It's Party Time!

The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree: the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other.
~Burton Hillis

Every time I look at the calender I'm a little surprised how close Christmas is.  I think I have all of my shopping done and am only waiting on a few more things to be delivered.  Next I have all the wrapping to do.  Hopefully I will get some wrapping done this weekend - at least the ones that need to be sent to our daughter's family in New Mexico.  We thought about having Amazon wrap the packages and then have them sent directly to her but it was going to cost around $60 to have that done and then there were a couple that wouldn't be wrapped because they were being shipped directly from the seller. (Wow, that sentence was way too long - lol!)   I think we can beat that price in shipping alone.  Maybe I can convince DH to help with the wrapping - he does a beautiful job.  Are all of your gifts wrapped, sent and/or under the tree?

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LITTLE FACT OF THE DAY

Christmas Cards

Today is Christmas Card Day!
Christmas Cards originally started as letters sent from school children to their families around the holidays. Christmas Cards as we know them today began to be seen after the invention of the steam press in the 1840s.
The first cards printed in England specifically for use at Christmas were designed by John Horsley in 1843 and were sold at Felix Summerly's Home Treasury Office. They featured the greeting, "A Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to You."
The first signs of people mailing cards to each other in the United States occurred around 1845. Until 1875 Americans had to import their Christmas Cards from Europe, but in 1875 that changed when a German immigrant by the name of Louis Prang published the first line of U.S. Christmas Cards.

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DECEMBER FINALLY FINISHED

I finally finished my December mini quilt and was able to put Mr Turkey away......

Santa was a fun little quilt to make.  It ended up measuring 12 1/2" X 12 1/2".  His cheeks are supposed to be rosy and created with crayons but I don't have any crayons in the house :(  This is a pattern from Count On It by Nancy Halvorsen.  Santa is hanging on his wire stand ready to greet everyone who enters our home.

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IT'S BLOG HOP PARTY TIME!

This giveaway is now closed!

Michele over at Quilting Gallery has organized a great Blog Hop Party again this year.  Last I looked, there were over 200 participants!  That's a lot of giveaways!  I'm participating, too.  What am I giving away?  Well, how about........

A Connecting Threads table runner kit!  The pattern is called Louisa May Table Runner and measures 16" X 32".  Included with the pattern is.......

this gorgeous assortment of fabric.  There are five fat quarters (hmmmm....I see one didn't get in the picture but it is in the package) plus two 1/2 yard cuts of the fabric on the right.  This is enough fabric to make the completed table runner - top, bottom and binding.

How can you win?  Simple!  Just leave me one comment telling me what you will be serving for Christmas dinner.  My answer would be - "I don't serve Christmas dinner.  We always go over to my SIL's and I ALWAYS bring the fruit salad ambrosia".

RULES

1.  Only one comment per person. 

2.  You must leave me a way to contact you.  If you are a No-Reply blogger, then please leave your email address in  your comment.  If I can't reach you, you CAN NOT win.  If you are unsure if you are No-Reply blogger, check out the info in my left sidebar.

3. This giveaway is open to everyone - yes, that means internationally.

3.  This giveaway will end on Saturday, December 17, at 4:00 pm PST.  The winner will be announced on Sunday, December 18, no later than noon.

After you have entered my giveaway, remember to click on the link above or HERE to take you to all of the other giveaways.  The list of links will be available Saturday morning, shortly after midnight.  Happy blog hopping!!

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TODAY'S GOAL

Today I hope to start cutting fabric for my Gardener's Journal quilt

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GIVEAWAYS
(These are not part of the Blog Hop Party)

Dye Candy is having a giveaway.  You could win a copy of The Wedding Quilt by Jennifer Chiaverini or Chris's stained glass snowflake ornament or a $25.00 credit toward the purchase of Chris's quilt jewelry pieces or hand dyed fabrics from my Dye Candy shop.  This giveaway ends Saturday, December 10, at 7:00 pm.

The Q and the U is having a giveaway.  You could win a signed copy of Riel's novel The Town That Drowned.  This giveaway ends Sunday, December 11, at 7:00 pm AST.

Art Nest is having a giveaway.  You could win a quilt made by Susannah on her new machine.  This giveaway ends towards the end of December.

Notions is having a giveaway.  You could win two fat quarter samplers of Just Desserts from Connecting Threads.  This giveaway ends Sunday, December 11, at 11:59 pm.

I Have A Notion is having a giveaway.  You could win a signed copy of Square-agonals or a Square-agonals pattern.  This giveaway ends Monday, December 12.

Toad U Sew is having a giveaway.  You could win a Blue and White Triplets Kit.  This giveaway ends Monday, December 12.

McCall's Quilting is having a giveaway.  You could win a fat quarter pack of Moda Christmas-themed fabrics.  This giveaway ends Monday, December 12.

