Friday, November 21, 2014

Double Celebration and Double Giveaway

I can't believe how swamped I've been over the past couple of weeks but there is plenty of good reason and I'll fill you in on that shortly but today is just going to be a day to celebrate.
A few days ago this blog became 3 years old.
Unfortunately I didn't have time to write this post then but I do now. It is hard to believe that it has been 3 years already.  Time sure has flown by fast. It is fun to look back at my first months of posts and remember just how much of a newbie I was and think about where this journey has taken me so far.  It really is amazing

One of those amazing things that recently came my way was an invitation to be a guest speaker. My friend Sharon of Vroomans Quilts asked me to speak to her guild, The Schoharie Valley Piecemakers, at their November meeting about 100 Good Wishes Quilts.
It was a thrill and an honor and from the feedback I've heard, it was a huge success. Whew! I admit that I was just a tad bit worried about that.  My friend Alana came along for technical and moral support.  That group is fantastic and so much fun.  Too bad they aren't close by....I'd join in an instant.  I'm happy to report that they "got it" and many of them are now thinking about making some 100 Good Wishes Quilts, for new babies or weddings or graduations. I can't wait to see the pictures of what they create.
(Thanks Sharon for allowing me to use your picture.)

But not only am I celebrating this blogiversary, but this just happens to also be my 600th post!
That averages out to 200 posts per year.  Not too shabby I think, especially considering I still work and have little kidlets at home.

Now it is time to party! I'm not receiving presents but two of you will. Reaching dual milestones calls for dual goodies in my eyes.

One winner will receive Judy Madsen's Quilting Wide Open Spaces book. It truly is fabulous and the instant she announced she was getting it published I put it on my wish list.  Well...I ended up receiving 2 copies so one of them will go to one of you.

The second winner will receive my last half yard bundle of Petal Pushers by Whistler Studios for Windham Fabrics.  I love the bright colors and fun prints in these fabrics and considering the nasty early winter weather we've had lately, I'm trying to keep spring-ish thoughts. Hey, a girl's got to do what a girl's got to do to get through the bitter cold months.
These giveaways are open to one and all and will close at Midnight Tuesday, November 25th.

To enter for your chance to win one of these goodies, leave me one comment and one comment only answering the question:

What One thing are you hoping Santa brings to you this year? 

Have many wishes on your list?  I'm sure but for this giveaway you have to pick and tell me just one.

My followers get a 2nd entry, just tell me how you follow.

I'm looking forward to what year 4 might bring. One never knows what exciting new avenues might open up.

145 of you added your own colorful comments:

Julie said...

I hope Santa brings me a quilt certificate for fabric.

Jeanie said...

Congrats on your third birthday and 600th post.... that's a lot of great blogging! Thanks for the giveaway....seems like we should be gifting you. I already have Judy's wonderful book so you can leave me out for that one. May your have many more blogging anniversaries!

Jeanie said...

And I'm a happy follower! Good health would be my greatest wish!

sew.darn.quilt said...

Congratulations on both milestones, here's to many more!!
Thank you for the chance, the fabric is gorgeous.
* I'm wishing for a good light to do my hand stitching by!
* I'm a follower through GFC & Bloglovin' :)

JoyceLM said...

I'd love to have my own sewing room for Christmas, but since that's not likely to happen, I'd be happy with an Amazon.com gift certificate, so I can add to be collection of quilt books. Thanks.

DeborahGun said...

I hope Santa brings me the book 'Patchwork City'! Congrats on your two milestones :-)

DeborahGun said...

I follow on Bloglovin!

Dorian said...

Congrats on your milestones! I really don't have a wish list this year. I am pretty content :) But every girl can use a great new quilting book and fabric ;) Thanks for the giveaway.

Vroomans' Quilts said...

Congratulations sweetie! I follow with GFC. I don't make wish lists as they just don't come to light. But I would love the BlockRockit14 quilt machine.

Rina Mason said...

Congratulations on your milestones. 200 post per year isn't to shabby at all. The one thing I want is the Havel's Fabric and Quilt Cutter.

Samantha K said...

I'm hoping Santa brings my new flooring before Christmas this year!

Congratulations on the milestones!

Samantha K said...

I follow through bloglovin

Needled Mom said...

Happy blogaversary! How neat it was that you got to speak at Sharon's guild. Wish I'd been there.

My wish is for another healthy year in our family. I have Judy's great book, but I'd love the fabric.

Needled Mom said...

I follow through Bloglovin and GFC.

Quilting Tangent said...

Congratulations all the way around. So many wonderful things. Petal Pushers is so pretty. Peace and quite would be nice for the holidays. 24Tangent@gmail.com

Quilting Tangent said...

