CURIOUS?

It's the end of March and preparations have begun for April fool's day.  

There is one individual at work who will be pranked and pranked often tomorrow.  Believe me when I say... He deserves it. 

My hands are clean in this ordeal... as I fear the repercussions. 

Yes, I'm playing chicken. 

Never the less, I will sit back and enjoy the show.  :)

****************************************************

CURIOUS?

So.... 

Got any pranks in you?  

Who are you going to get on April 1st?

*****************************************************

The mug rug I finished last night, has got me in the mood to make another one, two or three.  I plan to use the strips in a honey bun I ordered not too long ago. 

I may have some to show tomorrow evening, or at least that is my plan.  :)

*****************************************************

GOALS SET...

• Back on the Wagon:  
• Since we are starting a new month, I have decided to get back on the wagon and cut out the soda and sweets that I willingly jumped off the wagon for about two months ago.  
• I can always tell a difference in the way I feel after I consume that stuff for several weeks.
• I start feeling yucky and I always put on a few pounds.  The good thing is when I cut them out the pounds fade away pretty easily and I start feeling like myself again.

• Plan meals:
• When I plan my meals out, it makes life so much easier.  So I'm getting back to that too.

Wish me luck and pray I can be strong enough not to fall off the wagon again. :)

*********************************************************

WHO'S IN THE DRIVERS SEAT?

 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.  Matthew 5:16

How do you live?   

What kind of example are you living?

 

Don't give satan the managerial right to the details of your life.

God bless and keep you,

Sonia

Flaws = Character

I finally did it.

When I went back to my sewing area this evening, I decided to rip out part of one of the mug rugs I started.  I ripped several seams out and started over. 

This is my very first mug rug.    Like usual, I'm my worst critic and see flaws.  But life isn't perfect and I'm not perfect so I will leave it as it is.  I will call the flaws,  character.  :)

*********************************************************

NEW GIVEAWAY!!

Check out the giveaway tab above.   

I found the giveaway on Leona's Quilting Adventure's blog and decided to share it.

*********************************************************

ROAD TRIP!!

Today Charlotte, Debbie and I mapped out the Spring FabShop Hop we are going to do on Saturday.

We have 8 shops to visit between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m.

We will be traveling around 272 miles.

Microsoft clip art

It's bound to be a fun but hectic day.  :)

*********************************************************

In Closing

 Lead  a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.  1 Timothy 2:2

God bless and keep you,
Sonia

Can anyone relate?

Okay... you've heard of "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants"... well I feel like I belong to the Sisterhood of the Retiring Pants.

That's right... I had to retire another pair of jeans today.  

You get them broke in, nice and comfy and then one day they are thin enough to see the light through them or a hole has ripped through at the knees or elsewhere and it's time to let them go.

Twenty years ago I would have worn them with the blown out knees or a tiny rip in the bottom, but not anymore.

It's hard giving up that beloved pair that wraps you like a warm hug, but alas there comes a time when you have to cut ties.

Can anyone relate?  

To me there is nothing more comfortable then a well wore in pair of jeans.

Retire from work, but not from life.  ~ M.K. Soni

Anyway... the jeans are retired from being worn on my body (that takes care of the work bit) but will live on as a tote bag or something.  :)

*************************************

I have seen a lot of the quilting followers I have and also those I follow being very busy with quilting in the past week.  

It puts me to shame, in a way, because I have not been as productive.  I have done some crocheting but am not as far along as I'd like to be there either.   

I was working on a Mug Rug... trying to do a 'crazy quilt' pattern and the crazy bit got the best of me... twice.  So I set them aside and have decided to do something a little simpler.  I hope to get started on that tomorrow.   

Keep your fingers crossed, I might even take a picture of it.   :)

*************************************

Well... I guess that's it for now.    My final thought for you is...

May you walk with the Lord and feel His presence in your life.

God bless and keep you,

Sonia

Bored and Dizzy...

As you can see... I got bored with my blog background again.

The quilt background I added yesterday looked blah to me today.  So, tonight I added something a little more 'spring' like. 

Of course I'm doing this with a dizzy spell from a sinus pill.   Whoo!

