Stitchin' Heaven Howdy

Party, Party!

Niki — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 01:18:48 +0000

In just a couple of hours we’ll be tweeting our hearts out, making new friends, winning some great prizes and soon after, throwing the peace sign up to 2011. We’re going to have a great time.

We have a newly added sponsor, Quilt Doodle Designs, you can check out their prizes on the Facebook, event page, please RSVP while you are there, too!

If you’re new to Twitter Parties – check out our “How To Party” instructions, here.

PLEASE READ: The converstation is going to roll pretty fast, so you might want to adjust the speed of receipt right below the text box on your tweetchat page.
I will be awarding prizes randomly to those who answer the questions I post. *When you respond please “reply” to my post so that my @StitchinHeaven is in your post and then be sure the question starts with Q1: for question #1 , Q2: for question #2 and so on. This makes it so much easier for me to chose winners. If you are a winner, please direct message me in twitter with yourTwitter name, real name, mailing address and the question # that you won for.
If you have any questions, just ask. The veteran tweeters are also very helpful and are always eager to help out a new Tweeter.
FACEBOOK: I will be on Facebook event page, as well – I will post the same questions I do on Twitter. Prizes on Facebook will be Original Patterns from Stitchin’ Heaven – I’ll tag each winner under each question and you can let me know what pattern you’d like.

Please comment below with you Twitter name and let me know that you’re here and ready to party!!

2012 – Watch Out!

See you on Twitter @10p CST

Meet Melissa Stramel of Lilac Lane

Niki — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 06:30:34 +0000

I had the pleasure of meeting Melissa at Quilt Market in October and am so glad I did. She is super sweet and definitely talented. She is a mother of 3 and owner/designer behind Lilac Lane. She is also, one of our sponsors for the New Year’s Eve Twitter Party, (that you do not want to miss) and is recently featured for her Family Tree quilt on Quiltwoman.com, where you can order kits, too!

Anywho, we did a virtual interview and here’s what Melissa had to say.

Quilting History: Although I’m a relatively young quilter, I’ve been quilting for a long time. 4-H was very influential in my life. I’ve always considered quilting an art. During college, I came home and made a Christmas quilt every year. It’s something I enjoy immensely (my husband says I’m kind of nutty about it.) I got really serious about quilting when my children (ages 7, 6 and 4) were born, took some classes, never completely followed the teacher’s instructions as I always went out on my own tangents. The rest is history. I like to think that I follow my own path. You will always be able to pick out my quilts because they are scrappy. I can’t seem to throw any leftover bits of fabric away. I put things together that other people wouldn’t dream of. And then they ask me how I coordinate things so well! I like designs that look complicated while actually being relatively easy.

When did you first begin quilting? I actually made my first quilt at age 10. It is a counted cross-stitch teddy bear quilt. I gave it to my youngest daughter when she was a baby and she still sleeps with it. My first patchwork quilt was finished around age 13. My mom made me rip out over and over again until all the nine-patches lined up.

Who or what inspired you? My next-door-neighbor was very inspiring. She was like a grandma to us, and as one of six children, she would often take us to do special projects and give my mom a break. Sewing, quilting, ceramics and playing a game of Aggravation were some of the things she taught us. Oh and cooking, especially fried bread. Man, I haven’t had that in a long time and it sounds so good right now!

Do you have a funny or unusual quilting story? I tend to take quilts with me when I know I’ll be sitting for awhile — to the beauty shop, baseball games, the carwash. One day I was getting my tire changed and binding a quilt. The mechanic and I had quite a conversation about quilting. You never know who you can promote your art to!

One piece of quilting advice you would give to any quilter or aspiring quilter? Get the quarter inch foot for your sewing machine! I always give one to new quilting friends and they say it makes all the difference in the world. Also, it’s good to be careful but don’t be a perfectionist to the point where your quilts never get finished. It’s okay to have a little mistake here and there. That’s what makes our quilts beautiful and unique!

