Flowers and Swaps

Some days there won't be a song in your heart. Sing anyway. 
~Emory Austin

"Low bridge, everybody down.  Low bridge for we're comin' to a town.  And you always know your neighbor, You'll always know your pal, If you've ever navigated on the Erie Canal."  Those are the words I woke up thinking at least four times last night.  I haven't heard this song for several days but it seems as though every time I'm in the car with DH, that is the song playing.  And it wasn't playing in our bedroom last night - it was all in my mind!  Why that song was going through my mind?  I have no idea.  Hmmmmm - maybe DH was singing it in his sleep.  I guess there could have been worse things going through my mind in the wee hours of the morning - lol!

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LITTLE FACT OF THE DAY

Rosh Hashana

I am not Jewish and have always wondered what Rosh Hashana is.  It was time to do some research and this is what I discovered. 

Rosh HaShanah literally means “Head of the Year” in Hebrew. It falls in the month of Tishrei, which is the seventh month on the Hebrew calendar. The reason for this is because the Hebrew calendar begins with the month of Nissan (when it's believed the Jews were freed from slavery in Egypt) but the month of Tishrei is believed to be the month in which God created the world. Hence, another way to think about Rosh HaShanah is as the birthday of the world.

Rosh HaShanah is observed on the first two days of Tishrei. Jewish tradition teaches that during the High Holy Days God decides who will live and who will die during the coming year. As a result, during Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur (and in the days leading up to them) Jews embark upon the serious task of examining their lives and repenting for any wrongs they have committed during the previous year. This process of repentance is called teshuvah. Jews are encouraged to make amends with anyone they have wronged and to make plans for improving during the coming year. In this way, Rosh HaShanah is all about making peace in the community and striving to be a better person.
Even though the theme of Rosh HaShanah is life and death, it is a holiday filled with hope for the New Year. Jews believe that God is compassionate and just, and that God will accept their prayers for forgiveness.
I always enjoy exploring other cultures and histories.  If any of the above facts are incorrect, please feel free to correct me.

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SWAP BLOCKS ARE ARRIVING

In the mail this week I have received a couple of squishies with blocks in them......

Doesn't the dark blue in this block really make a statement?  This wonderful block was sent to me by Tarnyia and came all the way from Australia.  Tarnyia did a beautiful job with all the points on this Blazing Arrows block and was my September swap partner for Quilting Block Swaps Australia.  Thank you so very much, Tarnyia!

Leena was my swap partner in the 6 Inch Block Swaps Australia.  I really like the fabrics and design used to make these two blocks.  Leena also included a fun fat quarter filled with tiny, little dots of red and blue on white.  Thank you so very much, Leena.

And while I'm at it, I might as well share the blocks that I made for Leena with you.....

Leena requested the block The Little Cedar Tree made with red, black, and white but only using two of the colors in a block.  These definitely fit her request.  I hope Leena likes them. 

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FLOWERS FOR WEDNESDAY

Hey, everyone!  Bet you couldn't guess it's Wednesday with all of the hexies flowers out there in blogland, now could you - lol!  Karen makes it so easy to skip around to all the other blogs with the linky tool she posts every week.  Just click on the link on my right sidebar and away you'll go.

My swap partner for October in The Inchy Hexagon Flower Swap is Jane K.  Jane requested pastel petals with a small floral print and a white center.  Pink and yellow certainly fit those requirements.  These will be heading to Indiana in today's mail.

With October so close, I couldn't resist making some flowers of Halloween fun.....

Happy little ghosts with golden boos.  And it looks like they brought their own pumpkins too.  The lettering is a sparkly gold - maybe to help them see into the night.

This poor little bat with his glowing eyes is surrounded by golden spiderwebs and the spiders that created them.  The center blue isn't really that bright - much more muted and dull.  And that was even without a flash.  I always find in interesting how the camera picks up colors differently.  For more hexie flowers, check out One Flower Wednesday.  Or, better yet, join in the addiction fun!

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TODAY'S GOAL

Today I plan on starting the next stitchery block in a Gardener's Journal.

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GIVEAWAYS

Jan Patek Quilts is having a giveaway.  You could win a Fat 1/4 bundle and a Jelly Roll of Linda or Pat's latest line "Together".  This giveaway ends Sunday, October 2.

L + J Blog is having a giveaway.  You could win a fat quarter bundle of Flora.  This giveaway ends Saturday, October 1. 

Lily Ashbury is having a giveaway.  You could win either a charm pack or layer cake of Moda Summer House fabric.  This giveaway ends ?

Sew 4 Home is having a giveaway.  You could win a wonderful bundle of gifts from Moda.  This giveaway ends October 21 at midnight PT.

Jackie's Art Quilts is having a giveaway.  You could win a cute charm pack of 'Hoo's in the Forest' by Riley Blake fabrics.  This giveaway ends Friday, September 30.

Mama Spark's World is celebrating 900 posts with a giveaway.  You could win a layer cake of Little Apples.  This giveaway ends Friday, September 30, at midnight.

Quilt-n-Queen is having a giveaway.  You could win pattern from Bird Brain Designs called Christmas & New Year Runner - 304.  This giveaway ends Wednesday, October 5, at midnight.

The Drawing Board is having a giveaway.  You could win a fat eighth bundle, or a jelly roll or one of  10 mini charms of Terrain.  This giveaway ends Friday, September 30.

JulieKQuilts is having a giveaway.  You could win precut pieces already to sew or a table runner kit.  This giveaway ends Saturday, October 1.

Sew Bittersweet Designs is having a giveaway.  You could win a copy of either Still Crazy for Baby or So Fun, So Colorful Quilts.  This giveaway ends Friday, September 30.

The Veggie Hunter is having a giveaway.  You could win a whole bunch of great Halloween stuff.  This giveaway ends Sunday, October 2, at 4:00 pm MST.

Smashed Peas and Carrots is having a giveaway.  You could win a jelly roll of Circa 1934 by Cosmo Cricket from Fat Quarter Shop.  This giveaway ends Saturday, October 1.

Hobbies on a Budget is having a giveaway.  You could win a fabric stack of Spice Blossoms from Connecting Threads.  This giveaway ends Sunday, October 23, at 12:01 am EST.

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FINAL THOUGHT

I'm making it through the projects I wanted to complete before the end of the month.  Woohoo!  Good thing since Friday is the last of September.  And, yes, I have continued to practice my FMQ (free motion quilting) but will show you those on Friday.  Once I get some cleaning done and those sharp objects put away, I will even be ready for my DD#1 and GS#2 to arrive in less than 48 hours.  Yes, I'm down to counting the hours - lol!  Little will be done sewing wise while they are here but that's okay.  The sewing will wait but my time with them is short and I want to spend it ALL with them.  I know, I'm getting ahead of myself.  One more full day of sewing (today) and another half if I get my cleaning done before lunch on Thursday.  Got to keep busy or I'll just be waiting for those texts telling me where they are on the road.  Can you tell I'm getting excited?

Life is short, God's way of encouraging a bit of focus. 

~Robert Brault