It's Finished!

Buttons and patches and the cold wind blowing,
The days pass quickly when I am sewing.

~Author Unknown

Whew!  I'm so glad that the weekend is over.  It seems like we ran constantly or had something do due each hour of both days.  It actually started Friday night when we did our monthly run to Walmart and Costco.  And what better way to start that excursion than with a dinner at Arby's - lol!  Walmart was understocked and busy.  Costco was quite pleasant in comparison.  Saturday continued with errand running and an ALS support group meeting.  We visited the Farmer's Market (fresh veggies), the library (had to pick up another 4 audio books), Petsmart (couldn't let the pups run out of their favorite food), Beverly's to pick up some backing fabric and some Kona white, and Rite-Aid to pick up some of the items that Walmart didn't have in stock.  Sunday was filled with the weekly washing, a bath for Snickerdoodle, and general pick-up around the house.  Hooray for Monday!  My house will be cleaned today (and, boy, does it ever need it) and hopefully I will get lots of sewing in.

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LITTLE FACT OF THE DAY

Horses

Horses are such majestic creatures.  Most of us wished to own a horse at least once in our childhood and I was no exception.  Here are some interesting facts about these wonderful animals:

* horses do not lie down together, one stands guard for dangers

* one front leg is shorter then the other and the mane falls to that side

* horses lock their legs when they sleep so they don't fall over

* the ears point where they are looking

* a horse sees two different images from each eye

* The oldest recorded horse was 62 years old when he died. He was a barge horse. He lived from 1760 to 1822.

* Horses only sleep 3-4 hrs in a 24 hr period

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A BIG FINISH FOR ME

I am happy to say that I have finally finished my Gardener's Journal quilt!!!!  I started this quilt way back in June of last year.  At first I slowly worked on the embroidery part starting with.....

the Gardening Shed.  Once I figured out that I would like to enter this quilt in the Cotton Patch Quilters of Kern County (the guild I am a member of) quilt show at the end of January (this month!) I decided I better get serious. And so I did.

This is one of my favorite blocks as I could be found quite often in the same position.  It's amazing that no family member took my picture like this.  Of course, if they had, they knew there would be H E double toothpicks to pay!

Another favorite block of mine.  No garden, story, or home is complete without the family dog - at least it is that way in my life.

After cutting, piecing and and putting borders on, sandwiching and quilting, and finally hand sewing the binding, the quilt is done.......

Ta-da!  Here it is in all its all its glory.  With all my wishes for weather change, it finally happened.  It was cloudy all day so I wasn't able to take a picture of the quilt in the sunshine :( 

I changed up the borders from what the pattern showed.  I first added a dark blue narrow border before adding the mauve border.  For some reason I like the way it set the whole quilt off better than without the first narrow dark blue border.

I made the binding out of the backing fabric.  I hardly ever make a lighter binding but I like how it seemed to frame the entire piece.

I did simple stitch-in-the-ditch quilting using a dark cream thread and same in the bobbin (it helps to see it if you squint just little bit - lol).

Finished size:  58.5" X 58.5"
Pattern: A Gardener's Journal by Ami Downs
 The Fabric: is a line from Connecting Threads and is called Victoria Parlor.  The copyright on the fabric is 2007 so that shows you how long I had it in my stash.  I'm so glad that I hadn't split up the line of fat quarters - guess I knew it would be used for something special.
Started: June 2011
Finished: January 2012

My first finish for 2012!  Now lets hope I get at least a few nice remarks from the judge at the end of the month.

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TODAY'S GOAL

Today I will continue with my UFO - this is fun!

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GIVEAWAYS

AllFreeSewing is having a giveaway. You could win a set of La Petite Mercerie Fabric.  This giveaway ends Monday, January 23, at 11:59:59 pm EST.

Gene Black an Alabama Artist is having a giveaway.  You could win a signed copy of Finish Almost Any Quilt by Marguerita McManus.  This giveaway ends Friday, January 27.

Hancock's of Paducah is having a giveaway.  You could win a Civil Wars Journal kit.  This giveaway ends Friday, February 10, at 10:00 am CST.

Such A Sew and Sew is having a giveaway.  You could win A cute little decorated tin holding 200 size 1 curved safety pins with easy grip covers, a Quik-Klip tool to help fasten the safety pins, a blue fine-point water soluble marking pen, a white fine-point water soluble marking pen, a package of 5 universal quilting needles, and Machine quilting gloves in your size.  This giveaway ends Thursday, January 19, at 10:00 pm MST.

It's Sew Kiki is celebrating her blog's birthday with a giveaway.  Kiera is giving away so many wonderful things - too many to list.  When you go visit to check out the giveaway, please mention that I sent you over.  This giveaway ends Sunday, January 22.

Cat Patches is having her Fun Fact Friday Freebie giveaway.  You could win a fat quarter.  This giveaway ends Friday, January 20.

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FINAL THOUGHT