Once you make a decision, the universe conspires to make it happen.
~Ralph Waldo Emerson
Has anybody else had the dilemma of trying to decide between sewing and blog hopping? With all of the giveaways currently going on at Sew, Mama, Sew's May Giveaway (see link below under GIVEAWAYS) it's hard to stay away from the computer. It would be different if the giveaways lasted a week, but most of them are only open for the next couple of days. I've only had time to look at a handful of those participating. Each blog is offering such wonderful prizes! Maybe tomorrow I can squeeze a few more in. Maybe next year they could extend the length of the giveaway. Have you been hopping about?
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PHOTO FACT OF THE DAY
National Escargot Day
To cook escargot, the snails are removed from their shells, gutted, and cooked with garlic butter. Once cooked, they are then poured back into the shells to be served. Did you know that the French consume 40,000 metric tons of snails annually? If you've never tried escargot, National Escargot Day is a great reason to give them a try! Of NOT!
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GIFTS
Yesterday's mail brought a couple of belated birthday gifts. I like it when my birthday manages to encompass more than one day :)
My friend, Mary (Needled Mom), sent me this absolutely gorgeous fabric postcard. I have never attempted thread painting and her flower is just amazing! Thank you, Mary!
My friend, Annie (Adventures In Oz) sent me five fantastic batik fat quarters, some darling Post It notes, and a oh-so-cute magnetic note pad! I have the project already picked out for the batiks for later in the year and you can never have enough sticky notes or note pads. Thank you so very much, Annie!!
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A LITTLE MORE DESIGNER
In between blog hopping I did manage to get some sewing in......
I finished the bottom two rows including all of the sashing of the 2010 Designer Mystery BOM. Now I just have to make the borders and it will be time to get it to the long arm quilter :)
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LOST POST
I guess I'm never going to get back my post from May 12.....lost in the Blogger malfunction of the year. And since I use this blog as a sort of scrapbook/journal I need to re-post the picture of my finished quilt once again.....
Just in case you don't know, this is my finished quilt from the Layer Cake QAL hosted by Moose On The Porch. It was quilted by Joanne Lendaro of Insanely Cheap Quilting and she did a beautiful job. Sorry, I won't bore you with this one again!
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TODAY'S GOAL
Since tomorrow is One Flower Wednesday, I think I should probably get a hexie flower made :)
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GIVEAWAYS
The Intrepid Thread is having Market Giveaway #5. This time you could win two fat quarter bundles: either Prince Charming or Kumari Garden Holiday. This giveaway ends Sunday, May 28.
Stitch Your Soul is having a giveaway. You could win 6 fat quarters of hand dyed cottons all cold water resist dyed by myself, 5 fat quarters of some fab spotty cottons, hand dyed blue cotton with block printed butterflies and hearts in blue and metallic green, some of her stash of vintage buttons, and 9 x 12" butterfly patchwork blocks made by Alice, herself. This giveaway ends Tuesday, May 31.
KoolBeenz is having giveaway #9. April is giving away a Dilly Dally charm pack by moda. This giveaway ends Friday, May 27, at midnight.
Adventures in Oz is having her Mystery Monday giveaway. You could win 5 fat quarters in your choice of color. The winner will be announced Monday, May 30.
Mariliz's Musings is having a giveaway. You could win 5 beautiful fat quarters from Mary's stash. This giveaway ends Monday, May 30, at 8:00 pm.
Jane's Fabrics and Quilts is having a giveaway. You could win a yard of Kona Cotton, color your choice and Five Balls of Finca Thread, colors also your choice! The winner will be announced on Thursday, May 26.
Cottonwood Lane Primitives is having a giveaway. You could win a Maggie Bononomi design penny rug. The giveaway will happen when Roberta reaches 100 followers.
The Intrepid Thread is having a final Market giveaway. You could win a fat eighth pack of Ruby. This giveaway ends Monday, May 30, at midnight.
Sew, Mama, Sew is having her Giveaway Day May 2011. There are 3 categories with oodles of blogs participating - each having their own giveaway.
Do you like pin cushions? I'm giving away a sunflower pincushion in conjunction with the May Day giveaway. You can find the giveaway at GIVEAWAY DAY IS HERE! This giveaway ends on Thursday, May 26, at 7:00 am PST.
Do you like fabric? You could win 8 one half yards cuts of coordinated fabric at My Birthday Giveaway Celebration. This giveaway ends Monday, May 30, at 7:00 pm PST.
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FINAL THOUGHT
I have been thinking about entering a quilt in the local quilt show this coming January. I'm just not sure if I meet the grade. It's a quilt that I haven't even started yet. Those of you who have entered quilts, what are some helpful hints you can pass on to me - and others thinking of making the same leap? How do you decide which quilt(s) you might enter in a competition? I'm really nervous about this. And this isn't the same kind of nervous as attending the guild meeting. I've never had my quilt work judged. I have had counted cross stitch judged and won Best In Show two years running at the local county fair. But for some reason this just has set my nerves on edge. Maybe I should make the quilt and then decide. I'm looking for any advice you experienced quilt show exhibitors care to share!
Learn all you can from the mistakes of others. You won't have time to make them all yourself.
~Alfred Sheinwold
