Thanks to everyone who took the time to leave a comment for the Masters Art Quilts book giveaway from Lark. I really enjoyed reading all the comments…and there were many from people who had seen my blog for the first time. A heartfelt thank you for visiting and come back soon!

The first time I generated a random number I forgot to include the number ‘1’ so I had to do it over. Geesh, nothing like a newbie at the controls. 

The winner of the book from my blog is Jenny Bowker.  Please send me an email with all of your mailing information so I can forward it to Lark. Your signed copy will be coming directly from them

I was asked to participate in a blog hop giveaway for the newest Masters Art Quilts book. I’m so happy to be included to help promote this wonderful book.  Each blog listed here will be giving away a signed copy of the book!
Leave a comment on this blog and I will choose a winner on August 30, 2011. You will need to send me your email and contact information if you are the lucky winner. Your book will come directly from Lark. 

Then, visit the other blogs listed here  for another chance to win! How cool is that???

8/16 Larkcrafts.com kickoff!
8/17 Terry Grant: http://www.andsewitgoes.blogspot.com/
8/18: Linda Teddlie Minton: http://fiberreflections.blogspot.com/
8/19: Cheryl Sleboda  : http://blog.muppin.com/
8/22: Terri Stegmiller: http://stegart.blogspot.com
8/23: Stephanie Forsyth: http://thefibernation.blogspot.com/
8/24: Janice Paine Dawes: http://thedistoriatedquilter.com/ 
8/25 Karen Stiehl Osborn: http://stiehlosborn.blogspot.com
8/26: Kathy Loomis: http://artwithaneedle.blogspot.com/
8/29: Diane Lochala http://dianedoodles.blogspot.com   
8/30: Sue Bleiweiss: http://www.suebleiweiss.com/blog
8/31: Gerrie Congdon: http://www.gericondesigns.com/weblog/
9/1: Marilyn Wall: http://www.marilynhwall.blogspot.com
9/2: Laura Wasilowski: http://artfabrik.blogspot.com
9/6: Sherryl Buchler: http://skb2000.blogspot.com
9/7: Cheryl Lynch: http://www.CherylLynchQuilts.blogspot.com
9/8 Deborah Boschert: http://DeborahsJournal.blogspot.com
9/9: Brenda Gael Smith: http://serendipitypatchwork.com.au/

The question was asked today about how we are doing on our WORD we chose for 2011. I have been so busy  putting my life back together that my art and my word  were forgotten…..but just maybe it was ingrained. Thank you to the person on the QA list who reminded me of this. When I went back and read my own post I think maybe I need to read this every day.  Here is what I wrote about it way back in January:

Last year was the first time I chose a word rather than making a resolution. So simple, so easy to stay on track and nobody to measure my success besides me. Last year my word was “Acceptance”. I chose that word for many reasons associated with my personal life as well as my art. It surprised me how many times through 2010 I actually remembered and reminded myself to accept the situation for what it was and to accept my art for what it is. For the most part I stopped trying to fix things.

That word  was really important because of my RA. I did have a life before RA and it was different. Acceptance would not have been tolerated by my inner task master. It took me nearly 6 years of living with RA to know that Acceptance is the only way I am going to be able to pace my energy. Acceptance is the only way I can have priorities without guilt. I gave myself permission to not even try to multi-task.

This year my word is Persevere. Do you see the progression here? I think I do and I’m happy with it. I can accept my limitations but I will persevere to do the best art I can do within those limits.

Here is what I sent in my bag of goodies for a small exchange I am in with Didi Salvatierra, Holly Knott and Mary Hinckle.

The theme we had to stay with was “Summer”. I had the funky focus fabric in the front that I didn’t know what to do with so figured Didi would like the challenge!

Here is this morning’s visitor. Well, it isn’t a toad, it is a Pickeral Frog. I wonder if it is the extreme heat we are having in this area that is making the usually silent and hidden critters become visible.

I knew this guy was living in the trashcan enclosure. The other day when I moved a pot he and 2 siblings hopped away. I wonder if he is stunned by the heat? My remote thermometer says it is 102 in the shade today. YIKES!