It Better Not Happen Again!

Symptoms, then are in reality nothing but the cry from suffering organs.
~Jean Martin Charcot

No sooner had we gotten one member of the family home from the hospital before we were admitting another.  My SIL had been having severe abdominal pain for most of Sunday.  My DD#2 (his wife) took him to the ER Sunday evening.  After four hours and several tests, it was determined that he had an acute appendicitis.  The emergency team was set in motion and SIL was in surgery by 2:30 AM.  It turns out that the appendix had ruptured but he came through the surgery just fine.  He is now in a nice room (new wing at the hospital), resting comfortably and being filled with mega antibiotics.  I have informed my family that we are not aiming for the "it always happens in 3's".  No more trips to the ER for anybody!!

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PHOTO FACT OF THE DAY

Popsicles

Did you know that the Popsicle the Popsicle was invented by an eleven-year-old Frank Epperson in 1905?  He had left his fruit flavored soda outside on the porch with a stir stick in it. The drink froze to the stick and tasted good. It took 18 more years in 1923 for Epperson to apply for a patent for a "frozen ice on a stick" called the Epsicle ice pop, which his children re-named the Popsicle.  Popsicle sticks were first made from Birch wood and the first twin popsicles were invented during the great depression.  Popsicles can be pretty messy, which is okay if you're poolside but not so much when you're headed to grandma's or somewhere else afterward. To cut back on popsicle mess, save the small lids from yogurt, margarine, cottage cheese and sour cream containers. Cut a very small slit in the lid and slide the sticks of popsicle sticks through them to create a "catch" for all the drips. Wash and reuse, or throw away the lid and stick if you're on the go. Good Humor now owns the rights to the Popsicle.

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BEE BLOCKS FINISHED

Yesterday I accomplished my goal of completing both of the Bee blocks for Let's Bee Together members that were waiting on me.  Not really waiting on me, as they aren't due until the end of the month but I felt like they needed to be done and in the mail.

Here is the block that gave me such problems - well, problems that I caused myself.  It really shouldn't have, it was a rather simple block to make.  But when you cut the squares the wrong size that turn into HST, you end up with a mess.  I had to wait for the dark brown and the green paisley fabrics to arrive and they did Saturday.  This block is for Ann and she selected the block Arkansas Crossroads.  Her only requirement was to use the green paisley fabric as I have them stitched into the block.  The rest of the fabric was to be used as we wished in the block.  I would have rather had a different print than the green and black but I think it looks okay the way it is.

This block is for Tamera.  She is using a pattern by Miss Rosie's Quilt Co. called High Cotton and is making the quilt in Civil War Reproductions in pink and brown.  Tamera selected the Shoo Fly block and then added a little twist.  There is sashing pieces but just on two sides.  She specified which fabrics to use for the Shoo Fly part of the block and then left it up to us on how to assemble the sashing.  I hope she likes how it turned out.

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RICH FABRICS

I received an order from Connecting Threads yesterday for a new project I will be starting soon.

The far left is just a plain cream but the rest are from their Quilter's Candy Mirage line of fabrics.  Aren't the colors just so rich and luscious?  They look even more beautiful in person.  The fabric is a nice weight and you certainly can't beat the price at Connecting Threads.

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WINNINGS RECEIVED

Yesterday I also received my winnings from The Quilty Home Giveaway last month. 

I'm now the happy owner of two charm packs of Hoopla!  I'm not sure what exactly I will be making with this wonderful line of fabric but I know it will be bright and cheery.  Jennifer also included a very nice note with the charm packs.  Thank you, Jennifer!!

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TODAY'S GOAL

Today I think I will spend time working on the wool table runner that I cut out the pieces for last week.  I still am not sure how I will transfer the lettering but I have to applique on all of the flowers and leaves on first.  I have received several suggestions for transferring the letters that I will share with you at another time.

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GIVEAWAYS

Cranberry Samplings is celebrating 300 followers with a giveaway.  Deborah is giving away an assortment of patterns, some fabrics, floss, a pair of little scissors and a wonderful pinkeep she has made.  She will draw a name on Monday, February 14th.

Jay Bird Quilts is having a sponsored giveaway by Pink Chalk Fabrics.  You have the opportunity to win a full collection of fat quarters of Far Far Away II by Heather Ross!  You have until Wednesday at 10:00 PM EST to enter.

Smashed Peas and Carrots is having a great giveaway.  They are giving away about two half yard cuts of some of their lovely and oh so buttery-soft Anna Maria Horner Little Folks Voile.  This giveaway ends Tuesday, February 15th.

Flourishing Palms is having a fun giveaway.  You could win one of two set of Drunkard's Path acrylic templates from Baycreek Quilting.  This giveaway will end on Sunday, February 13th, I think.

Anne Kelle is having a Valentine giveaway. She is giving away bundle of Sweetie Pie (four yards total)! This giveaway will end Monday, February 14th.
Connecting Threads is having a giveaway.  You could win some of their Essential Pro thread and/or a copy of Freemotion Quilting by Judy Woodworth.  This giveaway ends Sunday, February 13th at 11:59 PM PST.

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FINAL THOUGHT

Challenges are constantly being thrown at us.  Whether by something we choose to do or by an unforeseen event that comes our way.  I like challenges that I give myself.  They are a learning exercise and help keep the mind sharp.  The challenges given to me by life are sometimes not so fun to learn from.  But learn we must and then move on.  Life would become rather boring if it just sailed along smoothly day after day.  I could use with a little boredom about now - well, at least for a couple of days.  Then I will provide my own challenges - life can keep their challenges on a shelf for awhile, thank you very much!

But the moment you turn a corner you see another straight stretch ahead and there comes some further challenge to your ambition.
 ~Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr.


It's another terrific Tuesday!!