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Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Stitchin' Away......and a new Contest!!!

You may recall last week Wednesday...during the blizzard... I showed you a photo of some yummy fabrics I was gonna start to play with.  Well.....here's what I've been up to.


Isn't this a cute block?  Simple, fun and fast but cute as can be.  I love the combo of fabrics.  The assorted shirtings, the bubblegum pinks, reds, blacks and blues.  Makes my quilty heart sing.  Perhaps I'm easily amused.....I don't know...but why question it? 



I thought the red and blue blocks would make a mighty fine patriotic quilt, too!  What do you think?  This quilt is for a special event I'm participating in over the summer....July I think.  So, I won't be able to show you the whole quilt when it's done....not just yet anyway, but I plan on making extra blocks to make a small bonus quilt.  And, when that one is finished, I will definitely post photos and instructions for you...in case you'd like to make one for yourself.

I have to set this project aside until next week.  Tonight (Wed), I'll be visiting the Pieces 'N Patches Quilt Guild in Steger, IL....so if you're in the area, please stop on by!  We'll be at the Steger Community Center.

Then...I'll be getting ready for Saturday when I will resume teaching my Prairie Women's Sewing Circle club ~ both Journey 1 and Journey 2 ~ at The Quilt Merchant in Winfield, IL.  I can hardly wait!  I love, love, love teaching, especially the PWSC club because it combines my favorite pastimes ~ American life in the 1800's and Make-Do quilts.  It's wonderful being with all of the ladies whom love the same things.  We're kindred spirits and we have the best time....great discussions, spectacular show-n-tell with lots of laughter.  You know....there's always room for one more and you're welcome to join the fun!


This has been one of the snowiest and coldest winters on record here in the Chicago area.  Not a problem for us quilters as we have loads of cozy quilts to snuggle under.  My grandma was an avid crocheter and I have several wonderful afghans that she made for me.  Not long ago, I found this adorable afghan from Moda Home and had to buy it.  Well...I actually bought two....one for me and one to give away!  If you'd like to win this afghan, please leave me a comment and tell me what the weather is like right now where you live, what's your favorite season, and do you quilt all year long or does the weather make it uncomfortable to quilt?

Leave your comment before midnight on Saturday, Feb 12th and I'll announce the winner on Sunday.  Enjoy your day!
Pam

P.S.....just wanted to encourage you all to participate in the contest no matter where in the world you live!  The contest is open to everyone...no worries!













31 comments:

  1. I have this habit of being the first person to leave a comment. It will be in the 70's here in the desert today. I love Spring in the desert and Fall in the Colorado mountains. Since I am so lucky to be able to go between both, I can quilt all year round.
    Have a good time teaching!

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  2. I live in the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex and we have ice and snow again!! The sun will be out tomorrow - I am looking forward to that! I sew/quilt all year. I never get tired of it. On days like today, I really enjoy being in my sewing room and listening to lots of music! Happy quilting
    Karen W.

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  3. Three days and a wake-up to Journey 2!

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  4. Well the weather outside my office window is frightful today - 5 degrees!!! Yuck! And Winter is my least favorite time of year. My favorite time is Fall -- I love just about everything about Fall. And I sew all year long (when I get the chance). Gorgeous afghan. My grandmother made one just like, but unfortunately it's been lost. Have fun on Saturday with PWSC!

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  5. Here in PA t is 10 degrees. It has been a very snowy and frigid winter. I think most of us are sick of it! I have never had a favorite season. My favorite weather is a 70-75ish degree day, with a slight breeze to dry the clothes on the line, warm sunshine and the smell of fresh cut hay. I do not get to quilt year round. Summers are hard, not because of the weather just due to a house full of children on summer vacation. Thanks for the giveaway, it looks warm and cozy.

