I'm Back With A Giveaway!

The foliage has been losing its freshness through the month of August, and here and there a yellow leaf shows itself like the first gray hair amidst the locks of a beauty who has seen one season too many. 

~Oliver Wendell Holmes

I honestly feel a bit rusty starting out on my blog today.  Going over a week without posting seemed so strange.  But not to worry.  I certainly wasn't bored.  My grandson and daughter kept me plenty busy and entertained.  We had a wonderful visit and got to know our GS#2 even better.  He has a special relations ship with my DH (also known as BeBaw) and would run to the door looking for Bebaw's van.  The house is so quiet now and I began missing them just as soon as they pulled away from the curb.  Hopefully we will all be together again some time in the next few months.  So what's been happening while I've been gone?  I've read a few blogs but I feel as if I'm way behind with all of my blogland friends.  I hope all is well with all of you!

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LITTLE FACT OF THE DAY

Did you know Americans did not invent Thanksgiving?  It began in Canada. Frobisher's celebration in 1578 was 43 years before the pilgrims gave thanks in 1621 for the bounty that ended a year of hardships and death.  Frobisher and early colonists, giving thanks for safe passage, as well as pilgrim celebrations in the US that began the traditions of turkeys, pumpkin pies, and the gathering of family and friends.

There are three traditions behind the Canadian Thanksgiving Day:

1.  Long ago, before the first Europeans arrived in North America, the farmers in Europe held celebrations at harvest time. To give thanks for their good fortune and the abundance of food, the farm workers filled a curved goat's horn with fruit and grain. This symbol was called a cornucopia or horn of plenty. When they came to Canada they brought this tradition with them.

2.  In the year 1578, the English navigator Martin Frobisher held a formal ceremony, in what is now called Newfoundland, to give thanks for surviving the long journey. He was later knighted and had an inlet of the Atlantic Ocean in northern Canada named after him - Frobisher Bay. Other settlers arrived and continued these ceremonies.

3. The third came in the year 1621, in what is now the United States, when the Pilgrims celebrated their harvest in the New World. The Pilgrims were English colonists who had founded a permanent European settlement at Plymouth Massachusetts. By the 1750's, this joyous celebration was brought to Nova Scotia by American settlers from the south.

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WHILE I WAS AWAY....

I received some wonderful squishies.....

I received this wonderful table mat from my swap partner in the Quilted Table Fall/Halloween table topper swap.  Donna used the fat quarters I sent her to create this beauty.  She also included a darling BOO pin, some great note cards and a wonderful 2012 San Diego calender.  Thank you, Donna!

Don't you just love all the kitties and the bright colors?  I won this from Blueberry Patch last month.  I can see several hexie flowers in the future.  Oh my!  Looking at the fabric I realize somehow I didn't include the blue colorway of the top cat fabric.  Thank you so much, Cathy.

And, finally, but certainly not least, I received these wonderful 6" blocks from Anna all the way from The Netherlands.  Anna was my swap partner for August for the 6 Inch Block Swaps Australia.  Love the designs she selected and the colors are perfect.  Thank you, Anna!!

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FAT QUARTER SHOP GIVEAWAY

THIS GIVEAWAY IS CLOSED

Now on to what you all are looking for......the GIVEAWAY.  Fat Quarter Shop is one of my "go-to" online shops.  They have a great selection and wonderful customer service.  Fat Quarter Shop is where I get my monthly Mystery BOM.  These wonderful people are the sponsors of this giveaway.  What could you win?  How about some Family Forever by Bentarex Fabrics?!?

Fat Quarter Shop is giving away a fat quarter bundle of Family Forever in the winner's choice of colorway......

Red Colorway

or

Green Colorway

Isn't this some gorgeous fabric?  I wish I could be one of the winners but I will be satisfied to hold the giveaway instead.  How can you win?  How about  3  chances......

1.  Hop on over to Fat Quarter Shop and check out their newest fat quarter bundles, then come back here and tell me what line you will be adding to your wish list.

2.  Tell me what your favorite Halloween candy is

3.  Blog about this giveaway, then come back and leave me link to the posting.

Make sure to leave each of your responses as separate comments.  If you combine them into one comment, you will only be entered once into the giveaway.

This giveaway is open to everyone.  Fat Quarter Shop will ship globally!!

If you are a No-Reply blogger, you must include your email address in the comments.  If I can't reach you - YOU CAN NOT WIN.

The winner will be selected with the help of random.org

This giveaway ends Monday, October 17, at noon PDT.  The winner will be announced by Tuesday, October 18, at 10:00 am.

Good luck to everyone!!!!

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TODAY'S GOAL

Today I hope to finish a mug rug for a flickr group swap.

