Please Vote

Just a quick post this evening.  Quilting Gallery is running their weekly contest.  The theme this week is Summer Fun Quilts.  I have entered my little quilt, June Bugs.

There are several wonderful quilts to select from, however, I would certainly appreciate your vote.  Just click HERE to take you to the gallery for voting.

Hugs,

Linda



See The Bees

As ye sew, so shall ye rip. 

~Author Unknown

Eight blocks down and 2 more to go.  Over the last couple of days I have done nothing but work on swap and Bee blocks.  I bet you will be as glad as I am when I'm finally finished with all of them.  I thought they would be going out in the mail today but it looks more like Monday.  I didn't want to take time away from sewing to prepare the packages.  Some of them will be winging their way across the ocean and others will travel just a few states away.  Yesterday I should have stopped sewing after the first seam.  The first seam had to be ripped out.  And it went down hill from there.  One block I'm working on has lots of color changes and turns - Mr. Ripper and I have become BFFs once again.  Two seams in - one seam out.  One portion of the block together, whew....uh oh - rip and replace a center section.  I knew I was tired when I started.  You would think I would learn - STAY AWAY FROM THE SEWING MACHINE WHEN YOU ARE TIRED!!!!  But no, I had to continue sewing and ripping, ripping and sewing.  Hopefully today will be a better sewing day! 

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PHOTO FACT OF THE DAY

Rain Day

Here's a weird little holiday, courtesy of Waynesburg, Pennsylvania. It all started back on July 28th, 1874, when a farmer told Byron Daly, the owner of a drug store, that tomorrow he should expect rain. The farmer made this guess because it always rained on his birthday, July 29th. When the farmer's prediction proved true, Mr. Daly made an annual game of it, betting store patrons and townspeople that they could expect rain on July 29th. The typical wager for this bet: a hat. Every year it rained, and every year Mr. Daly won himself a new hat. Over the years Daly and his son amassed a huge collection of hats, which were donated to raise money for charity. So next time it rains on Rain Day, just think, somebody out there is winning a hat. And somebody's bare head is getting soaking wet.

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SQUISHY RECEIVED

Earlier this week I received a squishy from New Zealand.....

Alethea made these two beautiful blocks for me.  I love all of the wonderful greens she used.  Alethea was my July swap partner for Quilting Block Swaps Australia.  Thank you, Alethea! 

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SOME BEE BLOCKS

Today I will share 3 blocks I have made for Let's Bee Together...

This block was made for Colleen.  She is the August Hostess for Let's Bee Together Group A.  Colleen sent out some wonderful fabric from DS Quilts Picnic and Fairgrounds line to work with.  I'm sorry that the colors didn't turn out exactly right in the photo because the red is a true red and the yellow is a bit more golden.  She also selected the dreaded Wonky Star which you all know is my "favorite" star to make. LOL!

Jadie was our July hostess for Let's Bee Together Group B.  She wanted to stay with the patriotic theme of July 4th and sent out these bold, solid colors to work with.  Jadie said that we could make any star block we liked so I went with the Amish Star Block.  I really like how this one looks :D

Oh look!  Another one of my "favorite" Wonky Star blocks!  Erin is the August hostess for Let's Bee Together Group B.  She sent out the center little block with the saying (isn't it cute?!?) along with a little bit of red and some black and white fabrics.  Erin said we could make any block we wanted and with the pieces that she sent, I thought wonky was the best way to go.

I think that's it for that Bee group.  I will show you Bee In Oz blocks on another day. 

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

FMQ - DAYS 12 and 13

Wednesday's fmq practice was a great thread burner.  I went through half of a bobbin on Cat Hairball Filler.  What a name - lol!  I would do okay for awhile and then my mind would sort of go numb and I would almost forget what I was doing.  I finally quit about two-thirds of the way up the block.

Thursday's practice from Leah was a better pattern.  However, I forgot to increase the speed on my machine so some of my stitches ended up a bit long.  Another case of being tired when starting out the sewing day.  This pattern is called Trailing Tears.   I did concentrate more when traveling back on top of previous stitching.  Some of it turned out pretty good.

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

TODAY'S GOAL

Today I hope to finish up with the swap and Bee blocks - I hope, I hope, I hope.....

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

GIVEAWAYS

Olive and Ollie is having a giveaway.  Heather is giving away a copy of QuiltAlbum.  This giveaway ends Wednesday, August 3, at midnight EST.

Design Editor is having a giveaway.  You could win more than $375 worth of items from nine generous designers and shops (too much stuff to list!).  This giveaway ends Saturday, July 30, at midnight EST.

