Tuesday, March 15, 2011

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!

22 comments:

Vroomans' Quilts said...

What's the difference between mauve and fuschia anyway - whether you're a traditional piecer or a liberated piecer - I think you did grand. Love your little gifties.

Your Baltimore Album block looks great to me, I certainly couldn't do that well - I know my limits. You will find you improve with each block, by the looks of your first you will be a pro by the last.

I'm playing in my scraps making string blocks - need to tame my reds.

Barbara said...

I love that batik swap block, and the mauve-ish color works for me and for the block. It really pops out, and I think it has enough variations of color that it works for the request. Well done, and in my favorite colors. Also, I always love batiks (although I don't have a huge stash of them either). Perhaps we both should work on that.

Jodi said...

I agree on the time change! Forget about it! And I love Andy Rooney's quote :-)
I entered some of those giveaways - thanks! FYI, I will be having a giveaway on March 28 through "All Things Vintage Sheets" in case you're interested.

Mary Lou Casada said...

It's amazing the fabric you find when you clean and organize, isn't it!!? I was shocked when I did mine. I'd blogged at Madame Samm's about how I buy background fabrics....and while cleaning I discovered I should really, really stop!!! LOL
LOVE the Baltimore Album block. I'm burnt up to do a BA, too. But of course, I could be wrong! LOL
Blessings!
Mary Lou

Lynda said...

Your Baltimore Album block is lovely. And congratulations on cleaning the sewing room. Sounds like you are very organized and ready to work on more projects and of course buy more fabric!

Cheryl said...

You did a great job on your hand applique! Boy, that is a lot of weeds! I hope our wildflower display will be good this year.

Cheryll said...

Your red white and blue block is fantastic...lucky you! But so deserved, as you do a wonderful job on ALL your blocks!

Gene Black said...

Arrgh-time change! Bah!

U
I love the extra daylight when I get off work, but I detest getting up while it is still dark

Scrappy quilter said...

I totally agree with you about the time change. In Canada, Saskatchewan stays the same all year through. We always say they are the smartest ones!!

Hope you have a wonderful day. Oh and circles, I remember making a quilt that had tons of them on it. I made a few and left out the rest. I really like your block and your circles look pretty good to me. Hugs

Megan Harmeyer said...

I love the Baltimore square! I'm excited to see it when the whole thing is finished. I had somebody tell me once about quilting: If you can't see the "mistake" while it's on a galloping horse, there's no mistake. Good thing Wheshelee didn't get lost in all those weeds! Now that you've organized your sewing room, wanna come over and help reorganize our garage??

Lana said...

I love the National day! Let's keep it! How many moms of teenagers need this day to celebrate? LOL! Something good can come from anything! Made me laugh!
Thank you for posting giveaways! I'm not gonna lie. I entered some.
Love your block...and she will too.
Happy Tuesday!

dq said...

Your needle-turn Baltimore Album is done very well. It looks to me like you've gone and started yourself a pretty hefty but beautiful project.

I wish I were the recipient of those beautiful Batik 6" blocks. She is a lucky lady. Also, your red/white/blue swap blocks are gorgeous. She did very nice work.

Anonymous said...

Your Baltimore block is awesome! Great job! I love your paper pieced block from your partner, too - such happy bright colors!
Jacque in SC
quiltnsrep(at)yahoo(dot)com

A.J. Dub. (Amy) said...

I just re-organized too and it is so refreshing! Your applique looks really good!

Joanna said...

I'm sure you worked very hard on your Baltimore Block and it's a treasure. I envy your patience. Love the block you made and the gifts you received. I'm looking up Zentangles - don't know what that is but feel as if I should:)

Shannon said...

I hate spring forward. Makes no since to me. Your new block looks great. That pincushion is so happy looking. Col that you got some organizing done. It feels good to have things where you can see them. Have a great day!!

Karen said...

Excellent swap blocks! Someone is going to be VERY happy!

Deborah in Atlanta said...

Your Baltimore Album block is gorgeous. You should be very proud. Cuz we're proud of you! And the red/white/blue blocks you received are to die for! I told you in an earlier comment that I love red/white/blue. Those colors are so true and crisp in the blocks she sent you. And I've seen zentangles in other blogs and thought they were okay, but love the ones she had on the card.

Unknown said...

Weazy is adorable! Love all the quilt creations ... you gals all amaze me.

Happy St. Paddy's Day ~
Hugs,
Marydon

Nancy said...

Hi Linda,

Thanks so much for always including giveaways in your posts. I don't know how you find them but they are much appreciated.
I didn't enter your giveaway since I've already read that book. It was so good, especially since i was headed to Hawaii!

Unknown said...

I wish they would leave the time alone... though it hasn't been hard on me this time around... it usually messes with my head. :)

I bet you were pleasantly surprised the mail you received and what a way to brighten up a day. :)

quiltzyx said...

Don't cha just love gettin' those squishies in the mail? Especially when they're filled with such yummy blocks!

Weasley looks grand in the 'weed patch' ;^)

All of your blocks are spot on as usual! I really like your swap block colors. And your Album block, well, that quilt will be lovely!!!!

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