Winners!

We haven't been having the snow that so much of the country has been getting, but we have been grey and gloomy with quite a bit of rain around here. As much as I like winter, I'm actually getting tired of it. Yesterday the sun came out for a bit, and I spied a bright spot of yellow out in the yard. Isn't this a welcome sight? The first crocus this year! They are struggling though, as the deer are trying to munch on them, which is pulling them up by the roots. Yesterday while out driving around, I saw a fruit tree in bloom and also a rhododendron in full bloom! Last year we didn't get this sort of happening until April!

OK, now to get to the giveaway. I'm sure everyone has just been holding their breath, waiting. . .

Since I couldn't interest either of the kitties in this, DH did the drawing for us. (In the lovely pottery bowl that he made . . . it's not for sale. It's mine, all mine!) First up was the drawing for Giveaway #1: Spots & Dots. *drumroll, please*

And the winner is . . .

Melinda of Melinda Quilts ETC!

Next was the drawing for Giveaway #2: Handdyes.

And the winner is . . .

Wendy of Inky Threads blog!

I'll be contacting both ladies to let them know they've won, and to get their snail mail addresses. Thank you to everyone for your participation. This was fun, and I wish I could send something to everyone that entered.

I remade the wonky Windmill blocks for Clare. You can't tell from the photo that they're any different than these, but these blocks are actually the correct size! They are currently en route to France.

I've been trying to work on the Lazy Gal Liberated Amish Challenge, in spite of the sinus infection that won't quit. (more antibiotics, thanks) I've decided on this 9-Patch quilt as my inspiration, but this quilt kept calling my name. So I gave in.

I'm calling this my "warm up" quilt. It's quite small, as the star blocks are only 6 inches. See that missing border? For this challenge, we have to include words somewhere on the quilt. That is where my word will be going. It's currently under construction. One more letter to go. Then I get to decide if that border will be the top, bottom or side of the quilt.

Here is the palette I've decided on for the 9-Patch quilt I'll be making. These are Cherrywood fabric and I love these colors.

Here's the first two 9-Patch blocks I've made. I was really testing the size on these. I'm not sure they're wonky enough, or exactly how wonky I want to make this quilt. I'm planning on approximately lap-sized, and it will be for me. So I just have to make up my mind what I want. But I have lots more 9-Patches to sew. I'll be throwing in some wonkier blocks than this, at the very least. I was uninspired by these at first, but I'm started to get excited now.

Today the LQS was having a Fat Tuesday sale, today being Mardi Gras! Not that I need one more fat quarter, but she had all the FQ's on sale for 1/2 off! So, two FQ's for $2.50. I wanted to show my support for this store that is struggling to make it, so this is what I bought. No particular reason, I just liked these. They looked bright and cheery!