12/17/19

A Teeny Tiny Giveaway

Sorry, the giveaway is closed.

Before I get to the good stuff, please allow me to tell you about my day. It started as it always does, with some slow stitching. I'm off to a good start with the fifth block for Dancing Chickens and Flying Pigs. These stitch up pretty fast.


When I'd stitched that far, it was time to pack up the cat for a trip to the vet. He was not a happy traveler, let me tell you.


He was only there for a rabies vaccine, but they also weighed him. Smitty is a big boy at 17 lbs. He'd be a big boy no matter what, but I've worried about him gaining weight since he's had to be an indoor kitty only. He could probably stand to shed a few pounds, but we've been watching his diet fairly carefully...for as much as one can do that with a cat...and he hasn't gained any weight since his visit six months ago. That was quite a relief.

So he survived his cat visit, and by afternoon, we were speaking again, although he still wouldn't look at me.


He did help me with my fabric choices for the little projects I'm about to show you, however.


As I mentioned yesterday, I was kind of excited to make a mini scissors case with needle minder from We All Sew. You can find the tutorial right here. They go together very quickly...I would estimate less than an hour from choosing fabrics to a finish. So, I made the first one. Cute! The folded over top part is the needle minder.


And here's the little pocket where the scissors go. Yeah...that's a great picture. The camera thought I was taking a picture of the cutting mat. Silly me, not explaining things better.


And here it is fulfilling its life-long ambition of being the scissors case and needle minder for my quilt binding kit. I like those flower-head pins for pinning the corners of a quilt binding. The rest are different sized needles for various needs. And, yes, those are some little cat scissors. Someone sent me those as a part of a giveaway...I forget who...but thank you. I lost track of them a few weeks ago and tore the house apart looking for them. They were under one of the cushions on the couch. But I digress...as usual.


So, then I went on to make a second one...this one...this one's life-long ambition is to be the scissors case and needle minder for my embroidery kit. I have different kinds of needles for this one...there's a regular sewing needle, a milliner's needle, a tapestry needle, and a beading needle, just to name a few. One never knows what one will need, but I think I have the bases covered.


And finally...this one! This one is for you! I'm giving this one away! I wasn't just kidding around when I said it was a "teeny tiny" giveaway, but I figure someone will want one for their very own.


Okay, so here's what you need to do to be a winner.

1. Just leave a comment at the bottom of this post. Any comment will do. If you can't think of anything, then tell me one thing on your Christmas wish list.

2. Followers can leave an extra comment telling me how you follow. You don't have to be a follower to win, but if you want to become a follower, you can find lots of ways to do it there on my left side bar. Also, I will ship internationally, so all residents of Planet Earth are welcome to join in.

3. If you're no-reply, be sure to leave an email address. You can't win if I can't contact you.

So good luck, and a big Happy Holidays to everybody! I'll leave this giveaway open through Tuesday, December 24th and announce the winner sometime on Wednesday, Christmas Day, December 25th.

When we finished dinner yesterday, I found the kitties sitting like this. I'm not sure what's going on here, but it looks like trouble's brewing to me. Possibly they're waiting for zebra-striped mouse with tail feathers to come to life.


I'm doing double-duty keeping up with housekeeping chores for the next couple of days. My trip up to Kalama on Thursday is a date certain now. I'll be handing off the Semper Fi quilt to my friend Andy. Also, I'm going to leave early enough to visit a quilt shop. If I'm going to drive that far, I ought to scope out the area quilt shops, don't you think? And all of that to say that today's activities will be a fair number of housekeeping chores followed by sewing. Quilt blocks are on today's horizon. I'm just not sure which ones. I'll wait for inspiration to strike when I enter the sewing room this afternoon.

106 comments:

Renata S said...

My Christmas list includes a LED floor lamp. My halogen lamp is going into another room.

Renata S said...

And I follow you from Facebook. Neat scissor case.

Shonnie said...

