A hint that spring is near.......

And what hint would that be?...........Jelly beans and bunnies, of course! When I was at the grocery store just last week, the shelves were stocked with an array of jelly beans, Peeps, marshmallow eggs, bunnies, chicks and Easter baskets. It would put a smile on any one's face!........even this funny bunny!
And he's a bunny with a secret but he's going to share it with all of you! Pssssst......listen carefully........there's going to be a fun giveaway at the end of the month. That's right! You won't want to miss "Hoppin' down the Bunny Trail and a visit to a whole bunch of Good Eggs!"
And who are these "Good Eggs"? Well, there's Pat and Pat, and Mary and Mary Grace, Jacquelynne, Sue and Anett. Then there's Gene and Debi, Kaye and Barb, Cleary and Connie and Arlette. We are all bloggers in all parts of the world that have connected through blogging!
I gathered up these good eggs because each one has enriched my blogging journey in some way. I went back to when I first started blogging and made a note of those who posted a comment or helped me learn the ins and outs of blogging or who just extended their hand in friendship. With that list in hand, I sent out an e-mail to a couple dozen bloggers and shared my idea for a "little hop down the bunny trail". I got positive replies from those that are participating. Some replied that they were not able to participate at this time. I didn't get a reply from everyone I sent the info to and that might be because some who were sent the message said they received it as Spam. So let's say, you might have been one of those people out there that I might have sent that message to and that I would count as "Good Eggs". It would be fun to have you join this little "hop down the Bunny Trail". If you think you'd like to join us, here's all you have to do............

1. To "hop along", just send an e-mail to me at stitchinglegacy@gmail.com . Then grab the button you see on my sidebar and post it on your blog. Note.....you must send me an e-mail to participate and I need your blog link so I can add it to the list of participants. Also, if you comment here, please leave an e-mail or a link to your blog. If there is no way to contact you, I cannot notify you if you win!

2. The giveaway will run from March 24th to March 28th. There will be just five days to "hop down the bunny trail" and visit all of the "Good Eggs" blogs. The post that you do for your giveaway should be the only one that you have to do for this event. All comments should be gathered on that one post and a winner drawn from those names. You may set your own times between March 24th and 28th for when you will take comments. Please note on your giveaway post if you are willing to mail international.

3. You'll need to select an item you wish to giveaway. It doesn't have to be anything big or fancy. Just make it something fun and springy, sweets, treats, a pattern, fat quarters, etc. It's been a long winter here in the U.S. and many other parts of the world, too, so a little springtime fun is what you want to offer. It can be an Easter themed item or spring fat quarters or anything as long as it doesn't have anything to do with snow!! You can also share a funny bunny story or a good egg story when you post. :-)

4. You will be responsible for mailing out your giveaway item. U.S. packages will probably reach winners before Easter, not sure on International.

5. I will take "Good Egg" names for the next dozen days..........which means that March 15th is the last day you can send me info and be added to the "Good Egg" list. I do have a limit of "Good Eggs" that I will take and that number is 12 dozen......you know, think back to math, it's a "gross". There may not be that many that want to participate but I'm not taking any chances since I will be typing the list and posting links to all participants from my blog. :-)

Now you need to know which one of the "Good Eggs" that I mentioned above is the one who inspired me to do this little event. That would be Debi! She hosted two great events the first year that I started blogging and I participated in both of them.........."Fall into Fall Giveaway" and "Whirl into Winter" Giveaway. I know that many you that read my blog came my way because of those giveaways and I am so happy about that. I've had lots of Giveaways since then and there will be more. In fact, ................... I thought a giveaway might be fun right now! If you would like that funny bunny and his armful of jelly beans......Lemonade, Key Lime Pie, and Berry Smooth......then just leave a comment on this post and this post only. If you can guess what his name is, please tell me and if you are right, there is also going to be some really good chocolate sent along with the funny bunny and his jelly beans. I'll draw a winner for the bunny and the beans on March 15th. So go now, and leave a comment if you are looking for a "hint of spring"!!!

