Flowers and Blocks

Don't ask yourself what the world needs; ask yourself what makes you come alive.  And then go and do that.  Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.  

~Attributed to Howard Thurman

Wednesday's just keep rolling around rather consistently, don't they.  Wednesday's keep my weeks balanced.  Two work days before and two after.  Wednesday either finds me tearing my hair out because I have to have something finished by the end of the week or simply enjoying the fact it's the middle of the week.  This week I'm simply enjoying the day.  What's Wednesday usually mean for you?

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

LITTLE FACT OF THE DAY

American Badger

I honestly didn't know much about the badger until doing my research for today's blog.  Here's what I found out:

* Badgers are large nocturnal retiring creatures, which are normally shy and live in social or family groups.

* They are closely related to stoats, otters, weasels, polecats and pine martens.

* Badgers have a strong sense of smell and search for food by constantly sniffing the ground ahead of them, with the help of their snouts.

* These animals have typical underground homes called setts, which are complete with a labyrinth of tunnels.

* An adult badger can grow up to a maximum of 36” long and have a weight of around 22 to 27 lbs.

* They are omnivorous animals, depending on a wide variety of foods for their diet. However, their staple food consists of earthworms, with a per day consumption of around 200 worms.

* Badgers have powerful non-retractable claws that are very useful in digging and looking for food.

* Although these animals do not hibernate, they are less active in the winter season.

* The cubs are normally born in the month of February and are usually 1 to 3 in number. These cubs emerge around the month of May, after spending the first 8 to 10 weeks of their life underground.

* Badgers have excellent hearing and smelling sense, which proves very useful in searching for their food. However, they have very poor eyesight.

* The name badger possibly derives from the French word bêcheur meaning digger or from the word badge in reference to the white mark on its forehead.

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

ONE FLOWER WEDNESDAY

Two more flowers were made this week for my GFG/Eye Spy quilt.....

Earth Day (last Sunday) always makes me think of the days of hippies and peace symbols - and, yes, I'm definitely old enough to remember those days - so what better way to wax nostalgia than with this hexie flower.  Don't you just love the peace symbols on the cars' wheels?

These little piggies can't wait to dive into that watermelon in the center of the flower.  When I saw the pig fabric, I knew instantly that it would be made into hexies.

To check out more flowers for One Flower Wednesday, Karen has graciously provided a linky for one stop browsing.  Hop on over and take a look by clicking on the link above.

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

SWAP BLOCKS RECEIVED

I recently received two squishies in my mailbox.  I just love receiving swap blocks....

First I received this beautiful block from Rachelle in Michigan.  I just love all the different fabrics she used to create this braid block.  Rachelle was my March swap partner for Block Swap Adventure.  Thank you so very much, Rachelle.

Then I received this adorable block from Ann Mc in Canada.  This block says Christmas and I especially like the little bird in his winter hat!  Ann was my December swap partner for Quilting Block Swaps Australia.  Thank you so very much, Ann!  Better late than never :)

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

HELP NEEDED

I'm having trouble with the new blogger.  Each time I use the scheduled posting it doesn't work.  Can someone tell me what I'm doing wrong?

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

TODAY'S GOAL

Today I have a Bee block to make.

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

GIVEAWAYS

Cat Patches is having a giveaway.  You could win an assortment of goodies from Colonial Needles.  This giveaway ends Thursday, April 26.

World of Charity Stitching is having a giveaway.  You could win a $50 gift certificate to Fat Quarter Shop.  This giveaway ends Thursday, May 3.

A Stitch In Time is having a giveaway.  You could win two fat quarters with a beach theme.  This giveaway ends Saturday, April 28, at 11:00 pm EST.

Canton Village Quilt Works is having a giveaway.  You could win a copy of Marie Bostwick's newest book,  Ties That Bind.  This giveaway ends Wednesday, May 2.

