Play Time

The shortest distance between two points is under construction.
~Noelie Altito


Saturday my DH and I were to attend a play down in Hollywood.  We had purchased the tickets months ago.  We debated whether to even go with all of the news about freeway back-ups because of a stretch of the 405 being closed.  There were reports that there could be 25 mile back-ups and that it would take lots of extra hours to reach your destination.  That morning we decided to go for it.  We left the house around 9:15 in hopes that would leave us plenty of time to reach the Pantages Theater and the opening of the play at 2:00.  We arrived in Hollywood at 10:35!!  Record time and very little traffic on the freeways!  Everybody in the L.A. area must have listened to the request to stay at home.  I actually enjoyed the travel down south this time.  With our early arrival we visited the famous Farmer's Market - did some browsing around and had lunch.  Then it was on to the Pantages Theater where we enjoyed the whimsical Shrek, The Musical.  Back onto the uncrowded freeways for another record travel time home.  Thank you, Los Angeles, for staying off the freeways on Saturday!!  I survived Carmegeddon!!

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PHOTO FACT OF THE DAY

Cow

Today is Cow Appreciation Day.  Don't you just love that face?  Here are a few cow facts:

* Pilgrims first brought cows to America.

* A cow can climb up the stairs, but cannot climb down. This is because her knees cannot bend properly.

* A cow stands up and sits down about 14 times a day

* Cows do not bite grass; rather they curl their tongue around it

* Cows can see color

* Cows have an acute sense of smell and can smell something up to 6 miles away.

* Dairy cows can produce up to 125 lbs of saliva a day.

* A cow produces around 200,000 glasses of milk in her lifetime.

* A cow usually spends 6-7 hours in day eating cud and around 8 hours on chewing it.

* Cows have almost total 360-degree panoramic vision.

* The oldest cow till date was Big Bertha, a Dremon, which died just 3 months shy of her 49th birthday.

* The highest milk yield for a single day is 241 lbs, by a cow named Urbe Blanca.

 

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MY NEW TOY

Friday I finally played with my newest toy, or if you prefer, my newest tool.

Way back in May, I won this GO! Baby Cutter from a giveaway at Leona's Quilting Adventure.   I was also the lucky winner of three dies of my choice.....

I selected the Birds, the 2 1/2" strip die, and the hexagon die. Because of delays from AccuQuilt, the cutter did not arrive until the middle of June.  Anyway, I tried some different things.....

First I put 6 layers of white cotton fabric onto the die covering the hexagon in the size I wanted.

When I pulled off the cutting mat, all of the pieces were stuck there but it was so easy to remove them.

And in no time at all I had 14 colored hexagons and 52 white hexagons cut.  I really love this cutter for the stepping stones (white hexies) and for non-fussy cut petals.  I will still be using a template for my fussy cuts.

I also cut out some 2 1/2" strips.  I was rather disappointed with this part of the cutter.  I could only cut 4 layers at a time.  I tried 6 but it pushed the fabric under the mat and I ended up with some wavy strips.  I really don't think the strip cutter saves you any time.  I still had to cut the fabric to fit the die and make sure it wasn't too long for the cutting area.  I honestly think it is quicker to just rotary cut 2 1/2" strips.

I didn't have time to try out the birds but I can see how the cutter would be a time saving device for applique and pieces that have to be cut with templates.

Thank you so very much, Leona, for having the giveaway.  I know I will find many uses for this little cutter for a long time to come :)

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FMQ - DAY 4

Friday I started the day with some free motion practice.

Leah calls this pattern Tree Roots.  I actually enjoyed working on this one.  Some of roots like the have leaves and I definitely need more practice on retracing my stitching but I do feel as though I relaxed through this one.  I thought half a block of this one was enough and I can use the other half on Monday.

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I SPY BLOCKS

Friday's mail contained I Spy Blocks from the swap I was involved in.