It feels like spring here in Minnesota as we are having temps in the 40's which is even warmer than the weatherman predicted. Awesome! Have a great day everyone!
Sandi

Please note........this little "jelly bean bunny" giveaway is just to get you excited about the "hop down the Bunny Trail" later this month when I'll have something really fun and springy for our "Good Eggs" giveaway!!

Winners of the "End of the Day Giveaway"!

I wish I could send you all patterns because I enjoyed reading each of your comments. Some of you would really have liked certain patterns. The "Random Number Man" drew the names of the lucky winners and here they are.........


Nadine, Owl Lady (not blogging yet :-) but who knows?) and she wrote......
"My first choice would be Gudrun's Quilt as You Go because that technique is on my list of 'things to learn' for 2010, but I would use any of them in starting my Christmas gift stash for next year."
She was the only one of the winners that made a choice and so Gudrun's pattern will go off to the Owl Lady. I will surprise the rest of you!!

Anna at FreshDewDrops blog and she wrote.....
"Generosity...what a great way to start the New Year. You have inspired me and for that I thank you!" Thanks, Anna. That is really nice!!!!!

The next name drawn was Just Susan at Dragonflies Eat Mosquitos blog - just click here to check it out. She wrote......." I love patterns and you have picked some beauties. Thanks for yet another giveaway. Here's to a wonderful , healthy 2010." Susan, I love the name of your blog!

Then came the name of Colletta Kay and I commented on her blog the other day because her name is similar to my daughter's, Collette, which is not all that common. In fact, I remember that Collette didn't like her name when she was little because you could never find it on barettes, notepads, etc. There were lots of Jennifers, Kimberly's, etc. but now she likes her name. You can check out Colletta's blog and the kitchen sink at ......... CollettasKitchenSink.blogspot.com/ .

The final name drawn was Simone of Nadelstiche blog (and you'll find it here). She wished me a "Happy New Year to you. I'm sure it will be a wonderful creative year. Maybe I have a bit luck this year? Count me in, please. Kindest regards, Simone from Germany". Simone, the year is off to a wonderful creative start as you have had a bit of luck and a pattern will go off to you in the next few days.

So those were the five winners of the patterns I posted in my photo but.............I always have my "Random Number Man" draw a couple extra winners as sometimes there is no way to contact a comment without an e-mail link. In the past, he's drawn names that had no way for me to contact them so I had to use the alternate names drawn. That was not the case this time but I thought since he drew the names that I would send a little something to them, too. So, if Judy C. and Diane H. are reading this, you are winners, too. All I need now are the names and addresses from each of you. You'll find my e-mail link in my profile. Congratulations to the winners!!
Sandi

End of the Day Giveaway!

I said last night that there would be a little giveaway today and here it is...............

There are five patterns in the picture above and there will be five winners. I bought patterns that looked like they would be fun to make......plus I like all the projects that these designers offer. The one by Celine of Perkins Dry Goods makes me think of ice cream. It looks great in the colors she chose but would look good in any colors. That little Tuffet pattern by Carrie of Miss Rosie's is soooooooo cute!! Gudrun's (G.E. Designs) quilt as you go project "Madison Square Runner" is just like Celine's pattern ....... looks great in any fabric! Then there's that scrumptious looking pattern by Anne of Bunny Hill for a grouping of cute little Jelly Bags. The final pattern is by Terry Atkinson of Atkinson Designs. I would love to make either the quilt or the tablerunner in this one. I chose these to giveaway, though, and so............

You have until January 5th at midnight (CST) to leave a comment on this post. Nothing else is needed. It's just been a good day and so it's a good start to a new year and I want to give away some goodness. Wait, something else is needed............you must be sure that the comment that you leave will link back to your profile with an e-mail address or your blog or include your e-mail in your comment. Then I'll have my husband, the random number man, draw the five winners and I'll send the patterns off to the winners. Each one will be in a pretty envelope with a pretty card and maybe a surprise, too. Ya never know. So, leave me a comment and let's see who will be lucky winners. Oh, and if you have a pattern preference, leave that in your comment and if you're name is drawn, that may be the pattern you receive. I say "may" because someone else may get lucky and chose the same pattern. :-) It could happen. :-)

Hope you have all had a Happy New Year Day!

