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

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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!

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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

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!

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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.

Party Hearty! 

An InLinkz Link-up

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

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!

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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.

Party Hearty! 

An InLinkz Link-up

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

WHOOMP There IT Is! #16 - My Binding Evolution

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How do you quilt? Some people quilt by hand, some by machine...and some by check. Check? Yep! I cracked up the first time I heard it...lol! What it means is, they pay someone to do the quilting for them. In most cases it's a long-arm quilter.  Now, some long-arm quilters also offer binding services but...some don't. So I had the awesome idea to offer machine binding services to local quilters who want to bind by check. =)  I'm currently working on a list of services and prices.

When I first started quilting I got anxiety when it came to the actual quilting, but even more so when it came to binding. My teacher wasn't always available so I went surfing and came across Quilting in the Rain. I used Jera's Binding and Blind Stitching Tutorial for awhile.

Before long, I decided that hand binding is for the birds.  I then graduated to her Machine Binding Tutorial. After using this technique for some time, I decided I wanted something w/a less bulky ending.  I went surfing again and found Binding by Machine by Carole at Fresh off the Frame. It teaches a smooth, mitered join at the end. It was exactly what I was looking for!

And then one day, either several months or a year later ( I don't know exactly how long as life is busy and time passes way too quickly), I was visiting my friend jkfreeman13 (IG name). She was showing me quilts she'd made over the years and they were all finished w/a gorgeous and very polished binding that also had an accent color.  She referred to it as Susie's Magic Binding.   It is also known as Faux Piped Binding  and it is AMAZING! I've written about this AMAZING binding before.  In the FPB tutorial, Trisha explains the difference in pressing the seam of your binding and accent fabric one way or the other. The effect is either "stuffed" like piping, or "flat" like a flange. This is my absolute favorite binding tutorial to date and will be an option that I offer w/my services.  Hand binding, on the other hand, will not be an option I offer.

Last week at our Quilters Anonymous Sit & Sew, in spite of excessive socializing, I managed to get all of the squares sewn together for this scrappy lap quilt I've named Lap Full of Flowers.

 Afterward, I came home and made a scrappy Jellyroll Race Quilt top.

And one more thing before I get to the linky, Craftsy is at it again! 

#ad Between the busy holiday season and the first flowers of spring lies the perfect time for creativity. Celebrate with BIG savings on supplies at Craftsy, at up to 50% off! Get great deals on art supplies, fabric, yarn, baking tools and more. Browse the sale prices now before the best products are gone! 

Shop NOW thru 1/31 @11:59PM MT 

So...how have y'all been? I've been seeing lots of fantastic WIPs in blogland and IG but, I'm always thrilled to see more!

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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.

Party Hearty! 

An InLinkz Link-up

A Thread for Life

And last but not least, GO BRONCOS!!!

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

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Needle and Thread Thursday
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TGIFF!