Flower Made & Challenge Met

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

When we walked outside last night I could smell rain.  Rain?!?  It's not supposed to rain!  Well, it rained just enough to make all of the cars look like they had the measles.  Just enough rain to dirty all of the windows.  The cement wasn't wet but there were still a few drops clinging to the windows.  It must have just flown through.  Sort of like those flock of birds you always seem to be under just after going through the car wash.  Plip, plop, spit, splat.  It's going to start warming up again - or so they say.  Then another very slight chance of rain on Saturday.  Guess it keeps the car wash people employed :)  Here it is the second week in May and we still haven't seen 100 degrees.  I'm not complaining, mind you.  I love every bit of the cool weather we are blessed with this time of year.  The heat can wait until June!

===============================

PHOTO FACT OF THE DAY

Twilight Zone Day

The day starts off in the normal fashion. Alarm, coffee, shower, clothes and more coffee. You kiss the family goodbye and head off to work. There's a signpost ahead, one which you don't recognize. You've entered the twilight zone. One of television's most rightly revered series, The Twilight Zone (CBS, 1959-64) stands as the role model for TV anthologies. Its trenchant sci-fi/fantasy parables explore humanity's hopes, despairs, prides and prejudices in metaphoric ways conventional drama cannot.  Creator Rod Serling wrote the majority of the scripts, and produced those of such now-legendary writers as Richard Matheson and Charles Beaumont. The series featured such soon-to-be-famous actors as Robert Redford, William Shatner, Burt Reynolds, Robert Duvall, Dennis Hopper, Carol Burnett, James Coburn, Charles Bronson, Lee Marvin, Peter Falk and Bill Mumy, as well as such established stars as silent-film giant Buster Keaton, Art Carney, Mickey Rooney, Ida Lupino and John Carradine.  Each episode was a self-contained sci-fi, fantasy story and almost always ended with a surprising twist. Like maybe today isn't Twilight Zone Day after all. Or is it?

================================

FLOWERS

Today is One Flower Wednesday.  Yesterday I did get one flower made....

This is a more sedate flower than I usually make but I liked the color variety in the fabric I used for the petals.  It just might tone down all of those bright flowers a little when I add it to the GFG quilt.  A big shout out to Karen (Journey Of A Quilter) for keeping our little group organized.  If you would like to see more hexie flowers out there in blogland, you can click the link above or the button on the right sidebar.

I also received two beautiful hexie flowers in the mail.....

from Elizabeth in Australia.  She also included a cute little butterfly and a great postcard.  Elizabeth was my swap partner for May in the Inchy Hexagon Flower Swap.   A big Thank You has to go out to Jane for keeping us all in line for this group!  And thank you for the wonderful hexie flowers, Elizabeth!

===============================

BLOCK RECEIVED

I'm also involved in the Quilting Block Swaps Australia swap group and received an envelope from Canada....

This beautiful block was made by Debbie.  The colors are so dramatic in this block and I really like the blue and black leaf print fabric she used.  Thank you so very much, Debbie!

=================================

CHALLENGE MET

Do you remember me asking you to join the Charity Quilt Block Challenge - Call For Action being hosted by Sew Cal Gal?  Well, it would be rather rude of me to ask you to contribute if I didn't contribute something myself.  So yesterday I made a few blocks......

First I made these two blocks.  But I thought they looked rather lonely.  So I made.....

Two more blocks.  These worked up quickly and easily.  It took almost a 1/2 yard of the white on white but less than a FQ each of the reds and blues.  I will be sending these out in today's mail.  If you would like to join the cause for the Quilts of Valor, just click on the link above for the Challenge.

================================

TODAY'S GOAL

Today I will make a block for the Americana WIP and try to finish the binding on the Layer Cake QAL quilt.

===============================

GIVEAWAYS

Sew 4 Home is having a giveaway.  You could win a copy of Girl's World by Jennifer Paganelli.  A winner will be drawn on Friday, May 20.

House of Henrie is having a giveaway.  Becca is giving away a blog prize package.  This giveaway ends Friday, May 20.

Leona's Quilting Adventure is having a sponsored giveaway.  You could win a GO! Baby Fabric Cutter and your choice of three dies.  This giveaway ends Saturday, May 21, at midnight EST.

Little Miss Shabby is having birthday giveaway #3.  This time you could win a Fat Quarter bundle of Ty Pennington’s Impressions in the ice/persimmon colorway.  This giveaway ends Monday, May 16.

Fabricworm is having a giveaway.  You can win Fabricworm Custom Circa 50 Bundle in Fat Quarters.  This giveaway will end Monday, May 16, at 8:30 am PST.

Val Laird is having a giveaway.  You could win your choice of one of her very own wonderful patterns.  This giveaway ends Sunday, May 15, at noon.

