Friday, March 16, 2012

It's Almost Spring, Single Irish Chain, and a Giveaway!

Welcome to you who are visiting from Quilting Gallery for the Blog Hop!  I hope you enjoy your visit.

Blog Hop Party with Give-Aways 

In a few short days the first day of spring will be here, and do I have spring fever.  I'm starting to think about flowers...


Even if they are hexie flowers, they speak spring to me.  I've also been thinking about spending time in the garden...


If you would like this free pattern from Homeberries, you can find it here (all the more reason to celebrate spring).  I will be listing the colors I have used for this under the tabs at the top of my blog.


Even the block for today, Single Irish Chain, which is a 10-inch block and number 76 of 366, says "Hey, its spring."  Spring is definitely in the air.





Now for the giveaway...I have a 25 fat quarter pack of Cape Ann fabric and a small bag made of tape measures to give away.  All you have to do to enter is leave me a comment letting me know what has been the first sign of spring you've seen (a robin, some tulips, or other spring flowers).  If you are leaning towards fall, let me know what signs of fall you are seeing.  If you would like a second chance to win, leave a second comment telling me you are a follower or a new follower.  Thanks for visiting Meadowbrook and Happy Stitching!!  --Kristen

391 comments:

1 – 200 of 391   Newer›   Newest»
Gill said...

I'm a happy follower!

Gill said...

Three weeks ago I saw the first butterflies of the year - a red admiral and a brimstone!

B Greene said...

We saw a rabbit in the yard the other day... Here come Peter Cottontail... hopping down the bunny trail!

B Greene said...

I am a follower of your blog and have loved watching your progress on the 365 Quilt Blocks!

Martina said...

The little snowdrop flowers in our garden. So sweet.

Martina said...

I am a happy follower. Thanks so much!

ThreadCatcher said...

First signs of spring have been the return of songbirds, my backyard tree beginning to bud and the ice on the ponds pulling away from shore. All this for Minnesota in March!! I love it. Thanks for the chance at your awesome giveaway.

ThreadCatcher said...

I am a happy follower.

beaquilter said...

I'd love to win these and what a cute purse.... well the first sign of spring for us was the lack of winter, we got one evening of drizzling snow and a few days before AND after the weather was in the 70s, it was 80 today. NC weather is just soo odd!!

Lisa Cox said...

I'd love to win this!
The first sign of spring I saw was the buds popping up on my dwarf Bonfire Patio peach trees. Such gorgeous flowers.

Melinda said...

The bradford pear trees are blooming and the Dogwoods are getting close!~

Melinda said...

I'm a follower!

Sharon - Lilabelle Lane said...

I am a follower that loves wathcing your blocks every day :o)

Sharon - Lilabelle Lane said...

We have a huge tree out the front of our home and the leaves are already starting to change color!

Tina said...

The first sign of spring to me is whenis when then red buds start showing on the trees.

Tina said...

I am a follower

Anonymous said...

Hi, Kristen, I'm the lady in the corner this morning! My first sign of spring is me in pedal pushers and sandals. ha! Mary Ellen

mequilt1206 (at) comcast (dot) net

Tracey @ The Peony Teacup said...

I am a follower :)

Tracey @ The Peony Teacup said...

We are leaning towards Fall/Autumn, and where I live we are surrounded by orchards so we get some spectacular displays of "fall colours"... but the first real sign of Autumn has been the temperature drop! The relief from the heatwaves we've been having.. those cooler mornings and evenings.. having my 6 year old ask me to pack his jacket in his school bag because it's cold on the way to school! Bliss!

emmy said...

Aside from the time change, our first sign is my azalea bush blooming.

emmy said...

I am a follower.

Karen O said...

Wow Kristen, what a giveaway! I love Cape Ann! First sign of spring for me was hearing the birds chirping in the morning. It makes me smile, and I miss it in the winter.

Karen O said...

Definitely a follower. Thank you for your generosity to one of us!

Linda V said...

We have been seeing spring for quite some time here in southern CA. The first sign is flower buds on the trees. Thanks for the chance to win.

Linda V said...

I am a new follower. Thanks again!

Angel said...

Lots and lots of birds around these parts! Thanks for the chance!

Jennyroo said...

