Thursday, March 26, 2020

Celebrating Five Years—With a Giveaway!

About a week ago, Kara and I (Teri) celebrated the fifth birthday of our small creative company, Through the Needle's Eye. And by celebrating, I mean we were busy working on new patterns and designs, because that's what we do! 


Since our trip to Williamsburg and Kara's return to Germany, we have both been working to complete our fourth blocks of the Woodland Reverie quilt. We are itching to get to our next blocks, but a few other projects are taking precedence.

Woodland Reverie blocks, displayed at the Academy of Appliqué

Beginning to gather materials for a new design—such yummy textures!

Around the world, as we face the COVID-19 pandemic, many people are sheltering in place, practicing social distancing, and living life at a slower-than-normal pace, being told to "stay home." Although we are stuck in our houses during this trying time, there is peace to be found in a needle and thread. We continue to create, for isn't that what we stitchers do? So many of us will look back on this challenging time of quarantine and sickness, and remember the beauty we stitched in the midst of the trials. I've heard stories of people sewing masks for healthcare workers, and of quilters who are raiding their stashes to create—some to keep busy, and some for the sheer enjoyment of having the forced at-home time to sew.

With all of that in mind, we thought the best way to celebrate our "birthday" would be to give away a big birthday gift to one of our lucky readers. Let's have a birthday party! 

This is what is in our birthday gift:

Your choice of either the spring or autumn Woodland Reverie pattern with ribbon kit, which includes all special materials to make the block 

A Violets pattern from our In the Garden series, complete with wired ribbon for the flowers.


 
Our six-skein Botanical Beauty set of Pearl 12 Valdani threads, and a package of milliners needles—perfect for making knots, bullions, or any wrapped stitch

A skein of River Silks over-dyed 4mm ribbon, a 6-inch ruler, and chenille needles—ideal for stitching with the ribbon

A lovely pair of embroidery scissors by Famoré

Two patterns with ribbon, a skein of ribbon, two packages of needles, ruler, scissors, and six balls of pearl cotton thread—happy birthday to us!

So how can you have a chance to win this birthday present? All you have to do is answer this question in the comments below: 

What stitching projects are you working on to make the best use of your time while you stay home?

Those who are reading this in email must click on this link to leave your comment on the blog. If you want to hop on over to Instagram or Facebook and leave a comment there as well, you can be entered for each comment, for multiple chances. All comments must be made by Tuesday night (3/31) at midnight. The winner will be announced next week, and we may have another surprise to announce then. 



Please join us in our virtual birthday stitching party! We would love to sew along with you!

Kara and Teri




NOTE: We would like to take this opportunity to recognize those of you who are not afforded this time to stay home and stitch: health care workers, food providers, and those with essential positions who are working tirelessly to help us through this time. If that is you, please tell us what you would like to be stitching! 
We wish you a heartfelt THANK YOU!!


67 comments:

  1. I am working on many different things. I am finishing up quilt projects, when I finish a quilt (either large or a mini), I work on some counted cross stitch or a wool stitch project! In the evenings I sit and knit. I just LOVE the Spring time kit!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sounds like you are keeping productively busy! Love all the different kinds of stitching your are doing.

      Delete
  2. Happy Anniversary! I’m working on a large counted cross stitch project, which when I initially started back in February felt as if I’d taken on something I’d never have time to complete! I’m a big fan of the Woodland kit. Thanks for the opportunity to win.

    ReplyDelete
  3. What a wonderful gift you are giving away! Happy birthday Needle's Eye!
    I am trying to decide on something spring like to stitch while I am social distancing. Possibly a bird.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I’m working on a wool hooking project that will someday be a pillow, and a wool applique candle mat for Christmas.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We love working with wool! Love that you're stitching across the seasons.

