Scraps and Strings: Retreat and two year blog anniversary

Thursday 28 January 2010

Retreat and two year blog anniversary

I'm off to my quilt retreat this weekend, and to prepare, I made a few gifts for some special folks, including you. As regular blog readers will know, I love scraps and string piecing and even selvages, and so I made some needle cases with string pieced covers, based on one Purple Pam sent me. The insides feature some needle and thread fabric and two pages of wool felt from that lovely giveaway I won from the C and T Publishing blog before Christmas. In a week, it's the second anniversary of my blogging adventure, and I'm happy to share some of these needle cases, plus a string pieced tea cozy with you. All I need is a comment on this blog about which you'd prefer(cozy or case) and a way to contact you. No posting on your own blog or becoming a follower unless you really want to. I'll draw for winners on Monday, Feb. 8.

Here's my pile of spiderweb string blocks, all ready to be put together at the retreat. I never found the missing triangles, so I made some more.

46 comments:

Amy said...: Hi--I love your selvage needle cases and would love to get one! Have a wonderful retreat!; 28 January 2010 at 22:29
Susan said...: I'm amazed at the beautiful needle cases you have made from selvedges. These are my favorites!; 28 January 2010 at 22:51
Tivoli West said...: The needle cases are wonderful. I'm more of a coffee person myself. I enjoy your blog, thanks for writing. Have fun at your retreat!; 28 January 2010 at 23:06
Lee D said...: sorry you never found the other diamonds. I like all your little needle cases. check out my blog for a giveaway too! lalaslovelys.blogspot.com; 28 January 2010 at 23:08
Kucki68 said...: I am looking forward to seeing your spiderweb stars post retreat. They look great already, but sewn together always gives blocks a little extra.; 29 January 2010 at 01:11
Clare said...: Goodness - 2 years already. How time flies. Love the needle cases.

BTW did I promise you some selvedges? I know I promised some to someone and I think it might have been you. If so, can I have your address again please.

Have fun at the retreat.; 29 January 2010 at 02:49
Etty said...: I'd be thrilled with the needle case or Tea cozy. Both are wonderful. We at the "Quilting Corner" have been following you and enjoy your work. We are learning a great deal.
Thanks and keep up the wonderful work you are doing.
charnetta18@gmail.com; 29 January 2010 at 02:58
Gill said...: i'm just starting to save my selvedges and i've been inspired by all the string piecing in blogland to try some myself!
thanks for the inspiration!!!
gill; 29 January 2010 at 03:27
Mam said...: Enjoy your weekend! Enter my name for the tea cozy draw please.; 29 January 2010 at 04:46
Michele said...: Love the selvage needle case. They're all so cute!; 29 January 2010 at 06:09
Kathy said...: Have a great time at your retreat! I love the needle case and I am looking forward to seeing your spider web when its all done!; 29 January 2010 at 06:28
Char said...: Have a great time at the quilt retreat. I like the needlecases. I'm a scrap quilter also, no scrap is too small!; 29 January 2010 at 06:45
Victoria Findlay Wolfe said...: I look forward to going to a retreat! One of these days... Have a super fun time! I can't wait to see your spider web blocks together! You know as soon as you put that top together that other darn missing one will reappear! lol!
Cute little string pieces! Nice job! I still see some bit of my scraps in there! Boy you can make fabrics go a long way!!! ;-) A needle case would be cool,!; 29 January 2010 at 06:57
Kim Brackett said...: Cute needle cases. And I LOVE those spiderweb string blocks. Have fun at the retreat!; 29 January 2010 at 07:19
Rosa said...: Lovely needle cases.The spiderweb string block is fun.Time runs quickly,two years.happy celebration!!.
Needle case or cozy tea?Both are fantastic but I choose needle case.

moramargaritaster@gmail.com; 29 January 2010 at 11:54
qltmom9 said...: Ooo...if I HAD to choose, I suppose one of those beautiful needlecases, but either gift would be a ~wonderful~ treat. Thank you for the chance to win! I sure hope I win. Your use of color is just amazing!
Lucy (in IN); 29 January 2010 at 12:35
Exuberantcolor/Wanda S Hanson said...: Your needlecases are wonderful.

I wonder where the missing spiderweb blocks will turn up. I have had some blocks show up in the most surprising places.; 29 January 2010 at 17:17
Marge said...: I love your needle cases and would be thankful to win one.

Love your blog, Marge; 29 January 2010 at 17:42
Purple Pam said...: Please put my name in the basket for the tea cozy. I really, really, really need one.

Thank you.; 29 January 2010 at 18:16
Melinda said...: I love the selvage needlecase but like the others also. Actually, I love anything made from selvages. Congratulations on 2 years of blogging. Isn't it fun?; 29 January 2010 at 19:41
Gari in AL said...: Hope you have a great tme at the retreat.; 29 January 2010 at 20:16
Kath said...: I would love to win a needle case, as I am a "dunk a tea bag" kind of gal. I do follow, but I get your posts as a feed, which is delivered by email. I have been inspired to start a spiders web quilt in shades of purple and mauve, lilac and cerise. It is growing nicely and friends keep asking if I will make them one too. See what you started :D; 30 January 2010 at 04:09
wordmama said...: I love love love string pieced things. I am just starting to collect selvages. I really love the needle cases, especially the ones with the selvages.; 30 January 2010 at 08:42
Mary on Lake Pulaski said...: Happy Blogivesary Brenda! I love the needle keepers!; 30 January 2010 at 14:26
Nina Lise@Mrs Moen said...: Happy two year Blogiversary! I would love a chance to win one of your needle keepers!; 30 January 2010 at 15:32
Humbolt, the troll said...: The needle case is what I'd choose. They look lovely.; 30 January 2010 at 15:40
Blogless me said...: Love your work with selvedges, so it does not matter much which gift I get. As you can see my optimism is limitless ;-); 30 January 2010 at 17:03
Wendy said...: I love your spiderweb string blocks. Will be looking forward to seeing it finished. I would love a tea cozy or needle case.; 30 January 2010 at 21:47
Peggy said...: I love your blog and your beautiful spider web blocks. Enjoy your retreat and congratualtion on your 2nd anniversary. I am in desperate need of a needle case but would
most grateful for anything.; 30 January 2010 at 21:54
SheilaC said...: Beautiful quilts! I have never tried a spider web quilt before...

