A Great Day!

Use what talents you possess; the woods would be very silent if no birds sang except those that sang best.
~Henry van Dyke

Yesterday was a fairly good day in my life.  I did some sewing, ordered some fabric for a new project (like I need another project!), and had my house cleaned.  Everything is squeaky clean and the dog hair is where it belongs - on the dogs!  The sun came out for a quick peek in the afternoon and the birds arrived big time at the feeders.  A dinner of leftovers made meal preparation easy and then some TV time with my DH.  I don't think I could have asked for a nicer Monday.  Until.....we got a call that my mother was acting 'weirdly' - my sister's description.  She had had another mini stroke.  After several hours in the ER she was moved to a room.  Mother is doing well, very alert and able to carry on conversations.  She stayed in the hospital overnight and now we are waiting to have more tests done.

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PHOTO FACT OF THE DAY

The Month of February

30 days hath September, April, June, and November.
28 days makes February fine, But in a Leap Year it has 29.
All the rest have 31, and now the poem has been done.

There are so many days of celebration in February  - I bet there are some you didn't even know about...
National Freedom Day, Bottle Cap Day, Elmo's Birthday, Charles Lindbergh's Birthday, National Weatherperson's Day, Babe Ruth's Birthday, Laura Ingalls Wilder's Birthday, Boy Scouts' Day, Toothache Day, Umbrella Day, White T-Shirt Day, Get a Different Name Day, Ferris Wheel Day, National Gumdrop Day, Random Acts of Kindness Day, Hoodie-Hoo Day, Love Your Pet Day, World Thinking Day, Carnival Day, No-Brainer Day, Public Sleeping Day and so many more. 
Did you find a day that you would like to celebrate?

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A NON GIVEAWAY CELEBRATION

Raewyn, over at Love To Stitch, is celebrating her 1 year blogaversary.  She is doing something different - definitely something great.  For every comment she receives she will donate $1 toward brain tumor (cancer) research.  Raewyn states  "Those of you who regularly follow my blog will know that my father is suffering from brain tumours; please help me to donate towards this area to help give families more hope in the future."  You don't have to be a follower, just go to make a comment.  Isn't this a great way to celebrate such a special event?

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A NEW BLOCK

Yesterday I made the block for my swap partner in the Quilt Block Swap Australia.   Her only request was that I not use orange or black.  I'm only going to give you a sneak peek since I don't know if she reads my blog.

No black there!  Well, there might be just a touch of orange in the print but I don't think she will mind.  As you can tell, I went with the theme for the month - hearts!  I just hope that she doesn't find it too pink.

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TISSUE COVER

Yesterday I also whipped out a tissue cover as a little extra in the Once A Season Swap.

As you may remember, it is supposed to be fall themed - the swap originated in Australia and they are going into their autumn.  It seems so strange working with fall fabric right now.  I was please with the way it turned out.

I did some more sewing yesterday but I will share it another day - this posting is already getting too long.

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ONE MORE BEE BLOCK

Yesterday I received another beautiful Bee block. 

This wonderful block was made by Staci.  The points are perfect and I love the star pattern she selected.   You can visit her blog at The Confused Quilter.  Staci also included almost 2 yards of the coordinated blue floral fabric!!  How very generous of her.  Thank you, Staci!

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MY LUCKY DAY

Yesterday I was notified that I had won, not one, but two giveaways!!!  I was shocked!  First I received an email from Jennifer over at The Quilty Home telling me I had won 2 charm packs of Hoopla.  Can't wait to get those and create something wonderful with them.  Then I received an email from Debra over at Housewife Eclectic telling my I had won her giveaway which was a $25 gift code from CSN online stores.  Looks like I'll be doing some shopping in the near future.  I think that I've probably run through my luck for the month - don't you?

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TODAY'S GOAL

Today I will be working on a block for a Let's Bee Together member.  I received the fabric and instructions yesterday and can't wait to get started.

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GIVEAWAYS

Diary Of A Quilter is having a giveaway!  In conjunction with Poppy Seed Fabric Shop they are giving away a bundle from Tina Given's newest collection, Haven's Edge.  This giveaway ends Thursday, February 3rd at midnight MST.