Okay, I follow a lot of blogs but not many of them are Canadian! I am so happy (and so proud) to see such fabulous Canadian talent represented in this blog hop! Thank you! I am a new follower.

Jennyroo said...

It is such an early spring here in Saskatchewan - there was an ant in my house yesterday (I squashed it) and my boys found a ladybug while playing outside today. Zillions of Canada geese flying overhead, too. They're ba-ack! :) I am desperate to win this Cape Ann. Oh please oh please oh please oh please!

Wendy said...

Hi Kristen, thank you for link to the free pattern, it's really cute! The giveaway is lovely too! The first sign of autumn here has been the change in the air, and some leaves are changing colour.

Wendy said...

I am a follower, Wendy xx

Lucija said...

I am your new follower!

Lucija said...

Yesterday I saw the first tulips in my yard. I love, love, love spring!

stephmabry said...

What an amazingly generous giveaway - thank you thank you! We've had plenty of spring here already - my daffodils are blooming, crocuses and hyacinth are up, and even my tulips are poking through! We've had days over 70F, even. Unfortuantely this week is all rain and clouds - hopefully Mr. Sun will be back soon! :)

stephmabry said...

I'm a new follower from the Hop. Thanks again and good luck everyone!

Anonymous said...

Im a follower of your great blog and thank you for offering up a great giveaway. We are heading towards fall here so some of the trees are just beginning to start to turn their leaves and the days are sunny but cool. Just beautiful!

Anonymous said...

whoops should have split this. I'm a follower too.

Jennie P. said...

We've had the daffodils blooming here for a few weeks. That's always the first sign here. Thanks for the chance!

Jennie P. said...

I am a new follower :)

Kathy MacKie said...

For sure it was the crocuses about 3 weeks ago.

Kathy MacKie said...

I am a follower, thanks for the giveaway.

Joanna @ ShapeMoth said...

What a great giveaway! Thanks! The first sign of Spring I've seen already in January. And as Spring starts on 21st of March, that was quite early. The Winter this year was really mild in Europe and all those early Spring flowers started to bloom in January already.

Jodi said...

It is moving to Autumn here and the days are getting shorter - oddly though we have had a few of the first days hot enough to be called summery and summer is gone.

Karen said...

The first sign of spring here in England has been the daffodils; a glorious sea of yellow!
Thanks for the great giveaway.
Karen

Karen said...

I am a new follower!

Michelle Olsen Sasak said...

Our new rental house has some pretty purple flowers by a little tree in the front yard. I think they are crocuses. There's also a daffodil about to bloom!

Michelle Olsen Sasak said...

I've been a follower for a little while now.

kt said...

The first daffodils are blooming, and the dog keeps picking up ticks!

Vroomans' Quilts said...

Signs of spring - robins and bluebirds were here a month ago, mosquitos are out, pussy willows in bud, and tulips and daffodils are just about to pop open.

Binks said...

I have no idea what type of flower they are, but out backyard is covered in the sweetest little blue flowers.

Binks said...

I'm a new follower

tubilinha tiacarminha said...

sou um novo seguidor.E vou virar perseguidora,vi minha paixão aí em cima,HEXÁGONOS.Obrigada pela chance. tiacarminhapezzuto@gmail.com

tubilinha tiacarminha said...

Aqui no BRASIL,temos um pouco de primavera o ano todo,temos muitas flores,hibiscos e primaveras floresce o ano todo.Estamos no final do verão.Espero que isso não me tire do sorteio,por favor.Obrigada.tiacarminhapezzuto@gmail.com

Margy said...

we have the autumn crocus and cyclamen out in the garden now.

Martha said...

I am already one of your devoted followers...thanks for being so generous.

Martha said...

My daffodils just finished blooming, my baby's breath is blooming, everywhere I look I see spring green popping out (especially my grass which is already ankle deep), my Texas rose is blooming and St. Joseph's lilies are popping up everywhere....spring is here...yeah!

Bev C said...

Thanks for the chance to enter your St Pat's giveaway. We are in Autumn here in West Australia, which means cooler temps during the day and night.
Happy days.
Bev.xoxo

Unknown said...

Thanks for a great giveaway! I was just outside and actually noticed that the grass is in need of cutting. Sure sign of spring!

