Vintage Thingie Thursday!

Inspiring Quote of the Day:

"To wear your heart on your sleeve isn't a very good plan; you should wear it inside, where it functions best." -Margaret Thatcher   


It is Thursday again and almost the end of another week....let alone nearly the end of another month!  I missed Vintage Thingie Thursday last week but today I want to show you some Vintage thingies that have been in my family for a few years.

First up, (and this is one of my favorites) is a statue of "El Santo Nino de Atocha" that belonged to my grandmother, Tomasita.  "Ma-Tita", as we called her, was my Mother's Mom.  Ma Tita became a widow in her early 60's and lived with her youngest son, but she would make little 2-week trips to visit each of her children quite often.  Ma Tita carried her prayer book with her at all times.....it was a little black prayer "missal" that had spanish prayers and other information that she read everyday.  My mother gave me the Santo Nino a few years ago.  I remember the little statue was always inside a little niche in the wall at MaTita's house.....

Here is what Wikipedia has to say about the Santo Nino:

According to legend, in the 13th century, Spain was under the Umayyad Muslim occupation. The town of Atocha, a now-lost district nearby Arganzuela, Madrid was lost to the Muslim invaders, and many Christians there were taken prisoners as spoils of war. The Christians were placed on strict punishments and prohibitions, and the devout prisoners were denied food by their captors. According to legend, only children under the age of 12 were permitted to bring them food. The women of Atocha knew that most of the people in the prison, mostly their relatives and friends could not truly survive under such harsh conditions. As a result, the women prayed before the statue of Our Lady of Atocha at a nearby parish, a title under the Blessed Virgin Mary to ask her son Jesus Christ for aid and help.
Reports soon began among the people of Atocha that a child under the age of twelve had begun to bring food to childless prisoners. The child was dressed in pilgrim's clothing yet could not be identified as to the name of the child or its origins.
When the women of Atocha heard of the child, they returned to Our Lady of Atocha and thanked the Virgin for her intercession. Looking upon the image of the Virgin, they noticed that the shoes worn by the Infant Jesus statue held by Our Lady of Atocha were tattered and dusty. Customarily, the shoes of the child Jesus were constantly replaced but were soiled once again. The people of Atocha interpreted this as a sign that the infant Jesus went out every night to help those in need which later developed into a devotional Roman Catholic practice.

Next I have a little plant pot that came from my MIL, Ruth's family.....it is a neat little piece of ceramic wear from McCoy ceramics, a double flower planter with two tulips and a white swallow with black head and wings.  I think this is probably vintage 1950's.  There is actually a connecting channel between the two flowers so that if you water one side, the water will run to the other side.

The last thing I have for you today....(and I only have three minutes to get this in before it is tomorrow!) is a little ceramic box my Mom gave me many years ago.  I have always used it to house my sewing notions....pins, measuring tapes, needles.....etc.  Underneath is stamped, "Johannes Brahm California USA 665"  From what I researched on the web, this company stopped production in 1956 so this piece is at least that old....

Ok it is 12:07 AM and I missed posting this on Thursday but well.....in my defense, I did start it earlier but had to work tonight until 11:00 PM so am finishing up after getting home....I don't want to hold it back til next Thursday so I am just going for it now!

Hopefully I will still get some people dropping in so all I have to say now is:

One Flower Wednesday and Don't Forget Novelty and Solids Layer Cake Swap

"Don't wait around for other people to be happy for you. Any happiness you get you've got to make yourself." -Alice Walker

  Is it One Flower Wednesday Again?  Yes it is and the Story of Oz continues.........I know I am getting out of order here......well actually I was out of order from the beginning because I think the first person Dorothy met in Oz was Glinda, the Good Witch, who cautioned Dorothy to get the Ruby slippers off the Wicked Witch of the East before the witch's sister got there.  


Do you remember that Dorothy's house which was taken from Kansas by the Tornado landed in Oz atop the Wicked Witch of the East and killed her?  All we saw of her was her two legs wearing striped stockings and the Ruby Slippers on her feet...........

