3 Peeks Thursday

I'm searching through my stash to find some extra things for my giveaway next week. You're invited back starting on Monday for your chance to win!



Yes, it really is a cardboard beer case.



It's the perfect size to hold sewing patterns. The box is quite sturdy. I've moved the patterns several times since I received them about 8 years ago. {The Mickey Mouse pattern isn't the REAL Mickey Mouse!}



These are a few of the patterns that Granny (my husband's maternal grandmother) must have used. Other patterns have never been cut out. These ones I think Rae Ann would like.

You'll have to come back next week to see which ones I decided to give away.

With Joy,
Sarah Vee

Read more...

Thanks to Some Generous Quilters

Some of the most generous people in the world are quilters. Spending money, time and talent to make the world a better place. Quilters who blog are even more special. They share patterns, tips, and handmade goods on a regular basis.

Here are my most recent winnings:



I won a beautiful set of fat quarters from Ariane on the Sew Mama Sew Giveaway Day. Ariane is in the Sew Modern Bee with me. My daughter has claimed most of this pack - I am keeping the mushroom print that's in the top right of the photo. Thanks, Ariane.



I also entered and won this bookcover made by CaLynn. She made 5 to giveaway and I was very happy to receive the one I wanted. It will get lots of use in our household. Thanks, CaLynn.




Thanks to Wanda blogging about her winning some gorgeous fabric, I entered and won some too! Vicki had a countdown to her retirement giveaway. I won this yard of dyed fabric and . . .




this shirt which she hand dyed in purple for me! I love it. Thanks, Vicki.



What a wonderful world! Thanks for sharing it with me.

With Joy,
Sarah Vee

Read more...

GQ - Season of Grace Goodies!

Sometimes it pays to keep up! These are my 24 plus stockings for the Season of Grace block of the month. It was hosted by Pat Sloan and Emilie Richards. The GQs {Generous Quilters}

The goodies came packed up in a bag - which I think will be heading to my local quilt store shortly.

Emilie Richard's book, "Sister's Choice" and the Quilt Along companion book that has 7 quilt patterns in it based on quilts in the book. The International Machine Quilter's Association Inc.'s 2010 Wall calendar. Gorgeous quilts and quilting. I'm thinking of using it in my sewing space to keep track of special quilting events - and maybe even my quilting goals. (ugh, right ON a dated calendar!)

Some signed bookplates with Emilie's picture on them. Four spools of Aurifil thread! Yay! Now I can try it out. My daughter almost lifted the green spool already. I think I might use it now to quilt her Butterfly Sunshine.


Is there more? Could there be more? Yes! Fabric!

Bejeweled by Susie M. Robbins for P&B Textiles

For the first time ever I have an entire fat quarter collection of a fabric line! I have never indulged, but can already see why it becomes an addiction. Having all the 'players' right in front of you really let's you SEE what the designer had in mind for the collection. How they reflect and complement each other. These fabrics will make it into their own quilt.

My work here isn't finished, though. This month the setting was revealed for all the stockings.

Getting the top done will be added to the NEW list -NEXT month!!

Check out Emilie Richards and Pat Sloan. Thanks for the fabulous goodie bag, ladies!

With Joy,
Sarah Vee

Read more...

Three Reviews This Thursday

More than three photos today. This is the newest book from Bonnie Hunter. I won it recently through Pat Sloan's blog. Pat has a radio show now which airs live Monday afternoons. Bonnie was one of her guests. I enjoyed listening to it. Pat has a link on her site to past shows.

A closeup of a partial photo of the bow tie block quilt. I can see this one being very dynamic with the intersecting sashes in black and white.



This is the book my sister gave me for my birthday. Too many quilts that I want to make in here! Great instructions and photos.

I really like how she gives fabric suggestions for EACH quilt. A great way for quilters to expand their colour knowledge. This is how I've learned alot about colour - by looking at what others do and figuring out what I like and don't like.

Talking about colour - take a moment to check out this great post by Wanda about Value. Her blog is a visual inspiration. She shares lots of tips and in progress posts, too.


Lastly today the latest edition of Quiltmaker magazine. I have to admit I bought it for the CD. I'm glad I did! It has great quilting motifs on it and a free quilt pattern that I like. I had forgot that there are quilts by Julie of Jaybird Quilts and Scott Hansen of Blue Nickel Studios in here too. Lots to enjoy in this issue.

Now - back to the sewing machine.

~
With Joy,
Sarah Vee

Read more...

A Christmas Post

My first of 3 stockings for the Season of Grace BOM this month. I'm machine blanket stitching around the 'dots' and do this only when little ones aren't sleeping. And when I'm AWAKE.



I received my Christmas winnings from Lizzie B this week! I participated by leaving comments during their 12 Days of Christmas. They sent out surprise gifts - this is ONE of mine! It's very cute. I can see using blocks of it on sleepover bags. It would be fun in a girl's bedroom.




This one I LOVE! It's even set up as a Block of the Month. I am having a very hard time resisting this one. If I start NOW, I could finish it for next Valentine's. I even have some sweet pinks and nice blue polka dot fabric... and brown...

You can check out all of their great patterns on their website - and they have a fun blog too!