Quilting By The River is having a giveaway.  You could win a charm pack of Vintage Modern.  This giveaway ends Thursday, April 26, at midnight CST.

Crafty Imaginings by Jen is having a giveaway.  You could win a $15 gift certificate to either Fat Quarter Shop or 123Stitch.com.  This giveaway ends Monday, April 30.

Annie's Ruby Slipperz is having her weekly Mystery Monday Tuesday.  You could win 5 fat quarters.  This giveaway ends Saturday, April 28, at midnight.

Woolie Mammoth is having a giveaway.  You could win a little used pattern from Bird Brain Designs and some fabric to get you started.  This giveaway ends Sunday, April 29.

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

FINAL THOUGHT

It's A Good Friday!

I lied on my Weight Watchers list.  I put down that I had 3 eggs... but they were Cadbury chocolate eggs. 
~Caroline Rhea

It's Good Friday and Easter is just a couple days away.  Spring has sprung and the weather readers promise it will be a gorgeous day.  However, we are still riding the wild roller coaster of spring with our low down to near freezing this morning and a predicted high on Monday of 81 degrees.  I think Mother Nature is going through menopause with these hot flashes and is taking it out on all of us - lol!  We will be spending Easter with family and look forward to a feast of wonderful food.  Do you have plans for Easter?  Will the Easter Bunny be leaving a basket of sweets for someone in your family?

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

LITTLE FACT OF THE DAY

Filled Easter basket

Sunday is Easter.  For some it is a religious holiday.  For others it's a day to give and receive baskets of candy.  For some, it's both.  What will your Easter baskets be filled with this year?  Here are some fun facts about what you may fill your basket with:

* 90 million chocolate Easter bunnies are made for Easter each year.

* 16 billion jelly beans are made for Easter (that’s enough to completely fill an 89 feet high and 60 feet wide plastic Easter egg – about the height of a nine-story office building!)

* 63 percent of Americans would most like to receive a chocolate bunny on Easter morning, followed by marshmallow bunnies (10 percent)

* According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the largest Easter egg ever made was just over 25-ft high and made of chocolate and marshmallow. The egg weighed 8,968 lbs. and was supported by an internal steel frame.

* Each day, five million marshmallow chicks and bunnies are produced in preparation for Easter

* 88 percent of adults carry on the Easter tradition of creating Easter baskets for their kids & 90 percent of adults hope for their own treat from the Easter Bunny

* The first chocolate eggs were made in Europe in the early 19th century and remain among the most popular treats associated with Easter.

* Kids first grab for chocolate bunnies (76 percent) when checking out their Easter baskets, followed by marshmallow treats (18 percent), malted milk balls/eggs (17 percent) and jelly beans (16 percent)

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

A NEW PROJECT

Last week I started a new counted cross stitch project.  You may ask why when I haven't finished the Summer Sampler.  This new piece is a Christmas present and I don't want to have the pressures of the holidays to get it finished.

I'm not too sure about the colors in this one but hopefully I will like it better when more of it is completed.  I rarely start stitching in the center of a pattern but the way this one is presented (in bits and pieces) it's necessary.  See that top area with the teal colored stitches?  I had to unstitch that entire area last night because I realized that I had used too light of blue for the background.  Luckily, I was able to get a few rows of the teal in before it was time for bed.  The pattern calls for several silk threads but I can't afford them at this time so am substituting DMC floss.  Same goes for the beads.

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

I have added something new to my cross stitch necessities.  A magnifier.  The pattern is a pdf file and the print out is so small I have trouble seeing some of the symbols.  I have enlarged it as far as possible without making the symbols blurry beyond recognition.  Normally I like working from a black and white pattern the best, however, I am working from the color pattern (both are provided) as this seems to help a bit.  I didn't start working with the color pattern until after I had stitched the top center section and, as I stated above, I started with the wrong color when reading the black and white chart.  Error discovered and fixed - luckily before I had completed anything more.