Here is just a sampling of the squares that I received.  Aren't they cute?  There are over 200 four inch squares here and I think I only saw two duplicates.  I'm thinking about separating them into girl and boy groupings and then using them to make some more Loving Hands quilts.  Wouldn't they look cute in the NICU?  So bright and happy in what can be a very stressful and sometimes depressing place.  Thank you, Mrs. Sassy Crafter, for hosting this fun swap!  She is thinking about having another I Spy block swap next month.  I'll let you know when I find out anything just in case you are interested.

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TODAY'S and TUESDAY'S GOAL

Today I plan on working on block #2 of the Designer Mystery BOM.  Tuesday I hope to start piecing together the backing for the Colors Thru The Window quilt.

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GIVEAWAYS

The Intrepid Thread is having a giveaway.  You could win a fat quarter pack of Farm Fresh in the green colorway.  This giveaway ends Friday, July 22, at midnight.

Happy Quilting is celebrating her one year blogiversary with a giveaway.  Melissa is giving away a Summer Breeze quilt kit.  This giveaway ends Thursday, July 21.

Want It, Need It, Quilt is having a giveaway.  You could win a GO! Baby Cutter and your choice of three dies.  This giveaway ends Tuesday, August 16.

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FINAL THOUGHT

I really debated about letting you all know the trouble I had with the GO! Baby Cutter - well, not the cutter but the strip die.  After all, the machine and its dies did not cost me a thing - I won them all.  I hated criticizing something that was free.  You know, 'don't bite the hand that feeds you'.  But I felt honesty was necessary.  I didn't want to sugar coat something that really didn't live up to expectations.  Personally, I would much rather read both positive and negative reviews before making a purchase for something that is not cheap.  I can spend hours looking through reviews before making a high dollar, and even a medium dollar, purchase.  I have abstained from purchasing something that has a lot of negative reviews.  And, on the other hand, I have also ignored negative reviews and still ended up purchasing an item only later wishing that I had followed the advice of others.  So, take my thoughts as you wish just know that they come to you with honesty.

If you tell the truth you don't have to remember anything.
 ~Mark Twain

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!!

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!!

Sunbonnet Sue Sees 6 Geese!

Our hearts grow tender with childhood memories and love of kindred, and we are better throughout the year for having, in spirit, become a child again at Christmas-time.
~Laura Ingalls Wilder

Do you feel like a child at Christmas?  Does Santa still visit your house?  Santa will be left cookies and milk this year since we will have a 4 1/2 year old in the house (my little grandson).  Reminds me of when my girls were little..... we left a partially eaten cookie and an antique pair of glasses by the plate for the girls to find in the morning.  They were truly in awe and very concerned that Santa would not be able to see while flying his sleigh without his glasses :)  And then there was the year I was questioning the realism of Santa ( was probably 8).  My Dad used his boot to make a foot print on the hearth coming out of the ashes of the fireplace.  Well, that sealed it for me......there wasn't a Santa!  How did I know?  My dad's boot had a hole in the sole in the exact spot of Santa's foot print! LOL!  Oh, the memories of childhood and of my girls.

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PHOTO OF THE DAY

Six Geese A Laying

So, here we are again, six days into the twelve day celebration and the focus remains on foods for the feasting.   It is thus interesting to note that our lover has given his true love six female geese that are currently laying eggs, thereby providing her with both a supply of eggs as well as the possibility of increasing her flock by allowing them to be fertilized and hatched.  Being larger than chickens, the eggs of geese are also larger than chicken eggs. Goose eggs are also very rich tasting and are good for making deserts. On the downside, goose eggs are extremely high in cholesterol (cholesterol in excess of 1200 milligrams per egg), however, since people in the sixteenth century not only did not know about cholesterol but also were exposed to enough other deadly diseases that killed them long before cholesterol could clog their arteries and cause a heart attack, the cholesterol content of goose eggs was not a concern in those days.

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It's One Flower Wednesday!  I did manage to get my hexie flower made even if it did take me over a week to get it all sewed together.  I started this little flower on our trip back from Disneyland.  But trying to sew the petals together in a car bouncing along a poorly maintained California freeway was next to impossible.  So, yesterday I sat in my recliner, stitched the petals together and produced this....

