Since I’m just getting around to posting my Bees Knees Bee Block from July, you might say that summer is getting the better of me.

July’s block was for Nedra of Cactus Needle Quilting.  My mom knows Nedra and has spoken so highly, not only of what a super talented quilter she is, but also what really nice person she is, that I couldn’t wait to make Nedra’s block.

I was even more excited when the fabric came in the mail.  Nedra had chosen the Spin Cycle pattern from Allison of Cluck, Cluck, Sew.

What a fun block this is to make!   I loved it enough, that I just had to buy the pattern.

Now I just need to sign my name to the block and get it sent hopefully today.

In the meantime, I officially have Olympic fever.  I’m glued to the TV every chance I can get.  It’s a great excuse to get a lot of sewing done at the very least.  I’ve been working on the blocks for my new quilt, which is rolling right along.  I’ve also been stitching hexagons and working on a little embroidery.

I think I may have a serious let down when the Olympics are over.  I don’t remember a games with more amazing and dramatic moments.  Watching Oscar Pistorius run gave me a goosebumps – a testament, not only of the power of the human body, but also of heart and soul, to overcome whatever challenges are placed before us.  He was amazing.

So for the next week, I’ll happily sew in front of the television, my jaw dropped by breath-holding synchronized swimmers and high flying trampoline jumpers, and happily forget all the other things I should be doing.

Before I share the winner of the Mission Gift Package and $50 Visa Gift Card, I wanted to share a few fun goodies I got this week.

This was a birthday gift from my mom. 

I really needed a new apron.  And I love, love, love the Denyse Schmidt fabric.  My daughter took the photo, so it’s a bit out of focus.

My mom also knit me up some new dishcloths.  If you’ve never used knitted dishcloths before, they are so wonderful.  I love the scrubby way they wipe down the counter or clean dishes.  I’m super picky about my dishcloths and these are the best.

She also gave me a boxed set cookbooks from my favorite cook, Ina Garten, the Barefoot Contessa.  Just leafing through the pages, I can’t wait to put my apron on and bake.

Thank you Mom!  You know just what I love and need.

And now for the Mission giveaway winner.  I’ve been having some major trouble with my blog this week.  It has to do with my host server and complicated back end things like that.  Many of the comments left for the giveaway weren’t showing up.  Regardless, I was able to still factor in those comments for the giveaway.  I apologize for the hiccups.

The random winner is:

Congratulations Beatriz!  Send me an email with your mailing address so we can get your gift sent to you.

I still could use as many votes as possible for the Mission contest.  The other recipes look fabulous too.  You can vote everyday until August 6th by clicking here.