Linda, we havent heard from Penny in awhile..I hope shes ok....Judy

Linda, you can try this site at quilters cache- www.quilterscache.com/ StartQuiltingPages/startquiltingfour.html - 18k -. This was only my second time to do applique and I ended up making up the whole block. I looked for bird house patterns but just didn't see one I liked. Sorry I can't be of much help. Did you check the library books? Sometimes there are some good patterns there too. Isamae

Linda, hi again. Look at this quilt and it's patterns. It has some nice floral blocks-they do have alot of pieces but maybe it will give you something to get an idea from! Hope this helps a little. http://quilterscornerclub.tripod.com/flowers_hearts_free_quilt_block_pattern.html let me know if the link doesn't work. Isamae

Thanks isamae! And I sure hope pixieab is ok too.
I'll keep looking & trying it. If it doesn't work to suit me, I'll regular piece one.
Linda

I think I've found a block to make for Penny. I want to allow plenty of time for it to clear customs. I hope we hear from her soon letting us know that she's ok.

OK. I'm using freezer paper, got my templates cut out & ironed onto my fabric pieces - finally using up some of my scraps! Anyway, does it matter what color the background is? I'm thinking of using white or cream for the background. Anything I need to know before I go to the next step?
Linda
It has been awhile since we've heard anything from Penny. I hope she's ok & will answer us soon.

I ran across this site that has free quilt and quilt block patterns...including garden-ish ones. Thought it might be helpful for those of you who, like me, are agonizing over what to do for Penny.
Helen

Here is a link that might be useful: How Stuff Works

OK. I found out I'm no good at applique. I can't find a stitch on my machine that looks good when I'm stitching my pieces down. Uhhhh!
So now I'm looking for a regular pieced block for Penny. Anyone heard from her yet?
Linda

I heard from her. She is fine. She has been away from home for the last month or so. And been very busy and unable to check in on us. But she is fine and dandy.

Amy

OH! That is such good news Amy. Thanks for letting us know. Now to get busy on her block.
Linda

Happy Birthday a little early Penny! I wasn't sure how long things take to get through customs and I'll be out of town so I needed to send your block off today. I hope you like it and have a happy birthday!! btw- It is also my mother's birthday that day! Can you please leave a post or email when your block arrives so I know it made it there? Thanks. Isamae

Penny , Iam mailing your BRithday Block tomorrow
Hope you like it .

Happy Birthday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

betty

Please help, sisters! Would someone in the group send me a source for 1930s off-white fabric for Lynn's block? OR
If someone has extra I'll pay for some plus shipping and handling! My LQS doesn't have any and I can't locate it online...thought I found it once, but lost it on my Favorites list!
Thank you. Mollie elliottpm@cox.net

Hey Mollie. Who is Lynn?

i'm almost done with my block. got it all done and looked and had part in wrong, so i have ripped out and pressed. but am on jury duty and then working on my regular job. so will finish and mail sat. hope it won't be to late.

Whoops, sorry, wrong group. You'd think with 50-50% chance I'd get it right once in a while!

That's ok mollie. I just thought I'd missed one in my group.

I just mailed your block today pixieab! Be on the lookout for it & let us know when you get it.
Has anyone else mailed your block yet?
Linda

I received my block from Penny/PixieAP. It is beautiful. I need to get busy on hers this week. As soon as I get this posting picutres thing figured out I'll post a picture.

Penny I mailed your block last week and I just got and email from Judy with a correction of your address on it . Iam sure the block will be returned and pass your Birthday !! I wish I would have gotton that email before mailing it to you .

betty

Hi Penny & Betty! I had already mailed the block with the wrong spelling on it too. All I'm hoping is one of the postal workers will know what it's supposed to be & send it on to you, Penny. Let us know if/when you get the blocks.
Linda

Hey Penny,
Mailed your block earlier this week. Happy Birthday and I hope it gets to you soon.
Georgia

EEEEEK!

Sorry, Penny, my block also went out to the town with the original spelling. Hopefully, the postal code is more important than the town. Anyway, have a happy birthday!

Judy in Massachusetts

I'm late, but working like crazy on the block!
Mollie

I am starting back at square one. I'm new to applique and was about halfway done and totally screwed it up. So, tomorrow I will start fresh and I will get it done and in the mail by Tuesday (I hope!)

i also had some problems with my block but it goes in the mail as is. am sorry for being so late. 2 weeks of jury duty on a bad trial and then going in after 5 and working several hours on my reg. job has left me not the best.mon will be in the mail.

Penny, your block is heading out today...hope you get it by your birthday...Judy

Penny, your block is at the post office. It should go out tomorrow...so it won't arrive on your birthday, but it will be winding its way to Canada while you celebrate.
Sue

Penny,
I'm running quite late with your block - my apologies! However, it will go in the mail in the AM.
Happy Belated Birthday!!!
Helen

Penny,
Any blocks show up yet??

Hi All

Thank you for all your concern. The last 6 mos or so have been very busy, nerveracking, and tiring but things are slowly returning to a slight sense of normalcy. My Mom was quite ill and lives about 4 hrs away....spent a lot of time back and forth. She is doing much better and has consented to getting in some local help as she refuses to leave her home of 55+ years and my sisters and I are too far away to be of any immediate help and/or to keep up the pace we have. It's a start.

Thank you all for the birthday wishes...Had a great day.
Temp was about 16C (60F?), had dinner with friends, then hubby and I went for a short motorcycle ride.
Today is quite a different story.....raining/snowing, temp 1C (32F) with forcast/weather warnings of 20-30mm (6-8in) of snow overnite. Should be fair interesting on the roads in the morning. At least we know it won't last long.

