Quilting Community Love

When life throws you lemons, make orange juice.  It will leave them wondering how the hell you did that. 

~Author Unknown

It's Friday!  Another weekend is just a few hours away.  I will be spending most of Saturday at a reverse applique workshop.  That means DH gets some free hours to do with as he pleases - I hope he has at least a little bit of fun since I know I will be.  We also have to squeeze a trip in a trip to Petsmart and the local library.  Sunday will be spent doing wash and hopefully a bit of stitching.  We are supposed to reach up into the 90's for the first time this season - something I'm definitely not looking forward to.  What are your plans for the weekend?

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LITTLE FACT OF THE DAY

Leopard

The leopard is one of the beautiful large cats in the world.  It's so full of grace and power.  Just a totally amazing animal.  Here are a few facts about leopards:

* Leopards are part of the cat family, Felidae. The scientific name for a leopard isPanthera pardus.

* Adult leopards are solitary animals. Each adult leopard has its own territory where it lives and, although they often share parts of it, they try to avoid one another.

* A leopard’s body is built for hunting. They have sleek, powerful bodies and can run at speeds of up to 57 kilometres per hour. They are also excellent swimmers and climbers and can leap and jump long distances.

* A leopard’s tail is just about as long as its entire body. This helps it with balance and enables it to make sharp turns quickly.

* Leopards protect their food from other animals by dragging it high up into the trees.

* The Clouded Leopard has the longest canines among cat species.

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STITCHERY UPDATE

While I was away on my blog-free vacation I worked a bit on my current cross stitch project and completed another.

This is where I was earlier in the week.  I have actually done more stitching since but this was before I added the Treasure Braid and rolled the fabric up further on the bars.  I'm liking the colors better now that there has been some variety added.

Here is a close up of the raven in the above photo.  As you can see, the stitches are tiny - just stitched with one thread over one thread (32 stitches per inch). You had to complete each cross stitch as you went or some of the threads would slip underneath.  This certainly adds a different dimension to the project.

Design:  Desert Mandala

Designer:  Martina Weber / Chatelaine Designs

Fabric:  Antique White Belfast (linen - for those of you who do not stitch)

Stitched:  2 strands of DMC floss over 2 threads

1 strand of Treasure Braid over 2 threads

I joined the World of Charity Stitching yahoo group awhile ago and recently finished my first project for them...

The theme was hens and roosters.  Doesn't this proud guy remind you for the Kellogg's Corn Flake rooster?  Well, at least for those of you old enough, like me,  to remember him.  If you click on the link above, you can see the other hens and roosters that were stitched.  They will be made up into a quilt and given to a worthy charity.  I am currently signed up for two different projects that I will share in the future.

Design:  Rooster #11

Book:  Stoney Creek "Farm Babies"

Fabric:  Antique White Aida - 16 Ct.

Stitched: 2 strands of DMC floss over 1 thread

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LOVE OF A QUILTING COMMUNITY

Yesterday's mail contained a box full of love for me.  

Leona, of Leona's Quilting Adventure, created this lap quilt from blocks sent to her by other bloggers.  Isn't is just amazing!  Starting from the top left corner and working across, here are the contributors to this creation:

Suzanne, Cheryll, Sharon Matthews (who lost her battle with Gall Bladder Cancer in 2009)

Jessica, Brigitte, Denise K

Crafty Pug, Sharon Matthews, Suzanne H

Suzanne H, Susan, ?

Thank you ladies!!!!!  I am so overwhelmed by your generosity and the love you put into these blocks.  The Community of Online Quilters is truly amazing!  I will think of each of you every time I use this beauty.

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TODAY'S GOAL

Today I am going to start a doll quilt for the May swap.

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GIVEAWAYS

Cut Up and Sew is having a giveaway.  You could win "The Strip Tube Ruler" and the companion book "Strip Tubing", or a cute stitchery pattern from Lily Anna Stitches and a kit to make the Snow Lady, or six templates to make fabric flowers, or four different packs of 2.5" mini charms.  This giveaway ends Monday, April 23.

Vrooman's Quilts is having a giveaway.  You could win a jelly roll of Deb Strain's 'Meadow Friends' for Moda.  This giveaway ends Thursday, April 26.


Stitch This is having a giveaway.  You could win a copy of the Elegant Quilts, Country Charm eBook.  This giveaway ends Thursday, April 26.


Just One More Stitch is having a giveaway.  You could win a Fat Quarter Bundle of Honey Bee 2 from Fort Worth Fabric Studios.  This giveaway ends Sunday, April 22, at midnight.


Sheila's Quilt World is having a giveaway.  You could win a darling mini table topper that Sheila made from a pattern by Chook Shed Pattern Company.  This giveaway ends Sunday, April 22.


Stitch This! is having a giveaway. You could win an ebook.  This giveaway ends Monday, April 23, at noon PDT.

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FINAL THOUGHT