Quilt Hollow is having a giveaway.  You could win two patterns from the designer, Debbie Allen.  This giveaway ends Sunday, December 11.

Hawthorne Threads is having their weekly giveaway.  You could win  a Mod Tod fat quarter bundle.  This giveaway ends Wednesday, December 14.

American Quilting is having a giveaway.  You could win six Christmas fat quarters.  This giveaway ends Wednesday, December 14, at midnight.

Canton Village Quilt Works is having a giveaway.  You could win 11 fat quarters of Kaffe Fassett's Aboriginal Dot fabric.  This giveaway ends Sunday night, December 11.

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FINAL THOUGHT

Winter Flowers

I reckon being ill as one of the great pleasures of life, provided one is not too ill and is not obliged to work till one is better.
~Samuel Butler, The Way of All Flesh, 1903


Thank you all for your kind thoughts and words on my Monday post.  Being sick is just the pits!  I'm not feverish, just wiped out from all the coughing.  I'm sore from mid thigh to my jaw.  I found some meds that work fairly well during the day at keeping the coughing to a minimum.  But nighttime is another story.  It takes over an hour for the meds to start working and by then I feel like I've coughed up a lung and swallowed razor blades.  I have a doctor's appointment this morning so maybe he will be able to give me something - something stronger for at night.  Oh well, you don't want to hear my tales of woe.  I'm still sewing and managed to complete all but one of my swaps and all of my bees!  Time to get to the sewing machine!

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LITTLE FACT OF THE DAY

Chaos

Today, November 9, is celebrated as National Chaos Never Dies Day.  Today reaffirms what many of us busy folk already knew: chaos never dies. Your hectic life will always be hectic, your days always filled with turmoil. But before you go screaming really loud into a pillow, just remember, chaos is our friend! It keeps us on our toes, brings us exciting surprises, and some scientists theorize it's the reason we're all here in the first place.

I don't know that this a day I want to celebrate.  How about you?

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HEXAGON FLOWERS

I had to blog today, if for no other reason that it is One Flower Wednesday......

I'm already out of Thanksgiving fabric so decided to go with nature.  I'm not a big fan of mushrooms but thought these little, red speckled shrooms were rather cute. 

And since cooler temperatures have finally arrived, I thought it was time to bring out some cold weather themed flowers.  Aren't this chubby dancing penguins cute?

Thanks to Karen (Journey of a Quilter) you can access all sorts of hexie flowers out there by clicking HERE.  Thanks, Karen!

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NOVEMBER

Here it is the ninth day of the month and I still haven't shared my little mini quilt for November!  Well, it's time to remedy that........

Gobble, gobble, gobble.  This is called Who Me? and the pattern comes from The Wooden Bear, and measures 12" square.   Mr. Tom is proudly being displayed in my entry way.  At least this is one little turkey that's safe from being eaten on Thanksgiving.

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TODAY'S GOAL

Hopefully to get better.  But also to start sewing the Loving Hands quilts.

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GIVEAWAYS

Happy Cottage Quilter is having a giveaway.  You could win a Beam N Read.  This giveaway ends Monday, November 14.

It's Sew Kiki is having a giveaway.  You could win a Daisy Cottage Rolie Polie.  This giveaway ends Saturday, November 12.

Stitches and etc is having a giveaway.  You could win MyMemories software.  This giveaway ends Tuesday, November 15.

Alderwood Quilts is having a giveaway.  You could win a a pattern by Karla Alexander (Saginaw Street Quilt Company).  This giveaway ends Thursday, December 1.

Annie's Ruby Slipperz is having her weekly Mystery Monday giveaway.  You could win 5 fat quarters.  This giveaway ends Saturday, November 12, at midnight.

World of Charity Stitching is having a giveaway.  You could win your choice of 4 pdf patterns from Gingercake Patterns.  This giveaway ends Monday, November 14.

Quilting Along The Gorge is having a giveaway.  You could win a package of Pinmoors, a charm pack or two, some pins, and a little chocolate, too.  This giveaway ends Saturday, November 12.

The House Of Wilson is having a giveaway.  You could win a quilt pattern, TV Squares, and a charm pack.  This giveaway ends Saturday, November 12, at 9:00 pm AEST.

Ellison Lane Quilts is having a giveaway.  You could win a bundle of In The Beginning fabric.  This giveaway ends Friday, November 11.

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FINAL THOUGHT

I'm Ready For October!

For man, autumn is a time of harvest, of gathering together. For nature, it is a time of sowing, of scattering abroad. 
~Edwin Way Teale

It's the last day of September!  Are you ready for October?  I would be if the weather would ever cool down.  I'm hoping that Mother Nature will take another look at the calender and send a cooling trend our way.  I'm tired of it being in the 90's every day.  Not a single leaf is changing color and I believe the birds are all staying around waiting for it to cool before heading south.  It's time for sweatshirts and hands in pockets to stay warm.  It's wrong to be going to football games in shorts and light weight t-shirts.  I want cool weather - darn it!  Have the temps dropped in your area to welcome it the fall?

