sewtakeahike

Friends

 

For the first year or so after I started blogging, I didn't understand.  I didn't *get* how bloggers became good friends with other bloggers.  And then it started happening.  I started connecting with certain bloggers, who have become my friends.  Some whom I've still not met to this day, but talk to on the phone and email.  Others who I have met and treasure dearly.

Honestly, I don't like it when bloggers distinguish between their online friends and their "around the corner from my house" friends.  I don't like to be referred to as a "bloggy friend", "online friend", or "imaginary friend".  I don't know, I just look at it like even though I've never met several of my friends (and may never have the chance), they're just my friends.  Online or in real life. 

 

And I'm always blessed when I receive a thoughtful note or card or gift in the mail from my friends.  Most recently, Alpa, who I've been friends with for a couple of years, sent me this little spice container.  She knows I love Indian food and wanted to sow into that love I have for it.  I am still just totally blown away by such a thoughtful gift.

 

And then, Amanda (with some help from Tara) goes and does this for me.

Can you believe it?  I still can't.  It's not just the pillow, but the time and thought she put into it.  Remember this pillow I made for the last round of the pillow talk swap?  She says she felt bad that I spent so much time on it and then gave it away.  It still makes me laugh because that's exactly what she did for me!  And I love that she did.

So thank-you Alpa and Amanda.  Thank-you for your friendship and your thoughtful gifts. 

And sincerely from my heart to all of yours, I hope you have found the same thing with the blogging community.  It really is full of wonderful, awesome friends at every turn if you will take the time to look!

 

And now for the winners of the Stitch and 101 Patchwork Magazines:

#35-Lisa, who said:  Love the fish mat! Both of these mags look like alot of fun.

and

#97-Lisa, who said:  Luv, luv, luv the magazines, especially the patchwork one. Luv your projects too - so wimsy & fresh!

Congratulations, Lisas!!

 

Be a part {modern relief Japan}

 

 

Starting Monday, April 4.

Six Monday rounds.

Awesome quilters.

Donating quilts.

Raffle tickets $10.

To help Japan.

Don't Miss it!

 

p.s.  My "happy picnic quilt" will be in the raffle on April 11th!

the luckiest

Yep.  That's me.  I was so excited to receive this gift in the mail yesterday from my friend Arlene (no blog :( Arlene, you should start a blog!)

She said she thought of me with all my hair when she saw this pattern on ravelry which is designed to put a ponytail through the opening (that you really can't see in the pic very well).  I just recently got all my long curly hair chopped off though, so there won't be a ponytail anytime soon.  This hat still is my favorite though.  It's my new kayaking/backpacking/hiking hat and I'm excited about it!  Thank-you Arlene!

So now it's your turn!  Let's hear details {people!} from all of YOU that are feeling lucky or blessed, and why!

Happy Mother's Day to all you moms and happy weekend to all!

~Penny

Wednesday giveaway

Just to say thank-you to each and every one of you that take the time to visit me at sewtakeahike.  I appreciate you!

The roses were sewn on with this tutorial.  The back is envelope style and you provide your own pillow form.

Just leave a comment, one entry per person (and please make sure you leave a valid email address in the appropriate space or you forfeit your entry.  ok, I'll quit hinting around :), I'm talking to those of you that sign in with typepad, and in your profile, have chosen not to leave an email address). I'll choose a winner this weekend sometime.

Happy Wednesday to you all!

~Penny

lazy Sunday

Seriously.lazy. 

The sun's shining, it's warm-ish outside, and I'm still sitting here in my pj's.

How are you guys doing?  I hope good.  Having a good valentines day? 

I want to say thank-you to you all for your ever so sweet comments you leave here on sewtakeahike.  They brighten my day, each and every one, and definitely keep me motivated to keep posting, knowing that there's someone out there that's inspired or has a brighter day after coming to this little space and poking around.  I truly appreciate you all!

This is as close as I've come to quilting the ticker tape quilt, and it may have to wait a few more weeks.  We're going to visit my family in a few days so I don't think I want to get hot and heavy into the quilting and then have to step away. 

I have, however, been working on a few things.  A month or two ago, I made up a bunch of double-sided, serged edge receiving blankets and delivered them to the local pro-life center in Loveland.  They asked me to make some bibs with the scraps, so I'm earnestly trying to finish those up today. 

I also tore into my fabric stash on Friday and resorted the whole thing by designer.  I had mountains of fabric lying everywhere and my cat really thought it was all just for him to play in.  Go figure.  Anyway, I had been having such a hard time finding specific fabrics with it sorted by color, so I'm hoping this will work a little better.  I'm already very pleased and I just finished it last night.

Alrighty, I better get going finishing those bibs up.  I hope all your valentines days are sparkly and sweet!

Penny

p.s.  I may be MIA for a couple weeks, we'll talk then!