Sharing Stitcheries and Stories

Automobiles are not ferocious.... it is man who is to be feared.
~Robbins B. Stoeckel

Wow!  I now know why I do most of my shopping online.  We had to do some actual in-store shopping on Saturday and I couldn't believe the crowds.  We ventured into Bed, Bath, and Beyond and I felt like a mouse in a maze.  Between the people and the crowded aisles, we constantly had to change direction to get where we wanted to be.  There definitely wasn't room for two carts going in opposite directions and people must have had blinders on not to see that they were blocking progress for other shoppers with their carts.  And the crazy December drivers were out in force too.  Why is it this time of year people are in such a hurry that they forget parking lot etiquette?  I really like to try to support the local shops but this time of year I will have to go back to shopping online.  Did you find the same thing happening in your area over the weekend?

=============================

LITTLE FACT OF THE DAY

Dice

Sunday, November 4, was National Dice Day.  I totally missed it.  Dice have been used to wager long before Vegas was a twinkle in a hotel magnate's eye. An archaeological dig yielded dice that were 5,000 years old, proving that even the ancients liked to gamble.  Here's a few more facts about dice:

* Traditional dies are cube-shaped, and have six sides. Each of the six sides is numbered from one to six

* The circular dots are called pips

* Early dice were made from the ankle bones of hoofed animals.  They were also referred to as "knucklebones". The statement "Roll the Bones" alludes to this.
* The Roman Goddess, Fortuna, was believed responsible for the outcome of a dice throw.  Fortuna was the god of luck in Roman Mythology. She was often referred to as "Lady Luck".

=============================

MORE STITCHERY

 My sewing machine has been sitting patiently waiting for me to return.  I have been busy trying to finish up the stitcheries for my Gardener's Journal quilt.  Here are some more stitcheries and their stories......

The stitchery on the left is called Birds In The Tree and will measure 3 1/2" X 7 1/2".  The stitchery on the right is called Lawn Mower and will measure 2 1/2" X 5 1/2".  Here is there story:

"Lawn Mower Man................Harold tells me he loves to mow the lawn (I've yet to see any evidence of this). He likes to get in touch with Mother -Nature and embrace the earth. He especially loves to mow a week before Christmas and the day before his mother-in-law turns up. He gets so excited it takes him six months to recover. Yet another reason why I married him."

The stitchery on the left is called Flower Basket and will measure 2 1/2" X 3 1/2".  The stitchery on the right is called weather vane and will measure the same as the Flower Basket.  The story also includes......

this stitchery called Dog House.  It will measure 3 1/2" X 4 1/2" when cut down to size.  Here is the story for these three blocks:

"The Dog House........I think we have a rabid greenie in the family. I have noticed 'Woof' has been relieving himself on every patch of flowers I have planted. I have no problems using natural organic products in my garden however I feel 'Woof' needs to have a few lessons in the correct dilution procedure in mixing his sprays. I have had to chain him up and I'm sure I saw him giving me the peace sign with his doggy paw."

The story will continue and hopefully I will have the last stitchery completed today!

=========================

FAT QUARTER WIN

A while back I won Cat Patches Fun Fact Friday Freebee.  Barbara sent me a darling fat quarter.....

Isn't it just too cute?  I foresee several hexie flowers being made from this fat quarter.  Thank you so very much, Barbara!!

==========================

TODAY'S GOAL

Today I hope to finish up at least one of the little, tiny mini quilts I'm making for a Christmas gift.

=========================

GIVEAWAYS

Lisnaweary Quilts is having a giveaway.  You could win a GO! Baby Cutter and 3 dies.  This giveaway ends Sunday, December 11, at midnight GMT.

Growing Stitches is having a giveaway.  Sara is ready to send the Traveling Stash on its way again.  This giveaway ends Tuesday, December 13.

Hawthorne Threads is having a giveaway.  You could win an Echo fat quarter bundle.  This giveaway ends Wednesday, December 7.

Quilting By The River is having a giveaway.  You could win mini ruler/template board and an Easy Angle ruler.  This giveaway ends Wednesday, December 7, at midnight CST.

Cat Patches is having her weekly Fun Fact Friday Freebie giveaway.  You could win a fat quarter.  The winner will be announced Friday, December 9.

From The Blue Chair is having a giveaway.  You could win an item of your choice from Story Snuggles.  This giveaway ends Wednesday, December 7, at 8:00 am MT.

Happy Quilting is having a giveaway.  You could win an entire fat quarter bundle of Deb Strain's Coming Home from Green Fairy Quilts.  This giveaway ends Wednesday, December 7.

===============================

FINAL THOUGHT

This was shared by my friend, Karen, via email......

Well, the Church threw my cookies out of the bake sale again.