Monday, May 26, 2014

American Made Brand Blog Tour - Day 6 and my day

Welcome! One of today's stops on the American Made Brand Blog Tour is my state of New York.
The email asking if I'd be interested in participating in this blog tour arrived the day before I headed to MQX East last month and to tell you that I was thrilled is a huge understatement. Thank you so much goes out to Clothworks for this opportunity.

Once I got back from MQX a stack of pieces of each of these gorgeous solid fabrics awaited me.
I really love the theme behind the brand...A Farm to Fabric Movement which means that every part of the process of producing this fabric happens here in the USA. That is definitely something worth celebrating.
The fabrics are just wonderful to work with. The colors are vibrant, the feel is great and they unravel very little compared to some other solid fabrics I've worked with in the past.

I had a long list of ideas of things to include in my New York block but eventually narrowed it down to four icons that I believe represent my state well. Here is my New York license plate block.

A New York Beauty block was one of the 1st ideas I came up with and truth be told, this is the very 1st paper piecing I've ever done, aside from my 2 practice pieces that is. I used the colors of Light Aqua, Aqua and Dark Aqua to represent the water that is such a big part of this state... from the Hudson River to the ocean surrounding Long Island to the Finger Lakes upstate and Niagara Falls, just to name a few.

The horse (also my 1st try at applique) represents all the horse breeding farms and racing history here. Not only does New York have Aqueduct and Belmont Park but it has the famous Saratoga Race Course which this year will be celebrating it's 151st season.
The Rose is the state flower and I decided to create it with counted cross stitch using the Light Pink fabric as the base. I left out those areas of the cross stitch pattern where the floss matched the fabric and just let the fabric shine through.

And of course I had to include an apple. You may thing that it represents the Big Apple New York City and while it does, more so it represents New York's apple growing industry. We are the 2nd largest apple producing state averaging almost 30 million bushels of apples grown on over 50,000 acres across the state each year. 

So I hope you like my New York license plate block and have learned a little about this state that I have called home for most of my life. To celebrate this blog tour American Made Brand is donating one 8 piece FQ bundle for each blogger to giveaway and I'm offering a 2nd giveaway for a 6 inch stack of squares of these American Made Brand fabrics.
For your chance to win, leave me a comment telling me which variety of apple is your favorite. 
My followers get a 2nd chance to win, just tell me how you follow.

Are you a No Reply Blogger?  If you never get replies to the comments you leave on people's blogs then yes you most likely are. Just make sure you leave your email address so that I can get in touch should you win.

The giveaway will remain open through Midnight, Sunday June 1st.

Also remember to visit my blog tour partner today:

North Carolina - A Stitch in Time

Thanks for stopping by. You are welcome back anytime.

P.S. My giveaways always produce hundreds and hundreds of comments and it just isn't possible to reply to all of you but please know that I read and truly appreciate each and every one.

332 of you added your own colorful comments:

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cityquilter grace said...

oooh i get to comment first! my fave apple is mcintosh of course...early macs so delish for eating, make wonderful applesauce with no need for sugar!

cityquilter grace said...

i follow by email....lovely license plate block!

Vroomans' Quilts said...

I think you chose the best of the state's symbols - lovely job.

kathyinozarks said...

I am really enjoy this state tour-I didn't know NY grew so many apples-we really love apples here-but I am thinking I love the gala since it is versatile

kathyinozarks said...

I am one of your followers-which I follow in my bloglist on my own blog

DeeAnn said...

Love your block - very creative!

Dorian said...

A pretty license plate. You did a great job on your pping. I love sweet/tart taste of Granny Smith apples. Thanks for a fun hop.

Dorian said...

I'm a follower :)

Marca said...

My favorite apples are honey crisp. Beautiful block!
Raylynn(at)homemail(dot)com

ittehgaps said...

fuji is my fav but my hubby says a nice tart macintosh is perfect for eating and cooking. Cindy bluemoonstencils@yahoo.com

ittehgaps said...

follow with bloglovin. Cindy bluemoonstencils@yahoo.com

Moogy said...

I like Macintosh for eating, Granny Smith for cooking.

charlotte said...

Great block! I love the Gala apple.

sue bennett said...

I love the honey crisp.
When we lived upstate NY we loved going and picking our own.

suebennett1975@gmail.com

sue bennett said...

I am a follower of your blog and I get it thru Bloglovin.

suebennett1975@gmail.com

Maxine said...

Gala apples are my favorite.

Maxine said...

following you on bloglovin

Jeanie said...

Great license quilt! I like Gala apples the best! Thanks so much!

Jeanie said...

