Thursday, April 14, 2011

Happiness = A Finish


Life is simple, it's just not easy.
~Author Unknown

Wednesday  proved to be weird and wacky.  In fact, almost everything I attempted in the morning seemed to be whacked.  My blog was still displaying the nasty little photoblog signs that are continually in the way.  I tried to reset things myself in the design area and that made everything weird.  Luckily my blog designer, Kassie, came to the rescue and restored my header.  Hopefully most of you didn't see the debacle I made of it.  Then I was sewing sashing and my sewing machine kept stopping.  Weird!  After some detective work I discovered that the poor thing's bobbin case needed a good cleaning.  Did that and then it ran like a dream.  The weather changed cool again - wacky!  We didn't get above 53 degrees until well after noon.  I can do with a little less weird and wacky.  Let's hope that Thursday will be tranquil and mundane - lol!

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PHOTO FACT OF THE DAY

Pecans
Today is National Pecan Day.  The history of pecans can be traced back to the 16th century. The only major tree nut that grows naturally in North America, the pecan is considered one of the most valuable North American nut species. The name "pecan" is a Native American word of Algonquin origin that was used to describe "all nuts requiring a stone to crack.”  Because wild pecans were readily available, many Native American tribes in the U.S. and Mexico used the wild pecan as a major food source during autumn. It is speculated that pecans were used to produce a fermented intoxicating drink called "Powcohicora" (where the word "hickory" comes from). It also is said that Native Americans first cultivated the pecan tree.
During the 1700’s and the early 1800’s, the pecan became an item of commerce for the American colonists and the pecan industry was born. (In San Antonio, the wild pecan harvest was more valuable than popular row crops like cotton!)
So go enjoy you pecans and be a little bit nutty!

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HAPPY SQUISHY
Yesterday I received a wonderful, squishy envelope in the mail.

I opened it to find this package just for me.  Couldn't wait to open it......

And look what was inside!  Isn't this just the cutest hot pad you have ever seen?  Sandy Hobbs was my secret swap partner in the Hot Pad Swap hosted by Cheryll over at Gone Stitchin'.  Sandy included a little note that said she "really don't know how to do hand quilting" but it certainly looks good to me.  She also included a postcard showing where she lives in Australia.  This little creation is much to adorable to have some old hot pot sitting on it.  I now have it decorating a small table in my living room.  I absolutely love it!  Thank you so much, Sandy!  This made me feel happy after a rather disastrous morning.

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TOP FINISHED

Yesterday I didn't do any quilting on the blue and brown quilt. I just couldn't take the struggle and my neck muscles were already in major cramp mode.  So, instead, I worked on my Layer Cake quilt top and even managed to complete it!

Here it is!  This is a picture of it hanging up in my entry way.  At the time I wasn't sure if the sun would come out for me to take a picture in natural light.  This picture is a little dark but you can get the general idea of what it looks like.  Then the sun came out and I rushed outside......

well, it wasn't full sun but at least you can see the colors a little bit better.  Do you see the little rock at the very top?  It was breezy and every time I would get it all nice and flat, turn around to get up on the step stool with the camera in hand, I'd turn around and the top would be flipped over.......grrrr......  Situation remedied with a little rock.  After I get the backing pieced together, this will be on its way to the long arm quilter.  Hooray!!!

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A LITTLE HUMOR

I just had to share this little bit of humor I read in the April edition of the Reader's Digest.

Taxing Taxes
To publicize colon cancer screenings, an Idaho doctor suggested that a reminder be included in every tax notice. The idea was nixed. "Recommending a colonoscopy in the same envelope as the tax notice may be considered ironic," said the county treasure.  Source: AP

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TODAY'S GOAL

Today I plan to make two blocks for the 6 Inch Block Swaps Australia

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GIVEAWAYS

Sunshower Quilts is having a giveaway.  You could win 10 die-cut Butterflies and Dragonflies.  This giveaway ends Sunday, April 17.

Cross Stitch and Cupcakes is having a blogoversary giveaway.  To celebrate her first anniversary in blogland she is giving away all sorts of fantastic goodies for those of us interested in cross stitch and stitchery.  This giveaway ends Tuesday, April 19.

U Create is having a Fashionable Fabrics giveaway.  You could win a $50 gift certificate.  This giveaway ends Tuesday, April 19.

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FINAL THOUGHT

As you can tell, it doesn't take much to make me happy.  A smiling face, a cute little stitchery, or a well working blog.  Yesterday when my blog was plagued by those little floating boxes, I sort of felt violated.  Someone had messed with something that was mine.  Something that I put my feelings in and where I express my thoughts.  My blog is part of me.  That sounds strange doesn't it.  But then I guess it's no different than an artist putting life to a painting or an author giving life to the subjects in a book.  This is part of my life.  A part I enjoy.  Now that it is back to normal and looking like me again, I am happy. 

Happiness often sneaks in through a door you didn't know you left open.
~John Barrymore


Thank goodness it's Thursday, a brand new day to create!

