Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Bees, Sneeze, and Weas

The trouble with weather forecasting is that it's right too often for us to ignore it and wrong too often for us to rely on it.
~Patrick Young

They promised us sun yesterday.  All day long sun.  Can you guess how much sun we actually saw?  About an hour.  The rest of the day it was hidden behind clouds that weren't supposed to be there.  The temp was a nice 68 (as promised) but little sun.  The birds were singing and flitting about.  The bees were even lazily buzzing around trying to get their wings warmed up without that promised sun.  The tulips remained closed but the Gerberas decided to show us some color.  Maybe today?  Maybe tomorrow?  That allusive sun.  The provider of all warmth.  I really didn't miss it and am not looking forward to those days of endless sunshine and the heat of summer.  But if you're going to give me clouds you might as well throw some rain in there too.  Thank goodness I'm not a weather forecaster.

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PHOTO FACT OF THE DAY

Kleenex

In 1924, the Kleenex brand of facial tissue was first introduced. Kleenex tissue was invented as a means to remove cold cream. Early advertisements linked Kleenex to Hollywood makeup departments and sometimes included endorsements from movie stars (Helen Hayes and Jean Harlow) who used Kleenex to remove their theatrical make-up with cold cream. By 1926, Kimberly-Clark Corporation, the manufacturer of Kleenex, became intrigued by the number of letters from customers stating that they used their product as a disposable handkerchief.
A test was conducted in the Peoria, Illinois newspaper. Ads were run depicting the two main uses of Kleenex; either as a means to remove cold cream or as disposable handkerchief for blowing noses. The readers were asked to respond. Results showed that 60% used Kleenex tissue for blowing their nose. By 1930, Kimberly-Clark had changed the way they advertised Kleenex and sales doubled proving that the customer is always right. The word Kleenex is now commonly used to describe any soft facial tissue. However, Kleenex is the trademarked name of the soft facial tissue manufactured and sold by the Kimberly-Clark Corporation.

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HEXIE DAY

Today is Wednesday so that automatically makes it One Flower Wednesday.  I almost forgot about making a hexie flower until late Monday afternoon.....

I guess I'm still on a green kick as far as flowers go.  All the little frogs made me think of spring when the little toads and frogs usually start appearing along creeks and lake shores.  To check out other wonderful hexie flowers you can click on the link above or on the button on the side bar.  There are some very talented ladies out there creating some of the cutest and prettiest flowers around.

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BEE BLOCK

Yesterday I went waaaaaaay out of my comfort zone to create a block for April, this month's hostess for Bee In Oz......

She sent us most of the material needed for this mosaic block - I added two pieces of my own fabric.  As most of you know, I'm very much a traditional piecer.  Give me a pattern or the measurements and I can pretty much produce whatever you ask.  But to ask me to go wonky or abstract and I start to sweat.  April did provide an excellent tutorial but I still had to work with odd shapes and NO PATTERN OR DIMENSIONS other than the finished size of the block - 12.5".  I didn't intend for the block to be cut in half with such straightness and the upper horizontal sashing was supposed to me more angled too.  But this is what I produced.  I really do like the affect of the narrow black sashing and all of the angles that were created.  I just didn't like being the one to create it.  I have to say, being a member of Bee In Oz has really tested me and we've only been at it for four months - lol!
We were also asked to create a 3" signature block....

It may not look like it but it really is square - lol.  And working the mosaic in miniature was even more challenging.  Thank goodness I get a month to rest before I find out what I will asked to make next month - whew!

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RELAXATION

And this is what Snickerdoodle (on the right) and Weasley (buried under the afghan) did while I pulled out my hair creating the mosaic block!

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TODAY'S GOAL

I don't know how much sewing I will get done today but I would like to work on my monthly mini quilt since April is just two days away (if you count today!)

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GIVEAWAYS

Sew We Quilt is having her end of the month giveaway.  You could win a copy of The Quilters Bible and a jelly roll of Bella white.  This giveaway ends Monday.

