The Learning Curve Quilts and Such

Hello From Sunny Florida

2012-02-10T11:14:00.001-06:00

It is so absolutely beautiful here today. The sun is shining, not a cloud in the sky and it was supposed to rain but we haven't seen any yet :)

Just wanted to remind all of you that there is a giveaway here that started yesterday~ Don't miss out!
We all want a stash of Deb Strain's "Always and Forever". Fat Quarter Shop is sponsoring the giveaway and they generously sent me a Petite Fat Quarter Bundle to give to a lucky winner.

Teaching Small Children 9-1-1

2012-02-08T07:30:00.001-06:00

Hi my special peeps, it is a beautiful day here in Lakeland, Florida. Today we are going to an open air produce market that is actually for stores and restaurants but they allow the general public in to buy as well. There is only one downfall, you can only buy by the case and well, we just don't eat that much that fast any longer. I am taking my camera so I can share this experience with all of you, as it is something you just don't see everyday, or at least this old-fat woman had never seen the likes until my first trip to Florida.

But more importantly, I know you are all so ~~concerned~~ curious as to why I am up this time of morning. I am still operating on Missouri time and I do not sleep well in beds other then my own and in this instance, on couches other then my own. It is comfortable and I have slept a couple of good hours on it but it just isn't home. And my baby, Maverick is staying with Chuck and Sherry and I believe he may be causing trouble in their marriage. He isn't being very nice to my son and growls at him until he gets up and leaves the bedroom so he can get in bed with Sherry and snooze some more. It is just too funny. I miss him so much and did call him the other night to say high, but he was more interested in Sherry and licking himself to pay attention to the voice in the phone.

How's about we start a giveaway today?? Oh, really, well I hear you all "sqeeeeing" so here you are........wait, you have to learn something new about the heart today first.

Teaching Your Young Child How, When and Why They Should Call 9-1-1

Because we are women and we are the controlling factor of our children, it is important that from as early on as you think it is feasible, teach your children to use the phone for a 9-1-1 emergency, when to use the phone, who to call, what to say and most importantly where they are when they make the call. So here is a good check list and some advice on how to teach them.

1. Teach them to state their name and address at the beginning of the call.
2. Teach them when to call and why.
3. Post right next to the phone the number to dial and the address of your home in large print so you child will remember to follow these steps. Now you are saying "why would I have to write "9-1-1" when it is so obvious what to dial. These are small children who become very scared when something is wrong with "mom" and they can't function as an adult might. So it is imperative that we teach them.
4. Hook up with your 9-1-1 operator to do a couple of practice runs or there are other ways of letting them practice the drill without taking the time away from the Emergency Responders. We practiced when my parents were at our home and used an open line or in house line to call from one phone to the next. Have them dial 9-1-1 while the line is open, the responding party (gram or gramp or dad) will answer the call as such
"9-1-1 operator, what is your emergency?
Child: My name is Smart Heart and I live at 1313 Locust street. My mom is on the floor and won't wake up and she sounds funny,
9-1-1 Operator: blah blah
Stuart: blah blah blah
and practice this at least once a month. Things happen and we need the kiddo's prepared.

Now to that giveaway.......

My shining sponsor, Fat Quarter Shop, has generously given me a Always And Forever Petite Fat Quarter Bundle Deb Strain for Moda Fabrics   Always And Forever Petite Fat Quarter Bundle includes 12 fat quarters. Thank you Kimberly and Stefanie, ya'll rock. I think this fabric bundle is so appropriate and suits the occasion so well.

There are only 2 things to do today to be entered to win. .....

1.   Post me a picture here of something red you have made, It doesn't have to be all red but some red in it makes it red. Leave a comment here telling me about the picture.

2.   Blog, tweet, or post on facebook about this giveaway and something about heart health in women, include a link back to this post and a link back to Fat Quarter Shop. Leave a comment with a link to whatever venue you used to tell people.

