It's A Kitty Day

Did God who gave us flowers and trees,
Also provide the allergies?
~E.Y. Harburg

Something is blooming causing both my DH and I to suffer from allergies once again.  DH is used to being stuffed up as he seems to be allergic to something or another all year long.  But I'm not that way.  This year, with all of the rain and cooler temps, has been causing a lot of people to suffer from runny noses and watery eyes that have never had that problem before.  My sinuses are stuffed, my face feels puffy, and all of it's making my teeth hurt from the pressure.  Not a lot of fun :(  I guess we really do need the heat of summer to kill off the blooms and put us back into dryer air.  A hex on whatever is causing allergies now.

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PHOTO FACT OF THE DAY

National Adopt-A-Cat Month

June is known as Adopt-A-Cat month.  Isn't the picture above just too cute?  Here are some interesting facts about cats:

* The nose pad of a cat is ridged in a pattern that is unique, just like the fingerprint of a human.

* There are more than 500 million domestic cats in the world, with 33 different breeds.

* Egyptians shaved their eyebrows as a sign of mourning when they lost a beloved cat.

* Calico cats are almost always female.

* The domestic cat is the only cat species able to hold its tail vertically while walking. All wild cats hold their tails horizontally or tucked between their legs while walking.
* The largest known litter (with all surviving) was that of a Persian in South Africa named Bluebell. Bluebell gave birth to 14 kittens in one litter!
* A cat has five more vertebrae in her spinal column than her human does.
* Sir Isaac Newton, discoverer of the principles of gravity, also invented the cat door.
* Cats need 1/6th the amount of light that humans do to see. Their night vision is amazing!
* Cats are the sleepiest of all mammals. They spend 16 hours of each day sleeping. With that in mind, a seven year old cat has only been awake for two years of its life!
* A group of grown cats is called a "clowder"


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BLOCK #5

Over the weekend I was able to put the finishing stitches in block #5 in the Baltimore Basics quilt I'm working on.....

This was a learning block as it involved my first attempt at needle turn (the gold medallion), making 1/8" stems, and making the rose buds.  Some of the stems ended up a bit curvier than others and some of the green parts on the rosebuds are not uniform but that's okay.  This is a learning process.  Just took a look at block 6 and I'm looking forward to getting started on it.

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

ANOTHER PINCUSHION

Also over the weekend, while I was traveling around the world in my recliner, I made another pincushion.....

This one is totally different than the flower pincushions I made before.  I just love the little kitty with the fish swimming around him.  The pattern I used is called My Cat Claude Pincushion from Hatched and Patched.  It is all wool and filled with crushed walnut shells and dried lavender.  I finished the edges differently than what the pattern called for.  It said to sew a lining and sew right sides together, turn it right side out and stitch closed.  I like the look of the more primitive edge using a blanket stitch.  As I write this, this little pincushion is heading off to its new home.

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

TODAY'S GOAL

I'm still working on the borders for the Mystery BOM quilt top.  Hopefully TODAY I will finish them!

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


GIVEAWAYS

Amy's Creative Side is having a giveaway.  You could win a kit for the June quilt from 1 Choice 4 Quilting.  Amy will announce a winner on Monday, June 6.

Crafty Sewing and Quilting is having another May for Me giveaway.  You could be one of two winners of a $20 gift certificate off Marcia's Machine Quilting Services on a Lap Size Quilt or larger.  This giveaway ends Wednesday, June 15, at 6:00 pm.

Quilt Hollow is having a giveaway.  You could win one of two patterns from Perkins Dry Goods.  The winners will be selected on Friday.

Just One More Stitch is having a sponsored giveaway.  You could win a $25 gift certificate from Fat Quarter Shop.  This giveaway ends Saturday, June 4, at midnight.

The Shabby is having their monthly giveaway.  Jennifer is giving away three $25 gift certificates to Shabby Fabrics.  This giveaway will last all month.

Tonya's Sewing Room is having a giveaway.  You could win a copy of the book, HELP! I Married A Quilter by Mark Hyland.  A winner will be drawn on Friday, June 3.

One More Quilt is having mini giveaway #10.  You could win some beautiful fabric.  This giveaway ends Friday, June 3, at 10:00 am CST.

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FINAL THOUGHT

I sure have misjudged how long it would take to make the borders of the quilt top I'm working on.  I feel like it is taking forever.  It's sort of like when my DH says "Oh, it will only take three hours to do that" when he is working on something.  And, in my head I'm thinking "Okay, that means it really will take about 5 hours" - lol!  My hubby is the best at underestimating how long it will take to complete something, but then I think that could be a guy thing.  I honestly thought that I would have the borders done in a maximum of two days but it looks like it will be three.  But then I didn't calculate in there the stops I would make while washing and drying fabric for a future project.  Nor did I include the stops I made to felt some wool.  So, in all reality, it probably would have taken me only the two days to finish if I had just stayed on track.  Why, oh why, can't I keep my nose to the grindstone when I'm so close to finishing a project?!?  Do any of  you have this same problem?