There is no telling when it will zonk me out.  
 
Hope your Monday went well.  

Microsoft clip art

Mine went pretty well and is now too, just on a different level.


Until tomorrow evening, when I'm bound to be with more focus than tonight, may you have a blessed Tuesday!

God bless and keep you,
Sonia     ~ zzzz
                          zzzzz
                                  zzzz ~

Something to Celebrate!

Can you believe it sleeted in my neck of the woods today?!  

As we were walking to our car after church this morning, sleet began to fall and wouldn't you know it, my camera was here on my desk and not in my handbag as usual - So, no picture to show off the sleet.  It was tiny stuff, but sleet none the less.  

I knew the few days of warm temps (as much as I enjoyed them) were teasers, as it usually gets cold again before or around Easter. 

As I think back over the years; around Easter it always gets cold and rainy.  I use to think of  it as the earth mourning the death of Christ on the cross.  That was before I truly understood what His death meant.  

Now, I view Easter as a celebration.  

There is a song called "Glorious Day" that Todd Agnew sings that states what I'm talking about.  The words to the chorus are as follows.

Living, He loved me; dying, He saved me;

Buried, He carried my sins far away;

Rising, He justified freely forever;

One day He's coming - Oh glorious day!

In the book of Romans, chapter 5, verses 8-11... But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.  Much more then, being now justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.  And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.

Christ died for us.  He didn't die merely for our benefit but in our place.  His death was a substitutionary sacrifice.   

The death of Christ and His shed blood effect salvation, but the life of Christ sustains it. 

Romans 4:24-5:2  But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed (or attributed to), if we believe on Him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; Who was delivered for our offenses, and was raised again for our justification. Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: by whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

Microsoft clip art

Because Jesus was raised from the dead we know that His sacrifice on Calvary was accepted in God's sight and Jesus' righteousness is available to all.

That, in my mind and soul, is something to celebrate!!

God bless and keep you,

Sonia

Lazy Saturday

Today was a lazy day for me.  I woke around 9:45 a.m., laid there and listened to the easy conversation between my kids and their dad.  They were playing a video game. 


My head was pounding.   I dragged myself out of bed and got ready for the day.  It was a cold and drizzly day.  I took something for the headache, which later knocked me out for about five hours.   I was able to get lunch fixed though before I went down for the count.

I just used leftovers in the fridge and made a soup.   It was a mix of beef, tomatoes, broccoli, cauliflower, chicken broth, water, chili powder, cumin, salt and pepper.  I added some dry macaroni after it came to a boil and cooked it for twenty more minutes.  It turned out pretty good.   I made a pan of cornbread to go with it.

I did crochet a little bit on my little Project Linus afghan, while waiting on the food to cook.

Other than that.. I slept!   Woke up around 7 p.m.   My headache is still there but not as bad.  I will take another sinus pill before I go to bed.   It's bound to be a  solid night of sleep.  :)  

I want to share a video with you.  One of my friends on Facebook  posted it and I liked it.   Hope you do too.

Well, I guess that's it for tonight.   I wish you all a blessed Sunday!

God bless and keep you,
Sonia

All Types

Aren't these pretty?  

I think I planted them last year. They are in the flowerbed in front of my house and for the life of me I can't remember what they are called.  I still think they are pretty though. :)

Today was downright chilly in my neck of the woods.  I tell you, a few days of 70° - 80° weather and I'm ruined.  If it gets below 60° I'm putting on the second layer.   As a matter of fact, I'm wearing a sweater as I type, with a little space heater and a hot cup of decaf, to boot.

I did a bit of people watching today.  It can be very interesting.  If you haven't tried it, you ought to, at least once.  

You see all types; old, young, straight, round, short, tall, happy, sad, confused... all types.  I always wind up looking for a familiar face.  Sometimes I find one, sometimes not.   Often times, I'm inspired with words. That's when I reach into my handbag and pull out a small notebook and pen and begin writing. 

People are great for inspiration.  You see a couple interacting and depending on their facial express and their body language, a story will begin to emerge.   Or you see a single person strolling along and again you can begin to see a story unfold.