 But, Alas, I still don't have Glinda ready to show you....... So you will have to make do with the sister witch, who was known as "The Wicked Witch of the West" instead.  She was the second person Dorothy met in Oz.

"I'll get you, My Pretty.......and your little dog too!"

But I promise that next week I will have Glinda ready to show you and after that??? Well I will cross that yellow brick road when I get to it...........

You can see more pretty posies at One Flower Wednesdays just click on the link and enjoy the garden!

I also want to put in a word about the Novelty and Solids Layer Cake Swap that my Sister at Hilachas and I are sponsoring.......

 We all love the charm squares but sometimes don't you wish you had just a little bit more of that novelty or solid fabric you got in that 5x5 charm swap? 

Here is your opportunity to turn that wish into a little bit of a reality by joining us in this 10x10 layer cake swap!  Sign-ups are open until March 28 or until all 24 slots are filled....whichever comes first....

Just click on the button above and it will take you to the sign-up page at Hilachas  We would love for you to join us!

ok then.........off to bed I go..............see you next time in blogland.....

Blog Hop Party is Back for St Patrick's Day!

This giveaway is now closed.  Thank you all for entering and stay tuned for the next one!


"It is a dangerous thing to ask why someone else has been given more. It is humbling and indeed healthy to ask why you have been given so much."  -Condoleeza Rice

 

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day

It’s time for another Blog Hop Party … let’s have some FUN!

If you haven't participated in one of these Blog Hop Parties before then you are in for some fun!  This time the "Blog Hop Party" starts today and ends next Friday, March 23. 

 Tomorrow morning, St Patricks Day--March 17th--just after midnight (EST) you will be able to see the list of participating bloggers by clicking here and then you can "Blog Hop" to your heart's content....maybe win a barrel of giveaways!    

I am joining in the fun by offering this throw pillow sized cheater panel, 2 coordinating fat quarters and 1 coordinating "almost a fat quarter" (by Springs Industries) 100% cotton fabric.

All you have to do to get a chance to win is leave ONE (1) comment  (pleeeez, only 1).  I would love to have you as a follower but it is not a requirement.  Mr. Random will pick the winner on March 23.   Good Luck!

Oh! and just a reminder that if you are a "no reply commenter please leave your email address in the comment so I can contact you if you win. 

Reminder:

My sister at Hilachas and I are hosting a fabric swap called the "Novelty and Colors Layer Cake Swap".  Take advantage of the opportunity to add just a little bit more of that novelty print or color to your stash.  Click HERE for more information and to sign up.

Name Game Mini Quilt Received!

"Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here we might as well dance."          - Anonymous



At the beginning of the year I joined the Name Game Swap at Samelia's Mum's Place  The Swap was to end on March 15.

                                           
We all had secret partners....one that made a mini quilt for us with our name or blog name on it and another for whom WE made a mini quilt for.

I posted the one I made for Mrs. Pickles awhile back and she received it last week.............and TODAY I got my mini from Vicky, the Patchwork Queen!

Just look at the detail!  4 beautiful appliqued hearts.....gorgeous fabric........Each corner has a little needlework icon.....a sewing machine, a spool, a pin cushion, and some buttons.  And Vicky embroidered my Blog name on it!  Thank you, Vicky....it is a gift I will treasure for years to come!

Vicky also included some of the charms that were left over and a couple of  yummy chocolate bars from UK for me to sample and a couple of cute little magnets..............The Wispa chocolate was heavenly......I'm saving the Flake for later.........

I also want to remind you all about the Novelty and Solids Layer Cake Swap my sister at Hilachas and I are hosting.   We both love the 5 x 5 charm swaps but it seems that sometimes we would like to have just a little more of that certain fabric that we already used up.   

