Happy Halloween!!! :)

Hello!

Hope you're having a Hallowing Halloween! I'm watching Sweeny Todd with the hunky dude. I've never seen it before and he says it's good . . . we'll see. ;)  

The Halloween greetings above and below are from the leftover fabric from my Halloween apron. I know it's kind of late but I wiped them into two mug rugs. Cute, huh?!!!  :)

Guess what came courtesy of the UPS man today??? It was the awesome bag I won last week from the Ghastlie Blog Hop! Here's a picture of me with the bag . . .

Please excuse my messy hair. It was the end of a long day of shopping. You know shopping does take a lot out of you! Whew! I picked up some great items at the thrift store today. I'll show them to you later in the week. I also have items I picked up a couple of weeks ago that I haven't shown you yet . . . I'm a bad, bad blogger!

Anyway . . . Let's get back to the bag. I couldn't believe it got here so quick! Here it is with the handle up (& the tag still on it) . . .

And here's a closer view of it . . . 

Isn't it awesome?!!! I thought about taking more pictures of the inside but I figured you'd be bored. I'll tell you instead.  ;)   There's a strap inside to strap your sewing machine in and two removable pouches (attached with velcro) . . . and of course there's all the pockets on the outside. Now all I need is a new, big, awesome sewing machine to go in it! A girl can dream can't she??? 

I want to take time to thank Madame Samm, host of the Ghastlie Blog Hop for securing such an awesome item to giveaway and for picking my name! Thanks also to Blue Fig for being so generous and donating the bag for the giveaway!  :)   The Ghastlie Blog Hop is going on now through Friday, November 4th. Be sure to check it out!  :)

Until next time . . .
Cherise  :)

I Love Swaps! :)

Hello!

This was an awesome week of surprises galore for me! I received three swap items and one giveaway prize that came with another surprise!

The first item I received was a mug rug from a mug rug swap over at Mary Jane's Farm. Angela from Maryland made it for me. Thank you Angela! I love the colors and fabrics! Plus she did an awesome job on the quilting! Here's the front . . .

and the back . . .

Isn't it cool?!!!

The next item I received was a Halloween quilt block from Barbara in Georgia. This is part of a 12-month quilt block swap over at Mary Jane's Farm. Here's the block . . .

Cool huh?!!! She did such a fabulous job on it! Thank you Barbara!  :)

The next item is a Thanksgiving quilt block from Nettie in Pennsylvania. This is also part of the same 12-month quilt block swap over at Mary Jane's Farm. Here's the Thanksgiving block . . .

I love it! The center kind of looks like a marque, doesn't it?!!! Such warm fall colors! Thank you Nettie!  :)

The last item is a tissue cover that I won from Regena over at The Distracted Domestic. She even included the tissues! I love it Regena! Thank you so much! When I opened the tissue cover there was something else included in the package . . . 

It's a vintage crocheted grape hot pad! She blogged about it here. She received it from her MIL but didn't really care for it. I loved it and told her so. It totally reminds me of my great grandmother. I love collecting vintage things. Can you believe she just sent it to me with the tissue cover I won. She didn't even tell me she was sending it. I was so surprised and happy when I saw it! I absolutely love it! It's soda caps crocheted over and together to form the grape cluster. What do you think? Nay or Yeah??? I can't wait to find the perfect spot for it! Thank you so much Regena for your kindness and generosity! You totally made my day!

It was kind of like Christmas this week! I loved it! I still have another Halloween and Thanksgiving quilt blocks that will be coming my way soon! I can't wait to see them!

Thanks for sharing my treasures with me! Have an awesome weekend!

Until next time . . .
Cherise  :)

This . . . That . . . & Everything in Between! :)

Hello!  :)

It's been another busy week! I always have great intentions on posting more often but then I'm tired by the end of the day and put it off. Then in the morning I'm eager to get working again so again I put posting off until later. :)  Can you say procrastination?!!! I'm very good at procrastinating! You may even call me an expert! ;)  So if you haven't guessed by now, this will be another one of those long posts.

Guess I better get started . . .

Guess what I finally did this week??? Haven't figured it out yet? Here's a clue . . .

Yes! I did! I actually finished my Halloween apron before Halloween!!! Do you like it? Is the blue/teal polka dot batik too much? I thought so at first but then I loved how it brought the same blue/teal color out in the main fabric. Here's a close up . . .

