Little Things

Life is like a ten-speed bicycle. Most of us have gears we never use. 
~Charles Schulz

Yesterday after lunch I felt like my brain just shut off.  I didn't feel like sewing.  I didn't feel like reading blogs.  I just felt like sitting and staring off into space.  Maybe I ate to much at lunch?  Maybe I didn't get enough sleep the night before?  Maybe I had overworked my brain in the morning?  One will never know the cause.  I ignored my brain and kept on plugging through the afternoon.  I made sure not to do anything too strenuous or start something new.  Have you ever had a time like that?  These little do-nothing events don't happen too often, thank goodness.  But all is well this morning and I'm ready to tackle the day!

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PHOTO FACT OF THE DAY

Today, September 9, is National Teddy Bear Day.  The teddy bear got its name from President Theodore Roosevelt. On a political trip involving a dispute over the border between Louisiana and Mississippi, Roosevelt went on a side hunting outing in 1903, in Mississippi. Teddy Roosevelt refused to shoot a helpless black bear cub, which had been chained to a tree for him by his hosts. They wanted to ensure he would bag a hunting prize.  A political cartoon done by Clifford Barryman, portrayed the event reflecting both the bear and the border dispute. The caption read "Drawing the line in Mississippi".
A man named Morris Michtom and his wife created a pair of stuffed bears to put in their shop window. They were an instant hit. With permission from President Roosevelt, they were given the name "Teddy's" Bears.  The shop became the Ideal Novelty and Toy company in 1907. That in turn became The Ideal Toy Company in 1938.
Before the advent of the upright teddy bears, the Steiff toy company of Germany, had produced stuffed bears on all fours. They were mounted on a base with wheels to be pulled around. At about the same time, the Michtoms created the first teddy bears, the Steiff company was making their own version in Germany in 1902.  Richard Steiff, the nephew of the Steiff owner Margarete, went to a The Stuttgart Zoo and drew up plans for the new upright teddy bears. Steiff bears are often considered more realistic, having humps on their backs.

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TWO NICU QUILTS

Last week I finished up two little quilts for my guild's Loving Hands project.

Don't you just love all of the tractors?  This is some of the fabric I won recently from Frances (One More Quilt)  last month.  This fabric is perfect since I live in an agriculturally rich community.

This is the backing.  John Deere will make some little future farmer very snug and warm.

Then I worked with some larger panel blocks of tractors.  Another quilt for the NICU.

This serene farm scene I used for the backing should be very calming for a tiny baby.  These were all quilted with a simple loopy meandering.  They measure 32" X 32" to fit over the isolettes.  Thanks again to Frances for the wonderful fabrics!!  Oh, and a special thank you to DD#2 for being my quilt displayer :)

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A FORGOTTEN QUILT

Over the weekend I was looking for a fall type tablecloth I knew I had put away last year when the season was over.  While searching I came across a quilt I had totally forgotten about.  In fact, I don't really remember ever making it but I know I did.......

This had to be one of the first quilts I ever made.  The patchwork wasn't perfect and the stitch-in-the-ditch quilting definitely leaves something to be desired.  But after all is said and done, I really like the colors and I love the pattern.  Too bad I don't remember which pattern book it came out of.  I think this will be my new lap quilt for when I'm in my power chair this winter.  It is the perfect size.

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PRACTICE

Wednesday's practice was a fun little pattern I will probably never use......

Most of my circles were less than perfect and a couple of the straight lines are a little wobbly.  Leah named this one H2O after her two years in college as a Biology major.

Now this design I can see myself using in both blocks and sashings.   My biggest blunder was the block on the left side, third one down.  Don't know where my mind was on that one - lol!  This pattern is called Square Spiral.

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TODAY'S GOAL

Today I hope to start on a Fall/Halloween table runner I would like to have finished by the end of the month.

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GIVEAWAYS

I Play With Fiber (a brand new blog by our friend Annie of Annie's Ruby Slipperz) is having a giveaway.  You could win a copy of Sheep In A Jeep by Nancy Shaw.  Not sure when this ends though.

Sew 4 Home is having a giveaway.  You could win a Mystery Grab Bag.  This giveaway ends Saturday, September 24, at midnight PST.

Stumbles and Stitches is having a sponsored giveaway.  You could win a $25 gift certificate from Fashionable Fabrics.  This giveaway ends Saturday, September 10.

Bunny Hill Design is having a giveaway.  You could win one of 3 jelly rolls of Puttin' On The Ritz, or a bundle of waffle and satin cloth for baby, or one of 16 Puttin' On The Ritz scrap bags.  This giveaway ends Wednesday, September 14.

Quiltin' Grandma's Blog is having a giveaway.  You could win an autographed copy of Jennifer Chiaverini's newest book due out in November, "THE WEDDING QUILT"  and a new pattern book  "Traditions from Elm Creek Quilts: 13 Quilts Projects to Piece and Applique". This giveaway ends Monday, October 31.

Woolen Sails is having a giveaway.  You could win a copy of the software, Quilt Album.  This giveaway ends Saturday, September 10.

Annie's Ruby Slipperz is having her Monday Mystery giveaway.  You could win 5 fat quarters.  This giveaway ends Saturday, September 10.

Qubee Quilts is having a giveaway.  You could win a copy of String Quilting Today.  This giveaway ends Wednesday, September 14.

Loose Threads is having a giveaway to celebrate her 200th post.  You could win 1 1/2 yards of Kona White, 1/2 yard each Kona Red and Green, and 2 Flurry charm packs.  This giveaway ends this evening, Friday, September 9.

Possum Blossom Patchwork is having a giveaway.  You could win one pack containing 50 fabric hexagons in 50 different colours, plus one pack containing 100 1" paper or card hexagons.  This giveaway ends Wednesday, September 21, at 9:00 pm Aussie time.

My Go-Go Life is having a giveaway.  You could win 3.5 yards of Katie Jump Rope.  This giveaway ends Monday, September 12.

Quilter In The Gap is having a giveaway.  You could win a Spice Blossom Flannel Stack from Connecting Threads.  This giveaway ends Thursday, September 15, at midnight EST.

Amanda Murphy Design is having a giveaway.  You could win a copy of My Memories software scrapbook.  This giveaway ends Monday, September 12, at midnight.

Bejeweled Quilts By Barb is having a giveaway.  You could win a $25.00 shopping spree to Inchworm Fabrics.  This giveaway ends ?

This is the final reminder to enter my giveaway for a GO! Baby Cutter and your choice of 3 dies.  Go HERE to enter.

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FINAL THOUGHT

Today is Friday!  The final work day of the week.  It usually means the last sewing day of the week for me, too.  I sometimes get some hand sewing in but not much more than that.  I like to spend time with my DH and sitting in front of the sewing machine just doesn't allow for that.  Our weekend isn't too full.  Just the normal run to the farmer's market and an ALS support group meeting.  Speaking of which,  I am participating in the ALS Walk To Defeat ALS on October 1.  If you would like to know more about it or become a member of my team, just click on the button at the top of my right sidebar.  But I digress.  This should be a fairly relaxing weekend before a jammed packed week next week.  We have something going on every evening next week and into next weekend.  So we will be recharging our batteries, watching some tv (I'm sure there's a car race some place) and just enjoying each other's company.  I hope you have a wonderful weekend planned, too!

Weekends don't count unless you spend them doing something completely pointless. 
~Bill Watterson