See everything; overlook a great deal; correct a little.
~Pope John XXIII
How was your weekend? Mine was meh. Not much going on. Ran errands and did wash. Nothing even exciting to watch on tv. We were lucky enough to receive a little rain in the early hours of Sunday morning and were blessed with much cooler temps. That was the highlight of my weekend. Some weekends are just like that - not worth reporting on. Hopefully that means my week will be productive and maybe a little creative. I guess life is what I make of it - so no one else to blame but me for the blahs and humbugs.
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PHOTO FACT OF THE DAY
Bridal Bouquet
We are quickly approaching June, the most popular month for weddings. Do you know why brides carry floral bouquets? About the time of the Middle Ages, people took their one bath of the year about April, when the weather was starting to warm up. Marriages traditionally took place in June and, by that time, people were starting to smell a bit ripe. Therefore the bride would carry flowers to help cover the offensive odor. The annual baths themselves consisted of a big tub of hot water. The man of the house got the nice, hot, clean water, then all the other male members of the household from sons to servants, followed by the lowly women and, last of all, the baby. By that time, the water was so filthy, you couldn't see into it and tiny tots could actually get lost in it, hence the expression, "Don't throw the baby out with the bath water." We've come a long way baby. Flowers symbolize a number of emotions, values and wishes. In the past, brides carried flowers or herbs because they were believed to ward off evil spirits. Today, brides carry flowers to follow tradition, and to add beauty and elegance to their wedding.
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CAN YOU SOLVE THE MYSTERY
Friday I finished the 12th and final block in the Designer Mystery BOM from Fat Quarter Shop. Would you like to help me figure out what it is? Let's get started......
Here is the fabric I had to work with. Just love this Kate Spain fabric, 12 Days of Christmas. So let's get cutting.....
Here are all the pieces, cut and ready to go. Didn't take much time at all.
These were the first two pieces. Could it be Santa's wife with the skinny little waist? No, probably not. Maybe one of the sexy little store elves that you see in the department stores? Oh, don't go there......
Simple strips were next. I have absolutely no guesses - how about you?
Four HSTs and two more little strips. Elf slippers and ?
This looks like a slice of candy cane to me. But what about those letters?
Could this be a popcicle? Or maybe a road sign indicating snow ahead? Come on - you must have a guess as to what the block might be......
Did you guess right? This block is called The Final Touch and was designed by Sherri Falls of This and That Patterns. I have already cut out the sashings and corner stones for this quilt and hope to start assembling it next week.
And not to worry, this isn't our last mystery together. I have already signed up for the 2011 Designer Mystery BOM. This time it will be a spectacular flower garden filled with blooms and blossoms featuring the Strawberry Fields collection by Fig Tree Quilts for Moda Fabrics. I'm already looking forward to June!
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BALTIMORE BASICS CONTINUES
Friday I also started a new block for the Baltimore Basics quilt.....
These are future stems and will be only 1/8" thick. I'm learning a new method so I will see how it works. I'm a little nervous about the center of the block so keep your fingers crossed for me.
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TODAY'S GOAL
Today I will make two 6 1/2" blocks for my swap partner Sallie.
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GIVEAWAYS
The Raspberry Rabbits is having a giveaway. You could win a DVD called Quilting Art's, it's workshop on making fabric journals. This giveaway ends Wednesday, May 18.
Hawthorne Threads is having their weekly giveaway. You could win a Rosalie Quinlan Sweet Broderie fat quarter bundle in Morning. A winner will be selected on Wednesday, May 18.
Eclectic Quilter is having a giveaway. Marj is trying to name her new long arm machine. You could win a copy of Machine Freehand Patterns by Nan Moore. This giveaway ends Tuesday, May 18.
The Quilting Booklady is having a giveaway. To celebrate Spring Market, Becky is giving away the pattern by Pat Wys and fabric to make your very own version of Tic Tac. But hurry, this giveaway ends tonight, Wednesday, May 18, at 6:00 pm, EST.
Little Miss Shabby is having a final birthday giveaway. She is giving away a custom pillow designed just for the lucky winner! This giveaway end Friday, May 20.
1 Choice 4 Quilting is having a "Super Duper Duper Super" fabric giveaway. There is just too much to list here but there will be 10 lucky winners!!! The lucky winners will be drawn on Sunday, May 29, at 10:00 pm EST.
