Another Chance to Win!

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you out there in blog land.

Gobble, Gobble, Gobble

Another Chance to Win!!
Yes, we are giving you another chance to win some of the prizes in the picture. All you have to do is post a picture of your finished project on the Flickr site. You will have until Tuesday December 1st to upload your photos. We will then draw a name of one lucky person to receive some goodies. Instructions on how to upload a photo are on the Flickr page. This gives you an extra week to get one or more projects finished and snap a photo. (Yes you can post more than one project.)

Get started now - well eat your turkey first.

From my heart,

Sandy

Blog Hop Winners!

Hello Everyone,

I bet you have been waiting for this post all day haven't you? It took us awhile to get all the logistics of finding winners together, but now we have names of 3 terrific blog hop participants that religiously commented on every blog. They were pooled out of the highest number of people commenting that I have ever seen. So thank you, thank you, and thank you for spending the last couple of weeks with us. It has been so rewarding for us to read all your comments about our stories, hear your own stories sparked by what we wrote, see your excitement about the projects and then actually see how many of you have gone to work and finished many of the hop projects and loaded your photos on the Flickr site. If you have completed a project and have not posted it on our Flickr site please do so.
This is what the winners are getting!!! Isn't this incredible? These are books, patterns, kits, tools and fabrics that all of us have designed or companies that we work with have graciously donated.



So here they are.....the big winners:
1st grand prize goes to: Thea M http://www.theamccurry.com/
2nd grand prize goes to: Arlette from Costa Rica http://arlette0521.blogspot.com/
3rd grand prize goes to: What Comes Next http://round22.blogspot.com/

Congratulations girls!! Please send Gudrun an e-mail (gudrun@gequiltdesigns.com) with your shipping address so she can send you those awesome prizes.

It's been fun.

From my heart,
Sandy

Blog Hop Day 12

Today is the last day of the Cross Country Quilt Designers Blog Hop.

It is kind of bittersweet. Happy that I can take a little break from blogging. Happy that I no longer have to rummage through boxes of photos that are in no particular order. Sad that this is all coming to an end. I myself have enjoyed reading all of the blogs.

Those of you who found me via this blog hop, welcome and I hope you stop back often.

The last and final designer of the day is Linda Lum DeBono. I am anxiously waiting to see her holiday project.

Find Linda's free project here.

Don't forget to leave a comment so you are eligible for the big prizes.

(I want the fabric!)

Some of you had questions about the commenting so I just want to clarify: To be eligible for the grand prize you need to comment on each designers project post. You don't have to do it on the exact day that it is posted, just make sure you comment on all the project blogs before the hop ends. So if you missed commenting on my project day, which was day 2, just scroll down until you get to that post and post your comment now.

Today' topic: Craft, something you still make every year or made as a child....could be a craft gone wrong horror story.

There was only one thing I really hated about Christmas as a child and that was making construction paper chain link garlands.

Every year for 4 years (because we made on EVERY year that I attended East Loon Lake country school), I was forced to make a chain link garland.

You know the routine—red, green, red, green, red, green — BORING
One year I decided I was going to do my own thing.

I did red red, green, red red, green.

Just as I was getting a good start,

along comes Mrs. Hildreth, my country school teacher grades 1-4
Sandra you are doing it wrong.
But I like it this way. I like red better than green.
Sandra you are going to run out of red strips.
She had precut the strips so EVERYONE'S would be EXACTLY alike.

Yes she made me redo my garland.
(I have no ides how this picture became so crumpled.)

There were a total of 9 kids in the whole East Loon Lake School. (K-6 - five of them from the same family.) Here are our garlands

Dave's garland.

Beth's garland

Cindy's garland.

My garland. (Hey, at least mine is shorter than the rest.)

Hey no need to list these all separately.
Marcia's, Jim's, Kathy's, Bruce's (not my Bruce) and Dean's garland.

I am sure some of you have nodded off by now. Because it is sooooo BORING.

At the end of 4th grade, East Loon Lake School closed. I have never made another construction paper chain link garland again.

I found this quote.

I liked it so much that I had it

painted on my studio wall.

Yes Mrs. Hildreth - I survived!
I also had some bad advise from my

High School Counselor. (see bio to right)

Today I will share with you one of the crafts that I like to make for the holidays.

It is a Fresh Apple wreath.

