Winning Love

Note: This is to give bloggers and their giveaways a shout out and it is my way of giving additional thanks to them.

• On October 25, 2016, I found out I won some Tonga Treats Batiks (2.5" strips) from the McCall's Quilting site. These are precut fabrics by Timeless Treasures. The prize I received was a set called Autumn (SKU: TREAT-STRIP-AUTUMN). I love how the package included a pattern called Confetti designed by Jill Boyd. I think I will use that pattern because I never really made anything using batiks before.

  

• On November 16, 2016, I was notified by Clothworks' blog that I won Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks Volume 14 magazine.
  
• On December 12, I was notified by Stitches of Love that I am one of the Day Nine winners of the Twelve Days of Christmas Countdown which was a Snow Mug Rug pattern. I usually do not enter giveaways for patterns; but, since this was a snowman and I adore snowmen, I had to enter for a chance to win. Much to my shock, I won!
  

Weekly Recap #20

{May 16 through May 22, 2016}

General

• I have struggled for more than a week (and am still struggling) with chronic illnesses. It has made it difficult for me to focus on much of anything in particular. I am also beginning to be aware that I can no longer tolerate the Texas heat and humidity. More often than not, I will come down sick with headache, stomach and body ailments.

Gardening

• I harvested and dehydrated more Basil this week. I also harvested a LOT of pickling cucumbers. We made (canned) nine jars of pickles! We will have another bumper crop of pickles come in within the next two weeks.
• I did a lot of heavy weeding in my garden. I need a sign saying “Garden of Weeden”. The thing is I don’t grow marijuana. I grow good stuff along with legitimate weeds some of which are wildflowers too. So, I don't dare put up one of these signs for fear of someone getting the wrong impression.
• For the first time since we moved here, my rain gauge reached the limit of 5 inches. There were a lot of storms that came through with one bringing 2-1/4 inches making it a total of 5-1/4 inches for the week!

Quilting; Crafts

• I took the time to make a clipboard frame using scrapbook paper and Mod Podge. It will be used to display either a 4 x 6 or 5 x 7 picture. Now that I have made one, I think the rest will go quicker now I have a template to use. I want to make a bunch of them to hang in the hallway.

DIY Shed aka "The Barn"

• A severe thunderstorm in the night caused us to make repairs to the barn trusses first thing Wednesday morning. I discovered a day later that there were some damages from wind in the surrounding areas. I think we were very fortunate that the trusses were just a tad tussled. I believe I mentioned and posted a picture in my last post about the shed.

• I got fairly sick by noon Saturday which made me useless to Dan concerning the Shed for the rest of the weekend. I did help just a tad Sunday. In spite of this, he made a lot of progress. The porch roof in now going up!

Winning Love

• I was notified not too long ago that I was a winner of a “super secret newsletter subscribers only giveaway” by Heather Kojan Quilts. That prize (pictured above) arrived last week and I am thrilled.
• I also won another 100 Blocks magazine through Cora’s Quilts which was sponsored by Quiltmaker via blog hop. That prize came in last week also. I am wondering which relative of mine will claim dibs on this magazine first? We shall see.

Some Links to Share

• How to Photograph Dragonflies.

A time will come when instead of shepherds feeding the sheep, the church will have clowns entertaining the goats.

~ C. H. Spurgeon (1834-1892) ~

Quiltmaker's Designer (Original) Blocks

Around the fourteenth of December 2015, I won five of Quiltmaker's Designer blocks from their 100 Blocks, Volume 12 magazine.

When I found out I won, I brainstormed trying to come up with how I could use these blocks. I mean, there were a variety of ways including making some blocks of my own and adding them to the winning blocks to the quilt. But, I could not really proceed until I had the blocks in my hand.

When the blocks arrived in the mail, I decided to frame and hang them up above my desk in my room. I do want to create a sign listing the block numbers from the magazine. I just have not decided how I want to do that yet.

And yes, my desk is a mess. Don't judge. Ha!

Winning Love

This is to give bloggers and their giveaways a shout out and it is my way of giving additional thanks to them.

