In the past, I have been known to take my birthday off from work. My birthday is on Saturday this year; but, I am still technically taking the day off because it's finals week and I could have been working from noon till 10 at night, which is about as much fun as it sounds. In any case, if I had a free day for my birthday this year, I would have spent the day quilting. I just counted, I have 14 quilts in the "mostly done" or "pretty much done" stage. It's pretty ridiculous.
Speaking of quilts, yeah, my segues are horrible this year, I know... today's big give/gift is a novamade quilt pattern. The astute among you are probably thinking "but Nova, you don't have any quilt patterns..." Well, yes and no. I have been sitting on a quilt pattern for a few months now. I am cleaning it up and will be releasing the pattern, let's say next week (if I say it, then it will be so?). In any case, if you play the novakkah game today, you can win the pattern before you can buy it (hey, I sound like a radio station ad, no?).
It's my Interlocked pattern (yes! I finally got around to it!). It's been test quilted, I have made a few versions, and it's a great pattern (she says humbly). It's beginner friendly, and fun (and pretty easy, too). In any case... a pattern, and since a pattern with no fabric is no fun, I will throw in the accent squares for the quilt. I will talk to the winner to get an idea of what size quilt you want to make (the pattern is written for three sizes) and the kind of fabric you'd like. I am pretty sure I have most preferences covered.
To be considred for this prize today, please tell me: if you were given the gift of a "free day" for your next birthday, how would you spend the day?
I will take comments for this post, and all Novakkah posts, until 11:59 EST (or2359, should you prefer that), Saturday, May 12th. Please leave your responses on the appropriate post. One entry per post/person. I will show you what I have to gift each day and let you know what you need to tell me to try to get it. Giftees will be selected on the 13th and gifts sent out shortly thereafter.
Nice!! My birthday falls in November, right before Thanksgiving, so it usually is a free day -- if I could spend it any way, I'd do what I did last year! The whole family on my mom's side was all together for Thanksgiving and it was so wonderful, in my parent's house with the fireplace and coffee and my boyfriend getting to meet everyone, and the cousins all around. I loved it.
Posted by: Hannahbelle | May 10, 2012 at 12:39 AM
If I had a free day, I would probably spend it spinning, reading, writing, and playing board games with my son Acorn and various friends and relatives.
Posted by: Lou | May 10, 2012 at 01:42 AM
It IS my birthday today AND I took the day off, and all I want to do is sew.
Posted by: lauren | May 10, 2012 at 08:03 AM
My fiftieth is my next birthday and I've already put in my request - go to Portland and spend the weekend. My daughter is starting college and it will be the first time she is away on my birthday.
Posted by: jill | May 10, 2012 at 08:32 AM
My birthday will be only a few weeks after my wedding, and if I'm still at my current job I'll definitely have the day off. I'd look forward to a day of cooking, crafting, and spending the evening with my husband. :)
Posted by: Mary | May 10, 2012 at 09:14 AM
Well, ever since I had to start summer school on my birthday, I've made a point of taking my birthday off. I think I've spent 1 or 2 underway, but otherwise, it's Kathy Day! If there is a baseball game (like there will be this year) I always go. And I knit. And I don't clean. And I read. Sometimes I take a bath. Oh, and Rocky cooks dinner. It's pretty much the same plan every year - cram as much of my favorite hobbies into one day and try not to be stressed or do any work.
Posted by: Kathy | May 10, 2012 at 11:44 AM
I'm lucky because my work gives us our birthdays off as a vacation day. It is a very nice perk! Usually on my birthdays I relax, knit, spin and read. Or generally do nothing!
Posted by: AnneK | May 10, 2012 at 12:54 PM
Oh boy. I would love to go out to breakfast with my hubby, eventually go work out and then have a nice, relaxing massage. Lunch with Mom would be fun, followed by a little shopping. Time out for knitting and a little nap. Dinner (in or out) with my girls, and CAKE!!
Happy Novakkah!! ;)
Posted by: Vicki | May 10, 2012 at 02:17 PM
Right after a long day at work is probably not the best time to answer this, but spur of the moment, all I can dream of is putting my sore legs in a lake and just listening to the birds singing and the water lapping against the bank.
Posted by: Jennifer | May 10, 2012 at 02:59 PM
I guess your comment about unquilted projects answers a question I was going to ask. I wondered if you were at the point to do quilting for others. I've got a project that I would like to get quilted, since my FMQ skills aren't really up to snuff.
So! Back to the topic at hand, my birthday is right after Christmas, and I typically am off work/school. Unfortunately, though, most friends were always out of town or gearing up for new year's, and wold skip out on celebrating. If I had a free day, I would also love to spend it quilting. And maybe throw in some sushi, ice cream, and a nap!
Posted by: Jacey | May 10, 2012 at 03:32 PM
Seeing how today is actually my birthday and I have the day off, I'll just let you know what I did today. :)
I spent the day playing around with my new Kindle Fire, got a massage, enjoyed a cocktail and a nap. Now I'm just waiting for my husband to get home so we can go to dinner!
Posted by: carolyn | May 10, 2012 at 04:54 PM
My birthday's in mid-March, when the weather is quite unpredictable here, and what I'd do with a free day would depend on that to some extent. On a nice day (which could be a nice winter day or a nice spring day, but would definitely be clear and calm even if it was cold) I'd like to spend part of the day outside hiking or cross-country skiing. On a not-so-nice day I'd stay indoors with a nice cup of tea, a couple of library books, and my knitting.
Posted by: ikkinlala | May 10, 2012 at 07:07 PM
Well, if I win this one I would spend it piecing and quilting! Actually, I might do that anyway. I seem to recall a few quilt tops that are cut out and languishing in a cupboard.
Posted by: Annika | May 10, 2012 at 08:45 PM
wow! I need another hobby like a need a hole in the head (which is my phrase of the week apparently) but I've been thinking of taking up quilting after seeing Lorax fabric (link in case you care to see http://www.fabric.com/eco-friendly-organic-boutique-organic-quilting-cotton-print-fabric-the-lorax-organic.aspx).
I'd probably spend a free day knitting...or maybe learning to quilt. :)
Posted by: katie metzroth | May 11, 2012 at 02:43 PM
My birthday is in December, so having a free day isn't that exciting in December because the weather's usually cold and crap. I'd probably spend it at the movies. But if I had a free day for my birthday and it were in May, I'd go up the coast and take the ferry out to one of the islands and spend the day wandering around and eating ice cream and looking at pretty island houses.
Posted by: anne | May 11, 2012 at 08:45 PM
I would start by stopping for some coffee, and doing a little bit of clothes shopping. Then I would visit a couple of local yarn stores. In the afternoon, I would read a book, and possibly take a short, guilt-free nap. I would then make a nice dinner for us, one that takes longer than we usually have during the week. And I would have made a stop a the fancy bakery to pick up something decadent for dessert.
Posted by: oogyknitter | May 13, 2012 at 08:58 AM
I really need to finish my test version of Interlocked, eh!! ;)
Posted by: carolyn | May 13, 2012 at 10:42 AM