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FINAL THOUGHT
My week looks fairly normal. Luckily there's no grocery shopping this week :D I have been contemplating going to a local guild meeting Thursday evening. I would really like to be able to attend when they have speakers or to be able to attend when they have classes. I'm just not sure. I'm not sure if I will like being in a large group - I never have been fond of groups. I'm not sure if my quilting is up their standards. I'm not sure how welcoming they would be. I guess the only way to find out is to attend the meeting. I still have a few days to decide - I'll let you know.
A peacefulness follows any decision, even the wrong one.
~Rita Mae Brown
Make your Monday marvelous!!
Hawthorne Threads is having their weekly giveaway. You could win a Rosalie Quinlan Sweet Broderie fat quarter bundle in Morning. A winner will be selected on Wednesday, May 18.
Eclectic Quilter is having a giveaway. Marj is trying to name her new long arm machine. You could win a copy of Machine Freehand Patterns by Nan Moore. This giveaway ends Tuesday, May 18.
The Quilting Booklady is having a giveaway. To celebrate Spring Market, Becky is giving away the pattern by Pat Wys and fabric to make your very own version of Tic Tac. But hurry, this giveaway ends tonight, Wednesday, May 18, at 6:00 pm, EST.
Little Miss Shabby is having a final birthday giveaway. She is giving away a custom pillow designed just for the lucky winner! This giveaway end Friday, May 20.
1 Choice 4 Quilting is having a "Super Duper Duper Super" fabric giveaway. There is just too much to list here but there will be 10 lucky winners!!! The lucky winners will be drawn on Sunday, May 29, at 10:00 pm EST.
=================================
FINAL THOUGHT
My week looks fairly normal. Luckily there's no grocery shopping this week :D I have been contemplating going to a local guild meeting Thursday evening. I would really like to be able to attend when they have speakers or to be able to attend when they have classes. I'm just not sure. I'm not sure if I will like being in a large group - I never have been fond of groups. I'm not sure if my quilting is up their standards. I'm not sure how welcoming they would be. I guess the only way to find out is to attend the meeting. I still have a few days to decide - I'll let you know.
A peacefulness follows any decision, even the wrong one.
~Rita Mae Brown
Make your Monday marvelous!!
21 comments:
I really did love that BOM! I look forward to seeing all the blocks put together.
Yes, go to the meeting! Them report to all of us what you thought. I know your feelings about groups (sometimes great and others not so much) and measuring up with skills, but you will surely find you measure up just fine!
Thanks for another enjoyable post. I agree the weekend was blah, my highlight was going to visit my friend's LQS to buy a goodie for a swap. I say go to the meeting. I alwasys feel the way you do and try to talk myself out of going, but when I do I always enjoy the interaction. In fact I just tied my hands by volunteering to be the historian and take pictures at the meetings of the show and tell!
Go to the meeting - BUT - to really feel like a part of the group you are going to have to become involved. I joined a guild when I moved out here and it was hard to get to know everyone or even anyone until you spend more than the 20 minutes during the "break" in the meeting. Our guild has retreats, workshops and any other ways to get involved. I chaired the last quilt show after being a member for less than 6 months. Needless to say I now know a lot of the gals, and it's great. AND from what I've seen, girl, you have absolutely NOTHING to worry about with "being good enough", your piecing is/was fantastic!!
Love your blocks, we had a wild weekend traveling to dd's graduation. You'll get those blocks done....and let's see...I did repost your quilt since blogger seemed to gobble up all of last Thursday's postings.
have a great one!!!
Oh, I agree - go to the meeting. Wear a name tag so you are immediately identified. Seek out the officers and introduce yourself. You don't need to judge yourself against anyone.
I love the Mystery BOM - the fabric is just beautiful and compliments all the elements.
The new one look so pretty and I love FIg Tree, but I have enough on my plate. Very tempting though.
My swap blocks are going in the mail this morning so they arrive in time. 3-4 weeks to get to Australia in these times is outragious. My package to France took 4 days.
I hope to assemble all my rows for my 'bright' color list May For Me project today.
My weekend was anything but blah! I got to spend it with my daughter and granddaughter and her husband and part of his family. We went to a Chalk Walk. Lots of artists from grade school on up to professionals drew wonderful pictures up and down Main Street just to entertain us all.