• On November 22, 2015, I discovered via facebook that I am a winner of a Quiltmaker's 100 blocks, Volume 12 magazine. I won this via quilt designer (and blogger) of one of the blocks that made it into the magazine. The biggest perk from winning is that I was contacted by two quilters who may also be distant cousins of mine. They are the sweetest ladies and I am so glad they reached out to me. I am needing to get a hold of a copy of Dad's papers to figure out if we are indeed true cousins. Even if we are not, we are united by the love of quilting and the fact that we are descended from people who have the same last name.
• On December 14th, 2015, I was notified by Quiltmaker (via email) that I won five original designer blocks in the latest volume of their magazine. Let me tell you, I was absolutely thrilled. I have been trying to win some of these blocks since volume 2 was released years ago!

Winning Love

This is to give bloggers and their giveaways a shout out and it is my way of giving additional thanks to them.

• On February 28, 2015, I was notified via email that I am a winner of a $25.00 gift certificate to Fat Quarter Shop in a Sassy Saturday Giveaway on The Sassy Quilter blog. I have received the gift certificate; but, I have not used it yet. I am waiting for that special time. :-)
• Early in February, I discovered I won a book via The Book Club, Inc.. That giveaway was held in January. The book is Emissary by Thomas Locke who also writes under the name of Davis Bunn. I read a few of Davis Bunn’s books and am looking forward to reading this book. By the way, I had to do some research when the book arrived In the mail because I was like "why?!". Ha!
• The following is the most embarrassing win to date (notified on Janury 23). You see, I enter giveaways and sweepstakes (with no expectation of winning) when my friends share giveaways so that they can get extra entries. Well, It turned out that I won a box of Red Velvet Oreos in the Oreo Red Velvet Rope sweepstakes. Egads! They shipped the prize and it arrived without much fanfare. Since I cannot have gluten, I gave them to Dan. He tried them and has not finished the box. That tells you how much he liked them. NOT! By the way, he’s a HUGE Oreos.

Winning Love

This is to give bloggers and their giveaways a shout out and it is my way of giving additional thanks to them.

• On May 29, 2014, I was notified via email that I won a book called A Promise in Pieces by Emily T. Wierega from the SewCalGal blog. Apparently, there are a bunch of books in this series and each is stand alone. To see them all, go Quilts of Love series.
• On June 14, 2014, I was notified via email from The Girly Gamer blog that I won a set of Doctor Who posters. I am a HUGE fan of Doctor Who and am thrilled to win this set as they are a tad expensive. You can view the set I won here. I will either place them in my studio or in the future guest/video gaming/workout room.

Winning Love

Foreword and note: I read somewhere that they do not post their winnings for fear of appearing to be bragging. Huh? I never thought I was bragging; but, I can see their point. My reason for doing this is to give bloggers and their giveaways a shout out and this is my way of giving additional thanks to them.

By the way, I am constantly tweeting giveaways I run across on twitter. I often do not enter giveaways because the prize is not I would use (or want) or worst yet, the giveaway had dozens of chances to win. I just do not have to time to do them all. I have seen one giveaway that had 93 entries a person could do to enter. Yes, you read that right. 93! I do not have that kind of time or bandwidth.

Anyway, I tweet all the ones I come across because I know others might be interested.

• On May 4, 2014, I was notified that I won a Quiltmaker 100 Blocks Vol. 9 magazine from the SewCanShe blog. I am thrilled. I have all Volumes including this one when it arrives! Here is the link to original blog post: http://www.sewcanshe.com/blog/2014/4/27/my-quilt-block-is-in-quiltmakers-100-blocks

• In my blog travels on May 5, 2014, I came across a winner's notification on the Pieceful Chitchat blog. I won a Quiltmaker 100 Blocks Vol. 9 magazine!

  Yes, this makes two of the same magazine! I shall offer one to any family member who also quilts and wants this magazine. I count three family members that do quilt (two sister-in-laws and a cousin-in-law). If none of them wants it, then I shall offer it to one of my blog readers.

• On May 12, 2014, I was notified via email that I won a Low Volume Fat Quarter Bundle from Fort Worth Fabric Studio. Here is the link to the prize notifications and prizes won: Happy Quilting blog.

Winning Love

• On April 10, 2014, I was notified that I won a $25 gift certificate to Fat Quarter Shop from the Fresh Lemon Quilts blog. This online shop happens to be one of my favorite online fabric stores! I have a wish list on their site and did some serious heavy duty shopping when they had a free shipping on $40 or more deal going on. :-)

• On April 18th, I was notified via email that I won some Northcott strips from the Choo Choo Skadoo Quilts blog. Needless to say, I was shocked. It was a very good surprise!

