Thursday, November 29, 2012

A Little Bit About Quilting - GIVE AWAY!!!


 
I have received some really nice compliments about my quilting lately - thanks for the kindness quilting buddies!  I just wanted to show how I quilted this one.  I am not crazy about marking my quilts but I must say, when I do, the result is MUCH more consistent.
 
For this one I only marked the snowball blocks - it's 5" square finished so perfect for a design that is created on a square grid!  The first thing I did was grab my water soluble marking pen.  I learned a very hard lesson after spending HOURS laboring over a previous sample I created from this pattern - mark lightly and just what you need!  Using a small ruler I created a grid on my snowman face.


You can mark the little curves if it helps - but I found that they looked about the same for me whether I marked or not - so I marked one to show you, but didn't go on any further than this.


Then just stitch on the line!  I REALLY love that shiny look of polyester thread on white fabric.  Doesn't it make you think of snow?

 
 
The rest of the quilt was free motioned with a steady hand.  I love creating viney loopety loops with things thrown in between like holly leaves, hearts, or stars.  You can do just about any little thing with a loopety loop!
 
The lesson I learned the hard way?  Mark lightly with that water soluble marker - because my orange noses RAN from the water I used to remove them!  After making this quilt a few times I realized it's best to mark really light, then go back with just dabs of water on a q-tip to remove the ink.
 

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

GIVEAWAY!!!


 The next pattern is HERE!!!
 
Pineapple Snowmen by Valerie Smith is now available in my Etsy shop for PDF download!  Kits and printed patterns to come...

 
Step by step easy to follow instructions are included with this 23" square quilt pattern, cutting charts, diagrams, and numbered printable foundation patterns with color placement reminders.
 
A HUGE THANK YOU to pattern testers CINDY AND JANET!!!  You were such a huge help, I cannot thank you ladies enough for volunteering your time and FABRIC - even with the holidays in full swing!
 
Here is my finished Pineapple Snowmen

 
Cindy preferred her table topper without the snowmen applique, looks great Cindy!
 
 
Janet's table topper turned out just adorable too!
 


Are you ready for the GIVE AWAY?????

I will be giving away this pattern FREE to THREE READERS!!!

Comment below for a chance to WIN your FREE Pineapple Snowmen PDF Pattern - "like" The Pumpkin Patch Quilter on Facebook and comment back here stating that you did for a second chance to win!

This give away will end on SATURDAY - DECEMBER 8th at 11:59pm and the winners will be announced on the 9th.

Good luck and thank you!!!

Are you ready for a giveaway?

Sewing with pals...



...can be dangerous!

Yesterday my friend came over to sew and assaulted my ironing board!  Hahahaha - after she apologized profusely I told her not to worry about it, it's FUNNY, and that I fully planned on teasing her relentlessly about it for a very long time.  ;)

This week has been a busy one.  I have been working hard in preperation for Christmas and in my world that means sewing day and night.  I mean it too when I say day and night!  Yesterday I sewed for six hours straight on my little Brother, and I don't think it was too happy with me.  Four of those hours were free motion and I've been working that machine pretty hard over the past week or so.  It started making a really crazy lagging grinding noise.  EEK!  Hopefully I didn't wear it out already.  I think I might sew  more than this little machine is intended for!!!  Right now the Husband and I are planning a large quilty purchase in the spring, but after that I'd really like to get my  hands on a Juki!  I hear such great things about them and from what I understand they are really made for the heavy free motion work load I put my sewing machines through.

So are you ready for a give away after the busy holiday weekend we just had???  Keep an eye out for my next post!

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Winter is Just Around the Corner


I hope everyone in the states has a wonderful Thanksgiving tomorrow!  (I hope everyone NOT in the states has a wonderful day too!!!)

Today I am cooking, cleaning, and finishing up projects.  Can you believe winter is just around the corner?

Happy Sewing! 

Monday, November 19, 2012

Pattern Tester Needed!