Anyone can do any amount of work, provided it isn't the work he is supposed to be doing at that moment.
~Robert Benchley

Giveaway Day Is Here!

Weekends don't count unless you spend them doing something completely pointless.

 ~Bill Watterson

Thank you all for your birthday wishes and greetings!  They made my birthday wonderful!!

Whew! What a busy weekend!  Saturday started with our normal Farmer's Market run where we picked up so many wonderful new summer squashes, fruits, other veggies.  Next it was a mad dash to get my Mother's birthday present.  Nothing like putting it off until the last minute!  Our DD#2 and SIL and grandpup arrived and then it was out to lunch.  Then we spent a fun afternoon at the local fairgrounds enjoying the flavors, sights and sounds of the annual barbecue cook-off competition.  Makes my mouth water just thinking about it.  Home in time to do a little straightening before family and friends arrive to help celebrate my Mother's 83rd birthday.  Sunday was a little more layed back with only our DD#2, SIL, and grandpup.  We even managed to squeeze in a little bit of Wii.  It's quiet now this morning.  The pups are pooped after so much activity and the neighborhood has yet to awaken.  I am ready for a brand new week!

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PHOTO FACT OF THE DAY

Lucky Penny Day

This Holiday is set aside for people around the world to appreciate the good luck of the penny. So today make it a point to look on the ground everywhere that you go and see if you can find a lucky penny. They seem to magically show up everywhere. Finding a penny is sometimes considered lucky and gives rise to the saying, "Find a penny, pick it up, and all the day: you'll have good luck."  Here are a few little bits of info on the penny that you may not know:

* From 1857 to 1864 pennies were made of 88 percent copper and 12 percent nickel.

* Until 1843 pennies were composed of copper that was mined in England.

* Lincoln’s image first graced the penny in 1909. Prior thereto, the penny had images ranging from Indian heads and Eagles to the “flowing hair braids” of the late 1700s.

* Today’s pennies have 4 different versions of the reverse-side image, including Lincoln’s boyhood cabin home and the Union Shield.

* Even though zinc has certain toxic properties, coins remain the most-ingested accidental object in American households. (Dogs and parrots are particularly susceptible to zinc poisoning from swallowed pennies.)

* If you stacked up 1,056,000 pennies, the stack would be a mile high.

* In 2008, a double-struck penny from 1969 – essentially a minting error – sold for over $126,000 at auction.

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2011 MAY GIVEAWAY DAY

THIS GIVEAWAY IS CLOSED 

Today is the day to participate in the Sew, Mama, Sew's Giveaway Day. I am only one of bunches of participants.  For this giveaway I have made something special.....

This sunflower pin cushion is made of wool and measures 5 1/2" across.  It is stuffed with crushed walnut shells and lavender. 

If you would like to enter my giveaway, just leave a comment telling me what your favorite flower is.

THIS GIVEAWAY IS CLOSED

RULES:

* 1 entry per person

* If you are a no-reply blogger, you must include your email address in your comment.

* If I can't contact you, you can not win!

* This giveaway is open to everyone. And, yes, that means I will ship internationally.

* If you are selected as the winner, you must respond to my email within two days. If you don't, I will draw another winner.

* This giveaway ends Thursday, May 26, 2011 at 7:00 a.m. PST

* The winner will be announced by noon on May 26.

I will do my best to respond to comments left but I'm currently running another giveaway and am being overwhelmed by comments.  Thank you for understanding.

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MY BIRTHDAY GIFT

For my birthday my sweet DH gave me a new Nikon Coolpix L24. 

I had been wanting one for Christmas when my daughter had received hers as a gift.  I spent a little time on Friday playing with it to see what it could do.  It takes some of the best close-up pictures ever.....

Remember on Friday when I was disturbed that you could see how the flower bud tip was folded on the Baltimore block?  Well, look!  You can see the folds AND the tiny basting stitches.  And the picture of the pin cushion in the giveaway?  I took that picture using my new camera too.  Isn't it nice a clear?  I'm so happy with my new little toy.  I hope to be bringing you better pictures and finer close-ups than ever before :)

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RECEIVED MY WINNINGS

Last week I received a box containing what I had won from Marcia's Crafty Sewing & Quilting.....

Aren't they gorgeous.  I was able to select any item valued up to $18 from Dye Candy.  I selected these 18 Fat 16th yard pieces of hand dyed fabrics.  I just love the colors and already have the quilt pattern picked out that I will be using them for.  Chris also included.....