Winning Love

• On March 21, 2014, I was notified that I won a bundle of fat quarters called Tile Pile on Maureen Cracknell Handmade blog. This bundle of fabrics is from a line called Petal Pinwheels by Michael Miller. I was very much shocked when I received the notice and I am pleased because these will be awesome basics!

• On March 24, I received an email from Kim of Lily Patch Quilts notifying me that I am a winner of a Everyday Clutch pattern and the pattern was attached. This should be fun to make!

Winning Love

I am mortified! I received a prize yesterday in the mail and completely forgot about mentioning winning this particular giveaway in my recent Winning Love post. As a result of neglecting to mention this, I am making up for it by creating a new post. Please forgive me; but, stuff like this is very important to me. I do hope I am not remiss in posting about any winnings in the future.

• On January 17, 2014, I was notified that I won a gorgeous pattern called "Gypsy Wife" by Jen Kingwell. Prize (giveaway) can be found at Factotum of Arts. I love this quilt so much that I most likely will join the Quilt Along when my room is completed and all my stuff is set up.

Winning Love

It has been a long time since I posted any winning love. Winnings were scarce and last year was rough for me both physically and mentally. But, I am determine to begin this anew.

• On December 4th, 2013, I was notified that I won a bundle of Christmas Fabrics. Prize can be found at Quilting Lodge. I have received the fabrics and they are much prettier than the picture indicated!
• On January 20, 2014, I was notified that I am a winner of a $50 gift certificate to Fat Quarter Shop. {Prize was sponsored at QuilterChick.com}. I still have not received the prize; but, I trust that I will receive it sooner or later. Fat Quarter Shop always comes through.

Link Roundup

Source: tumblr.com via Lee Ann on Pinterest

It has been a long time since I have managed to do a Link Roundup. I thought I better do this one before the links get overwhelming. Enjoy!

• I won a bundle of lovely fabrics from a Henry Glass Fabrics blog hop

• Great Granny Pincushion Tutorial Sewing


• Candy Roll Pincushion tutorial Sewing


• Sewing Machine Pincushion Tutorial; Removable


• Scrumptious Cupcake Pincushion Tutorial


• Purse Camera Bag Tutorial Sewing
  This is cute! Not sure if I make one (due to zipper).


• Cloth Napkins Tutorial; Sewing; Cute!
  Tip I’ve heard: Don’t use dryer sheets as they will cause some water/liquid resistance.


• An Upcycling Project for Denim Pockets Sewing; Patched Pocket Panels


• Watercolor Art Tutorial
  This is easy! And, cute! Even kids can do this! I’m going to give it a try someday soon and pretend I’m an artist!


• Glue Stick Crayons Repurposing; Reusing


• Mason Jar Solar Lights DIY


• Free Printable Christian; Inspirational


• Why you can’t “get over it” right away Christian; Inspirational
  

  It’s not about getting over it…it’s about getting through it.



• When You Want to Run Christian; Inspirational
  

  Be still
  B ehold the beauty of where you are right now
  E xpect change ~ when it’s His timing
  
  S upport your husband, children, family, friends ~ it will take your mind off yourself
  T ake time to enjoy now ~ it will be gone too soon
  I magine what good you can do ~ today
  L ove God ~ know that He’s got your back
  L ive and laugh and love ~ the glass is full



• Why People Think Christians are Fake Christian; Inspirational
  A very good read that is often all too true
  

  For years, I listened to the version Jadon Lavik did. My favorite verse, the one I found most encouraging, when things felt the darkest in my spiritual walk, was this one:
  Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it,
  prone to leave the God I love;
  here’s my heart, O take and seal it,
  seal it for thy courts above.

  So what verse was the worship leader changing?
  That one.
  His argument? He wasn’t “prone to wander or prone to leave.”
  At this point in the conversation, I realized he was not like me.
  Or Peter.
  Or David.
  Or “That’s not my wife, that’s my sister!” Abraham.
  He was changing the lyrics to something like, “Prone to worship, prone to praise.

Piece,

Link Roundup

I am just popping on briefly to post these links. I hope your weekend is going fabulous!

Source: spiritualinspiration.tumblr.com via Lee Ann on Pinterest

• April Snap Sack-Cherries Jubilee Table Topper From Fabrics N Quilts


• Dan Stiles for Birch Fabrics Mod Squad in Coral Fat Quarter Bundle

• Mickey Mouse Washer Necklace Jewelry; Tutorial
  Too cute!