I usually am not a big fan of Sunbonnet Sue.  But since these little gals are so small I thought they were rather cute plus I could brighten them up with the yellow center.

I would like to send out a great big THANK YOU to Karen, our One Flower Wednesday coordinator, for doing such a wonderful job!! 

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Yesterday I was also able to complete the second quilted block for a Christmas gift.  Perhpas you remember the snowman star I shared on Monday.  Well, that was for winter.  This next one is for spring....

I found this little rose block pattern in my EQ5.  This is the first block I've made with a Y intersection.  I was pleased with how it turned out.  How do you like the the little wire stand that I have it on.  I saw these in one of my quilting magazines recently and ordered from Ackfeld Wire. 

Here is the back of the block.  You can't really see the stitching but you can see the tiny little sleeve I created for hanging the block.  My next block will be summer.

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GIVEAWAYS

P.S. I Quilt is having a sponsored giveaway for Canton Village Works.  They are giving away a whole fat quarter bundle of beautiful Kona solids.  Hurry on over there as the winner will be drawn on Saturday.

Ryan over at I'm Just A Guy Who Quilts is having a giveaway sponsored by Aunt Bea's Fabrics.  The giveaway is for 8 fat quarters from the Hoot collection.  You must enter by Friday, Dec. 17th.

It Seams To Be Sew is still having her 12 Days Of Christmas Giveaway.  Each day at 10 PM, Lana draws a new winner for a special little gift.  There are still several days left so don't miss out.  (I was winner of day 4!)

Simply Solids is having a giveaway!  Her giveaway is a fantastic layer cake - Moda's Punctuation by American Cake.  This giveaway ends Tuesday, December 21st.

Don't forget about Sew, Mama, Sew's Giveaway Day.  It is still happening and you can click on the link to take you to the page where there are lots of other participants having giveaways too.

There's just a few days left to enter Leona's Quilting Adventure giveaway.  If you haven't entered this great giveaway yet, you need to by Friday, December 17th.

And, of course, there's always my giveaway to enter.  I'm giving away 5 Christmas batik fat quarters.

Wouldn't love to win this little star of fat quarters?  Just go HERE to enter.  This giveaway will stay open until 9:00 PM PST on Friday, Dec 17th.

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FINAL THOUGHT

Christmas is supposed to be a peaceful time.  Time for happiness, good cheer, and family.  I'm getting there.  Family will be here in just over a week.  I'm starting to feel a little happiness in the fact that I'm closer to finishing my handmade gifts.  And good cheer is something I try to spread throughout the year.  The peaceful time will come when all the gifts are wrapped, the baking is done, all the stockings are filled and I'm in my bed on Christmas Eve.  Until then I will fill every minute with business and move ever so closer to that magic day.

May Peace be your gift at Christmas and your blessing all year through!

~Author Unknown

Here's hoping you have a wonderful Wednesday - no matter what your goals!!

A Very Magical Weekend

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

~John Shirley

My weekend was gone in a flash and mine was actually four days long!  Thursday and Friday we were out of town (more info below), Saturday was full of shopping and errands, and yesterday was washing, cleaning up, and catching up.  The weather did cooperate and held off raining until after dark last night.  We still don't have our Christmas decorations up but I guess that will be next weekend.  The week promises to be a busy one with a Christmas party on Thursday.  How was your weekend?

PS.  For those of you who thought I didn't post on Friday, Blogger messed up and didn't post it at 5:00 AM like it was supposed to.  I didn't get it posted until after 8:00 PM :(

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PHOTO OF THE DAY

Quilti

The Happiest Place On Earth

This is where my DH and I were on Thursday!!  Do you recognize it?  Disneyland!!!!!  We had participated in the Give A Day Get A Day that Disney sponsored earlier in the year.  We gave a day to a Project Linus Blanket Day and in return received a one day pass to Disneyland.  We had a wonderful time!  The weather was great and the crowds were relatively light.  We hadn't been since the DD's were young so there had been some changes.  We couldn't get over the amount of strollers!  We have never seen so many and such a variety of strollers as we did that day.

