I am A TWO TIME WINNER from the Blog Hop!

One thing I have learned is that Quilter Blogger friends are generous and become wonderful friends.

I was privileged to be the WINNER--not once--but twice!   I am SEW SO Blessed.

From Gmama  Jane of  Grandmama's Stories I received a package containing not only a pin cushion but two pieces of fabric also!! 

   Gmama Jane sewed great projects for the hop. 

            Isn't this banner great!!

From Judith of Judith Handmade Treasures I received one of the FOUR Easy Dresden rulers that she gave to blogging friends from her drawing.

 She made  an awesome Dresden block for the hop.

She also made this  table topper and a paper pieced star block.  Aren't they great!!




Now I have MORE projects to think about...


Today Cole and I took a 4-Wheeler ride past the corn field.  We have been blessed with rain at the right times.  It was getting dry again..but not to the degree of those south of us.  My heart goes out to all the farmers whose crops are burning up.  We had seven years of drought a few years ago..we know what they are feeling.

Summer School Class in Preparation for Fall

I am taking a two credit class entitled "Understanding The Autism Spectrum." Which is  interesting because Autism is a disability that is growing each year and it is not known how it is caused. 

We have watched numerous videos, listened to lectures, learned strategies, have been introduced to numerous teaching materials and websites. 

Take a moment to read the facts below.  Especially the funding information.

Facts about Autism

Did you know ...

• Autism now affects 1 in 88 children and 1 in 54 boys
• Autism prevalence figures are growing
• More children will be diagnosed with autism this year than with AIDS, diabetes & cancer combined
• Autism is the fastest-growing serious developmental disability in the U.S.
• Autism costs the nation $137 billion per year
• Autism receives less than 5% of the research funding of many less prevalent childhood diseases
• Boys are four times more likely than girls to have autism
• There is no medical detection or cure for autism

Prevalence vs. Private Funding

• Leukemia: Affects 1 in 1,200 / Funding: $277 million
• Muscular Dystrophy: Affects 1 in 100,000 / Funding: $162 million
• Pediatric AIDS: Affects 1 in 300 / Funding: $394 million
• Juvenile Diabetes: Affects 1 in 500 / Funding: $156 million
• Autism: Affects 1 in 88 / Funding: $79 million

National Institutes of Health Funds Allocation

• Total 2011 NIH budget: $30.5 billion
• Of this, only $169 million goes directly to autism research. This represents 0.6% of total NIH funding.

All this is staggering and very concerning.  How do I meet the needs of a student with Autism, a student with Downs Syndrome and the Students with Specific Learning Disabilities?  I will be very thankful to be able to relax with my quilting  at night this winter!

Crowded Flowers

Last fall my DDIL-2's grandmother was  digging out her perennial flower bed.  After her daughters and granddaughters had what they wanted she offered that I could dig out any I would like.   DH has promised make a new flower bed to replace the one I lost when the highway in front of our house was widened.  So I went and dug out many flowers...Well, with DH's health issues I don't have my flower bed.  All the flowers are over crowded in the beds next to the house.

This year I planted inpatients in my barrel.

 

The  phlox have always been the purple color.  This year there is one that is white with purple on the edge of the petals. 

I am waiting for both of these to bloom.

My FIRST Granny Square

While hopping around the blogs of Red, White & Blue Hop, I noticed several quilters were working on Granny Squares.  There are several different tutorials on blog sites.  The one I tried was by Trish of Notes of Sincerity. This block is 6 1/2".

I was packing away the scraps from finishing the flimsy of  "Oh My Stars! Sampler." When I thought I would give the granny square a try.

Thank you to my blogger friends who made suggestions when I questioned including the center block in the quilt top.   I think it was Angela from So Scrappy who noticed the corner blocks would set off the four pointed star.

Four hours as a tourist!

In our area of Wisconsin we have lots summer tourists from Minnesota and Illinois.