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

TWO BLOCKS AND A PATTERN

Karen P was my March swap partner for Quilting Block Swaps Australia.  She made me two wonderful blocks  "to make up for my tardiness".  In reality, they weren't late (they arrived on the 31st) but I will gladly accept two blocks.  I just love the alligator and gecko prints Karen used to create these two adorable blocks.  Karen and I both joined in the first ever pattern swap for the swap group.  She sent me a darling little backpack pattern that she says she has made several times.  Thank you so very much for the darling blocks and cute pattern, Karen!

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

TODAY'S GOAL

Today I plan to sandwich my paper piecing project - still not sure how I'm going to quilt it.

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

GIVEAWAYS

Fabrics N Quilts is having a giveaway.  You could win a kit to make a table topper.  This giveaway ends Sunday, April 8. 

Crazy Mom Quilts is having a giveaway.  You could win a fat quarter stack of Matsuri.  This giveaway ends Monday, April 9.

Hancock's of Paducah is having a giveaway.  You could win a Forest Galorest Quilt Kit.  This giveaway ends  Friday, May 18, at 10:00 am CST.

Sewing Miles of Smiles is having her first giveaway.  You could win a Sweetwater's Designer Select Fat Quarter Bundle featuring the Hometown Collection.  This giveaway ends Tuesday, April 10.


Diary of a Quilter is having a giveaway.  You could win a layer cake of Aneela Hoey's latest collection, A Walk in the Woods.  This giveaway ends Saturday, April 7, at midnight.


Want It, Need It, Quilt is having a giveaway.  You could win a signed copy of the new Tula Pink Book - 'Quilts from the House of Tula Pink'.  This giveaway ends Monday, April 30.


Cluck Cluck Sew is having a giveaway.  You could win a fat quarter bundle of Cherry.  This giveaway ends Saturday, April 7.


World of Charity Stitching is having a giveaway.  You could win 2 Pastimes Quilt Design patterns.  This giveaway ends Thursday, April 12.


Hopeful Threads is having a giveaway.  You could win an assorted bundle of vintage lace.  This giveaway ends Friday, April 13.


All About Applique is having a giveaway.  You could win a copy of Fast, Fusible Flower Quilts.  This giveaway ends Monday, April 9.


Hawthorne Threads is having a giveaway.  You could win a Riley Blake Scoot fat quarter bundle.  This giveaway ends Wednesday, April 11.

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

FINAL THOUGHT

I get a sugar headache just looking at this cake someone created!

Happy Easter!!

I will be taking a week's holiday from blogging and will return on Monday, April 16, at my normal time.

Progress and What Was In My Mail

Sometimes I feel that life is passing me by, not slowly either, but with ropes of steam and spark-spattered wheels and a hoarse roar of power or terror. It's passing, yet I'm the one who's doing all the moving.
 ~Martin Amis, Money

It's Friday!  It's hard to believe another week is almost over.  It's even harder to believe that another month is about to end.  I guess the saying "Time flies when you're having fun" is true as it the saying "Time goes by faster the older you get".  I try to use my time wisely but there are those days where nothing much seems to get done.  Well, sitting here isn't getting my quilting done or my dishes washed.  Guess it's time to head for the sewing room (the dishes can wait).  Do you have plans for the weekend?

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

LITTLE FACT OF THE DAY

Opossum

Opossums are quite often referred as ‘the living fossil’, as they have been residing on earth since the dinosaur age. They have been known to inhabit the earth since the past 70-80 million years, making them one of the world’s oldest surviving mammals.  Here are so more interesting facts about opossums:

* Opossum is the only living marsupial in North America

* Opossums do not hang by their tails. An opossums tail could not support an adults weight. Juveniles may hang by their tails while learning to climb but cannot sleep while suspended from its tail.

* The name Opossum was first used by Captain John Smith in 1608. It was adapted from the Native American Algonquin name "apasum" meaning white animal.