I follow with GFC and Bloglovin.

Patty said...

Great block - I used to live in NY and loved go to Saratoga! I love golden delicious.

Chris Dodsley @made by ChrissieD said...

I've been waiting eagerly for your stop on this blog hop, loved seeing and hearing all about this amazing State, great block. I'm following you on bloglovin' :D

Chris Dodsley @made by ChrissieD said...

My favourite apples are Fuji :D

Kellie from Indiana said...

I like all apples, but Michigan Red and Granny Smith are my faves.

Kathy @ Kwilty Pleasures said...

Fuji for eating and granny for baking. Thnx for the chance !

Lisa England said...

Last fall I went to an apple orchard I hadn't been to before and tried two types of apples I hadn't tried before and now count them both among my favorites -- Mutsu and Crimson Crisp. Yum!

Lisa England said...

I follow via GFC.

Winona said...

Great looking license plate. My favorite apple is gala. I follow you on Bloglovin'.

http://thankfullga447 said...

I lived in NY most of my life about 3 miles from Belmont and have gone upstate to the Catskills many times. Love it. I love mackintosh apples and they are hard to find here in the Midwest.

Unknown said...

I loved reading the information about New York. I did not realize that they grew Apple's there. My favorite is Fuji.

beaquilter said...

Great block Michele and nice how you incorporated everything......
I like golden delicious, but really I LOVE granny smith (from the old days) don't like the skin, but love the tartness, that it's so tart/sour that you feel it in your ears! we have 4 apple trees btw newly planted last fall, think we'll maybe get 5 apples total this year, we'll see.

Betsy said...

I already follow. Your paper piecing is prestine!

Margaret said...

My favorite apple is the McIntosh and they are so hard to find here in Arkansas.

Margaret said...

I already follow you by blog loving and I love your block

Emily C said...

If we are talking computers, I love a Macintosh. If you are talking eating apples, I usually munch on Granny Smith.

barb said...

my favorite apple is the gala. you did a great job on the horse head. of course, i may be just a wee bit prejudice since i come from kentucky. babscorbitt at gmail dot com

barb said...

i am already a happy follower via bloglovin babscorbitt at gmail dot com

Unknown said...

1 love Gala apples and granny smith apples. New York Beauty was also my 1st paper piecing and the first thing that comes to my mind when I think of New York. I follow your blog on bloglovin. I look forward to seeing all the blogs everyday. Paulacox7198@yahoo.com

giddy99 said...

Honey Crisp is my VERY favorite, but they are not always around and expensive, so a good Granny Smith is a close second! :)

Cherry said...

Great License Plate! My favorite apple is the Yellow Opal! Hard to find, short season but oh, so delicious!

Cherry said...

I follow you through GFC! Thanks for the chance at the giveaway!

giddy99 said...

I follow your blog via Feedspot! thanks for the chance.

Calicojoan said...

A perfect plate for a wonderful state. I recently visited the Finger lakes area! Ohhhh the wineries! It was fabulous! Almost as fabulous as this new American Made fabric! I am so excited to have things produced right here in the good ole USA again!

Kathy H said...

Cute license plate. I learned more about New York, especially about the apples. My favorite apple is the Macintosh.

Kathy H said...

I follow through google friends.

Joanna said...

Macintosh is my favorite variety. I think you did a super job on your plate. Looks great.

Kathleen said...

My favorite apple is Honeycrisp.

Carol said...

I read your blog all the time but just realized I never signed up to be a follower, just did that. My favorite apple is Granny Smith.

Joanna said...

I'm following by bloglovin.

Joanne said...

Fuji is my favorite apple. Nice block, by the way!

Beth said...

I really like your plate. My favorite apple is the Fuji.

Tanya Quilts in CO said...

Granny Smith and we have a tree that grows a bunch every year.

Tanya Quilts in CO said...

I follow through a link on my blog...

cbooth said...

Fuji and gala are my favorites.

Marianne said...

My favorite apples are Granny Smiths and Pink Lady.

Marianne said...

Following the old-fashioned way by email!

pinsandneedles said...

Yes I did learn a little more about New York! Thanks! I like a lot of apples varieties including Honeycrisp, Pink Lady, Jonathon, and Granny Smith.

pinsandneedles said...

I'm a GFC follower!

Sandra said...

I love Fuji apples the best. But apples in salads and pies are just the greatest. I love New York. Thank you for being a part of the AMB Blog Tour and sharing the history with us. This has been a lot of fun as well as educational. Your giveaway is one that we all want to win.

Sandi Timmons
sandit1@sbcglobal.net

PQuilts said...