 So we agreed that a swap with 10 x 10 squares might just be the answer to that little problem.  If you like our idea and would like to join the swap just click on the link above or the button below to get to the sign-in page where you can get more details.  We would love to have you join us!

I think it is wayyyyyyyyyy past my bedtime .....in fact it is already tomorrow!  eeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

One Flower Wednesday, The Cowardly Lion, and Layer Cake Swap

"At the end of your life, you will never regret not having passed one more test, not winning one more verdict, or not closing one more deal. You will regret time not spent with a husband, a friend, a child, or a parent" -Barbara Bush


According to my title I have three things to talk to you about today.....well the first two are really the same thing so I will just get to it.....
Today I am joining our Australian friends and posting my One Flower Wednesday Hexie on what is already Wednesday in Australia......(otherwise known as barely Tuesday in the USA)..........
Today the spotlight is on the third of Dorothy's travel partners to the Emerald City......and here he is......check him out.....

Cowardly Lion:

Courage. What makes a King out of a slave? Courage.

What makes the flag on the mast to wave? Courage.

What makes the elephant charge his tusk in the misty mist or the dusky dusk?

What makes the muskrat guard his musk? Courage.

What makes the Sphinx the 7th Wonder? Courage.

What makes the dawn come up like THUNDER?! Courage.

What makes the Hottentot so hot?

What puts the "ape" in ape-ricot?

Whatta they got that I ain't got?

Dorothy & Friends:  Courage!

Cowardly Lion: You can say that again.

"The Wonderful Wizard of Oz"........love that movie!
You can see other beautiful Hexies by following the links at One Flower Wednesday

The next thing I want to tell you all about and invite you to join is a Novelty and Solids Layer Cake Swap  that my Sister at Hilachas  is making me help her with.  (grin) 
If you click on the link above or the image below you will be magically transported to the page at Hilachas where you can read ALL the rules and regulations and then if you STILL want to sign up (she's going to get me if I don't straighten up)........you can leave a comment and join us. 

Seriously we both are excited about this swap because we believe it is a good opportunity for all the swap partners to add some bigger pieces of novelty and solid fabrics to our stash.  We love the charm swaps but sometimes the charms just aren't big enough to capture enough of the novelty prints .

Please bear with us because we are both new to this even though my Sister figured everything out mathematically to the enth degree,  (there I go again.....) there may be some kinks we haven't anticipated. 

For this reason we are starting out with a smaller swap of only two yards per participant.  If this works out well and you all enjoy it we hope to do larger swaps in the future.

We will both be blogging about the Swap until all 24 slots are filled and are looking forward to having you join us!

Ta Ta For Now!

Spring Forward and some Surprises in the Mail

Todays Inspirational Quotation:

There are only two ways to live your life.....One is as though nothing is a miracle.......The other is as though everything is a miracle.
- Albert Einstein

I have noticed that the more of these inspirational quotes I see, the more of them I find by Albert Einstein........I never knew that he had that much to say let alone so much that would inspire us...........but then he, certainly, was an inspired individual.........(relatively speaking.......)

But I digress...........Well, early this morning our clocks quickly rotated clockwise (how appropriate a thing for a clock to do in these days of digital timepieces!) from 1:59 AM directly to 3:00 AM.  We have Atomic clocks at work and from what I understand, they get their correct time from a satellite out in space and even though my iPod and my phone immediately posted an hour later it took the atomic clocks a good 15 minutes before they all began to rotate forward..........interesting sight to see them start turning all by themselves...........
 Since I work the graveyard shift every Friday and Saturday night, unless I have taken that particular weekend off, I am usually awake to "Spring Forward" in March and "Fall Back" in November.  In the Spring I get to work an hour less and in the Fall.......well yes, I make up for it by working an hour more.....and I watch the atomic clocks rotate clockwise again but this time they go forward 23 hours so it will be an hour earlier than before!  Am I one of those people "they" call clock watchers????

Ok, I know....."don't give up my job to become a comedian".....