Anyone interested in testing a pattern for me?  It is a small winter themed paper pieced project - I pulled a few fabrics for my sample...


Comment below!  :)

Saturday, November 17, 2012

Christmas Quilt

On the sewing table today is a Christmas table quilt I'm working on.  I had a long and fun visit with my Mom today, so afterwards I pieced this quick top.  I pulled a few fabrics for applique holly leaves and berries but am escaping the children a few minutes here and posting instead of sewing!


The middle daughter can finally reach the sewing machine foot pedal, so today she experimented.  Just practice stitching, but she was thrilled.  :)  I promised both oldest girls that we could buy fat quarters tomorrow when we grocery shop and they could make Christmas gifts for my Mother in Law's yorkies - Harley and Bella.  Lol*  They cannot wait...and I'm looking forward to it myself. 

Friday, November 16, 2012

Learning to Quilt - Tools to Get Started

This post was inspired by a couple of my friends who are learning to sew.  I know on occasion I get visitors to this blog who are new to sewing and quilting, so I thought they might benefit from this information as well! 

Here is a short list (and long explanations for those so motivated to read them) of what I recommend for my friend, and a little about why I use the particular items listed.

Sewing Machine - Of all of my sewing machines I use my Simplicity Quilter's Classic the most.  Of course you can hand sew, but in my opinion, I think machine piecing should come first, then hand piecing.  I know that is slightly backwards from the thinking of generations before me. 

My personal feeling is that it is much easier to piece by machine, so get a feel for that 1/4" seam and for what your piece work should look like on the sewing machine first.  I think learning this way will save you frustration later and you can achieve success quickly, motivating you to want to sew more!

What sewing machine you ask? 

Well that is completely your personal preference.  I use my Simplicity because I'm familiar with it, it was what I could afford when I was sewing machine shopping and it has the features that are important to me. 

Just know that, you do NOT need an expensive fancy machine to create amazing quilts.  I REPEAT, you do NOT need a fancy expensive machine to create beautiful and AMAZING quilts!  They are nice to have and can really make things easier - if you can afford it, by all means, go buy one!  But if you are like me, on a budget, buy the best that you can afford and know that in reality all that is completely needed to quilt with any sewing machine is the ability to zig zag, reverse, drop feed or cover feed, and a speed controlled foot pedal. 

An extension table is extremely useful to have and I would urge you to spend just a little more for a machine that has one, or that one can be purchased for at a later time if your goal ultimately is to quilt.  These are all pretty much standard features nowadays on any machine, aside from the extension table, and can be found pretty easily and affordable in most communities.

 
 
Scissors and Rotary Cutter - Those orange scissors I have there have been around for a very long time.  My Mother gave those to me about eleven years ago when my Husband and I moved in together!  They are still going strong too - I did drop them and crack the handle, hence the tape!  But it doesn't stop me from cutting with them!
 
You are going to want a good pair of fabric scissors.  Why?  Just try cutting fabric with your regular household scissors once.  It's not going to happen.  These are extra sharp scissors made for cutting fabric.  Many of us who have been sewing since a child had a Mother who would all but throw us out of the house if we dared to use her fabric scissors for cutting paper. 
 
Keep them sharp and use them for their intended purpose.  They are an inexpensive and necessary investment in your sewing and if you take care of them, will last you a very long time just as mine have!

 

 
 
You're also going to want a rotary cutter to quickly cut your fabrics. 
 
If you are worried about cutting your other hand as you go, there are protective gloves that can be found in just about any fabric store in the quilting section. 
 
I have cut the very tip of my finger off - so know yourself! 
 
The best advice I was ever given is to NEVER leave your blade OPEN when not using your rotary cutter.  I literally, close the blade and push up the protective safety doohickey (that's a technical term there) IMMEDIATELY after I've cut.  I'll probably regret that later when I get carpal tunnel, but it's much better than accidentally knocking an open blade on your foot when sewing in socks.  :) 
 
I believe some rotary cutters even close automatically when you're not pressing it down to cut.  The one I have is by Olfa, and just happened to be the most affordable and available rotary cutter to me when I was shopping for one.  I have also used the Fiscars brand rotary cutter.
 
