Friday, February 26, 2016

WHOOMP There IT Is! #20 - It's Giveaway Time!

This post contains ad links.

Hello! It's so good to see you! If today is the first time you are visiting my blog, well then you picked a very good day to do so! It's giveaway time, and an extra special one to boot! But first I've gotta show you a couple of thangs.

I finished my custom quilt order and even made matching pillow shams! Yay me!
I'm this close to constructing one full block (1 of 16) of my Arkansas Traveler quilt and I'm lovin' how it's looking so far.  I only have a few more days to work on this project though.  It was #8 on my 2016 UFO Challenge list and the number chosen for February.  Hopefully, March's # will be for a small project or one that is almost finished so I can come back to work on this beauty.

Now we can get to the important stuff; The Giveaway!
I'm giving away a sampler pack called Shadows which consists of 20 Fat Quarters in shades of grey (not 50...lol) and black & whites (even though the description on the link says 19) AND a 5 pack Salt & Pepper Thread Set by Connecting Threads.  And this is where I have to say, this giveaway is in no way affiliated w/Connecting Threads. To sweeten it up a bit I'm including a Mojo bar and a $5 Starbucks gift card!

Another view of the prize =)
And to sweeten it up even more...I got a collaborator! Say hello to Sandra Fay of Fay West Designs!  She's a maker of gorgeous handmade jewelry that features miniature quilt blocks and fabric patterns.  I came across her beautiful jewelry creations on Instagram @faywestdesigns and ordered myself these 2 pairs of earrings over the holidays. Aren't they just lovely?!


She is graciously offering up these stunners as part of this giveaway.  Thank you, Sandra!
This sturdy pair of hand-made earrings is made of lightweight bronze findings making them perfect for the most sensitive of ears.  Each piece is handcrafted so no two are exactly alike. Attention is given to every detail.  After the colorful pattern is created, it is heated to add strength. This results in a tight and bright intricate design.  Small TILES Measure approx. 12mm square

To see more of this fabulous Mini Art Jewelry and other lovelies, visit her shop at FayWestDesigns.etsy.com.    You can also find her on Instagram: @faywestdesigns.

There are 3 easy steps to enter!
  1. If you aren't already a follower, follow A Quilted Passion on Instragram @aquiltedpassion or Bloglovin'
  2. Follow Fay West Designs on Instagram @faywestdesigns
  3. Leave a comment on this blog post letting me know how you follow and what favorite quilt block you'd like to see on a pair of earrings.  It's that simple!
I will choose a winner next Thursday, March 3rd at 9p AZ-MST using True Random Number Generator and will announce it in a blog post on Friday, March 4th. This giveaway is now closed.

Now, let's get this party started!
A Quilted Passion
Thank the 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 love.
Follow Me ;)
Of course I would love for all you linky-uppers to be followers, but it's NOT required.




p.s. Craftsy is at it again!  Now thru 2/29/16 1159p MT, take an additional 20% off their existing clearance prices to give you great deals on their project kits and supplies for only a few days. Be sure to check out the deep discounts on your favorite brands before their Winter Clearance sale is over. Remember, the good stuff goes fast!




A Thread for Life
...if I die suddenly, my gravestone might appropriately offer this insight into my departure: "God got tired." I require lots of work.  - Beth Moore, Believing God

Friday, February 19, 2016

WHOOMP There IT Is! #19 - A New Pattern & Progress

Just today I learned I can see how many views, links and clicks I've had for each linky party on InLinkz. Thank you...all you hoppers and linkers from last week! It was my biggest party yet!

Don't forget there's still time to enter Craftsy's Giveaway if you have not already done so!  One entry per person until Sunday, Feb 22nd @ 11:59p MST.

I spent this last week working on a new easy pattern for my pattern store on Craftsy.  It's called Easy Microwave Tortilla Warmer and it's FREE for a limited time! Download your copy today!
I also got the queen size rag quilt all sewn together. WOWZERS! It's huge and it's heavy! It's a custom order on my Etsy Shop.  There's going to be a whole lotta snippin' & clippin' going on for the next several days!  It's made w/a bunch of Thimbleberries and 30s repros.
My customer previously purchased a lap size rag quilt that was backed w/a fabric called Civil War Legacy by Judie Rothermel for Marcus Bros.
She wanted a queen size quilt backed w/the same fabric but I only had about 1/2 yd left. I searched high and low and even called the designer herself. It was at this time I learned the fabric was re-released in the Pine Tree Lodge collection however, she didn't have enough for a queen size quilt. I started searching Google for Pine Tree Lodge and hit pay dirt w/Melinda's Fabric Shop in Hendersonville TN! She had an entire bolt!  The fabric isn't exactly the same, but my customer was thrilled that I found it.  Thanks Melinda!
Original fabric on right
I've managed to get these 2-bits done on my Arkansas Traveler quilt.  I'm working on this as part of my 2016 UFO Challenge.
That's all I've got for you today folks. Now let's see your progress!

p.s. Giveaway here next week!  Be here or be square!
A Quilted Passion
Thank the 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 love.
Follow Me ;)
Of course I would love for all you linky-uppers to be followers, but it's NOT required.



