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

Let's 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!