Check out this giveaway

Carla has a giveaway going for several sets of blocks. She does such nice  work and has found these, hee,hee, our luck! While you're at her blog, scroll a bit until you find her stained glass quilt. Very inspiring indeed.

I belong to an online quilting bee and chose the disappearing 4 patch as my block o the month. These are the blocks I have received so far.

                                            
From left to right in vertical rows:
BeeBee~Lousiana
Kate~Australia
Lizzie~Australia
Sue~Australia   
Teresa~Michigan



Most of the fabrics are from the Origins line. Each member of this group is adding a special little touch of their own...aren't these blocks awesome? It's going to make a sweet quilt...JUST FOR ME ONLY. NOT TO SHARE OR TO GIFT OUT. Oops, sorry, no shouting, I know.

I'm getting a huge bunch of fabrics and pre-cuts in my etsy shop tomorrow, and yes, Origins has been re-ordered!

Off to bed for me, have a great rest of the week...Elaine                          

More goodies for my giveaway

I am adding 3 little patterns, 3 balls of #8 overdyed Valdani perle cottons and a packet of needles, all for the giveaway. Little plant pokes and a Snowman mini table runner. Just some fun stuff to get you started on wool!

Please go to the post, 200th post giveaway, to enter for the prize package of wooly stuff, thank you.

Back to getting ready for my yardsale, Elaine

Wool penny rug bases

            The first decision you need to make is....the shape and size of the rug you want to make. Then the fibers...do you want wool on wool, like the rooster?

Then, the next decison is....do you use a commercial pattern, or just wing it?

If I am making a small rug, like my little goat friend here, I headed to the kitchen for my favorite little oval platter, traced around it onto freezer paper, rough cut it out and then iron it on my wool. Now cut out on the lines and you have a base...cool huh?

Wool holds up very well and mixes with other fibers too.

                          This is a commercial pattern that came as a kit a few years agao....I have no idea who the artist was. The base is flannel and the elements are all felted wool. I love this wall hanging.

              Remember those pesky circles that I have cut gillions of this past week? Wouldn't they look perfect on this Circle of Life quilt....made from a pattern.





Hmm, I need to go check out some fabrics for this idea...I am going to add some cotton circles.

Don't forget, if you're entering the giveaway, please leave your comment on the 200th post giveaway. Back to Hoarding: Buried Alive....what am I thinking, watching this propagand, lol! Later all, Elaine

Working with wool

If you have never worked with wool, do give it a try.  You really can't hurt it. I have been buying woolens for several years and felting them at home. I would only buy 100% wools and some mixed fibers, if they were the right colors! I could buy wool off the bolt...but how often do you see "that" orange or green? I really love the tweeds, plaids and nubby textures some of the woolens have.

So this is how I have amassed the tonnage of woolens. IF YOU ARE MS.LOTTIE, STOP READING NOW!! I buy the wool blankets, coats, skirts, etc. that I usually pick up for $2. or less and cut them up! Remove all the buttons~~~fodder for the button jar~~take the clothing apart at the seams and remove as much as the facing as you can. Now wash the pieces in very hot water with detergent (I use my homemade laundry soap), rinse in cold water. Then dry in a hot dryer. You will need to clean the lint trap often. Now if you're weird like me, you'll save that wooly lint for your next pin cushion!

I use a steam iron and press the wool very well. Pour on the water, and if you find a piece of wool that doesn't hold up to this process, toss it! Not worth keeping, it's best to just use the better pieces.

I'm sure everyone has their own way of creating their own woolens for felted wool applique, this is just mine. I have talked about this before but some of you are new. Don't be afraid to experiment.

I have tried to add pics tonight but blogger is acting like my ex-husband, AGAIN! Take my word for it, they are very professional pics, tasteful, perfect lighting.....losing you, aren't I?

So today I have found some pale cantalope ovals...perfect for a fall rug! I am adding one of these to the circles...who knows what I will add to the booty tomorrow. Off to my baby boys for his birthday celebration....will be an all day affair. Turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes...kind of a celebration of his birth. I can't wait...this is the earthdaddy.

Now, if I can figure out what blogger is doing with the pics and adding them! I have tried to add some pics to no avail...so sorry.

