Thursday, May 5, 2011

And How Did Your Morning Start?


If people were meant to pop out of bed, we'd all sleep in toasters.
~Author unknown, attributed to Jim Davis

Time to wake up - awake as usual before the alarm goes off.  Plod into the bathroom.  Remembered to take my pill.  Turned on the shower and decided I was thirsty.  Really thirsty!  Grabbed the water bottle I keep in there (our tap water has a lot of chlorine in it), opened the flip top and took a swig.  Ewwwww!  What came out of the bottle into my mouth.  Lean over the sink and spit it out.  What the H***?  I just spit out an earwig!!!!!!!!  Gross!!  Gag!!!!  Shiver....rub arms.  Grab a cup and rinse out my mouth.  Stomp my feet and shiver again.  Drink some tap water - hurry - but look for bugs first!  I can't believe that just happened!  And that's how my morning started....I'm awake now!!  How did your morning start?

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PHOTO FACT OF THE DAY

Oysters
 
Today is Cinco De Mayo and here in California it is a well celebrated holiday.  One holiday I don't usually pay too much attention to.  So, instead, I would rather celebrate Oyster Day.  Did you know....
* oysters breathe much like fish, using both gills and mantle. The mantle is lined with many small, thin-walled blood vessels which extract oxygen from the water and expel carbon dioxide. 
* There is no way of telling male oysters from females by examining their shells. While oysters have separate sexes, they may change sex one or more times during their life span. * There is a species of crab (Pinnotheres ostreum) that has evolved to live harmoniously inside an oyster's shell. These dime-sized crabs, much sought after by gourmands, are not abundant.
* Oysters are not only delicious, but they're also one of the most nutritionally well balanced of foods, containing protein, carbohydrates and lipids.
*  An oyster produces a pearl when foreign material becomes trapped inside the shell. The oyster responds to the irritation by producing nacre, a combination of calcium and protein. The nacre coats the foreign material and over time produces a pearl.

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TABLE MAT

Today I finished up the table mat I am going to give my mother for Mother's Day...

I made this from the Snap Sack (small quilt kit) that I won last month from Bluebird's Wing (thank you again, Cyndi!).  The quilt is called April Flowers and measures 18" X 22".  I used Isul-Bright so Mom can put hot dishes on it and still protect her wood dining table.  I love the colors and hope she does too.  You can never be too sure about Mom's choices of colors sometimes - lol!

Here is the back.  I just did a very simple stitch-in-the-ditch quilting on this as I didn't want a lot of stitching to lessen the insulation quality.  I'll let you know if Mom liked on Monday.

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STITCHING

Yesterday I also started stitching the Birdie Stitches BOM for May.....

This month, Little Miss Shabby has given us a block full of flowers.  I'm only about a third of the way through and I'm lovin' it already.  I think this may be my favorite block so far.

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TODAY'S GOAL

Today I have another Bee block to make and I will continue stitching on my Birdie block.

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GIVEAWAYS

A Girl In Paradise is having a giveaway.  You could win a charm pack of Hushabye designed by Tula Pink for moda.  A winner will be selected on Tuesday, May 10.

Adventures In Oz is having a giveaway.  You could win a copy of  Wrapped In Memories by Nan Slaughter.  This giveaway ends Friday, May 6.

The Average Quilter is having a giveaway.  You could win a great denim men's wallet made by Margaret.  This giveaway ends Monday, May 9.

Marcia's Crafty Sewing and Quilting Blog is having a giveaway.  Marcia is giving away 3 gorgeous Orange Flowers Note Cards that she made.  The winner will be drawn on Sunday, May 8.

Quiltville's Quips and Snips is having a giveaway.  You could win one of two Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks, Volume 3.  Winners will be drawn on the morning of Saturday, May 7.

Connecting Threads is having a giveaway.  You could win either a copy of  Fanciful Stitches Colorful Quilts from C&T Publishing or 2 Batik stacks.  This giveaway ends Wednesday, May 11, at midnight PST.

We Love Quilting is having a May giveaway.  They are giving away a big box of  fabric and a few surprise items.  You have all month to enter.

Applique Addict is celebrating her 200th post with a giveaway.  You could win one of 2 stacks of goodies - one for appliquers and one for piecers.  Marjorie will draw the winners on Sunday, May 8.

FabricWorm is having their weekly giveaway.  This week you could win a new Megumi Sakakibara 24" Panel.  The giveaway will end Monday, May 9, at 8:30 am PST.

