The Beautiful Hill Country and My Jane C-4

Encouraging Words of the Day:

The LORD will work out his plans for my life--for your faithful love, O LORD, endures forever. Don't abandon me, for you made me. ~Psalm 138:8, NLT

Every person dreams and makes plans for the future. Then they work hard to see those dreams and plans come true. But to make the most of life, we must include God's plan in our plans. He alone knows what is best for us; he alone can fulfill his purpose for us. As you make plans and dream dreams, talk with God about them.

The Texas Hill Country is beautiful this time of year. The wildflowers are blooming. I have always wanted to find bluebonnets on our property but was only able to find a few each year. But, this year there are hundreds and they are just gorgeous. Our beautiful land suffered so much though the drought but our trees are coming back and the wildflowers are everywhere. I'm happy again.

Mama and have been spending the time looking over our fabric purchases. Today we cut strips for Mama's quilt so she will be ready to continue working on her quilt today. I cut the binding for my BINGO card so i'll be finishing that today. Yes, I have two sewing machines at the ranch.

Here's another “My Jane” block which I completed on our road trip out here.  It didn't turn out as great as the previous one but it will do.  It actually looks crooked and I don't think it's the photo that's the problem.

C-4

Giveaway:

"Pings and Needles" is giving away a hand-cut-from-my-stash rainbow charm pack of 54 charms. - ends April 5th.

That is all.

One Flower Wednesday and My Jane D-11

Encouraging Words of the Day

Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong. And do everything with love. ~ 1 Corinthians 16:13-14, NLT

Well, I left on a road trip without telling you.  We got busy preparing for the trip etc. and before I knew it, we were on our way and I neglected to blog at all.  So, here we are at our little ranch in the Texas Hill Country.  It’s beautiful!  There are wildflowers blooming all over the place.  I will post photos later.  We also received a much-needed rain (1 ½ inches) last night.

You already know that I like to utilize my time doing hand-sewing while on  a road trip.  For “One Flower Wednesday,” I made these two hexie flowers to add to the hexie quilt I’m planning.  These will be incorporated into the sun and sunshine (somehow).

I completed this block for “My Jane.”  It was all hand-sewn.  I didn’t lose any pieces and I’m pleased with the way it turned out. Look at all the curves it has.

   D-11

Before we left I received my mini quilt from my partner in the “New Beginnings Mini Quilt Swap.”  Lynette is a wonderful seamstress and embroiderer and did a marvelous job on the mini quilt she sent me.  Just look:

Lynette also included some extras: chocolate, gift pouch and instructions for making others myself.  Lynette and her husband live on a sheep farm and how perfect that she also included a fat quarter with sheep in it.  Thanks for everything, Lynette.  I enjoyed my package so much. 

Oh, and back to our road trip.  We brought my parents with us.  I’ve told you that Mama is the quilter who got me started quilting.  On the way, we went through a town that had a marvelous quilt store.  So, the guys were such good sports in entertaining themselves while Mama and I browsed through the quilt store.  We only stayed about 30 minutes.  We didn’t want to take advantage of the guys, plus we still had several hours to drive.  I was able to purchase a beautiful panel for my sister from "My sister made me do it."  She’s working on a “Wizard of Oz” something or other.  We also bought several pieces of fabric and just had a wonderful time.

Last thing today, I want to remind everyone that sign-ups for the "Novelty and Colors Layer Cake Swap"   that my sister and I are hosting will close today, March 28th.  We have room for 3 more. Take advantage of the opportunity to add just a little bit more of that novelty print or color to your stash.  Click HERE for more information and to sign up.

That is all.

Winner of Blog Hop Party Giveaway

Encouraging Words of the Day:

Help me understand the meaning of your commandments, and I will meditate on your wonderful deeds. I weep with sorrow; encourage me by your word.  ~Psalm 119: 27-28, NLT

Our lives are cluttered with rule books, but the authors never come with us to help us follow the rules. But God does. That is the uniqueness of our Bible. God not only provides the rules and guidelines, but comes with us personally each day to strengthen us so that we can live according to those rules. 

Thank you to all who entered my Blog Hop Giveaway and welcome to all my new followers.  I hope you enjoyed the Blog Hop Party with Giveaways! I thought it was so much fun and ran into so many generous bloggers.

I am giving away a Moda “Wee Play” charm pack. 

 I have run the Random Number Generator:

and the winner is #165 - Charlene S.

Charlene S said... 165

I think I would pair it with fabrics that fit the colors and make a kids or wheelchair quilt.

Congratulations, Charlene.  I will get this off to you as soon as I get your snail mail address.  

Last thing today, I want to remind everyone that sign-ups for the "Novelty and Colors Layer Cake Swap"   that my sister and I are hosting will be closing on Wednesday, March 28th. 

We have room for  7  6  5  4  3 more. Take advantage of the opportunity to add just a little bit more of that novelty print or color to your stash.  Click HERE for more information and to sign up.

That is all.

One-Flower Wednesday and My Jane D-11

Encouraging Words of the Day:

This is the day the LORD has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it. ~Psalm 118:24, NLT

There are days when the last thing we want to do is rejoice. Our mood is down, our situation is out of hand, and our sorrow or guilt is overwhelming. We can relate to the writers of the psalms who often felt this way. But no matter how low the psalmists felt, they were always honest with God. And as they talked to God, their prayers ended in praise.

When you don't feel like rejoicing, tell God how you truly feel. You will find that God will give you a reason to rejoice. God has given you this day to live and to serve him--be glad!

