Lots Of Blocks!

The nice part about being a pessimist is that you are constantly being either proven right or pleasantly surprised.
~George F. Will, The Leveling Wind

 Yesterday was another successful day.  Wow!  Three in a row.  I'm almost afraid to say anything - I don't want to jinx it.  Why is it that sometimes everything just seems to flow?  No - don't ask - you might jinx it!  No interruptions, no annoying phone calls.  Why - who knows - but don't jinx it.  Tomorrow I may not be so lucky - I'm the eternal pessimist (or so I'm told).  Keep the good thoughts flowing, the fingers moving, and the sewing machine humming.  Good thoughts.  Good vibes.  Let the good times roll!
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PHOTO FACT OF THE DAY

My DH's massive barbecue

To barbecue means to slow-cook meat at a low temperature for a long time over wood or charcoal. In America, barbecue (or BBQ) originated in the late 1800's during Western cattle drives. The cowboys were fed the less than perfect cuts of meat, often brisket, a tough and stringy piece of meat that required five to seven hours of cooking to tenderize. Other barbecue meats used were pork butt, pork ribs, beef ribs, venison and goat.

However, barbecue was not invented in America and no one knows who invented the barbecue. The word 'Barbecue' might come from the Taino Indian word 'barbacoa' meaning meat-smoking apparatus. 'Barbecue' could have also originated from the French word "Barbe a queue" which means "whiskers-to-tail." No one is sure of the correct origins of the word

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BLOCKS X 2

Today I made two blocks!  One for my swap partner at Block Swap Adventure and the other for the Layer Cake QAL.

I made this block for my February swap partner, Munaiba.  She requested the Dutchman's Puzzle block and specified bright colors.  The colors in this block are actually brighter in person.  I hope she likes this block.

This is the 7th block in the Layer Cake QAL hosted by Moose on the Porch Quilt.  This block was designed by Celine Perkins for Perkins Dry Goods.  It is called Spin Wheel.  I stayed with the Sweet and Sour line of fabric from Connecting Threads.  I was pleased with the results.

You will be happy to know that I even put in 1 1/2 hours of quilting on my brown and blue quilt.  I had almost forgotten how heavy and awkward it is to move around a twin size quilt in my mid arm machine!

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PRETTY MAIL

I received three beautiful blocks in the mail yesterday.

This was from one of my January Block Swap Adventure swap partners.  Michelle made this wonderful red, white, blue star block for me.  She also included a couple pieces of the blue sparkly fabric for me.  Thank you, Michelle!

This awesome block was made by Robyn.  She sent my a cute card where she said she thought it might have been a bit above her skill level and that the block is a bit undersized by about an 1/8" all around.  Well, when I measured it, it came out right at 12 1/2" - sounds perfect to me!  Thank you, Robyn!

This amazing block was made by Wendy. It is called Borrow and Lend. Doesn't it highlight the different fabrics beautifully? Thank you, Wendy!

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WINNINGS

Back in January I was notified by Seams Like a Dream Quilt Designs that I had won one of their wonderful quilt patterns.  Well, I completely forgot about it until it arrived in the mail  yesterday.

This pattern is called Crossroads Thru Connecticut.  I look forward to making up the quilt one day in the not so distant future.  Thank you, Kate and Elizabeth!

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 TWO MONTHLY BLOCK SWAPS

Block Swap Adventure

We are just starting up a new month in the swap.  This will be our second month.  Our membership is currently 55 member strong!  If you would like to join this fun group, just click on the link above or on the button on the sidebar, or email Linda (me) at blockswapadventure2@gmail.com.

Shauna has started a new swap called the Barn Door Swap.  We will be officially starting next month on the 14th.  There aren't very many of us yet but membership is still open and we would love to have you join us.  Just click on the link above, or on the button in the right sidebar, or email Shauna at barndoorswap@hotmail.com.  Just let her know that I sent you around. 

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TODAY'S GOAL

Unless I receive an email with another swap partner assignment, I think I just might start a little applique quilt. 

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GIVEAWAYS

Amy's Creative Side is having a Sweet Divinity giveaway!  She is giving away 21 fat quarters of this wonderful line of fabric.  Amy will select a winner on Monday, January 31st.

The Average Quilter is having a giveaway for Ground Hog's Day.  She is giving away a $25 credit at Inchworm Fabrics!  She will draw the lucky winner on February 2nd!

Rose Room Quilts is celebrating her one year blogoversary!  To celebrate, Cindy is giving away 3 darling fat quarters.  This giveaway will end Monday, January 31st.

Country Cabin Thoughts and Crafts is having a giveaway to celebrate her 1 year anniversary!  There's yardage, thread and a book to win.  This giveaway will end Monday, January 31st at midnight.

I Have A Notion is having a follower giveaway.  She is giving away 2 sets of fat quarters - both wonderful.  This giveaway ends Monday, January 31st.

Would you believe I almost forgot to include my giveaway?  Go to 400+ Followers Thank You Giveaway to enter!  You could win 6 1/2 yards of some very pretty fabric.

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FINAL THOUGHT
I can't believe it's almost the end of January!  The first month of 2011.  Only 11 more months to go before we start all over again.  Why does it have to fly by so quickly?  For the young, the days seem to last forever and the years are endlessly long (especially if you are in school).  Then you get a little older and the days float by but the years don't seem to matter.  Once you reach middle age that all changes.  It seems as if the clock has increased its speed and the hours have changed into nano-seconds.  I now know what Mother said was true "Time passes quickly when you are old".

How long a minute is, depends on which side of the bathroom door you're on.
~Zall's Second Law

Thursday - one day out of seven - make it last - make it happy!