Mistakes Again & Again!!

"Write on your heart that every day is the best day of the year"

~Ralph Waldo Emerson

How was your weekend?  How is your Monday going?  Today is going to be 'the best day of the year'!  My weekend was very busy but I got to spend it with my DH so it was all good!  Today, I don't have any specific plans.  Enjoy the quiet (except when my house cleaner is here), do some sewing, and just plain be productive.  Watch out world!  It's Monday and I'm ready to take on the week!!

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PHOTO OF THE DAY

 

This is a sundial that my Mother gave to my DH many years ago.

A sundial is a device that measures time by the position of the Sun. In common designs such as the horizontal sundial, the sun casts a shadow from its style ( a thin rod or a sharp, straight edge).  As the sun moves across the sky, the shadow-edge progressively aligns with different hour-lines on the plate. Such designs rely on the style being aligned with the axis of the Earth's rotation. Hence, if such a sundial is to tell the correct time, the style must point towards the true north (not the north magnetic pole or south magnetic pole) and the style's angle with horizontal must equal the sundial's geographical latitude.  Our sundial must not be aligned with true north as it never tells the correct time, especially when the sun is behind the clouds like it was on picture day!

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I sat down at the sewing machine on Friday planning on making one block - just one simple block.  The second block in the Thread Head Quilt Along.  I had already made one of the same pattern - no problems, went together easily.  Well, as I was getting ready to upload the picture to the flickr group I thought 'boy there's a lot of glare in that picture'.  Then on closer inspection I noticed that I had put one of the blocks in sideways!  OMG!  I can't believe I did that...............................

See the bottom center block?  It is side ways - sort of makes it look like a bouqet of flowers - lol!

So, ripped out the three sides and decided to take a break and grab a bite of lunch, look at the mail and read a few of my favorite blogs.  Went back to the sewing machine where the block was waiting to be sewed back together..............

OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WHAT THE H!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I RIPPED OUT THE WRONG FREAKIN' SQUARE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So I put that square back where it belonged and ripped out the square on the opposite side. 

Finally!!!  The block was completed correctly.  At this point I quit sewing for the day!!

Here is the same block that I had made out of different fabric on Thursday.

By the way, this block is called 'Contrary Wife'.  (I really need to find some place different to take my pictures.  There is too much glare when I take them on my sewing machine table top - sorry)

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I received my second swap block from Leena on Friday.  This is for the Quilting Blocks Swaps Australia.  I selected my blocks to be made in the "Blazing Arrows" pattern and made in blue and/or green with white.

Aren't the colors gorgeous!  Thank you Leena!

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I also managed to complete another Project Linus afghan. 

I did this one more with a little boy in mind.  I started my next one Thursday evening - red this time!

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GIVEAWAYS

Another GO! giveaway.  Lavender Ridge is giving away an Aququilt GO! Cutter.  This giveaway ends November 10th!!

My daughter, Megan, is having a giveaway to celebrate her 150 post and for having over 150 followers.  Visit her blog, Kitschy Suburbia, to check out this nail related giveaway.  Final day to enter is November 27th.   

Everyday Beautiful is have a Big Shoppe Giveaway!  There will 4 winners for this great giveaway.  Last day to enter is Thursday, November 11th.

Don't forget to enter my "80th Post Celebration Giveaway"!!  You have two chances to enter and could be the big winner of 2 1/3 yards of fabric.  This giveaway ends November 16th.  Good luck!!

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FINAL THOUGHT

Do you have a favorite place to spend time in your home?  Mine is just about anywhere there is a comfortable chair, my pups, and my DH when he is home.  Some times that is in front of my sewing machine.  Other times it's in front of the computer reading all of the great blogs out there.  And, then there is always the comfort of the recliner in the living room where I can put my legs up and do some hand stitching.  I do have to agree with the following quote......................

There is nothing like staying at home for real comfort.

~Jane Austen

Here's hoping for a comfortable and productive week!!

200 Followers Celebration Giveaway

"Friends are like fabric - you can never have enough!"
                                                ~author unknown

It's Monday!  Like you needed to be reminded.  How was your weekend?  My Saturday was busy but Sunday was rather restful.  Saturday morning was our normal run to the Farmer's Market where I probably over bought because of not being able to go the previous weekend. I felt like I was in a fresh produce drought last week - lol.  Next we were off to the Cruise 99, a car show being held downtown.  There were some absolutely spectacular cars on display (pictures further down in the blog).  Then to lunch and on to our ALS Support Group meeting.  There we said good-bye to our case manager of 5 years and met the incoming case manager.  Two hours later we were on the road to Petsmart - have to feed Weasley and Snickerdoodle!  And finally home about 4:30.  A very full day and I was pooped.  Sunday was much more relaxing even if it was wash day.  We were able to sit outside for a couple of hours enjoying the Sunday paper and a cup of coffee.  I managed to complete one more hexagon flower for my GFG quilt (picture on One Flower Wednesday) and started assembling the garden.  We caught up on some shows on the DVR (we're over a week behind) and just generally vegged.

