Thursday, July 14, 2011

All Sorts Of Color


Where you find quality, you will find a craftsman, not a quality-control expert. 
~Robert Brault

It happened to me again yesterday.  I was reading some of my favorite blogs after lunch and found another pattern I just had to have.  And it's all Sunny's fault!  Not really :)   But it was on her blog where I saw the pattern.  Then I realized that the pattern is in a magazine - one that I don't subscribe to.  As a result, I was off to Google doing a search for said magazine.  Fifteen minutes later I found two sites offering the desired magazine and decided to order it.  It's a little more than I would normally pay for a magazine but then that's what happens when you buy a single issue.  Because of the search, I also found a new online company.  Service seems to be great as they already sent me a notice that the magazine was shipped!  I'll let you know the Who and the What when it arrives.

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PHOTO FACT OF THE DAY

Cork Board

Today is cork board day.  Cork has been around for millennia. Cork bottle stoppers have been found in ancient Egyptian tombs. In ancient Greece, many items such as fishing net floats, sandals and bottle stoppers were made with cork. It was not until the end of the 19th century, however, that cork board was invented.
Throughout the ages, cork was produced same as it ever was, with much of the cork going to waste. In 1890, a German company began collecting the waste cork particles and using a clay binder to create an agglomerate cork sheet. The next year an American by the name of John T. Smith improved upon the process. Instead of using a clay binder, Smith's process used heat and pressure to combine the waste cork together, created a pure agglomerated cork board.
Initially, cork board was used primarily as insulation. This all changed in 1924 when George Brooks, a resident of Topeka, Kansas, patented a new use for cork board: as a bulletin board you could stick tacks into. A simple yet brilliant idea which has impacted the way we post messages to this day. Also known as pin boards, bulletin boards and of course cork boards, George Brooks' invention is a mainstay in homes and offices around the world.

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SWAP BLOCK RECEIVED

The mailman brought a squishy to my door the other day.....

This wonderful block came to me from Helen who lives in Australia.  Helen was my June swap partner in Quilting Block Swaps Australia.  The block is called Blazing Arrow.  She also included a note telling me all about the cute little bird on the front.  It is a blue wren.  I do wish our wrens were so colorful.  Thank you so very much, Helen, for the great block and all of the info on the little wren!!

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BLOCKS TOGETHER

Yesterday I started sewing rows of blocks.  That lead to sewing rows together.

Here's a peek at what I've been working on.  I have added one border and need to add one more border before I will let you see the whole thing.  Tomorrow I will be able to share with you the completed top :)

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FMQ PRACTICE - DAY 2

Yesterday I did the next practice block from Leah Day in the beginner category.  Leah called this Cursive F's.

I would get about half way across the row and all of a sudden couldn't remember how to make a 'Cursive F'.  And after thinking about it all day I finally figured out why I ran into trouble.  That is not how I make a cursive F - lol!  I think my brain tried to take over part way through and the hand didn't want to follow.  Oh well.  Can you tell I tried something else new?  I brought out a stencil I have had for a couple of years and traced it onto the fabric.  I used a red pen but I think I should have used a yellow chalk marker - it would have been easier to see.  I don't think I did too awfully bad with those.

I even signed this one.  Who knows, maybe someday down in history someone will think this was a real work of art.  HAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!!!!!!!

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TODAY'S GOAL

Today I will finish putting the border on my Dora's variation quilt and maybe make a block or two for the UFO (or WIP) from last month.

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GIVEAWAYS

Quilty Habit is having a giveaway.  You could win 3 wonderful fat quarters.  This giveaway ends Tuesday, July 19, at 11:00 pm EST.

Happy Quilting is having a giveaway.  You could win an entire fat quarter bundle of Kate Spain's Flurry.  This giveaway ends Tuesday, July 19.

Cat Patches is celebrating her one year blogiversary with a giveaway.  You could win three 1 yard cuts of some wonderful fabric.  This giveaway ends Wednesday, July 27.

Lily's Quilts is having a giveaway.  You could win a GO! Baby Cutter and your choice of 3 dies.  The winner will be selected on Wednesday, July 20.

Me? A Mom? is having a giveaway.  You could win a GO! Baby Cutter and your choice of 3 dies.  This giveaway ends Wednesday, July 20.

Creative Confessions is having a celebration giveaway.  Heather's giveaway is centered around Jo Morton and includes one of her books, some beautiful fat quarters and a BH&;G magazine that has a lot of Jo Morton information.  This giveaway ends Sunday, July 24, at midnight.

Our Busy Little Bunch is having a giveaway.  You could win Ann Kelle's Designer Select Fat Quarter Bundle
Urban Zoologie Collection.  This giveaway ends Tuesday, July 19.

Mariliz's Musings is having a giveaway.  You could win a copy of the book, A Place Called Blessing, by John Trent with Annette Smith.  A winner will be drawn on Monday, July 18.

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FINAL THOUGHT
 I think I've figured out my time dilemma.  Next week I'm going to start blogging only on Monday, Wednesday, and Fridays.  I think this will work well for me.  Of course I will still be reading blogs daily and collecting giveaways as I go to pass on to you.  And, I can always throw a blog out there on a Tuesday or Thursday if I should feel the need.  This schedule will give me at least 3 more hours a week to dedicate to sewing.  I can get a lot done in three hours.  And, who knows.....maybe I will find I don't like that schedule and go back to 5 days a week.  This was a BIG decision for me as I really do enjoying writing my posts.  Like I said before - too bad I have to eat and sleep - sewing is much more fun than either of those two things - lol!

