Three Little Finishes

Every day may not be good, but there's something good in every day.
~Author Unknown

Did you all have a wonderful 4th of July?  Ours was spent in the house, under the A/C and ceiling fans.  There was no way we were going out in the scorching heat (105 degrees F.) and higher than normal humidity.  DH did barbecue a fantastic tri-tip but other than that there were no celebrations at our house.  It was a quiet time - until the fireworks in the neighborhood started.  I should have known what we were in for when the whole area was eerily quiet on Sunday night - LOL!  I think WWIII broke out about 9:00 pm.  Luckily the war only lasted a couple of hours and now things are back to normal.  I hope you all survived the 4th!

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PHOTO FACT OF THE DAY

National Graham Cracker Day

Today, July 5, is known as National Graham Cracker Day.  The graham cracker was developed in 1829 in Bound Brook, New Jersey, by Presbyterian minister Rev. Sylvester Graham.  The true graham cracker is made with graham flour, a combination of fine-ground white flour and coarse-ground wheat bran and germ. Graham crackers are often used for making s'mores and pie crusts.

The Graham cracker was originally marketed as "Dr. Graham's Honey Biskets" and was conceived of as a health food as part of the Graham Diet, a regimen to suppress what he considered unhealthy carnal urges, the source of many maladies according to Graham. Reverend Graham would often lecture about the adverse effects of masturbation or "self-abuse" as it was commonly called at the time. One of his many theories was that one could curb one's sexual appetite by eating bland foods. Another man who held this belief was Dr. John Harvey Kellogg, the inventor of the Corn Flakes cereal.
Many modern "graham crackers" are made of the refined, bleached white flour to which the Rev. Graham was implacably opposed. Some modern commercial graham crackers are no longer considered health food, but have remained popular as a snack food and breakfast cereal with greater amounts of sugar and other sweeteners than in the original recipe, and far less graham flour, often with no whole-wheat flour whatsoever.

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MUG RUG SWAP

Friday's mail came with a wonderful squishy package.  In this package was......

This wonderful mug rug from Jodi!  I just love the colors and the layout of this mug rug.  Jodi was my secret swap partner in Leona's Mug Rug Swap Adventure 2.  She did some wonderful hand quilting in different colored threads and the backing is scrappy stripping that includes some selvages (sorry, forgot to take a picture).

Jodi also included some special surprises:  two bags of chamomile herbal tea, a wonderful dish towel, and an assortment of great hexagons! 

Thank you, Jodi, for the beautiful mug rug and the added tuck ins!!!!

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3 FINISHES

On Friday and over the long weekend I worked on Isolette covers....

I made three of these little quilts that will be donated through our guild's project, Loving Hands, to the local NICU at one of our hospitals.  These little quilts measure 32" X 32".
I used the Jelly Roll Race Quilt method to make these quilts.  I had a jelly roll of Spirit by moda laying around and used it.  Now, I know some people in the race have made their quilt tops in something like 36 minutes but I certainly don't know how.  They must not have ironed as they went and their machine must sew much quicker than mine - lol!  It took me around 3 1/2 hours to make these tops.  And if I had continued on with a couple more seams to make the full sized quilt top as they did in the race, it would have taken me even longer. 

I have had the butterfly backing material for a few years and thought it would be perfect for babies.  The jelly roll worked perfectly to make these three quilts - I only ended up not using two of the strips - and only because they had fallen on the floor and I missed them.  I had absolutely no excess so nothing was wasted :D

Here are the three completed quilts.  As I was taking the picture, Weasley decided to insert himself into the frame.  I think he was really just looking for a cooler spot on the sofa.

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TODAY'S GOAL

Today I hope to make more than one hexie flower!

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GIVEAWAYS

Cat Patches is having her weekly Fun Fact Friday Freebie.  You could win a fat quarter for just answering her question of the week.  The winner will announced Friday, July 8.

Patsy Thompson Designs is having a giveaway.  You could win a Beam n Read.  This giveaway ends Friday, July 8, at 12:01 am EST.

We Love Quilting is having a July giveaway.  The giveaway will be a surprise but she promises "My give a ways are PACKED TO THE BRIM with goodies".  The winner will be announced on the last day of the month.

Stitchin' Heaven Howdy is having their monthly giveaway.  You could win a $25 Stitchin’ Heaven gift card.  The winner will be announced on the first of August.