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GIVEAWAYS

Making Rebecca Lynne is having a giveaway.  You could win a Echino Madrigal Peach Pouch created by Rebecca & some destash.  This giveaway ends Wednesday, October 12, at midnight EST.

Tales At Wayne Manor is having a giveaway.  You could win 4 coordinated fat quarters.  This giveaway ends Tuesday, October 11.

Hawthorne Threads is having their weekly giveaway.  You could win a Delighted layer cake.  This giveaway ends Wednesday, October 12.

Sew Bitter Sweet Designs is having a giveaway.  You could win one Delighted Rollie Pollie.  This giveaway ends Wednesday, October 12, at midnight.

Love Affair With My Brother is having a giveaway.  You could win a jelly roll from Intrepid Thread.  This giveaway ends Friday, October 14.

Hilachas is celebrating her one year blogiversary with a giveaway.  You could win 8 batik fat quarters from Connecting Threads, a spool of 100% Egyptian Cotton Thread, and fall leaves table mat and a box of crayons.  This giveaway ends Saturday, October 15, at midnight CST.

Jaybird Quilts is having a giveaway.  You could win a copy of Modern Mix by Jessica Levitt.  This giveaway ends tonight, Monday October 10th, at 9:00 pm PST.

501 Quilt Blocks is having a sponsored giveaway.  You could win a copy of the MyMemories Software.  This giveaway ends Monday, October 17.

Lilypad Quilting is having a sponsored giveaway.  You could win a jelly roll of Cabbage and Roses.  This giveaway ends Friday, October 14.

SewBernie is having a giveaway.  She is ready to send the Traveling Stash on its way.  This giveaway ends Wednesday, October 12.

Hoodies and Flip Flops is celebrating one year blogiversary with a giveaway.  You could win 25.00 gift certificate from Fabrics N Quilts plus a whole bunch of other goodies.  This giveaway ends Saturday, October 22, at noon Central Time.

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FINAL THOUGHT

Whew!  I made it through.  I have more to share with you but I think I was a bit wordy as it was.  We have had a brief tease by Mother Nature of what autumn will be like.  We had a wonderful rain and some cooler temps - some days only into the 60's.  But we are back into the 80's this week.  Just gotta love that roller coaster.  From shorts to zip-up hoodies and back again to shorts.  I'm never sure which way to dress in the morning.  Even the pups were bundled under their covers for a few days.  Just loved that little bit of a nip to the nose.  I know many of you are already deep into the throws of fall and possibly have even had a bit of snow.  I'm sure the east has or is enjoying the colorful display provided by the changing leaves.  Here, we pretty much don't expect it to stay cool until the end of the month.  Oh heck, it's not unheard of to go Trick or Treating in shorts because it's so warm.  Oh well, it is what it is.  I'll just meander outside to check the temps and see if there are any clouds in the sky.

October's poplars are flaming torches lighting the way to winter. 
~Nova Bair

A Little Stitching And Some Boo

Nothing is so fatiguing as the eternal hanging on of an uncompleted task. 

~William James

I'm in the middle of three projects and two of them need to be completed within a week.  I have no fear that I will get them done but it is going slower than I anticipated.  I don't know why I don't start these projects earlier in the month - it's not like I don't know they have to be done.  I guess because what I'm working with does not excite me.  I'm a great procrastinator when it comes to un-fun things.  I am already looking forward to next month's Loving Hands quilts as I will be working with new little squares but this month I did a repeat of last month with the jelly roll race quilt and I'm not all that fond of the fabrics I selected.  They still need to be made as there are always new preemies in the NICU, so I'm off to finish up the three little quilts I'm making. 

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PHOTO FACT OF THE DAY

National Navajo Code Talkers Day - August 14

Sunday is the day chosen to honor the Navajo Code Talkers.  Code talkers was a term used to describe people who talk using a coded language. It is frequently used to describe Native Americans who served in the United States Marine Corps whose primary job was the transmission of secret tactical messages. Code talkers transmitted these messages over military telephone or radio communications nets using formal or informally developed codes built upon their native languages. Their service was very valuable because it enhanced the communications security of vital front line operations during World War II.

The name code talkers is strongly associated with bilingual Navajo speakers specially recruited during World War II by the Marines to serve in their standard communications units in the Pacific Theater. Code talking, however, was pioneered by Choctaw Indians serving in the U.S. Army during World War I. These soldiers are referred to as Choctaw Code Talkers.

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LINT REMOVAL

I forgot to share this pictures of the lint and thread that I removed from my sewing machine after I finished with the Colors Thru The Window quilt.  Would you believe most of this was under the bobbin case and from just one quilt?  This just goes to show you how important it is to remove your bobbin case and clean out underneath it.  Don't just brush out the top of the case and call it good.  It wouldn't take long at all for this lint mess to clog up your machine.

