Renovation, a Little Christmas Sewing and NTT

Hey there, y'all!  Welcome to another Needle and Thread Thursday.  As we speak, an outdated wet bar in our house is being converted to a walk-in pantry, and I could not be more excited about it.  It's an odd thing.  My husband and I have owned three homes during our marriage, and though each home has been a little bigger than the last, each home has also been built with progressively less pantry storage.  My home is 43 years old, and older homes just weren't built with certain things.  Enter the wet bar space.  Perfectly situated in the kitchen with lighting already installed, and just waiting to be turned into something useful for us.  This project is taking several days and it's hard to get any sewing done while that's going on, though I have found a little time to make this cute pillow cover for a friend.

I made this using the measurements included in my post HERE, and substituted a subtle red crosshatch fabric for the scrappy pieces I used in my own pillow.  I love using gold in my Christmas decorations, but my friend is a silver lover.  So, this belt buckle is made with Cloud 9 Glimmer Solids in Silver to give it some sparkle.  The photo isn't showing it very well, but the buckle is quilted with pebbles, the belt with dense lines, the white fur with swirls, and the background with stippling.  I still have to buy a pillow form for it, but I can check this one off of my holiday to-do list!

Before we get to the party highlights from last week, I owe you three giveaway winners from my October sponsor post.  I have the very BEST sponsors and they are so kind to consistently provide such amazing prizes.  First up, the winner of the $25 gift certificate to Lady Belle Fabrics is comment number 30, GranChris.  Next the two winners of the adorable quilty socks from Fort Worth Fabric Studio are comment 104 (Darlene), and comment 51 (Gretchen).  Congratulations to all of you!  I'll be contacting you via email so you can claim your prizes!  :)

Okay!  Let's check out the highlights from last week's party.  Jayne at Twiggy and Opal linked up this fun, scrappy circle quilt-

I am in love with this hexie top by Canadian Needle Nana-

Check out this soft geometric quilt by Cynthia at Quilting Is More Fun Than Housework-

And finally, Brenda at Songbird Designs is getting into the Halloween groove with this fun quilt-

Okay, friends!  Shall we party?  Let's do it.

1. You can link finished projects or WIP's , but just keep it about quilting and sewing!

2. Link to your specific post (not to your home page!) to make it easier for others.

3. Please remember to spread the word and post my button or a text link within your 

    post.  

4. Spread the comment love far and wide!

5. Following me is not a requirement to link, but is so very appreciated!

*If you're new to the party, here's a helpful tip for linking up- select "Auto Crop"  when selecting your thumbnail photo.  For some reason, trying to crop your own image results in the dreaded "white question mark box," and we definitely want to see your awesome work!  :)

Autumn Weather Wins and NTT

Hey y’all!  Welcome to another Needle and Thread Thursday!  This week, I am reminded of the Anne of Green Gables quote, "I'm so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers," because I have surely been enjoying the glorious weather and colors right now.  We've been taking advantage of it and have spent as much time as possible outside lately, so my sewing life has amounted to not much more than making some plans for what I need to sew for the holidays.  It's clear that even though I haven't been sewing up a storm, you have!  Check out the awesomeness from last week-

Snowy Days Quilting shared this perfectly adorable quilt-

This striking quilt is by Leanne at Devoted Quilter.  That quilting is ahh-mazing!

Jan at The Colorful Fabriholic shared this simple but pretty quilt-

This sampler quilt is by Lori at Crossquilt.  What a unique color palette!

And finally, look at this stunner by Tiina at Kasityolainen-unelmissaan (ps-her blog also includes English!)-

WOW!  Y'all really know how to bring the inspiration!  It's almost time to party again this week.  Before we do though, in case you missed it, there are some fun giveaways going on right now in my last post.  Take a minute and enter!

Let's link up!

1. You can link finished projects or WIP's , but just keep it about quilting and sewing!

2. Link to your specific post (not to your home page!) to make it easier for others.

3. Please remember to spread the word and post my button or a text link within your 

    post.  

4. Spread the comment love far and wide!

5. Following me is not a requirement to link, but is so very appreciated!

*If you're new to the party, here's a helpful tip for linking up- select "Auto Crop"  when selecting your thumbnail photo.  For some reason, trying to crop your own image results in the dreaded "white question mark box," and we definitely want to see your awesome work!  :)

October Sponsor News and TWO Giveaways!

Hey there, y'all!  It's the middle of another month, and that means that it's time to round up the best happenings from my favorite shops around the web.  If you're like me, you're working on holiday gift sewing (or at least giving it some serious thought by this point), and also making a mental note of any extra fabric you'll need to cross those off your to-do list.  Well, read on friends, and let's get those projects added to the "done" pile.  This post also contains two giveaways, so let's get to it!

We'll kick off today's post with a giveaway from Lady Belle Fabric.  Lady Belle has several new things in the shop, like this Trapeze Sky quilt kit by Sharon Holland.

               

Or, take a look at this bundle of Sevenberry Florals by Robert Kaufman.  So pretty and delicate!

By the way, Lady Belle is offering FREE shipping on all US orders right now, which is an amazing savings (no code necessary).

Lady Belle Fabrics is sponsoring the first giveaway of the day.  One lucky winner will get a $25 gift certificate to the shop, and I promise you won't have any trouble finding something to spend it on!

Shabby Fabrics is up next, and if monthly clubs are your jam, they are guaranteed to have one you'll love.  They have two brand new ones that are super cute!  This Sleigh Bells Block of the month is perfect if you love the homespun holiday look.

But the club that has really caught my eye is this fantastic Better Not Pout ornament club!  I LOVE Christmas ornaments.  My tree is full of every kind of ornament imaginable, and I'm a sucker for one-of-a-kind, handmade ones!

