Birthday giveaways

Comments on this post are now closed. Thanks to all who entered. 

First, I just want to prove to you that I am working on the second sock, so here’s a photo.

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I also started yet another project, but put it away for the meantime, after making six test blocks. It’s from the Lion Brand blog’s hexagon crochet-a-long. I just couldn’t resist the hexagons!

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My friend Marie is having a giveaway to celebrate her birthday on October 1. She is doing the drawing on October 4, so you still have several days to enter.

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Marie mentions that she is honoring a late friend, Nora Creeach (the founding editor of CQMagOnline,) who used to do a giveaway on her mailing lists every year on her birthday. I actually won something from Nora once! But, I don’t remember what it was. :) I also was privileged to be Nora’s swap partner on one of the mailing lists and received a fantastic tassel from her. It is nine years since the swap and the tassel is still hanging from the lamp on the worktable in my sewing room.

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And now to MY giveaway!

 It’s been a long time since I had a giveaway and I’ve been itching to do another one. I’m lucky to have two birthdays. The one according to the Gregorian calendar was last week and the one according to the Jewish calendar falls out, this year, on next Wednesday, October 7.  

The gift package will include: One Carol Doak foundation paper piecing pattern, her Summer’s Welcome scenic pattern, plus a bunch of over thirty different fancy yarns, in two yard lengths, that are great for embellishments plus an assortment of 20 5” charms of batik fabrics from my stash.

I will use random.org to do the drawing after 6:00 am, my time zone, on October 7. That means you have until midnight, U.S. Eastern Daylight Savings Time, Tuesday, the 6th of October, to enter. 

To give a chance to the bloggers visiting from the Blogger's Quilt Festival (see button in my sidebar), I am extending the giveaway until midnight, Tuesday, October 13.

There are three  different ways to enter, with separate comments for each entry, on this post only.

For your first entry, just leave any comment or choose one of the items that you will be receiving if you win and tell me how you think you may like use it.

For your second entry, scroll down my sidebar until you reach my followers and add yourself as a follower.
For you third entry, mention, and link to, my giveaway on your blog.

Please make sure that your profile, with your email address and link to your blog, is linked to the header of your comments. If your email address is not in your profile, or you post anonymous comments, you MUST leave your email address in your comment. That's the only way I can contact you.


Good luck!

Debbie

One of my quilts from the past

Be sure to read about Mary Anne’s giveaway below.

I haven’t had much current work to share lately, so I’ll show you a quilt from a couple of years ago. It’s using my favorite shape and I made it for the Grab Bag Quilt Challenge run by Tomme of the Quiltart list. Each participant mailed a baggie full of fabric and supplies to Tomme and she mixed them up and sent them out again. No one knew who they were making the quilt for until after they were all finished and mailed back to Tomme. Here is the quilt that I made for Elizabeth in Ohio. Click on the images to see details of the embellishments.

Yet another giveaway from my friend and fellow hexagon junkie, Mary Anne! I won the last one! This time she’s giving away a copy of her turkey quilt pattern. You can read about her process of designing the pattern on her blog. There are several different chances to enter.

Have a great weekend,

Debbie

I’ve officially knitted my first sock

I really finished this last week but just got around to photographing it. I’m hoping to start the next one sometime this week, just to prove that I don’t have second sock syndrome. I really plan to wear these in the winter. (Just around the house.)

I spent some time this week doing paperwork, so I don’t have anything creative to share. On Sunday, we’re going to the Second International Jewish Bloggers Convention. I hope to learn more about how to be a good blogger and get to meet a bunch of people whose blogs I read.

Lastly, in July I wrote about meeting Annie Smith of podcast fame (and she’s a popular California quilting teacher.) In her recent podcast she talks a little about our meeting, towards the end of the podcast. There are a few minor inaccuracies (we really didn’t have much time to talk leisurely, so some things may have been misunderstood) but I must correct one thing! So far, I have two grandchildren and not five. Hopefully, I will have many, many more. Just nothing on the horizon yet, that I know of.

Have a good weekend!

Debbie

A little doodling

Be sure to read about the giveaways I’ve entered, at the end of this post.

First about the sock. I finished it and am now in the process of undoing the binding because it is too tight! I tried to do it loosely, but I guess it wasn’t loose enough. I’m going to use larger needles when I do it again. Only problem is, I suspect it won’t be tight enough this time and the socks will fall down my leg!

Several years ago I took a course at Quilt University by Raymond Houston on his Symmetry design techniques. Recently he started a new blog for his work and a new mailing list, called NGQ Tile Addicts, for people who like to play with his symmetry design tiles. He gives you a set of his tiles to print out in regular and mirror image. Join the group to see what it’s all about. It’s really fun.

