Friday, October 5, 2012

IT'S HERE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Today is DAY FIVE of the blog hop and my day to post THE BLOCK!  Thank you to our wonderful, hard working hostess, Cherry, at Cherry Blossums Quilting Studio and to Madam Samm at Sew We Quilt, the inspiration and bestest (?) cheerleader behind this and many blog hops to come. What an experience this has been.

I've been a nervous wreck worrying that I would do something wrong and end up being banned from all future hops (and maybe even from blogland, lol.)  So take pity on me and remember this is my first attempt at a blog hop.

Since Fall is my favorite season and I live on a street that is lined with maple trees, what better block for me to do than the Maple Leaf.  I chose the 12-inch finished block from Marcia Hohn's  Quilters Cache and did it in just two colors for a challenge on one of my Yahoo groups.  We've been doing an Amish BOM for the past year, so my colors for the block are orange and black.  This will fit right in with the other blocks I've done for the quilt top. 

But because I love that block so much, I've also been working on another quilt done completely in Maple Leaf  blocks of all colors.  So far, I only have five of the 12-inch blocks done, but it's a work in progress, so it will get done sooner or later.  Here's Katie helping me choose my fabrics.

I think I want to make several of the future blocks in batiks.  Since I started working with them, I find I really love them.  And here's what I have done so far.

Once I started working with my Fall fabrics I found I didn't want to quit.  So then I went on and made a Fall mug rug to set my tea/hot chocolate on.  I've been in several mug rug swaps and they are so much fun.  I'm sorry but I don't remember where I got the paper pieced pattern I used, but it could have been from Carol Doak,  I belong to her Yahoo group and have several of her paper piecing books and CD's.  I like this pattern because I can make it in lots of fabrics for different seasons.  I've made it in pastels and darks for Spring, Summer, and Fall.  I like to use my fancy machine stitches on these just for a little zing. Do you like it?    

My last project is a Carol Doak freebie for her Yahoo group.  She gave it to the members to use in August and it's really what made me decide to join in on the Leafs blog hop.  I love the little cat peeking out of the pumpkin.  And since it reminded me of my kitty, JayDee (RIP Jade), I had to make it!  Plus, it's a great fall deco piece for the seasonal wire hanger I have on my entrance table.  I used the diamond stitch on my machine to make his little green eyes.  Isn't he cute?




The pattern is a 3-inch block that Carol offered to be used in a Fall card, but I blew it up about 200% to 8-inches and then paper pieced it.  I added a 1-inch first border and a 3-inch outside border to make it fit into my wire hanger.  I'm really pleased with how it came out, but if I make another one I would add extra border width at the top and the bottom so it filled the length of the hanger better.  As you can see, I'm camouflaging the bottom with silk leaves because it's a few inches short.  Because I might hang it somewhere else for Halloween, I sewed plastic rings on the back to hang it, instead of a hanging sleeve.  But what a fun project it's been--you should try it.

  Here is a list of today's bloggers:
 







Cherry Blossoms  (our fearless leader)


Moose Stash Quilting  (my fabulous buddy Joan)


Make sure you stop by and see them all.  And don't forget--Monday there'll be new bloggers posting, so come back then and start again.

Now, for more fun!  How about a little giveaway?  If you become a follower and leave me a comment, I'll put your name into the drawing for my Fall Mug Rug and a fabric pack of fifty 4-inch charm squares.  I'll randomly select a winner on Monday, Ocotber 15th--my BFF Donna G's birthday!

And thanks again to Madame Samm and our hostess, Cherry.  We couldn't have done it without you!

Until next time...
Happy quilting from Sharon and the girls, Katie and Patsy Cline




  

100 comments:

Leah said...

Lovely creations. I like how you framed your leaf block with more leaves. Looks wonderful.

sew.darn.quilt said...

Your's is a beautiful block, I just love the colours you've incorporated.
Thank you for sharing and for the chance :)

Vroomans' Quilts said...

For your first Hop, you did good girl! Lovely blocks and I really like the idea of enlarging Carol's kitty block for the table topper. Thank you for sharing with us today.

Sunshine Girl said...

Oooh they are all lovely, I love the colours you have used - this is my third blog hop now they are very addictive!

Heleen Groot said...

Great blocks. I love the leafy quilt (so far). I think you could make a quilt of that right now, but bigger IS always better in quilting.... (or for me anyway). Love the pumpkin cat. And I am very happy to see that fabric-sitting is not just restricted to my cat!