                                                                     

Do you ever want to sew up something quick and easy for a holiday, but don't want to hunt down the perfect little collection of fabrics for it?  LouLou's Fabric Shop has you covered.  Their LouLou bundles are offered every week.  They each have eight coordinated fabrics, and are often seasonal!  Check out their two latest bundles.  

A cloth napkin set, a mini quilt, a throw pillow... the possibilities for these cute bundles are endless!  If you love a particular bundle, jump on it, because when they're gone, they're gone!

              

Last, but never least, is Fort Worth Fabric Studio, where their fabric selection is second to none, and there's something new almost every day.  I'm loving this Flea Market Mix fabric collection, which is brand new in the shop.

  

             

Oh, don't worry!  If you're strictly in holiday sewing mode, they've got plenty for you as well!  This Winter Frost flannel collection is so pretty, and there is even a quilt kit with these silvery, festive fabrics!

Fort Worth Fabric Studio is also sponsoring the final giveaway of the day.  TWO lucky US winners will each get a pair of these super fun quilty socks (random selection).  After all, we are getting close to the time of year that I wear socks around the clock to keep my feet warm!

Okay friends!  I know I've given you lots to look at, but before you head off to browse through these amazing shops, take a minute to enter the giveaways.

Leave only ONE comment on this post to enter all three giveaways.  

Don't forget to leave an email address if you're a no-reply blogger, and remember, only one entry per person please!  Unfortunately, replies to your own comment counts as an entry (the system numbers those, too), so remember to put your email address in your comment if necessary. 

Additional replies/comments/entries are always deleted.  I'll announce the winners at next week's NTT (October 28th).
This giveaway has now ended.  Thanks to all who entered!  :) 

Farm Picnic and NTT

Happy Needle and Thread Thursday, friends!  This weekend, after a slight postponement from hurricane Delta, we went down to Louisiana to visit my family for a long fall break weekend, but not before I finished off this cute quilt for a baby boy. 

These colors are so fresh and fun and the white background makes the farm-inspired palette even more vibrant.  I've decided to call this one Farm Picnic, and it will look right at home in the farm-themed nursery.

I quilted this one with a relaxed stipple to keep it nice and cuddly (and also because it's nice and relaxing for me!).

For the back, I used this great print that has shades of blue, white, and gray, and widened it out with a chunk of one of the green prints I used.  I didn't think about it at the time, but if the quilt is turned, it would look like a green field meeting a perfect blue sky.  Very fitting for a farm!  I finished it off with a tonal gray striped binding, and it adds just the right touch of subtle interest.  

The finished baby quilt measures 48" square, and even though the Waverunner pattern is only written for lap, twin, and queen sizes, it was super easy to modify for a baby quilt.  In fact, if you have the pattern and need help, just send me an email and I'll be happy to assist.

Before we party, it's time for some eye-candy!  Julie's Quilts and Costumes showed off this hexie beauty-

This quilt by Sandra at mmm quilts is just stunning.  Take a look at her post to really see all of the yummy quilting texture-

This scrappy pastel piece by Jayne at Twiggy and Opal is so soft and delicate, and so unique-

And Rita at Quiltpiecer shared her progress on this gorgeous autumn maple leaf quilt-

So without further ado, let's get this party started, shall we?  I can't wait to see what you have going on!

1. You can link finished projects or WIP's , but just keep it about quilting and sewing!

2. Link to your specific post (not to your home page!) to make it easier for others.

3. Please remember to spread the word and post my button or a text link within your 

    post.  

4. Spread the comment love far and wide!

5. Following me is not a requirement to link, but is so very appreciated!

*If you're new to the party, here's a helpful tip for linking up- select "Auto Crop"  when selecting your thumbnail photo.  For some reason, trying to crop your own image results in the dreaded "white question mark box," and we definitely want to see your awesome work!  :)

For a Baby Boy and NTT

 Happy Needle and Thread Thursday, y'all.  After submitting my manuscript last week I took a couple of days off to recoup, but lately, I've been working on a quilt for a baby boy.

I decided to make this quilt with my Waverunner pattern, and I love how it looks in a different colorway.  It's always fun to see different interpretations of a single pattern.  You can find the Waverunner pattern HERE!  This pattern is nice and simple to sew, but still has plenty of visual impact.

The nursery is decorated with a barnyard/farm theme with these colors, and it's looking cute so far.  I don't typically include novelty fabrics in my quilt, and I think that helps the quilt grow with the child long past the time the theme is changed.  Even without farm themed fabrics, this quilt will still match the nursery just perfectly!

Last week's party had some great projects linked up.  Take a look at this autumn beauty by Canadian Needle Nana, perfect for the season!

Donnaleeq linked up this beautiful piece.  What a gorgeous effect.  I can't wait to see it finished!@

Cynthia at Quilting is More Fun Than Housework showed off this scrappy finish.  So lovely!

And finally, this modern masterpiece is by MY Quilts and Crafts-

Y'all are amazing week after week.  I can't wait to see what you link up.  So, let's do it!

1. You can link finished projects or WIP's , but just keep it about quilting and sewing!

2. Link to your specific post (not to your home page!) to make it easier for others.

3. Please remember to spread the word and post my button or a text link within your 

    post.  

4. Spread the comment love far and wide!

5. Following me is not a requirement to link, but is so very appreciated!

*If you're new to the party, here's a helpful tip for linking up- select "Auto Crop"  when selecting your thumbnail photo.  For some reason, trying to crop your own image results in the dreaded "white question mark box," and we definitely want to see your awesome work!  :)