Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Blood, Blocks, and Blog-Aversary


Almost every culture in the world has its own vampire legend, and some date back thousands of years. Tales of the supernatural had been circulating in Romanian folklore for centuries when Irish writer Bram Stoker picked up the thread and spun it into a golden tale of ghoulishness “DRACULA” that has never been out of print since its first publication in 1897. To research his immortal tale, Stoker immersed himself in the history, lore and legends of Transylvania. Count Dracula, a fictional character in the Dracula novel, was inspired by one of the best-known figures of Romanian history, Vlad Dracula, nicknamed 'Vlad the Impaler', who was the ruler of Walachia at various times from 1456-1462.

BLOCKS


This is the newest block for Paula Stoddard's 'Home Sweet Home'. All the blocks are still available if you are interested. Being only 4.5" blocks, they work up very fast.


And the next block for Shell's '12 of Hearts' BOM. Again, very quick blocks and all still available if you are interested.


The next block for Moose on the Porch FQ Star Quilt Along. Not sure I like the corner grey floral I chose - may change out with a solid grey as this is a man's quilt.


This week's blocks for Jo'sCrumb Block Quilt Along were free form log cabins. Love making these - we only needed to do 2, but I did up a dozen.


And these Spool blocks were done by Jen Dickson (PA). Love the rich earthy brown colors and she used a pattern from Quilter's Cache - a 12" block with Y-seams, that she changed sizing for the 6.5" block swap. Thank you Jen.

BLOG-AVERSARY


It is hard to believe that it will be a year on the 16th of October. It went so fast and I am so thankful for all my lovely followers. Never expected to grow so fast in this wonders of wonders "blogland". Keeping in the spirit of Halloween this month, I selected a 'StoneHenge' roll pack for my give away. To enter for the 'Stone Jewels', be a follower and tell me what your favorite Halloween costume was as a child. I will close the comments midnight Friday 21st and announce the winner Saturday (22nd) morning. **will ship international**

CLOSING THOUGHT

Q: What do you get if you cross a vampire and a mummy ?
A: Something you wouldn’t want to unwrap

Sewingly Yours,
Sharon


PS - entered my Scrappy Half Log quilt in the Quilt Gallery weekly theme contest - 'Scrappy Again'

71 comments:

Peach Rainbow said...

Congrats on your blogiversary!
Can't believe you've been blogging for only a year :D
We don't have Halloween here, so no favorite costume for me :(

Thanks for the awesome giveaway!

Anonymous said...

Congrats Sharon on your blog anniversary.
My favourite costume would have been a ghost or ghoul.
Great post i am a follower and boy you have been busy again Sharon,well done.

QuiltSue said...

It's only really in about the last 10 years that Halloween has become an event here in the UK. Waaay back, when I was a kid we didn't celebrate it at all,so I never had the chance to dress up, but if I had, I think I'd have wanted to be a ghost, or a skeleton.

Gill said...

Happy Blogaversary!
Halloween isn't such a big deal here in the UK and as children we never dressed up but my son does have a fabulous orange pumpkin costume!

Béa said...

Beautiful log cabin blocks !
Happy blogaversary. Halloween is not really something celebrated here...get out of fashion !
I will vote for you :)

Doina said...

Happy blogaversary! Great giveaway! Please count me in! I am a follower.Halloween is not a traditional holiday in Romania.

Average Quilter said...

Happy Blog-aversary. I am a follower. I have a picture that is one of my favorites -I'm dressed as a farmer, one sister is in army gear and one is a hippy. Of course back then we made our own and these were products of scrounging around the house for anything that would work.

Sarah Craig said...

Congratulations on a year blogging! I can't believe that you've only been writing that long - you have such a great blog! As far as Halloween costumes go, I can't remember any I wore as a child, but the best one I've seen lately was a girl wearing a slip with a banner across it that said "Freud" - she was a Freudian slip!!

Linda said...

Sharon, I have to say I really like the little history nuggets you are giving at the beginning of your post. It's so interesting :) All your blocks are so amazing and beautiful. I just love all the pictures! Congratulations on your one year Blogaversary!!

