Crossed nose hairs and a giveaway

For the past nine weeks I have been following the Quilting is Murder mystery.

The mystery itself was kind of silly...

but it was rather fun to read each Saturday morning.

The best part of the mystery was jumping around the internet to look for clues.

They were easy to find (took me less than a 1/2 hour each week);

and they pointed me to lots of quilt shops and fun along the way.

Also, each week on their blog, they intro'd us to some colorful characters.

It was interesting learning more about people that one has always heard of;

but never knew the full details. 

The selection of characters was about as colorful as the characters themselves.

I can now say that I know a bit more about Dennis Rodman,

Coco Chanel,

 and even Queen Lili'uokalani.

(I was most interested in her as she is the great grandmother of my DD.)

Now the mystery is solved.

But there is still another goody in store.

Some of the participants are going to win prizes.

Up for grabs are a sewing machine and some Baby Go!'s.

You all know how badly I need a machine.

Keep your fingers, toes, nose hairs, and freckles crossed for me!

The drawing is in a couple of days.

For those that missed the mystery...there's another coming in May.

I'll let you know when.

Time for the giveaway I spoke about a while back.
I have several quilt patterns/books that I will be including.
(whatever I can fit into a flat rate envelope).
On Saturday I will post the photo of the books and do the drawing on Sunday March 6th.
The catch? Anyone that commented in February...gets an extra entry for each comment.
Anyone that is a follower BEFORE the final day (coming Saturday)
gets an extra entry.

As promised, it is time for an update on our prison dogs.

I have one sad story to tell.

Dawn was placed into a home...

but they couldn't handle her. Now she is back in a foster home.

If you'll remember, Dawn came from a puppy mill and spent her life breeding.

She's an older dog and has Matriarch tendencies.

If she can rule the home, she will. 

If she can't...then she'll go on a hunger strike.

This stressed her new owner too much. 

I hope that they can find a home for her sometime!

She loved the prison...

but it is time for her to learn to love freedom.

Rudy has an adoptive home...

if he would just learn to master the leash.

He rather enjoys taking his owner for a walk instead of the other way around.

Ivy and Jade have both come out of their shells.

They were so shy when the came to the program,

but now have happy go lucky natures.

They will be ready for adoption soon.

Way to go ladies!

Quil is getting over his orneriness.

He is just opinionated.

Very. 

He is picky about who he likes,

and isn't afraid to let others know that he doesn't like them.

Mandi loves everyone. 

She still kind of needs to learn to not jump on them to show them just how much though.

She is being considered for a service dog program.

She is very smart. 

They have been trying to train the dogs to go lay on their blanket

(that I made--big grins!) on command. 

Mandi is the first to learn this.

They put her blanket out in the wing and say "mat"

and goes and lays down. 

Of course she wants to go lay on her special blankie!!

Cricket is so soft and beautiful that she is irresistible.

She doesn't like being approached or petted though.

She'll get there. 

She hasn't even been in the program a month yet.

I have a new blanket to make for Mr. Carlos soon. 

I'll keep you informed!

Dear Me

I've spent a lot of time blogging this week about new goodies that I've been blessed with.

Today I'd like to share with you some of the biggest blessings that I've received.

These are all letters/cards from inmate dog handlers,

thanking me for the prison pooch blankies.

You might be surprised at how grateful these guys are for these blankets.

They seem almost shocked that someone cares.

These little letters really, really bless me.

Tomorrow I'll give you an update on the current dogs.

Cut that corner!

I sure have been posting a lot about goodies that I've received lately.

Sew Cal Gal had a giveaway about a month ago.

There were several giveaways all in one. 

One person was to win the Grand Prize.

Guess who that was?

Oh, yes! I am so so blessed!!

I received the cutting corners ruler,

as well as, three patterns.

What is the cutting corners ruler?

I HAD NO IDEA EITHER!

After reading the guide book that came with it; 

(a ruler with a guide book...should I be worried?)

I am very anxious to get started using it.

Here is a photo from the back of the packaging.

With the ruler, you take a plain block (or even sashing),

cut the corner of it off using the ruler (that already has the math done for you)

and then dress it up a bit.