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  6. I think the blocks are perfect for a patriotic quilt - and it gives me ideas for my huge shirtings stash! Can't wait to see your finish! Oh - I nearly cried when I saw the crocheted afghan! My Lithuanian grandmother made several like that and they are all gone now. She taught me to crochet and sew before I was 10 years old and one day I keep thinking of making an afghan like that in her memory!
    The weather here today in SE WA state is cold but the sun promises to visit today! My favorite season is Fall, but now that we have retired to a place with defined seasons, I love them all! I try to quilt all year long - since we have A/C I can quilt in the summer - or just sit on the patio in the shade and hand stitch!
    Cheers!

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  7. The weather here in Iowa is just like it is there - COLD!!! My favorite season is fall, and yes, I quilt all year long - I can't imagine not being able to quilt.

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  8. I love your little friendship stars... can't wait to see what you design with them! That afgan is beau-ti-ful! I had a grandma who made afgans, unfortunately I don't have one of hers.
    I wish I was in your area to take a class from you... I'm sure you all have a bunch of fun!

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  9. Hi Pam,

    Well, here in CO we're freezing our you know whats off! Our high yesterday was -9°! Yep, that's a MINUS. But, there's hope in the hills as it's 4° so far today. That lovely quilt sure does look like a great way to stay warm. Love your new blocks and can't wait to see the whole quilt and pattern. You're SO generous, thanks so much!! Stay warm, stay safe.

    Blessings, Karla

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  10. It's a chilly 8 degrees here, perfect weather to be working on my wool applique. I could quilt all year long & in my sleep if that was possible. Wait a miniute. I think I do quilt in my sleep. At least I dream about all the quilts I'd like to make. LOL Your afghan reminds me of one I use to snuggle under at my grammy's house. Can't wait till Sat. See you then!!! Karen Schultz

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  11. It is about 6 degrees in Elgin, IL today. We are freeeeeeezing! And sick of the snow (more coming I beleve). My favorite time of the year is fall (with summer being a close second). I don't have much time to quilt, but I do it any time of the year. Looking forward to seeing you Saturday for Journey 2.
    Heather Potts

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  12. It's 20 in Elgin Texas....grin. Pretty cold for us. No snow, no sleet, no sun.

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  13. At 8am 29 degrees and heavy frost. Now 3 pm it is 64 degrees. Yesterday was bleak, cloudy cold with rain. Now have sun no clouds and low temps again overnight. My favorite time of the year is fall and summer. My quilting time is limited but I do it year-round.

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  14. I live on the SW side of Chicago (not too far from you!) so I'm stuck in the bitter cold, too! I love to quilt year-round. My favorite seasons are summer (because we can enjoy outdoor activities), spring (when we finally get relief from the cold), and fall (when we finally get relief from the heat). So I guess it would have been easier to say which season I like the least!

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  15. Weather on the West side of the Rockies is cold, but mild compared to the rest of the country. We volley between 39 and 0 degrees. My favorite time is spring for planting and fall for the harvest. Nothing says Heaven like the smell of a peach off the tree. I sew anytime I can. Usually late night, all seasons. That's when babies sleep the best.

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  16. Here in WI we have had an amount of snow I haven't seen since I was a small kid. It's minus 16 this morning and the sun is shining so that helps. We are all getting tired of winter and longing for spring! My favorite season this year just might be spring, usually it's the Fall though. I do quilt year round. That afgan looks so warm and toasty, makes me feel like snuggling. Grandma Rita

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  17. Here in Atlanta, we got snow AGAIN last night. Thankfully it wasn't much (a little over an inch), so the roads are doing pretty good so far, and no major pile-ups on the Interstates. Normally, I hate the hot weather and love it when winter arrives, but I'm ready for this snow to finish and leave us alone. I'm new to quilting, and I'm lucky when I even find the time to do it. Summers are extremely hot here, so I'm okay as long as I'm not quilting the three layers together. Doing the actual assembly is okay, though. Love your afghans - I used to crochet years ago and used to make Granny squares, so this brings back memories. dmj53(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  18. What a beautiful afghan... I love it! I would love it even more if were here with me right now... it's cold!!!

    Thanks for a chance to win!

