Remember I told you a few days ago that I was going to share my Same Fabric Challenge things soon? And that I had plans for what I made? I know you haven’t been able to get that out of your mind ever since I said it. I know that you’ve thought about it night and day and you are beside yourself with wondering what I meant. Sleepless nights have been the norm for you, I’m sure.
Well, today I’m finally going to put you out of your misery and share my challenge things. Hallelujah! I can hear you shouting as you read the blog today.
When I first got home from the Christmas Party of the Century, Miss Kitty knocked over my basket and pushed out my challenge things. See? Miss Kitty is on your side. She wanted me to show you the things I made right away. She was so cute in the basket she even succeeded in getting me to take her picture. And she begged and begged for me to post it that night on the blog. She loves the fame, you see. But I wasn’t quite ready to show you the challenge things yet.
I had food to show! Brown Bag quilts to brag about! Party stories to tell! Even though Miss Kitty tried hard on your behalf. She knew that you would want to see them.
So here they are!
Some cute little coasters. In sets of 4.
A cool little pin cushion that they were fighting over at the Party of the Century. They all wanted to take this little guy home. Even though I kept saying, “No. I have plans for this pin cushion. Blog plans.” They were relentless. But I fought them off. For the sake of you Devoted Blog Followers who are not privileged to be a part of the JSS Bee.
A journal cover.
Complete with a lined composition book that can be replaced with a new one when this one gets filled.
And a little oval-shaped yoyo, made with the new yoyo maker that I got at Market in Houston this year. Because I knew that Sally would give me grief if the cover was not embellished. Made at 3:30 a.m. the day of the Party of the Century. Because that’s just the kind of gal that I am.
Now what does this have to do with you? I’m so glad you asked. You see, I made all these things with you in mind. As giveaways on the blog. Because it’s Christmas. Because you’ve been staring at this fabric on the blog for many months and I thought you might like a souvenir. Because I appreciate each and every one of you out there who reads my blog and leaves a comment and makes me feel very special.
Just a few stats for you…. because I’ve become a stats kind of gal and I feel the need to share them with you.
The first giveaway was on August 11th, celebrating 10,000 hits. It’s now just 4 months later and we are very close to 25,000 hits. In just 7 months, 12 days of total blog time.
There are 146 postings. Which amazes me. I can’t believe I’ve written that many times. And still you complain if there’s not something every day. Well, some of you complain or at least strongly suggest that I post more often. And I laugh every time I hear you say it.
The busiest day was just last Tuesday – with 305 hits that day. The daily average is 108 as of today, but it’s been steadily rising. The average the first month was 82/day, but so far for December it’s 166. You must be telling your friends. Thanks. One day this might even become profitable for me. And that would be good for you too. Because I will share.
OK, OK, I hear ya. Cut to the chase, Barb. How can we win these little blog souvenirs?
It’s very simple. Here’s how. Leave a comment on this posting answering the following question:
Which of the little challenge projects would you like to have if you are a winner?
Do you need a set of coasters? A journal? A cute little pin cushion? And you can say, “I want them all!” But then I’ll pick for you, if you are a winner. Which I might have to do anyway if you all say you want the pin cushion and there is only one. Just sayin’. You might even consider putting an option #2 in your comment.
The first winner will be the person who leaves comment #1,000. We are very close to that number. I won’t tell you how close, but I imagine we will hit that number soon. Other winners will be chosen using a Random Number Generator and based on the order the comments are received. Boo and/or Miss Kitty will help with the Random Number Generator.
I reserve the right to make more pin cushions, coasters and/or journal covers so that we have loads of winners on this one. I still have more fabric. And the rest of my family won’t care if they don’t get Christmas presents because I’m too busy making blog gifts, right? If they are smart, they’ll leave a comment. If they win, it might be the only thing they get from me this year. It’s good that they have a sense of humor.
Winners will be announced when I’m good and ready. There. That gives me some leeway and nobody can say I missed the deadline. Please don’t leave more than one comment in hopes that I won’t notice and you’ll up your chances. I’ll just throw out comment #2. And give you thirty lashes with a wet noodle.
So let the comments begin! Thanks a zillion for being there. You bless my socks off every time I think of you out there reading my li’l ol’ blog.
Merry Christmas!
