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Archive for the ‘Giveaways, Swaps, and Reviews’ Category

From time to time I come across a product I have to shout about.  Such is the case with Krud Kutter.  For those of you it matters to, Krud Kutter is a green product.  The manufacturor claims to have “the hardest working green products on the planet”.  At this point…I am inclined to believe them.

krudkutter

Several months ago, my sister-in-law Lee told me about this amazing product.  She and my brother bought an almost century old house and took on the gruelling challenge of restoring it as near original as possible.   Prior to purchasing the house, it had been a rental property for decades.  A not-so-Harry homeowner had made changes that made my carpenter-extraordinaire  brother cringe.  Not-so-Susie homemaker lived with not-so-Harry and years of crud had been allowed to build up on the kitchen cabinets and appliances.  This made Lee cringe.   Lee is an immaculate housekeeper and cleaning guru, and after over-use of elbow grease, she sought something that would make the job of removing the grunge and refurbishing her kitchen easier.  While in Lowe’s she found Krud Kutter and took a chance on it.  To her delight and amazement the stuff was a miracle in a bottle.

Because I drag my feet when it comes to shopping, it took me months to finally purchase a bottle of my own so I could see what it would do for the built up grime around our house. I finally picked up a bottle last week.   You see, I am not an immaculate housekeeper much to my own dismay, but I do enjoy and long for an orderly, clean home…and a full-time housekeeper.    One of the biggest cleaning challenges around our house is a by-product of having four-legged kids.  In the past it has taken an act of congress to cut through the dog snozz they leave on our glass storm doors.  We all know what it takes to get an act through congress!  It requires hook or crook and a lot of hidden pork… When I got home I wasted no time trying Krud Kutter out on our front door.  The stuff took the snozz off without me having to exert any effort.  I stood amazed.  It did the same for the back door which was quite a bit snozzier, because we leave the “big” door open and the storm door accessible more often. 

Since my door trials, I’ve cleaned our shower doors and appliance exteriors with the same fabulous results.   I am a believer in Krud Kutter, and the next time I go to Lowe’s, which may well be a special trip to replenish my supply, I will buy a gallon. 

I appreciate Lee telling me about Krud Kutter.  If you have tough cleaning jobs around your house, I recommend you seek out a bottle and see how it works for you.  I think you will be pleased and possibly as amazed as I was.  I’m not sure if any stores other than Lowe’s stock it, but the manufacturor has an online store where the full line of Krud Kutter products are sold.  This product is bound to make your cleaning efforts easier.  It’s that good!

Disclaimer:  The makers of Krud Kutter are not responsible for this post.  I have not been compensated for writing it nor have they asked me to give a positive review of their product. 

Until next time…

For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. 1 Corinthians 15:21-22 

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The winner of my “In The Spirit Of Giving” giveaway is commenter #12, Pam Gonzalez.   I used a random number generator to make the pick.

number 12

Pam said, “Hi Judy: Thanks for a chance to win your nice scissors. I belong to CQI & CQ for Newbies. I also belong to StitchMap. My most favorite gift was a cup my son made for me when he was seven I still keep it on my kitchen counter–he’s 23 now. But being a Christian is really what it’s all about.”

Congratulations, Pam.  You definitely know the “reason for the season”.  Without Jesus there would be no Christmas. 

I’ll get your package in the mail asap…sometime this coming week. 

Thank you to everyone who commented on my giveaway post.  I wish everyone could have been the winner.

Until next time…

And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.  Matthew 1:21

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It’s been quite a while since I hosted my last giveaway.  As Christmas approaches it seems only natural to give something away to one of my readers.  After thinking about what to give I decided to give away a pair of 3 1/2 inch Stork embroidery scissors made by Mundial. These  little scissors gold-plated and have a lifetime guarantee.  I have a pair and use them almost everyday when I am stitching on crazy quilt blocks.  This giveaway also includes a few other things useful in crazy quilting.  There is a nifty embroidery stitch guide.  Surely I’m not the only one who forgets how to make a stitch sometimes.  The winner will also receive a two-pack of The Quilter’s Threader - Precision Threader for Fine Needles.  These are the needle threaders recommended by Nancy Eha the Queen of Bead).  I’ve never used them, but I bought a pack for myself, too. :)   A pack of pretty green floss bobbins, two packs of Mill Hill Glass Seed Beads, and a pretty Christmas magnet round out my “In The Spirit Of Giving Giveaway”.    For close-up view, click on the picture.  xprd56_z

giveaway pt 2

For your chance to win leave a message telling me what your all-time favorite Christmas gift was.  If you are a crazy quilter tell me what crazy quilt group/groups you belong to.   The giveaway is open until 12:00 AM central time January 1, 2013. 

Until next time…

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.  Matthew 6:33

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Jutamas is a fine dining, Thai Restaurant in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. After worship service this morning my sweetheart and I joined our pastor and his sweet wife at Jutamas for a wonderful lunch and fellowship. My friend Rosy lives in Singapore, and because of the wonders of the internet she and I are able to talk about food often. Since she was not able to be at Jutamas with us…this post is for her.