Here is something I came up with using the tiles.

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My fellow hexagon junkie, Mary Ann, is having a giveaway on her blog. She’s giving away a set of her Bean Bag Critter kits. You have until this Friday to enter. Here is one of the critters in the set.

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Kellie in Australia is having a giveaway on her blog to celebrate her 100th post You should see that gorgeous quilt she’s giving away! She’s also giving away some of her patterns. I love her style. You have until September 2, Australian time, to enter.

Have fun!

Debbie

Progress (or lack of)

I’m up to the ribbing on my sock! But, I don’t have time right now to work on it. I need to do the next round on the RRBloggers round robin so that I could mail it on time. It still bothers me that we can’t share photos of progress, but those are the rules. Most of the members want it to be a surprise.

Last week I received my winnings from Susan Purney Mark’s little contest that she had on her blog. Here is the crisp looking fat quarter that Susan sent me. Thank you, Susan!

And now you can check out some of the giveaways I’ve entered recently.

Regena, of Quilt N Quilt Things, is offering a huge giveaway to celebrate her one year blog anniversary AND her 100th post. But, hurry, you have until tomorrow night to enter! Even the quilt in the background of the photo is included!

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Heather, of Trends and Traditions, is also celebrating her first blog anniversary with a giveaway. Three different prizes with the first and second being whole quilts! You have three different ways to enter.

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Bonnie, of Calamity Jane’s Cottage, is celebrating becoming a rep for Superior’s Texture Magic and is giving away some Texture Magic, Moda Fabrics, magazines and patterns. She will be announcing the winner on September 3, in time for her birthday!

Have fun!

Debbie

Sock progress

My slow progress on the socks is keeping me from working on any of my other projects. I really have to get back to the redwork baby quilt, while my granddaughter is still a baby. So, here’s the sock, so far.

Did you really think I was going to show you a side view of the sock? Maybe the second one, if it will look any better than this one. I just hope I don’t come down with Second Sock Syndrome!

Rachel Griffith, on her P.S. I Quilt blog, is giving away a $50. gift certificate to The Quilt Shoppe. There are five different ways to enter. She’s announcing the winner on Sunday the 23rd. Check it out.

Good luck,

Debbie

Seven, Eight, Nine

In most of the world, today is 07-08-09.

I didn’t get enough done on my sock this week to take another photo. When I finish turning the heel, I’ll take a photo and post it.

In the meantime, here ‘s another giveaway for you to enter:

Jenny from Elefantz is giving away a vintage reproduction tin filled with a wonderful selection of some of her goodies. Here’s her giveaway post.

Have a great weekend,

Debbie

I’m knitting socks! +more giveaways to enter

Be sure to read about the giveaways I’ve entered, at the end of this post.

I wrote here about the yarn I bought to make socks. I finally got them started and am up to starting the heel on the first sock. I’m doing them toe up. Here’s how it looks so far:

Here’s some more giveaways for you to enter:

Mama Spark’s World is having a great giveaway. It’s a $50. gift certificate offered by Bunny Hill Designs. You have until August 13th to enter. Go do it now!

Amy at Park City Girl just published her Boxy Tote Pattern and is giving away two copies. But, hurry, you only have until tomorrow to sign up! Go see what else she sells in her Etsy shop.

I just signed up for a new online quilt magazine called Quiltposium. The first issue is coming out on September 1st. Go sign up now.

Happy Sunday,

Debbie

How do you hold your yarn?

Be sure to read about the giveaways I’ve entered, at the end of this post.

Recently, Ann, of the Bella Crochet blog, had a post discussing how people hold their yarn or thread when they are crocheting. I do it differently than Ann and thought I’d share a photo of my hand, just like she did. It would be interesting to see how others do it.

I learned to knit and crochet from my grandmother when I was about six or seven years old. I am right handed and I hold it the same for crocheting and for knitting. Some people may do it differently for each.

I recently saw a video on youtube that, if I remember correctly, showed this way of holding the yarn and holding the needle(s) the same way that I do. The demonstrator said that this puts the least stress on the hands and fingers of all the different methods.  Unfortunately, I didn’t save that youtube URL and there are so many knitting videos on youtube!

I’ve also entered a few giveaways today. Here’s the details on them:

QuiltingB29’ Quilt Life is having a giveaway to celebrate her 100th post. She’s giving away eight fat quarters, a book by Marti Michell and a Quilt Journal. Go on over and enter!