In this group you can see -  Sleeping Beauty's Castle:  Main Street decorated in Christmas:  It's A Small World decked out in decorations:  the Haunted Mansion was even in the Christmas spirit:  and inside It's A Small World was full of Christmas, including the music.

This was Disneyland at night.  Some of the pictures are blurry but I think you can get the idea.  Most are of the parade down Main Street.  One is of the Castle after it had been 'iced'.  And the Christmas tree was huge!!

We had a ton of fun.  Someday I hope to go back with the grandsons and see it through their eyes.  It truly is a magical place.

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I don't know if you remember that I participated in the Quilting Bloggers Candle Mat Swap.  Well, Saturday's mail included a candle mat from my secret swap partner.

Pat S. created this beautiful candle mat for me.  There is lots of gold sparkle and she added a touch of decorative stitching around the binding.  Very pretty!

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Last week I did manage to complete a few more block for my Butter Churn quilt. 

I didn't make the deadline for the Le Petite but I hope to complete this little quilt by the end of the month.

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A Fun New Game

The Quilt Shoppe is hosting a Holly Jolly Blog Bingo.  Beginning Friday, December 10, they will post 7 words each day (weekends included). Words will be posted between 7:45 & 8 am PST until someone reaches BINGO!  There are several rules that you have to follow but nothing hard or complicated.  It looks like loads of fun.  I hope you will join me in this game!

http://www.the-quilt-shoppe.blogspot.com/2010/12/holly-jolly-blog-bingo-2010.html

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GIVEAWAYS

Do you like a treasure hunt?  Henry Glass Fabrics is hosting a Designer Holiday Parade.  To enter their giveaway you must visit their spotlight designers for each day.  Each designer will have a special holiday word in her post.  You have to collect each word and post it on their Grand Prize Giveaway Post on the Henry Glass blog any time between December 7 and 9th.  The designers started posting so you will have some catching up to do. 

My friend Leona, over at Leona's Quilting Adventures, is having a Bloggy Giveaway.  You could win a copy of "Not Your Grandmother's Log Cabin" by Sarah Nephew, one clear triangle to use with the book, and One Pair of Heritage Cutlery 6 1/2" Rag Snips.  This giveaway will remain open until December 17th at midnight EST.

Cheri, over at Quilts By Cheri is having her very fist giveaway!  If you become one of her followers you will have a chance to win two hand stitched primitive ornaments.  The winner will be selected on Sunday!

I guess most of you don't want a third and fourth chance to enter my BIG GIVEAWAY.  Maybe you missed my posting on Friday (I know it was late) but that is where you can find out how to get a couple of more entries into the drawing.  Remember, my giveaway ends this coming Friday, December 10th.

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FINAL THOUGHT

 

Are you in the Christmas spirit?  For some reason I'm a little slow in getting in the mood this year.  Don't know why especially since my grandsons will be here to share it with us (and their mommy and daddy too, of course - lol!).  I finally had DH take down the Thanksgiving flag and hang the Santa flag out front.  The neighbors probably thought I was going bah-humbug this year.  The gifts are all waiting to be wrapped.  I know it is only 19 days away.  I really do enjoy the season of goodwill and happiness.  I will get there - maybe this week.

 

I wish we could put up some of the Christmas spirit in jars and open a jar of it every month.
 ~Harlan Miller

 

  Hope your Monday is marvelous - the best way to start a new week!!

Mail Me a Flower

Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.
~William A. Ward

My mailman has been bringing both gifts that I am giving and gifts that I have received.  I have been a very lucky gal lately as you will see later in this post.  WOW!  Can you believe it is already December 1st?  Are you ready for gift giving?  Trying to figure out just the right gift for someone is sometimes down right exhausting.  Will he like it?  Is it the right size?  The right color?  So many times it's just easier to buy a gift card and let the recipient do their own shopping.  However, I don't especially like giving that kind of gift.  It just seems that I haven't put much thought into what might be just the right gift.  It does help that I require a 'wish list' from each of my family members.  What do you do for your gift giving decisions?

