c&t review . . .

To Be An Elm Creek Quilter

I am a huge fan of the Elm Creek series. I adore reading, and to be able to read about quilting to boot, well, that's a huge plus for me! That was the initial draw for me; it was an Elm Creek quilting book.

As I started paging through it, I realized it's actually a compilation of blocks done by several *real* women, who entered their blocks in a 'spirit of Elm Creek quilting' contest. The finalists' blocks were then put together into an Elm Creek sampler quilt, which is quite beautiful. There's lots of eye interest!

The book is well laid out, with clear instructions for each block. That being said, however, I wouldn't recommend it to the beginner quilter! There were plenty of well-shot photos, and a nice "Quilting 101" section at the back of the book. The templates were all concise and clearly labeled.

What I missed in this particular book was story dialogue. It didn't feel like there was anything, other than the title, that actually connected the book to the series. Even a small blurb about why each woman created the pattern she did would have been nice. This may not be a big deal to some, but because what drew me to this book was my love for the series, the lack of story dialogue disappointed me greatly.

C&T Book Review - My Whimsical Quilt Garden

This was such a fun read and project. From beginning to end, this book is full of step-by-step instructions, colorful how-to photos, and helpful hints and tips that will be appreciated by both the novice and the experienced applique quilter. The patterns are darling and leave the reader anxious to get to the design wall. The blocks can be put together or used separately. And if there are others out there like me, who need inspiration, there are lots of ideas for different projects using the assorted patterns. "My Whimsical Quilt Garden" is a great find and a terrific addition to any quilter's library!

One thing that did disappoint me is that C&T wants the Creative Troupe reviewers to review the book, but not the patterns themselves, which in my mind is an integral part of the book offering. So please note that I *did not* get to see or work with the actual patterns and my review does not cover them!

If you are interested in joining the C&T Creative Troupe, click HERE!

:)

happy wed-nes-day!

Only TWO more days to go HERE and enter to win my fabulous giveaway!

One of the benefits of not working on Mondays is that the middle of the standard work week comes *very* quickly and painlessly! :) This week I'm off on Friday as well (my mom & dad are coming into town to meet their new (and first) great-grandchild -- yay)!!! What a nice work week for me! I believe I'll take my mom out to lunch at Emma's Tea Room on Friday. One of my *most favorite* tea places!

I forgot to mention that I received, via e-mail, the first e-book for review from C&T. The only down to the book is that it doesn't include the patterns, so I can't really speak about them, which is unfortunate (especially since such a big part of reviewing an applique book would include the quality / layout / spacing of the patterns. I'll make it work. I picked out a simple, cute square to work with and I'll have something in the next two weeks to show for it. Other than the pattern thing, the book itself is fun, and I enjoyed my initial flip through it! Whimsical is a good word in the title -- the birds crack me up!

I also finally got around to putting out my Easter things that I saved from the house.

You know, since we've moved in, I've had fall/Thanksgiving decorations out, Christmas decorations out, winter decorations out (yes, I have "winter" decor!), Valentine decorations out and now Easter/spring decorations! I hope I've got something to fill all this space when there's no holiday! LOL!

And I didn't forget the outside . . . of course, I've already talked about this door decoration. My door wreath (or the wren's home, depending on who you talk to)!

The wren was nestled in BEHIND the bunny. I didn't stand a chance!

Our weather is *so* beautiful today! It's supposed to get up into the 70's by this afternoon. I am wearing my Yellowboxes today, in anticipation! My MM (Mighty Man) took off to go fishing it's so wonderful today. Oh for that luxury . . . ! (Said the girl who's only working three days this week. Hmmmm.)

Have a happy and quilty day!

:)

a final look back at the day . . .

Listen. I know that blog entries with pictures are more fun, but I included lots of links that *do* have pictures, so stick it out. Okay? :)

I had a pleasant afternoon; I took advantage of Quilting Gallery's blog resources and checked out quilt blogs from around the country. I peeked in and out of about thirty or so; made comments and some friends! It really is a terrific resource for both quilt blogs and quilt shops . . . to check it out you can either hit the button on the right side or, to go directly to the directory, click here. How easy is that?!? Maybe you'll make some new friends too! Tell 'em I said, "Hey!"

Another fun thing I stumbled on today? Silk-Dyed Eggs {aka TIE-Dyed!} from the Our Best Bites blog. You simply must check this out. I can't wait to hit the thrift store tomorrow and find some wacky silk ties! I'm gonna have me some art-deco eggs this year for Easter! :) I enjoy this blog even though it's not a quilting blog. Shhhhh, don't tell on me!

Yesterday I had read an interesting tidbit on Mama Spark's World blog about C&T Publishing. Now I believe I've mentioned a time or two thousand, how much I love books; I hated giving up my library (okay, it wasn't that bad, since I kept all my quilting books), and I've determined that I really *shouldn't* (which is different than won't) buy any new (or even gently used) books, quilting, cooking or otherwise. (Tell Mama Spark I said, "Hey!" too, please!)

So I was really psyched about this C&T thing. On March 10th, they introduced this reviewer program, through C&T Creative Troupe. You apply to become a member. It's not a difficult process; they want to know your name, your address, the name of your blog (if you've got one), the craft(s) you prefer, the name and birth date of your first born (j/k), and do on. Ah, and they want to see pictures of or links to some of your 'best' work -- their words, not mine. I just showed 'em what I'd done, which is not a considerable amount.

Then they e-mail you back within five business days (or five hours, as it was in my case) with your member number! And do you know what that entitles you to? Among other great (I'm sure) things, it allows you to get an e-book to download, read and review. FOR FREE! Every TWO weeks! This is awesome news to me! It changes my world! I requested my first one today . . . My Whimsical Quilt Garden. I can't wait to check it out! I'll add the C&T button to my blog manana!

That really was a happy find for me. Happies on Fridays are like extra-special hugs. I had a happy when I checked out my son's facebook and found he'd posted a video of Sawyer. I watched it over and over and over! I wish I could successfully link to it, so you could watch it over and over and over, too. LOL! Hey, since I *can't* link to it, you can humor me here! :)

But the happiest moment of the day came as I was driving down the road, heading home. I had the sunroof open and was just enjoying the drive and the knowledge that it was the weekend and that the sun was warm, when all of a sudden, it hit me.

It was as if all the trees had been collectively holding their breath, waiting for this first beautiful, warm & sunny day. And when it came, they could hold it no more and with a *WHOOSH* they exhaled and their branches -- seemingly bare just yesterday -- were filled with tiny, unfurling, green leaf buds . . . and the promise of pink and red and purple blossoms . . . and their limbs stretched to the sun as if to say, thank You!

And it filled the air with the promise of new life, and my heart with unspeakable joy. The kind of joy that comes only from the Lord Almighty. I think it's so appropriate that we celebrate the risen Savior during the season of Spring. Our Hope springs eternal, and new life He brings.

He is why I can count it all joy!!

:)