Just a note about those little red nippers on the far right of the above picture.  I LOVE those. 
 
They are by Fons and Porter and I bought them at Jo Ann Fabrics on clearance years ago- so I don't know if they still carry them.  I'm sure you could find another brand...they are MY FAVORITE tiny clippers ever.  I don't use my stork scissors any longer, with these I can cut very close to my work and they are VERY sharp so I can even clip very small sections of fabric with them and have a lot of control. 
 
I use them when binding, hand quilting, cutting my free motion quilting threads, for applique...you name it.  You don't need these immediately, but I REALLY love mine and think anyone who gets into sewing could benefit from them.  They are great!
 
Thread - To start I recommended my friend use 100% cotton thread made for machine quilting.  I use it both for piecing and for quilting.  Later on you can play with different threads, but this is pretty much the standard.  I believe "they" say you should use like fibers together - so cotton with cotton (or another natural fiber like silk). 
 
Thread weight does matter, and usually cotton comes in 40 or 50 weight.  Look at the bottom or top of your spool for fiber content and weight - often times the application (embroidery, quilting, applique, etc.) will be labeled there as well.
 
I have heard in the past it was said that polyester would break the cotton fibers of your fabric because it is stronger than cotton.  I think that has pretty much dissolved as being a myth nowadays though.  Most long arm quilters I have come into contact with use poly or a poly cotton blend when quilting - and I have yet to hear a disaster story where polyester thread was used on a cotton pieced quilt.  Polyester thread give a different effect and look when quilting than cotton so I would say, try out the cotton first because it is easy to find and use, and get a feel for it.  Then play and see what you like better later on.  I use both poly and cotton on different projects for different effects.  I'm still dipping my toes into the thread waters myself - there is a lot of room for fun and creativity.
 
As for brands, when I started quilting I used Coats & Clark machine quilting thread because it was easy to find, but discovered that I had a lot of issues with it in my sewing machine.  I tend to have better luck with Essential Threads (from connectingthreads.com) - it is really affordable and they often have sales where you can stock up.  It can be a linty thread, so clean out your bobbin area often.
 
Later on down the line you may find you have a personal preference for another brand of thread (King Tut cotton thread by Superior Threads is my current favorite), but to start I would use what is affordable and easily available to you.
 
OH - for piecing, I almost forgot to mention...I use two color threads most of the time.  I use a light gray for light colored fabrics and a deeper taupe/tan color for dark fabrics.  If I have a lot of black or white I will then use black or white for piecing - for example if I'm piecing a baby quilt with white and baby pink fabrics.  I pick a color and buy, maybe, ten spools of that color for piecing for the year and just prewind bobbins to go with them.  That way I'm never running to the store to buy "piecing" thread and I can just grab for that thread without much thought.



Sewing Machine Feet - The ONE sewing machine foot I CANNOT live without is my quarter inch foot. 

See the small metal foot in the picture below?  Sometimes they will be clear and I personally like the metal one better.  It is invaluable to your sewing.  A must in my opinion.  You will still want to measure where your needle falls to where the "true" quarter inch is - I will show how to do that in another post - but once you know where that magic 1/4" spot is you are set.  I don't even really take this foot off for regular sewing unless I have to!

The attachment next to the quarter inch foot is called a darning foot.  This is used for free motion quilting.  You may find these with a small metal circle instead of a clear plastic one.  (See how I broke my foot for the better in my last post!)  Sometimes they are square, round, oblong - they may have red guide marks or may not have any at all. 

If you ever plan to free motion quilt you'll have to have one of these darning attachments.  Some machines come with them, some do not, but they are pretty inexpensive and easy to find.

 
 
The last foot in the picture up there is a walking foot.  This is really optional and I would not say it is NOT necessary to have right away. 
 