Sandi

And now it's really cold!!

This has been some weather week! We went from barely a dusting of snow on the ground to several inches and then wind whipped it all into big drifts. Now the deep freeze has set in and while I would love to go out and do some Christmas shopping this Friday, I am not willing to do it in nearly zero degree weather!! Too cold for me. I'll be staying in and doing projects! Speaking of projects, I finished my patriotic block for Pearl Harbor Day. I had one idea and then didn't like how it was looking so I changed the entire thing and ended up with this......... a simple star.

I was inspired by the Gold Stars that my mother has told me about that families put in the window when a son or daughter was killed during WWII. The history behind the stars is interesting and can be found here . I wanted my star to be white so I thought I'd applique white tone on tone cotton but then I remembered that I had some white wool from my Grandma Goldie. It was from a jacket she wore and I thought how fitting to have something she wore in the quilt that I am making in remembrance of my dad and his service in the war.

In the photo on the left, you can see that I cut a pentagon shape from a blue wool and stitched a star to it. Then I cut five identical triangles from the white wool. I positioned it just right and then used a fabric glue stick to hold the pieces in place while I stitched.

I bought the background fabric at "Seams to Me" which is located in Algona, Iowa. I made a quick stop there on my return trip from Iowa. This all-over flag print was in the clearance fat quarters but I liked it the minute I saw it. I also found a great snowflake print for a January project. :-)

That's my car parked in front of the shop. There's only that "dusting of snow" on the roads at the time of this photo.

And while this is not a very good photo, if you like Mickey and Minnie then you would love to see this in person.

The entire window of the shop was filled with animated Mickey and Minnie/Disney figures! I also made a stop at Heartland Quilt Shop which is also in Algona. I found fabric there for another patriotic project. Actually, I can find fabric just about anywhere. Or maybe it finds me! LOL!

I promised I'd share my Pago Pago connection when I showed you the gifts I received from Barb at BejeweledQuilts and InchWormFabrics. Barb made the Blueberry Muffin towel and potholder and her niece who owns Inch Worm fabrics sent that Pecan Praline Muffin mix. I am saving it for Christmas morning muffins. :-) Thanks to both of you for such lovely gifts!!!

So, now to my Pago Pago connection. More than twenty years ago, my parents bought a small chord organ at a garage sale in Ames, Iowa. The current owner said that it had been owned by a missionary who used it when assigned to Pago Pago. My folks paid $40 for it and then gave it to me. I loved playing that organ but always wondered if it was really used in Pago Pago or if that was just a story. One day some of the keys stopped working. My husband is handy with repairing things so he opened it up and what did he find??.........lots of sand and, of all things, Cheerios! I was pretty sure it had been in Pago Pago and I'm guessing the family had small children who "fed" Cheerios between the keys! So while I have never been there, that's my Pago Pago connection. I was near there once, though.........forty years ago I flew to Tokyo to join my husband when he was in the Air Force. The plane made two stops enroute......with one in Hawaii and one in Guam. I could hardly wait to see Hawaii, "the Island Paradise". It was sunny and the flowers were beautiful. We deplaned briefly and then took off again for Guam. What I remember about Guam was how small the island looked from the sky and I wondered how the plane could land on such a small strip of land......but we did! Oh, my ..... long ago memories!

That's all for tonight.

Sandi

One more visit with Brown Bear!!