That's all kiddos except this giveaway will run from today, February 8th through next Thursday February 16th and the winner will be picked Friday.

I "heart" you all!!!

Jeanne who is getting ready to go to Plant City Florida and take pictures to share with ya'll later today.

2012-02-07T18:54:00.005-06:00

Significant Information Regarding Heart Health For Women

Understanding Blood Pressure Readings
Four Ways to Deal with Stress
Warning Signs of Heart Failure
Jump Rope for Heart Event

CPR

This information was taken directly from the American Heart Associations Web Site. I felt it was too important to just paste a link in here. This information could save your life or the life of another. Please study, print and post on your refrigerator, share with other women, share with your daughter!

You all are my friends, pals and buds! I care enough about you to post this information and I have hopes you are taking this seriously as it is very serious. In all my career of nursing, I saw so many women diagnosed with anything and everything but heart disease. I had my turn at being misdiagnosed 11 years ago when I had every symptom that could be displayed but was sent home over a long holiday weekend with a huge dose of a diuretic (water pill) to reduce the fluid that had caused my lower legs, ankles, feet and toes to swell 3 times the normal size. My EKG was ???GOOD??? and oh yes even although my blood pressure was 224/186, I was told not to worry because "you are now on blood pressure medicine". Over that long weekend, I lost 14 pounds of fluid from my body, gained it back within 8 hours and lost it again the 3rd day only to wake up the 4th day with everything swollen and being so short of breath I couldn't even dress myself. Thank God for my smart Steve and a fabulous friend who is a well known cardiologist who had cared for my father for over 30 years and Steve for 10 years. He had no problem coming in Christmas Day to the ER to check me out personally, schedule and emergency heart cath and pump Lasix into me IV as fast as they could. I was extremely dehydrated from the "3rd spacing" of fluids in my body so it was a tough few days trying to hydrate me but also to keep my from absorbing and retaining any of the liquids into my interstitial tissues. After a good cardiac check-out and the lose of 32 pounds of fluids that didn't belong in my body, my cardiologist was able to stabilize me and find out the culprit that was causing all these alien symptoms. But that is another story. This story is being told to you to never, ever dismiss anything that is unusual with your health, especially your heart. We cannot live without one and we have to have one to love so many people.

HEART ATTACK WARNING SIGNS

CHEST DISCOMFORT

Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or that goes away and comes back. It can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain.

DISCOMFORT IN OTHER AREAS OF THE UPPER BODY
SHORTNESS OF BREATH

OTHER SIGNS

STROKE WARNING SIGNS

If one or more of these signs is present, don't delay:

- SUDDEN NUMBNESS OR WEAKNESS OF THE FACE, ARM OR LEG, ESPECIALLY ON ONE SIDE OF THE BODY

- SUDDEN CONFUSION, TROUBLE SPEAKING OR UNDERSTANDING

- SUDDEN TROUBLE SEEING IN ONE OR BOTH EYES

- SUDDEN TROUBLE WALKING, DIZZINESS, LOSS OF BALANCE OR COORDINATION

- SUDDEN SEVERE HEADACHE WITH NO KNOWN CAUSE

CARDIAC ARREST WARNING SIGNS

SUDDEN LOSS OF RESPONSIVENESS

No response to tapping on shoulders.

NO NORMAL BREATHING

Learn more about heart attack.

Learn more about cardiac arrest.

Learn more about stroke.

Dial 9-1-1 Fast
Heart attack and stroke are life-and-death emergencies — every second counts. If you see or have any of the listed symptoms, immediately call 9-1-1 or your emergency response number. Not all these signs occur in every heart attack or stroke. Sometimes they go away and return. If some occur, get help fast! Today heart attack and stroke victims can benefit from new medications and treatments unavailable to patients in years past. For example, clot-busting drugs can stop some heart attacks and strokes in progress, reducing disability and saving lives. But to be effective, these drugs must be given relatively quickly after heart attack or stroke symptoms first appear. So again, don't delay — get help right away!