A Thread for Life
If Jesus gives us a task or assigns us to a difficult season, every ounce of our experience is meant for our instruction and completion if only we'll let Him finish the work. I fear, however, that we are so attention-deficit that we settle for bearable when beauty is just around the corner. ― Beth Moore

Friday, February 12, 2016

Craftsy Sweetens Up My Quilting Life! - WHOOMP #18

This post contains ad links.

Thanks for visiting my stop on the Craftsy Sweetens Up My Quilting Life Blog Hop! and my WHOOMP There IT Is! #18 Linky Party.

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. 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.  Oh, and remember, it's interactive! This means you can ask questions and/or  post pics to get help from the instructor or other peeps taking the class.  Craftsy offers a wide array of classes, from photography to knitting to cooking...however my class of choice is Quilting! And more specifically, Free Motion Quilting. 

So how does Craftsy Sweeten Up My Quilting Life?   Craftsy Keeps Me in Motion!
I was very naive when I signed up for Start Free-Motion Quilting w/Elizabeth Dackson.  I thought I'd be an expert FMQ-er by the time it was finished. I couldn't have been more wrong.  However, I did learn a lot of things from this class.  Important things you need to know before getting started, like needle and thread selection, how to start and stop, how to bury a knot and how to move the quilt. Thanks, Elizabeth!
The Secrets of Free-Motion Quilting w/Christina Cameli  is another class I'm enrolled. It's also packed w/great information like sketching and stitching, staying in a straight line and getting out of corners. Thanks, Christina!
Help How DO I Quilt It? is my most recent class. This class will definitely help w/the dilemma of how to quilt your quilts.  It will also teach you how to add lots of texture and movement to your quilts.  Thanks, Angela!
All of these Craftsy classes are great and I'd recommend any and all of them. The instructors are extremely encouraging and the classes do exactly what they are designed to; build your confidence as you learn FMQ. They make it look easy but remember, they've been doing it for years. They all stress this important point:  Practice, Practice, Practice! And the MOST important point of all...Don't compare your work to that of others!  Why? Because Comparison is the Thief of Joy! 

Craftsy is also a place where independent designers can sell their patterns. There are thousands of sewing and quilting patterns to choose from and even a great selection of free patterns! Click here to browse my pattern store and be sure to download my Easy Grocery Bag Catcher, which is free for a limited time.  Thanks, Craftsy!

Here's the complete line-up of stops.  Be sure to hop over and visit each stop to see how Craftsy sweetens up their quilting lives!


Wednesday 10 February
Helen Midget Gem Quilts


Thursday 11 February



Friday 12 February




Saturday 13 February
Anja @ Anja Quilts


Sunday 14 February



Monday 15 February

Julie @ Pink Doxies

Did you like reading about these classes? Does all this sweetness make you want to join one? Class discounts will be available for one week following each post, and while you're there you can click through any bloggers in the hop to enter the Craftsy Giveaway.





And now the moment y'all have been waiting for...the giveaway!  Enter here for a chance to win.

Two peeps will win one class each, and 1 peep will win this fabulous grand prize:
1- Boundless Solids Crown Jewels by Amy Gibson Quilt Kit 

Boundless Solids Crown Jewels by Amy Gibson Quilt Kit - None
1-Boundless Solids Modern Brights Pre-Cuts 6" Strips

Boundless Solids Modern Brights Pre-Cuts - None
1-Boundless Solids Modern Brights 10" Squares
Boundless Solids Modern Brights Pre-Cuts - None
Enter the Craftsy Giveaway here, or on any site during the hop. One entry per person.  Enter until Sunday, Feb 21, 2016, at 11:59 pm MST.

The winners will be announced Feb 22 at Pink Doxies and Musings of a Menopausal Melon.  

If you are still w/me and would like to show your stuff, it's time to link up!
A Quilted Passion
Thank the 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 love.
Follow Me ;)
Of course, I would love for all you linky-uppers to be followers, but it's NOT required.


A Thread for Life


Friday, February 5, 2016

WHOOMP There IT Is! #17 Binding Services & Other Updates

If you stopped by last week you read I was going to start offering machine binding services to local quilters in the Phoenix area. I put my info out there (and will keep putting it out there) and I'm anxiously awaiting customers.  I know there are lots of peeps out there who aren't particularly fond of binding or just don't have the time, so I'm confident the customers will start trickling in.






Update on the UFO Challenge 2016. February's number is 8.  This means I will finally be working on my Arkansas Traveler. I'll be using these precut diamonds that Greta of Material Detachment sent me last January.
I'm making progress on a custom order.  It's for a queen size rag quilt. I've got ALL the squares and batting cut out; all 1260 of them! I've started building sandwiches and will start quilting them this weekend.


I did finish the 2 scrappy numbers from last week.

Lap Full of Flowers
And one more thing before we get this party started...I will be having a giveaway at the end of the month, so stay tuned!

Now, let's see your progress!
A Quilted Passion
Thank the 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 love.
Follow Me ;)
Of course I would love for all you linky-uppers to be followers, but it's NOT required.



A Thread for Life
We are not to preach the doing of good things; good deeds are not to be preached, they are to be performed. - So Send I You - Oswald Chambers