Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Do We Have A Winner?


Clouds come floating into my life, no longer to carry rain or usher storm, but to add color to my sunset sky.
~Rabindranath Tagore

Spring just doesn't know what to do for us yet.  Shall she bring sunshine and flowers or cool weather and showers?  Yesterday morning was full of unexpected clouds.  A cool breeze blew but the birds were still singing.  As the afternoon passed, so did the clouds.  More blue than gray, more sun than shade.  I have daffodils, dutch iris, gerbera daisies, and tulips all blooming in my yard.  The blue of the scrub jay and the yellow of the gold finch are constant sources of color in my yard too.  And green! Lots and lots of green!  New green leaves, growing grass and weeds.  I just love to look out my window in Spring.


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PHOTO FACT OF THE DAY

National Look UP At The Sky Day

Look up at the sky today. Gah! Not directly into the sun. Are you okay? Yeah you'll be seeing those spots for a few minutes. Anyway, next time look up and admire the clouds. Hey, that one looks like a rabbit! Whoops, sorry, didn't mean to make you look again. You know what, just wait until tonight and check out the stars. Much safer.
This is rather fitting since the space shuttle, Columbia was successfully launched on April 12, 1981, the 20th anniversary of the first human spaceflight, and returned on April 14, 1981, after orbiting the Earth 36 times, landing on the dry lake bed runway at Edwards Air Force Base in California. Columbia then undertook three further research missions to test its technical characteristics and performance. 

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WINNER

I suppose you would like to know who the won the $25.00 gift certificate to Fat Quarter Shop for my 200th Post Celebration Giveaway.  Well, first I want to fill you in on some facts.  There were 13 countries heard from:  USA, UK, Canada, France, Sri Lanka, Ireland, Croatia, Australia, Singapore, Israel, South Korea, New Zealand, and Russia.  Here are the tallies for our states:  Alabama - 2, Arizona - 4, Arkansas - 2, California - 10, Colorado - 1, Connecticut - 1, Florida - 11, Georgia - 5, Idaho - 4, Illinois - 1, Indiana - 6, Iowa - 2, Kentucky - 3, Louisiana - 1, Maine - 3, Massachusetts - 1, Maryland - 2, Michigan - 2, Missouri - 3, Nebraska - 2, Nevada - 1, New Hampshire - 1, New Jersey - 3, New York - 4, North Carolina - 10, North Dakota - 1, Ohio - 3, Oklahoma - 2, Oregon - 3, Pennsylvania - 6, Rhode Island - 1, South Carolina - 2, South Dakota - 2, Tennessee - 4, Texas - 12, Utah - 7, Virginia - 3, Washington - 1, Wisconsin - 3.  As you can see, the comments were left by people far and wide.  There were, unfortunately, also 9 No Reply bloggers.  That makes me rather sad because I would have loved to have been able to make a response back to them.  I had so much fun reading where you were all from.  Thank you again for playing along and for taking the time to read my blog!  OKAY!  So much for the facts that interested only me.  With the help of random.org, the winner of the $25.00 gift certificate is.........

#9
Mommarock said...

Congrats from TX! You do an amazing job on your blog.. someday I'll get better at mine.. I'm just not very organized.. I yap a little when I get a chance LOL.

I have already sent out an email to the lucky winner.

Thank you all again for playing along in my giveaway. 
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SASHINGS

Yesterday morning was spent cutting and assembling the sashing for my Layer Cake quilt.

I am not following the pattern that was given by Moose On The Porch Quilts but am trying something a little different.  We will see how it looks when I start adding the blocks to the sashing.

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AFTERNOON OF LABOR

In the afternoon I spent two hours wrestling the blue and brown quilt. 

This quilt measure in excess of 60" X 72" and weighs a ton!  Now I know why I have been putting off quilting this for so long.  However, I definitely want this quilt done before Easter weekend so I can give to DD#2 when she comes up to visit.  This will probably be the last quilt I quilt myself.  All future quilts will be going out to a long arm quilter.  Does anybody have recommendations to send my way for long arm quilting?  I just can't muscle that much fabric and batting around anymore.

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USE FOR A HOOK

We figured out a use for at least one of those hooks that have been setting idly by on the desk waiting for me to remember what they were to be used for......

DH put the hook up behind the spare bedroom door so I can hang my cutting mats.  So nice not to have them laying on the bed or hanging on the closet door always in the way.  Thank you, honey!

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TODAY'S GOAL

Today I will make a hexagon flower so I will be prepared for Wednesday.  I will also put in at least two more hours on the brown and blue quilt!
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GIVEAWAYS

Sew Cal Gal is having a giveaway.  You could win a kit to make a darling wall hanging and $25 gift certificate to AccuQuilt.  This giveaway ends Sunday, April 17, at midnight PST.

Alderwood Quilts is having an April giveaway.  You could win a First Choice Boxers pattern (adult sizes small to XXL) as well as your choice of conversation fabric to make a pair.  The winner will be announced on May 1st.

Quilted Journeys is celebrating her one year anniversary with a giveaway.  You could win a wonderful fat quarter bundle of 5 beautiful fabrics.  This giveaway ends Friday, April 15, at 6:00 pm EST.