8 darling Quilt Block Magnets.  These can replace some of the ugly magnets on my refrigerator.  Thank you, Marcia for having the giveaway and thank you, Chris for all of the beautiful fabric and cute magnets!!

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TODAY'S GOAL

Since I did absolutely no sewing on Friday I think it's time to get back to needle and thread.  Today I will continue assembling the Designer Mystery BOM quilt top.

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GIVEAWAYS

13 Woodhouse Road is having FQS Bella Parade Weekly Giveaway #3.  You could win a Bella Parade Fat Quarter Bundle.  Shruti will draw a winner on Wednesday, May 25.

The Intrepid Thread is having Market Giveaway Day 4.  You could win a charm pack of A Little Hoo's In The Forest. This giveaway ends Friday, May 27, at midnight.

Craizee Corners is having a 100 follower giveaway.  Once Sharon reaches 50 followers, she will give away a charm pack to 2 lucky followers and when she reaches 100 followers I will giveaway a charm pack to 3 lucky followers.  So only time and followers will determine when this giveaway ends.

Not a lot of new giveaways were listed but don't forget to check out all of those participating in the Sew, Mama, Sew May Giveaway Day.

And if you missed it on Friday, don't forget to enter My Birthday Celebration Giveaway where you could win 4 yards of beautiful fabric.  This giveaway ends Monday, May 30, at 7:00 pm.

Hawthorne Threads is having their weekly giveaway.  You could win a Dena Fishbein Kumari Garden Holiday fat quarter bundle.  Winner will be selected on Wednesday, May 25. 

Easily Distracted Debbie is ready to send the Traveling Stash on its way.  Debbie has added some great new items to the box.  This giveaway ends Friday, May 27.
=================================

FINAL THOUGHT

AKA
(for today only)
GUILD MEETING REPORT

Well! I went to the local guild meeting Thursday evening. I took a deep breath and passed through the doors with my DH by my side. Don't be alarmed.....once inside I gave him a kiss goodbye and sent him on his way. The lady, Isabel, at the check-in desk was very welcoming and told me a little about the guild. There are over 100 members in this guild. I rolled over to the raffle table for something to do and bought some raffle tickets - nothing there I really wanted but thought I should show my support. Right before the start of the meeting, a couple of members came over to say hi and introduce themselves. One even made a point of sitting with me. The turn out was rather small as several members were on vacation and there were a lot of graduations going on in town.  The guild actually holds two meetings every third Thursday (one afternoon and one evening) to accommodate the membership.  Anyway, after the normal opening ceremony, one of the members, Sally Shuppert, had a trunk show and shared her glorious quilts with us (sadly, I didn't have my camera with me).  Then it was time for membership show and tell where more beautiful quilts were shared.  I have to admit - you all were right and thank you for encouraging me to go to this meeting.  I am proud to say that I am now a new member of The Cotton Patch Quilters of Bakersfield!  I am already participating by having taken home a kit to make a quilt for QOV.  Plus I will be making at least one little 32"X32" quilt for Loving Hands - quilts made for the neonatal unit of a local hospital.  So much for not wanting to start another new project :D

Why not go out on a limb? Isn't that where the fruit is?
~Frank Scully

My Birthday Celebration Giveaway!

Birthdays are good for you. Statistics show that the people who have the most live the longest.
 ~Larry Lorenzoni

Today should be a good day!  Today should be a happy day!  Why?  Today is MY birthday!!!!  Another year older and maybe a year wiser - but I can't promise the second apart.  It just seems like yesterday I was 20.  But the years have flown by and now I'm 56!  And, yes, I'm not afraid to say my age.  I have the gray hair to prove it and the proverbial crows feet.  But I've earned each and every one of those gray hairs and I hope I've earned the crows feet from smiles.  I'm happy to be celebrating another year.  What are my plans today?  Not sure.  Maybe some sewing, maybe some stitching.  I'm just going to go with the flow and see what happens.  Do you admit your age or are you the eternal 29 or 39?  Or have you started counting your birthdays backwards?  Be proud of your age and announce it to the world!

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PHOTO FACTS OF THE DAY

Birthday Cake

(It's not mine - but isn't it amazing!)

The birthday cake has been an integral part of the birthday celebrations in Western cultures since the middle of the 19th century.  That's really not a long time but thank goodness it's a tradition that caught on.  Here is some interesting birthday trivia to celebrate the day:

* More people celebrate their birthdays in August than in any other month (about 9% of all people). The two other months that rate high for birthdays are July and September.

* A recent survey suggests that more people are born on October 5 in the United States than any other day. October 5 holds a not-so-surprising significance, as conception would have fallen on New Year's Eve.

* Since your last birthday 31,536,000 seconds have passed.

* The melody for the Happy Birthday song was first penned by two sisters, Mildred and Patty Hill.