I know this is a bit vague.

I'll do a tutorial with it as soon as I get a chance to make a quilt with it.

(soon...but I have 4 ministry quilts that are already in the works)

If you are interested in reading more about it yourself

pop over to Cozy Quilt Designs.

Warm Charms and a peek.

I won this charm pack awhile ago from Fabric Fascination.

Isn't that little paper clip button cute?

I like her shop as she carries a lot of batiks, blenders and such.

She makes projects for the Project Challenge over on my left side bar.

(How I wish that I could!)

This charm pack is made of darker warm tones.

I have been trying to decide what to make out of it.

I have all these Jelly Rolls left over from my Max and Whiskers project.

I think I'll combine the two and make something fun.

Sure have had people wondering what I'm making with good ol Max.

Here is a sneak peek. That's all you get :)

What do ladybugs, snoopy, and Karate have in common?

A while (embarrassingly long while) ago,

I received this wonderful bookmark in the mail.

The Karate Quilter sent it...just because.

Stephen and I have many battles over this bookmark

as he seems to think it belongs to him.

No, Stephen. It is mine. And I LOVE it!

I have pictured the bookmark on top of my Snoopy books collection.

Why? Because I am getting excited that March is coming.

And, in March, I get to start the Peanuts quilt-a-long.

(As if I needed another. I have a stitch-a-long starting in March too.)

The Peanuts quilt is all for ME!

I am so selfish.

ps...they are all in the same blog post. That's what they have in common.

1 for 3

A while back I was invited by Marilizs Musings

to be part of Pay it Forward.

The rules are simple.

 I need three people that would like a gift from me.

I send each of them a gift sometime in the next year.

In turn, you send three other people gifts.

I don't think this is too hard a task considering we have a whole year!!

No need to be big and fancy,

just kind and considerate.

If you choose to join me; you will receive one gift;

and send three gifts.

(I was a bit greedy at first and was all excited to be getting three gifts.

I don't want you to be greedily confused as well.)

Just let me know in the comments if you'd like to join along!

Breaking the Rules

I read the most touching blog post that I've read in a long time.
Maybe ever.

Here it is:

Gotin trouble for playing twith the butttoondsds on my bed$$$Ruhr nurse threatened po rite my arms. Down !;) I'm not sure he reajhhyvwoufkld buut I sure got a good talking to.

Have you been praying for Joanne?
You know...I have a great big button right there on the left.
You can read about Joanne RIGHT HERE.

What a blessing that she was able to type that quote up above!!
I am sure that it brought tears around the world.

Very worthy of breaking my "No blogging on Sunday" rule,
Don't you think?
I am glad that Joanne is able to break the rules too.

Oh, Yappy day!!

A few weeks ago, 

Patty over at Granma's Charms,

hosted a wonderful giveaway.

She asked us to comment what type of fabrics that we would want;

and she would select the fabric according to the winners tastes.

Well, I won!!

I told her that I would like some more doggy prints 

for my prison pooches.

Well, I got dog prints...and then some!!

I started playing around matching this and that together.

There are TEN YARDS in all!!

I am so blessed!!

I don't think all of the fabric will be for prison pups.

I think some will become a prayer quilt for a dog lover.

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FABRIC FOR SALE

How about something on the wild side today?

I just picked out some wild n crazy fabrics,

and took photos as I kept piling them on:

Circles, wavy lines, batiks,

all sizes from 1/4" yd to 1 yd.

I stopped counting at 22 yards.

That's OVER 22 yards of wild stuff,

already packed and ready to ship!!!

$90 includes $14.95 shipping.

(less than $4.00 yd)

First person that comments that they want it, gets it.

Send me an email with your paypal address 

so that I can send you an invoice.

hillbillyhandiworks@gmail.com

Only paypal accepted.

(After 48 hours this will be moved to Etsy for a higher price.)

Tutorial--Four Patch Shuffle

I have seen this block on several blogs; 

but I really don't know what it is called.

I first played around with it a few months ago

when neither sewing machine was working.

I took some colored paper, taped them together,

and started slicing to see what kind of neat,

yet easy, blocks that I could come up with.

This block works perfectly with a layer cake. 