In the meantime, I have had a few inquiries into the scraps I am knee deep in. If you would like some of the funky scraps, I would be happy to send some to you for the postage only. The flat rate envelopes are $4.90 and I can stuff alot in them! Let me know and I'll start stuffing some of them for you quilters. For overseas, if you want to pay the postage, I would be happy to send some to you as well. Just let me know how much postage you want to pay and I can prepare some scraps to equal that amount.

If you're new, please go to the 200th post giveaway, to enter for the circles, etc. Thank you and good evening, Elaine
                                                                           

Swiss cheese

 My humble beginnings...looks like Swiss cheese to me! I was having so much fun cutting the circles that I didn't make the most from my wool....most of the time!

 It doesn't look like much, but it is. See the little red circle, to the left? It is from the ribbing from a wool sweater! Very cool texture.

 The pieces at the top on this picture....are the imperfect pieces. I'm not sure what to do with them. I like to use them for the tops of the rugs for leaves, moons, flower parts.....

        So if you win the perfect circles....do you want the imperfect ones added in as well?

 If you are entering the draw....DON'T DO IT ON THIS ENTRY PLEASE!!! GO TO THE previous entry, titled, 200th post giveaway and leave a comment there.

Now, off to find some awesome plaids, houndstooth, and funky colors worthy of a modern penny rug. Later, Elaine                                                                          

200th post giveaway

Finally! Issues and more issues....now I finally get the computer to work!  Lets get on with the giveaway......

                                                                                 

Remember the circles I made with the Accuquilt go cutter? I have cut a bunch in some lucious fall colors...browns, tweeds, oranges, reds, rust, tans, and other fun colors. Included in the circles are some perle cottons, needles.....everything you would need for a fall penny rug or tablerunner. A few patterns for wooly plant pokes and funky little penny rugs. IF I CAN FIND THE CAMERA, I CAN DOWNLOAD A PIC OF THE BOOTY. Oh, sorry, was I shouting? And yes thank you, I do ship overseas...happily!

Now the rules:

None. Ok fine, a few.  Just leave a comment on how much you want to learn how to work with wool and do the fun embroidery that others are doing all over the net! Please leave your email. If you don't have a blog and don't leave an email.....I will draw another name, sorry, no exceptions!

I'll draw the winner Oct 4th....and will keep adding little goodies until then...Lord help us all!

Don't forget to send an orphan block to Miss Lizzie in Australia...it only cost me $.98 for a stamp and that block was in a card! It is so worthwhile. And while I have your attention...keep the people in New Zealand in your prayers...their gale force winds are creating some real havoc there.

And lastly, thank you for all the kind comments you always send. Remember, you don't have to sign up to be a follower to enter, just a comment will do. Now, back to cutting MORE circles!...Elaine

What do you do when the love is not there...

...give it away! So I was putzing around in my sewing scraps and cut some  squares out and began sewing them up....then I realized the love was not there. I do not like them. Not at all. I want them gone. Now, please feel sorry for me and take them. Please? The first person that tells me they want them and why, gets them! Oh, and a little Moda Bella Snow, kind of an eggshell sweet color and cut into 1 1/2" strips. My sewing room thanks you, so does my husband...Elaine

Oh, and since this is my 200th post, I'll have to post a giveaway tomorrow, stay tuned!

                                                                                  

A giveaway to celebrate our Independence Day

I am in the process of re-stocking my batting in my brick and mortar. I would love to hear your thoughts on:

What batting do you use ?
Cotton, poly, bamboo, soy, wool?
Pre-packaged or off the bolt/roll?
Machine or hand quilting...do you buy different batts for either?
Warm and Natural, Legacy, Hobbs, Luna, or ?
Does the cost alter your choice?

                                                                           

I have a Red, White and Blue quilt kit, designed by moi,  to giveaway, if you answer my questions please!  Why, yes it is a baby/toddler/lap size quilt! I'll draw a winner the 4th of July, toss me some answers and I'll put your name in the draw. You will have to return to my blog on the 4th to see if you are a winner if you wish to remain private or you don't have a blog. Of course you can enter if you don't live in the US! That's how I roll. Thanks, Elaine
Did ya notice, I didn't mention the goofy chooks!

                                                                                 

More of the Accuquilt Go and a cool giveaway

I went surfing and found this site and was in complete awe! A very savvy lady Caron is, quilt maker and business lady too. I was enthralled with her advice and her pics. She is having a fun giveaway on her site and the first question is, name some Michigan trivia! I had an original answer, lol.