* Opossum is omnivore and can eat almost anything including bugs, snails, mice, and other small animals as well and dog and cat food.

* Opossums make very little noise, if frightened it may make a quiet hissing noise to hopefully scare of predators. 

* They have a remarkable resistance to poisonous snake bites

* They make a nest by carrying bundles of leaves and stems clasped firmly in their tails
* They are clean and always grooming
* They are exceptionally non-aggressive and non-destructive. They will not harm people or pets.


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


A BIT MORE PROGRESS


With the longer weekend and a some stitching during the week I was able to make a bit more progress on my counted cross stitch project.  

This is where I was a week ago.

And here you can see the progress I have made since then.  There's enough detail in this piece to keep it interesting but it does involve a lot of thread changes - just the kind of challenge I enjoy.

Design: Summer Sampler

Designer: Sandy Orton for Kooler Design Studio

Fabric: 18 count cream Aida cloth

Fiber: 2 strands over 1 - DMC floss

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

BLOCK SWAP

This week I received a block all the way from Portugal!

Teresa made this wonderful star block for me for the February Quilting Block Swaps Australia.  The block includes so many darling children's prints.  And she also included a wonderful little hexie flower.  Thank you so very much, Teresa!!

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

I WAS A WINNER

Recently I won a giveaway and this arrived in the mail this week from Canada......

Lavender Ridge was celebrating her three year blogiversary with a giveaway.  I won the two Schnibble patterns.  Linda also included a wonderful fat quarter and a cool plaid pencil.  I'm looking forward to making up those great little quilts.  Thank you for letting me help you celebrate, Linda!

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

TODAY'S GOAL

I've been working on piecing a quilt and I hope to begin quilting it today.

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

GIVEAWAYS

Jolly Jabber is having a giveaway.  You could win a Sandy Gervais' Designer Select Fat Quarter Bundle.  This giveaway ends Monday, February 27.


Victorian Motto Sampler Shoppe is having a giveaway.  You could win a counted cross stitch design.  This giveaway ends Saturday, March 10.


Nataly's Needle Creations is having a giveaway.  You could win an initial scissors fob or a set of 5 counting pins.  This giveaway ends Thursday, March 1.


FabricWorm is having a giveaway.  You could win 10 Fat Quarters of the complete collection Commute.  This giveaway ends Monday, February 27, at 8:30 am PST.


Quilting Gallery is having a giveaway.  You could win one of Pat Sloan's Girls In The Garden pattern.  This giveaway ends Sunday, February 26.


Olive and Ollie are having a giveaway.  You could win one of Pat Sloan's Girls In The Garden patterns here too.  This giveaway ends Sunday, February 26, at midnight EST.


Stitchin With My Furbabies is celebrating her 1 year blogiversary with a giveaway.  You could win a crocheted lapghan.  This giveaway ends Saturday, February 25.


ThankFullga447 is having a giveaway.  You could win 2 polka dot fat quarters and a darling little sewing kit.  This giveaway ends Saturday, February 25, at midnight.


Jaybird Quilts is having a giveaway.  You could win a fat quarter bundle by Dear Stella fabrics.  This giveaway ends Sunday, February 26, at 9:00 pm PST.


Sew She Can is having a giveaway. You could win 10 fat quarters by Pat Bravo from Fat Quarter Shop.  This giveaway ends Tuesday, February 28, at 11:00 pm EST.


Pickle Dish is having a giveaway.  You could win a copy of A Year Of Cozy Comforts.  This giveaway ends ?


Lily Pad Quilting is having a giveaway to celebrate reaching over 600 followers.  You could win a wonderful prize package full of all sorts of goodies.  This giveaway ends Monday, February 27.


My Brown Bag Studio is having a giveaway.  You could win a Farmer's Market Fat Eighth Bundle.  This giveaway ends Sunday, February 26.