Good morning!  It’s One Flower Wednesday! Karen from Journey of a Quilter provides a linky for all of us to share our hexagon flowers each Wednesday.  If you would like to see more flowers out there in blogland, just click HERE and look below for mine.  They look a little strange today but I’m trying to make a “sort of” picture with my hexies and this is the way they’re turning out.  I’m hoping the end-result will be beautiful rather than strange…

And here’s my "Free Motion Quilting Challenge" finally done.  It’s little flowers, in case you can’t tell. We had the option, this month, of choosing from several designs.

I do the free motion quilting on the back of the hanging I make for the following month,which in this case is April so I made it for Easter.

And finally, here’s another “My Jane” block.  This was pretty easy paper-piecing and appliqué and I like the way it turned out.

D-11

Reminder:

My sister and I are hosting a fabric swap called the "Novelty and Colors Layer Cake Swap."   Take advantage of the opportunity to add just a little bit more of that novelty print or color to your stash.  Click HERE for more information and to sign up.

That is all.

My Jane B-6 on Monday Afternoon

Encouraging Words of the Day:

I am leaving you with a gift, ”peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid. ~ John 14:27, NLT

What’s up?  Me?  I tried to get back to “My Jane.”  I chose what looked like an easy block since I’d been away from “My Jane” for a while.  Wrong!  I chose B-6 because it looked like easy paper-piecing.  Wrong again.  I worked on this forever and it is still crooked and funny, just the way it is going to remain.

 B-6

But better things happened.  Look what I got for my birthday from my “Year of Rugs” partner.  My birthday was in February but she still took the time to send me something, that something being this beautiful pattern for sewing up a tote bag made from hexies.  Kitty, thanks so much,  You must know how much I love sewing hexies and this is perfect!

I now have 3 “Little Houses” for the "Building Houses From Scraps"  Jeanneke from Holland is hosting.  Go to the link and look at all sorts of cute houses. 

Here are my 3:

These are 3 1/2 inch blocks and are perfect for doing something with your scrap pile.

Reminder:

My sister and I are hosting a fabric swap called the "Novelty and Colors Layer Cake Swap."   Take advantage of the opportunity to add just a little bit more of that novelty print or color to your stash.  Click HERE for more information and to sign up.

Now I’m off to:

Tackle another “My Jane” block.

Cut out my second Swoon block,

Finish my mug rug for my “Year of Mugs”  April partner,

Work on my FMQ for the Challenge,

Make more “Little Houses”

Blog Hop

Don’t tell me I have nothing to do. . . . 

Giveaways:

"Leona's Quilting Adventure" is celebrating 1000 followers with a giveaway of 4 charm packs, a spool of variegated thread,  Marty Mitchell's Log Cabin ABC's and both Rulers that go with the Book, an apron panel, and a yard of fabric. - ends March 31st.

"Annie's Ruby Slipperz" is giving away an AccuQuilt Baby Go Cutter and 3 dies. - ends March 24th.

That is all.

Blog Hop Party !

Encouraging Words of the Day:

How kind the LORD is.  How good he is, so merciful, this God of ours. ~ Psalm 116:5, NLT

It’s time for another Blog Hop Party … let’s have some FUN!

The "Blog Hop Party"  is starting today, March 16th and lasting until March 23rd. The list of bloggers participating in the Blog Hop Party will be made available Saturday morning, March 17th, shortly after midnight, Eastern time. Click HERE for the  list of giveaways.

I'm joining in the fun and offering a Moda “Wee Play” charm pack.  The charms in this pack are so adorable that I bought one for myself and one for the lucky winner.

All you have to do is leave me a comment.  You might mention what you’d like to use the charm pack for.  International bloggers welcome also.

Reminder:

My sister and I are hosting a fabric swap called the "Novelty and Colors Layer Cake Swap."   Take advantage of the opportunity to add just a little bit more of that novelty print or color to your stash.  Click HERE for more information and to sign up.

That is all.

Novelty and Colors Layer Cake Swap

Swap Now Closed-
 

Encouraging Words of the Day:

Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path. ~ Psalm 119:105, NLT

Thursday.  I try to post on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday or Saturday.  Today I’m posting to remind everyone that my sister and I are hosting a fabric swap called the "Novelty and Colors Layer Cake Swap." 

 This is the first swap we’ve hosted so we’re still working through some of the details.  We don’t even realize we have a problem until someone asks us a question such as:

1.   “How about postage outside of the United States?  Our self-addressed stamped envelopes with stamps from another country won’t work.”

Ok, what we will do is accept payment for your postage via PayPal.  We will take your self-addressed envelope to the post office and find out what the cost for postage will be and let you know.  Once we receive your PayPal payment, we will mail your fabric.

2.   I see 24 colors listed but would only be sending in 12 squares, so does that mean I wouldn't get all of the colors back or all of the novelty?

You will be sending in 24 squares: 12 solid/blend and 12 novelty

You will receive 24 different squares back. You will not receive all of the colors listed, only 12 of them. We listed 24 so there would be 24 different colors and less likelihood of duplicates. The same thing for the novelty, you will get 12 different novelty of the 24 sent in. The only way to get all 24 would be if one sent in 24 solids and 24 novelty. We thought this might cause a hardship on some since that would be a total of 4 yards so to keep it to two yards, we are trying it this way.

If you choose to send 24 squares of each, you would need to send:

12 squares of solid #1

12 squares of solid #2 (different color from #1)

12 squares of a novelty fabric

12 squares of a different novelty fabric

In essence, you are sending in 2 entries.  We’re doing it this way to create a variety of colors and novelty fabrics.

I hope I’ve cleared up “some” questions and not “muddied up the waters.”

That is all.