Possom Blossom Patchwork is having her first giveaway.  You could win any two packs of die-cut or e-cut paper pieces or card pieces from her store (100 pieces per pack, you choose the shape/size).  This giveaway ends Saturday, August 6 (Aussie time).

Cut To Pieces is celebrating her anniversary with a giveaway.  You could win jelly roll of Little Apples.  This giveaway ends ?

Diary of a Quilt Maven is having a giveaway for followers only.  You could win the pattern Fat Quarter Quilting: Reproduction Fabrics Two and six Civil War to get you started.  This giveaway ends Wednesday, August 3.

Jane's Fabrics and Quilts is having a giveaway.  You could win an I-rock by imaginisce.  The winner will be announced Sunday, July 31.

Ruby Blue Quilting Studio is having a birthday giveaway.  You could win a Charm Pack, your choice of Charmed Living Series pattern, your choice of 2 other Ruby Blue Patterns and your favorite candy bar.  This giveaway ends Tuesday, August 2.

Love, Laugh, Quilt is having a giveaway.  You could win an autographed copy of Out Of The Box.  This giveaway ends "in a couple of days".

Diary of a Quilter is having a giveaway.  You could win a $25 gift certificate from Crafty Girls Workshop.  This giveaway ends Saturday, July 30, at midnight MST.

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FINAL THOUGHT
As we head into the weekend, I am already trying to plan out my strategy for next week.  What will I be working on?  Will I be able to finish anything?  After spending an entire week on blocks for others it almost feels a bit strange to think that I will be sewing for myself again.  Of course, I could always work on the little quilts for Loving Hands and then there's those borders to put on the QOV quilts.  But I think next week will be for me.  It will be the start of a new month.  Another month of summer here in Central California.  A month where kids start talking about the beginning of a new school year.  A month where many families take their summer vacation - a trip to the beach, a trip to the mountains, or even a trip to see relatives.  Are you ready for a new month?  I know I am.

Deep summer is when laziness finds respectability. 
~Sam Keen



Do You Want To Be A Quilter?

Calling All Wantobe Quilters

Edited Note 8/27/11  8:50pm  :  To be eligible for this contest, you must never have made a quilt before - not even with a friend or relative.  Sorry to all of you newbies or those who are just looking to improve the skills.  These are not my rules :(

"Hello friends and followers, I would love to welcome you

to a Wantobe Quilters Campaign over here. ( http://stashmanicure.blogspot.com)

They are having quilting supplies to giveaway 5 x a week for 12 weeks.

Supplies that will have you quilting

before you know it...From sewing machines to irons, to die cutters,

to mats, to rotary cutters, sewing baskets, scissors, batting, needles,

rolled sewing machine bags, patterns, books, magazines...everything

you could imagine to assist you in being a NEW Quilter.

Even if you are already part of this community you can win

quilting stuff too...Tuesday and Thursday are days for us..

All you have to do is give me your name and phone number

and email (all of which will be kept confidential, of course) sew I can submit this to the organizer,

because if you win

anything I can win something too.

All you have to do is be my follower and a follower

over at Sew We Quilt @ Stash Manicure....

That is all! There are over 49 Sponsors involved.

I am pretty excited to be part of this, sew should you.

I love being a QUILTER!

These are the sponsors for the great giveaways!

Please let me know if you are interested!

Flowers Galore

Success isn't a result of spontaneous combustion. You must set yourself on fire. 

~Arnold H. Glasow

All of a sudden I have blocks to make.  I received squishies that contained 4 Bee blocks to make.  One even involves the dreaded Wonky Star block.  Two of the Bee blocks were for July but I only received the fabric and instructions on Saturday.  I have two swap hexagons to make and 4 swap blocks to make.  I have little squares and rectangles in piles all over my sewing room.  I feel like I'm under pressure to get these done but I don't know why as they are mostly August projects.  Perhaps it's because there are so many at once.  My aim to get them made by the end of the week.  Wouldn't that be great?  Then I would have most of August to work on MY stuff plus a couple charity quilts.  I think I can, I think I can, I think I can - just like the Little Engine That Could!!!

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PHOTO FACT OF THE DAY

Instead of the usual daily factoid article, how about some fun.  Did you know......

* Every time you lick a stamp, you're consuming 1/10 of a calorie.

* A person cannot taste food unless it is mixed with saliva. For example, if strong-tasting substance like salt is placed on a dry tongue, the taste buds will not be able to taste it. As soon as a drop of saliva is added and the salt is dissolved, however, a definite taste sensation results. This is true for all foods. Try it!

