Lots Of Blocks

A day patched with quilting seldom unravels.
~author unknown

Yesterday was quiet except for the whir of my sewing machine.  There was a bunch of repetitive sewing of blocks and it was a little mind numbing.  However, I did get most of the way through another audio book.  Both pups slept the day away while Mom sewed.  I had to stop a couple of times to give the requested hugs and kisses during the day - but I don't mind those kind of interruptions.  The weather did cool down just the tiniest little bit and we were able to have the windows open for a couple of hours before the heat started seeping in.  All in all, until the main computer crashed.  I was prepping today's post and all of a sudden I was getting 'Critical System' notifications.  Why does this happen to me?  So today the main computer goes into the shop and I have to work from the laptop.  I guess I shouldn't complain, at least I have a backup device to work on.  How about you?  Did your week start out the way you had hoped? 

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PHOTO FACT OF THE DAY

Pecan Pie

Today, July 12, is National Pecan Pie Day.  Tradition holds that the French created pecan pie soon after settling in New Orleans, after being introduced to the nut by Native Americans. But attempts to trace the origin of this dessert have not found any recipes earlier than 1925, and well-known cookbooks such as Fannie Farmer and The Joy of Cooking did not include it before 1940.

Pecans have their origins in prehistory. The discovery of fossil remains along with millions of native pecan trees found along most major streams and irrigation canals in Texas and the northern part of Mexico showing that this is the original home of the pecan, and that it spread north and east from this area. This also indicates that the pecan was here and producing long before Native Americans came there.

Pecan pie is considered a southern dish, and while it is still more popular in the south, it is also commonly eaten throughout the United States. The southern states produce over 250 million pounds of pecans each year, with Texas and Georgia pecan groves comprising the majority of that amount. Since pecan trees are native to the south and fresh pecans are readily available throughout the region, pecan pie and other pecan desserts have always been more prevalent, and thus more popular, in the southern United States.

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BLOCKS, BLOCKS AND MORE BLOCKS

Yesterday I sat at my sewing machine making blocks.........

82 blocks to be exact.  I'm making a variation of a quilt called Dora from the book, 3 Times the Charm!  I am using 2 charm packs of Hoopla by moda.  Today comes the laying out of the blocks into some soft of random prettiness.  Wish me luck.

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BREAD BASKET SWAP

Last week we found out who our swap partners were in the Bread Basket Swap.  This swap was organized by Cheryll over at Gone Stitchin'.  Yesterday the mailman brought me a squishy....

This wonderful bread basket was made by my friend, Sharon.  She is the author of the fun and interesting blog known as Vrooman's Quilts.  If you haven't checked out her blog, then please take the time to see all of the beautiful work that Sharon creates.  Anyway......Sharon also included some great extras.....

Along with the darling little note card, Sharon included two great fat quarters and lots of little teapot and teacup embellishments.  I can see a mug rug decorated with those darling little blue creations.  Thank you so very much, Sharon for the beautiful bread basket and all of the little extras!!

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FMQ PRACTICE

Yesterday I cut out and sandwiched four 12" squares to begin free motion quilting practice.

I am going to use the website The Free Motion Quilting Project by Leah Day.  I plan on trying a different block each day starting with her Beginner Filler Designs.  I hope starting off easy with one block a day will help me get started in the right direction.  I will also be checking out a couple of other recommendations for learning to fmq by some of my blogger friends.

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TODAY'S GOAL

Today I will start my day with a fmq block as I plan to do each day (well, five days a week) and then layout and hopefully start sewing together the blocks for the Dora quilt.

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GIVEAWAYS

Fort Worth Fabric Studio is having a giveaway.  You could win a banner kit featuring Darlene Zimmerman's 2011 Clothesline Club Prints or two back-issues of Australian Patchwork & Quilting.  This giveaway ends Friday, July 15, at 9:00 pm CST.

The Noble Wife is having a giveaway.  Jacquelynne is giving away an autographed copy of her new book, Fruitful Hands.  This giveaway ends Wednesday, July 13, at noon EDT.

