Wednesday, June 22, 2011

I Spy Flowers :)


Ah, summer, what power you have to make us suffer and like it.
 ~Russel Baker

 Yesterday was a day of finishes.  They were simple projects but at least they are done.  I was able to prepare four envelopes for mailing.  Only one more project to make and finish for my monthly obligations to be complete.  Taking off that week of sewing really threw things out of balance.  However, I wouldn't trade the time I had with family for anything.  I was even able to start a new project - woohoo.  It was quite warm here yesterday.  Oh, who am I kidding.  It was darn right HOT.  The high yesterday was 105 F.  Lovely to know that summer did not forget us.  And what better way to start summer than with a scorcher.  Only the first of many more to come.  Yay!  I can hardly wait.  Not really, but I have to try and look at it positively - either than or it just puts me in a funk.  Thank goodness for the good ol' A/C!!!

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

PHOTO FACT OF THE DAY

Velcro

Velcro, whose name is a combination of the French words velour and crochet, was developed in the early 1940s, after Swiss inventor George de Mestral returned home from a walk with his dog and noticed that pesky cockleburs had stuck to his pants and his dog’s coat. Examining the burrs under a microscope, de Mestral found the basis for a unique two-sided fastener — one side with stiff hooks (like the burrs) and the other with soft loops (like the fabric of his pants).
de Mestral gave up his engineering gig, got a $150,000 loan and spent eight years staring at matted dog hair under a microscope before arriving at a patent in 1955. He named the invention "special napped piles of man-made material with some of these loops having the means of hooking near their ends."
The first Velcro sample was made of cotton, which proved impractical and was replaced by nylon and polyester. Velcro fasteners made of Teflon loops, polyester hooks, and glass backing are used in aerospace applications, e.g., on space shuttles.
Velcro is strong enough that a two inch square piece is enough to support a 175 pounds (79 kg) person.  In favor of Velcro, it is easy to use, safe, and maintenance free. There is only a minimal decline in effectiveness even after many fastening and unfastenings. The tearing noise it makes can also be useful against pickpockets. Additionally, in the United States Air Force, where Velcro is used to attach patches to flight suits, aircrew have learned that they can remove small cloth pile balls that accumulate on the suits by using the hook side on the back of the patches like a brush to remove them.

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

HEXAGON SWAP

I finally finished the second hexie flower for my swap partner in the Inchy Hexagon Flower Swap.


You might remember from a couple of weeks ago, Jane requested modern fabric for the petals and a white center.

Here are both of the hexie flowers that will be winging their way across the ocean to Jane in Australia.

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

I SPY SWAP

Recently I joined in on an I SPY Swap being hosted by Mrs. Sassy Crafter.  There are a total of 20 people participating and we are to each cut twenty 4" squares out of each of ten different novelty print fabrics.  I purchased 10 fat quarters from Connecting Threads for this swap.  Yesterday I cut out these squares. 

Aren't these some cute fabrics?  These went out today and some time next month I will receive 200 I Spy squares back.  I can't wait to see what other people used for their fabric choices.

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

ANOTHER HEXIE

Today is One Flower Wednesday.  Each week, Karen, of Journey of a Quilter, creates a linky page for those of us who are creating hexagon flowers to share our flowers.

Here's my flower for this week.  No, those dots are not on the yellow petals.  Those are the center of my paper templates that are showing through.  Don't the bright yellow petals remind  you of the blazing sun?  I thought the little mouse in the middle with the paw prints was awfully cute :)

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

TODAY'S GOAL

Today I will finish my Let's Bee Together block for Melissa.

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

GIVEAWAYS

Stumbles and Stitches is having a giveaway.  You could win a $25 gift certificate from Fashionable Fabrics.  This giveaway ends  Friday, June 24.

Annie's Ruby Slipperz is having a giveaway.  You could win a kit to make a darling baby quilt.  This giveaway ends Friday, June 24, at midnight MT.

