Goodies - the no-calorie kind - from Green Fairy Quilts!

I love the "Following" feature available on Blogger and probably other blog services these days, although I have not quite figured out how to show who is following Hooked On Needles on my sidebar, but that's ok. As long as I can continue to follow the many dozens of sites I enjoy looking at, I guess it really doesn't matter. If you want to see what sites I find interesting, you can check out my profile by clicking HERE. You will see all the information about me that you would ever want to know!

But to the point, one of the sites I follow is Green Fairy Quilts. Have you heard of them? If not, you should go check them out. Judi has a bright and fun site, lots of great original patterns, fabulous fabric and pre-cuts, and darn it if she doesn't run an irresistible special every now and then as well!

Not too long ago, the special was a free Valentine charm pack with a small minimum purchase. At the same time, a Valentine jelly roll was also on sale. How could I resist? Keep reading and you'll see...


...I couldn't! It was impossible! I ordered my very first ever Jelly Roll, Sent With Love by Deb Strain for Moda, along with that darling jelly roll quilt pattern called Strippin' Time, and two turnovers that were on sale too! See my free charm pack? It's called L'Amour by Sandy Gervais for Moda. Yummy! Sandy is also the designer of the charms I used in my Spring Table Runner Pattern. Love her fabrics!


Aaaaah! Just look at that gorgeous roll of fabric! Oh, the possibilities!


But will I ever bring myself to actually untie that Moda ribbon? Only time will tell!

Right now over at Green Fairy Quilts, Judi has another great offer going on. A free Kansas Winter Turnover with any $10 purchase. That's one of the turnovers in my first picture up above! And guess what is also on sale right now...a honey bun to match each of my new turnovers!

So what do you think? Did I resist the temptation and pass up on this great offer? Or did I break down once again and add to my delicious collection of Moda pre-cuts?

Happy Stitching!

Click here to return to HookedOnNeedles.com

One more sneak peek at spring giveaway

We are still covered in snow here with a fresh many inches having fallen overnight. The sun is trying desperately to come out from behind those gray clouds, but there is a bit of spring time taking shape in my sewing room. Here's one more sneak peek at what I'm cooking up for a fun giveaway which will be announced very soon...


Doesn't that pile of pretty fabric brighten your day? It's called Celebrate Spring by Sandy Gervais for Moda. It's been keeping me busy all week, and in a few days, you'll be able to see what it has become. Any guesses?

Happy Stitching!

Click here to return to HookedOnNeedles.com

Tote Bags for Sister Margaret

Bags are my thing. I just love bags. I love making bags, having bags, using bags, giving bags as gifts. I guess you could call me a bag lady! People have even started asking me to make bags so they can use them or give them as gifts.

Recently I showed some of the fabric I purchased for my latest bag-making spree, and now the bags are complete and ready to be delivered. Here they are...


I love this floral fabric, and I think the stripes make it look like a beach bag, which reminds me of warm sunny weather. That's something we haven't had in quite a long time around here!


Here you can see the zippered extension tucked down inside the bag, with the little D ring perched on the top edge, and the swivel hook hanging down just below the zipper.


There's the swivel hook hanging on its strap underneath the zippered extension. This could be used to clip keys onto so they don't get lost in the bag, or any other item that has a ring on it.


And here's the second bag. How do you like that cool fabric? Sr. Margaret wanted the outsides of these bags to be made of darker fabrics so as not to show dirt quite as easily, so I used the lighter fabric for the pocket and on the inside.


And here's the same bag, looking down inside through the zippered extension and into the large inside pocket. You can see the D ring peeking over the top edge. There is also a large pocket on one side made out of the same fabric, so it blends in.


And here's the last bag for Sr. Margaret. She is giving these to three of her nieces so I made them all the same, except out of different fabrics. I think this one is just plain fancy fun! I couldn't resist the silver lined circles with stripes inside them. And the pretty blue floral paisley has silver lines around the designs too.


A silver D ring and swivel hook are on this bag too.


And this shows the zippered extension pulled up to reveal the swivel hook strap and the inside of the bag with its large pocket on one side.

So that is what I've been working on lately, besides all the usual household and family things of everyday life. I'll be delivering these bags to Sr. Margaret on Friday at the convent which is just behind the school where my son goes. It's the retirement home for the retired sisters, and they are such a joy to visit and spend time with. I think she will enjoy giving these to her nieces next time they come for a visit!

Happy Stitching!

Click here to return to HookedOnNeedles.com

Fun Fabric and other cool stuff

A friend of mine recently asked me to make some tote bags for her to give as gifts so I took this as an opportunity to go shopping at my not-very-local Joann's fabric store. I was very happy to hear that one will be opening right here in my little city sometime within the next season or two, so that will save me lots of driving when I just need to pick up a zipper or match some thread.

I picked out two fabrics for each bag, and a matching zipper. I found some other goodies while I was there too...