Spring Water DesignsPat Sloan's Girls In The Garden patterns.  This giveaway ends Sunday, February 26, at midnight.

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


FINAL THOUGHT

Happy Blocks

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

It's hard to believe it is Friday already.  I'm not sure I'm ready for the weekend.  I have a quilting class tomorrow that will take most of the day.  Then we have a 70th birthday party to attend in the evening.  Sunday we may do our weekly grocery shopping because I refuse to do it on our normal day, Wednesday.  Who wants to be in the grocery store the day before Thanksgiving when everyone is running around trying to pick up odds and ends for their big meal and the shelves would probably a mess and understocked.  I'm still working on the baby quilt that needs to be done by Monday.  I'm starting to feel like a chicken with its head cut off!

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

LITTLE FACT OF THE DAY

Bagpipe

Saturday, November 19, is National Blow Bagpipes Day.  When you think of bagpipes, it's likely that Scotland comes to mind. So you might be surprised to learn that the instrument does not have its origins in Scotland. There are some interesting and little-known facts about the bagpipes, including what they were made of, how they are played and even why they were once banned in Scotland.

Contrary to popular belief, the bagpipes did not originate in Scotland. However, it was Scotland that kept the instrument alive. As a result, it is Scotland that is most often associated with the instrument. While the exact origins of the bagpipes are disputed, the oldest reference to the now-famed instrument is from Asia Minor. The reference was carved on a stone slab dated back to 1000 BC. Bagpipes were eventually found in various countries all over the world, including India, Spain, France and even ancient Egypt. Historians are unsure as to whether the Scottish bagpipes were imported from Rome or if they were brought to the country from Ireland.

Each bagpipe consists of a chanter, a bag and one or more pipes, also known as drones. Today drones are typically made from hardwood, but in historic times they were constructed of bone or ivory. The bags were made from the skin of animals, including sheep, cows and goats.

A little-known fact about the history of bagpipes in Scotland is that the instrument was actually banned in the country -- once in 1560 and again in 1746. James Reid, a bagpipe musician, was executed for having a bagpipe during the ban. During 1746, bagpipes were considered war instruments. It is reported that during WWI more than 500 pipers were executed for playing the bagpipes

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

BRIGHT BLOCKS

Over the last few days I have received two sets of beautiful and bright swap blocks......

These two 6" blocks came from Jenn in PA.  Jenn and I were swap partners for October in the 6 Inch Block Swaps Australia.  Aren't these bold and bright.  I love the fussy cuts she did in this Bird In The Air block.  Thank you so much, Jenn.

Linda from Australia (my November Block Swaps Australia swap partner) made this very fun block.  I just love the little monkeys and the bit of added rick rack.  This mosaic block is just full of humor.  Linda wasn't happy with this block - can you believe it ?!?  As a result she sent me a second block.....

Another adorable block!  This one has a bit more rick rack.  Both blocks are going to make a wonderful children's quilt one day for Loving Hands.  Linda also included a boomerang key chain.  Does that mean when I lose my keys they will automatically return to me?  Thank you so very much, Linda, for both of the wonderfully happy blocks.

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

LOVING HANDS II

Last night I took both of the Loving Hands quilts I made this week to our guild meeting.  I already shared with you the green and yellow frog quilt so here is the second one I made......

Definitely little girl.  I made this with some left over scraps from the baby quilt I'm making.  I just did some simple line quilting along with stitch-in-the-ditch quilting.  The backing is a white heart on pink flannel (I forgot to take a picture of the back).  All Loving Hands quilts measure 32" X 32".

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

FMQ

Only time for one free motion quilting practice again.......

Texture of Two is created by echo stitching the number 2.  Each time you just change the angle of the 2.  Not my favorite design but a good practice anyway.

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

QUILTING GALLERY CONTEST

I have entered my little monthly mini quilt in the Quilting Gallery Contest this week.  The theme is Thanksgiving/Gratitude.  In case you forgot what mine looks like here is another look at Who Me.....