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PHOTO OF THE DAY

One of my favorite Norman Rockwell Christmas pictures

My camera has been rather idle as far as scenic pictures lately.  My yard is ugly and the neighborhood isn't producing anything but brown leaves.  So, today I give you Norman Rockwell.  Norman Rockwell thought of himself first and foremost a commercial illustrator.  Born in New York in 1894, Rockwell had early hopes of becoming an artist. As a young man he left high school to attend art school. A diligent student at the Art Student’s League in New York, he graduated to find immediate work as an illustrator for BOY’S LIFE magazine. By 1916 Rockwell had created his first of many SATURDAY EVENING POST covers. He would continue to create memorable covers for them for nearly fifty years — making three hundred and seventeen in all. Although his vast body of work has often been dismissed or stereotyped, Rockwell remains one of 20th-century America’s most enduring and popular artists. Now, more than one hundred years after his birth, he is achieving a new level of recognition and respect around the world.

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Today is Wednesday, so it must be One Flower Wednesday. 

I liked the petals for the flower when I was cutting them out.  I'm not so sure about them actually on the flower though.  I can't say that this is one of my favorites but it will work in the GFG quilt as it is bright and cheery.

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Last week I received a Mosaic Tile Block from Lynn in Ontario, Canada.  We are both member of the International Friendship Quilters swap group.

For this swap you send your partner a 4 1/2" block that they then add to with their own fabrics.  Didn't Lynn do a nice job of matching the colors?

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On Monday, my mailman brought me a package from my friend, Leona.  We have only been email friends for a few short months but I think we have made a lasting friendship and one that I am honored to have.  Look what Leona sent me......

Lots and lots of Connecting Threads fabrics.  Leona knows how much I like their fabric and thought of me when she was recently destashing.  She also included a little packet of 1" hexagons with some adorable reproduction squares and a package of 80 die-cut hearts also of reproduction fabrics.  Leona has a super blog - go check her out at Leona's Quilting Adventure.  Thank you so very much, Leona!!

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A few weeks ago I was the lucky winner of a contest being held by Em Celebrates!  The winner, me, received one of Emily's very own handmade quilts!!  I couldn't believe it when she let me know I was the winner.  The quilt is adorable - let me share it with you.....

Isn't it cute?!?!?!?!  I just love it.  The wonky houses are so original and the colors are so bright.

Here is a close up of one of the houses......

Can you see all of the wonderful quilting she has done?  And she emailed to say that she is still in the learning phase of quilting - if only I could be so talented.

I will treasure this quilt for years to come.  Thank you so very much, Emily!!!!

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GIVEAWAYS

Quilt Times is giving away Quilt Calendar 2011.  You must enter this giveaway by December 7th.

One More Quilt is having a great giveaway to celebrate her 100th post.  She is giving away 5 yards of fabric.  There are several options available.  Enter this giveaway by December 5th for a chance to win. 

And, of course, there's always my BIG GIVEAWAY to enter!  The Thimbleberries are just waiting for you.  Coming this Friday, I will give you another way to enter.   You must enter by December 10th!!

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FINAL THOUGHT

My head is fuzzy this morning.  I think I'm tired of thinking.  Possibly could be from not getting enough sleep.  Who knows.  Hopefully my brain will become clear once I have my first cup of coffee and the sun peaks over the eastern horizon.  I have a big problem with over thinking things, especially this time of year and I'm sure that is a lot of my fuzziness.  I know I promised that I wouldn't stress this Christmas season and I'm really working on that!  Breath in..........breath out.  Relax.  And breath again.  I think some therapeutic sewing will help today!

Often the hands will solve a mystery that the intellect has struggled with in vain.

~Carl G. Jung

Have a wonderful and wacky Wednesday!!

