First Time FMQ

People who snore always fall asleep first.
 ~Author Unknown

Do you have a snoring sleep partner?  I did last night.  So what do you do?  He is already on his side so turning him won't help.  You don't want to wake him up because he really needs his sleep.  Put my pillow over my head but then I can't breath and my neck gets a cramp in it from lack of support.  Get up and go into another room?  No, can't sleep well in a chair and I would have to move my quilting storage area to sleep on another bed.  Usually my DH is not a snorer, well, not a loud snorer.  But last night was the exception.  I asked him how he slept and he said "Pretty good!".  Figures.  And to top it off, one of the pups was smacking his lips in his sleep (yes, we sleep with our dogs!).  Oh well, who needs sleep?  Me?  Not last night, anyway.

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PHOTO FACT OF THE DAY

World Thinking Day

Each year on February 22, World Thinking Day, girls participate in activities, games, and projects with global themes to honor their sister Girl Guides and Girl Scouts in other countries.  The theme for World Thinking Day 2011 is girls worldwide say "empowering girls will change our world."  World Thinking Day not only gives girls a chance to celebrate international friendships, but is also a reminder that Girl Scouts of the USA is part of a global community—one of nearly 150 countries with Girl Guides and Girl Scouts. Thinking Day was first created in 1926 at the fourth Girl Guide/Girl Scout International Conference held at Girl Scouts of the USA's Camp Edith Macy (now called Edith Macy Conference Center). Conference attendees decided that there should be a special day for Girl Scouts and Girl Guides from around the world to "think" of each other and give thanks and appreciation to their "sister" Girl Scouts. The delegates chose February 22 as the date for Thinking Day because it was the mutual birthday of Lord Baden-Powell, founder of the Boy Scout movement, and his wife, Olave, who served as World Chief Guide.

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PROJECT LINUS

Over the weekend I was able to complete another afghan for our local chapter of Project Linus.

This is really a very vibrant red, the picture makes it a tad dull.  I have started a new one and it is bright orange!  Remember, these are for children - so think bright and happy colors.

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TEENY TINY QUILT

Yesterday I started my 6" mini quilt for the month of March.  I found this pattern in my EQ5 applique library.

Fairly simple but I thought it fit the arrival of birds for March and the beginning of trees budding and bearing fruit.  I actually made two of these - one for myself and one for a gift.  I also decided to try my hand a free motion quilting.  Since you can't really see what I did here take a look........

My stitches are not even and my design needs a lot of work but I am satisfied with my first real attempt at fmq. First I outlined the applique pieces.  Then I was trying to make a branch with leaf motif to fit with the applique design.  Parts I like and parts I don't.  I have a long way to go and I know I will look back on this in the future and think "OMG!  How could I put something like this out for others to see?"  And I probably should have used a blue thread instead of white but I was afraid the tension wouldn't be right and would show through to the white fabric on the front.  Suggestions (and criticism) are always welcome.  Now I need to bind it and add a hanging sleeve.

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NOTHING ELSE

I have nothing else to show you today.  I spent a couple of hours preparing packages for mailing yesterday.  It always amazes me at how long that process can take.  And I don't understand why you can only make two transactions in a row on the USPS site with a credit/debit card.  Oh well.  Now I have to wait to receive a couple of forms in the mail to be able to mail out one of the packages.

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TODAY'S GOAL

Today I would like to bind the mini quilts from yesterday.  And, if time allows, work on my wool table runner.

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GIVEAWAYS

1 Choice 4 Quilting is having a Sunkissed giveaway!  You could be one of two winners of 4 yards of Moda Sunkissed by Sweetwater just by entering Shawna's giveaway.  This giveaway ends Monday, February 28, at 10 pm EST.

Happy Cottage Quilter is having a giveaway. You could win either 3 1/2 yards of fabric or The Square in a Square Technique Ruler, Instruction book, "Special Delivery" pattern book, and some always useful tools.  This giveaway ends Sunday, February 27.

13 Woodhouse Road is having Week #7 giveaway.  You could win one of two great books.  This giveaway ends ? (sorry, no date given).

Michele, over at Quilting Tutorials, is having a giveaway.  She is giving away a Flexible Dritz LED Light.  To enter you have to help her name her new mug rug pattern.  All entries must be received by midnight on March 15th.

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FINAL THOUGHT

Do you ever get a craving?  No, I"m not pregnant!!! (Way passed that, can't happen!)  As I sit here, chocolate keeps invading my thoughts.  Now it's something salty - Lays Regular Potato Chips!  Hmmmm - maybe some fruit - we had some awesome raspberries the other night - but those are all gone.  No, I know!!!  Popcorn!  Buttery, salty, bad for you popcorn.  Guess what?  None in the pantry.  And who wants to eat popcorn first thing in the morning.  After all, I've not had breakfast yet.  I guess Multi-Grain Cheerios and a glass of orange juice will have to do......or maybe an omelet or breakfast burrito.  I think I'm hungry!

One of the very nicest things about life is the way we must regularly stop whatever it is we are doing and devote our attention to eating. 
~Luciano Pavarotti

Tuesday is yours for the taking!