Pincusion Swap - Sent and Received

I've been so good! 

I've avoided bee's ... to stay away from distractions.

Then KA-POW a few fantastic swaps just became irresistible!
DISTRACTED!

I joined in a facebook swap because of an enabler - she's evil by the way!

The task was fantastic to make a pin cushion. 

I so could do this. 

I made this cute little pin cushion. 

Perfect for when I did my wonky star tutorial

I adored how nice and simple it is.
I even got some hand stitching in here. . . tada!

Filled with crushed walnut seeds.

It's reminded me that my own skills have grown leaps and bounds in the last few years.

I could never work on something this small before - it's all about learning! 

~~

In return during the same swap, I received an amazing package I got from

CeLynn's Sunflower Patch.

She talked a little about her work on my pin cushions  here and here

{yes way back in February and March}

I'm super spoiled!

I love triangles and CeLynn was spot on with this lovely package.

So fun to swap with such great people! ♥

Sometimes distractions is just what I need to get more done.

 

Blogger’s Quilt Festival ~ May 2013 ~ Baby Quilt

Welcome if you're jumping over from Amy's Creative Side for the fantastic

Blogger's Quilt Festival.

As an intro ...

I'm Shanna {like Banana}.

You can find me on any of the many Internet venues I dabble in through the buttons just to the left.

<----------------

Please look around, I would love to have you visit me again.

I'm so excited to participate in the Blogger's Quilt Festival again.

Here is my entry of a baby quilt

Quilt Stats:

Name: Moonh Sparkle Triangle

Size: approx. 56" x 70"

Fabrics:  Amy Butler - Cameo + stash fabrics + linen
Binding: Amy Butler - Angelica in Carmine
Pattern:  Triangles self design

Quilting: Machine quilted on my Pfaff Performance 2058

Completed: December 2012 

I was super excited to work on triangles.  And this beauty is for my bff's little girl, Moonh Sparkle Love.

The back is volie that doesn't play nice with 505 spray.  So much learning!

Here's an Instagram photo of the entire top  I learned a lot about triangles in this beauty!

~~~

When I started my blog I was super excited to share my very first quilt during this festival.  I was so proud. 

This is my first time to participate since 2010.

I've been lacking in my finishes.

To remedy this Melissa from Sew BitterSweet Designs and I have been running a monthly goal {with sponsors} called 'A Lovely Year of Finishes'  we would love to have your join us.  It's been fantastic to see finishes - even some of my own.

Please go check out the other amazing quilts with this springs Bloggers Quilt Festival.

Thanks for visiting

Blogger’s Quilt Festival ~ May 2013 ~ Wall Hanging entry

Welcome if you're jumping over from Amy's Creative Side for the fantastic

Blogger's Quilt Festival.

As an intro ...

I'm Shanna {like Banana}.

You can find me on the many Internet venues through my buttons just to the left.

<----------------

Please look around, I would love to have you visit me again.

I'm so excited to participate in the Blogger's Quilt Festival again.

Here is my entry into the Wall Hanging

I made this for the Modern She Made 3 swap.

I knew that I could do this as a challenge as it included stars

{I love stars & triangles of all sorts!}

This is for a secret partner, Lee from May Chappell. 

Quilt Stats:

Name: Rainbows in Gray

Size: approx. 21" x 21"

Fabrics:  Stash fabrics + Kona grays

Binding: Amy Butler - Cameo - Forget Me Not in Midnight 
Pattern:  My own design scaled down version of fireflies tutorial from Sew Bittersweet Designs

Quilting: Machine quilted by me on my Pfaff Performance 2058

Started : April 2013

Completed: May 2013 

I used and tweaked the fireflies tutorial by Melissa over at Sew Bittersweet Designs.

It was fun to post some status on Instagram

Oh and I even did this fancy smancy labeling technique from the tutorial by Melissa over at Sew Bittersweet Designs.

I also added a star for the back.  I used a the wonky star tutorial I posted here.

~~~

When I started my blog I was super excited to share my very first quilt during this festival.  I was so proud. 

This is my first time to participate since 2010.

I've been lacking in my finishes.

To remedy this Melissa from Sew BitterSweet Designs and I have been running a monthly goal {with sponsors} called 'A Lovely Year of Finishes'  we would love to have your join us.  It's been fantastic to see finishes - even some of my own.

Please go check out the other amazing quilts with this springs Bloggers Quilt Festival.

Thanks for visiting

May ALYoF ~ mid-month check-in linky party

Looking for some eye candy?  Jump over to the #ALYoF flickr group and check out the projects people have been showing off.