      Delete
  5. I’m working on a wool hooking project that will someday be a pillow, and a wool applique candle mat for Christmas.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I’m working on a wool hooking project that will someday be a pillow, and a wool applique candle mat for Christmas.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Happy Birthday! I am working on a wool Valentine garland. It will be fun to have ready for next year. Thank you for a chance to win your gift.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I am finishing up quilts for my 2 grandsons, my sister-in-law and brushing up on my embroidery skills

    ReplyDelete
  9. Work from home makes it very hard to stay on task when you move into your sewing room, :). Right now, I have too many ufos to count. Top on the list though is probably making some of those masks. Happy Birthday!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That would be a distraction! Thank you for making the masks; they are much needed!

      Delete
  10. I have several quilts to finish over the next four weeks while we are in lockdown

    ReplyDelete
  11. So far I’ve completed a needlepoint brick cover and now working on a Birds of a feather cat canvas. I sew everyday too! I am making 30 Full aprons - I’m up to number 27 - after that I have many patterns I’ve always wanted to try !

    ReplyDelete
  12. I'm working on a different ufo everyday,which includes wool,applique and cross stitch.It feels good furnishing my ufo,s.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Great...and we keep starting new projects! We will need to finish some, too.

      Delete
  13. I have so many things I am working on; my first Big Hawaiian quilt (84x84) I am in the applique phase. I also sewed masks for responders, and I am learning to tat. I probably have at least a years worth of projects for our 6 week shelter in place period!

    ReplyDelete
  14. I'm working on several things -- Bindings for finished quilts -- an applique project I started many, many years ago, and a baby quilt for a new great-nephew.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Want to start hand embroidery. What better way to learn than as a winner of your awesome birthday prize.

    ReplyDelete
  16. I am working on UFO's! And preparing a project I will be teaching when this is over! Happy Birthday to you both!

    ReplyDelete
  17. I am working on some Appliqué for a friend. I am using my stay at home time to finish up some UFOs. I have a inspiring collection of them and finally the time to work on them. Looking forward to getting to the embroidery on my grandmother’s flower garden quilt. My grandmother had a profuse crop of dandelions with some red roses and strawberries. The strawberries and roses are straightforward but I have several ideas for the dandelions to audition before I finish this UFO.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Just saw that some neighbors are working on masks for the local med center. Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Since I have Quilting ADHD! I’m working on Several projects: 2020 Temperature Quilt, Figs Halloween BOM by Fat Quarter Shop, Afternoon Delight BOM from The Quilt Show, a mini Dresden plate challenge with a group of friends, just finished the last block of my Raven quilt - design by Blackbird Designs, and Pretty Little Pots BOW by Wendy Williams, plus a few masks for family & friends.... yup I have plenty to do to keep busy!!! Stay Safe everyone!

    ReplyDelete
  20. I have been sewing steadily at my machine for 3 days now making face masks to cover the N95 masks that the local hospital asked for. These are to protect the masks so that the healthcare providers can wear the main mask all day just changing the cover between patients. It is giving me a purpose and structure to my day which I really needed.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. What a great way to use your sewing skills to help others during this time of need! Thank you!

      Delete
  21. I always have multiple projects in the works so I can switch back and forth depending on my mood. Just finished a 9 block quilt featuring different Baltimore snowflakes designs. Have an EPP design started and am finishing up the last of the embroidery on a bed size quilt of my own design that features different types of fall foliage. Have the outer border to finish hand quilting on a queen size whole cloth quilt as well as a stack of project boxes awaiting their "turn" to get started. Also working on face masks for some older neighbors and relatives. So lovely of you ladies to offer such a generous giveaway to brighten our shelter at home days.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Happy Anniversary! Similar to a previous comment, I find it difficult to stay focused on a chosen project each time I go to my craft room! My BOM quilt is ready to be trimmed, stitched & quilted but I dare not proceed without my BOM friends so I am working on some UFOs alternating between cross stitch, knitting, crewel and wool applique. What a fabulous collection of items in your giveaway!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It is hard when there are so many fun things we can be stitching! Perhaps you could have a BOM video chat stitching session. ;)

      Delete
  23. I am trying to catch up on several BOMs I am doing as well as sewing some masks for our local hospital. I LOVE your patterns and kits and would be tickled pink to win this package. Thank you for the opportunity. And also a huge THANKS to all the workers who brave this virus to keep us supplied with food and other essential services.

