Flowers Thru The Barn Door

You have to expect things of yourself before you can do them.
~Michael Jordan

I remembered!  My brain finally allowed to me remember what I wanted to write about yesterday!  That allusive little thought finally bared itself.  Do you remember when I made the promise that I wouldn't buy any fabric for one month?  I made that promise on March 24.  Today is April 27.  I made it through the entire month without buying a stitch of fabric.  Nothing, nada, zero, zip!  And now that I have made it to my goal, I really don't have any strong desire to run out and buy something new.  I have looked at sales sent to me and found some other great deals online but have managed to think "Do I really need it?"  And the answer is "NO!".  There is no nagging sensation that makes me feel like I have to buy.  No need to add to my stash.  Now I don't promise that I won't buy any fabric ever again because that would just be a waste of breath and an impossible promise to keep.  Especially since I will be going to a quilt show this weekend and there might be something that I just can't pass up - lol!  There - I did it!  I can turn away from sales and specials!  I can tamp down that urge to buy.  I just needed that little cooling off period to remind me to work with what I have.  I am proud of myself!

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PHOTO FACT OF THE DAY

World Storytelling Day is a global celebration of the art of oral storytelling. It is celebrated every year on the spring equinox in the northern hemisphere, the first day of autumn equinox in the southern. On World Storytelling Day, as many people as possible tell and listen to stories in as many languages and at as many places as possible, during the same day and night. Participants tell each other about their events in order to share stories and inspiration, to learn from each other and create international contacts.

Some of us are natural storytellers. Some of us seem to get stuck listening to a lot of long-winded stories. Whatever your take, telling stories is an important part of the human experience. If you're stumped for a story to tell today, give this a try. It starts with a trip to the grocery store and it ends with a stolen helicopter and a talking dog.  You fill in the middle!

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BARN DOOR SWAP

Yesterday I made all of the blocks for both of my Barn Door Swap partners for May.

These are the 7.5" blocks I made for Jane.  She had no preferences.  I used some of the left over fat quarter from the block I made yesterday and made the fussy cut center for the block on the left.  The block on the right is made from some left over scraps from the Sweet and Sour line from Connecting Threads.

Next I made this 12" block for Blondie, once again using the left over scraps from yesterday.  I guess this is what fireworks would look like through a barn door.

This is the second block I made for Blondie.  It definitely has an Asian feel.  The flowered fabric has gold highlights around each flower.  The sides really aren't warpy like they look in the picture - that's what I get for laying the block on a curvy chair seat.  And the colors are much prettier than the camera was able to pick up.

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HEXAGON FLOWERS

Today is One Flower Wednesday and even though I didn't get a flower made for myself, I did get two flowers made for my May swap partner in the Inchy Hexagon Flower Swap.

My May swap partner, Jorie, requested citrus colors with a white or white on white center.  This one reminds me of a lime.

And this bright orange one certainly fits the citrus color range.  I hope Jorie likes these flowers. 

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TODAY'S GOAL

Today I am going to work on the baby quilt.  Maybe I can get everything but the binding finished.

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GIVEAWAYS

A Quilting Life is having a giveaway.  You could win a $25 gift certificate to Sky Reve Fabrics.  This giveaway ends Thursday, April 28.

Lily's Quilts is having a giveaway.  You could win a layer cake of your choice from Simply Solids.  This giveaway ends Saturday, April 30.

Blushing Rose is having a quick giveaway.  You could win one of two stitchery kits.  This giveaway ends Friday, April 29.

Fabric Worm is having their weekly giveaway.  This week  you could win 7 fat quarters of Jenean Morrison Silent Cinema in Orange.  This giveaway ends Monday, May 2 at 8:30 am PST.

I Have A Notion is having a giveaway.  You could win a copy of More Loose Change or a copy of S Is For Scraps.  Two winners will be drawn on Saturday, April 30.

Stray Stitches is still having her (MY) giveaway!  I am giving away 10 fat quarters of some very pretty coordinated spring fabric.  This giveaway ends Sunday, May 1, at 8:00 pm PST.

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FINAL THOUGHT

Tonight is grocery shopping.  Off to the 'store in the hood'.  It's really a nice, clean store - it's just not in the best part of town.  They do provide a security guard for the parking lot - not that I've ever seen a need for one.  And good thing, too.  The little mouse of a man that stands outside the door in his rent-a-cop uniform couldn't discourage a fly from entering the store.  I really don't think the management hired him as a daunting presence but it is nice that they gave him a job.  Our store is a little different in some of the aisles from other stores in town.  You can find more ethnic foods plus tubs of lard and pickled pigs feet.  A lot of time our prices are lower than the better part of town and that's a good thing.  The clientele ranges from the upper middle class to the down-and-out.  I really wish I didn't dread shopping so much.  It's just too bad the both my DH and I feel that we have to eat regular meals - lol!

The woman just ahead of you at the supermarket checkout has all the delectable groceries you didn't even know they carried.
~Mignon McLaughlin

Wednesday - make it more than mediocre!