• DIY Pom Pom Pillow Sewing This can use some fabrics from a layer cake (10” x 10” squares) with coordinating fabrics for the back(ing)
.
• Get Your Creativity On Christian

  And why is creativity so hard? Because it's always tied to fear.

  Make art. In your own wonderful way. And watch how it makes you.

• When You Want To Wear Redemption On Your Sleeve Christian, Pictorial poem

  I slip into the favorite sweater with all those stripes of color radiating light-- the one I've loved for long years I remember how I used to wear it to cover up the sadness and distract all the eyes from this broken-souled girl beneath

  This could have been me and resonates within me – the only reason why I am reposting this here. It is beautiful. Go check it out if you’re so inclined.


• A Simple Exercise to Help You Learn to See Light Photography


• 3 Tricks to Taking Awesome Pictures in Full Sun Photography

Link Roundup

• Premier Fabrics Two yards of my choice. Awesome!


• It’s Sew Emma: Debonaire Pattern A gorgeous quilt pattern. Thrilled to pieces I am!


• A Tablerunner Kit She even sent me printed instructions from the blog(s)! And, a book! How awesome is that?!?

Source: bilddagboken.se via Lee Ann on Pinterest

• Bitty Bowl of Pins Tutorial: Part I Pincushion


• Ribbon Tag Blanket Sewing; Quiltinq
  My understanding is that a company has a patent on anything with two or more looped ribbons. So, don’t try selling these things are you could be slapped with a lawsuit by the original maker of these things. The tutorial author verifies this partially at the bottom of her post.
  
  
• Sewing Caddy and Detachable Pincushion Tutorial
  This is really cute and looks functional



• Hancock’s House of Happy blog Cross Stitch!
  There are many free cross stitch patterns on this blog. I’m really loving this: Groovy This: VW van and this: If This Tardis is a Rockin’ Don’t Come a Knockin’!
  
  I used to be an avid fan of cross-stitch. I’ve been thinking about picking it back up again. There is a BIG cross-stitch project that is half done that I haven’t touched since around 1994.


• Backyard Bird Feeder Recyling and Repurposing using soda/water bottle and wooden spoons


• 7 Secrets to Overcoming Fear: {6} Be Willing to Look a Little Silly
  

  And when you realize that (or worse yet, when others point it out) there comes the "feeling silly" part. But there's simply no way around it. We all get our turn at playing the fool.
  
  Here's the secret: We will survive those few moments.
  
  And there will be far more moments when we feel God's pleasure at doing exactly what he made us to do.
  
  That's JOY, my friends.
  
  The secret? Fear and joy can't coexist.
  
  So let's go ahead and accept that sometimes we will look silly, we'll survive anyway, andthe story + the glory that follow will make it all worthwhile.

A Day in My Life {Storybook Picture}

Monday, December 19, 2012

{To see a larger version, go here.}

1. First thing in the morning: Prevacid.
2. Bills
3. Breakfast
4. Catch up on the Interwebs
5. Meet Dan for lunch: Wendy's
6. Mail bills
7. Took pictures of Gracie's paw
8. Dinner: Cracker Pizza
   
9. Books I won came in the Mail with two cute Amish kids magnets

Link Roundup

Source: Uploaded by user via Lee Ann on Pinterest

• Stocking Pattern from United Notions.
  Thank you Moda and Thimble Blossoms!
• Tweet Winning Announcement from chatting on Talkin’ Tuesday.
  I am getting two Always and Forever charm packs! ::Happy Dance::
  Thank you Fat Quarter Shop for being a sponsor!

• Holiday Freebie: Paper Pieced Tree Quilting; Sewing
• Recycled Bread Tag Snowmen Crafts
• The no-bake, no-cook, no-time gift solution – 4 snack mix recipes in a jar
  Uses Mason Jars. You could go all out and create your own favorites!
• Use a Lower Angle to Challenge Your Perspective {Photography Tips} Photography
• The Lost Art of Being an Apprentice

  Learning from those before you is a dying art that just might bring your dream back to life.

• Life Isn’t Fair, but it’s still good
  A repeated article called “45 Lessons Life Taught Me” written by a 90-year old woman. A few of my favorites:
  

  2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
  3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
  8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.
  17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
  34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.
  41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.