A Pansy For My Baskets

A loyal friend laughs at your jokes when they're not so good, and sympathizes with your problems when they're not so bad.
~Arnold H. Glasgow

It's so fun to go out to lunch with friends.  Fun to talk and share our lives with one another.  We discussed everything from air fares to deaths to fishing trips.  The topic was varied and never boring.  The time flew by and the food was good.  Even my very best friend and soul mate was able to join us, my DH!  It's not often he can get away long enough to go out to lunch so this was a special treat for him and especially for me.  The people that joined us have been friends for over 15 years - I met them when I was working.  Even though we usually only see each other once a week, we never skip a beat.  Checking on each others families, gossip at work, and discussing hot topics is all normal for us.  Friends are so much fun.  Friends just like you - my cyber friends!

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PHOTO FACT OF THE DAY

National Rubber Eraser Day

Prior to the invention of the rubber eraser, tablets of rubber/wax were used to erase lead/charcoal marks from paper. Bits of rough stone such as sandstone or pumice were used by various cultures to remove small errors from parchment or papyrus documents written in ink. It has been claimed that crustless bread was, in the past, commonly used as an eraser; this is possible, but the bread would disintegrate, and would at that time most likely have been too costly to replace. In all likelihood this was probably more of a snide commentary on low quality bread, comparing it to a chunk of wax or sanding stone.  In 1770, Edward Nairne, an English engineer, is credited with developing the first widely-marketed rubber eraser for an inventions competition. He reportedly sold natural rubber erasers for the high price of 3 shillings per half-inch cube. According to Nairne, he inadvertently picked up a piece of rubber instead of breadcrumbs, discovered rubbers erasing properties, and began selling rubber erasers. Incidentally, this was the first practical application of the substance in Europe, and rubbing out the pencil marks gave it its English name.  However, rubber in its raw form shared the same inconveniences as bread, since it was perishable and would go bad over time. In 1839, inventor Charles Goodyear discovered the process of vulcanization, a method that would cure rubber and make it a durable material. Rubber erasers became common with this advent of vulcanization.  On March 30, 1858, Hymen Lipman of Philadelphia, USA, received the first patent for attaching an eraser to the end of a pencil. It was later invalidated because it was determined to be simply a composite of two devices rather than an entirely new product. 

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NEW BLOCKS & TOOLS

Yesterday I made 2 swap blocks for the 6 Inch Block Swaps Australia April swap.  My swap partner, Lynette, asked for a basket block, set on point.

She requested red on white

This was the first time I had ever made this block.  I had seen this block many times and cringed when I thought of having to make the handle.  The pattern said you could use ric rack but, of course, I didn't have any red in my stash.  So, instead,  I decided it was time to try a new technique and a new tool.

I had never made bias handles or stems before.  I had previously bought these Bias Bars as a book I'm following for hand applique said they would be a handy tool to have.  When I got them I looked at them and thought "whatever" and stuck them away.  Well, I'm hear to tell you they really work and make the job of creating bias handles so easy.  No turning anything inside out or burning your fingers trying to hold those narrow little strips in place on your ironing board.  If you have a lot of stems, vines, or handles to make.  I highly recommend you get some too.  Oh, Lynette's blocks will go out in today's mail.

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TODAY'S CHUCKLE

Q: What's the difference between a bra-less woman and a sewing machine?

A: The sewing machine has only one bobbin.

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PIN CUSHION

Yesterday I made my second pin cushion. 

This one is called Pansy and the pattern is from Bird Brain Designs.  I bought this in a kit but they didn't include enough of a lilac wool so I had to use some white wool I had on hand.  But that's okay because one of my favorite pansies is the purple and white.  I added the little pink dragon fly as a bit of whimsy.  This time I remembered to add a little bit of lavender to the filling.  This will be going out in the mail to a friend.  I really am having fun making these pin cushions.  The next one is a sunflower.

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TODAY'S GOAL

Today I am going to piece the backing for the Layer Cake quilt so I can send it off to the long arm quilter on Monday.  Hopefully I will get another two hours in on quilting the blue and brown quilt.

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GIVEAWAYS

Mama Spark's World is celebrating her 800th post (can you imagine?)!  She is giving away 3 charm packs of Dream On.  This giveaway ends Monday, April 18.