* A Golden Birthday happens only once in a person's lifetime. It happens when the person's age and the date of the day they were born is the same.
* The world's largest birthday cake was created in 1989 it weighed 128,238 pounds, 8 oz. and used 16,209 pounds of icing.
* The day of the week with the least birthdays is Sunday.
* Birthday parties were originally thought to keep evil spirits away.

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QUILT TOP GROWS

Yesterday I started assembling the Designer Mystery BOM quilt top.

First I had to cut out 31 red sashing pieces, 20 turquoise cornerstone pieces, and 80 white snowflake corner pieces.

And then I was able to start assembling the top.  I put the first two rows together before lunch.  So far I'm lovin' this quilt top!  Two more rows and and some border stars and sashing and I will have a completed top!!

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JOIN THE FUN

I don't know if you remember the post where I included the Finish The Project Challenge being hosted by Adventures In Oz.  Here's all you have to do:

1) finish a project (or 2 or 3...or more). It doesn't have to be a quilt. It can be a purse or other sewing or fiber project. It just needs to be finished.

2) send a picture of your finished project to rubyslipperz106@hotmail.com
(one picture per project please)

You could win a $30 shopping spree to Crazy Quilt Girl Fabric Shop.  But you have to be quick about it - your entries must be made by the end of the month.  For all of the information, just click on the link above or on the button on the right sidebar.  I have made a couple of entries and hope you will join me in this fun little challenge!

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A LITTLE MORE BALTIMORE

The last couple of evenings I have worked on my 4th Baltimore block......

I have now added folded rose bud tips.  The instructions say not to stitch these down - but I want to be able to use this quilt and am afraid that they would get ripped off if not anchored at the tips in some way.  So I stitched around the two sides and top.  Too bad the lighting wasn't better because you can't really see how the buds are folded.  Maybe next time I should take the picture in some sunlight.  Next is the green base of the flower bud.

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MY BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED

Are you ready to help me celebrate my birthday?  I am!!!  Since I can't have you all over for cake and ice cream, how about we celebrate with a GIVEAWAY!  Would you like to see what I am giving away?

Do you like the colors?  Are you intrigued?  I know, I can be such a tease......

This is 8 one half yard cuts of a fabric line called Jasmine by Pamela Mostek for Clothworks.  That's 4 yards of beautiful, coordinated fabric!!  I bought this fabric a few years back and it's just been sitting in it's plastic bag on my shelf looking lonely.  It's time for it to go to someone else - maybe you!

How can you enter my giveaway?

 

Leave me one comment stating your age and the month of your birth. 

 If I were leaving the comment I would write:

"I am 56 years old and was born in May"

And, if you would like a second chance in the giveaway...

Blog about my giveaway, and then come back and leave me a second comment with a link to where you posted it. (I will check for the link and make sure it works)

Rules:

* Maximum of two entries per person

* If you are a no-reply blogger, you must include your email address in your comment.

* If I can't contact you, you can not win!

* This giveaway is open to everyone.  And, yes, that means I will ship internationally.

* If you are selected as the winner, you must respond to my email within two days.  If you don't, I will draw another winner.

* This giveaway ends Monday, May 30, at 7:00 pm PST

* The winner will be announced no later than my regular post on Tuesday, May 31st.

Good luck everyone!!  I think this is a wonderful way to celebrate my birthday.  I will try to respond to each and every one of  your comments but please don't get upset if you don't hear from me. 

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

TODAY'S GOAL

Today I will enjoy my birthday!!

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

GIVEAWAYS

Sew Cal Gal is having a sponsored giveaway.  You could win a copy of My Design House Software by  Angie Padilla.  This giveaway ends Wednesday, May 25, at midnight PST.

The Spunky Diva is having a giveaway.  You could win an Accuquilt GO! Baby Fabric Cutter and your choice of three dies.  This giveaway ends June 7th.

The Intrepid Thread is having giveaway #3. This time you could win a fat 1/8th bundle of Dazzle by Melissa Averinos.  This giveaway ends Thursday, May 26

Sarah Vedeler Designs is having a great giveaway.  You could win everything needed to make the GO! Bloom Quilt!  A winner will be chosen Wednesday, May 25, at 10:00 PST.

A Quilt Is Nice is having an ADORNit giveaway.  You could win One Buckaroo Fat Quarter Stack (includes 13 fat quarters) with a coordinating ADORNit Buckaroo Pattern Book or One Vintage Groove Fat Quarter Stack ( includes 14 fat quarters) with a coordinating ADORNit Vintage Groove Pattern Book.  A winner will be selected on Saturday, May 21.

Sew Sweetness if having a giveaway.  You could win a copy of  Jelly Roll Sampler Quilts by Pam and Nicky Lintott.  This giveaway ends Wednesday, May 25, at 11:00 pm CT.
 
