It's a Party! Grow Your Blog and Giveaway

It's a party - whoohoo! Who doesn't like a good party? I'm anxious to meet some new people and see what you've been up to to wile away these crazy cold winter days. There are so many great bloggers participating in 2 Bags Full's Grow Your Blog!

But first a little about me. And I mean, just a little because I really don't like talking about myself that much.

Here's the surface view of Me:  My Day Job is managing a state-wide accounting association. I've done that for more than 15 years from my home office and I'm getting ready to retire from it a year from now (yea!!!).  But retiring isn't in my vocabulary just yet. . . . . . I'm also a quilter!

Quilting has become my passion, so much so that I bought a Gammill long arm quilting machine a couple of years ago and I've been in seventh heaven ever since. Sure, I've torn my hair out trying to learn to navigate the tricky boundaries and interplay of thread and fabric. But it's been great fun! I've discovered late in life (I'm still holding onto being a 50+ something gal for a few more months) that I have a creative side to me that loves being released. Loves it!

Quilting practice after taking one of Judi Madsen's first long arming classes. Fun, fun!

Baby quilt from fabric swap

So I work my day job, quilt for others, and make some nice things to sell in my Etsy shop (link at top of page) and at local craft fairs. Definitely keeps me busy.

I have two grown children: a son who is an accountant and a daughter who is a fine jewelry designer. She's always been the creative one in our family and now it's paying off for her as she designs custom-made, fine wedding and engagements rings. My husband and I have a 15-year-old Cocker Spaniel named Misty, and we've been dog-sitting our son's Cocker Spaniel, Camber, for several months now while he gets settled into a new job. I love these critters!

Misty - the Old Lady at 15

Camber loves his toys!

We've lived near the Sun Valley ski resort in the mountains of Idaho for more than 30 years, and so I consider myself a Mountain Girl. Hiking, boating, fishing, skiing, watching wildlife and just plain watching the clouds pass by are some of the many ways I feel blessed to live where I do. This is my little piece of God's Country and I don't take it for granted one little bit! It's also why I named my business Mountain Quiltworks. I love where I live!

View from my living room window. See? I'm blessed!

This is part of a herd of 17-23 deer that hang out. Very cool.

Here's a bird's-eye view of my neighborhood.

Oh, look! There's my house - way down there out the canyon to the east by that BIG white field!

And now for my Giveaway! And of course it's fabric!!! I have four one-quarter yard cuts of Kaffe Fassett, Phillip Jacobs and Brandon Mably fabrics! I cringed when I cut them from my stash, but I'll bet they will end up going to a good home!

To enter:  Just leave a comment!

I will announce the winner on Feb. 15. Please check to see if you are a No-Reply blogger.  I must have a way to contact you should your name be chosen as my winner! And I try to respond to all email comments, and I'd hate to not be able to communicate with you.  If in doubt, just leave your email in your comment.
Don't forget to stop by 2 Bags Full Grow Your Blog Party for the full link-ups for the rest of the Party  this week. It's definitely a crowd!

Thanks for stopping by. Good to meet you!

Quilting with a smile,
Barb

Giveaway Day 2014 - Jump Right in!

While it's nice to receive, it's awfully fun to give!  And that's what I'm doing today. How about taking a chance at the Random Generator picking your name as the recipient of my Christmas Giveaway for Giveaway Day 2014!

My thanks to Sew Mama Sew for hosting this fun blogging event!  Before I get to the giveaway, let me quickly introduce myself.  I'm Barb, and I'm glad you stopped by. If you can spare a moment, take a look around my blog and you'll soon discover I'm pretty much absorbed in quilting these days.

I have a part-time Day Job, so other my part-time job is quilting for others and selling fun things in my Etsy Shop, Mountain Quiltworks.  My microwavable hot/cold packs made with rice or flax seed inserts are washable, and you can choose to have lavender scent in them - perfect for those days when your body just isn't cooperating with you! And I have a nice selection of quilts and table runners which are great if you just don't have time to make one yourself!

As you take a look around, you'll notice my shop is all decked out for Christmas - just love Red and Green. There's just something cozy, warm and special about red and green that always brings a smile to my face. Guess it reminds me of my mom :)

SO, on that note, I'd like to give away not one, but two charm packs to one lucky quilter!  I have one charm pack of Sweet Pea and another of Fellowship, both from Moda.  I just haven't been able to use them and I'd love to see somebody create something special with them. Could it be you?

Entering is easy - just leave a comment and let me know if you lean toward reds and greens for the holiday season? Or are you more a blues person?  Or maybe you like all things sparkly and your home reverberates with silver and gold? Just tell me your favorite holiday colors.

Followers here, or over at my Facebook page, are always welcome. The more the merrier!

Entries are, unfortunately,  open only to U.S. residents.  Some of you are No-Reply bloggers, so just in case, leave your email so I can get in touch with you if you win! Giveaway closes at 5p.m. PST on Dec. 12, 2014.

If you follow my blog, you already know about another great giveaway for a Wiggle Time quilt patten I have going on through Wednesday. Read all about it here.

But most importantly, my wish for you is to be able to take a few minutes for yourself this month, just long enough to re-energize and enjoy the holidays. You are worth it!

Quilting with a smile,
Barb