Lily's Quilts is having a giveaway.  You could win a five spool pack of Auriful thread.  Lynne will announce 10 winners on Monday, July 18.

Spotted Stone is having a giveaway. You have a chance to win a GO! Baby Cutter and your choice of 3 dies. This giveaway ends Wednesday, July 13, Alaska time.
Annie's Ruby Slipperz is having her Mystery Monday fun and giveaway.  You could win 5 fat quarters in your favorite colors.  This giveaway ends Wednesday, July 13, at midnight mountain time.

Ellison Lane Quilts is having a giveaway.  You could win a GO! Baby Cutter and your choice of 3 dies.  This giveaway ends Thursday, July 14.
Happy Quilting is celebrating their one year anniversary with a giveaway.  You could win a stunning Fat Quarter Pack of Wrenly.  This giveaway ends Sunday, July 17.

Scraps A Plenty is ready to send the Traveling Stash on it's way.  The box includes a quilt kit, patterns galore, and cute fabrics and so much more.  This giveaway ends Friday, July 15, at midnight.

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FINAL THOUGHT

My fingers are on the keys but there's nothing going from my brain to the keyboard.  I guess I didn't have enough brain stimulation today.  Lots of randomness but nothing worthwhile to write amount.  Let's see......I wonder how long the main computer will be in the shop........DH got a Wii Fit - we'll see how long before he injures himself......nothing, nothing, nothing.......hmmmm, I hear the police helicopter going in circles nearby - probably won't ever hear what that's about.......nothing more.  Guess that means it's time for me to get going on my day.  Hopefully tomorrow I will have some thoughts for you :)

The best thing about the future is that it comes one day at a time.
~ Abraham Lincoln

Did Someone Say "GIVEAWAY" ?

A good vacation is over when you begin to yearn for your work.

~Morris Fishbein

Hello, my friends!!!  I'm back from my blog-less vacation/family time :)  We had an absolutely wonderful time with my DD#1, SIL, and grandsons.  We celebrated birthdays with family and friends.  We visited the local water park.  We watched as GS#1 enjoyed the blow-up pool.  We played Wii.  The little one learned a new word or two.  It was so much fun having the grandsons around and seeing the world through their eyes.  But I did miss all of my friends in blogland.  It felt extremely strange not blog hopping and preparing my daily blog.  I did spend a little time yesterday catching up on a few of your blogs, finding giveaways, and reading my backlog of emails.  I was only on the computer twice when family was here - can you believe that?  But I'm back and ready to pick up where I left off.  So here we go........

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PHOTO FACT OF THE DAY

Two Days In One

Today, June 21, marks the beginning of summer in the northern hemisphere and simultaneously heralds the beginning of winter in the southern hemisphere. On June 21, there are 24 hours of daylight north of the Arctic Circle (66.5° north of the equator) and 24 hours of darkness south of the Antarctic Circle (66.5° south of the equator).

Rumor has it that if you hear the call of a cuckoo today, that bird is predicting a wet summer. Don't ask me how he knows the future, he just does. The best way to avoid hearing the call of the cuckoo is to avoid areas with a dense population of cuckoo birds. Likewise, if you hear the call of a person yelling, 'Cuckoo! Cuckoo!' it might be advisable to avoid them too.

How am I celebrating Summer Solstice?  By staying inside under the A/C on a day that is predicted to be 106 degrees!!

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A WEEK AWAY

I don't want to bore you with the ton of pictures I took of my grandsons so I just made a simple collage depicting a couple of the things we did....

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MAIL RECEIVED

While I was away on my little absence, I received two items that I won out in blogland.  First came my winnings from Sharon at Vroomans Quilts.....

I won some Kathy Schmidt - Full Circle - 2 panels and 3 FQs - tan.  I'm not exactly sure what I will be making with these but you can bet they won't be stuffed on a shelf and forgotten.  Thank you, Sharon!!

I also received a squishy from the Fat Quarter Shop.....