Honeycrisp apples are my favorite, especially eaten with peanut butter. The New York Beauty is one of my favorite blocks to view, because it reminds me of my parents' parents' first view of the Statue of Liberty at the end of their journeys that ended at Ellis Island early in the 20th Century.

Claire said...

My favorite is Jonagold since they make wonderful applesauce without any added sugar.

Unknown said...

Golden Delicious.

syvisser@gmail(dot)com

dcargill said...

Granny Smith apples are yummy!

dcargill said...

I follow via Bloglovin

JoyceLM said...

Golden Delicious is my favorite. Thanks.

JoyceLM said...

I'm a follower with Bloglovin'. Thanks again.

Cecilia said...

Gala is my favorite!

Unknown said...

McIntosh is my favorite

Unknown said...

McIntosh is my favorite

PeginCO said...

Granny Smith!

B Greene said...

Hmmmm... I think I will go with the Granny Smith today. Love your NY license plate block!

B Greene said...

I am a follower of your blog... Thanks for the extra chance.

Susan C said...

I was born and raised in NY and I think you captured the essence of the state beautifully. Though I no longer live there, NY will always be home. I love the crisp, juicy McIntosh apple the best!

Margaret said...

I love honeycrisp apples. They are very expensive here in Michigan so we don't have them often but I treat myself every now and then.

Margaret said...

I am a follower of your blog.

Unknown said...

I just subscribed..............liked the stitchin sunday post

PeginCO said...

Just read your "Journey to Quilting!" Wonderful! We are also an adoptive family. Am subscribing to your post now! And also storing the idea of 100 wishes quilt...

Allison C said...

I love honeycrisps

Jill said...

Honeycrisps are a new favorite but I still love those Cortlands. I love your block, this has been fun reading about each state.

Vicki H said...

I like Golden Delicious.

Vicki H said...

I follow with GFC.

Adtski31 said...

My favorite is gala and fuji

carla said...

Hi!!! Very pretty block!!!! I love golden delicious!!!!

carla said...

I am a happy follower and thanks for the tour!!!!!

Julie said...

My favorite apples are Macintosh and Granny Smith.

Chiska said...

Great plate Michele! My favorite apple is Gravenstein (for pies and apple sauce) and Gala for eating.

HeatherK @ A Reformed Heath'n said...

Fun Project--way to try out new techniques =) I am an apple snob and will only eat Fujis in fall and winter when they're in season and I'll only bake with Granny Smith.

HeatherK @ A Reformed Heath'n said...

I follow via Feedly!

Melissa said...

I love Kiku but have been known to settle for Fuji :)

Melissa said...

I follow you through blogger!

Bethany said...

I follow via bloglovin!

Bethany said...

Honeycrisp apples are my favorite!!

Susan said...

Mmm...I love all kinds of apples, but spies are my favorite!

Karen in Breezy Point said...

I have two favorites--Honey Crisp and Haralson.

Charlotta said...

My favorite apple is Fuji - and I'm embarrassed to say I have no idea where it's grown. I'm from another horse state, Kentucky, and love your block!

Cynthia Brunz Designs said...

I am a fan of the fuji Apple. Great plate!

Cynthia Brunz Designs said...

I follow on Bloglovin

Unknown said...

I enjoy Macoun and Cortlands fresh from the orchard. Granny Smiths are nice substitutes the rest of the year. I love your block and that you tried paper-piecing so you could include the NYBeauty one of my favorite blocks.
I'm "Vermont" on the AMB Tour. marsha(dot)hodgkins(at)yahoo.com
QuilterinMotion

Annmarie said...

You may not believe this, but I hate apples! It's the crunch that gets me - just like some people can't stand scratching on a chalkboard - that doesn't bother me! but apples? I have to walk away if someone is eating one. Great representation in your block - thanks for sharing.

sunny said...

I did not realize that NY was such a big apple producer! I'll be visiting a fellow blogger in the Finger Lakes area next weekend. I just discovered a new apple this year - Pinata. Yummmmyyyy! I cut up an apple and eat it in my oatmeal every day at work.

sunny said...

I follow through blogger.

selleck said...

I love Jonathan apples for cooking and eating.

Unknown said...

My favorite apple is the Jonathon.

Regina Marie said...

My favorite apple is the Fuji! tweetyb936@aol.com

Regina Marie said...

I follow your blog through email. tweetyb936@aol.com

Quilting Tangent said...

Red Delicious is my favorite apple. 24Tangent "at" gmail "dot" com

Quilting Tangent said...

Love NY State. Following on bloglovin'. 24Tangent "at" gmail "dot" com

OneOldGoat said...