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  19. I live near Philadelphia and the weather is very cold today but sunny and we haven't seen much sun lately. Still have snow over most of the ground and much of it is ice. I love the afghan, I made one like that years ago and don't have it anymore. Thanks for the chance to win.
    My favorite season is the fall, so nice to be cool after the heat and the colors are the best. I do quilt all year but try and save the big quilts for the winter. Just hauling them around gets really hot in the summer.

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  20. I live down state Illinois and it's cold here, I sure could use the afghan.
    I just love it.
    I also love the quilt blocks.

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  21. Pam,
    First off let me say how much I am enjoying the Prairie Women's Sewing Circle; I am too far from the quilt shop to attend, but they send me the instructions and we exchange (make-do fabrics). I have really enjoyed getting to 'know you' thru your blog.
    We have been having lovely weather here in Eastern Oregon, all our snow came early - before Christmas - and has now nearly melted away.
    The afghan is lovely - reminds of one my mom had. Yes, I would love to win!

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  22. Pam,
    I live in Western Canada in Edmonton and this is the snowiest winter we have had in a long time- The snow arrived in a short space of time and while the temperature has varied the snow drifts continue to be piled high and deep.
    I am not sure if you are willing to send this beautiful afghan to Canada but I had to leave a comment and say how beautiful it is.
    Warmest regards,
    Anna

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  23. I live in N. California and this week it has been beautiful weather in the afternoons. A little chilly in the morning. Rain is supposed to be headed our way next week. We need it. My favorite season is spring. Not too hot and I'm always happy not to be cold anymore.=) I quilt all year long, though in the summer I'm more likly just to piece and leave the actual quilting part for when it is cooler. Thanks for the opportunity to win that beautiful afghan.=)

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  24. It's a heat wave here in MN today it's up to 17 degrees. My favorite season is fall as the trees are beautiful and the weather is perfect. That afghan is gorgeous and would find a perfect place in my home.

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  25. Although it's cold outside in Illinois, there is no wind today so I'm loving it. My favorite season is springtime. I don't quilt in summer because I work outside in my flower garden. The afghan is beautiful. Diane

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  26. Here in the St. Louis area it's actually getting warm enough to melt a little of our snow and ice. Autumn is my favorite season because of the colors and the welcome cool weather after a hot Midwest summer. I quilt all year round. Summer is too hot to hold a quilt on my lap, but it's great for hand applique.

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  27. Hi! Pam - When I saw your afghan, I couldn't wait to comment. My grandmother was an avid crocheter too! When my Mom passed away a few years ago, I became the proud owner of my Grandmother's wool afghan that looked much like yours. I used to proudly display it on the back of my couch, but my orange tabby kept throwing up on it. After a few too many gentle washings, it became too frail to keep out and has been retired to a box in the closet. The weather here in Portland, Oregon is in the mid 40's but Oh, so very gloomy. This is a very dark time of year for us. I grew up in Minnesota and always have a very hard time with late winters here. (I lusted after the bright sunshine that displayed itself in your snowy driveway.) My favorite season is fall. Yes - the color is magnificent no matter where you live. I quilt all year long, but am considering wearing a head lamp to maneuver through my sewing room! I am home with a recent back injury and in need of some good cheer. I do hope to win your beautiful afghan. Thanks, and Keep warm!

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  28. You would think that here in San Antonio, TX it would be warm, but no last night it was 18 degrees outside, not use to this kind of weather and really not liking it much. The afghan reminds me so much of my grandmother, who taught me how to sew, I loved her dearly and will always be gratefull that she took the time to share her incredible talents with me.

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  29. Love your blocks!!! I'm in VA...low of 14 last night but it was up to 40 today. I think we still have some winter weather ahead of us before spring!

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  30. It's chilly here, but not too bad compared to other areas! No snow on the ground, at least.
    I quilt all year!

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  31. Your blocks are very patriotic...simple, yet striking.

    It is cold enough here for me to have not been outside in several days, but it is somewhat looking like spring with the sunny days we are having. My favorite is spring/summer. I sew/quilt during the winter because normally I'm occupied outside in the garden the rest of the year.

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