More about heart attack

Some heart attacks are sudden and intense — the "movie heart attack," where no one doubts what's happening. But most heart attacks start slowly, with mild pain or discomfort. Often people affected aren't sure what's wrong and wait too long before getting help.

Immediately call 9-1-1 or your emergency response number so an ambulance (ideally with advanced life support) can be sent for you. As with men, women's most common heart attack symptom is chest pain or discomfort. But women are somewhat more likely than men to experience some of the other common symptoms, particularly shortness of breath, nausea/vomiting, and back or jaw pain.
Learn the signs, but remember this: Even if you're not sure it's a heart attack, have it checked out (tell a doctor about your symptoms). Minutes matter! Fast action can save lives — maybe your own. Don’t wait more than five minutes to call 9-1-1 or your emergency response number.
Calling 9-1-1 is almost always the fastest way to get lifesaving treatment. Emergency medical services (EMS) staff can begin treatment when they arrive — up to an hour sooner than if someone gets to the hospital by car. EMS staff are also trained to revive someone whose heart has stopped. Patients with chest pain who arrive by ambulance usually receive faster treatment at the hospital, too. It is best to call EMS for rapid transport to the emergency room.

For more information, visit our heart attack website.

More about stroke

Immediately call 9-1-1 or your emergency response number so an ambulance (ideally with advanced life support) can be sent for you. Also, check the time so you'll know when the first symptoms appeared. It's very important to take immediate action. If given within 3 hours of the start of symptoms, a clot-busting drug called tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) may reduce long-term disability for the most common type of stroke. tPA is the only FDA-approved medication for the treatment of stroke within three hours of stroke symptom onset.

A TIA, or transient ischemic attack, is a "warning stroke" or "mini-stroke" that produces stroke-like symptoms but no lasting damage. Recognizing and treating TIAs may reduce your risk of a major stroke. The usual TIA symptoms are the same as those of stroke, only temporary. The short duration of these symptoms and lack of permanent brain injury is the main difference between TIA and stroke.

For more information, visit our stroke website.

More about cardiac arrest

If these signs of cardiac arrest are present, tell someone to call 9-1-1 or your emergency response number and get an AED (if one is available) and you begin CPR immediately.
If you are alone with an adult who has these signs of cardiac arrest, call 9-1-1 and get an AED (if one is available) before you begin CPR.
Use an AED as soon as it arrives.

For more information, visit our cardiac arrest website.

Hands-Only CPR
Hands-Only CPR can be as effective as CPR with breaths. Watch the demo video and learn how to save a life in 60 seconds.

2012-02-07T08:20:00.002-06:00

QuiltingRanny's blog . So many cute little things. Go see her, tell her I sent you over and I think we both get extra entries or maybe it is just you or maybe it is just me. You know what, just stop by and tell her Hi, that I sent you because it is worth the visit. Have a "Happy Heart" day and get a bit of exercise, drink your water, eat your veggies and tell a female friend how important it is for women to be especially knowledgeable in keeping a healthy heart!!! How is your red holding up? Show me yours, I'll show you mine!!!!

The Winner Is:

2012-02-06T17:35:00.000-06:00

Rita from Alaska, you are the winner of the Show Me Your Red giveaway.

Rita said

"i'm a follower/fan of martingale and left them a comment on this post:" I will be sending you an email soon.
Thanks to all of my followers old and new. Thank you to my sponsors. Without this great combination of people, I would not be doing these fun giveaways. :)

The Wearing of the Red

2012-02-06T06:37:00.002-06:00

There was no winner yesterday. My picture is the only one on the page showing me wearing red and it just wouldn't be right, me winning my own giveaway :). The winner of the Red, White, and Sometimes Blue will be drawn later today and I will email the winner. Now, if you are a "no reply" blogger, you better fix it with an email address before noon today. Sure wouldn't want you to miss the opportunity to win this fabulous book. See ya'll later. We are going to a Greek Village today, which by the way is one of my most favorite places to go in Florida.
Ciao,

Are You Showing Me Your Red Today?