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LITTLE FACT OF THE DAY

Sticks of chewing gum

Today, September 30, is Chewing Gum Day.  I haven't chewed gum in years - it messes with my dental work.  But I thought it would be fun to share some facts about that little wad of gooey goodness.

* During WWII, U.S. military personnel spread the popularity of chewing gum by trading it and giving it as gifts to people in Europe, Africa, Asia and around the world.

* Chewing on gum while cutting onions can help a person from producing tears

* The largest bubble ever blown was 23 inches in diameter. The record was set July 19, 1994 by Susan Montgomery Williams of Fresno, CA

* Singapore has tried to completely forbid gum, with heavy fines of over $6,000 for possession or use without a prescription.

* Chewing gum burns around 11 calories per hour.

* In the U.S. alone, the total amount of chewing gum sold in one year would make a stick 3.5 million miles (5.6 million km) long. That’s long enough to reach the moon and back seven times or to circle the earth’s equator 150 times

* The largest piece of bubble gum ever was the size and weight of 10,000 regular pieces and was presented to baseball player Willie Mays by the Topps Chewing Gum Company in June 1974.

* Back in the 1920’s, prohibition increased gum sales because people needed to mask the alcohol on their breath. When prohibition was enacted, Adam’s Clove gum hit the market with the slogan: “It takes your breath away!”

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OCTOBER TABLE RUNNER

For just over a week I worked on the wool table runner for my side board.....

First I worked on the ends creating the scene for fall....

And, of course, I had to add a little owl sitting in the tree.....

Here's one end of the runner.  I just love the falling leaves....

(oh my, I just realized I put Stitched on the photo instead of Stitches - stupid me!)

And here is the entire runner.  It was actually supposed to be two inches longer (36 inches) making more space in the center but when I washed the wool it shrank much more than expected.  It actually fits my sideboard a little better with the 2 inches missing.  The table runner pattern is by Nutmeg Hare and is called #48 An Autumn Mood.  One fall project completed!

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OCTOBER MINI QUILT

Earlier this week I finished the little mini quilt for October.....

I had bought this pattern back at the Long Beach Quilt Show in July.  When I saw it I knew I had to have it.  It is already hanging on its stand in the entryway ready to greet all who enter.

Here is a close-up of the tiny meandering I did.  There's only a couple of pointy spots and one or two places where I stitched over previous stitching.  Luckily it's small enough that most people won't notice the mistakes.  This little pattern is by The Wooden Bear Quilt Designs and is called October Scare.

Woohoo!  I'm all ready for October with one day to spare!!

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FREE MOTION PRACTICE

Since I forgot to share any of my FMQ with you on Wednesday, you now have to suffer through 3.....

Peppermint Candy showed me that I need to practice my circles.  Can you tell where I sneezed twice during this practice?  Second and fourth row right in the center.  LOL!  Allergies are a real pain when you are concentrating and then sneeze without warning.  It also made me want some peppermint candy :)

I really enjoyed this practice.  Flame Flower didn't require as much precision and  you could make the petals fit as you went.  I can see using this in a quilt somewhere.

Thursday's practice looks much better at a distance.  I liked the effect of Pointy Paisley but I'm not sure where I would use it on a quilt.  Some of lines could have been straighter and the corner points a bit pointier.

Now that I will be taking a week off from sewing, I hope my fmq skills don't get too rusty.

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TODAY'S GOAL

Today I'm going to enjoy my DD#1 and GS#2!!!!!!  I think I can achieve today's goal without  any difficulty.

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GIVEAWAYS

Sunshower Quilts is having a giveaway.  You could win all the fabric you'll need for your own fall table-runner.  This giveaway ends Sunday, October 2.

Make Life Sweet is having a giveaway.  You could win some pre-cuts of Hometown.  This giveaway ends Monday, October 3.

World of Charity Stitching is having a giveaway.  You could win a $25 gift certificates from Vee at VeeandCo Cross Stitch Designs.  This giveaway ends Friday, October 7.

Craizee Corners is having a giveaway.  You could win 4 fat quarters of breast cancer awareness fabric and 4 appliqued ribbons cut with the Accuquilt die.  This giveaway ends Saturday, October 1.


Quilting by the River is having a giveaway.  You could win Maple Leaf Centerpiece kit created by Connie.  This giveaway ends Sunday, October 2.

Hawthorne Threads is having their weekly giveaway.  You could win a Lizzy House Outfoxed charm pack.  This giveaway ends Wednesday, October 5.