Barb
Just Sayin' Sew 
Barb, you have such an amazing way of making blogging, quilting, friendship, and life as a whole, FUN!!! I will definitely continue to be one of your faithful blog followers and admirers! I’d love a journal cover:-)
Merry Christmasto you and yours, Lani
I would love to win all of the above, including Miss Kitty! But if I had to choose, that pin cushion would be awesome in my sewing room! (and the red/gold coasters would be great in the living room, and the journal would travel with me)!!! Congrats on the great stats, and thanks for sharing the fun with us!
I am a new follower and I have so enjoyed reading your blog. I would love the journal (#1) or the pin cushion (#2) Thanks for such a fun giveaway.
I think I should get the gift of my choice, which would be the journal cover just because if it were not for me you would not be blogging.
Your final inspiration as you so readily admitted at the party of the century.
Pat
They are all beautiful, but if I had to choose, the journal. Thanks for your blog. You and your bee are so talented. I enjoyed looking at everyone’s quilts.
Whoa! Let the comments FLY!!! I can’t wait to see the number of comments! I love all these stats!!!! I bet there might even be cool graphs to go along with them – ok that is nuts!
Pin cushion – I NEED another pincushion!!! Always can use another pincushion!!!!
FUN ideas, Barb!!!
Barb, you know that I am not a quilter, but I am a devoted follower and feel like I have made some really cool quilting friends. I have offered to come and just eat and visit with you all, so you just never know I mady becoma a pseudo-JSS bee member. If I were to win, the coasters would be very helpful since I only have Christmas ones and those will be put up soon. My second choice would be the journal cover.
I am in SUCH desperate need of a pin cushion!!!! My pins are everywhere, and I have NOwhere to place them!!! Pins are on the floors, on the counters, in the drawers, in the bathrooms on the sinks, they are on the kitchen counters and in the dishwasher and oven, and they are on the back porch, in the pool and in my car. I’m so serious. I have pins falling out of my laundry, my washer and dryer, and they are usually falling off the television. I’m always picking them out of the vegetable bin in the fridge, and they are forever getting lost behind doors and stuck in windowsills. PLEASE put me out of my misery. I neeeeeed that pin cushion. Really.
Didn’t you win the LAST prize??? I’ll be watching you… 😉
Huh? That was some OTHER Susan. 😉
I want the pin cushion! It would be GREAT advertisement in The Quilting Depot!
I want the journal cover. I promise to tell EVERYONE that it was a prize on http://www.justsayinsew.com. 🙂
Cheating, you say… three comments… Well, I just want to up my odds. I really want them all. I love the picture of Miss Kitty in your basket! And I LOVE all your give aways. Wonderful job, Barb!
Last one today, I promise. Just think about all the people who will see your URL when they come into the studio and notice your “same fabric” pin cushion. And there are already “same fabric” things in the studio such as a pin cushion made by Peggy (it needs company), and apron made by me, a quilt made by one of your relatives. Just sayin’…
How about my odds, now?
What a great giveaway! And what great gifts! If I have a choice, I’d love to win the journal cover. I love the fabrics. Thanks for the chance to win.
Well, I just finished reading the obits and since I didn’t see my name there, I guess I still have time to enjoy the journal cover. Thanks.
The pin cushion would be loverrrrrly.
Jill
LOVE your great ideas.. many thanks for such a fabulous blog that I look forward to every day. You make it very difficult to make two choices…all three are adorable and especially love the little oval yo-yo…you are so great with these last minute things!!!!!
As a journal lover…I will go with the beautiful cover as #1 choice… #2 choice is the adorable pin cushion. MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!
Well, if Pam can do it so can I! I sure hope this is a profitable adventure for you! And to think, you could be on the road and do it!
I would love the pincushion! What a great idea, Barb, like you have so much time on your hands.
CONGRATS, SARAH!
Another package from JSSers to U!
Woo-hoo, Sarah!! Congratulations! You are going to LOVE that adorable pin cushion!!!! 🙂
The coasters are cute, the pincushion is adorable, but that journal … I think I need one of those! Even if I am not fortunate enough to win it from you I will have to study your pictures and see if I can’t make one of my own. And I think there is just enough scraps to match that quilt I made for couch cuddles… couch cuddles and scribbles, made to go together.
Barb,
You are always being very creative to the benefit of all of us. I would be very happy to just win anything so if I’m lucky, you can choose. I will say though, I love the pin cushion and it would be very special, because you are in our Bee, a very good friend who just does all sorts of fun things for us, and especially because you are now FAMOUS………………….and WE get to QUILT with you which is always GREAT THERAPY!!!
