Colors Of Spring

Life is a great big canvas, and you should throw all the paint on it you can. 
 ~Danny Kaye


Wonderful Wednesday.  Hump Day.  Middle of the week.  It all fits.  Today is a great day to continue my projects.  However, it is also grocery shopping day - not my favorite thing to do but rather a necessity.  Spring is here in full force and almost all of my plants are sprouting leaves or have flowers bursting forth.  With that comes allergies as our pine trees are overloaded with pollen this year.  Thank goodness for allergy medication - it at least puts those sinus headaches into a manageable dull ache.  It's time to head for the sewing machine and to continue listening to an adio book.  What are your plans for today?


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LITTLE FACT OF THE DAY

Pomegranates

Although this has never been one of my favorite fruits, it certainly is interesting.  I remember my girls in old cloths sitting on the sidewalk during the summer with a pomegranate and a hammer trying to reach the inner seeds.  Here are some facts I learned about pomegranates:

* The word “pomegranate” in old French language means “seeded apple”. True to the french meaning, pomegranate look similar to apples. The fruit is a very rich source for a number of plant chemicals and also contains Vitamin C, fiber and niacin.

* Pomegranate remains dating back to 1000 BC have been found in Transcaucasia

* The ancient Romans used pomegranate rinds as a form of leather

* A pomegranate tree can grow up to fifteen feet in height and may live for more than one hundred years

* Once the pomegranate fruit is picked from the tree it stops ripening but will become more flavorful after being in storage

* The antioxidant potential of the pomegranate fruit is thought to be up to three times higher than that of green tea and red wine

* In Greece it is traditional to break pomegranates on the ground at weddings and on New Year's.

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GROWING GARDEN

My garden continues to grow both with flowers I made and flowers I've received.  Of course, the garden would look better if I would add some of the blooming beauties to the small 'plot' (aka GFG) that I have started.  Here are a couple of flowers I created recently for One Flower Wednesday...

DH said this reminded him of looking into a kaleidoscope.  I just wish the colors had been a bit brighter.

This one is perfect for a spring flower.  We don't have all the dragonflies yet but I know they will be visiting soon.  This was made from some leftover fabric that I used on a Loving Hands quilt.

To see more hexagon flowers out there, Karen has provided a linky giving us a one stop place to look.  To visit just go HERE.

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HAPPY BLOCK

I recently received a block from Barbara, my March swap partner for Block Swap Adventure.....

So many bright and happy colors and filled with jelly beans, too!  This "A Gaggle of Pinwheels" will work up wonderfully into a child's quilt.  Thank you so very much. Barbara!

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TRAVELING STASH UPDATE

Yesterday I received the Traveling Stash from 16 Muddy Feet.  It was absolutely crammed full with all sorts of wonderful fabric and a couple of quilt books.  I honestly don't know how Ann taped it closed.  Per the instructions, I'm not to have the giveaway until the 29th of the month in honor of leap year.  I will be looking through all those great fabrics and replacing equal amounts from my own stash.  Just remember to come back on Thursday, March 29, if you are interested in the Traveling Stash!

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TODAY'S GOAL


Today I am going to work on a applique project I've recently begun


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GIVEAWAYS

Janome is having a giveaway.  You could win a copy of the Artistic Crystals software.  This giveaway ends Saturday, March 31.


Quilting Gallery is having a giveaway.  You could win a pdf pattern, Miss Kyra, by Erin Russek.  This giveaway ends Friday, March 16.


World Of Charity is having a giveaway.  You could win a $25 gift certificate to Spice Berry Cottage.  This giveaway ends Friday, March 16.


Granma's Charms is having a giveaway.  You could win a box of fabric (she's destashing a bit).  This giveaway ends Sunday, March 18.


Quilting By The River is having a giveaway.  You could win a strip tube ruler.  This giveaway ends Thursday, March 15, at midnight CST.


McCall's Quilting is having a giveaway.  You could win 2 pairs of Simplicity Scissors.  This giveaway ends Monday, March 19.


Annie's Ruby Slipperz is having a giveaway.  You could win 5 fat quarters.  This giveaway ends Saturday, March 17, at midnight MT.


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FINAL THOUGHT