Tuesday, June 7, 2011

A Block And Another Start


Curiosity is the very basis of education and if you tell me that curiosity killed the cat, I say only the cat died nobly.
~Arnold Edinborough

My minds going a mile a minute.  At least my hands seem to be ignoring my brain and following the path they are supposed to be taking.  I'm getting that anxious feeling knowing that things have to be done and preparing for my DD#1 and family's arrival.  Yesterday I managed to get exactly what I wanted completed done!  Woohoo!  Hopefully the rest of the week will go just as smoothly.  This time, instead of just picking up for over night visitors like when DD#2 comes, I have to think of what little fingers might get into.  Curiosity at ages 2 and 5 is enormous - as it should be.  I will have my sewing machine in for it's yearly service so that will be out of reach.  But there's all those little pieces - pins, needles, scissors, cutters, irons, threads, glues.......see what I mean.  And then I will have to remember exactly where I hid all of these things once it's time to start sewing again.  My, oh my, oh my - guess it's time to laugh and shrug - it will be done.

=================================

PHOTO FACT OF THE DAY

National Chocolate Ice Cream Day
 
Now you have the perfect excuse to eat chocolate ice cream!  You can't let this day pass without a celebration of at least one scoop.  Here are some facts about ice cream:
* The most popular topping for ice cream is chocolate syrup.
* Licking the bowl clean after eating ice cream is admitted by approximately 13% of men and 8% of women
* The biggest ice cream sundae in history was made in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, in 1988, and weighed in at over 24 tons
* Approximately 9% of milk produced by dairy farmers in the USA goes into producing ice cream.
* 80% of the world's vanilla bean used for ice cream is produced in Madagascar
* The ice cream cone's invention is linked to the 1904 World's Fair in St. Louis. An ice cream vendor reportedly didn't have enough dishes to keep up with the demand, so he teamed up with a waffle vendor who rolled his waffles into cones!
* It takes 12 lbs. of milk to make just one gallon of ice cream.
* It takes an average of 50 licks to polish off a single-scoop ice cream cone.
* In 2003, Portland, Oregon bought more ice cream per person than any other U.S. city.

=================================

SWAP BLOCK

Yesterday I made a block for my June swap partner in the Quilting Block Swaps Australia.

Helen requested any star block in blues.  I thought this turned out rather pretty.  I hope that Helen will like it.

=================================

LITTLE BOY'S QUILT

Yesterday I put the borders on a panel that will be a quilt for my grandsons.

It's a little road coarse.  I got it all layered.  I even started a little fmq.  Good thing it's for young boys and they won't mind all of my mistakes.  This will make a good practice piece.  Plus the backing is solid black and with black thread you really can't tell how uneven my stitch length is either :)

=================================

TODAY'S GOAL

I need to make a couple of hexagon flowers - one for me and one for my swap partner.

=================================

GIVEAWAYS

The Q and the U is celebrating her 200th post with a giveaway.  Riel is giving away 40 I Spy Quilt squares cut from her stash.  This giveaway ends Wednesday, June 8 at 7:00 pm AST.

Happy Quilting is having a sponsored giveaway.  You could win an entire fat quarter bundle of Patricia Bravo's Nature Elements from the Fat Quarter Shop.  This giveaway ends Friday, June 10, at 5:00 pm EST.

KoolBeenz is having weekly giveaway #12.  This week you could win an 8 Fat Quarter bundle set of Tutti Fruiti seersucker.  This giveaway ends Friday, June 10, at midnight EST.

A Quilting Life is having a giveaway.  You could win a pattern from Eat Cake Graphics called December 26th, one 6-pack of Kimono Silk threads from Superior Threads, 1 package of freezer paper sheets, and a pack of applique needles.  This giveaway will remain open until Wednesday evening, June 8.

Jaybird Quilts is having a sponsored giveaway.  You could win a Kona Cotton Flying Purple People Eater Bundle from Canton Village Quilt Works.  This giveaway ends Wednesday, June 8, at 10:00 pm EST.