The Intrepid Thread is having a giveaway.  You could win a Fat Eighth Pack of Little Apples.  This giveaway ends Friday, July 8.

Hawthorne Threads is having their weekly giveaway.  You could win  1/2 yard bundle of Amy Butler's Soul Blossoms Corduroy.  A winner will be selected at random Thursday, June 7th.

Mrs Sassy Crafter is celebrating 300+ followers with a giveaway.  You could win a box full of surprises.  This giveaway ends Friday, July 8.

Katie's Korner is having a giveaway.  You could win a GO! Baby Cutter and your choice of three dies.  This giveaway ends Friday, July 8, at 11:59 pm.

The Average Quilter is having a giveaway.  You could win a wonderful fat quarter bundle.  This giveaway ends Saturday, July 9.

Love Affair With My Brother is celebrating her birthday with a giveaway.  You could win A Heather Bailey pattern for the Happy Stacker Ring Toy, Small Stash Sewing: 24 Projects Using Designer Fat Quarters (forward by Amy Butler), and one "Little Wallet".  This giveaway ends Thursday, July 7.

Inch Worm Fabrics is having a giveaway.  Jeanette is giveaway away a mystery box that she says "will put in there items that will be well worth you time to get, some will be things from the store and some will be items that I have left from my booth in June".  Not sure when this giveaway ends.

KoolBenz is having her weekly giveaway.  You could win a 16 pc Fat Quarter bundle set in Ann Kelle's Urban Zoologie Part 2.  This giveaway ends Friday, July 8, at midnight EST.

1 Choice 4 Quilting is having a giveaway.  You could win a fat quarter bundle of Anthology Bryant Park Fat Quarter Bundle.  This giveaway ends Sunday, July 17.
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FINAL THOUGHT

My brain is tired after a late night of bangs, booms, and hisses.  Today should be quieter.  I really enjoy that we celebrate our country's independence but I wish it didn't have to be quite so noisy, full of fire, and so late at night.  Barbecues, games, and family get together are a great way to show our happiness.  Aren't I sounding like a grumpy, old lady?  YES I AM.  Not getting enough sleep will do that to you.  My brain is as foggy as the air was smokey last night.  So, instead of boring your further, I wish you a great rest of the week - be it quiet or loud, busy or restful.  Now, onto some sewing!!
I have often lamented that we cannot close our ears with as much ease as we can our eyes.
~Richard Steele

A Few More Obligations

The friend is the man who knows all about you, and still likes you. 

 ~Elbert Hubbard

Yesterday I went out to lunch with my BFF.  We hadn't seen each other in almost 4 weeks - he had been back east visiting family.  We had a great time catching up and sharing what had been happening in our lives.  Cussing and discussing politics is always a favorite with my friend and sometimes laughable, too.  Our favorite lunch spot was packed to the rafters and was extremely noisy.  To show you how much of a introvert hermit I am, I practically lost my voice trying to be heard over the din.  I'm not used to that much talking let alone at a loud volume.  We both showed our age with several "what was that" and "huh?" from not being able to hear one another across the table.  All in all it was a good time, reuniting with a friend, sharing good food, and just being out in the world :)

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PHOTO FACT OF THE DAY

Swim A Lap Day

Today is Swim A Lap Day.  A swim sounds really good with the heat we have been experiencing.  Swimming laps is an excellent form of exercise.  In keeping with the theme, here are some fun facts about swimming:

* Around 65 thousand people (are estimated) in the United States don't know how to swim!! * The first recorded swimming race was held in Japan
* Women weren't allowed to compete in swimming at the Olympics till 1912
* The bikini was named after a U.S nuclear testing site in the South Pacific, in 1946
* The slowest Olympic swim stroke is the breaststroke
* Swimming started in the 1st century
* Egyptians made a picture or symbol for swimming as far back as 2500 A
* The shorter your hair is the more chance you have for swimming faster because there is less friction
* •It really is true that you shouldn't swim for about an hour after eating. This is primarily because your body is digesting your food and you may get a cramp during the time right after you eat. Allow your body to rest after eating and then go into the water.

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MUG RUG

The other day I completed another obligation for the month of June.  I made a mug rug....