Melissa from Happy Quilting had a giveaway and I was the lucky winner of this beautiful assortment of fat quarters.  These are Natural Elements by Patricia Bravo for Art Gallery Fabrics.  The colors are so much prettier in person.  I just love the colors!  Thank you so much, Melissa and Fat Quarter Shop!!!

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MY VACATION GIVEAWAY

I did very little sewing during the week I was away from blogging.  Okay, I did sew around 20 stepping stones for my Grandmother's Flower Garden, but nobody wants to see a bunch of white hexagons.  So, instead, how about if I have a giveaway.  After all, I haven't had one for the month of June!  What can you win?  Well............

how about this Connecting Threads Kit?  This is a kit for Hen & Chicks Table Runner.  It contains 3 1/2  yards of fabric.  The breakdown is as follows: 

Top fabric (Lily Pads - Blue) = 1 3/4 yards

2nd Fabric (Basket Weave - Lt Brown) = 1/2 yard

3rd Fabric (Packed Summer Flowers - Blue) = 1/2 yard

4th Fabric (Sketched Floral - Cream) = 1/2 yard

Bottom Fabric (Vining Stripe - Blue) = 1/4 yard

Paper = Pattern Instructions

AND.....

Aren't these embroidery scissors just too cute?  This is Bella Blue - Embroidery Angels 4" embroidery scissors. 

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED

One lucky winner will win both the kit and the scissors.  How can you win? 

1.  Leave me a comment.  Just that easy.  Any comment will do. 

2.  For a second entry, blog about this giveaway.  Then come back and leave me a second comment and include a link to where you blogged about the giveaway. I will be checking!

Rules

*This giveaway is open to everyone!  Foreign, domestic, wild, tame, purple, pink, yellow - well, you get the idea - lol!

*No more than 2 entries per person!

*If you are a No Reply blogger, you must leave me your email in your comment.  If I can't contact you, you can't win.  I had to eliminate over 10 people from my last giveaway because there was no way to reach them - so sad :(

*This giveaway will end Sunday, July 3, at 8:00 pm.  I will announce the winner no later than Monday, July 4, at 10:00 am.

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TODAY'S GOAL

Today I need to make the second flower for my swap partner and make a flower for myself for One Flower Wednesday.

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GIVEAWAYS

Samelia's Mum is having a giveaway.  You could win a GO! Baby Cutter and 3 dies of your choice.  This giveaway ends Sunday, June 26, at 9:00 pm AEST.

KoolBeenz is having their weekly giveaway.  You could win a $25 shop credit to Skye Reve Fabrics.  This giveaway ends Friday, June 24, at midnight EST.

Jolly Jabber is having a giveaway.  You could be one of two winners of 10 Sweet Jane's Quilting Patterns.  This giveaway ends Friday, June 24.

Sew I Quilt is having a giveaway.  You could win an I Rock tool.  This giveaway ends Wednesday morning, June 23.

It Seams To Be Sew is having a giveaway.  You could win 2 charm packs of Terrain by Kate Spain (and this won't be available in stores until September!).  This giveaway ends Monday, July 4.

1 Choice 4 Quilting is having an "Awesome" giveaway. Shawna is giving away 4 fat quarter bundles of Strawberry Fields and 2 yards of matching Bella solids for sashing.  This giveaway ends Monday, June 27, at 10:00 pm EST.

Cheryl's Teapots2Quilting is having her first giveaway.   Cheryl is giving away An OLFA Circle Rotary Cutter (18mm) and the product demo disc that goes with it, a pattern, 'Bundle of 12 - Beach Balls' by Amelie Scott Designs, and a pattern, 'Gifts All Around' by Aarol Penny Pattenden.  Cheryl will select a winner on Tuesday evening, July 5.

Annie's Ruby Slipperz is having her weekly Mystery Monday giveaway.  By answering Annie's mystery question you are entered in the drawing for 5 fat quarters.  The drawing will be on Wednesday, June 22, at midnight MST.

