Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Flowers, Bunnies, & Blocks


Anyone can do any amount of work, provided it isn't the work he is supposed to be doing at that moment.
~Robert Benchley

I like learning something new.  But I also like taking the easy road working on something familiar but not tedious.  I have several projects waiting in the wings and just can't seem to finish any of the ones waiting for me on the bed in the spare room (my storage unit).  I like working on the BOM projects and the swaps.  I am enjoying working on my wool project too.  I just can't seem to get enough hours to do them all when I want to.  Every day I look at the pile of UFO's and think "Today will be the day that I will work on at least on of those."  And into my sewing room I go, starting a new block or working on the swap that I just didn't have time to finish the day before.  My "Daily Goal" has definitely helped me accomplish things.  I think that if I were to work on just quilting then I wouldn't have anything to share with you and I really like sharing.  Do any of you other bloggers out there have this same dilemma?

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PHOTO FACT OF THE DAY

Grapefruit

February is National Grapefruit Month.  Another obscure day of celebration that you probably didn't know about.  Citrus x paradisi, the forbidden fruit, shaddock, pamplemousse...those are the terms refer to the common grapefruit now sold in most grocery stores year round.  National Grapefruit Month was probably established to promote consuming the fruit.  Did you know........  1) Shaddock is an old name for grapefruit. Some sources say grapefruit originated in a natural cross-pollination between two other citrus, on the island of Barbados.... 2) The pomelo or Chinese grapefruit is one of the parents of modern grapefruit. Pomelo is much larger than grapefruit, with a thick rind, but is said to be sweeter than grapefruit.... 3) The United States produced 1,580,000 tonnes, (that's about 1,738,000 tons,) of grapefruit in 2007. The U.S. exported more grapefruit than any other country in 2004, to the tune of $227 million.  In that same year, Japan spent about that much money importing grapefruit.... 4) Red grapefruit is the state fruit of Texas.... 5) Substances in grapefruit juice can affect how certain medications work. 
Okay.  Now I'm hungry for grapefruit and there isn't a single one in the house - lol!

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IF IT'S WEDNESDAY......

It must be One Flower Wednesday.  I am sharing One hexie flower made for me and One hexie flower I made myself - a double One Flower Day!
Over the weekend I received a hexie flower in the mail from my partner in the Inchy Hexagon Flower Swap.

This beautiful hexie flower was made for me by Bell (or Isabella).  My request was for either red or blue with a white center and this certainly fits the bill.  The red is so much brighter in person.  Bell also included a cute card with teddy bears.  Thanks for the wonderful hexie, Bell!

Recently I was able to make another hexie for myself. 

I really like how the little pinwheels worked on the petals for this flower.  And the bright colors are a perfect addition for my GFG Quilt.

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ANOTHER BLOCK RECEIVED

Over the weekend I received a block from my swap partner in the Christmas Quilting Block Swap Australia.

This beautiful block was made for me by Maria.  It has highlights of gold both in the background fabric in the stars and in the holly leaves.  Maria also included a little packet of decorative buttons (that I will definitely use) and a bright and cheery card full of tropical birds.  Thank you for the fantastic block, Maria!

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QUILTED TABLE APPLIQUE

Yesterday my goal was to work on my blocks for the Quilted Table Swap that started recently.  I signed up to make 6 blocks - 3 of the bunny applique and 3 of the carrot applique.  This is a no sew swap.  We are to only fuse the pieces allowing each recipient to do the finishing applique to their liking.  I was able to cut out all of the fusible web and iron it on the corresponding fabric.  But I was only able to finish up two of the blocks.

This is the trio of carrots.  The pattern for the tops is rather odd shaped I think.

This is the first bunny block that I fused together.  I think he turned out rather cute in his pink floral body.  I will be making two more of each of the blocks.  All of the carrot blocks are made with the same fabric but the I have made the bunnies each in a different fabric.
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HOT PAD EXCHANGE


Cheryll over at Gone Stitchin' is hosting another fun exchange.  This time we will be swapping Hot Pads.  These are sort of like over sized mug rugs and measure 16" X 10".  There are to be NO Tuck Ins in this swap.  It is another secret swap.  Doesn't this sound like fun?  If you would like to join, just click on the link under the picture above.

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TODAY'S GOAL

I am going to fuse the other four blocks for the swap and then maybe start quilting the mini quilt I made a few months ago.

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GIVEAWAYS

A Quilting Life is having One More Giveaway!  You could win a fat quarter bundle of Dan Bennett's Wild Garden Collection by Westminster Fabrics from Canton Village Quilt Works.  This giveaway ends Thursday evening.

Use The Loot is celebrating finishing of her mini project with a giveaway.  Evelyn is giving away a charm pack of 30-ish prints.  She will pick a winner on Thursday!

One More Quilt is having her Odds & Ends Giveaway #4.  This time Frances is giving away a little over 1 yard of silky Christmas design fabric.  Her DH will pull a name out of the hat on February 17th at 10:00 am.

