The Quilting Booklady

Bouts Choisis: Giveaway Day.

noreply@blogger.com (Becky) — Thu, 09 May 2013 00:10:00 +0000

Bouts Choisis: Giveaway Day.

I hang some of my quilts on the railing of the stairs, on chairs, as tablecloths. I do giveaway quilts, but I keep some too.

Many thanks!

Snow Sewing ....Ellijay 2013

noreply@blogger.com (Becky) — Fri, 08 Feb 2013 13:34:00 +0000

This curve in the road among my quilting friends will now be known as "Jane's Curve." What began as an innocent little "field trip" to the quilt shop Country Stitches in Blue Ridge, Georgia became a "rescue mission" for Bob and Vickie, owners of Whitepath Lodge in Ellijay, GA. We knew that snow was predicted for the afternoon hours. I had stalked weather.com and the weather reports for over a week before our sewing retreat. No one anticipated several inches of snow in a short amount of time in the morning hours.

In an hour or two, it went from this beautiful scenario

to this

dreamy wonderland. The ridge and road leading to Whitepath Lodge received the most snow in the county. Jane took awesome care of us. Her Highlander did a superhero job of trying to get us up the hill. It was that extra yard of fabric that we purchased that did her in. (LOL)

Kristie, Brenda, Jane, Carla and Becky

Thank you ladies for a "field trip" to remember!

Happy New Year!

noreply@blogger.com (Becky) — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 01:19:00 +0000

Rusty sharing Christmas Lights (Bonnie Hunter Mystery Quilt)

Happy New Year from our house to yours!

Many blessings in 2013 for all!

Merry Christmas, Dear Friends!

noreply@blogger.com (Becky) — Tue, 25 Dec 2012 12:47:00 +0000

Wishing you all a love-filled Christmas Day!

Quilter's Christmas Party

noreply@blogger.com (Becky) — Mon, 10 Dec 2012 01:04:00 +0000

SewCalGal is hosting a virtual Christmas Party. Fun!! She has many prizes to giveaway from some very generous donors. Most importantly she is raising funds for Operation Homefront for military families in need of assistance.

SewCalGal has requested that quilters share some of their holiday traditions. One tradition for my husband, sons and me has been the making of our bean soup mix. The first year that we were married, we discovered a recipe for a mixed dry bean soup mix in a monthly magazine. We purchased beans at our local grocery store, packaged them in ziplock bags, reproduced the recipe and gave them to family and friends for Christmas gifts. Each year, dear hubby worked on the recipe to improve it.

This year, we purchased 60 pounds of dried beans at one of our local international markets. We've discovered dried beans that we didn't know existed. A soup pot is no longer large enough to hold all the beans. We now use an ice chest. This will make approximately 60 packages of our soup mix. Some years

we had to form an "assembly line" to package the beans and recipes. Lots of great memories for our family and lots of good hot bean soup for our family and friends.

Visit SewCalGal's blog to find the list of other quilters sharing their holiday traditions, buy raffle tickets or golden tickets to benefit Operation Homefront and Celebrate the Holiday Season!!!

Blog Hop Party with Give-Aways

noreply@blogger.com (Becky) — Mon, 10 Dec 2012 00:04:00 +0000

The Quilter's Gallery is celebrating it's 5th birthday! Hard to believe! Michele Foster provides quilters a wonderful website with loads of information, free blocks, contests, giveaways....... The party begins Monday, December 10th (birthday number 5) and goes until Saturday, December 15th. Many bloggers are participating in this fun birthday celebration. It's a PARTY!!!!

Won't you join in the party? How? By visiting the participating blogs listed on the Quilter's Gallery blog and entering to win the many giveaways. My giveaway is a colorful fat quarter tote (made from 2 fat quarters).

I always thought this tote would work great for a small knitting projects, stitchery or Lunch even! I'm sure a couple of other items will find their way into the bag for a surprise. Love surprises!

