WHOOMP There IT Is! #21 - And the Winner Is...

Thank you all for participating in the giveaway! I enjoyed reading what quilt blocks you'd like to see made into earrings.  I promise I read them all, even if I haven't replied yet.  And, I will definitely pass your suggestions on to Sandra. If you have not already done so, be sure to check out all of her fabulous jewelry creations at Fay West Designs.

Now, the moment you all have been wating for:

Congratulations GayLee!  You are # 8 and the lucky winner!  Please email me your address asap.  I'd like to get your prize mailed out on Monday.

Next order of business is about the 2016 UFO Challenge I'm participating in.   March's number is 6.  My #6 project is a Spiderweb quilt. I was inspired to make one after seeing Julie's gorgeous creation pictured below.  Something tells me that I'm going to end up w/more UFOs than I started with!

I've got a good list of  things to do this month.  Besides work on the Spiderweb quilt, I've got to make a gift quilt, several small items for a craft sale taking place in 2 weeks, sew a sleeve and label on Gossamer for the Arizona Quilters Guild Quilt Show, finish 2 test projects for Kids Camp, AND start a commission for 2 baby quilts! Pray for me y'all!

Now it's party time!

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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
Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.Phil 3:12-14 NIV

WHOOMP There IT Is! #14 - UFO Challenge 2016

Hello, Everyone! I hope you've had a wonderful week.  Mine has been a bit crazy w/my day job but the weekend is just about here and that makes me happy!

Something else that makes me happy is all of the lovelies I'm going to make this year! I wrote about 4 of them last week in this post and this week I'll share some others.

A UFO challenge was presented at our Quilters Anonymous meeting last week.  We are a chapter of the Arizona Quilter's Guild.   The challenge was inspired by the All People Quilt 2016 UFO Challenge.  We are following their guidelines, however, we're starting ours in February.

Basically, we choose 12 UFOS we want to finish this year and put them on a list numbered 1-12. At our guild meeting, which is the 1st Thursday of the month, a number will be randomly chosen. That number will represent the numbered project we have to work on for that month. We'll share our finishes/progress at the next meeting and get a new # for the following month...and so on and so forth. The goal is to have 12 finished projects by the end of the year, or in our case, by the end of January 2017.

Since I don't have 12 UFOs, I chose several projects from my "To Make Someday" list that I'd like to see finished this year. Most of them are smaller projects since I will also be working on commissions. Here is a list of the projects I chose w/their "before challenge" status.  Remember, the numbers will be drawn randomly, so it doesn't matter how the projects are listed.  I've included pics so that you can see what the projects are. Most of these pics are not mine.

#1 Christmas Sparkle Punch Quilt - planning stage

#2 Through Thick & Thin Scrappy Log Cabin Quilt - all blocks finished

#3 Paper pieced Rooster Block - planning stage

#4 Scarppy String Thing Bed Runner - flimsy

#5 Paper pieced Owl Block - planning stage

#6 Halloween Spiderweb Quilt - planning stage

#7 Mia's Wall Hanging - flimsy, backing pieced and binding cut

#8 Friend Traveler Quilt

 - 

256 lozenges already cut out by my good friend Greta =)

#9 Quilted Cook & Carry - planning

#10 Caddy Pad Jr. Tote - planning

#11 The Desk Deli Tote - planning

#12 Cabo Bucket Tote - planning

Thanks for visiting and linking up!

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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

A Thread for Life
Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you. - 2 Cor 13:11

Kids Camp 2015

This year was our 4th annual Kids Camp.  It ran from July 13-17.  Kids Camp is a week long sewing day camp that Quilters Anonymous hosts.  We teach kids, 10 yrs+ how to sew, and they make several cute projects in the process!  We have 2 sessions, 9a-Noon and 1p-4p. This year we had 15 kids in each session, many of them repeats from previous years. This year I got to volunteer all day, every day.  I loved it!

empty classroom

Here are the projects they made.

Needlecase/Pin Caddy

closed

opened

Microwave Cozy - I actually taught this class. A tutorial will be coming soon!

