The New Linky on the Blog

I've been contemplating starting my own linky party since I found out what a linky party was about a year ago.  What is a linky party you ask?  It's an online get together for bloggers w/the purpose of sharing, inspiring, encouraging and growing your blog.  Simply put, a host blogger invites other bloggers to link up a post on the host blog, in the hopes of gaining more friends/visitors for both host and linker.

I've known from the start what I'd call it. I got the idea the 1st time I linked up at Can I Get a Whoop Whoop? ...but naming the linky was the easy part.  Taking on the commitment was the hard part. After much thought (like I said, it's been a year!) and valuable info/input from fellow hosts and quilter/blogger friends, I've decided to start w/a 3 mos. commitment. After 3 mos. I will re-evaluate and decide to continue or not.  I've been spreading the word that it would be a Thursday linky but after reading about Pet Project Show and visiting quiltalong.net I decided to change it to a Saturday party.

Without further ado...

The first party will be Saturday, October 3, 2015

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WHOOMP There IT Is! is my new SATURDAY linky party.  It's specifically for quilting and sewing bloggers. I chose the name in honor of finishes...however, you are welcome to link up any part of the process, from fabric selection to finish and anything/everything in between.  There's no better feeling than being able to show-off something you spent days, weeks or even months to make.  I enjoy sharing about all my projects (and occasionally about life in general) and I know you do too. This is where you want to do it!

The first party will be Saturday, October 3, 2015. Each week the link will be open from 6a Fri to 6a Mon MT.  I'd be most honored if you join my party.

As is common w/ linky parties, there are a few "rules".  Following the "rules" is appreciated but not mandated. But just know...I wouldn't suggest anything I don't do myself.

Thank your Host
Everyone likes to hear "thank you" and know their effort is appreciated.

Spread the Love
The more love you give, the more you get. Pick a number (mine is 5) and commit to visiting and commenting on that many link-ups. Let them know where you're visiting from and ask them to visit you. (This works well for me!)

Direct Link
Use a direct link to a specific post, not your main blog.

Link Back
In your blog post, include a link back to my post/blog and/or grab the WHOOMP There IT Is! button above and put in your post or sidebar. Thanks for spreading the word!

Follow Me ;)
Of course I would love for all you linky-uppers to be followers, but it's NOT required.

Party Hearty! 

A Thread for Life

He fills my life with good things. Psalm 103:5

A New Fave, Some Finishes and a Giveaway!

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links that may give me a small commission if you click on a link or ad AND buy.

A friend told me about a binding technique quite a while ago...but at the time, I was too preoccupied w/my current projects to pay it any attention.  Fast Forward 2 years and I was visiting another friend who was showing me piles of quilts she'd made over the years and they were all finished w/a gorgeous, professional looking binding. She referred to it as Susie's Magic Binding. But it's also known as Faux Piped Binding and it is AMAZING!  I prefer the FPB tutorial because it's a PDF and Trisha explains the effects of pressing the seam of your binding and accent fabric one way or the other. 

For a "stuffed" piped look, press your seam toward the accent fabric.

For a "flat" flange look, press your seam toward the binding fabric

I am totally hooked on this technique and have finished several quilts w/it!  I've always preferred machine binding, however my quilts have never looked better than w/this technique.  Thanks Trisha!

This pattern is Modern Lattice by Lorna of Sew Fresh Quilts.

This pattern is Hillside Houses by Cristina of Pretty Little Quilts.

 And a couple other finishes...

And one last thing before you go...

A Craftsy Giveaway!   Enter HERE for a chance to win  a FREE class AND supplies for it! It doesn't get much better than this!  But hurry! The last day to enter is September 30, 2015 at 1159p MT!

Until next time, Happy Quilting and God Bless!

A Thread for Life

Great is His love toward us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever. Psalm 117:2 NIV

Linking up at:

Let's Bee Social
Needle and Thread Thursday
Can I Get A Whoop Whoop?
TGIFF!

Extra! Extra! Read All About It!

Disclosure:  This post contains affiliate links that give me a small commission if you click on the link AND buy.

For those of you who haven't already heard of Craftsy, I'm about to take you to school!  It's an online platform that delivers crafts education classes via full-length, professionally-produced, interactive, high-definition videos. They offer a wide array of classes to include quilting (my drug class of choice), sewing, knitting, crochet, photography, wood working, paper craft, and many more.  The interactive feature allows students/peeps to connect directly with each other and the award-winning instructors.  I just became an affiliate and I have a special offer for you!  I'll tell you about the special offer in a bit, but first a little history about me and Craftsy. 

When I first heard of an "online" quilting class, I immediately pictured myself failing out of it!  I thought it was like a college course that I'd have to log into everyday and complete by a certain time...and my attitude was "thanks, but no thanks!".  But...after seeing Ann Petersen's quilts I started thinking maybe I too could make quilts that beautifully if I just took her class, so I decided to give the "online" class a chance.*  Needless to say, but I'm going to say it anyway, I was quite pleasantly surprised.  It was nothing like I thought it would be!  And now, I'm currently enrolled in several classes. 

The beauty of Craftsy classes is that they never expire and you can watch them anytime, as many times as you like, provided you have a proper internet connection.  And remember, it's interactive! Which means you can post questions and/or pics to get help from the instructor or other peeps taking the class.  And if you think your question might be "dumb" (which is how I feel about mine sometimes), you can scroll through other peep's questions in the sidebar and maybe find that someone has already asked that "dumb' question, so you don't have to! However, my experience was I asked the "dumb" question first, then scrolled and saw that someone had already asked it..so I was doubly "dumb"!

So now you know all about Craftsy!  Does it make you want to take a class?  I sure hope it does because I've got an offer for you!

  

Offer: 50% off Strip Your Stash

Original Price: $29.99

Your Price with Discount: $14.99!

Expiration Date:    9/23/15 @11:59pm MT

I chose this class for a couple of reasons.  The first being I'm already a stash stripper.  When I get down toward the end of a piece of fabric (less than 1/4 yd), I strip it!  I make as many 2.5" strips as possible then 2", 1.5" and lastly 1".  And I have bin drawers for each size. I have 2 for the 2.5" strips. One for lights and one for darks.  I also strip the extra fabric from backings after I've quilted a quilt AND I occasionally strip fat quarters!

The second reason being, I'm not the most creative person and I like following patterns and tutorials. For those of you who are like me and need some direction and inspiration on how to use scraps in your stash, this class is for you!

And remember if you click AND buy from somewhere in this post, I get a little kickback.  The offer expires on 9/23/15 @ 11:59p MT.  

Are you interested in becoming an affiliate? Click here to join.  Oh, and let them know Zenia Rene of A Quilted Passion referred you.! 

Also...coming on October 1, 2015 to A Quilted Passion. A new Thursday Linky Party!  I hope to see you all there!  The button will be "grabbable" a few days before the linky goes live! Spread the word!

*I soon realized that just taking a class isn't going to make me an award winning quilter. The class provides tools, tips and tricks for becoming a better quilter, but it's up to me to PRACTICE what I learn to become that award winning quilter I want to be.

A Thread for Life

...whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Phil 4:8

Linking up at:

Let's Bee Social

Can I Get a Whoop Whoop?

And The Winner Is...

Lea Anne Brummett of Podunk Pretties

Congratulations Lea Anne! 

Thank you to everyone who participated in my giveaway!  I'm looking forward to doing another giveaway.  Stay tuned... because it will be sooner than later!  

A Thread for Life

In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps. Proverbs 16:9 NIV