This wreath is featured in one of my

Project Books #1026 Just Jolly.

You can purchase the book here.

Just a few of the projects featured in the book.

I used all Granny Greensmith apples for my wreath -if you want to use all red that is fine - or red and green. I don't care, it's your wreath and Mrs. Hildreth is no longer with us. :)

Things you will need to make your Fresh Apple Wreath

10 Granny Greensmith apples
One 12” foam wreath
Artificial greenery
Fresh greenery (optional)
Artificial berries
1 Yd. of 2” red grosgrain ribbon
Ten 3 1/2” sheetrock screws
Drill
Staple gun and staples

Screw the 10 sheetrock screws into the wreath coming
in from the back, leaving a bigger space in the center
front for the ribbon.

Staple fresh and artificial greenery around screws.

Wrap ribbon around wreath form and tie in a knot.

Push an apple onto each screw.

Poke berries into wreath form.

Sometimes I leave the ribbon off and use my wreath as a large candle ring for my red Christmas candle.

Experiment - You don't have to make yours exactly like mine.

Some suggestions for different ways of embellishing your apple wreath:
I like the color combination of Granny Greensmith green and turquoise. You could use little turquoise bulbs instead of berries. You can hot glue them to the wreath. It works best to do this after the apples are on the screws. Use a turquoise ribbon instead of red.

I also like the color combination of Granny Greensmith green and brown. Substitute pine cones for berries. Again works best to do this after the apples are on. Use a brown ribbon instead of red.

Do whatever your little heart desires. I would love to hear how you decorate you wreath to make it uniquely you.

Hop along to see what the other designers are blogging about today. Follow the links below. GE Designs, Pieces of My Heart, Atkinson Designs, Pat Sloan, Anka's Treasures,Pam Kitty Morning, New Leaf Stitches, Whimsicals, This 'N' That, Miss Rosies,Rosebud's Cottage, Linda Lum DeBono

This is the end of the Cross Country Quilt Designers Twelve Days of Christmas Blog Hop.
I hope you enjoyed the hop and are able to start and finish one or two of the projects posted. If you finish a project post it here on Fickr.

You will be able to post on the blogs through the weekend. We will chose the winners on Monday and on Tuesday all twelve of use will have the winners posted on our blogs.

Check back on Tuesday to see if you are a lucky winner.

It's been fun.

Good bye for now.

From my heart,

Sandy

Blog Hop Day 11

Hello, it's day 11 of the Cross Country Quilt Designers Blog Hop.
That means it is the 11th day of Christmas.






Before we get to the 11th day of Christmas, I must announce the winner of the Crazy 8 Charm Pack™/Brrrr! pattern.
And the winner is mjwadle who said... Cute story about Abby! I got the call at work this summer when the kids were home alone and Megan said "Reece says you are Santa and the Tooth Fairy". How do ya answer that one? Love reading your blog : )
mjwadle please email me here with your address.

Thanks to everyone for commenting on my blog posts. I really enjoy reading the comments. I feel somewhat connected to all of you through this blog hop.


With out further ado, let me introduce the designer of the day. Please welcome Roseann Kermes of Rosebud's Cottage.

Roseann has designed a very cool project for you.

Even cooler - it's FREE.

Check it out here.

Don't forget to comment on her blog so you will be eligible from the prizes.

1st Prize A gift bag worth $250

2nd Prize A gift bag worth $70

3rd Prize A gift bag worth $40

Have any of you already completed a project from this hop? If so, photograph it and post it here on Fickr. If not, check it out anyway, there are many cool completed projects already posted.

The topic for the day is: Favorite Christmas Quilt or Using Quilts to Decorate for Christmas.

I have been designing fabric for Moda Fabrics for 15 years. I design 6 lines of fabric a year. 6 X 15 - that's 90 lines - give or take. I have designed quilts for all of these lines of fabric. Bottom line - I have a lot of quilts. Not just mine, but ones I have bought over the years - antique ones, some I have bought from friends, some I have received as gifts.

Here are just a few ways I use quilts other than on a bed.

You have already seen this picture - As a tree shirt.


As a tablecloth.

Draped in a trunk.

As a framed picture.

Simply folded and stacked to the ceiling.

Little quilts to add warmth and texture.

As a backdrop for my Santa collection. Draped over chairs.

I used this one as a rug in my booth at International Quilt Market.