    ReplyDelete
  24. I'm working on an applique quilt that has been years in the making. I am hoping to finish it by Sept so it can be quilted. I have plenty of unfinished projects that will be pulled out so I can make progress. I have plenty of embroidery.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. A perfect opportunity for some slow stitching—appliqué and embroidery can be so calming!

      Delete
  25. Lovely giveaways! I'm working on the wonderful cross stitch freebies that the designers are giving out for us to stay home and stitch. Now I have another to work on, thanks for such a sweet design. Stay safe.

    ReplyDelete
  26. I am working on the final border for an applique quilt I have been stitching on for over a year. Can't wait to finish it. missyb52.c@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. What a perfect opportunity to complete it. Nearing the finish on a quilt is always exciting!

      Delete
  27. My daughter is getting married in May, so I am racing the calendar to get a quilt done for her. When that gets finished I have a choice between a wool applique quilt that I am itching to start, a wall hanging with lots of embroidery, or a UFO. I'm leaning toward the squirrels!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. A deadline always helps me be more productive. Congrats on the upcoming wedding!

      Delete
  28. Since there is unlimited time and no deadline to face I went through the UFO pile. I found blocks from a Mini Dietrich class I took. It is so calming to stitch and think about the talented women who created this wonderful style of quilting. Keep the great posts coming.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Totally agree that it is calming, and it feels good to finish some of the UFOs, too!

      Delete
  29. I'm trying to finish a Christmas tree skirt I started 4 years ago. It all crazy quilt in wool. Right now I've attached the backing and working on stitching the binding on. And I'm doing this all by hand no sewing machine for me, cause I don't own one.

    ReplyDelete
  30. How kind of you to think of us on your birthday! I would love the thread and needles. I've only used Coats and Clark because of the cost of other brands. I'm very busy making face masks with a few other women. We know our masks can be used over a regulation mask, and a doctor and nurses have already received some. The nurses want more. We will call our local walk in clinic and primary doctors to see if they'd like some. In the evening I do my hand piecing or applique. I also hand quilt with Perle cotton; I love the look of it on my quilts. I also use it on "stitch meditations" (you can watch Liz Kettles video or join the FB group). Thank you very much!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am using perle cotton to quilt something right now; I can better handle big stitch quilting than those tiny stitches. Thank you for your mask-making!

      Delete
  31. Happy birthday! What a lovely giveaway. I'm trying to use my extra stitching time to finish up UFOs in my stash. So far I've finished up three smaller projects, and I have plenty more to work on.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Looks like we will have plenty of time for UFOs and new projects, as well!

      Delete
  32. Happy birthday to you. I'm working on several hand projects, most started in the past and put down for a while. The main one is an embroidery that says "Grandchildren spoiled here", as if they need to be told. LOL! But keeping my hands busy might keep me from stress snacking. Hopefully! Thank you for the opportunity and for your lovely posts.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, a perfect solution to the mindless snacking of being home all day!

      Delete
  33. Congrats on your milestone! I just finished a yummy wool candle mat of pumkins....also making wool flowers that I turn into lapel pins for coats and Easter hats for the grandkids. Also started a textured Easter bunny and basket out of some lovely wool I had in my stash. Thanks for the giveaway...stay healthy!

    ReplyDelete
  34. Happy birthday! And what an awesome generous present you are giving! Thank you for spreading cheer. I'm not working on anything right now because I'm teaching six online English classes and spending most of my time on talking to students who are not used to being online learners. It's tough for some of them. But when I get a break, I'm going to get out my Sue Spargo book and continue on with stitching wool and fabric floral squares that will eventually become a quilt.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. What a challenge; so many teachers are entering the world of virtual classrooms now. Bless you for venturing into that unknown! A few stitches at the end of the day could be the perfect way to calm the soul.

      Delete
  35. Oh my gosh! What an amazing giveaway. I am working on a 'tile' quilt - applique squares that look like tiles found in churches in Europe. It is for a challenge for our guild. I am new to hand applique. I am really enjoying it
    Thanks
    Jan

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, how wonderful! We have taken many photos of tiles with such a design in mind. Enjoy!!

      Delete