Blocks Were Swapped

"Lost time is never found again"

Benjamin Franklin

It's Tuesday already.  And the middle of March!  The days are going by just too quickly.  I have several more things I want to get done before the end of the month.  At least March has 31 days.  That sort of makes up for the missing days at the end of February.  But they took away an hour from me the other day.  I want it back.  Don't they know how much I could get done in that hour (even if I was asleep)?  I don't want to wait until some time in the fall to gain back that hour.  It's dark until 6:30 in the morning now.  The birds don't start singing until around 7:00.  Why can't we just leave it as it is.  We really don't conserve on energy - one excuse I've heard for changing to daylight savings time.  It doesn't make travel safer or give the farmer's extra daylight.  So give us back our hour and quit messing with nature.  Just keep us on a normal 24 hours makes a day and I think we will all be happy.

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PHOTO FACT OF THE DAY

Another holiday?

 

Today, March 15, is National Everything You Know Is Wrong Day.  Think you know everything? Think again. Today, any time you think about anything, just stop. Because you're wrong. Unless you think you need to go to work. You probably need to do that. And it's okay to think you need to eat something. And if you think you need to put on some pants before you leave the house, by all means, do so.
If you think this is a National holiday you would be wrong!
 
PS.  I don't believe a word of it - LOL!  Just thought I would throw this one out there as something totally bizarre.

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6 INCH BLOCKS

Yesterday I made up my first swap blocks for the 6 Inch Block Swaps Australia - my goal for the day. 

My partner asked for the block called Liberate! to be made in mauve and blue batiks.  I have a very limited supply of batiks in my stash.  Something I guess I should work on.  As you can tell I had to go with a blender for the mauve.  I had picked up a fat quarter this weekend but had it in my brain that she wanted fuchsia.  That was close - right?  NOT.  I hope these will work.  I hate starting out a brand new swap group making a huge mistake in color selection.  Hopefully my swap partner will like these.

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BEFORE THE CHORE

"Hey, Mom!  Can you see me?"

This is Weasley almost lost in our weed "garden".  How lush and green our garden was.  On Saturday, my wonderful DH got out there and pulled those nasty green things and now we are starting to get our garden back.  He even found a couple of little Gerbera's still thriving under all those weeds :)  With all of the rain and non freezing temps we had this year we hope that there is an abundant crop of wildflowers in the hills around us.

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SWAP BLOCK RECEIVED

Yesterday's mail included a squishy envelope for me.  This envelope came all the way from the UK via Royal Post!

Caroline made this beautiful paper pieced block for me in my requested colors of red white and blue.  Can you believe this was her first attempt at paper piecing?!?  Caroline also made me an adorable little pin cushion as a thank for organizing the Block Swap Adventure.  Wasn't that sweet?  And she also included a handmade card that she created using Zentangles.  Isn't it amazing?  I would say that Caroline is a multi-talented lady.  Thank you, Caroline!

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BALTIMORE ALBUM BLOCK

Over the weekend I managed to finish my very first Baltimore Album quilt block.

I see many imperfections but as one of my followers told me "Nature is not perfect".  I definitely need to practice my circles.  It did help stitching around them twice as suggest by Mimi Dietrich in her book, Baltimore Basics.  It really smoothed out the waviness.  There is one little part on the circle that looks like it was nibbled on so I will pretend a mouse has visited.  But all in all, I am pleased with my first venture into hand applique.  Now on to block #2!

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TODAY'S GOAL

The Mystery Designer BOM arrived yesterday.  I will be making that up today.

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GIVEAWAYS

Material Girls is having a giveaway.  They don't specify what you could win other than showing two pictures of fabrics so I'm assuming that is what is up for grabs.  This giveaway ends Wednesday, March 16.

Vroomans Quilt is having a giveaway to celebrate 50 posts and 50 followers!  Sharon is giving away A fat 8th bundle of lovely Antique Fair.  This giveaway ends the first day of Spring, March 21st.

A Hug Delights is having a I Love To Read Giveaway.  Janet is giving away three books to three lucky winners.  She will draw the 3 winners on Friday, March 18th.

The Quiltmaker Blog, Quilty Pleasures is having a book giveaway.  You could win an autographed copy of The Union Quilters - Jennifer Chiaverini's newest book.  This giveaway ends tonight at midnight MST.

I'm Just A Guy Who Quilts is having a Bon Vivant giveaway.  You could win a Bon Vivant accessory set, or a neat wine and cheese tote, or a fat quarter bundle that Ryan has put together of Bon Vivant.  This giveaway ends Friday, March 18.

Churchill Park Studio is having a giveaway to celebrate their 100th post.  Donna is giving away a jelly roll of Neptune by Tula Pink.  This giveaway ends Monday, March 21st.

Robert Kaufman Fabrics is having a Kona Color Contest.  You could be one of five lucky winners to win a a set of all five Kona charm packs!  This giveaway ends March 17th.
Em Celebrates! is having a giveaway.  Go celebrate little and big or tiny and large with Em.  She is giving away a copy of Pretty Little Mini Quilts.  This giveaway will end March 21st.

Would you like to win an applique pattern from B. Bumble and Company.  Check out this giveaway HERE.

Do you like to read?  Do you like books by Jennifer Chiaverini?  Then you will want to try to win my giveaway for The Aloha Quilt.  Go HERE to enter this giveaway!

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FINAL THOUGHT
I finally did some way overdue organization in my sewing room.  I put away scraps in their proper bins.  I collected copies of block patterns and filed them away for future use.  I even filed the files away where they belong.  Over the weekend we bought a new plastic storage shelf so that I could take my fabric out of tubs.  I could never remember what was in those tubs besides knowing that I had cuts anywhere from 1 yard to 10 yards.  I unpacked, folded and stacked all of the fabric from two tubs.  I even color coordinated the stacks.  I discovered fabric I don't even remember buying.  Better yet, I found the perfect fabric for backing and possibly for the border of my Baltimore Album quilt.  How sweet is that?  Especially since that means I won't have to go out and buy more fabric.  Woohoo!  Score one for me :)

If you smile when no one else is around, you really mean it.
~Andy Rooney

Today is Tuesday - to think or not to think - lol!