I never quite have enough wall space and it softens the hard "paneled" floor.
I always place a quilt on our living room floor at Christmas time.

(Sorry - no picture and I was not about to reenact it.)
Don't be afraid to do this.

Remember they are more washable than your carpet.

When was the last time you threw you carpet in the washer and dryer?

I have more, but of course I do not have pictures. Leave me a comment I would love to hear how you use quilts to decorate.

Hop on along to the other designer's blogs to see how they decorate with quilts.

GE Designs, Pieces of My Heart, Atkinson Designs, Pat Sloan, Anka's Treasures,Pam Kitty Morning, New Leaf Stitches, Whimsicals, This 'N' That, Miss Rosies,Rosebud's Cottage, Linda Lum DeBono

My goodness tomorrow is Day 12 and the end of the Cross Country Quilt Designers Twelve Days of Christmas Blog Hop. :(

Tomorrow's designer is Linda Lum DeBono. I have not met Linda in person, but I have seen her designs and they are way cool. I can't wait to see the project she has designed for us.

Tomorrow's topic: Craft, something you still make every year or made as a child....could be a craft gone wrong horror story. Should be tons of fun. See you then.

Happy Hopping.

From my heart,

Sandy

Blog Hop Day 10

It's day 10 of the Cross Country Quilt Designers Blog Hop. - Into double digits already.

The featured designer today is Carrie Nelson from Miss Rosie's Quilt Company. I don't know what she has designed but all of her designs are great and I am sure it will be nothing short of great. Find her project here.

Today's topic: Favorite gift from a child.

Hmmm it is hard to pick just one.
It seemed that almost every year the kids would make some sort of a Christmas decoration at school. I loved to see the excitement in their faces as they rummaged through their backpack to find that special something. Sometimes it was a bit crumpled, but that just added to the charm of it.

Here are just a few of them.
These were the first two ornaments given to me.

Anthony was in preschool so that makes this ornament about 27 years old.

This is Abby's preschool ornament.
The cutest part does not show.
She "signed" her name on the back.

I think Abby made this Origami Santa.

This cute little guy was made by Abby.
It was not made in school.
She made this one day while we were crafting side by side.
I love his face.

An angel from our little angel.

One year all of the classes in school made spool ornaments.
Abby put a big smile on hers.

Anthony chose to leave his plain.

This all natural one was made by Anthony.

I love all of these ornaments - and also the many that I did not picture.

Every year I hang them on the tree - front and center.

I am looking forward to checking the other designer's blogs to hear all about their special gifts. Follow the links below.
GE Designs, Pieces of My Heart, Atkinson Designs, Pat Sloan, Anka's Treasures,
Pam Kitty Morning, New Leaf Stitches, Whimsicals, This 'N' That, Miss Rosies,
Rosebud's Cottage, Linda Lum DeBono

Tomorrow’s designer is Roseanne Kermes from Rosebud's Cottage.
The topic for the day is Favorite Christmas Quilt or Using Quilts to Decorate for Christmas.

See you tomorrow.

Happy hopping.

From my heart,

Sandy

Blog Hop Day 9

Hello, welcome to Day 9 of the Cross Country Quilt Designer's Twelve Days of Christmas Blog Hop.





On the 7th day (hump day) I was going to do a give away - but I forgot. Last night I was doing my blog at home and didn't have the image of my give away, so today we will have a give away.
Anyone commenting on my blog will be in a random drawing to win this:

Crazy 8 Charm Pack

(Forty-five 5" squares)

And....

This Pattern

#443 Brrr!

Today's featured designer is: Sherri from This 'N' That.

I wonder what project she has in store for us?

I think I will go here and find out.

Today's topic: A kid story, either about your kids if you have any or other kids, even yourself.

I will title this blog Abby's A-ha Moment.

Abby, our second child required very little sleep. Trust me the child never slept.
One Christmas Eve, Bruce and I were nodding off in the family room, while waiting for Abby to go to sleep so we could play Santa. After what seemed like forever, I tip-toed upstairs to see if all were sleeping. Anthony, of course, had been sleeping for hours. Next room, Abby's, yes she is finally asleep. I tip-toed down stairs to give Bruce the go ahead.

As he was carrying the presents from the garage to the house he happened to look up, only to see our Dear Abby standing at her bedroom window.