I would certainly appreciate your vote.  But make sure to look through all of the lovely entries first by going HERE.

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

TODAY'S GOAL

To finish the baby quilt and to survive the weekend with a smile :D

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

GIVEAWAYS

World of Charity is having a giveaway. You could win one of 6 Pine Mountain Pillow Cross Stitch Kits. This giveaway ends Tuesday, November 22.

The Barn Hollow is having a giveaway.  You could win a snow couple made by Kim from a Country Friends pattern.  This giveaway ends Monday, November 21.

Marcia's Crafty Sewing and Quilting is celebrating her birthday with a giveaway.  You could win a quilting gift certificate worth $54.00 off the quilting on a twin size quilt.  This giveaway ends Thursday, November 24, at 6 pm.

Lily's Quilts is having a giveaway.  You could win two boxes of Kona Bounty of Basics - one dark and one light.  This giveaway ends Wednesday, November 23.

Fabric Worm is having a giveaway.  You could win 10 french inspired Fat Quarters of J'Adore by Dear Stella.  This giveaway ends Monday, November 21, at 8:30 am PST.

Smashed Peas and Carrots is having a giveaway.  You could win a pattern from Hadley Grace Designs.  This giveaway ends Saturday, November 19, at 8 am.

The Jolly Jabber is having a giveaway.  You could win  Bunny Hill’s Designer Select Fat Quarter Bundle.  This giveaway ends Tuesday, November 22.

The Confused Quilter is having a giveaway.  Staci is ready to send the other Traveling Stash on its way.  This giveaway ends Monday, November 21.

Out Numbered Quilter is having a giveaway.  You could win a special, beautiful, and unique bundle of fabric.  This giveaway ends Monday, November 21.

Craftaholics Anonymous is having a giveaway.  You could win  a Silhouette Cameo digital cutting tool.  This giveaway ends Wednesday, November 23, at 11:59 pm EST.

***Make sure to stop by on Monday as I'm having a giveaway sponsored by Fat Quarter Shop***

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

FINAL THOUGHT

Buttons and patches and the cold wind blowing,
The days pass quickly when I am sewing.

~Author Unknown

One Of A Kind Blocks

An inability to stay quiet is one of the most conspicuous failings of mankind.
~Walter Bagehot

I went to the doctor on Wednesday hoping for a miracle cure.  Instead I received a shot in both arms - one for flu and the other a booster for tetanus, whooping cough, and diphtheria.  I did receive a prescription for meds that were supposed to help me with my cough at night.  It didn't work and I went back to Robitussin.  The doctor also told me not to talk for 48 hours - not to even whisper because that is harder on the vocal cords than talking.  Really?  Not talk?  Well, that didn't happen.  I'll just keep plodding along and I know this too will pass.  The weekend is almost here and our Saturday seems fairly busy.  Do you have big plans?

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

LITTLE FACT OF THE DAY

Veterans Day is an annual United States holiday honoring military veterans. It is a federal holiday that is observed on November 11. It is also celebrated as Armistice Day or Remembrance Day in other parts of the world and falls on November 11, the anniversary of the signing of the Armistice that ended World War I.

The U.S. President Woodrow Wilson first proclaimed an Armistice Day for November 11, 1919. In proclaiming the holiday, he said

"To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country's service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations.

In 1953, an Emporia, Kansas man named Stephan Riod the owner of a shoe repair shop, had the idea to expand Armistice Day to celebrate all veterans, not just those who died in World War I. Riod had been actively involved with the American War Dads during World War II. He began a campaign to turn Armistice Day into "All" Veterans Day. The Emporia Chamber of Commerce took up the cause after determining that 90% of Emporia merchants as well as the Board of Education supported closing their doors on November 11 to honor all veterans. With the help of U.S. Representative John Salper, also from Emporia, a bill for the holiday was pushed through Congress. President Dwight Eisenhower signed it into law on May 26, 1954.