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TABLE RUNNER SWAP

Wednesday I finished up a table runner for the Quilted Table Fall/Halloween swap that I'm involved in.  For this swap, you send your swap partner 9 fat quarters of your fabric and they in turn will make you a table topper or table runner.  Joan sent me some wonderful fat quarters to work with and I created this table runner.....

Joan included a note with the fabric that stated Halloween is one of her most favorite time of year.

The colors are bit off in this picture (took it inside under artificial light) but you can see the quilting I did.  For the body of the runner I just stitched 1/4" away from the seam allowance.  In the border and border triangles, I did a echo straight stitch.

Again with the poor color and inside lighting but this shows the fussy cut I did for the center block.  I hope Joan likes what I created with her fat quarters.  I need to buy a couple of little extras and put a label on the back and then this will go out in the mail next week.

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A COUPLE OF STITCHERIES

I have been diligently working on the Gardener's Journal stitchery blocks.

This block is called Potting Plants and will end up to be 4 1/2" X 5 1/2".  I have been over sizing the blocks so that they fit in my hoop easier and will cut them down when it is time to assemble the quilt.

These three little seed packets were fun to stitch.  And, not surprisingly, this is called Seed Packets.  This block will be 2 1/2" X 4 1/2" when cut down to size.

Annie Downs includes a fun little story with each block that has me giggling each time I read them.

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TWO MORE PRACTICES

You are probably getting bored with all of these FMQ squares.  But I want to document them so I can look back and see how I've progressed or regressed, depending on the situation.

Wednesday was Hardwood Floors (I almost wrote/sewed Hardwood Floods).  Some of my wood planks were rather rough cut and you could probably lose something valuable in some of the spaces between the boards.  Oh, and I wouldn't have to worry about water puddling with the slope I ended up with - LOL!  At least it didn't tax my brain and I felt rather comfortable with this practice.

Yesterday was Dresden Daisy.  This was a fun practice.  Some of my daisies are really original in their shapes but it was still fun to make and my lines across ended up fairly straight.

I have decided to skip some of the designs that I know I will never use and seem to be repeats with just a slight variation.  I want to practice but I don't want to be bored.

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TODAY'S GOAL

Today I hope to finish quilting the three Loving Hands quilts so that I can maybe sew the binding on over the weekend.

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GIVEAWAYS

Everyday Beautiful is having a giveaway.  You could win a bundle of Heirloom fabrics in the Amethyst colorway.  This giveaway ends Wednesday, August 17.

The House on the Side of the HillWant it Need It Quilt.  This giveaway ends Wednesday, August 17.

Hawthorne Threads is having a giveaway.  You could win a Farm Fresh layer cake.  This giveaway ends Wednesday, August 17.

A Quilting Reader's Garden is having a giveaway.  You could win a copy of Poster Quilts by Patrick Lose.  A winner will be selected Wednesday, August 17.

Country Creations by Denise is having a giveaway.  You could win one of Denise's Happy Halloween trees.  This giveaway ends Thursday, September 1.

The Drawing Board is having a giveaway.  Here is another chance for you to win a GO! Baby cutter.  The winner will be drawn on Monday, August 15.

Jackie's Art Quilts is having a giveaway!  You could win a surprise bundle of fat quarters.  This giveaway ends ?

Random Thoughts do or "di" is having a giveaway.  You could win a Little Apples Jelly Roll from the Intrepid Thread.  This giveaway ends Thursday, August 18, at midnight PST.

Woolie Mammoth is having a giveaway.  You could win a sweet kit I put together with Coffee fabrics.  This giveaway ends possibly Saturday, August 13.

Have you entered my Blogiversary Giveaway?  You only have a couple of days left to enter.  This giveaway ends Sunday, August 14, at 8:00 pm PST.

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FINAL THOUGHT

The weekend is once again upon us.  So much for the relaxing weekend like we had last week.  Saturday is a go-go day.  Many little errands that have to be done along with an ALS Support Group meeting and getting some blood work done (hopefully I'll get somebody that can draw blood with the first stick).  Sunday will probably be a stay at home day but then there's those loads of wash to do and general picking up around the house that I let slide during the week.  I hope to get some hand sewing time in - it might be a must just to keep me awake in front of the TV.  Do you have big plans for the weekend?  Are you going to do something fun?

There aren't enough days in the weekend. 
~Rod Schmidt

Blocks And Squishies!