2012-02-04T13:26:00.000-06:00

Today is National Wear Red Day ! ... Are you wearing RED?

Heart Disease causes 1 in 3 deaths in women each year.

Help raise awareness by wearing red today! Post your picture on here today showing me your red and I will have an independent party (someone here in Florida) look at the pictures and decide who is really "Showing Their Red"!! So doll it up ladies and gents, make it obvious why you are wearing red and win a few fat quarters from me! I'm pretty sure they will have something to do with hearts of course. Don't disappoint me people. Can't wait to see your showing of the red!!!!

More goodness to come next week and for the rest of February to promote this very very important cause. Heart disease is so often overlooked in women or even worse, misdiagnosed. So ladies and your hubby's too, help promote this by talking to at least one of your friends or better yet sending them here to read about it. Tell them you made the "front page" of "The Learning Curve", which really makes you a bit famous. LOL

Hoping you are having a great day wherever you are. It is around 80 degrees here today and yep, I am working on my tan, getting my fill of fresh oranges, strawberries, avocados and more. It is so good to

Running Late So Here Is A SWEET Blog Hop

2012-02-01T11:02:00.000-06:00

In the meantime, my sweet little friend Melissa is having a Simply Charmed Blog Hop starting today over on her blog Happy Quilting (link below). I think if one is "simply charmed" you are well on the road to a "Healthy Heart". So check back here later today and see what I have to say and if there is a goodie waiting on someone!

You won't believe what Melissa has lined up for the "Grand Prize"!!! Sqeeeeeeeeee

So go tell her I sent you and enter her "Hop". Oh, oh.....I almost forgot, wait until you see her tutorial, I have already made 3 of them!!!! Thanks Melissa!!!! Here is the schedule of stops along the hop...

Simply Charmed Blog Hop

February 1 - Melissa from Happy Quilting (You start here :)

February 2 - Heather from Quilt Story

February 3 - Melissa from Lilac Lane

February 6 - Angela from Cut to Pieces

February 7 - Amy from Diary of a Quilter

February 8 - Natalia from Piece N Quilt

February 9 - Jessica from Twin Fibers

February 10 - Katie from Swim, Bike, Quilt

February 11 - Jane from Want It, Need It, Quilt

February 13 - Corey from Little Miss Shabby

February 14 - Happy Valentines Day and the Grand Prize Winner Announcement!!!!

Link To This Weeks Giveaway here

2012-01-31T14:00:00.002-06:00

Show Me Your Red
Ends 2/8 Winner randomly chosen and emailed on 2/9 Good Luck

Heart Health For Women

2012-01-31T07:22:00.000-06:00

Today I would like to focus on a few things that can help us achieve better Heart Health. There are so many avenues offered but I prefer to continue with the ones that are simple, tried and true.

1. Manage

Manage sodium intake. It is unreal how much salt is put into canned vegetables and other processed foods. So what can we do when we buy our vegetables and other processed food in a can? Rinse all canned vegetables and meats such as tuna, salmon, etc. under cold water for a minute or so. Try switching to fresh vegetables if available. There are so many spices that can actually make unsalted food taste really good, so experiment.

2. Exercise
Exercise and I don't mean run a marathon or bike the Appalachian Trails. I simply am suggesting a minimum of 15 minutes each day doing some consistent activity that can get your heart excited enough to beat a bit faster and harder. The heart is the biggest muscle in the body and we have to give it a workout to keep it strong. Walk, run, hop, skip rope, ride your bike, etc,, Take you hubby or kids along for the company. I have 26 steps in my house, I walk up the stairs, down the stairs, through the great room and down the stairs to the basement. And then I reverse it and I do no less then 20 reps of this each day. Dance while you sew or iron. And you say "what"? Turn on the music and get your feet to moving, and you torso rockin'. Amazing how much it works your body and definitely can put you in a great mood (and you're burning calories). Sing loud and long. Again you say "what"? If you sing at the top of your lungs and hit different ranges it will cause you to breathe deeper as you get into it and this not only strengthens the heart but improves you lung function which will allow you to breathe easier during strenuous times.

