For my birthday, one of the gifts my husband bought for me was a new rotaty cutter.  I had two rotary cutters, but they were very old and with the arthritis that I have in my right hand even though I kept replacing the blades, it was getting to be so hard to cut with them.  Some of you know what I mean.  The old ones were from "way back when" ---  definitely when ergomonics was not on the mind!  I am really pleased with this new design, so I thought I would mention how to find out more about it.  It is by Martelli and I have not seen  it in any stores.  I read about it online.  You can visit http://www.martellinotions.com/ to find out more.  (Pay attention to the fact that there is a left hand and a right hand model.)

Now, what was my other special gift from my husband?  It was a book - American Quilts, The Democratic Art, 1780-2007.  I am really enjoying that, too.  My husband knows that you cannot go wrong with me when it comes to gifts if you lean towards gardening and quilting!  Yes, there have been years where I have asked for things like a wheelbarrow, a pitchfork, or bags of potting soil.  Those of you who garden will understand. 

Speaking of my garden, I think every one of my tomato seeds must have grown.  I transplanted the Giraffe tomatoes a few days ago when it was about 90 degrees outside. (Arg!  Way too hot for April!)  Even though they were only at the stage where they had their first set of seedling leaves, everyone of them survived the transplanting.  I kept them in the shade for one afternoon and then back outside they went.  That is what I love about winter sowing - no coddling these plants!