What it is, is basically a feed for the top of your fabric.  When using a walking foot you have those little feed dogs pushing your fabric through on the bottom and with the attachment feed pulling fabric through on the top too. 
 
Some higher end machines have a built in walking foot that you simply activate when you need to and so you do not have to have a separate attachment.  Some people really like this foot for piecing, binding, or even quilting. 
 
All I can say is, when the time comes, try it.  I personally detest mine and rarely use it.  Lol*  There HAVE been instances when it has come in handy, but I almost never use it for quilts.  I wanted to include it though, because as I said, some quilters swear by their walking foot.  Try it out, and you be the judge.  :)
 
 
Needles - I could devote an entire post to needles alone because there is a lot to know about them.  
 
Understanding needles is great knowledge to have, and it will really help the quality of your work, but for now I'm going to just focus on what I use.  I use these these needles because I can afford them, I can easily find them, and they get the job done for me. 
 
I love to share so when and if I find something that works better - you'll be the first to know about it!  :)
 
For my friend I recommended Schmetz 90/14 sharps.  They can be used for piecing and quilting both when using standard 40 or 50 wt. cotton thread.  They are affordable and you can even buy them at Walmart now.  On occasion, to save a few bucks, I have purchased the Singer universal needles shown in the picture below.  I ONLY use them for piecing, and find that I go through them like water.  I'd rather spend the extra few bucks for the Schmetz but sometimes I just don't have a choice. 
 


Seam Ripper - Another MUST.  No matter how amazing you are at sewing, at some point, you're going to "oops".  You are going to become great friends with this little guy, and may need to buy him a brother and a sister to help keep up with his hefty work load.

 

 Fabric - This is again personal preference.  The general rule of thumb for quilting is to stick with 100% cotton fabrics.  (There's a trend happening here with this cotton thing huh?  Lol*)  It's really easy to work with and easy to find.  The cool thing about quilting is you don't need a lot to get started.  For utility quilts I buy a lot from Walmart and Jo Ann's.  I like to support my local quilt shops when I can, and understand you're going to pay a little more but you're also going to get a quality product - not to mention all the knowledge of a passionate quilter!  I generally save those expensive fabrics for my best and most involved projects.  For items I intend to use a lot, I buy the best I can afford and what is easily available.  (See another trend happening here?)

I could go on forever here too.  Fabric comes on bolts, in precut packages, in jellyrolls, in fat quarters...lots of ways.  Quilters like variety!  Head to the quilting section of your local fabric store and see what your options are.  :)

 
 
A side note about fabric - as my good friend Miss Margaret and I were reminded recently when getting our fabric cut, sometimes you will see a line of color dots on the selvage of your fabric.  Those are there for manufacturing and production purposes but we can fully take advantage of that break down of colors to help choose the fabrics for our quilts!  Any color you see there is IN the fabric print and this can be really helpful if you struggle looking at a fabric and pulling out the colors in it.

Bobbins - I keep empty and prewound bobbins around always.  I'm not really going to say much about these other than I bought that nifty storage case at Walmart and it really helps keep me organized.  It is made by Singer and was found near the sewing machines.  I have also see blue circular bobbin organizers and I think those would be really great to have too!

Generally when quilting, I need 3 or 4 bobbins of one color to get through a small lap or bed quilt, so I will prewind the amount I think I will need so that I don't have to wind when I run out in the middle of a project.  I keep piecing thread bobbins prewound and ready to go all the time. 

That is all I have to say about that for now!  :)


Rulers - To start quilting you are going to need a couple of rulers.  You can get away with one to start, but when you can I think  it is best to have at least two.  A medium/small sized ruler and a large one.  You are going to want your large ruler for cutting large hunks of fabric and definitely for squaring up your quilt when you're finished.  You'll want a second ruler to help with that squaring up process, but also you want something small and easier to handle than the large ruler for measuring and cutting smaller pieces. 