Gill said...

great blocks! and fabulous colours! Thank you for the link to quilters cache - I'll check it out!
I'm a new follower!

Sue said...

I love your pumpkin! It is so cute. I think it would really good at my house!

Lesley said...

Wonderful projects! Especially love the little pumpkin kitty block...so cute!

charlotte said...

Very nice job. You will not be thrown out of blogland or any hops.

Theresa said...

You had no need at all to worry, your blocks are gorgeous. I especially love the little pumpkin and cat and the basket is fabulous. I'm doing my first hop with UR Priceless and worrying a bit.

Farm Quilter said...

You have been a busy lady!!! Just perfect quilts for autumn - no way to pick a fav they are all so cute!!! I am following you to see what you do with your leaf blocks!

Calicojoan said...

Congrats girlfriend!!! Your post is great and your projects are fabulous as always!! I love how your setting your leaf blocks!
And you have inspired me to do a little more paper piecing. Guess I have to hop on over to Carols yahoo group and have a peek!

:-)

Thearica said...

Your first hop is a success! Your work is great!

Laura VanVleet said...

Fabulous projects! Thanks for sharing them wit the rest of us!

Sheila said...

Looks like you are ready for fall. I love all of your blocks, especially Carol's fall block. Thanks for being part of the "Leafs me Happy" hop.

gpc said...

Congrats on your first hop! I'm still working up the nerve for my first, lol. I agree about the batiks - they are addictive! All of your blocks are beautiful; great job! :)

krislovesfabric said...

Beautiful blocks, love your kitty on the pumpkin as well as the pics of Katie :)

Kathy H said...

I am a new follower and love the pictures of your cats. The maple leaf quilt is going to be gorgeous. ANd how cute with the cat and the pumpkin. The mug rugs are a great idea with all the different colors for the seasons. It turned out great too.

Catherine said...

Your blocks are just gorgeous! The cat in the pumpkin is especially cute! I am a new follower by email.

Aurea said...

This may be your first hop but it certainly isn't your first project. wonderful job and thanks for the ideas and the info.

Sparky said...

WElllll first your music made me laugh..now that is how we all should wake up with...applause...and yes I will applaud your lovely choices to sew and show today..they are all brilliant...like the smile your left on our lips today...

Julie said...

Excellent work!

Rosa said...

Beautiful blocks and fabrics.I`m enjoying the Blog hop and is nice meet new blogs and ideas.Thanks for shairng!!

louzeekreativ said...

Oh so many beautiful blocks. My favourite is the last one with the cat.

Pauline said...

You first bloghop? You did great! The leaves are super, the kitty block is nice... what a great show!

Linda said...

What cute projects - especially the sweet little kitten poking out of the pumpkin!
I'm a new follower!

Daryl @ Patchouli Moon Studio said...

Oh that black cat and pumpkin are just darling.

Carol Swift said...

You did great for your first blog hop..love your table topper! Your kitties are so darn cute. :O)

Nancy in IN said...

Love the mug rug. So much fun. Don't you love Carol's creation. I used for post cards.
Thanks for sharing.

Marjorie's Busy Corner said...

your pieces are lovely..very fun!

Needled Mom said...

Very nice work and your fall setting looks so pretty.

Suze said...

You should not have had any anxiety about your first time in a hop. You aced it. Nice job on the projects and the presentation. The kitty block is cute. Blowing it up and then paper piecing it is a great idea. I love the maple leaf surrounded by the other colors. You have a great eye for color.

Thank you for taking the time to participate and share. I hope you participate again and again.

You are very generous to host a giveaway. Thank you. I certainy became a follower.

Jane's Quilting said...

Your mini quilt is adorable. I love cats, so that is perrrfect! Thank you for sharing.

Sandy D said...

Great job. I love the Cat in the pumpkin block Thanks for sharing with us

Lyn said...

I really like the cat in the pumpkin. You did a wonderful job on all and thanks for being a part of the hop!

Nancy: rangerer@sbcglobal.net said...

I am a new follower. I really like your color choices.

Anonymous said...

HELLO! LOVE THE CAT+THE PUMPKIN! I'M A NEW FOLLOWER>LOVE YOUR BLOG! THANKS FOR SHARING!

msstitcher1948@yahoo.com

WeaslerQuilts said...

I'm a new follower! Love your creations, and your sweet kitty. My name is Katie, too, so I'm somewhat biased...