Today was my day!  I put on the sunglasses but couldn't find a big floppy hat and away I went! (Thursday is a good day to go--it is essential to avoid the weekend.)

 First, I met a friend at the Potter's Shed Cafe for lunch.  It is only open from May through October.  

 We ate our sandwiches outside where we could listen to the wind chimes and enjoy the beautiful day.

                                   We spent two hours just talking, laughing and crying.

.  
From there, well actually I met with an insurance agent for an hour.  THEN I headed north  to the closest local quilt shop.  I just learned today that in blog talk LQS means local quilt shop.

I only purchased thread and 2 1/2 yards of sale fabric, pink and white dotted.  After all remember all the baby quilts I have to make.

I headed north again to Simply.

 It is a primitive gift shoppe in an 1907 farm house.  Vicki has antiques,  primitives, candles, wooden shelves, etc.  It is a fun place visit.  She is open May through November.

 I did buy a primitive plate and black wall bracket for it.  Also country lights to mix in my garland that is on the top of my hutch.

It was a good day. Next time maybe you could come along!

I'm going to play tourist this afternoon!

 

Washburn County Wisconsin

  Don't tell--I am going to escape this afternoon and play tourist.  I am meeting a friend for lunch at the Potter's Shed--a summer only coffee shop and cafe.  Then head to a fabric shop, Thimbles, and up the highway to a  primitive antique home decor shop, Simply,..another summer only shop..Pictures to follow!

Anyone like to go with me?

And the winner is......

The Winner of the Quilting Sign
selected by
The Random Number Generator is:

 Sheila of  Quilting In South Carolina. 

Sign made by Scrap Happy Creations.

Shelia said.

..."Love all of your blocks and your wonderful photography of each one.
Thanks for all of the inspiration.
Happy Quilting"

Congratulations Shelia!  I have sent you an email for your mailing address.

This blog hop was great.  It was my first time as a participant.  And actually the first time I have followed a complete hop.  I was so impressed with the blocks, the tutorial, and all of the 108 quilters who left comments on my blog.

A special Thank you for Jane and Madame Samm for their time and efforts putting the hop together.

Tackling MUF's & The Last Day of The Blog Hop

MUF's is a term given by Kelly of Charming Chatter.  Sometimes I am not pleased with how something is turning out so I put it away for awhile.. Other times, well you all know about other times and projects.  First project I sandwiched and quilted this weekend was a crib quilt from a tutorial on Kelly's site.    I need to finish the binding and it will be the first baby quilt in the stack for this fall and winter.     I realized that I am going to need SEVEN baby quilts between October and February!                    

Next project I sandwiched was Conner's Cars quilt.  I hope to start quilting yet tonight.

This afternoon I sorted fabric to find what I have for a baby girl quilt for October.  When I asked Sadie what colors she would like her response was, "I'd like to do her nursery very vintage floral/romantic....can't wait for all the pink!"  I found  Oasis  by 3 Sisters in my stash, I think they will work for a Shabby Chic look.  Any suggestions or opinions??  (After looking at this picture I might take out the reddish ones and go with pinks, aquas and yellows!)

 Tomorrow is supposed to be another hot day with the temperature forecast to be 96 deg. Like much of the rest of the midwest we need rain.  For a week in early June we had a full week of heavy rain. It is gone. The corn and soybean fields are under severe stress.

We celebrated Tatum's 3rd birthday on Saturday with home waterpark.  DS-2 has built a play set for the kids from what was the front deck on their house.  Another grandma bought the tube slide for them. DS-2 attached a sprinkler hose to the top of the slide.

 Then fastened the Slip & Slide to the bottom.

 Out came Conner..All the kids loved it!
Especially the birthday girl!

 I am so very blessed!

One more day to the Red, White and Blue Blog Hop!  It has been great.  I have "meet' so many awesome quilters and many great ideas.  Check out the last day on Monday!

July 16th
PolkaDotClassic

Patchouli Moon Studio

Scrappy pieces

little bits quilting

busy as can be

Madame Samm