Blog Spot - A Quilt is Nice

Nettie at http://aquiltisnice.blogspot.com/ has a lovely, peaceful looking, blog. She takes very simple quilt designs and infuses a fresh approach with her choice of color and pattern. She welcomed baby #3 into the family about a month ago. I like the "finished" section in her sidebar. Click on the name and it takes you to the blog posting related to the quilt.

Project updates

I know I usually do my updates on Friday but yesterday we got busy shopping for family Christmas presents. Huge crowds in Target got me feeling just a tad claustrophobic :)

This week I have been doing small projects i.e. fabric postcards and making a start to my fall wall hanging swap. What's this photograph got to do with that. Absolutely nothing. Just wanted to share what's still blooming in the planters on our front porch. Makes me happy every time I walk up the steps :)

Thanksgiving

For those of you who celebrate may you enjoy your day. May we each have, or develop, a thankful heart each day and appreciate the blessings, however small, that we have in our lives.
I married into a "documented descendants of the Mayflower" family and my mother-in-law on occasion has been heard to joke that she is related to about half the dead folk in the USA :) We have celebrated many noisy Thanksgivings together with large family gatherings at her house but this year we are staying home and embracing the quiet side of life :)

Tis a gift - The Pink Glove Dance

You have to take a look at this YouTube video that was created to raise awareness of breast cancer.  Medline will make a contribution to Providence St.Vincent Medical Center in Portland, Oregon and will be offering free mammograms to their local community. Way to go Emily MacInnes Somers for choreographing and getting so many hospital employees to participate in "The Pink Glove Dance"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEdVfyt-mLw
The video is good fun but by the end be prepared to feel emotional. Many of us have been touched by the effects of breast cancer in some form or fashion either directly or through a loved one.
I had my annual physical yesterday and my regular mammogram appointment is next week.

Scots Corner - Orkney Islands

I have never been to the Orkney Islands but have long held an ambition to go there. I had a friend in school from there who could mesmerize everyone with her lilting accent, and my great-uncle's family was from there. It's one of those spots many Scots want to go to. Maybe it's the ancient remoteness, a hankering for times past. Maybe it's the wish to explore a wilderness of great beauty. 
My husband's paternal grandparents were both from Norway so it would be a great place to take him and my children since the land was in Norwegian hands from 875 to 1472. 

When we studied Neolithic history in high school the Orkney Islands always seemed to hold a sense of mystery and ancient drama. Talk of the standing stones, the brochs, the folklore, and Skara Brae would leave some of us in awe. It's only about 10 miles from Caithness to the Orkney Islands but as a youngster it might as well have been a million miles away.
The photograph shows the remains of the Kirk of St. Nicholas in Orphir courtesy of http://www.orkneyjar.com/

Blog Spot - Red 2 White

Felting is a technique that I have been somewhat hohum about, maybe because I have seen it badly done too many times. Having said that I visited Red 2 White and was impressed. I'm intrigued by "soap in a jumper" and the beginner tutorial is excellent. http://red2white.wordpress.com/ I recommend visiting her web page if for no other reason than the photographs are lovely and the finished articles are truly elegant.

Local Life - Expanding

There's a whole lot more to Tennessee than just my little town so I've decided to expand my horizons. Yesterday I was doing some research for a new section at my genealogy blog http://ourscottishheritage.blogspot.com/ "Images of Scotland" which you might like to have a look at.

Any hoo I ran across this fabulous blog http://abritintn.blogspot.com/ which is absolutely gorgeous IMHO. The author, Jo, is originally from Cheshire and has lived in Tennessee for about 35 years. She started her blog last year. Amazing pictures, lovely serene music. If you visit today her posting from yesterday is about the Northern lights in Canada :) The picture is one from her sidebar. She has England and Tennessee intermingled there.

"Tis a Gift - a Geta giveaway

The divine Geta from Romania has her scrumptious monthly giveaway up for you to participate in. The image shows part of it. I think I will enter. This one would look fabulous in my bedroom :)
Hop on over to her studio at http://cadouri-din-inima.blogspot.com/2009/11/november-quilt-giveaway.html and then if you have never been to her blog before stay for a while and visit. You will not be disappointed