This mug rug is for my secret partner in Leona's Mug Rug Swap Adventure 2.  My partner requested brights that don't necessarily go together so my mind automatically went to wonky.  Why do I keep making wonky when it is such a challenge for me?  The black sashing measures 1/4" in width.  When I went to quilt this little thing I discovered that my small Janome didn't have a walking foot.  No problem, I thought......so I pulled out the walking foot to my big machine that was in the shop for servicing.  Guess what?  That foot is not interchangeable between the two Janome machines!  Who would have thought that would happen - certainly not me!  I ended up using the regular pressure foot for quilting so I did a simple stitch in the ditch.  Even that was a challenge without a walking foot.  This mug rug is on its way just a few states over.  I sure hope my swap partner likes it.  Oh, the backing is just a solid black.

If you are interested in seeing more of the mug rugs being swapped, check out the flickr group.

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KEEPING COOL

This is Weasley's normal position now that summer and warm temps have arrived.  (I touched it up for modesty purposes).  Doesn't he look comfy baring his belly for all to see?

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SWAP BLOCKS COMPLETED

Wednesday I also completed my June swap blocks for the 6 Inch Block Swaps Australia....

My swap partner, Coralie, requested Star Of Hope in jewel toned colors with a light background.  First I made the orange and yellow block.  Next I made.....

this purple and pink star.  Now that I'm looking at the pictures, I see that some of my points don't quite match up.  Hmmmmm......I'm going to blame that in part to working on my little Janome. 

I hope that Coralie likes these stars.  I would have put them on a black background if she hadn't requested light.  I think that would have made the jewel toned colors pop even more.  These are winging there way to Australia as your read this.

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TODAY'S GOAL

Today I plan to make the bread basket that I need to complete before the end of the month for another swap.

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GIVEAWAYS

Quilting In The Rain is having a giveaway.  You could win a jelly roll of Terrain by Kate Spain.  This giveaway will end Sunday, June 26.

Quilt I.T. is celebrating her one year blogiversary with a giveaway.  You could win 5 Fat Quarters of "Jacobean Jewels" by Red Rooster Fabrics or a Candy Bar of Moda's "Breakfast at Tiffany's".  This giveaway ends Sunday, July 3.

Quilt Story is having a fabric giveaway from Sew Obsessed.  You could win a 6 fat quarter bundle of Urban Chiks.  The winner will be announced on Tuesday, June 28.

Confessions of a Fabric Addict is celebrating her 400th follower with a giveaway.  You could win at least a fat quarter of three yummy Swiss Chocolate prints, and Kona cottons in four coordinating colors.  Sarah will select a winner on Wednesday, June 29.

Our Busy Little Bunch is having a giveaway.  You could win an AccuQuilt GO! Baby Cutter and your choice of 3 dies.  This giveaway ends Friday, July 1.

Stray Stitches (ME!) is still having a giveaway.  Click on the link for all of the details to win an awesome table runner kit and a darling pair of embroidery scissors.

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FINAL THOUGHT

Wednesday evening on his way home from work, my DH picked up my big Janome from the shop.  It was cleaned, polished, and ready to put in another year of sewing.  I missed my machine.  I was afraid to tackle anything big on the little Janome.  Do you know how many times I hit my knee on the side of the sewing desk trying to use the knee lift on the little machine?  It doesn't have a knee lift.  I had to lift the pressure foot up by hand each time.  Do you know how many times I hit the automatic clipper button that wasn't there?  Or tried to adjust the sewing speed?  I have become spoiled.  Not to mention the automatic needle treader.  I now know of at least four things that all future sewing machine MUST have.  I'm also used to having many more selections for tension than the little machine has.  I guess it's good to have the big machine missing for a few days.  It makes really appreciate all it can do and what we can do together.  It probably enjoyed the vacation of no sewing for two weeks but I'm sure glad it's back and ready to go!

The sewing machine joins what the scissors have cut asunder, plus whatever else comes in its path.
 ~Mason Cooley

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!!

A LIttle Bit Of This.......

There's lots of people in this world who spend so much time watching their health that they haven't the time to enjoy it.