* The ant can lift 50 times its own weight, can pull 30 times its own weight and always falls over on its right side when intoxicated.

* A cockroach will live nine days without it's head, before it starves to death.

* Elephants are the only mammals that can't jump.

* Snails can sleep for 3 years without eating

* A pregnant goldfish is called a twit.

* The only 15 letter word that can be spelled without repeating a letter is "uncopyrightable".

* Pearls melt in vinegar.

* Leonardo da Vinci could write with one hand and draw with the other at the same time.

* During the chariot scene in 'Ben Hur' a small red car can be seen in the distance.

* The dot over the letter 'i' is called a tittle.

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FLOWERS, FLOWERS - EVERYWHERE

This weekend I was able to work on my hexagon flowers.  First I made two new flowers for my GFG....

I made this plaid flower.  I thought the black center would make the colors pop but it ended up being the other way around.  The colors really accent the black center - lol!

With all of the heat we have been experiencing lately, this flower reminded me of the sun.  Don't the petals make you think of those hot gasses flaring from the sun's surface?

I even added two more flowers to my GFG along with several stepping stones.  Cutting the stepping stones with the GO! Baby cutter sure saves lots of time.

If you would like to see more hexagon flowers out in blogland, Karen  has provided us with a linky at One Flower Wednesday - THANK YOU, Karen!!!!  There are some real beauties out there. 

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A WIN

Yesterday I received two magazines I won from Fort Worth Fabric Studios.......

I haven't taken the time to open these magazines yet but I can tell just from the covers that I'm going to find some wonderful projects inside.  Both of these magazines come from Australia.  Looks like it's time for me to start drooling :)  Thank you so very much, Jodie!!

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FMQ - DAYS 10 and 11

I did two more days of Free Motion Quilting practice from Leah Day's beginner filler blocks...

As the block indicates, this is called Wave Chain.  Some of my waves got a little ripply - maybe they are tidal waves - lol!

Someone (I don't remember who - sorry!) asked me about my bottom tension.  I have been very fortunate in that I haven't had to mess with my tension settings so far.  I haven't had loops, pulls, or any type of trouble (knock on wood, thanks be to the bobbin gods, keeping my fingers crossed, etc).  So above is a picture of the back so you can compare it to the front.

Yesterday's practice block is called Striated Earth.  This was actually stitched down and back not side to side like the picture shows.  So I was able to practice my backup stitching and it felt just the tiniest bit more smooth.  Can't wait to see what today's practice will be.

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

ANOTHER FLOWER PROJECT

I have started yet another hexagon flower project......

Remember when I blamed Wendy for sending me in search of a magazine?  Well, this is it and this is the pattern I will be making, Aunt Sarah.  This pattern calls for 3/4" hexagon flowers.

Here's is my first flower for this quilt.  I will be using more muted tones for this as opposed to my GFG bright flowers.  Only 65 more of these flowers to go.  Then I have 80 ecru flowers with colors centers to make.  I think this will take awhile - lol!

Here's a picture so you see the difference in the sizes.  The flower on the left is made with 1" hexagons and the one on the right is made with 3/4" hexagons.

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TODAY'S GOAL

Today I will continue working on Bee and swap blocks!

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

GIVEAWAYS

Annie's Ruby Slipperz is having her weekly Mystery Monday.  You could win 5 fat quarters.  This giveaway ends Wednesday, July 27, at midnight (that's tonight!).

 

A Quilting Southpaw is having a giveaway.  You could win 5 Christmas fat quarter fabrics, 1 spool coordinating thread, and 1 cute santa trinket box OR 1 floral fat quarter fabric, 1 set of 8 friendship coasters, and 1 set of 300 inspirational post its.  This giveaway ends Sunday, August 14.


Jolly Jabber is having their weekly giveaway.  This week you could win a Summer House charm pack and an adorable tin.  This giveaway ends Monday, August 1.

Fabric Worm is having a giveaway.  You could win Joel Dewberry Heirloom Ruby Bundle in 13 Fat Quarters.  This giveaway ends Monday, August 1, at 8:30 am PST. 

Erica's Craft and Sewing Center is having a giveaway.  You could win a Lazy Girl's Summer Tote pattern, Sun Surf Sand fabrics from Wilmington, Steam-A-Seam 2, zipper and pull.  This giveaway ends Sunday, July 31, at 10:00 pm EST.

