Botanical Beauty block #6

Welcome to block #6 of the 

Sester Centennial quilt along.

This photo is of the original block

found on a circa 1860 quilt I own.

It is part of

my Well-Loved Ladies Sampler.

I redrafted it smaller as part of 

my Botanical Beauty sampler.

In the WLL sampler I named it 

apple block.

In the BB sampler I named it

tomato.

In my original studies of this design,

I found that it could go either way but

felt it looked more tomato.

The history of the tomato plant is quite 

interesting and if you want to read more,

go HERE. Thankfully it isn't poisonous

as initially thought and ours are 

growing great right now.

Are you growing any yourself?

Barbara Brackman wrote THIS

about tomato designs although

I know that design as a love apple:)

HERE is the original post about

the block in my WLL sampler.

Enjoy reading a little quilt history

in between stitching this sweet block.

 

I love birthdays!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME:)

Somehow I can't truly believe people that say they don't like celebrating their birthdays...What? A whole day devoted to you by people who love you-what's not to like??

 

My husband's gift to me this year was a trip on the Seminole Gulf Railroad Murder Mystery Train.  We boarded the Gin Lizzy for a 3 hour Prohibition Murder Dinner. What a fun night!  You board the train and enjoy a 5 course dinner while being entertained between courses by the Shady Ladies and Irish criminals.  Guess the murderer and win a prize at the end of the night.

 

Gorgeous Roses from my daughter, Lauren! She also sent me the DVD of South Pacific-the original version. I have been wanting to update my musical collection and she is very willing to help out!

My other baby girl, Devin, sent me an antique butter mold...How cool is that?! The etching is great! This is a beautiful piece full of inspiration for me:)

Mom worked her magic with yarn and knitted this beautiful shawl/ scarf for me.  I hope when you click on the photo, you can see the fantastic beadwork she added as well.  Now I just need the weather to cool a bit here!!!

Two very lovely friends sent me these goodies above.  Susan sent me yardage of fantastic orange batiks!  Oh what to do with them???? There were other fun things in the package as well, including homemade Snickerdoodle cookies (really for my husband:) and this little notebook that actually contained many sizes of sticky notes...She knows me so so well:))) 

Kathy sent me some of my favorite pumpkin cookies that only come out this time of year along with some of her artwork.

Lastly, I treated myself to a class to learn a double reverse applique technique by Ellen Lindner.  I took the class with a local friend, Rhonda, whose birthday is this week...so much more fun to take a class with someone.
I was able to actually get the top done in class (plus I stayed a bit longer:)  Not sure what I will do with it but the technique works and Ellen is a wonderful instructor.

Next time your birthday comes around, embrace it!  It is YOUR day!!