Leaping In

I'm leaping in with the Leap Frog Giveaway today only at Such a Sew and Sew.  There are many bloggers that will have a giveawy for one day - ending at midnight tonight.  Be sure to check them all out. 

Since many of my followers do not sew, I am offering up three cheery, embroidered kitchen towels.  There are no hoops to jump through other than leaving me a comment including information to reach you should you win (if you are a no reply blogger).

Good luck and Happy Leap Day.

A Few Stitches

I keep wanting to believe that today is Monday after enjoying a three day weekend.  The week will be short and over with before we realize. 

We helped out with little ones over the weekend as the flu season has hit with force in our area, but I did manage to get a little sewing done. 

I am really enjoying the challenge of the It Takes 2 QAL with all of the different techniques being used.  It is certainly not a project for a beginner.  It is giving me some good experience for when I attempt a Dear Jane quilt. ;-)

I also finished my March mug rug and it is packed and ready to mail off to my March partner. 

A squishy package arrived from Samantha loaded with wonderful fat quarters and other great goodies.   I especially enjoyed the darling bracelet that her daughter made and added to the package.  Thanks so much, Samantha.

Today is Fat Tuesday.  I've always wondered what it would be like to be in New Orleans or Rio for the celebrations.  Have any of you ever been there for the parties?  Just curious!!  I'm not sure I could handle the crowds myself.

Wednesday's Words and Pictures

Gosh...it's been two weeks since I last blogged so there is lots to share.  There has not been a lot of sewing as we have been away for a bit.

We had a delightful trip to Florida.  This is a time when I normally meet up with a fellow friend and blogger, Midlife Mom, but it was not to be this year.  Her father had fallen off of a ladder and was in the hospital so she was staying with her mom and getting things sorted out.  I am glad to report that he is doing much better and is now home in Maine with Louise.  I did miss our chats and will have to make up for them up next year!!!!

We were staying near Key Largo and this year we made the drive down to Key West.  It was a fun and interesting drive.  I always love the colors that you see in that area.  I am sure that we would be fined by our HOA if we were to paint our home one of the luscious colors that can be seen.   They have such a tropical feel to them.

Of course I love seeing the flowers - especially the orchids that are planted on the palm trees.  I would love to be able to do something like that here, but I would worry about a freeze.

Can you imagine doing a topiary like this on your house?  The entire house was done like this and this is only a small section of it, but I found the rats very interesting.

During our stay we enjoyed a fun concert with KC and the Sun*shine Boys.

We returned home for two days - long enough to unpack, do laundry, shop and repack for our annual trip to the Sierras with the children and grandchildren.  The snow pack was nothing to write home about, but we did find some good areas for sledding and, of course, the skiing areas were open for those who ski.  We all had a fabulous time - snow or not.




The techy group.




Birthday boy.





Dinner in shifts!!!




Sun rising on the mountains.



While we were away several wonderful packages arrived in my mailbox.  Some wonderful Valentine fabrics arrived from Annie.  Aren't these fun fabrics?  I think I see a valentine quilt coming.

From Pat a package came with a glue stick and another pretty piece of fabric.  I will use the glue stick for the paper piecing that I do.  I tend to go through it quickly so I am excited about trying this new brand.  Thanks Pat.

I joined up for the Year of Mug Rugs and the February mug rug arrived while we were away.  Jeanne also included some fun charm squares in the package.  I have enjoyed using my seasonal mug rug!

Also from Jeanne, I received fabrics that I won from the Blog Hop.  Aren't the colors pretty?  They remind me of the Florida Key colors!!!

As I said, there has not been a lot of sewing going on as we were away.  I did manage to finish up my heart quilt for the auction next week.

As well, I made the doll school uniform that I make each year for the grandchildren's school auction which is in a couple of weeks.  It feels good to have those both finished.

It's a rainy day here so I am heading in to my sewing room for some fun.

Added later.......

Is this new word verification driving everyone else as crazy as it is me????  I simply cannot read some of those words.  I notice that I am leaving fewer comments due to it so thought I would add a hint as to how to get rid of it on your blogs. 
to turn word verification off:


Go to dashboard, then  settings, then comments, scroll down this page until you find word verification- fill in the NO bubble. Click "save settings" at the bottom of the page.

February.....Really?

It's a good thing that February has one extra day this year because it has arrived much too quickly for my likes.  How about yours?

Of course a new month also means that the new BOMs and swaps are out and the fun begins all over again.  Surprisingly, the It Takes 2 blocks are only two blocks this time.  I did finish my second set of blocks and look forward to a lighter load this round.  Building the house was a tad challenging with the set in Y seams. 

I mailed off my Valentines mug rug to my secret partner so I can show it to you.  If anyone wants to jump in for this swap, you can still join.  It's one mug rug a month for the months with holidays and lasts one year.

Then I made another for a friend who loves cats.

As well, Judy (no Blog) and I swapped accessory bags.  She sent me the most gorgeous beg and it was packed full of fabulous goodies for sewing.  I love everything about the beautifully made bag and Judy spoiled me with all of the fin things inside.  I don't know if she follows my blog, but if so, thank you soooo much.

This is the bag I sent Judy.

 I finally finished the December Birdie Stitches block.  Thank you, Terry, for the great tree design.  These are the last three blocks and now I can assemble the quilt. 

We've had lots of fun grandbaby time this week as well.  One little one celebrated his first birthday.



A little fun balloon time.

 Is there a better way to show a picture of a quilt than this?

Well....tomorrow is Groundhog Day.  Will the groundhog see his shadow in your neck of the woods?  He will be seeing it here.  I wonder what the percentage is of his being correct?  I'm sure we could "google" the answer.