A LITTLE FINISH

We have to learn to be our own best friends because we fall too easily into the trap of being our own worst enemies. 
 ~Roderick Thorp, Rainbow Drive

The weekend certainly flew by quickly.  We ran errands most of Saturday and I couldn't seem to find what I was looking for.  Nascar made its big start on Sunday, well at least it was supposed to start.  There were several hours of the hosts trying to fill time with worthless bits of information and driver interviews.  I did get in some stitching between loads of wash and giving Weasley a bath.  We've had a roller coaster of weather over the last 3 days.  Friday we broke a record when our temps climbed to 81 degrees and then we plummet to a high of 59* today.  Almost summer one day and then back to practically winter temps 3 days later.  It's hard to know how to dress this time of year.  I hope your weekend was a good and that you have great plans for the week ahead.


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LITTLE FACT OF THE DAY

Tomatoes

Tomatoes are not high up on my 'favorites' list.  The one and only way I will eat them if they are in a well seasoned sauce, and that includes pizza.  However, I thought I would do a bit of research on the tomato and this is what I found:
* Tomatoes are thought to originate in Peru. The name comes from the Aztec “xitomatl,” which means “plump thing with a navel”.
* The U.S. Department of Agriculture says there are 25,000 tomato varieties. Other sources cap the number of types of tomatoes at 10,000. (Either way, that’s a lot.)
* When the tomato was introduced to Europe in the 1500s, The French called it “the apple of love.” The Germans called it “the apple of paradise.”
* Tomato is a cousin of the eggplant, red pepper, ground cherry, potato, and the highly toxic belladonna
* The scientific term for the common tomato is lycopersicon lycopersicum, which mean “wolf peach.”
* According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Americans eat between 22- 24 pounds of tomatoes per person, per year. (More than half of those munchies are ketchup and tomato sauce.)
* While tomatoes are perfectly safe and healthy to eat, their leaves are actually toxic!


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FLOWER GARDEN FINISH


A couple of weeks ago I tried something new.  I gave raw edge applique with straight stitching a try.....

This flower is part of it.  I probably should have stitched a bit closer to the edge.  I added a little detail with the swirl in the middle of the flower and the petal detail.  I also added veins to the leaves.  Oh, the stems are stitched with a button hole stitch.

This little bird is the focal point of the wall hanging.  It was fun making his curly tail.  His eye is a little button.  Here you can see the quilting I did.  It's sort of a curly vine sort of thing.  Don't look too closely as there are places where I didn't back track too well.

And here is the entire little wall hanging.  It is called Flower Garden.  I found the pattern at Don't Look Now. It's a freebie and their pattern makes it into a pillow.  I'm really happy with the results and have it hanging in my bathroom.  Yes, in my bathroom.  The bathroom needed a little color and this was the perfect addition.  

Wall Hanging:  Flower Garden

Pattern Design:  Don't Look Now

Dimensions:  18" X 18"

Completed:  February 15, 2012

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BLOCK RECEIVED

Late last week I received another swap block in the mail.  This one came to me from Arizona.

Linda B said she didn't think this block was very bright but I do and it certainly is child happy.  I just love the swimming frog in the middle square.  Linda was my February swap partner for Block Swap Adventure.  Thank you so very much, Linda B!

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TODAY'S GOAL

Today I plan to get some quilting done and hopefully a little stitching in the afternoon.

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GIVEAWAYS

Jolly Jabber is having a giveaway.  You could win a Parson Gray’s Designer Select Fat Quarter Bundle.  This giveaway ends Wednesday, February 29.


Confessions of a Fabric Addict is having a giveaway.  You could win a signed copy of Back To Charm School or one of two table toppers.  This giveaway ends Tuesday, February 28, at midnight.


Sew4Home is having a giveaway.  You could win a Janome Hello Kitty 15822 machine.  This giveaway ends Friday, March 16, at midnight PST.


Hawthorne Threads is having their weekly giveaway.  You could win  a Star and Stripes fat quarter bundle.  This giveaway ends Wednesday, February 29.


SewCalGal is having a giveaway.  You could win a copy of Sonoma Rose by Jennifer Chiaverini.  This giveaway ends Friday, March 2.


The Intrepid Thread is having a giveaway.  You could win a Fat Quarter Bundle of Basics from Art Gallery.  This giveaway ends Friday, March2, at midnight.


Victorian Motto Sampler Shoppe is having a giveaway.  You could win a pdf chart of Two Long Eared Rabbits.  This giveaway ends Thursday, March 15.


Hilachas is having a Birthday-Ready for Spring giveaway.  You could win 5 spring fat quarters and a darling little kit you could use as a sewing kit.  This giveaway ends Friday, March 2.

Heirlooms by Ashton House is having a giveaway.  You could win a copy of Dawn Heese's latest quilt book,Cozy Comforts: Quilts and Projects for Every Season.  This giveaway ends Tuesday, February 28, at noon.

Needles and Pins is celebrating her 100 post with a giveaway.  You could win some fabric or a sweet set of crocheted dish cloths.  This  giveaway ends Sunday, March 4.

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FINAL THOUGHT

Which owl are you today?