Not a lot to say about that. 

Of what I have, I like the Omnigrid best - they are a little grippy on the bottom and I like the bright yellow highlighting.  Makes things much easier to see.  The Fiscars ruler came with my rotary cutting mat - it does the job but the marks are wearing.  I use it a lot though, and I've had it for about 7 years.  When I go back to rebuy, I will probably buy an Omnigrid in that size.  I think they are a little easier to read.  A ruler is a ruler to me and I don't have any great attachment to any one ruler or brand.


Cutting Mat - How did I forget to take a picture of that alone?  You'll need a rotary cutting mat to cut with your rotary cutter! 

You want a larger size at least as big as the one I'm using shown in the picture.  I believe the measuring table on it is 24 inches square - but don't quote me on that. 

You can usually find starter type kits that have the rotary cutter, mat, and large ruler all together at Walmart or Jo Ann fabrics, possibly your local quilt shop too. 

A quilt shop is going to be more familiar with different brands and may give you a more detailed recommendation than I can give here.

Pins - I'm not terribly picky about pins, other than to say that I like a very thin long pin for piecing, and a glass head if I can find it. 

Plastic flower head quilting pins are found just about anywhere you can find craft supplies, but I don't care for them only because the thick pin seems to shift my pieces.  The thinner pins are harder to find for me, you may have to special order them, but they cause less disruption and I get more accurate results with them. 

I also like the glass heads better than plastic because sometimes I want to iron while I still have pins in my fabric - and melting your plastic pins onto your $11 a yard fabric is no fun!!!

Right now I'm using discontinued Fons and Porter glass head pins from Jo Ann's but am in desperate need for more.  I have heard good things about Clover long pins - I will have to do a post!  Maybe I can ask around or someone online can give me a recommendation there.

I say, to start, get what you can find easily to start and experiment later.  You will never regret having extra pins around.




Safety Pins - Not a lot to say about these either!  If you are quilting your own quilt you'll want to baste your quilt sandwich (quilt top, batting, and quilt back) with safety pins.  I pin every two or three inches but I'm not obsessive about it.  DO not bust out your ruler for this unless you enjoy stressing yourself out.  :)  Once you sew a wrinkle in the back of your quilt from not basting close enough you'll never forget again!  :)

You can get safety pins anywhere - I prefer the larger ones because they are easier to take out without stabbing yourself.  You can find colored ones at some office supply stores and they are nice to help you see the pins!

Batting - Batting is another one I could go on and on about!  To start, for my friends beginning to sew, I would say they have three great affordable options.  For small projects I really like inexpensive quilter's fleece from Walmart.  It is only 45" wide off the bolt, and 100% polyester.  Liking polyester batting or not is totally a matter of personal preference.  The general consensus seems to be people either love it or hate it. 

The only thing I WOULDN'T use it for is anything intended for a child.  In a fire or high heat situation polyester melts, and just as a precaution, kind of like buying fire retardant pajamas, you may want to avoid polyester batting.  Anything for children I go with 100% cotton batting.

I like polyester fine for a wall hanging or table mat, but I generally don't use it for anything larger than those items.

For functional quilts I like Warm and White or Warm and Natural cotton batting.  It's inexpensive, easy to find in large sizes, and it feels great after quilting.

I generally use Warm and Natural for hand quilting because it has more give to it, and Warm and White for machine quilting.

My favorite batting is Hobbs 80/20 (80% cotton, and 20% polyester) but it is no longer available locally and unless I really want it for a project I just don't want to mess with ordering it.  I REALLY like this batting though, and have had great results hand quilting AND machine quilting with it.

One preference I have found for myself personally, is that I don't care for bagged batting.  I'd much rather buy off the bolt and buy a little more than I need.  Those leftover hunks often become gifts or experiments, and I don't like to throw away awkward unusable pieces.  To me it's like throwing away change that could be spent on thread or fat quarters!!!