This is the May mid-month check-in.

I kinda need this myself. 
While I put my finish goal as something small, I'm kinda struggling.

Instead of working on my #ALYoF project I'm breaking out other WIP's.

It's so fun to play with old projects and know that they will be done soon.

But I will work on my May project soon.
I can SO do this!

~~

This mid-month linky will be open for 7 days.

Melissa and I would love to see how you're all doing.

And this is not mandatory linky just a fun encouragement along the way!

Melissa & I share the same linky, as she's awesome & shares with me.

And remember to visit some of these lovely people and grab a button for your blog posts.

<a href="http://fiberofallsorts.blogspot.com/p/lovely-year-of-finishes.html" title="A Lovely Year of Finishes"> <img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lqljBHhCZpQ/UNO3qzThzrI/AAAAAAAAASY/Osvir1xGqwk/s400/2013btn600.gif" width="180" height="180" alt="A Lovely Year of Finishes" style="border:none;" /></a>

The finishes party will start May 24 and end on midnight May 31.
Thanks to this month's sponsors
 Stitch n’ Giggles

Paper Pieces

 Intrepid Thread

local quilter Solar Threads find Becky on her facebook page here

Quilting Lodge
Aurifil

Contemporary Cloth

Winners and Weekends

It was a lovely weekend overall.

And now it's Monday.

The winner of my Sew, Mama, Sew Giveaway is ...

Nichole of Modern Handcraft

Congrats sweetie!
I have the package all ready to mail.

I was able to take advantage of travels and sales this weekend.  I have a few more gadgets that I'll be doing reviews for.

This weekend I worked on an old old WIP.

And with glee, I finished all the blocks by the end of the weekend.

This block and pattern is from the Superstar from Elizabeth Hartman's book

The Practical Guide to Patchwork

So pretty!

The step-daughter said a medium gray would be a good border and well I have no clue what the back will be at this point in time. 

All in good time.

Turn-it-All product review

Circular life baby!

So this is were it starts...

So I'm over on Instagram and I just happened to stumble on #isewphotochallenge from some of the fantastic people I follow.

Searching this hastag I find super bizarre tools and many other people that I was not following but obviously should be {which I am now}

Later on, while my meander my way as I enter Sew, Mama, Sew giveaways for myself, I found the wonderful Pattern Crush

She's the one running the #isewphotochallenge - wow!

So I decided to jump right in starting on May 8 - Most bizarre tool. Here's what I picked.

Why you ask..

I was having such a hard time turning some straps for my 'go anywhere bag' as I added some extra interfacing. I spent about 30 minutes trying to turn them and only had 1.5" turned.  My hands hurt!  It was so painful.  I can totally sympathize with anyone with joint issues trying to do this craft.

I remembering watching some video of this sometime back.  I remember thinking to myself 'who needs that!?'  Sadly, I did in this moment! 

I went to my trusty Amazon and found the Turn-it-All. I went and ordered this on-line. Thanks to my mommy giving me Amazon Prime I got it in 2 days! 

I took my strap, you remember the one that I had already spent already 30 minutes on, and undid the whole 1.5" that I already turned.  I was hoping this really was going to work!  I put some basting stitches one end so I could push against something, placed the tube inside and then with the other poker turned this beauty right-side out in 15 seconds flat. 

Really 15 seconds! 

I almost cried! 

I did the same thing with the other strap and DONE!

Why again did I not buy this earlier? 

I highly recommend this product or something like it.  It really is the best under $10 item I have in my sewing arsenal at the moment!

*As an FYI ~ I put my Instagram account on private as there was some crazy spam going around and well I don't really want everyone to see my photos.  Just request an add and if you have quilty related things I'll  approve your request*

April Winners ~ A Lovely Year of Finishes

Looking for my Sew, Mama, Sew Giveaway open til Friday, May 10?

Click HERE

~~

A Lovely Year of Finishes that is co-hosted by Melissa and Me.  Click on either of our pages to get more information. 

How about some prizes from last month.
I admire all of the 103 people who finished their one project.
I adore that this is working for some people - including myself.

