I won two ways

First of all, I won a Sullivans Cutting Edge ruler from Pat Sloan. This was part of a blog hop. The nice thing (besides winning) is that I got to choose the ruler I wanted. Thanks to Pat Sloan AND to Victoria at BumbleBeans blog where I happened to win.


The second way I "won" was that I had a winning idea.  I was waking up from a nice nap when I had this idea.  What if I took a simple quilt block/pattern and made a minor change.  First I did it by drawing and coloring on paper. It looked good.  So I grabbed some fabric and some 5" squares to do with it and started.  This is four blocks joined together.  It measures approximately 26" square and was pretty easy.  What do you think?

Would you like to know how to make this yourself? If I get enough comments on this post, I will do a quick quilty tutorial on making this block.  It is really easy.  My change made it faster to piece and there are LESS points to be matched up - that is always a plus in my book!

Catching up

The holidays kept me busy, a little bit too busy to post everything. So I am catching up with this post.
These are NOT in any particular order. I am going with the way Blogger put the photos, just so I don't have to edit a lot of html (internet web browser code)

One of the things that came in during the holiday rush was a prize package from Wanda at Exuberant Color
She had a giveaway of some older style squares that she didn't plan to use.  Now, I happen to love a bunch of precut squares so I entered for this one. I won!  Yaay!  I will have so much fun with these squares.  AND Wanda added some larger pieces of fabric that will go nicely with the squares. PLUS she sent me some strips of batik "scraps" that will be great for my "wild" style.   Thank you, Wanda!



















Next up are my blocks from Linda's birthday block swap.  You can find Linda over at Fiber Fabrications


I love these blocks and will be making a lap quilt for my recliner with them. Ahhhh!  I am thinking I will sash with colors in a scrappy manner to break up the muslin centers. That could change, we will see.
In the envelope with the blocks was a delightful pincushion with yummy alpaca yarn at the top.  This is a big pincushion that won't get "lost" on my table. It is shown on the blocks sitting between Linda B's and Pat McN's blocks.
Thanks to Linda and everyone who participated.  (PS I got the package on CHRISTMAS Eve so it was a wonderful Christmas treat for me. )

Last up is a kit that I won from Barb over at BEJEWELED QUILTS BY BARB
These are pre-cut pieces for a ginger jar quilt. Along with the pieces is a cute little bag that my mother made oooh and ahhhhh sounds over. So mom will be getting that part of the prize.  The fabrics in this have an Asian inspired theme in keeping with the "Ginger Jar" idea.   


I love Asian inspired so this will be another one for me to keep, I think.  


I want to say that I have been extremely blessed this year.  I have won a number of giveaways, but what I have really won is far more important.   I have won the friendship of some beautiful people here in the blogging world.  So I am going to close with a couple of  quotes from an artist whose work I admire.  If  I don' t post again prior to the new year,  Happy New Year to you all.  (but I may post....so don't stop looking!)


I am still far from being what I want to be, but with God's help I shall succeed. -Vincent van Gogh
I feel that there is nothing more truly artistic than to love people. -Vincent van Gogh

Lucky, lucky boy! And more......

I am the lucky lucky boy It seems I was one of the lucky ones to win a prize at Soggy Bottom Flats blog. When I first saw her post it only said "Huge Moda Giveaway" Well sir, (and ladies) that certainly got my attention. I entered. (and I do apologize, cause I forgot to tell all you lovelies about it) (hey were did I pick up that British accent? more on that later, if I remember.)

Later she posted that the prizes were going to be 1. A Moda Jelly cake, 2. Bananafana and Pink Fig patterns 3. Some "to dye for" batik half yard cuts. Wheee...now I am more excited.

So when she posted the winners..and I saw MY NAME, I did a happy dance. The lovely prize arrived today.



Yes, a Tranquility jelly cake by Moda. Mmmmmmm..good enough to eat..but no..better to sew with.

Now about that "British accent:" Last night a friend posted a link to Susan Boyle on Britain's Got Talent. The link will take you to the YouTube video. If you don't have tears in your eyes when it is over, you are tougher than I am.
I was as shocked when she started singing as Simon was. (I am ashamed of that, I try to not pre-judge anyone, but sometimes that human nature takes over.) Anyway, I have watched it LOTS of times by now. And when I hear a British accent and turn of phrase, it seems to switch on something in my brain. My one trip to England, many years ago, was a true joy. I wish Miss Boyle lots of success. She deserves it. And I thank her for the music.