Project Pile Up : :

Last week I had so many projects going on at once, and to give you a good understanding of my situation, I thought I'd share a little project show and tell today! First I should remind you, I've never been one to have just one or two projects going, but after a couple weeks full of many things that kept me more running around in circles and caused much less time for sewing, things got a little busy!













My Diamond & Zigs Zag Minimalista quilt, a new making rows quilt in Rapture, new fox pillows finished with Chromatics Pointelle, pillows to match my flower crowns (more on that this week), last minute Valentine's decorating & crafting. And, that's not all!  Each day on average I have about four Birthday Crowns orders to fill, felt to cut and organize, several new quilt projects in progress awaiting pictures, surprise gifts to make, let's leave out all the computer work, it's endless! Good thing I love sewing so, so much!

So how about you, when it comes to sewing, are you able to stick to just one or two projects at a time, working start to finish? Or, like me, do you sometimes take on too much?

Pillowcases for Newtown : :

I shared the details of a pillowcase drive happening on Monday, and today I want to share our stack! In recap, Quilter's Corner in CT is hoping to collect at least 600, to be delivered to the Sandy Hook Elem school, after the return from holiday break.



Yesterday we mailed out five pillowcases, one from each of us Cracknell's. It felt good to put my hands to good use. I am extremely grateful for both the opportunity to make something that may bring a little comfort to at least a few of those poor students and for the gentle conversation it pioneered for me with my two youngest while we did our making.





For two of the three we made together, we used FITF's wonderful Pretty Quick Pillowcase Tutorial. We combined some beautiful organic cotton fabrics -- a Cloud9 Monsterz print, along with one of my very favorite's -- this Mod Squad Organic print by Birch, with some of Lizzy House's perfect, soft stripes, from her Hello Pilgrim collection, a little of Joel Dewberry's new Notting Hill, with just a teeny bit of Willow Dot by RBD.



My daughter took this photo while I was sewing one up and Jacob was controlling the foot petal. I don't have too many pictures of me sewing, so I think this is special and looks really cool!



During the day on Monday and again yesterday, I finished up this stack of flannel & voile pillowcases. Two more to add to the ones we sent out, and three to be gifted to our children's wonderful teachers! Most of the flannel & voile I used is by Anna Maria Horner. Combine those two and it is certain to make for some gorgeous, comfy pillowcase stitching!



Almost immediately after sharing news of the drive and throughout the last few days, more than a few people have asked, "Why pillowcases?" Since my involvement in this pillowcase drive is to help spread the word and to join in myself, I don't want to speak for anyone, and I also don't want to ignore anyone. My own answer right away was, "Well, my obvious first thought is simply -- to bring a little comfort. I know it is a very small gesture, but there is a lot of love that goes into making anything with your hands. It would bring me a little joy to know that there are so many who are thinking, praying, and trying their best to lift up those impacted by this unthinkable tragedy. When I saw the post, I just wanted to share it." 

Since then, I have learned that Pillowcase Projects, sometimes called "Sweet Dreams Pillowcase Projects" are being organized all the time, all over -- to make to send to shelters, hospitals, children's homes, and to service members. It really is a beautiful idea and one that I would love to keep going! Please let me know if you are interested?! I also watched on the news a story of a Portland family sending 26 wreaths to a Fire House in Newtown, here's a video clip of one First Responder's reaction, which moved me to tears.The man in the video explains much better than I ever could, why these small gestures make a big difference!

Mail your pillowcases to : : 
Quilters Corner
312 Danbury Rd
New Milford, CT
06776.

Take care, friends,
♥,  Maureen

A Handmade GIVEAWAY!!!

 

Another Giveaway? YES! I decided late last week to have a handmade giveaway today for one of my own pillows. There are a couple of reasons I feel like celebrating right now...

1. My blog is very close to having 2,500 followers! And, that is just completely amazing to me! I have in so many ways had the most challenging personal two years of my life, but the most blessed two years all because of this blog, as well. I’m so grateful to all of my readers who follow, subscribe, comment, and share my posts. It's you all who keep me motivated to keep on creating and who are making so many of my dreams come true!

