“Block Lotto” I won.

Encouraging words of the day:

This is the day the LORD has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24, NLT

I told you about the “Block Lotto” I won.  When we got home from our trip all my "Heart Blocks" had arrived.  My post office box was overflowing!  I now have my 48 blocks and am so excited trying to figure out how I'm going to sew my quilt top together.  Here’s a photo of the blocks I received.  Anyone have any suggestions for sewing these together into something beautiful?  Should I put them side by side or turn them every which way?  Should I sew them to each other or add a strip between them?  I’m so excited and happy!

By the way--You can’t sew without it, but when was the last time you gave thread a second thought?

Early sewing thread consisted of thin strips of animal hide but that would be somewhat difficult for us to use in our sewing machine today.  Today thread is made in the following way according to Coats and Clark:

The process begins with giant bales of cotton or polyester.  

The cotton or polyester bales are opened into tufts, blended with like fibers in a garden-shed-size machine, and rolled into sheets called laps.

Individual fibers are separated, straightened, cleaned, and brought together into fluffy ropes called slivers.  The slivers are coiled in giant bins. They are still 200 to 600 times thicker than finished thread.

Both cotton and polyester slivers undergo a drawing process to ensure fibers are uniform and parallel to each other. At this point slivers are reduced in thickness and given a slight twist in order to hold the weakened fibers together for spinning. These finer slivers are called rovings.

Next a series of rollers spins the rovings into yarns that are the necessary weight and thickness for the type of thread being produced.  A twist applied in a left direction gives the fibers strength and flexibility.

After the thread is dyed, it is transported to the finishing plant.  A lubricant formulated specifically for the thread’s final purpose is applied next. It gives the thread a finish that allows it to slide easily through a machine or a needle’s head.  Thread is transferred to retail-size spools by spooling machines.  Wow!  I'm glad we don't have to do that for ourselves.

Back to my sewing:

 Here’s a picture of the hotpad I made for my swap person.  I really liked it and I hope the person I send it to tomorrow enjoys it.

I told you before that I’m working on my niece’s prom dress.  It is all “sequiny” and itchy around the neck so I fixed the neck area.  I couldn’t find fabric to match the color of the belt that came with the dress, close but not exact, so I added new straps and a belt.

Giveaways I've run into while checking blogs: 

"The Intrepid Thread"  has opened a new shop and is giving us a chance to win a $20 gift certificate. 

  "Quilting Ranny"is having a charm pack giveaway.   Ends April 1^st. 

   "The Plaid Scottie" is giving away a polka  dot fat quarter bundle and a doll quilt.

That is all.

Back home.

Encouraging words of the day:

Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand.  ~ Psalm 37:24, NLT

We’ve returned home after 3 weeks on the road.  We had a terrific time in the Texas Hill Country and visiting our son in north Texas.  But, it’s always great to get back home.  I was able to keep up with some of my sewing as I have two sewing machines at our ranch home - two machines but not as much time as we spend a lot of our time hunting and enjoying nature.  Also, my parents were able to accompany us on our travels and we spent time enjoying their company.

I was able to accomplish a lot of my hand-sewing.  I completed 6 hexagon flowers on our road trip home and then forgot to post any of them on the “One-Flower Wednesday” blog. Well, now I have something for next week. 

With all the sewing we do, have you ever wondered how a needle is made? 

Surfing the internet, I have learned that: sewing needles are made two at a time, from coils of steel wire. The wire is straightened and cut to the length of two. Through a grinding process, points are formed at both ends. Using a grindstone, the needle is turned repeatedly until the point is fine and even. Next, the eyes are stamped into the wire near the middle; two flat areas are stamped first.  Another piece of wire is drawn through the holes (like dental floss after a cleaning) so when the needle wire is cut apart, two needles remain, hanging from the wire. Their heads are smoothed and rounded. Their bodies are checked for straightness, tempered for toughness, and polished for smoothness. Quality control and a wide variety of packaging vehicles finish the process before they are shipped to their future owners.  
 I never realized it was such an involved process. I guess I thought the metal was just poured into a mold and viola!

I’ve finished  Block 11 in the “Layer Cake Quilt-Along.”  Somewhere along the way, though, I quit using the layer cake and began choosing fabric from my stash.  Works for me.  Here is Block 11 designed by Vanessa Wilson and called "E-ccentric Quilt Block."

Today I need to start working on making a 16in x 10 in Kitchen/ Casserole Hot Pad for a swap I joined.  I also need to work on my niece’s prom dress.  It is all “sequiny” and itchy around the neck so I need to figure out  something there so she can wear her beautiful dress.  I actually probably need to do the dress before starting on the hot pad.

Giveaways I've run into while checking blogs:

"Pink Please" is giving away Moda's "Just Wing It" Jelly Roll by MoMo – ends March 31st

 "Jackie's Art Quilts"is giving 5 fat quarters - ends March 31^st.

 "Green Fairy Quilts"   is giving a “Punctuation Jelly Roll.” – ends March 25^th

That is all.

Great time in Keller.

Encouraging words of the day:

Praise the LORD, all you nations. Praise him, all you people of the earth. For he loves us with unfailing love; the LORD’s faithfulness endures forever. - Psalm 117:1-2 , NLT

What a great time we’ve had in Keller, Texas.  We spent time with our son, two godsons and their families, a couple more nephews and grand-nephew and even met a new member of the family, baby Chase born on March 8^th (my grand-nephew.)  Now another road trip back to our little ranch in the Texas Hill Country.  I’ll get some more hand-sewing done on my hexies so that is great.  Other than that, I’ve been a “bum” about getting any other sewing done although I did post my block of the week on the Penny Haren Intricate Applique Group.  It’s called “Rising Star” and I completed it before we left for Keller so it would be ready to post today.  Here is my “Rising Star.”

Giveaways I've run into while checking blogs:

"Mark Cesarik Fabric Fansite" is giving away 2 yards of Calypso Swing fabric – ends March 28^th.

"Susan's Texas Quilting Adventure"  is hosting a fabric giveaway - ends March 22^nd.

That is all.

Still visiting.

Encouraging words of the day:

Father God, today I choose to release the struggles in my heart. I release the offenses and wrongs done to me. I choose forgiveness. I choose peace. I choose to let You be my vindicator knowing that You love me and care for me. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Today finds us enjoying a visit with our youngest son in Keller, Texas.  All is well.  Best wishes to all my blogger friends for a nice weekend.

Giveaways I've run into while checking blogs:

"Samelia's Mom"  has a choice of two fabric bundles.  Ends March 25^th.

 "The Other Side of Me"   is having a Spring Giveaway of a set of 6 beautiful Moda Fat Quarters and the book,  "Quilting - 20 Fresh & Fabulous Projects."  Ends March 26^th.

"Such a Sew and Sew"    has 10½ yards of Civil War Reproduction Fabrics - ¼-yard cuts, a few fat quarters and a couple of bigger pieces to give away in honor of National Quilting Day, which is this coming Saturday, March 19^th. Last day to enter is March 18^th (today at midnight MDT).

That is all.