Fun mail and hand stitching

The other day I got a fun unexpected package in the mail, yay!  Em sent me a a quilt block book.

Perfect reading for a couple days spent on the couch.  As I was flipping through it I found some blocks that are awesome and might be perfect for the Project Quilting bonus challenge.

Since I had to spend a couple days relaxing on the couch I figured it was a great time to start a new hand stitching project.  Prior to my nerve block I picked out a pattern and some fabrics and had it all set so I could start my project when I was ready.

I decided on a pattern my parents brought home from Hawaii for me (best souvenir you can bring me :) ) .  I traced my fabric onto freezer paper and pressed it onto the folded fabric.  Lots of safety pins were added to make sure the fabric didn't shift while I cut it out.

After I laid it all out, I ran a basting stitch around the applique.  And while I lounged with Boo Boo Penguin on my back, I started the needle turn applique.

It was going nice and smooth, especially since I had never tried needle turn before, until I realized I sewed it to myself.  Ugh!  Thankfully I caught it before I got too far.  I have a feeling this project is going to take a while.