Block Buddy April Challenge

April was my month to decide our group's challenge, so I selected an easy project from All Stitched Up. ( www.allstitchedup.blogspot.com/2007/06/spiral-steno-pad-cover.html )

Was able to make this cute steno notebook cover with two fat quarters and a batting scrap in under an hour. The Dollar Store has the steno notepads for $1.00, so you have an inexpensive, thoughtful gift in no time. Would be great for keeping lists, college students or meeting notes.

AniLee National Quilt Day Hunt

When I started this blog, it was with the intention of posting only finished projects, but am making an exception with this top.

AniLee (http://www.anilee.net/) hosts a Treasure Hunt several times a year and I usually participate. About twenty shops hide a link on-line and you have to search the site, click on the link to gather the clue. Once you gather a certain number of clues, you are given a down-loadable pattern. As a special treat, they provided a one day hunt for National Quilt Day--a shop hop from your computer!

This hunt also had a contest to go along with it. If your top was completed by April 30, it was eligible for a chance to be on the cover of the pattern when it goes on sale, as well as free quilting and binding. A panel of judges will determine the winner.

Seems I get much more done if I have a dead-line, but the stress is just too unbearable to live that way for any length of time! The black background shows off the hand-dyed and batik fabrics contrasting with the various colors of stars in deep space. Wonder if it resembles what the Great Designer saw when creating the universe?

New Jersey's 8th Annual Shop Hop

It's springtime and that means "hopping" around New Jersey in my third shop hop! This year, the hop was scheduled during the kids' spring break, so rather than drag them over 300 miles, my wonderful parents took them for an over-nighter. The red charm squares are the perfect color!

Started collecting five inch squares, patterns, recipes and charm bracelet charms in Englishtown, then went to Morris Plains, Clinton, Pennington and Mount Holly the first day. My DH took a day from work (and made arrangements for the dog!) so he could go with me to Forked River, Ocean City and have a date night. After church on Sunday, we visited the last store in Haddonfield and turned in my completed passport for the prize drawing.

Purchased the finishing kit from The Village Quilter for the second year in a row--Susan has a knack for designing the perfect layouts. Of course, I haven't finished last year's quilt (where does the time go?!?), so I had better get going.

If you have a free weekend in April, consider participating in the New Jersey Shop Hop (http://www.njshophop09.com/). Each shop is situated in a "charming" town in New Jersey and you come away with a unique quilt project. (Sorry about the pun--just couldn't resist!)