Belated Birthday Giveaway

In my last post (over a week ago) I had promised a "little giveaway" on my birthday (which was yesterday). I had planned on just staying home and sewing that day. I do not usually venture out on Black Friday, but DD#2 invited me to meet her at a local craft fair and it sounded like fun--haven't been to one in years. Afterward DH and I went to dinner (though we had gone last Friday since I didn't plan to go out on BF). On top of that, my two sons came over in the evening unexpectedly and brought a friend so we could play some games. What I'm trying to say is that I didn't just sit around sewing all day, so I didn't have time to post my giveaway, but I had a wonderful birthday. When I did get a few minutes to sew I treated myself to a feeling of satisfaction by finally sewing together the center section of my feathered star quilt. The star has been partially assembled and occupying a corner of my design wall since I took the class back in February. It feels so good to get it sewn together. Now I need to play with the borders. Not sure if this is the final choice, but I like it best of what I have tried so far. Once I get the borders and "on point", fussy-cut 4-patches sewn on I will decide if I want to add a final border or two and call it good, or if I should attempt to expand the pattern to a full bed quilt. We'll see.

So here is my "little" birthday giveaway--I meant that "little" literally. There is a Moda Mini Charm Pack, containing 42 2.5" squares of Harvest Moon fabric by Kansas Troubles. Then there is the Primitive Gatherings Tiny Tumblers pattern, which includes the tiny tumbler acrylic template. That is the size I used on the Tumbling Glory flag (see tutorial tab at the top). And finally I have included one of my Tuffet pincushions. The one shown is made in CW repro fabrics, but I can make a brighter one if that is your fabric preference. There may also be a couple of bars of my herbal soap thrown in (not pictured). This is just a "little" thank you to  my readers and friends in blogland who make life more interesting. If you would like to be included please leave a comment.

And speaking of friends in blogland, my birthday has been made a little brighter by some fun surprises that arrived in the mail. Mary sent this fun little bundle. Mary was the first blogger I actually met when she came to Utah a year ago. We met up for dinner and then attended a Jennifer Chiaverini book signing. I recently "won" a couple of batik fat quarters on her blog (it was kind of a set-up job) and she sent along some other goodies as well. There was actually one more candy bar than is shown, but I had no resistance when I opened the package. : ) Thank you so much, Mary!

The other little squishy came from my newest old friend. We live less than 7 miles apart in northern Utah, but were introduced through another blogger in Alabama. (Thanks, Denise!) Kris and I met Monday at her home and got chatting about life and admiring fabrics and talking sewing machines. We probably wouldn't have quit after three hours if it hadn't been for a previous commitment Kris had.  I am so happy to know her. We will definitely be getting together again. This arrived in my mail Wednesday from Kris--a total surprise. She has an ebay store (The Quilting Garden) and a blog (Lavender Quilts), so maybe you already know her. Thanks for the lovely surprise, Kris!


This little quilt finally went in the mail today--off to Randy in California. I know it is going to a good home!

Another feeling of accomplishment (okay, so it takes less for me to feel like I have accomplished something than it probably does for most of you)--I have all of the "units" made for Orca Bay, one year after Bonnie started posting the clues. This is as big as I could make it with the shirts I had. You can see that it is not all sewn together (about 1/2 of it is). Now I need to decide how I want to border it. I probably won't be doing Bonnie's border. Don't think I have the patience for it at this point and I think mine looks even busier than the original, with my stripes and plaids. I want something a little calmer around the edges. I actually found a great shirt that is black with purple stripes and I'm wondering if I can use it somehow.

 And finally, when my two sons came over this evening they brought this bouquet. I love the bright mix of colors. I always gravitate to multi-colored flowers and multi-colored bouquets.

 Now, notice the crocheted doily on which the vase is sitting. I bought that at the craft fair I went to with my daughter. A sweet elderly woman had crocheted these and snowflake tree ornaments, butterfly fridge magnets and a bunch of other things. They are all well done--this doily is gorgeous. She had it priced at $25!! Her snowflake ornaments were $1.25 each. The butterfly fridge magnets were often just given away to children who came by. My daughter and I told her she should charge more. Her husband told us that their daughter told them the same thing. We bought a bunch of the snowflakes, and then I got the doily. It is good sized--about 15" across. I couldn't take it at that price with a clear conscience. I gave her $40 and told her if I could afford more I would pay it because it was worth more.

This is a very long, wordy post. Sorry. I have been trying to make them shorter, but I guess I will let this one slide. Remember to leave a comment if you are interested in the belated b'day giveaway. I will let the RNG choose a winner Tuesday night and post the winner Wednesday.
Until next time,
Janet O.