IT'S GIVEAWAY TIME!!

Strangers are just friends waiting to happen.

~Rod McKuen

I am amazed at how many friends I have made in such a short time in blogland.  I never imagined that from August 2, 2010 until now that I would have 400+ followers of my blog!  I have met some (only through our internet connections) who I now consider good friends - we visit each other's blogs daily and usually leave a comment along the way.  I have had so much fun reading all about all of you, seeing what you are making, and learning what is happening in your lives.  I have cried with you, laughed with you, and prayed with you.  I have tried to help make a difference in this crazy world of ours by participating in charities with you.  I have gone on your trips with you and sat in your sewing room listening to your stories.  You all have enriched my life more than you will ever know.  Thank you all for becoming my friend and putting up with my usually not so humble words.  I appreciate each and every one of you.  And, remember,  you are a stranger only once!

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PHOTO OF THE DAY

My Christmas PEZ gift

Ever since I can remember, I have liked PEZ candy.  Back when I was young we had very simple dispensers, not all of these cute little characters that are available now.  "PEZ" is derived from the German word for peppermint. It was formed using the first, middle and last letter of the word, PheffErminZ. Haas used peppermint oil to make his PEZ creation.   PEZ candy was invented in 1927 in Vienna, Austria, by Edward Haas III. Since its inception, the candy and dispenser have transitioned from an adult breath mint to a much-loved candy by children and adult collectors alike. More than three billion PEZ candies are consumed annually in the United States alone. PEZ and PEZ dispensers are available in over 60 countries around the world.
When Haas invented the PEZ candy, he did so as an alternative for smoking. Originally, PEZ were brick-shaped candies, packaged in pocket-size tins. In 1947, an employee of PEZ Candy named Oskar Uxa designed a dispenser that resembled a cigarette lighter. The new design also functioned in such a way that it could have one-hand operation, with an automatic stop to prevent the candy from falling out. In 1948, the current design of the dispenser was created. After extensive research in 1952, Haas decided to move the focus of the candy toward children and started placing character heads on the dispenser.
This was probably a bit more than you wanted to know about PEZ but I found it rather fascinating.

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FEBRUARY SNOWMAN

I wasn't able to get much sewing in yesterday as I had quite a bit of computer work to take care of.  Don't you just hate it when necessities get in the way of your crafting?

This is a six inch square I'm making for a table stand that I have.  I took the design from a pattern called Redwork Snowman Quilt by Wellington House Designs.  Obviously I'm not making it in just redwork.  In the future, I think I will add extra fabric to the sides to make it easier to hoop.  I can always trim away the extra.  I have added a featherweight Pellon to the back to see if it hides the thread ends.  I didn't do this on the Birdie Stitches BOM for January.  This way I can find out which way I like better - backed or not backed.

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MORE BEE BLOCKS

The mailman arrived with happy envelopes again today.  Three to be exact.

This beautiful block was made by Carolyn, The Veggie Hunter.   It has an amazing amount of tiny 1" blocks in it.  It is a very striking block!  Thank you, Carolyn. 

This wonderful block was made by Anna, The Renegade Quilter.  The picture doesn't do it justice as it is a very pretty block.  I love the design.  Thank you, Anna!

This awesome block was made by Melinda, Melinda Quilts Etc.  It is the first hand stitched block I have received.  I love the hexie flower!  Thank you, Melinda!

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I usually don't plug shops or stores unless it's while talking about different fabrics I have used in a project.  However, today is different.  I would like to announce that my friend, Leona, has opened her very own etsy store Leona's Quilting Adventure.   I'm sure that many of you are already following her blog so you know what a talented lady she is.  Now her shop doesn't have a lot in it yet but keep checking back as she will be adding more very soon!  Stop by her store to help her celebrate and tell her I sent you!!

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TODAY'S GOAL

I plan to do some more stitching on my little February snowman.  I also plan to cut out a few more hexies for future flowers.  But all of this has to wait until I do some more on the computer.

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400+ FOLLOWERS THANK YOU GIVEAWAY

I really am thankful that all of you are following my blog!!!  You are my friends and I would like to thank you.  And what better way than to have a giveaway.  Would you like some fabric?  How about..............

This beautiful collection of Vintage Florals by Beth Ann Bruske for David Textiles! 

There is a total of 6 1/2 yards of fabric in this collection.

1/2 yard cuts of each of these pieces.

1 yard of this (the better color picture of this is in the top picture - second from the left)

And 1 1/2 yards of this print.

How can you win this collection you ask?  First, you do not have to be a follower but since this is a Thank You to my followers it would certainly be nice if you became a follower too.  Oh, and don't forget to make sure there is some way to contact you.  If I can't contact you, you can't win.  If you have a 'no-reply blogger' then you better include your email in your comment or you will not get counted.  OK, so here's what you can do to enter.....................

***THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED***

1.  Leave me a comment telling me what your favorite childhood candy was. (one answer only)

And for a second opportunity to enter........

2.  Blog about this giveaway.  Make sure to come back and leave a separate comment with a link to your blog showing me where you mention my giveaway.

That's it!  Easy enough don't you think?  And, yes, this giveaway is open to everybody - local, regional, domestic, international, space creatures - anybody that can type a comment!  Please only leave comments to #1 and #2 above.  Do not enter several comments with several different types of candy - they will be deleted.

I will definitely be reading each answer and checking on blog links.  However, I probably will not be able to respond to each and every one of your comments as I want to have time to sew too - lol!

I will select a winner (with the help of random.org) on Monday, January 31, 2011 at 7:30 AM PST.

Good luck and thank you again!!!!!

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GIVEAWAYS

Adventures in Dressmaking is having a great giveaway but I won't be entering.  She is giving away a $50 gift certificate to Fat Quarter Shop.  I would love to have it but she requires you to become a follower.  This giveaway will end Tuesday, January 25, at midnight.

   
Women Who Do It All is having a CSN giveaway!  Wouldn't you like to win a $55 gift certificate to spend at the CSN store?  This giveaway will end on January 27th.

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FINAL THOUGHT

Our weekend is already planned out.  Family dinner Friday night.  Visiting a quilt show on Saturday.  Sunday is wash day and catching up with what we didn't do on Saturday.  I'm already tired think about it.  It will be fun but not particularly restful.  And that is how our next couple of weekends will be.  Who said things slow down after the holidays doesn't live at my house.  One weekend was all we were given to rest and relax.  I think we have another free weekend some time the middle of next month.  What are your plans for the weekend?

Weekends are a bit like rainbows; they look good from a distance but disappear when you get up close to them.
~John Shirley

It's Friday - Frolic and have Fun!!