Today, I was beginning to be inspired, but then was distracted and by the time I got back to it, my inspiration was gone like a vapor on the wind - no more.  

Oh well, that happens but the show goes on and people keep being people, so I know there are still stories out there.

Hope you have been inspired this week in some form or fashion.

God bless and keep you,

Sonia

Under The Influence?

Enable "Out of Office" message for email.  Check!
Set "Out of Office" voice mail.  Check!

As of 4:30 PM, Central, I am off work until Monday!

My friend Bonnie works at the front desk in the office and told me today that when I'm gone she is asked over and over about my whereabouts.   She usually posts a sign on my chair stating "Sonia Is Out", but this evidently doesn't get the message across.  Another lady in the office agreed with Bonnie and said I need to roll my chair to my cubicle entrance, facing out, to make sure people see the sign. Her cubicle is across from mine, so she gets hit with all the traffic too.

So today Bonnie made a special sign and gave it to me to pin to my chair.  Not sure what she is trying to say with it, but I thought it was hilarious and gladly pinned it to my chair.

I don't really have any major plans except for RELAX.  :)  I'll eat an ice cream sandwich to that!

***************************************************************

CREATIVE WRITING

Since I have been going through a tiny mental block of late... thought I would add a portion to my post for creative writing.  I will be using a book I received from my friend Carla.  It is full of writing prompts.  Not sure how crazy or silly it will get but that's part of the fun.

My prompt this evening:  "Put it down or I'll scream." 

As she walked into the kitchen, she saw him pull the box from the freezer.  Was he thinking of eating the last ice cream sandwich?   No way - he wouldn't dare.

Microsoft clip art

Time slowed down as she watched him reach into the box and pull out the last one.   Tossing the box into the trash, he smiled at her.

"Oh, hi babe" he said.

"Give me the sandwich." she replied, her face showing no signs of amusement.

"What?" he said

Her eyebrows rose as she responded, "I asked you to give me the ice cream sandwich." 

Laughing he shook his head.  "You crack me up, with your subtle jokes."

"Put it down or I'll scream."  She was shaking. 

He looked at her confused.  What is wrong with her, he wondered.   "Are you okay babe?"

She walked up to him and snatched the ice cream sandwich out of his hand.  She opened it up, took a bite out of it, smiled and turned around and walked away, humming quietly to herself.

"Wow", he thought as he watched her walk down the hall.  He reached for the phone and dialed the psychiatrist.

***************************************************************

GIVEAWAYS

New!
Green Fairy Quilts is having a giveaway.
Check it out at the Giveaways Tab above.

***************************************************************

IN CLOSING

May your tomorrow be filled with sunshine!!

God bless and keep you,

Sonia

Chillin' Out

I started on a mug rug, after work today.

I fussy cut one piece and then my hubby tells me our kids are taking us out for dinner.  So I closed my rotary cutter, left my ruler and fabric where it was and headed out the door!   I will start where I left off tomorrow. :)

We went to El Puerto in Ozark, AR.   Every time I go there, it just mellows me out.  I don't know why, but the atmosphere just relaxes me.  The only other restaurant type place that I can truly chill out in, is in Ft. Smith.  A little place called the Sweet Bay Coffee Co.

Is there a place like that for you?

*************************************************************

Money, Money, Money

$611.00

That's how much money we raised at work for the American Cancer Society with our tea cup auction.

This morning when I walked into my cubicle I found two nice "do it yourself" type books sitting in my chair.  They were a donation for the next fund raiser we have.   

I was in the vault a little later in the morning and found two very nice framed pictures that should have been in the auction, so I set them up for the next fund raiser too.

*************************************************************

 In Closing....

Here's wishing you a wonderful Wednesday! 

May the God of hope fill you with joy.

Romans 15:13

God bless and keep you,

Sonia

Small Talk...

Microsoft clip art

You ever have those days where you just dont' have much to say?

I guess today is one of those days for me.  When I sat down to type up my blog, my mind was like the sign to the left - blank.

In one of my writing classes I learned if you sit down to write and have a blank moment or are mentally blocked, then write through it.  Therefore I will continue to type.

