A Winner!

In the crazy quilt of life,  I'm glad you are in my block of friends.
                                                                                  ~author unknown

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend.  Mine was both hectic and relaxing.  Saturday was spent on a complete run.  From 9:00 in the morning until 4:30 in the afternoon we were going some place or doing something.  I was glad when we finally made the final stop home.  Sunday was a bit quieter with only one short errand, with the rest of the day spent doing wash, stitching a hexie flower, and watching some tv. 

Photo of the Day

Butterfly Bush

With a name like butterfly bush, you might expect a plant to be attractive to butterflies. In fact, it's more than attractive; it's a magnet for all the butterflies who pass through your garden seeking nectar. Many butterfly gardeners plan their garden around Buddleia (pronounced BUD-lee-ah), a genus that includes over 100 species and cultivars. Also called summer lilac, the medium- to large-sized shrubs can anchor a perennial bed or form a hedge. 

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I would like to thank each and every one of you for joining in on my giveaway!  I am so proud to have so many followers!!  So many of you are becoming friends and I'm enjoying keeping up with every one of  you who blogs- sometimes belatedly (currently I'm two days behind on reading blogs!).  You all helped me reach what I thought was an impossible goal of 100 followers.  Now I can resubmit my request to AccuQuilt to host a GO! giveaway.  I will be having a giveaway as a thank you for reaching this goal some time this week.

                                

Now on to what you all are waiting for! The announcement of the giveaway winner.  I could not figure out how to include the little random.org box that shows the winning number but here it is.  The winning number was 39  -  And the winner is Vesuviusmama!!  Congratulations!!  I will be sending Vesuviusmama an email notifying her of her win.

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Friday I was able to complete two squares of  Cheryl's Sew Along from So Many Quilts, So Little Time.  Each block measures 4 1/2" (unfinished) so they don't take a lot of time.  What was time consuming for me was deciding which fabric to use.  I finally decided on a line of fabric that I have had in my stash for a number of years now - Catch A Star by Whimsicals for Red Rooster Fabrics. 

For block one I selected this fabric:

                        

The block is called Clay's Choice and here it is:

                        

For the second block I selected this fabric:

                       

This block is called Bouquet Block and here it is:

                        

I definitely was in a fall frame of mind when I selected this fabric and so far I am pleased with the outcome.  I did a quick check over at Cheryl's blog and realize that I am now two blocks behind.  That's what I get for thinking I was finally caught up with something.

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Last week I joined in  a block swap called Quilting Blog Swaps - Australia.   You get to select the 12" block you would like others to create plus what colors you prefer (and dislike).  I have selected Blazing Arrows and my colors are blue and green (not olive) in combination with white.  Each month you are paired with a different person to make a block for - their block choice and colors, of course.  Currently there are 30 members (me included)!  It looks like it will be a lot of fun.  If you are interested in a block swap, check it out and join in the fun.

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Final Thoughts

As summer winds down and autumn slowly finds its way to your door, try to recall the wondrous times of your childhood that made the changing of the seasons so fascinating:  school starting, crunching dried leaves under your feet, being able to wear that brand new jacket (even before it really was cool enough to require it), hot chocolate with marshmallows, and maybe a hayride.  Life was so simple back then but I think we have ourselves to blame, at least in part, for not taking time to enjoy the little things that happen every day to bring us happiness - a butterfly resting on a flower, a furry friend wagging his tail every time he sees you, the smell of autumn in the air, the feel of fabric, the wonder of the Internet.  I guess what I'm trying to say is find joy in life - it's there in even when you think it's just an ordinary life.

Have a wonderful and uneventful Monday!!