Pattern Giveaway and Happy Sunday

Uh oh, we need more comments!  Please enter my pattern giveaway by commenting on this post:

http://pumpkinpatchquilter.blogspot.com/2011/08/pattern-give-away.html

Happy Sunday!  :)

Almost a Top and Giveaway Update

Geese!  I love geese...especially pretty pretty batik geese.  ;)  This quilt has been in the works for over a year now, but I'm finally nearing the end.  Working on my last two borders today.  The girls have a game for cheerleading this afternoon so I may not get to do much until late this evening, but I will be dreaming of it all day!  :)

I updated the pattern giveaway to give you all more chances to win!  Don't forget to go check it out...  ;)

Pattern Give Away

I tried my hand at pattern writing, and I thought this was awful cute!  I am always coming up with project ideas and I have been wanting to do this for years.  Life is short, so why not?  Here goes...

My first pattern!  Alright folks I'm not saying I'm Jinny Beyer or anything, but this was fun and I'm an awful proud girl.  Here are a couple color options:

I would like to give away a free pattern to one of you reading out there, and say thank you for the encouragement and inspiration.  I have come into contact with so many wonderful people through blogging, and I'll tell you what, NOTHING can improve one's self esteem more than a couple comments telling you "good job!"  :)

This is going to be an easy peasy give away.  All you have to do is comment and you're in.  Be sure I have a way to contact you if you should win.  If you're email isn't available through your profile or you don't have a blog, please leave me some way to get ahold of you.

This giveaway starts...as soon as this post is published.  When does it end?  Whenever my little heart pleases!  As long as you are commenting I will keep it open...when comments slow down...I will close it up and draw a winner.  (In other words, you'll have to check back often for a winner!)

Thank you again to all of you who have been following along and "hanging" out with me for the past several years.  It's been so much fun and I look forward to many more years of blogging, and lots of new and fun exciting things to blog about!  :)

***This Giveaway is Now Closed***

My Little Quilter

How did I get so lucky?  My Husband is truly wonderful, and my kids are just amazing.  I love them to bits and more.  My oldest is SO proud of her first hand pieced block...as she should be.  This is my overwhelming joy, my family.  :)

Christmas in ... August

Only a crafting mind would start thinking of Christmas this far ahead, right?  Us sewers and quilters know it takes time to create our treasures, so I've begun thinking ahead.

I bought this panel a few years back at the very first and only quilt retreat I've ever been on.  My Mother and I went together and a vedor there was selling the collection and I went a little overboard.  I made a quilt top from another panel purchased that has also yet to be quilted...I better get on that.  :)

More thread and feather experimenting...

I never thought I'd get that into panels, but this whole thread thing just opened up a new dimension of quilting to fall in love with.  This is why I just NEVER get sick of quilts!!!  There is so much creativity to be had.

A Tote for Me and a Quilt for Etsy :)

All those totes and I really wanted one for myself.  I showed you the Kate Spain fabric I purchased to make one...and I finally finished!  I've been "toting" it around all weekend, I love it!

This is the front...

...the back...

...a closeup of the stitching...

...the handles...I wanted a little more color in the handles so I used some of the charms there too...

...a closeup of the inside stitching...

...isn't it pretty?  This picture just doesn't do the richness of that fuschia and orange together justice.  I'm really happy with it.  It's nice and sturdy and I can toss it in the wash if it gets dirty.  Perfect for a Momma of 3!

Oh and I cannot forget my Etsy chinese coin quilt...I am so happy with how this turned out.  Isn't it pretty?  I am so glad I finally experimented with poly thread and bleached muslin fabric.  I just love this clean crisp look.

More feather practice!  LOL*  I am so happy with it though.  I can really see the improvement, I think the spines on these are much more polished looking.  I can only improve the more I do them.

Thready Freddy.

That's a lot like Feathers Shmeathers.  ;)

Got my thread order today, and bought some thread on sale from Jo-Anns after my good experience with poly for quilting.  Also bought some low loft poly (fleece) batting to experiment with.  I love the look and feel of cotton but I'm going broke at $13 a yard and hopefully this poly will give a similar look and cut the cost a little.  I can also lower the price a bit on my Etsy quilts, as I know not everyone afford $100 for a baby quilt.  We will see.  The biggest thing I want to get done is my tote!  I have been making so many for others I want my own!  :)

Anyhow...here's my pretty new things...  :)