The Quilt Rat is celebrating her 200th post.  She is giving away a copy of Zentangle Fabric Arts.  The winner will be selected on Friday, February 4th.

Hancock's of Paducah is giving away Civil Wars Chronicle Kit.  Wouldn't that be a fantastic win?  This giveaway ends February 9, 2011, at 11:05 AM CST.

A Thimbleful Of Thoughts is having a giveaway.  She is giving away a bundle of A Stitch in Time with Mother Goose fabric and a copy of A Stitch in Time with Mother Goose.  This giveaway end tonight (Tuesday, Feb 2) and midnight.

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With all of the turmoil going on in the world do you ever think about the earth imploding?  I try not to think about it too much but when it's hitting all of the headlines it's sort of hard to ignore.  I try not to think about who has "The Bomb" and where it might be aimed (at us?).  I try not to think of the terrorists out there that are looking to get their '27 virgins'.  These kind of thoughts make me sad and cause me to want to sit and do nothing.  But, just as quickly, I tuck them away in a spot deep in my brain and move on to happier and better thoughts.  My grandsons, my daughters, my little furry doggies, and especially my DH.  You just can't have happier thoughts than those :D

Don't worry about the world coming to an end today. It is already tomorrow in Australia.
~Charles Schulz


Tuesday is totally yours - take it and create!!

IT'S GIVEAWAY TIME!!

Strangers are just friends waiting to happen.

~Rod McKuen

I am amazed at how many friends I have made in such a short time in blogland.  I never imagined that from August 2, 2010 until now that I would have 400+ followers of my blog!  I have met some (only through our internet connections) who I now consider good friends - we visit each other's blogs daily and usually leave a comment along the way.  I have had so much fun reading all about all of you, seeing what you are making, and learning what is happening in your lives.  I have cried with you, laughed with you, and prayed with you.  I have tried to help make a difference in this crazy world of ours by participating in charities with you.  I have gone on your trips with you and sat in your sewing room listening to your stories.  You all have enriched my life more than you will ever know.  Thank you all for becoming my friend and putting up with my usually not so humble words.  I appreciate each and every one of you.  And, remember,  you are a stranger only once!

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PHOTO OF THE DAY

My Christmas PEZ gift

Ever since I can remember, I have liked PEZ candy.  Back when I was young we had very simple dispensers, not all of these cute little characters that are available now.  "PEZ" is derived from the German word for peppermint. It was formed using the first, middle and last letter of the word, PheffErminZ. Haas used peppermint oil to make his PEZ creation.   PEZ candy was invented in 1927 in Vienna, Austria, by Edward Haas III. Since its inception, the candy and dispenser have transitioned from an adult breath mint to a much-loved candy by children and adult collectors alike. More than three billion PEZ candies are consumed annually in the United States alone. PEZ and PEZ dispensers are available in over 60 countries around the world.
When Haas invented the PEZ candy, he did so as an alternative for smoking. Originally, PEZ were brick-shaped candies, packaged in pocket-size tins. In 1947, an employee of PEZ Candy named Oskar Uxa designed a dispenser that resembled a cigarette lighter. The new design also functioned in such a way that it could have one-hand operation, with an automatic stop to prevent the candy from falling out. In 1948, the current design of the dispenser was created. After extensive research in 1952, Haas decided to move the focus of the candy toward children and started placing character heads on the dispenser.
This was probably a bit more than you wanted to know about PEZ but I found it rather fascinating.

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FEBRUARY SNOWMAN

I wasn't able to get much sewing in yesterday as I had quite a bit of computer work to take care of.  Don't you just hate it when necessities get in the way of your crafting?

This is a six inch square I'm making for a table stand that I have.  I took the design from a pattern called Redwork Snowman Quilt by Wellington House Designs.  Obviously I'm not making it in just redwork.  In the future, I think I will add extra fabric to the sides to make it easier to hoop.  I can always trim away the extra.  I have added a featherweight Pellon to the back to see if it hides the thread ends.  I didn't do this on the Birdie Stitches BOM for January.  This way I can find out which way I like better - backed or not backed.

