Is It Spring Yet?

No, I'm not really tired of snow yet...it is still January. But in March, I know I'll be ready for spring.

Here's something to remind me of spring...it's a small wallhanging I made in mid-2004 after learning how to English paper-piece from a friend in my guild. The hexagons were hand-stitched together to form the flowers and then I appliqued them to the blocks. I did a little free-motion quilting on my sewing machine using monofilament thread.

It is thanks to fellow quilters like this friend (Happy Early Birthday, Mary Jane!) that I have been able to improve my skills as a quilter over the last 10 years. The support, encouragement, and inspiration that I've received from other quilters is priceless. And applique is no longer a four-letter word for me...

Resolution -- Don't Be A Chicken

I hope everyone is off to a good start with 2009!

Before I forget, I want to thank everyone who has visited my blog from the Whirl Into Winter Quilt Blog Giveaway...and those who commented for a chance to win my giveaway. If you missed it, see my post from January 1st. You have until early morning on January 15th to enter.

This is "J-7 Chicken Tracks", a beginner-level block that I chose to paper piece. I'm trying hard not to chicken out of working on an applique block...I hope to get one finished during my monthly Laurel Janes gathering on Monday.

This is #86.

A New Year and A New Giveaway

The winner of my giveaway is Beth! Check my post dated January 15th for more info.

First of all, Happy New Year to everyone!

You don't really want to spend the day watching football, do you? I have a better idea...

Join me in the Whirl Into Winter Quilt Blog Giveaway. There are approximately 60 wonderful bloggers hosting awesome giveaways on their blogs.

Because I've been the winner of a few giveaways myself (and because this is fun), I'm participating in this giveaway. This is the prize -- a quilt kit for the John Flynn Wheel of Mystery Quilt. It includes pre-cut pieces of Benartex batiks and the instructions for making a 40" x 50" inch quilt.

To be eligible for my giveaway, you must comment on this post by 8 AM Eastern time on January 15th. You do not need to have a blog to comment. If you post a link to my giveaway on your blog, add a second comment telling me that you've done it and you'll get a second entry. Be sure your profile or comment includes an email address -- I need a way to contact you if you win. If I don't have an email address for you, your entry will be disqualified.

I will ship internationally, so everyone who sees this and chooses to comment is eligible. I will use a random number generator to pick a winner on the morning of January 15th.

Good luck and thanks for participating. Best wishes for a good 2009!

Halfway (Sort Of, But Not Really)

With the completion of this block, I am now halfway through the 169 center blocks of my Dear Jane quilt. It's taken me about 7 months to get this far...I have a long way to go yet, but it's coming along. After the center is finished, there will still be the outer triangles to worry about...

This is "K-3 Seven Sisters", a beginner-level block that I chose to paper piece.

Welcome To My Exhibit

I know it's a little too early for April Fool's Day, but this is way too much fun!

More Dear Jane

I have many projects that I'd like to work on, but I hope to concentrate mainly on my Dear Jane blocks in 2009. I'm getting down to the end of the easy paper-pieced blocks and need to work more on the applique blocks.

This is "K-2 Grandpa's Chickens", a beginner-level block that I chose to paper piece. It could easily be rotary cut as well, which is probably what I should have done. But it works anyway.

Every Creature Loves A Quilt

Perhaps you've seen this on other blogs, but in case you haven't, just click here for more photos to put a smile on your face.

Yes, our quilts are loved!