona Solids:

January 14

The Cosmic Quilter – you're here!

 Sew Me Something Good

Sew Peace to Peace

Quilting Prolifically

Linda D. (shown on Just Let Me Quilt)

In The Boon Docks

And, since you sweated out this very long post, a little payment for your patience and a big thank you for "hopping" on over to visit me!  Atkinson Designs "Pockets to Go" pattern and five fat 8ths in assorted pink prints.

Just leave a comment, and if you follow me, tell me how in another comment and get a second entry! The winner will be picked on the 21st!