Fabric Worm is having their weekly giveaway.  This week you could win Hoos in the Forest by Doohicky Designs Yellow in Fat Quarters.  This giveaway ends Monday, June 27, at 8:30 am PST.

McCall's Quilting is having a giveaway.  You could win 1 of 2 patriotic Gingher Scissors.  This giveaway ends Monday, June 27.

Did you enter MY VACATION GIVEAWAY?  There's still plenty of time but you don't want to put it off and then forget.  Just click on the link :)

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

FINAL THOUGHT

We have been going through a dessert desire in this house.  We can go months on end with no desserts - no cookies, no cakes, no ice cream.....no sweets of any kind.  Don't these kind of cravings usually happen during the winter?  We have had Klondike Bars on a regular basis - Heath and chocolate chip.  We have had our favorite spice cake with coffee frosting - several times!  Occasionally we have a good for you dessert and have a bowl of strawberries or blackberries.  Where are these cravings coming from?  Does it mean we are missing something essential in our diets?  It really has to stop!  I love the desserts but they tend to stay with me for a long, long time.  As the saying goes "A minute on the lips, a life time on the hips" - but that should include my arms, thighs, butt and anywhere else that fat likes to stick.  Oh no!!!  Now I'm hungry - off to eat my multi-grain cheerios for breakfast - lol!  How are you starting your day?

Seize the moment. Remember all those women on the Titanic who waved off the dessert cart.
~Erma Bombeck

31 comments:

Cheryl said...

Once I start eating sugar, then I crave it. If I can force myself to avoid it for a few days, then the craving seems to go away! Always love your hexies!

Sarah Craig said...

What a priceless quote!! I love Erma Bombeck.... on another note, have you tried the new Cinnamon Burst Cheerios? I'm eating a bowl as I write and they are awesome!! Your hexies are too cute....

Vroomans' Quilts said...

Just adore your Hexies! I don't crave sugar - salt , yes, but cannot have. I am working on getting my next round of blocks attached to my 'Simple Things' quilt.

Lynda said...

Love the mouse Hexie flower.

My motto has been "Don't go to the doctor cuz they will always find something wrong with you!" Over this last year I've had to go tho and they all seem to say the same things.....eat more dark green veggies and fruit and in my case, add protien (since I don't like meat). So every morning I start my day with cottage cheese and blueberries and a slice of plain whole wheat toast. That doesn't mean my 2 p.m. I'm not searching for a few Hershey kisses!

Karen said...

Jane will surely be pleased with her modern flowers. The dots are very fun! And, love the bright yellow fabric of your flower this week. Cute as can be!

Sheila said...

Great post and I love all the hexies .I usually start my day with cheerios with added fresh fruit such a strawberries or blueberrie or both .

Sandra :) said...

I start the day with a cranberry orange pita bread - they're hard to find so I stock up when I do come across them!

I like to bake, so we have too many desserts in this house, as is very evident by the size of my pants :D Hubby and both boys are in construction so they burn the calories off like crazy - if I could learn simple moderation (1 cookie instead of a ROW!) things would fit a lot better, argh!

Mommarock said...

I just recently gave up the sugar. I realized I was a sugar addict.. big time! If a bag of candy was opened in the house I would eat it ALL! So now I say NO.. I wish I knew about that I spy swap.. that would have been wonderful! Ahh what you don't know won't hurt you.. but now I know LOL!!

Pat said...

I occasionally go on 'junk food binges'. And usually pay for it with indigestion. (and of course weight gain) However, this morning I had a slice of carrot cake for breakfast. And it was yummy! Your 'one flower' is as cute as ever. I love your little mouse!

Staci said...

US Army uses Velcro for patches, too. Nasty stuff! I can't tell you how many times I've been scratched by my husband's uniform or how annoying it is to pull apart the mess the uniform shirt turns into in the washer. It comes out all scrunched up because all the velcro has stuck to itself!

We seem to eat more dessert in the summer. For us it is the siren call of summer fruit. It begs to be eaten out of hand of course, but also to be baked into pies, cobblers, crisps, cakes and muffins. Last night my husband requested plum shortcakes next, and rhubarb muffins, too!