Thanksgiving & Some News

The funny thing about Thanksgiving, or any huge meal, is that you spend 12 hours shopping for it and then chopping and cooking and braising and blanching. Then it takes 20 minutes to eat it and everybody sort of sits around in a food coma, and then it takes four hours to clean it up.
 ~Ted Allen

Isn't that the truth?  My husband has decided he will smoke the turkey this year!  Woohoo!!  He almost changed his mind when he found out it would take 10 1/2 hours to cook!  He then said "We'll be eating dinner around 9:00, right?"  Of course not - lol.  Guess who will be up early on Thanksgiving?  And guess who will be up right there beside him.  I am thankful that he is preparing the turkey this year.  That means I won't be sticking my hands inside the cold cavities, pulling out only partially thawed guts for a change.  I have even found a recipe for making the dressing in a slow cooker.  I'll let you know how that turns out.  Hooray for guys and barbecues/smokers!!

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PHOTO OF THE DAY

The sky as the sun was setting as seen from our backyard

Have you ever wondered why the sky is blue?  The sky appears blue to us on a clear day, because the atoms of nitrogen and oxygen in the atmosphere separate the suns white light into its many colors, and scatter them throughout the atmosphere.  The wavelength of the blue light scatters better than the rest, predominates over the other colors in the light spectrum, and makes the sky appear blue to us. Isn't that enough of an answer?  The rest is so scientific that it's enough to put you to sleep!

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Today is Wednesday which makes it One Flower Wednesday.  Here is my contribution.....

I have liked the little Scottie dog fabric since I bought the fat quarter years ago.  I never had a chance to use it until I made this flower.  I thought the center fabric with the little paw prints was rather fitting.  Some day I will make more than one flower a week - or at least I hope I will.

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NEWS FLASH

I am starting two new blogs!  One for a block swap and one for a bee. 

 First I would like to introduce you to Block Swap Adventure.  

This is a block swap for everyone.  No special skill level is required.  You can be an advanced quilter or just starting out, or maybe you fit some place in between.  Block Swap Adventure is a gathering of friends for the purpose of making and swapping quilt blocks.  Each month we will be swapping 12" quilt blocks made to the recipients desires.  You do not have to have a blog to join.  This swap will start January 2011.  Please click on the link above or on the button on the sidebar if you are interested in joining our brand new Block Swap Adventure.  Or email me at blockswapadventure2@gmail.com

Secondly, I would like to introduce you to Let's Bee Together. 

This is a virtual bee that anyone can join.  No special skill level required for this one either.  You can be a beginner or advanced quilter, or fit anywhere in between.  You do not have to have a blog to join. 

There will be 12 members.  Each member will select a month and for that month will be responsible for sending out fabric to the other 11 members.  Those 11 members will then make a block from the fabric sent to them using the directions given to them. 

Doesn't that sound easy enough?  Additional information can be found by clicking on the link above or by clicking on the button on the sidebar.  Or you can email me at letsbeetogether2@gmail.com

Tell your friends, post it on your blogs!!  I hope you will join me in one or both of these two new groups.

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GIVEAWAYS

A quick reminder for Leona's Christmas giveaway.  Hop on over to Leona's Quilting Adventure before Friday to enter her great giveaway!

Lucky Duck Dreams is having a great giveaway.  Colleen is giving away a bundle of 5 vintage VIP fat quarters and 2 yards of a vintage Concord Fabrics print by Joan Kessler all in a holiday print.  She will pick a winner on November 30th.

Come back here to Stray Stitches on Friday to see what my fabulous giveaway will be!!  You won't be disappointed.

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FINAL THOUGHTS

My thoughts are completely in line with the upcoming holiday tomorrow.  Thankful for so much, too numerous to mention here.  I hope that you all have an absolutely stupendous Thanksgiving.  Eat, celebrate, enjoy, but most of all, be thankful.

Instead of a closing quote today, I hope you will click on the link for something totally amazing that happened earlier this month.  I certainly wish my shopping break turned out like this.

Christmas Food Court - Must See and Hear

HAPPY THANKSGIVING MY FRIENDS!!

Sweet & Sour - 2 Ways!