Here are my fabrics. The top two are so bright and blue, with shimmery silver around the designs. The bottom two are a greenish sort of color with blue and off white. I really love the floral fabric and all the colors in it, but the picture doesn't seem to show them off very well. The colors in the striped fabric coordinate with the floral and should be perfect for the lining. These bags will be made similar to THIS tote bag, only with not quite so much corduroy on the outside.


I also found these great swivel hooks, D-rings and magnetic closures in four different finishes so of course I had to get one of each in each finish! I'll be using a set of each on each tote bag, building in nice little conveniences like a swivel hook to help keep track of keys, D-rings to clip a cell phone case or other small bag to, and magnetic closures to keep the inside and outside pockets closed.

It was a very productive shopping trip, but I'm sure looking forward to being able to zip right down the street when I need some little something for a project.

Happy Stitching!

Click here to return to HookedOnNeedles.com

Christmas charm squares from Sandi - and other nice things too!

Look at all the wonderful Christmas goodies Sandi from A Legacy of Stitches sent me - not for winning a giveaway or for a swap gift, but just because she is such a nice and generous person.


A wonderful and very colorful little package of beautiful Christmas fabric charm squares, plus two fat quarters of cheerful red and green.


I had to put the Snoopy charm on top because Peanuts is my all time favorite cartoon, and you have to admit, all the characters are just so darn cute and lovable.


Just look at all those wonderful colors and prints! But that's not all...


...Sandi also sent me all the necessary parts to make the same JOY stocking that she had made as a giveaway prize which I DID NOT win! Isn't she something? And they are all cut out and ready for me to have the fun of putting them together into a beautiful Christmas stocking.


If you want to see Sandi's finished stocking, just click HERE and take a look. While you're there, you might want to read the comments which were Christmas memories - one allowed each day until Christmas for an entry into the giveaway. You could learn a few things about me if you find my comments! And then click HERE to see who won the JOY stocking - you won't believe it! But make sure you come back because there's more!


Along with all that Christmas loveliness, Sandi tucked into my package two of her own patterns AND the wool to make them! She does such lovely work with wool making penny rugs, which I had never heard of until I found her website. I am very much looking forward to trying my hand at these little projects.

I envision the fat quarters and the charms becoming something fun and festive like maybe a table runner or a wall hanging of some sort. I'll let some ideas stew in my brain and maybe by next fall I'll be ready to pull them out and make something lovely from all this loveliness. Thanks Sandi!

This is my 499th post here at Hooked On Needles, so my next post will announce the winner of my 500th post giveaway. I'm not telling when it will happen, but I will say you still have a little time to sign up for it! Don't wait too long though because I do try to post something here every day! I'll turn off comments on that post when time is up. Good luck!

Happy Stitching!

Click here to return to HookedOnNeedles.com

This Tea Cozy is Mine!

Since I received the lovely tea set that I requested for Christmas, I had to pick out some nice fabric and make a tea cozy to keep it warm. That was my project for today and I am quite pleased with the way it turned out.


I used the same brown paper bag pattern I had saved from the first tea cozy I made for Kathy which you can see HERE, the one with the M stitched on it, since my tea pot measured just about the same size.


Don't you just love this fabric? I had purchased a half-yard cut of each of these Heritage House fabrics from Grace Full Creations not too long ago, and I used the yellow background print as the border. I just love the blue in these fabrics!

I also used one layer of insulated batting and one layer of regular batting on each side of the tea cozy, so I think my tea will stay nice and warm on these cold winter days!

What are you doing to stay warm this winter? Anything fun?

Happy Stitching!

Click here to return to HookedOnNeedles.com

Hazel Hipster in greens and purples

Remember the red, white and black bag I made a while ago to test Trish's Hazel Hipster pattern? I just loved how that bag turned out, so hip and modern. My daughter really liked it too and decided to make it for one of her friends for Christmas. Elizabeth has not done a lot of sewing - she's more into the yarn arts - but she took on this project with enthusiasm and confidence. I think she did a great job! Take a look...


She picked out these fabrics from Connecting Threads in colors that her friend loves, greens and purples.


I just love how this pattern allows for the lining of the pockets and the bag lining to become the trim at the top of each section. It's a nice detail.


Elizabeth had a good time figuring out which fabric she wanted to use and where on this quick and easy bag. She was very pleased with the finished project, and I am sure her friend is going to love it too!

Coming up soon, I'll be sharing a couple of new video tutorials, a sweater I am knitting for myself - yes, for myself! - and a giveaway to celebrate my 500th post. It's about time I had another giveaway, and I think 500 is a good round number! Stay tuned!

Happy Stitching!

Click here to return to HookedOnNeedles.com

Great fabrics at great prices!

Don't pass up the chance to do some end of year fabric shopping and get great customer service and some great deals at Grace Full Creations. You can read about the discount Ronna is offering readers of Hooked On Needles by clicking HERE. You have to act fast though, because it's only good until the end of this year!