Brown Bear and I had a great time offering up gifties for my One Year Blog Anniversary. This guy has been around almost as long as my husband!! My folks got Brown Bear for Collette (our daughter) when she was little and he resides with me now because he reminds me of when my kids were young. Brown Bear always seemed like a boy bear and so I dressed him in one of the sunsuits I made for our son Devlin. Brown Bear is also featured in a children's story that I wrote and if I am lucky, one day I'll get it published. Anyway, he borrowed my birthday tiara because there are still birthdays to celebrate in our house. They all come packed into about two months out of the year and the bulk of them come in June! Today, Flag day was my dad's birthday. I'll be posting a bit about him later on today. Tomorrow is my son-in-law's birthday, then right after that is my husband's birthday, then my son's girlfriend's birthday and then the first part of July is Devlin's (our son) birthday!! Wow! That's a lot of birthday cakes and celebrating! Unfortunately, we don't all manage to get together on all of our birthdays but the one time of the year we do get together is Christmas!!! That was my dad's favorite holiday and he could hardly keep a secret so on more than one occasion, we knew what Santa was bringing. :-) I am planning to get a head start on some Christmas projects in July and you know the stores will be having Christmas in July sales, too!! So, here's what Brown Bear and I have cooked up for you.............

See that pile of fabrics? Well, there are about a hundred different Christmas prints there (from my personal stash) and I am going to be cutting them into piles of 5-inch charm squares. I'll make one pile for me and one pile for you! All you have to do is leave a comment on this post. There is only one rule...........to enter this drawing you must have left a comment at least once during my Eight Days of Prizes for my Blog Anniversary. So, if you left a comment during that time, add your name now to this post and here's a bonus................the drawing will be on Independence Day, July 4th and if you are so inclined, you may leave your name once every day between now and that day (and only at this post) for lots of extra chances to have your name drawn. My husband likes his duty as the number drawing man, so go ahead and give him lots of names to dig into and maybe you can be the lucky name he draws. Any questions, just pop me an e-mail and I'll answer promptly.

Time for lunch......

Sandi

Wishing you.............

a H A P P Y M A Y D A Y !!!

I'll be back shortly after 8:00 this evening with the winner of the Basket Book (see the Giveaway below as there is still time to enter) and the info on changes to my BOM postings and some other news. Have a sunny day!!

Sandi

A May Day Giveaway!!

Yes, I know it's still April but come Friday, it's May Day!!
I loved May Day when I was a kid. My mother would help us decorate pretty little baskets with pleated crepe paper around little white nutcups or baskets made from construction paper. Then we would fill them with candy and deliver them to friends, knock on the door and run. I always hoped to be caught by one certain little boy and dreamed of his kiss but alas, he never came to the door. His mother answered instead!!
I was planning to share a tutorial on May Baskets as I taught a class on May baskets many times in Community Ed and at the library. I have been too busy to do it and so I guess it will have to wait til next year.
Instead, I am going to offer up a little giveaway for this Quilted Baskets book by Eleanor Burns.

My friend, Pandora, made the quilt that you see on the cover of the book. I loved her quilt so I got the book, too and put it in my stack of project books. During this past year, I've realized that I will simply never get to all of the projects, patterns, books, etc. that I have. Plus, I really like drawing up a design and making do with whatever I have on hand. So, I thought, why not sort through some of my books and patterns and use them in giveaways? And that's just what I'm doing.

All you have to do is leave a comment on this post and tell me if you remember making May Baskets. It's been a while since I hosted a giveaway and my husband hasn't been able to be my random number man for some time. He will be happy to know he can draw a lucky winner on Friday night at 8:00 p.m. CST. Also, on Friday, I will be posting the changes I'll be making for my Seasons of the Heart BOM. E-mails will go out to those on the current list. This change will make it easy for anyone to get past blocks.

As soon as you read this you may leave a comment. Just make sure your comment links back to your blog or that you leave your e-mail address in your comment. You don't have to have a blog to participate in this giveaway.

I look forward to reading all your comments!!

Sandi

We have a winner!! It's Ida and I have sent her an e-mail with the good news. As always, I had my husband draw a second and third name in case I don't hear from the first name drawn.