Lavender Ridge is having a giveaway.  You could win the very first edition of Primitive Quilts and Projects, summer 2011, and maybe some extra fat quarters.  This giveaway ends Monday, October 10.

Cotton Cocktails is having a giveaway.  You could win a Moda Summer House charm pack.  This giveaway ends Thursday, October 6.

Happy Cottage Quilter is having a giveaway.  You could win forty 5" charm squares, a Granny's Flower Patch Charm Template, a Pyramid Charm Template, thread, 3/4 yard of fabric, and quilters pins with a cute little tin to keep them in.  This giveaway ends Sunday, October 2.


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FINAL THOUGHT

As you head into October you will be doing it without me.  I will be taking a brief break from blogging to enjoy the time with my DD#1 and GS#2.  I will return on Monday, October 10.  I will miss sharing my life with you but I'm sure you understand if I plan on very little computer time.  Enjoy the first third of the month and I will be back with you soon.

Laughter is an instant vacation. 
~Milton Berle

Let's Have A Go! Cutter Giveaway

A truly happy person is one who can enjoy the scenery while on a detour.
~Author Unknown

WOOHOO!  Good news about my sewing machine troubles.  Wednesday morning I figured out what was wrong.  DH and I were going over all of the possibilities during breakfast and he suggested maybe it was the foot control.  I didn't think that could possibly be the cause.........or could it.  First I disconnected the foot control from the machine and then turned it on.  Okay - it didn't start stitching by itself and it didn't blink messages at me to lower my needle or pressure foot.  I carefully placed a piece of fabric under the needle, lowered the pressure foot and lowered the needle.   Whew!  So far so good.  I tentatively pressed the Start/Stop button and it immediately began to stitch.  Pressed the button again and it stopped - right where it was supposed to.  Well, at least I can sew on my regular Janome, I thought.  As I was stitching away pressing the Start/Stop button (which is really a pain, by the way) I thought about switching out the foot control from my little Janome to the bigger Janome.  As I'm doing this my immediate thought was that they probably aren't interchangeable since the pressure feet aren't.  Low and behold - it fit.  Ever so slowly I stepped on the peddle....stitch after stitch at the speed I was pressing.  I lifted my foot off of the control and it actually stopped!  As many of you suggested (I later learned when reading the comments) it was all being caused by a faulty foot control.  I have a new one arriving in the mail by early next week.  DH said he will take apart the old one and see if he can fix it for a back up.  I'm so glad it was something so simple and I even managed to avoid a diagnostic fee!  I've been sewing ever since - and under my control, not the machine doing what it wants.  Thank you all for your words of comfort and for all of the suggested remedies!!

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PHOTO FACT OF THE DAY

Bowling

Saturday, September 3, is National Bowling League Day.  Many moons ago I used to bowl but never belonged to a league.  I even had my own shoes and a pretty blue 6.5 pound ball.  Now I bowl on Wii and do pretty darn well - lol!  Here are a few facts about bowling:

*  Bowling balls were made out of wood until the early 1900s.

*  The first indoor bowling lanes were built in New York City in 1840.
* A bowling ball weights between 2,7 to 7,3 kilograms.
*  The United States Bowling Congress has more than 2,5 million members.
*  The largest bowling center is located in Japan and has 141 lanes.
*  The origins of bowling can be traced about 4,000 years back to Rome and Greece.
*  A bowling pin is made from hard Maple with a plastic coating.
*  Three strikes in a row is called a Turkey.  The term originated in the 1800s when at holiday time, the first member of a team to score three strikes in a row won a free turkey

If you run out of things to do over the Labor Day weekend - go out for bowling.  It's good family fun and indoors where the temperate is controlled for comfort.

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SEPTEMBER IS HERE

Yesterday was the start of another month.  Hard to believe we are in the 9th month of the year already.  I couldn't let the month start without hanging up a new mini quilt......

This pattern came from the book Count On It by Nancy Halvorsen.  As you can see, I satin stitched around the applique pieces this time.  The colors aren't quite as light as they appear, the sun sort of washed out the colors a bit.  This is now hanging in my entryway for the month of September.

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A WIN FOR ME

A couple of weeks ago I was the happy winner of a giveaway held by The House on the Side of the Hill.  Melody was giving away a $25 gift voucher to Want It, Need It, Quilt and I won!  There were several things to choose between and I finally decided on......

the Superior Threads Frosted Donut II.  I already had the first donut and love having all of those wonderful colors when stitching my hexagons together or for hand applique work.  There are a bunch of new colors in this second donut.  A girl can never have enough colors of thread.  And Jane included the cute little 2 1/2" charm pack of Antique Fair by Blackbird Designs.  Thank you so much, Melody, for having such a great giveaway!!

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MORE PRACTICE

Since my machine is back up and running smoothly, I was able to keep up with my FMQ practice.

