Monday, March 14, 2011

A Novel Giveaway


It was one of those March days when the sun shines hot and the wind blows cold: when it is summer in the light, and winter in the shade.
~Charles Dickens
We are on that roller coaster known as spring weather.  Thursday was warm with a high of 76 degrees with an abundance of  bright sunshine.  Friday brought overcast and dreary looking skies with our high reaching only 62.  Yes, I know that could be a regular heat wave to some of you but it's fairly normal for us at this time of the year.  The plants are confused.  "Do we leaf out yet or send out flowers?"  And the poor birds - "Do we start nest building or just stare at each other for a little while longer?".  There certainly has been lots of mating dances going on along my fence tops lately.   I never know which closet to go to in the morning and could possibly be changing clothes completely by afternoon (my closets are tiny so don't think wardrobe - think high school gym locker).  Thursday it was jeans and a long sleeve t-shirt.  Friday it was back into sweats and a corduroy shirt.  Saturday and Sunday were partly cloudy and cool but a little warmer than Friday.  But I'm not complaining because in about a month it will be hot and will remain hot until some time until October.  I'm not looking forward to summer.

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PHOTO FACT OF THE DAY

Potato Chips - mmmmmmmm!

Today, March 14,  is National Potato Chip day.  National Potato Chip Day celebrates the ever popular potato chip. Potato Chips are America's #1 snack food. But, its not just a snack food. Its the potato of choice for many lunchtime and dinner meals. Regular (or plain) potato chips are by far the most popular. Other popular flavors are barbecue, sour cream & onion, oil & vinegar, and ranch.
It is hard to believe that the world's most famous snack food began as a joke. Potato Chips were first made in 1853 while Commodore Cornelius Vanderbilt was on vacation in New York. At one restaurant, he kept sending his fried potatoes back to the kitchen because he said they were "too thick". The chef, George Crum, decided that he would cut them into paper-thin slices, boil them in oil, fry them, and salt them as a joke to the Commodore. It backfired. They became an instant success and the restaurant was well known for them. 

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MUG RUG SWAP

Friday I finally decided to work on my mug rug for my swap partner in Leona's Mug Rug Swap Adventure.

It took me forever to decide exactly what I wanted to do.  I visited my swap partner's blog but that really didn't help a lot.  I even asked her for her "likes" and still didn't have a clue where I was going.  So I pulled out a charm pack I had and a few other fabrics and started cutting.  I ended up with......

...This!  I love the colors in this mug rug.  And the little birdie in the bottom corner was just a little added something.  In fact, he matches the backing to this mug rug.  I hope my partner likes it!  This will be hitting the mail box in a couple of days.

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A NOVEL GIVEAWAY

Last month Nancy, a follower of mine, surprised me when she told me that she had won Patty's Round Robin Book Giveaway.  A bigger surprise was when she told me she would be forwarding the book to me after she had read it.  You see, Nancy doesn't have a website but had seen my entry for Patty's giveaway and knew how much I would like to read the book.  What book you ask?  The book is The Aloha Quilt by Jennifer Chiaverini. 

This book certainly didn't disappoint.  Ms. Chiaverini continued with her excellent story telling.  It is an excellent read.  Inside the cover of this book are the names and locations of everyone that have read the book so far in the Round Robin Book Giveaway.  The book started its travels from San Diego, CA when it left the hands of Darlene, Insights from  Sew Cal Gal (the originator of the Round Robin Book Giveaway).  It has since traveled to Amerika Samoa, then to Iowa and on to Nancy in Utah then to me here in Bakersfield, CA.   Now it is my turn to continue the Round Robin Book Giveaway.  If you would like to read the book and then send it on its way with another giveaway, just leave me a comment below saying you would like to read the book.  Please don't leave a comment if you won't be able to send the book forward.  Let's see how many places this wonderful book can go!  This giveaway will end Monday, March 21, 2011 at midnight.  I will announce the winner on Tuesday, March 22.

Thank you, Nancy, for giving me the opportunity to send this book on its way!

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TODAY'S GOAL

Today I will make 2 swap blocks for the 6 Inch Block Swaps Australia that just started up.
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GIVEAWAYS

The Plaid Scottie is still celebrating her blogiversary, this time with giveaway #2.  Kaelin is giving away a med size flat rate box full of scraps.  This giveaway ends at midnight on March 17th.

Quilt Cookies is having a giveaway.  What you can win is a surprise so who knows what little goodie it will be.  This winner will be announced after March 16.

Hawthorne Threads is having their weekly giveaway.  This week you could win a Sugar & Spice layer cake.  This winner will be selected on Wednesday, March 16.