There are so many things that we wish we had done yesterday, so few that we feel like doing today.
 ~Mignon McLaughlin

Isn't that the truth?!?  I wish I had done more organizing yesterday because I certainly don't feel like doing it today.  Actually, I did get quite a bit accomplished yesterday morning.  There are a few less boxes in the living room but I think more of a mess in the second room.  I need to get some plastic storage containers so I can better organize my scraps - that will happen Saturday.  Ziploc bags work great until one bag shifts and then they all shift and a new mess starts.  It's Friday and less than a week until Turkey Day! 

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PHOTOS OF THE DAY

These are a part of my collection of teapots that sit on top of the shelves in my kitchen.  The top one on the right was painted my daughter, Megan, just for me!

Teapots are relatively a new invention compared to the amount of time that tea has been around. In the 7th century, tea came in bricks. A chunk was cut off and then broken up so that it can be boiled in water. They were boiled in cauldrons and then the tea was sipped from wide bowls. The traditional teapots weren't needed until the type of tea changed. In the 1300's, leaf infusion started and now teapots were necessary to allow for the tea to steep. Teapot-like vessels have been around in China for thousands of years, but they were used for wine and water. These vessels had a spout and handle and eventually were adopted for the steeping of tea.

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The other day in the mail I received a very nice surprise from my friend, Leona, of Leona's Quilting Adventure. 

She made a scrap bag just for me!

I had been thinking about making one for myself, but you know how that goes - I will get to it eventually.  Now I don't have to.  After using it for the last two days I don't know how I lived without it.  I'm no longer throwing scraps and threads on the floor.  Who knew that I could be so neat ?!?  Thank you so very much Leona!!!

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Yesterday I took a break from unpacking, putting away, and arranging.  I decided I needed some sewing time.  I had achieved quite a lot in the morning and deserved a break (at least that's what I told myself).  I elected to make the second block of the Layer Cake Quilt Along......

This block was designed by Vickie Eapen of Spun Sugar Quilts.  I used the same line of fabric, Sweet and Sour by Connecting Threads (which happens to be on sale this week at 50% off!), as I did for Block #1.  I think it looks rather citrusy (is that even a word?).

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How about a recipe today?  I haven't shared one with you for awhile so I think it's about time.  With all of the busy and hectic schedules, how would you like a super simple yet super tasty chicken recipe.  My mother gave me this recipe back in the 70's.

Sweet And Sour Chicken

Ingredients

4 to 6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

1 jar Kraft Russian Dressing

1 package onion soup mix

Directions:

1.  Preheat oven to 325 degrees F

2.  Lay out chicken breasts in a 9" X 13" baking dish.

3.  Sprinkle onion soup mix over chicken

4.  Top off with Russian Dressing

5.  Cover loosely with foil and bake at 325 degrees F for 1 hour

As my Mother said "Voila!"

Personal Notes

1.  I used 2 breasts and used the full packet of onion soup mix but only enough dressing to cover the chicken well.  This leaves enough in the bottle for later or to use on  your salad.

2.  Excellent served with pineapple and rice pilaf.

3.  Reheats well but tastes great the first time around.

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GIVEAWAYS

Designs By Kassie is giving away a custom Christmas card design.  Kassie is the one I used to create my beautiful blog.  Enter this great giveaway by November 23rd.

Leona is having another great giveaway!  She says "Let's Get Ready For Christmas!"  .  She is giving away a gorgeous lap size quilt and a copy of Aunt Bea's Parlor.  This will close on Friday, November 26.

Green Fairy Quilts is having a big giveaway - but hurry - this one ends tonight!  They are giving away an Origins fat quarter bundle - beautiful fabric.

It's almost time for my to have another giveaway!!!  Come back next Friday to see what I will be giving away!  I don't think you will want to miss this one.  I will give you a hint - it involves a lot of Thimbleberries from 2006!!

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I know that I have been doing a lot of griping and complaining lately.  That will stop as of today - immediately.  Negative feelings just bring me down so I'm gong to be positive and up.  I look forward to completing the chores I have in front of me.  I look forward to this weekend when I can spend time with my dear, sweet hubby.  I look forward to seeing the sun set tonight and rise again in the morning!  I am ready to take on the day!!!

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

Here's hoping you have a super Friday that will lead into a stupendous weekend!!  See you next week, my friends!