Shop Hoppin'!

I had a blast participating in my very first shop hop!  It was the Rally in the Valley Shop Hop Tour 2016 and included 11 stores in the Phoenix Metro Area from October 7 - 15, 2016.

Me and my friends, Teresa and Kelly, hopped on Mon & Tue Oct 10 & 11.

Of the 11 stores participating in the hop, I'd only been to one prior and that was 3 Dudes.

Here is how we hopped.

Monday
3 Dudes Quilting - Phoenix, AZ
Cutting Edge Quilts - Chandler, AZ
Quilters Ranch - Tempe, AZ
Mad B's Quilt and Sew - Mesa, AZ
A Quilter's Oasis - Mesa, AZ
BERNINA Connection - Phoenix, AZ
Bonus stop SAS Fabrics Phoenix, AZ

Tuesday
The Olde World Quilt Shoppe - Cave Creek, AZ
The Other Quilt Shop - Phoeniz, AZ
You Can Quilt - Peoria, AZ
Arizona Quilts - Surprise, AZ
Sun Valley Quilts - Sun City, AZ
Bonus stop 35th Ave Sew & Vac Phoenix, AZ

I had a great experience and bought a few goodies...

...and a little bit of fabric.

Here's a better view of my lovelies!

The only thing that would've made it better is if I was spending someone else's money!

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time, God Bless.

Linking up at:
Show Off Saturday
Main Crush Monday

A Thread for Life
Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my concerns. See if there is any offensive way in me; lead me in the everlasting way. Psalms 139-23-24 HCSB

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!

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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.

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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! #11

My 1st custom Etsy order was a dream.  S wanted the throw size, 60" x 75", of the Hillside Houses quilt.  She asked for vibrant colors and an evening scene, like the one I had listed in my shop.  Other than that, I had complete freedom and 6 weeks to complete it. I finished it in 4wks! She loved it and said it's beautiful. But because it was a private custom listing, I don't think there's a way for her to leave a review...which is a bummer. I also thought I'd be able to edit the listing once I finished the quilt. I may have been able to before I marked it shipped, but I don't know for sure.  I'm new to Etsy...and custom orders so it's taking me awhile to figure out exactly how it all works.  If any of you have Etsy wisdom you'd like to share...I'm all ears!

Anyway, here it is.  I used "rich chocolate" and "milk chocolate" fabrics for the roofs and binding. And of course, my favorite faux piped binding technique!

I quilted organic wavy lines w/a variegated thread called Toasted Caramel by Connecting Threads.  The backing is pieced w/two fabrics; Blueberry Summer and Kids Under Cover.

The Hillside Houses pattern is by Cristina of Pretty Little Quilts. She hosted the Hillside Houses QAL this past spring.  It was my very 1st QAL.  I was proud of myself for mostly keeping up w/it.
I made the wall hanging size and called it Evening Hillside Houses.

And of course, I'm working on other things that are supposed to be finished by Christmas! Time will tell.

I'm sure y'all have been busy too! Do you have anything you wanna share? If so, let's see it!

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<a href="http://aquiltedpassion.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow" title="A Quilted Passion" target="_blank"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir4YsV6nk1H6N4SoytAqIMUezG-jJS06TJG89bPQzWj8oDoAOKu5rRBose1BqbkeEz9sma3x7OI6Utq0rOLWSu4WPRISs3QZERZHGpBLoEhoqSgiUmjkQwQ_n0Tc_42uJSI6MXdeyz5qU/s211/Linky+Button+Final+Whoomp300%252C+TII+150+AQP+LP+190+Fullsize.jpg" alt="A Quilted Passion" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

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

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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! 

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A Thread for Life
We have no right to judge where we should be put, or to have preconceived notions as to what God is fitting us for. God engineers everything; wherever He puts us, our one great aim is to pour out a whole-hearted devotion to Him in that particular work. “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might.” Wisdom from Oswald Chambers - My Utmost for His Highest

WHOOMP There IT Is! #9

Santa Baby

Santa baby, just slip a Panasonic Cordless 360 under the tree for me;

Been an awful good girl, Santa baby, So hurry down the chimney tonight

Santa baby, an All-in-One Computer too, or a Laptop will do,

I'll wait up for you,dear; Santa baby, So hurry down the chimney tonight

Think of all the things I've made, think of all the quilts I gave, 

Next year I could be just as good...if you check off my Christmas list

Santa baby, I want an Olfa 35" X 70" gridded cutting mat and really that's not a lot;

Been an angel all year; Santa baby, So hurry down the chimney tonight.

