Baltimore Album Quilt Blocks

I have researched appliqued quilt blocks, both on Etsy and Artfire. It seems that everyone selling these blocks simply fuse the fabric to the background and leave you to do the finishing work. I think I might be the only one either of these sites to sell completely finished blocks, ready to use.
I have just started a new collection of blocks, my favorite, Baltimore Album blocks. Here's what I have so far.

If all this isn't enough, I go through great lengths to make a great block. Check out the work on the back. I draw all the tail threads to the back and thread them through the stitching. These stitches will never come out.

Sad News

You may remember a while back when I was posting a block exchange I called The ZizzyDot block swap. Sometimes it was called ZizzyDot + 1 but I never did tell you who the plus one was. It was my dear friend Ann who lived in Pennsylvania.
Ann and I never met face to face but were Internet pals since we met on Alex Anderson's message board back in 2000. She was known online as AuntAnn. What many people didn't know was how kind and generous she was. She always stayed anonymous and in the background. She, like me, was accused of many nasty things she did not do.

One of the things we both had in common was our love of quilts and our desire to not make crap as so many people were posting back then. Ann and I exchanged blocks on and off for several years. Here is an example of her fine work, with perfect matching points and no twisted seams. Keep in mind that these blocks are only 6 1/2" square.

It is sad for me to say, but my dear friend has passed away. I received an email from her brother that she had gone in March but no additional information.
Rest in Peace my friend, I will miss you.

Thimbles

There was a time when I collected thimbles, not so much the ones that you can sew with, but more the ones that say where you've been. I haven't seen any anywhere in a long time until this cruise. We went on a 10 night cruise to the Caribbean and I could sure get used to that lifestyle. We stopped at 5 different islands, the first being St. Thomas.

Every island has you going through souvenier shops to board your ship, and that's where I found my first thimble. I made it a point to look for a thimble each island we visited. St. Thomas, St. Kitts, Barbados, Domenica and St. Maartens are the stops we made and thimbles I got.

Now What?

Have you signed up for the Etsypreneur daily tips? I have because I am trying to increase my Etsy sales. Sometimes I wonder however if the advice is right for me. Todays' tip is about having a blog and sticking with it. The email ends with

Actually, there is one more thing. Persistent Patience. Keep going. Keep writing. No comments, no problem. No readers, no worries. Keep going. Keep writing. You'll find the voice inside you. If you don't give up first...

...well I wonder.  I started this blog back in September 2007. In all this time this blog has not grown past the small handful that visit regularly (Hi Lin, Dotti, Anne and you all know who you are). I am fairly certain that this blog has brought me zero sales, of course it was started way before my Etsy shop but I'm just saying. I'm still looking for my "voice" and I am wondering what's the point? I still can't really say what I would like, for fear I would piss off way too many people. Should I stay or should I go? Should I close it down for visitors and leave it so only I could read it?
I am leaving tomorrow for a much needed 10 day cruise in the Eastern Caribbean. Perhaps I'll just think about it some more.

Basically, It's like Ya know?

When and how did Basically and Like overtake the English language? It really irritates me. Ask someone what the weather is like outside and you're likely to get the answer "Basically, it's like raining, ya know?"
1.  If I knew I would not have asked
2.  Is it raining or is it "like" raining?
3. Why does every sentence have to begin with the word Basically?
Do you think I'm wrong? Try watching an unscripted TV show such as The Peoples Court or a newsman interviewing a witness to an accident. Have a short conversation with your husband or best friend and see how many times they say "like" in 5 minutes.
 I may not use proper English all the time, but seriously, does every other sentence have to have these words in them?
Which brings me to Seriously....how did that creep into every conversation?

April Block Lotto

It's been a while since I joined in the fun, but this month's block is too cool to pass up. You can get more info on how to make the block and how to enter the block lotto contest here http://www.blocklotto.com/.

Pinterest

Have you heard about Pinterest? It's the hottest new thing on the internet and crafters, quilters and Etsians are rushing to join. I've got to keep up with the times so I have joined the crowd and have created a 3 boards so far. Come and visit me (and sign up if you want) here at
http://pinterest.com/zizzybob/