Easter Sunday

In the Kitchen

 This morning, I did my favorite kind of cooking - baking. For our Easter celebrations, brunch with neighbors and dinner with DH's family, I volunteered to BAKE. For our brunch after Mass tomorrow,  one of our family favorites  -banana bread with lots of pecans.

 Baking an Angel Food cake is one of my favorites. I don't know what I did differently, but this one baked wonderfully. (Do you know how hard it is to find a "real bottle". My handy Red Hot sauce bottle is a treasure in our kitchen)  In the morning, I will layer the angel food cake, vanilla pudding, diced pineapple, sliced strawberries and whipped cream into another one of my favorites, Trifle.

 Dear Son is home from college. He'll return to take his exams, but he is basically back from school. Since the oven was "humming", I had to make him some cookies. These are loaded with oatmeal, wheat germ, nuts, chocolate chips. Oh yes, I love chocolate chip cookies, too.

My main reason for baking was to make the Coconut Cake for dessert with DH's family. It's called Three Day Wait Coconut Cake. The fresh frozen coconut, sugar and sour cream were mixed 3 days ago. The yellow cake layers were baked this morning. I can't remember when I've baked such ugly layers. It's probably time to purchase new cake pans. Luckily, the filling and frosting will cover most of this up. Dh is now baking a ham. He does the real cooking:)

Giveaway Around Blogland

Quilty Pleasures - The Quiltmaker Blog - has a giveaway for a box of items from a Quilter's Garage Sale. Ends April 25th.

Jackie at Canton Village Quiltworks has a giveaway for the book The Quilter's Bible by Linda Clements. Ends April 28th.

Kelly at I Have a Notion has reviewed two new books from Martingale. More Loose Change and S is for Scraps. Ends. She has a giveaway ending April 30th

Lisa at The Quilted Pineapple is giving away a pattern and the 3 charm packs to make it. Ends Sunday, April 24th.

Adrianne, blogger at Little Bluebell  has a giveaway for a fat quarter bundle of Denyse Schmidt fabrics. Winner selected on May 5th.

Happy Birthday Week

It's birthday week at our house.Don't you just love the LSU Garden Gnome. I didn't even know they existed. It is a gift to  DS to his Dad. Thursday was DH's day and Saturday is our oldest son's day. Since this week was a bit wild for both of them, we celebrated last Sunday. Sorry, I forgot to take photos, but the  meal and cake were fabulous:) Today, the landscapers arrived to do the work in our front yard. A tree needed to be removed, shrubbery replaced and sod added. DH was in his element. For years, we've done all the work ourselves. His treat this year was to hire someone else to do the work. 

A finished job!

Giveaways around Blogland!

Mary at Quilt Hollow has a copy of the book Country Comfort by Cheryl Wall. Cheryl has a second book coming out in the Summer of 2012 with Martingale & Company. Enter the giveaway, visit Cheryl's website. If you need a long-arm quilter for your quilts, Mary does AMAZING work.

Pat Sloan is hosting a Blog Hop for her new book, What A Novel Idea. Visit Pat's post on Monday. There is still time to visit all the blogs, but Friday is the last day.
Tuesday – 4/19/11       Carrie Nelson: - lavieenrosie.typepad.com

Wednesday  – 4/20/11
Victoria Findlay Wolfe – bumblebeansinc.blogspot.com/ 
Amy Ellis –amyscreativeside.com/

Thursday – 4/21/11
Amanda Herring – thequiltedfish.typepad.com/the-quilted-fish/ 
Barb and Mary at Me and My Sister – meandmysisterdesigns.com/blog/

Friday – 4/22/11
Gudrun Erla – gudrun.typepad.com/
Erin Gilday – http://patchworkunderground.com/blog/

Please remember to enter my giveaway for a Lapel Stick.

Product Review and a Giveaway

Several weeks ago, I was contacted by Leslie, director of sales and marketing for the product Lapel Stick. Leslie sent me some of their product, Lapel Stick,asked me to use it and do a review and then giveaway some of their product. This sounded like something that I would enjoy doing. Last Friday, while working on the blocks for the Rag Quilt, I decided to test the product. Instead of using pins before I sewed the top and bottom blocks to the batting, I used the Lapel Stick.