Goal for 2012? Goodness, that’s a tough question. Of course I have goals but they’re sort of hard to define. I would love to have a fabric line come out. And I have lots of ideas for more patterns. Things around Lilac Lane are always busy, busy, busy, but still I seem to somehow get things done.

Hope you enjoyed getting to know her a little better and you’ll check back with her on Facebook and her blog .

See you at the Twitter Party 10p – 12:30a CST

Get Party Instructions here.

New Year’s Eve 2011 Twitter Party

Niki — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 21:50:38 +0000

‘Tis that time once again, my fellow Tweeters and Quilters! Not a Tweeter? That is O.K. ! Create your FREE Twitter account here. Then check out our “how to” party instructions. (You can go ahead and try to sign into the party early to get a feel for what you are doing…You’ll see previous party conversations.)

Are you a returning party-er?? If so, WOO HOO – are you ready for this?! We’ve got some new and returning sponsors this year with some terrific prizes. Remember all the fun we had in different time zones wishing one another a Happy New Year, well, aside for our awesome International customers who were partying with us in the middle of the day. It was so much fun and you all are the best party guests!

Sponsor List:

Pat Sloan – Designer & Teacher
Aurifil – Thread
Valorie Wells – Designer
Michele Foster – Quilting Gallery
Keri Beyer Inc. – Designer
Ellen Medlock – Designer
Melissa Strammel – Lilac Lane
Me & My Sister Designs
Cozy Quilt
Shabby Fabrics
Little Lady Bug’s Creations
Blue Ribbon Quilt Shoppe
Cara Quilts

Leave us a comment and let us know if you plan on being there. Then RSVP on the Facebook Event here.

What you need:

Internet Access
Twitter Account
Facebook Account (optional – if you want to see prize pics)
Beverage of Choice
Favorite Munchies
Comfy Jammies – (if you’re joining us @ night)
Party Shoes (slippers)
Sass (Bring it!)

Am I forgetting anything?

So, will we see you there?

Already?

Niki — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 22:06:01 +0000

Wowza! I can’t hardly believe how long it’s been since we last posted. Since then, Ricky Tims came by and performed a concert (totally, awesome!) that we had won for a contest he ran last year, I got most of the pictures from Market loaded and resized to share on here just in case you didn’t see them on Facebook, and Turkey Day is next week….Already!?

What are you plans for the Holiday? What are your traditions? I must ask this one too, when do you put your Christmas Tree up?

Deb, Karen & Ricky- at his Meet N Greet at the shop

Melissa Stramel (Lila Lane), Keri Beyer (Keri Beyer, Inc.) & Moi!

These were gorgeous fabrics

Michael Miller’s booth is always set up cute.

Deb was auditioning this fabric for a project next year

We had a lot of fun…wait….We always have a lot of fun around here.

Have a great weekend and Holiday!

Piece out!

Monster Mash: Final Clue

Niki — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 22:00:07 +0000

The party is almost over – but before I go for the evening, I will leave you with you final clue!

Final Clue

Thanks for participating and hope you had fun. I’d love for you to share your completed Monster Mash Mystery quilt with me through Facebook or email or both – nichole@stitchinheaven.com

Now, leave me a comment and tell me what you thought! When I get in tomorrow morning I will draw from the comments for a ghoulish surprise! I promise you there won’t be any tricks! Just some yummy treats!

Monster Mash: Step 5

Niki — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 20:45:34 +0000

Did you go and make the snack mix from the previous clue? If I wasn’t at work right I would have, but without the candy corns, of course. She had a cute blog didn’t she?

Step 5

I couldn’t help myslef – so I went to Pinterest (follow us & me there, too) and grabbed some super cute images for you to enjoy!

Monster Mash: Step 4

Niki — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 19:32:42 +0000

I saw you ladies out there on Facebook showing me some comment lovin’ and adding us as your friend!

How are you doing with you mystery so far? Please leave me a comment and share a picture on our facebook page! I wanna see what fabrics you are using.