Matrix Rays was a rather easy practice but allowed me to work on even spacing.  Boy, the black material I used sure doesn't photograph well.

Here was another fun practice - once I finally figured out what I had to do - lol!  My best row of Spiral Vines is the third from the left.  This might be a fun FMQ to use in a sashing.

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WHO DOESN'T WANT A GO! BABY CUTTER?!?

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED

If you should be one of the few who don't want to have an AccuQuilt Go! Baby Cutter and your choice of 3 dies, then please skip this section. 

AccuQuilt is allowing me to have a giveaway!!!!  You could win a GO! Baby Cutter and your choice of 3 dies.  I have had a lot of fun with mine and use it all the time for cutting out hexagons and applique pieces.  You can see my little tutorial HERE.    How can you enter to win, you ask?  I'm going to make it very simple.  Just answer this one question:

What 3 dies will you select if you win?

Hop on over to AccuQuilt and check out the Go! Baby compatible dies and then come back here and leave a comment.  Only one comment per person.

Rules:

1.  I must have a way to contact you!  If you are a no-reply blogger you must leave leave me an email in your comment or you will be not be included in the drawing.

2.  This giveaway is open to absolutely everyone!!!  International, domestic, foreign, whatever or wherever.

3.  Only ONE comment per person

4.  You Do Not have to be a follower, but if you like what you see, I would  welcome you to become a new follower.

5.  This giveaway will end Monday, September 12, at 6:00 am PST.  I will announce the winner later that same day.

Good luck!!!  I will not be responding to these comments but will be reading each and every one :)

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TODAY'S GOAL

Today I will finish hand sewing on the bindings to two Loving Hands quilts

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GIVEAWAYS

Lucky Duck Dreams is having a giveaway.  You could win some great scraps that Colleen has left over from the most recent quilts she has completed.  This giveaway ends Wednesday, September 7, at 5:00 pm.

Color Crazy is having a giveaway.  You could win an autographed copy of the new “Locking Loops” book along with a wonderful variety of supplies valued at over $120.00.  This giveaway ends Friday, September 23.

World of Charity Stitching is having a giveaway.  You could win a $50 gift certificate to Fat Quarter Shop.  This giveaway ends Friday, September 16.

FabricWorm is having their weekly giveaway.  You could win 5 lovely Fat Quarters from the Monaluna Sew Happy Collection.  This giveaway ends Monday, September 5, at 8:30 am PST.

One Shabby Chick is having a giveaway.  You could win a fat quarter bundle of the Sunset Garden colorway - 14 fat quarters.  This giveaway ends Monday, September 5.

One More Quilt is having a giveaway.  You could win Christmas fabrics.  This giveaway ends Sunday, September 4.

Sweet P Quilting is having a giveaway.  You could win a package of Stitching Lines plus Paulette throw a few more goodies into the hat to sweeten up the win.  This giveaway ends Sunday, September 4.

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FINAL THOUGHT

Do you have big plans for the long weekend?  Or are you one of the unfortunate ones that actually have to work on Labor Day?  We don't have big plans.  My daughter and SIL will arrive tomorrow morning and stay until after dinner on Sunday.  They haven't been up in a few months and it will be nice to be able to sit and catch up with them.  We will also be having my mother and sister over for dinner on Saturday - barbecue tri-tip, corn on the cob, salad of some sort and fresh fruit and ice cream for dessert.  Pretty much the normal fair for a summer holiday.  The rest of the weekend is open and hopefully Monday will be a day of rest for DH.  He has been extremely busy at work (which is a good thing being in the building industry) and could use the down time.  Here's hoping you all have a wonderful and safe weekend! Enjoy!

If all the cars in the United States were placed end to end, it would probably be Labor Day Weekend. ~Doug Larson

A Squishy & A Mini

There are three kinds of death in this world. There's heart death, there's brain death, and there's being off the network.
~Guy Almes

Yesterday morning I was having trouble with our main computer.  I could not find the top of my blog page where you sign in (the blogger navigation bar).  I broke out in a sweat.  How can I read my blogs?  How can I write my blog for the day?  What about my Swap and Bee?  I restarted the computer.  That didn't help.  I reset it back to an earlier day.  And then I remembered the lap top.  Oh, thank goodness!  The sign in bar was there and so my day could begin.  My stomach was turning into knots - I was almost stick to my stomach.  Isn't that strange?  All because I couldn't get into my blog?  I just goes to show how much I enjoy working on my blog and how lost I would feel if I could no longer communicate with all of my blogger friends. I'm so glad you are all still here!!
P.S. Resetting the computer to an earlier day fixed the main computer - whew!

