Monday, February 7, 2011

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!

23 comments:

Cheryl said...

I am following Ben's advice! Drew the line last month and have been successful at working at my 'priority list.'
So glad Mom's surgery was such a success.

Sunnybec said...

Hi Linda really good news about your Mums surgery, send you and your family my very best wishes. and WOW how quickly was she out of the hospital....that's got to be good news. Thanks for the tip about the needle, I didn't know that, just thought it was my bad eyesight!! Will be giving that ago. Hugs Linda

Mommarock said...

Really appreciate the advice.. especially about the threading of the needle.. now I will certainly give that a try as I stitch all by hand.. (tried to get a machine thru freecycle that fell thru), but the threading of the needle seems to be getting harder and harder thru these old eyes.

Annmarie said...

Good news about your Mom. Let's hope she stays well. I've joined a few swaps in the past few years but my passion is BOM's. I have 5 going right now. It's a great way to get a quilt top done. Of course, then there's all the work after the fun part is done!

Quiet Quilter said...

It's great about your mom..she'll be up and around in no time! I had seen the tip about the needle, but had forgotten it. Thanks for reminding me....

Impera Magna said...

So very glad to hear your mom came thru surgery with flying colors and was able to go home so quickly. I'll continue praying for her speedy recovery.

I've not started participating in swaps yet. Working full time limits the time I have to spend doing what I love must. Maybe in the future...

Staci said...

Such great news about your Mom! I was so happy to read it. So scary when parents are ill.
You know, I've never read the back of the glue stick package, either! Now I sure wish I would have.
I read that tip about the needles, too and wondered about it. Glad you tested it out!
Hope you have a lovely Monday!

Toni said...

Good morning Ms. Linda!

I'm so relieved to read about you mom doing better. I thought of you all this weekend.

LOVE you tips, always can use new ones!

As for swapping, I use to swap all the time, but over the years have cut way back because I ended up with soo many blocks!! I don't do block swaps any more...well, except yours :) I like swaps where there are completed projects involved! Less UFO's in the end!

Have a wonderful day Linda!

Barb said...

That is wonderful about your mom!!

Scrappy quilter said...

Great news about your mom. I haven't done any swaps...just not able to right now. In the future I'd love to. Thanks for all the neat stuff you put on your blog. It's always so interesting. Hugs

Maria said...

What great news about your Mum.

thank you for your tips. Will try the threading the needle trick next time I stoich.

Julia said...

Thank God that your mom is doing so well!
I once slammed my finger in a door. My finger swelled very quickly and felt like it was going to burst. I went to the ER. The dr. unbent a paper clip, heated the end, and zapped my fingernail with it. My finger immediately felt better. He had released the pressure by burning a hole in my fingernail with a PAPERCLIP!

Vroomans' Quilts said...

So happy to hear your mother is doing so well, will still keep her on the prayer list. Oh, the wonderful paper clip. I have a little trinket box from my gr.grandmother that lost it's key long ago, but I can pop that thing open with a good ole' paper clip everytime.
Your birdies are coming along so cute! Love that you are adding personal touches.
I am doing only 3 swaps this year - the seasonal swap, quilt galleries, and PIF - I am dedicated to doing finishes this year.

Rochelle said...

Hi Linda,

Great news to hear of your Mum's successful surgery.

I really enjoy reading your facts and words of wisdom each day - thanks :-)

I did know about the eye of the needle having a front and a back, something I learned at embroiderers guild many years ago. Apparently this happens because the eye is stamped, so the front is where the stamp is punched through.
Did you know the thread has a right end and a wrong end as well? If you continue to have difficulty threading, try turning your thread and using the other end. You should use the end of the thread that comes off the spool or skein first.

Have a great day

Wendy said...

So glad your mom is doing better. That's great news!

The birdie stitches are SO cute, I'm kind of regretting not following along...although I might start in some time and just catch up. Your stitching is so nice on them!

I think I've heard the needle tip somewhere before but thanks for the reminder!

Sarah Craig said...

Great post today, Linda! I'm so glad to hear about your mom - thanks for updating us. The "eye of the needle" trick is one I've never heard, and can't wait to try out. I love your block! And the best use for a paper clip? It's the perfect size to fit in those little "reset" holes on electronic gadgets!

And congratulations on your win over at Lucky Duck Dreams!! Woohoo!!!

Unknown said...

So glad to hear the good new for your Mom. :)

Ann Marie @ 16 Muddy Feet said...

Wonderful post today. Glad to hear about your mom, and that she is doing great. I spent the whole day myself in the hospital today while my husband had a partial colectomy done this morning. Everything went well with his as well. Gotta love the good news going around.

WoolenSails said...

I am so glad to hear that your mom did well and is recovering nicely. I tend to use things without reading, but do try to remember to read before I throw the package out;)

Debbie

Deb said...

I seldom comment but ALWAYS read! You have a great blog full of neat tips, inspiration, and giveaway links. I enjoyed the tip about the needle..I will definitely have to try it! And the glue...just bought glue sticks at Costco over the weekend, but do I have room in my fridge for the big pack of them??? LOL! Thanks so much for all you do.

Shannon said...

I am so glad that your mom is doing good. It is a scary thing to see loved ones having health issues. You Birdie Stitchery is great. I am only in three swaps right now. The two with you and then the Inchy Hexie Swap, also with you. LOL! Take care!!

Vesuviusmama said...

We use paperclips to unlock the doors in the house that the little one accidentally locks - you know the doors with just the tiny hole in the middle of the doorknob to release the lock? And how do you get those Birdie BOM blocks done so quickly? I'm still on number one, and still working on the snowman!

Talin's Corner said...

I am so glad that all went well with your Mom.

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