Poor Smitty!The cage, the car ride, the vet! Torture! And comments of a personal nature regarding his stature? Piling on the insults! During the festive season too!
Your scissor keepers are really cute. If I don't win (pick me, pick me!), I'll have to add making one to my to do list. Thanks for your blog - I look for it every day. I follow through feedly, which seems to be part of Windows 10/Chrome, though I'm not really computer literate enough to be sure.

Kathleen said...

I have been thinking of making these! Thanks for the reminder.

Crew at Cabin Central said...

Thanks for the tip about the mini scissor case yesterday. Also, thanks for your posts. I enjoy reading about the adventures of Sadie and Smitty and the rest of the crew at the three cat ranch!! I always feel inspired to work on my projects or try something new.

5th Daughter said...

Oohh! Thanks for sharing! I deleted that email so I wouldn’t get distracted! I follow you with the Bloglovin app. I look forward to your posts everyday! You have taught me that it is possible to juggle multiple projects at once, with careful planning! Merry Christmas to you all!

Teri Russell said...

I love that little case and it would fit perfectly in my quilting kit. Follow you on Facebook.

Frog Quilter said...

Your posts always leave me with a smile and a good chuckle. Love the scissor holder. I’d have to make a bazillion as I have a scissor fetish lol. Keep the posts coming. My five cats have similar episodes like your two kitties.

Julierose said...

Such a cute scissors and needles case--lovely fabrics hugs, Julierose

Julierose said...

Oh and I follow you on Blogger ;)))Julierose

QUILTING IS BLISSFUL, DI said...

Oh--Smitty you made it--and kept your 'master' on her toes the whole way!!!
love love those little scissor keepers--they are a keeper--and I have some small scissors that would fit nicely in one!!
Have an awesome pre-Christmas week--
luv, di

Vroomans' Quilts said...

Poor Smitty - my furkids feel for you. My quilt guild made something similar to that scissor case as a class project years ago and I still use mine.

Quilting Babcia said...

Those scissor cases make up so nicely, great way to use up scraps of favorite fabrics and batting. Thanks for making an extra just for one of your fans!

Sher S. said...

Hi Barbara, Love the fabric of the give-away. Sorry for Smitty getting a shot.

Sher S. said...

I follow you on Facebook. Thanks for sharing the scissor holder.

Lee said...

What cute scissor cases! So clever and love those kitty scissors! :) I hope you have a lovely holiday season!

Lee said...

I am a follower of your blog w/ bloglovn!

Min said...

Always enjoy your blog being a cat loving household here in Salmon Arm, British Columbia, Canada. Love your quilting and embroidery projects too.

Min said...

Always enjoy your blog being a cat loving household here in Salmon Arm, British Columbia, Canada. Love your quilting and embroidery projects too.

QuiltE said...

Purrrrfect Project Pouch!! Like you I have project specific mini-kits, ready to go. Could easily do with another, with this one added to my options. Would be terrific little gift for sewing friends, Christmas or other times! Thank you for sharing your life ... anxious to find out where "we" will be heading for your Winter Escape!

QuiltE said...

Follower via email updates ... always love seeing your blog updates because of the variety of topics you cover and all the terrific photos! Merry Christmas and here's to a terrific New Year with many safe travels for you and Mike!

Annette Mandel said...

Grand Poohbah has to get his shots one-at-a-time. Does Smitty get the 3x shot, or do you take him to the vet 3 times like we do?
I follow you unobtrusively.

gpc said...

That's a very cute scissors case. I have one on my list to make, but it will be months before I ever get down that far on the list. Today I gave it a go and had the oddest thing happen in my embroidery -- the machine was supposed to do 3 identical steps -- the first and third were perfect, but on the middle one the machine left no evidence of top thread, only bobbin, so no pattern at all on the fabric. I rethreaded and restarted it several times, each time it didn't work. On the 4th try, the machine started trying to sew the pattern on top of the plastic hoop, breaking the needle. Grrr. Now the good news was that two days ago, Jack and I bought 6 new packs of needles. The bad news is that I have no idea where they are. So my project is at a stand still, again. You make sewing look so easy.

gpc said...

