A Place For My Pins

Where you find quality, you will find a craftsman, not a quality-control expert. 
~Robert Brault

I had started this post off with a different beginning.  One I didn't like very much.  It was rather bitchy.  I don't think I was in a good mood when I wrote it.  But I'm better now and thought I better start again.  Now the trouble.....I can't think of a single thing to begin with.  The brain is empty and the thoughts just aren't there.  There are no AHA moments or what ifs, just a big old void.  Maybe there are too many thoughts running through and none of them feel like stopping to say "here's an idea".  So instead of boring you further I will just say "Good Morning!  I hope you have a wonderful day planned!"

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PHOTO FACT OF THE DAY

No Housework Day is celebrated each April 7. Many poor souls don't even know that they don't have to do any housework that day. So if you were one of them, here are some steps to help you enjoy this great holiday as provided by eHow:
1. Add the day to your calendar. Highlight the entire box surrounding April 7. Then add it to the calendar of everyone in your household. Email notices about the day to friends and family. Mention it in your blog or website. The key to enjoying this day is to broadcast it.
2. Make it official. Post a "cease and desist" order on the refrigerator door, right out front where everyone can see it. Stop working in the house on April 7. Don't wash a single dish, scrub a tile, scour a pan or take out the trash. Be prepared to hold your ground.
3. Leave the house. Plan a day of enjoying your favorite activities. Go for a hike, eat out, go shopping, take in a film, join your friends for celebratory cocktails or do anything else that takes you far from the scene of the grime.
4. Leave the chores to others. Let your spouse and children clean the dishes, scrub the kitchen, mop up the bathroom, vacuum the floors, dust the bookshelves and wash the windows. When they're done, they'll appreciate the job you do, which is another point of the holiday.
5. Buy an extra air sanitizer. Cover any stench from No Housecleaning Day with Lysol, Yankee Candles, or any other favorite smelling odor besides the rotting trash from your day off. Enjoy yourself.

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QAL BLOCK

Yesterday I made the final block in the Layer Cake QAL that has been brought to us by Moose On The Porch Quilts.

This block was created by Joan Lucchese, also known as Cali Quilter. and is simply known as Block 12.  I didn't have a lot of fabric options left as some of my fabric scraps were much to small to use for this block.  Good thing we are at the end.  Starting tomorrow Konda will post layout instructions so we can start putting our quilts together.

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MY FIRST PIN CUSHION

For the rest of the day I made my very first pin cushion.  Yes, I know, I'm late in joining the growing trend of pin cushions, but I just had to find the right pattern that really made me want to create one.

This is called Posey Pin Cushion and is a pattern from Bird Brain Designs.  I added the little dragonfly button as a little extra.  I filled the outer edges of the base with cotton balls because I didn't have any fiberfill stuffing or wool fleece.  Then I filled the main part of the body with crushed walnut shells.  Oh, and if you can't tell from the picture, then entire pin cushion is made out of wool.

Here's a top view with a few pins added.  Now you can see the french knot center of the flower.  This was fun to make and fairly quick to put together.  Now I'm ready to make more in different colors and shapes!

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TODAY'S GOAL

Today I think I will start working on a new wall hanging that I've been eager to start.  Either that or start putting together the Layer Cake quilt.  That would probably be a better idea.

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GIVEAWAYS

Raggedy Station is having a giveaway to celebrate the opening of their new store.  Tess is giving away a fat quarter bundle of 12 beautiful black and white fabric.  This giveaway ends Friday, April 8.

Scrappy n' Happy is celebrating her 100th post with a giveaway.  Jess is giving away 5 fat quarters of Melly and Me and a beautiful mug rug that she has made.  She will draw a winner on Sunday, April 10.

Chasing Cottons is having a major giveaway.  There are several items you could win from several different sponsors.  This giveaway ends Monday, April 11.

Samelia's Mum is having a giveaway.  You could win your very own copy of Handy Mandy's Motorcycle Adventure.  This giveaway ends Sunday, April 10.

Canton Village Quilt Works is having a giveaway.  They are giving away a 1 year subscription to Quilt Magazine, The Twister Template, and Lil' Twister.  This giveaway ends Monday, April 11, at midnight.

Sew Inspired is having giveaway #5 to celebrate her 5th year in blogland.  She is giving away two fat quarter sets of Luna II fabric from Maywood Studios.  This giveaway ends Friday, April 8.

Hyacinth Quilt Designs is having a giveaway.  You could win one of her 3 books along with 3 fat quarters.  This giveaway ends Monday, April 11.

1 Choice 4 Quilting is having a giveaway.  Shawna is giving away 2 fat quarter bundles of Donna Dewberry Happy Flowers and some super cute little goodies she picked up at a quilt show last week. This giveaway ends Sunday, April 10, at 10:00 pm EST.

Fabric Seeds is having a Welcome Giveaway to celebrate the opening of her new store.  Sarah is giving away at least one charm pack of Chrysalis.  This giveaway ends Friday, April 15.

We Love Quilting is having an April giveaway.  You could win a big box full of surprises.  I guess this lasts through the month of April.

Enter my 200th Post Celebration Giveaway to win a $25 gift certificate to Fat Quarter Shop.  This giveaway ends Monday, April 11, at 8:00 pm PST.

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FINAL THOUGHT

Have you ever searched for something that you know you have somewhere in the house.  You couldn't have possibly thrown it away!  It has to be here somewhere!!  That's how I was when I went looking for my pinking shears.  Now, keep in mind, I probably haven't used these shears since my days of making clothing which was eons ago.  But who would throw or give away something like that?  It's one of those things you hang onto because you know that someday you just might need them.  I looked high, I looked low.  I looked under things and on top of things.  I looked inside boxes, drawers, and under beds.  Nope, no pinking shears.  So off to do some online shopping.  I finally found a pair of Gingher pinking shears for a super good price on Ebay on Sunday.  Great!  They should be here by the end of the week.  I can't make my pin cushion until I have a pair.  Guess what I found this morning?  You guessed it!  My Fiskar pinking shears!!!  In a drawer just to the left of my sewing machine where I keep all of the other important and useful sewing tools and appliances that I might need.  Guess it won't hurt to have two pairs - lol!

If you wonder where your child left his roller skates, try walking around the house in the dark.
~Leopold Fechtner

Today is your Thursday to enjoy - and remember, NO HOUSEWORK!