Off to FINISH some stuff so I can start cutting background material (you didn't read that here!)

With Joy,
Sarah Vee

Read more...

Take 3 Thursday - GQs and a Preview

Generous Quilters (GQs)

Christmas charm squares and a fat quarter that Generous Quilter Sandi sent me. She had a great giveaway last year and I was one of the lucky, persistent, winners:)




Floral strips - lots of them! From Generous Quilter Wanda. She has a great blog with very colourful quilts.

A Post within a Post - An Extra Take 3!

Here's a better look at the strips:

The strips are folded once in these photos - so they're twice as long as what you see.

They range in size from 1 to 3 inches wide.

I think there is a floral string project in my near future!

The Preview

My last photo today shows why a design wall is as necessary for me as coffee:

I missed cutting one foundation and didn't realize until I was DONE all the rest of the blocks.

The situation was remedied and, if I find time today, will be a finished project by tomorrow.


With Joy,
Sarah Vee

Read more...

Three Takes Thursday on Christmas Eve

I received my Secret Elf package this week. The exchange was organized through Pat Sloan's Quilt Mashup forum. I received three fat quarters of brights, Quilter's chocolate wedges, a peace drawstring bag with lavender in it, and some candy canes. A perfect little quilter treat!


I completed the blocks I needed to get done for this week. My sister and I are collaborating on a special one for next year. This is a third of my blocks done. I can't wait to keep working on it now that so much progress has been made.



I made three more Green Bag Lady bags. Two at the original size and a smaller 10 inch square one using the rest of the material I had. This is silk like fabric - I think I bought it a few years ago to make something for my daughter. That never happened - but now I have some bonus Christmas gifts!

I hope you enjoy the Christmas weekend. May you find time for all that you enjoy with the people you love.

With Joy,
Sarah Vee

Read more...

Three Takes Thursday - Projects

There's still time to enter to win my giveaway prize as part of the big Sew, Mama Sew giveaway. Check out yesterday's post.




The first 5 of 16 potholder tops I'm making for Monday's Sew In at my husband's school with his grade 5 class. I have the backs cut. I need to cut the batting and probably little rectangles to make the loops too.


The scrap bins of Christmas fabric that was generously donated by my local quilt shop. I am always amazed at the generosity of quilters. And how many new things can be made from leftovers!

My sister's 9 patches arrived for this quilt we are making together. I need to have 8 to 10 blocks completed by Christmas. We'll be together then and can decide on border treatments. Our collaborative quilts always turn out well - I think we both enjoy the challenge and the deadlines!



With Joy,
Sarah Vee

Read more...

GQ Prairie Moon and Jaybird

No, it's not BUTTON PIZZA, it's even better!

It's the little jar of buttons I won on Prairie Moon's blog! I guessed the closest guess to the actual amount of buttons in the jar and Shelly sent them to me. She has a great website to explore too.

I really like them. Want a better look?
I am loving these colours! Some of them will find homes in projects really soon. Thanks, Shelly.






Julie at Jaybird Quilts is having a great 100th post giveaway full of Market goodies! I get an extra entry for blogging about it, but now YOU know:) Head over and enter yourself.



Enjoy a productive Thursday - even if all you 'produce' is some joy for winning giveaways!:)

With Joy,
Sarah Vee

Read more...

GQ and Countdowns

The countdown continues for my sister. She is getting closer with everyday to her birthday.
I'm excited because I conquered some FEAR yesterday and worked on quilting her final gift. Now it can realistically be completed and delivered on time. You'll have to wait until mid-September to see the results.

This Christmas fabric is from Heather at Quilter's Connection. A NEW Canada wide magazine by and for quilters. The first issue comes out September 1st. I won a giveaway on the magazine's blog. (The reason for GQ in the title of the post!) I know many Canadian quilters are anticipating this magazine.


The final countdown for back to school is also on here. We took a family trip to Sudbury, which is just under an hour away, to visit Dynamic Earth. We took an underground mining tour, panned for gold, and discovered many neat minerals. This one was on the giant mineral wall when we entered. Many reminded me of colour combinations in quilting. This one reminds me of metallic thread.

I'm trying not to countdown this month too quickly as many of my monthly goals remain on my TO DO list. It is the end of summer, so I'm finding my quilting time is being traded in for family movies and outings. Or a nice day away. I will catch up! Watch and see:)

Enjoy all the anticipation this month,
Sarah Vee

Read more...

GQ

GQ? Generous Quilter!

Clever? Not really:) Here's the goodies I received from Scott Hansen at Blue Nickel Studios.
For being clever, yes! "Yoda speak" actually got me some fabric:)!


The promised fat quarter (with polka dots in the flowers) showed up with some *extra* goodies!


I love this medallion fabric! It may become the centre of a quilt 0r a pillow. It's true colour is closer to the one in the next photo.

Left to right: A playing card (6 of spades); I love Lucy fish contest card; Scott's business card; and a mini card with Jar Jar Binks from the new Star Wars prequels. Fun stuff.

Thanks Scott. The first male GQ featured here on Sew Joy!

Have an ENJOYable long weekend Canadians!
Everyone else is welcome to join us:)

Sarah Vee

Read more...