The cyclone derives its powers from a calm center. So does a person.
~Norman Vincent Peale
A quiet day. That was what my Wednesday was. It was actually a relaxing day. Something that doesn't happen too often. I worked on hand stitching the binding of the quilt - very therapeutic. I cut out two baby quilts for a baby shower for twins in two weeks. The day was overcast and we even had a little rain. A day that neither moved too quickly nor too slowly. The DH brought home lunch and we shared the noon day meal together. A day of no stress and no schedules. A rarity and one to enjoy. I could get used to days like this.
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PHOTO FACT OF THE DAY
Kindergarten Day
This month we celebrate Kindergarten Day, in honor of Friedrich Froebel who was born on April 21, 1782 and who started the first Kindergarten in Germany in 1837. The school was built upon a series of innovative principles that used the innate curiosity and interests of children to guide them to see what Froebel believed to be the harmonious, interconnectedness of all things -- through song and play (which was unheard of in earlier schools); daily lessons in drawing, design, and other artistic activities; and learning through active doing and close contacts with the natural world -- many of the kindergartens actually had real gardens attached to them that the children tended and in doing so, Froebel believed, cultivated their own inner lives.
The first public American Kindergarten was opened in 1873 in St. Louis. By 1876, at the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia, there was a model kindergarten for inspection on the grounds at Fairmont Park. One visitor, Mrs. Anna Wright, was so taken with what she saw that she bought a set of what were called Froebel's gifts -- the blocks and balls, sticks and geometric forms that all kindergartens were equipped with -- and took a course of instruction so that she could pass on what she had seen about Froebel's ideas of beautiful unity to her son, Frank Lloyd Wright.
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BOOK RECEIVED
Erin, of My Patchwork Life, was recently doing some destashing. I selected a book that looked interesting.
I have been enjoying looking through this book as there are recipes and historical helpful hints scattered throughout. I probably won't make up the quilt but the block patterns are ones I can use for block swaps. Thank you, Erin!
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MYSTERY BLOCK
It's time to make the Mystery Designer BOM. I have had this little package from the Fat Quarter Shop since the middle of last week. Don't you think it's time to see what we have for this month? Let's get started....
Four beautiful fabrics to work with......
Here are all the pieces cut out. 39 pieces in all......
First I had to made the HSTs. Any ideas yet? Not a single guess? Me neither.....
Next came these blocks with the corners tipped in white. Looks sort of like a roof to me....
What could this be? A Christmas fence? A three-eyed monster?....
Look! A bunny laying on his side holding up a football goal. Go Bunnies!!
Can you venture a guess?
Oh look! The three-eyed monster now reminds me of a wrestling face mask - don't ask me why because I don't even watch WWF - lol! Or maybe an Easter hat - 'tis the season for one.
I bet you have an idea now.....
It's a Christmas basket. Actually, the block is called "The Basket of Good Cheer". Did it make you smile? Had you already guessed what it was? This block was designed by Anne Sutton (http://www.bunnyhilldesigns.com/). I really like this block! Only one more block before the series is complete. Wow! Then it will be time to assemble the quilt and make another sandwich. I have all the necessary parts thanks to my Christmas present from my DH.
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TODAY'S GOAL
Today I will finish the blue and brown quilt!!!!!!
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GIVEAWAYS
Mount Vincent Quilts is having a giveaway. You could win a fat quarter bundle of Where The Wind Blows. This giveaway ends Tuesday, April 26, at 9:00 pm AET.
Mariliz's Musing is having a Shaklee Get Clean Giveaway. You could win a Get Clean Green Package includes: 1 Get Clean Basic H2 Organic Super Cleaning Concentrate (16 fl. oz.), 3 Get Clean Spray bottles, and a 1 Get Clean Super Microfiber Cleaning Cloth. This giveaway ends Friday, April 22, at 10:00 pm.
Chatterbox Quilts Chitchat is having a giveaway. Kim is giving away a copy of the book, Quilt Fiesta. This giveaway will end Friday, April 22, at 7:00 MST.
Sew 4 Home is having a giveaway. You could win a copy of Thread & Bobbin. This giveaway ends May 9th at midnight PT.
Cut To Pieces is having a sponsored giveaway. You could win a bundle of 1/2 yard cuts of Cut Out and Keep by Cloud 9. This giveaway ends ?
Quilted Seasons is having a giveaway. Karenkay is giving away some adorable birdie fabric. She will announce the winner on Friday, April 22.
V and Co. is having a Green Fairy Quilts sponsored giveaway. They are giving away one fat quarter bundle by Liesl Gibson. This giveaway will end Friday, April 22.
Bumble Beans is having a giveaway. You could win a signed copy of Pat Sloan's new book A Novel Idea. This giveaway ends Wednesday, April 27.
PatchworkNPlay is celebrating her blog-anniversary. Suz is giving away two charm packs that she made up out of 30 years worth of stash. This giveaway ends Saturday, April 23, at Eastern Australian Time.