Pickle Dish is having a giveaway.  She is giving away 3 Curlicue patterns.  This giveaway ends Friday, April 22.

JustPlainLain is having a giveaway.  You could win an AccuQuilt die - Funky Flowers.  This giveaway ends  Sunday, April 17.

Katie's Korner is having a giveaway.  Katie is giving away 11 fat quarters of the new Denyse Schmidt line at JoAnn's.  She will draw a winner on Monday, April 18.

A La Mode is having a giveaway.  You could win some Patches & Pooches fabric.  This giveaway ends Monday, April 18.

Scarlet Fig is having a giveaway.  Here you could win a fat quarter pack of Pooches & Pickups.  Laurie will use random.org to select two winners on Saturday, April 16 around 6:00 CT.

Harriet Homemaker is having a giveaway to celebrate her 35th birthday.  You could win a handy dandy little screw driver, a Layer Cake Recipe Book, a candy bar of Luna Notte by 3Sisters for Moda, and a pair of her favorite little scissors, Cutter Bees! in Pink of course.  This giveaway ends Monday, April 18th, right after she has some birthday cake.
13 Woodhouse Road is having a giveaway.  You could win  Bella Parade Fat Quarter Bundle from Fat Quarter Shop.  This giveaway ends May 1st.

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FINAL THOUGHT

April is already half over.  It feels just like yesterday that we were talking about April Fool's Day.  How the time does fly.  Looking back over the last two weeks I try to remember what has happened in my life and that of the country and world.  It all seems like a whirling top.  Now we gearing up for Easter in just a week and other spring events.  Before we know it summer will be here, school will be out, and vacations will be the topic of choice.  How can time pass so quickly.  I remember when I was little thinking that time passed so slowly.  It seemed to take forever for a birthday to arrive - not so any more.  It seems I become a year older every time I turn around.  Time could slow down just a tad, I have too many things to do today, tomorrow, and the next. 

The Future is something which everyone reaches at the rate of sixty minutes an hour, whatever he does, whoever he is.
~C.S. Lewis


Have a fun Friday and a wonderful weekend!!

A Place For My Pins

Where you find quality, you will find a craftsman, not a quality-control expert. 
~Robert Brault

I had started this post off with a different beginning.  One I didn't like very much.  It was rather bitchy.  I don't think I was in a good mood when I wrote it.  But I'm better now and thought I better start again.  Now the trouble.....I can't think of a single thing to begin with.  The brain is empty and the thoughts just aren't there.  There are no AHA moments or what ifs, just a big old void.  Maybe there are too many thoughts running through and none of them feel like stopping to say "here's an idea".  So instead of boring you further I will just say "Good Morning!  I hope you have a wonderful day planned!"

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PHOTO FACT OF THE DAY

No Housework Day is celebrated each April 7. Many poor souls don't even know that they don't have to do any housework that day. So if you were one of them, here are some steps to help you enjoy this great holiday as provided by eHow:
1. Add the day to your calendar. Highlight the entire box surrounding April 7. Then add it to the calendar of everyone in your household. Email notices about the day to friends and family. Mention it in your blog or website. The key to enjoying this day is to broadcast it.
2. Make it official. Post a "cease and desist" order on the refrigerator door, right out front where everyone can see it. Stop working in the house on April 7. Don't wash a single dish, scrub a tile, scour a pan or take out the trash. Be prepared to hold your ground.
3. Leave the house. Plan a day of enjoying your favorite activities. Go for a hike, eat out, go shopping, take in a film, join your friends for celebratory cocktails or do anything else that takes you far from the scene of the grime.
4. Leave the chores to others. Let your spouse and children clean the dishes, scrub the kitchen, mop up the bathroom, vacuum the floors, dust the bookshelves and wash the windows. When they're done, they'll appreciate the job you do, which is another point of the holiday.
5. Buy an extra air sanitizer. Cover any stench from No Housecleaning Day with Lysol, Yankee Candles, or any other favorite smelling odor besides the rotting trash from your day off. Enjoy yourself.

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QAL BLOCK

Yesterday I made the final block in the Layer Cake QAL that has been brought to us by Moose On The Porch Quilts.