Step 4

Here’s a yummy Halloween recipe, I thought you might like, too!

Click on the image to be taken to the recipe @ Rhinestone Armadillo Blog! Then stay for a bit and check out her other posts! Click on her Halloween link and see all her fun posts!

Enjoy, my little goblins!

Monster Mash: Step 3

Niki — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 18:01:26 +0000

Ooh popcorn balls and snickerdoodles……mmmmmm

With that….are we ready for step 3? I think I am!

Step 3 (click)

If you’re on Facebook - please like our page and tag us in a post – you can say anything from “Happy Halloweenie” to posting a pic of your mystery so far – but don’t forget to tag us!

I’ll see you again with Step 4 at 2:30 – if I’m posting the instructions too slow for you, let me know and I’ll post them sooner. I have them scheduled for Step 5 @ 3:45 and Step 6 @ 5pm. CST.

And…if you miss any or won’t be here…The instructions will stay on the blog for a few weeks, so that you can catch up!

Monster Mash: Step 2

Niki — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 16:30:58 +0000

Did you get all your fabrics coordinated and cut? Are you ready for the first clue to our mystery?

You will find them here….

Leave me a comment telling me your favorite Halloween treat….not trick…we’ll save that for later….But please, do not tell me you love candy corns. YUCK!

Monster Mash Mystery: Fabric & Cutting Instructions

Niki — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 14:21:49 +0000

OOPSY! Here are your fabric requirements and cutting instructions for our Monster Mash Mystery!

Fabric requirements: Here

Cutting Instructions: Here

I’ll see you again at 11:30a.m. CST with your step to our Monster Mash Mystery!

Gotta give a shout out to Judy Hopkins for this awesome pattern and usage!

Winner & New Quilty Question

Niki — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 17:16:45 +0000

Last month I asked you all what the #1 thing was on your wish list was and you all gave some pretty good answers! So, we consulted random.org and lucky comment #21 is our winner!

Congratulations, Judy J. !!!

Judy answered – “I was planning to say I would like more time to sew and quilt, but now my wish is that Laurel from comment #18 will feel much better soon.”

Seriously, what a great answer! We all hope you feel better soon, Laurel! <3

October Quilty Question:

Define your “dream come true” quilting retreat.

(just leave you answer in the comment box for your chance to win a $25 Stitchin’ Heaven Gift Card!)

(I know I could fill up some space with my answer LOL)

Hope you’re all having a lovely week.

Don’t forget to check out Patchwork Party. It just started October 1st and is featuring Bittersweet fabrics from Benartex.

12 shops & 12 finishing kits!

This one is ours. We call it Bittersweet Symphony.

Click on the quilt image to be taken to the Patchwork Party page where you can see what each shop’s block and finishing kit looks like.

Talk to you soon!

Party Over Here

Niki — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 18:07:10 +0000

If you made it to the Back To School Twitter Party this past weekend, then you already know what kinda fun we had and what a rush it is to be in a chatroom like that with everyone talking at once. But, if you missed it, you missed out on some great prizes and the chance to make some new crafty friends. we hope to do this again for New Years!

Check out the list of sponsors too, so you can find them on Facebook, Twitter & their blog!

Sponsors

We shared everything from how we talk from different ends of the country like saying ya’ll, fixin’, you guys, saying pop instead of soda and so many more. Most of us were in our jammies and shared our choice of virtual snacks. I think the majority had chocolate in hand or in reach. lol Then with the prize questions, I learned what kind of machine most of you sew on including where you’d want to go if you took a quilting cruise. I think Alaska was the popular choice. So, all in all, it was a fabulous time with fabulous “friends”! If you are a prize winner and have not yet been contacted, please email me with your mailing address to nichole@stitchinheaven.com .

Didn’t win a prize? Don’t forget about our Quilty Question each month. This month’s question can be found here. Just leave your answer as a comment and then October 3rd I’ll announce the winner on this blog. Winner receives a $25 Stitchin’ Heaven gift card and is chosen randomly through our awesome generator at random.org.

