Celebrate the Red, White, and Blue Blog Hop and giveaway!

Have you ever thought of the history and the importance of flags? People have used flags for over 4000 years. Flags come in different sizes, shapes, and colors. They can be used for special events, or to represent something special, or give a special message. Think about all the times you have seen a flag and what was the occasion? In America each one of our states has its own flag to represent that state. As a whole country we have one red, white, and blue flag to represent the United States of America. I love to see our flag waving in the breeze. This past Independence Day there is one town nearby that lines the main street with the "Stars and Stripes." I have my own "Old Glory" hanging from my porch. 

My block for the hop is one of the symbols of our country. The flag. I have been collecting the Quiltmaker's 100 blocks magazine since they came out. This block is in the very first issue. It is called Patriotic Pinwheel by Susan McDermott. When I saw it in the magazine I knew one day I would make this block. Now is the time. My block is done by hand applique using the back basting technique. You can see a tutorial on my side bar if you would like to learn how to do it.

I decided to make my block into a mini quilt. So I practiced my free motion quilting. I used the pencil first to practice the design. Then it was time to quilt the block. This is the backside of the block.

Here is my finished block!

Now for the giveaway! For my American friends I have a wool door knob hanger that I made and a fat quarter of red and white fabric.

For my friends in other countries I will send you a half yard of red, white, and blue fabric.

All I need you to do is answer this question to be entered in the giveaway! Do you hang a flag from your country outside to show your patriotism? Also, make sure to let me know which country you are from. I will announce the two winners on July 10th.

After you get done on my blog why not go over to the other blogs for today and see what they made. You can see the whole schedule by clicking on the button at Janes Fabrics. Thanks Jane for being our fabulous hostess for this blog hop. Thanks to Madame Samm for putting the fun idea out there for us to participate.


Why Knot Kwilt?
Quilt Quest
Crafty Imaginings by Jen
Sew Me Something Good
Grandmama's Stories


With Passion,
Carrie P.

How about...

a little show and tell from my applique addicts bee!

 This first quilt was made by Susie. She is in the process of hand quilting it. Look close at the leaf with the fussy cut bug on it. The chosen fabrics add such detail.

 This one was made by Toni who took a class to learn how to do that very interesting circle around the rooster.

 This top was made by Patti. It is a Lori Smith pattern. Wouldn't that be a sweet quilt for a little girl's room?

Now I am inspired to go to my quilt studio! How about you?
With Passion,
Carrie P.

Happy Birthday! America!

While the storm clouds gather far across the sea,

Let us swear allegiance to a land that's free,

Let us all be grateful for a land so fair,

As we raise our voices in a solemn prayer.

God bless America,

Land that I love.

Stand beside her, and guide her

Through the night with a light from above.

From the mountains, to the prairies,

To the oceans, white with foam

God bless America, My home sweet home

God bless America, My home sweet home.

                                 (Irving Berlin, 1918)

Wishing you a very happy 4th!

With Passion,
Carrie P.


ps there are more red, white, and blue blocks to see. Stop by Jane's.

Do you Thangle? Garden Update and a win!

I don't remember where I got these Thangles but I thought I would get them out and make some half square triangles. If you go on the web site you can get instructions how to use them.. They come in all different sizes. If you have to make a lot of half square triangles this might be what you want to use. I also use Triangles on a Roll sometimes.

 The reason I got my Thangles out was to make a donation block for the QuiltCon  block challenge. My area Modern Quilt Guild  is sending blocks to be put in quilts for the Austin Children's shelter. You are supposed to use all or a few colors from the logo to make a block. As you can see I chose just two colors. I made more half square triangles than I needed but this is the block I created. The blocks will also be judged and those that win will be put in a raffle quilt. I don't expect mine to win because of the ones I have seen on the flickr page. I am still trying to step out of my "traditional" box.

Well, lookee here! This is why we have a deer fence up around the garden. Good Thing!

 We harvested our potatoes. I was talking to a man at the farmer's market who was selling potatoes. So I started talking to him about them. He said I should dig them up because of the heat wave we are having. He said they could actually bake in the ground. We had no idea what we would find but here is what we dug up. The good ones are in a boot shoe box and probably weighs 25 pounds. The ones on the right side are going to be eaten tonight in mashed potatoes. They have holes where something was eating on them.

 I also pulled up some onions.  I now have 5 beds that are empty and ready for more seeds. I will plant some cool season crops in a couple weeks again.

 I also won this very interesting book that is designed like a calendar during a book tour. You can see more of the pages and great quilts here. The book also includes recipes and a few other crafts. It really is a sweet book. Thanks Melissa!

Don't forget to go by Jane's for the newest list of the Red, White, and Blue blocks.


With Passion,
Carrie P.

block and hop

I got my Blogger's BOM done. This one was designed by PamKittyMorning. 

Today starts the Red, White, and Blue blog hop. Hip, Hip, Hooray!

Every day through July 16 you can visit blogs for a block and maybe a giveaway. Check each day for the participants at Jane's Fabrics and Quilts. I am off to start my hopping! Have fun!

With Passion,
Carrie P.