A peacefulness follows any decision, even the wrong one.
~Rita Mae Brown


30 comments:

Sunnybec said...

Hi Linda, hope your magazine company are better than the one I am using. I ordered a subscription in May, was told by email first issue would be here 6/8 weeks...I am still waiting. Loving the FMQ especially the signature!!! Linda x

Char said...

I can't wait to see the quilt you're working on, I love that little bit of black running through it.
I hope the new schedule works for you. I never seem to get done what I've planned once I get on the computer.

Gene Black said...

Ha.. I wondered why she called it "cursive 'f's" I don't make my 'f' that way either. I looked at hers and did NOT see the letter F.

You did a great job signing your name!

sunny said...

Oh no - I'm not taking the blame for this - it's LuAnn's fault! But let me know where you got your mag as I might need one also. I'm actually thinking of doing one of the applique patterns that I already have, and trying to design around it. And I'm using inchy hexies, and I think the pattern calls for smaller ones. Keep up the good work with the fmq! I haven't been brave enough to try yet, I just stipple a lot.

Cheryl said...

Sounds like a good plan! I blog less now, but still enjoy blog surfing. Of course, it is still dangerous to those of us who are trying to control our "Projects."

nono said...

I love the black borders, it really makes the colors pop.

Needled Mom said...

Your FMQ projects are really fun to watch. You'll be great with all that practice.

I think you came to a good solution to the blogging. We will look forward to you blogs even more.

Love the top you are working on. I can't wait to see the whole picture.

Cork!!!! That is the reason for all of our imported oak trees in CA.

Melissa ;-) said...

You match up your corners on your quilt tops so nicely!!! And I think your hearts look great! Wish I had the talent to sign my name like that.

Barbara said...

I'm giggling here, seems the need to spend less time blogging may be replaced by other things like a new magazine. ;) Your FMQ is coming along fabulously and I love your quilt! Very striking contrast in that one.

Impera Magna said...

I hope your decision to blog MWF with occasional TTh posts works well for you. Your posts are such great reads but you shouldn't feel obligated to post...

Plus, three more hours a week to sew is a very good thing!

Barbara said...

That is a beautiful quilt. I can't wait to see the whole thing!

Pokey said...

Your quilt is cool, with the bold black running across it all. Good quilting practice, but when I do that motion, I call it the cursive "L", for my Larry, I'm surprised "L"eah and you, "L"inda didn't see it that way....
:-}pokey

Jessica said...

Looking forward to seeing what you are working on, and also the magazine! I can imagine that these blog posts take a long time to complete - you should definitely take some extra time to sew ;) Also, thank you so much for posting about my giveaway!

Megan Harmeyer said...

Look at all that fancy stitching! I like that you were able to put your signature in there. I think I'm going to be cutting back on my blogging, too. I'm just not feeling it lately.

Anonymous said...

Your free motion looks like a masterpiece compared to with what I have come up with!

Apple Avenue Quilts said...

I think your blogging solution is just right. I've often wondered how you manage to find the time to do all you do. I love the quilt you are working on. Your colors are so bright and happy! I made one a while ago and enjoyed it so much.

Jocelyn said...

Linda, I know you take a lot of time writing your posts, but I really enjoy reading them. On days that I know I will be limited, I sometimes set my posts to publish the next day. So then I can actually do two posts in one day, but they are published separately. Enjoy your day!

Cheryll said...

Great post today... but I'm gonna miss reading you everyday.. oh well.. guess there will be moe to see when you do blog..eh?
HaPPy SeWiNg !

Vroomans' Quilts said...

Lovely post today. Gorgeous blue fabric in that block. Your free motion must be going smoothly for a signature! Glad you found a solution to your blogging. 3 days is plenty and if you throw in an extra, we will pleased. Just love what we got a sneak peek at!

Linda said...

I applaud your decision, although I will miss you on the days you're not here. I have also had to keep my blogging in check. I found I was spending so much time getting posts together and reading blogs, I wasn't taking time to work my business. I am finding that I can't do it all. Phooey! I wish I could!!!

BillieBee (billiemick) said...

I guess I'm trying to read too many blogs myself. No time to blog or sew....grin.

Enjoy some more free time.

quiltercaroline said...

Hi Linda I'm glad you have come up with a plan for your blogging - a great solution and as you said so much can be done with an extra three hours. The black in your quilt really sets the fabric off beautifully I look forward to seeing the whole thing. Best wishes C

Deborah in Atlanta said...

I love the bright colors in your quilt and the black sashing REALLY sets it off. I'm hoping you'll have the outside border black and will have the bright colored scrappy binding on it. It will bring that pop of color all the way out fromthe center to the binding. Again, awesome colors!

Melissa said...

Can't wait to see the finished quilt top!

Sandra said...

I'm looking forward to seeing the quilt you are working on. So pretty! Hmmmm...might make a good I Spy pattern:)

Nancy said...

Isn't it amazing how one thing leads to another? Have you ever read the children's book, If You Give a Mouse a Cookie... It is exactly that.
Happy Day!

Miss Hillbilly said...

That sounds like a good plan! I kind of do that off and on.

If it's an Australian magazine I understand. I love them but I just cannot subscribe to anything. I love Australian designers and floss. And it's so hard to get here. When I get rich I'll open that shop. Sigh.

Quiltjane said...

I love that colourful quilt with the black sashing. Looks great.

Staci said...

Love love your bright quilt top! Brights and black are such a great combination!
Blog reading does get one into new mischief, doesn't it??

Have a lovely weekend!

Shannon said...

Your quilt is so colorful!! I love it!! Good idea about only blogging three days a week. You need to cut back and I need to start doing mine. LOL!

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