All Righty then.....let me just tell you about the wonderful surprises I got in the mail yesterday..........

First off, well this one wasn't really a surprise.......I have been waiting for this since winning it at Kelli's giveaway at Seriously I think it needs Stitches
but, nonetheless, it felt like a surprise when I saw it in the mailbox!   (I'll tell you about the little Shamrock Mug Rug in a minute)

If you go to the Fat Quarter Shop and look at the full palette of Aneela Hoey's "Little Apples" you will see that in addition to the red, there is teal, gray, olive, and white in this collection.........but hey, let me just show you!

Is this beautiful or what??

Thank you, Kelli!  I love my layer cake and I can't wait to create something wonderful with it!

The other thing I got in the mail wasn't really a surprise either because I was expecting it too....but...well, nevermind, (My sisters would tell me I sound like Mr. Kimball, that character on Green Acres, with all my hemming and hawing here)  so let me just tell you about it......It's a sweet St. Patrick's Day Mug Rug I received when I signed up for "A Year of Rugs" Swap.  I got this from Britt, who told me this was her very first sewing project EVER! 

I love the different tones of green and the "wonky" rows.  Thank you, Britt.........I just love it and am honored to be the recipient of your very first project!

And I guess that is all I have to tell you about on this Spring Forwardy Sunday.  Hope you all have a wonderful day! 

Talk to you next time so TTFN............

A Few Giveaways I Found.................

"Everything has beauty........but not everyone sees it"  -Confucius

Nothing to post this morning so I thought I would just let you know about some fun giveaways I found:


1.  Sew Cal Gal  is giving away a yummy Sushi Bundle of Hoffman Fabrics
on her Fun Friday Giveaway:

2.  Jaybird Quilts is giving away a yard each of these Anne Kelle prints:



3.  Quilt Story has a giveaway for a $25 credit at Skye Reve Fabrics!  -ends Monday 3-25

 4.  Everything Etsy has a giveaway for a $50 shopping spree at Contemporary Cloth   -Ends Mar 13

My computer is bogging down and misbehaving so I am stopping here but will be back later if I find any more fabulous giveaways!

...........................Ta-Ta For now!

Vintage Thingie Thursday

"Standing still is the fastest way of moving backwards in a rapidly changing world."   -Lauren Bacall 

I found a really cool blogsite today...........actually I had already been following Colorado Lady's blog but for some reason this is the first time I saw her "Vintage Thingie Thursday" post.  So I am posting my Vintage Raggedy Ann Dolls today.

Here is what is really hard to admit.............I MADE THE DOLLS AND THEY ARE NOW CONSIDERED VINTAGE ITEMS.............for all I know they might already be considered Antique!..........Whew.........I need to sit down for a minute before continuing............


Ok I am so glad I still had a glass of Merlot left to help me deal with the reality of that last statement............but, yes, I made the dolls for my niece way back in December of 1970!   My niece has long since outgrown the dolls and they made it safely back to me a few years ago (thanks to my Sis) and here they are in all their glory...............

It's amazing but they are actually signed too!  I must admit that I have not been so good at putting labels on many things but I did on these:

 

You all realize, of course, that I was but a mere CHILD when I made these, right????............Well I think I'll go have another bottle glass of wine......

TA TA FOR NOW.............

Oh, and please go check out all the other Vintage Thingies on Colorado Lady's Blog!  

 

One Flower Wednesday and some Nice Gifts............

 

Inspiring Quote of the Day:

"What Would You Attempt to Do If you Knew you Could Not Fail?" - Robert Schuller

Wow.....I had to think about this quote for awhile........would I do something selfish like buy a lotto ticket or lose some weight?  Would I do something profound like stop world hunger?? The more I thought about it, the harder it seemed but I did finally google it and found this, among other thoughts;

  "This simple question posed by American pastor Robert Schuller may help inspire us to try to accomplish our goals. Taking fear out of the equation, what are your biggest dreams?