To enter the giveaway, share with me the title of your favorite Christmas book and/or novel. I have two novels that I like to reread during the holiday season. Winter Solstice by Rosamunde Pilcher

and Shepherd's Abiding by Jan Karon

Choosing a favorite children's book is almost impossible. The Night Before Christmas in all it's versions definitely is in the top 10 :)

Happy Birthday, Quilter's Blog!!!! Have a fun blog hop!

Traveling Stash Box #2 Giveaway - Winner

noreply@blogger.com (Becky) — Sun, 02 Dec 2012 23:29:00 +0000

Congratulations to Helen who blogs at Time for Mimi ! The Traveling Stash Box # 2 is headed her way.

I just love the Traveling Stash! This is the third one that I've been lucky enough to win. There's something about the whole "trash to treasure" concept that appeals to me. This is Traveling Stash Box # 2 that I won from SewCalGal

The box includes fabric....

notions, thread, patches, pins....

charms from Hawaiian Shirts (I was so tempted to take these, but don't have a project in mind, so I left them in the box

patterns....

books...

Here are the items that stayed in my sewing room....

the Little Apples charm pack, 2 Prairie Paisley fat quarters and the Hoffman sushi roll. The items that I added to the stash box from my Stash are

half yard pieces of three "dotty" fabrics, a charm pack of Jo Morton fabrics from Little Quilts Quilt Shop and some batik charms from an online fabric swap from years ago.

Here are the rule to enter the giveaway for the Traveling Stash box:
Traveling Stash Rules:

1. Be an active blogger. Post about receiving the box on your blog in a timely manner. Post the giveaway for the box soon after receiving it.
2. There's a note in the box that logs where it's been. Please add your info and place the note back in the box.
3. There's a list of Rules and Guidelines in the box. Please read and follow these and return the list to the box.
4. You may take anything you like from the box. Just replace every item with comparable quilt shop quality items equal to the amount taken.
5. Ship the box to the next person in a reasonable amount of time.
6. Due to the amount of postage shipping is only within the USA.

It is very important that those that enter understand that this is a Traveling Stash that they can keep what is in the box that they want, but they must fill up the box with other items that would be of interest to a fellow quilter and be of high quality. And, they must host a giveaway on their box and ultimately pay to ship the box to the respective winner. Fortunately, the box being shipped uses a large Flat Rate box so you can pack heavy items in it, or light items, and the cost is the same. (copied from Insights from SewCalGal's blog)

To enter to win this box all you have to do is leave a comment. I'm looking for new ideas to add to my family's Christmas stocking this year. Tell me what items Santa leaves in the Stockings at your house. Good luck! Winner will be drawn on Friday evening, December Dec. 7th!

noreply@blogger.com (Becky) — Thu, 22 Nov 2012 14:58:00 +0000

Wishing you and your family, a glorious Thanksgiving Day!

Bloggers' Online Quilt Festival

noreply@blogger.com (Becky) — Wed, 31 Oct 2012 22:58:00 +0000

Just returned from a 7 day trip to Baton Rouge and Houston. I was again fortunate to attend Quilt Market and also visit with many family and friends. Some how in all the preparations for the trip, I missed that it was Bloggers' Online Quilt Show time. This awesome online quilt show is not to be missed. There are currently over 500 quilt entries at Amy's Creative Place. My entry is called Batik Sunrise or the working name, Peg's quilt.

I used a new technique with the Big Twister ruler and batiks which are not my normal fabric preference. My cousin Peg and I were raised like sisters. She had older brothers. I had younger brothers. Our mothers were sisters. Recently, she and her husband Mason down-sized to a town home. She loves batiks, but her home is mostly neutral in color. My challenge was to use batiks in a lighter tones, but also have a bit of "POP." While in Houston this week, I delivered Batik Sunrise to Peg and Mason. How fun to gift a quilt to someone special and the quilt immediately becomes one of their treasures.