~Josh Billings

I am healthy!  That's what the doctor said yesterday morning.  Just a routine visit, nothing more.  I still have to go in for a fasting blood work-up and make an appointment for an ECG and then I will be good to go for another 6 months.  Nice to be told twice in one month that I'm healthy - as long as you can ignore the ALS - all systems are go.  So, for the rest of the morning I was able to get some sewing in.  The afternoon started with the scheduled visit of our ALS case worker.  Mostly just a chit-chat but she let me know what she is planning for the support group over the next few months.  The evening was our grocery shopping run.  Home to put groceries away and then a few minutes to relax in front of the TV with a cup of decaf.  Whew!  It was a busy day.

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PHOTO FACT OF THE DAY

Tater Day

Did you know there was such a thing as Tater Day?  Tater Day is a large festival in Benton, Kentucky. It was started in 1843 as a celebration of spring, and a time when all of the townsfolk would get together and trade in sweet potato slips, used to grow the plants. It is also the oldest continuous trade day in the United States, in which goods such as guns, Coon hounds, tobacco or livestock are swapped or sold. The biggest part of the festival is the parade, which completes one circuit around the town. It includes Political floats, Marshall County High School marching band, horse and buggies, clowns, vintage cars, horses, Ms. Tater Day, and other things for which Marshall County is known. There is also Junior Ms. Tater for little girls ages 5 to 12, and a Little Mr., Tiny Miss, and Baby Ms. Tater day pageants and floats for the younger kids. Tater Day also has carnival rides, games, a market, mule pulls, and several other exciting events. Another event is the "biggest potato" contest that attracts large potatoes from across the town and a potato eating contest. You can get a kickin' funnel cake too! Woohoo!

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MUG RUG SWAP

Yesterday the mailman brought me a wonderful squishy envelope all the way from Pauline in North Yorks, United Kingdom.  Pauline was my secret swap partner for Leona's Mug Rug Swap Adventure.  Inside I found two darling mug rugs and two mug wraps......

Here are the two mug wraps on two of my mugs.  Are they cute?  I especially like the little flower buttons on the right one.  I had never seen mug wraps before but I'm sure they will help keep my coffee nice and warm.

And here are the two darling mug rugs that Pauline made for me.  She used some great coffee fabric to create these.  Perfect since they won't show where coffee drips may fall on them.  I don't have Pauline's email and I don't think she has a blog so I hope she sees this post.  Thank you so very much, Pauline, for the wonderful mug rugs and mug wraps.

On a side note....the customs declaration stated that there 2 mug rugs and 2 mug raps in the envelope.  Can you just picture the custom agent reading the description and trying to figure out what those items were?  I'm surprised the envelope hadn't been opened just out of curiosity - lol.

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MONTHLY MINI QUILT

Yesterday I worked on my mini quilt......

It's already sandwiched and ready to quilt today!  I did learn one important thing about my sewing machine yesterday.  For the majority of the applique I was using just the regular blanket stitch and kept wondering "why, oh, why is the applique getting wavy?".  My tension was set correctly and the fusible web was staying flat (that's another story for another time).  On the last piece of applique I decided to go to the applique setting of my machine.  Set the stitching for blanket stitch there.  Lo and behold it stayed flat!  Who would have thought there would be a difference between everyday blanket stitch and applique blanket stitch.  Learned my lesson!  Made myself a BIG sticky note "For Applique - USE APPLIQUE BLANKET STITCH".  Wow!  And to think that the whole piece could be non-wavy as we speak.  Oh well.  Chalk it up for another lesson learned.

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BALTIMORE BLOCK

Yesterday I finished the second block of the Baltimore Album quilt.....

I think I have circles pretty much down pat.  There are a couple that look a little wobbly but for the most part they all look round.  The leaves are definitely not uniform, but as somebody told me last time - nature is not perfect (even though I want mine to be - lol).  Now onto block 3!

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TODAY'S GOAL

Today I hope to finish the April mini quilt.  If time allows, perhaps I will start another Bee block that I need to make.

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GIVEAWAYS

P.S. I Quilt is having a giveaway.  You could win a copy of Quilt Album.  Winner will be drawn April 6th.

Sew Many Quilts is having a giveaway.  You could win a pattern from Jaybird Quilts.  This giveaway ends at midnight on Monday, April 4.

OCD: Obsessive Crafting Disorder is having a Sherbet Pips giveaway.  Kristie is giving away 23 slices of 10" X 10" pieces of Sherbet Pips - that's almost 2 yards.  This giveaway ends Friday, April 1.