Julie of Jaybird Quilts is giving away two giant pincushions to celebrate her newest moda bake shop tutorial. You can have a total of six chances to win!

Kim of Bitty Bits and Pieces is giving away a Charmed Gift Bag like the one she made for her newest moda bake shop tutorial. I have to make some of these bags! If you follow her so very organized point system, you can have up to 22 chances to win!

Have Fun!

Debbie

The Big Catchup – Where I’ve been, who I’ve met – Part 2

Continuing from Part 1, that same day I had also been to M & J Trimming on 6th Ave., the best trimmings store in the world. I bought a 1/2 yard piece of a wide machine embroidered ribbon that I think is amazing. I also bought a yard each of one inch wide metallic bias tape. I loved the colors!

On Friday of that week, June 19th, Annie Smith and I had made up to meet before the class she was teaching at the Aardvark Quilt Shop in New Jersey . It was a thrill to meet her and we had a very nice little talk . Then, of course, I had to buy some fabric! Here’s Annie and me and the fabric I bought.

The next several days were taken up with family stuff and travelling (down to Miami Beach), but on Wednesday, the 24th, I met up with Judy Momenzadeh, who I met through the Quiltart mailing list. She works very part-time at The Quilt Scene quilt shop and that’s where we met. Judy is one of the members of the group that had the exhibit I went to see on my last trip to Miami in March. She wasn’t working that day, but she graciously cut my fabric choices for me. We had a lovely time getting to know each other while walking around the quilt shop. She brought her fantastic, most recently finished, art quilt to show me. I brought the only thing I had with me on vacation, the redwork blocks, and I stole my grandson’s quilt for the day to show, too. Here’s Judy and me and the fabrics that I bought.

The next week was spent with more family. A wedding in Miami Beach and more travelling to get to another wedding in Los Angeles. We were in California for just three days before heading home, one day in L.A. and two in Irvine. So, there was no time for quilt shops. But, while in Irvine we spent an afternoon with family at the Sawdust Art Festival in Laguna Beach. There wasn’t much in the way of textiles, though. There were a few booths with clothing related items. One booth did have lovely quilted jackets. I took one photo of a piece of artwork. It grabbed me because it has the look of applique, but it’s glass! The Festival continues until August 30.

Still trying to catch up, I’m way behind in reading emails and blogs. Quilting related, all I managed to get done were blocks for the Block Lotto blog and hexagons for the Pot Luck of The Great Hexagon Quilt Along blog. As of this writing, I have not had the chance to post my entries on those blogs, so I’ll show them here. They’re both traditional, relaxing type, quilting projects, which is what I needed right now.

That’s it for today!

Debbie

Miri’s Giveaway

I’m still trying to catch up and forgot to tell you about Miri’s Giveaway to celebrate her 100th post on her blog! You have until tomorrow, the 30th, to enter. Miri is giving away one of her mini quilts.

Two cuties and a giveaway by Jackie

My two little grandchildren spent time together for the first time last week. One day we all went shopping together and I can’t resist sharing a few of the photos. The girl is a year old and the boy is 15 months.

Jackie of Canton Village Quilt Works is having a giveaway on her blog in honor of her birthday.  Quilt books and jelly rolls and more! You have until tomorrow midnight, the 29th, to enter.

Debbie

Where I’ve been, who I’ve met – Part 1

I’m going to start catching up here a little bit at a time. Last Wednesday, the 17th, I went to the American Folk Art Museum to see the Paula Nadelstern exhibit. Seeing her work up close, in real life, was a thrill. Every quilt is amazing. If you are going to be anywhere in the vicinity of NYC during the next few months, you should do whatever you have to do to make sure you get to see this exhibit. It’s open thru September 13. They also have a table with a bunch of fancy real kaleidoscopes that you can play with. It was a lot of fun.

In the afternoon, I met up with Henya of Chicken Stitches at the Lion Brand Yarn Studio. We sat for about an hour talking life and knitting. I showed her my redwork embroidery and she showed me a few knitting and crocheting projects she is working on. Henya also advised me on how to go about making my first pair of socks and which yarn to buy. I had bought the book Socks from the Toe Up by Wendy Johnson, the day before  and we went through it to decide which are the easiest toe and heel to start with. Here’s the yarn I bought to make the socks.

When Henya first came in she took out a little plastic bag with some wonderful little gifts for me. First there was two skeins of a beautiful yarn from Russia. It really is from Russia, the label is all in Russian!

Then Henya took out some of her stitch markers she brought for me that she sells in her Etsy store! Here are the adorable little things.

It was fun to meet Henya. She’s such a nice person. You can see that when you read her blog. Here’s a picture of us in front of lots of colorful yarns.