Maureen Cracknell Handmade is having a sponsored giveaway.  The Fabric Farm is giving away Quilting Cotton fat quarter set of the Innocent Crush Charmed Palette.  This giveaway ends Sunday, May 22, at 8:00 pm EST.
 
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FINAL THOUGHT
 
May is a very expensive month in our household.  I don't care that "More people celebrate their birthdays in August than in any other month " - not so in our house.  This is how May goes in our home:  May 5th - SIL's birthday; Mother's Day is the second Sunday in May; May 20th is my birthday; May 21st is my Mother's birthday: and May 31st is DH's birthday.  It used to also include my FIL's birthday on the 15th.  And, after all that, it's quickly followed by our DGS#2's birthday on June 2; our anniversary on June 14, and then Father's Day.  When I was pregnant with DD#2, I informed the doctor that if he told me she was due in May that I would either have her early or cross my legs until June!  Luckily, she was born in the middle of April - lol!  So, as you can see, there is a celebration of one kind or another almost every weekend for almost two months.  So much to celebrate!  And so it continues :D
 
Artificial intelligence is a wonderful thing.
 I told my computer that today is my birthday,
and it said that I needed an upgrade.
~Author Unknown

Continue celebrating and have a glorious weekend!!!

A Wide Range Of Emotions

I have often lamented that we cannot close our ears with as much ease as we can our eyes.
~Richard Steele

So much for my quiet days of last week.  Last week the school across the street was on Easter break so there were very few cars going down our street.  No buses bouncing through the pot holes.  Only the daily visit of the mailman.  This week all of that noise is back.  My noise pollution is made up of the diesel engines of the buses and delivery trucks.  And the daily visit of the bass from a stereo blasting from a car as they wait for their child to be out of class.  In addition to all that, they have started working on the house next door.  It has finally sold after a year of being empty.  The previous owners walked away but only after leaving the inside in need of much repair.  So now I also listen to a nail gun and an electric saw, not to mention the dropping of wood and occasional loud voices.  The lovely sounds of construction.  Oh, and don't forget the daily barrage of car alarms that all of the teacher's cars seem to have.  No wonder the mocking birds around here can mimic that sound so well - lol!

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

PHOTO FACT OF THE DAY

Karaoke

National Karaoke Week is celebrated the fourth week of April. How is it celebrated? Easy! You go out and sing or even better, purchase a karaoke machine.

There are various disputes about who first invented the name karaoke. One claim is that the karaoke styled machine was invented by Japanese musician Daisuke Inoue in Kobe, Japan, in 1971. After becoming popular in Japan, karaoke spread by Hideo to East and Southeast Asia during the 1980s and subsequently to other parts of the world.

In Japan, it has long been common to provide musical entertainment at a dinner or a party. Japanese drummer Daisuke Inoue was asked frequently by guests in the Utagoe Kissa, where he performed, to provide a recording of his performance so that they could sing along on a company-sponsored vacation. Realizing the potential for the market, Inoue made a tape recorder that played a song for a 100-yen coin. Instead of giving his karaoke machines away, Inoue leased them out so that stores did not have to buy new songs on their own. Originally, it was considered a somewhat expensive fad, as it lacked the live atmosphere of a real performance and 100 yen in the 1970s was the price of two typical lunches, but it caught on as a popular entertainment. Karaoke machines were initially placed in restaurants and hotel rooms; soon, new businesses called karaoke boxes, with compartmented rooms, became popular. In 2004, Daisuke Inoue was awarded the tongue-in-cheek Ig Nobel Peace Prize for inventing karaoke, "thereby providing an entirely new way for people to learn to tolerate each other."

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BLOCKS RECEIVED

Yesterday I received an envelope from my Block Swap Adventure swap partner for April.

Charlene made me TWO blocks.  Aren't they wonderful?  I just love the pattern and the fabrics she used.  When I first saw them they immediately reminded me of a summer picnic.  Thank you so very much, Charlene!!

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

ANOTHER WIN

Don't hate me, but yesterday I received another squishy with a something I had won last week.

Staci, from The Confused Quilter, had a giveaway featuring B. Bumble & Co. patterns and I won this fantastic pattern called The Shop Hopper.  Linda Winters designs such cute patterns but I think this is my absolute favorite and can't wait to make it up.  Thank you, Staci!!!

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

MORE MAIL

Yesterday I received an envelope that I wasn't expecting.

As a thank you for sending them my star blocks for the Just One Star project, Moda sent a little thank you card and a little packet of 2 1/2 inch squares.  That certainly was unexpected but much appreciated.

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

DISAPPOINTMENT

On March 13, 2011, I won a giveaway from Material Girls Quilts.  I was thrilled.  It was the first time I had won a fat quarter bundle.  This is what was pictured with the giveaway blog....