 
 
**I think that's about it to start out!  If I forgot anything or anyone has something to add please comment to this post and keep all that great information together!  :)  Feel free to ask questions in the comments too!

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

THIS IS AWESOME!!!

I don't know who you are who posted anonymously to my free motion practice post, but THANK YOU!!!  I never even THOUGHT of doing this!!!  I have been to Leah Day's site before but had never seen this ---> click here to see super awesome video and tutorial.  Leah shows how she turns a less than awesome darning foot...into an awesome one.



I just saved ten bucks, and this stay at home Mom is pretty happy about it!  :)

Here is the darning foot for my Brother SQ9050 as it came with my machine...


Leah used jeweler's nippers?  Was that what they were called?  I used a rusty pair of pruning shears that somehow made their way into my laundry room cupboard.  I don't know what that's about.  Was I pruning roses in there?  Oh and a nail file.  (No shortage on those.  When I'm not sewing I'm painting my nails...)


MUAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!  BASK IN THE AWESOMENESS!!! 


Alright well I guess it's not that big of a deal.  But I saved ten bucks and a week of delivery time so I'm happy.  Thank you whoever posted that!!!

Now I must seriously get off of the computer and get something done around here.

What Would You Do?

I am forcing myself to work on this quilt.  You know how when you FORCE yourself you just stop feeling it...and it starts to turn ugly?  I think that's what's happening here.



I do NOT like that outer ring of feathers or the geometric kind of triangles.  Would you rip?  I mean, that's a LOT of ripping.  But it's driving me bonkers.

 
Edited at 6:31pm to add....I ripped.  LOL*  :)

Monday, November 12, 2012

The Thread Obsession Continues - GIVE AWAY WINNER!

 
 
I am having a good time quilting the circular geese quilt - it's becoming in essence, a giant PRACTICE project!  I have always been the sort that only needs to do something once or twice before I catch on to a better way, or start actively seeking one.  But with that - I like to try EVERYTHING at least once or twice!  :)  So while this is far from perfect work, I have learned SO very much even with the small bit of quilting I have finished.
 
So far I have used three different threads.  A 40wt. Superior Threads Rainbows polyester, Sulky 100% Rayon, also a 40 wt., and Coats and Clark polyester intended for machine embroidery that also happens to be 40 wt.  I'm using a Schmetz 70/10 Microtex Sharp needle.  I have been making attempts to expand my quilting thread horizons over the past year or so, and three have become favorites in my limited experience with threads other than cotton for decorative quilting. 
 
Today I am on the hunt for bobbin washers.  I am headed to a favorite quilt shop and hoping she carries them.  If not I've seen them on Ebay.  See all those little nests and knots in corners and at my start and stop locations?  From what I understand, Little Genie Bobbin Washers are supposed to help with that.  I'm using a plastic drop in bobbin - I'm not sure if it will still be successful but it's worth the $10 for me to find out!  They were created by Sharon Schamber...and who doesn't want to quilt like her?
 
 
 
 
Oh and guess what?  My darning foot IS interchangeable after all!  It's just the snap on feet that won't go from the Simplicity to the Brother - so I'll have to purchase a quarter inch foot for that.  I bought a nifty little acrylic measuring doodad from Bonnie Hunter when I saw her that helps you find your quarter inch on any machine.  THAT has proved to be $3 well spent!!!  :)
 
Knots aside, it's really pretty isn't it?  I am proud!  I regret those outer feathers a bit, I don't like them from the back, but I'm not a fan of ripping unless I have no choice.  I'd rather just do better next time.



GIVE AWAY WINNER!!!

Thank you to all who entered my celebratory give away!!!  Being published for the first time (by someone outside of myself!!!)  was a huge accomplishment for me and certainly a bit of validation that all my hard work is paying off.  Not to mention, how honored could a girl feel to be included in a magazine with such amazing creative people?!  Why, it is simply surreal.  :)

I think it is a wonderful and useful thing to set goals for yourself as a quilter and to reach them one by one - that has to be just about the most amazing feeling ever!  I've made such great friends along the way and learned so very much.  Quilting has become so much more than a hobby for me.  It's my passion, it's my sanity, it's my art, it's how I express myself, it's how I show others my love.  I hope to only keep improving on my skills, setting goals, and REACHING them in the future!

