Two Kinds of Stitching

A bargain ain't a bargain unless it's something you need. 

~Sidney Carroll

We went on our bi-weekly grocery shopping excursion Wednesday night.  Normally the store is well stocked on that day of the week.  Not this week.  There were quite a few barren areas on the shelves - especially in the bread area.  Luckily we were able to find almost everything we needed (and some things we didn't).  Our list wasn't very long which only goes to figure as we had an coupons for 15% off our entire shopping purchase.  After all was said and done, using the per cent off coupons and the few other manufacturer's coupon I had, we ended up saving $22!  Woohoo!  Now that's what I can a great grocery shopping trip!

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LITTLE FACT OF THE DAY

Play-Doh

Today, September 16, is National Play-Doh Day.  Get out your Play Doh and let's get creative! Look, I rolled this into a snake. And here's a worm. And look, an eel. Just remember, if you're coming to the Play Doh party please try not to mix the colors or you know what'll happen. That's right, a purpley grey mess. 

Play-Do was invented by Noah and Joseph McVicker in 1955. The brothers plan was to make a wallpaper cleaner. Joseph's sister was a kindergarten teacher and started bringing it into class for the kids to do art projects. She liked it better than clay since it was softer and less messy. The brothers sent their modeling clay to a few school in Cincinnati and it became a huge hit. At first the clay only came in off white and in a cardboard can containing 1 and a half pounds of Play-Doh. In 1956 The McVicker's founded Rainbow Crafts in order to sell their invention.  In 1957 the brothers modified the formula a little bit to make it even softer and they added the colors red green and blue.  In 1963 it started being sold in smaller cans and in 1986 it started being sold in plastic containers which helped it last longer and was easier for kids to open.  And, finally, if all the Play-Doh Compound made since 1956 was extruded through the Pay-Doh Fun Factory, it would make a "snake" that would wrap around the world nearly 300 times.

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FINALLY MADE THAT LABEL

Yesterday I finally made the label for my Colors Thru The Window quilt.  It's about time since it goes to the County Fair tomorrow......

Today I plan on sewing it onto the back.  I don't think they would like me at the fair if I just left it pinned on this way.

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THE CENTER STITCHERY

A week or so ago, I finished the center stitchery for A Gardener's Journal.....

This piece is called No Place Like Home and will end up measuring 8 1/2" X 9 1/2".  It is the biggest stitchery block in the quilt.  Luckily, I still have 3 1/2 months left to finish the quilt.

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FMQ PRACTICE

 

I've officially moved onto the Beginner/Intermediate page of Leah Day's Free Motion Quilting Project. 

Gentle Flames was an easy practice.  It was mostly a concentration of spacing the stitching lines evenly apart.

I probably should have added more spirals to each spiral but I was still pleased with the way this one turned out - with a few tiny exceptions.  This one is called Basic Spirals.

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TODAY'S GOAL

Today I have to sew on labels to two quilt backs.

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GIVEAWAYS

Want It, Need It, Quilt! is having a giveaway.  You could win a beginners a Hexaculture pack.  This giveaway ends Wednesday, September 21 AEST.

Fairy Face Designs is having a giveaway.  You could win 5 half metres of Kona Solids.  This giveaway ends Monday, September 19, at 9:00 pm Irish time.

1 Choice 4 Quilting is having a giveaway.  You could win either a jelly roll or layer cake of Sophie, or King of the Ranch, or Winter Wonderland.  This giveaway ends Monday, September 19, at 10:00 pm EST.

Never Enough Stash is having a giveaway.  You could win one of Lizzie Kate's new designs.  This giveaway ends Tuesday, September 20.

Never Enough Stash is hold a second giveaway.  At this one you could win 100 hexies in the size that you choose.  This giveaway ends Monday, September 19.

Crazy'boutquilts is having her first sponsored giveaway.  You could win 'half price quilting from Joanne of Splitting Stitches.  This giveaway ends Monday, September 19.

From The Blue Chair is having a giveaway.  You could win a sample pack of Auriful thread.  This giveaway ends Tuesday, September 20.

Quiltstory is having a giveaway.  You could win 1 yard of In Transit from Michael Miller.  This giveaway ends Monday, September 19, at midnight.

Samelia's Mum is having a giveaway.  You would win a charm pack of Buttercup by Joanna Figueroa of Fig Tree & Co for Moda fabrics.  This giveaway ends Monday, September 26, midday AEST.

Fresh Figs is having a giveaway.  You could win 1 fabric bundle, or 1 bag of MODA goodies or one of  2 boxes filled to the brim with Butterscotch & Rose scraps from some MODA market projects.  This giveaway ends Tuesday, September 20.

Jolly Jabber is having their weekly giveaway.  You could win one of Sherri McConnell Blogger’s Choice Fat Quarter Bundles.  This giveaway ends Wednesday, September 21.

Little Island Quilting is having a giveaway.  You could win a complete fat quarter set of the new Verandah collection by Amanda Murphy for Robert Kaufman Fabrics.  This giveaway ends Thursday, September 22, at 7:00 pm Little Island time.

Quilty Habit is celebrating her one year blogoversary with a giveaway.  You could win a beautiful sunflower lanyard made by Jess.  This giveaway ends Friday, September 23, at noon EST.

One More Quilt is having a giveaway.  You could win some great Christmas fabric.  This giveaway ends Saturday, September 17.

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FINAL THOUGHT

I'm thinking I'm going to have to give up on this part of the blog :(  Two times in a row I have no parting words of wisdom or thoughts to share.  I'm not in a funk or anything.  I just don't have anything to close with.  So instead of boring you - I will wish you a fantastic Friday and a wonderful weekend!!

See everything; overlook a great deal; correct a little. 
~Pope John XXIII