The Q and the U is having a Blog-O-Versary giveaway.  Actually, the 1st of 3.  For this giveaway Riel is giving away a lot of wonderful scraps.  This giveaway will end Wednesday, March 16, AST.

You still have another week to enter the giveaway for a pattern from B. Bumble and Company.  Just go to enter HERE.

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FINAL THOUGHT

Do you ever feel like you run out of time to accomplish all there is to do or would like to do?  I do.  And it doesn't help when they steal an hour from me like they did yesterday!  I wish I had six sets of hands - one for piecing, one for hand stitching, and one for anything else that I might want to do or for even doing chores around the house.  I try to divide my day in two.  One half for piecing and the other for hand stitching.  When you throw writing a blog in the mix, it really limits the hours you can give to any one project.  I have even started working on projects in the evenings.  I used to save this time for my DH and watching TV.  Now I use that time to spend with DH, usually some sort of hand project, and listening to shows.  Unfortunately, I also have to allow time for eating and sleeping.  Probably necessary so I can accomplish my main goals.  So, how do you divide your day?

Time is what prevents everything from happening at once.
~John Archibald Wheeler

A new week, a new day - use it wisely!

41 comments:

Vroomans' Quilts said...

I just love your mug rug - cheeky little birdie! Happy Potato Chip Day, too - guess I should treat myself to a bag. We are having ice and snow today so soak up some sun for me.

Nancy said...

I love your mug rug. It is on my list to make a few of those and this is darling. Thanks for the inspiration!

quilthexle said...

Just found your book giveaway via Amy's blog - and would LOVE to enter. The novel would than travel to Germany - and of course, I would send it on its way again after I read it.
Take care,
Frauke

Lynda said...

Would love to read the book and pass it on.

Love the mug rug...I'm sure the recipient will too. The little birdie in the corner is perfect.

Potato chips...my doctor put me on a diet and I don't think I could count chips as a healthy vegetable!

Enjoy your day!

Cheryl said...

What a fun idea! I would love to be included.

krisgray said...

I would like to the enter the book giveaway/pass it on.

How do divide my day? Well, the 3 easiest days to divide are when my DS is at preschool. I get 5 hours to do some household chores, run errands (that are easier without a youngster), gardening (as weather allows) and piece/quilt. If I have handwork, I save it for the evenings.

Barbara said...

I love your mug rug, especially the finishing touch, the little birdie. I can't picture liking it nearly as much with that. Also love your potato chip photo. It's only 9 amd and it made me hungry for them! ;)

Lynette said...

The birdie is so perfect!

Riel Nason said...

Thanks for including my giveaway Linda. I love the format of your posts by the way!

Cyndi said...

Hi Linda! I think your mug mat is adorable and I'm sure your swap partner is going to love it! And who knew potato chips got their start as a joke? Looks like the joke was on the chef, eh? :o)

I would love to read "The Aloha Quilt" and would be pleased if you'd put me in the drawing!

Have a happy day!

XOXO,

Cyndi

Linda said...

I love Jennifer's books and haven't read that one YET! Would love to be included the book's journey!

Linda in OK

nono said...

I've been feeling the time crunch too. I think I'm going to start making a schedule for myself and see if that helps.

Scrappy quilter said...

What a fun idea, to read a book and then have a giveaway. Jennifer is such an awesome author. Hugs

Sunnybec said...

Trying to win this book (again).... I really think it should come to France and learn a new language....I am more than happy to pass it on when I have finished it. Hugs Linda

Maria said...

Great colours in your Mug Rug and the little bird is so cute.

I have not read any of Jennifer's books yet.

Anonymous said...

my day is divided between work and sleep with a few meals thrown in. Weekends are spent trying to do everything else!

Sandie @ crazy'boutquilts said...

Very cute mug rug! I would love to read The Aloha Quilt book and pass it along. Please include me too. :-) Have a happy week!

Lana said...

I think you do a lot with your time for sure! I envy your ability to stay on track-with the everyday goal list!
Yes, PLEASE add me to the book tour list! I would love to read it and pass it on!

Janet said...

I would love to read a new book. Please put me in the drawing. You are welcome to invite everyone to my book giveaway this week too.

Deborah in Atlanta said...

Please include me in the drawing for the Traveling Book. I love to read, and would enjoy this one. dmj53(at)hotmail(dot)com

Janet said...

Potato chips are my favourite!!! You have tempted me, I mean how can I not celebrate Potato Chip Day??? Oh and I'd love the read the book and then pass it along when I'm done.

Needled Mom said...

I think I should eat some potato chips today!!!

Your mug rug looks great. I am sure your partner will love it too.