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PHOTO FACT OF THE DAY

Fireworks

I am sure many of you will celebrating the 4th of July by attending your local fireworks show.  Or, maybe, you will be putting on your own display.  While you wait for the cover of darkness to enjoy the festive display, perhaps you would like to be able to share a few facts about fireworks with friends and family:
* The first fireworks were probably made in China, around 2,000 years ago. Chinese crackers, as they are known, are still used in China today to celebrate weddings, births and religious festivals - and to scare away evil spirits!
* The first recorded fireworks in England were at the wedding of King Henry VII in 1486.
* The word for firework in Japanese, 'hanabi', means 'fire-flower'.
* The first fireworks recorded in America were set off by an Englishman, Captain John Smith, famous in the story of Pocahontas.
* Three sparklers burning together generate the same heat as a blow-torch.
* The world's largest single firework was set off at a festival in Japan in 1988. The shell weighed over half a tonne and the burst was over a kilometre across.
* Disney World has more than 1,000 fireworks shows every year.
* Workers who make firecrackers have to be sure to wear an ensemble that is entirely cotton, lest static electricity generated by their clothing set off the fireworks.
* At first, the only colours that could be produced by fireworks was orange and white. However some Italian scientists managed to create more colours by adding different types of salt into it.

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SQUISHY FROM ILLINOIS

Yesterday, my mailman brought me a squishy envelope.  In this envelope was......

This wonderful block from Jorie.  I love the bold red with the subtle blue and the clean crisp white.  But wait!  Not only did Jorie make this wonderful block above but she also made.......

This amazing block!  I have not tackled circles yet and I think Jorie did a great job on this block.  I love both the design and the fabrics.  Thank you so very much, Jorie, for two such beautiful blocks for the June Block Swap Adventure!!

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MY NEW MINI

Yesterday I finished up my monthly mini quilt to hang in my entry for the month of July.......

At the top you will find this little dragonfly. 

A little further down is this little butterfly just fluttering around.

And if you look carefully, you might just see this little caterpillar climbing up a flower stock.

And here is the entire mini scene.  This little quilt is called June Bugs and is from The Wooden Bear Quilt Designs.   I know that this isn't their July pattern but who else is going to know that except you and me.  I think it will work just fine for July.  Do you like my straight line quilting?

And for a final look, here it is on it's stand in my entryway.  I think this is my favorite of all the mini monthly quilts I have made :)

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TODAY'S GOAL

Today I am going to work on some NICU baby quilts for my quilt guild.

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GIVEAWAYS

Hanging On By A Needle And Thread is having a giveaway.  Here is another chance to win a Beam n Read.  Susan will draw a winner on Saturday, July 2.

Blueberry Patch is having a giveaway.  You could win a half meter each of Strawberry Fields in Robin's Egg and Henna Gardens in leaf both from Sandi Henderson's Meadowsweet 2.  A winner will be drawn on Tuesday, July 5.

Bejeweled Quilts By Barb is having a giveaway.  You could win a Beam n Read.  Barb will draw a winner on Saturday, July 2.

Joy Of Quilting is having a giveaway.  You could win Slice Fabrique Cordless Digital Design Cutter.  This giveaway ends Monday, July 22.

Butternut Street is having a giveaway.  You could win a Penny Lane 1/2 yard bundle; 2 1/2 yards total.  This giveaway ends Tuesday, July 5.

Just a few more days for you to enter MY VACATION GIVEAWAY.  You could win a wonderful table runner kit from Connecting Threads and a darling pair of embroidery scissors.
 
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FINAL THOUGHT

We will be staying home for the long 4th of July weekend.  Away from the crowds and the noise and off the busy highways and freeways.  It promises to be blistering hot with a predicted high of 108 F. on Monday.  We will be staying indoors under the A/C and whirling ceiling fans.  We will also be staying home to protect our home from any errant flying fireworks - you know, the kind that are illegal here.  We have already had a least 3 aerial fireworks shot off in the wee hours of the morning (2:00 am and 4:00 am).  As we lay in bed on Monday night listening to a neighborhood that sounds like a war zone, the dogs will be sleeping, oblivious to the noise and flashing lights.  And right beside them will be my DH, snoring away the hours.  Me?  I will be wide awake waiting for that unseen danger that might land on our roof or on one of our neighbors.  Or maybe the dry grass across the street will go up in flames.  Finally about 1 or 2 o'clock I may finally get to sleep.  Can you tell I'm a little paranoid about the fireworks around here?  How will you be celebrating the 4th?
 
Those who won our independence believed liberty to be the secret of happiness and courage to be the secret of liberty.
~Louis D. Brandeis

Buzzzzzzzz

For love of country they accepted death...
~James A. Garfield

WOW!  I can't believe it's already Friday.  How did that happen?  Another week just flew by.  And aren't we lucky to have a three day weekend.  Let us not forget why so many of us have Monday off from work.  It is a day of remembrance for those who have died in service to our nation.  There will be parades and services to honor our fallen service men and woman who gave their lives so that we can live free.  At our house, we will proudly fly our flag in honor of those who gave their lives and observe a moment of silence.  We will also gather with friends and enjoy a BBQ to mark this holiday.  How will  you celebrate Memorial Day?