3. Cut
Cut caloric intake by eating 5 times each day starting with breakfast. And by having a snack in the mid-morning and mid-afternoon, your tummy is always satisfied and you are less apt to dig into the chips, cookies, etc.. Those of us who don't take the time to eat in the morning, are hurting ourselves more then if we were 24 hour stuffing of our faces. I'm not saying cut out all your snack goodies but use good judgment. And remember it isn't our job to force our ways onto others, just our job to suggest it. Once again, enlist your kids to help and you will see an improvement in their morning demeanor and allow them to concentrate better in the morning hours of school and ultimately bring home better grades.

4 Drink
(I knew that would get your attention) "Sure goo ole buddy, let's have a little drinky poo". ( LOL, my version of a drunk.) We all know to drink a minimum of 8 glasses of water a day but rarely do any of us accomplish that. Here is how I get it all in and maybe a bit more. The first thing I do each morning is go get a glass of cold water and drink it all while standing at the kitchen sink looking out the window. I continue through the day by doing the same thing before consuming snacks and meals. There are lots of perks involved here such as, clearer and firmer skin, we eat less because there is a ton of water sloshing around in our tummy's taking up a lot of room, our breath will stay fresher, no coffee, soda, beer breath involved here. And I need to say here, coffee, soda, beer, wine, cocktails DO NOT replace the water we should drink each day. All of the "extra good" drinks I listed have so much sodium in them and lead to dehydration,wrinkles and saggy/baggy body parts. Drink that water ladies and keep the girls a bit perkier for a while longer and the rumpus nice and round, not flat and saggy.

That is enough for today and I hope you each will make these 4 things a big part of your daily life. I can do all of them in less time then it is taking me to write this!! So go forth and read, eat, exercise and drink each and every day. You will be so happy with yourself. And above all else you are maintaining a "Heart Healthy" lifestyle.

Jeanne

Show Me Your Red

2012-01-30T07:40:00.001-06:00

This Contest is Closed

Starting today and continuing through the entire month of February I will be focusing on "Women's Heart Health". I have been a strong supporter of Women's Heart Health for many years. Heart disease kills more women every day then breast cancer. Although there has been a tremendous upsurge in recognizing and treating heart disease in women, it is still a frequently overlooked and misdiagnosed. It is the responsibility of each of us to be aware of causative factors, recognize symptoms and to direct our own heart smart attitude. We should never let a Dr. dismiss it lightly as indigestion, reflux, gastritis, etc., without performing some diagnostic testing. We have to stand firm and be sure the Dr. really hears what we are saying and that he/she takes the appropriate actions to diagnose symptoms quickly and start an appropriate care regime. I believe any woman over the age of 30 should take a Baby Aspirin each day unless your health care provider tells you not to or if you are allergic to Aspirin. This is something you should each address with your Dr.. My father and my husband both diverted a full blown heart attack simply by chewing 2 regular Bayer Aspirins and seeking immediate medical attention when they both experienced "heart pain".
This is the kick off of my "Women's Heart Health" series and each day you will find links, information and encouragement to take care of yourself and know the symptoms.

Oh yes, there will be a giveaway each week through the last week in February. This week, through the sponsorship and generosity of Martingale and Company, I will be giving away the book "Red, White, and Sometimes Blue" Classics from McCall's Quilting.

A sneak peek at one item in the book! Gorgeous

Two Mandatory Entries:
1. Leave a comment telling me one thing you do to keep "a healthy heart".
2. Follow Martingale and Company on Facebook and leave them a note that you are being "Heart Smart" and that I sent you. (even is you already follow them, leave the comment) then link the comment back here in the comments.