Maria's Crafty Sewing & Quilting Blog is having a Seek and Find Game Giveaway.  You could win $20.00 gift certificate off the longarm free style quilting by Maria on a Lap size quilt or larger.  This giveaway ends Friday, July 29, at 6:00 pm CST.

Lavender Quilts is having a giveaway.  You could win a charm pack of Moda's Me&My Sister Design's READY, SET, SNOW.  Kris will select a winner on Sunday, July 31.

Pink Please is having a giveaway.  You could win a $25 gift certificate to Fat Quarter Shop.  This giveaway ends Thursday, July 28, at midnight EST.

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

FINAL THOUGHT

Why can't I work on one project at a time?!?  I used to be a "start one project - finish one project" kind of gal.  Now I have at least 7 projects going - and those are the ones that spring to mind immediately.  There are probably more if I were to really take the time to concentrate on the matter.  In fact, I found another one just this morning that has been stuck in a drawer for the last couple of months.  Maybe I should try to limit myself to two.  But then I would have all of those UFOs.  I would much rather have several WIPs - it sounds so much better.  I do like having the flexibility to work on hand projects or machine projects depending on how the day is going.  And I really like having a hand project to work on in the evenings while I "watch" TV with DH.  There are just too many projects I would like to make.  I have put the brakes to starting any more new projects until I finish at least one.  From now on it will be - Finish One, Start One.  No more start one, start one, start one.....you get the idea.  I guess it's time to get busy so it's off to the sewing room I go.  Oh, I'm already there - my sewing room is also my office - LOL!!!!!

Patience and perseverance have a magical effect before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish. 
~John Quincy Adams

Little Finishes

The willingness to accept responsibility for one's own life is the source from which self-respect springs. 
~Joan Didion

Whew!  I'm sort of glad the weekend is over.  Saturday's running was not pleasant in the heat.  We were glad to find that our Walmart had finally finished it's remodel.  However, some of the shelves still needed restocking so selection was limited in some area.  Luckily every store we entered had sufficient A/C.  It was going back outside that was the killer.  And then having to enter the baking car.  We were drained by the end of the afternoon.  Sunday was full of washing - both dogs and a weeks worth of dirty clothes, sheets, and towels.  All of that added to the humidity in the house that was already fairly high for the day.  I'm ready for the new week to start.  I have several swap and bee blocks to make so I know where my energy will be spent.  Do you have your week planned out?

================================
PHOTO FACT OF THE DAY

Needle And Thread

Did you know that today is considered Threading The Needle Day?  Sometimes it feels like it can take a whole day to get thread into that tiny little eyehole in the needle, but that's not why today was created. While sewing is encouraged today, and every day for that matter, this holiday is also about metaphorically threading the needle. This means to walk a fine line between two issues or be stuck in the middle of an argument between two friends. Yeah' that sounds like hard work. We'd rather just stick to sewing.  So how about a little bit of history on the needle. 

* The first sewing needles were made from bone and were used to sew animal hides together. The oldest known bone ones were found in what is now southwestern France and has been estimated to be over 25,000 years old.

* Bookbinders and shoemakers used ones made from hog bristles in the Middle Ages.

* Metal needles were handcrafted before the industrial age. The process began with cutting wire long enough to make two needles. Then points were ground on either end of the wire, the wire was flattened in the middle and eyes punched out. The needles were then separated. This operation is still followed today, but machines now do the work instead of humans.

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MUG RUG SWAP

Last week I received a wonderful Christmas mug rug......

from Irene in Texas.  We are swap partners in a mug rug swap being hosted by Christmas Quilting Block Swaps Australia.  Irene personalized this mug rug with my name and did some darling embroidered flowers and a redwork Christmas Tree.  She also included a snapshot of the mug rug, some great I Spy squares and a darling hexagon flower.  Thank you so very much, Irene.

I wasn't as quick as Irene was in making my mug rug........

Friday I finished up this little Santa mug rug.  This mug rug measures 6.25" X 10".  Maybe you recognize some of the fabric I used from the Kate Spain line of 12 Days of Christmas.  This is the second project I have used satin stitching around the applique.  I was much happier with this one as I have learned since the failure first one to use a stabilizer behind the fabric for satin stitching.  I used a lightweight tear-away and it made all the difference in the world.  I don't know why the binding along the top looks irregular in size because it really isn't.  This little Santa pattern came from Fat Cat Patterns and I reduced it down to the size I wanted.  This will be going out in today's mail with a couple of little extras for Irene.

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

FMQ - DAY 9

Friday's FMQ practice was different......

