Friday, March 8, 2013

Winter Schminter - Blog Hop and Summery giveaway

Quilting Gallery claims it is winter. Here in New England we call March "mud season", that special time of year when the nights are cold and the days are warmer, which leads to sap buckets
lining the trees of Main Street,
Or plastic bags. Whatevs.

deer in the backyard eating our old Halloween pumpkins,

The smart ones know they are safer from me in the back yard than on Main Street.
  and the frost coming out of the ground to leave big old globs of mud pretty much everywhere.
Isn't nature fun?
It is at this time of year that I am particularly thankful to my husband for being alive, as the children have made me promise that if he dies we can replace him with a dog. I for one am praying neither of these events ever happens, because I recall all too well my mother mopping up muddy paw prints for the months of March, April, and part of May. Plus he lifts heavy things, and knows with one look at me whether it is a little wine glass evening or a big wine glass evening; I'm not at all sure I'm up to teaching a dog how to use a wine opener.

So, if you are new here, yes, I do enjoy sarcasm and irreverence and self-depreciating humor with the best of them, and I hope you do too! I started this blog as a companion to my website a few years ago to give me a space to vent, hold court, tell stories, etc in a place where I didn't have to be completely professional, and somehow it has taken over as the place people go to rather than my website. I'm glad, because this is where you get the real me, whackadoodleness and all.
 
January and February saw the start of my latest group quilt project "Taking Names" and the second annual "Drop and Give Me Twenty" event. Both were great fun and excellent opportunities for all of you bloglanders join in some of my daily fun, and if you didn't participate I hope you'll check out some of the fun we had. Here are a couple of my DaGMT finishes:

For the next few months, the the only thing I can promise about visiting QHH will be you will have a front row seat to watch me spin myself up into a state of panic and mayhem as I prepare to be a first time exhibitor at Spring Quilt Market in Portland.


Much like one coming down with the flu, I alternate between hot flashes of inspiration and confident thoughts of "I got this, baby," and cold sweats of sheer horror when I think about all I need to accomplish in the next less than ten weeks. I've secured some slave labor in the form of Kelli Fannin, whom I met on line and have yet to see in person. I'm that trusting. Many of you may know her too from her fantastic blog "Seriously......I Think iT Needs Stitches." We've bonded via blogging, email, and FB, so of course it only follows that she would agree to help out in Portland, run with some amazing ideas about the booth, and agree to share a hotel suite with me even though I may turn out to be a psycho. Both of us will be blogging from the show, so be sure to check it all out.

To celebrate these last few days of winter and of me having a shred of sanity left before the true Market prep crazies hit, I am giving away a yard of a summery batik and a pattern for a tote by Studio Aika, along with handles. The fabric should be enough for the cover and lining of the bag.
All this can be yours!


To enter to win, you must do two things:

1. Become a follower of my blog. So easy! Just click on "join this site" over there on the right sidebar above all the gorgeous faces of current followers and you are done. If you are already a follower, you obviously don't have to do this. Just mention that you are already in your comment so that I can feel all excited that you found me somehow in the past.

2. Our local library is doing a promo for "Love Your Library"week next month asking "What do you Geek?" Apparently "geeking" is now a term for being interested in something and going about learning about it/participating in it for fun. We all geek quilting, obviously. I want to know what ELSE you geek, be it cooking, solving molecular equations, travel, architecture, Downton Abbey, whatever. So in the comments, tell me what you geek. I want to make sure all of my readers are well rounded and geeky quilters.

As for what I geek, it's definitely history. Huge history geek. Send me to a museum, let me read a fantastically written and researched historical novel, show me a Civil War soldier's uniform in a case at a local library, you name it, I'm on it. I've even gotten two of three of my children to prefer a historical house tour over a day at the water park and the six year old can tell you more about Abe Lincoln than I can. Bizarrely, though, I really dislike reproduction fabrics and extremely traditional patterns in quilts and am not all that excited by antique quilts.

So follow and geek it up, hotties! Thanks for participating and enjoy the blog hop!








87 comments:

Marjorie's Busy Corner said...

You have me laughing...a good thing!!
Thanks for the great story; I should have done that...lol. and the wonderful giveaway. I hope you visit me too. Great post!!!

Almost forgot: I geek gardening too...flowers and vegies

beaquilter said...

I'm a follower, ohhhh I just finished Downton abbey on netflix, now I seem to GEEK embroidery, as I'm getting a new machine next week :-) can't wait!!

Deb@asimplelifequilts said...

I'm a follower and I geek reading!

tubilinha tiacarminha said...