Extra Entries:
Follow my blog The Learning Curve and comment here that you are a new follower or if you are already a follower.
Follow me on Twitter and comment here
Follow me on Pinterest and comment here
Follow me on Facebook and comment here
Display this button on your blog (copy/paste picture) and comment that you did (I'll be hunting for these)

Giveaway ends Sunday night February 5th at around 9:00 pm CST.

Have a happy heart day! Tune in tomorrow for more facts on "healthy heart living" and links to interesting articles, some stats, oh well just sign in to see what I have to say! Also there will be random giveaways throughout my promotion.
Good luck peeps!!!

Jeanne

A Year of Rugs

2012-01-22T21:44:00.001-06:00

It's official, A Year of Rugs has officially started as of today. You can find the details here A Year Of Rugs We have 8 of us starting now and 3 others joining in the first of March. We all agree it is going to be super fun. I hope to have a Flickr account set up tomorrow or maybe Jacqueline will do it (hinting here). There is a button you can put on your blog over here on the right. The picture is a mug rug that was gifted to me for winning "The Amazing Blog Race"! Thanks Bea, it is so sweet and I love it.
So stayed tuned everyone and check in to see who got what from who. We draw a new name for each Holiday and have a birthday person. I can't wait to see all the Valentine Rugs!!!

I Have Been Awarded

2012-01-20T10:40:00.000-06:00

I Have Been Awarded

The Versatile Blogger Award
by

Kim C.

This may prove to be a "bad girl" award if I have to tell you 7 real things about me. You can read my 7 things below. Thank you Kim for bestowing this upon me. You can meet Kim over on her blog http://thisandthat-moodyblue.blogspot.com/

The rules are simple:

1. Thank the award-giver and link back to them in your post.
2. Share 7 things about yourself.
3. Pass this award along to 15 recently discovered blogs you enjoy reading.
4. Contact your chosen bloggers to let them know about the award.

My new acquaintance Kim C has a most fun and delightful blog and she loves sharing her knowledge. Be sure to go over and see her now and then. I think you might stay awhile when you get there.

Blogger Award.jpg
6K   View   Share   Download

1. I am a homebody. I love to be home. Yes, I do like to travel but I am always so glad to come back home to my comfortable place in life.

2. I really am very shy when I meet people face to face. I know, I know, none of you believe that but my fingers are the mouthy ones, not me. I take awhile to relax and feel okay around new people.

3. I have been married to Steve for almost 30 years. I have two sons, Chuck 43 and Kevin 42, two wonderful grandchildren Dana 16 and Connor 11.

4. Other then Steve, my BFF is my little 7 pound Chihuahua, Maverick. He is the cutest little thing and his love is so real.

5. I used to hate anything to do with sewing. Now I can't seem to get enough of it. I love to piece quilts and I love to quilt them with my quilter, by the way her name is Earnestine and she is my #3 BFF.

6. I live on a mini farm and we raise chickens, quail, rabbits, we have huge gardens every year, we have a green house that we use in the winter to have tomato's and fresh lettuce, cucumbers and such. I have a commercial egg hatcher and used to sell hundreds and hundreds of baby chick and quail.

7. I have worn glasses since I was 2 years old.

Anyway, I am passing this along to a few of my pals and buds. Don't get your hate on at me, fill it out or trash it, your choice. If I send you one, it is sent from the heart not just randomly.

Now you all know a little more about me. I don't run too deep but I do have things that I don't readily share. Might as well join my blog while you are here.

Jeanne

Prairie Point Junction

2012-01-20T09:49:00.002-06:00

***Taken Directly from E-mail***

Good morning! Inventory is finished. Whew! We now turn you back to your regularly scheduled program. We have oodles and oodles of new charm packs. I'm featuring a few this week and more next week. They will be on the website if you'd like to check it out.

Since we have new charm packs in, we have to find good homes for a few of the older ones we've come to love at the store. We hate to part with them, but we know they'll be going to a good home.

