Three-Year Blogiversary Fabric Give-Away

I entered the world of blogging three years and more than 600 posts ago! When I began, I did not even know there was such a thing as a blog comment. What a delightful discovery that other people not only are actually looking at my blog, but they sometimes take the time to write an encouraging or supportive comment. Thank you to all my blogging friends, old and new.

Let's celebrate with some fabrics that will evoke memories of summer days, garden flowers, anything but winter! If you are like me, you are ready for this mess to be over. It snowed again last night, for Pete's sake!

When I was at the Mid-Atlantic Quilt Festival last weekend, I liked the bundles with three-half yards of fabric that are packaged into peaks like little castles. They only had two like that in bright floral fabrics, so I put together three fabrics from my stash for a third prize package. Notice, my package is rectangular, since apparently I am not gifted in fabric folding. And when I send them out to the winners, they will also be folded flat for mailing purposes.

So, if you would like to receive one of these fabric bundles, just leave a comment after this post. No, you do not need to "follow" my blog, put a badge on your sidebar, or friend me on Facebook. Just be sure that you leave your e-mail address so I can contact you in case you win.

Good luck, and thank you so much for visiting All Things Quilty!

The random drawing will be one week from today, on March 10.

Come With Me to the Islands...Blogiversary Give-Away

Over 37,000 page views since February 24, 2007 and 396 posts...whew, I am tired just thinking about it! Time to celebrate with a belated Blogiversary Give-Away! On my actual blogiversary, I had just started back to work, an event which has greatly interfered with my quilting and blogging time. Glad to have the job, but....

it's time to take a virtual trip to the islands with not one, not two, but three give-aways with a tropical theme!

Are you tired of cold weather? Is it still winter where you live? Then just leave a comment on this post before midnight on Monday, April 13. Be sure that I can contact you via your blog or e-mail address if you are one of the winners. The drawing will take place on April 14.

To get you in the island mood, here is Give-Away Prize Number One: a small art quilt named Tropical Waters. Just slightly less than 6" x 6", this one is a shiny and sparkly interpretation of the surf lapping the white sands of the beach. The blues and greens of the waves are made from silk and wool fibers, yarns, and Angelina.

Both waves and sands are accented with tiny beads.

I made the background with my Babylock Embellisher, and machine-quilted on my Bernina. This little quilt is finished with zigzag stitching, and features a backing made of an ocean water theme fabric.

Give-Away Prize Number Two: How about a cruise to a Tropical Island?

Prize Number Two is a slightly larger piece, 6.5" x 7.5". It is a slightly textural interpretation of an imaginary volcanic island with blue sky, fluffy cloud, tropical foliage, white sands, and again, the beautiful waves in every shade of blue and green. This one has colored yarns, Angelina, silk tops, wool roving, and machine quilting.It has the same swirly water fabric on the back, and is also finished with zigzag stitching.

And finally, just finished yesterday, Give-Away Prize Number Three: a fabric postcard also named Tropical Island.

It is 4" x 6", and can be sent right through the mail for a fabulous greeting to a friend. Or, like the other pieces, it can be framed like a small piece of art, or set on an easel. Again, the piece was made on my Babylock Embellisher with various yarns, fibers, and tulle. It is machine-quilted with shiny thread to a stiff piece of interfacing called Timtex, and then fused to a painted piece of watercolor paper. Zigzag stitching finishes the edges.

Don't forget....your own little piece of the islands will be yours if you are one of the three lucky commenters on this post. Good luck...

and

Don't Worry, Be Happy!

My First Blogiversary Came and Went

I was just thinking that I had been blogging for about a year. When I looked back at my first post, it was February 24,2007- a year ago yesterday! Since then I have posted 172 times. Thanks to everyone who has stopped by to read my blog, and especially to those that have left comments. It is very encouraging to get feedback, and I cherish your remarks!

It is sometimes a custom to offer a drawing of a blogiversary gift to those who leave comments. I promise I will also do that, but must postpone until a later date. My sewing room is all torn up due to recent painting and re-organizing, and sewing machines in the shop! I will announce a nice give-away when I go back into production!

Today I spent a yawning morning in orientation back to the school system where I worked for 24 years. I am now officially "hired," and will start work tomorrow morning at a nearby elementary school. I am looking forward to working with kids again and being part of the friendly faculty at this school.

Here is an organization tip: I have been looking for pegboard-type solutions for the new sewing room. Wal-Mart has a pegboard starter kit, already finished white, with lots of hooks and connectors. You can configure the four pegboards any way you like. This is much more workable for me than buying a huge pegboard sheet at the big box home improvement store, painting it white, sawing it to fit, and inserting spacers and hanging.

And my $5.00 file cabinet from the side of the road is now rust-free and painted a bright creamy almond color instead of the ugly dull putty. It took a bit of work, but it's done!

Wish me luck tomorrow in my new job!