Blogiversary GIVE AWAY Day 2!

On Day 2 of this GIVE AWAY I'm offering all the makings of a quilt.
This is feeling like a Zippity Doo Dah kind of day!

First, you can win the pattern "Squared Up" designed by Sandy Gervais for Pieces from my Heart.

This is a jelly roll friendly pattern.
Included is one Moda Zippity Doo Dah Jelly Roll.

Plus 2 yards of navy,

1 1/3 yards of cream,

And various pieces of Zippity Doo Dah for the blocks.
Enjoy!

Here is a reminder of the rules:
1.) 1 point for each day you leave a comment. Be sure to visit all 5 days!
2.) 1 point if Cactus Needle is on your side bar/or feed.
3.) 1 point if you blog about this Give Away.

*And make sure I have your e-mail address so I will be able to reach you if you win!

Blogiversary GIVE AWAY!

It's been one year since I started this blog, and what an amazing year it has been!
In honor of my Blogiversary I'm going to have a 5 DAY GIVEAWAY!
Make sure to check in every day, because the prizes will be fun.

One year ago my friend Judi directed me towards Nanette of Freda's Hive. My life changed at that point. I had no idea there were "Quilt Blogs" out there. I found my niche and knew I wanted to play too.
This is post #307. I've had over 38,000 visits that have included 61,000+ page reviews.
You have come from all over the world. In the last 24 hours I've had visitors from France, United Kingdom, Canada, Belgium, Germany, New Zealand, So. Africa, Netherlands, Australia, Japan, Israel, Estonia and of course the United States.
I've been stunned by your response. There are just no other words for it.
Thank you for all your kind comments.
I have made such wonderful friends, and you have enriched my life!

On DAY ONE, and in honor of Nanette, I will be Giving Away one of Nanette's Mixed Bags.
This bag is made with vintage fabrics directly from Nanette's collection.

HERE ARE THE RULES:

• 1.) 1 point for each day you leave a comment. Be sure to visit all 5 days!
• 2.) 1 point if Cactus Needle is on your side bar/or feed.
• 3.) 1 point if you blog about this Give Away.

*make sure I have a way to contact you by e-mail. I will be really sad if your name comes up, and I have to give your prize to someone else because I don't have a way to reach you.

The closing date will be Friday July 3rd at Midnight. The lucky 5 winners will be announced on Saturday July 4th!

Rooster Pincushion

I haven't gotten very much quilting done in the last few days.

I've been having too much fun playing with my grandsons.

Mr. Cactus had heard how much fun it was to take the boys to the splashpad at SanTan Village in Gilbert, Arizona, so we made a trip out there last night.

It was quite hot in Arizona yesterday. I think it was up to 108 degrees.
We spent the evening at the splashpad cooling off and waiting for the sun to go down.

Noah and Isaak

Then on to the playground.

We arrived back safely this evening in St.George after the 7 hour drive from Phoenix.

While Mr. Cactus drove, I did hand work and made this Rooster pincushion.

This is from a kit I purchased at The Quilted Apple, 3043 N. 24th Street, Phoenix, AZ. (602) 956-0904

The Quilted Apple is the oldest quilt store in Arizona.

As part of the kit they included a muslin bag filled with ground walnut shells that could be slipped into the wool appliqued exterior pieces.

Having some hand work to do helped the time to go faster as we drove home through the desert.
I miss my guys already.

Introducing Kim Walus

This is my friend Kim Walus of Bitty Bits and Pieces.

Kim is an amazing designer, quilter and friend.

Kim is one of the few designers invited by Moda Bake Shop to do tutorials.
Today she has posted a wonderful spot on a Patriotic pillow using Moda's new line Zippity Doo Dah.
Kim has also incorporated a new product that has recently been introduced by Superior Theads called Texture Magic.
You can view Kim's work HERE.

To add to all the fun, Kim is offering a GIVE AWAY on Bitty Bits and Pieces.
She is offering the original pillow, packages of Texture Magic and the new titanium needles from Superior Threads.
How awesome is that!
Make sure to run over right away and sign up for Kim's Give Away HERE.

I love working for Superior Threads. They have done their research and come up with quality products that add so much to our quilting world.
Texture Magic can be found on Superior Threads web site HERE, or go in and ask your local quilt shop if they carry it.
Thank you Kim for your talented work on Moda Bake Shop, and for your fun Give Away.
And thank you for being such a supportive, kind friend.
I count myself LUCKY to know you.