I follow you, if I'm not careful I will get one of those ear worms going . . . blogger, instagram and facebook.

Della said...

Love the mini scissor case, will be making some...eventuallly.

yorkie mom said...

Cute scissor case! I would use it as a keeper for my basting quilt kit. I still baste a quilt the old fashion way of laying it out. Thanks for a chance.

yorkie mom said...

I’m a follower. Or more of a lurker. I enjoy your blog.

Sue said...

Love your little scissors cases- if I don't win one, I'll have to make one! All I want for Christmas is for all of my family and friends to be happy and healthy.
slstringfellow at frontier dot com

Christi Bentley said...

Love the scissors and needle case. I follow your blog via email and love the cat posts, travel, and sewing posts. Your recipes are wonderful too.

Quiltsmiles said...

How sweet! Cute little giveaway that's so kind.

Quiltsmiles said...

I follow via blogger and email subscriptions. Loved your take on the Temecula Christmas tree QAL finished with all your stitched trees, it's Gorgeous!

Bonnie58 said...

Merry Christmas, Barbara . I am an email follower from Canada. I love your sense of style!

Bonnie58 said...

Merry Christmas to you and yours. have a wonderful holiday season and a great 2020

Terry said...

Smitty is an angel compared to what one of my cats put me through. Miss Tahoe was a very loving and protective cat. She let me put her in the carrier and rode in the carrier with no screaming, but she did not like the vets at all. She tried to bite and kill every one of them. It got to the point I had to vet hop because I was embarrassed to go back. I dropped her off once on my way to work, and the vet called me to come by any pick her up. The ball of terror wouldn't let them take her out of the carrier or reach in and touch her. I felt safe. She would mangle a burglar.

Unknown said...

Good morning, I thoroughly enjoy your blog. Thank you for creating it. I look forward to it each day. You have helped me get more organized with my quilting. More UFOs are completed. My feline friend,Zoe, keeps me on my toes too. They are a great addition to a home.
Now I am off to the grocery store. Hopefully I will get in and out without much stress.
Merry Christmas to you and yours,
Marilyn

Violet Withey said...

Cute scissor case.it reminds me of the one my MIL made me many years ago for Christmas. It came with scissors. I still have both. I find that the older I get the less I want for Christmas.I usually buy myself a book.I have already bought and read the latest John Grisham, The Guardians. Really enjoyed it. I have your blog pinned as a favorite. Happy Holidays!

Denise :) said...

Poor kitten, having to deal with vet trauma. I hope today he's feeling all his vim and vigor! The case is really sweet -- it would make a great favor for a stitcher's group or retreat! Thanks for sharing the tutorial. :)

Denise :) said...

Aaaaaaand . . . I follow you through blogspot (or google, whatever) and IG and facebook and probably bloglovin (which I don't really use). :)

Kate said...

Hopefully Smitty has fully recovered from his trip to the vet. Love the needle/scissor keepers, very fun and useful.

Nancy in IN said...

Gift card for Indiana State Parks

Nancy in IN said...

I follow via email. Love to read each day especially when you travel.

Snoodles said...

Oh my! Your mention of these before had set my gears to turnin'. Let's see, I need one for my embroidery kit, for my binding kit, for my crochet kit......thanks for the chance to win!
quiltnsrep(at)yahoo(dot)com

Snoodles said...

(footsteps)
And I follow you from afar....love to see your posts in my inbox!

Marilyn said...

Love the needle case!
Been following you since Sea Breeze blogger mentioned you.
Yesterday I made your German Pork Stew, was delish and just perfect after burning leaves for 3 hrs!
Enjoy your blog very much!
Merry Christmas,
Marilyn

Auntiepatch said...

Por Smitty! My cats won't "speak" to me for a day or 2 after a vet visit!

Auntiepatch said...

I follow you by email.

Auntiepatch said...

I hate my new "better" keyboard! I meant to say Poor Smitty!

Susan said...

