Monday, June 6, 2011

Little Quilts and Stitches


I went to a general store but they wouldn't let me buy anything specific.
~Steven Wright

What a weekend!  Saturday turned into one of those go, go days.  Our venture into Walmart was even worse than expected.  I think everybody decided to go shopping at the same time as us.  The parking lot was packed and finding a handicap parking spot was almost impossible.  The store is going through a renovation - they are turning it into a small Super Walmart.  Almost everything had been moved around.  A third of the store was totally blocked off.  The already narrow aisles were even narrower.  We did manage to find almost everything we had gone in looking for but what a nightmare.  Thank goodness we don't have to go back for another four weeks.  Hopefully by then they will be done with the changes.  If not, we will go to a different Walmart.  The rest of the day was spent running to a bunch of different stores.  My DH told our daughters we logged 300 miles on Saturday, 200 of those on foot.  Of course, he really exaggerated stretched the story a little.  But we were pooped at the end of the day.  I'm ready to start a new week!

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PHOTO FACT OF THE DAY


National Yo-Yo Day falls on what is believed to have been Donald Duncan Sr.'s birthday (even the Duncan Company isn't quite sure if June 6 is the right date). Donald Duncan Sr. was an entrepreneur who in 1930 got into the yo-yo business.  Yo-yos have been popular toys for over 2,000 years. Early forms of the toy were called different names, such as quizzes, bandalores or Jou-Jous. The earliest recorded account of the word yo-yo is from an 1860 Filipino dictionary.  In 1923, Pedro Flores, a man of Filipino descent, began building yo-yos in America. He built the yo-yos by hand, and discovered that America's youth were fascinated with them. In 1928, Flores built the first yo-yo factory, mass producing the toys in California. He also began to hold yo-yo competitions to promote the toys, which started the first round of yo-yo mania in the United States. Donald F. Duncan Sr. first saw yo-yos in action around the time Flores began to hold competitions. In 1930, Duncan bought out Flores, who was then hired to run Duncan's promotional campaigns. More competitions and exhibitions followed, and the company did well in its first few years. For the next 25 years, all of Duncan's yo-yos were made of wood. In 1955, Duncan partnered with a company called Flambeau to produce plastic yo-yos. In 1968, Flambeau purchased the Duncan name and continued to produce plastic yo-yos. The famous Duncan wooden yo-yos were discontinued and remained out of production for more than two decades.  In 1996, the craze spread worldwide. It was fueled by exciting commercials, partnerships between the Duncan company, science programs in schools, and a wave of nostalgia as Duncan reintroduced the 1955 wooden yo-yo model.

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LOVING HANDS
Friday I was able to make a quilt for Loving Hands.
Loving Hands gives blankets to the neonatal unit at one of our local hospitals to put over the isolettes.  The quilts are to measure 32" X 32".  The gal that heads up this division in the guild stated that they are in need of boy quilts and I thought this one could go either way.  I plan on making at least one of these a month.

I don't know if you can see it, but I used a blue and green variegated thread on the top for quilting.

This little dog and cat print has been in my stash for quite awhile.  I thought it made a cute backing for the quilt.

For the back I used a primary variegated thread in the bobbin for quilting.  Now it's time for it to go into the wash and then put in a plastic bag to keep the dog hairs off of it before taking to the guild meeting next week.

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BIRDIE STITCHES

Last Tuesday, on the first, the next block for Birdie Stitches was released by Little Miss Shabby.  On Wednesday, I cut out and added the border blocks and traced the pattern.

Sorry about the shadow - I didn't notice it until I uploaded the picture.  With all of the words on this one, I thought the straight line border worked well.

This is the stitching that I have completed so far.

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TODAY'S GOAL

Today I plan on working on at least one swap block.

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GIVEAWAYS

The Intrepid Thread is having a giveaway.  You could win a charm pack of Hoo's In The Forest.  This giveaway will end Friday, June 10.

Hawthorne Threads is having their weekly giveaway.  This week you could win a Lila Tueller Lola's Posies layer cake.   A winner will be selecting Wednesday, June 8.

Cat Patches is having her Fun Fact Friday Freebie.  You could win a specially selected fat quarter.  The winner will be announced next week (Friday I think).

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FINAL THOUGHT

I have tons to do this week.  I have to make some swap blocks and I should start a mug rug for another swap.  I have a little quilt I want to make before the grandsons get here on Saturday.  Already I'm feeling the time crunch.  What to do, what to do?  I'm just going to have to concentrate on keeping focused  - using each day to its fullest.  One thing at a time and they will get done.  I just have to keep reminding myself that everything doesn't have to be done in one day.  And if something doesn't get finished this week, it can always be completed before the end of the month.  Just keep focused.....no distractions......mind on what I'm doing.....I can do this!
Oh, and by the way, I spent very little time on the computer this weekend so I missed reading a lot of my favorite blogs :(  I'm sure I also missed a lot of giveaways so if you would like me to post your giveaway tomorrow, just send me a quick email :)

How am I going to live today in order to create the tomorrow I'm committed to?
~Anthony Robbins

25 comments:

Char said...