Following on bloglovin'. 24Tangent@gmail.com

beaquilter said...

congrats! Not sure what I want for Christmas, I'd like a V17 upgrade, but that's too much $$, I'd also like a nicer camera but don't NEED it. Really I think we're doing small gifts this year (hubby and I) as we're pretty sure he'll be laid off in the new year- thought it would be this year, but hasn't happened yet.

Michele T said...

Wow! Wonderful for you to celebrate two milestones!!! I really, really want a new tablet because mine has a crack and since then has not been much fun to use! I'd also be very happy to have new pj's too!!

Quilting Babcia said...

Congratulations! One wish - to spend the day with my grandbabies, the first ever since up until a couple months ago we lived 3000 miles from them!

Anne / Springleaf Studios said...

600 posts in 3 years is amazing to me. Congrats. I want Santa to bring a rolling tote for my machine so it's easier to get to sew days.

amy said...

Congratulations!
My wish is for Bloc Loc ruler!
I need all the help I can get when cutting and making HST!

amy said...

I follow you on Bloglovin!

barbara woods said...

Follow by email

Catskill Quilter said...

I am hoping that Santa brings my grown-up daughter here (in Florida) from Brooklyn!

Catskill Quilter said...

I follow you with feedly. CONGRATS on your double celebration!

Kathy S. said...

I am a regular follower. I think I have been following you for at least two of the three years! Congrats on all of your finishes these past few years. I look forward to seeing many more.

Kathy S. said...

A little thing I'd like to see under the tree this year is Bonnie Hunter's book: Scraps & Shirttails II. I have most of her other books. Some year I'm going to work through one from cover to cover. Have a great holiday season.

Marlene said...

Congratulations on your double celebration. 600 posts is amazing. For Christmas I would like to see a day where we welcome heathy newborns into this world. I am working a 12 hour shift as a midwife. Thanks for the chance to enter the giveaway, I have Judis book and love it.

Marlene said...

I follow through GFC.

Sewgreen said...

I hadn't thought too much about Christmas yet. I am kind of hoping my MIL gets me some fabric, so will wrap my presents in them :) I love it!

That fabrics is GORGEOUS!!!

Sewgreen said...

I follow you through google friend connect.

Pauline G said...

Love reading your blog - congratulations
I follow on blogger

Pauline G said...

My wish is that we all have a healthy year next year after a few rocky times

Donna W said...

My Christmas wish, for my family and friends to stay healthy.

Donna W said...

Congrats on 3 years and 600 posts! I follow your blog via email.

Anonymous said...

Congrats on the milestones! I enjoy following your blog. The biggest thing on my list this year is a new tablet. hope I have been good enough this year lol.
dragonfly9716 at yahoo dot com

Lisa England said...

I don't have a list of "things" but time with my husband and son would be my wish. Lately we all seem to be going in different directions!

Lisa England said...

I follow your blog via GFC. Congratulations on your milestone!

Penny from S.C. said...

Congratulations! I'd love for Santa to bring my husband a job. Thanks for the chance to win.

Penny from S.C. said...

I also follow via e-mail. Thanks again.

sunny said...

Congrats on 600! that's a lot of blogging. Although I'm loving being unemployed and having lots of extra time to sew, I guess a new job is number one on my wish list.

sunny said...

I follow through Google

barbara woods said...

Congrats on 600

Lori said...

I follow thru email

Lori said...

congrats on 3 years and 600 posts.
I hope santa brings me a civil war brooch, a civil war fan and civil war ladies dress gloves. Our son is getting married and having a civil war themed wedding. so I will be making a civil war dress and would love to dress it up a little.

Karyn said...

Congrats on your 2 big milestones!! I've been a follower for quite a while....not sure how long for certain :)

***if Santa were real, I'd ask for a long arm....since I'm a realist with 2 sets of little feet running around, im asking Santa for a couple days to finish moving my sewing room and get it all back in order :)

Kathy @ Kwilty Pleasures said...

Gurlllll yiu got it going on! Many congrats on 3 yeas and 600 posts. I really enjoy your blog. I hope Santa brings me a gift certificate for fabric. Thanks for the chance to win. I have been eyeballing that book!

Kathy @ Kwilty Pleasures said...

I follow via Bl

Cheri the Quilting Nanny said...

Congrats on 600! I would LOVE Santa to bring me a long arm! I'd settle for his bringing me a Bernina! But..I'll be happy with some new fabric!

Joyce Carter said...

Congratulations, Michele! Thank you for the giveaway. I would love for Santa to bring me a new computer.

Joyce Carter said...

I follow you via GFC.

cityquilter grace said...

i agree with others....good health is so precious and would be a most welcome gift.

tpott said...

I know it's been said already but good health for my family and myself. Congratulations on your milestones!

tpott said...

I follow through Bloglovin.

Debbie said...