Scots Corner - Edinburgh

I spent 5 years in Edinburgh attending Napier. It is now known as Edinburgh Napier University but when I attended it was known as Napier College of Commerce and Technology. I attended the Merchiston section of the campus. The design department was a tough one to get into and work through.
That has absolutely nothing to do with where I am going to send you. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swjtKUBV8ls BBC documentaries like "A Picture of Britain" are fabulous and I like David Dimbleby's presentation :)
Edinburgh is a great place to hike around and just soak up the history. I love all the little nooks and crannies. Having said that one of my absolute favorite places to visit is the Scottish National War Memorial. http://www.edinburghcastle.gov.uk/index/tour/highlights/highlights-scottish-national-war-memorial.htm The building is located with in the castle grounds. It is somewhat austere and unassuming on the outside but inside is stunning and thought provoking.
(Please excuse the lack of photos. I'm having issues with my posting today.)
I won a giveaway that is not quilt related :) It's a DVD for the Edinburgh Military Tattoo 2009 and I'm gifting it to my dad for his birthday which is rapidly approaching. http://scotland4thesenses.blogspot.com/

Blog of the week - Little Red House

Mary Carroll from New Jersey has a fabulous blog (actually she has a number of fabulous blogs) called Little Red House. I've been visiting it for about a year now and have enjoyed looking at her fabulous photographs. She has developed a very atmospheric style that I love.
She has Mosaic Monday where other bloggers participate. Some do a mosaic posting, others change out their headers.
Today's theme is Pink and Gold. So delicate and lovely as is the background music.
http://dearlittleredhouse.blogspot.com/

Lark Books Quilt It! Contest

I received an e-mail from Stephanie L. and thought some of you might be interested. Entrants have to create an original piece using at least 3 of the 5 following elements - bird/s, mountains, silver fabric/thread/item, recycled/repurposed material and beads. Go to  http://www.larkbooks.com/crafts/quilt-it-contest for more details.
(I have a total of 7 postings for today so keep scrolling down.)

Postcard Pizzazz - Autumn exchange

It's now later in the day. We were having our sun room and front porch inspected while I wrote the previous posts then I had to go out and about. After that Lucy and I needed to "veg out" for a while. Lots of home improvement programs on the T.V. to get ideas from :) Once our windows/sunroom/porch are taken care of by the professionals we are planning on redoing our bathrooms. (We might need help from a plumber.)
I love this card that came from Leah. It's beautifully machine embroidered and up there amongst the favorites I have received. I think autumn themed projects are such fun to do.
Lucy up-date. She is getting back to her bouncy self. The biopsy for her tumor came back as level 2 contained cancer and we are hoping there will not be any more recurrences at the main site. She goes back to the vet on Tuesday to get her staples removed and a scan of her heart done.

A surprise

This postcard was a surprise from Melva at Postcard Pizzazz. She made too many for her section of the "Scrap Happy" swap and drew two names. Love it.

Fabric postcard

This is for a PostcardPizzazz swap called "Scrap Happy". We had to use leftovers from other projects so I took some bits and pieces and cut them all to 11/2". After sewing all the strips together I fused them to the remains of a white block.
Now I need to finish up about 3 or 4 other postcard swaps and then call it quits for this year.

I won a giveaway

Robin L. was having a multi day giveaway at her blog a while back and I won some fun winter fabric and a fridge magnet :) This could make for an entertaining winter quilt. I wonder if Babette would like to participate. (If you visit my cross stitch blog you already know who she is.)
If you want to visit Robin go to http://rsislandcrafts.blogspot.com/

3 way exchange

I asked Angela Huddart if she would like to do a postcard swap. She said yes and could Janet McElroy join in too? I'm still making mine but this is what they sent. Love them both.
The purple sparkly one is from Janet and the brown autumnal one is from Angela. I'm liking the variegated thread edging a lot.
Their very interesting blogs can be found at http://angelasquilts.blogspot.com/ and http://jansmusing.blogspot.com/

I Am A Stitchers Angel 2009 ..... received

I am a happy camper. The package from Jean B. arrived last night. All of the wall hangings are gorgeous up close. Her hand stitching is lovely. My daughter loves the ice-cream cone so it may get hung in her room :)
Jean is from Canada and has her own design business called PatternsByJeanBoyd. Visit her blog at http://jeanboyduppercanadaquiltworks.blogspot.com for some interesting ideas. She is currently blogging about storing fat quarters.
The butterfly wall hanging has a section in the center where you can put a photographs. The current one is of flowers from Jean's yard.

BIIIIIIIG Blog Hop - Cross Country Christmas

Have some fun for the next few days. Visit http://gudrun.typepad.com/my_weblog/
to find out more details.
12 designers, projects, giveaways. FUN. FUN. FUN.