We started our meal with a couple of appetizers. Fresh Rolls were brought to our table first. They were fresh spring rolls filled with cooked chicken, shrimp, egg noodles, avocado, tofu and vegetables and wrapped with rice pastry. Crushed peanuts are sprinkled on top, and they are served with peanut sauce.

Next up was Toong Tong. These tasty appetizers are crispy fried pastries stuffed with a mixture of pork, shrimp, and crab meat. They were served with sweet and sour sauce. Our waitress did not understand the order, and we were only brought a serving for two. Our pastor insisted Allen and I eat them. What a blessing, because they were delicious.

After our appetizers each of us were served a bowl of soup…I’m sorry, but I don’t know the name of the soup. It was delicious and enjoyed by all. It was made of chicken broth, tofu, basil leaves and bean sprouts.

This cute little lemon critter topped our pastor’s glass of unsweetened tea. My sweetie ordered sweet tea…he didn’t get a cute little lemon critter. :<

Our pastor ordered Phad Khing…This dish was sliced chicken, stir-fried fresh ginger, onions, bell peppers, carrots, baby corn and mushrooms in brown sauce.

Brenda, our pastor’s wife, ordered Shrimp Asparagus. It was asparagus with stir-fried shrimp with onion, carrots and bell peppers in brown sauce.

My sweetheart ordered Phad med Ma Moung. This dish was sliced chicken, stir fried with cashew nuts, onions, mushrooms, carrots and bell peppers in brown sauce.

And finally…I ordered Gang Keaw Wam. It is classic green curry, blended with coconut milk, green beans, carrots, eggplant, bamboo shoots, bell peppers and sweet basil. It was superb but way more than I could eat in one sitting. The dishes were so pretty…I would have loved to have taken them home with me. ~sigh~

Rosy, I hope this was almost as good as being with us. Even if we don’t ever share a meal on planet earth we can look forward to a grand banquet in heaven. Maybe we can sit close to one another there. :) I think we would have a grand time.

Until next time…

This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare; Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck. 1 Timothy 1:18-19

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Using a random number generator the winner of the gallon of coconut oil is…

 Tamira Hill commented “i shared on facebook!
 
Congratulations, Tamira.  Please contact me via email…look on my sidebar for an email link.  I need your name, address and telephone number so I can forward your information to Tropical Traditions. 
 
If I have not heard from Tamira by Tuesday noon, I will draw a new number.
 
Thank you to everyone who entered my giveaway. 
 
Until next time…

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly. —Psalm 1:1

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A week ago today I ran into a floor fan and took a flying dive over it.   Two days later I went to the doctor per my husband’s demand and was deemed unbroken.  While there I had my doctor listen to my lungs.  He confirmed my diagnosis.  I had/have bronchitis.  His recommendation was to take it easy for at least a week.  As a result I’ve had time to finish working on my red block. 

Here are the results…click images for larger view.

Full block…I cut the top off just a wee bit.

Blue Bird – not a bluebird…

Two crazy friends helped tweak my bird.  One thought he needed a worm in his mouth and one more claw…so I gave him one a juicy worm and another claw.  The other thought his legs were too thick.  She was right, so I painstakingly picked out the thread and restitched thinner legs.

Butterfly, button cluster and  flower motif seam treatment…

Tree with an owl and a pussy cat…

Feather stitch and bullion stitch buds…

That’s it for the changes in my red block.  If you have not entered my coconut oil giveaway, take a minute and check it out. It’s for an amazing gallon of premium coconut oil. You really don’t want to miss the chance to win this wonderful gift. You can find it here…A Gallon Of Tropical Traditions Virgin Coconut Oil Giveaway…O Yeah!

Until next time…

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Matthew 5:16

Until next time…

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If you have not entered my latest coconut oil giveaway, there is still plenty of time. I’m hosting a giveaway  for an amazing GALLON of premium coconut oil. You really don’t want to miss the chance to win this wonderful gift. You can find it here…A Gallon Of Tropical Traditions Virgin Coconut Oil Giveaway…O Yeah! There are several ways to enter to boost your chance of winning.

Gold Label Organic Virgin Coconut Oil

The first crazy quilting round robin I took part in is nearing the end. My portion of the stitching on each block has been completed. A couple of posts back I shared what I thought was a picture of Sheila’s block after my embellishing work was completed, but the more I looked at it the more it seemed to need something else.

Click on pictures for larger view:

Here is Sheila’s block with my additional work…

This shot is of the whole block. Aren’t Hollie’s hat donning birds the sweetest?

For over a month I’ve been waiting for A Study In Brown Round Robin to be announced. It finally was, and I signed up to participate. This evening I constructed my brown naked block. (This was quite an achievement, because I am recovering from a fall that left me feeling aches on top of my aches…and bronchitis. Even sitting at the sewing machine was a major effort.)

Naked brown block for “A Study In Brown”…

This round robin does not start until July so there will be no update then. I’m still working on my red block. It is nearing completion, so I’ll be sharing a final picture of it soon.