Alderwood Quilts is having a giveaway.  You could win a beautiful mouse pad by Rebecca Barker.  (However, I would like to win this one, so maybe I shouldn't be telling you about this - lol!).  This giveaway ends July 1st.

From The Blue Chair is having a giveaway.  You could win a signed copy of Inspired to Sew by Bari J. Ackerman.  The winner will be randomly picked winner on Friday, June 10th.

Marcia's Crafty Sewing & Quilting Blog is having a giveaway.  You could be one of two winners of
$20.00 off Marcia's Machine Quilting Services on a Lap Size Quilt or larger.  This giveaway ends Wednesday, June 15, at 6:00 pm.

Ruby Slipperz is having a giveaway!  You could win 5 fat quarters by participating in Annie's weekly contest.  This giveaway ends Sunday, June 12.

==================================

FINAL THOUGHT

Goals are good to have for the most part.  I find that if I set one simple goal a day, I can usually attain it.  If I accomplish more than that - it's a good day.  It also allows me the freedom to change course throughout the day.  I try to start my morning with my daily goal.  Using yesterday as an example: I had a goal of making one swap block.  That goal was achieved rather quickly.  I then proceeded and finished assembling the backing and cutting out the batting for my Mystery quilt that went to the long arm quilter last night.  From that I moved onto adding the borders to the panel for the grandsons and then onto making the sandwich.  It was a very good day.  Some days I'm not so lucky.  But as long as I aim for that one goal - the one I list every day - it gives me a starting point to the day.  Often direction is a good thing, it gives my day the jump start I sometimes need..  How do you decide what you will work on for the day?  Do you just wing it?

The plans that I made when horizontal are working out now that I'm vertical. 
~Betsy Cañas Garmon

27 comments:

Vroomans' Quilts said...

I certainly will have some chocolate ice cream today. Just love the blue swap block - very pretty fabrics. Well I know what I want to get done for the week - and what has to be done for the month - but I jump from project to project, it works for me. BUT today's goal IS to quilt my Modern Challenge quilt - and since I have been up since 5am - it is almost done. Then I can play!!

Annie said...

Ooohhh, that star is just gorgeous!

: )

Barbara said...

Very pretty star, congratulations for achieving your goal for yesterday! I pretty much "wing it" as you say, but I like having just one goal per day. Think I'll try starting that today! Thanks for the inspiration.

Barb said...

You are going to have such fun with a little one around....and yep...gotta search out the things the little ones can get into. Have fun...love your block.

Marcia - Crafty Sewing and Quilting said...

Great ideas for one goal being achievable. Sometimes my list is too long!

Going to town today for ice cream, as it is going to be 98 today! Yikes! I think I will work all day in my shop, as it is on the lower level. Thank goodness we have air for these hot days in Wisconsin. I don't like air conditioning as I don't like to close the windows! The ice cream tonight will help us feel cooler. Can't wait to read all the facts to my husband while we eat the ice cream.

I really enjoyed your blog! Thanks for sharing!

Needled Mom said...

I've had four little ones here for the last dew days so this will be quick.

Love your road quilt!!! I know how excited you must be with the pending arrival of your little family. Enjoy their visit.

Your June Birdie block looks great!

the gathering girls said...

Your star block is beautiful, I'm sure your swap partner will love it!

Lynette said...

Oh dear!!! I was fine until I found out it is national chocolate ice cream day!!!! (Have to observe that one, for sure!)

The blue star is gorgeous. :)

Terry said...

Love the blue star block! I did FMQ on my Gardener's Journal but I haven't tried any since. I just need more practice! :0)

rubyslipperz1052 said...

goals...=( I've not done very good in the last few days. But, you are SO right...it's simple ones that really "motivate" me.

Ice Cream? - I have to scream.."no cream" I just GOTSTA get some fats off...(n I don't mean fabric!) =P

hugZ,
annie
rubyslipperz106.blogspot.com

Brita said...

Can't wait to see the little boy quilt!!! And chocolate ice cream? I happen to have a discount coupon for a chocolate Brownie Batter Blizzard :-D

Anonymous said...