I hope Santa brings me a longarm quilting machine but it won't fit in his sack so I won't be disappointed. :( Thanks for the giveaway. I enjoy your blog. Thanks again. I've also shared your giveaway on my Giveaway List for sewers & quilters at WowILikeThat.com. Thanks again.

Linda said...

Congrats on your blogging birthday! I am hoping for EQ7. I probably wont have time to use it but I still want it.

Linda said...

I happily follow you on GFC.

Peggy said...

I like receiving JoAnn's gift certificates from Santa.
Thanks,
Peggy
peggy_verdongibbs@att.net

Peggy said...

I follow via Bloglovin.
Thanks,
Peggy
peggy_verdongibbs@att.net

Vicki H said...

Congrats Michele! I would like Santa to bring me a new sewing machine.

Vicki H said...

I happily follow with GFC.

Ali said...

I'm hoping that Santa will bring me an embroidery hoop this year. I like to do hand embroidery on my quilt blocks and that would be wonderful.

Julianne said...

I would like a new comfy desk chair for my sewing room!

Julianne said...

I'm a follower quilty girlfriend!

Linda B said...

I am hoping that this is the year that Santa bring me my Prince Charming so he can take me away from all of this glamor....lol

Janie said...

For Christmas I would like my quilt magazine subscriptions renewed. Thanks for the giveaway.

janie.mccombs(at)yahoo.com

Janie said...

I follow via e-mail. Thanks!

janie.mccombs(at)yahoo.com

Kathy E. said...

I am hoping Santa will bring me a serger for my sewing room, plus some good lessons to learn how to use it!

Kathy E. said...

I follow you on Bloglovin'.
Congrats on your 600th post!

Sarah Craig said...

Congratulations on your double milestone! I'm hoping that Santa brings our family an adoption approval letter from China - hopefully for Thanksgiving instead of Christmas! Oh, and fabric, too!

Sarah Craig said...

And I follow you via email!!

Janarama said...

Happy Blogiversary and 600+ posts! I'd love to get a winning lottery ticket for Christmas. ;)

Tinliz said...

My favorite part of Christmas is the candlelight Christmas Eve service, so good weather so we can have safe driving.

jitney41@gmail.com

Tinliz said...

I follow your delightful blog via email.

jitney41@gmail.com

HeatherK @ A Reformed Heath'n said...

Happy birthday and congrats! I follow via Feely =)

HeatherK @ A Reformed Heath'n said...

While I always love gifts that support my quilty obsession, this year what I want most is new kitchen towels ... weird, I know, but I'm very picky ...

Kleep said...

I hope to get fabric store gift cards. To support my addiction. Also because I don't want someone to pick out the fabric for me.

GranChris said...

Imagine making 600 quilt blocks. If you made 200 per year that would be a big quilt. I hope Santa brings me a visit from my Grandchidren. That would be wonderful!

Audrey said...

Congratulations on your milestones. I hope that this Christmas I get to spend time with my children.

Audrey said...

I follow on Bloglovin

Judy1522 said...

I am hoping for the sewing table that goes with the machine that I bought a year ago. That way I can do my piecing and quilting in my sewing room. Right now to actually have the room to quilt I have to carry it downstairs to sew at my dining room table.

Judy1522 said...

I follow you on bloglovin.

Heidi [Banks of Frog Creek] said...

I'd love to receive a lot of pretty fabric from Santa :)

Heidi [Banks of Frog Creek] said...

I follow on bloglovin

Sarah said...

I would like to have a pair of left-handed sewing scissors; at the moment I'm using the kitchen scissors. sarah@forrussia.org

Sarah said...

I follow you with bloglovin. sarah@forrussia.org

Anne Simonot said...

I'd like one of those speakers you can plug your iPhone into, for listening while cooking or doing dishes. My earbuds' cord hooks on the cupboard handles and it's a nuisance. Failing that, a gift certificate to my fave quilt shop would be nice! annesimonot@sasktel.net

juliehallfeldhaus said...

A gift certificate to the quilt shop in Huron!!

Jocelyn said...

Congratulations on your blogiversary!
I would love to have a mid-arm frame. That would be on my wish list :-)

Pamela said...

Happy Blogaversary! I'm hoping that Santa brings me lots of thread! And I'm looking forward to your next 600 posts!

Pamela said...

I've been following your delightful blog on Bloglovin! Thanks for all the inspiration!

Katie said...

I'm hoping for the quick curves ruler and book -- congrats on 3 years and the big 600

Katie said...

i'm of course a follower

KMSC said...

I just want my family all together for Christmas. Congratulations on two milestones!

KMSC said...

I follow your blog via email. Thanks for the giveaways!

StitchinByTheLake said...

What fun to be able to speak to a quilt guild about something you love! I rarely have wishes at Christmas, at least not for things. But I do pray for family reconciliation for those estranged - holidays are hard for those folks! blessings, marlene

StitchinByTheLake said...