Bluebird's Wing is having a big giveaway.  There are 8 great possible prizes to win.  This giveaway runs through Sunday, April 17.

Cotton Blossom Farms is having a giveaway.  She is giving away a 12 fat quarter bundle of Michael Miller's Gypsy Bandana by Pillow and Maxfield.  This giveaway ends Friday, April 15, at midnight EST.

Ardea's Nest is having a giveaway.  You could win 4 1/2 cuts of some beautiful fabric.  She has also provided a wonderful tutorial.  Melissa will draw the winner on Saturday, April 16.
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FINAL THOUGHT

I love to read.  I am currently reading the third book by Emilie Richards, Lover's Knot.  This is the best of the series so far.  I wasn't horribly impressed with her first two books so I wasn't in any hurry to continue the series.  But, pleasantly, this is a much better read.  When I worked out of the house, my co-workers would always make fun of me when I would spend my lunch hour reading.  I don't go anywhere without a book.  Books can open up the mind, take us to far away places and distant times.  I have always loved to read and have to set a time limit for myself when reading in bed or I would likely read until the sun came up.  Reading has been a passion of mine since I was young.  I read to the girls growing up and love reading to my grandsons.  Do you like to read?  If you do, what are you currently reading?

Books are the quietest and most constant of friends; they are the most accessible and wisest of counselors, and the most patient of teachers.
 ~Charles W. Eliot


May your Tuesday be totally tantalizing!

30 comments:

Joanne Lendaro said...

Congrats to the winner of your 200th post giveaway, the quilt looks wonderful and I can't believe there is so much spring in your yard!! I'm still looking at snow!!
LongArmQuilting-you may want to check out my blogs, I'm not fancy, but I'm cheap....

Mary Ann said...

Wow! Thanks for all the info - I absolutely LOVE the idea for hanging your cutting mats up out of the way - GREAT idea!!! Thanks!!!!

Lynda said...

Congratulations to the winner. I'm sure she'll have fun deciding what to buy.

I never did master my own machine quilting. Just too much fabric to manuever around. Your quilt is beautiful and I know your daughter will love it. I take mine to about 3 or 4 different quilters in our area. Each of them are so good and add a different touch to the quilt. It is fun to try someone new too.

Glad you figured out a use for one of the hooks.

Linda said...

Congratulations to Mommarock!
I also love to read! I just finished two great books by Charles Martin (he was new to me) Down Where My Love Lives: The Dead Don't Dance/Maggie. It was a 2 book series. Great read!

Vroomans' Quilts said...

Congratulations MommaRock! Wow, amazing how international the response.

I struggle with anything over twin size - all of those go to a long armer now. I'm lucky I have 2 very close.

Glad you remembered what those hooks are for - great idea.

Lot's of new give aways - thank you for the list.

I hope to get my quilted basket swap done today so I can mail it out tomorrow.

Melissa Corry said...

What a great idea to hand your mats on a hook. Thanks for the great inspiration :)

Cheryl said...

I gave up quilting large quilts myself a long time ago. For most of my utilatarian quilts, I just go for the panograph long arm quilting. I save the cost of custom work for special quilts.
Love the mat hanger...great idea.

Robin (RsIslandCrafts) said...

Congratulations Mommarock! If you need any help spending your gift certificate give me a call lol.

I have never sent out a quilt to be professionally quilted mainly because I am a cheapskate lol. I do follow a couple bloggers that do an amazing job.

http://cvquiltworks.blogspot.com/

http://piecenquilt.blogspot.com/

I love to read but lately haven't been doing much. Whenever I try to read a book my mind wanders and I end up reading the same page over and over again. I'm thinking a trip to the library this week is in order though. I usually read mysteries but I want to branch out and try some other styles. Just no love stories because they don't hold my interest for long.

Sarah Craig said...

First of all, great idea to use pants hangers to hang the cutting mats!! I'm going to borrow that idea....

And right now, I'm reading Beverly Lewis' book, The Thorn (sometimes I get hooked on those little Amish stories...) and then I'm going to re-read Jean Auel's Shelters of Stone so I can remember where she ended the story 9 years ago - before I read her new book in the series!

Barb said...

I love your blue and brown quilt....and I do think Spring is springing...

Scrappy quilter said...

Congrats to the winner. I'm wondering about spring too...it's not sure what it wants to do here either. Nice blue and brown quilt. Hugs

Ann Marie @ 16 Muddy Feet said...

I love to read as well. I am reading body heat right now, I think I only have 1 or 2 chapters left.

Peach Rainbow said...

Congrats Mommarock - Lucky Ducky!

Anonymous said...

Congratulations MommaRock! And congratulations to you, Linda, for such a great blog, and so many followers from ALL OVER! That's amazing! Have a terrific Tuesday!
Jacque in SC
quiltnsrep(at)yahoo(dot)com

Needled Mom said...

That is a huge quilt to try to tackle on your own. I know you will be glad to finish it up and I know your daughter will cherish it.

I always love looking up at the sky and trying to think about what the clouds appear to be.