It wasn't exactly specified which one you would win but stated there would be three winners.  I kept waiting for the package to arrive.  I contacted one of the other winners as we are blogging friends - she hadn't received hers either.  We began emailing Material Girls (separately) and received back an assortment of different excuses.  Nothing for over a month. We sent of 5 emails each.  Finally, on Monday, I received a plain brown envelope with no return address.  It looked a little dubious but I opened it.  Inside was this....

7 fat quarters - coordinated by color but not by designer or company.  Now I don't know about you, but I was expecting one of the first fat quarter bundles pictured above.  I think they finally sent me these in an attempt to shut me up.  They were probably tired of receiving my emails.  I don't usually complain and will shrug off something if it never appears.  But to picture something that you are giving away and then have it be nothing like that is basically lying.  It's deceptive and could be considered fraud.  (See Sharon's blog, Vrooman's Quilts, for further information about the legal side.) 

I hope none of you ever have something like this happen to you.  But if you do, don't just sit on it.  Let your voice be heard.  It is the only way to prevent others from doing something similar.

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

BALTIMORE BLOCK

Yesterday evening I put the final stitches in another Baltimore Block....

This is block 3.  I had a little trouble with the points on the pineapple tops but I'm still pleased with how it turned out.  I'm definitely still on the learning curve for hand applique.  I have been using the glue stick method but I think I might try the starch method for the next block.

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

TODAY'S GOAL

Today I will finish the baby quilt. All I have to do is sew on the binding and then hand stitch it.

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

GIVEAWAYS

The Raspberry Rabbit is having a celebration giveaway.  To help celebrate 700 followers they are giving away several different books.  This giveaway ends Sunday, May 1.

Just One More Stitch is having a giveaway.  You could win a jelly roll of your choice from 1 Choice 4 Quilting.  This giveaway ends Sunday, May 1.

Jackie's Art Quilts is having a giveaway.  Jackie is giving away 5 beautiful fat quarters.  The winner will be drawn on Thursday, May 5.

Diary Of A Quilter is having a sponsored giveaway.  Jackie from Canton Village Quilts is giving away a fat quarter bundle of Art Gallery Oval Elements collection.  This giveaway ends Sunday, May 1, at midnight MST.

Blacksheep's Bit Of The Web is celebrating her fourth year of blogging with a giveaway.  He will be giving away "nice prize and leave it at that".  This giveaway ends Friday, May 7, at 3:00 pm PST.

Stray Stitches is having a fantastic giveaway (if I do say so myself - lol).  You could win....

these lovely 10 fat quarters.  This giveaway ends Sunday, May1, at 8:00 pm PST.

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

FINAL THOUGHT

Wow!  This post was long.  Sorry about that. There was just so much to share.  And, of course, there was also my ranting.  If you have stuck with me through the entire way, thank you!  Aren't friends wonderful?  They put up with you no matter what kind of mood you are in.  They will share your happiness, your sorrow, your grumpiness, and even your bragging.  Friends are priceless.  I have enjoyed sharing my life with you.  But I especially enjoy sharing your life through your blogs.  They are what get my day started.  I visit some of you while eating my lunch.  Others I read just before bed. You have all enriched my days and expanded my knowledge.  Thank you!

A good friend is a connection to life - a tie to the past, a road to the future, the key to sanity in a totally insane world.
~Lois Wyse

Be thankful it's Thursday - another day for creating!

A Variety Of Blocks

Poor, dear, silly Spring, preparing her annual surprise!

 ~Wallace Stevens

Brrrr!  I'm freezing!  For a week now I have been quite comfortable in a short sleeve t-shirt and jeans.  Sometimes with my hoodie on but usually not zipped up.  I usually discard it by early afternoon.  Not so yesterday or today!  The high temp has dropped a good 20 degrees, the clouds have moved in along with a chilling wind and even a few showers.  I feel like we have gone back to February!  I'm back in my corduroy shirt with my hoodie on, zipped up all the way with my hood up, too!  This time the forecasters got it right - they said it would cool down drastically.  I know this sounds like complaining but it's not.  I will take all of the cold days ol' Mother Nature wants to throw our way.  Soon enough we will be sweltering in the heat of summer with only our memories to remind us of this wonderful cold.