The question is similar to asking or considering what you would do if you only had a few months left to live. In its simplicity, the quote helps us focus on our priorities or tune into what we may most want in life.

Of course failure is possible and the most rewarding goals usually are more risky, but keep in mind, too, that failure can be a good thing. So go ahead and get to thinking about your greatest aspirations, if you aren't already." (Melanie Pinola)

So now without further ado........I am ready to present to you Dorothy's friend, The Tin Man, from Oz.........I know you have all been waiting all week with baited breath (what the heck did that expression come from anyway?  Do I think you all have all been chewing on worms all week???) ..........well anyway........here he is.............

Tada!..................(if he only had a heart)....................

Now I want to show you some nice gifts which were showered upon me this week..............First off, I got this glorius half yard of Blue Eden Navy Feather Yardage by Benartex from Cherie at I b'es Cheraldine 

I won this on her Leap day giveaway!  Looky Looky Looky!

Thank you, Cherie!  I love it! It will be a part of my Peacock wall hanging some day................

Next I got this cool little coaster from Kelli at Seriously I think it needs Stitches, just a little reminder to be looking for the layer cake I had won on her giveaway.............funny, I had forgotten all about that layer cake.......NOT!  (grin)

I had seen these on another website and thought they were so cute!  Now I have one of my own.....Thanks Kelli!

And finally...........on my way home from work yesterday I dropped in on my Sis.........we "played" around awhile with the layout of her Grandmother's Garden quilt, and she showed me some fabric she had just gotten in the mail and just generally caught up on "Sister talk".  She gave me some cool Fat Quarters and Fat Eighths to use for my Mug Rug Swaps and also this too, too cool Charm Pack by Moda from their "Portugal" line by April Cornell. 

Thank you, Irene................I'm beginning to think I like that you "made me" start this blog.......

(and, shhhhhhhhhhh....... just to let you all know.......My Sis has always spoiled me with little gifts like this............but don't tell her I said anything nice about her.........)

Ok then..........I only have one full day off this week......working at my second job tomorrow evening so I have to make the most of the sewing time today so .........................TTFN!

Treasures from Trip Home

Inspiring quote for today:

"You cannot change your destination overnight, but you can change your direction overnight." -Jim Rohn

I took a short trip to New Mexico this week to see Mom and Dad and had a great time with them.........and a bonus.....also got to visit a little with my Brother and Sister too.............

While I was there, I spirited my Mom away to visit the local second hand stores to see what fabric treasures we might find.................I can report that I made a fantastic buy!  I have been dissatisfied lately with the fabric I chose for my JustTakes2 quilt along.  I love the design and color but it isn't 100% cotton and I have been struggling when it comes time to press it......sometimes some of my hard work has literally MELTED when I have pressed it!  I got so discouraged that I just stopped and decided to change fabrics............well guess what?  I found the most PERFECT fabric!  ...............It is a violet, teal, and cream 100% cotton plaid by Kaufman and it matches my companion JustTakes2 fabric perfectly!  I got 13 yards of it for less than a dollar a yard!  So I will have enough for the backing too!  WooHoo!  See what you all think:

The fabric is scotch guarded but I think it will wash out..........anyway.........I am ready to start anew with JustTakes2!  (I'm a poet and don't know it!)

Ok next................we stopped at a "Dream Fabric Shop" in Ruidoso (No, that's not the real name.........it is really named Martha's Fabrics....LOL) and after I drooled for a good half hour......................well if you don't believe me, just look!  This is definitely a "drooling place"!

The good news is that Martha had some sale fabrics and I came away with a couple of half yard cuts of some dreamy picks.......(My Sis and I usually buy a half yard so each of us can have a fat quarter!)

Here is what I finally decided on at Marthas.....well I have been trying to NOT buy anymore fabric!   My stash is overflowing!  (Of course.....your stash NEVER has what you need for a project, right???)  So I am proud of myself because I only bought these two fabrics:

Pretty sweet, huh?

oh yeah.................and I also got some of that giant rick-rack to match the Kaufman print.....sorry but I just remembered that so I don't have a photo but you all know what I'm talking about.............