I did like how it easily went on the fabric. The blocks held together. I did not have to use any pins. My sewing machine needle didn't seem to notice there was any glue at all. I liked using this product. My only problem was that I ran out of "stuff" in the Lapel Stick before I was finished the job. I also don't know how much the product costs. Maybe, it would have been no big deal to use several of the Lapel Sticks if they are reasonably priced. Here is the product description from their website, 

Temporary non-toxic acid-free fabric adhesive that goes on in seconds and dries clear for Quilting, Sewing, Crafting, and Embroidery - replaces baste stitching, pinning, tapes, spray adhesives, and stabilizers.  No more messy sprays or getting stuck with pins and it won't gum up your needles or machines!  LAPEL Stick is water soluble and safe to use on cottons, wool, polyester, blends, felt, linen, and leather. 

Now for the fun part. I have two Lapel Sticks to giveaway to two of you. Just leave a comment on this post. Your comment could include what you would like to test using the Lapel Stick or even your favorite Easter candy. Jelly beans are my weakness:)

Let's make this a quick giveaway. I'll choose the winners on Monday, April 25th and try to mail them before I leave for Paducah on Tuesday. I believe that Melisa at Sweet Home Quilt Show in Conyers, GA has the product in stock.

Generosity of Quilters & Bloggers

–noun

1.

readiness or liberality in giving.

2.

freedom from meanness or smallness of mind or character.

3.

a generous act: We thanked him for his many generosities.

4.

largeness or fullness; amplitude.

When I first began reading blogs, I was struck by the generous nature of bloggers. I could not believe that someone would give away an entire quilt top, offer to machine quilt a top, give away pre-cuts, yardage etc...  Not only couldn't I believe that they were willing to give their stuff away, I couldn't believe that they would pay the postage to send it to the winners. It has taken a couple of years, BUT I finally get the generous, giving heart of quilters. It has taken receiving some giveaways and experiencing the JOY of the gift and hosting some giveaways, too. It also has taken just plain sharing stuff with other quilters for me to realize that it all comes back to you. Blessings galore occur when we share and give.

Ok. I know you that must be wondering "why" am I blogging about this. I have been very fortunate in giveaways - online, at guild meetings, wherever. I began to feel guilty about winning, guilty because I hadn't acknowledge the generous bloggers who have shared so much. After much thought, I've come to the conclusion that I need to blog about each and every giveaway that I win. Not so that you will think, "That girl is lucky", but for you to experience the generous hearts of our online community. I appreciate the bloggers who share links to giveaways, bloggers like SewCalGal, Happy Cottage Quilter, Stray Stitches and many more. I plan to join them in blogging regularly with the links for interesting giveaways. If I forget someone who has recently shared a giveaway with me, please forgive me. Some days I have complete mental blanks:)


Terry from Terry's Treasures surprised me with this lovely necklace. The words "material girl" are etched on the metal. For some time, I thought I would give it as a gift to a quilting friend, but I found something else that I thought she would like and I got to keep this. Thank you, dear Terry!

SewCalGal organizes online quilt shows. Very generous sponsors donate products for giveaways for those participating in the shows and promoting them. This wonderful pattern from Elisas's Backporch Designs was part of the giveaway for the Christmas Quilt Show in November.

 The wonderful folks at Martingale & Company had a giveaway on Facebook. This book Color Shuffle is quite informative.

 Several quilts in the book captured my interest and made it to my "I want to make that quilt" list.

 Polly at Aunt Polly's Porch posted photos of this wonderful quilt she made from a shop kit. I looked online to purchase the pattern (great for layer cakes), but found it was from a publication for quilt shops. Polly sent me her pattern. Thanks again, Polly!

 Jocelyn who blogs as Happy Cottage Quilter shared these wonderful blue (my favorite color) fabrics to celebrate a milestone on her blog. I love these fabrics, Jocelyn!

 I couldn't believe Rhonda was giving away this wonderful table runner on her blog, Patches and Pieces.

 Imagine my surprise when I opened the box to discover that she had included this wonderful fat quarter bundle. Rhonda, I'm still amazed at your giving spirit!

I know that I did blog about receiving this super bundle from Thelma at Cupcakes 'N Daisies for participating in the Eventide Quilt Along. Thelma is very generous with her fabric. It was a blessing to win this giveaway and

 her blog anniversary giveaway. Thelma, I love your fabric selections!