I love cortlands and honeycrisp apples . Oneoldgoat1962 at gmail dot

OneOldGoat said...

I follow you by email, just signed up. Oneoldgoat1962 at gmail dot com

OhioLori said...

Didn't know apples were a big grower in NY! Cool!! We make applesauce with golden Delicious & Jonathan"s mixed..no sure. Way Tasty!! Love Macintosh & Gala's too. :)

OhioLori said...

I'm already a Follower of your Blog too, thru Bloglovin :)

Catskill Quilter said...

My favorite apple is the Empire -- grown in NY state!

Catskill Quilter said...

I follow you with feedly and with blog lovin.'

DebraKay Neiman said...

Greetings from Oklahoma. I love honeycrisp apples when I can find them. crystalbluern at onlineok dot com

DebraKay Neiman said...

I follow you on bloglovin. crystalbluern at onlineok dot com

teachpany said...

I favorite apples are Galas and Honeycrisps from Milkpail Farm on Long Island. They are the best! I try to go apple picking there each year.

teachpany said...

I follow via google friend connect. Thanks.

Betty Woodlee said...

My favorite apple us Granny Smith.

Betty Woodlee said...

I follow you on Bloglovin.

Tracy said...

Golden Delicious :)

Tracy said...

I follow you via e-mail.

NanC said...

I follow on Bloglovin'.

NanC said...

Fuji is my favorite apple!

Brenda said...

Yellow golden Delicious is my favorite!

Brenda said...

I receive your e-mails.

Carrie P. said...

great block. My favorite apple is the Gala apple. thanks for the giveaway.

Sewgirl said...

I like Honey Crisp the best. Thanks for sharing! Like your block, especially with the New York Beauty pieced into it!

Cheryl said...

I absolutely love Granny Smiths - nice and tart!

Julie said...

Hi Michele, Love all apples, your state plate design is wonderful.

Julie said...

Hi Michele, Following you with e-mail. Enjoying your website~ Thank-you ~

Cherry Tree Quilts said...

I like Gala apples. Nice & crispy!

Carol in Mesquite said...

My favorite apple is Gala. Nice to see you included the horse industry in you block. We are huge racing fans and went to Saratoga a few years ago. Lovely!

Cherry Tree Quilts said...

I follow your blog via email. Thanks for the opportunity for TWO giveaways!

Miss Jean said...

My favorite apple is a Jonathan. I can't seem to find them anymore, but I'm always on the look out. I think jona-Mac and jona-gold must be related, but not the same.

Donna W said...

My favorite apple is the Honeycrisp. They are just like their name. Sweet and crisp!

Donna W said...

Enjoy and follow your blog via email.

Cheri the Quilting Nanny said...

I don't have a favorite apple. I am looking for a good one for apple pie and other baking items. I have tried Granny Smith and few others, but they just aren't that flavorful to say "OH I love that apple pie!" Appreciate any suggestions!
Cheri
quiltingnanny at yahoo dot com

Cheri the Quilting Nanny said...

I follow you via email!
Cheri
quiltingnanny at yahoo dot com

earth visitor said...

I love the made in the USA fabric and your block is wonderful - so many wonderful colors

Jo said...

Great licence plate! My favorite apples are macintosh

Jo said...

I follow by email.

Donna said...

Honey crisp is my favorite Apple!

Michele T said...

My favorite apple is the MacIntosh!!!

Unknown said...

Favorite apple..depends on if it's for eating or cooking but Fuji and Granny Smith.
thelady at hotmail.com

Unknown said...

I follow by email.

Anonymous said...

I love Fuji apples, especially with cheese and crackers. I also like McIntosh. The Mac was introduced to me by my husband who grew up in NY. We rarely see them out here in WA.

JANET said...

Macintosh are the best!

Anonymous said...

Red delicious apples are my favorite! I almost always have some in the frig. Stargal714@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

Red Delicious are my favorite!

Teresa said...

I follow you on Bloglovin!

Teresa said...

My favorite apple is Gala. yummy!

Becky (My Fabric Obsession) said...

My fav is Fuji!

Becky (My Fabric Obsession) said...

I follow via bloglovin

GeniP said...

My favorite apple is Gala!

GeniP said...

I follow on bloglovin'

Kim @ TiesThatBindQuilting said...

Honeycrisp!

Carmen N said...

We live in a big apple orchard area but I don't know if I have a favorite - it changes each time I try different varieties. We do like Honeycrisp a lot.

Unknown said...

I like Gala apples! Or any apple with caramel :-) Thanks for the giveaway!

Unknown said...