The Confused Quilter is having another used book giveaway.  Staci is giving us a chance to win one of 6 Thimbleberry books.  This giveaway ends Friday, April 1. 

Quilt Dad is having a giveaway. You could win a fat quarter bundle of Nesting Chairs.  John will be picking a winner on Sunday, April 3.

Quilting Gallery is having a sponsored giveaway.  You could be one of 10 to win  a sampler package of  Saral's Wax Free Transfer Paper.  Winners will be selected on Wednesday, April 6.

1 Choice 4 Quilting is having another great giveaway.  You could win 7 yards of fabric from the fabric line by Anthology called Sweet Tooth.  There are 14 different fabrics in 1/2 yard cuts.  This giveaway ends Sunday, April 3, at 10:00 pm EST.

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FINAL THOUGHT
Sometimes I feel like an old dog learning new tricks.  Just when I think I know my sewing machine, it throws me a curve.  Same thing with the computer.  Hit the wrong button and everything disappears - permanently!  All the electronic gadgets out there can be stifling.  I'm still learning things about my phone and I've had it for several months now.  Quite often someone will say something their phone will do which will cause me to check for the same thing on mine......well, I'll be - mine does that too!  Then there's the TV and the DVR.  Don't ask me the ratio and aspects, just let me watch my TV programs when I want and to be able to zoom through those annoying commercials.  Believe me, I'm not complaining.  I just wish I could keep up with the modern world of techno-information.  I definitely go through gadget overload.  How about  you?

Do you realize if it weren't for Edison we'd be watching TV by candlelight?
~Al Boliska

It's the last day of March!  Are you ready for April?

Blocks, Blocks, and More

If one morning I walked on top of the water across the Potomac River, the headline that afternoon would read: "President Can't Swim."

~Lyndon B. Johnson

Let me preface this by saying if you work for a publishing company I'm not necessarily pointing a finger at you.  Do you ever get tired of listening to the news?  I sure do.  It seems as if they try to sensationalize everything that is bad and ignore the good.  For example - The birds are flying south for the winter - watch out, they may cause hazards to aircraft.  The reporters seem to take just the tiniest bit of truth and stretch it into a worst possible scenario.  Yes birds do fly south for the winter, and yes, there have been collisions with aircraft but if you compare the actual events, this is a very rare occurrence.  I would like just one day where they report only the news as it happened - no additions, no what-ifs and no dooms day possibilities.  I wish I could share a correction in our paper recently with you.  They had to follow it up with a correction of the correction.  That's our local paper for you - lol!

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PHOTO FACT OF THE DAY

Frozen Food

Did you know that March is National Frozen Food Month?  Well, neither did I until I did some reading.   We think of frozen food as a new invention, but it is actually one of the oldest methods known for preserving food. From the days when man first inhabited cold regions, he froze fish, game and other meats for future use. The first known patent for freezing food was granted as early as 1853 in England. The method used was to immerse the food in ice-and-salt brine. Many other patents were granted for freezing food at that time, all using ice-and-salt mixtures.  But frozen foods could not be used extensively until the development of mechanical refrigeration. This made it possible to freeze and transport meats over long distances.  In 1916, experiments in Germany showed that foods could be frozen by the quick freeze method, which meant freezing the food in a few hours instead of in several days. In 1917 a man called Clavence Birdsage began to work on methods for freezing food in small containers for sale in stores. It wasn’t until 1919 that the first commercial pact of this type was put on the market.  As the result of his experiments and the work of others, it was found that many vegetables could also be preserved in this manner, and the frozen industry was on its way.  I know I would be lost without my frozen foods!

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LAYER CAKE BLOCK

Yesterday I made the 11th block in the Layer Cake QAL hosted by Moose on the Porch. 

This block was designed by Vanessa Wilson of Crafty Gemini and is called E-ccentric Quilt Block.  I'm not wild about this block but I do think the fabrics from Sweet and Sour worked up nicely in this design.  Only one more block to make in two weeks and then I will be putting the blocks together for a quilt top!

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MAIL CALL

The other day my mail box was overflowing in swap blocks, purchases, and winnings.  I received my first 7.5" Barn Door Swap blocks.....

These two wonderful blocks were made for me by Karyli.  I love the fabric she selected for the blocks.  You can check Karyli's blog out at Sew and So On...

