Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Giveaway Reminder, My 100th Post and Not Much Else

I really don't have much to say, but wanted to remind everyone about my giveaway.  If you haven't signed up, just leave a comment on my previous post.  I'll be pulling a name first thing on Monday, July 19th.  I'm really taken back by all the new followers that have jumped on board.  I'm so happy to meet all of you and if I haven't visited your blog yet (if you have one), I will soon.

And yes, this is my 100th post!  Woo Hoo!  I can't believe that it snuck up me.  I feel like there should be balloons and dancing boys!  A champagne bottle uncorking or at least some sparkling water.  Well, maybe not on the dancing boys - my DH may not approve!  LOL  But I'm having a hard time believing that I've made this many posts.  I promised a giveaway when I reached that point and it will happen.  I think that I'll combine that and my 2 year blogging milestone together.  Or maybe not.  Maybe I'll sneak in another giveaway after the current one.   Aw, two more giveaways would be better, right?

Not much has been going on around here.   Not much stitching and not much quilting either.  But I do have a small finish that I had framed:


Petites Lettres Rouges
Freebie from Blackbird Designs

I sat on this piece for the longest time trying to figure out what to do with it.  A pincushion, a flat fold, what?  I finally decided to get it framed because I need some small things for my craft room.  The matt color looks too pink in this picture - IRL it looks more like the lighter letters of the sampler.  I think it came out sweet and will look great in the craft room.

The reason there hasn't been much going on is that our air conditioning died.  Boy, this has been a year - first our furnace earlier in the year, then the appliances and now the A/C.  I guess that's what happens when the house reaches the 20 year mark.  We've been without it for a week.  Long story on that one - one company not diagnosing the problem and giving us freon we didn't need.  The condensor was blown - so it's been a back and forth thing trying to get it fixed - by another company.  The new A/C is being put in as I write this, but it's been rather hot to do much of anything.  Sitting under my Ott Light and stitching was just not something that I wanted to do.  But that should be the last it, hopefully, as far as major expenses.  I think we're going to be living on hot dogs and beans for a while!  LOL

The basement has been relatively cool (thankfully), so I did get in a little quilting, but not much - it's hot standing around an ironing board too.  I worked on the Marti Michell quilt.  There are six of these blocks.

Why is this one not totally put together (nor the other five)?  Well, I pulled a stupid human trick and sewed the corner blocks the wrong way (and there were specific instructions to watch orientation which I obviously ignored - DUH), so the green and white squares have to be all taken off (all 24 of them) and put back on correctly.  UGH!!!  The more I work with this quilt, the less I like it.  The fabric has to be some of the thinnest I've ever worked with, stretches like crazy and so having to rip out anything is a tedious process.  So on to Plan B:

The Farmer's Wife Quilt - Two more down and one to go and I'm caught up for the month!  The one on the right, Corn and Beans, gave me headaches.  It's not perfect, but I'm happy.  And I see a wrinkle in the black and white one - I'll have to investigate that - probably an ironing error.  The third one would have been done, but the rotary cutting instructions that came with the BOM didn't jive with the templates so I have to cut out a whole new block.

I haven't posted any thrifty finds lately - probably because there hasn't been much, but I do have a few.  I found this glove mold one day while I was out and about at an antique store I had never seen before:

I've never come across a glove mold in any of the stores I had been in before and it was a pretty good price I think - $10 so it came home with me.

This weekend I was on a secret mission.  I can't disclose any details right now, but will next month.  Anyway, I drove to Ohio and my destination was really close to Sauder Village, so I stopped in.  I had the T-Bag pattern, but had to pick up these fabrics.  I just love pink and black:


Then another sign for my craft room:

The sign seemed fitting because I feel at times that I'm going at this quilting like a crazy fool.

Ohio has a ton of antique shops, thrift stores, etc.  I wish that I could have stopped at every one that I saw during my journey, but I only ended up stopping at one.  I'll try to stop at more when I go back in a couple of weeks.  But I did find a couple things all for under $10.  A deal to me:

The je t'aime ribbons came from the quilt store, but I came away with yards of pretty laces, a jar full of buttons, and the large glass jar filled with crochet cottons and hankies that someone was edging.