Microsoft clip art

I woke this morning saying... "just make it Monday through Wednesday".  It was a busy Monday at work today.  I got off work 30 minutes early and will do so the next two days.

I'm using vacation days on Thursday and Friday this week and management doesn't want me to go over 40 hours.  So... getting off work a half hour early will be nice this week.


Today was a beautiful day!   One of my blogger friends expected snow today per the forecast!  I'm thinking no way - Not for this girl.  :)   I'll keep the sunshine.  We do have a chance for rain showers though.

See what I mean... not much to talk about... chatting about the weather! 

Oh yeah... I did enjoy a ice cream sandwich when I got home today.  It was delicious.  As  a matter of fact just thinking about it now... I'm going to go get another!

And I wonder why I need to lose about 15 - 20 lbs...

Yep... it tastes as yummy as the one I had four hours ago. :)

************************************************

MOVING ON...

Check out the Crochet tab above.  I have posted a pattern I'm working on now.  It is a small afghan, around 30" x 30".  A good size for an infant.

************************************************
IN CLOSING...

I have loved you with an everlasting love; 

therefore with loving kindness I have drawn you.  

Jeremiah 31:3

God bless and keep you,

Sonia 

 

Good intentions but...

My daughter took a pic of me crocheting today. 

My new hair cut ... I'm not so sure about...  it's very close to what I normally get.. but...

I guess it's just a matter of getting use to it being this short again. :)

Today was National Quilting Day.  I had intentions of putting my machine and fabric to use today.. but wound up taking a very long nap after lunch.  Thus, nothing to show.

Oh well... guess I needed the rest.

Hope everyone had a great day and if you are a quilter, I trust you did better than I did. :)

Have a wonderful Sunday!

God bless and keep you,
Sonia

Three for $2.99 and a little vanity...

Today was another beautiful day.   I took a mini road trip and went to the mall in Ft. Smith with my daughter and hubby.  She found some great deals on clothes (seasonal).  I found sets of three pairs of gloves for $2.99 and snatched one up.  I knew that if I didn't I would not find the gloves I want next winter and if I did, I wouldn't get a pair for $2.99, much less three.

Microsoft clip art

I then went into a small salon and got my hair cut.  It feels so much better, now that I have it thinned out and trimmed up. 

I usually get a pixie cut... this one is similar but a little different.  Very close though.

I would post a picture tonight... but I'm being vain as I have scrubbed my face clean and have no makeup on.  So I will post a picture tomorrow when I have my "face" on.  :)

***********************************

We had our Relay for Life teacup auction drawing, at work today.  It went well.

We had a lot of laughs and yahoo!s.

We didn't get a count on how much money we raised, so I will have to wait until Monday to share the news.  I feel though we raised a good bit of money for the ACS.

***********************************

Having mentioned vanity above, led me to the following scripture.

Favor (or charm) is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.  Proverbs 31:30

God bless and keep you,

Sonia 

Undisturbed Calm to Accept...

"O God, give us serenity to accept what cannot be changed, courage to change what should be changed, and wisdom to distinguish the one from the other." ~ Reinhold Niebuhr



In my words...

God... give us clear, unclouded, undisturbed calm to accept what can't be changed. Give us strength in spirit to change what should be changed and good judgment to see the difference between the two.

How often do we fret over things we have no control over... like the changes in our life from the Lord?

 

Okay... we have a choice.

 

A choice to take the steps toward change or not, but if we are compelled, moved or spoken to by God and we do naught... then we have a reason to fret.

 

Do I mean we will be struck down in our tracks if we don't obey?

 

I would not be sitting here typing this now if that were the case.

 

I do believe however; that God is in complete control and is a loving but disciplinary God. I look back over the years and see that when I didn't obey, I was taught a valuable lesson in the process.

 

God loves me but He doesn't let me slide.

 

It's like being a parent. You teach your children, you guide them, and you tell them what to do. You love them with all your heart, but when they blatantly disobey you, you discipline them.

 

Does this mean you don't love them anymore? - Of course not.

 

Does this mean you're going to leave them on their own and let them do what they want? No.