I received blocks from Betty and Linda(noocha) today, as well. Thank you both so much. Love the appliqued wateringcan and tulips, Betty and Linda, the pieced block is terrific. Love the wateringcans and flowers on the feature fabric.
I belong to a group that meets once a month for lunch and get a block to work on for the next month (BOM w/lunch) at my LQS("Rumpled Quilt Skins"....what a great name for a quilting/fabric store, heh?!). Took the blocks with me and all were very impressed and intrigued with the concept of an online group that exchanged blocks for birthdays. So of course I had the perfect opportunity to brag about what a great bunch of gals you all are!!
Will keep you updated as blocks arrive.

Penny

Oh! That is so good! I was really worried it was gonna go astray with the wrong zip code & the misspelled city name. Sounds like you had a pretty good birthday. (What kind of motorcycle do you have?)
And the quilt shop name! That was some creative thinking!
So glad to hear from you. Just check in once in awhile girl. We worry when we don't hear from all of you gals.
Linda

Penny - watch for your block soon - I hope - I mailed it Tuesday. So glad your Mom is better! I love that name for the quilt shop - clever of them! I discovered a new shop this spring, in a town near me - "Seams to Be". But then I think all quilters are, in general, very creative people.

Hi Penny!!
So happy you got the block that I sent .
And glad that you like it . My drawing is not to good but I tryed .

Post pictures when you can .

Hope your MOM is doing okay !!

betty

Hi everyone in the Sunbonnet Susies group. I was wondering what the protocol is about blocks getting lost and such. Being new to this. How long do you wait? I haven't heard from Penny but obviously she hasn't gotten the block that I sent (the beginning of April) with the same wrong address as the others had. Just wondering what all of you do in this situation. Thanks. Isamae

Melissa (Isamae), your block arrived today. Thankyou so very much!! I do a lot of machine applique, but have never tried needle turn applique. Your work is beautiful.

Betty, I meant to ask where you found the pattern...it's perfect. thanks again.

Penny

Yeaaaaa!!! This so makes my day! I'm so glad you got the block and I'm glad you like it. Can't wait to see all the pics. Isamae

Penny ,this is the website that I found your watering can pattern .

betty

Here is a link that might be useful: watering can pattern

Hi All

Sharon, your lovely block arrived today. It's going to fit in beautifully. Love the fabric you used for the flowers, really makes them come alive. Yours is the second needle turn block I've received...never tried this technique before as it always sounded so difficult. Will have to give it a try. I really enjoy machine applique using decorative stitches along with, and in place of satin stitching.

Linda, we have a Yamaha RoyalStar. We're in the planning stages for a 'tour' vacation this year. Really looking forward to it

Betty, thanks for the website link....love the watering can.

Penny

Could you post pictures when you get all your blocks - it sounds like they will make a lovely quilt!

Four more blocks arrived today!!

Thanks to Sue for the appliqued watering can on a raindrop background...love it; to Scootersgirl and Juttz for the pieced birdhouses...they're terrific and none alike so far; and to Patti60 for windowpane block of birds, butterflies and pots....what a great way of showcasing the fabric(thanks for the extra piece as well).
This is going to be such a fun quilt to do. Will post pics as soon as I have all the blocks.
Thank you all so much!! Penny

i'm glad you liked the block. i just seem to have a rough time doing it this time, so the extra fabric was to use to redo if you wanted. but i'm glad you liked it and that it did arrive.

Should I be panicking yet that my block hasn't arrived? I was one who mailed it out with the wrong address. Sob...

Judy in Massachusetts

Judy, your block arrived Friday. We picked up the mail on our way out of town, so wasn't able to post sooner. Thankyou so much for the appliqued birdhouse and for the picture....yes it is nice to attach a face to a name.

Your block will be mailed tomorrow (Monday); unfortunately it probably won't reach you in time for your birthday (my friend wanted to see it before I posted it, hence the delay). I hope it fits into your nautical theme ok.

Penny

Whew!!! I'm glad you got the block despite the address error.

I'm actually looking forward to getting some of my blocks after my birthday...it just helps me celebrate longer!!!

Judy in Massachusetts

Dear Susies,
I am waaay behind with my blocks. I love doing them, but we have a crisis in our family (not health, but a legal problem) which will most probably require that my husband and I to go to Germany for probably a two-week stay. We're waiting for a trial date and have been waiting, but the government works very slowly usually. We could hear about going at any time and I have been in a bad depression.
Anyway, I'm sure I can complete all the blocks eventually if no one minds waiting an undetermined amount of time, but if there is anyone who wants to take my place, that would be good too. I am not the type who doesn't fulfill responsibilities, but I have never had a family problem that wasn't related to health of this magnitude. Thank you, Mollie.

Helen, received your block this afternoon.
Thanks so much for the lovely "windowbox of flowers".
Will post pics of blocks soon...son is just home from university; all done and now the job hunt is on. So when he gets settled I'll get him to help me post.
This is going to be one fun quilt to put together!!!
Penny

Penny,
Have you got all of them or most of them yet?
I can't wait to see them!
Linda

Mollie, your block arrived today. Thank you so much. It's definitely worth the wait. The post does give it character(lol). I have one more to go but will try to get pic of the ones I have this weekend and post next week.
Thanks again!!! This quilt is going to be such fun to assemble.

Penny