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MORE BEE BLOCKS

The mailman arrived with happy envelopes again today.  Three to be exact.

This beautiful block was made by Carolyn, The Veggie Hunter.   It has an amazing amount of tiny 1" blocks in it.  It is a very striking block!  Thank you, Carolyn. 

This wonderful block was made by Anna, The Renegade Quilter.  The picture doesn't do it justice as it is a very pretty block.  I love the design.  Thank you, Anna!

This awesome block was made by Melinda, Melinda Quilts Etc.  It is the first hand stitched block I have received.  I love the hexie flower!  Thank you, Melinda!

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I usually don't plug shops or stores unless it's while talking about different fabrics I have used in a project.  However, today is different.  I would like to announce that my friend, Leona, has opened her very own etsy store Leona's Quilting Adventure.   I'm sure that many of you are already following her blog so you know what a talented lady she is.  Now her shop doesn't have a lot in it yet but keep checking back as she will be adding more very soon!  Stop by her store to help her celebrate and tell her I sent you!!

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TODAY'S GOAL

I plan to do some more stitching on my little February snowman.  I also plan to cut out a few more hexies for future flowers.  But all of this has to wait until I do some more on the computer.

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400+ FOLLOWERS THANK YOU GIVEAWAY

I really am thankful that all of you are following my blog!!!  You are my friends and I would like to thank you.  And what better way than to have a giveaway.  Would you like some fabric?  How about..............

This beautiful collection of Vintage Florals by Beth Ann Bruske for David Textiles! 

There is a total of 6 1/2 yards of fabric in this collection.

1/2 yard cuts of each of these pieces.

1 yard of this (the better color picture of this is in the top picture - second from the left)

And 1 1/2 yards of this print.

How can you win this collection you ask?  First, you do not have to be a follower but since this is a Thank You to my followers it would certainly be nice if you became a follower too.  Oh, and don't forget to make sure there is some way to contact you.  If I can't contact you, you can't win.  If you have a 'no-reply blogger' then you better include your email in your comment or you will not get counted.  OK, so here's what you can do to enter.....................

***THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED***

1.  Leave me a comment telling me what your favorite childhood candy was. (one answer only)

And for a second opportunity to enter........

2.  Blog about this giveaway.  Make sure to come back and leave a separate comment with a link to your blog showing me where you mention my giveaway.

That's it!  Easy enough don't you think?  And, yes, this giveaway is open to everybody - local, regional, domestic, international, space creatures - anybody that can type a comment!  Please only leave comments to #1 and #2 above.  Do not enter several comments with several different types of candy - they will be deleted.

I will definitely be reading each answer and checking on blog links.  However, I probably will not be able to respond to each and every one of your comments as I want to have time to sew too - lol!

I will select a winner (with the help of random.org) on Monday, January 31, 2011 at 7:30 AM PST.

Good luck and thank you again!!!!!

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GIVEAWAYS

Adventures in Dressmaking is having a great giveaway but I won't be entering.  She is giving away a $50 gift certificate to Fat Quarter Shop.  I would love to have it but she requires you to become a follower.  This giveaway will end Tuesday, January 25, at midnight.

   
Women Who Do It All is having a CSN giveaway!  Wouldn't you like to win a $55 gift certificate to spend at the CSN store?  This giveaway will end on January 27th.

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FINAL THOUGHT

Our weekend is already planned out.  Family dinner Friday night.  Visiting a quilt show on Saturday.  Sunday is wash day and catching up with what we didn't do on Saturday.  I'm already tired think about it.  It will be fun but not particularly restful.  And that is how our next couple of weekends will be.  Who said things slow down after the holidays doesn't live at my house.  One weekend was all we were given to rest and relax.  I think we have another free weekend some time the middle of next month.  What are your plans for the weekend?

Weekends are a bit like rainbows; they look good from a distance but disappear when you get up close to them.
~John Shirley

It's Friday - Frolic and have Fun!!