Photo Of The Day:

Coast Redwood in our backyard

Coast redwoods range from southern Oregon to central California, extending not more than fifty miles inland- only as far as the coastal climate has its influence. Fog plays a vital role in the survival of these trees, protecting them from the summer drought conditions typical of this area. They also need abundant winter rain and moderate year round temperatures. In ideal conditions a coast redwood can grow 2-3 feet in height annually, but when the trees are stressed from lack of moisture and sunlight they may grow as little as one inch per year.  We have 7 of these trees in our little backyard.  This is my attempt at bringing the mountains to our valley home.

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Here are a few of the cars that we saw at the car show on Saturday:

 This last car belongs to a friend of ours.  He completely restored the car by himself (except for the paint job).
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Friday's mail brought me my first block from the Australian Block Swap.  An envelope arrived from Cathy, who lives in Golden Grove South Australia.  She sent me a beautiful green and white block in the Blazing Arrows block that I requested.  She included a post card "Greetings From Adelaide" with a picture of the Rundle Mall.

Isn't it pretty!?!

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As I previously mentioned, I was able to start assembling my Garden for my Grandmother's Flower Garden quilt.  My 'stepping stones' are just a plain white but I thought that it was the best way to really make the bright colors of my flowers pop.

I can't even imagine how many flowers or stepping stones it will take to make a full quilt.  But I haven't set myself any time limits and am thoroughly enjoying creating each and every flower.

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This giveaway is now closed.  The winner will be announced Monday, October 18, 2010

200 FOLLOWERS!!  I can't believe I now have over 200 followers.  Thank you all for deciding to follow my rants and raves, creations and failures, hopes and dreams.  Calls for a celebration - don't you agree?  How about another giveaway?  Would you like some fabric?  How about these.............

This is a set of 5 - 1/2 yard cuts of fabric from the line called "Indian Summer Style" by Hoffman California International Fabrics.  These are really pretty fabrics!  You can't really tell it but each piece of fabric is highlighted with sparkly gold in the leaves (I just couldn't get a decent picture - sorry).  You could win 2 1/2 yards of fabric to add to your stash!  Here is what you have to do to enter:

1.  Leave me a comment on this posting - anything you want to say.  Let me know why you quilt, or what you are doing today, or what the weather's like  -  I think you get the idea

2.  And, if you would like a second chance to win this fabric, blog about this giveaway and come back here, leave me a separate comment and tell me that you did and include a link to your blog.  This must be done in a separate comment or you won't get two counted entries.

That's it!  Simple enough don't you think?  This giveaway will close Sunday, October 17th at 6:00 pm PST.  The winner will be selected using random.org.  I will announce the winner on Monday, October 18 in my posting for that day.

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GIVEAWAYS

Kati over at The Blue Chair is having a great giveaway.  She is giving away personalized blog business cards (a $50 value) and four fat quarters of Modern Meadow by Joel Dewberry.  This ends Oct. 13th.

Molly from Molly's Place is giving away a subscription to McCall's Quilting. Not sure when this one ends.

Have you checked out the Fall Into Fall Bloggers Giveaway?  There are around 140 blogs participating and 8 businesses all holding a giveaway.  Make sure you check them out!  I still haven't made it all of the way through the list!

And, of course, don't forget that I, too, am participating in the Fall Into Fall Giveaway.  You can enter my giveaway HERE.  In this giveaway I'm giving away a darling quilt kit!!
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Final Thought

When I started this blog I thought having just 5 followers would be an amazing accomplishment - and, even then I thought I would have to beg family members to sign on.  Once I reached 100 followers I thought that would be the top goal I could attain.  But you all have made me so happy by becoming my followers, whether daily readers or if you just stop by for the occasional visit.  I am blessed to have each and every one of you in my life.  So many of you already seem like close friends just from our little comments to each other via email.  I know that I won't ever meet the majority of you, but I want you all to know I honestly do appreciate your comments and friendship through my daily journeys called life.  You bring a special sunshine to my day!!  Thank you all so very much for becoming a follower of Stray Stitches!!

Monday - Ugh!

