UFO Incentive

Rhonda from Quilter in the GAP is encouraging quilters to finish up UFOs by hosting a quarterly finish along.  I missed out on the first quarter, but I am signing up to finish a few UFOs for this quarter.  The sign up is open for one more week so you still have time to take part.  I'm eager to display the items that have been sitting around looking for attention that I am targeting for this quarter.  These are shown in no particular order.

I started this quilt last summer using a tutorial by Sharon from Vrooman's Quilts.  All of the blocks are together.  It needs to be layered, basted, quilted, and bound.

I haven't touched my postage stamp quilt since I started it 2 weeks ago.  I  have all of the 2.5 charms cut and I'm determined to get it finished.

This paper pieced batik quilt was started as part of the "Too Good to Cut" Challenge two years ago.  The pattern was for a wall quilt, but I will add a few more blocks, make it lap size and call it finished.

This quilt was started about 18 months ago.  It is from one of the PS I Love You books.  I love the 3 dimensional pinwheels.  I don't know why I stopped working on this one.  I really like it and think it will be a great baby quilt.

This was made for Marcia's Scrappy Quilt Challenge back in January it just needs to be layered, basted, quilted and bound.
Five quilts seems like a lot for me.  I have only finished one quilt, a dryer topper, hamper topper, and a tabernacle cloth for my church in the first 3 months of this year.  I think it is doable since 2 of the items are completed tops and 2 of the others just need a few blocks to be finished.  I would like to use the first quilt for Sarah's H2H Charity Challenge which is due on May 27th so I will work on that this week.  It's not to late to enter the H2H Challenge for 2012 so check the link or the button on the sidebar to see what it is all about.

May For Me Bingo (Edited to add bingo card master sheet info)

Sharon of Vrooman's Quilts, Tonya of Hillbilly Handiworks, Marcia of Marcia's Crafty Sewing & Quilting, and Snoodles at Lily Pad Quilting are four of the most prolific and generous bloggers I know.  They are having a special blog event in May.  The May for Me Celebration will have games, giveaways, and even a Grand Prize donated by Green Fairy Quilts.
I was lucky enough to win a pack of novelty squares at Marcia's blog to start me in the right direction.  I went over to Sharon's blog for the tutorial to make my very own Bingo card and to Tonya's blog to read about the prizes and rules.

These are the charms Marcia sent me.

 This is my Bingo board.

This is my Bingo board with the Master Card listing my objects for the game.

      B                                I                               N                         G                          O

Hens                    Pocket Watches         Stars                Cactus                Mosaic

Fireworks            Dragonflies                Plums               Golf Ball             Chick

Card Suits            Flowers                    Free Space        Frog                   Purple Cat

Monkey               Sunflower                 Tomatoes          Kitty Cat             Raspberries                                                                                                    

Snowflake            Smiley Face              Handbag            Holly leaves         Thread Spools                                                                                                        

It's not too late to join.  You must link up your Bingo board from April 15th through the 22nd.  If you use Sharon's tutorial, you'll be ready in no time.  All you need is twenty five 2.5 inch charms.  While you are checking out the Bingo tutorial on Sharon's blog, be sure to allow time for a visit because she has lots of wonderful things to see and learn about.

Thank you to everyone who wrote and asked about my daughter's eye problem.  We are optimistic because the blind spot has stayed the same size.  She is scheduled to see the neuro-ophthalmologist on April 23rd.  We hope he will be able to give us some good news.  On the bright side, she was accepted by every graduate school she applied to and was offered a scholarship (not full, but generous) to the university that was her first choice.  I'm already scouting quilt shops near the campus.

More Postage Stamp Charms around the Web and here too

If you still haven't gotten your fill of postage stamp charms, Mary of The Curious Quilter, is having a Postage Stamp Charm swap.  If you are a newbie and do not have enough to swap, you can request a 50 charm gift pack.  In addition to the 5 charm packs I offered yesterday, I have 5 more packs of 100 two inch charms available.  Feel free to request one.  I am also offering free Newbie packs at Mary's blog.  She has made lots of postage stamp quilts to provide you with inspiration.  

Who Knows Where The Time Goes

Judy Collins has always been one of my favorite singers.  I love her song, "Who Knows Where The Time Goes."  It has a beautiful haunting melody.  Unfortunately, hearing the song never motivates me to get going and conquer my procrastination.  I find that if I miss a week of blogging it turns into a month.  It is so easy to get out of the habit.
I was motivated to post today after opening my mail.  I received a lovely package from the UK sent by Elaine at A Little Bit of Heaven as part of the St.Patrick's Day Blog Hop and Giveaway.
It was wrapped so beautifully, that I took pictures as I unwrapped it.  This was the outer box.

 Now it is opened,

 These were the lovely goodies inside:  an embroidery pattern with some applique, ribbons, and gorgeous buttons.

After I took the pictures, I realized that I have been the recipient of many lovely items in the last few months and have not posted them yet.  I'll be playing catch-up for the rest of the week posting some of  items, but for now, I would like to give away something of my own.
There has been a lot of excitement about scrap quilting this year.  I have been doing my best to keep up with the various quilt a longs with only minor success.  One of the patterns that has caught my eye is the Fading Charms Quilt by Deanna at Blue Wedding Dress.  I am using 2.5 inch charms and have finished piecing the middle.  Now I am starting to put together the side rows.

I had originally intended to use 2 inch charms, but decided that larger squares would work better for my needs.  If you would like a head start on making a postage stamp style quilt, I would be happy to send you a pack of 100 two inch charms.  Since this is a giveaway and not a swap, any novelty charms in the pack are not fussy cut.  I have 5 packs to share (there are no repeats in the 100 charm packs.

They are wrapped in plastic and ready to be mailed.  Please leave a comment.  I will close the comments on on Friday, April 13th.  No hoops to jump through; just let me know if you want them.  I am willing to mail internationally.