I will be giving my glow in the dark Yo Yo a whirl today.
Love the quilt, especially that cute cat and dog fabric.

Donna said...

Loving Hands is wonderful!

I avoided the Walmart experience this weekend. I do the way early morning or way late evenings if at all possible to avoid the chaos.

Cyndi said...

Very interesting about the yo-yos...I had no idea! I am yo-yo challenged, I am afraid...never have been able to work one of them! LOL!

Your little quilt for the neo-natal unit is precious and I am sure they are going to be delighted to receive it!

Have a great day, Linda!

XOXO,

Cyndi

Scrap said...

just lovely !
congrats
thanks

quiltingnana said...

ahh...keep focused...that is what I need to do!

rubyslipperz1052 said...

"in my stash for quite awhile"... I think I have some of the same...just diff background. =)

I can relate to the Wal-mart face lift frustrations...but, when it's all fancy-schmancie...it will be really nice. Hopefully it won't take too long!

hugZ,
annie
rubyslipperz106.blogspot.com

nono said...

I'm right there with you, I have a Large to do list for this week. I'm focusing on 1 item at a time. It will all get done eventually. Have a great day!

Lynette said...

Yes, the cats look marvelous for that back!

I also love the stripes for the Birdie BOM block. I would be so honored if you felt like linking this post up on this week's BOMs AWAY at my place. :) http://whatahootquilts.blogspot.com/2011/06/boms-away-monday-4.html

Barb said...

It seems they are doing that to alot of the small Walmarts...

Love your little quilt and stitchery.

Vroomans' Quilts said...

Loved the yo-yo facts - how fun. A popular toy in our house growing up, and then with my kids - next, I'm sure will be the grands.

I need to set a list 'in writing' so I get back on track - lots of time-lines to be met in the next 2 months.

Cheryl said...

Your Loving Hands quilt will be truly appreciated...keep up the good works!
Breathe! If it is really important, it will get done.

Marcia - Crafty Sewing and Quilting said...

Love the baby quilt with the cool cat backing! Your embroidery Birdies Stitches is great too. The striped border really sets off the colors of the embroidery.

Staci said...

Glad your trip to Nasty-Mart was at least productive. We braved the place on Saturday and came out empty handed! I hate that store, I always feel like I need a shower after going in there.

Love your baby quilt, the backing is so bright and cheerful. Birdie stitches is looking mighty cute, too!
Hope your busy, busy week goes smoothly and happily!

Linda said...

I love the backing you used for the little preemie quilt. We also make these in my guild. Since my grandson was a preemie, I know that these parents need to know that people care about the daily struggles of having a preemie in the NICU!
The Little Birdie block is also very pretty!
Glad you made it through the trip to Wally World. I experienced some of that Friday here in the valley. It is like walking into a different world!

WoolenSails said...

Love the quilt and the backing fabric, perfect for a child.

Debbie

Wendy said...

Your quilt for Loving Hands is so cute especially with that backing fabric.

I love yo-yo's and remember learning all the different tricks for them. My kids also went through a yo-yo craze for a while.

I gave up going to Walmart years ago. I just can't take the chaos and ours are usually pretty dirty and disorganized. Hopefully the renovation will make your trips easier.

Joanna said...

Very nice coverlet. I'm sure it will be much loved. Yomega yoyos are made in my hometown, not far from where I live.

Megan Harmeyer said...

I'm feeling the time-crunch, too. I can't wait to visit, but I don't like this anxiety before we leave. ANYway...that little quilt is cute. That backing is perfect for it! And your mini quilt for Birdie Stitches is CUTE!! So much to do. SO MUCH TO DO!

Mommarock said...

Love your work.. it really is amazing every time I come to see your blog. I can't believe just how fast you work.. AMAZING! I am still puttering along on my hexagon quilt.. getting to the finish of the flimsie.. but puttering along.

sunny said...

You poor girl - no one should have to endure a visit to Wal Mart on a Saturday. I know what you mean about getting caught up on swaps, etc. I worked my way down a list yesterday. Concentrate and keep going!

Sandie @ crazy'boutquilts said...

((shudder)) WM on a Saturday~ you are brave!! :-) Love your Birdie Stitches! I need to finish mine up today~ the embroidery is done, but I need to add the border. Have a happy day!

krisgray said...

WM renovations-uggh- remember them well. On most days I cannot stand to govto WM and wait in line but every once in a while I go. Then I wish I was at Target!

Barbara said...

Your quilt is adorable. I love doing that kind of stuff. They're "feel good" projects. Thanks for mentioning Fun Fact Friday Freebie. I appreciate it.

Miss Hillbilly said...

Don't we all love to hate Walmart but we just can't get away from the place???!! Ours is a small super Center and I really hate it after being near large ones. They are really strange on what they carry in the small stores. But we have no other choice. The next nearest Walmart or larger grocery store is over 30 miles away. UGH.

quiltzyx said...

The Loving Hands quilt is cute! As usual, you did a great job on it & the new stitchery. :D

Have a great weekend!!

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