OK, so I knew nothing about this until I saw it on a friend’s facebook status. BUT, I love the journal cover, and would love to win it! And I love the this blog!
Hi Barb,
I have been following your blog since our holiday (Vacation) in Keller and love it.
So funny — BUT — you know it makes me very envious when I see what you have been up to — knowing I cannot join because I am so far away !!!!! LOL. I hope whoever wins your lovely gifts – enjoy them. I would just love to be on a ‘plane over to join in all the fun — and the wonderful food you show me is plain mean !!!! We have just had a Roast Lamb dinner with roast potatoes – roast parsnips – carrots – and savoy cabbage and Apple Crumble and Custard — it was very nice. There — have I made your taste buds listen !! Ha Ha !!!
Dot
Okay, I want them all! Am I the winner? Am I the winner? Am I the winner?
Am I the winner?
Am I the winner yet?
Love the journal cover, it would be perfect for a kindle ereader with alittle modifying.
The pin cushion. Haven’t read the obits yet, but if I’m there, I bequeath my winnings to Bertha!
I need those coasters – mine are all stained and worn out. Looks like they are not the favorite item so you need to pick me!
I just now got a chance to check my email and I find yet another wonderful, entertaining, clever, cute and very fun blog from Barb. I’m still pinching myself that I found this blog and have learned so much and been able to see so much through the eyes of a dear quilter in Texas. Barb you have blessed my life just when I needed it and I know this is no accident, God’s plan are always so unique and satisfying. Thank you for sharing your wit and talent through this blog. You are a gem!
My sons will impressed if a win something from a blog. They think I don’t even know what a blog is. Anything will do. I love them all.
Barb, I enjoy your blog all the time…even though I’m not an “official follower” I check you every day….well sometimes twice a day if I get anxious! I enjoy your commentary at the guild meetings…and love the recipes. I am going to make the toffee for gifts…if my husband doesn’t find it first!
Thanks!
What fun! If I were to win, I’d love the pin cushion (because I left my favorite one at my daughters by mistake, and she doesn’t seem to intend to mail it back). Second choice would be the darling journal. The coasters are cute, but I know for sure my kitties would decide they were cat toys and I’d spend the rest of my life watching them bat them down the hallway!!
Thanks for sharing your bounty with us!
I NEED the journal…..b/c I journal and I use the cheap ones from walmart and target and it would be nice to have the fancy/schmancy one you made!
What a wonderful idea. My first choice would be the lovely journal so I can keep a record of all the wonderful quilting retreats that I attend. My second choice would be the cute pin cushion. Keep up the great blogging.
Barb,
I love your blog and enjoy keeping up with the JSS’ers. Keep up the great job. I like the journal.
I love the EMBELLISHED journal, Barb. Too CUTE! I’ve been meaning to make some myself..just haven’t gotten around to it. So maybe I’ll win YOURS!
Wow! Barb! You really know how to get the comments flying! Awesome!!!!!
Well, now, I’ve read all the above comments and while many of you lovely ladies certainly make a case for yourselves…winning and all…I really think I should be the one to win any of the fabulous prizes. Of course I love them all. But I really NEED the coasters to go with my amazing placemats (ha! — that’s “ha!” to the amazingness of the placemats, not to my deserving to be the grand prize winner…just saying). So, Barb, pick me, pick me, pick me!!! And see, then all of you can come to my house in January and use the lovely coasters and that way, we’d ALL be winners. Isn’t that the most wonderful plan EVER?????? So, Barb, I’m parked by the phone anxiously awaitng your phone call to tell me that this is the most special day of MY LIFE and I’m the winner….waiting…..still waiting….
Having to decide on just one is very hard on your blog readers! But if we must, I would like the journal covered project.
the stats you quote are very impressive and I’d like to congratulate you on these accomplishments!
Barb, you should be a journalist for quilters everywhere. Don’t know what the pay scale would be, but you could be at the top! (Providing you remember to report to your bed more often)
The pincushion but I would happily take any.
Thanks….Jane
I must be 1,000 right. First prize journal number two pincushion and third coasters. I would be thrilled to win anything. I am waiting for the call.
I’m enjoying your quilting path every day (even when you’re not there)! Thanks for sharing. And I’d love to win them all. Or any one. Keep posting.