Jenny who owns Sew Fabulous Quilt Shop (sewfabulousquiltshop.com) has a monthly giveaway on her blog. It was a complete surprise when I received her e-mail that I had won her March giveaway, a bundle of fat quarters from Central Park by Kate Spain. I love this fabric line, but have resisted the temptation to purchase some. Thanks so much, Jenny!

Cyndi attended the International Quilt Show in Cinncinatti. She purchased items from the quilt show and shared them with several winners on her blog, Bluebird's Wing.

The small quilt in a bag is a perfect size for a wall-hanging. I'm trying to add quilts in decorating our home. Cyndi's package arrived today. She not only sent the quilt kit, but included this other wonderful goodies. Milk Chocolate is my favorite. I collect Mary Englebritt items. Notecards, notepad and luggage tag with my initial were included in the package. Cyndi your gift is absolutely perfect. Thank you, friend!

Ok. I finally feel better. Quilters are sharing, generous individuals. Your gifts have given me great joy. Thank You!!!!


In all this receiving, it's time for more giveaways. I have several planned in the next couple of days. I'm also going to the Quilt Show in Paducah next week. I'm hoping to be inspired by Cyndy's generous shopping to find some treats for you my friends.


Quilters are the best!

Just For You Quilts

One of the service projects for our local guild, Gwinnett Quilters Guild, is making quilts for the children at a local children's hospital. I'm not very proficient at machine quilting so I like to make Rag Quilts to donate. It dawned on me last week that if I didn't get busy I wouldn't have a quilt to contribute this year. My stash closet has a selection of flannel. There is a need for quilts for teen boys. Because we have lots of boys in my family, I try to purchase "masculine" flannel fabric.  Thursday, I pulled fabric and left-over batting and cut 10 inch squares. Friday and Saturday while sewing with my Thimbles friend, I sewed the blocks and began the rows. Joining the rows was a bit of a strain for my Featherweight so I waited to do that at home with my Bernina and walking foot.

Yesterday, I finished the rows, clipped the seams, added the label, washed and dried the quilt. Done!!! Today is our monthly guild meeting day. I have something for Show 'N Tell and can hand it in:) Looking forward to the guild meeting today!

April Thimbles

Silver Thimble Club sewing! This past Friday and Saturday our club (70 plus quilters at one time or another) gathered to sew, talk, laugh and share. This time spent with other quilters, now dear friends, is a joy and a blessing. I borrowed the above photo from Karmen's blog A Quilter Awakens. She has some wonderful photos from the Friday evening group. Pat Wys, our teacher, mentor, "Head Thimble" nurtures and grows us as quilters and friends. Pat is holding her SIL Trisha's new quilt.

Cindi had two finishes this month. Way to go  Cindi!

This is one of Cindi's oldest UFO's. It's "Wild Goose Chase" from the book Snuggle Up.

Karin who blogs at Life in the Slow Lane created this beauty from the Lilac Hill fabric line  and one of the Jelly Roll books by  Pam Lintott and Nicky Lintott.

Gretchen's completed Eventide by Miss Rosie Quilt company.

Gretchen's quilt for her niece MacKenzie. Read more about this project on Gretchen's blog StellaBella Quilts.

Brenda's Grandpa's Legacy by Perkins Dry Goods. 

Laura's batik beauty for a graduation gift.

This applique masterpiece by Judy.

Mary Agnes used her stash for Homeward Bound from 40 Fabulous Quick Cut Quilts.

Trisha's quilt using a pattern from Black Mountain Quilts.

Trisha's stunning project from the book Friendship Triangles by Laundry Basket Quilts 

Great Show 'N Tell ladies!!!!

I Spy

When my son was a "little tike" I was fascinated with I Spy, Bottle Quilts and others that used novelty fabrics. Making DS one of these quilts never happened. The first time I read on Sandra's blog Sew In Peace's  about the I Spy Swap she was hosting, things were wild so I resisted. Recently, I read that she had extended the deadline. I found fabric in my stash so I signed up to participate. 

Fabric was washed, ironed and cut into 5 inch squares.

Snowmen

Princesses

Funky sneakers

Dog Paws

Playful Dogs

Boys and Girls

A quick trip to the post office and my swap fabric is in the mail to Sandra. Retirement is about having time to do all those things there wasn't enough time to do when working. I'm excited about the fabric I'll receive from this swap. Looks like I have an "I Spy" quilt in my future:)