A Few Stitches

A snowflake is one of God's most fragile creations, but look what they can do when they stick together!

~Author Unknown

Yesterday I enjoyed the sunshine and a big blue sky.  Our high temp for the day was 61 degrees and there was a light breeze.  I'm almost embarrassed with what Mother Nature provided for me compared to what she did to the majority of the country.  The frigid temperatures, the ice storms, and the dumping of tons of snow was just not nice - Ms. MN must have really been mad at someone.  But the good news was that it won't last but a few weeks longer - at least according to the poor ol' groundhog that didn't see his shadow.  Did they have to use a pick and shovel to pull him out of his cozy little den?  Poor thing.  And to think with all of the technology and the science of meteorology that we still put a lot of faith in that one grumpy, little furry creature to tell us how much longer winter will last.  Old habits die hard!

===================================

PHOTO FACT OF THE DAY

Toothpaste

Everyone has a tube of toothpaste sitting in the bathroom (hopefully!) Well while you're standing over your sink in the morning, scrubbing away the remnants of sleep and your first cup of coffee, think about a few of the following things you can do with that powerful little tube! **-Dingy sneakers?  Using a damp cloth and a blob of white toothpaste can brighten dirty white sneakers quickly!  **-Scratched CD?  Use a soft cloth and rub some white toothpaste onto the scratched surface of your disc.  **-Acne?  Place a dab of white toothpaste over that zit before you head off to bed and let dry.  **-Gum on your clothes or hair?  Rub gently at the sticky patch with a generous amount of white toothpaste, and watch it come up!  **-Lipstick Stain?  Rub white toothpaste on makeup stains that get into clothing.   **-Strong Smell?  Apply a generous amount of white toothpaste into the palm of your hands and then use both hands to work it over the skin. Rub your hands together as if you were dry-washing them. Once coated, rinse your hands in warm water.   **-Did your Little Artist Draw on your Walls Again?  Rub a dab of white toothpaste over it with a rag and the crayon should come right off!
See? There are some pretty interesting things you can do with a boring tube of toothpaste!

=====================================

A LITTLE STITCHING

Yesterday I traced and assembled the second block in the Birdie Stitches BOM.  On Tuesday, Little Miss Shabby released the pattern for this block and it is just as cute as the first one.

As  you can see, it definitely needs some pressing and I've not finished the stitching.  That little boy bird is so trying to impress his little lady birdie with flowers - isn't it cute?

=====================================

CANDLE MATS

The other day I decided to make a couple more candle mats.

I cut out this bright, cheery fabric from 2 sets of charm packs from Connecting Threads.  This line of fabric is called Sip of Summer. 

Then those two turned into finished candle mat tops......

I still have to quilt them and bind them, but once they are done they will be going out to friends.  I hope the candle mats will put some cheer and happiness into what may be a very dark and dreary winter for them.

========================================

TODAY'S GOAL

I would like to finish the Birdie Stitches and maybe start cutting out the parts to the spring wool table runner pattern that I have.

=====================================

GIVEAWAYS

Pigtails and Quilts is having a sponsored giveaway!  They are giving away one of Florine's Fabulous Boards - great for applique assembly.  This giveaway will end February 9th at noon EST.

Qubee Quilts is having a book giveaway.  If you have ever wanted to learn to foundation piece then you have to enter this giveaway for a copy of Learn to Make a Foundation-Pieced Quilt.  This giveaway ends Tuesday, February 8th, at 11:59 PM CST.

Cut To Pieces is having a fabulous giveaway to celebrate a new sponsor.  You could win a $50 gift certificate to The Fat Quarter Shop!  The giveaway will be open until the end of the week (no specific date given) and the winner will be announced on Monday.

Flotsam is having a giveaway.  Debra is giving away some of her beautiful crochet work.  This giveaway will be open for one week.

Lucky Duck Dreams is having a giveaway.  She is giving away an assortment of fabrics that would be great for any Valentine Day project.  This giveaway will end Monday, February 7th, at 5:00 PM.

My daughter, Megan, over at Kitschy Suburbia is having a giveaway!  Would you like to have pretty hands and face while you are busy quilting away?  Megan is giving away several nail and facial items that you might enjoy.  This giveaway will remain open until Wednesday, February 16th, at midnight MST.

Texas Freckles is having a giveaway to celebrate opening her online store.  She is giving away about 45, 2.5" squares from the original Cheater Friday print ready to become 1" hexagons.  A winner will be chosen on Sunday night.

=========================================

FINAL THOUGHT

Mother is still in the hospital.  In fact, she's in a different hospital.  It is one of those insurance things.  The doctors are stymied at why she has so much blockage (90% blockage in the right side artery and 70% blockage in the left).  She had surgery to open the left side just this past September and had the right side cleaned out and a stent put in about 3 years ago.  All that blockage is not supposed to be happening.  Yesterday she had a MRI with dye injected.  Tomorrow she may have an angiogram.  Hopefully we'll have some answers soon.  I'm think she may be in for another surgery.  That's a little rough on a petite 82 year old lady that ways just over 100 pounds.  So, if you could send some kind thoughts and maybe include her in your prayers, I would certainly appreciate it, my friends.

It's important to have a twinkle in your wrinkle.
 ~Author Unknown
It's Thursday - let it be thoughtful!!