Will Stitch For Tips

I would thank you from the bottom of my heart, but for you my heart has no bottom.
~Author Unknown


Great news!  My mother came through the surgery with flying colors!  The doctor said that he had never seen so much scar tissue in an carotid artery before, especially in one that had just been cleaned out four months ago (and he has performed vascular surgery for over 30 years).  He removed about 4 inches of her artery and replaced it with a vein from her groin.  Hopefully this will keep a repeat surgery unnecessary.  And, with any luck, the other side won't get any more clogged that it already is.  She did doing so well, that she was released from the hospital yesterday - just 24 hours after her surgery.  I have to think this was definitely helped by your many kind thoughts and prayers!  I would like to thank each and every one of you for your positive thoughts and for the power of your prayers.  Bless you all!

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PHOTO FACT OF THE DAY

Paper Clips

Paper clips.  Those little bent pieces of wire that we all have around the house.  Some in drawers, some holding papers together, and others just linked together.  Have you ever thought of all the different ways you could use those handy little gadgets?  I found a site that listed "101 Uses For Paper Clips" but I will only share a few that I found to be the most sensible and a couple that aren't.........1.  Hem holder  2.  Eye glass repair  3.  Xmas ornament holder (and I've done that!)  4.  Unclog Elmer's glue bottle (done that, too)  5.  Clean the little roller thingies on your mouse  6.  Emergency tie tack  7. When combined with a rubber band, can be used to earn a three-day vacation" from eighth grade  8. Snow shoes for mice, birds, and other small creatures  9. Arrange clips to spell "TIP?" and leave in lieu of cash when service stinks in a restaurant  10. Emergency key to bathroom knobs.....and last but not least, one of my favorite uses ......

lottery ticket scratcher!  What unusual ways have you used a paper clip?

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SURPRISE THANK YOU

I received this wonderful little hexagon flower in the mail on Saturday.  Irene, of Hilachas, made it for me as a little "thank you".  The colors are perfect and will be a wonderful addition to my second hexie project that I am working on.  Thank you, Irene!

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BIRDIE STITCHES

On Friday I was able to finish the 2nd block of the Birdie Stitches BOM being hosted by Little Miss Shabby.   Her designs are so cute!  If you would like to see the blocks others have stitched, just visit the flickr group.   I used the pink colorway of the Dream On to go with the Valentine theme.  I also changed up the flower color from red to the yellow for something different.

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TWO TIPS I LEARNED

This weekend I learned TWO new things about a couple of the tools of our trade. 

I had to buy a new fabric glue stick this weekend.  Instead of just ripping open the packaging and throwing it away, I read the back.  On it was a tip I had not seen before.  It suggested storing the glue stick in the refrigerator as this helps it from spreading to thickly and makes the stick last longer.  So guess where my glue stick is now?

While passing time in the family waiting room at the hospital on Saturday, I did some magazine catch-up reading.  I took time to read all of the little helpful tips that American Patchwork & Quilting always includes.  In the April issue, tip #17 says "Hand-sewing needles have a right and wrong side to the eye.  If you're having difficulty threading a needle, rotate it to the opposite side.  You will be surprised at how much easier it will be to thread" - contributed by Bettina Havig.  I was skeptical and thought 'yeah, right'.  Shortly after that I was stitching together a hexie flower and had to start a new thread.  Guess what?  Bettina was right!!  I was having trouble threading the needle - tried it three times.  Turned the needle around and "POOF" the thread went right through the eye.  Guess you can teach an old dog lady new tricks.  Give it a try yourself next time the thread is refusing to slide into that old needle's eye.

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TODAY'S GOAL

Today I am going to work on two Bee blocks.  I received the replacement fabric for the block I messed up last week so I can finish up that one.  I also received the fabric and instructions for the other Bee group and will be much more careful cutting out the pieces for it.

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GIVEAWAYS

Simply Solids is celebrating 400 followers with a giveaway.  Mandy is giving away a fat quarter bundle of Swoon!  The winner will be announced on Friday, February 11th.

Hawthorne Threads is having their weekly giveaway.  This week they are offering up an Innocent Crush Jelly Roll for this weeks giveaway!  A winner will be selected Wednesday, February 9th.

Alderwood Quilts is having a February giveaway.  She is giving away Day Z Paw Z pattern and 9 fabric daisies to use with the pattern.  Sue will draw a winner on March 1, 2011.

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FINAL THOUGHT
As I sit here finishing up this post for today, I looked down at the lower tool bar (that bar at that bottom of the computer screen that shows what pages you have open) and saw that I had several pages open.  All but one of the open pages are for swaps that I was checking out.  There are so many great groups out there that look like lots of fun.  I already belong to several swaps and thoroughly enjoy the process of making blocks for others.  I keep telling myself 'you do not need another commitment' and this is very true.  But how can you pass up another fun experience?  I need to work on the projects that I have started.  I need to complete others.  I guess it's time to draw the line on joining :(  How many swaps do you participate in?

If passion drives you, let reason hold the reins.
~Benjamin Franklin

May your Monday be a most magnificent day!