CHICKPEA SEWING STUDIO

The true random number generator has spoken, the winner of the Petite Pattern Book is comment 53! That would make it Gill who wrote:  "my children still need crumb catchers and they're all over 16!!"  I have the feeling it will be the same for Finn when he is 16. Right now he is more speculative about the Halloween gore...

It's time to announce the result of the Naturalization Fat-Quarter give away... Who will it be?
You were all so sweet to participate, I got about 47 suggestions of colonies and yet I suspect we didn't get them all, but we didn't any wrong ones either.
So one more time for the road.

Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Maryland, Massachusetts, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhodes Island, South Carolina, Virginia.

Voila! Let's get started:

Congratulation Emilie(who chose South Carolina) on your win and your charming blog.

I'll send you're prize as soon I you give me your address.
Organizing this first give away was huge fun and I will definitely do it again next time there is something to celebrate. I would also love to  have a swap...I am feeling ambitious today!

I passed! and was recommended for naturalization... now I just need to wait a few months to be sworn in, and another few month to get a passport. So there isn't going to be any traveling for me for a while.
I was so stressed, despite a very affable officer, that I might have made a huge spelling mistake on the only sentence he asked me to write down! thinking back at it, my face gets red. The officer asked the easiest of questions, and after I answered 'Dick Cheney' he added 'the guy that shoots people'. A must have looked really surprised and after that couldn't really concentrate. I good thing that I noticed they had me as a male! A very pregnant male!!! It's all over now...and I feel great, not different though. Regardless, can you believe that he didn't ask me even one colony!

Thank you for your participation in the give away, it really helped me practice! A reminder that the 100Th post give away is opened until Valentine's day midnight, so keep playing:)

Meanwhile things have been made, such as a crocheted box, adapted from the crochet basket. I made it a bit narrower and not as tall, then started another basket ( a little larger) to make a lid.( You would need one skein of 'sugar and cream' for the bottom and maybe 1/2 skein for the top).

the tassel is made of felt beads which I am crazy about, they are from Artgirlz, but I got mine from Whimsy Cottage here locally.

Here's for a closer look.

I use it to store the babies socks... I love baby socks, they are too much!
Tomorrow's post : long complaint about gaining almost 10 lbs of retained water in one week, loosing any remaining shape in knees, ankles as well as dignity :(

I have been bitting my nails about this post for awhile now, what to do? what to say? Something deep and meaningful of course...
Instead I should have been focusing on my naturalization test that is coming up on Tuesday!
Yes, after several years of procrastination, and just before the fee increase, I decided that the time had come to become a bonafide American citizen. To do just that one needs to pass the 'Test', and it helps if one studies for it more than two days prior. Yes, I am worried, as crocheting seemed more appealing the last few days than learning to name the 13th colonies in alphabetical order.

But I promise I am going to study from now on, and will prevail! To celebrate such a big civic step I am giving away nine fat quarters in traditional/patriotic colors (although not too over the top), by Bonnie Sullivan for Maywood studios (I'll even pay for shipping). All you need to do is leave a comment on this post by Thursday the 14th (Valentine's day) with either the name of one 13th colonies or the number of senator in congress. Leave me your name, and I'll announce the winner on Friday. Wish me luck!