What do you think? Does it go together? One minute I love it and the next I'm not sure again . . . lol! The main vintage inspired fabric was made especially for JoAnn's Fabrics.

I also managed to finish my Thanksgiving apron! Can you believe it? Too aprons in one week! I'm on a roll! Here it is . . .

I know I've shared one just like this before that I made for a swap partner. I liked it so much that I had to make one for myself.  :)  I'm even thinking of making one for my sister too. You see my mom passed away earlier this year. She always cooked Thanksgiving dinner. This year my dad's still hosting it and my sister and I are cooking. Wouldn't it be nice if we both wore matching aprons to honor her! That will mean that I'll have to make one more . . . I'll have to think on this one. Not sure if I have the time before Thanksgiving to whip another one out. Yes! I'm a gluten for punishment . . . lol!

Here's a close up of the fabrics . . .

This vintage inspired fabric was also made especially for JoAnn's Fabrics. I just love it!

If you love aprons like I do . . . you might want to sign up for a Christmas apron swap. Sue from Country Pleasures is hosting one and of course I signed up. It just happened to work well with my schedule, believe it or not.  :)  Click on the link above or the photo below for more information. If you decide to sign up let me know.  :)

I participated in her Fall Apron Swap. I not only received an awesome apron but made a great friend as well! (Hi Donna!) I love swaps!  :)

Besides aprons I managed to finish quite a few more Christmas Stitchery's for my two mini quilts. I finished two Stockings . . .

Two Bear's . . .

And two Christmas Tree's . . . 

Yes I finished 6 stitchery panels this week! A new stitchery was released today and I've already got two of them traced and ready to stitch! After that there's just one more and then the quilt process will begin. I'm quite impressed with myself! I'm really enjoying it! I know I've said it before but I really am! :)  It's so relaxing to sit and stitch and watch tv. You should try it. The redwork is pretty quick as you don't have to change colors.  :)

What else did I do this week? Well do you remember the Ghastly blog hop I told you about? If you don't click here to check it out . . . 

One week of the blog hop is already over, but there's still one more week to go. You really should check it out as there are some pretty awesome projects being created and lots of prizes too! (I won the rolling tote bag on day 2! Yea me!) As I told you before, I actually signed up to take part in the blog hop. This was going to be my first. Did you notice I said "was"? Somehow I missed a very important email that was sent to the participants. I think it was eaten by those cyberspace monsters! I didn't realize it until it was too late . . . so I'm not going to be included in the actual blog hop. However the hostess of the blog hop, Madame Samm of Sew I Quilt, said that she would put a link to my projects on her blog on her day of the hop, November 4th. So I will still be participating . . . just in a different way. So even though I've completed another project for the blog hop, all you get to see now is a sneak peek . . . 

What ever could it be? This makes two projects that I've finished. I still have some of the Ghastlie fabric left so I may just squeeze in another project. We'll have to wait and see if I have time.  :)  So do you have any idea what the above Ghastlie project is? I'd love to hear your guesses!  :)

Until next time...
Cherise  :)

WINNERS are the Theme of the Day!!!

Yes today is the day! Who will win the Halloween & Thanksgiving quilt blocks???

 

I used the random number generator to choose the two winners for the two blocks and I have already emailed them.

The first winner is . . .

True Random Number GeneratorMin: Max: Result:3Powered by RANDOM.ORG

Anonymous said...

Follow your blog!! Super cute blocks. My fingers are crossed!!
aseeley60@yahoo.com

Anonymous I have emailed you. Please contact me with your choice of the Halloween or Thanksgiving block and your address, so I can send your block out to you.


The second winner . . . 

True Random Number GeneratorMin: Max: Result:8Powered by RANDOM.ORG

Denise said...

I'm a new follower! Just love the blocks.

Denise I have emailed you. You will receive the block that Anonymous doesn't choose. Please send me your address so I can send your block out to you.


Thank you all so much for participating in my first giveaway! It was lots of fun!  :)


Are you wondering why the title of this post is "WINNERS are the Theme of the Day!!!"?

It's because I was a winner too! Remember the Ghastlie Blog Hop I told you about? It started on Monday. I've been checking out all the fabulously Ghastlie projects and entering the daily contest, by commenting on the bloggers posts each day. Well . . . yesterday I commented on Annie's Musings blog, by the way she made some awesome Ghastlie projects, go check them out! Each day the blogger's of the day each choose one winner from their blogs, and send the name on to Madame Samm, the Ghastlie head mistress (hope she doesn't mind me calling her this!) Annie choose my name and forwarded it on. Madame Samm choose my name from the six she received! Can you believe it? I couldn't!!! I've entered many blog giveaways but have never won. This time I did!!! WoooooHoooo!!! What did I win??? The pink wheeled tote below, donated by Blue Fig . . .