All I want for Christmas is a better and kinder politicians, an end to the current treatment of refugees around the world, sane gun control, an end to climate change, peace on earth, goodwill to all people.

Susan said...

I follow you via email as senstrings (@) yahoo . com

LIttle Penguin Quilts said...

That is a cute scissor case! I also saved the tutorial for a someday project, but thanks for the giveaway, too. All I need for Christmas is more fabric and time to play with it! :)

LIttle Penguin Quilts said...

I follow by email, and sure enjoy your daily posts!

piecefulwendy said...

I recognize those kitty not-looking-at-you faces. Wilbur will have one or two of those shortly after the holidays, but hopefully he'll cheer up when we celebrate his Gotcha day. Not sure how we'll celebrate that, but we will. Those little cases are so cute! I had some scissors like that in pink; I gave them to a young quilter because I thought she would get a kick out of them.

piecefulwendy said...

I follow your blog through email, and I follow you on Instagram.

OhioLori said...

Special hugs to Smitty! :) Thank you fro chance to win your Give-a-way!! Mt scissors would love a cozy warm sleeping bag..giggle.. Merry Christmas to you & Family!! :)

ckrut said...

Poor Smitty. I have a Ralphie that looks almost like Smitty. I thought he was a big boy, but he's only 11 lbs. Love your blog which I follow by e-mail. It's one that I read every day. You are so creative, clever and a cat lover to boot! Have a Merry Christmas and safe travels in the new year!

Siggy Bee said...

The scissor and needle minder is darling. Hope to win! If not, I will have to make one for my hand stitching, cross stitching and embroidering.

bcarlf said...

I get news from you via my email every day, and I really look forward to it. I love your two cats, and I really do wonder what they are up to in that photo today. They definitely look like they are just waiting for you to leave the room. I do really like the needle minder and scissor keeper. I need one to keep by me when I am putting on binding by hand, which I really enjoy doing. Thanks so much for keeping us informed and entertained!

Connie W. said...

Saw both this post and Wednesday's at the same time. I am with you on disliking the housekeeping chores but finding that I do much better by breaking these into simple, daily things as much as possible. You asked for comments about following you. I found you upon reaching retirement and learning about blogs. You are a favorite as we have cats, RV's, travel, gardening and quilting in common. Typically, I see your blog in the morning when I check the others that I began following. Your posts are well written and filled with great photos. Thanks for taking the time to blog and share.
Connie

Lyndsey said...

So on my Christmas list is a scissor case and needle minder made by the multi talented Barbara from Oregon. If I can't have that I shall have to give John a long list of sewing treats that I need to make me happy (or make one for myself).

Lyndsey said...

I follow you by my blogger feed and I enjoy all the things you write about.

Karen L. said...

Love the needle minder! I bookmarked that when I saw in on WeAllSew many moons ago and now I want to make one or two or six. I like your idea of having specific needles and/or scissors in one for a certain kind of stitching so it can be found quickly (right!) when needed for whatever is being worked on at the moment. Don't know if that sentence even makes sense to you but I know what I mean at least. Sorry!

Karen L. said...

Oh and I follow your blog via email so I have been all over the country with you and "visited" lots of interesting quilt shops without spending a dime!

Kathy H said...

I’m glad Smitty has forgiven you. Sometimes those kitties can hold a grudge for awhile. I always enjoy your posts , seeing what you are working on and what the kitties are up to. I love those scissors’ holders. Hopefully I will make some one day. Have a merry Christmas.

Kathy H said...

I follow you by email. Always happy to see there’s a post from you.

Judy1522 said...

Wow! Smitty is a big cat. I didn't realize how much bigger he must be than Sadie. We have my son and girlfriend and kitty coming to stay for 5 days starting tomorrow. We took care of this kitty when he weighed only about 3 or 4 lbs but now he weights 12 1/2 lbs. They took him to the vet the other day and the vet said he was overweight. I asked how much and my son said 1/2 lb. Don't I just wish I was overweight at only that much. I think I could lose that overnight. Anyway he is still a kitten so could get much bigger. My husband has allergies but he loves him so much he is willing to put up with it so they can bring him and to have to find a cat sitter.