Needled Mom said...

What would we ever do without Velcro??

Wow! It got hot up there yesterday. It was 81* here - our warmest this summer (so far).

Your hexies always look so nice. I love the little mouse in the middle.

Hope you can stay cool today. If not, just go for the Klondikes!!!

Megan Harmeyer said...

I'm starting my day with a cup of coffee and listening to Mason sleeping on the floor next to me. Poor little Bug has a bug. Anyway...sounds like we got outta there just in time! I don't know that Nate would've enjoyed the pool as much with his feet being burned off just trying to get in the water. LOL I like the I Spy blocks - such bright colors and fun prints! Pfft! It doesn't matter what time of year it is - I want dessert! :D

Teresa F. said...

I love your posts.I missed them.
Your hexies are wonderful.

Maria said...

Loved reading your post.
Interesting info about the fabulous Velcro.
WOW Janes Hexies are lovley .
Your bright yellow one with the mouse centre is cute.

Joanna said...

I just viewed the cutest I Spy toddler quilt on the CT Publishing blog. I was playing the game as I viewed the quilt, so I now think that they are a great idea for kids. I hope the 100 degree weather stays west:-)

Marcia - Crafty Sewing and Quilting said...

Love the Velcro facts! We seem to be snacking more recently too -- maybe it is the warm weather!

quiltzyx said...

Love your Erma Bombeck quote at the end!!!! LOL

Terrific hexie flowers this time too. The little mouse looks to be in heaven, surrounded by all that cheddar!

:^)

Nancy said...

They do say you should eat dessert first. Or small, frequent treats... There must be other reasons to eat dessert! Enjoy.

Raewyn said...

Oh yes - I agree - a great piece of cheddar for that cute wee mouse - a very fun hexie-flower. As we are in winter now (here in NZ) puddings are finding their way into my meals-whereas we hadn't had any for ages - funny how these 'cravings' hit!!

Jeanette said...

Great post. Love your blooms especially the yellow bloom with the little mousie. So cute, Happy Stitching,

Deborah in Atlanta said...

90% of the time, I'm not a dessert lover. Like you and your husband, though, sometimes I go through spurts where I can't get enough desserts. And I'll eat them like I won't gain an ounce of weight.

Love your hexies, and sure wish I had known abou the I Spy swap. I would love to join something like that. What a neat way to get a wide variety of fabrics for an I Spy quilt.

Talin's Corner said...

Loved your post on Velcro. I did not realize it's been around for so long.

Dolly Cloth said...

lovely hexagon flowers ,lovely site you have.

Robin (RsIslandCrafts) said...

Another bunch of wonderful flowers! In our house we crave desserts during the Summer. We're not a big cake house but Hubby and the kids LOVE ice cream.

I've done a few I Spy swaps. They are so much fun. I love seeing all the different fabrics that are swapped.

Gene Black said...

I love velcro, it is so handy to use as a fastener.

I have been on a dessert kick lately too. The Klondike bars -especially the Heath ones are a real weakness with me.

Quiltjane said...

Isn't it amazing what nature can teach us. Thank you Linda, I love my hexies and can hardly wait to receive them.

Sandie @ crazy'boutquilts said...

Wave off a dessert cart? No way! ;-) Love your hexies. Hope you had a great day!

Riel Nason said...

Oh YaY! I am in that I Spy Swap too and I LOVE your choices!!!

Miss Hillbilly said...

I just got some free hexie papers in the mail to try it...but those things are TINY.

Love the Erma Bombeck saying. I will remember than when I am being bad and eating chocolate!

Vesuviusmama said...

I love thatErma Bombeck quote. I used to love reading her books when I was a kid, but I'm sure there is a lot I didn't quite understand but that I would understand now that I am a wife and a mom. I should go check her books out of the library.

Birdie said...

Love your latest flowers, so bright and cheery. You've reminded me I have to make cookies today, only one left.

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...