A Day Of Blocks

I don't answer the phone. I get the feeling whenever I do that there will be someone on the other end.
~Fred Couples

Monday was nice and quiet.  The annoying phone only rang once and I didn't even answer it.  Thank goodness for caller ID so that I knew it was just a sales call.  I will never have another phone without caller ID.  It has saved me from having to hang up on those persistent salespeople who just won't take NO for an answer.  Any who, I was able to get quite a bit of sewing in.  I even did a little prep work for a future giveaway.  No hints will be given other than to say I may be having TWO separate giveaways some time during the next 8 days.  Our weather has changed dramatically from warm and sunny on Saturday to cool and mostly cloudy.  The weather guys are even predicting that a little moisture might fall today and tomorrow.  I'll take it.  Anything to keep the summer heat away.

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PHOTO FACT OF THE DAY

Hamburger

May is National Hamburger Month.  Do you have a favorite juicy, beef favorite?  Mine is nothing like the one pictured.  I prefer bun, hamburger patty, bacon and cheese.  No mustard, ketchup, or mayo.  No lettuce, tomato or onion.  And a toasted bun is always appreciated.  Did you know......

* According to the Cattlemen's Beef Board and the National Cattlemen's Beef Association, the hamburger was invented by Fletcher Davis in his small cafe in Athens, Texas in the 1880s. He served his hamburgers on fresh slices of bread with ground mustard and mayonnaise, onion slice and sliced pickles. Supposedly the local townspeople raised money to send him to the 1904 St. Louis World's Fair, where the hamburger made its international debut.

* In 1921, Walter A. Anderson (a short-order cook) and E.W. Ingram (an insurance executive) founded White Castle in Wichita, Kansas. It is the oldest hamburger chain. They served steam-fried hamburgers, 18 per pound of fresh ground beef, cooked on a bed of chopped onions, for a nickel.

* The Big Mac was introduced in 1968. The price was 49 cents.

* 8.2 Billion burgers were served in commercial restaurants in 2001.
* 65% of all hamburgers and cheeseburgers are consumed away from home.
* The Hamburger hall of fame is located in Seymour, Wisconsin.
* The biggest hamburger ever served weighed 8,266 lbs. It was cooked in 2001 at the Burger Fest in Seymour, Wisconsin.

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END OF THE BARN DOOR SWAP

This is the final month of the Barn Door Swap.  Our group leader has had to close the swap due to health issues and a busy schedule.  For my final two swaps I did receive some lovely blocks....

These two 7.5" beauties came from Jane in the UK.  The camera really didn't copy the color well as it is much more green - a very soft sea foam green.  These will work wonderfully with the other blocks I have received.  Thank you so much, Jane!

These two 12.5" gorgeous blocks came to me from Blondie.  I had requested red and/or blue with white and she did a perfect job filling that requirement.  She also enclosed a darling little birdie magnet that is now hanging on my fridge.  Thank you so much for being my swap partner, Blondie!

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A LITTLE STITCHERY

Over the weekend I made another square for the Secrets of Life wall hanging that I started last month.

This is the center block of the wall hanging.  I noticed after I stitched it that somehow my embroidery hoop has become dirty and it left a light ring around the stitchery.  Luckily it seems to have come out with a little bit of Woolite.  The words are stitched in DMC 936 green.

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TWO MORE SWAP BLOCKS

Yesterday I met my goal of sewing up two more swap blocks. 

And

These are for my swap partner in the 6" Block Swaps Australia.  Sallie had asked for any star made in bright colors with a black background.  These are certainly bright and I hope she likes the black on black background fabric I used.

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TODAY'S GOAL

Yesterday I received fabric from one of the Let's Bee Together Hostesses so now it's time to make another block.

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GIVEAWAYS

KoolBenz is having another great sponsored giveaway.  You could win a moda Trick or Treat Layer Cake from Fat Quarter Shop.  This giveaway ends Friday, May 20, at midnight EST.

It's So Kiki is having a giveaway.  Kiera is giving away A hard copy of the  "Around Town" Bag pattern and all the materials needed to make it.  This giveaway ends Wednesday, May 25, at 8:00 am.

Gen X Quilters is having a sponsored giveaway.  You could win fat quarter bundle of Nicey Jane from Sew Obsessed.  This giveaway ends Saturday, May 21, at 11:59 pm EST.

Adventures in Oz is having her Monday Mystery giveaway.  You could win 5 fat quarters in your choice of fabric colors.  This giveaway ends Wednesday, May 18, at 9:00 pm MST.

Happy Quilting is having a sponsored giveaway.  The Intrepid Thread is giving away 7 fat quarters from Joel Dewberry's Aviary 2.  This giveaway ends Friday, May 20, at 5:00 pm EST.

Crafty Pug is having a giveaway.  You could win a copy of the Australian magazine 'Quilts from Precut Fabrics' complete with DVD.  This giveaway will remain open until June 27 6:00 pm Central Australian Time.

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FINAL THOUGHT

Do you have days when you are posting that your mind just goes blank?  Mine has.  I seem to have a day like that about once every three weeks or so.  Nothing wants to leave my brain and travel to my fingers.  All I'm seeing in my minds eye is a dark void, echoing the word "Nothing....nothing.....nothing....."  My fingers are just resting on the keys waiting, tapping impatiently for some magic to happen.  I look around the room for some sort of inspiration.  There's a book by George W. Bush with his face on it - giving me that look of "Come on, there must be something".  Both dogs are sleeping so they are absolutely no help with ideas.  There's a picture of my DD#2 with a smile as if she's saying "Come on Mom, I know you can do it!".  Luckily there's not a mirror so I don't see that blank expression on my face.  Sorry.  There's nothing here today.  That means tomorrow can only be better!

My mind contains many good ideas, but it's not always easy to squeeze one out.
~Ashleigh Brilliant

Today is Tuesday - take it and make it yours!