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PHOTO FACT OF THE DAY

Q-Tips

Upon observing his wife applying wads of cotton to toothpicks, Leo Gerstenzang, the original founder of the Q-tips^® Company, conceived the idea of manufacturing a ready-to-use cotton swab. He found the Leo Gerstenzang Infant Novelty Co., a firm which marketed baby care accessories.  The product was originally called Baby Gays and in 1926, the labels were changed to read Q-tips^® Baby Gays. Later the name Baby Gays was discarded and Q-tips^® became the identifying mark for cotton swabs. The Q in Q-tips^® stands for quality and the word tips describes the cotton swab at the end of the stick. In the 1950's Q-tips^® were recognized by Hollywood glamour and partner with America's top Hollywood makeup artist, Ern Westmore, to create the "Lesson in Loveliness with Q-tips^®" booklet. The most common use for cotton swabs is to clean or scratch the ear canal and/or to remove earwax but this is not a medically recommended method for removing earwax. Cotton swabs are also commonly used for applying and removing makeup, as well as for household uses such as cleaning and arts and crafts.

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MY LATEST SQUISHY

Yesterday I received a squishy from Doris, my April swap partner for Quilting Block Swaps Australia.

This beautiful block came all the way from Australia and will be a wonderful addition to the previous blocks I have received.  I love the fabric with it's tiny little flowers and Doris' sewing is perfect.  Thank you so very much, Doris!

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ANOTHER WIN :P

I seem to have been on a winning streak last month :)  Yesterday I received....

This great book.  I was lucky enough to win the giveaway that Alderwood Quilts hosted in March.  There are some great patterns in the book and will be a great resource for a quick project.  Thank you, Sue!

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ON TO PLAN B

Yesterday I didn't get to start putting together my Layer Cake quilt.  The instructions didn't get posted so I went to plan B.  I started another project....

This is the first block for Secrets Of Life by Art To Heart.  I made the block larger than the end product just in case there was any shrinkage from the applique and/or stitching.  I still have to blanket stitch the flower head and all parts of the house but so far I am enjoying the process. 

I also continued working on my Baltimore block......

Sorry for the dark picture, but with the clouds having moved in I had to rely on artificial light.  Obviously I didn't take the photo in the best location.  I still need to work on perfecting my points as evident by the leaf points.  I have been using a glue stick to help hold the seam allowances in place and so far that seems to work well.

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TODAY'S GOAL

Today I will finish the blanket stitch on the block I started yesterday.  If the Layer Cake layout is released I will cut out the sashing and border so I'm prepared for Monday.

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GIVEAWAYS

Hawthorne Threads is having their weekly giveaway.  You could win a complete Carolyn Gavin Spring Street fat quarter bundle.  The winner will be selected Wednesday, April 6.

The Curious Quilter is having a giveaway.  You could win either a set of 80 five-inch squares, or choose a set of 500 two-inch squares.  This giveaway ends Saturday, April 16, at 11:59 pm CDT.

Don't Look Now is having a giveaway.  You could win one of three beautiful patterns.  This giveaway will end April 14.

You still have a chance to enter my 200th Post Celebration Giveaway!  Wouldn't you like to win a $25 gift certificate to Fat Quarter Shop?

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FINAL THOUGHT

Yesterday evening my DH donated blood.  Well, not really.  He actually was a  Apheresis platelet donor. Platelet transfusions are traditionally given to those undergoing chemotherapy for leukemia, multiple myeloma, bone marrow transplant, radiation treatment, organ transplant or surgeries such as cardiopulmonary bypass.  This process takes about two hours.  I am quite proud of him for doing this.  While he is donating he gets to be in the VIP area where he can watch TV and the nurses give him extra attention.  Unfortunately they do not want my blood.  There are too many unanswered questions about ALS and they don't want to take the risk of possibly passing on the disease.  I don't blame them.  But I'm fully behind my DH.  I hope his platelets are able to help someone who truly needs them.  More donors are always needed as platelets

Nobody can do everything, but everyone can do something.

~Author Unknown

Friday is here - make it fun and fabulous!!

Birdies and Buttons

Never say, "oops." Always say, "Ah, interesting."
~Author Unknown

Over a week ago my DH asked me where he should hang the hooks.  Me - "What hooks?"  DH - "These hooks.  We have two packages of them right here."  Sure enough, there on the desk were two sets of white hooks.  I told him I didn't know what he was talking about.  He got that puzzled look on his face.  DH - "But we bought them for you to hang something up."  Me - "Hang what up?"  DH - "I don't know.  You said you needed them".  Well, for the life of me I couldn't remember what I wanted to hang up.  We don't even have enough wall space in the sewing room or spare room to hang anything, especially nothing the size that would require two, good sized hooks.  DH - "Well, I guess we will leave them here for now.  Maybe you'll remember what we bought them for."  And there they sit - in the middle of the desk - waiting to be put to good use.  It may be years before I remember what I wanted to hang up on the wall.  Perhaps that would be a good place for my memory - lol!  Ah, interesting!

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PHOTO FACT OF THE DAY

Do you think the English language is easy?  Yes?  Here are a few sentences to make you think otherwise.....