Until next time…

Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy.  Psalm 107:2

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If you have not entered my latest coconut oil giveaway, be sure to check it out. It’s for an amazing gallon of premium coconut oil. You really don’t want to miss the chance to win this wonderful gift. You can find it here…A Gallon Of Tropical Traditions Virgin Coconut Oil Giveaway…O Yeah!   There are several ways to enter to boost your chance of winning.


Gold Label Organic Virgin Coconut Oil

Since hosting Tropical Traditions Virgin Coconut Oil giveaways, I’ve seen several comments by ladies who are interested in trying homemade deodorant using coconut oil.  I’ve seen recipes with numerous ingredients.  For over two years I’ve been making and using my own deodorant with three simple ingredients.  A batch that will last several months can be whipped up in a matter of minutes. 

I decided to try this very basic recipe, because I am highly sensitive to commercial antiperspirants.  Using them caused my underarms to break out in an uncomfortable rash and itch terribly.  Even those marketed as “for sensitive skin” did not work for me.  Since using this homemade formula made with a coconut oil  base I’ve had no discomfort due to deodorant.

Here’s all you need:

6 Tablespoons of  virgin coconut oil (Of course, I recommend Tropical Traditions.)

1/4 cup of arrowroot powder  or cornstarch (I use cornstarch, because my local health food store is almost always out of arrowroot, and it does the same thing.)

1/4 cup of baking soda

Directions:

Melt 6 Tablespoons of coconut oil in a microwave safe measuring cup.  (Microwave 30 seconds or so…)

Add the baking soda and cornstarch and stir until smooth and the powders are dissolved.

Pour into a small container with an airtight lid.  Set aside until the mixture cools to room temperature.  Depending on the room temperature the deodorant may be soft of hard.  Coconut oil has a melting temperature of 75 degrees so the consistency changes depending on how warm or cool your house is.

Wahlah…

That’s all there is to it. 

I apply it with my fingers.  Fingers are such great tools.  It only takes a little dab…and even though it wouldn’t be such a bad thing, you don’t walk around smelling like a coconut…

Until next time…

Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.                         1 John 4:13

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My work on Sheila’s block in the Anything Goes #5 Round Robin for Novices is complete. Her block completes my participation. It’s been fun, and I’ve already signed up for another one.  In the meantime, I’ll have plenty of time to work on blocks just for me.  :)

Here is the work I did on Sheila’s block…click on images for enlarged view

Everyone who stitched before me chose something to do with hats…I figured every pretty hat needed nice shoes to go with it so I chose old-timey, high-top shoes.

A Venice lace motif…

Seam treatment

Overall block…

That’s it for this time…f you have not entered my latest coconut oil giveaway, be sure to check it out. It’s for an amazing gallon of premium coconut oil. You really don’t want to miss the chance to win this wonderful gift. You can find it here…A Gallon Of Tropical Traditions Virgin Coconut Oil Giveaway…O Yeah!

Until next time…

Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.  Hebrews 10:25

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This past week I made and sent two crazy quilt hearts to two “crazy” friends…

One loves pink…This was a one on one swap.

and the other loves orange. This is a “just because you’re loved heart”.

The next two hearts are part of heart swap through one of the crazy quilt groups I belong to. I sent two and will get two in return. Who will receive mine and whose I will receive is yet unknown.

Swap send 1:

Swap send 2…

Yesterday my sweetie and I stopped at a local thrift store while we were out running errands. They had a boat load of beautiful silk ties priced 3 for $1.00. It was pointless to even try resisting buying a pile of them. Because the ties were in an outside bin, and it was a sweltering hot day, I only bought $9.00′s worth. As soon as I got them home I threw them in the washing machine. Tonight they will be carefully seam-ripped for later use in crazy blocks. I only bought a few of what the thrift store had…the colors are beautiful…so I’ll buy more later if they are still there on my next visit.

Finally here’s a picture of the red block I’ve been working on for over a month. Since the last update, I’ve added an embroidered bird to the top right corner. I removed the small, golden flower beads from the center of the crocheted Irish rose and replaced them with a beautiful, German-made metal button. I added a cluster of buttons on the red lace. On one of the buttons I tried out a tutorial one of the crazy quilt crazy ladies shared on her blog for embellishing buttons with a bullion rose. It was easy to follow, and I’m sure I will use the technique many times in the days to come. Check out the tutorial here: Shawkl: Button Rose Bullion Tutorial…thank you, Kathy. Your technique added a sweet flair to my plain button. :) I still have a way to go before this block is complete. I also tried using waste canvas to cross stitch a motif on this block for the first time. I was inspired by Quayceetatter’s Cross Stitch Rose Tutorial. I’m pretty sure I will remove the red chain stitch on the seam at the upper right. It just doesn’t fit…we’ll see.

Button Cluster with bullion rose button…not perfect, but practice, practice, practice will make perfect.

Close up of little blue heart…

 That’s about it for this time, but if you have not entered my latest coconut oil giveaway, be sure to check it out. It’s for an amazing gallon of premium coconut oil. You really don’t want to miss the chance to win this wonderful gift. You can find it here…A Gallon Of Tropical Traditions Virgin Coconut Oil Giveaway…O Yeah!

Until next time…

But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee. Psalm 5:11

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