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PHOTO FACT OF THE DAY

Knock On Wood

Have you ever used a saying and wondered where, how or why it originated?  That happened to me yesterday when I was leaving a comment - "Knock on wood, that has not happened to me yet".  I became curious and this is what I found.  There are several theories about the origin of this very common practice. One goes back to the child's game of `tag.' In one version of this game the child who is able to touch a tree, thereby touching wood, is free from capture.  Another notion is that `knocking on wood' goes far back into ancient times, when spirits were thought to live in trees. So should danger threaten, simply rap on the trunk of a tree and summon up the aid of the good spirit within.  There is an Irish belief that you `knock on wood' to let the leprechauns know that you are thanking them for a bit of good luck.  A Jewish version says it originated during the Spanish Inquisition under Torquemada during the 1490s. During that time Jews were in flight and since temples and synagogues were built of wood, they evolved a code to use in knocking on doors to gain admission. Since this resulted in lives being saved, it became commonplace to `knock on wood' for good luck.  Do you have another theory how 'knock on wood' came about?

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MONTHLY MINI QUILT

Yesterday I spent most of the day working on my monthly mini quilt for June.

I probably should have used slightly brighter fabrics for the U and the N but it is what it is.  It's done and I didn't have to cram to get it made before the first.  I actually finished 6 days ahead this time.  The stinger and antenna are hand embroidered with DMC #310.  This mini quilt is from Count On It by Nancy Halvorsen. I'm not real wild about this design but it will do for this year.

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DARLING FAT QUARTER

A squishy was waiting for me in yesterday's mail.....

My friend, Barbara, of Cat Patches, sent me the adorable fat quarter.  I don't know what I like more - the bright colors or the little paw prints scattered around.  How about both!  I see some awesome hexie flowers being made with this.  Thank you so very much, Barbara!

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WATCH DOG

Just had to share a picture of Snickerdoodle......

Several times a day, Snickerdoodle worms her way behind the little table in our entry and stands up on her hind feet.  From this vantage point she is able to check out what's happening in "her world".

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TODAY'S GOAL

Today I will start working on the Quilts Of Valor quilt top - rather fitting given the coming holiday.

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GIVEAWAYS

Leanne's House is having a giveaway.  Leanne is giving away 10 copies of Vignette, Issue 3.  The winners will be drawn on Monday, May 30.

The Drawing Board is having a giveaway.  You could win a copy of Table Talk.  A winner will be drawn on Tuesday, May 31.

Tales At Wayne Manor is having a giveaway.  You could win a whole box of fabric.  The winner will be picked on Wednesday, June 1.

Sew How's This is celebrating their 100th post with a giveaway.  You could win something from Gooseberry Patch, 4 fat quarters from Sewing Studio, 2 new craft patterns, 3 new purse patterns, and 100 all cotton, 4x4 inch quilt squares.  This giveaway ends Tuesday, May 31, at midnight EST.

Chatterbox Quilts is having a giveaway.  Kim is giving away 3 of her Chatterbox Quilts patterns.  This giveaway ends Tuesday, May 31, at 6:00 MST.

Have you helped me celebrate my birthday?  You still can by entering My Birthday Celebration Giveaway.  Hurry, this ends Monday, May 30, at 7:00 pm.

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FINAL THOUGHT

I have been enjoying the last two days of cooler weather with one more expected today.  But I'm also getting so I dread these days as I know that it will mean another cold front will be hurling itself across the country.  It could mean another cold front/warm weather clash with horrible outcomes.  I hope that it will just wear itself out before any more terrible storms develop.  I think our countries midsection has had enough punishment to last them a lifetime.  I will accept the summer heat if it means that Mother Nature will quit unleashing her wrath in the form of tornadoes.  Be safe everyone! 
I will be taking Monday off from blogging to spend the day with my DH.  See you all on Tuesday!

The brave die never, though they sleep in dust:
Their courage nerves a thousand living men.
~Minot J. Savage

What About May?

Sometimes I suffer from indigestion of the mind.
~Carrie Latet

This promises to be a busy week in the sewing department.  While working on my monthly mini quilt yesterday, it occurred to me that Sunday is Mother's Day!  Where was my brain?  Lost somewhere in the outer reaches of Mongolia I guess.  All the ads in Sunday's paper must not have connected to the "Alert" center in my gray matter.  It's not that I don't know what I'm doing for my Mother for Mother's Day.  It's the fact that I still have to make it.  It's just a small table mat so it shouldn't take more than two days to make.  I even talked with my daughter about her coming up for my birthday weekend instead of Mother's Day weekend and the little alarm bells still didn't go off.  Maybe it's time to get my internal ears checked for a hearing aid, or better yet, a reset of all vital control centers in my human vortex - lol!