This month also represented the Quilt Across Texas 91 shop statewide hop! Did you hop? Sadly, the end of the month is only days away. Time flies when you’re having fun, doesn’t it? We’ve had hoppers in from all over the state and even the country, who took road trips with their hubbies and gal pals to reach as many shops as they could. And why blame them? The prizes are fabulous. We’ve heard of a few hoppers that have completed their “passport” with all 91 shops.

If you missed it, don’t you worry. Deb is already planning the 2012 Quilt Across Texas (and I got to see a sneak peek at the exclusive fabric line for 2012). You can also, pick up a piece of the party from the fabrics and goodies we still have. Shop here.

So, put it in your plans to travel to Texas next summer

Hope you are all having a super week so far and don’t forget to leave us a comment!

Back to School Twitter Party Sign In

Niki — Sat, 24 Sep 2011 01:23:53 +0000

Hey Party Tweeps – sign in below so we know who came to our party!

ok – took the Linky Tool down – I shoulda known with it being my first time using it.

Just leave me a comment with your Twitter Handle!

It’s Party Time!

Niki — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 18:21:51 +0000

Oh yeah! We just can’t help ourselves – so we invited all our party peeps for a Back To School Party consisting of lots of prizes, fun and friends!

See you tonight?

Click on the button to find the list of sponsors and link to pics of prizes!

9p-11p CST

#SHPARTY

Not sure how to party? Find the details here or find us on Facebook and ask.

I’ll see you again. Here. Tonight!
**********************************

Twitter Party: Introduce Yourself!

* Leave us a comment telling us how you found the party and leave a link to how we can get to know you better (Facebook, your blog, your website)

FYI on Prizes: I will be posting the winners’ Twitter @ under the photos in the flickr group – the prizes I dont have uploaded there will be contacted by Personal Message – and go ahead and email me at nichole@stitchinheaven.com with your address and the prize you won as the title.

note: not sure you won? Go to your home page on Twitter and click on “@Mentions” under the text box to see who’s tagged you – including me!

Do the Mash … The Monster Mash!

Niki — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 17:51:47 +0000

It’s that time of year again when all the crazies come out to play and the candy flows freely. It’s Monster Mash Mystery Time! I don’t know about you, but we love a good mystery around here, and Halloween is such a fun time for a mystery event. Anything can happen. You never know what may jump out from behind the next door. All you know is that it’s sure to be something new and exciting.

This year, our Monster Mash Mystery is both in the classroom and right here on our blog, too! Party plans include lots of friends, food, and fabric. There will be games, too. Everyone is invited to dress up in their most ghoulish (quilting-friendly) attire and join us either in the Classroom or on the Blog.

Wanna join our Monster Mash Mystery via the blog? Yes? Wonderful! We can’t wait! Complete details are still being worked out, but here are the basics:

On October 31st, come to the blog between 9am and 10am (Central Time). We’ll have a Welcome post there so that everyone can introduce themselves as they arrive, and maybe a few instructions, too.
At 10am, we will begin posting Clues to the Mystery. Then, each hour, your next Clue will post, with the final Clue at 4pm.
Throughout the day, we will add in some fun ’stuff’. We’ll have it set up so that you can post pictures to a Flickr Group (paving the road for a few fun activities).
Keep the following close by: a camera, the recipe for your quilting snack, you’re most recent quilt project, and, of course, your fabric stash.

Would you like a kit for your Mystery quilt? Kits are available in two colorways; Halloween or Quilt Across Texas fabrics. Click here to order your kit. We’ll get them cut and shipped just as soon as possible. Please order early so that you will have your kit in time for the mystery event.

Everyone is invited to join in for a day of sewing, or just visit us throughout the day for some Halloween fun. Wear your costume, cook up your favorite quilting snack and be ready to do the Mash … the Monster Mash!

Till then, happy quilting!