Belinda said...

Congratulations Sharon! And Happy Blogaversary!

The only Halloween costume I can even remember, was when my Mom dressed me all in black, pinned a tail on me, put my hair in high "cat ears" and painted a black nose and whiskers on me. Not the best of costumes, but the best she could do. I was made fun of, but hey I didn't care as long as I got candy!

Thanks for a great giveaway!

Debbie said...

congrats on your blogaversary!

I remember one year that my mom made our own Halloween costumes.

that year the 4 of us kids were dressed in cows.

my brother was a bull(with horns), my youngest sister was a calf and me and my other sister had udders.

She made hoods from a sheet and added ears made from cardboard covered in black fabric etc.

the udders were made from work gloves with the thumb cut off.

she had us dress in either black or white and added black and white patches with loose stitches so we still could wear the clothes afterward.

I think I may even have one of the hoods left

Rosa said...

Congrats on a year blogging and more to come.

Love your blocks,they`re beautiful.
Here,we don´t celebrate halloween.

Stray Stitches (Linda G) said...

Happy blog-aversary!!! You certainly have been busy making blocks!!
My favorite costume was my first store bought costume - a bright red devil. I managed to wear it two years in a row (even though the 2nd year it was really too small).
I am a happy follower of your wonderful blog and want to thank you for the opportunity to enter your great giveaway!

Michelle said...

CONGRATS! Here's to many more...

My most favorite costume would be when I dressed up as a gypsy. I think I was 7 years old...lol!

I'm going to go vote...good luck!

And this would be . . . . said...

I love following your blog.

I cannot remember any costume from when I was a kid....probably because I would have had to wear a snow suit over or squished under it. My favortie of my girls so far have been last year when one wanted to be a dog and the other a cate.

rooee said...

Happy Blogiversary! You have the knack for writing that's for sure.
Please do come visit while the weather is still mild. I am in the phonebook. sutton/wharton hollow dr.

rooee said...

wharton hollow rd not dr.....sheesh!

Miss Hillbilly said...

As you know, I don't have many memories...as they are blocked. But I do remember one Halloween as it was horrible! I was a big cardboard crayon and I couldn't walk hardly or bend at all...and it had to come on and off to get in and out of the car. Oh what a mess it was!

Congrats on your BlogAversary!

Leah said...

Happy Blogiversary!! I love Halloween! My all time favorite costume was when I dressed up as a gypsy. We gathered up scarves, belts, and as much jewelry in the house as we could and put it all on me, it was great. :)

Kari Nitzel said...

Happy Blogaversary! As a kid growing up we had to come up with costumes with just our regular clothes and accessories. Once I started to sew I made my costumes, my first one was a Clown outfit, and every year for quite awhile I would make something different. I still have these costumes and use them when money or time is tight and I can't make anything new.

Char said...

Love the log cabin blocks as it is my favorite block.How do you get so much done? I think I must be have empty nester's depression, cause I'm not getting anything done despite daily good intentions.
Congratulations on your Blog-Aversary!
You know I'll be sure to vote for your quilt!

Char said...

Oooops, I forgot my favorite costume was one from the 60's. I was a Beatle. Yes the the ones from England.

quiltzyx said...

Happy Blogiversary!
Your embroideries look wonderful. I'm going to have to do some again soon.
Your blocks all look great, but I especially like the log cabin ones!
I honestly don't remember any of my childhood costumes, but I think my favorite as a grown up was when I went as a California Raisin! I made the raisin from some really ugly brownish purple fabric & starched the heck out of it. I found some big glasses & wore my platform tennies (they had about a 3" sole on 'em!). I wonder if anyone has a picture of me from that party? Hmmmmm....
Thanks for the chance to win that gorgeous fabric!

Michele said...

It would have to be a tie between a gypsy and Wonder Woman. I don't even know how many times I wore those costumes. Congrats on your blogiversary :-)

LesQuilts said...