Back to the Go-cutter. I had some yummo Riley Blake Christmas scraps that I cut a little bigger then the 1/2 square triangles, laid the plastic cutting mat on top and rolled over the fabrics.

Removed the excess fabric, of which the wide ones are going into my Wacky-log-cabin-someday box. The rest of the strips are less then 1/4" and were tossed. There ya go Tara, very little waste, wahoo!

And do you see the little notches? Heart be still....the little niblets are cut off before you sew? OMG, this is genius!

AND, the bestest part? If you lay the pieces down, right sides together, you  just pick that little sucker up and sew it. Yep, all ready to go. As painful as my hands are, this is a snap to use.

After I sewed them together, I just pressed them. I can see a Christmas pinwheel. I am so in love with this Riley Blake....has anyone else bought any? I heart every piece, so yummo!

I better go let my dogs out before bed. Ya'll have a great night. Don't forget to check out Carons' blog and her super fun giveaway, Elaine 

                                                                                        

Giveaway time at Micheles blog

Just so ya'll know, my friend Michele is having a giveaway over  at her house! She has a $40.  gift certificate, 2  fat quarter bundles of new fabrics, and a super great book....what? I should not tell you so I can win, he,he,he!! Let's get some traffic headed her way....4 great prizes. You go Michele!

Wool applique on Cotton quilts...giveaway alert

I love combining various elements together. melding them into something unexpected and fun. I also enjoy doing the felted wool penny rugs, using wool and no cotton fabrics. The chook rug with eggs is all wool and so are the chili pepper pin cushions. The profile pic I have on my etsy shop is wool on fabric.

 I am working on a table runner now that is patchwork with wool on top, this is the work in  progress pictured above. If you notice, the lazy me  simply staples the wool down and then hand embroidery is added. I  hand dyed the wools for this project. The pattern is

by Buttermilk Basin and is Seasonal Spring Runner, 12"x36". You put the patchwork together then applique the wooly pieces  on. I have a ways to go.

The little chook piece is wool appliqued down to a chunk of vintage quilt. I was dismayed to find a box of tattered quilts, way to damaged to salvage. Rather then throw them out, I cut the usable pieces out to make little shelf pillows. I always cut the background first, then cut the wool to fit. For the backing of the pillow, I use vintage linen or a thicker cotton then I normally use for quilting. If I have strips of leftover batting, I pull it apart, fluff with my fingers  and stuff, closing with a running stitch. I like to put a row of feather stitches around the edges to finish it off.

I was able to glean several pieces of this one. This is only the back of the bad quilt, the front is much worse!

Here is a closer pic of the chook on the vintage quilt piece. Just a free form cut...I have left some staples in the piece, blow them up to see better.

I hope this answers some questions about the wool and cottons together. If anyone has any more, feel free to ask. If you would rather have this little chook on the quilt piece, I'll toss it in too....that way you can add a backing for a pillow or maybe some binding for a table rug...you can choose!     Or, you can choose one of the kits in the prior post.

Keep your entries coming in, it's so nice to see so many ladies from NZ and Australia entering. Thank you for making this fun, Elaine                                                                                  

                                                       

A rainy day and a giveaway!

I did ask for a rainy day, didn't I? So be it. At least the morning is. I just wish it wouldn't be so harsh for our neighbors in Tennessee.

Have you worked with wool before? Well, why not? I love the simplicity of it. The wool doesn't fray, unless you find some with a percentage of "unknown fibers" and you can't toss it because it's the RIGHT shade of yellow! You don't have to turn the edges under when you applique...bonus! You get to try out different embroidery stitches and different threads, buttons, beads...lots of leeway to get you out of your predictable routines.                                        

Does the price of the kits keep you from trying the felted wool? So how about a giveaway....? I love to spread the love....if you are International...Canada too, jump in and enter.

                                                                    

1. Tell me which kit you would like for yourself and why you haven't tried felted wool before.
2. Blog about it and tell your blogger buddies to enter.
3. If your friends say they were sent by you...you and your friend each get a kit!
4. I will draw the winner (s) on Friday 21 May.