28 comments:

Charity said...

I completely agree with you, it does the soul good to have something completed.
May you have a wonderful thursday!

Maria McCabe said...

The quilt is so adorable! Love it!What a day you had yesterday! I call them scootches....like gnats, nothing huge just enough to be slightly annoying.
Maria

Barb said...

Just love your hot pad...and your finish.

Sarah Craig said...

Your top is beautiful! And so is that hot pad - much too pretty to put a hot dish on!! Hope your week continues to improve....

Cheryl said...

Our blogs are like diaries...no wonder you felt violated. Funny how when you feel blue, something wonderful comes your way...darling hot pad.

Scrappy quilter said...

That quilt is wonderful. Hope you can stop by my blog today..always enjoy your visit. Glad you were able to get your blog back to where it was before. There were many blogs with the photo bucket problem. Hugs

Needled Mom said...

What a lovely squishy gift!!! It sounds like it was a more productive day for you. I really like the bright colors in the layer cake quilt.

Our weather was similar yesterday, but guess we are in for a warmup this weekend. Yeah!

Anonymous said...

The layer cake came out great. The colors are so bright and cheerful, and nicely balanced through all the blocks. Great job!

Quiet Quilter said...

Glad you and your blog are back to normal again..Seems as if hitches in our virtual world seems to affect us almost as much as in the real one..

Anonymous said...

Love your layer cake quilt - is it your design? Really cute!
That really is a wonderful hot pad...I would be tempted to leave it out where I could see it all the time, too, and not cover it up with a casserole or tea kettle!
Jacque in SC
quiltnsrep(at)yahoo(dot)com

Hilachas said...

Haha, so glad your blog is fixed. It was a little disconcerting to try to read it with those funny little squares in the way. Your Layer Cake Quilt-Along quilt is beautiful. Mine is still just blocks and I'm still waiting for my hot pad from whoever is sending me one... The one you received is lovely.

Linda said...

Thanks for the pecan history. Pecans are still "big" around here. There is a pecan orchard just up the road from me.

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

Your layer cake looks great! The border color is beautiful and really pulls it all together. I need to finish my last 2 blocks and get sashing!

Mad about Craft said...

The quilt is lovely and what a difference sunlight makes to colours when taking photos.

I'm glad you've sorted out your blog.

WoolenSails said...

I love that hot pad, what a fun design.
I decided to rip out the seams on my new piece and move the border in. It was either that or spend more days filling in the empty background;)

Debbie

Impera Magna said...

Congratulations on your finish... always a good feeling... and on being the recipient of that gorgeous hot pad!

Anne said...

So happy your blog is working as it should! I realized that the emailed version of your posts were not affected by those floating "notice boxes," but I don't get the emailed posts until 9 p.m. I just don't want to wait all day to see what's going on!

Love the layer cake quilt! Perfect marriage of prints and solids. Also love the "hot pad" art piece. So lovely. I agree that the little quilted piece is much too pretty for kitchen duty.

Hope your weather pattern stabilizes soon. My area could have severe storms this evening. My dog will not be happy at all. If the tornado sirens sound, my hubby knows that I'll insist on placing my Bernina, my Pfaff serger, and our three pet birds into our storm shelter/closet! The dog puts herself in there after she hears the first crack of thunder. LOL!

Lynda said...

Your right, that hot pad is way cute. Love the quilt also...purple is my favorite color!

Vroomans' Quilts said...

I am a little late today - made up my draft for Stash Manicure post I just love how you finished your LC - but that Sweet and Sour line is just devine. Squishies are my happy spot too (got your little mailer today thank you). THese Hot Pads I am seeing arriving are all just too lovely to put a dirty, sticky pan on. So glad things are straightened out with the blog - I so understand what you say about it being a part of you - especially your blog - it is a daily place for us to visit. Please know you touch a lot of us.

Christine M said...

I'm glad your blog's bag to normal. I agree with you about your hot pad. It is too lovely to hide under something!

Joanna said...

Very pretty things. And I think the same as the anonymous person who stated your opening quote. I always say life is good but it's tough.

Lana said...

I am so glad all is better today! That quilt top is absolutely adorable. My favorite colors...

Donna said...

Love your layer cake quilt (one day I will finish mine). Glad your blog is back to normal. Happy quilting.

Alberta Gal, Shauna said...

I just love reading your blog.

Shannon said...

That pot holder is so cute. I agree it is to pretty to put a pot on. I love your quilt finish. That shashing is so cute. Is it three different strips sewn together?

Cheryll said...

I'm just so pleased this swap arrived! Thanks Linda for joining in again! Please think of Sandy & Australia when you use it! :)

Maria said...

You did have a weird and whacky start to the day but it turned out alright.
I love Peacans so it was nice to read of it's origins.
Pretty Hot Pad.
Your Layered Cake quilt looks great.
Goodnight.

Wendy said...

Your layer cake quilt is so colorful and beautiful!

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