Hi Sharon! Congratulations on your Bloggaversary!
I am a follower!
Favorite costume? I don't remember, but my youngest son was about 4 yrs old, we made him into a devil! Red makeup face, red puddlejumper suit, black rubber boots, and we made him a 3 pronged fork and a long black tale and attached both to his puddlejumper outfit! Took him a long time to outgrow that reputation!
Thanks for the giveaway!
Take care, Leslie

Sallie said...

Congratulations on your blogiversary! My favorite costume was dressing as a gypsy, wearing lots of necklaces. Thanks for the giveaway!

JustPam said...

Congrats!

I made my son a knight costume one year that turned out really well. I had the works, including the knight's crest, helmet, shield, chain mail armor. I didn't think to take many pictures, sadly.

Eat Sleep Quilt said...

Sharon how do you manage to get so much done!!?

Congratulations on your blog-aversary! When I was a kid my favorite (AND ONLY) costume was a paper sack over my head with a face drawn on it and holes for the eyes. We couldn't afford to buy store bought things so a paper bag had to do! It usually didn't matter because after that one night was over, we just taped over the holes and used it for a lunch bag.

And I'm a follower of course :o)

BillieBee (billiemick) said...

Happy Blogaversary!

You have been busy again. Love your star.

Cheryl's Teapots2Quilting said...

Happy blogversary! I'm a follower. My favorite costume was used over and over for several years. One of my mothers old strapless formals, turned down to make a princess skirt. I had 2 old formals to choose from, and they were played with all year, including Halloween.

Michele T said...

Best wishes on your blogiversary!! A favorite costume as a child was being Captain Hook, I even had the 'hook' from my mom's electric mixer - it was soooo cool for a 9 year old!!

Pattilou said...

Congrats on a blogiversary from me too.

Halloween costumes--ugh! We always had to wear a coat over ours cause it was cold. One year I wanted to be a Hawaiian girl with a grass skirt and the sun was shining that day and I thought I could get away without the coat--NOPE! Ever see a Hawaiian with a coat? Can't say it was my favorite, but the one I remember best.

Me and My Stitches said...

Wow - you have been busy, as always! Hmmm...it's funny - the only Halloween costume that I really remember was a clown. I think my mom made me a little outfit, and I remember seeing pictures with my face painted, and my brother was dressed up like Batman (now that's funny!).

yorkie mom said...

Congratulations on your blog anniversary!! My favorite costume was the 50's with poodle skirt and varsity jacket!Thanks for a chance!!

hueisei said...

Congrats on your blogiversary!
New follower here!
We don't have Halloween here, so no costume here.
:)

Melissa Corry said...

Congrats on a year!! How exciting for you!! I have followed you for some time. I loved being a Deer Hunter. I was one almost every year because it meant I got to wear my dad's big warm hunting gear so I wouldn't be cold.

Sheila said...

Congratulations on one year , We mostly dressed up in oversized clothes and stuffed ourselves to make us look funny so no real costumes as such but it was fun anyway . Thanks for the chance at a great giveaway.

Deborah in Atlanta said...

Congrats on your one year anniversary (I never can figure out how to spell blogoversary, blogiversary, bloggaversary, etc). My favorite costume was as a "sexy" gypsy - I thought I was so cool dressed up with that beauty mark, and those big hoop earrrings, the kerchief on my head, and those fishnet stockings and the short red skirt. I think I was about 12 yeras old...almost too old to Trick-or-Treat, but still young enough to want to do it. Thanks for the giveaway.

Kathy S. said...

Happy blogiversary! I am a new follower. One of my favorite Halloween costumes was when I made a horse and it looked like I was riding it. It had little legs and boots sticking out from the sides and my legs were the horses's legs. I still have it. The fun part is the my son (4 years old) had a similar commercial costume last year that was the same. He had a lot of fun with it too.

Anonymous said...

CONGRATS ON YOUR BLOGVERSARY!
HAPPILY FOLLOWING YOU!
FAVORITE COSTUME WOULD BE CASPER>LOVED THAT LITTLE GHOST!
THANKS FOR SHARING!

robin said...