Any size squares will work though.

Just place one contrasting square of fabric on top of another right sides together.

Sew with a 1/4" seam allowance down the right and left sides of the squares.

And then cut into four equal quadrants. (One cut down the middle each direction.)

Sew these sections into two matching four patch blocks.

Making sure all the blocks are squared up first,

Cut them 1 1/2" from the middle lines--in all directions.

Your first slices should look like this:

Then, you need to cut like this:

Next you shuffle the four middle blocks of each section. 

Just trade them across the row.

And sew together!

Try this block using different color combo's.

Here is a two color combo:

You could use one layer cake,

and divide the colors into lights and darks.

This would make a nice lap size quilt.

Or two layer cakes for a larger quilt.

 One colorful and one solid.

Another twist on the block would be to make the 1 1/2" slices

from diagonal to diagonal. I tried this with paper.

It was very cool. 

You will have to deal with bias...

just use lots of starch!!

I would love to hear from you if you decide to make this block;

let me know and I'll post it on my blog.

Max!

I am in LOVE with this new line of fabrics!!

It is called "Max and Whiskars" from Moda.

Normally, I don't buy much fabric.

But of this line, I bought a charm pack

and my first ever Jelly Roll.

I wish that I could buy yards and yards of it.

Here's a close up:

Adorable? Yes!

I am working on a special project with it this week.

I'll show you soon :)

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Today, up for sale are my scraps.

Yes, my scraps! Look how many I have!

All kinds, all sizes.

I squezzed them all into flat rate boxes.

If you want either the large or small you have to make note of that in the comment.

First to say they want it...gets it.

It will stay up for 48 hours, 

then it goes to Etsy for a higher price.

The large box is $19.00 and includes 14.95 flat rate shipping.(That's only $4 for the fabric.)

The small box is $13.00 and includes 10.95 flat rate shipping. (only $2 for the fabric.)

My international friends must pay the difference in shipping.

If you are the purchaser,

please email me with your paypal shipping address so that I can send you an invoice.

Only paypal accepted.

Cats for Missy

Sometimes when I make a prayer ministry quilt,

I am free to tell you a nice story to go along with it.

Or I can tell you more about the person,

as some of you pray along with me.

But, sometimes, the situation is a bit more delicate.

And all that I am able to tell you is that the person needs prayer.

Missy needs prayer.

She needs prayer for physical, spiritual and emotional needs.

Knowing that Missy loves cats, 

I chose several fun cat prints,

and then added some of my own hand dyed fabrics.

I tried a pattern that I've been wanting to try for awhile.

I love using my hand dyes, 

it sure made for a bright a colorful quilt!

Perfect for brightening Missy's day!

I will offer a quick tutorial on how to sew this block on Friday.

Fabric, Stephen, Seth, Our car..yep it's randomness

Thanks for your understanding about my week long blog-cation.

Just some random thoughts/happenings/changes today:

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Seth did very well during our big school push.

His math work improved greatly;

and he looks to be going to Regionals in Bible Quizzing.

I am quite proud of him for that as it is his first year in quizzing.

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We got our tax refund back.

I had a HUGE list of everything that I wanted to buy 

for each of my men; as well as a list of things to start my online business back up;

and a hope to FINALLY get my sewing machine.

I am not going to be able to get my machine or start that business up just yet.

Hey, don't get too sad for me. We just got too much money back

Yes, I said TOO much money. (To be used for that).

We paid off the car instead.

 The one that we just put a down payment on

and purchased with last year's refund.

No more car payments!

WHAT A BLESSING!!

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In the hopes that I can start up my little business again soon;

and get that sewing machine;

I am selling off some of my fabric. 

I  truly have a huge stash,

a good portion of it I inherited and will probably never use it all in my lifetime.

I will be offering the fabric first on my blog;

first comment that wants it--gets it--

if after 48 hours there are no takers,

then I will put it on Etsy for a higher price.

Look for the first offer at the bottom of this post.

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Stephen was very helpful while I was on blog-cation.

He pulled a whole bowl of Lucky Charms off the table.

Then while my back was turned, grabbed the paper towels

to help clean up. Thanks Stephen!