Jay Bird Quilts is having a sponsored giveaway.  You could win a full collection of fat quarters of Outside Oslo by Jessica Jones from Pink Chalk.  This giveaway ends Wednesday, June 22, at 10:00 pm EST.

Crazy Mom Quilts is having a giveaway.  You could win an AccuQuilt GO! Baby Cutter and 3 dies of your choice.  Not sure when this one ends :(

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FINAL THOUGHT

Today is my Monday even though it's Tuesday.  I have my sewing room back in order and my piles layed out just so.  Sadly, I don't have my sewing machine back from being serviced yet - hopefully Wednesday evening.  In the mean time, I'm talking kindly to my little Janome, coaxing it through some easy steps so that I don't get too far behind on my monthly commitments.  I am eager to start a new project that involves both piecing and embroidery.  My Christmas quilt is still at the long arm quilter and should be ready by the end of the month.  Time to get busy, so I'm off to sewing................

All my scattering moments are taken up with my needle.
~Ellen Birdseye Wheaton, 1851

Squishies, Questions, and Action!

There is no curing a sick man who believes himself to be in health.
~Henri Amiel

Oh, what a weekend!  Friday evening I received a call from a very good family friend telling me she was following the ambulance that was taking my Mother to the hospital.  Mom had had another TIA.  She apparently went very blank and then started playing bridge with 3 unknown bodies (well, they weren't seen by anyone else but my mother) and moving things around on the table that were not there.  We spent 6 hours in the ER just to have them confirm that she did have a TIA.  They sent her home with instructions to see her GP and a neurologist.  One good thing, they found out she had a sinus infection and prescribed an antibiotic.  Woohoo, one thing we don't have to worry about.  Saturday she refused to relax and insisted on cleaning out her closet.  Sunday we had her and my sister over for dinner to celebrate Mother's Day.  All seemed well, so we will see what the doctor says.  After a late night Friday and running errands most of the day on Saturday, I really needed the day of rest and relaxation.  Well, as much relaxation as you can get while you do the laundry - lol!  I hope you all had a wonderful Mother's Day!

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PHOTO FACT OF THE DAY

May 9th is Lost Sock Memorial Day!  Socks are the trickiest part of any laundry day' aside from folding fitted sheets. Socks have a tendency to lose their mates, resulting in a whole drawer full of sad singles. And it doesn't matter how hard you try to keep track of them, one will always get sucked into the vortex that opens up at some point during the spin cycle. So today, as you look over all the solo socks you've been hanging on to for all these years, pay your respects to the ones you've loved and lost.

Here are few sock tidbits.....

* 8th century B.C . - Greek poet Hesiod mentions socks made from matted animal hair.

* 3rd-6th centuries A.D. - knit socks discovered in Egyptian tombs

* 1900-1910 - Children wore socks stretching almost to their knees, by 1910-1920 ankle socks were in fashion
* 1950s - Teenage boys donned "bright white socks with white buckskin shoes"

* 1956 - Bridesmaids at Princess Grace's wedding wore "ultra bright white ankle socks."

* 1998 - White knee socks make a comeback thanks to Britney Spears' "...Baby One More Time" video.


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MAIL CALL

Friday my mailbox was overflowing with a box and a couple of squishy envelopes!  First I received a box from my friend, Sharon.  Inside this box were......

these 12 beautiful paper pieced blocks and some coordinating remnants.  Aren't they amazing?  Sharon made these awhile back and asked me if I would like them.  Like them?  I love them!  She said they were too pointy for her.  Some day, in the not too distant future, I will work on some sashing and the border to finish up this quilt top.  All the hard work was already done by Sharon.

Sharon also included.......

a wonderful little tee peg pincushion, three precious wodden gignermen that were the last pieces ther her Dad made in his show, and a beautiful Valor Star ornament that I already have hanging in a spot where I can see it everyday and think of her.  Thank you so very much, Sharon!  You can check out Sharon's other wonderful creations over at Vroomans Quilts - stop by and tell her I said hi!

Another package that arrived was my winnings from 1 Choice 4 Quilting......