Katherine said...

The trees around my house have new leaves budding! Thanks for the giveaway chance!

Leo said...

well a "unatural" sign was me stuffing my jacket and sweater into my backpack this morning shopping on the market. A natural sign where thousands of crocuses?croci? (what's the plural of crocus?)in purple and yellow and white...

Michelle said...

My flowers started coming up! Thanks for the chance to win.

Lisa England said...

Everything is blooming here and it's gorgeous! Especially the trees -- pear, magnolia, red bud and others. Thanks for the chance to win this awesome prize!

Clare said...

The violets popping up overnight, literally. There are hundreds of them this year.

LethargicLass said...

Sadly, the smell of dog poop is always the first sign of spring here :( LOL

LethargicLass said...

I am a follower :)

Michele T said...

I spotted a robin yesterday!!!

Michele T said...

I am a new follower - looking forward to your future posts!

Lindsay said...

Spring is so early this year! My daffodils started poking up weeks ago... should be any day now! Thanks for a great giveaway!

Anonymous said...

My sign of spring was lunch on the patio with my daughter this week - quite unusual for mid March in Minnesota!

Cheryl said...

This year, the first sign of spring was the blue bonnets. I love them!

Angie said...

Isn't it the most glorious time of the year! My first sights of Spring were the mini-Daffodils blooming, the sound of the Phoebe birdie home for the season, Robins in the yard, my beloved Tree Swallows came home for mating season :), my Bluebirds are clamoring for 'real estate' along with the Swallows, my Crooked Willow is leafing out----enough already LOL I could go on and on. I have a serious love affair with Spring.

Angie said...

I'm also a new follower of yours. I just found your blog this a.m. through SoScrappy's blog, and I am delighted that I did. You have such a bright, fun blog. :)

Leo said...

I forgot to leave the "follow you" comment...

Pippa Parsons said...

im a new follower

Pippa Parsons said...

the daffodils are all popping out here

MC said...

What a great giveaway bundle! I can tell it's spring by the arctic hares frolicking all over the lawn.

Lisa in Port Hope said...

I heard a robin a few weeks ago.
Then the snowdrops came up in the yard. love your Irish Chain block.

Jacklynn Grimm said...

I always look for robins as my first sign of spring - but since we've been having such unseasonably warm temps - I'm even seeing mosquitos!

Jacklynn Grimm said...

I am a new follower - Hi!

fenna said...

I've seen some Canadian Geese...a sure sign that spring is coming!

fenna said...

I've seen some Canadian Geese...a sure sign that spring is coming!

Hilachas said...

The first sign of spring I saw was when my daffodils started blooming. Beautiful. Thanks for the opportunity to win your generous giveaway.

Hilachas said...

I am a new follower of your blog. Thanks for the opportunity to win your giveaway.

JustPam said...

I had flowers blooming very early this spring. I am not sure what they are but a happy sign of spring anyway.

My Sister Made Me Do It.... said...

What a wonderful giveaway! I see leaves on my Mulberry tree. Thanks for a chance to win.

My Sister Made Me Do It.... said...

I'm a new follower. Thanks for the chance to win.

JoyceLM said...

Robins in my backyard are usually the first sign of Spring. Thanks for the great giveaway.

JoyceLM said...

I'm a follower. Thanks for the chance to win.

Judy said...

The crocus' that have come up always tell me soon! Thanks for the chance at such a great giveaway!

Judy said...

I'm a brand new follower and looking forward to your posts!

Anonymous said...

My daffodils have all sprung up!

Anonymous said...

I'm a follower!

Sandra said...

About a month and half ago (way too early) we noticed buds on the trees.

Sandra said...

Am a new follower via GFC.
Thank you for the chance to win

Jill said...

I live in San Diego where there are no real changes in seasons other than the decorations around us and easter decorations are everywhere. You are having a very generous give away. Thanks for the chance!

Barb in Mi said...

Sunshine here in Michigan and finally my front yard shows some green! And you can ctually hear birds singing. Thanks so much for a chance!

hueisei said...

Actually I don't know. I lived in a country that don't have 4 seasons. But, I know the spring is coming when everyone on the blog land so excited on it. :)
Thanks for sharing the stitcheries pattern.