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FINAL THOUGHT

The piles in my sewing room are growing once again.  Why is it that I can't seem to keep things put completely away for more than, oh say, 24 hours?  Unless we have overnight visitors and then the piles may stay put for 48 hours or more.  I have a pile on my sewing table, another pile on my cutting table, and yet another pile on my computer desk.  And, would you believe, I've even started a pile on my printer.  The piles appear be mostly scraps with an occasional pattern thrown in there, too.  I wish I were like the shoemaker in the Grimm Brother's fairy tales.  That way, when I would go to bed at night, special little people would come in and make everything neat and tidy for me to find in the morning.  Wouldn't that be great?  But no such luck.  I really don't like the clutter but I also don't like having to take time away from sewing to deal with the piles.  Maybe that will be on my endless 'to do' list over the weekend.....but then maybe the piles will have grown by Monday.  Only time will tell :D

A clean house is the sign of a boring person.
~Author Unknown

Today is Thursday - enjoy what life gives you!

35 comments:

A.J. Dub. (Amy) said...

I love your mat. I am sending the link to a friend of mine to see if she wants to use that style for her placemats. I am teaching her to quilt.
Thanks for sharing that!

Sallie said...

Good morning! I agree with your opening quote. LOL The mat you made your mom is very pretty! Great idea to use Insul-Bright for putting hot things on it! I also like your closing quote. Also, remember that dust is a protective covering for furniture. Have a great day, Linda!

And this would be . . . . said...

Oh my what a morning. I started reading and when I realize what you had in your mouth, I tried to scroll down to skip. well, my computer froze and I could not skip! I just kept seeing that evil word "earwig"....I shiver just typing it.

Love your mat. It is so cheery. We have had a week of fog so it is nice to see something cheery. Hope the rest of your day improves.

Staci said...

Oh My Goodness! I've still go the heebie jeebies! What a horrible, horrible way to start the day!
It can only get better from here on out!

I came into my sewing room a little after 4 this morning and was struck by the same thing--piles! Where did they all come from? Just 2 days ago there were no piles at all! Got to spend a little time making the piles disappear before I sew a stitch today!

Vroomans' Quilts said...

WHat a way to start the morning! And then next is oysters, yuck! But I love pearls. The floral in your mat is just too much and you coordinated with it wonderfully - if your Mum doesn't like it, you can send it to me. Your birdies are coming along beautifully. Good for you in staying on top of them. I am trying to be better about 'piles' accuming about. Actually putting projects bits into pretty baskets - makes that pile look better! And I must be a real exciting person because my house in NOT clean. Enjoy your day.

Linda said...

What an awful way to become alert in the morning! I prefer my cup of coffee!
We are also celebrating Cinco de Mayo here in Texas. I had to make a Tres Leches cake for my husband to take to work. (people love them, but I say yuck, gag! - nothing appealing to me about cake soaked in milk! Of course, I don't like milk so that may be why!) Mexican food is my favorite, so I hope I don't offend anyone with that comment!

Sarah Craig said...

I absolutely love your closing quote - I may need to print that out and mount it on my wall!!! Sorry about your evil morning wakeup.... but your table mat is beautiful! Your mom will love it!!!

nono said...

I don't even know what an earwig is, and I'm not going to Google it, because it doesn't sound pretty. Hoping your day get better!

Coloradolady said...

I have been working on my house organization too! The sewing room was the focus yesterday. I have decided I need to use up lots of fabric before I buy anymore!!!

Thank you so much for the anniversary wishes! And congrats on yours later this year. A lot of time has past, but it does not feel like it has at the same time.

We had a good day!! Have a great day and a wonderful weekend.

rubyslipperz1052 said...

Oh...piles? YEP! I'm the Queen of piles!...wait, that didn't sound too good, did it? I meant the kind of piles that you described in today's blog. =P

A saying to add...a "clever mind...is rarely tidy"! Or, how about "housework rots the mind"?

I love your posts!

hugZ,
annie
rubyslipperz106.blogspot.com

Needled Mom said...

Now that is one nasty way to start the day. It can only go uphill from there!!!

Your mom's mat looks great and I am loving the cute stitchery. I need to get going on mine.

I'll celebrate oysters with you today!!

I loved the opening quote. So true. The last one is true as well.

robin said...

Ewwww - cannot get over your earwig experience! Nasty! Bleahhhh!!! What a way to wake up! ;)

Anonymous said...

I agree with all the other comments! What a terrible beginning to your day...hope the rest is MUCH MUCH better!
Love the mat for your mom; she will love it, I'm sure. And your closing quote is one I need to post on my fridge! :)
Jacque in SC
quiltnsrep(at)yahoo(dot)com

Pamela Kieffer said...

I really liked everything in your blog today. If you find the guys that work for the shoemaker ask them if they don't have a couple of friends to send my way. I'll leave them delicious snacks.