I took all of my kids out to watch the first space shuttle come back to earth. There were so many people at Edwards for the event and I am sorry that they no longer allowed viewers when they were diverted to CA for the landings.

Have fun with your hexies today.

Mommarock said...

Yippee!!! I am so excited! This will be my first REAL shopping adventure at the Fat Quarter shop.. not a virtural shopping adventure there.. Awesome! I love the idea for hanging the mats that way.. I have several of those hangers around the house, and now I know what to do with one of them.. (only have one mat).

Shannon said...

Congratulations to Mommarock!! How exciting. I love the brown and blue quilt but it does look heavy. I love reading also. I like Steven King and Dean Koontz. I am really enjoying to read Clive Cussler. Right now I am reading Shock Wave. Very good book.

Jennifer said...

My mom sends out all her quilts to be quilted by a member of her guild. If you don't mind actually shipping your quilts to the coastal area of CA (I seem to remember that you live in the great CA Valley) I would be glad to send you the longarmer's contact information. She's *VERY* good. My mom often just hands her the quilt tops and bottoms and says, "Have at it!" and they are always beautiful!

Also, thank you SO much for the quilt block you sent me when my Feb partner fell through! It is beautiful! I will be featuring it on my blog as soon as I can get a picture that does it justice! :)

Maria said...

Congrates to the winner of your giveaway.

I also love to watch the clouds floating by.

I can understand you will be pleased when your DD quilt is done.

Must go off to bed now as I am dropping of at the keyboard. It's nearly 1am.

Raewyn said...

Love your blue and brown quilt - great colour combination. I too have discovered skirt hangers for my quilty things - very handy.

NanaNor's said...

Hi there, I just came by from Scrappy Quilter and wanted to say hello. I love what I am seeing-especially tips for us quilters.
I used to, for 56 yrs, live in northern Ca. and it is nice to hear about your warm weather. I hand quilt my work so tend to stick to smaller sizes. I'll be back to visit.
Noreen

Vesuviusmama said...

Yay for the winner! And great idea for hanging up the cutting mats - I have several that need a home and I may just try that this afternoon! Oh, and reading is definitely a favorite pasttime. Right now I am "reading" THE TIME TRAVELERS WIFE on a Playaway - you know, listening to the story. That's what I "read" when I am sewing or walking at lunchtime. I am actually reading a quilting romance called Mended Hearts and am not liking it one bit. Romances just aren't my thing - I much prefer a cozy mystery or historical fiction. However, I just placed an order for some new quilt related fiction: The Union Quilters - Jennifer Chiaverini, In Dutch Again - Barbara Workinger, Cion - Zakes Mda, and Happenstance - Carol Shields. They will all be very different types of books, but all have quilts in them, so I want them for my quilt fiction library. I am anxiously awaiting Marie Bostwick's new book and Earlene Fowler's new book, both due out in May.

And it is so funny that you wrote about the sky and put a photo of clouds on your blog today - at last night's Cub Scouts meeting, we covered WEATHER and I did the clouds station (think cotton balls and glue and construction paper) and all day today I've been cloud-gazing.

BillieBee (billiemick) said...

Yea! Mommarock.

the gathering girls said...

Congrats to the winner...and thanks for having such an interesting and inspirational blog!

quiltzyx said...

Congrats Mommarock!!

I am a reader too. Back in the way olden days, when I was in junior & senior high school, I used to read 8-12 books a week!
I don't read quite so many now, but I'm often reading more than one at a time.
Right now, at home, I'm reading Gai-Jin by James Clavell. At work, Mind Over Matter by Nora Roberts.
I hope you're having a Terrific Tuesday!

Deborah in Atlanta said...

I'm an avid reader, and always have a book with me. My latest love? The Highlander series. I couldn't really get into the first book fro some reason. But when I started the second book - wow!!

And kudos to you for quilting the blue and brown quilt. That is one big quilt!

And the statistics for the entries on the giveaway were really interesting. Bet you never dreamed your blog would be read by some many countries and states.

Anne said...

Goodness, Linda, that quilt almost swallows your sewing machine! I know you'll get it done, and it'll be gorgeous. I, too, have set Easter as the deadline for finishing for my daughter's "Fashionetta" quilt.

Wonderful to see that your readership encompasses so many areas of the world! I always look forward to reading your blog!

GerryART said...

I love to read !
My new NookColor gives me lots of opportunity to read! Not only can I download free books from Barnes & Noble [yes, I know I can buy there also] Very lucky for me our local library has a division just for epub books. So through our library I can borrow epub books for two weeks at a time to read on my NookColor. I can also borrow audiobooks. I have lots to choose from. I love mysteries, cozy mysteries, Earlene Fowler, and Emilie Richards and , and , and,

Thanks for the opportunity to participate in your wonderful giveaway and CONGRATS to the lucky winner.

Hugs,
Gerry

Melanie said...

I am currently reading The Thorn by Beverly Lewis. I am completely enthralled with Amish culture. I have read Lewis books since I was in the ninth grade (I am 26) and I had the opportunity to meet her and get her autograph recently. It was so exciting for me!

Patty said...

I really like the brown and blue quilt. I have a pile of fabric ready to cut into myself of similar colors. good luck quilting!

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