Congress amended this act on June 1, 1954, replacing "Armistice" with "Veterans," and it has been known as Veterans Day since.

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

SWAP BLOCKS

Early this week I sent out a blocks to my swap partner in Quilting Block Swaps Australia.....

Linda Mc (no blog) requested any block made in red, white and black.  I really like how this Card Trick block worked up. 

I also have received a couple of blocks......

Melody of The House On The Side Of The Hill made this darling block for me as my swap partner for October.  I have changed my request to bright and happy (think children) and this certainly fits it.  She also included a wonderful scissor fob that she made and a piece of fabric with Australian animals on it all ready to embroider.  Thank you so very much, Melody!

Sandi was my swap partner for Block Swap Adventure in October.  She made this darling Christmas block with a fussy cut center.  Isn't it adorable?  Thank you so much, Sandi.

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

FREE MOTION QUILTING

I finally was able to start practicing free motion quilting again.....

As I started this Spiky Fern, I forgot to pay attention to where the opposite corner was.  As a result, one side of my fern is MUCH larger than the other.  I guess one side received more sun - lol!

There are a lot more flower patterns in the Beginner/Intermediate level than there was in the Beginner.  I really like the affect of Split Petal Flower.

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

TODAY'S GOAL

Today I will be working on one of the Loving Hands quilts I need to complete before Thursday.

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

GIVEAWAYS

Living The Dream is having a giveaway.  Here's another chance to win MyMemories software.  This giveaway ends Wednesday, November 16.

Lily's Quilts is having a giveaway.  You could win a one year subscription to Fat Quarterly.  This giveaway ends Wednesday, November 16.

FabricWorm is having their weekly giveaway.  You could win 12 Fat Quarters of Dear Stella Lanakai.  This giveaway ends Monday, November 14, at 8:30 am PST.

KaHolly is having a giveaway.  You could win the pattern Captain's Pond and a craft-size package of Fusi-Boo.  This giveaway ends Saturday, November 11.

Tattered Garden is having a giveaway.  You could win a copy of Quilt Album software.  This giveaway ends Tuesday, November 15.

Hawthorne Threads is having their weekly giveaway.  You could win a Daisy Cottage fat quarter bundle.  This giveaway ends Wednesday, November 16.

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

FINAL THOUGHT

Paternal Blocks

Give thanks for what you are now, and keep fighting for what you want to be tomorrow.
~Fernanda Miramontes-Landeros


We had a wonderful break from the heat yesterday.  Our high was only 82 degree F.  I was able to keep the windows open until around 2:00 before having to shut them to keep the heat out.  We were even able to sleep with the windows open last night.  And even more amazing, I started out yesterday morning with my zip hoodie on!!  It is a short lived reprieve however, as our temps are to climb to 107 by Sunday.  Last night we made our Walmart run.  The store was still in turmoil and we felt like we were on a scavenger hunt.  Luckily there were not many people there so it wasn't too difficult to get around.  We normally do this on Saturday morning but with the long holiday weekend we were afraid it would be a mad house if we waited.  I sure wish Walmart didn't have such good deals so I could quit going to that store!

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

PHOTO FACT OF THE DAY

National Meteor Day

At the risk of ruining the magic of falling stars, we must tell you that what you're actually seeing is a space rock hurling towards the planet, but burning up as it hits Earth's atmosphere. It might be a scary thought, but meteors are pretty common and nothing to fear!  Here are some facts about meteors:
* You can throw an Meteoroid off course (keeping it from hitting the Earth, for instance) by exploding a nuclear device near it.
* Meteoroids are moving fast! Some enter the Earth's atmosphere at as much as 130,000 miles per hour.
* Meteorites contain the oldest known rocks in our solar system.
* A 1985 study conducted by the science journal 'Nature' calculated the rate of meteorites hitting humans as .0055 per year, or once time every 180 years.
* Up to 4 billion meteoroids fall to Earth every day. But most of them are too tiny to do any noticeable harm.
* After it impacts the Earth, a meteoroid is suddenly referred to as a meteorite
* More than 24,000 meteorites are known to have landed on Earth, but only 34 are believed to have originated on Mars.
* A meteor (from the Greek word 'meteoron', which means 'phenomenon in the sky') is actually the streak of light we see trailing a meteoroid. A meteoroid is any interplanetary object bigger than a speck of dust and smaller than an asteroid.