The Blog Of A Thousand Faces is having a giveaway.  You could win a gorgeous quilted mermaid wall hanging, two Dunkin Donuts mugs, two pounds of coffee, and One framed print of any face on this blog or of any image from Beena's website of the winner's choice .  This giveaway ends Sunday, May 15.

I Candy is having a sponsored giveaway.  You could win 5 yards of fabric from Raspberry Creek Fabrics.  Not sure when this giveaway ends :(

=================================

FINAL THOUGHT

My thoughts are all over the place lately.  Swaps, Mom, WIP's, projects I want to start, my DD#1 and family arriving in just over a month, my DD#2 and hubby coming for a visit weekend after this..........  It's sort of hard to concentrate.  To help this I have been listening to books on CD while I sew.  I have it loud enough that the neighbors are probably listening too.  But I don't want some important part to be drowned out by the sewing machine so it has to be loud (I do keep the windows closed ).  I'm listening to The Union Quilters.  This is Jennifer Chiaverini's newest book.  I have read every one of her books and this one is just as good as all the rest.  She writes such wonderful novels and I really like how she throws some history in there too.  I was really surprised that I was able to check this out at the library so quickly.  When I signed up to reserve it a week ago Monday it said there were 12 people in front of me.  I don't know what happened to those other 12 but I  was lucky and was able to pick it up last weekend.  Listening to a book is so much better than listening to talk radio.  It occupies my mind while my hands keep busy.  Do you listen to books, music, radio or just silence while you sew?

You cannot open a book without learning something.
Confucius

Squishies, Questions, and Action!

There is no curing a sick man who believes himself to be in health.
~Henri Amiel

Oh, what a weekend!  Friday evening I received a call from a very good family friend telling me she was following the ambulance that was taking my Mother to the hospital.  Mom had had another TIA.  She apparently went very blank and then started playing bridge with 3 unknown bodies (well, they weren't seen by anyone else but my mother) and moving things around on the table that were not there.  We spent 6 hours in the ER just to have them confirm that she did have a TIA.  They sent her home with instructions to see her GP and a neurologist.  One good thing, they found out she had a sinus infection and prescribed an antibiotic.  Woohoo, one thing we don't have to worry about.  Saturday she refused to relax and insisted on cleaning out her closet.  Sunday we had her and my sister over for dinner to celebrate Mother's Day.  All seemed well, so we will see what the doctor says.  After a late night Friday and running errands most of the day on Saturday, I really needed the day of rest and relaxation.  Well, as much relaxation as you can get while you do the laundry - lol!  I hope you all had a wonderful Mother's Day!

===================================

PHOTO FACT OF THE DAY

May 9th is Lost Sock Memorial Day!  Socks are the trickiest part of any laundry day' aside from folding fitted sheets. Socks have a tendency to lose their mates, resulting in a whole drawer full of sad singles. And it doesn't matter how hard you try to keep track of them, one will always get sucked into the vortex that opens up at some point during the spin cycle. So today, as you look over all the solo socks you've been hanging on to for all these years, pay your respects to the ones you've loved and lost.

Here are few sock tidbits.....

* 8th century B.C . - Greek poet Hesiod mentions socks made from matted animal hair.

* 3rd-6th centuries A.D. - knit socks discovered in Egyptian tombs

* 1900-1910 - Children wore socks stretching almost to their knees, by 1910-1920 ankle socks were in fashion
* 1950s - Teenage boys donned "bright white socks with white buckskin shoes"

* 1956 - Bridesmaids at Princess Grace's wedding wore "ultra bright white ankle socks."

* 1998 - White knee socks make a comeback thanks to Britney Spears' "...Baby One More Time" video.


=====================================


MAIL CALL

Friday my mailbox was overflowing with a box and a couple of squishy envelopes!  First I received a box from my friend, Sharon.  Inside this box were......

these 12 beautiful paper pieced blocks and some coordinating remnants.  Aren't they amazing?  Sharon made these awhile back and asked me if I would like them.  Like them?  I love them!  She said they were too pointy for her.  Some day, in the not too distant future, I will work on some sashing and the border to finish up this quilt top.  All the hard work was already done by Sharon.

Sharon also included.......

a wonderful little tee peg pincushion, three precious wodden gignermen that were the last pieces ther her Dad made in his show, and a beautiful Valor Star ornament that I already have hanging in a spot where I can see it everyday and think of her.  Thank you so very much, Sharon!  You can check out Sharon's other wonderful creations over at Vroomans Quilts - stop by and tell her I said hi!

Another package that arrived was my winnings from 1 Choice 4 Quilting......

Well, actually it was Shawna's Quilting Book Club where I won the giveaway.  This wonderful package included the book, Modern Basic, and the fabric to make the pattern, Summer Breeze.  How cool is that?  I look forward to creating that beautiful quilt some time soon.  Thank you, Shawna!!

The next squishy came from Frances of One More Quilt.....