Your scissors and needle case turned out cute. I did download the pattern so if I don't win I can make one.

Judy1522 said...

I follow your blog on bloglovin.

Beth said...

Ridiculously, I have fabric on my wish list--as if I don't have fabric already. But sometimes a jolt of new fabric is jus the thing, right? And I've asked John not to get me anything special or big this year, but to know that during the year I'll have quite a few quilts to go the the longarmer, and when that seems like a huge expense, think "Christmas!". (I made a list of my unfinished projects, and it was mighty.)

Beth said...

I follow you via email, using my wordygirl at earthlink dot net email address.

Vicki said...

Very cute scissors/needle keepers. I suddenly find myself in desperate need of one! I always get such great ideas living vicariously through your blog. ;-)

Vicki said...

Following via Facebook. I look forward to a smile and something new from you every day. Love this blog!

QuiltGranma said...

I follow you on email, am a fellow Oregonian, but from NE Central part of the state, and have blustery winds battering our little house today. I love reading your humor, and about the kitties... 17 lb. kitty? Hefty! Good at holding things down! Who needs fabric weights with him around? Such a cute scissors finder, and bright enough to be able to see it too amid the … um … quilting here!

Threadlady said...

I just became a follower since I read your posts everyday. Your posts are such fun to read.

Shonnie said...

Apparently I'm a "no reply" blogger, as I didn't receive a response. I don't know how to fix that on my previous comment, so I'll leave my email here. Shonnieshaw1 at gmail dot com. Thanks!

Shirley said...

Thank you for the opportunity to enter the giveaway. I am sure I neglected to enter earlier. (shirparks@gmail.com)

Shirley said...

I also follow you on Facebook and enjoy all your photos. (shirparks@gmail.com)

Kathy L said...

I read your posts every day. Love hearing about Smitty and Sadie, my Miss Kitty also weighs in at 17 pounds. She's been on a diet, has lost 2 pounds in 2 years.

crazy quilter said...

So Glad Smitty has that vet visit behind him! Lol thanks for the opportunity to win!

Rhonda Casey said...

The last few months have been rough. Later this month Mike and I have to take Auggie (one of our 4 cats) in to the vet's for surgery. He's got a tumor on his hip and it needs to be removed, so we can find out what exactly it is. Please keep your fingers crossed, we could use some good news...

Nancy said...

Ever since I saw your scissor case I have been wanting one. I follow you through Bloglovin and on IG. But I also signed up for email recently as I was sometimes missing you on bloglovin. I have to get my kitty fix thru your site as my husband is currently in the ‘no more pets’ mode.

Linda said...

Love reading about your adorable felines. And your quilt shop reports.

Grandmother Carolyn said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Connie Collins said...

Hello! I am a long-time follower of your blog by email and really love all the adventures of Smitty & Sadie! They are such wonderful quilter cats!

For Christmas, I would like everyone to have a happy & healthy holiday!

Just in case, my email address is: conniecollins78@gmail.com

All the best of luck to everyone on this draw :)

Connie

Roxana said...

Barbara, I am a long-time follower and love to read your blog first thing in the morning. My cat Lucky reads along for a bit, too! You do such lovely work and write a very interesting blog, too!
Roxana Marsh
Silver City, New Mexico
nevadablue43@gmail.com

bcarlf said...

I posted earlier about your lovely give away of the needle minder, but i am not sure that my email is posted or not. brendafurlong@bellsouth.net is it, and I would love to win and I follow your every post because I need my daily cat updates!

cnsews1 said...

I follow yours and Smitty’s and Sadie’s adventures purrty closely via email. Love the travelogues also. Cute pin snd scissors keeper

Karen said...

Meowee Christmas Smitty, Sadie, Mike and Barbara.

Judy said...

Cute scissor case, and I love the scissors!

SJSM said...

Wow! Such a long comment list! You must be giving away something. 🤩.

Margie said...