I follow on Bloglovin'. blessings, marlene

Michele T said...

I am following you via Bloglovin'!!

Unknown said...

My wish is for Peace on earth and this pretty fabric. Following you on Bloglovin.

jacquiebonneau40@gmail.com

Val's Quilting Studio said...

I always enjoy getting my quilting magazine renewal for Christmas and some more Elm Creek Novels from my mom. (She's so good to me!)

Val's Quilting Studio said...

I'm a happy follower through GFC and I have ya right on my blogroll! Congrats on three years!!!!!!!!

Chiska said...

Congrats on three years and 600 posts! That's quilt an accomplishment. I'm hoping for a hand quilt hoop.

Katy P said...

I would really like to get a new camera this year.

Katy P said...

I follow via bloglovin'.

Margaret said...

I just gave my grand daughter my list. The main thing I wanted was a light box

Margaret said...

I follow by blog lovin

Gill said...

Congratulations !!
GFC follower!

Gill said...

I'd love a new winter coat!!!

c said...

I hope Santa gives all the little children of the world peace and health.

aka kingcooper0001@aol.com

Carla S said...

I hope Santa brings me a bosu ball.

Carla S said...

I follow your blog through GFC.

Regina Marie said...

I always love your 'eye candy!' and your blog. So inspiring! I wish (pray daily) for my children's happiness. I am so blessed. Thank you for sharing and congrats on your milestones.

Regina Marie said...

I follow your blog through email and bloglovin! Thanks for the giveaway!

OhioLori said...

My Wish for Christmas is to stay cancer free (celebrated my 1 year in Oct!! YAY!)...anf for all the Kiddo's here for Christmas Dinner..Specially the far away ones! :)

OhioLori said...

Happy Milestone's!! :) Lots more blessings to come!

I follow thru Bloglovin

Vicki said...

A new recliner! Congrats on your 600th post! Wow, that's so encouraging.

Vicki said...

I'm a very happy follower!

Betty Woodlee said...

I would love to own the new Electric GO! Thanks for the giveaway and congrats on your milestones. b.j.day68@gmail.com

Beth said...

Santa could bring me a maid!

Maxine said...

I hope Santa brings me an organizer for all my fabrics and sewing things.

Maxine said...

I follow on Bloglovin'

cjmont said...

i want santa to bring me one of the new sewing machines made for quilting.

cjmont said...

i follow on blog lovin'

Anonymous said...

Wow - congratulations! I really want a new sewing machine from Santa. Thanks!

Please click on the delaineelliott above for my email link.

Anonymous said...

I follow on Bloglovin. Thanks!

Please click on the delaineelliott above for my email link.

CyndyK said...

I hope Santa brings me a new computer! Cynthia Knapp cknapp3626@sbcglobal.net

CyndyK said...

I follow you by email! Cynthia Knapp cknapp3626@sbcglobal.net

Unknown said...

Santa needs to bring me a some new fabrics and free time to get through my to do list!

Unknown said...

Follow on GFC!

Janie said...

This is very random, but I'm hoping for a Sonicare DiamondClean toothbrush! I recently got Invisalign, and I really want to focus on my dental health in the new year.

Charlene S said...

I am hoping that Santa brings me the beginnings of my new studio. It is looking good since he has already talked to the carpenter about taking down a wall.

Kathy MacKie said...

I follow on Google Friend Connect and congratulations on your milestones.

graysongal said...

Congratulations on your blog milestones. Santa could bring me a gift certificate for some quilting books on my list.

graysongal said...

I follow you via email.

Unknown said...

Congrats on the wonderful milestone happening! I would Santa to bring me an Ipad.

Unknown said...

I follow via email, thanks!

Kathy Boice said...

I follow you on Facebook and by email. midwayfarms@hughes.net

Kathy Boice said...

I have asked Santa for a new iron. midwayfarms@hughes.net

B. Tyner said...

I hope Santa brings me a big roll of batting so I can quilt more.

B. Tyner said...

I follow you via Tamarack Shack Blogspot.

In stitches and seams said...

I would love it if Santa could arrange for me to find a little spare time just to have a little me time .... to quilt read or just visit with a friend.
thanks for hosting a give away and congrats on your 600 post
institchesandseams@hotmail.ca

In stitches and seams said...

I have been a follower for a while now :0)
institchesandseams@hotmail.ca

Karen said...

Congratulations on reaching your 600th post. I love the fabric and could always use more fabric at Christmas.

Anonymous said...

New follower as I just learned of your blog and heard you completed your 600th post...I'm still working toward my 50th! Congratulations and hope you make 600 more! Thanks for having a giveaway.

Booklogged said...

Congratulations on you blogiversary. I've been following you for months and am always impressed with your projects.