Love your star block; your piecing is so precise! Awesome! I'm with you, I love to set a goal and cross it off a list! Have a fun visit with your family!
Jacque in SC
quiltnsrep(at)yahoo(dot)com

Anonymous said...

Beautiful block...just love that color!! Hey Linda...I visit often but seem to have a hard time at your blog with my computer wanting to freeze as your page loads. Just want you to know I pop in alot but can't always leave a message.

Maria said...

So nice to have your family coming. Enjoy the little ones and just shut the sewing room door.
I am sure the boys will love their road quilt regardless of the quilting.

Impera Magna said...

I know all about putting things away when the little ones are visiting... curiosity about whether Grandma's little scissors can cut thru a straight pin has been answered...

Love your blue star block... very nice!

I think that an ice cream cone is just what the doctor ordered for today... *lol*

Shannon said...

We love ice cream in our family. But we have to be careful or it can become a "every night" event. That is not good for my bum! I love the block. So simple and so pretty. Goals are good for me. With my RA and hurting so bad I simply just don't get some done so I have to leave it as a loose goal. I guess it is more like a wish than a goal. LOL!!

Seams to Sew and Quilt said...

Linda, it was nice to finally meet you yesterday... and your quilt is beautiful, I can't wait to get to work on it.
Enjoy your grand babies :)

sunny said...

I love the star block you made. And thank you for giving me a good excuse to eat ice cream! I'll stop for some on the say home from work tonight. hehe!

Megan Harmeyer said...

You're making a road track for N&M?! How cool!!! They're going to love it! And the mistakes? They won't care AND that'll make it even more special. :) I had a lot to do last night but all the smoke in the air gave me a massive headache, so I didn't get any of my evening goals accomplished. There's always tonight. Can't wait to see you! And Dad, of course. :D

PJ said...

Lovely star block. I'd love to receive it, so I'm sure your swap partner will too!

Gene Black said...

I am happy to report that I observed National Chocolate Ice Cream Day by having a bowl of ice cream with my parents. (Okay it was neapolitan, but that has chocolate in it so I counted it!) Funny, I had been wanting some ice cream for a few days. I try to be good (diabetic) but you "fact of the day" let me splurge this time. :) Thanks

the star block looks great!

The Vegetarian Hunter said...

So I am reading your post and chuckling over the comment of finding all your things after the company is gone - the whole time debating in my head if I should eat some ice cream, feeling guilty that it is getting late in the day. What do I see next, well your picture of ice cream and permission to eat it! HA HA, how perfect. So I grab my left over Dairy Queen chocolate blizzard only to read on that Edmonton made the biggest Sundae! HA HA again as of course this is where I live.
Thanks for the great post =)
Hugs from your friend,
Carolyn

Lynda said...

Love the blue star. It turned out beautifully. Lately I haven't had any direction as far as sewing goes. Seems work is busier than ever so I get home later, DH has been having some health issues, and I just seem to only get done what needs to be done right now. Hopefully I'll be back down in my sewing room soon.

Miss Hillbilly said...

I am a very goal oriented person but my family life seems to always interrupt my sewing goals. So I quit making them. I am a finisher. I never do BOM's until all their parts are released. That way I can just make it. So most often my goal is to just work as far as I can on my current project then start on the next.

The 'next' list is about a million miles long!

Barbara said...

When I had to stop working, I had trouble organizing my time and setting goals. My hubby helped me to see that planning meals, grocery shopping, and cooking were all worthwhile activities that I enjoyed (well . . . not the grocery shopping), and I got the idea to think of my kitchen and my home as my personal little restaurant where only invited guests could eat. It completely changed my attitude about my situation and gave me an organizing principle for the day. I always started each day deciding what we would have for dinner and figuring out what I needed to do to have it ready on time. Sometimes it was an all day project.

I love your blue block.

Oh yes, and this: "In 2003, Portland, Oregon bought more ice cream per person than any other U.S. city." Actually, that was me. I bought all the ice cream and ate it myself.

Anorina @SameliasMum said...

I love the blue starflower block. So beautiful.

Quilter Raised in the South said...

Chocolate ice cream is my favorite! I could eat it every day. Great hexies, you are so talented.

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...