About the only time losing is more fun than winning is when you're fighting temptation.
~Tom Wilson

Whew! I had a busy day yesterday.  It felt good to be productive.  Three blocks made, scraps put away, and 5 packages ready for mailing.  I like when my Monday starts like that.  It's definitely a good way to start the week.  Now I almost feel as though I can coast through the rest of the week.  Not really, but almost.  My mind keeps going to my WIPs and to projects I want to start.  The two projects I want to start are there, just waiting - one even has the fabric all picked out.  The fabric does need washing but otherwise it's ready to go.  Can I start another one?  Will I continue working on the ones I currently have sitting in piles around the room?  Only time will tell........

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PHOTO FACT OF THE DAY

Frog

April is National Frog Month, whether you like those little green creatures of not, every April is set to celebrate their existence. There are a lot of people out there that do not like frogs, but then there are those people in the world that love these slimy little frogs. What is the difference between a frog and a toad? Well surprisingly toads actually are frogs. Frogs have two bulging eyes, strong, long, webbed hind feet that have been adapted for leaping and swimming. They have smooth or slimy skin, frogs like environments that are moister. Frogs also tend to lay their eggs in clusters. Toads have stubby bodies, short hind legs that are for walking instead of hopping. They have dry, warty skin, and prefer places that are drier. Toads also have poison glands behind their eyes, and they tend to lay their eggs in long chains. Frogs can be found on every continent except Antarctica. They are referred to as the “true frogs” because of their generalized body form and their life history. On a frog, its eyes and nose are located on the top of its head so it can breathe and see when most of its body is under water. People who study frogs are called herpetologists. Frogs can only see in black and white. Frogs can lay up to 4,000 eggs in one sitting. Frogs can also change the color of their skin to blend into their surroundings better. Tree frogs have adapted to their environment by developing disks or suction pads on the toes of their feet to help them climb into the tree canopy.

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SQUISHY ENVELOPES

Yesterday I received two squishy envelopes in the mail.  One was for a swap and the other from a win.

Sharon, of Quilting With A Marmalade Cat, sent me this fun package for the Table Topper Swap that I was in through Quilted Table. 

Inside those packages was this beautiful table topper that Sharon made for me. I just love the colors and the fabrics she used are gorgeous as is the quilting.  She also included a happy little Easter card, charm squares of some wonderful fabrics, a tin of vanilla wafers and a beautiful floral fat quarter.  Thank you so much, Sharon.  I love it all!!

The other squishy envelope was......

These two great pieces of fabric.  I won these a couple of weeks ago from Cara over at The Official Mark Cesarik Fabric Fansite.  These are one yard cuts of Calypso Swing fabric.  Aren't they beautiful?  I'm not sure what I will be making with them yet but the possibilities are endless.  Thanks, Cara!

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SPRING IS FLYING IN

This weekend my thistle feeder was full of gold finches.  Some were on the feeder, some were on top of the feeder, some were waiting for their turn in the tree and others were looking for seed in the scrub jays peanut dish.  The males are definitely coming into the vibrant yellow mating colors.  They are so much fun to watch.

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BLOCKS MADE

Yesterday I made a swap block and two Bee blocks.....

This block was made as a surprise for someone in the Block Swap Adventure group.  The recipient doesn't even know I made it but she didn't get a February block from her partner and I felt bad about that, being the hostess and all.  She likes bright autumn colors.  Can you believe I made another mosaic block?  It went a little better this time and I love the bright colors with the black sashing. 

Next I made a Bee block for one of the hostesses in Let's Bee Together.....

I really liked the fabric Melinda sent for us to work with.  However, I wasn't pleased with the block I decided to make with the pretty fabrics :(  The block is called Woven Ribbons.  I think I really should have had four different fabrics to work with.  I have offered to make Melinda another block if she doesn't like this one.

Next I made a block for the February hostess of Bee In Oz.....

No, I'm not way behind on making this block.  Shruti  had sent out all of the envelopes at the end of January but none of us received them.  Shruti finally discovered that they had never left her post office in India because they had gotten wet and the fountain pen addresses had all smeared or disappeared completely.  Luckily, the fabric was protected by plastic and she was able to retrieve the envelopes.  She was finally

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MY INQUIRING MIND

I have noticed a couple of bloggers who are doing the 'quilting as you go method. Have you ever made a quilt this way? Did you find it easy or hard? Would you strongly suggest making a quilt this way? What tutorial or book do you recommend for this kind of assembly? My inquiring mind wants to know. Thanks!!

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TODAY'S GOAL'

Since tomorrow is Wednesday, I really need to make a hexie flower.  And, then if I have time, maybe I will start the third Baltimore Album block.

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GIVEAWAYS

KoolBeenz is having a giveaway.  You could be one of NINE lucky winners to win a Hullabaloo jelly roll.  This giveaway ends Friday, April 8 at midnight.