 

You will always be there to pick them up when they fall, to guide them and to love them, no matter what.

 

That's how God is.

 

So have an undisturbed calm and follow God's calling on your life. Don't fret, Jump! Jump straight into God's arms and do His will.

 

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct thy paths. Proverbs 3:5-6

God bless and keep you,

Sonia

May the road rise up to meet you...

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!

Comments by ZingerBug.com

God bless and keep you,

Sonia

Why Is It...

Why is it when we laugh so hard, we start crying?

Why is the power of suggestion so strong?  For example: if someone suggests there had been a mouse in their desk... you instantly start checking your desk.  Even though the person who had the mouse, keeps food in their desk and you do not.

It's the afternoon and your feeling tired, but as soon as you punch your time card out, you get a spring in your step and have re-energized.  Why is that?

Why is it we tend to remember the hard times more than the good times and we forget how blessed we are until we hear of someone who is suffering more than we are?

Why, why, why...

I'm sure there is someone out there that has an answer for every question I asked, but I don't really care if there is an answer or not.  It's the questions and the curiosity that keeps things interesting in life; that keeps us searching and striving to learn more.

If we didn't ask, we would grow old and stagnant on the inside.

Wouldn't you agree?

*************************************************************

Tonight was the Logan County PieceMakers Quilt Guild monthly meeting.

We received a Hoffman fat quarter for the Hoffman Challenge.  Our creations are to be done and submitted at our June meeting.  We will have judges come in to judge the entries. 

The wheels have been turning in my mind on what I'm going to create with this fabric but I need to stay focused on my afghan and get it done this week.  Next week I can sit down, plan and draw out a design for this years Hoffman challenge.

It was announced tonight, that the 8th Annual Spring Fling Shop Hop is coming up.  If you happen to be in my neck of the woods, here are the dates of the Shop Hop and the participating stores. 

March 31 through April 2, 2011   Thurs. - Sat.   

9:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Participating Shops

COUNTRY HOUSE QUILTING

4794518978

16324 N. Hwy 94

Pea Ridge, AR 72751

CROOKED CREEK QUILTS

479-996-5808

1736 W. Center

Greenwood, AR 72936

www.crookedcreekquiltshop.com

JUST FOR FUN FABRICS

479-424-1219

Maybranch Square, Suite 12 - 2801 Old Greenwood Rd.

Fort Smith, AR 72903

www.jfffabrics.com

MAMA'S LOG HOUSE

479-928-1600 or 883-0254

3715 E. Clarks Chapel Rd.

Huntington, AR 72940

www.mamasloghousequiltshop.com

THE QUILT CORNER

479-298-3006

110 S. Hibler St.

Sulphur Springs, AR 72768

THE RABBIT'S LAIR

479-636-3385

116 west Walnut - Historic Downtown

Roger, AR 72756

www.therabbitslair.com

SAGER CREEK QUILTS & YARNWORKS

479-524-5244

304 E. Central

Siloam Springs, AR 72761

www.sagercreekquilts.com

SEW A STITCH

479-273-6064

100 N.W. 2nd St.

Bentonville, AR 72712

www.sewastitch.com

I'm thinking... ROAD TRIP!!!

I also found out the 2011 Quilt Congress will be in Fort Smith, AR in September.  I will post more info on that when I get it.

*************************************************************

In Closing...

My flesh and my heart fail; but God is the strength of my heart.

Psalm 73:26

God bless and keep you,

Sonia  

A Generous Monday

Today was a hectic but good Monday.  Monday, good?  Hectic yes... but good?

It actually was a pretty decent day.   Today we started our bi-annual "teacup" auction for the American Cancer Society, we have at work for the employees to participate in.  My morning was filled with setting it up.

When I first heard of a "teacup" auction, I visualized a lot of pretty teacups sitting out for auction. 

That's not exactly how it goes.   We take in donations from our employees and some suppliers, for the auction and I use recycled cardboard boxes from work to collect tickets.  Tickets are sold and the buyer puts a ticket or tickets in the box for the item they are interested in.

