Wednesday, January 18, 2012

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. 

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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

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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!

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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!

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TODAY'S GOAL

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

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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.

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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).


 

26 comments:

Vroomans' Quilts said...

THank you for the chuckle this morning - cute short film. Love your hexies, especially the tile. And I feel the same way with thanking those who have give aways, not only for all the lovelies you have won, but when you don't win to, also, go back to their sites and congratulate the winner and thank the host.

sunny said...

Absolutely love your flower flower!!You really have a good eye!

Anonymous said...

I love the Japanese Proverb you chose for today! We got down to 11 degrees last night, brrrrrr! Fantastic flowers as always, I agree, your flower fabric one does look like a Spanish tile. Have fun today! Hugs, Kim C ^i^

Mrs.Pickles said...

beautiful hexi flowers!

Maria said...

WOW!!! your flowers are just gorgeous Linda. Great fabrics.
Thanks for the link. Had to watch it even though it is after 1am here.

Quilting Chemist (Danette) said...

Stunning! The Spanish Tile hexie is amazing - I love it! That's my favorite pixar short film too. Thanks for sharing the smile.

Melissa said...

You have some crazy good luck! Thanks for spreading the word :)

Megan Harmeyer said...

I was thinking about showing Mason For The Birds because he was pointing out the birds on power lines this morning! I bet he'll like it. You've won quite a bit of stuff lately! I like the watermelon hexie - looks very, very bright with the black center.

Gene Black said...

Congrats on the wins. I am almost jealous of your Connecting Threads buy. I love the Mirage fabrics. I bought a FQ bundle of them a while back. Cyndi was a real angel to provide the second prize.

Debbie said...

congrats on all the wins. Im glad to see that you got your charm pack safely!

i love that video too

Bquiltin said...

Hi Linda..... you're involved in so many cute swaps and ideas... your hexies inspired me to fussy cut my One Wedn Flowers..... Be happy

Terry said...

Love your hexies! That's one of my favorite short films too! It always makes me smile! :0)

Joanna said...

Okay, Now that I'm through laughing I will share that cartoon with my family and friends. Thank you so much for the link. It's the best. Compliments on your very cute flowers.

Karen said...

Two lovely flowers, I think the first one is just fabulous!!!!

Karen O said...

Linda, I had a post just like this yesterday and you were thanked in there! I feel so blessed with the wins I had. Thank you again for the runner!

Little Penpen said...

I love your fussy cut hexie's. I think all these pretty blog posts have made me ADHD; I can't seem to stay focused on any project, as I want to do them all. Now I want to start a hexie project!

Needled Mom said...

Your flowers are absolutely wonderful. I just love the fussy cut ones.

You really have some nice wins. I know that you will enjoy each one and we will look forward to your wonderful creations.

Brrr. 29*? We were in the low 30s so I am not surprised. Stay warm!

Connie Kresin Campbell said...

Your block that looks like a Spanish tile is so beautiful! Wonderful wins Linda and it is always nice to thank others!

rubyslipperz1052 said...

Your hexies never cease to amaze!

I'm glad that you wrote those few words after displaying your wins. Many times I'm really grateful for things...and I want to post. But, I shy away because I'm afraid to look like I'm bragging. Now, I will look at it a bit differently.

I enjoyed the facts about turtles. I never thought there were 300 species...and there could be such a long time between mating and laying eggs.

FUNNY birds!!! lol

hugZ,
annie
anniesrubyslipperz.com

Linda in Calif. said...

Totally too cute hexies!

Miss Hillbilly said...

I am a bit behind on thankyou's too. Got behind over the holidays. I am spending less and less time on here--it just has to happen.

Have a good weekend!

HG's Blog said...

I do enjoy your blog

Lots of Fabric 2 said...

Your fussy cut hexies are amazing,and as always you have a way of making me smile love all your information you post. You have some nice wins. Have a great weekend and stay warm,happy quilting jinnie

Cheryl's Teapots2Quilting said...

The extra design that came out on the top hexie is great. Love all your winnings. I need to collect a few solids and marbles for some projects I want to do.

Susan said...

I got distracted after reading your post, and forgot to comment. I absolutely love those hexagons! Yours are inspiring me for the fussy cutting. Are all of them going into one project? I especially like the lime and raspberry one.

Lynda said...

Very cute short film! As always, love the hexie flowers. It is going to be an amazing quilt some day.

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