Love the ornament block and I'm looking forward to seeing the whole quilt put together. I do love that you share these mysteries with us.
Have a great week!
I agree with the others - you should go to the meeting and see for yourself. Most guilds are friendly and accepting. Most make you feel good about what you've done.
I love the ornament block!
I love that Christmas mystery quilt! Wish I could make one, too. :) How was my weekend? It was pretty cool - my h.s. senior had her final concert and got the top bandsman award from the directors, so we were pretty ecstatic about that. I can't believe she's graduating and moving away to college in a few short months!!
The bridal bouquet story reminded me of the first time I heard the real meaning of the nursery rhyme, Ring Around the Rosey. I am glad things have changed.
That is a great block. It will make a nice addition to the rest of them. Glad you are going to participate again.
I think you would enjoy the guild. Most are very low pressure and you would love the speakers and classes. Our last guild meeting I was bookended in my chair by two gals who were "trying it out" and neither had ever quilted before. We also have a few quilt book authors so there is a wide range of talent in them, but all very gracious and helpful.
Mercy, one bath a year. And then putting my baby in that water. YUCK!!! I guess the practice of the men,then women, then babies was common clear up til a couple hundred years ago, but I am so thankful to live in a 'clean' era. Well, bath time wise anyway.
The ornament block is so cute! Love it. What a coincidence that you posted about bridal bouquets. Today, my husband and I are celebrating our 30th wedding anniversary!
I still have my bridal bouquet. For some reason, silk flowers were all the rage in 1981. I dried the very pricey flowers from my daughter's bouquet after her recent wedding. When my husband and I married, our entire wedding and reception didn't even cost as much as our daughter's dress! LOL! We all smelled wonderfully clean, though. ;-)
The Christmas block is great - that is a fun Christmas range. I look forward to seeing how those narrow stems go - I'm sure you will have fun with it :-)
The Final Touch block is awesome, and I love the fabrics that were used. And I love the way you tease us and try to make us guess what the finished product will be. And like the others, I say you should go to the meeting. You'll find quilters from one end of the spectrum to the other.
Me, too, Linda.
I agree with all who have said to go to your Guild meeting.
I've found a lovely bunch of gals though our Guild.
Tomorrow evening is our monthly meeting.
hugs,
Gerry
Yep, Linda...I think you should go to the meeting. However, I do...toad-ally understand how you feel. I don't really like to go to group things alone, the first couple of times. I LUV that Christmas Mystery BOM! Pam over at Mamasparks...did this too!...can you see me looking green (with envy?) lol
hugZ,
annie
rubyslipperz106.blogspot.com
Linda,
Thanks so much for mentioning my giveaway. I've decided to leave it open until Wednesday at 6:00 EST because of the problems with posting to blogger over the weekend. Many thanks!
Becky
I think the others are right on the money. I am another one that is not too happy about group anythings...I guess I'm kinda like a hermit. But you do such lovely piecing and applique - you could be a vital part of that group! Show the others how it's done! I've met some wonderful people through blogland, and you might meet some really nice ones at that meeting.
PS I really love that Christmas block!
Jacque in SC
quiltnsrep(at)yahoo(dot)com
A guild has the potential to be a lot of fun, or a real drag. My first experience was fun--except for the people. They could have been more inclusive. I liked the speakers, the challenges, the charity, and the show and tell. Ultimately I quit going because of the people. Now i'm trying to work up the courage to try another guild. If you go, go several times before making up your mind. Good luck! I hope they're nice people!
Love your BOM, it's adorable! Yes, Yes, do attend the meeting, I don't think you'll be sorry. I do think you need to go for several months before you decide, sometimes people need time to get to know you. Let us know how it went. We always try to be welcoming at our guild, hopefully it shows.
The best thing about a quilt guild is having the chance to hear speakers that you wouldn't hear otherwise. That is how I saw those quilts last night. I am not fond of the larger group, some quilt police in there, but did meet a few new friends that I get to see outside the guild meetings. Try it, you might like it!
I hope that you decide to go to the guild meeting. Only you will know if it is a good fit for you! I love the block that you made..I signed up for the Designer Mystery Block of the month also!!
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