Jaybird Quilts is having a sponsored giveaway.  The sponsor, Fabric Shoppe, is giving away  a 1/2 yard bundle of Ty Pennington Impressions in the Ice/Persimmion colors and a Robert Kaufman Half to Have It Radiance bundle in Oceanic a Silk, Cotton blend. This giveaway ends Thursday, April 7, at midnight EST.

The Other Side Of Me is having an April Showers Fabric Giveaway.  You could win 3 fat quarters of Twinkle Little Star or 3 half yard cuts of Cowboys & Cowgirls.  This giveaway ends Sunday, April 10.

Happy Cottage Quilter is having a giveaway.   You could win a free year of "Ole Frog Eyes", a computer program design wall.  This giveaway ends Friday, April 8.

Did you enter my 200th Post Giveaway?  Would you like to try to win a $25 gift certificate to Fat Quarter Shop?  Then what are you waiting for?!?

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FINAL THOUGHT
I love watching and listening to the birds outside my window.  The little tweets, chirps, trills, and peeps; all communicating and claiming their territories.  I do not like hearing the call of the red tail hawk or the sparrow hawk.  When they are around that usually means my bird feeders will be devoid of life.  The little birds fear for the lives and rightfully so.  After a few days they return, once the hawks have moved on to better hunting grounds.  The little birds flit and swoosh by.  Joined by the hummingbirds getting nectar at my feeders.  Even the clumsy doves that visit my yard are fun to watch.  Can you believe they actually scare the scrub jays out of the peanut dish?  Hopefully soon I will see an oriole or a flicker.  So many pass through for just a short visit before continuing their travels north for the summer.  Do you have many birds in your neighborhood?

A bird does not sing because it has an answer.  It sings because it has a song. 
~Chinese Proverb

May your Tuesday be full of thread!

It Was A Better Day!

A friend is one of the nicest things you can have, and one of the best things you can be.
~Douglas Pagels

OK.  I'm going to get a little mushy here.  I was overwhelmed by the amount of comments I received yesterday!  I would like to thank all of my friends for the supportive and encouraging comments after my post yesterday.  I will do as you all suggested and not worry about the numbers - or at least try really, really hard not to worry - lol.  I will continue plodding along, writing my blog just as I have since the beginning.  You don't know how much your kind words meant to me.  And I hope you realize how much I appreciate each and every time you leave a comment.  I'm going to do my best when visiting blogs to leave a comment too, even if it's just one or two words.  That way you will know that you are being read.  Because, speaking from experience, there are days is seems as though your writing has gone unread and you feel like "well, guess that was boring".  And maybe it was but I bet somebody read it - lol!  Let your fellow bloggers know you are there.  Thank you again, each and every one of you, for your friendship and support! 
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PHOTO FACT OF THE DAY

Girl Scouts

Saturday, March 12, is the Girl Scout birthday.  It commemorates the day in 1912 when Juliette Gordon Low officially registered the organization's first 18 girl members in Savannah, Georgia.  GSUSA aims to empower girls and to help teach values such as honesty, fairness, courage, compassion, character, sisterhood, confidence, and citizenship through activities including camping, community service, learning first aid, and earning badges by acquiring other practical skills. Girl Scouts' achievements are recognized through rank advancement and by various special awards. Girl Scouts welcomed girls with disabilities early in their history, at a time when they were not included in most other activities.  President Obama signed the "Girl Scouts of the USA Commemorative Coin Act" for the 100th Anniversary celebration. The act authorized the minting of 350,000 silver dollar coins in honor of Girl Scouts and the achievements of the 50 million women influenced by Girl Scouting during the last 100 years.

Don't forget!  It's Girl Scout Cookie time.  Show your support - after all, their cookies are delicious and they freeze well too.

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BALTIMORE BLOCK

Yesterday I did as planned and didn't touch my sewing machine.  I sat in my recliner and worked on my first Baltimore square.

Above is what I accomplished.  I can now see where some of my leaves weren't perfectly placed and there are a couple of wiggles in my stems.  But I like my stitching, so that's a plus.

Above is the back side showing all of the stitches.  Each stitch is about 1/8 inch long.  I hid all of the thread tales except the one in the top right.  Somehow I ended up with a knot and loop that I just couldn't untangle.  I didn't want to unstitch so I just made another knot and then hid the tale.  At least that error won't show once it's all quilted up.

I'm really enjoying the process of hand applique.  Oh, it won't take the place of the old sewing machine method but I do find it relaxing and I love having some sort of handwork to do.

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NEW TOOL

Yesterday the UPS man brought my newest stitching tool.  No it wasn't new needles, pins, or pens.  It was....