2. Feather Your Nest! Have you heard? It's a new sewing and stitch - along contest on Stumble & Stitches! I have been asked to join in as one of the judges, along with Ellen Luckett Baker of The Long Thread, Amanda Carestio of Lark Crafts, Rashida Coleman-Hale of I Heart Linen, Keli Faw of Drygoods Design Online,  Rachael Gander of Imagine Gnats, Kimberly Jolly of Fat Quarter Shop, Jennet Mae Jones of Feathered Nest Studio, Kristin Link of Sew Mama Sew!, and  Melanie O'Brien of A Sewing Journal. Honestly, having my name listed amongst their names for anything is reason enough for me to feel like celebrating!

There will be some amazing prizes to win in the Feather Your Nest contest. Including $150 gift certificate from Fat Quarter Shop! WOW!!


You can find all the details right here, as well as my very own "nest" being featured today on the Stumbled & Stitches blog! So what do you say?? Will you join in and welcome Spring in handmade style with us? I hope so!!

For my own Handmade Giveaway today, I thought it would be wonderful to get the chance to help "Feather Your Nest" by offering one of my handmade pillows to one of my readers. Last month for my two year Sew-iversary, I shared my new Summerlove Spring Birdie Pillow and asked you all to share your sewing story with me. I received a great response on both my pillow and with your stories, so today, I'm offering one of my Spring Birdie Pillows to one of you! This one measures a 14" square, has three little Summerlove appliqued birds, I will be including an insert, and a few other surprise goodies, too!

Enter to Win!
 
Here's how,
 
1. Simply leave a comment here in this post letting me know what you'd like to see more of here on my blog. Or, if you plan to join in the contest, you can let me know what handmade item you plan to make to "Feather Your Nest." (one entry)

2. My followers get a second entry! I thank you all SO much for following!! Whether you follow me here or on Facebook, just let me know that you do by making a separate comment here to record that entry. (optional extra entry)

That’s 2 possible entries! Enter now through Wednesday evening, April 18th. Mr. Random will pick the winner and I will announce their name in a new post here on the blog.
 
* Note * This giveaway is open to EVERYONE! If you're a "no reply" or anonymous commenter, please remember to include your email address in your comment so that I can contact you should you win!
                                        

Good Luck everyone!!! Happy Monday!

A Sponsor GIVEAWAY : :

  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *

It's Fabric Giveaway Friday!

My sponsor Moona Fabrics is owned and operated by a mother/daughter-in-law team, both of whom are passionate about gorgeous fabric. They love to sew, and their mission is to find the most beautiful and highest quality fabric out there and share their finds with all of us! They get new fabrics in frequently, so bookmark them and visit often!

The Prize! 

Moona Fabrics is offering a fat quarter bundle of the Monaluna Circa 52 Collection, a modern group of cute, graphic prints by Birch Fabrics! That's 7 fat quarters of these colorful, adorable designs! Birch Fabrics are 100% organic cotton and are printed with low impact dyes. The fabric is a medium-weight weave, making it ideal for quilting, apparel, baby and kids’ items, as well as home accessories. The entire collection is available for sale in the Moona Fabrics shop now!

Aren't they sweet!

 

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

This is my very favorite print of the bunch -- Woodland Party in Cream. Peek-a-boo foxes, adorable owls, little birdies in the trees, and colorful bunting! It really is perfection!!
 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  

 



Enter to Win!
 
Here's how,
 
1. Simply leave a comment here in this post. You can include what you'd make if you won. I love reading all of your ideas! (one entry)
2. Visit Moona Fabrics and sign up to receive their Newsletter (it's located on the bottom left side of their website). Just let me know that you did by making a separate comment here to record that entry. (one entry)
3. My followers get a third entry! Whether you follow me here or on Facebook, just let me know that you do by making a separate comment here to record that entry. (one entry)
 
That’s 3 possible entries! Enter now through 10 o'clock pm (EST) Sunday, February 22st. I will announce the winner this Monday morning in a new post here on the blog.
 
* Note * This giveaway is open to EVERYONE! If you're a "no reply" or anonymous commenter, please remember to include your email address in your comment so that I can contact you should you win!
 
Good Luck everyone!!!  Thank you and a huge thanks to Moona Fabrics!!!