JoyceLM said...

Thanks for sharing your blocks.

Anonymous said...

Sharon-Love all your work, but as a feline afficionado the peek-a-boo kitty on the pumpkin is my favorite. I have 3 furry helpers, a large gray tabby with a white tuxedo who pulled out the hem in my drapes in the front window-I think he's telling me that he doesn't like drapes in His windows, a timid but sweet orange tabby, and a petite black Bombay who pulls out pins from my quilts with her teeth. They keep life interesting as you never know what to expect. Thanks for sharing.

Chris said...

Sweet little pumpkin kitty!

deborah said...

WOW, you've been busy!! I love all of your creations!!!

Rosemary B❤️ said...

Rosemary B Here:
I love the kitty banner sooooo much
really cute
Thank you so much for sharing all of your lovely creativity

Katherine said...

Sweet fall blocks! I'm especially loving the kittie on the pumpkin... makes me think of your feline fabric helper. ;o)

Thanks so much for sharing!

Judith said...

How sweet your leafy block and love your cat in the pumpkin. Perfect for your first blog hop. I am a new follower and look forward to seeing you in your next hop. Enjoyed the music and what sweet helpers you have. You did great! See ya in Carol's group....Thanks for sharing today...Judith, Texas

Carin said...

What a great blocks and I love that little one with the cat !!
Thanks for the great give away. I'm a follower

StitchinByTheLake said...

It might be your first hop but you outdid yourself! I loved your leaf blocks but that cat...so cute! blessings, marlene

pinsandneedles said...

Love the arrangement of your leaf block. Your kitty in a pumpkin is too cute! Thanks for sharing.

Judy B said...

Wonderful blocks and you kitty hanging is too cute! I am a follower via email. Thank you for sharing and the giveaway.

Scrapbook-ChickADoodle said...

They are all terrific. Love the cat in the pumpkin, super cute table topper.

Leslie said...

I've become a follower. Love your projects.....great Fall inspiration.

Mrs.Pickles said...

lovely work thanks for sharing!

barbara woods said...

i am a follower and you did good

BizyStitches said...

Thanks for your picture parade and your story. I'm a happy new follower. Thanks for the chance to win in your giveaway.

Rebeckah Austin said...

I love the kitty pumpkin!

Tricia said...

Sharon you did a wonderful job on your blocks & you blog!! I too am a newbie blogger .... & was just thinking that I had the same thoughts on my day as you did yours. I'm a follower & look forward to see what's in the future to come. Thank You for sharing and offering a great give-away.

Sincerely,
Tricia

Maria Kievit said...

Considering you're fairly new to blog hop participating, I think you did a fabulous job! Love your little quilt blocks, and even the solid Amish colour one looks real good. Thanks for sharing.

Carrie P. said...

such fun projects you created. love the cat and pumpkin mini quilt.

Cindy said...

Lots of fun projects...you were on a roll. I love the kitty in the pumpkion...so cute.

evelyn said...

Your marmalade cat has good taste in fabric! Love the maple leaf blocks. Carol Doaks pattern made a sweet mini.

Jacquelin said...

Ya soy seguidora tuya para no perderme estos trabajos tan estupendos. Me gusta el gato de ojos verdes. Un abrazo.

Britt-Inger said...

Thank you for sharing your beautiful blocks. I love most the cat with the pumpkin
Thanks for sharing
Britt-Inger in Malmö, Sweden

SpartanBabe said...

Such cool blocks/creations! Thanks for sharing with us :o)

Michelle May-The Raspberry Rabbits said...

So fun! I love the cat and the pumpkin and I totally love the name of your blog!
xx

Patty said...

Very cute cat and pumpkin.

nhlady said...

Really GOOD job for your first blog hop. Congrats!

Thanks for the giveaway.

auntdebbiequilts said...

Beautiful work! Debbie

Terry@ a quilting blog said...

What fun projects...love your mug rug and that cute kitty and pumpkin! I'm a new follower..look forward to seeing what you create next! TFS

Betsy said...

Wonderful project. I love it!

Sheila said...

Lovely projects ,you were very creative . I am a new follower.

Helen@Till We Quilt Again said...

Wonderful Blocks! I look forward to getting your posts in the future. Happy Fall!

ThreadCatcher said...

I like your kitty pefect for cat lover's! I am a new follower. Thanks for sharing and for the chance at your giveaway.

Peggy said...