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FINAL THOUGHT
The weekend is almost here. That means it's time to clear off my storage area. Our DD#2 and SIL will be here for an overnight visit and probably would like some place to sleep. Oh boy, I get to move stacks, put away scraps, and generally tidy up in the spare room. But that's okay. That will put the room back in some sort of order again. Maybe I will even find my desk top - lol! I look forward to their visit as they haven't been able to come to relax and chat since...... Christmas. Wow! Has it really been that long? Guess that's what happens when life gets in the way. We do talk at least once a week and text more than that. But a face to face, being able to hug visit is so much better. What are your plans for Easter weekend?
Easter spells out beauty, the rare beauty of new life.
~S.D. Gordon
Thankfully it's Thursday - I have another day to sew!
Cut To Pieces is having a sponsored giveaway. You could win a bundle of 1/2 yard cuts of Cut Out and Keep by Cloud 9. This giveaway ends ?
Quilted Seasons is having a giveaway. Karenkay is giving away some adorable birdie fabric. She will announce the winner on Friday, April 22.
V and Co. is having a Green Fairy Quilts sponsored giveaway. They are giving away one fat quarter bundle by Liesl Gibson. This giveaway will end Friday, April 22.
Bumble Beans is having a giveaway. You could win a signed copy of Pat Sloan's new book A Novel Idea. This giveaway ends Wednesday, April 27.
PatchworkNPlay is celebrating her blog-anniversary. Suz is giving away two charm packs that she made up out of 30 years worth of stash. This giveaway ends Saturday, April 23, at Eastern Australian Time.
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FINAL THOUGHT
The weekend is almost here. That means it's time to clear off my storage area. Our DD#2 and SIL will be here for an overnight visit and probably would like some place to sleep. Oh boy, I get to move stacks, put away scraps, and generally tidy up in the spare room. But that's okay. That will put the room back in some sort of order again. Maybe I will even find my desk top - lol! I look forward to their visit as they haven't been able to come to relax and chat since...... Christmas. Wow! Has it really been that long? Guess that's what happens when life gets in the way. We do talk at least once a week and text more than that. But a face to face, being able to hug visit is so much better. What are your plans for Easter weekend?
Easter spells out beauty, the rare beauty of new life.
~S.D. Gordon
Thankfully it's Thursday - I have another day to sew!
20 comments:
The basket is very cute. Thanks for including my giveaway!
The little basket is precious!
LOVE that Christmas basket - both the pattern and the fabrics. Makes me want to go shopping. . . (be a good girl!!) Must go mark my aiming spots on my quilt now to distract myself. . . ;D
The kindergarten story was fascinating!! Frank Lloyd Wright?! How cool is that!?! Always something wonderful here, Linda!
Blessings,
Mary Lou
Your BOM block is beautiful! Wishing you and your family a wonderful Easter weekend.
The kindergarten fact was and enlightenment - I am a fan of Frank Lloyd Wright architecture lines. I have to admit, your new block (basket) is the first I have seen. Usually everyone has their blocks posted, but not this month. I think it would work up so wonderfully in many ways/so many occassions - very nice block pattern.
We'll be spending part of the weekend with our youngest daughter, her husband and his family and our youngest granddaughter. Always a good weekend with family!
Love the basket block. The fabric is delightful.
I always learn so much. I would say that Anna Wright knew her son pretty well to buy him those geometrics.
Your basket is so sweet. I love the fussy cut flowers on the front of it.
I know that you will have a fabulous visit with your daughter and SIL. Have fun clearing a place for them!!!
Thank you for that wonderful lesson on Kindergarten and Frank Lloyd Wright. I grew up in Philadelphia and many of the Centennial buildings still exist today.
Your Christmas basket is lovely, I have never seen one quite like that.
My DD#1 and SIL will be coming this weekend,too. Your right about face to face and hugs.
As always I enjoyed your blog and the great trivia. Pam
The Christmas basket block is too cool! Can't wait to see all your blocks assembled!
Had to giggle about clearing out the storage room, aka guest room! I do that, too! The guest room used to be my son's room before he went off to school and got his own apartment. Now when he comes home for breaks I have to do a mad dash of clearing out. I always swear I'm not going to store stuff in there, but over the course of a semester, all kinds of things migrate in. Seriously though, is there a better spot to store flimsy tops than spread across a bed so they don't get wrinkled? And the empty chest of drawers will get lonely if I don't put wip's and fat quarter bundles in there, right??
I love quiet days. I have a few months of Designer Mystery BOM blocks to do. I was not able to get the setting kit but I did just buy enough yardage to finish the top. I signed up for the next one. I think it will be fun working with Strawberry Fields. Have a great day!
That basket is cute! Kindergarten - Nate says he doesn't want to go, but I know he'll have so much fun. "Through song" - I still remember songs we sang in kindergarten! Have fun with Chicken & Ryan...I can't wait to see everybody in June. OH, and for Easter, we're going over to the MIL's house for egg hunting and food. Yay.
Retired kindergarten teacher here. I used to have an apron that said "My work is child's play."
Love the "Basket of Good Cheer." Happy quilting!
Your christmas block is beautiful!
Loved the suspense with the mystery block. It sure is pretty. I have seen you on the softies book tour a few times. Happy Easter.
I love Anne Sutton's designs. She seems to just be able to capture some charming idea and illustrate it to me perfectly. I love the fabric and the basket of your block. It's so pretty.
I finally guessed right, the goal post and bunny said basket handle!
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