Words on Wednesday

noreply@blogger.com (Becky) — Wed, 19 Sep 2012 23:34:00 +0000

Winner of the Traveling Stash Box

noreply@blogger.com (Becky) — Tue, 18 Sep 2012 20:00:00 +0000

Congratulations to Joanne Lendro of Splitting Stiches blog! Joanne is the winner of the Traveling Stash Box #1. Thanks to all the wonderful ideas of items to include in the stash box. It helped me make some decisions on what to add from my STASH!

Traveling Stash Box Has Arrived

noreply@blogger.com (Becky) — Mon, 10 Sep 2012 21:36:00 +0000

Hi Friends! I seem to have taken an unplanned blogging break. Not sure if I am back to blogging for good. The good thing is that I am getting some sewing and reading done! Last week, this wonderful box arrived at my house. It's the Traveling Stash Box # 1.

As you can tell from the photo, the box was stuffed with sewing goodies. It is perhaps the box with the most variety in the boxes that I have won. In addition to the fabric, patterns and books (2), the box contains panels, thread, floss, notions (machine needles, quilting gloves) Kindle Fire cover, and other wonderful stash items. This box began it's travels in January of 2011. That's almost 2 years. In fact, I found my name on the list of places that it has visited. Yes, I've had this box before, but nothing in the box was the same as when I previously received it. I thought I would have everything decided when I posted the giveway, but I'm still undecided about some items that I will take and what items I will add. Elderly parent care, bathroom renovations, son home from Disney and now in new university and other son getting married in a month - there's been some distractions:)

This is a not so good photo of the contents of the box. Every time I go through the box, I find something else that wants to stay at my home:)

These are the items that I'm thinking of keeping. One yard cuts of fabric and a pincusion pattern

but these charm packs are awfully tempting. I have fabric to add, some notions and patterns, but haven't made it downstairs to my sewing room. Will try to add a photo of what I am adding in the next day or so.

The traveling stash begins today and will end on Sunday, September 16th at midnight. Give yourself a treat and enter to win this Traveling Stash Box. In your comments, tell me what kinds of items (be specific) that you would like to find in a traveling stash box. (Example: French General fabric, hand sewing needles, magazines) Take care! Good luck!

Words on Wednesday

noreply@blogger.com (Becky) — Wed, 22 Aug 2012 22:26:00 +0000

Let the good times roll!

Words on Wednesday

noreply@blogger.com (Becky) — Wed, 01 Aug 2012 19:29:00 +0000

Giveaway Alert

noreply@blogger.com (Becky) — Tue, 17 Jul 2012 22:37:00 +0000

My friend Brenda is giving away an entire quilt kit!!! The dogwood flower batik was a limited edition fabric for the Atlanta Shop Hop several years ago. Road to Romance is a fun quilt to sew. In fact the version that I sewed is the current cover quilt on the pattern.

I used dark '30's prints, green 30's solid and a background fabric with dots. Click fast to Brenda's blog and enter her giveaway.Tell her Becky sent you:)

Words on Wednesday

noreply@blogger.com (Becky) — Wed, 11 Jul 2012 20:38:00 +0000

Traveling Stash Winner

noreply@blogger.com (Becky) — Sun, 08 Jul 2012 11:11:00 +0000

The winner of the Leap Year Traveling Stash is Melinda of Melinda Quilts ETC. Thank you for the wonderful suggestions on cool ways to celebrate the Fourth!

Melinda said...

I love to make homemade ice cream on the 4th. I will be working at the quilt shop, but will make it in the evening.

Happy Fourth!

noreply@blogger.com (Becky) — Wed, 04 Jul 2012 12:12:00 +0000

Leap Year - the Schnibble

noreply@blogger.com (Becky) — Sat, 30 Jun 2012 12:43:00 +0000

A Finish! A Finish! Finally, another Finish! Leap Year is the new Schnibble pattern by Carrie Nelson of Miss Rosie Quilts. It is the June project for Another Year of Schnibbles hosted by Sinta and Sherry.

