I'm Back And Ready To Go

Sometimes it seems your ever-increasing list of things to do can leave you feeling totally undone.  
~Susan Mitchell and Catherine Christie, I'd Kill for a Cookie

I'm back and feeling a little better about how everything is progressing.  I took a couple of days to catch up on some projects and finish a quilt.  In all honesty, I didn't take much time to read many blogs so I'm way behind there but hope you don't mind if I don't take the time to catch up.  I started reading a bit on Friday and that's where I'll continue from.  We had a roller coaster of weather last week - everything to freezing at night and high winds to very spring like weather with highs in the upper 70's.  It's quite the challenge to know how to dress from day to day.  Hope all is well with everyone and that you are ready to start a new week!

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LITTLE FACT OF THE DAY

Ostrich

Ostriches are a bird of a different feather.  I don't think I would call them cute but they are definitely unique.  Here are a few facts about this amazing creature:

* Ostrich do NOT bury their heads in the sand. It only appears so because when they can’t run from danger, they flop to the ground and lay still. The color of their head blends in with the sand

* Ostrich only have two toes—all other birds have three or four toes.

* An ostrich egg can weigh about 3 pounds. That’s equivalent to 2 dozen chicken eggs

* An ostrich’s eye is almost two inches across—the largest of any land animal. It has 3 sets of eyelids.

* Ostriches never need to drink water. Some water is made internally in their system and the rest of water is extracted from the vegetation they eat

* Ostrich is the fastest two-legged runner in the whole world. It can attain a speed of 45 miles per hour which is about twice to what the fastest human can attain

* Ostriches generally live up to 60 years

* Ostriches skeletons and fossils have been found which date back over 120 million years; ostriches are a true dinosaur
* When fully grown an ostrich has one of the most advanced immune systems known to mankind.


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WINNERS


Thank you to all who participated in my Time Off Giveaway.  There were comments left from people all over the world!  It was so much fun seeing where you all visit me from.  So who are the winners you ask?  

After putting all the names on paper and drawing the winner from a bag, Cecilia won the $10 Fat Quarter Shop gift certificate.  

Cecilia said "I hope you enjoy your "vacation". I live in Georgia, where the temperatures are in the 80's. I would love to win the gift certificate. Thanks for the giveaway."

and 

With the help of my husband picking a number between 1 and 5,  Vrooman's Quilts won the Counted Cross Stitch Kit.

Sharon said "Rest, breath, enjoy - be safe and well dear friend. I would love the stitchery - we finally had snow in New York"

Congratulations to both winners!  I have sent you both emails for your mailing info.  

Once again, thank you to all who entered and please come back on Thursday, March 16, as I will be participating in the Blog Hop Party with a giveaway.

   

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NEW SWAP

I need to join a new swap like I need another hole in my head.  But I couldn't pass up the one of the newest -  Doll Quilters Monthly.  This is a monthly swap hosted by Barbara, of Cat Patches.  There will be an optional theme assigned each month, but you can make whatever quilt you like.  If you decide to stick with the theme, it may be interpreted in any way you like.  You may decide on an applique design that fits the theme, or you may express it with the fabrics you choose.  Interpretation of the optional theme is always open to the quilt maker.  Quilts should be at least 12 x 12 inches and no larger than 30 x 30 inches.  Any dimensions in between are fine.  Doesn't this sound like fun?  If you are interested in joining you can contact Barbara at dollquilts@gmail.com.  


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QUILT FOR A FRIEND


One of the reasons I took some time off last week was to finish up a quilt for a friend.  This friend was recently diagnosed with a very rare form of pancreatic cancer.  Here is what I made....

Each square was made with a prayer while I put it together.  It is quilted with a lot of hearts hoping that she will feel the love I'm sending her each time she uses it.  The colors are really washed out in this picture but I think you can get the idea.
This was a pattern from Connecting Threads called A Piece of Cake.


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TODAY'S GOAL


Today I need to work on the second of two Loving Hands quilts.  They need to be ready for the guild meeting on Thursday.

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GIVEAWAYS

Hancock's of Paducah is having a giveaway.  You could win Need for Trees Quilt Kit.  This giveaway ends Tuesday, March 13, at 10:00 am CST.


123Stitch is having a giveaway.  You could win a "Bunnies Galore" by Brittercup Designs.  This giveaway ends Saturday, March 31.


Quilting Block Swaps Australia is celebrating its second birthday with a giveaway.  You could win a copy of Australian Quilters Companion.  This giveaway ends Sunday, April 1.


Everything Etsy is having a giveaway.  You could win a $50 gift certificate to Contemporary Cloth.  This giveaway ends Tuesday, March 13.


Everyday Beautiful is having a giveaway.  You could win a 1/2 yard fabric bundle of Sugar Hill by Tanya Whelan.  This giveaway ends Wednesday, March 14.


AccuQuilt is having a giveaway.  You could win a Go! Baby Cutter Starter Set.  This giveaway ends ?


Hawthorne Threads is having a giveaway.  You could win a Denyse Schmidt Flea Market Fancy fat quarter bundle.  This giveaway ends Wednesday, March 14.


Blushing Rose is having a giveaway.  You could win a Lost in Wonderland necklace from Shabby Apple.  This giveaway ends Thursday, March 15.


Cat Patches is having her Fun Fact Friday Freebie.  You could win a fat quarter.  The winner will be announced Friday, March 16.

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FINAL THOUGHT