The "Crud"

As a lover of the Mitford books by Jan Karon, anytime I'm sick I think of the "Mitford crud." Not sure what I have had this week, but "The Crud" is close enough. It's probably a combination of a virus and my allergies. Perhaps, the unsung jewel of retirement is that I could stay home and just be sick. I didn't have to call for a substitute. I didn't have to worry about lesson plans. I didn't have to decide if I was sick enough to use a valuable sick leave day. I knew all was not well when I had to call my friend Debbie and cancel our sewing session for Monday afternoon. There's been plenty of soup and hot tea. I'm having trouble drinking my beloved Community Coffee (I knew I had something at this point) I've finally graduated to left-over fried rice and hamburger patties. Naps have been heavenly:) Gratefully,  I'm on the mend.

To make this sewing related, I did have a productive morning earlier this week. I cut civil war reproduction fabric for a swap later this month. I finished the binding on a quilt, but its a special project that I can't reveal. This is the backing so the secret is safe.

Recently, I rejoined The Quilt Show (internet TV program). While doing binding, I watched a couple of programs. I'll have to do this more often. It's a big improvement on daytime TV.

Layer Cake Quilt Along

Ok, girls! Who's going to join in the Layer Cake Quilt Along?  Konda from the  blog Moose on the Porch Quilting has planned another fun quilt along. This is the same blog as the Jelly Roll Quilt Along. The fabric requirements as well as other details are listed on this post. The quilt along begins on November 2. 2010 until May 3rd, 2011. I'm trying to decide which layer cake to use, but 12 fat quarters can be used also. Decisions, decisions. Join in the fun!

Design Wall Monday

The blocks for my current project have been on my design wall for at least a week. Hoping that posting them on Design Wall Monday will motivate me to get the quilt top completed. The pattern is a Schnibble pattern called Paganini. I am using charm packs and fabric from Saltbox Harvest by Deb Strain for Moda. I absolutely love the Fall colors in this line. I have a spot in our entryway that I'd love to showcase this piece - as soon as its done. Visit Judy L.'s blog Patchwork Times to see other Design Wall Monday projects.

Fall Into Fall Quilt Bloggers Giveaways

Thanks so very much to all the wonderful folks who visited my blog and entered the Fall into Fall Giveaway. It was wonderful having so many folks visit my blog and leave comments. Thank you for your visits! I have discovered many new and wonderful blogs and bloggers. Please come again and visit real soon.

The winner of the Good to Go tote bag/purse and eye glass case is Susan from the blog Hanging on By a Needle and Thread. Susan, please send me your address so I can get the package into the mail early next week.

It's finally here. The Fall Into Fall Quilt Bloggers Giveaway has officially begun. From October 1st to October 15th, bloggers who also quilt have joined in a super fun blog hop. Debi who blogs at Quilting with Debi has organized a fabulous Fall event. Discover MANY wonderful blogs, make new blogging friends and perhaps win a prize or two from the giveaways. Each participating blogger is hosting a giveaway on their site. Visit the blog hop site to find a list of the quilting bloggers on the right side and the business bloggers on the left. Join in the blog-hopping fun! I first participated in the Fall Into Fall Blog Hop two years ago as a blog visitor. I had such a good time that I've been hoping since then that Debi would host another blog hop, but this time I wanted to participate with a giveaway. 

I love Fall! Here in Georgia we do experience a colorful season change. I love the falling leaves....

visiting pumpkin patches and eating pumpkin treats

One of my most favorite things is to visit the apple orchards and warehouses in the North Georgia Mountains. We didn't have experience apple season growing up in Louisiana. (Crawfish season is something we did embrace)

Reading pumpkin and apple stories to primary students for years and watching "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown." Yahoo for Fall!

I know you're saying enough of the Fall Tribute. Where's the giveaway? I searched my sewing room. I wanted my giveaway to reflect Fall, but also help reduce my stash. I remembered that I still had lots of fabric from making my own Good to Go bag. Lots of luscious Chelsea Lane fabric in fall tones from Pat Sloan. That was it. The past few days I've been in my sewing room putting the new bag together.

This Summer I had the opportunity to use my friend Jane's Studio Cutter from Accuquilt. This made my project easier as most of the fabric was already cut into strips. The Good to Go bag from Silver Thimble Quilt Company is made from string-pieced blocks. 

My giveaway is this Good To Go tote bag Plus 

an eyeglass/sunglass case to match the bag.

 To enter the giveaway, please leave a comment telling me your favorite thing about Fall. For an extra chance to win, please leave an additional comment saying that you have signed up to become a Follower of my blog or tell me that you already follow my blog. International visitors are welcome to enter the giveaway. Good luck, friends! The winner will be announced on October 15th.