Friday, April 8, 2011

A Variety Of Blocks


Poor, dear, silly Spring, preparing her annual surprise!
 ~Wallace Stevens

Brrrr!  I'm freezing!  For a week now I have been quite comfortable in a short sleeve t-shirt and jeans.  Sometimes with my hoodie on but usually not zipped up.  I usually discard it by early afternoon.  Not so yesterday or today!  The high temp has dropped a good 20 degrees, the clouds have moved in along with a chilling wind and even a few showers.  I feel like we have gone back to February!  I'm back in my corduroy shirt with my hoodie on, zipped up all the way with my hood up, too!  This time the forecasters got it right - they said it would cool down drastically.  I know this sounds like complaining but it's not.  I will take all of the cold days ol' Mother Nature wants to throw our way.  Soon enough we will be sweltering in the heat of summer with only our memories to remind us of this wonderful cold.

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PHOTO FACT OF THE DAY

Q-Tips
Upon observing his wife applying wads of cotton to toothpicks, Leo Gerstenzang, the original founder of the Q-tips® Company, conceived the idea of manufacturing a ready-to-use cotton swab. He found the Leo Gerstenzang Infant Novelty Co., a firm which marketed baby care accessories.  The product was originally called Baby Gays and in 1926, the labels were changed to read Q-tips® Baby Gays. Later the name Baby Gays was discarded and Q-tips® became the identifying mark for cotton swabs. The Q in Q-tips® stands for quality and the word tips describes the cotton swab at the end of the stick. In the 1950's Q-tips® were recognized by Hollywood glamour and partner with America's top Hollywood makeup artist, Ern Westmore, to create the "Lesson in Loveliness with Q-tips®" booklet. The most common use for cotton swabs is to clean or scratch the ear canal and/or to remove earwax but this is not a medically recommended method for removing earwax. Cotton swabs are also commonly used for applying and removing makeup, as well as for household uses such as cleaning and arts and crafts.
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MY LATEST SQUISHY

Yesterday I received a squishy from Doris, my April swap partner for Quilting Block Swaps Australia.

This beautiful block came all the way from Australia and will be a wonderful addition to the previous blocks I have received.  I love the fabric with it's tiny little flowers and Doris' sewing is perfect.  Thank you so very much, Doris!

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ANOTHER WIN :P

I seem to have been on a winning streak last month :)  Yesterday I received....

This great book.  I was lucky enough to win the giveaway that Alderwood Quilts hosted in March.  There are some great patterns in the book and will be a great resource for a quick project.  Thank you, Sue!

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ON TO PLAN B

Yesterday I didn't get to start putting together my Layer Cake quilt.  The instructions didn't get posted so I went to plan B.  I started another project....

This is the first block for Secrets Of Life by Art To Heart.  I made the block larger than the end product just in case there was any shrinkage from the applique and/or stitching.  I still have to blanket stitch the flower head and all parts of the house but so far I am enjoying the process. 

I also continued working on my Baltimore block......

Sorry for the dark picture, but with the clouds having moved in I had to rely on artificial light.  Obviously I didn't take the photo in the best location.  I still need to work on perfecting my points as evident by the leaf points.  I have been using a glue stick to help hold the seam allowances in place and so far that seems to work well.

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TODAY'S GOAL

Today I will finish the blanket stitch on the block I started yesterday.  If the Layer Cake layout is released I will cut out the sashing and border so I'm prepared for Monday.

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GIVEAWAYS

Hawthorne Threads is having their weekly giveaway.  You could win a complete Carolyn Gavin Spring Street fat quarter bundle.  The winner will be selected Wednesday, April 6.

The Curious Quilter is having a giveaway.  You could win either a set of 80 five-inch squares, or choose a set of 500 two-inch squares.  This giveaway ends Saturday, April 16, at 11:59 pm CDT.

Don't Look Now is having a giveaway.  You could win one of three beautiful patterns.  This giveaway will end April 14.

You still have a chance to enter my 200th Post Celebration Giveaway!  Wouldn't you like to win a $25 gift certificate to Fat Quarter Shop?