I follow your beautiful blog!

barbara woods said...

Golden delicious ,thanks

Unknown said...

I love the old fashioned macIntosh especially in pies.

Regina said...

MacIntosh is hubby's favorite, but I like Granny Smiths - dipped in caramel!!! MMMMM!!!!!

johnnyp said...

My favorite apple is granny smith

johnnyp said...

I follow via bloglovin

Beth in MN said...

I love the Honeycrisp Apple.

Sarah Craig said...

Great block and post, Michele! I think my favorite is a Honeycrisp apple - but Fujis run a close second! Nice paper piecing, by the way!

graysongal said...

We love the Early Transparent for applesauce. Also Honeycrisp, MacIntosh, Jonathan, . . .

graysongal said...

I follow you via email. Thanks!

Unknown said...

Great quilt block! Favorite apple is Fuji. Thanks for the giveaway! info(at)cocoplumbeachhouse(dot)com.

Rina Mason said...

Love your block and your state. Every year we go through on vacation and always spend at least four days wandering around the smaller towns. My favorite apple is the Braeburn, love it's taste but it's hard to find here in Missouri.

Sarah said...

Beautiful block! My favorite apple is the Pink Lady, for the taste, but also for the name. :) Thanks! sarah@forrussia.org

Deb said...

Love your block! I like Pink Ladies (was just introduced to them about a year ago), and now we get a huge box of them!

Rina Mason said...

I follow via Bloglovin and blogger.

wendy said...

Great plate! I have never been to New York maybe some day I will get there. Honey Crisp apples are my favorites.

Wendy said...

Beautiful block Michele! Job well done :)

khowardquilts said...

Lovely plate! Macintosh is my favorite apple.

kshackabq said...

Very excited about this new fabric. And loved learning about what you love about New York. My favorite apple is Granny Smith -- especially if eaten along with some good, strong-tasting cheese!

MissPat said...

Hi Michelle, from a fellow New Yorker. I know there are lots of new varieties of apples, but my favorite is still the Cortland. It's so versatile and I love the crunch of fresh apples in the fall.

Mary Marcotte said...

Hi Michelle, I'm thrilled to see your license plate block. I'm impressed that you thought to cross stitch the rose and then applique it on. Very inventive! Your block is beautiful. The New York Beauty has me thinking of the Statue of Liberty and wondering if the idea came from her headpiece. Hope to see you on Friday for the Louisiana block debut. (I'm getting a little nervous.)

Debra G said...

Thank you for sharing your block, it's lovely. I wasn't aware that New York grew so many apples, but I love the Fuji and Gala types. Of course, if I'm baking pies, it's Granny Smith all the way.

Jocelyn said...

My favorite apples are Gala. I actually never knew there were so many varieties of apples until I visited my friend in Ohio in the fall. I was amazed. In Florida we only get about 6 varieties. It was fun to try new apples.

Jocelyn said...

I follow your blog :-)

Debra G said...

I'm following you through BlogLovin' :)

Mary said...

I love Jonathan apples because they are great both for eating fresh and for cooking. I'm learning so many interesting things on this blog tour. I had no idea New York was such a dominant apple producer. Thanks for sharing.

Mary said...

I am following your blog. I had the great pleasure of visiting New York City last summer and would love to see more of your state sometime.

khowardquilts said...

I am now following you using Feedburner.

Debbie said...

My favorite Apple is Braeburn. Juicy and tart. Thanks!

Debbie said...

I'm a new follower. Thanks!

Pamela said...

I love your creative license plate! My favorite apple is red delicious. Thanks for the fun and thanks for your inspiring blog!

Pamela said...

I follow you via Bloglovin. Thanks again!

WhoMom said...

My favorite apple is the Honeycrisp apple. Grown here in WA state! Love the symbols on your plate.

WhoMom said...

Following you on bloglovin'.

Kleep said...

I love me a gala apple. Soo good.

Kleep said...

I follow you on bloglovin :-)

Kathryn said...

I love NY also. I've been going to our cottage on. Lake Erie for 60 years. I love a good Pink Lady apple.

Heidi said...

Red Delicious are my favorite, especially righr off the tree:-)

Heidi said...

I follow with Bloglovin!

Kelly Wilson said...

Fuji or Pink Ladies. Granny Smith for pies and salads. Thanks! Notwendy gmail

Unknown said...

I love the Rome apple the most but also the granny smith.

Unknown said...

I follow with RSS feed on MyYahoo.

Cindy said...

Loving your block, you put a lot of thought into it. My favorite type of apple is Red Delicious, but only when they are crispy. I also like Granny Smith.

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