Never trust anything that can think for itself if you can't see where it keeps its brain. 
                                                           ~J.K. Rowling

Did everybody have a great weekend? Mine was exceedingly busy. We started out Saturday morning bright and early to attend the Walk To Defeat ALS Bakersfield Walk. I have a super team of friends and family that joined me for this great fundraiser. After the Walk most of us stayed around for a barbecue from which all of the proceeds went directly to ALS! Then it was back to our house along with 8 additional family members, baked a cake, and generally prepared for the barbecue we were hosting for our team members. Hubby cooked Santa Maria style beans and excellent barbecued tri-tip. I prepared a green salad that included grape tomatoes and avocados – two things that never touch our salad and rarely ever make it in the front door. Plus there were chips and beverages, and then, of course, the cake for dessert. A great time was had by all. Sunday morning after breakfast with my DH, DD, and SIL, we all headed to my DM for a quick visit (she got to go home from the hospital on Friday!), a run to Costco, and back home for a lunch of pizza. DD and SIL left shortly after lunch and I began the weekly wash. Needless to say, I am a little tired today. And, to top it off, the Internet server has been down since I got up, well since 4:45a.m. (that I know of) and didn’t come back up until 9:30 a.m. explaining my late post. I hate it when your day starts off totally wrong!! One good thing was I started one of my SAL blocks since I couldn’t do any posting.

Picture Of The Day

This is the t-shirt my team members wore

Here are some of the hundreds of people that turned out for the Walk

I know, not my normal pictures.  I just wanted to share with you a little of the Walk To Defeat ALS walk that happened here on Saturday.  Each year, the Walk to Defeat ALS^TM brings communities together in the fight against Lou Gehrig’s Disease. Though we walk for various reasons, we are united in our quest to find a cure for ALS.  My team rocks!!

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On Friday, I finished and mailed off my block for my first swap in the Australian Block Swap.  After the mailman came and swooped it away, I had a blockhead moment..........I forgot to take a picture of the block when I was finished!  I was so excited to get it done and on its way that it didn't even occur to me to grab the camera.  Can you believe it?!?  So, I emailed Cathy to let her know that her block was on its way and asked her if she could please take a picture of it for me and email it to me so that I may share it with my friends.  I'm such a ditz!!!
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Thank you, Leona!!

A very big bright spot in my day Saturday was the arrival of a surprise gift from my friend Leona, of Leona’s Quilting Adventure (check out her blog!). She must have known I needed a pick-me-up after the week I had just been through. What a wonderful assortment of goodies she sent! Included was a warm note, a pair of adorable “quilting” socks (can’t wait for the weather to turn cooler to wear them), two Harriet Hargrave’s Quick-Look Guides – one on Caring For Fabric & Quilts and the other on Choosing Batting – both are great go-to guides, an envelope that contained 4 wonderful quilting labels (one can never have too many of those!), and an fantastic little Notions Bag that she made just for me! I think I will use it for transporting my hexagon flower notions. Thank you, Leona, for thinking of me! I love it all.

Isn't this a great bunch of goodies !?!

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Since I didn’t have any time to do any sewing over the weekend, I will share a recipe with you today that I prepared on Friday. It is a slow-cooker recipe that is a favorite of ours – and super simple to prepare (my favorite kind!)

Pork Chops and Mushrooms

Ingredients

4 boneless pork chops, ½-inch thick
½ medium onion, chopped
4-oz can sliced mushrooms, drained
1 envelope dry onion soup mix
1 Tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce
3 Tablespoon red wine
10 ¾-oz can golden cream of mushroom soup

Ingredients - not including the 4 pork chops

Directions

1. Place pork chops in greased slow cooker. Top with onions and mushrooms.

2. Combine soup mix, Worcestershire sauce, wine and mushroom soup. Pour over mushrooms.

3. Cover. Cook on low 6-8 hours.

Ready to eat (perhaps there is a tad too much butter on the corn - lol!)

Personal Notes

1. Reheats well

2. Original recipe called for 2 medium onions, sliced but the first time I made it with that much onion, the onion was all we could taste

ENJOY!
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Giveaways

Confessions of a Fabric Addict is giving away 5 books as her participation in the Fall Into Fall Bloggers Giveaway.  Check it out before October 15!

Disconnected Stitches is also participating in the big giveaway and is offering a darling baby panel and 3 coordinating fat quarters.

Another participant is Mama Spark's World.  She is giving away a Halloween Schlep bag, an autographed copy of  the pattern Fair and Square from none other than Amanda Jean of Crazy mom quilts, and she cut out enough 6.5" squares to make the quilt along with 2.5 yards of black Kona Cotton for the sashing and the binding (this I did not cut). All you need to add is a back and you will have a quilt!! Check it out!

And don't you dare forget about my giveaway!  I, too, am participating in the Fall Into Fall Bloggers Giveaway.  You can enter my giveaway HERE!!

And if you should be looking for more giveaways, don't forget to check out all of the bloggers from the Fall Into Fall Bloggers Giveaway!
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Final Thoughts

After a frustrating start to the day, I will try to continue forward and accomplish what I can while playing catch-up.  I will leave you with this quote I think sums it up best.............

Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.  ~Theodore Roosevelt