Have a good weekend,

Debbie

Kreativ Blogger Award

Last week, Henya, of Chicken Stitches,  honored me with the Kreativ Blogger award.

The rules are to link back to the person who gave you the award, write a list of seven things that you love, nominate your own list of seven for the Kreativ Blogger award, along with links to their blogs and place the Kreativ Blogger logo in your post.

7 things I love (not in any particular order of importance):

1. Flying in airplanes, airports, watching airplanes from the ground, etc.
2. Doing any kind of needlework.
3. Collecting fibers and fabric.
4. My two little grandbabies.
5. Blogging, almost.
6. Meeting people live that I’ve met on the Internet.
7. Quiet.<G>

7 of the many blogs I like to read (in no particular order):

1. Tante J’s Adventures in Knitting
2. A Legacy of Stitches
3. Threads from Karen
4. sredeluxe
5. Quiltgranny’s Shoe
6. Jenny of Elefantz
7. Exuberant Color

One more block

All I have to show for the past few weeks is one more finished reverse redwork block for the red and white baby quilt.

I’m going to the states this week for a couple of weeks and expect to have some photos to share. I hope to get to the Paula Nadelstern exhibit at the American Folk Art Museum and lots more.

One thing I always make time for is entering giveaways. I just entered a great giveaway at Tonya’s Sewing Room. Lots of great goodies including 14 fat quarters! You have until June 21 to enter.

Debbie

Checking in

I don’t have anything worked on in the past week and a half to show, so I’ll share some photos that I took on Thursday evening at a meeting of my local quilting group.

Most of us did not have much to show. I brought my redwork blocks and luggage tags. And, I forgot to turn off the macro on my camera, so the photos are not so clear.

Nechama, the hostess, and a few of her wonderful landscape quilts:  

Two of Yehudit’s quilts:

These blocks are a little different

Most of the reverse redwork blocks I’ve made so far for the baby quilt were vintage blocks that I collected some years ago from various sites and embroidery groups where vintage blocks in the public domain were shared. I also collected some blocks from the free BOMs at the Sentimental Stitches site. Click on Free Stuff in the sidebar. A few other places, too, but I can’t remember where. There’s also the J.F. Ingalls patterns that I saved from here.

I recently came across a great blog by Jenny of Elefantz. She has an Etsy shop where she sells her own embroidery designs. The Wonky House and the camel come from the freebies in her sidebar.

 

I’m putting aside the redwork blocks for a bit to make some more luggage tags for us all to use on our upcoming trip.

Debbie

Two more blocks

Yet another two reverse redwork blocks for the baby quilt. I also finished the first round on Amy’s block in the RRbloggers Round Robin (link in sidebar, too) that I’m in. Can’t share it with you because majority ruled that we will wait until the very end, and show only the finished quiltlet. That's over a year from now!

Yesterday I went for the second time to a meeting of a new quilting group in a suburb of Jerusalem. Some of them are beginners and some of them, who have been quilting for a while now, insist on still calling themselves beginners, LOL! After having seen some of my miniature works last time, they asked me to teach them the basics of foundation paper piecing. I had a wonderful time showing them how do to it along with a few of my little personal techniques that I do a little different from most other FPPers.

Susan wrote a little about the meeting in her blog post yesterday, along with a photo of me showing one of the steps!

Debbie

What I’ve made in the past week

I made another reverse redwork block for the baby quilt. A cute little elephant! This makes four done. Haven’t decided yet how many I’ll be making. I started working on the next block.

I recently decided that I wanted to make bright colored luggage tags that stand out when you’re looking for your luggage on the carousel. I’m making lots of them for various family members.

I googled '”luggage tag tutorial” and found quite a few, but this is the one that looked like it would work for me. I prefer tags that are covered (private), so after making them according to the tutorial, with a few minor adjustments, I spent some time trying to solve the puzzle of how to alter it to be covered. Here you see what I came up with. I plan to make some smaller ones, too, for the hand luggage.

It’s a fun thing to use up some fabric stash with.

A few weeks ago, after spending months entering various giveaways, I finally won! I won a cute little handy scissor sharpener from Angela on her blog. Angela is offering several quilty giveaways again this month. Check it out.

Have a good week,

Debbie

Great Giveaway to enter

I love entering blog giveaways. The Inklingo blog, by quilters who use Linda Franz's (of Quilted Diamonds fame) Inklingo collections, is having a really cool giveaway for quilters. You must check it out. Logo with link will be on my sidebar until May 18, when entering the giveaway is closed. Have fun, Debbie