Adoro este se humor,faz o meu dia.Também o tenho,por aqui dias quentes e ensolarados sempre.Costumo falar que:Temos que passar bloqueador
solar até em milho de pipoca se não...Não temos pipoca elas estouram no sol.Sou seguidora GFC.E estou fazendo umas flores da avó para uma amiga.Obrigada.
tiacarminhapezzuto@gmail.com

Debra Lee said...

I love to read anything I can get my hands on and NCIS!

A.G. Lindsay said...

Hmm. Not sure I like that use of the word "geek." (Maybe evidence that I'm a grammar geek?) As for what I like doing besides quilting... hmm... reading, or music (both making, listening to, and reading about.)

Leslie's Itchin to be Stitchin said...

I geek good homemade cooking. You are really funny, look forward to more of your posts.

Kelli Fannin Quilts said...

I currently geek Downton Abbey, Newfoundland dogs, traveling and history in general, but esp quilting history. Yep. Muddy paw prints. You probably don't want to come to my house right now. :) I really hope you're not a Craig's List psycho! :)

DianneVV said...

I'm a follower. I geek Duck Dynasty and Swamp People and golf and quilting and Christianity. :-)

Rina Mason said...

I am a long time follower and I geek remodeling. I learned from my mother and have been doing it for the last thirty years. I enjoy it almost as much as quilting, reading and traveling.

MsMidge said...

I love your sarcasm.....

After much thought - 5 minutes tops - I think I geek tv??? Is that bad??? I used to watch heaps of tv, and then quilting hit me. So now I have to record all the shows I love and then watch them marathon style!

Margaret said...

I am already a follower by GFC and I geek gardening and reading

Sandim said...

I geek reading and golfing

Quilting Babcia said...

I joined, I guess you could say I geek NCIS and a bunch of other stuff. Ungeek the word verification!

Jeneta said...

Oh that is such a funny post! I always love a laugh. I geek gardening, crafting and anything to do with raising children.

Sarah J. said...

Yay, love your blog and glad to be a new follower (now that I just learned how!) I geek quilting and science and kids. My 5 year old son knows what a uterus is and that makes me happy.

Tammy said...

I am allready a follower. I geek reading...Especially anything supernatural or historical romance. I also geek gardeing.

Chiska said...

I geek books

Pat S. said...

I'm one of those followers from the past that just rediscovered your blog and wonderful sense of humor! I geek facebook (too much) and puzzles. Gotta do something to keep the braincells sharp...LOL Thanks for the chuckle and thanks sew much for this chance to win. :-D

JoyceLM said...

I'm a new follower. And I geek reading. Thanks for the chance to win.

Vicki H said...

I'm also a new follower. I loved your post. I geek gardening and sudoku puzzles. I'm also kinda nerdy.

Pat V. said...

I am a follower! I just received my prize from DaGMT today, thanks so much! In addition to quilting, I am crazy about cats and opera.

haddie said...

I have been following for a while and allways love to see your post...Bags for maple syrup Not done "in my time " lol I geek embroidery and baking... and pinterest thanks for the chance to win :)

Living with the Lioness said...

Okay .. perhaps it was just me but before I tell you what I "geek" I have a question.

In the article title it said "Blog Hop" ... but I did not see any mention about "hopping" specific blogs or sites ... did I miss something here?

I was already signed up as a "follower" so that is number one done.

As for what I "geek" or like to do besides quilt ... I like to make my own preserves, sauces, I can fruits and veggies - most of which I pick myself, I make liqueurs, flavored oils and other old fashioned sort of food things like cooking and baking from scratch.

I also like to do things in an old fashioned way including making my own laundry soap.

Pamela said...

I love your blog! I teach writing and I'm always telling my students to find their unique voice. I may show them your blog as an example of voice! I geek travel. When I'm not quilting, I'm usually checking travel sites to see if there are any trips I can afford. (The rarely are - but it's fun to look at pictures and dream :)) Thanks for the giveaway opportunity!

Karen said...

I am a new follower. I "geek" gardening and I have even combined my love of plants and quilting by designing a few plant based quilts.

Stephanie said...

I am a new follower. I really like (um, geek) photography and gardening too. Oh, and my cats, and my l;atest rescue dog.

Emily C said...

I know all about the confident/panic mode switch. I have presentations for 3 college classes this semester. Making them is not the issue, its the talking in front of others. So I am avoiding thinking about the talking =) Anyway. I geek video games, accounting and designing.

Just Quilt It said...

I'm a new follower. I geek reading and gardening when I am not quilting.

