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Summer is still here :(  Yes I know it's still August and that means summer.  But I keep reading about fellow bloggers feeling the coolness in the evenings and/or mornings back east.  Not here.  You walk outside here and it feels like a blast from a furnace.  It does cool down a bit at night but that is only very late at night or very early in the morning.   It's not even long enough to let the house air out.  Our house still smells like the Chinese stir fry I fixed on Wednesday night. YUCK!  Can you guess that I'm tired of summer? How about something different than a National Holiday?  I found some interesting little fun facts to share with you today:
* If you are right handed, you will tend to chew your food on the right side of your mouth.
*  To make half a kilo of honey, bees must collect nectar from over 2 million individual flowers.
* Tourists visiting Iceland should know that tipping at a restaurant is considered an insult!
*  Astronauts can't belch - there is no gravity to separate liquid from gas in their stomachs.
*  Google is actually the common name for a number with a million zeros
*  Your tongue is the only muscle in your body that is attached at only one end.
*  Kites were used in the American Civil War to deliver letters and newspapers
*  Peanut oil is used for cooking in submarines because it doesn't smoke unless it's heated above 450 degrees F.
*  The military salute is a motion that evolved from medieval times, when knights in armor raised their visors to reveal their identity.
Yesterday I received two squishy envelopes in the mail from two giveaways I had won... Frances from One More Quilt had a giveaway earlier this month and I was the lucky winner!!  Aren't these great tractor fabrics?!?  And there are such large pieces here.  I will definitely be making a Loving Hands quilt or two from these this month.  Thank you so very much, Frances!! And then Incomparable Buttons had another giveaway that I won.  Not only did I win a darling teddy bear fat quarter but I also won those adorable handmade teddy bear buttons!  This is such a wonderful company.  They provide much needed employment to women in South Africa.  You should definitely check out all of the different buttons available and at extremely reasonable prices too.  Their website is buttonmad.com.  Thank you so much, Incomparable Buttons.
A little while ago I finished another stitchery for A Gardener's Journal...... This little piece is called Dovecote.  It will end up measuring 3 1/2" X 9 1/2".  I am currently working on the center piece.  It is the biggest and will measure 8 1/2" X 9 1/2"
I only have one FMQ practice to share with  you today....... This practice is called Shoo Fly.  I think it looks more like demented rabbits - lol!  Maybe it's because I made the fly bodies more rounded than oval.
Since I don't have much to share with you today, I thought I might share a counted cross stitch piece I did years ago....... This was a gift to my BIL and SIL that we visited last weekend.  Ignore the glare in the lower left corner - it is not part of the picture.  This was just one of the several angels I did from the Lavender and Lace line.  This angel is called Angel of Grace and was stitched on linen (I think).
Today I will make a swap block or two

Moosestash Quilting is having a giveaway.  Here is another chance to win a GO! Baby cutter and 3 dies of your choice.  This giveaway ends Friday, September 2.

Jo's Country Junction is having a sponsored giveaway.  You could win a Curio Jelly Roll from Fat Quarter Shop.  This giveaway ends Tuesday, August 30.

The Adventures of the Empress of the Universe is having a giveaway.  You could be one of five winners to win a 4 Citron/Gray FQs by Michael Miller.  This giveaway ends Sunday, August 28.

Annie's Ruby Slipperz is having a giveaway.   You could win 5 fat quarters in  your color choice.  A winner will be announced Monday, August 29.

Random Thoughts do or 'di' is having a giveaway.  You could win a sewing machine cover made by Di herself.  This giveaway ends Wednesday, August 31, at midnight PST.

Quilt Matters is having a giveaway.  You could win 3 fat quarters.  This giveaway ends Sunday, August 28, at 8:00 pm EST.

Quilt Hollow is having a giveaway.  You could win a copy of Pick Four.  This giveaway ends Sunday, August 28.

Diary of a Quilter is having a giveaway.  You could win a copy of Inspirational Projects by British Patchwork and Quilting.  This giveaway ends Saturday, August 27 at midnight.