This teacup auction had enough donations to have 57 different groupings, taking up 5 tables.

The donations were everything from live plants to items from Professional football and baseball teams.

Here are a few pics of some of the stuff turned in. 

 

Someone made a birdhouse .  There is also a bookmark that is embroidered.

This box gets filled up every time!  Go figure.  :)

 One of our pro-athlete donations

A cute embroidered diaper (part of a set)

A cedar book shelf and a small cedar chest, made by an employee's spouse.

Small table... 

Can you believe it was made out of scrap pallets from the back of the plant?!

We usually get some pretty good stuff to raise money with.  I think we will do good this auction.  I will post how much we raise later in the week.  We will have the drawing on Friday.

************************************

This evening I reached one of my goals for this week.   

 I finished the star block for the Quilts of Valor project.  

 

I will mail it off tomorrow.

************************************

 In Closing...

The angel of the LORD encamps all around those who fear Him, and delivers them.

Psalm 34:7

God bless and keep you,

Sonia

Shouldn't All Recipes Be Good Recipes?

Today turned out to truly be a day of rest.  I wound up taking a nap for about 2 hours this afternoon.

I had planned on making my star block for the "One Star Challenge' for the Quilts of Valor program, but alas the "sand man" took over.

I picked out the fabrics last night that I'm going to use.     

 

When I got home from church this afternoon I cooked the chicken pot pie for lunch.    It doesn't look that good in the pic, but it turned out pretty good.  Good enough to save the left overs.

After church this evening, I decided I wanted something sweet to eat.  So I decided to follow a recipe for a coffee cake.   I had everything I needed in the pantry and it didn't take a long time to cook... or so I thought.

I followed the recipe to a "T",  but there are times you come across a recipe that just doesn't work out.  I wound up throwing out half of the cake.  

In the recipe it said to cook for 20 minutes at 300°F.   I did.  

It was not done in 20 minutes.  As a matter of fact I wound up cooking it for 40 minutes.  

Then after eating a slice, I decided I did not care for the recipe.  I asked my husband and kids their opinions and they agreed.  It wasn't awful but it wasn't delicious either.   So a frowned face gets marked on that recipe page.  >(   

This "not so good" recipe was not from my vintage cookbook set.

Have you ever tried a recipe that didn't turn out?  I mean, followed it to a "T" and not tweaking it?   I was surprised that this one didn't turn out.   That usually happens when I don't follow the recipe!  

****************************************************

My Goal this week...

I actually have two goals for this week.

1.   Make the star block for the Quilts of Valor and mail it out.

2. Finish the afghan I started (pattern on Crochet tab) and mail to Project Linus.

****************************************************

Microsoft clip art

To check out the Giveaways Tab at the top and enter.  :)

 ****************************************************

In Closing..

Stand fast in the Lord.   Philippians 4:1

God bless and keep you,

Sonia 

A Beautiful Day Indeed

Today was a beautiful day with blue sky and sunshine.  I took some pictures of the new growth going on where I live.

This flowering pear tree is in my back yard.  The blooms are ... well quite frankly... they are stinky.  Never the less the tree is pretty when it is in bloom.

 

The daffodils and hyacinths at the front of my house are blooming too.

*****************************************************

MY GOAL TODAY...

I finished my "Spring Trip Around the World" quilt today.   

I will be donating it to the Logan County PieceMakers Quilt Guild's "Love Quilt" fund.   I am over the collection of  love quilts and lap quilts this year and thought I'd start it out right by putting in a quilt.  

The quilts are given to young children entering a head-start program and to those in nursing homes.  As you know, change is difficult for a lot people.  So these quilts help comfort the ones making a transition in their lives. 

*****************************************************

RECIPE...

One of my blogger friends, Mariliz, mentioned chicken potpie in one of her blogs this week and I have been wanting chicken potpie ever sense!

So, that's what we are having for lunch tomorrow after church.   I will be using a version of chicken potpie from my vintage cookbook collection.

The recipe is called Chicken Casserole with Pimento Biscuits.   My family doesn't like pimentos, so I'll be leaving them out and will most likely add another veggie to the filling.  You can see the recipe on the Recipe tab above.