I'm not sure if it was fun or not.  Leah calls this one Tree Bark.  I can see where this would be useful when you have a tree you want to accent.  I'm not sure mine looks anything like tree bark with knots in it.  Oh well, on more day under my belt.

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GARDENER'S JOURNAL

Friday was a day of completions.  I also finished another stitchery block for A Gardener's Journal quilt.

I love the look of these three ladies ready to attend their flower show.  This block is called Annual Garden Show and will end up to be 6.5" X 8.5".  The different body shapes are quite amusing :)

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

TODAY'S GOAL

Today I need to make a couple of swap blocks and possibly a couple Bee blocks, too.

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

GIVEAWAYS

Cara Quilts is having a giveaway.  You could win a GO! Baby Cutter and 3 dies.  This giveaway ends Sunday, August 7.

 

 

Butterfly Quilting is having a giveaway.  Flo is ready to send the Traveling Stash on it's way again.  Not sure when this giveaway ends.


The Intrepid Thread is having a giveaway.  You could win a $25 gift certificate to her store.  This giveaway ends Friday, July 29, at midnight.

Little Miss Shabby is having a giveaway.  You could win a GO! Baby Cutter and three dies.  This giveaway ends Tuesday, July 26.

The Shabby is having a giveaway.  You could be the winner of a $100 gift certificate or one of two $50 gift certificates.  This giveaway ends ?

Fort Worth Fabric Studio is having their 2nd July giveaway.  You could win The Practical Guide To Patchwork by Elizabeth Hartman or 2 Fig Tree Patterns.  This giveaway ends Wednesday, July 27, at 9:00 pm CST.

Pieceful Life is celebrating her one year blogiversary.  You could win one of two moda charm packs.  This giveaway ends Thursday, July 28.

Samelia's Mum is having a giveaway.  You could win one of four Sewline Fabric Glue Pen.  This giveaway ends Sunday, July 31, at 7:00 pm AEST.

Needles and Pins is having a giveaway.  You could win some Flurry fabric by Kate Spain, some red, green, and blue floss, and a copy of "God's Guidance at Dawn" by Mary Light.  This giveaway ends Saturday, August 6.

Aunt Polly's Porch is having a giveaway.  Here's another chance to win a GO! Baby cutter and 3 dies.  This giveaway ends Wednesday, July 27, at 9:00 pm EST. 

Super Mom - No Cape is having a giveaway.  She ready to send the second Traveling Stash on its way.  This giveaway ends Friday, July 29.

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

FINAL THOUGHT

As we head into a new week we are also closing in on the end of another month. I like the idea of Monday's - a fresh start, a new beginning. It's hard to believe that July will soon be gone and that we are moving that much closer to the end of another year. Thankfully it will mean we are that much closer to cooler weather. But here that really won't happen until around mid October. We are now heading into the dog days of August. A month that usually brings hot days and very warm nights. A month when our air looks more brown than blue and when we rarely see surrounding mountains. But, on the bright side, it's a good reason to stay inside. Inside where it is cool and I can spend time sewing and stitching. I'm ready for Monday - plans are made and creating is a'waiting. Here I come sewing room!

A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort.
~Herm Albright

This One Is A Mystery

Since there is nothing so well worth having as friends, never lose a chance to make them. 

~Francesco Guicciardini

I didn't get much sewing in yesterday :(  The morning started with bill paying - one of my least favorite chores.  Then I had to prepare my traveling sewing bag to take to the quilt guild meeting last night for a sew in.  This was the first time I had to take my sewing machine with me and it felt really weird.  I kept worrying that I was forgetting something.  Did the mental check list of sewing machine (that was rather hard to forget), scissors, thread, bobbins, cutting/pressing board, rotary cutter, seam ripper, pins......  I don't have a travel iron so that wasn't an issue.  It was a lot of fun and I really didn't forget anything.  We had the choice of making the jelly roll race quilt or another little project.  I chose the jelly roll as I knew that I could turn that into quilts for Loving Hands.  A good time was had by all.  A good way to end the day - with friends and fellowship!

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

PHOTO FACT OF THE DAY

Mosquito

Saturday is National Mosquito Day.  This holiday is celebrated by learning about the mosquito and passing on the information, both good & bad.  So for that reason, here some facts about those little blood sucking creatures:

* Only female mosquitoes bite; using proteins from a blood meal to produce eggs. Most species can produce several batches of eggs during their lifetime.

* Worldwide, mosquito-borne diseases kill more people than any other single factor. In the United States, mosquitoes vector (spread) several types of encephalitis, dog heartworm, and malaria.

* Adult mosquitoes only weigh about two milligrams.