Project up-dates

I have completed the ornaments for the Learning FA Christmas exchange but you'll have to wait for photographs because I want to do a group one :)

I decided to redo the edge of my mini quilt for the Postcard Pizzazz exchange. It looks a whole lot better. It is straight but brainless me decided to photograph it on a cushion !!!!! Don't know what I was thinking.
A good chunk of my time this week has been spent working out my handout for the genealogy conference tomorrow. 3 pages now done and printed. I present after lunch so I hope everyone manages to stay awake :) The centerpieces for the tables are currently living in our sun room. We stuffed gift bags for everyone this morning and got the conference room set up.

The new winner is ...... and an update on Lucy

Dotti is now the new winner of my cross stitch giveaway. Please send me your mailing address so that you can receive your gifts. I have heard from Dolores and Lola.

Update on Lucy. She had her surgery and we are waiting for some test results. She appears to have some heart/lung issues. We should be able to get her home this evening.

Now Friday night. Lucy is home and asleep. We moved her doggie bed into the living room so we can keep an eye on her. She is currently sporting a belly wrap which has to stay on till the staples are taken out. She also has to wear a cone round her neck when we leave her by herself. We go back to the vet on Monday to have her wound checked and hopefully get the results back.
Thanks to those of you who have enquired about her.

Local Life - Frist Center for the Visual Arts

http://www.hellonashville.com/Articles/Attraction/98/The_Frist_Center_for_the_Visual_Arts_always_something_new_to_see.Cfm
This is a wonderful building that opened in 2001. It is located in what was originally the main downtown post office and much of the original Art Deco detailing has been kept or enhanced.
The kid in you will enjoy the Martin Artquest Gallery which is the children's interactive area :) Personally I looooove it !!!!
The galleries in the center are well laid out and local schools are actively encouraged to take tours (under strict guidelines i.e. no touching the exhibits.) My favorites are usually the smaller ones upstairs.
Current exhibits are Twilight Visions, Georgia O'Keeffe and Her Times, and Thomas Hart Benton in Story and Song.
Main web page -  http://www.fristcenter.org/site/default.aspx

Surgery

Our darling Lucy is having surgery today to remove a tumor from her chest. While running tests on her yesterday the vet discovered that she has heart problems.
"Eskies" are fabulous dogs and can live to the ripe old age of 20. Lucy is almost 7. The photograph was taken by Kristina for a class project.
Since I have to hang around the house today I'm going to try and finish up some of my swaps, small Christmas presents, packages for mailings and my presentation for the genealogy seminar on Saturday.

Scots Corner - The National Dish

My wee nephew loooooooves Haggis and eats it by itself with great gusto. I on the other hand am somewhat iffy about it but have eaten the full meal on occasion. (I think it's been about 3 times since I left the sainted motherland.)
When you read the recipe you might see why I have issues:)
Since I cannot bring myself to even type the thing up I'm sending you somewhere to see some pictures, even a YouTube on cooking it. http://tipdeck.com/how-to-cook-haggis Be warned one of the pictures looks like a giant slug.

Then head off to a fun story (or six) about this mythical beastie http://www.electricscotland.com/haggis/

In the course of my wanders round the WWW I discovered that the first recognizable recipe for Haggis was written in an ENGLISH cook-book. Oh nooooooooooo ....... My ancient ancestors would roll in their graves. (They came from France and also ate their own version of haggis.)

Some pithy writer has stated that if you take the oatmeal out of the recipe you are left with American hot dogs. I don't think so !!!!!!!!

Speaking of writing - The New York Times has an interesting article www.nytimes.com/1986/01/05/travel/fare-of-the-country-haggis-history-and-humor.html written initially from the perspective of an Englishman to a tourist before heading into the meat of the dish.

Giveaways alert

I've heard back from Lola thus far.

My other two winners have till Friday.

If I have not heard back I will contact the "in reserve" person from each of the drawings.

Blog of the week - Lady of the Floss

My flower of the week goes to Gabi.
I've been holding off spotlighting this blog because she has been working on a piece called "Coming to Water." It is now finished and back from the framers and is stunning. Scroll down her blog to see the progress from start to finish. It took a while which is not surprising.
Gabi lives in Australia though is not originally from there. Her blog has many fabulous cross stitch projects highlighted there and we are both members of the yahoo group I Love Cross Stitch.

So head on over to http://ladyofthefloss.blogspot.com/ and meet another Scorpio girl :)