Less than a week to enter my THINK SPRING GIVEAWAY!

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FINAL THOUGHT

The clouds are moving.  There's a promise of rain in the air.  We are supposed to cool down again with possible snow preventing travel of the major passes to the south.  Another storm will be following on its heels for the weekend.  It never seems to fail that our last big winter storm of the season falls on the President's weekend.  I will miss winter.  It never lasts long here.  Spring will be arriving with all intensity next week soon to followed by the hot weather of summer.  For the next couple of days I will enjoy the pitter-patter of rain, the clouds scurrying by overhead and the cooler temperatures.  How much longer is winter supposed to last in your region?

The color of springtime is in the flowers, the color of winter is in the imagination.
~Terri Guillemets
Wonderful Wednesday is welcoming!

24 comments:

Mommarock said...

Is your GFG quilt one inch hexies as well? That block is delightful! You do them just so perfect!!! I'd love to see a snapshot of all of yours laid out :) Are you stitching them together as you go or making a pile like me?

And this would be . . . . said...

Where do you get your photo facts from? I love reading them. I love the pinwheel hexie. I am trying to fussy cut some and it does not always work out. Enjoy your day.

Lynda said...

All of your hexie flowers seem to be well thought out with great fussy cutting. I am anxious to see them all together too. Love the bunny and carrot blocks.

quiltingnana said...

your daily goal idea is one I should take seriously. love how the pinwheels look on the flower

Cheryl said...

You already know how I battle staying focused and completing things. Love all your blocks. Another swap???

Maria said...

Love your hexies especially the yellow one with the windmills.

Pleased the block arrived and you like it.

Wendy said...

I love the pinwheel petals on your hex flower...they are so cute!

And I can totally relate to your "dilemma". I spent the last 2days turning circles around my sewing room trying to decide what to do next. I have a very hard time leaving unfinished projects...so they are always in the back of my mind making it hard to enjoy what I'm currently working on. I just have to really limit the number of things I have going.

Btw, now I want grapefruit and there's none in my house either.

Vroomans' Quilts said...

I have a lot of UFO's too, but on 3 challenge lists so hope to meet those obligations which will clean those out. I'm doing only 2 BOMs this year, but enjoying the swaps and other on-line activities - having FUN sewing time.

I love all your wonderful hexies - the fussy cutting on those is amazing.

What a great closing quote. Oh, I hate winter here in New England - too much snow and sub zero temps this year. A few warm days to tease and then back to the snow/cold.

Sarah Craig said...

I share your dilemma - which is why I do Make-A-List Mondays! I decide on Monday what the most important things I need to do that week are, then refer back to the list every time I feel my wheels (or my head) spinning! Granted, sometimes stuff has to be added to the list, or substituted, but it really does help! And I usually manage to get it all done, which is a great boost to the morale when I look at all that remains to be done!

And we're having a wonderful week of above-freezing temps - it's supposed to hit 70 here tomorrow - but while I would love for this to last, I bet we'll be back to cold temps soon for a little while. Our local weatherman recommends not putting anything out to plant that can't freeze until 4/15 - and he's usually right! I am so-o-o-o ready for spring!!

Ann Marie @ 16 Muddy Feet said...

I love reading your blog.........

Miss Hillbilly said...

Love your hexie flower today!

Warmer days are coming....

Scrappy quilter said...

I like your hexies and that block from the swap..lovely.

Birdie said...

I've got that yellow fabric in 5" squares, not sure how much is left but WOW I really like what you have done with it. I have the same problem, way too many things on the go, have to try everything new I see, and have lots of half way completed projects. Never run out of things to do at least.

WoolenSails said...

I love how you fussy cut your hexagons, that is really a fun one. Great idea for a kid's quilt. Now I am hungry for some grapefruit;)

Debbie

Joanna said...

Your hexie is so sweet, and I agree with you that the pinwheels make it so. I love the block your partner sent to you and your rabbit and carrots. Those are too cute.

krisgray said...

Enjoy reading your fact of the day. Some grapefruit sounds good to me too!

Jeanette said...

Your hexie is so cute. Love the pinwheels. Love the carrots & rabbit blocks. Hugs,

Shannon said...

Your hexie so so cute!!

Gene Black said...

I love to eat Ruby Red grapefruit. mMmmmmmm

The pinwheels on your hexie are great!

Karen said...

Love the rich red of Bell's flower and how cute is your flower! And, speaking of cute, look at the carrots and bunny!

joe tulips said...

Let me think...the grass starts getting green during the last part of March. The leaves are usually out by the end of April and we start mowing the first part of May.
I checked into the swap and decided watching what you make will be just fun too!

Anorina @SameliasMum said...

I adore your pinwheels hexy. What fabulous fabric. So bright and chirpy :-)

Renate Bischoff said...

The hexagonflower with the pinwheels is so cute.

merumo said...

I like your blooms in vitamin's colors! You seem to have a lot going on with fun projects :)))) Have fun!

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