Fall Into Fall Blogger's Giveaway

Are you ready? Tomorrow, October 1st, I will begin taking names for the Fall Into Fall Blogger's Giveaway. Debi from Quilting With Debi has organized a group of bloggers who will each give away a prize on October 15th. Be sure to check out the link for the list of participants. To be eligible, leave a comment between October 1 and October 14. You do not need to have a blog, but BE SURE to leave an email address so I can contact you if you are the winner. My package will contain this little orange bag filled with 5 Halloween fat quarters, Contemporary Quilts Postcards and a fall pattern called Pumpkin Harvest by Rosecrest Farms. I'll probably add some candy, too, but can't buy that ahead of time. (I'll eat it) Have fun visiting the blogs!

String blocks, etc.

Our Heartstrings group had a block party this week-end to replenish the inventory of blocks that are ready to assemble into quilts by volunteers. I cut 48 green center strips and managed to finish 35 blocks. The other 13 will be finished tomorrow. Usually our center strips are red or blue, but we are doing green for the months of September and October. These will have a masculine appeal.

I added a couple of borders to the Snoopy Disappearing Nine Patch top that I made for my friend, Val. She will have it quilted and donate it to the fire department.

Friday night Jim, Connie and I attended our final Tigers' ballgame of the year. WE WON! We had tickets for 16 games this year and were there for only two previous wins. It was a very disappointing year, but Tigers' fans set a new attendance record of over 3.2 million. We did get to see Gary Sheffield hit homers #498 and #499. He has one more game tomorrow to make it to 500 this year.

The American Sewing Expo was in Novi, Michigan this week-end. We left early for the ballgame Friday so Connie and I could spend a couple of hours browsing the vendors. In the center of the room was a roped off area where a contest was going on similar to Project Runway. There were many seminars and classes that looked interesting. At one end of the building was a large lounge where Jim had a comfortable couch and free WiFi. He was content while we wandered through the different areas of the Expo.

A lovely package arrived from Gina over at Quilting in the Valleys. I was the lucky winner of her 200 Post Giveaway. She made a cute tote bag using sewing themed fabrics. The tote bag held a pattern, fat quarters, two magazines, chocolate, floss, and a wonderful panel of Quilter's Quips. It's always a fun mail day when packages are in the box. Thank you very much, Gina.


Congratulations to Hanne
who is celebrating her first pattern release with a giveaway. Check out the cute Christmas stockings she made.




Myra is also having a giveaway celebrating her 200th post. And don't forget to sign up for my giveaway celebrating 200 posts!

Number 200

This is my 200th post since beginning my blog back in February of 07 with the encouragement of May Britt. It has been pure pleasure and privilege to meet so many wonderful quilters and stitchers from around the globe. To thank you for reading and commenting, I want to have a giveaway, but don't want it to interfere with the Fall into Fall Bloggers Giveaway. Sign up here between now and September 30th for a chance to win whatever I make using this stitchery that I finished today.

For the Fall into Fall Blogger's Giveaway that Debi is organizing, I will send this Halloween bag with five fat quarters of Halloween prints. I will take sign ups for this from October 1-14 with the winner drawn and announced on October 15th. I'll post a reminder on Oct.1st.

I finished Bea's stitchery BOM and also made another Disappearing Nine Patch for a friend in Canada. The quilt top will be quilted and given to the Volunteer Fire Department.

World Alzheimer's Day

This Sunday, September 21, is World Alzheimer's Day. This horrific thief of mind affects 26.6 million people. Jim's uncle was one of the unfortunate people to fall prey to this disease. He was a jokster, always had a smile and twinkles in his eyes. Alzheimers stole these from him and his family. Please help to find a cure. Ami has designed a virtual banner for your blog or website to spread the word.

Approaching 200

My post total is nearing 200, so I've been thinking about a give-away. Stay tuned for the announcement coming soon.












This afternoon I tied five quilts for the Underground Railroad. It made for a pretty and soft, comfy pile that both Jasper and Annie were keeping their eyes on as I worked.

The first guild meeting of the new year is tomorrow night. Usually after a summer break, there is lots of show and tell to admire. I'm taking my camera.

While I was sorting through the box of goodies from Molly, Annie kept trying to squeeze her plump, fluffy self into a shoe box. After a few frustrating, failed attempts, she settled for the torn shopping bag nearby and promptly fell asleep.



























Jasper, who sees no need for a nap when there's hunting to be done, chased this pheasant up into a maple tree in our backyard. The bird got away unharmed and hasn't been seen at our house since.

September 11

I will always remember this date. It's difficult to believe that seven years have passed already. It's as fresh as yesterday in my mind.



This afternoon I finished the scissors/needle case that I had cross stitched here. Even a little finish feels good. This will be a gift for someone special who just celebrated a birthday.




Clothesline Club at my LQS was this morning. Stacey showed so many cute, little projects that Lana had made. The new Kaufman line by Darlene Zimmerman called "Girlfriends" came in, also. It has some really cute, little prints such as lipsticks, shoes and hats. The first photo shows a shoe caddy, cosmetic bag, pillowcase, a holder for your hair curler and a little purse necklace that also holds your thread and scissors. The second picture is a close-up of the little necklace.

New giveaways: Tazzie is celebrating her 500th post and
Colleen is having a 'Fun Fall Giveaway.

I won another giveaway. This one from Molly over at Molly's Place. A large, heavy box arrived packed with fabric scraps, batting, blocks, assorted Thangles, a quilt pin and a book. It was so much fun sorting through it all. Thanks again, Molly

Pumpkin, DNP & More

Remember that pumpkin I stitched at one of the Fantastic Fridays at my LQS? The season is approaching so I dug around to find the little block. I love the large rick rack that is out now and wanted to include that somehow in the border. My pumpkin block has grown into a flimsie! The fabric at the bottom of the picture will be used for the backing. I hope I can find an appropriate plaid or stripe for the binding in my stash.

Friday I sewed one set of the Disappearing Nine Patch blocks together. I haven't much of any of the fabrics left, so I might quilt it, bind it with the bright green and call it done unless I can find something in my stash. This one will go to the Underground Railroad. Annie is checking the kitty fabric for relatives.


I was excited to hear from Lurline who was celebrating her 200th post, that I had won her beautiful cathedral window bag. The fabric is great and it's very well made. Thank you, Lurline!



Jane is having her first giveaway in honor of her birthday September 16th. She is offering 50 fat quarters of 30s fabrics and three patterns. Click on over to wish her happy birthday.

Miss Millie

I wanted to make May Britt's Stitchers' Angel bag tonight. I knew if I spent the night doing the stitchery, there wouldn't be time to make the bag. But wait! The Miss Millie piece that I finished the other night would work. I followed May's excellent instructions and now I have a place for Miss Millie and a new bag.

There's a great giveaway over at Polka Dot Pineapple. To welcome fall, Lettie is giving away a wonderful bag she calls Sunshine Posie Handbag. Just share your favorite holiday recipe in the comment area.

Log Cabin Blocks Plus

Happy September! (Although it felt more like the middle of summer today)

My little log cabin blocks are now all sewn and ready to be put together. I had to get a preview of how it will look. The color isn't very good as it's past midnight here. I'll make sure the lighting is better when the blocks are a top. So far, neither Jasper or Annie have touched the blocks. They are five inches now and will finish at 4 1/2". The pattern is called Broken Star by Edyta Sitar.

I also finished the bonus stitchery block from Bea. Today she posted the new block for September. I'm thinking I need to lay off of the hand work for a few days, though, as my arm is throbbing at night.



Another picture of my hibiscus. I just love the flowers!