Swaps Coming and Going

Breathe. Let go. And remind yourself that this very moment is the only one you know you have for sure.
~Oprah Winfrey

It felt so good to get back to my sewing machine on Wednesday.  I spent part of the day machine sewing and part of it doing embroidery.  Quiet work.....satisfying work.  Yesterday I continued on along the same routine.  But today I'm starting to feel that old, ugly stress of having to get things done.  More Bee blocks, more swap blocks, two Loving Hands quilts, a baby quilt for the gal that cuts my hair, embroidery for the Gardener's Journal quilt, and the list goes on.  I just have to breath.  Big, deep, cleansing breaths.  Everybody do it with me.......breath in.......breath out......repeat.  Okay, are we ready to tackle the day?  I am!!

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LITTLE FACT OF THE DAY

King Tut

Today, November 4, is King Tut Day.  On this day in 1922, King Tutankhamen's tomb was discovered in Egypt's Valley of Kings.  Did you know.......

* Tutankhamun was born in 1343 BC - his name at this time was Tutankhaten

* Tutankhamun changed his name from Tutankhaten to Tutankhamun due to pressure from traditionalists, reflecting the growing acceptance of the old god Amun and decline in support of Aten
* His mother was Nefertiti
* He married his half-sister Ankhesenpaaten
* He was nine years old when he became Pharaoh
* He was just 18/19 years old when he died
* The famous gold mask that rested directly on top of the Pharaoh's mummy weighs ten kilos (22 pounds)
* The marriage of Tutankhamun and Ankhesenpaaten produced two daughters who were stillborn
* King Tut reigned for just 9 years and the cause of his death still remains a mystery

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PINCUSHION SWAP

Recently I signed up for a pincushion swap on flickr.  It was a secret partner swap and I received my pincushion yesterday.....

This wonderful pincushion came all the way from Sweden.  Karin made this for me and included the cute flathead pins and the two little bags of candy.  I really like how Karin used the Dala Horse ribbon around the base.  The pincushion measures 4" high by 5" wide.  I can stick a lot of pins in this one.  Thank you so very much, Karin!

This is the pincushion I made for my secret swap partner.  It's similar to one I've made before but I added more layers of petals.  My swap partner wanted a large pincushion as she does a lot of embroidery and silk ribbon embroidery and has between 6 and 8 needles threaded at a time.  This should easily hold that many needles and more as it is almost 5" across.  It is stuffed with crushed walnut shells and dried lavender so it has a nice weight and won't fly across the room when you remove needles or pins.  This pincushion is making its way across the country to Alabama as I write.  I hope she like it!

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SCRAPPY SWAP

I also signed up for a new swap group through flickr called Scrappy Swap.  In this swap you included scraps no smaller than 2 1/2" square and enough pieces to cover a fat quarter.  You could add little extras if you wished. 

My swap partner, Hilary, of Quilary - Take A Peak Over The Fence, was very generous.  Not only did she send me some wonderful scraps, she also included a great needle case with spots for needles, scissors, pins, pattern and a zip pocket plus it has a built in pincushion.  Hilary also sent along a fat quarter depicting Aboriginal dot painting.  I was so lucky to have Hilary as my partner.  Thank you, Hilary!

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FREE MOTION SQUARES

The last two days of sewing started as they were supposed to - with free motion practice.....

Swirling Petals was a great practice after being away from the sewing machine for six days.  Most of the time it flowed quite easily.  There were, of course, a couple of times when hands and brain were not on the same course - lol!

This was a rather interesting exercise.  I should have angled a couple of my paisleys in another direction but is still turned out okay.  And, believe it or not, I do know how to spell.  I seem to have trouble with V's when stitching.  It should read Paisley Division.

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TODAY'S GOAL

Today I hope to whip out a couple of Bee or swap blocks.

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GIVEAWAYS

Want It, Need It, Quilt is having a giveaway. You could win 'A Walk in the Woods' Layer Cake. This giveaway ends Wednesday, November 30, AEST.

Quilting By Dawn is having a giveaway. You could win a pincushion or a small zippered bag. But hurry because this giveaway ends tonight, Friday, November 4, at 10pm CST.

Lily's Quilts is having a giveaway. You could win a Hurricane tonal solids fat quarter bundle. This giveaway ends ?

FabricWorm is having their weekly giveaway. You could win Tina Givens, Lilliput, Sunset Morgan in 10 Fat Quarters. This giveaway ends Monday, November 7, at 8:30 am PST.

Hanging On By A Thread is having a giveaway. You could win MyMemories software or darling cross stitched snowman. This giveaway ends Thursday, November 24.

Just One More Stitch is having a sponsored giveaway. You could win a White Christmas fat quarter bundle from Fort Worth Fabric Studio. This giveaway ends Saturday, November 5, at midnight CST.

Quilting By The River is having a giveaway. You could win 8 fat quarters of Amelie and a Lil' Twister template. This giveaway ends Saturday, November 5, at midnight CST.

Annie's Ruby Slipperz is having her weekly Monday Mystery giveaway. You could win 5 fat quarters. This giveaway ends Saturday, November 5, at midnight MT.

All About Applique is having a giveaway. You could win a copy of Inspirational Appliqué. This giveaway ends Saturday, November 5, at 6 pm PST.

A Legacy of Stitches is having a giveaway. You could win a copy of Devil's Puzzle by Clare O'Donohue. This giveaway ends Sunday, November 6, at noon CST.

It's almost time to send the Traveling Stash on its way. Wouldn't you like to be the next one to receive it? If so, enter my giveaway HERE.

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FINAL THOUGHT

Really I don't dislike to cook, but what you cook is eaten so quickly. When you sew, you have something that will last to show for your efforts.

~Elizabeth Travis Johnson