Purl Buttons said...

I am a new follower. I am a traditional geek. I geek Trek. Most days you can find me in the studio with headphones, some quilt or other at some stage of incompletion and reruns of a Trek series through my computer. Lately, I am watching the original during the day and Deep Space 9 at night. The lighting for Deep Space lends itself to nighttime work. Sewbeads out.

Nita said...

You, my dear, will be arriving in my email in-basket with each new post. Nice to meet you! Love you already, lol!

Barb and Sharon said...

I "geek" the show Haven and learning how to watch TV on the Internet instead of paying for cable. I'm a new follower.
Barb@Witsend

barbara woods said...

i get you by e-mail thanks

barbara woods said...

i love to read thanks

ThreadCatcher said...

I am a new follower who geeks murder mysteries and counted cross stitch. Thanks for the chance.

BizyStitches said...

I'm a new follower.
Thanks for being part of the fun blog hop. Lovely giveaway. Thanks for the chance to win.
I guess I would have to say "reading"

Hanke said...

I am a new follower and I am GEEK to geocaching!

Heidi said...

I really wanna stay hip, so thanks for explaning that Geek is now a verb, I geek old vinyl with my husband. It is such a fun and educational hobby for us. Great giveaway and enjoyable site, a pleasure to follow you!

Heather said...

New follower
didn't know the geek term either.
hmm, would have to be Playbook geek. Since I got my Playbook I an frequently looking up how to do stuff with it.

Mom C said...

I follow. I'll watch for you at Quilt Market. Other than quilting, I don't think I Geek anything. maybe my grandchildren, Cake Boss, reading, singing, traveling. Or not. Thanks.

java diva said...

following! Oh, Eva, you had me laughing right away!! I look forward to learning more about you following your blog.
Apparently I am geeking bunnies. Dust bunnies that is.
In all seriousness (how boring) I guess I am geeking make up. or perfume. Or thrifting, yeah, I love finding steals, like this coach poppy perfume for half the price!! Squee!!!

Debbie said...

I'm a new follower! My geeky stuff: knitting, crochet, quilting, sewing, beadwork, Kimohimo braiding, weaving and soapmaking. Always like to try new stuff!

Reb Thack said...

I'm a new follower via GFC.

I geek out to science... I have a 6 year old with Autism who is WAY into all things anatomy, black holes, quasars, the ocean floor, subduction zones and volcanoes. She frequently comes to me with questions like "what are Einstein's theories? Why does mass get denser near black holes? Or how do scientists take core samples from the ocean floor?" The answers to those require some quick studying on my part to explain them... Yup, she's taught me a LOT since she was born :-)

Richard Healey said...

I am a new follower with GFC/Reader

Richard and Tanya Quilts

prairie said...

I've been following Richard and Tanya around all afternoon. I'm a follower. I geek horses, mystery writers and their products, politics, cuisine, gardening.....the internet and I have become joined at the hip as I'm always looking up something of undying importance (to me). You are a talented writer and expresser of yourself. Keep up the good work. Oh, also, getting stuff ready for market, gulp. Learning to swim in a bigger pond, yessiree. Come by and see us at Prairie Cottage Corner. Thanks for letting us visit.

Darlington Delights said...

Thanks for the generous giveaway. I'm a true geek...as a college professor, I am really into statistics and research and such, particularly as it pertains to older adults in nursing homes. I'm looking for ways to improve the care and services provided to them.

Betsy said...

Thank you for the chance and thank you for participating in the hop.I already follow. I geek quilting and gardening.

Cherilyn said...

I'm a new follower! I geek cooking and gardening. Thanks for the great giveaway!

Needled Mom said...

I love your sense of humor! A dog would definitely be worse!!! I am geeky over grandkids, gardening, Downton, traveling and tools-not necessarily in that order.

Unknown said...

Love your sense of humor. Am a new follower who geeks quilting, machine embroidery, knitting, crocheting, embroidery and cross stitch.

syvisser@gmail(dot)com

Francine said...

Hi there, I just signed up to follow - cause you're a nutbird and that's my favorite kind of new friend! I gleek any American tv right now cause I'm in Germany and I can't get it! I geek Psych especially :)

Kathy H said...

I am a follower and really enjoyed reading your post today. I geek reading and embroidery.

Connie Kresin Campbell said...

Great giveaway and I'm a follower. I geek Photoshop every chance I get!

Sew Out There said...