This block was created by Joan Lucchese, also known as Cali Quilter. and is simply known as Block 12.  I didn't have a lot of fabric options left as some of my fabric scraps were much to small to use for this block.  Good thing we are at the end.  Starting tomorrow Konda will post layout instructions so we can start putting our quilts together.

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MY FIRST PIN CUSHION

For the rest of the day I made my very first pin cushion.  Yes, I know, I'm late in joining the growing trend of pin cushions, but I just had to find the right pattern that really made me want to create one.

This is called Posey Pin Cushion and is a pattern from Bird Brain Designs.  I added the little dragonfly button as a little extra.  I filled the outer edges of the base with cotton balls because I didn't have any fiberfill stuffing or wool fleece.  Then I filled the main part of the body with crushed walnut shells.  Oh, and if you can't tell from the picture, then entire pin cushion is made out of wool.

Here's a top view with a few pins added.  Now you can see the french knot center of the flower.  This was fun to make and fairly quick to put together.  Now I'm ready to make more in different colors and shapes!

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TODAY'S GOAL

Today I think I will start working on a new wall hanging that I've been eager to start.  Either that or start putting together the Layer Cake quilt.  That would probably be a better idea.

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GIVEAWAYS

Raggedy Station is having a giveaway to celebrate the opening of their new store.  Tess is giving away a fat quarter bundle of 12 beautiful black and white fabric.  This giveaway ends Friday, April 8.

Scrappy n' Happy is celebrating her 100th post with a giveaway.  Jess is giving away 5 fat quarters of Melly and Me and a beautiful mug rug that she has made.  She will draw a winner on Sunday, April 10.

Chasing Cottons is having a major giveaway.  There are several items you could win from several different sponsors.  This giveaway ends Monday, April 11.

Samelia's Mum is having a giveaway.  You could win your very own copy of Handy Mandy's Motorcycle Adventure.  This giveaway ends Sunday, April 10.

Canton Village Quilt Works is having a giveaway.  They are giving away a 1 year subscription to Quilt Magazine, The Twister Template, and Lil' Twister.  This giveaway ends Monday, April 11, at midnight.

Sew Inspired is having giveaway #5 to celebrate her 5th year in blogland.  She is giving away two fat quarter sets of Luna II fabric from Maywood Studios.  This giveaway ends Friday, April 8.

Hyacinth Quilt Designs is having a giveaway.  You could win one of her 3 books along with 3 fat quarters.  This giveaway ends Monday, April 11.

1 Choice 4 Quilting is having a giveaway.  Shawna is giving away 2 fat quarter bundles of Donna Dewberry Happy Flowers and some super cute little goodies she picked up at a quilt show last week. This giveaway ends Sunday, April 10, at 10:00 pm EST.

Fabric Seeds is having a Welcome Giveaway to celebrate the opening of her new store.  Sarah is giving away at least one charm pack of Chrysalis.  This giveaway ends Friday, April 15.

We Love Quilting is having an April giveaway.  You could win a big box full of surprises.  I guess this lasts through the month of April.

Enter my 200th Post Celebration Giveaway to win a $25 gift certificate to Fat Quarter Shop.  This giveaway ends Monday, April 11, at 8:00 pm PST.

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FINAL THOUGHT

Have you ever searched for something that you know you have somewhere in the house.  You couldn't have possibly thrown it away!  It has to be here somewhere!!  That's how I was when I went looking for my pinking shears.  Now, keep in mind, I probably haven't used these shears since my days of making clothing which was eons ago.  But who would throw or give away something like that?  It's one of those things you hang onto because you know that someday you just might need them.  I looked high, I looked low.  I looked under things and on top of things.  I looked inside boxes, drawers, and under beds.  Nope, no pinking shears.  So off to do some online shopping.  I finally found a pair of Gingher pinking shears for a super good price on Ebay on Sunday.  Great!  They should be here by the end of the week.  I can't make my pin cushion until I have a pair.  Guess what I found this morning?  You guessed it!  My Fiskar pinking shears!!!  In a drawer just to the left of my sewing machine where I keep all of the other important and useful sewing tools and appliances that I might need.  Guess it won't hurt to have two pairs - lol!

If you wonder where your child left his roller skates, try walking around the house in the dark.
~Leopold Fechtner

Today is your Thursday to enjoy - and remember, NO HOUSEWORK!