My question to Bruce - What did you do? His answer - I waved.

I'm not sure how many years Abby had been watching us carry the presents in the house, but I'm pretty sure this was not the first time.

It reminds me of this Norman Rockwell picture.

Norman Rockwell is one of my favorites.

This is another one of my favorites.
Nobody could paint an expression like NR.
Hands and feet are very difficult for me to draw.
Not for Norman Rockwell - just look at those toes!

I love to read stories about kids, so I am off to read the other designer's stories. You should check them out too. Just follow the links below. Don't forget to leave a comment, we love to hear from you.

GE Designs, Pieces of My Heart, Atkinson Designs, Pat Sloan, Anka's Treasures,

Pam Kitty Morning, New Leaf Stitches, Whimsicals, This 'N' That, Miss Rosies,

Rosebud's Cottage, Linda Lum DeBono

Be sure to stop by tomorrow - make a comment and you might win a prize.
Tomorrow's designer is: Carrie Nelson from Miss Rosie's Quilt Company.
Tomorrow's topic is: Favorite Gift From a Child.

Some of you had questions about the commenting so I just want to clarify: To be eligible for the grand prize you need to comment on each designers project post. You don't have to do it on the exact day that it is posted, just make sure you comment on all the blogs before the hop ends. So if you missed commenting on my project day, which was Day 2, just scroll down until you get to that post and post your comment now.
Happy Hopping.

From my heart,

Sandy

Blog Hop Day 8

It's day 8 already.
In case you just stumbled upon my blog this is day 8 of the Cross Country Quilt Designers Blog Hop.

Today's featured designer is Terri Degenkolb from Whimsical. I just love the "whimsy" :) look of all of her designs. I am anxiously waiting to see what project she has designed.
Find Terri's project here.

Don't forget to leave a comment so you are eligible to win one of the grand prizes

1st Prize A gift bag worth $250
2nd Prize A gift bag worth $70
3rd Prize A gift bag worth $40


Topic for the day is: First Christmas on your own.

We were married November 3rd, 1973.



It seemed like in no time at all Christmas had arrived. We did not have a lot of money to spend on decorating. I however, insisted on a real Christmas tree. We lived in a very tiny apartment so we purchased a very tiny tree we could set on our very tiny table. I bought a package of ornaments and strung cranberries and popcorn and that was the extent of the Christmas decorating. No skirt. No tree topper.

It looks like I was eating the popcorn as I was stringing.

The bottom half of the tree just has cranberries.

Neither one of us could remember the gifts we had given each other.

Then we found this picture and realized -oh yes, no money - no gifts.

We must have had enough money to eat.

It looks like I cooked either a chicken or a very small turkey.
Whatever it was - it made Bruce happy.

By our second Christmas I had managed to make

a few Christmas ornaments to hang on the tree.

Now we also have a tree topper.

And it looks like we bought some presents.

I even was able to make Bruce a Christmas stocking.

I can’t remember what I put in it. Coal??

The next year Calico Christmas decorations were all the rage.

Vogue had issued this pattern for ornaments, a wreath

and a tree skirt made out of calico.

I purchased calico and pin dot fabrics at our local Ben Franklin. Remember pin dots? It seems like I sewed forever before I was finished.

I have kept some of the ornaments and still hang them on my tree. I eventually made the tree skirt and wreath.

As we looked through the boxes of pictures - yes mine are in boxes -in no particular order - Our little tree looked better every year. We worked hard and experienced some success. Eventually we were able to buy a house.

Now we can buy a tree that sits on the floor

and goes all the way to the ceiling,

complete with decorations, lights and a tree topper.

I know this was supposed to be about our first Christmas but you really needed to see two and three to appreciate one.

We are very fortunate to have the kids close by, so we are able to spend all the holidays together.

Everyone is happy and healthy.
We have been blessed.

I am off to check out all of the other designer's blogs to read about their first Christmas on their own.

GE Designs, Pieces of My Heart, Atkinson Designs, Pat Sloan, Anka's Treasures,Pam Kitty Morning, New Leaf Stitches, Whimsicals, This 'N' That, Miss Rosies,Rosebud's Cottage, Linda Lum DeBono

Tomorrows featured designer will be Sherri from This 'N' That.
The topic will be: A kid story, either about your kids if you have any or other kids, even yourself.

Happy Hopping.

From my heart,
Sandy