RSHudson said...

What a generous giveaway; love Cape Ann! We have been seeing lots of robins and buttercups for quite a few weeks now. thanks for the chance! (marshudson at comcast dot net)

RSHudson said...

Follower too; thanks for chance! (marshudson at comcast dot net)

Mrs.Pickles said...

I am a new follower :) Great blog

Mrs.Pickles said...

I guess the first sign of spring I have heard is that the Canadian geese are back.

Marcia W. said...

Spring has sprung when I see the first blooms on the red buds and dogwood trees, then azaleas, and now blooming spring weeds in the yard. Thanks for the lovely giveaway.

Marcia W. said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Sallie said...

The bluebonnets are blooming. Thanks for the great giveaway!

Sallie said...

I'm a new follower. Thanks for the very generous giveaway!

Judith said...

Snow drops are the earliest sign of spring here, but it doesn't really start to warm up until the Viburnum blooms. That's the smell of spring! Thanks for the lovely give away.

Margaret said...

First sign of spring in my area is the first tractor I see stuck in a field while spreading manure. They always try to do it up until the ground thaws and sometimes they go just a little to long and one will get stuck in the mud. I have fields on four sides of my property so I get to see one almost every year in one field or another.

Margaret said...

I am a new follower. Sent by the blog hop.

Marcia W. said...

Blogger tells me that I am now a happy follower:
Follow this Blog?
You are now following Meadowbrook
http://meadowbrook-kristen.blogspot.com/
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Gail Lizette said...

We have a lot in common ~ I'm from MN, same age, and am in love with hexies!!! Looking forward to how those turn out. First sign of spring to me is the blooming of crocus flowers in the yard.

conny's quilts en creaties said...

Loveley give away you have, thanks for the opportunity! Always such fun the blog hop give away parties! First sign of spring: Blooming snowdrops, even in the snow! (I saw them here in the Netherlands at the end of januari!) They always makes me smile, bye bye winter! Do you have those flowers in USA?

Joanie's Trendy Quilts said...

I am a follower!

Heidi Staples said...

There was a lovely warm breeze drifting through the door a week or two ago that just made me want to jump in the car and head for the beach. Thanks for the incredible giveaway!!

Joanie's Trendy Quilts said...

First signs of spring in NC and in my back yard is when the daffodils pop out! Usually in February.

sew and so much more said...

Seasons here are pretty much all the same :-) I live in Lompoc, Cali. Today we are getting rain...that is a rare occurance...so that might be our sign of Spring?

Emily H. said...

Our first sign of spring is the crocuses peeping out of the ground and the first ray of sun that makes you lift your head and smile!

Kate said...

When the Canadian Geese arrived (in hordes, I might add) we knew that spring was here! I really like your stitchery, "I am a child of God".
Thanks for the great giveaway.

Annmarie said...

2 weeks ago we had 18 inches of snow in 1 day - today there is hardly any left!!! so that spells SPRING to me - keeping my fingers crossed that it's the real thing (50's & 60's temps. What a generous giveaway. Thanks for the chance to win & Happy St. Paddy's Day!

Deb said...

We are heading into fall here so the the mornings are definitely cooler, the glorious fall colors are starting to show and leaves are falling.

Deb said...

I am a new follower

Apple Avenue Quilts said...

My daffodils are start to come up and the spring winds have started. When summer comes I will miss the daffodils but not the winds. Thanks for the chance on your lovely giveaway!

Merrilee said...

I am a faithful follower. So impressed you made it to day 76!!

Lori said...

I really like your "Im a child of God" I have had crocus and daffadills for 2 wks now and birds

Sewing Miles of Smiles said...

Robins walking around in the snow! Can hardly wait. Even the aspens have buds.

Dona
http://sewingmilesofsmiles.blogspot.com

Marjorie's Busy Corner said...

Our first sign of spring were the robins in the yard...and the snow is melting quickly

Linda at LRDesignsQuilting said...

Saw my first robin this week and my daffodils are blooming which is early for here in Iowa!

BillieBee (billiemick) said...

The Robins came first!

Eris said...

Bluebells mean springs to me : )

BillieBee (billiemick) said...

I'm a follower.

Carla G said...