I also received.......

I just hate it when I see this envelope in the mailbox.  The postal people always make it sound like this couldn't have ever been their fault.  YUCK!

But luckily Kate had slipped the contents of the envelope into a sealed bag as I had suggested to all of my Bee members.  None of the nasty, icky, sticky, who-knows-what-it-is stuff could get through to the precious fabrics.

Kate was a bit behind but the wait was worth it.  She made me this wonderful block and included a cute little note.  Love the block, Kate!

I am currently involved in Leona's Mug Rug Swap Adventure and she recently had a giveaway for the members of this group.  I was one of the lucky winners of.....

QuiltPink for hope published by Better Homes & Gardens.  There are some awe inspiring quilt designs and 50 quilt block patters in this book.  Each quilt in the book has a story attached.  Leona also included some wonderful charm squares.  Thank you so very much for, Leona, for this and for hosting the swap!

I recently placed an order with Connection Threads.  They had some batiks on sale that I just couldn't pass up.....

Aren't these beautiful?  I was sadly lacking in batiks and since some of the members of the swaps I'm involved in seem to request batiks I decided it was time to increase my stash.  Once again I'm blue heavy.  I really need to work on that.  If you are in the market for batiks, check out Connecting Threads.  You certainly would have a hard time beating their prices and their customer service is outstanding!  And they still have a selection of batiks at 30% off!

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TODAY'S GOAL

Today I hope to finish the hot pad for the swap I'm in.  I definitely have to prepare emails for swap partners in the Block Swap Adventure as they are do tomorrow!

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GIVEAWAYS

A Bowl Full Of Lemons is having giveaway.  You could win Silhouette SD Machine.  This giveaway ends March 25th at 11:59 pm.



Green Fairy Quilts is having a giveaway.  Up for grabs is a Punctuation Jelly Roll.  This giveaway ends Friday night, March 25.

Cut To Pieces is having a giveaway.  You could win a Hawthorne Threads Scrap Pack.  Ends?

Sew Many Ways is celebrating her one millionth visit with a giveaway.  You could win a beautiful 24 inch Sterling Silver necklace.  This giveaway ends ?

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FINAL THOUGHT

The passing of Elizabeth Taylor brought a sadness to my heart.  Such a regal and beautiful woman.  She was in so many great movies and supported some great causes.  I even remember her bit parts in General Hospital and also in All My Children - quite the surprise.  I think the movie I most remember her in is National Velvet.  I saw this as a child (no, not when it was first released) on TV.  Even through all of her health issues she remained a lady, a star, and an international beauty.  Elizabeth Taylor will be missed.

Elizabeth Taylor was an icon — the mortal Hollywood actress for whom the grand Greek word might as well have been invented.
~Lisa Schwarzbaum

Will your Thursday be full of thread?

A Novel Giveaway

It was one of those March days when the sun shines hot and the wind blows cold: when it is summer in the light, and winter in the shade.
~Charles Dickens
We are on that roller coaster known as spring weather.  Thursday was warm with a high of 76 degrees with an abundance of  bright sunshine.  Friday brought overcast and dreary looking skies with our high reaching only 62.  Yes, I know that could be a regular heat wave to some of you but it's fairly normal for us at this time of the year.  The plants are confused.  "Do we leaf out yet or send out flowers?"  And the poor birds - "Do we start nest building or just stare at each other for a little while longer?".  There certainly has been lots of mating dances going on along my fence tops lately.   I never know which closet to go to in the morning and could possibly be changing clothes completely by afternoon (my closets are tiny so don't think wardrobe - think high school gym locker).  Thursday it was jeans and a long sleeve t-shirt.  Friday it was back into sweats and a corduroy shirt.  Saturday and Sunday were partly cloudy and cool but a little warmer than Friday.  But I'm not complaining because in about a month it will be hot and will remain hot until some time until October.  I'm not looking forward to summer.

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PHOTO FACT OF THE DAY

Potato Chips - mmmmmmmm!

Today, March 14,  is National Potato Chip day.  National Potato Chip Day celebrates the ever popular potato chip. Potato Chips are America's #1 snack food. But, its not just a snack food. Its the potato of choice for many lunchtime and dinner meals. Regular (or plain) potato chips are by far the most popular. Other popular flavors are barbecue, sour cream & onion, oil & vinegar, and ranch.