I geek physics, specifically I want to understand quantum stuff. But I start reading it and then after a few pages It starts to sound in my head like the teachers in the Great Pumpkin - just a gargled noise. But I want to be able to talk with my nephew who is a brainiac and probably does understand it. I really geek gardening and flea market shopping.

Sew Out There said...

Following your blog is tatally different than the other ones I follow.

Lizzie said...

I am now a follower...thanks for the chuckles and thanks for the opportunity to win your giveaway. I geek trying new recipes on my family and friends.

Cecilia said...

I am a new follower and I geek crocheting and reading. Thanks for the laughs and the great giveaway.

Tanya said...

I am a new follower. Thanks for chance to win. I guess I geek tv and reading news sites.

Shar said...

I am a follower.

Shar said...

I love to watch Netflix. I watch several show on there.

Sandra said...

I just signed up to become a new follower.

Sandi Timmons
sandit1@sbcglobal.net

Sandra said...

I will always be geeking about recipes. There seems to be a recipe that you don't have or you just want it forself to cook something new and different for dinner. I need a new tote and this pattern and material will help beat the winter blues away. Thank you for giving your followers a chance to win and for being a part of the Blog Hop.

Sandi Timmons
sandit1@sbcglobal.net
Sonora, CA

Kate Brown said...

I am a follower and I geek reading :)

Beth said...

Follow on GFC and I geek history too . . . and I am actually working on a civil war quilt.

Sue said...

I am a current follower of yours. Your sense of humor is too, too much! I guess I geek reading. Once I had my Kindle, I am never without a book!!!

Robin said...

Well, I watched every episode of Downton Abbey in about a five day time period. I wanted to see what the hype was about and once I started watching I couldn't stop!! I also geek soap making. It really is cool to see the ingredients turn into some really moisturizing soap! I'm a new follower!

Robin said...

Well, I watched every episode of Downton Abbey in about a five day time period. I wanted to see what the hype was about and once I started watching I couldn't stop!! I also geek soap making. It really is cool to see the ingredients turn into some really moisturizing soap! I'm a new follower!

Unknown said...

Love this blog,,best yet. I think im a bee geek. I want my own honey bees soooobad. Coullmills@gmail.com

SueAnn W said...

I found you this time.......as for what I geek it has recently been hand embroidery.

I am following you!!!!!

Lourdes said...

I am a new follower... and I geek "Yardening". I geek my flower beds and my vegetable garden.

Anonymous said...

I"m a Bird Geek I Guess. I'm a follower....

cvdnurse said...

I'm a follower (by email), and I'm a cooking geek.
Susan in PA
susie.galasso@gmail.com

Norma said...

I am a new follower and my geek is learning to draw even though I have absolutely no talent! I still love trying.

Rhonda D. said...

I am a follower. I geek vintage
cookbooks, vintage kitchen items,
aprons, linens, vintage sewing
notions, buttons. I guess I am
pretty geeky. Thanks for the
chance to win!

wigglypup2(at)yahoo(dot)com

OhioLori said...

I'm a new follower!! :) Loved your story!! Will be back to peruse thru your Blog at a slower pace too!!

I "geek" crocheting,definitely reading!!, making my own cards & envie's!! Fun!! :)

nicolesender said...

old gfc follower: nicolesender
I geek gardening!
nicolesender(at)yahoo(dot)com

crafter1953 said...

Hi Beth, I am a new follower GFC. I geek cooking. Worked as a chef for years till I hurt my back but I still love to cook at home.

Nancy Sue said...

You crack me up. I'm amazed at liking history, but not antique quilts. Well I am a music geek. Played cello and string bass back in the day, but can't stand to sit through a night at the symphony now :) LOL! Irony!

Mike Pearson said...

I already follow you! Hmmmm.... geek? Well, I'm librarian... and I geek rodeos :)

Diann said...

I'm already a follower. I geek math, science and cooking. History isn't bad either.

Karrie said...

I'm a follower

Karrie said...

My daughter is really into JFK and Jackie, especially...and she's 16 ;)

Peggy said...

I'm a new follower.
Thanks,
Peggy
peggy_verdongibbs@att.net

Joanie's Trendy Quilts said...

I geek knitting, gardening, cookbooks, owning a business books. I am following you via Pinterest, GFC and fb.

slacker said...

following. What an awesome giveaway! Thanks for the chance!

slacker said...

geekin' - I guess I geek spinning, reading, and TV... currently geeking on Revenge. OMG! I just started watching it on Netflix a couple of days ago when I got sick - GLUED!

Kate said...

I am a follower (on RSS) and I "geek" knitting. I have been following since you got me to Drop and Give 20. I am still managing, most days.

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