April PRIZES from our amazing sponsors:

1. A Craftsy Class (winners choice of class)

The winner is Lyndsey from Sew Many Yarns

2. $15.00 Gift Certificate to Fat Quarter Shop

The winner is Robyn from Flickr

3. Choice of $15 or 2 charm packs from Stitch n’ Giggles

The winner is Lindsey from Happier Than a Bird Quilts

4. A Paper Piecing Kit donated from Paper Pieces

The winner is Jennifer from Glinda Quilts 

5, 6, 7 Will get one thread pack of Auriful Thread donated from Aurifil



The winners are: 

Wendi from Bethadee Zoo

Debbe from Pieces to Love

*Carol from Ladybugs Quilting Challenges 

*Carol please check your email* we may need to re-draw this

8. $20.00 Gift Certificate from the Quilting Lodge

The winner is Tubakk from Den Syende Himmel

9. $10.00 Gift Certificate from Contemporary Cloth

The winner is Cindy from In a Stitch Quilting

Many thanks to our amazing sponsors.  I know it's fantastic to have an incentive to finish things up.. in addition to having it done.

Keep it up!

Sew, Mama Sew ~ May 2013 Giveaway Day

Giveaway now closed

Welcome if you've never been to my corner of the blog world before.

I'm Shanna {like Banana}.
You can find me on the many Internet venues through my buttons just to the left.
<----------------

Lately I've been co-hosting a monthly party to inspire you to get your projects done but just focusing on one project at a time.  It seems to be working.  I think it helps that Melissa {my co-host} and I have lined up some fantastic sponsors for the entire 2013 year.  More information about "A Lovely Year of Finishes" can be found here.

The May link-up is open til the 7th at midnight.



~~~
So I know why you're here.
How about a trip first...

Way, way back in July 2012

{imagine the going back in time music from the 80's TV shows}

 I took a class from a quilting master, Tula Pink.  I still have the more pondering of life and other lessons I learned from Tula Pink in a draft blog post.  

 

I had a few of her books signed!

I'm giving away a signed copy of Tula's last book "Quilts from the House of Tula Pink"

It's awesome in every way!  Seriously you should read this for quick tips.  I've learned different ways to doing things.
There are a few errata's but it's all good.

How about one of these signed books + 3 Fat Quarters Tula + low volume scissors.

~~~

So how would you have these whisked to your doorstep?
{International entries welcome}

Please leave 1 comment but please complete all three items below:

1~ Make sure you are not a dreaded no-reply blogger (I reverted back to this because of Google+ sometimes - grrrr). If you want to be 100% you've entered, leave your email in the comment. If there is no-way for me to contact you, I will choose another winner.

2~ If you choose, be or become a follower this can be through the bloglovin', other RSS format, email, or my awesome facebook page!!!

3~ Answer my question - how do you keep up with the blogs you read?  I want to know especially since google reader is burning up in flames

I'm linking up to Sew, Mama Sew's fantastic giveaway day.  According to the rules I'll close this giveaway on May 10th til 5 PM PST.

And please go and check out the HUNDREDS of other open giveaways this week.

May: A Lovely Year of Finishes ~ Goal Setting Party

Happy new month!  And it's May!
It's time to think about another month of 'A Lovely Year of Finishes'

One month, one project, one finish for 12-months. 2013 a year of lovely finishes.

Do you need a primer of what 'A Lovely Year of Finishes' actually is?

Here is my reference page

and my awesome partner on this project

Melissa of Sew Bittersweet Designs has a reference page found here.

~~~

May 2013
.......
Travel
Sewing
Travel
Travel
Travel
Rest...sigh


My May #ALYoF project is being forced to be small but mighty.

I'm going to piece the back for the quilt top I finished for March's goal.

See. . baby steps will get this beauty finished UP!



~~~

What do you have planned for your lovely May finish?

Let me know if you have as busy of a May as I do.

Remember you get to choose what you want to finish. It doesn't matter how big of a project you pick - just has to link up what you want to complete here and then don't forget to show off your finish the last 7 days of the month.

Add your blog post or flickr photo (with appropriate descriptions) to the linky party below.  Make sure you also link back here so other people can join in the fun!

**Please note, the linky party is the same here and over at Melissa, so there is no need to enter twice **

For those unsure of how to link up go check out our Q&A Page for A Lovely Year of Finishes - there are instructions on how to link up from a blog and from Flickr.

Grab a button!  Spread the LOVE

<a href="http://fiberofallsorts.blogspot.com/p/lovely-year-of-finishes.html" title="A Lovely Year of Finishes"> <img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lqljBHhCZpQ/UNO3qzThzrI/AAAAAAAAASY/Osvir1xGqwk/s400/2013btn600.gif" width="180" height="180" alt="A Lovely Year of Finishes" style="border:none;" /></a>

And what's for gabs this month?  Look at these amazing prizes from our fantastic sponsors:

May Prizes Include:

1. Choice of $15 or 2 charm packs from Stitch n’ Giggles

2. Mini Dresden Flowers Pattern and Pieces donated from Paper Pieces

3. $25 Gift Certificate from Intrepid Thread

4. A pack of books from a local quilter Solar Threads

Find Becky on her facebook page here

I'll get a photo...sometime soon.