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I will be having some giveaway's of patterns and books soon.

Maybe one big giveaway for all of it.

I will not announce exactly when,

nor will I draw from the comments on that post.

Instead, I will draw from my already followers/comments.

Look for it at the end of the month.

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Like I said, I need to get rid of some fabrics.

So, to start off with, how about a big box of batiks?

All sizes..1/4 yd, 1/3 yd, 1/2 yd and 1 yd pieces.

Over 12 yards total.

Pre-packaged in a Medium Flat Rate box.

$45.00 plus $10.95 shipping

(International friends must pay the extra shipping cost)

That is less than $4.00/yd!!!

First person to ask for it, get's it.

Only paypal accepted.

email me with your Paypal email address

if you are the first to leave a comment wanting the fabric.

hillbillyhandiworks@gmail.com

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PS..It's nice to be back!

PERFECT!!

Look what came in the mail this past weekend:

I tried to make the photo fairly large so that you can see the date.

It was mailed to me on October 17th.

It only took 4 months!

But, you see, it comes at the PERFECT time.

Today, Jane from Groovy Pumpkin,

is having a new little baby girl. 

On Valentine's day!

It is also Jane's Birthday!

Boy, that sure will be easy on Daddy.

His wife's birthday,

his daughters birthday,

and Valentine's Day

All in one!

Happy Birthday and Happy Valentines Day

to all of the Groovy Pumpkin family!

And thank you for my ornament.

Even though it was sent as part of the 

Great Holiday Ornament Exchange,

I think taking four months to get here,

was perfect timing! Don't you?

I Hate Clutter!

I am in the mood to move furniture and re-do the whole house.

I get this way every few months.

Does anyone else do that?

Of course, I started with my room.

I find that the hardest to keep organized.

While I feel so blessed to finally have an allotted sewing area,

I find it very hard to keep all the sewing equipment and 'stuff' AND

the large art palette(fabric), 

the home school stuff (both teacher and student's),

my office equipment (computer/and an HUGE large format printer),

Amy's cricut and paper supplies,

my recliner/bed, (I have to sleep in a recliner due to an injury and found it impossible to get the rest that I need in the living room where I had to contend with wind chimes, or music, or tv or teenagers)

 all my clothes, (thank goodness there aren't many. Most are in the basement in boxes from before I had a baby in my 40's. I am beginning to wonder if they will ever find their way into my closet again.)

and my personal reading materials

ALL IN ONE room. 

But I try. 

I'll be back to my normal blog postings on Monday.

I have some very nice changes in store. 

In a week or so

For those that don't know...
I homeschool my oldest son, Seth.
But, our situation is unusual in that he spends 10 days here,
then 5 days at this dad's house.
This switches in the summer.

On my ten days with Seth we have to do school
---even the weekends--
in order to get all his hours in.

BUT...we have snowdays too.
Like when he goes to spend the night with
a church friend and we get a big snow
and he gets to stay extra.

Or when he's supposed to come home from his dad's
and we have a blizzard and we can't make it to get him.

SO, he comes home tonight (a few days late)
and I really really need time to make up some work with him.

He leaves again next Friday (the 11th) and I'll be back.
I might comment on a few blogs;
but probably rarely as I'll be buzzing through them.

And I'll miss you.
But this is quite necessary.
Will ya miss me?

Pawn Stars....Quilt style

My son loves the tv show Pawn Stars.
And it is one show that I actually can stand watching myself.
Some pretty interesting stuff comes through that pawn shop!

When a person comes into the shop,
they have a choice whether to pawn or sell.
If they do choose to sell;
then they must sell at a less than valued price
so that the pawn shop can make some money on it.

Well, that's what I am doing today.
I have a couple of magazines that I would like to commit to;
and some thread and batting that needs purchased.
As in yesterday.

Please let me know if you are interested in any of the following.
All reasonable offers considered.
Buyer must pay shipping.
Invoiced via paypal only.
Contact me at hillbillyhandiworks@gmail.com with an offer.
Thanks!

Bargello Wall Hanging

Blue Serenity small baby size quilt 

(I like it on the wall...so pretty!)

Large throw

Table runner

wall hanging

wall hanging