Well, actually it was Shawna's Quilting Book Club where I won the giveaway.  This wonderful package included the book, Modern Basic, and the fabric to make the pattern, Summer Breeze.  How cool is that?  I look forward to creating that beautiful quilt some time soon.  Thank you, Shawna!!

The next squishy came from Frances of One More Quilt.....

This wonderful 2 yard cut of fabric was what I won from her just a few days ago!  This is the second time I've won something from Frances - I feel very, very lucky!  Thank you for this great piece of patriotic material, Frances!!

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CALL FOR ACTION

Sew Cal Gal is holding her first Charity Quilt Block Challenge.  For this challenge she has selected the Quilts of Valor to be the recipients of our wonderful creations.  She is looking for people to make 12.5" blocks or patriotic quilt tops and/or finished quilts.  All you need to do is create any type of block (pieced, applique, string, etc) that is 12.5" so long as it is made with 1/4" seams, 100% cotton fabrics, and uses patriotic colors appropriate for QOV.  There is also a giveaway in connection with this challenge.  For all of the important information and small print please visit Sew Cal Gal's blog.  I will be making at least a couple of blocks for this very worthy cause.

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QUESTION - OPINIONS REQUESTED

I just found out that the label I made for my daughter's quilt should probably have put through a soltuion before printing it.  I was reading some blogs and they suggested Bubble Jet Set for printing pictures.  Others suggested their own home made recipe that they say is the same as Bubble Jet Set for a whole lot cheaper.  Either way would be cheaper than buying the pre-prepped paper backed fabric.  Have any of you used this product?  Do you think it works?  I thought I would ask you your opinion before I spend the money.
Thanks!

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MY SHAME

Friday I did not get a single thing made.  I spent the morning catching up on emails and ordering my DH's birthday present.  I did manage to get a couple of hours of stitching in on my Birdie Stitches BOM, but not enought to share a picture.  So twenty lashes with a wet noodle for not meeting my goal on Friday.  I will get back on track today!

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TODAY'S GOAL

Today I will make a block for this month's Bee in Oz hostess.  Hopefully I will have enough time to also complete my stitchery.

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GIVEAWAYS

Happy Cottage Quilter is having a giveaway.  You could win a Lattice Work pattern and two yards of fabric.  The winner will be announced on Tuesday, May 10.

All About Applique is having a giveaway.  Kay is giving away a copy of Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks, Volume 3 and a copy of her book Growing Hearts.  This giveaway ends Tuesday, May 10, at 9:00 pm PST.

Hancock's of Paducah has a new giveaway.  You could win one Feathered Star quilt kit containing fabrics from the Moda Sweet Sixteen collection by Laundry Basket Quilts.  The sweepstake ends Wednesday, May 18, at 10:00 am CST.

Farm Girl Transplanted is celebrating her 100th post with a giveaway.  There will be two winners of two charm packs of  Prayer Flag charm packs by April Cornell and one yard of coordinating fabric.  This giveaway ends Wednesday, May 11, at midnight.

My Go-Go Life is having a giveaway.  Kim is giving away Five half yard cuts of Heather Ross girlie fabric.  The winner will be selected on Thursday, May 12.

Needles and Lemons is having a giveaway.  Judith is giving away  fat quarter set of the entire new Denyse Schmidt range 'Picnic and Fairground'.  This giveaway ends Saturday, May 14.

Sew Fabulous Quilt Shop is having a May giveaway.  You could win a fat quarter bundle of Annie's Farm Stand Collection by Lakehouse Dry Goods.  This giveaway ends Tuesday, May 31.

Just One More Stitch is having a sponsored giveaway.  You could win a half yard bundle of Honey Child green and blue bundle by Jennifer Paganelli.  This giveaway ends Sunday, May 15.

Little Miss Shabby is celebrating her birthday with a week long giveaway.  You could win a Baby Fat Quarter Bundle by Michael Miller Fabrics.  This giveaway ends Saturday, May 14.