Right now, I smell the chicken cooking.  My husband is such a sweetheart.  He always takes steps to help me out.   The chicken is rolling away in a big pot with onions and seasoning.

*****************************************************

GIVEAWAYS

Check out the new giveaways I posted today on the Giveaways Tab at the top.

*****************************************************

IN CLOSING...

He is my refuge and my fortress; my God, in Him I will trust.

Psalm 91:2

God bless and keep you, 

Sonia

 

Just One Star Challenge from Moda Fabrics

Below is a challenge I have taken on.   

Please read and contribute to those who serve for our freedom!

http://modafabrics.blogspot.com/2011/03/just-one-star.html

Moda fabrics is proud to be participating in a Quilts of Valor program co-ordinated by Marianne Fons. Moda's very own Polly Minick and Laurie Simpson have created a line of fabrics and kits benefiting this program available in stores April 2011. Invite someone you know that may not

quilt to get involved.

Note from QOVF website: Just how much of an impact has the Quilts of Valor Foundation made? As of February, 2011 there have been over 37,000 quilts awarded to service members/veterans.

So this project inspired us to take it a step further.  

We invite you to join the Moda staff and designers in our newest Challenge…

The challenge is to piece, quilt and bind 100 quilts in 100 days using the
Flag of Valor pattern by Minick and Simpson.

The deadline for star blocks
is May 1, 2011 so that we can meet our quilt deadline
by Flag Day, June 14, 2011.

As the saying goes – “many hands make light work”.

We need 1800 star blocks to reach our goal.
Please take a few minutes to piece Just One Star block (click here for block pattern) using a medium red or blue and a cream background. Better yet, invite your small group or even your entire guild to make Just One Star block. Sign each block with your name and state.

Then we can truly say....the hands of a grateful nation comfort our soldiers!

We will coordinate the  donation of the 100 quilts thru the Semper Fi Fund, a cause

that is near and dear to designers, Polly Minick and Laurie Simpson.

Thank you for your help!

Send untrimmed blocks to:

United Notions/Moda Fabrics
Attn: Just One Star Project
13800 Hutton
Dallas, TX 75234

Mark Dunn, Laurie Simpson, Polly Minick and Colonel James J. Minick USMC will be involved with the Semper Fi organization to donate the completed 100 quilts.

2 ways to be involved:

Make a quilt block (blocks) to support moda and Semper Fi's efforts.

 Complete quilt kits (shown below) are available from your favorite

quilt store to benefit Quits of Valor .

"I am so excited about this project and think quilters everywhere are
going to jump into this." - POLLY MINICK

 

 

*******************************************************************

God bless and keep you,

Sonia

Trading Up?...

Microsoft clip art

As I sewed the borders on the 2011 Butterfly quilt last night, my mind began to consider....

I had just finished the Jacob's Ladder quilt and had pinned the label on the back to be sewn down.  I set it aside and began sewing the borders on the butterfly quilt.  

I thought to myself... "now I need a machine that could do a little bit of embroidery... that way I can stitch out my labels instead of writing them out with permanent marker..."

This of course is added to the wish list I have with a long arm quilting machine on it.    But seriously... got to thinking about it... I think I'll search for a sewing machine that I can use for sewing and just a little bit of embroidery. 

The long arm quilting machine is still on the list... that one I will have plan and budget for. :)

**************************************************************

GIVEAWAYS

Alderwood Quilts is having their March giveaway.  You could win a copy of  Weekend Wonders by Pamela Mostek.  Sue will select a winner on April 1st.

Blushing Rose is having a CSN giveaway.  You could win a $45 gift certificate to this online store.  Marydon says the giveaway will end on March 17th.

Quilty Habit is having a giveaway.  You could win 4 adorable hand made magnet made by Jessica.  This giveaway ends Saturday, March 12.

**************************************************************
 QUILT PATTERN

For easy instruction on how to make the Jacob's Ladder block... 

go to the Quilt Pattern tab at the top of the page. 

 

**************************************************************

IN CLOSING...

Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. 

Ephesians 1:2

God bless and keep you,
Sonia