* According to the Fond du Lac Humane Society, mosquitoes will be more attracted to you if you're wearing the color blue. Darker colored clothing attracts mosquitoes more.

* The average mosquito takes in about 5-millionths of a liter of blood during feeding.

* Smelly feet are attractive to mosquitoes – as is Limburger Cheese.

* A full moon increased mosquito activity 500% in one study

Time to pull out the repellent - especially if you are wearing blue!!

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

MYSTERY BLOCK

One day this week I worked on the Designer Mystery BOM from Fat Quarter Shop.  There was quite a bit of cutting required for this month's block....

Lots of little 2 inch squares and 2 3/8 inch squares.  And would you believe I cut the green with white dots fabric wrong?  Luckily I could substitute out the solid green and still have the right amount of squares with no devastating results.

Some of those squares turned into these blocks.  Could those be strawberry topped mountains?  Or maybe red beaked geese?

And more of the squares turned into these shapes.  Just noticed the green fabric matches the green in my ironing board - giggles.

And one more sub-block to make - this one with the fussy cut center.]

And here is the final block.  See, I told you that my cutting error really didn't make a difference in the outcome of the block.  This block is called Promise of Spring and was designed by Pam Buda.  This BOM is supposed to create a different flower each month but I'm darned if I can figure out what flower this might be.  I love the colors though and the design is very pretty.  It won't be long before the next BOM arrives since I made this one so late in the month.

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

VOTES

The votes are in for the binding for Colors Thru The Window.  There were a total of 48 votes:  15 for a black binding and 33 for the multi colored binding.  Looks like I will go with the multi colored binding!  Thanks to all of you who took the time to vote and/or express your opinion through comments.  I really do appreciate your advice and suggestions!

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

FMQ - DAYS 7 & 8

Day 8's practice piece is called Brain Coral.  The upper right corner shows where I didn't quite have the concept down but then all of a sudden it clicked.  This is sort of an elaboration of meandering.  I had fun with this one and my stitches were fairly even.

Yesterday's practice piece is called Matrix.  I got a bit too curvy on this piece.  It shouldn't look quite so confusing.  Once again I had trouble going from bottom to top and my stitch length seemed to be a bit off too.  I think I went into it with the idea that this was going to be a piece of cake and I certainly proved otherwise - lol!

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

RED, WHITE, AND BLUE

The other day I received 3 wonderful blocks from my swap partner in the 6 Inch Block Swaps Australia.

Coralie sent me these 3 beautiful blocks.  I have yet to try circles or curves and love the look of these two blocks.  And the scrappy basket block is just adorable!!  Thank you so very much, Coralie!

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

TODAY'S GOAL

Today I hope to finish the Christmas mug rug I've been working on.  This one involved applique so there was a bit more work to it. 

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

GIVEAWAYS

A Stitch In Time is having a giveaway.  You could win a charm pack of Hullabaloo.  This giveaway ends Sunday, July 24, at 8:00 pm EST.

 

SarahJane is having a giveaway.  You could win 4 yards of Children at Play Fabric, 1 framed 8×10 print of your choice, 3 packs of greeting cards, 1 blank journal, 1 pack of bookplates, and other little random surprises from the shop that she'll throw in for fun.  This giveaway ends Sunday, July 24, at 10:00 pm EST.

Our Busy Little Bunch is having a giveaway.  You could win a bag of Rockin' Green detergent.  This giveaway ends Saturday, July 30.

Quilt Story is having a giveaway.  You could win stack of 9 fat quarters of Art Gallery Oval Elements.  This giveaway ends Monday, July 25.

Mary on Lake Pulaski is having a giveaway.  You could win four fat quarters of Susan Branch fabric from her Tea Party line, a heat resistant pastry brush, and a  Decal Kit from Fiber Flies.  Two winners will be drawn on Monday, July 25.

A House In The Country is having a giveaway.  You could win a GO! Baby Cutter and your choice of 3 dies.  This giveaway ends Monday, August 1, Australian time.

Hancocks of Paducah is having a giveaway.  You could win one Island Batiks Rose of Sharon Quilt Kit (I really shouldn't be telling you about this one because I would LOVE to win this one!).  This giveaway ends Wednesday, August 10.

Sew Inspired is having a giveaway.  You could win GO! Baby Cutter and 3 dies.  This giveaway ends Monday, July 25.

Creativity Amongst Chaos is having a giveaway.  You could win a wonderful pillow along with a collection of Rosie Tweet Patterns, or any patterns of your choice instead ($50 worth).  This giveaway ends Wednesday, July 27.

