MEMORIAL DAY, it's not about the BBQs!

Thank you to all who have served for America's freedoms.  Your efforts are not in vain and we really appreciate your sacrifice.

grabbed photo via Western Ranger on his twitter account

In December 2000, the President signed into law The National Moment of Remembrance Act.

"The National Moment of Remembrance Act encourages all Americans to pause wherever they are at 3 p.m. local time on Memorial Day for a minute of silence to remember and honor those who have died in service to the nation", the U.S. Department of Veterans' Affairs website says.  I know I will.

A finish 8- )

Hey, Hey Happy Day
Here is a finish for May!

I finished all the stitching sans the two little buttons that need to be sewn on need the letter H after it's pressed that is.   Then it'll be off to the framers.   [Adding this on the 22nd, Michaels has a 60% then an additional 20% coupons for the next few days so I'll bring it to town and get it done.]

Lizzie Kate's Winter Alphabet is done.  Happy, happy, joy, joy.  It's been nice to stitch a little each day and though I had targeted this to be done in April, May 14th isn't that far off.
I used all the called for threads and linen.  The only variation is the frame around the letter B was a count off by 1 stitch in height and the smoke from the cabin I did my own thing but followed some of the pattern in areas and I did change that thread color to a soft grey with white.  One other note about this is that I think the linen got a "hoop burn" while I was turning my scroll frame over to weave in my threads.  Not sure as there are no LNS around my area.  It was the first time for me to use a scroll frame on my floor stand and silly me I would flip the frame over to tie off my ends instead of loosening the top section of the floor stand, so my linen was abused too much.  I now know better with that set up.  Why is it that as you work sometimes a light bulb finally goes on and you actually slap your head and say, "Why didn't I figure that out sooner?'  DUH!!

The next to stitch will be the Heart of America that has been kitted and I we'll see how far I can get on that one, or better yet when that gets finished.  Perhaps I'll be able to frame that if not for this year then for the next.  But no pressure, I'll be enjoying the stitches since it is rather large.

Counting 1,2, etc..

Many things have been going on around here.  So I thought they could could be shared with counting them off.

First, we have one of these:

 PGS#3 came home from school and asked, "Meme, can I color my hair red?"
"Sure!" I said.  Out came the hair chalk colors.  There wasn't any red so he improvised.  Isn't he darling with rainbow colored hair?  smile......I had to leave since I had a meeting in town and found pink all over the bathroom when I got home.  I guess his sister did hers too as well as dusting the bathroom I should add.  And here I had just cleaned the bathroom thoroughly that morning.

Then after errands in town on another day I had one of these:

YUM!   A Caribbean martini.
The bartender gave me the recipe and I'd be happy to share if you're interested.

Then I got 2 of these finished, Mom's favorite dishrag pattern.  Love that orange variegated one.

When I saw the post Myra over at Busy Hands shared with her idea of finishing the edges of design boards with duct tape. It's  a spin off of Lori Holt's design boards which you can see here.   Eureka I thought! That would be just the ticket to make mine since I had hubby cut some boards about 6 weeks ago.  Not to mention that this family has had a fondness through out the years with duct tape (but that is a whole other story for another time).

I have the boards all cut, the light grey checked flannel in, glue with glue gun and now off to see what our duct tape selection is.   I may have to purchase some leopard print aqua duct tape for mine.  8- )

I actually had this aqua duct tape on hand so was able to make 7 design boards.

 2 at 10"x 20" 

2 at 15"x 20" 

3 at 20"x 20"  

The last size seems huge, but I have a quilt on my to do someday list that has many pieces and I think that size will work best for auditioning those pieces.

Then for sewing I did get my machines home from the spa.  Both are as good as new again.  Good thing too since my son asked if I'd sew on 36 of these:

Phew!!  Those took forevah and since I used the free arm on the sewing machine the height difference bothered my back quite a bit.  Had to rest after a couple on patches so I could stretch out and relax then resume shortly thereafter.   (I know he appreciates it but I'm so glad they are done!  It took several days to get all of them done with all the other things clamoring for my attention around here.)

And this doesn't count all the weeds I've been pulling and the planting that's been going on!  That's why I've been a such non-blogger lately.    Hopefully I'll be back sooner to share some other stuff.  

Feeling blessed

When I checked my email I got the happy news that I am a winner twice over!  Deana from Dreamworthy quilts notified me that I won her giveaway for the pattern Sewing Room Delight.  Isn't it beautiful!   Love all those machines, rotary cutters and irons, too cute right?

But that's not all.  Another email notified me that I also won a pattern through a Pinterest entry and would you believe that was from Dream worthy quilts as well.  So I not only won one of her patterns but actually two of them!  Squee!!!!

How lucky and blessed is that!  Here is Windmill. 

Aren't they both gorgeous!  Now all I need to do is make up my mind what I'll be focusing on next.  

So many decisions. 

Thank you so much Deana.  I've so admired so many of the beautiful quilts and creations from Dreamworthy Quilts for a while now and hopefully I can recreate some of your projects myself.
If I've teased you and you want your own, head over to purchase them.  Deana sends them out electronically and very quickly so you can download your own and start playing right away.
Thanks again Deana!

Whoop, whoop! I won!

A package that recently arrived from a giveaway that I won is this big batch of goodness.  8- )

I grabbed a photo of each one to really let them shine.

 The Circle Game pattern in a booklet:

 Georgetown on my Mind:

Broken Glass:

Steam Punk:

Chain of Fools:

Smitten:

 It was sponsored through the Jolly Jabber aka the Fat Quarter Shop's blog.  They were offering a batch of Jen Kingwell patterns after sahring tidbits of information about the designer and lucky me,  I won.  

Thanks so much!  

I am delayed in posting about this as I was finishing up my quilt for the quilt show and then running around with other appointments and commitments.   I promised I 'd share this windfall when things calmed down a bit and I made time to blog so it's finally acknowledged publicly.

The Jolly Jabber are currently offering another giveaway with the start of International Quilt Market in  Minneapolis and want to know your favorite Bar.  Silly me, I was thinking about my favorite establishment for beverages (lol) of course, when I learned that a bar is another name for a size of pre-cut fabrics.  Who knew?  The size is 5" by 10",  similar to layer cakes, charms, jelly rolls etc....  I've done business with them through the years and they never disappoint.  Thanks again jolly girls, I really appreciate it.

Jane