Beautiful creations. (New follower here)
Thanks,
Peggy
peggy_verdongibbs@att.net

Scrapatches said...

Hi, Sharon ...great first blog hop post. May you share many more. :)

Maple Leaf blocks in fall colors are my favorites. So one of my first quilts was all maple leaf blocks in oranges and reds and yellows. I was such a newbie that many of my blocks came out different sizes, so I had to come up with my own layout to use them all. I made a stach of placemats, too, which are getting very worn, but are still my favorites.

I have been following you and your quilty kitties for awhile, my friend.

Love your kitty in a pumpkin mini quilt. Looks something like my Butterfly kitty ... :) Pat

Gwen said...

I am a new follower! Thanks so much for the chance to win! :-) Love your maple leaves!

Kate Brown said...

Your little pumpkin is just adorable!! It really looks pretty in the stand.

Just Quilt It said...

Beautiful work. I've always loved maple blocks--so pretty. I am a new follower.

Karen said...

Gorgeous blocks. I love the cat peeking out of the pumpkin. Thanks for sharing! Signing up as a new follower. :)

maggie said...

I love your projects, well done.
Happy fall
cheers
maggie
maggiemine42@gmail.com

Teatime Creations said...

I recognize the leaf pattern. ;~}
Doesn't it look different made in different colors? I think out tastes are similar because the pumpkin cat is on my "to do' list. Nice work.

Jeanne Gwin said...

You are so cute (and I thought the same thing after doing such a poor job on the Dots on Dots blog hop but I stumbled forward and I think I'm okay now, but I will always stay on my toes. I think the worst thing in blogland to happen would be for the infamous Madame Samm to ban me! OH it gives me great fear just to think of it. You block is gorgeous and you did a wonderful job. Thanks for sharing and I am your happy new follower #114. :)

mary mahoo said...

I love the pumpkin with the cat peeking out! How cute. Thanks for sharing with us all.

LJ said...

Great blocks! I love the pumpkin/kitty block - adorable. Your camouflaging worked well; I didn't notice at all that it was a bit short. The maple leaf block is neat and I agree that batiks really are wonderful; I think they really lend themselves to nature blocks.

carla said...

Hi!!! Love your blocks!!! The kitty is adorable!!! Love all the colors!!!! The mug rug is too cute!!! I am a new follower!!! Thanks for the fun!!!

Judy said...

I think it is safe to say that you will not be thrown out of blogland. You have done some awesome work!

jules said...

Fabulous blocks, thanks for sharing.

Michele said...

I like all your projects but the colorful leaves catches my attention the most.

Robin said...

I love all your projects. You did a wonderful job for a first timer. My first one was the Bowl hop and I loved it so much that I joined the Wicked hop at the end of the month. These hops are so much fun! Beautiful job on everything!

Eileen said...

Fall is my favorite season too! I love all your fall projects and you gave me a great idea! I'm going to make some mug rugs for my friends for Christmas-we have a get together and we exchange small gifts. Mug rugs are perfect!

Cherry's Prairie Primitives said...

Loved the super cute kitty block!!

Brenda said...

Lovely maple leaf block! I love the little cat and pumpkin wall hanging! It's so cute! I'm also a new follower!
hulseybg@gmail.com

tink's mom said...

Your maple leaves are great but I really love the kitty in the pumpkin. Great job, thanks for hopping with us.Now that you succesfully completed your first hop we expect to see more of you hopping along.

Lyndsey said...

Such lovely colours in your fantastic projects. Thanks for sharing.

Oknana said...

Sharon, your blocks are just cute as so is all the work your hands do! Well done my friend!

Ariane said...

Your blocks are wonderful!!! Thanks for sharing them with us!!!

nicolesender said...

gfc follower: nicolesender
I love the cat in the pumpkin!
nicolesender(at)yahoo(dot)com

Vesuviusmama said...

Great stuff! You've got a new follower!

Karen said...

I'm a new follower. We have 2 cats who like to help me when I am quilting.

Pam said...

Hiya! What wonderful work!!! I love the Maple Leaf motif, so I love your blocks for that. Would love to see your finished quilt. I used to have a black cat---Spitfire was her name and she lived up to it---meanest little cat there ever was, but I loved her anyway. Thank you for sharing and for having the giveaway. Blessed be, hugs!!!

playamom57 at yahoo dot com

MoeWest said...

I enjoyed all of your projects, especially the cute mini with the cat in a pumpkin!