Santa honey, one little thing I really need...the supreme slider...make it a queen, 

Santa baby, So hurry down the chimney tonight

Santa cutie, and fill my stocking with Quilters Slidelock Rulers; the Lighted Edge,

Santa cutie, and hurry down the chimney tonight

Come and trim my Christmas tree with all the gifts you have for me. Fabric by the yard or pre-cuts,  machingers, woven labels and such.
I really do believe in you;  Let's see if you believe in me...

Santa baby, forgot to mention one little thing...some batting; Pellon, Hobbs, or Warm and White;  Santa baby, So hurry down the chimney tonight 

Hurry, tonight!

What's on your list this year?  

Thanks for visiting. Linkup and show us what you got!

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<a href="http://aquiltedpassion.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow" title="A Quilted Passion" target="_blank"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir4YsV6nk1H6N4SoytAqIMUezG-jJS06TJG89bPQzWj8oDoAOKu5rRBose1BqbkeEz9sma3x7OI6Utq0rOLWSu4WPRISs3QZERZHGpBLoEhoqSgiUmjkQwQ_n0Tc_42uJSI6MXdeyz5qU/s211/Linky+Button+Final+Whoomp300%252C+TII+150+AQP+LP+190+Fullsize.jpg" alt="A Quilted Passion" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

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

Linking up at:
Let's Bee Social

A Thread for Life

Lord, thank You for the gift of life. For air to breathe. For health and strength. For loved ones—not perfect people, but people who support and care for me. For my church family. For Your Word. And thank You for Your Holy Spirit, who pursues me so faithfully and brings Your truth to bear upon my life. Thank You for the life-changing experience of walking with Jesus Christ. Thank You for the assurance of sins forgiven and the promise of eternal life. I choose today by an act of the will to turn away from complaining and to focus upon Your goodness. Would You cause genuine gratitude to fill my heart, thoughts, and words, for You are worthy. In Jesus’ name, amen. - James MacDonald Walk in the Word

WHOOMP There IT Is! #2

I'd like to thank everyone who linked up to my 1st linky party last week. It was a huge success! It was so much fun, I'm doing it again! 

Today I'm sharing some of my recent sewing room improvements. For the longest time I've wanted a sewing table that would allow my sewing machine to be flush w/the table top . Anything to help make FMQ a little easier. I found a pic on Instagram, gave it to a friend along w/measurements I felt would work for me and he came up w/a building plan.  

Well...I was off on my measurements and the 1st draft of the table came up a little short...literally! Believe it or not, I didn't take into consideration that the machine would sit below the top of the table and I could barely fit my legs under it...which was no good considering I'm a big fan of the knee lift.  

 But have no fear, it was a quick fix w/a set of risers. They raised the table 1.25" which was all it needed.

After sewing on it for awhile I decided that I really needed something up front to rest my hands on. Modifications were definitely in order.

And a few months later, modifications were made. I did not add longer legs though, I'm still just using the risers.

I used my old sewing table as a return which works perfectly for quilting.  

It's also where I store Oh Susana (my serger), Penelope (my backup and sometimes traveler), and my thread case. I just realized if I turn it around, to where it faces out, I can have a guest sewer in my sewing room!

I got rid of the bookshelves in the closet and installed shelves for book and fabric storage.

I've heard I should protect my fabric stash from dust and sunlight, so I also put up curtains. One of these days I'd like to make cute patchwork curtains.

I raised my cutting table w/some high risers I found at Walmart. Now it's the perfect height. I've got some other storage going on under my cutting table too. 

My design wall is a piece of fleece tacked up on the wall.  It's been black since I started quilting 4 years ago, but I wanted the room to be brighter so I traded the black for a pretty mint green. 

Next on the list of sewing room improvements is a Quilters Ironing Board!

Now it's your turn to share. Link up to my new WHOOMP There IT Is! Saturday Linky Party below.

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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

David's Prayer - Now everything in the heavens and earth is yours Oh Lord this is Your kingdom.  We adore you as being in control of everything. Riches and honor come from You alone and You are the ruler of all mankind. Your hand controls power and might and it is at Your discretion that men are made great and given strength. 1 Chron 29:11