It is hard to believe that the world's most famous snack food began as a joke. Potato Chips were first made in 1853 while Commodore Cornelius Vanderbilt was on vacation in New York. At one restaurant, he kept sending his fried potatoes back to the kitchen because he said they were "too thick". The chef, George Crum, decided that he would cut them into paper-thin slices, boil them in oil, fry them, and salt them as a joke to the Commodore. It backfired. They became an instant success and the restaurant was well known for them. 

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MUG RUG SWAP

Friday I finally decided to work on my mug rug for my swap partner in Leona's Mug Rug Swap Adventure.

It took me forever to decide exactly what I wanted to do.  I visited my swap partner's blog but that really didn't help a lot.  I even asked her for her "likes" and still didn't have a clue where I was going.  So I pulled out a charm pack I had and a few other fabrics and started cutting.  I ended up with......

...This!  I love the colors in this mug rug.  And the little birdie in the bottom corner was just a little added something.  In fact, he matches the backing to this mug rug.  I hope my partner likes it!  This will be hitting the mail box in a couple of days.

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A NOVEL GIVEAWAY

Last month Nancy, a follower of mine, surprised me when she told me that she had won Patty's Round Robin Book Giveaway.  A bigger surprise was when she told me she would be forwarding the book to me after she had read it.  You see, Nancy doesn't have a website but had seen my entry for Patty's giveaway and knew how much I would like to read the book.  What book you ask?  The book is The Aloha Quilt by Jennifer Chiaverini. 

This book certainly didn't disappoint.  Ms. Chiaverini continued with her excellent story telling.  It is an excellent read.  Inside the cover of this book are the names and locations of everyone that have read the book so far in the Round Robin Book Giveaway.  The book started its travels from San Diego, CA when it left the hands of Darlene, Insights from  Sew Cal Gal (the originator of the Round Robin Book Giveaway).  It has since traveled to Amerika Samoa, then to Iowa and on to Nancy in Utah then to me here in Bakersfield, CA.   Now it is my turn to continue the Round Robin Book Giveaway.  If you would like to read the book and then send it on its way with another giveaway, just leave me a comment below saying you would like to read the book.  Please don't leave a comment if you won't be able to send the book forward.  Let's see how many places this wonderful book can go!  This giveaway will end Monday, March 21, 2011 at midnight.  I will announce the winner on Tuesday, March 22.

Thank you, Nancy, for giving me the opportunity to send this book on its way!

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TODAY'S GOAL

Today I will make 2 swap blocks for the 6 Inch Block Swaps Australia that just started up.

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GIVEAWAYS

The Plaid Scottie is still celebrating her blogiversary, this time with giveaway #2.  Kaelin is giving away a med size flat rate box full of scraps.  This giveaway ends at midnight on March 17th.

Quilt Cookies is having a giveaway.  What you can win is a surprise so who knows what little goodie it will be.  This winner will be announced after March 16.

Hawthorne Threads is having their weekly giveaway.  This week you could win a Sugar & Spice layer cake.  This winner will be selected on Wednesday, March 16.

The Q and the U is having a Blog-O-Versary giveaway.  Actually, the 1st of 3.  For this giveaway Riel is giving away a lot of wonderful scraps.  This giveaway will end Wednesday, March 16, AST.

You still have another week to enter the giveaway for a pattern from B. Bumble and Company.  Just go to enter HERE.

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FINAL THOUGHT

Do you ever feel like you run out of time to accomplish all there is to do or would like to do?  I do.  And it doesn't help when they steal an hour from me like they did yesterday!  I wish I had six sets of hands - one for piecing, one for hand stitching, and one for anything else that I might want to do or for even doing chores around the house.  I try to divide my day in two.  One half for piecing and the other for hand stitching.  When you throw writing a blog in the mix, it really limits the hours you can give to any one project.  I have even started working on projects in the evenings.  I used to save this time for my DH and watching TV.  Now I use that time to spend with DH, usually some sort of hand project, and listening to shows.  Unfortunately, I also have to allow time for eating and sleeping.  Probably necessary so I can accomplish my main goals.  So, how do you divide your day?

Time is what prevents everything from happening at once.
~John Archibald Wheeler

A new week, a new day - use it wisely!