Oh, definitely, the journal cover/journal!!!! Love your postings! That party was ‘FAB’!!!
I love reading your blog. The only thing I do is counted cross stitch and I don’t do that very often anymore. I love the journal cover. It would cover my kindle and give it even more protection than the cover it has on it.
I’d love the pin cushion. I like having lots of pin cushions. second choice would be the journal cover. thanks for a wonderful peek into your quilting life
My first choice would be the journal cover-for my 14 yr old granddaughter. I have tried journaling and average an entry every 20mos! 2nd choice would be the coasters, that way my furniture would be protected while my young grandson bangs them on the endtables.
I’m sitting at the Tampa airport after visiting my new sister 🙂 and catching up on blogs. I’m hoping by now you have gotten some sleep! I like the journal, and especially miss kitty in the basket! I miss my kitties! Home soon.
Wow!! this is really hard – I think Iwould love the journal cover (#1) or the pin cushion -(#2). I think I should win – just think – here in North Carolina – such advertising for JSS (!!!!!!!) when all my quilty friends see my prize and ask, “WHERE OH WHERE DID YOU GET THAT BEAUTIFUL ______!!” I would surely be the star of Show and Tell at our St James Quilters meeting!!!!!!
Think you have opened Pandora’s box, Barb!!!!
How fun is this?! (but I did notice a FEW people are cheating!). But not me. SOOOO I think I should get the pin cushion!
I love your give away and the cute way you blog about it! If I was a winner I would pick the pin cushion or the journal. I love the costers but I have made some just like yours already. It was so fun tp pick out the colors and easy to sew. Happy holidays and happy blogging!
It is so fun to see where all the comments are coming from – MN, KY….
Barb, does your research also tell you were commentors live? Too fun!
Me? I am not cheating!
No, I do not know where the comments are coming from. But I do have their email address so I can contact the winners. Winners will be announced sometime on Wednesday. This is too fun!
Not a cheater here, either, haha! Pin cushion, pin cushion, pin cushion. C’mon Miss Kitty, you can do it! 🙂
I must comment again because my first comment had nothing to do with the question, so if I was chosen as a winner, and I think Miss Kitty has the most incredible expressions of cat attitude, she is the queen of cat expressions, all the give aways are awsome! The embellishments and fabric selections on the journal are very special, the coasters are practical and very cozy/cute, but the pincushion transcends them all with it’s uniqueness; the shape, the tiny pipping, the JSS email address is so trendy, what is there not to love about it. I know this is too long, but I couldn’t help myself. Any of the prizes would be great! Thanks for all you do, a devoted follower in Ohio.
Reading your blog makes me smile. I love the way you express your creative talents in your writing, cooking, photography, and QUILTING. The pin cushion and the coasters are great, but I really love the journal. Thanks for making each day brighter.
Love love live the Journal cover!!
Excessive comments? Who? Put a little PW butter on that wet noodle and I’ll eat it while taking my 30 lashes. Make it more than one wet noodle and I’ll be over for lunch. Did I mention that I NEED the pin cushion! Reset the counter, I thought I was number 1,000. I think I was, actually. Is this making any sense? Maybe another comment would be more clear. Later…
I love to win the journal cover – I love the little yoyo bling on the front!
Barb, you are so much fun to be around and it’s so much fun to read about your life.
NEVER a dull moment! I would love the cutie-pie pincushion to remind me to always check your blog, as if I need a reminder. Plus, not as a bribe or anything, I DID share my Stitchin’ Friends goodies with you!!!
I love reading about all you girls do – but sometimes I wonder if you are really interested in just sewing or eating. The food always looks so good. I would weigh 200 lbs. if I went to those parties, but since I can’t sew anymore, I’ll just continue to read your Blog.
Comment? I could leave a book on the fun we have at bee, your talent, and my winning a prize, I NEED a prize don’t you think? Coasters would be perfect! thanks
I’ll take any of the three…..as a new reader do I get something anyway? lol
AGAIN (;-) LOVE THAT JOURNAL COVER….PICK ME, PICK ME!!!!!
A cute little pin cushion would be perfect for me, but I would cherish any of them.
Barb, your blog is a “hoot.” Keep up the good work. Oh, and give me one of your goodies!
I would love the journal cover! I write in a journal almost daily and could easily see this magnificient piece on my daily journal. How about I promise to send you pictures of it in use throughout the year? That could be fun!
Merry Christmas to you and yours. Love the blog!