My very first light box.  I was having trouble seeing patterns for stitchery unless I taped the pattern to a window and then taped the fabric over that.  And then it better not be a cloudy day.  It was so uncomfortable to work that way and my arms would start tingling if I had much to do.

Here is the quilt block I'm working on on top of the pattern on the light box.  You can see all of the lines so clearly!  This is going to make my life so much more easier, especially when it comes to tracing for stitchery.  I think this was a wise purchase.

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QUILTED TABLE SWAP

I am currently involved in a secret swap called the Sping/Easter Table Topper/Candle Mat Swap being organized through the yahoo group, Quilted Table.

This is the candle mat I made for my secret partner.  Remember the disappearing 4-Patch tutorial I had on my blog the other day?  Well, this was made using four of those blocks.  It looks like a much more difficult piece than it really was.  No cuts of little pieces just matching the seams was all it took.  It really didn't take much time at all.  I think it fits into the Spring theme quite well.  There will be a couple of extra goodies included with this candle mat when I mail it out next week.

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TODAY'S GOAL

Today I'm going to work on a mug rug for a swap I'm involved in.  Hopefully I will have some time to do some stitching on my Baltimore block.

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GIVEAWAYS

Leona's Quilting Adventure is having a sponsored giveaway.  You could win a copy of Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks Volume 2!  So if you missed getting a copy, here's your chance.  This giveaway will end Friday, March 18, at midnight EST.

Sew Fabulous Quilt Shop is having a March giveaway.  They are giving away a Central Park fat quarter bundle by Kate Spain.  This giveaway ends March 31st and the winner will be announced on April 1st.

Spun Sugar Quilt is having a Pot O'Gold giveaway.  You could win one of three $50 gift certificates to the Fat Quarter Shop!  (There is also a discount code for 20% off on the Spun Sugar blog for the Fat Quarter Shop).  I believe this giveaway ends Thursday, March 17th.

The Vegetarian Hunter is having a giveaway.  You could win 4 beautiful fat quarters and a copy of Carolyn's self created pattern.  This giveaway will end March 20th, at 12 pm MST.

Jaybird Quilts is having a sponsored giveaway by Wondrous Woven Fabrics.  You could win all the fabric you need for the quilt top & enough jelly roll strips to make a scrappy binding for the quilt on the front cover of Julie's new pattern, Hugs and Kisses, the pattern and the Lazy Angle Ruler too!  The giveaway will end Sunday, March 13, at midnight EST.

Sew WE Quilt is having a Spring Giveaway!  Her sponsors are donating layer cakes, charm packs, jelly rolls, fat quarter bundles, patterns, silk fabric, silk floss, embroidery packages complete with pattern and floss, background fabric...books...( oh and this is just some of the sampling...I have just been informed there is more coming...a lot more) for the giveaway.  Saturday will be the draw day.

Would you like to win a B. Bumble and Company pattern?  Then you should check out my giveaway by going HERE!

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FINAL THOUGHT

The correct tools can make all the difference in the world.  Have you ever thought about the tools you use everyday?  In the kitchen there are knives, pots and pans, measuring instruments and more.  In the bathroom there are toothbrushes, razors, scrubbies and others I won't mention here (tee-hee).  Cleaning tools, washing tools, and even tools for watching television - yes, the remote control is a tool too.  Life is so much simpler for us quilters now than it was even 30 years ago.  With our fancy machines, rotary cutters, and long arm frames, quilting is more fun because it is easier to accomplish.  Thank goodness there are people out there who figure out ways to make life simpler.  Blessed are the inventors in the world!

 Name the greatest of all inventors. Accident.
~Mark Twain

Enjoy your Friday and your weekend, too!!

Hints and Hoppies

If you woke up breathing, congratulations! You have another chance.
 ~Andrea Boydston

Yeah!  I woke up breathing again this morning.  Definitely off to a good start.  Breath in.....breath out......breath in.....oooooh, now I'm light headed - lol!  Breathing is something most of us take for granted.  We do it all of the time without having to think about it.  Only when we are winded from over exertion do we stop and think about the act of breathing.  When we are sick and our nose is plugged or we are plagued by a coughing attack we once again wonder about that next breath.  Aren't we lucky to be able to breath at will, no thought to the process, it just happens.  Okay, everybody inhale - hold it, hold it, hold it - exhale.  Now you are ready to start the day!

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PHOTO FACT OF THE DAY

I couldn't stick to just one topic to fact you with today.  I found a bunch of unusual uses for household products.  You may never look at things in your kitchen in quite the same way ever again.