Happy Blogiversary! I'm a follower. I loved dressing up with my friend as little old ladies. Great fun!

Marcia W. said...

Congratulations on your one year blogiversary. Your blog seems much more "mature" than a year and I really enjoy reading it. Best wishes for many more blogging years. And, thanks for the celebratory giveaway. Favorite childhood costume for Halloween: witch - took lots of black fabric and made a long "dress" with armholes and a black construction paper pointy hat - with our old house broom. Silly looking, but I liked it.

Annmarie said...

I am a new follower. Congrats on your 1 year blogaversay - may you have many many more. I love the Stonehenge fabrics - Thanks for the chance to win some. My 3 girlfriends & I all dressed up as a pumpkins when we were 14. Best Halloween ever - we peed our pants laughing!

Pat V. said...

I am a brand new follower, and I love your banner. What marvelous quilts!

My favorite Halloween costume when I was a child was a pioneer dress my mom made me, complete with bonnet. I made my red wagon into a conestoga wagon and marched in the town Halloween parade. I won $5!

Anonymous said...

I've been a lurker for too long now - I'm finally an official follower of your blog :). Congratulations on your blogversary. I was a cowgirl one year - loved that costume!! VermontPines@aol.com

Deb said...

Congrats! My favorite costume was Raggedy Ann.

tpott said...

Congrats! 1year is quite an accomplishment, good for you. Also good for us, your blog is 1 of my favorites. My favorite Halloween costume, I was a cowgirl I think I was 5yrs. old. My mother braided my hair and before I got out the door my straight hair pushed out the rubber bands. This happened 2x that day finally I went trick or treating with pig tales not braids. Congrats again, keep up all your good work. ;->

Cecilia said...

Congratulations on your Blogversary! My favorite costume as a child would be when I was a princess! I thought I was gorgeous. :) Thanks for the giveaway.

Cecilia said...

I'm a follower. :)

Crafty Newbie said...

I'm a follower!

My favorite Halloween costume as a child was the pink crocheted wrap that we decorated as a Christmas tree! SO! I was the FIRST pink Christmas tree! ( Barbie has nothing on me! :))

Melissa said...

congrats on a whole year!!! My favorite costume was for my oldest son's first Halloween. He was about 6 mos old and I dressed him as Sprout (Jolly Green Giant) with tons of paper leaves on his hat. He was adorable:)

Barb said...

I am a follower! I had a ladybug costume that was my favorite and then I made one for my daughter when she was four years old! (She is now 21).

KatieQ said...

I really like the crumb log cabin blocks. I haven't done any of the quilt along blocks. I'll have to go back and try a few.
I didn't really have many costumes when I was growing up. Most of the time we just threw together a bunch of old clothes from around the house and went as hobos. My favorite year was when I got to use my older sister's Betsy Ross costume that was left over from her HS Senior Spirit day. I won a costume prize for wearing it to our Girl Scout meeting.
Congratulations on one year of blogging. I have enjoyed every one of your posts.

Carla G said...

The only costume I remember as a child was being a Cabbage Patch Doll... I recall my hair being put up in 2 pigtails and my mom braided it with wires in it so they would stand out. Happy Blogoversary!! :)

Michelle Olsen Sasak said...

Congrats on your blogaversary! I am a follower, and my favorite childhood Halloween costume was being a hobo. I dressed in my dirtiest, holiest clothes, with multiple layers, had a stick with a bandana bundle tied to it, and I wore a hat to hide that I was a girl, and I got coffee grounds mixed into petroleum jelly on my chin & cheeks to mimic a 5'o'clock shadow. Totally not PC now, but as a child, I loved it.

Karen said...

Congrats on your blogaversary. I love your blocks. I don't remember what my favorite costume was. I remember going treat or treating with my friends.

Shannon said...

Happy Blogiversary!! Wow! I can't believe it has been a year for you. You have almost 250 followers. That is amazing. Bram Stoker's Dracula is one of my favorite movies. What a great give away!!

Grammasheri said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Grammasheri said...