                                                                    

Get going and enter, just once please. Now, back to ironing..Elaine
The rottie has nothing to do with the giveaway. But really, not counting the hair on the carpet and furniture...is anything cuter then this>>>>>>>

Have a great weekend, now go get your buddies to enter, Elaine

Keeping it real and a giveaway

I saw a couple posts from Ryan and Kerri about keeping it real...scary stuff. So here goes.

                                                         
I was born and raised in Eastern Washington state, 3rd of 6 kids to a logger and stay at home mom. My dad had been married once before and I have a  sister I have never met. My dad, younger brother and I were all in the Navy (me in the reserve), I as a corpsman for the Marines. I was also working full time at nite in an ER as a tech, going to nursing school during the day, raising children and busy being a wife at the same time...multi tasking at the optimum! We moved to Texas 5 years ago. I love thrifting (yeah Kerri) and have my own cart for the flea market! I cringe at shoe prices but think nothing of spending hundreds on quilt fabric, ahh, for the shop, yeah, for the shop, lol!

                                                       
I quit smoking 3 years ago, after a 42 year habit. I love ice cold watermelon and hate okra. My idea of a deliciously fun time is an old timey tent revival with singing and testifying.....you know? I am hopesly addicted to popscicles and have great grand children. I have 1 bff and collect antique quilts and quilt tops. I collect feedsacks and LOVE finding unfinished projects.
I love to can vegetables, pickles and jam. I love to cook from scratch and have begun using herbs for the first time and love it! I make really good gravy and suck at pie making. I used to sing to my grandmas cow...we were both pregnant at the same time, she freshened before me. I've bleached my hair for over 25 years and refuse to stop. My ears are pierced and nothing else. I have NO tattoos. I want to wear full frilly skirts and cowboy boots. My favorite sporting event is anything cowboys  do. I hate social clubs. I can do push ups. I sit with my animals when they die and have viewings with funerals for them. (call me Ryan, we can chat). I do not believe in coincidence, but in karma.  I love hot tea and dislike chocolate. I want a pink refrigerator and stove...real bad!

I want to live frugally. I love to make my own bread and laundry soap. I am a closet Duggar family junkie! (I secretly envy Michelle Duggar).I have never had a pedicure or manicure but had my appendix out 4 years ago. I have never been baptised but all my kids are Catholic.  I love milking goats, gathering eggs and can skin a snake, but am terrified of anything without legs! I breastfed all my kids and let a pot bellied pig live in my house.

                                             
I have been sick for a little over 2 years. I have good days, bad days and really sucky days. I don't like to talk about it, for real, I don't. I have usually held 2-3 jobs at a time. Now I can't even hold 1. I can't go to the doctor, because I have no insurance. I have no insurance because I have no job. I finally broke down and saw my doc 2 weeks ago. I had a few lab tests. The bill came: $800.00. So you think I'm going back? Oh hell no.                                      

Oops, I digress.  So here's the deal, I found this little 68"x 93" quilt top. The white is broadcloth, I am not kidding, weighs a ton. Lots of seams are loose, partially hand pieced and then machine pieced. Not anything about this quilt top is right. But, I have had it for a long time and I know I will never do anything with it. I need to purge. If you can convince me that you will love her and you have a good relationship with a LAQ that has a wonderful sense of humor...comment. I don't think, as a full quilt, that you could easily machine or hand quilt this piece. Perhaps tied, or long stitch? Maybe cut in half for 2 little quilts?  I tried to fold it the long way and it ripples!

I will let you know on Valentines Day who gets this little beauty, lol. If you live out of the USA, I will split the postage. Seriously, weighs alot! Of course I wouldn't feel right just sending this top, so I would like to sweeten the deal with a Charm pack, some fat quarters, something to take your mind off this quilt top! 

Now make me laugh, give me a reason to add more goodies to the box. And no, I did NOT make this top! The pic on the right shows the back, if you look close you can see the un-skilled sewing.    

Now you can get real on your blog too. Don't forget to comment and make me laugh...cheers, Elaine                            

                        

                                                        

Waiting for the sun to come up

I won a giveaway from a nice lady on the east coast and it arrived today, wahoo. But, it was 2 large envelopes...oh dear. I just don't feel right opening them, not yet. The giveaway was for a Quiltmania magazine. I need to talk with her first...what would you do?