Hawthorne Threads is having their weekly giveaway.  This week you could win a Notus daisies half yard bundle.  This giveaway ends Wednesday, August 31.

The Learning Curve is having a giveaway.  Here is yet another chance to win a GO! Baby cutter and your choice of 3 dies.  This giveaway ends Thursday, September 1, at midnight.



There was no sewing going on in my house yesterday.  I didn't even get in my FMQ practice.  It was a day of organizing the monthly swap partners for Block Swap Adventure and for preparing packages for mailing for two swaps.  Who knew that it would take most of the day.  I did get a little stitchery in while watching tv Labels: A Gardener's Journal, counted cross stitch, free motion quilting, giveaways, Incomparable Buttons, Lavender and Lace, One More Quilt, today's goal 
Thanks Linda, I enjoy reading your blog. You are so informative.
What a beautiful xstitch . I have been working on one since last year, nothing a spectacular as this. Have a glorious weekend.

August 26, 2011 at 5:32 AM 
I am so in awe of those who can cross stitch. Your angel is beautiful!

It's hot here too. Love the breeze in the evenings and mornings.

I saw Stitch of Lilo and Stitch in your FMQ.

August 26, 2011 at 5:34 AM 
I'm with you on being tired of the heat! We will fly back in to San Antonio on Sunday to 107 degree temperatures! I'm ready for fall!
I thought your little FMQ pattern was Stitch,from the Disney movie Lilo and Stitch! Now that you mention a fly, I can see that too!
Stay cool!

August 26, 2011 at 5:35 AM 
You won those buttons and adorable fabric...lucky you....I am sooo jealous, enjoy!!
 
Congrats on the tractor fabric win and just love those cute buttons. HA,HA,HA yes, demented rabbits! Oh, I think over time I did all the Lavender and Lace Angels - just beautiful.

I go to pick up my new vehicle and then some stocking up of supplies - tomorrow we batten the hatches (governor already declared the weekend a State of Emergency) - need to prime the generator just in case.

August 26, 2011 at 6:11 AM 
Linda, you do a fabulous job with BSA! It is such a fun and wonderful swap, and I so appreciate all you do to keep it running!!!!

I remember those angels - I think I made one. Yours is beautiful! Happy weekend.

August 26, 2011 at 6:38 AM 
The john deere fabric is great! My grandbabies would be crazy about a quilt made from them!

August 26, 2011 at 6:46 AM Melissa @ Love Affair With My Brother said...

Your blog always makes me smile :) I was wondering if you are doing the FMQ on a long arm or on your regular sewing machine? It is a technique I really want to master.

August 26, 2011 at 7:09 AM 
Yes it will still be summer in CA for a least another month, YUK. Love your wins, cute bears, can't wait to see what you make with the tractors.
Beautiful cross stitch.

August 26, 2011 at 7:33 AM 
Your winnings are so nice, especially for someone who has grandsons. And I love your stitching. I've been doing embroidery this week, but need to keep practising. The angel is stunning.

August 26, 2011 at 7:34 AM 
Linda, that FMQ comment cracked me up! Before I read what the style was called, I tried to figured it out, but came up with crazy dogs or something - but I guess they look like flies? Haha. Over on the east coast we are preparing for Irene - my college move in day got postponed :( I'm hoping for fall too! Getting there!

August 26, 2011 at 8:07 AM 
So many neat things in this post, all entirely lovely! Especially keep my eye on your FMQ extraordinaire!

August 26, 2011 at 10:09 AM 
Oh love your tractors! Would you consider sending me a block? See this post http://cariboucrossingchronicles.blogspot.com/2011/08/lovely-mail-received-and-request.html

August 26, 2011 at 10:49 AM 
Your stitcheries are just wonderful! They look so soft and peaceful. Great winnings!

August 26, 2011 at 11:51 AM 
Wow, Linda, you are doing SO well with you FMQ. I'm envious. Maybe after I move I'll have some time to devote to that. Your stitchery is really cute too.