5. $20.00 Gift Certificate from the Quilting Lodge

6, 7, 8, and 9 Will get one thread pack of Auriful Thread donated from Aurifil

10. $10.00 Gift Certificate from Contemporary Cloth

10 winners will be chosen by Mr. Random for those that post here and the wrap-up linky at the end of the month with a completed finish.

Happy Spring!

Spring Sewing

It's the time of year for quilt shows and art exhibits. 

This is the first year that I've felt as if I am experienced enough to submit anything. . and here I am empty handed as all the items I make and finish go out the door. 

I'm not complaining at ALL!  I find it hilarious to me that now that I'm finishing things (partly because of Melissa and our fantastic group of #ALYoF peeps) none of them stay with me. 

I feel a little like my grandmama. 

She was crazy talented but she always had a line of people looking for her items. It's all love.

~~~

Since December I have been talking about making a purse for my sister-in-law.  I have had the material cut out since February but it just takes me awhile to find a block of time to "want" to work on a project like this. I rather sew HST's or make quick blocks for a random project. 

I finally stitched this up when my fella was doing his coupon shopping {it takes hours}.

Do you see what I {eventually } saw? I stitched the handles on WRONG!  Doh. I chose to cut them and put in a bit of the taupe as an accent piece instead of turning the entire thing inside out again. 

I call it improvising instead of pure laziness!

I am in love with the Go Anywhere Bag by Noodlehead

I gave this to the SIL before more photos were taken.  She said she loved it. . this is a much better size than the 241 tote in my opinion. I'll be making more for sure.

~~~
Soooooo....

What are you all working on this weekend?

I'm thinking of doing some items that are on deadline but also thinking of just baking instead.♥

Remember that the April Finishes party is going on now til April 30.

and

A whole new month of goals will be starting May 1.
As of right now, I'm at a loss of what I should put on my get-it-done list.
Okay I have a few ideas.

April: A Lovely Year of Finishes ~ Finishes Party

Whoop I finished my goal. . . and a few more items as well!
How fun to ride the momentum once you get going.

Have questions regarding #ALYoF click HERE

For April I choose a simple project.

Here's my finished Inside Out quilt for an east coast friends having their first baby.
It's nice they are Seattle Seahawk fans ...

and I happen to have those colors in my stash.

Quilt Stats:

Name: Seahawk Inside Out

Size: approx. 36" x 42"

Fabrics:  Stash fabrics + Tula Pink, Lisette, and others

Binding: Lisette + grey 
Pattern:  Inside Out by Cluck Cluck Sew

Quilting: stipple quilting by me on my Bernina 1008

Started : March 2013

Completed: April 2013 

~~~

Now it's your turn!

Please link up your finished it project below. 

Oh and grab a button for your blog post

<a href="http://fiberofallsorts.blogspot.com/p/lovely-year-of-finishes.html" title="A Lovely Year of Finishes"> <img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lqljBHhCZpQ/UNO3qzThzrI/AAAAAAAAASY/Osvir1xGqwk/s400/2013btn600.gif" width="180" height="180" alt="A Lovely Year of Finishes" style="border:none;" /></a>

No worries if you aren't a blogger, you can link up your finished project from a photo you've added to our  flickr group.

Melissa and I are excited to host this monthly link with tons of prizes!

To be eligible for April prizes:
1. you must have entered into the goal setting party.
2. you must enter below {we don't roll over any finishes from mid-month check-in}

**Please note, this is the same linky on both Melissa's blog and here, so no need to enter twice ***

And let's not forget there are PRIZES from our amazing sponsors:

April Prizes Include:

1. A Craftsy Class (winners choice of class)

2. $15.00 Gift Certificate to Fat Quarter Shop

3. Choice of $15 or 2 charm packs from Stitch n’ Giggles

4. A Paper Piecing Kit donated from Paper Pieces

5, 6, 7 Will get one thread pack of Auriful Thread donated from Aurifil

8. $20.00 Gift Certificate from the Quilting Lodge

9. $10.00 Gift Certificate from Contemporary Cloth

9 winners will be chosen by Mr. Random for those that post here and the wrap-up linky.

Happy Spring!