Iron Violet Designs is having a giveaway.  You could win a  fat quarter bundle of 15 of Poppy Seed Fabrics.  This giveaway ends Sunday, July 24, at noon.

LA Quilter is having a giveaway.  You could win your choice of 50 yards of miscellaneous fabric from Vicky's stash, or 50 miscellaneous fat quarters from her stash, or a $50 gift certificate to the Fat Quarter shop.  This giveaway ends "Saturday morning, July 24."  So I don't know if she means Saturday or Sunday since the 24th is actually Sunday - lol.

Diary of a Quilt Maven is celebrating two years of blogging and her 200th post with a giveaway.  You could win two project books and a Layer Cake from Adorn It.  This giveaway ends Thursday, July 28.

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

FINAL THOUGHT

Do you have big plans for this weekend?  This will be our catch-up weekend of running errands.  We will make our normal start to Saturday by making a stop at the local Farmer's Market and then it's off and running.  It's supposed to be another hot one so that will just add to the misery 'fun' of the day.  Sunday I hope to get a little hand sewing in along with a week's worth of dirty clothes washing.  I think it is also wash day for the pups.  Luckily they both love to be bathed.  Perhaps DH will create some magic with the barbecue, which also helps to keep the heat out the kitchen.  I'm all for easy and cool this weekend - anything to beat the constant heat of summer.

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

Fun Flowers

Dreams are today's answers to tomorrow's questions. 
~Edgar Cayce

I have been dreaming a lot the last couple of nights.  This in itself is unusual because I don't normally dream.  Monday morning I woke up and could remember two of the dreams I had the previous night.  Just stupid dreams that made no sense at all.  Last night I dreamt a lot too.  Couldn't tell you what the dreams were about this time.  However........there was one very odd component to one of the dreams.  In my dream, up in the upper right corner was the sign you see on tv shows for the hearing impaired.  Now that is strange.  Why remember that above all other aspects of the dream.  Does that mean we listen to our tv too loudly - which, according to DD#2 with the super sonic hearing, we do.  Does it mean I was having trouble hearing something in my dream?  Whatever it was, it made me wake up and shake my head as I got out of bed this morning.  I'm sure I will never figure that one out - lol!

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PHOTO FACT OF THE DAY

Ice Cream Soda

Today is Ice Cream Soda Day.  Doesn't that sound good in all of this hot weather?  The ice cream soda was invented by Robert M. Green in Philadelphia, PA, in 1874 during the sesquicentennial celebration. The traditional story is that, on a particularly hot day, Mr. Green ran out of ice for the flavored sodas he was selling and used vanilla ice cream from a neighboring vendor to keep his sodas cold. His own account, published in Soda Fountain magazine in 1910, states that while operating a soda fountain at the Franklin Institute's sesquicentennial celebration in Philadelphia in 1874, he wanted to create a new treat to attract customers away from another vendor who had a fancier, bigger soda fountain. After some experimenting, he decided to combine ice cream and soda water. During the celebration, he sold vanilla ice cream with soda water and a choice of 16 different flavored syrups. The new treat was a sensation, and soon other soda fountains began selling ice cream sodas. Green's will instructed that "Originator of the Ice Cream Soda" was to be engraved on his tombstone.

  The beverage quickly became very popular, to such a degree that it was almost socially obligatory among teens, although many adults abhorred it. According to some accounts, it was banned, either entirely or on holy days, by some local governments, giving rise to a substitute treat, the sodaless ice cream sundae. As soda was marketed as a miracle cure, it was often considered a substance that required oversight and control like alcohol, another controlled substance that could not be served or purchased on Sundays in many conservative areas. Many soda fountains had to figure out a way to turn a profit on Sundays when selling soda was considered illegal. The solution was to serve ice cream on these days, as it is merely a food product and not a controlled substance. Soda fountains then coined the term "Sundaes" for the ice cream concoctions that they served on "soda's day of rest".

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2 NEW FLOWERS

Yesterday I created two new flowers for One Flower Wednesday and for my GFG.....

This flower was made with DD#2 in mind.  She has played the trumpet since she was 10 and even went on to graduate with an MFA in music performance.

This flower was made by fussy cutting part of another flower.  I couldn't really decide which way to place the petals and this is what I ended up with.

While I'm showing you flowers, I thought I would show you my traveling case.  The petals on the left are the ones I made going down to L.A. and back this weekend.  Lots of stepping stones for my GFG and petals for next month's swap partner.  I do make sure to take matching threads to the petals if I plan to assemble flowers while we travel.