The heat has gotten worse up my way too, especially not cooling down at night. Will not miss these summers in Oregon!
 
The 25th really snuck up on me this month! When I saw the email with my new partner, I had to check the calendar. Feels like August has flown by!

Love your stitcheries! And good for you, all that FMQ practice!

August 26, 2011 at 1:00 PM Teresa Felgueiras said...

Congratulations. Two wins in a row. The buttons are lovely.
Your cross stitch angel is amazing, it must have taken you ages to complete.
Your FMQ is wonderful. Practice makes the expert ( that means I should practice too).

August 26, 2011 at 2:30 PM 
Summer - yep, I'm tired of the heat. Trying to hold my breath til fall comes. (can one lose weight holding their breath for a long time? I hope!)

Oh...your cross-stitch...It is sooo, well, SO admirable at the same time it is sooo beautiful. I absolutely LUV this craft. Unfortunately, it doesn't like me. =(

Hope you have a fan to sit by!

 
G'day Linda. It's still winter here is Australia, but only for a few more days, then spring is suppose to kick in. The tractor fabric is great. What will you make with it? The FMQ is so cute, at first I thought they were rabbits until I read that they are actually flies. Who cares, it looks fabulous anyway. I love it. Take care. Liz...

August 26, 2011 at 3:30 PM 
I love your posts of random things!

one correction: the Google fact is incorrect.


Google got its name by misspelling Googol, the word for 1 followed by 100 zeros.

There are a million zeros in a Googolplex http://wiki.answers.com/Q/How_many_zeros_are_in_googolplex

My hubby is a Googler so I Googled the correct answers

August 26, 2011 at 5:25 PM 
Whew, it was 106 at my house at 12:30 today, now, at 7 pm it's still 98 outside...as much as I dread the bill, the a/c is staying on a bit more. We all were away from home yesterday (working) and when I got home at qtr.to 9, I didn't turn it on, and slept not so good in the hot house. Oh, well...grumble, grumble...
(Larry says I'm grouchy in the heat, lol) :-}pokey

August 26, 2011 at 7:00 PM 
We have had some cooler evenings but we don't air out the house--this is the worst time for allergies around here. I always get so frustrated in the fall when it is so pretty out and I cannot enjoy a breeze through the house until a good freeze!

Yes, you are right. Much more like rabbits. LOL

August 26, 2011 at 7:13 PM 
I think the heat is bothering everyone! I always find something to make me smile, when I stop by your blog! Thanks for just being you!
Congrats on your wins...looking forward to seeing what you make with those!

August 26, 2011 at 7:15 PM 
Another great post. I love all the interesting facts. Poor little honey bees, 2 million flowers worth of nectar for 1/2 kilo of honey. I'll appreciate honey more when I eat it on my toast.

August 26, 2011 at 9:24 PM 
Congrats on your winnings!

Another, enjoyable read. :)

God bless and keep you,

August 26, 2011 at 9:30 PM 
Thanks for the link to the button company...I like to support such companies. Have a great weekend.

August 27, 2011 at 4:53 AM Alberta Gal, Shauna said...

Wow you have been a very busy lady...I love your winnings-especially the John Deere Stuff. And thank you to the link to the Button Company.
I hope you are enjoying your summer.:)

August 27, 2011 at 8:10 AM AlessandraLace said...

lovely blog and works. hugs

August 27, 2011 at 12:51 PM 
love the FMQ!! I still have to master that...congratulations on your winnings!!

August 29, 2011 at 2:14 AM 
Congratulations on the nice squishy package. Some little guy will really LOVE those fabrics in a quilt.

I love your angel!!!! She really is beautiful. Do you still do any CCS anymore? I love doing it.

August 29, 2011 at 6:51 AM Cheryl's Teapots2Quilting said...

I love the demented rabbits. They are cute. Maybe they are 'shooing' the flies away ; )

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