Can you believe it??? I couldn't believe it!!! I still can't! And it's pink! My favorite color!!! WoooHooo!!!! Today is an awesome day!!!!

Thank you so much for sharing in my excitement!

Until next time . . .
Cherise  :)

Quilt Block GIVEAWAY Reminder ... only a few hours left!

UPDATE:  This giveaway has ended!  :)


Hello!

Just wanted to remind you about my giveaway that ends tonight at midnight!

Would you like to win one of these 12-1/2" quilt blocks?

Halloween block~



Thanksgiving block~



There will be two winners! The first winner will get to choose which block they want and the second winner will get the other one.

Two chances to win . . .

First chance . . . Follow my blog and leave me a comment here telling me you are!  :)
Second chance . . . Blog about this giveaway and leave me a comment with the link to your post about this giveaway!  :)

The giveaway is open until midnight (pacific time) tonight, Tuesday, October 25th. I will choose a winner on Wednesday, October 26th with help of the random number generator, and will post it on my blog. If you are a no-reply blogger please post your email in your comment or you will be disqualified.

Good luck! Thanks for sharing in my sewing adventures and for following me!  :)

Until next time . . .
Cherise  :)

Friday Night Sew-In #3

Hello! Well . . . I didn't get too much done last night. You know those times when your sewing machine just isn't cooperating with you, and just keeps failing over and over again. I had one of those nights. That plus I kept messing up the project I was working on. Not a good night for me and the machine. I did manage to finish one of my Ghastlie projects though. I can only show you a little bit of that project as the blog hop starts on Monday. Here's a clip of the project I finished . . .

I wonder what it is? Well . . . I know but what do you think it is? I also managed to get this binding ready for my other Ghastlie project . . .

I will get this finished up tonight and tomorrow, if need be. Since the machine wasn't cooperating I decided to work on my next stitchery for the Christmas Stitchery Mini Quilt. Here it is . . .

One down, one more (of this one) to go. I had a rough night but still made good progress, even though my Halloween and Thanksgiving aprons still sit waiting for me . . .

I will get to them eventually.  :)

I hope you had a great FNSI!

Have a great weekend!  :)

Until next time . . .
Cherise  :)

A Busy Week PLUS A Giveaway! :)

Hello! How are you doing today? I'm doing pretty good. I'm a little tired though as I've been busy this week. Lots of things going on around here. I love it though. I love staying busy. I also love to relax but there's a time for everything and now is the time to be busy.  :)

Tonight I will be taking part in the . . .

Will you be joining me? If you want to check it out click here. I always enjoy it and love all the talented people who take part. It's fun seeing what everyone is up to!  :)  Do you remember what I worked on during the Friday Night Sew-In last month? I cut out my Halloween and Thanksgiving aprons. Have I sewn them yet? Of course not! That's what I'll be working on tonight. I can't wait to see how they turn out!  :)

Do you remember the Ghastlies Blog Hop I'm participating in? It starts Monday, October 24th and will end Friday, November 4th. There will be lots of fun projects made with this wonderful fabric plus giveaways. Don't miss out! I will post more details in a future post.

Tonight I will be finishing up my blog hop projects. Here's the fabric I'm using...

This week I started working on a new stitching project. It's suppose to be a Christmas Banner but I'm going to be making a couple of wall quilts. There are seven stitcheries all together and I'm making two of each. Here are two Santa's already stitched up...

These are the fun fabrics I'll be using for the wall hangings. I can't wait to see how they will turn out! (Especially because I haven't figured out the design yet . . .)    :)

The second block in the Fat Quarter Stars Quilt-A-Long was released last Tuesday and I finally got around to making mine. We were able to finish up the block any way we wanted. I love the pinwheel effect that I choose for mine. I really love the way it turned out . . .

I finished up my Halloween Blocks for a Block-of-the-Month swap over at Mary Janes Farm. I made four versions of the block . . . one for me! two for my two swap partners plus an extra one! Here's the one I made for me . . .

The next two are for my swap partners . . .