Have you taken a look at the new sampler yet? Don't miss out on this block of the month. I've seen both of them and I'm excited to get started.

I'd better get to moving. I'm taking today off to work on unfinished projects. I'm hoping I get a few things accomplished.

Have a great week!

Deb

E-mail Newsletter Editor

http://www.prairiepointjunction.com/

Fat Quarter Shop Friday Feature

2012-01-20T09:39:00.000-06:00

Fat Quarter Shop Friday Freature

Our Wagon Quilt Kit will take you anywhere you'd like to go! Quilt kit includes Wagon Quilt Pattern by Deena Rutter and Scoot fabric for the 63" x 63" quilt top and binding. A backing set is available separately. I really like this piece. Take a look over at Fat Quarter Shop. Follow the link above.

Homespun Hearth

2012-01-20T09:28:00.001-06:00

Homespun Hearth is offering 15% off on their So Long Farewell Fabrics and BOM's too. Worth the trip over to visit. PJ's are appropriate shopping attire !! http://www.homespunhearth.com/almostgone.asp

Taali Fat Quarter Bundle Giveaway from Monaluna

2012-01-18T06:14:00.001-06:00

How would you like to win a Fat Quarter Bundle of Taali from Monaluna? Well just hop over to FaveQuilts and get entered. Giveaway ends January so you might rush a bit to do it so you don't forget and lose out on a chance to win this sweetie.

Text taken directly from FaveQuilts page

Taali Fat Quarter Bundle Giveaway from Monaluna

Taali Fat Quarter Bundle
Designed by Jennifer Moore
Gifted by Monaluna
www.monaluna.com
Reviewed by Jessica Nichols, Editor of FaveQuilts.com

Taali is a playful line of 9 prints from Monaluna, the organic cotton fabric company headed by designer Jennifer Moore. Taali features a color combination of aqua, light red, moss green, and black and draws inspiration from Northern Europe and Scandinavia. Read the full review here.

A Year In Rugs

2012-01-07T12:40:00.001-06:00

Here's the deal. I came up with this crazy idea and collaborated with a "partner in crime" (Jacqueline over at Handmade With Love) and we decided we would like to have a bunch of us get together and have a "holiday mug rug swap" which means starting with Valentines Day through Christmas of this year you will make a mug rug for a new partner for each of the holidays listed below. We will send out a news blip to tell you who your partner is for each Holiday and will post the details here as well without revealing who has who for the holiday.

Holidays
February:   Valentines Day    Mail Feb. 7th
March:    St. Patrick's Day March 7th
April: Easter or April Showers Mail April 7th
May-June      Take a break
July: Independence Day/4th of July Mail June 28th
August: Take a break
September: Back to School or Labor Day or End of Summer (your choice) Mail September 7th
October: Halloween Mail October 7th
November: M~~y Birthday you all have to send me one~~ ( jk :p) Thanksgiving Mail November 7th
December: Christmas or Winter Time Mail December 7th
Birthdays: ?? Let me know if you are interested in this aspect and when your birthday is

We think if we all hurry and sign up we can get this done in time to get to your partner for Valentines Day. That means you have to ship it on February 7th to arrive in time in the US. If you are interested get with Jeanne or Jacqueline before next week Tuesday the 10th and we will have your partner's name to you on Wednesday.

So you can sign up here or over on Jacqueline's blog Handmade With Love It is all for the fun of getting a sweet "gifty" from someone new 8 or 9 times a year!!!!

The Guidelines

1. Make one mug rug to send to your secret person. (finish at approximately 10″x6″)

2. Use the appropriate Holiday theme.

3. Use 100% cotton. (Batting/filler optional), quilted, and bound securely (no raw or zig-zagging or serging the edges).

4. Can be pieced, appliqued, embroidered.

5. Must be washable.

6. Label or write on the back: To: partners name From: your name Date: (Example) Valentines Day 2012 or February 14, 2012 (using the appropriate holiday).