Congratulations on your blog anniversary! I'm so glad I bumped into you here in blogland. (I'm a fellow ghastlie, and a follower, too.) I really enjoy reading your blog and seeing your projects.

Had to delete my earlier post because I forgot to mention my favorite costume! One year my team at work decided to dress up as Wizard of Oz characters. I was chosen to be Dorothy and the other woman on the team wanted to be Toto. The three men were Tin Man, Cowardly Lion and the Scarecrow. They were awesome costumes! I had fun putting mine together, too: pinafore, puffy-sleeved blouse, white anklets and yes, I had red shoes. We won the company's costume contest and the prize was 1/2 day off work with pay. FUN!

LethargicLass said...

my favourite was Robin Hood... I decided on it after Betty in the Archie comics did it... my Mom made it for me :)

Congrats on your blogiversary :)

Snoodles said...

Love seeing all of your blocks! I can't recall too much about Halloween because a lot of my memories of childhood are squished down and best forgotten, but I do remember being a cat one year. Homemade costumes are the best. I'm off to the Gallery to vote! Thanks for the chance to win!

Vesuviusmama said...

I'm a follower. My favorite costume ended up being my least favorite. I was a fully set table, flowerpots as centerpiece (on my head), flat cardboard on my shoulders as the table, covered in a tablecloth, with plastic plates, cups and silverware attached to the top. MIT was great...until I couldn't get into the car to go trick or treating! No one but my family saw that costume, and I was so disappointed!

Quiltpecan/Angela said...

I'm a follower and glad to have found your site. As for favorite Halloween costume... the one that I remember most was Wonder Woman!! My friend and I were both WW and her Dad fixed us up with Golden Lassoes!! Fun times.

Connie Kresin Campbell said...

Happy Blogiversary! I'm a follower and always enjoy your posts! My favorite costume was dressing up as a ghoul. I made the costumes and colored my hair green....I was pretty scary looking. Thanks for the great giveaway, love those fabrics!

Rhonda said...

Great giveaway. I AM a follower but as far as what I dressed up as - as a child -- didn't happen. We never celebrated Halloween. Still don't but would love to win the fabrics to use in some upcoming quilt's I have planned for 2012. : )

Kris said...

Sharon - How fun - a full year!! And boy have you ever kept busy, dear friend!! I am a follower and my favorite Halloween costume was the year my parents were not in town for Halloween and my brother let me do my own costume. Now you have to know that this was in Salt Lake City and on Halloween its cold, cold, cold!! Plus, we walked for many blocks going to every house up and down both sides of the street. I dressed up as an adult with my Mom's open-toed high heels (no socks or stockings) and some flimsy dress AND a whole lot of makeup!!! I nearly froze to death and nearly broke my ankle on several occasions!!!! :-)) Those were the days!! Kris

Anonymous said...

We never had money for costumes so we were always bums!

Deb said...

Happy blog-a-versary!! Always enjoy reading your blog Sharon. We don't do Halloween here. Wish we did as I love dressing up and I could have so much fun!!

Linda said...

I'm already a follower! As a child, I once was draped in an old sheet and my Daddy, quite an artist, painted a skeleton on the sheet. I was so proud. (I tried the same thing later with my son, who was then 3 years old. He wanted to be a skeleton for Halloween, so I put a black trash bag over him after cutting neck hole and arms out, and painted a skeleton on him. I even made him a little mask. He was so disappointed he cried. "No, Mommie. I want to be a REAL skeleton!)

krisgray said...

Happy anniversary!!!

Growing up in the country, I didn't get to do much trick or treating and I really don't remember having any real costume. I think being on a budget, my mom decided Halloween was superfluous. I remember doing the hobo and painting my face with mom's makeup. My DH loves Halloween and so does DS. So, we stocked up on costumes at the "after" sales last year that he has been playing with off and on all year.

Flo @ Butterfly Quilting said...

Congrats on the Blog anniversary!!
My favourite costume was actually as an adult! My whole department dressed as Superman....blue tights, cape and all. We had a lot of fun!