Mail Me a Flower

Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.
~William A. Ward

My mailman has been bringing both gifts that I am giving and gifts that I have received.  I have been a very lucky gal lately as you will see later in this post.  WOW!  Can you believe it is already December 1st?  Are you ready for gift giving?  Trying to figure out just the right gift for someone is sometimes down right exhausting.  Will he like it?  Is it the right size?  The right color?  So many times it's just easier to buy a gift card and let the recipient do their own shopping.  However, I don't especially like giving that kind of gift.  It just seems that I haven't put much thought into what might be just the right gift.  It does help that I require a 'wish list' from each of my family members.  What do you do for your gift giving decisions?

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PHOTO OF THE DAY

One of my favorite Norman Rockwell Christmas pictures

My camera has been rather idle as far as scenic pictures lately.  My yard is ugly and the neighborhood isn't producing anything but brown leaves.  So, today I give you Norman Rockwell.  Norman Rockwell thought of himself first and foremost a commercial illustrator.  Born in New York in 1894, Rockwell had early hopes of becoming an artist. As a young man he left high school to attend art school. A diligent student at the Art Student’s League in New York, he graduated to find immediate work as an illustrator for BOY’S LIFE magazine. By 1916 Rockwell had created his first of many SATURDAY EVENING POST covers. He would continue to create memorable covers for them for nearly fifty years — making three hundred and seventeen in all. Although his vast body of work has often been dismissed or stereotyped, Rockwell remains one of 20th-century America’s most enduring and popular artists. Now, more than one hundred years after his birth, he is achieving a new level of recognition and respect around the world.

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Today is Wednesday, so it must be One Flower Wednesday. 

I liked the petals for the flower when I was cutting them out.  I'm not so sure about them actually on the flower though.  I can't say that this is one of my favorites but it will work in the GFG quilt as it is bright and cheery.

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Last week I received a Mosaic Tile Block from Lynn in Ontario, Canada.  We are both member of the International Friendship Quilters swap group.

For this swap you send your partner a 4 1/2" block that they then add to with their own fabrics.  Didn't Lynn do a nice job of matching the colors?

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On Monday, my mailman brought me a package from my friend, Leona.  We have only been email friends for a few short months but I think we have made a lasting friendship and one that I am honored to have.  Look what Leona sent me......

Lots and lots of Connecting Threads fabrics.  Leona knows how much I like their fabric and thought of me when she was recently destashing.  She also included a little packet of 1" hexagons with some adorable reproduction squares and a package of 80 die-cut hearts also of reproduction fabrics.  Leona has a super blog - go check her out at Leona's Quilting Adventure.  Thank you so very much, Leona!!

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A few weeks ago I was the lucky winner of a contest being held by Em Celebrates!  The winner, me, received one of Emily's very own handmade quilts!!  I couldn't believe it when she let me know I was the winner.  The quilt is adorable - let me share it with you.....

Isn't it cute?!?!?!?!  I just love it.  The wonky houses are so original and the colors are so bright.

Here is a close up of one of the houses......

Can you see all of the wonderful quilting she has done?  And she emailed to say that she is still in the learning phase of quilting - if only I could be so talented.

I will treasure this quilt for years to come.  Thank you so very much, Emily!!!!

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GIVEAWAYS

Quilt Times is giving away Quilt Calendar 2011.  You must enter this giveaway by December 7th.

One More Quilt is having a great giveaway to celebrate her 100th post.  She is giving away 5 yards of fabric.  There are several options available.  Enter this giveaway by December 5th for a chance to win. 

And, of course, there's always my BIG GIVEAWAY to enter!  The Thimbleberries are just waiting for you.  Coming this Friday, I will give you another way to enter.   You must enter by December 10th!!

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FINAL THOUGHT

My head is fuzzy this morning.  I think I'm tired of thinking.  Possibly could be from not getting enough sleep.  Who knows.  Hopefully my brain will become clear once I have my first cup of coffee and the sun peaks over the eastern horizon.  I have a big problem with over thinking things, especially this time of year and I'm sure that is a lot of my fuzziness.  I know I promised that I wouldn't stress this Christmas season and I'm really working on that!  Breath in..........breath out.  Relax.  And breath again.  I think some therapeutic sewing will help today!

Often the hands will solve a mystery that the intellect has struggled with in vain.

~Carl G. Jung

Have a wonderful and wacky Wednesday!!