Sew Many Stitches Later is celebrating her 100th post with a giveaway.  Lara is giving away a  FQ bundle of 14 prints of the Picnic and Fairgrounds Fabric Collection.  This giveaway ends Sunday, May 15.

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FINAL THOUGHT
I have been contemplating my mother's health situation.  She is going to be 83 in just two weeks.  I think maybe she should give up driving.  How am I going to tell this fiercly independant and stuborn lady that she should hand over her car keys.  I know how it will go if I try to talk to her face to face - I will be told I'm stupid and probably banned for quite some time.  But I guess that is better than the possibility of having her take her life and possibility that of another.  I have thought of giving her doctor a call prior to her appointment on Wednesday and discuss the matter with him.  I know he can report to DMV and have her liscense taken away.    No one had to tell me when to quit driving.  When I felt it was unsafe for me and those around me, I gladly handed over my keys.  I haven't driven in over 6 years.  What would you do if you were in my shoes?  Have you ever had to deal with something similar?  I would love to hear your opinion on this matter.

The longest journey begins with a single step, not with a turn of the ignition key.
~Edward Abbey

May you Monday be full of melodies!

A Wide Range Of Emotions

I have often lamented that we cannot close our ears with as much ease as we can our eyes.
~Richard Steele

So much for my quiet days of last week.  Last week the school across the street was on Easter break so there were very few cars going down our street.  No buses bouncing through the pot holes.  Only the daily visit of the mailman.  This week all of that noise is back.  My noise pollution is made up of the diesel engines of the buses and delivery trucks.  And the daily visit of the bass from a stereo blasting from a car as they wait for their child to be out of class.  In addition to all that, they have started working on the house next door.  It has finally sold after a year of being empty.  The previous owners walked away but only after leaving the inside in need of much repair.  So now I also listen to a nail gun and an electric saw, not to mention the dropping of wood and occasional loud voices.  The lovely sounds of construction.  Oh, and don't forget the daily barrage of car alarms that all of the teacher's cars seem to have.  No wonder the mocking birds around here can mimic that sound so well - lol!

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PHOTO FACT OF THE DAY

Karaoke

National Karaoke Week is celebrated the fourth week of April. How is it celebrated? Easy! You go out and sing or even better, purchase a karaoke machine.

There are various disputes about who first invented the name karaoke. One claim is that the karaoke styled machine was invented by Japanese musician Daisuke Inoue in Kobe, Japan, in 1971. After becoming popular in Japan, karaoke spread by Hideo to East and Southeast Asia during the 1980s and subsequently to other parts of the world.

In Japan, it has long been common to provide musical entertainment at a dinner or a party. Japanese drummer Daisuke Inoue was asked frequently by guests in the Utagoe Kissa, where he performed, to provide a recording of his performance so that they could sing along on a company-sponsored vacation. Realizing the potential for the market, Inoue made a tape recorder that played a song for a 100-yen coin. Instead of giving his karaoke machines away, Inoue leased them out so that stores did not have to buy new songs on their own. Originally, it was considered a somewhat expensive fad, as it lacked the live atmosphere of a real performance and 100 yen in the 1970s was the price of two typical lunches, but it caught on as a popular entertainment. Karaoke machines were initially placed in restaurants and hotel rooms; soon, new businesses called karaoke boxes, with compartmented rooms, became popular. In 2004, Daisuke Inoue was awarded the tongue-in-cheek Ig Nobel Peace Prize for inventing karaoke, "thereby providing an entirely new way for people to learn to tolerate each other."

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BLOCKS RECEIVED

Yesterday I received an envelope from my Block Swap Adventure swap partner for April.

Charlene made me TWO blocks.  Aren't they wonderful?  I just love the pattern and the fabrics she used.  When I first saw them they immediately reminded me of a summer picnic.  Thank you so very much, Charlene!!

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ANOTHER WIN

Don't hate me, but yesterday I received another squishy with a something I had won last week.