Hmmmm well the snow is melting! Other than that there is nothing Springy around here yet. But my kids & I planted some pumpkins & watermelon seeds and they are already up! So to me new growth is the first sign of Spring. Thanks for a chance to win! :)

Dee said...

I just saw first Robin in MN.

Dee said...

I am a follower

Carla G said...

I'm a follower of your blog! :)

Jude said...

I'm a follower!

Jude said...

I've seen a few blue tit birds sitting on my fence with little pieces of twigs in their beaks, new life is on its way!

Patty said...

First sign of spring is when my allergies kick up - pollen in the air!!

juliehallfeldhaus said...

We started seeing lots of robins and my tulips are just peeking through. I love spring.
Thanks for the great give away.

juliehallfeldhaus said...

I am a new follower.

prairie said...

Our earliest sign of spring in Washington State USA is ROBINS....Kamakazi Robins, at that. In the early spring they are wild...probably courting but they just seem to be flying around in a rather crazy way! Of course, they arrive here in January, which can be rather chilly...brrrrrrrr....so they're probably just trying to STAY WARM!

Anonymous said...

I saw a bunch of daffodils yesterday.
wlinda_ca@yahoo.com

Jsoosay said...

I always enjoy seeing the Canadian geese as spring is coming. It's my favorite time of year.

Jeanne Gwin said...

I am already a follower of your blog.

Jeanne Gwin said...

I have had Robins in my yard for 3 weeks now (unheard of in Feb and Mar) and I have daffodils blooming, hyacinths blooming and tulips up and starting to bud. Our fruit trees are all blooming and smell so sweet. I so hope we don't get a hard freeze and lose our fruit crop this year.

Ella said...

The lenten roses were my first sign of spring. It's insanely bloomy here now in GA.

Sharon said...

Daffodils are our first sign of Spring around here.

Sharon said...

I am a new follower!

Patti said...

Today I went to a quilt show and there was a bunch of daffodils and several hyacinths blooming. They were beautiful. Thanks for a chance.

Patti said...

I am a follower.

Keri said...

Living here in Central Florida, it is always warm and flowers are blooming. We however are big Disney fans, and one way I know it is Spring time is the Flower and Garden Festival at Epcot. My husband and I went today, and the flowers were amazing as usual!

Carrie P. said...

Wow! that is some fabric flower garden you have growing.
And what a generous giveaway you are having. Thanks for a chance to win.
Our first sign of spring is the daffodils in my yard. We now have forsythia, weeping cherry, and red bud blooming.

Carrie P. said...

I am a follower.

Brenda said...

Spring is everywhere here! Crocus and daffodils are in bloom!

Leah said...

Love all those hexies laid out on the table. First signs that I know spring is here are all the carpenter bees flying around. They seem to come out before anything around here.

Leah said...

I am a follower. :)

ytsmom said...

We had robins 3 weeks ago. They are a sign of spring, but usually show up when it is still cold and nasty. They need to change travel agents!!

Pat V. said...

The snowdrops are in bloom. They are always the first sign of spring at my house, closely followed by the crocuses!

Terry@ a quilting blog said...

First sign of Spring...robins have returned (and trees are blooming).
~Terry~

Terry@ a quilting blog said...

I'm a new follower :o)
Thanks for the chance at your generous giveaway!
~Terry~

Julie S said...

I knew spring was on its way when my tree peony sprouted leaves! Then some cold set in and it even snowed this morning. I am hoping the plant does not slurp the leaves back inside!

Anonymous said...

Your signs of spring are better than mine. Temp in the 70's with snow still on the ground.

mhuewe@redlake.k12.mn.us

Cheryl said...

I knew it was spring when I saw 3 robins in my yard the other day. But then my grandpa always said it had to snow 3 times on a robin's tail so we might be in for some winter weather yet!

Samantha said...

The bees have been ventureing out from the one hive that we have. We might actually get some honey this year! I'm very excited about that. ;) Thanks for a chance at this pouch and fabric. Love!

Samantha said...

I am also a new follower! I love these hops as they lead me to blogs that I haven't found yet!

ELNM said...

Our pussy willows popped, as have the leaves on several trees. Hooray! Thanks for the chance to win!

Carly said...