4,000 Kisses

This little guy turned 4 years old today.
Before the day is over I think I will have given him at least 4,000 kisses. (Mr. Cactus claims I exaggerate, but I may be close on calling this one.)

For Isaak's birthday he wanted to play sports.
From the time he has been old enough to hold a ball he has had amazing agility. His dad has always been quite the athlete, and the apple doesn't fall far from the tree.

We spent the afternoon bowling.

For a while there Isaak's score was better than grandma's. How embarrassing.
(OK, my excuse is I spent more time chasing Noah than bowling.)

Papa gave Isaak a few tips.

Amy ended up bowling for 2 1/2.

Try being pregnant, holding a 17 month old on one hip, and bowling with your your free hand.

That's coordination.

We went to a nice bowling alley in Gilbert, Arizona and saw this unique vending machine.

Paul was thinking of getting a snack, but he just couldn't decide between the Snickers or buying socks.

(We've never had THAT choice before).

In the evening we enjoyed a family dinner, opening presents and having a sports cake.

Amy, Isaak and Noah.

The evening was spent with more sports. Isaak got his own set of mini-golf clubs.

Dano was very patient with Isaak as he gave instructions.

Look out Tiger Woods.

Noah may only be a year old, but he tries to keep up.

Papa is already looking forward to the day when his grandson's can golf with him.

Once it was too dark to see the ball, it was time to come inside and play Wii Golf.

Not much time left for grandma to get her kisses in.

Next we are on to Nerf Basketball Hoops.

You Know You Are In Phoenix When....

You know you are in Phoenix when....

...you see Saguaro Cactus that are several hundred years old being transported by truck down the highway.

This one looked like a rocket ready to be launched into space.

We drove into the Phoenix area yesterday to be with family.
Daughter #2 has purchased a new home.

Amy and Dano.
With baby #3 on the way, they are looking forward to having more room for their young family.

Isaak needs more room to run back and forth and back and forth.

And up and down the stairs and back again.

Papa helping Noah look out the dining room window.

The main reason we are in Arizona is because tomorrow this grandson turns 4.
We wanted to be in town to help him celebrate his important day.
And grandma can't go very long without getting her kisses.

If Wishes Were Fishes We'd All Have A Fry.

Last week when I attended the Wasatch Shop Hop I was determined to not spend much $$$.
My goal this year (and last year) is to be reasonable and use what I have FIRST.
I wish I was better disciplined in this area.

"If wishes were fishes we'd all have a fry."
I saw these Kaffe's on the 50% off table. (Oh no).
You know how I love those Kaffe's. I bought some backs for future quilts, and a few small cuts.
I just couldn't help myself.

Then I saw a basket with fat quarters for only 99 cents. I was proud of myself for keeping it to 2.

Material Girls had these cute patterns "Smartie Pants" for babies. I think my future little grand daughter has to have some of these.
The pattern says "The perfect accessory for every well dressed baby". Got me right in the middle of my grandma heart.

Sandy Workman, owner of Pine Needles has designed a basket pattern. Baskets have been calling to me too, and this one has handles made out of ric rac.
I have lots of ric rac, and I could make this one with leftover scraps. (rationalize, rationalize)

I see more covered buttons in my future.

It's an illness, I tell you.

For months I've been wanting some of the scissor fabric from the Wonderland collection. Every store I've looked at has been out.
Then the Quilting Cottage in American Fork had it on sale. (no fair)

When I was with Kim of Bitty Bits and Pieces at Pipers she showed me this Pom Pom Maker from Clover. At first I had visions of those yarn things and knew my self control was in tact.

Then she said they can be used with fabric to make all kinds of wonderful things.

Uh oh.

My friend Judi showed me a whole shelf of beautiful trims at Gracie Lou's. I should have taken a picture because every single one was a keeper.

I have no idea what I will do with the trim yet, but I just about broke my arm patting myself on the back for only buying a yard of one piece. Deep down I wanted to buy the whole display.

In the end, I wasn't as good as I had hoped to be, but I was better than I have been in the past.

Sigh....The Story Of My Life.

Judi gave me this darling pincushion that she purchased on a European etsy site.

I love the red and hand stenciled designs.

Thank you Judi! I will think of you every time I look at it.