If you are interested in seeing other flowers around blogland you can, thanks to Karen, Journey Of A Quilter, who has provided us with a linky to connect up with each other.  Thank you, Karen!

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HOT SUMMER DAY

Just had to share a photo of Snickerdoodle and Weasley.....

Both of them were sound asleep on their backs - baring their bellies helps to keep them cool.  It's not often I see them laying like perfect little parentheses - lol!

This little funny was sent to me by Jennifer.  Thank you for the little laugh!!

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FMQ - DAYS 5 and 6

I had a lot of fun with this practice.  Leah calls this Wandering Clover.  It's meandering with some petals thrown in.

Yesterday's was more of a challenge.  I divided the piece in half and definitely had more success with the second (right) side.  I still didn't blend the stitching very well in the middle.  This practice piece is called Flowing Glass.  I know I had trouble relaxing with this one and could feel the knot in my shoulders when I was through.  I don't think this will be added to my future quilting.

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TODAY'S and TOMORROW'S GOAL

Today I will work on a mug rug for a swap that needs to be in the mail by the end of the month.

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GIVEAWAYS

Our Busy Little Bunch is having a giveaway.  You could win a Fat Quarter bundle of Hoo's in the Forest by Doohikey Designs, some fun Riley Blake trims and buttons, and a Layer Cake of Sugar & Spice by the Quilted Fish.  This giveaway ends Saturday, July 30.
 

Vrooman's Quilts is having a giveaway.  Sharon has made up 100 Cookie Crumb blocks to giveaway.   This giveaway ends Sunday, July 24.

Freda's Hive is having a giveaway.  You could win a GO! Baby Cutter from AccuQuilt.  This giveaway ends Friday, July 22.

Lily Pad Quilting is having a giveaway.  You could win a seven fat quarter stack of Lola's Posies by Lila Tueller, in the rose colorway, a $20 credit to Dewberry Lane, a set of Quilter's No Melt Press Bars, some thread and a new package of quilting needles.  This giveaway ends Tuesday, July 26.

Cotton Cocktail's is celebrating her second blogiversary with a giveaway.  You could win 4 beautiful fat quarters.  This giveaway ends Monday, July 25.

Annie's Ruby Slipperz is having her Mystery Monday giveaway.  You could win 5 fat quarters in your choice of colors.  The winner will be announced Monday, July 25.

Keep Me In Stitches is celebrating her one year blogiversary.  Peggy is giving away all sorts of cross stitch goodies.  The winner will be selected on Friday, August 5.

I Have A Notion is having a giveaway.  You could win a Village Green & Portraits Of My Garden Patterns by Amanda Murphy Design.  This giveaway will end Thursday evening, July 20.

Quilting With Debi is having a giveaway.  You could win one of four (4) sets of 200 - 5" charms (2 of 100 different fabrics).  Debi will draw four names on Friday, July 22.

1 Choice 4 Quilting is having a giveaway.  You could win an Amelia Jelly Roll or an Amelia Layer Cake or a Hometown Jelly Roll.  This giveaway ends Monday, July 25, at 10:00 pm EST.

The Colorado Lady is having a giveaway.  You could win one of two 1 year subscriptions to Taste of Home.   Suzanne will draw the winners on Sunday, July 24.

Pigtales and Quilts is having a giveaway.  You could win a Quilters Depot goody bag.  This giveaway ends Monday, July 25.

Me and My Stitches is having a giveaway.  You could win either a piece of jewelry or a scissor fob that Julie created.  A winner will be drawn on Monday, July 25.

Fabric Worm is having their weekly giveaway.  This week you could win  Monica Lee Now We're Going Places, Orange & Lime in 8 Fat Quarters.  This giveaway will end Monday, July 25, at 8:30 am PST.

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FINAL THOUGHT

So far I'm enjoying this three day a week blogging schedule.  Monday I was able to sew all the way until 4:45.  Mind you, it did feel strange not stopping at 3:30 to prep for a post on Tuesday.  I was able to spend the afternoon putting borders on quilts made by others of our guild for the QOV project.  It's interesting to see the work of others that you don't normally see - seam allowances, stitch length, etc.  I also was able to prep for the sew-in at Thursday's guild meeting.  We are going to be doing the jelly roll race and since I don't happen to have a jelly roll on hand, I had to finish cutting the pieces to have enough strips.  It's amazing what I can do with a free hour every once in awhile.  I hope you are enjoying your week so far.

One must learn a different... sense of time, one that depends more on small amounts than big ones.
~Sister Mary Paul