Cheryl said...

Yuk, earwigs! I woke to a rattlesnake in my courtyard yesterday.
At least we both now know we are not boring!

Apple Avenue Quilts said...

What an awful start to your morning.I hope tomorrow starts better. I love both your beginning and ending quote. I'm not an early morning person. I'm retired and so I don't have to be. As much as I hate to admit it, I must be a fairly interesting person if the ending quote holds true.
Your table mat is lovely. I'll bet your Mom loves it. Although you had a rough start, I hope the rest of your day is lovely!

Sandra :) said...

Ummmmmm you're not supposed to drink earwigs. You're supposed to BAKE them - sheesh!!! :D Hopefully the rest of your day goes better, LOL.

Your mom's tablemat is very pretty and springy - and done in time, too - congratulations! I like the embroidery too - I should send the link to my friend who embroiders - sometimes I get gifted her embroidered creations ;)

Lana said...

HooooooRAAAAAAYYYYY! I AM NOT A BORING PERSON!!!!
I haven't cleaned up my sewing room since all the push for my sale in March!!! MARCH!
Maybe tonight I will brave it!

Joanna said...

I hate earwigs! Poor you. You made your mother a beautiful mat.

Kim D. said...

Yucky! Sorry your morning started out bad and hope the day goes better. Love the mat you made for your mother, I bet she loves it too. Your Birdie stitches BOM is adorable. I printed out a few patterns, but haven't started this one yet. I should go print out the patterns while I can. I'm not sure if you have to pay for this one later like some of BOMs. Thanks for sharing the interesting facts on the oyster.

Winona said...

Oh goodness, Linda. I am still shivering. Yuck! Your mother's table mat is beautiful. I know she will love it. I also hear you about piles. I have fabric, projects, and patterns in little piles all over the place.

Kira said...

How did it start? The 2 year old threw up on the 9 year old moments before it was time to leave for school. We were late.

Robin (RsIslandCrafts) said...

Ewww! How did that nasty thing get into the water bottle? That's what would be on my mind all day.

Your Mom's table mat looks wonderful. Greta colors. When I make gifts like that I try to find a backing that is different than the top. That way if they don't really care for the colors or design then they can always flip it over.

I grew up eating lots of oysters, mostly raw and I love them!

Impera Magna said...

My start to the morning wasn't anywhere near as "exciting" as yours... and if your mom doesn't like the table mat... I'll be happy to take it off your hands!

*wink*

Leslie said...

eewwww ick earwigs! Well that does certainly wake one up. I woke up to looking in the mirror and remembering that yesterday I got my hair cut really short. Wasn't sure for a moment that it was me. I also downloaded that cute bird pattern. You've reminded me that I need to get it transferred to fabric so I can work on it.

Oysters - yuck. Mexican Food - YUM!

~Carla~ said...

Your mother will love the table runner! It's gorgeous! :) I made one for my mom too, it's on my blog if you want a peek! :)

Deborah in Atlanta said...

As always, I love all your quilting items. And I know I'm not a boring person because I certainly don't have a clean house. That's one of the reasons I don't want to retire - everybody would expect me to keep my house clean if I don't have a 9-5 job (or in my case a 6-2:30 job).

GerryART said...

Geez, Loouise, the hair on my arms are still standing. Yuk! ! !

Your Snap Sack from Bluebirds Wing is just so wonderful for a Mother's Day present.
Your MOM will be Tickled Pink! !
hugs
Gerry

Megan Harmeyer said...

*hides* I'm too tired to read the whole post but the earwig experience made me laugh. Ugh! Gross. I like the mat you're giving Gram - I hope she likes it.

Gene Black said...

I hope your Mom likes the table mat, I think it looks great. My mom has a lap quilt I made on her sofa and about half the time she has the back turned out. When I questioned her, she said "But the fabric on the back is pretty too." Ha ha. you never know with mothers.

Sheila said...

Pin and green is so pretty together. Your mother will love it.
Your needle work is lovely.

Shannon said...

YUCKY!! I am so sorry that that happened to you. You described perfectly what I would do with the stomping and rubbing arms. As far as piles I bought a very large container from Walmart that had cheese puffs in it. I keep it by my sewing machine and put all my bits and pieces in it. I will just need to sort and put away once in a while, well ok when it is full. LOL!!

Nancy said...

OOOOh. I hope you have a better start on Friday.

Miss Hillbilly said...

Your beginning quote and ending quote are both wonderful and made me smile!

Crafty Sewing said...

Thanks Linda for listing my Photo Quilt Note Cards!

I really enjoy following your blog!

Having fun in May!

Marcia

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