I have a nice collection of charm packs. Cookies from Home by Me & My Sister is one of the first charm packs I purchased many years ago.It's a wonderful feeling to combine many goals in one project. I used charms and fabric from my stash. I completed the June project for Another Year of Schnibbles. The plan is to donate it to our guild Just For You charity project for sick children. It was a new project for Cat Patches begin a new UFO project.

It is all ready for machine quilting. Maybe next week.....

Leap Year Traveling Stash

noreply@blogger.com (Becky) — Fri, 29 Jun 2012 13:36:00 +0000

Look what arrived at my house earlier this month - The Leap Year Traveling Stash. I won the box from Cherise at Sewingly Along. It was over-flowing. I was surprised that the box held together. What treasures were inside! Yes, were. I've had a marvelous time touching, examining and choosing the stuff I wanted to keep.

Books to donate to the guild library, Christmas fabrics, Ghastlies FQ, charms.... I will probably continue to remove some of the non-quilt shop fabrics and add some additional quilt shop quality fabric. The art director at my MIL's assisted living can use the old fabric for art and crafts. I like to use only quilt-shop quality fabrics in my sewing so that is what I am adding to the box.

Here are some of the items that I added to the box:

Music, dots, black and white....

neutrals

Christmas

florals,

I Spy charms (each charm is different)

thread (I organized my thread stash this week. These spools need to go to a home that will use them)

Patterns (2 of my favorites for precuts - Sassy Sixteen and Tic Tacs)

and wool pieces from thrift shop wool that I recently felted.

Here are the rules:THE TRAVELING STASH RULES AND GUIDELINES

RULES:

Be an active blogger. Post about receiving and the giveaway on your blog in a timely manner.
There is a note in the box that logs where the box has been. Please add your info and place the note back in the box.
There is a list of Rules and Guidelines in the box. Please read and follow these and return the list to the box.
You may take anything you like from the box. Just replace every item with comparable quilt shop quality items equal to the amount taken. See guidelines below.
Ship the box to the next person in a reasonable amount of time.
Due to the amount of postage shipping is only within the USA.

GUIDELINES:
The definition of a stash is a secret store of valuables. For quilters it's a collection of usable quality products. The stash should contain mostly fabric with a few patterns and/or books and other items.

FABRIC: Should be quilt shop quality in new condition. Scraps should only be included if they are cut for adding to a collection and packaged accordingly (i.e. I-Spy squares, postage stamp squares, etc.). There should not be anything under a Fat Quarter unless packaged like this.
PATTERNS/BOOKS: Should be in new or gently used condition. They should be kept to a minimum (books are bulky and add weight).
OTHER ITEMS: Should be in new or gently used condition. Tools, notions, etc. These items should be packaged if necessary.

IMPORTANT THINGS TO REMEMBER:

If you receive a box with anything that is of "poor" condition you should not feel guilty in tossing it out.
Only put items in the box that you would be proud to own. The box is NOT a dumping place for all your outdated unwanted items.
Items should be free of smoke and pet hairs.
You must replace items you take with the same quantity of like-kind items. Replacing more than you take is always welcome. :)

The winner of this Traveling Stash will host the next giveaway on July 29th.

The Leap Year Traveling Stash begins today, June 29th and ends on Friday, July 6th. To enter the giveaway, please give DH and I suggestions on how to celebrate the Fourth of July. We are in code red air alerts and record breaking temperatures here in Atlanta. We want to have fun, but stay COOL:) Thanks so much for visiting my blog and entering the giveaway! Happy Fourth of July!!!!!!