OH!  and for the last treasure..............on my way home I stopped at one more second hand store before I left town and found a fabulous plastic zip-loc back full of BUTTONS!  It was only $2!  There were a couple of real treasures in there........some huge white buttons I can use for throw pillows and some other pretty little things that who knows?  They might even make their way into one of Ida's giveaways!  Check it out:

Well it is just about time to wrap this post up but I did make out with one more little jewel.............Mom had a nice box of Merlot which I "tested" out while I was there.....you know, just to see if it was still ok............My Sis had taken it there last time she visited.......it isn't her favorite....and my Mom said (and I quote) "When you are my age and taking all this medication, you can't even drink a glass of wine anymore!   If you like it, just take it!"   So I made it home with some beautiful fabric, a bag full of vintage buttons, and some Merlot...............But MOST important..........I got to see my Mama and Daddy.................that is the best thing I got from this trip.............


.............................Ta ta For Now.....................

The Real Honest to Goodness Winner!

"The most spendid achievement of all is the constant striving to surpass yourself and to be worthy of your own approval." -Denis Waitley

First off, let me apologize to anyone who already saw this post on their dashboard and then came to an empty page.........I thought I had posted the winner of the Leap Day Giveaway by mistake so I deleted the post... please forgive the aggrivation while I try to recall what I wrote....(embarrased grin)

OK...here we go again.....

Gosh is it Deja Vu or what? I have this feeling like I just finished announcing a giveaway winner...........and, of course, all my followers know that I did just that yesterday for the Leap Day Giveaway!   I want to thank you all for entering the giveaway and either already being a follower or becoming a new follower. I have met so many new friends since I started blogging a year ago!

The all random, all knowing.......yes, Mr. Random, himself,  had to stay up and do some overtime yesterday because he also picked the winner of my First Blogiversary Giveaway....better known to you, my followers, as Ida's Honest to Goodness REAL Blogiversary Giveaway.  And the number he came up with is lucky #9!

And who is this "Lucky Number 9", you might ask?  Well you could go find out back on the Giveaway Page........but wait, I am too excited to announce the winner myself to make you do that...........The Lucky Winner, "Ms. Number Nine" is Rachel!!!!   Congratulations Rachel, I have already emailed you with the good news!

Here is what Rachel had to say:

 I also want to give a million thanks to the Fat Quarter Shop for Sponsoring this giveaway and give you all one last look at the Fat Quarter Bundle that Ms Rachel won:

So now all there is to say is "See you in Blogland"!..............and, of course.....TTFN!

Leap Year Giveaway Winner!!

"I look to the future because that's where I'm going to spend the rest of my life." -George Burns


Wow what a fabulous idea Elizabeth from Such a Sew and Sew had with the Leap Day Giveaway Blog Hop !  Thanks Elizabeth!  And thanks to YOU, all my followers who signed up and made my giveaway so much fun!

Now I want to announce the winner of my Leap Day Giveaway.......(drumroll please)......according to the all knowing, all random, yes, Mr. Random Himself!!............my winner is number 65!!!!!!!  Woo Hoo!!!!!!!

Oh.........who exactly is Ms. Number 65, you might ask??  Well you could just go to that post and count them out......but you don't have to do that because I am so excited that I'm just going to come right out and tell you!! Yes the winner is KoCanQuilt who said:

Congratulations to the winner who has already been notified and thank you all again so much for helping make this giveaway such a success!

Just a reminder if you haven't already signed up as a follower and commented on Ida's Honest to Goodness REAL Blogiversary Giveaway, I will be asking Mr. Random to work overtime tonight to make a pick and I will announce the winner of the Tweet Fat Quarter Bundle from the Fat Quarter Shop tomorrow so stay tuned!!  

 

so guess that is it............and as always...............TTFN!