Sew We Quilt is also have a GO! Baby giveaway.  As with the previous giveaway, this one end Monday also.

The Vintage Sheet Blog is having a giveaway.  Jodi from Come Tarry With Me is giving away a yummy bundle of goodies or vintage sheet pieces.  This giveaway ends Monday, April 4th.

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FINAL THOUGHT

As we journey through life there are bumps in the road that throw us for a curve.  My DH's BFF just lost his mother to cancer.  She fought the fight valiantly for over two years but the cancer finally one.  Her death made remember my dad's final hours.  He knew when his time was almost over.  He made sure we knew where things were and which doctor to call.  He made sure to tell us he loved us and to tell us he would always be with us in spirit.  Apparently this not an uncommon occurrence.  That wonderful woman did the same thing with her family in the wee hours of Monday morning.  No matter what the doctor's say, a person knows when it is their time to go.  I have heard of too many cases like this.  I hope, that when it is my time, that I too, will be able to call the family around for one last hug and kiss, and final word, a final good-bye, see you later.  Don't worry, I'm not planning on doing that any time soon but I just hope it happens that way for me too.

The day which we fear as our last is but the birthday of eternity.
 ~Seneca

May your day be full of sunshine and rainbows, smiles and happiness!

29 comments:

Barbara said...

Love the bee block! Looks a bit like stained glass. Have been away, will catch up soon. Cute, cute, cute doxies burrowing and sleeping. Makes me want to start over with another, but alas, not meant to be.

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

Love the hexie. It is so cute and does say spring! Also love the block. I had to do a wonky block last month and one this month for the Block Swap. I get sweats thinking of doing wonky too.

Barb said...

Your hexie is soooo adorable!

Vroomans' Quilts said...

What a cute Hexie - green, yes I've been stuck on green too. We've had sun, but bitter cold with winds and a few flurries.

A mini sounds good - I have a smallish wallhanging set for April's list, but could pull it out for a finish. Have a sewingly Weds.

Needled Mom said...

I LOVE your modern block. You did an awesome job on it. And....the frog hexie....waaay too cute!!!

Sorry to hear about DH's BFF loss. It would be wonderful to have an idea of that moment to call everyone near for one final goodbye. My SIL's father did the same thing over the weekend and everyone was there for the end.

Mommarock said...

Those hexies are perfection. I can't wait to start making my fussy cut hexie quilt.. I'm starting to collect some fabric as I go.. I'm sure it will take me forever to get there as I'm a newbie quilter.. but I may have to change from every block a different pattern to what you are doing.. LOVE IT!. And you are a woman after my own heart.. DOXIES!! I have 3. Ripley, Ginger, and Franklin. My babies!

Maria said...

I wish I could send you some of our ,what seems to be, everylasting sunshine.

Oh the frog hexie is so cute and the mosaic block looks fabulous.

nono said...

I love the mosiac block. It looks so fun!

Lynda said...

I so enjoy your one flower Wednesday blocks. I love, love, love the mosaic block. I think I need to know how to make that one. You did a great job...always good to be stretched.

Jocelyn said...

Thanks for the insights about Klennex tissues. I always wondered why they were called facial tissues :-)

Megan Harmeyer said...

YOU BETTER BE AROUND A WHILE! Your Final Thought today made me tear up - not good (but good at the same time). Anyway...your flower hexie is cute and I really like the mosaic square.

Sarah Craig said...

I'd like a job as a weatherman - where else can you be wrong so much of the time, and still keep your job? Love your bee block - even if it was a torment to make!!

Staci said...

Oh, I'm sorry you didn't enjoy the Mod Mosaic block! I made my first one last week, and loved doing it. No seams to match or point to worry about. It did feel strange to do though! I'm going to ask for them when it is my bee month--but don't worry--not Let's Bee Together--a different one! LOL!

