Just Believe - It's A Giveaway!

Always be a first-rate version of yourself, instead of a second-rate version of somebody else.  

~Judy Garland

Friday!  Ahhhhh....the weekend is in sight.  Saturday promises to busy with an ALS support group meeting and with errands to be run.  Hopefully Sunday will be quiet - after all, it is Mother's Day and I am a mother. I have already received a beautiful bouquet of stargazer lilies and dutch iris from my DD#2.  The blooms are all opening and the stargazers are spreading their perfume throughout the house.  My wish for dinner that night is barbecued shrimp and DH promises to provide just that.  Do you have plans for Mother's Day?

============================

LITTLE FACT OF THE DAY

Handkerchief

Snot rags, brow wipers - whatever you call them, handkerchiefs are not very popular here in the US anymore.  Here is a bit of history I dug up on the handkerchief:

*   When fifteenth-century French sailors brought back linen head coverings worn by Chinese field workers as protection from the sun, they called them couvrechef, or “head covering,” which when Anglicized became kerchief.  Because they were carried in the hand, they became hand kerchiefs.

* Handkerchiefs (also known as hankies) have been around since the fourteenth century, when Richard II of England is said to have been the first to use a small piece of linen to blow his nose.

* There are 12 different ways to fold a handkerchief, including the Four-point fold, the Presidential and the Astaire.

* Only a few countries in the world still use handkerchiefs regularly for their original purpose (to blow a nose), as it is considered unsanitary in the United States and many European countries.

* Handkerchiefs are often waved to express celebration during soccer matches, especially in South America.

* It came into general use in the Renaissance and was called a napkyn. Silk, cambric, and lawn, lavishly embroidered or laced, became fashionable for both men and women.

==========================

A QUICK STITCH

During the past week, I haven't had much time to work on my ongoing cross stitch project but have been working on my latest World of Charity Stitching project.

This scroll design was provided by the yahoo.com group.  We could select any color floss to use and as you can see I went with a variegated thread.  I'm almost finished with the piece and should have it in the mail on Monday at the latest.

Design:  Scroll exclusively for World of Charity Stitching Yahoo Group

Designer:  Kell Smurthwaite

Fabric:  14 count Aida

Stitched:  2 strands over over 1

Floss:  DMC Color Variations 4050

==========================

MOTHER'S DAY GIVEAWAY

Sponsored by Fat Quarter Shop

Once again, Fat Quarter Shop is sponsoring a giveaway.  Fat Quarter Shop is one of my main "go to" online shops when I'm looking for a great selection of fabric.  What could you win?  How about......

this wonderful fat quarter bundle of Just Believe by Dianna Marcum for Marcus Brothers Fabrics!  This bundle contains 13 fat quarters and one 23" panel.  Just think, you could start working on your Christmas project now while there's still plenty of time before the holidays begin.  I just love the cardinals!

How can you win?  All you have to do is leave me a comment to the following question:  What is your favorite Christmas fabric or collection at Fat Quarter Shop?   Just leave the comment below and, with the help of random.org, a winner will be selected Thursday, May 17, at 5:00 pm and will be announced in my Friday (May 18) post.

Rules and Regs:

* This giveaway is open to everyone.  Fat Quarter Shop will ship internationally

* Only one comment per person

* I must have a way to contact you.  If you are a no reply blogger, please include your email address in your comment.  If I can't reach you, you can't win :(

* You do not have to be a follower to enter but if you would like to follow that would make me happy!

* Giveaway ends Thursday, May 17, at 5:00 pm PDT.

==========================

TODAY'S GOAL

To sew the binding on the table runner I've worked on this week.

===========================

FINAL THOUGHT