Life Happens

I apologize for not writing more, but I am trying to do more rather than be online more.  

My sister turned 50 last Saturday so we drove to her, Friday after work,  (~ 2.5 hours away) 

and took her and her boyfriend out for a nice dinner.  

We got her a gift cert to her favorite place to eat (one she and her BF can walk to) 

and a got her a cake.  

It's funny, but she was the most tickled with the cake!  LOL, who knew?  

Happy Birthday old lady! 

(I told her we had to take a photo or it didn't happen).

I was recently at a JAF that had a compilation of 100 Blocks from the magazines, 100 Quilt Blocks.

Look what I found while browsing.

It's so fun to find these things out in the wild!  

~XOP~

Quiltmaker 100 Blocks Blog Tour Stop And A Giveaway!

It's finally MY turn on the blog tour!!! 

You can join in on the blog tour fun right here.

Quiltmaker is having loads of giveaways and there are many stops on the tour.

 I was so thrilled when my block, 

"Flutters of the Heart"

was selected for this edition of the magazine.  

A little history.  

I was participating in a sampler group (I think many of us have done) 

and there was a bird block that had sea gulls.  

While I liked the block and I like sea gulls it didn't really fit in with the fabric or 

the feel of the sampler as I had been making it. 

 I had to come up with another block to make that would fit better. 

 I started to look at vintage embroidery patterns and 

for some reason I was really drawn to the sweet little bluebirds.  

I drew a blue bird for my block and then those darned birds got into my head!  

I could NOT stop thinking about them.  

This was my original block. 

 Aren't they so cute?  

You can see that I used my "scribble" stitching around the outside of them. 

But I thought they needed more. 

 Like maybe to be carrying ribbons?  

I drafted a few versions but ended up with the one I submitted to the magazine. 

 I love this block. 

 It would also be great enlarged as a center medallion style quilt.  

I would love to make one that way too 

(just finding the time!)

Here is my block and some close ups of the individual birdies.

I love how the ribbons enhance the birds.

As you can see I opted for doing a blanket stitch around the birds for this block.  

You could scribble stitch around it too if you prefer.  

That would probably be easier for the ribbons too.  

If you make my block I would love to see your version!

I have 4 copies of the magazine to give away too!!! 

 If you are interested in winning a copy please leave me a comment 

letting me know your favorite vacation spot.  

Of course I would love it if you would follow my blog too.  

My hubby and I are getting a fifth wheel and looking for places to visit! 

Please make sure I can contact you. 

 If you are unsure if your email address is attached to your comment please leave it in your comment.  I will have to move on to the next person if you do not have a way for me to contact you.  

I will draw the winners on Monday so you have lots of time to comment!

Enjoy the blog tour!

~XOP~

Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks Blog Tour

The blog tour for the new Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks began yesterday.  

I have a block in the magazine (Volume 15) and my turn for the tour will be on Friday, May 5th. 

 Be sure and check out their blog here, you can win lots of cool stuff!  

I will be giving away a few copies of the magazine so be sure and stop back on Friday!! 

 You will get to see my block then too.

The issue is on sale now and there are some amazing blocks in this one!!  

Stop back on Friday to see mine and for the giveaway.

~XOP~

Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks Quilty Pleasures Giveaway

I received an email from Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks magazine and they are having a BIG give away

 of all 8 volumes of their magazine!!

Who wouldn't love to have all eight volumes of this fantastic magazine!!?? 

 All you need to do is to go here and leave them a comment. 

 That's it!  

All you have to do is leave a comment. 

 Now go forth and leave a great comment for a chance to win an entire set of this great magazine!!

I am recovering pretty well and will venture out tonight to a meet and greet at Pink Castle Fabrics. 

 Jeni Baker (In Color Order) , Anna Graham(Noodlehead) and Debbie Grifka (Esch House Quilts)will be there in preparation for their participation at Camp Sitichalot. 

 I am hoping to get some good pictures and maybe even be able to ask them a few questions. 

 I may have forgotten to mention but I am now blogging for Pink Castle Fabrics

so make sure you check out their blog in a few days for some pics of the meet and greet tonight!  

Happy Hump day everyone!!

~XOP~

Welcome To The Blog Tour!

I am so excited and honored that my block was chosen 

to be included in Quilt Maker's 100 Blocks magazine volume 8!!!  

The magazine goes on sale November 19th.  

There will be a blog tour from November 11-15 including prizes.

You can find all of the tour participants and the blog tour schedule at

  The Quiltmaker Blog Quilty Pleasures. 

 Please stop by for inspiration, ideas and giveaways!

I bet you want to see the block I sent in right?  

I have been dying to share it with all of you.

I can finally do that now!

It is called the Rainbow Gum Tree.  

I had so much fun making this block.  

Can you find the bunny face in one of the circles?

We were given the opportunity to make a quilt to submit that would also be included in the magazine.  Even though my life has been one hot mess of late I decided to go for it.  

The plan for the quilt came to me one night as I was falling asleep.  

I wanted to make 5 trees total.  

Four in the corners and one in the center.  

I wanted to do a rainbow progression all the way around the quilt.  

ROYGBV style. 

 I got the first 2 blocks finished and they looked great!

Notice that the outside tree trunks are dark gray and the center one is different.

Then began on the bottom two.  

OOPS the top ones needed to progress from left to right and the bottom ones from right to left.  

I ended up making that blue/green one twice!  

I am pretty happy with it now though!

Choosing the fabrics and making the progression was so much fun!

You just might find a heggie or an owl or something crazy in this forest!!!

Then because you send in your actual block to the magazine 

I needed to make another total rainbow block too.  

Next was to put it all together. 

 I had all the blocks set and decided that it needed something more so I added the circles and 

then spiral quilted it on my Bernina.  

Perfect!!

I am calling this Ring Around the Rainbow Forest.

I even decided to make the binding a rainbow progression to follow the theme. 

This little quilt was so much fun to make!

I kept thinking of other possibilities as I was making this one.  

You could do the seasons, you could add paths and animals, 

make it larger and use that as a centerpiece for a baby quilt.  

The possibilities are as limitless as your imagination!!

Here are a few "in Progress" shots too. 

 You can really see the quilting in these outdoor shots

I thought this was kind of cool how my drying line made a star in the sun on the quilt = )

Please leave me a comment about my block or my quilt and I will enter you into a giveaway

for a copy of Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks magazine volume 8.

Then you would have my pattern to make this special forest for yourself!
Be certain to leave your email address.
I can't send you your magazine if you are a no reply!
I have directions on how you can fix that on my side bar too.

The winner will be posted on November 16th.

If you do make a block or a quilt I would love to see it.
Please post it to my Flickr group!

Don't forget to leave a comment on the 100 Blocks blog telling them how much you love this block.

Thanks everyone, comments are now closed.  
Winner announced soon

Pinch me I can't believe this is happening!!!

~XOP~