7. Last day to sign up is Tuesday Jan. 10th.

8. Add pictures of WIP to Flickr account but don't disclose your swap-pee's partners name. (I love that "swap-pees" LOL)

9. Mail it out on the stated date, NO LATER or they might not get it.

PLEASE NOTE:

****Anyone not able to meet the shipping deadline needs to actively communicate around this - lack of communication will cause one to not be welcome to participate in any other of either of our swaps for the rest of this year.****

Amanda Needs Our Help

2012-01-07T06:58:00.000-06:00

As you all know, Amanda Murphy is one of my sponsors and she is needing our help. So I figured, she gives to us several times a year, we need to pay some of that generosity back. Here is Amanda's post. C'mon gals, lets step up and help her out in a big way.

**Text is the post from Amanda**

Please help Veranda make the March/April cover of Love of Quilting

Posted: 06 Jan 2012 09:33 AM PST

I hope everyone is having a fantastic week.

I just found out that another of my Veranda quilts is up for the COVER or Fons and Porter's Love of Quilting. Isn't that exciting? They are having a poll to choose the image over on Facebook.

It has half-square triangle, quarter square triangles, every color under the rainbow - pretty much the kitchen sink!

If you like this quilt, any support you could show by voting would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks everyone!
Happy sewing!

Amanda

Homespun Hearth Friday Flash

2012-01-06T09:30:00.000-06:00

**Text taken directly from my email**

Fabric Sale, New Kit, Plus All US Orders Just $3 Ship!

Lakehouse Alpha Panel - Just $3.99! ... Today and tomorrow save on this lower-case Alphabet Panel by Lakehouse. 84 letters in all, with multiples of those used most often. Make a bolster pillow for "katherine" or a "toys for danny" sign .. the posibilites are endless!
Click Here to Get your Panel!

New Dutch Tiles Quilt Kit ... Just Added! A stunning quilt kit that features hand-treated suede-look fabrics! The quilt measures 91" square, and with easy raw-edge applique, you can have this masterpiece together in no time! Optional backing fabric is also available - allow 3 weeks delivery. Layaway available, too.
Click here for More Info

$3 US Shipping (& International Save, too!! ) ... For 2 days, all US orders enjoy just $3 shipping ... whether it's tons of fabrics, gifts or a favorite kit ... it's just $3. But hurry -- the $3 Shipping is just for orders placed today and tomorrow, so stock up today! Plus, for our International Friends, save $5 on shipping costs!
Click Here to Shop!

Homespun Hearth
15954 Jackson Creek Pkwy Suite B #546
Monument CO 80132
Order Toll Free at: 719-481-0197
* Free Shipping does not include any applicable sales tax or shipping costs. Contact Teresa

The Learning Curve Quilts and Such

Hello From Sunny Florida

Teaching Small Children 9-1-1

CHEST DISCOMFORT

OTHER SIGNS

If one or more of these signs is present, don't delay:

SUDDEN LOSS OF RESPONSIVENESS

NO NORMAL BREATHING

The Winner Is:

The Wearing of the Red

Are You Showing Me Your Red Today?

Running Late So Here Is A SWEET Blog Hop

Link To This Weeks Giveaway here

Heart Health For Women

Show Me Your Red

A Year of Rugs

I Have Been Awarded

Prairie Point Junction

Fat Quarter Shop Friday Feature

Homespun Hearth

Taali Fat Quarter Bundle Giveaway from Monaluna

How would you like to win a Fat Quarter Bundle of Taali from Monaluna? Well just hop over to FaveQuilts and get entered. Giveaway ends January so you might rush a bit to do it so you don't forget and lose out on a chance to win this sweetie.

*Text taken directly from FaveQuilts page*

Taali Fat Quarter Bundle Giveaway from Monaluna

A Year In Rugs

Amanda Needs Our Help

Homespun Hearth Friday Flash

Text taken directly from FaveQuilts page