Swap Blocks....

I received two swap blocks in the mail today. One is for my civil war themed quilt (Kansas Spirit) - this is the last of these blocks. I can now get busy and get this together. The Christmas block is for a new swap I am participating in that will bring a different themed block for each month - at the end of the year we will have a "calendar" quilt. I am looking forward to receiving these blocks.

Swap Etiquette...

I had read the best post about swap etiquette and I searched and searched again, for it.... you know, when you find these things you just have to put a link somewhere so that you can refer to it!!! I found it again..... Calamity Kim has written a great post..... if you like to swap, please, take a moment to read it.
I have been very fortunate to be involved in some great swaps.... and I have hostessed a few in my time too. This article says everything I have ever wanted to say!!!

Thought for the Day
He knows when you are sleeping,
He knows when you're awake
He knows if you've been bad or good
So, be good for goodness sake!
Santa Claus is Coming to Town

Stocking swap...... a little teaser....

I am involved in a Stocking Swap on The Robins Nest, and I worked on my partner's stocking the other day.... I know she reads once in a while... so I am giving her a little tease...... it's a little blurry too.... LOL......

Busy week for swaps.....

I had a great week receiving swaps!!!! The wonderful green fabric was received in a fat quarter swap... there is enough fabric to make a nice little bag....








The great scrapbooking stuff was received in a "scrappers" swap. I am fairly new to scrapbooking and these items will be a wonderful addition to my scrapbooking.

This was received in a summer bag swap. The bag is made from a plastic backed table cloth... very creative..... and... last but not least I received another nine patch in my never ending quest for a civil war reproduction quilt....at this rate the quilt might have enough blocks by the end of the year!



It's funny that they should all arrive at once... technically they should have arrived over a period of a couple of weeks... but it's like Christmas in August!!!

I also did some sewing this week and made myself a pair of pants... cool, roomy - made from a washable rayon batik... just for wearing around the house when it gets hot..... sooooo all in all, I had quite a nice week. It is soooo hot here right now - 30 degrees (celsius) and I am hoping that we get a good ol' thunderstorm tonight.... but it doesn't look like it will.

Block received....

in my Nine Patch Swap. I think this will go great with the rest of my Kansas Spirit blocks. I am getting quite a selection of nine patch blocks so I may be able to just make a quilt with those!

I haven't been doing a lot of quilting lately as I am preparing for a big move - and I think I am having "withdrawal" - I am anxious to get back at my frame and get some of my quilts finished... plus I have a few customer quilts to get done. I do have two quilt retreats to go to before I actually move - they were planned last year so I can't back out of them... and I am looking forward to doing something besides packing, moving furniture, taking things to the goodwill.....etc.etc.etc........... I guess that will mean I have more quilt tops to quilt!

Thought for the Day
To get up each morning with the resolve to be happy is to set our own conditions to the events of each day. To do this is to condition circumstances instead of being conditioned by them.
Ralph Waldo Trine

Swap Received......

Some days I just get the best surprises in the mail!! Today, I received this lovely scarf/boa made of wonderful fibres - with a matching pair of earrings!! what a lovely surprise and thanks to EllenT from Swapbot. I have really enjoyed the swaps I have done on swapbot and have received some lovely items.....

This past weekend I worked at the Heritage Park Festival of Quilts but it was a dismal rainy weekend. Unfortunately, quilts could not be hung outside - but there were many many wonderful quilts to look at in all the old houses. It is a wonderful exhibit!

Thought for the Day
Patience is the Companion of Wisdom
Saint Augustine

Swap Received...

I received the nicest swap today. It was a mother's day swap and all the lovely goodies that I received from Amandalee are wonderful! The book looks hilarious and I can't wait to read it... perhaps with a cup of tea in the new tea cup. I have joined Swap-bot and I really have enjoyed the variety of swaps that I have been in. This parcel came in handy today cause we still have bad weather!... but the good news is that sunny days should be here by Friday.

I am also in a block swap and received two blocks this week - both are civil war prints and will go great with my Kansas Spirit quilt. The swap goes on throughout the year and I should have a nice size quit when it is done.

Wonderful Swap Parcel ...

I received this wonderful swap parcel today from Amanda C in Ohio. It has some lovely reproduction fabrics in it which will go towards my Kansas Spirit quilt. What a great surprise on April Fools Day!!

Thought for the Day
Speak kindly today, for when tomorrow comes you will be in practice!
Anonymous

LOVELY GIFT...

received from Yiwan in Singapore - I participate on Swapbot and this was a surprise swap. The clutch purse is made from quilty type fabrics and inside there are several compartments. I was pleasantly surprised when I opened up my mail!

I want to plug a fellow Canadian's website - Pacokeco - she has a site on Etsy.com that sells paper crafts for scrapbooking. She is amazing - I have bought a few things from her and her products are very professional. I am just starting to scrapbook and I love to make cards so her products are quite useful. I also asked to make some custom quilt paper crafts for card making and she did a wonderful job. Check out her Etsy site!

YEAH.... IT'S FRIDAY!!

Another week comes and goes!! This week has been busy with lots of stuff - but I managed to get a bit of sewing in. I am in an internet blockswap and I made these two blocks for my partner - the specifications were autumn fabric and the block design was left to me. I didn't realize until I uploaded this picture that the background fabric is exactly the same color as the floor!! LOL

A very good friend of mine is really struggling right now and I decided to make her something to cheer her up. This little wall hanging is called "Quilter's Angel, The protector of all things Unfinished"! It is by a Canadian and Calgarian designer, Applepatch Designs. Terry's patterns are quick and easy and great stash busters!!

My Thought for the Day quote today is especially meaningful to me, because in this day and age I think very often we don't treat each other very nice. This quote is by Rabbi Smuley who has a program on Oprah.com radio. I think that we have lost the art of politeness, and integrity, and caring for each other. We sometimes do not respect differences and we do not respect each other. I love the relevancy of this quote - because it makes you think about how you treat others.

Thought for The Day

"Morality is determined by how you treat the people you don't need" Rabbi Shmuley

LAZY SUNDAY AFTERNOON....

It is cooooldddd!!! so, I spent the day getting ready for a swap that I am participating in on Swap-Bot. It is a valentine's swap and the rules were to send at least 6 items that match the profile of your partner - that was no easy task as my partner doesn't like pink - hard to find valentine's items with no pink - LOL, but I think I managed OK. The only really pink thing was a bit of pink on the box. This was a really fun swap to do - will have to wait a day or so to post it as the weather is so bad.

Thought for the Day

StAY WaRM!!!