Staci, from The Confused Quilter, had a giveaway featuring B. Bumble & Co. patterns and I won this fantastic pattern called The Shop Hopper.  Linda Winters designs such cute patterns but I think this is my absolute favorite and can't wait to make it up.  Thank you, Staci!!!

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MORE MAIL

Yesterday I received an envelope that I wasn't expecting.

As a thank you for sending them my star blocks for the Just One Star project, Moda sent a little thank you card and a little packet of 2 1/2 inch squares.  That certainly was unexpected but much appreciated.

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DISAPPOINTMENT

On March 13, 2011, I won a giveaway from Material Girls Quilts.  I was thrilled.  It was the first time I had won a fat quarter bundle.  This is what was pictured with the giveaway blog....

It wasn't exactly specified which one you would win but stated there would be three winners.  I kept waiting for the package to arrive.  I contacted one of the other winners as we are blogging friends - she hadn't received hers either.  We began emailing Material Girls (separately) and received back an assortment of different excuses.  Nothing for over a month. We sent of 5 emails each.  Finally, on Monday, I received a plain brown envelope with no return address.  It looked a little dubious but I opened it.  Inside was this....

7 fat quarters - coordinated by color but not by designer or company.  Now I don't know about you, but I was expecting one of the first fat quarter bundles pictured above.  I think they finally sent me these in an attempt to shut me up.  They were probably tired of receiving my emails.  I don't usually complain and will shrug off something if it never appears.  But to picture something that you are giving away and then have it be nothing like that is basically lying.  It's deceptive and could be considered fraud.  (See Sharon's blog, Vrooman's Quilts, for further information about the legal side.) 

I hope none of you ever have something like this happen to you.  But if you do, don't just sit on it.  Let your voice be heard.  It is the only way to prevent others from doing something similar.

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BALTIMORE BLOCK

Yesterday evening I put the final stitches in another Baltimore Block....

This is block 3.  I had a little trouble with the points on the pineapple tops but I'm still pleased with how it turned out.  I'm definitely still on the learning curve for hand applique.  I have been using the glue stick method but I think I might try the starch method for the next block.

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TODAY'S GOAL

Today I will finish the baby quilt. All I have to do is sew on the binding and then hand stitch it.

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GIVEAWAYS

The Raspberry Rabbit is having a celebration giveaway.  To help celebrate 700 followers they are giving away several different books.  This giveaway ends Sunday, May 1.

Just One More Stitch is having a giveaway.  You could win a jelly roll of your choice from 1 Choice 4 Quilting.  This giveaway ends Sunday, May 1.

Jackie's Art Quilts is having a giveaway.  Jackie is giving away 5 beautiful fat quarters.  The winner will be drawn on Thursday, May 5.

Diary Of A Quilter is having a sponsored giveaway.  Jackie from Canton Village Quilts is giving away a fat quarter bundle of Art Gallery Oval Elements collection.  This giveaway ends Sunday, May 1, at midnight MST.

Blacksheep's Bit Of The Web is celebrating her fourth year of blogging with a giveaway.  He will be giving away "nice prize and leave it at that".  This giveaway ends Friday, May 7, at 3:00 pm PST.

Stray Stitches is having a fantastic giveaway (if I do say so myself - lol).  You could win....

these lovely 10 fat quarters.  This giveaway ends Sunday, May1, at 8:00 pm PST.

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FINAL THOUGHT

Wow!  This post was long.  Sorry about that. There was just so much to share.  And, of course, there was also my ranting.  If you have stuck with me through the entire way, thank you!  Aren't friends wonderful?  They put up with you no matter what kind of mood you are in.  They will share your happiness, your sorrow, your grumpiness, and even your bragging.  Friends are priceless.  I have enjoyed sharing my life with you.  But I especially enjoy sharing your life through your blogs.  They are what get my day started.  I visit some of you while eating my lunch.  Others I read just before bed. You have all enriched my days and expanded my knowledge.  Thank you!

A good friend is a connection to life - a tie to the past, a road to the future, the key to sanity in a totally insane world.
~Lois Wyse

Be thankful it's Thursday - another day for creating!