1. Pam cooking spray will dry your nails

2. Cool Whip will condition your hair in 15 minutes.

3. Elmer's Glue -- paint on your face, allow it to dry, peel off and see the dead skin and blackheads.

4. Shiny Hair - rinse in brewed Lipton Tea.

5. Burn your tongue? Put sugar on it!

6. Arthritis? WD-40 Spray and rub in; kills insect sting pain, too.

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MORE BUNNIES

Yesterday I completed the applique blocks for the Quilted Table swap.  Remember yesterday I shared the pink bunny with you, well today I will share the other two.....

Here is Mr. Purple Bunny.  I like the textured look of his fur.

And here is Mr. Blue Bunny.  He looks rather springy with his rosebud fur.

I also made two more carrot blocks but they look just like the ones I made yesterday.

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ANOTHER WIN

I have been very lucky lately!  Last week I received an email from Colleen informing me that I had won her giveaway.  It arrived today.....

Look at all that pretty pink and red fabric!  The Egyptian print is quite bold yet very detailed.  I'm not sure exactly what I will create with it yet but I'm sure something will happen with it.  Thank you so very much, Colleen, for the wonderful fabrics!  You can visit Colleen over at her blog, Lucky Duck Dreams.

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ALMOST FINISHED

Yesterday I was able to sandwich and quilt my mini quilt.

It's hard to see the quilting but it is just a very simple stitch-in-the-ditch.  I even was able to attach the binding and hanging sleeve.  I'm not going to show you the top until it is completed and hanging.

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TODAY'S GOAL

Today I plan to hand stitch the binding on the quilt above.  If I have the time, I might select the fabric for my March 12 inch quilt for my metal display stand.

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GIVEAWAYS

Amy's Creative Side is having a giveaway.  She is giving away a pile of Calypso Swing fat quarters.  Amy will select a winner on Monday, February 21st.

Julie K Quilts is having a giveaway, too!  She is giving away two great quilting books.  Julie will draw two winners on Saturday, February 19th.

Peaceful Piecer is celebrating her birthday with her first giveaway.  Anna is giving away a Bernatex fat eighth set in violets,the new issue of Love of Quilting magazine and a set of Moda Learn to Sew Lace.  She will draw a winner on Sunday, February 20, at 9:00 pm EST.

The Artists' House is having a Valentine's Day giveaway.  You could win 15 fat quarters and 2 patterns from Needle Craft Patterns.  There will be a second drawing for 2 patterns only.  The lucky winner will be announced on Monday, February 21st.

Primitive Quilts and Projects is having a Take Your Pick giveaway.  You could win a pattern of your choice.  If you do enter, please mention that I was the one who sent you over. This giveaway will end Monday, February 21st.

THINK SPRING GIVEAWAY is still open.  If you would like to win 5 yards of fabric that will definitely have you thinking spring then you will want to go HERE to enter!

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FINAL THOUGHT

There are just so many different crafts out there.  My favorites are quilting (of course), counted cross stitch, embroidery, and crochet.  I currently do not have a counted cross stitch project but have many patterns just waiting for me.  I have always wanted to learn to make leaded glass windows but the thought of working with all of that glass is just a little bit scary.  I have tried knitting and even made a few sweaters but always seemed to lose count or drop a stitch.  I used to sew clothes for my girls when they were growing up but once they reached high school they no longer wished for those handmade items. I also did my fair share of needlepoint.  Even as a child I was into crafts - wood burning projects, looms (with those stretchy bands) to make potholders, tiled ashtrays and painted flower pots.  Oh, and don't forget the macrame craze - I did a lot of that too!  But I think the textile crafts have won as I have been doing those since I was about 8.  Do you multi craft or is quilting your one and only love?

I keep my end tables full of needlework and quilting so I don't have to dust them.
 ~Author Unknown

Today is Thursday - may yours be full of wonderful thoughts!

Flowers, Bunnies, & Blocks

Anyone can do any amount of work, provided it isn't the work he is supposed to be doing at that moment.
~Robert Benchley

I like learning something new.  But I also like taking the easy road working on something familiar but not tedious.  I have several projects waiting in the wings and just can't seem to finish any of the ones waiting for me on the bed in the spare room (my storage unit).  I like working on the BOM projects and the swaps.  I am enjoying working on my wool project too.  I just can't seem to get enough hours to do them all when I want to.  Every day I look at the pile of UFO's and think "Today will be the day that I will work on at least on of those."  And into my sewing room I go, starting a new block or working on the swap that I just didn't have time to finish the day before.  My "Daily Goal" has definitely helped me accomplish things.  I think that if I were to work on just quilting then I wouldn't have anything to share with you and I really like sharing.  Do any of you other bloggers out there have this same dilemma?