Wow! What a generous giveaway!! We have crocus and daffodils and red-winged blackbirds and robins! Spring is here!

Richard Healey said...

The spring flowers are trying to come up and the trees are starting to bud. Sad thing mother nature keeps trying to snow or so the weather man says.

http://richardquilts.blogspot.com
http:// my1pictureaday.blogspot.com/

Carly said...

I am a new follower!

Richard Healey said...

I am a new follower.

http://richardquilts.blogspot.com
http:// my1pictureaday.blogspot.com/

Mary C said...

The mountain laurel bush is blooming. Vibrant shades of purple...I love it!!

Mary C said...

I am a new follower!

Allison C said...

The squirrels are out and about. I know this because my dog is MUCH more active on walks when the squirrels are around. During the winter he mopes.

robin said...

What a great giveaway! Your question is timely... just yesterday I saw a robin for the first time this spring. :) Quite early for these parts!

robin said...

I'm a new follower!

Jocelyn said...

Living in the deep south, we have beautiful balmy weather almost year round. But I know it is Spring when the azaleas are blooming :-) Thanks for your generous giveaway.

Rachel said...

Our daisies and jasmine are in full bloom! They have been for close to a month. They are confused, LOL. Thanks for the amazing giveaway and the opportunity!!

Jo said...

We actually had a hummingbird at the feeder a few days ago! Thanks for the chance to win

Jo said...

I am a follower

ljeanne said...

Daffodils in my garden. They are gone now and we are enjoying Bradford pears, tulip trees, and azaleas.

Christine L said...

Thank you for a chance to win a wonderful pack of fabric! Love the colors and my First sign of spring are the crocuses popping up randomly in my gravel backyard.. *yard is under landscape construction :)

Christine L said...

I am a new follower and look forward to reading your blog :)

Rhonda D. said...

I am a new follower. So glad to have found your blog!

wigglypup2@yahoo.com

Rhonda D. said...

We have had hardly any winter this year. We had daffodils blooming
the first part of February.

wigglypup2@yahoo.com

Kathy said...

The frog are back are croaking endlessly in the backyard by the pond.

Danielle Rack said...

I'm a new follower :-)

Danielle Rack said...

We are coming into Winter here in Australia, and the first thing you notice is that the weather is getting better... lol typical

Karen Linton said...

I'm a new follower of your blog.

Karen Linton said...

The first sign of spring that I saw this year was a bumblebee flying past me when I was out running last week.

Gwen said...

The first sign of Spring here in south Alabama is usually the bright yellow daffodils-- what a welcome sight! :-) Thank you SO much for the chance to win-- I love the Cape Ann fabric line-- perfect for a little girl-- and the measuring tape pouch is so cute!! :-)

mary mahoo said...

I'm a new follower

mary mahoo said...

First sign of spring here are my hostas peeking through the ground. Lovely.

quiltmom anna said...

The first signs of spring here are the mud on the clothes of my kindergarten students. They seem to find each other each and every year.
I have also seen the squirrels building nests in the trees and some Canadian geese are returning to our homeland.
What a glorious fat quarter bundle and beautiful tape purse. Thanks for participating in the blog hop.
Regards from Western Canada,
Anna

Cherise said...

Thanks for such a great giveaway! My geraniums blooming was my first sight of spring. Have a Happy Day! :)

Anonymous said...

The first sign of spring was the dark green tulip shoots in my garden! They always tell me when spring is coming!

Anonymous said...

I'm a follower!

heartsease54 said...

I was standing on the porch of the store where I work last week when I heard a bunch of geese fly over-that speaks Spring to me. Then it snowed today, and rained, which also is a harbinger of Spring in Montana.

heartsease54 said...

I have been a follower for a while now :)

Katina said...

The first sign of spring at my house was the fig tree budding. Can't believe it has happened so soon!

Irina said...

The first sign of spring was the daffodils coming out in my garden

Irina said...

I'm a follower. Thanks for this generous giveaway!

Karen said...

What a cool giveaway - In NZ this year spring, summer, autumn have all kinda been the same - sad- lots of wet stormy days with a few bits of sunshine thrown in. Usually it's the bulbs in the garden that warn me of Spring.

babiesdoc said...

wow! what a fabulous give -away
thanks

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