This wonderful 2 yard cut of fabric was what I won from her just a few days ago!  This is the second time I've won something from Frances - I feel very, very lucky!  Thank you for this great piece of patriotic material, Frances!!

=================================

CALL FOR ACTION

Sew Cal Gal is holding her first Charity Quilt Block Challenge.  For this challenge she has selected the Quilts of Valor to be the recipients of our wonderful creations.  She is looking for people to make 12.5" blocks or patriotic quilt tops and/or finished quilts.  All you need to do is create any type of block (pieced, applique, string, etc) that is 12.5" so long as it is made with 1/4" seams, 100% cotton fabrics, and uses patriotic colors appropriate for QOV.  There is also a giveaway in connection with this challenge.  For all of the important information and small print please visit Sew Cal Gal's blog.  I will be making at least a couple of blocks for this very worthy cause.

=============================

QUESTION - OPINIONS REQUESTED

I just found out that the label I made for my daughter's quilt should probably have put through a soltuion before printing it.  I was reading some blogs and they suggested Bubble Jet Set for printing pictures.  Others suggested their own home made recipe that they say is the same as Bubble Jet Set for a whole lot cheaper.  Either way would be cheaper than buying the pre-prepped paper backed fabric.  Have any of you used this product?  Do you think it works?  I thought I would ask you your opinion before I spend the money.
Thanks!

===============================

MY SHAME

Friday I did not get a single thing made.  I spent the morning catching up on emails and ordering my DH's birthday present.  I did manage to get a couple of hours of stitching in on my Birdie Stitches BOM, but not enought to share a picture.  So twenty lashes with a wet noodle for not meeting my goal on Friday.  I will get back on track today!

==============================

TODAY'S GOAL

Today I will make a block for this month's Bee in Oz hostess.  Hopefully I will have enough time to also complete my stitchery.

==================================

GIVEAWAYS

Happy Cottage Quilter is having a giveaway.  You could win a Lattice Work pattern and two yards of fabric.  The winner will be announced on Tuesday, May 10.

All About Applique is having a giveaway.  Kay is giving away a copy of Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks, Volume 3 and a copy of her book Growing Hearts.  This giveaway ends Tuesday, May 10, at 9:00 pm PST.

Hancock's of Paducah has a new giveaway.  You could win one Feathered Star quilt kit containing fabrics from the Moda Sweet Sixteen collection by Laundry Basket Quilts.  The sweepstake ends Wednesday, May 18, at 10:00 am CST.

Farm Girl Transplanted is celebrating her 100th post with a giveaway.  There will be two winners of two charm packs of  Prayer Flag charm packs by April Cornell and one yard of coordinating fabric.  This giveaway ends Wednesday, May 11, at midnight.

My Go-Go Life is having a giveaway.  Kim is giving away Five half yard cuts of Heather Ross girlie fabric.  The winner will be selected on Thursday, May 12.

Needles and Lemons is having a giveaway.  Judith is giving away  fat quarter set of the entire new Denyse Schmidt range 'Picnic and Fairground'.  This giveaway ends Saturday, May 14.

Sew Fabulous Quilt Shop is having a May giveaway.  You could win a fat quarter bundle of Annie's Farm Stand Collection by Lakehouse Dry Goods.  This giveaway ends Tuesday, May 31.

Just One More Stitch is having a sponsored giveaway.  You could win a half yard bundle of Honey Child green and blue bundle by Jennifer Paganelli.  This giveaway ends Sunday, May 15.

Little Miss Shabby is celebrating her birthday with a week long giveaway.  You could win a Baby Fat Quarter Bundle by Michael Miller Fabrics.  This giveaway ends Saturday, May 14.

Sew Many Stitches Later is celebrating her 100th post with a giveaway.  Lara is giving away a  FQ bundle of 14 prints of the Picnic and Fairgrounds Fabric Collection.  This giveaway ends Sunday, May 15.

================================

FINAL THOUGHT
I have been contemplating my mother's health situation.  She is going to be 83 in just two weeks.  I think maybe she should give up driving.  How am I going to tell this fiercly independant and stuborn lady that she should hand over her car keys.  I know how it will go if I try to talk to her face to face - I will be told I'm stupid and probably banned for quite some time.  But I guess that is better than the possibility of having her take her life and possibility that of another.  I have thought of giving her doctor a call prior to her appointment on Wednesday and discuss the matter with him.  I know he can report to DMV and have her liscense taken away.    No one had to tell me when to quit driving.  When I felt it was unsafe for me and those around me, I gladly handed over my keys.  I haven't driven in over 6 years.  What would you do if you were in my shoes?  Have you ever had to deal with something similar?  I would love to hear your opinion on this matter.

The longest journey begins with a single step, not with a turn of the ignition key.
~Edward Abbey

May you Monday be full of melodies!