Zippered Pouches

Rail Fence Pillow Sham

Fabric Basket - This was a bonus project for the quick finishers. Most of the kids made one!

Until next time, Happy Quilting and God Bless!

A Thread for Life

We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.- Romans 12:6-8 NIV

Linking up at:

Let's Bee Social

WIP Wednesday

Can I Get A Whoop Whoop!

What to Do? What to Do?

A few months ago I decided how I wanted to store my fabric on the shelves.  The biggest problem being...I had to re-fold most of it! Ugh!  Well...I finally finished it!  TADA!!!

After finishing such a huge task, I had to decide which one of several projects to work on.  I really wanted to work on Through Thick and Thin, because it's been in the closet for several months. But I also have a commission of 4 snap bags due by July 9, a commission baby quilt due by August 7, AND 3 more blocks of the Hillside Houses QAL to finish.   

Hillside Houses QAL won!  And here is the flimsy!  Besides the real obvious mismatched seam...that I may or may not fix before quilting, I love how it turned out!

On to the next one! 

Until next time, Happy Quilting and God Bless!

A Thread for Life

We must strenuously cast our ways and our burdens on Him and wait for Him in all haphazard and topsy-turvy moments. - Oswald Chambers

Linking up at:

Let's Bee Social

WIP Wednesday

My First QAL

What is a QAL you ask? It's a Quilt Along! I first read about about  the Hillside Houses QAL by Cristina at  Pretty Little Quilts here and here...and thought, why not?  

So began my first online QAL!  It started on April 29th...so I had a bit of a late start but I'm making good progress. I've finished blocks 1 - 3. You can find instructions for each block by clicking on the link above or the badge below this post.  There are 3 sizes of quilts; I'm making the wall-hanging 30in x 37in. 

Block #1

Block #2

Block #3

I've never done a quilt w/just solid fabrics, and my selection is very limited, but I'm liking what I have so far.  

And...it gave me an opportunity to finally use a the HST Bloc-Loc Ruler I bought myself for Christmas. It squares up HSTs nicely!

I'm off to get started on Block #4.

Until next time, Happy Quilting and God Bless!

A Thread for Life
And therefore the Lord [earnestly] waits [expecting, looking, and longing] to be gracious to you; and therefore He lifts Himself up, that He may have mercy on you and show loving-kindness to you. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) are all those who [earnestly] wait for Him, who expect and look and long for Him [for His victory, His favor, His love, His peace, His joy, and His matchless, unbroken companionship]! - Isaiah 30:18 AMP

Linking up at:
Needle and Thread Thursday
Can I Get a Whoop Whoop
Hillside Houses QAL

The Funk Is Dissipating...

First off I'd like to say Thank You for all the prayer, words of encouragement and well wishes in response to my last post. Between these things and quilting, the funk is slowly but surely dissipating.

Back in this post I listed everything I wanted/needed to complete by Christmas.  All I have left are the small quilted gifts for family, friends and coworkers. I'm about a third of the way through and I am confident I can finish all by/before Christmas.  I've got another 4-day weekend coming up this week!  I could have already been finished w/the small gifts if I hadn't allowed myself to be sidetracked w/other projects, but I think you all know how that goes.

I wrote about two of the sidetrack projects in this post. I like to think of them as rewards. 

Back in August a friend asked if I could do something w/two flimsies (approx twin size) her grandmother had started before she passed.  I quilted them while I was Visiting Greta in October.  I finished them last week. They are both backed w/a jungle print fabric and I chose 2 coordinating calico prints for the binding. 

I even got started on a couple of my 2015 projects!

The 1st is a pattern test that I can't show pics of yet, but I've already COMPLETED the 48" x 60" flimsy!  I will be posting pics of the completed quilt sometime in January...so stay tuned.