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

SWAP BLOCK

Yesterday I finished a block for my July swap partner in Block Swap Adventure.....

Melissa D. requested any block using blues, whites, purples or lavenders.  As you can see, I went back to the pinwheel block I've used before and found a print that had both purple and lavender.  This is heading out to Melissa this morning :)

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

A FAVORITE TOOL

I have been using a tool that I received from DD#2 for Christmas to help me with my bindings. 

This is the CutRite Bind Up tool.  I used to have all sorts of trouble and would practically get headaches when I had to make a bias cut and match the ends up on my bindings.  Then I read a couple of reviews about the CutRite Bind Up tool.  It has made my binding headache disappear.  I don't know how I ever got by without it.  I used to have to read the instructions but now I don't even have to do that any more.  Instead of my trying to show you through pictures just click on the link HERE to see the instructions kindly posted by Quilters Paradise.  They even have a video that you can watch HERE.  So if you have trouble matching up the ends of your binding like I did, I highly recommend investing the $10 in this tool.  You, too, will wonder how you come you waited to long to get it.  (This was not an advertisement, just my own review).

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

SAME BLOCK, DIFFERENT SWAP

Yesterday I also completed my July swap block for my partner in the Quilting Block Swaps Australia....

Alethea requested any block in dark blue.  As you can see I used the same pattern, just used different fabric.  I'm sure you all are getting tired of seeing me make the same block but I just didn't have the desire to look up another block yesterday.  Sorry!  It was nice to be able to take both block pictures out in the sun today.  The true colors really came through.  I only had to catch the block from blowing away twice - lol!

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

TODAY'S GOAL

Today I will try to finish making the monthly mini quilt for July

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

GIVEAWAYS

SewCalGal is having a giveaway.  You could be the lucky winner of a Beam n Read.  A winner will be randomly selected on Saturday, July 2.

Sew WE Quilt is having a giveaway.  You could win a cute magnetic button ring made by Kim Walus from Bitty Bits & Pieces.  This giveaway ends Saturday, July 2, at midnight.

Quilting Along The Gorge is having a giveaway.  You could win an AccuQuilt GO! Baby cutter and 3 dies of your choice.  This giveaway ends Saturday, July 9, at midnight.

Jane's Fabrics and Quilts is having a giveaway.  You could win a Beam n Read.  A winner will be announced Friday, July 1.

Tilda's Twisted Life is celebrating her 100th post with a giveaway.  Melinda is giving away a charm pack of Hideaway.  This giveaway ends Friday, July 1, at 6:00 pm EST.

Don't forget to enter MY VACATION GIVEAWAY!

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

FINAL THOUGHT

Yesterday I was easily distracted by the clouds floating by.  It was so peaceful watching the clouds skittering by high above in the blue sky.  They prevented the sun from glaring down on us.  They provided some dimension to our usually boring view upward.  Their shapes were constantly changing as they flew from west to east.  Unfortunately not a one of them contained any rain for us - I think it all the moisture was dumped on San Francisco the day before when they received a new record rainfall for the day of an inch.  Big and puffy in shades of white and gray.  Hopefully the clouds will gather moisture as they head east and dump buckets of rain on the fires in both Arizona and New Mexico where it is sorely needed.  Can you tell I was easily entertained yesterday?

A cloudless plain blue sky is like a flowerless garden.
~Terri Guillemets