Right now you will find bargains on lots of top name fabrics. My own personal favorite deal is 40% off over 400 items to celebrate Ronna's birthday month. Now that's a nice birthday gift!

Go check it out, and make sure you mention that you heard about this from Hooked On Needles!

Happy Stitching!

Click here to return to HookedOnNeedles.com

Fabulous and Fun Fabric Giveaway!

You must go check out Twiddletails and the wildly fun complete line of fabric she has available right now in her store. While you're there, perhaps you would like to sign up for her giveaway of 4 fat quarters of the new Wild Thyme Quilt Fabric by Carolyn Gavin for P&B Textiles. It's fun! Maybe you and I will be two of the five winners of this generous giveaway! Wouldn't that be fun?

Happy Stitching!

Click here to return to HookedOnNeedles.com

I Spy Swap squares and a little Tool Time Tuesday gift

So many fun packages have been coming in the mail recently! One of them was the 'I Spy' fabric squares from Karen's swap back in September. Can you imagine...a package of 120 different 5 inch squares of fun fabric? That wasn't all. Karen included a little gift in each package! Take a look...









Won't this make a super fun I Spy quilt? I think so!


Karen made each participant one of her Tool Time Tuesday projects which is a little sewing necklace to hold pins, scissors and thread. Isn't she a clever lady? Thanks, Karen, for a fun swap!

Happy Stitching!

Click here to return to HookedOnNeedles.com

Charity Quilt Fabric from Blue Meadow Designs

Cori and Myra of Blue Meadow Designs are very talented quilt and fabric designers from Canada who are also very generous with their talents and materials. About 6 weeks ago, they had a giveaway for some of their own fabric to be used to make a quilt for a charity of the winner's choice. So I entered the giveaway, offering the Montachusett Interfaith Hospitality Network as my charity.

I bet you can guess what happened next...I was one of two people chosen to receive fabric from Cori and Myra! On the same day that George the mailman delivered my Sunflower Quilt win and my Hawthorne Threads win, he also delivered this wonderful collection of RJR fabrics from Blue Meadow Designs...


These gorgeous fabrics are all from Blue Meadow Designs Completely Kids fabric line.


There are several yards each of most of the designs...


...and a few smaller cuts of some.

This is enough fabric to make a generously sized quilt, plus a few pillowcases to go along with it. The staff and residents at this wonderful local shelter will be so excited to receive this very generous gift from two very generous ladies north of the border. Thanks so much, Cori and Myra, for sharing your fabrics!

Now I just need to decide on a design for this quilt. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! What would you do with this much beautiful fabric, given to you freely with the understanding that you would use it to help others? I'd love to know!

Happy Stitching!

Click here to return to HookedOnNeedles.com

Lovely Gifts from Sunflower Quilts

I love getting mail, especially when I find such wonderful things as this inside the box...


This is the darling thread catcher that Jennie over at Sunflower Quilts made for her giveaway celebrating the first anniversary of her website.


And check out those charm packs...all from Moda and each fabric just as cute as can be. The little box is full of 11 inch fabric squares called Taddles.

I follow a lot of sites because there are so many interesting and inspiring people out there doing such fun and creative things. I love to see what other people are working on and get ideas for fun little projects and gifts. Along the way, I sign up for giveaways here and there, never thinking I'll actually win. But when I signed up for this one, I hoped against hope that my name would be the lucky winner out of the almost 200 comments. Was I ever thrilled when Jennie sent me an email giving me the good news that I had indeed won her very generous giveaway!

Now I just need to come up with some clever ways to use these great prizes. You can be sure I'll share them with you whenever that happens! Thanks again, Jennie!

Happy Stitching!

Click here to return to HookedOnNeedles.com

I Made Pillowcases!

Every now and then, I pop in to the Connecting Threads website to see what kind of wonderful goodies they might have on sale. A few months ago, my timing was fabulous and I was able to scoop up some great deals. One of those deals was their Backyard Fun Pillowcase kit which included enough fabric for two pillowcases and the pattern for a very clever way to sew a pillowcase with trim and leaving no exposed seams. Right now, they only have their Snowy Pillowcase kit available, but the pattern would be the same as the one I received with the Backyard Fun fabric.

I was amazed at how easy it was to whip up two fun pillowcases with this pattern. Take a look and tell me what you think...





I love this fabric and the other fabrics in this line were so fun and cheerful too. I was sad to see that it is no longer available. But they keep coming out with more wonderful fabrics all the time.

If you are interested in this pillowcase pattern, all you have to do is purchase one of their kits, then you can use the pattern with your own fabric to make all the pillowcases you could ever need!

In case you are wondering if I get any kind of commission for promoting Connecting Threads, I do not get compensation of any sort, financial or otherwise. I promote this company because I like to shop there and have always received excellent products and service. Their fabrics are all top quality and they offer a nice variety of collections. I always like to share my good shopping experiences with my friends!

Happy Stitching!

Click here to return to HookedOnNeedles.com