Flowers and Late Thank Yous

One kind word can warm three winter months. 
~Japanese Proverb

Monday was such a quiet day.  There was no school traffic out front and very little neighborhood activity.  I was able to get a lot accomplished.  Yesterday was back to normal.  Cars coming and going.  Buses bouncing down the street.  Deliveries being made to the school office.  Etc, etc, etc.  However, inside my home, it was quiet.  I was able to sew and listen to an audio book (Ya-Yas In Bloom by Rebecca Wells).  I love days like that when there is nothing more pressing than my iron (tee-hee) and the dogs are snuggled in their bed sleeping the day away.  Speaking of snuggled, the cold finally came with our low yesterday morning reaching down to 29*.  There was definitely frost on the pumpkin, so to speak. 

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

LITTLE FACT OF THE DAY

Turtle

Turtles have always fascinated me.  They are such graceful creatures in water and can move with such speed.  Here are a few facts I found about these aquatic beings:

* The first known turtles existed 200 million years ago.

* There are approximately 300 species of turtles.

* Turtles live on every continent except Antarctica.

* Turtles are cold-blooded. One way they regulate their temperature is by basking.

* Some female turtles produce eggs four years after mating.

* Incubation temperature determines the sex of the hatchling.

* The smallest turtle, the Speckled Padloper is 4". The largest is the Leatherback sea turtle, that can

reach up to 10' in length.

* Turtles cannot protrude their tongues from their mouths
* Turtles have good eyesight, seeing in full color and a strong sense of smell. They have excellent hearing and sense of touch. Their shells have feeling due to nerve endings

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

WEDNESDAY'S FLOWERS

This week I was able to make 2 hexagon flowers. 

This flower reminds me of Spanish tiles.  I didn't even notice the green design around the center until I was taking the picture.

This flower could be used for either Valentine's Day or for summer with the watermelon theme.  Isn't it bright and happy?

Since it is One Flower Wednesday, Karen (Journey of a Quilter) has provided a linky where you see so many of the great hexie flowers being made out there.  Thanks, Karen!

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

TIME TO MAKE THINGS RIGHT

Over the holidays I got behind on posting thank yous to the various giveaways I won.  It's time to remedy that......

1.  Back in October I won this flannel layer cake from Hobbies On  A Budget.  The fabrics are from Connecting Threads and are so soft.  I will probably be making a quilt or two for Loving Hands out of these squares.  Thank you, Sharon!!

2. In December, Gene Black put a call out for Quilt Angels.  I sent Gene a quilt to add to the pile for his donation.  As a result, mine was one of two names drawn in the giveaway.  I won a $100 gift certificate to Connecting Threads!  With the certificate I purchased 44 half yard cuts of their Mirage fabric line - one of each color available.  I had to add a little cash to accomplish this but not much.  Aren't there some gorgeous colors?  Thank you so very much Gene and Cyndi!!

3.  Also in December, I won a giveaway over at Woolie Mammoth.  With my renewed interest in embroidery, I look forward to creating this darling Bareroots pattern called Bless the Birds Pillow.  Thank you, Anna!!

4.  Gosh!  This was a giveaway I won back on December 1 from Quilting Ranny.  This beautiful quilt pattern is called Sparkle from Open Gate.  I may even have everything I need in my stash for this one since it only calls for 3 colors.  Thank you, Jean!!

5.  And my final win in December is the wonderful charm pack, Summer House.  I won this giveaway from NorthernNorthAmerican Bears.  I see a Loving Hands Quilt being created from these pretty squares.  Thank you, Debbie!

Finally I think I'm caught up.  (If I missed someone, please let me know!)  I hope you don't think I'm bragging about the wins I received because I'm not.  I think it's important to thank those publicly that hold such generous giveaways.  Please visit the blogs through the links provided above.  You might find something fun to do and you will definitely meet some very nice people.

And while I'm talking about giveaways, be sure to check back here Friday!

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

TODAY'S GOAL

Today I plan to start quilting a project I'm working on.

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

GIVEAWAYS

The Intrepid Thread is having a giveaway.  You could win a bundle of Primitiva.  This giveaway ends Saturday, January 21.

A Ditchin' Time Quilts is having a giveaway.  You could win a cute little needle book for a class Stephanie taught last week.  This giveaway ends Sunday, January 22.

Sew Bittersweet Designs is having a giveaway.  You could win a layer cake of Twirl.  This giveaway ends Friday, January 20, at midnight.

Sewn With Grace is having a giveaway.  You could win her entire Christmas fabric stash and a book by Piece O'Cake Designs, Quilt a New Christmas.  This giveaway ends Thursday, January 19.

Southpaw Stitcher is having a giveaway to celebrate her blogiversary.  You could win an issue of Spool and several cross stitch charts.  This giveaway ends Friday, January 20, at 11:59 pm Chicago time.

Annie's Ruby Slipperz is having her weekly giveaway.  You could win 5 fat quarters.  This giveaway ends Saturday, January 21, at midnight MT.

Crazy Quilting For Fun is having a giveaway.  You could win a Christmas stitchery pattern from Two Blonde Mice along with background muslin and a ball of DMCperle #8.  This giveaway ends Friday, January 20, at midnight EST.

Patchwork Delights is having a giveaway.  You could win 3 spools of 100% cotton Egyptian thread and a Cath Kidson book, Sew!  This giveaway ends Friday, January 20, at midnight.

Vroomans Quilts is celebrating her 200th post with a giveaway.  You could win box full of 2.5" squares.  This giveaway ends Monday, January 23.

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

FINAL THOUGHT

If you would like to add a smile to your day, click HERE.  This is my absolute favorite Pixar Short Film - For The Birds. ( 3 minutes 14 seconds).