Pure Irish linen:
I was a happy camper.  Hopefully when I go back in a couple weeks (with sister in tow), we'll get a really early start, do what we have to do and mindlessly drift our way back home via all the antique stores.  Speaking of  my sister coming in - she's all geared up for our annual antique tour, touristy dinner at Frankenmuth and all the other crazy things we got into while she was here last year.  Her price of admission: putting up the shelves in my craft room.  I'm the crafty one (although she paints), but she could appear on an episode of This Old House for all the things that she knows how to do.

Thank you so much for your response to my giveaway and don't forget to sign up on my previous post if you haven't yet.  I wish that I had enough flower frogs to send one to everyone.  But I guess the best I can do is find them and give them away.  But thanks again for being a regular follower, a new follower or a lurker.  Your comments mean the world to me.


51 comments:

K-G Knitter said...

Deb- I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE your Petits Lettres Rouges finish! The lace trim is just perfect, and I really love the mat color your chose. C'est magnifique!

Parsley said...

FUN FUN stuff! Congrats on the 100th post!! Hooray for fun!

Yesy said...

Yesterday, I visited for the first time and here I am again, I love your comments and would like to live close to go to visit antique shops, over here there is none and it's a shame that these things are not valued. I love the framing has been very beautiful, the blocks are very beautiful and I'm sure the bag will be a success.

Yesy

Cari said...

What a colorful post Deb!! Love the framing on the BBD stitch. It's just lovely! At least you can stay cool in the basement! You go girl...I love your quilts!! HUGS

Ranae said...

Congrats on the 100th post and amny many more wonderful ones.
Gotta love the framed BBD, I still have to finish finish mine.
I love that hand mold, a fantastic find.
I would have died with no AC, lol
Glad to hear it's on the repair you might just need it, with the steamy hot air coming
Stay cool!

Margaret said...

I like how you framed the BBD piece -- very nice! And I love all your quilt blocks too. Bummer on the blocks you have to rip out and all. Nice thrift finds too. That's fun that you and your sister specialize in different areas of expertise. :D Hope you two have fun!

Cole said...

Wow, what great deals!! Congrats on your 100th post too! I hope your a/c is up and running, it's so hard to do anything when there's no relief from the heat :)

Isabelle said...

Hi Deb, I love the framing on your red BBD stitch. It's just beautiful!
You are really busy and you made a lot of quilting : congratulations on your new blocks:-))
Have a great day,
Isa

Andrea said...

Love your framed finish, so unique and pretty, very feminine!
You always have the best posts!
That glove mold is the bomb, love it! I hope to find one someday!

Hugs!

Laurie in Iowa said...

You have my sympathy over the loss of your a/c... bummer. Love your sweet BBD piece.

Kim said...

You've been busy!!!! Wooohooo!! The FWQ blocks look wonderful...your BBD piece...sweet! LOVE that glove mold. One day I hope to find one...and look! We have twinner big lidded glass jars now! Yours has edging, mine has marbles. Great finds!!!

Berit said...

That LACE! I can't decide whether I love the "swirly" edging or the "checkered" edging more--nice find.

Oh no to the AC woes; I can't imagine crafting in the heat myself. I'm pretty much only good for taking cool bath/showers then lying in front of a fan reading when that happens for any reason. Who wants to sweat on the work?? lol

Nice call on the framing, as well.

Dani - tkdchick said...

Your little framed piece is adorable!

I'll be embarking on my first quit soon! It almost seems scary at first but I've got my Mum, quilter extraordianre to help!

Patricia Lessell said...

Congrats on the 100th post! You rock girl!!! I am going to be starting my first real quilt soon. I have joined a BOM from a British site and I am loving it already. I just have to have courage and start it before the next block arrives.
Lots of Love
Patti xxx

BrendaS said...

I love your BBD finish -- it came out great with the lace trim!