Have followed you for years. On my blog it shows when you post. Haven't written on my blog for months. Need to make one of these to keep my cross stitch needles and scissors all together.

SJSM said...

I follow you by email. I’m glad the vet visits are over. How long before your cats stop twitching suspecting another visit is coming? Mine go a day or so,

Joan G said...

I am so happy to have found your blog! Your posts are the first thing I read every morning and you always make me smile. As a recently retired school librarian, I finally have time to begin learning to quilt, which is something I have always wanted to do. My grandmother made the most beautiful hand stitched quilts and I am hoping some of her quilting genes passed on to me. Thank you for providing links to some of your projects - I have especially enjoyed Tiny Tree and the embroidered tree patterns. Thank you so much for sharing your talent.

Char Nash said...

Looks like my comment didn't make it so here is another. I follow you every day.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the chance to win your little scissor minder and those sweet little snowman scissors! I love following your adventures with Smitty & Sadie ... so entertaining! Where are you going on the coast? Cannon Beach is my favorite, but anywhere on the coast makes me happy ... rain or shine. We try to make it there at least once a year. Anyway ... safe travels, and enjoy some great food. Merry Christmas!
becanATshawDOTca (Candy)

Angei said...

I look forward each day to reading your blog . Your cats supervising your quilting and embroidery reminds me of my cat who has to
Be involved. I love your creativity with your embroidery projects making them into quilts. Your trip last year visiting different states and their attractions, not to mention the quilt shop, made me feel as I was traveling with you. Looking forward to your next
Travel adventures and blogs. Happy Holidays

Grandmother Carolyn said...

I fear I did not leave my (winning) e-mail address in earlier post, so I deleted and now, I'm B-A-C-K!

All I want for Christmas is a Teeny Tiny Giveaway Win from Sadie and Smitty and their hoomans at the 3 Cat Ranch.....and the (winning!) email address is 8409sloan@gmail.com.

Merry Christmas, Stanbros!

Terri in BC said...

What a lovely little keeper! If I don't win, I'm going to have to make one. I don't have anything on my list this year but looking forward to the new year, as I am going to finally have a nice big craft/sewing room of about 400 sq.ft. Thanks for the opportunity! Terri in BC terri-fisher (at) shaw (dot) ca

Merry Christmas!

Jane said...

Your blog is the highlight of my day! I love seeing your projects, hearing what the cats are doing, seeing your culinary creations and reading your commentary! Thank you!

kc said...

Wow, look how many people come out for a prize! Heck, I don't blame them, those keeps are cute as can be! Glad to hear Smitty is back to his reigning self.

kc said...

As you well know, but I gotta get my 2nd Chance in, I follow by email, but click over to web version to get my 2 cents in!

Douglas Oliver said...

My wish list includes an Accuquilt Go! Big cutter as I am losing the ability to rotary cut without pain. I still do a lot of extra slow hand sewing and this little keep would be lovely to take along.
DOquilting (at) gmail (dot) com

Douglas Oliver said...

I follo you on Bloglovin. I’ve been looking forward to your posts for 6 years . You are the cat’s pyjamas.

CA Bobbie said...

I follow on email. On my wish list is someone to do the cleanup in the house. I don't think it's likely but what's a wish list for anyway?.... Bobbie C : rjc2camatgmaildotcom. thanks for the chance to win.

Jodi - usairdoll said...

What a darling giveaway! My Christmas wish would be for a
gift certificate for my LQS. There are always so many beautiful
fabrics as well as classes offered. Plus, that’s supporting our
shop.

Have a Merry Christmas!

usairdoll (at) gmail (dot) com

Jodi - usairdoll said...

I’m a follower on Bloglovin

Anonymous said...

Happy Holidays to you. My husband is in the kitchen now putting on a ham to bake. He has made several things for our family to enjoy. And he's a great cook. This is freeing me for a few hours to work on a UFO. I seem to have several waiting lately. Thanks for the chance of a win. Diann
kyquiltymama@hotmail.com

Penelope said...

Wishing you and your family a Merry Christmas! Love the blog!