The 2nd  is a quilt for my grandson who is due on February 18th.  All of the colors and fabrics come from Greta's stash.  Thankfully, while I was Visiting Greta, not only did she pick out/suggest most of the fabrics, she also cut out all the triangles w/her amazing Go! Baby Accuquilt Fabric Cutter! I'm so very grateful for Greta. My daughter loves all of the colors and fabrics! The triangles are up on the design wall.  I've halved the end triangles and plan to start sewing it together today.  Of course I'll be alternating this project w/the small quilted gifts I still need to finish.  

Until next time, Happy Quilting and God Bless!

A Thread for Life

God will give you strength for every battle, wisdom for every decision and peace that surpasses understanding. - findingsalvation_

Linking up at:
Anything Goes Monday at Babco Unlimited

Let's Bee Social at sewfreshquilts
WIP Wednesday at Freshly Pieced

Steady Progress Continues

Steady progress is being made on my  Christmas Countdown.

Spinning Stars is basted and awaiting quilting.

 The backing is red w/white polka dots.

Diamonds and Purples has been flipped, turned or birthed, however you want to refer to a quilt w/o binding, and is awaiting top-stitching around perimeter and quilting.

The backing is pieced w/assorted purples.

 I've also got several of the small quilted gifts for friends and family finished. I will post pics of these after Christmas,  

I hope you are making progress on your projects too. 

Until next time, happy quilting.

Thanks for stopping by!

A Thread for Life
For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength. - 1Cor 1:25

Linking up at:
Let's Bee Social
Can I Get A Whoop Whoop!

Moving Right Along

The Blogger's Quilt Festival Fall 2014 has come to an end. A big shout out to Amy at Amy's Creative Side for coordinating the event.  Even though I didn't win this time around, I'm still super excited and very grateful that my quilt made it to Viewer's Choice Top 20!  A HUGE thank you for all who voted for my quilt. You can see the winners here.

Here are a few of my faves from the festival.

http://www.13spools.com/2014/10/bloggers-quilt-festival-icy-waters.html

http://quiltsmyway.blogspot.ca/2014/10/light-of-stars-quilt-bloggers-quilt.html

  

http://pugmomquilts.blogspot.com/2014/10/entering-bloggers-quilt-festival.html

If you missed the Blogger's Quilt Festival this time, don't despair, it happens twice a year! It'll be coming around again in Spring 2015, and I hope to see you there. 

In other quilty news...

I'm back to my countdown projects. I've been working on the double option star quilt which will be a Christmas present for my 3yr old sister. (my dad has a kid w/his girlfriend) 

Her favorite color is green so I chose this green from my stash BUT, it's very masculine.

What could I put w/it to make it more appropriate for a  3yr old girl?  Her mom said she also likes blue and red. So I went back in my stash and chose this beautiful blue paisley which has red (and the same green) in it. 

This fabric opened the door for yellow and a few other fabrics...which worked out well because I quickly ran out of the green. 

The blocks measure 8.5" square and originally I was going to make 42 of them for 6 across, 7 down. They are pretty busy though, so I decided to tone it down a bit by adding white sashing strips.

Here's what I've got so far. Because of the sashing I didn't need as many blocks after-all and settled on 24.  Four of these blocks (bottom row) are super scrappy because I used what was left-over from making the other sets. 

On Design Wall

 I'm calling it Spinning Stars. I've yet to add a white border and a 2nd border of the blue paisley.

Outside

Thanks for stopping by. Until next time, Happy Quilting!

A Thread for Life

If anyone lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives to all generously and without criticizing, and it will be given to him. James 1:5

"One way to have more faith is to ask for it! If you're like me, sometimes we don't need more of anything. We just need the courage to exercise what we already have.  Other times we authentically require an increase to do God's will, and He will not refuse it if we ask in Jesus' name.

Jesus will never turn us away when we come to Him with gut-level honesty and request what we lack. Since it is impossible to please God without faith, you and I constantly have new challenges to believe God.  Let's learn to confess our unbelief and ask Christ to empower us to overcome it." 

Beth Moore's Believing God: Day by Day

Linking up at:
Scraptastic Tuesday at She Can Quilt
Let's Bee Social at Sew Fresh Quilts