My thoughts have been going in the same direction. We are attending another funeral this weekend; this makes 7 people we know who have passed away since just before Christmas; 1 relative, several close friends and a few acquaintances from church. Some were older people, some younger, and one child. Your thoughts can't help but dwell on those who have passed, and those who grieve for them. I am thankful to say, all of the 7 went peacefully in their sleep, some after long illness and some after short, surprising illnesses, but peacefully in the end. May we all have such an entrance into eternity.

Okay, time to go play with fabric, I'm getting all teary!

Lee Prairie Designs said...

Love your frog fabric hexie! Thanks for sharing, Carolyn :)

Birdie said...

I must admit I am rather jealous, love the frogs. Your bee block is lovely, I haven't tried mosaic blocks, but they are on my list.

Shannon said...

What a fun Bee block. i am like you, I like a pattern. That would be a tough block but it looks great! I am sorry for your husbands BFF's lose. It is hard to loss a loved one. My husbands dad died a few years ago. We had lived with them for 18 months and took care of him. Take care!

Barbara said...

I sympathize with the lack of sunshine. I don't think it's stopped raining in Portland since we got back from our trip.

You reminded me of a story from when I was a social worker in the emergency department many years ago. One elderly sister brought the other elderly sister to the ER because she had stopped eating and speaking. She kept her eyes closed all the time. Regardless of what the doctor or I asked her, she simply moaned, "It doesn't matter." She seemed in perfect health physically, except for being elderly. For lack of anything better to do with her, we admitted her to the psychiatric unit for evaluation. About a half hour after leaving the ER, we heard the "code" (for cardiac arrest) called on the psych unit. She arrested and died. I know she knew, and she was right. It didn't matter what we did. She had been called home, and she was going.

Anonymous said...

I always enjoy your "fact for the day" and your Wednesday hexies, too! I would be extremely stretched to create one of those mosaic blocks; yours is just beautiful! I'm starting to get intrigued by them... maybe that will be a project to go on my list: I think I'm scheduling in 2014 now! LOL
Jacque in SC
quiltnsrep(at)yahoo(dot)com

Karyli said...

I love your frog flower and your mosaic block is absolutely amazing. I like to stick to traditional designs too but some of the non-traditional ideas produce nice results. I've been trying a few new things lately too - and sweating over it. :)

Leslie said...

Your quote "The day which we fear as our last is but the birthday of eternity." (Seneca) really speaks to me. My son passed away two years ago and just as you wrote, he said his good-byes, got things in order and let us know he loved us.

Gene Black said...

That is a very interesting fact about Kleenex. I am a trivia collector and I did NOT know that one.

Your abstract block looks great.
If you wanted to not have the block divided in half as it is, you could split the lower half (as in the picture.) Then move that quarter strip to the top and add another black strip to separate the areas (and add back in what you lose in seam allowances)

Deborah in Atlanta said...

I love your frog hexie. And the mosaic block??? I think that is my favorite by far! The black sashing totally makes that block, and I'm glad you stepped outside your comfort zone. When I left my first (and only) class on paper-piecing, I swore I would never, ever, EVER paper-piece anything again in my life. I absolutely hated it. But my daughter recently requested a quilt, and it required paper-piecing. A lot of paper-piecing. She's never asked for a quilt before, so I was bound and determined I would make it for her. And I'm almost finished with it. Still don't love paper-piecing, but I did it.

Pat said...

Your hexie is so cute! I love your fussy cuts.

Patty C. said...

The Hexi si too cute !!

Karen said...

Another fun flower this week and the Bee block is excellent!

Jeanette said...

I love your gorgeous frog flower. It is so cute. Happy Stitching,

WoolenSails said...

Love those frogs, you find the most fun things to fussy cut. You did a beautiful job on the mosaic, really like that look.

Debbie

Wendy said...

Love the frogs!

Saskia said...

Always love to read your blogs.
Always so true! Like the frog flower, and your last comment I know is true to.
I too have stories like that to tell.

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