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PHOTO FACT OF THE DAY

Asparagus

May is National Asparagus Month.  Did you know that the plants are either male or female. The female produces seeds, which not only reduce the size of the stalks, but also crowd the beds with seedlings. Since the males do not expend energy making seeds, their stalks are larger and more desirable. New cultivars have been bred to produce only male plants for more cost-efficient crops.  Asparagus is one of the few vegetables that is grown as a perennial, since the plants have about a 10-year life.  Ancient Chinese herbalists have used asparagus root to treat many maladies from arthritis to infertility. The root contains compounds called steroidal glycosides, which may have anti-inflammatory properties.  The asparagus growing beds in Northern Italy were famous during the Renaissance period. These graceful spears have always been a sign of elegance, and in times past, were a delicacy only the wealthy could afford. Roman emperors were so fond of asparagus, that they kept a special asparagus fleet for the purpose of fetching it.

So enjoy this wonderful vegetable that turns urine quite odoriferous.  It is what we commonly call "pee stinkers" in our house - lol!

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MAIL CALL

Yesterday I received a squishy envelope all the way from Australia.

Lynette was my swap partner in the 6 Inch Block Swaps Australia.   She made these two wonderful blocks and included a postcard depicting wildlife of Australia.  I have never seen the blue and white block before.  Thank you so much, Lynette!!

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MUG RUG SWAP ADVENTURE 2

Leona, of Leona's Quilting Adventure, is hosting the Mug Rug Swap Adventure 2.  She is taking sign-ups now through the 14th.  I had so much fun last time that I have signed up to participate again.  This is a secret swap so your partner doesn't know who you are.  The mug rugs are to mailed by June 30th.  Don't you want to join in the fun?  Just click on one of the two links above or on the button on the right sidebar.

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MAY

Yesterday I worked on and finished my little mini quilt for May.....

This stands in my entry way for all to see.  Did you take a close look at the center of the flower?

  I think the flower is dreaming of what it would like to be when it grows up :)  I tried doing some fmq but tore it all out.  Instead I just went around the outer edges of the applique with a regular foot.  This allowed my stitches to be more even and I definitely felt more in control that way.  Whew!  Now I have a few weeks before I have to make the June mini quilt.

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TODAY'S GOAL

Today I will make a hexie for One Flower Wednesday.  I will also begin working on my mother's table mat.

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GIVEAWAYS

Rocknquilts is having a sponsored giveaway.  You could win one of three adorable patterns from B. Bumble and Company.  This giveaway ends Monday, May 16.

Fort Worth Fabric Studio is having a giveaway.  You could win a book titled Inspired by Zentangle fabric arts, quilting and embroidery by Suzanne McNeill, a pattern by Elemental Visions, designs by Wanda Nelson, and a charm wizard quilt ruler by Far-Flung Quilts.  A winner will be drawn on Thursday, May 5.

Jaybird Quilts is having a giveaway.  Julie is giving away a copy of Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks Volume 3.  She will pick one winner at the end of the week.

KoolBenz is having a sponsored giveaway.  You could win a 10 piece half yard bundle of Amy Butler's Soul Blossoms.  This giveaway ends Friday, May 6, at midnight EST.

Happy Quilting is having a sponsored giveaway.  You could win two charm packs from Burgandy Buttons.  This giveaway ends Friday, May 6, at 5:00 pm EST.

So Dang Cute is having a GO! Baby giveaway. In addition to the GO! Baby cutter they are also giving away 3 dies.  This giveaway ends Saturday, May 7, at 8:00 pm MST.

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FINAL THOUGHT

We enjoyed beautiful weather over the weekend and yesterday.  Now we are on the march up to summer.  I think it might be here by next week.  My DD#1 lives near Albuquerque and she had SNOW on Sunday!  Can you believe that?  She kept texting me how cold it was - 29 degrees around noon.  How can I convince her that summer is just around the bend when Mother Nature is still throwing winter at them?  It has gotten warm enough here that I have to close the windows in the afternoon to keep the cooler air inside.  Tomorrow I will probably have to turn the ceiling fans on.  Hopefully it will be a few more days before we have to start running the expensive A/C.  But we do what's necessary.  I don't tolerate the heat well and definitely sleep poorly if the house is too warm.  So many people say they love the hot weather.  I just tell them "You can always pile on more clothes to get warm but you can only take off so many to stay cool"!

Don't knock the weather; nine-tenths of the people couldn't start a conversation if it didn't change once in a while.
~Kin Hubbard

Today is Tuesday - make your terrific!!