I don't know how you made it without AC. I probably would have checked into a hotel (my husband would have sent me since I get quite crabby when it's hot)

Great thrifty finds. I especially love the jar of buttons and the lace.

Stay Cool!!!

Karen said...

Your BBD is so pretty...very dainty and sweet! Great new finds also....hoping you cool soon.

Anonymous said...

You find the best signs! I have to comment to on the framed piece..it is adorable. Did you purchase that frame at Hobby Lobby by chance? I ask because I just finished a gift for a fellow blogger using that square frame. I'll show it soon.

Deborah said...

I love the lace on your BBD finish. Great thrifty finds.

Myra said...

I love the way you framed PLR - so clever to add the lace and buttons. I enjoy seeing all your thrifty finds, I would love to run across a glove mold.

Littlebit said...

Your BBD piece turned out perfect! Love the colors.
I sympathize with your a/c problem. We will be having to replace ours in the near future.

Melissa said...

Congrats on your 100th post and on your beautiful finish!

Nancy M said...

"not much else"??? You are too funny. You had all sorts of things to blog about! Thank goodness for the basement. When we go down to watch movies, we have to get the blankets out! Have a good time with your sister. Put her to work! Sorry about the quilt issue and the poor quality material. Both icky problems!

samplerlover said...

Hi Deb,
So glad that you are feeling a little bit better. Love the way that you framed your BBD design. It looks lovely with the lace.
You find the most amazing things on your antique trips. Love the Irish lace. It is beautiful. Have you a special plan for it? - Sandra.

Rugs and Pugs said...

Deb ~
My a/c broke a couple of years ago and the system is so ancient it barely cooled the 2nd floor when it worked, so I never had it fixed. I'm not a big fan of a/c, but I'd love it this year!
Be sure to plan a trip to Sauder during rug week. As a bonus, there's an antique mall right around the corner (at least I think there still is!) You will see the most amazing rugs ever!
Pug hugs :)
Lauren

Chocolates4Breakfast (Terri ~ Boog) said...

Beautiful BBD framing! Love the lace and buttons. Glove molds are one of my favorite things - I have about 4 of them - $10 is an amazing price! Great finds on the linen and lace and love the pink and black fabrics - what's not to love about those?

Glad you're now cooling off. What a week!!!!

sharona said...

I am a follower. i love your frame on your BBD. I would to be entered in your drawing.
Thanks Sharon
ftsharona4@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

Congrats on your 100th post!!

~Cindy~

Conny said...

Your BBD piece is lovely. Enjoy your beautiful stash!

Alice said...

Love what you did with the "Petites Lettres Rouges". You are very brave to be working on so many quilts at once and have my mouth hanging open in amazement. Ok, I am closing my mouth now or I risk swallowing a fly. I adore hands, whether in wood or porcelain and that glove mould is just awesome. LOVE the fabric for your T-Bag and that sign is too cute. What a find of beautiful lace, ribbons and buttons. Its a steal in comparison what you would pay in France. Real eye candy.
Alice
xxx

Carol said...

What a lovely finish, Deb--very creative and fun. The lace and old buttons add such a nice touch.

Hope your new AC is working well and that it is, indeed, your last major expense of the year :)

Katrina said...

Congrats on the 100th post!!!! Fun stitching and quilting pictures and I love your framed piece :-).

Natalia said...

I love your little framed piece and your quilt blocks. I wish I had time to quilt !!!

Michelle said...

I am so sorry to hear about your A/C woes. No fun, indeed. But, you've gotten some pretty blocks made. And I love love love the way you framed Petites Lettres. The added interest from the buttons and lace are wonderful!

Anonymous said...

I love your finish and the framing! What a great use of lace and buttons! Your quilt squares are lovely. I could look at quilts all day...

Teri said...

My first visit to your blog, and here it is your 100th post. Congratulations! I have a lot of "catching up" to do ;-).

Sherry :o) said...

Boy, Terri stuck in a glass elevator and you with no air - don't you guys know it's hot here- and I mean HOT! How about those thunderstorms we're having now - and hoping it cools things off but so far it's not.