So thank you my quilting friends!!!  :)

I assigned each entry a number and entered all numbers into a random number generator...and the winner is...

Comment Number 1 - ANITA!!! 

Anita if you could please contact me with your mailing address I will be sending you a little gift from me very soon!

Saturday, November 10, 2012

Resurrection of Circular Geese


Progress...






I'm FINALLY quilting this.  I really considered having this long armed just to get it done...but I can use the practice.  I lightened the pictures a bit so you could see the stitches better - sorry if it's a bit washed out!  I love this quilt but I've been working on it for around three years now...all I see are the things I could improve on!  I just kind of want to get it quilted and see it hanging.  :) 

I realized after I turned it over...my feathers don't connect on the back!!!  They kind of look like seashells don't they?  I think I like it.  :)

Friday, November 9, 2012

Free Motion Practice and GIVE AWAY!!!

 
 

 
This is what a solid hour of free motion practice looks like...below are sepia and black and white altered images so you can see the stitching better...
 




 
 
I REALLY need to practice heirloom feathers more.  I still don't have control over them.  I start off good then you can see I start to wander.  This is all free hand but I bet placing the line down before I sew would help.  Next time.  I used the Brother for this but am going to go back and practice with the Simplicity - I cannot see where I'm going with the darning foot on the Brother.  I like the one on my Simplicity much better but they don't interchange - pooh!  The one that came with the Brother is clear, and you'd think that would help!  It's great for contrasting colors, but when using the same color thread as the fabric I can't find my stitches and I start running into lines.  I'm going to have to look into an open toe darning foot for this machine and see if that helps. 
 
I'm no where near Diane Gaudynski yet - but I'm on my way!!!  :)
 
Oh yes, and don't forget to ENTER MY GIVE AWAY!!!  I'll be drawing a winner soon so this is your lance chance!  :)

Friday, November 2, 2012

Quilts and More MAGAZINE Watch 2012!!! GIVEAWAY!!!

Ok - I think I can breathe again.  HOLY COW!!!  I still cannot believe my little ol' tote is on the COVER of Quilts and More magazine!!!  Last night a friend spotted it at Walmart, the first store in my area to carry the Winter issue...and yes, I checked.  LOL*  We immediately jumped in the car and ran to the store to make complete fools of ourselves.  
 


Oh my!!!  My poor lil' baby - in Mommy's excitement I neglected to change her out of her pajama's...I don't think she minded too much.  :)

 
 
The Boopety Doop (a.k.a. Emma) is proud of Mommy!  :)  That looks delicious enough to eat Mom...


My handsome scruffy Husband exhausted from work - isn't he a good guy to hop in the van moments after arriving home to go check out the magazine?  Love you Husband!  I did let him change out of his shirt and tie before dragging him out...


 Good bye magazine!!!  I will see you  next grocery trip.  I am so thrilled that you are here!

 
There it is!!!  How amazing is that???


My name in PRINT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Hahaha, after all that silliness we were a hungry little bunch.  The older two daughters were busy being spoiled at their Nana's house so it was off to our favorite diner to eat.  What a great day it was!

Don't forget to "LIKE" The Pumpkin Patch Quilter on Facebook and ENTER MY CELEBRATORY GIVEAWAY!!!

GIVEAWAY NOW CLOSED - THANK YOU FOR ENTERING!!!

Thursday, November 1, 2012

OH MY GAWSH! THE MAGAZINE IS HERE!!!

A friend spotted the Quilts and More issue that my tote has been published in at Walmart today!!!  So of course - I headed to Walmart IMMEDIATELY!!! 


As soon as I stop freaking out with excitement I will post more pictures!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!