Words on Wednesday

noreply@blogger.com (Becky) — Wed, 13 Jun 2012 11:31:00 +0000

Design Wall Monday

noreply@blogger.com (Becky) — Mon, 11 Jun 2012 19:03:00 +0000

It's been a wild week! All I've managed to do is to put all the blocks for Patches & Pinwheels on the design wall. Notice that one blank spot in the bottom right-hand corner? I evidently have problems with counting. My blocks were all counted and checked-off the list, but somehow I am one block short. I dug in my scrap bind and found three half-square triangles the right size. I only need to make one additional half-square triangle and sew the pinwheel block together. Tomorrow is "free" day. I'm hoping to make real progress on sewing the rows together.

Those of you who have made this quilt did you add borders?

Dear Son has been home for the past 4 days. He is working in the college program at Disney World in Orlando. While most folks go to Disney World for vacations, he had four days off and came home for vacation. He is absolutely loving working at Disney. We've had a wonderful long weekend visiting with him!

June the Sixth

noreply@blogger.com (Becky) — Mon, 11 Jun 2012 18:07:00 +0000

The Sixth of June is important world-wide as we celebrate the anniversary of D-Day. In my family, especially on my mother's side of the family, the Sixth of June is important for weddings and celebrating anniversaries. In 1987, Dear Hubby and I were married in a small ceremony in my brother's home in Louisiana. We courted and began our marriage as a three-some. J his son was five when we met and seven when we married. From the beginning, I knew the my man was an awesome Dad. J and his girl are getting married in October of this year.

My Mom and Dad were also married on June 6 of either 1942 or 1943. Here they are on their wedding day on the steps of St. John Cathedral in Lafayette, LA. Dad was in the Air Force and was involved in France and Belguim during the War. It is a blessing to have this photo from their wedding day. Dear Hubby's parents were married around the same time, but no one in their family owned a camera to take a photo on their wedding day.

I have never seen a photo of my grandparents wedding day. Mom's parents, Ida and O'Neil on the left, were the first to marry on June 6th. This is actually the wedding photo of Mom's brother and his wife, Myrtle, during the 1940's.

This year was a special anniversary for Dear Hubby and me. We celebrated our twenty-fifth anniversary. Our celebration was quiet, but we plan to celebrate with a cruise in the Fall when DH is able to take vacation days. June 6th is special in our family with three generations celebrating wedding vows. Of course, DH and I are the only ones celebrating this year, but we remember my parents and grandparents in a special way. Happy Anniversary also to Brenda and Joe (15 years) on June 8th and Pat and Andy (40 years), June 10th.

New Project Started in May

noreply@blogger.com (Becky) — Sun, 10 Jun 2012 17:59:00 +0000

With tons of UFO's in my sewing cavern, I began a new project in May. I'm not sure what this quilt will look like. It's a MYSTERY, a mystery quilt. Pat and Debbie of Silver Thimble Quilt Co. designed this quilt, "Shh....Don't Tell." It's a two color quilt. That's all we know. I do know that I've loved most everything that they have designed together and separately. It was a no-brainer that I would participate in this project.

Step 1 was available at our April Thimbles days, but I didn't begin my quilt until May. I did lots of thinking and studying fabric that I have in my stash. I have tons of 1930's and '40's reproduction fabrics. Jackie at Canton Village Quilt Works has tons of Kona solids. Kona ash (light gray) seemed like a good choice with my fabrics.

This is Step 1 with the fabric cut and organized in ziplock bags and post-it notes.

At our May Thimbles session, Step 2 was almost completed.

It was one of the projects that I worked on at the Cabin in Blue Ridge. There were lots of blocks to square-up.

Here is the completed part of Step 2. Waiting for June for the next installment of Shhh....Don't Tell.

Barbara, at Cat Patches, has a problem of not having enough UFO's. She is encouraging us to begin a new project each month - not finish the project, just begin one. Check! I managed to begin a project in May. I have one in mind to begin in June.......

Words on Wednesday

noreply@blogger.com (Becky) — Wed, 06 Jun 2012 09:00:00 +0000