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FINAL THOUGHT

Yesterday evening my DH donated blood.  Well, not really.  He actually was a  Apheresis platelet donor. Platelet transfusions are traditionally given to those undergoing chemotherapy for leukemia, multiple myeloma, bone marrow transplant, radiation treatment, organ transplant or surgeries such as cardiopulmonary bypass.  This process takes about two hours.  I am quite proud of him for doing this.  While he is donating he gets to be in the VIP area where he can watch TV and the nurses give him extra attention.  Unfortunately they do not want my blood.  There are too many unanswered questions about ALS and they don't want to take the risk of possibly passing on the disease.  I don't blame them.  But I'm fully behind my DH.  I hope his platelets are able to help someone who truly needs them.  More donors are always needed as platelets

Nobody can do everything, but everyone can do something.
~Author Unknown

Friday is here - make it fun and fabulous!!

16 comments:

Wendy said...

I'm sitting here bundled up freezing too...can't believe the sudden changes lately! And our heat isn't working properly so it got really cold during the night. Hopefully that'll get fixed today so I can sew on the weekend!

Love the blue and white block!

Sallie said...

Tell your DH thank you for donating blood! That type of blood donation can be used immediately. Donating a pint can save the lives os up to 3 people!

nono said...

The secrets of life block is so pretty! Great job.

Tracy said...

I'm sure that we'll be getting cooler weather soon then, if you've gotten it now. Boo. I know they are calling for cloudy skies and rain the next few days here. At least that was the forecast as of yesterday.

Don't feel bad, I can't donate blood either. Only mine has nothing to do with anything I have. My step-father was military and we lived in Germany in the early/mid 80s. So since we lived in Europe when the cows were coming in contact with mad cow disease, there's a probability that we could have eaten a mad cow and not know it. And since it can cross species, I could be one mad heifer too and not know it yet. And since there isn't any test that they can do for it, they won't let me donate blood. Gotta keep us mad heifers in check. *L*

Tiffany said...

You're so lucky winning more giveaways ;)

I like the block you received, it really is gorgeous.

Maria said...

I am enjoying lovely Sunny Autumn days here in Aussie before the winter comes.
Love the block Doris made for you.
enjoy your weekend

Shannon said...

We just had that cold spell. I don't like being cold. I hope that you warm up soon. Your blocks look great.

Char said...

That's wonderful that your DH donated. In 1984 my Mom died before she could receive bone marrow.
I can't donate either, so I thank him.

Vroomans' Quilts said...

What a lovely block - well, gotta love a blue block. Great book you won, I have seen this one and quite tempted. My LC blocks may wait for the final layout - too much before it. Love your closing quote! Have a lovely weekend.

Lynda said...

Spring is so fickle. One day it is cold and rainy and the next is warm and sunny. I prefer the warm and sunny. Congrats on your wins.

Valspierssews said...

The book looks like a good win and I love your secrets of life block.

Joanna said...

That blue and white block is so striking, and I like the little house block. God bless your DH for being one of the people you can and do donate.

Linda said...

It was in the 90's here today and might even get up near 100 tomorrow! This is Fiesta week in San Antonio, so cooler weather would have been nice, but not freezing weather!
I loved the Q-tips history. Thanks!

Sarah Craig said...

We've just gotten past a spate of cold days, and today it was so beautiful, I sat out on the deck and hand sewed a binding! Sat there like a lizard, soaking up the nice warm sunshine.......

sportsmom3044 said...

I always try to donate blood. My Mother battled cancer for 7 years, and the only thing that helped her was the blood transfusions she received. They gave us 3 more years with her. So donating has helped more than just the person who gets the blood.

Sandy said...

Good for your hubby! I give blood regularly. I make a point to give on my birthday because I always feel like I'm lucky to be alive and I want to help someone else make it to their birthday. I wish I could give platelets, but there is a minimum weight requirement and they won't let me. Maybe one day, especially if I keep spending so much time sitting on my butt reading blogs all day! LOL! =)

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