I love the black and white block the best, but the beans and corn looks good. The black/pink look cool and the bag pattern is pretty neato! Let me know if it's easy and I'd love to check it out when you finish it. I have picked up a couple bag patterns here and there and am anxious to try my hand at them - but nervous, so I let them sit, with fabric, in a pile. Missed you last week at K.S. Congrats on your 100th post...whew, that's a lot of posting.

Kathy said...

I love the framing on the BBD piece. The lace and buttons really add to it.
The quilt squares are beautiful and the black and white square is my very favorite. Antique stores must be in northern Ohio, because we don't have many here in the south western part.

Vinniey said...

Congrats on your 300+ followers milestone! :) I love the glove mold too, I also saw it from Terri's blog, I hope I can get it too here in Malaysia. :) Beautiful framing for your letter sampler, the color is so sweet.

Sherry said...

Congratulations on the 100th post and 300+ followers! The glove mold is wonderful. I have one too. I love the sign. Signs make me happy although the rest of the family (guys) think they are stupid!

Jan said...

Gosh, Deb...that is a beautiful choice for a frame finish, love it!!! Hoping you are getting better sleep, so you can stitch, shop and quilt like crazy!!

Sorry for just now commenting, I had thought I had left one previously, but apparently didn't! This age thing is my only excuse....

Karoline said...

Love the framing on Petites Lettres Rouges, it's gorgeous.

Lovely quilt blocks and some great finds.

Congratulations on your 100th post.

Laura said...

deb:
Congratulations for so many fans, nice blog.
I hope to be winner, because in mexico do not get something.
excuse my English
l.rguezmendoza @ gmail.com

Nicky said...

Hi Deb, Love how you started with 'I really don't have much to say' and then proceed with all that news and pics! Congrats on 100 posts/300followers. I love to read your blog, your stiching and quilting is always beautiful. Hope things are cooling down for you by now, wish it would warm up here, we are having a reasonably mild winter, but no doubt we'll get a storm or two in the middle of lambing!
Nicky

PS: Absolutely LOVE your framed BD piece, love those colours!

Jackie's Stitches said...

I love the way you had Petites Lettres Rouges finished. The lace is a nice touch.

I always seem to be frogging something. Knitting, stitching or quilting - it's never fun.

I hope your new a/c is in and running. It must have been a tough week without it.

the striped rose said...

I love all your goodies!
Sorry to hear about your appliances- it does seem to happen all at once! Our car was struck by lightening last month (cannot be repaired!) and our washing machine died on Thursday. I keep telling the kids this is perfectly normal, things don't last forever. I have to keep telling myself that too!

Siobhán said...

OMG, sorry to hear about the AC!! The same thing happened to us one year during a heatwave. I don't think I'll ever forget it. :P

I love love love your BBD! That is so sweet! Love all the goodies, too. The quilt blocks are fantastic! I've been to two quilt stores here thus far and both stink & I walked out empty handed. Blergh. I'll e soon!

MyLifesAStitch said...

The
BBD framed piece is fantastic! Teh lace and buttons are the perfect finishing touch. Really really nice, Deb.

Your quilt blocks look amazing (as always!), and I would never have known there was a thing wrong with any of them if you hadn't pointed it out, lol.

Stay cool, gf!!

Lainey said...

Your framed piece is beautiful Deb and what a wonderful collection of goodies you have purchased.

FIONA said...

Just love your beautifully framed work Deb and have thoroughly enjoyed reading your blog! Thankyou for sharing and congrats on 100 posts!

Unknown said...

Love the way your did your finish on Petite Lettres Rouges.

Our a/c died earlier this summer so I feel for you. We eat lots of red beans and rice when we need to save a little money.

I like your quilt squares and am looking forward to seeing your T-Bag.

Loraine said...

What an awesome post! So sorry I missed it. I've been trying to recuperate after a very long and bad week. (I'll have to e-mail you about my next bad incident. I left the laundry room sink on, and tried to flood the basement! What a mess.
Anyhow, I just love all your quilting, and wonderful purchases. It's cheering me up to read about all your thrifty finds too.
Take Care dear friend.