1. The bandage was wound around the wound.

2. The dump was so full that it had to refuse more refuse.

3.  He could lead if he would get the lead out.

4. The soldier decided to desert his dessert in the desert.

5.  Since there is no time like the present, he thought it was time to present the present.

6.  The buck does funny things when the does are present.

Let's face it - English is a crazy language. There is no egg in eggplant nor ham in hamburger; neither apple nor pine in pineapple. English muffins weren't invented in England or French fries in France . Sweetmeats are candies while sweetbreads, which aren't sweet, are meat. We take English for granted. But if we explore its paradoxes, we find that quicksand can work slowly, boxing rings are square and a guinea pig is neither from Guinea nor is it a pig.
OK!  I give up.  I have more but I will save them for a later date.  Just thought I would give you some food for thought.

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ONE FLOWER WEDNESDAY

Today is Wednesday, and in keeping with tradition, it is also One Flower Wednesday. 

This is my Spring flower of flowers.  The fabric almost grabbed my hand as I was sorting through scraps trying to decide what to make yesterday.  The colors are so bright I just couldn't pass it up.  If you would like to see more hexie flowers out there in blogland, skip on over to Journey of a Quilter, where Karen so graciously hosts our gathering every week.

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I WON BUTTONS

Last month I won a giveaway being held by Barb over at Bejeweled Quilts.  And the squishy envelope arrived in today's mail.....

Aren't they the cutest little birdie buttons?  The buttons come from buttonmad, a company that gives employment to women in South Africa.  These buttons are hand made and I just love them.  They are going to make some great embellishments on some blocks I have in mind.  Barb also included a beautiful fat quarter that she says is a "little piece of Samoa".  Makes me feel as though I should be on some exotic island, drifting away........  Thank you so very much, Barb!

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BIRDIE STITCHES

Over the weekend I finished up the fourth Birdie Stitches BOM. 

On the first of the month, Little Miss Shabby released this block for us to make.  I think it is so cute with the eggs hanging in the tree and from the birdie's tail.  I continued with the Dream On line but this time chose only pieces that had a lattice work in the print.  I think it makes the block look very springy a lot like spring.  Now I can hardly wait until next month to see what LMS will design for us.

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BALTIMORE

Yesterday I cut out the pieces for the third Baltimore Basics block.

The first pieces are pinned and ready for me to start stitching.  Looking at the picture I am befuddled by the circle and cross on the background fabric.  It's not something on the fabric so it must have been something I set the square on.  Weird!

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TODAY'S GOAL

I knew yesterday was Tuesday, but I was sure we had another week before the last Layer Cake QAL block was to be released.  But, surprise, it's out!  So I will be making that my main priority for the day.

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GIVEAWAYS

Sew Fabulous Quilt Shop is having an April giveaway.  You could win a Montego Batiks fat quarter bundle.  This giveaway ends Saturday, April 30.

The Noble Wife is having a I Love Applique giveaway.  You could win 3 free patterns from her website and a pile of other goodies (retail value $45.00).  You must comment by midnight on Sunday, April 10.

The Quilting Pirate is having a Manic Monday giveaway.  Toni is giving away The Hobo Bag  pattern by Indigo Junction and ~20 5" novelty charm squares.  This giveaway ends Monday, April 11.

Margaret's Hope Chest is having 1000th Quilt, 4 Year Anniversary Giveaway.  You could be one of four winners of four fat quarters, Twin Size Hobbs Heirloom Cotton Batting, Thread-the Essential Thread Set in Neutrals or Colors from Connecting Threads, pins, One roll of Heat Press, and a copy of 'In a Twinkle' book by Kay Mackenzie.  The winners will be announced on April 29th.

Quilt n Queen is having a sponsored giveaway.  You could win 2 Sherbet Pips charm packs.  This giveaway ends Monday, April 11.

Have you entered to win the $25.00 gift certificate from Fat Quarter Shop?  If not, then you need to enter my 200th Post Celebration Giveaway!

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FINAL THOUGHT

Sirens.  More sirens.  That's the trouble with living near major thoroughfares.  We are three blocks off of one main street and about 5 from another.  Most of the time I don't even hear them any more.  That is unless Jack, the black lab next door, decides to sing along with them.  He has such a pitiful howl.  He sounds like the perpetual teenager that is in the voice transition phase of his life.  So funny to hear.  I do wish at times I lived where there was silence.  No car noises, no voices of people walking down the street, no car alarms accidentally going off - nothing but the sweet sound of birds singing and my two pups snoring (well, really only Weasley).  Noise overload is something I can do without.  If ever someone wanted to torture me, obnoxious noise would be the way to do it.  Ah, for some piece and quiet and just the hum of my sewing machine.  One can dream!

Silence is more musical than any song.
~Christina Rossetti

Make your Wednesday wonderful!