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PHOTO FACT OF THE DAY

Grapefruit

February is National Grapefruit Month.  Another obscure day of celebration that you probably didn't know about.  Citrus x paradisi, the forbidden fruit, shaddock, pamplemousse...those are the terms refer to the common grapefruit now sold in most grocery stores year round.  National Grapefruit Month was probably established to promote consuming the fruit.  Did you know........  1) Shaddock is an old name for grapefruit. Some sources say grapefruit originated in a natural cross-pollination between two other citrus, on the island of Barbados.... 2) The pomelo or Chinese grapefruit is one of the parents of modern grapefruit. Pomelo is much larger than grapefruit, with a thick rind, but is said to be sweeter than grapefruit.... 3) The United States produced 1,580,000 tonnes, (that's about 1,738,000 tons,) of grapefruit in 2007. The U.S. exported more grapefruit than any other country in 2004, to the tune of $227 million.  In that same year, Japan spent about that much money importing grapefruit.... 4) Red grapefruit is the state fruit of Texas.... 5) Substances in grapefruit juice can affect how certain medications work. 

Okay.  Now I'm hungry for grapefruit and there isn't a single one in the house - lol!

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IF IT'S WEDNESDAY......

It must be One Flower Wednesday.  I am sharing One hexie flower made for me and One hexie flower I made myself - a double One Flower Day!

Over the weekend I received a hexie flower in the mail from my partner in the Inchy Hexagon Flower Swap.

This beautiful hexie flower was made for me by Bell (or Isabella).  My request was for either red or blue with a white center and this certainly fits the bill.  The red is so much brighter in person.  Bell also included a cute card with teddy bears.  Thanks for the wonderful hexie, Bell!

Recently I was able to make another hexie for myself. 

I really like how the little pinwheels worked on the petals for this flower.  And the bright colors are a perfect addition for my GFG Quilt.

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ANOTHER BLOCK RECEIVED

Over the weekend I received a block from my swap partner in the Christmas Quilting Block Swap Australia.

This beautiful block was made for me by Maria.  It has highlights of gold both in the background fabric in the stars and in the holly leaves.  Maria also included a little packet of decorative buttons (that I will definitely use) and a bright and cheery card full of tropical birds.  Thank you for the fantastic block, Maria!

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QUILTED TABLE APPLIQUE

Yesterday my goal was to work on my blocks for the Quilted Table Swap that started recently.  I signed up to make 6 blocks - 3 of the bunny applique and 3 of the carrot applique.  This is a no sew swap.  We are to only fuse the pieces allowing each recipient to do the finishing applique to their liking.  I was able to cut out all of the fusible web and iron it on the corresponding fabric.  But I was only able to finish up two of the blocks.

This is the trio of carrots.  The pattern for the tops is rather odd shaped I think.

This is the first bunny block that I fused together.  I think he turned out rather cute in his pink floral body.  I will be making two more of each of the blocks.  All of the carrot blocks are made with the same fabric but the I have made the bunnies each in a different fabric.

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HOT PAD EXCHANGE

Let's Exchange

Cheryll over at Gone Stitchin' is hosting another fun exchange.  This time we will be swapping Hot Pads.  These are sort of like over sized mug rugs and measure 16" X 10".  There are to be NO Tuck Ins in this swap.  It is another secret swap.  Doesn't this sound like fun?  If you would like to join, just click on the link under the picture above.

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TODAY'S GOAL

I am going to fuse the other four blocks for the swap and then maybe start quilting the mini quilt I made a few months ago.

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GIVEAWAYS

A Quilting Life is having One More Giveaway!  You could win a fat quarter bundle of Dan Bennett's Wild Garden Collection by Westminster Fabrics from Canton Village Quilt Works.  This giveaway ends Thursday evening.

Use The Loot is celebrating finishing of her mini project with a giveaway.  Evelyn is giving away a charm pack of 30-ish prints.  She will pick a winner on Thursday!

One More Quilt is having her Odds & Ends Giveaway #4.  This time Frances is giving away a little over 1 yard of silky Christmas design fabric.  Her DH will pull a name out of the hat on February 17th at 10:00 am.

Less than a week to enter my THINK SPRING GIVEAWAY!

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FINAL THOUGHT

The clouds are moving.  There's a promise of rain in the air.  We are supposed to cool down again with possible snow preventing travel of the major passes to the south.  Another storm will be following on its heels for the weekend.  It never seems to fail that our last big winter storm of the season falls on the President's weekend.  I will miss winter.  It never lasts long here.  Spring will be arriving with all intensity next week soon to followed by the hot weather of summer.  For the next couple of days I will enjoy the pitter-patter of rain, the clouds scurrying by overhead and the cooler temperatures.  How much longer is winter supposed to last in your region?

The color of springtime is in the flowers, the color of winter is in the imagination.
~Terri Guillemets
Wonderful Wednesday is welcoming!