This was the first time I attempted log cabin blocks. These 12-1/2" blocks are definitely not perfect but I do like the way they turned out. It was definitely a learning process for me. :)

I also finished the Thanksgiving blocks which are the next block in the same series. I also made four of these blocks. The first one is for me! . . . 

And the next two are for my two swap partners . . .

Do you want to see the two extra blocks I made? 

Here's the extra Halloween block . . . 

And the extra Thanksgiving block . . . 

UPDATE:  This giveaway has ended!  :)

Would you like one of these extra blocks for yourself? I am giving them away to two lucky winners! The first winner will get to choose which one they want and the second winner will get the other one. What do you need to do to win one of these blocks?

First chance to win . . . Follow my blog and leave me a comment telling me you are!  :)

Second chance to win . . . Blog about this giveaway and leave me a comment with the link to your post about this giveaway.  :)

The giveaway is open until midnight Tuesday, October 25th. I will choose a winner on Wednesday, October 26th with help of the random number generator, and will post it on my blog. If you are a no-reply blogger please post your email in your comment or you will be disqualified. 

Good Luck! Thanks for sharing in my sewing adventures and for following me!  :)

Until next time...
Cherise  :)

All Caught Up!

With the birdies that is!  :)  I still have many more projects to start... work on... and finish.  :)  But the birdies are done until the next one arrives on November 1st. I can't wait to see the last two. I'm so glad I decided to go ahead and join in on the Birdie Stitches Block of the Month quilt-a-long. If you haven't checked it out do so. They are so much fun! Okay... I know... you're dying to see the last three blocks I did huh?!!! Before I show you I want to let you know that the photos aren't the best... sorry!  :(

For the June block I decided to go with the design Kimberly (mybrownbagstudio) used. She adapted parts from the original design and added a few of her own. Here's my June block...

For the September block I kept the design as is but did add an apple.  :)

The last block I completed is a signature block for the back of the quilt. I took some elements from the original June block design and added my signature and the year. It's kind of hard to see it in the picture... sorry!  :(

I'm kind of sad that I'm all caught up. I will miss the birdies!  :(

Tomorrow I will work on some of my many other projects. I'm hoping I can knock at least one thing off my plate. Keep your fingers crossed that all goes well!  :)

Thanks for visiting! I love your comments!  :)

Until next time...
Cherise  :)

The Birdie's are Flying!

Wow! I'm quite impressed with myself! (That doesn't happen too often... lol!) The birdie's are flying around here. The last time we talked I had 4 done with 6 to go to get caught up with the Birdie Stitches Block of the Month Quilt. Guess how many I finished in the last couple of days? ................................................. 4! I finished 4 more! I can't believe it! I thought maybe 2... perhaps 3... but I never thought I'd finish 4! Now I only have 2 more to get all caught up. Yipeeeeeee! Here are the ones I just finished.

Block #5 ~ May ...

Block #7 ~ July ...

Block #8 ~ August ...

Block #10 ~ October ...

I still have June and September to do. I'm actually going to use part of the June design as a signature block for the back so I actually have 3 more to do to be caught up. I've been trying to decide what design to use for the June block. That may slow me down a bit :(. I will basically use the September design as is but will add a little more. (At least that's what I'm thinking right now... but I'm a woman and I've been known to change my mind ;)!)

I'm just so excited about these little birdie's that I can't stop! I may have withdrawals when I'm all caught up. I've really been enjoying it! I know I keep saying it but I really am! I do have another stitchery project waiting to begin so I will still get my stitching fix. I really need to get back to some other projects I put on the back burner too... Cutting & Mailing my Christmas Fabric Charm Swap  ... 2 Halloween Quilt Block Swaps ... 2 Thanksgiving Quilt Block Swaps ... at least the due dates are over week away... whew! Then I have the Halloween & Thanksgiving aprons that I'm making for myself. They're all cut and ready to sew. Of course I have other projects that are in the works too. Boy this quilting/sewing bug has really bit me big time! I haven't even mentioned the fact that I'm in a Christmas boutique November 17 - 19. Guess I better get started on making things for that too. And then there are Christmas gifts to make! Yes I've overextended myself! (Just a little!!!!!) I always do that. Not quite sure why. It's just my way I guess. There's nothing like stress to motivate you.

Guess I'd better get going and tackle some of these projects. I hope you are doing well and making lots of awesome stuff! Please share your creations with me. I really enjoy seeing them!

Have a Wonderful Day!

Until Next Time...
Cherise  :)