Time allowances are difficult on any given day. Like you, I have way too much to do to sit with idle hands as I watch TV in the evenings. Hand sewing really helps me feel like I am not wasting my time.

I would love to read the book and pass it on too.

Kirsten said...

Your mug rug looks lovely! I think I will have to have some chips to celebrate too:)And if you are willing to send the book to Australia, I would love to read it - not sure if they are available here!

Jocelyn said...

I have never read any of Jennifer's books, but I would love to read it and then send it to someone else :-)

Cheryll said...

LoVe the mug rug and so will your partner! I'll put my name forward to win the book if you'll post to Australia. Thanks!

LesQuilts said...

Hi!
Could you please add my name to the book travel along?
I have read all of Jennifer's books but this one.
I promise I'll send it to a good home!
The book needs to see the sights in Canada!
I too, have probs with my day. I just tell myself to set priorities. Things will get done when they get done! This from a person who is known to do 3 things at once!
My advice, just set priorities. If you have a deadline, then meet the deadline. If housekeeping chores are hanging over you, get them done. It is important to get others to do what needs to be done in the house too. If everyone but you has time to sit and watch TV, there is something wrong with the balance in your house!
Mug rug cute too, wish it was mine, colours are my colours. But I missed entering for the swap.
Take care, Leslie

Sarah Craig said...

How do I divide my day? Well, when my granddaughter is here, I try to pick up the house while she's awake, while playing with her (sometimes housekeeping is a game!). Then when she goes down for a nap, it's my time to sew! Also the two days a week when she's in preschool. Evenings are time to spend with my hubby watching tv, but I do blogging and handwork then. And on Fridays, I usually machine quilt on the quilting frame! Weekends are up for grabs, depending on what we are doing..... I need a clone!!

Donna said...

Adorable mug rug. The little bird looks so cute in the corner. The weather is wacky - more so than usual - in Florida. This too shall change and I am not looking forward to the hot!

I would love to read the book and gladly pass it on once I am finished. Happy quilting!

Patty said...

i'd love a chance to win the book and pass it on when I'm done.

Anonymous said...

Love your mug rug with the cute lil bird! Nice happy colors!
I'd love to read the book and pass it along! Now, as far as how I divide my day and accomplish my goals? Frown...I don't. I wish I could get more done, but I'm a self-employed-work-from-my-home-person and I have entirely too little time for my quilting! LOL
Jacque in SC
quiltnsrep(at)yahoo(dot)com

Joanna said...

Your mug rug is adorable-the little bird makes it. We're on a roller coaster weather wise too, in that we had snow showers today so the crocuses didn't open. But they are at least out:)

Stitched With Prayer said...

Hi Linda, I was just peeking at some of my favorite blogs and stopped by. I'm so glad you enjoyed the book! I was sure you would...I thought it was wonderful. Well, Of course I'm not entering the giveaway but wanted to say hi...back to bed for me now. Big Hugs...

Unknown said...

I would love to be included in this. I love Jennifer's books. :)

Jennifer said...

I would love to read this book! I would be able to send it on as well. Thanks for the info on National Potato Chip Day! My husband and I celebrated. :)

Staci said...

Oh, you've done it to me again! Now I'm hungry for potato chips! At least I actually have some of those!
I seam-rippered that flower block, too. I attached the first flower petal strip to the wrong side of the center unit. On the second block I put one piece on upside down. Your mug rug is just darling. So cheerful!
I actually flipped on the AC for a little bit. The house was unbearably warm by late afternoon. Yes, I agree! Never enough time!

quiltzyx said...

Another mug rug victory!

Yes, please put me in the mix for a chance to read & pass on the Aloha Quilt.

Thanks!

Sue said...

Love the mug rug, looks really cute. I love reading your fact of the day, the only problem is for me it is always a day late, cross that International date line getting to Australia means I miss the date but not the tradition.
Would love to have the book to read and willing to send it on its merry way when I've read it. These books are really hard to find in bookstores here. Borders have some but they are years after being available in USA

Talin's Corner said...

My favorite snack...potato chips! I love the blues and greens in your mug rug. I am sure your partner will love it.

Jen said...

I would love to read this book! I've kept up with The Elm Creek Quilters but have yet to read this one! thanks for the giveaway!

RobynLouise said...

Love the mug rug and the cheeky birdie in the corner. I'll forgo the potato chips as my current kj(calorie) count will have a blowout if I indulge, but do enjoy some for me!

Sandi P said...

I have been reading these books and have gotten most of them from Paperbackswap.com I love to go on the website and see where all the book has been. I haven't read this one yet.

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