Thank you for the giveaway

SheilaC; 31 January 2010 at 12:48
Shawna4rachael said...: Your needle cases are cool! I would love one if you wish to share, though I'm not sure how to share contact info. (I'm on Yahoo)

I just discovered strip and crumb piecing, and I'm so excited about it. All my "about to give away" pieces just got salvaged and stuck in a box. Found your blog while googling for ideas. Thanks :); 31 January 2010 at 14:10
Pokey said...: Hey, congratulations on winning Mrs. Moen's table runner giveaway! It's is so cool!; 31 January 2010 at 14:37
Sharon said...: Happy Blogiversary! Two years...Wow. I really enjoy reading your blog and following along on what you're doing. You're inspiring!

I'd love either of your lovely give-aways. Anything with selvages is fun!; 31 January 2010 at 17:22
Pokey said...: Oh, I would like to enter the giveaway, too! I think your spiderweb will be finished way before mine!; 31 January 2010 at 21:26
Kathleen C said...: Congratulations! I enjoy receiving your blog through a feed every day. My prize choice would be one of your pretty needle cases with the lovely wool felt.
This is a fun and generous giveaway.
Kathleen C
villagequilter@gmail.com; 1 February 2010 at 09:42
heath said...: Hey Brenda! This is the third time I'm typing this same message... your blog doesn't like me! I wanted to say thanks for the fun weekend, and for always inspiring me by producing such amazing things every hour or so. It may get me away from other people's patterns yet!; 1 February 2010 at 11:00
Freya Gibson said...: Hi

My name is Freya Gibson. I've just visited your website http://scrapsandstrings.blogspot.com/ and I was wondering if you'd be interested in exchanging links with my website. I can offer you a HOME PAGE link back from 2 of my Gifts and Crafts Guide websites which are:

http://halifaxwritersfest.com/ with page rank 3
http://assembleforrights.com/ with page rank 1

If you are interested, please add the following information to yourwebsite and kindly let me know when it's ready. I'll do the same for you in less than 24 hours, otherwise you can delete my link from your site.

Title: vouchers
URL: http://www.vouchers.org.uk/
Description: We're here to help you save money with discount codes & vouchers. Browse through our merchants, categories or search for the shop you want a discount voucher for!

I hope you have a nice day and thank you for your time.

Best regards;

Freya Gibson
freya.gibson@halifaxwritersfest.com
Web Marketing Consultant

PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS IS NOT A SPAM OR AUTOMATED EMAIL, IT'S ONLY A REQUEST FOR A LINK EXCHANGE. YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS HAS NOT BEEN ADDED TO ANY LISTS, AND YOU WILL NOT BE CONTACTED AGAIN.IF YOU'D LIKE TO MAKE SURE WE DON'T CONTACT YOU AGAIN, PLEASE FILL IN THE FOLLOWING FORM: HTTP://WWW.NOMOREMAILS.COM; OR WRITE AN EMAIL TO STOP@NOMOREMAILS.COM. PLEASE ACCEPT OUR APOLOGIES FOR CONTACTING YOU.; 1 February 2010 at 14:49
antique quilter said...: just love that needlecase with selvages...very creative.
one can never have enough needlecases.
I am really inspired to make a spiderweb quilt now after seeing yours.
Love the red border, what a great idea...love the shading of the reds. And the fact you used what you had, perfect.
Kathie; 2 February 2010 at 02:10
Joyce said...: Well, I'd like to win the needle case since I already have one of your wonderful tea cozies. Congrats on two years of blogging.; 2 February 2010 at 06:15
Kim said...: Oh I'd like a chance to win :0).
Happy blogversary!

I tried my hand at spiderweb using selvedges and had to move on after 9 blocks.....but I put a crumb border on it and will donate it to QOV.

Happy Sewing and thanks for a chance to win :0); 2 February 2010 at 12:11
Anonymous said...: I would love to win one of those needlecases! I have thought of making myself one as I am carrying along a hexagon project, just haven't had time....

Thanks for the chance. Love your blog and your work!

Bari; 3 February 2010 at 01:55
Bonnie said...: I love the selvage ones. Selvages are growing on me.; 3 February 2010 at 08:15
pwl said...: Your blocks are great, and I love that little selvage needlekeeper!; 3 February 2010 at 19:16
Pat said...: I would be happy with either prize. I've made needle cases for others but don't have a decent one for myself....and I have said I want to make a tea cozy, but never got around to it, so I'd feel like a "winner" with either prize. I'm glad one of my blog readers directed me to your blog when they saw my simple spider web table topper. Your spider web quilt is spectacular!; 4 February 2010 at 20:33
trudys_person said...: Happy Blogiversary!

I love your selvedge needlecases - I have started collecting selvedges too, to make a wallet.

Thank you for the giveaway!; 5 February 2010 at 15:24
GeeGee said...: Hi Brenda, Your selvedge items are adorable. I would be thrilled to receive either one. Have a great week-end and happy stitching!!!; 6 February 2010 at 23:56