                                                 

The earthmama blanket

Here it is, the EARTHMAMA LAYING IN blanket. Since she is of Scottish descent, I added those elements. She spent a few years in Canada as a tween and I found the perfect towel for that. I also put in towels from her and ds birth years and since there was a chunk of his wool fabric left over from his wedding kilt, I HAD to incorporate that. All in all, it was fun to do but not easy. Its sewn envelope style, like a true southern summer quilt, and has 2 rows of top stitching. If it should ever warm up, please Jesus, I will attempt a better pic. Oh...and try to do anything with 2 dogs assisting!

                                                       

I found this darling little 40's Scottish tea towel and flanked it with the kilt wool, isn't it precious? (I am a lousy photographer...I freaked when I saw the tea towel, shadows, thank you God!) I have had this piece of linen forever and have always been reluctant to use it, now I know why! It's perfect for earthmama...and is that French General peeking out?
Now, on to the reusable, milk proof breast pads. I made a ton of them for my daughter and she loves them! PUL is awesome stuff.
          

Now I can concentrate on baby stuff tomorrow, maybe. I draw for the giveaway winner tomorrow nite, wahoo, stay tuned...Elaine

Baby, it's cold outside~~~don't forget the giveaway below!

Don't forget my giveaway below. But I have to tell you...do you ever do the fabshophop? I am such a sucker for looking at other quilt shops and use this as my excuse to lollygag along and check things out.

I met (emailed this nice lady) this awesome shop owner and SHE WROTE BACK AND ANSWERED MY QUESTIONS! It is a miracle. I asked her about her website hoster and she was forthright and honest. OMG! I know, but I don't get out much. Now, you have got to check out this site for the most awesome sewing cases in the world!  Click on the patterns page and scroll all the way to the bottom, you won't be sorry. She also carries scrumptious hand dyed fabs and cute little chicken pin cushions. Since my b-day is coming up I am leaving mr.happy a note in some obscure place...rubber banded to the remote control I think!

Now I know it's cold, but, HELLO this is Texas for crying out loud! I don't like this, the chihauhau's can actually run and pee at the same time, and they are girls, our cactus is, well, you decide...   

I did ask for a new house coat....but 2 WHAT!!!

You know, I was going to explain about the "house goats", but the picture is so worth keeping it to myself until Monday when I draw the winner...yep, well worth it!

100th post~~~ wahoo~~~sounds like a giveaway!

I am a talky one, huh? Or as my Canadian sister would say...eh? She claims they say "eh" because there are so many letter "A's" in the word Canada. I think she is on to something, lol. That girl is as crazy as I am!

So short and sweet. If you would like to be included in this giveaway, shoot me a reason why....why you would like to have me send you the new MAKE LIFE charm pack by Moda and a fat quarter each of 3 French General Rouenneries in the roche, oyster and faded red colorways. I might find something else to toss in just to sweeten the pot. I'll draw a winner on Monday...unless the stork strikes early, then I'll be with the earthmama!

Do ya'll just love embroidery? I do. I am starting to really get into it, like really big time! I am working on a quilt kit, for my shop, of an awesome 30's type of quilt with butterflies and embroidery. It is really breathtaking.

I'll have to get on with my baby projects first...later, Elaine

Giveaway continues

I found some little tops, or could be tops, for dolly quilts. So I put them together for the girls. I even found a sugar sack for the back of one of them. Machine quilted, washed and dried for the crinkle.

So, do you think they will be a little surprised when they get older and realize mawmaw signed and dated them BEFORE they were born, lol?

The giveaway is still going. Don't forget to answer my question: what to do with all the quilting mags I have collected? I need to take a pic of them...but I don't have them together...takes too much space!

The giveaway continues...and more pics

These are the two baby quilts, side by side. They are very unlike each other...really. The one with straight line quilting, in white thread, is for Allie, the wavy line quilting in Valdani (lucious overdyed) thread is for Kayla. If you zoom in you can see the quilting much better. I had to show little slices of the lawn...this is what 4 1/2" of rain does to a burned out lawn, lol. Get out the boat, matey!

This is the backs of the quilts. I took hints from several online quilters for these two. The backs are pillow cases and leftover pieces, loving this look! It's going to be hard to get these babies off in the mail, I love em both! Oh well, better get busy on another.

All that is left is to sign and date them. I'm kind of like Millie, the ones I have just finished are usually my favorites. Thanks for all your comments, still a few days to go for the giveaway...don't forget to blog about it and let me know you did.

...Elaine