Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Big Pink Rollers?


The trouble with simple living is that, though it can be joyful, rich, and creative, it isn't simple.
~Doris Janzen Longacre

Recently I have been debating about cutting back on blogging.  Maybe taking it from 5 days a week down to 4.  Maybe taking out Wednesdays.  But then I thought "What about One Flower Wednesday?"  If I dropped that then I know I would never ever get my Grandmother's Flower Garden Quilt completed.  Besides, how could I share my flowers with others who are equally addicted to those wonderful little hexagon creations.  What about eliminating another day of the week?  Nope, just can't do it.  So what I have decided to do is on Wednesdays I will only post my hexagon flowers and/or any growth on my GFG.  Plus I will include the previous days fmq sample.  Well, I also won't forget Giveaways and Photo Fact of the Day but I won't be including anything else I'm working on.  I'm hoping this will cut down on the amount of time I spend on my blog for at least one day a week.  I hope you'll stick around but I will understand if you don't visit on Wednesdays.  I'm just trying to figure out how to get a little more sewing time in each week.

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PHOTO FACT OF THE DAY


French Fries

Today is National French Fries Day.  Just looking at that picture makes my mouth water for those salty creations.  Yummmmm.   Did you know.....
* The original name for french fries was "potatoes, fried in the French manner" that is how Thomas Jefferson first described the dish. Jefferson introduced french fries to the colonies in the late 1700s.
* In America, French Fries are usually eaten with the fingers; in Europe, they are usually eaten with a miniature, two-tine fork usually made of wood
* A small order of French Fries at McDonald's weighs less than four ounces
* People in North American eat something like 29 pounds of french fries per year
* In 2004, 29% of the United States' potato crop were used to make frozen fries
* Frozen French Fries which you buy in a store have already been partially cooked

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ONE FLOWER

Today is One Flower Wednesday and I created just one flower this week.

The petals on this flower remind me of the big, pink rollers we used to put in our hair back in the late 60's and early 70's.  Don't ask me where that memory came from, it just popped into my head.  This isn't an I Spy type flower but I did like the fussy cut petals.  For more wonderful hexagon flowers out there, Karen has provided a linky where you can check them all out.  Thank you, Karen.

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FMQ

Yesterday I made my first venture into the world of free motion quilting......

Okay.  Aw,come on!  It's not that bad - well maybe it is :D  Pick yourselves up off the floor and try to quit laughing.  What an experience.  Luckily I didn't have to do any adjusting of the tension on my machine.  I did somewhat okay working from top to bottom.  But working from bottom to top was an entirely different story.  I couldn't make a smooth line to save my life!  Whenever I had to move my hands (in either direction) I would end up with a little swerve in my line.  I tried increasing the speed but then I had stitches that were way too tiny.  Did I learn anything?  Yes - practice, practice, practice.  Also - relax and breathe, relax and breathe.  On to another block today!  You can start laughing again :P

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TODAY'S GOAL

Today I will continue working on my Dora variation quilt. 

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GIVEAWAYS

The Raspberry Rabbit is having a giveaway.  You could win Shell's darling Within the Heart Pillow.  A winner will be selected on Monday, July 18.

Hawthorne Threads is having their weekly giveaway.  You could win a 1/2 yard bundle of Daiwabo Tip Top Hippos.  A winner will be selected on Wednesday, July 20.

Fabric Worm is having their weekly giveaway, too.  This week you could win a new custom bundle: Retro Living Room in 12 Fat Quarters.  This giveaway ends Monday, July 18, at 8:30 am PST.

Quilt Times is celebrating the release of her book Pick Four in the USA with a giveaway.  You could win a $50 gift certificate to 1 Choice 4 Quilting.  This giveaway ends Tuesday, July 19, at midnight BST.

Poppyprint is celebrating her birthday month with a giveaway.  You could win a $20 gift certificate to Marmalade Fabrics.  This giveaway ends Thurday, July 14, at 6:00 pm PST.

Bloom, Bake, and Create is having a giveaway.  You could win a copy of Thimbleberries Small Wonders by Lynette Jensen.  This giveaway ends Friday, July 15, at 8:00 am CST.

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FINAL THOUGHT

I would like to get back to hand applique but right now I'm concentrating on my Gardener's Journal stitchery.  Plus working on the Dora quilt and making extra blocks and flowers along the way just doesn't allow time for applique.  Why aren't there more hours in the day?  Better yet.....why do I have to sleep?  I could so use those sleeping hours to be sewing or stitching.  I've tried sleeping less than 6 hours and my body just doesn't work after a few days.  I would love to be one of the people who only need 4 hours of sleep a night - that would give me two more hours to create.  And I also have to take out time to eat and shower.  What fun are those activities?  You would think after all of these years that I would have built up a reserve of sleep hours.  I really don't think it's fair.  Oh well.  As they say.....Eat, Sleep, and Be Merry!

Without enough sleep, we all become tall two-year-olds. 
 ~JoJo Jensen

48 comments:

Impera Magna said...

Blogs are supposed to be fun and enjoyable for YOU... if you need to cut back some, do so! I'm not going anywhere... I enjoy reading whatever/whenever...

Love your newest flower block... very nice!

Karen said...

I LOVE your big pink roller flower!!! You can still eliminate posting on Wednesday by adding your flower to your Thursday posting. You can then add your link to the Sign In Sheet on Thursday, it is still open to do so.

Cheryl said...

Not enough sleep turns me into a senile 90 year old!! Great movement in your hexie. You will be surprised how quickly your FMQ improves with practice...and relaxing. You should be proud of your commitment to it!

Barb said...

I have been trying to cut back....I spend so much time on the computer.....

Love your flower....the way you fussy cut them is just perfect.

Vroomans' Quilts said...

I couldn't for the life of me figure the blog title - until! Oh, I remember those curlers, and yes it does remind one of those nasty things. But it gives such wonder flow to the hexie - clever gal. Hey, we all need to find that time and it's your blog to do with as you like - even if we get a hexie to drool over, we enjoy sharing your day.

Jocelyn said...

Apparently French Fries are BIG in Europe. It is a staple. Traveling to Belgium I was surprised to see French Fries offered on every menu, even at fine restaurants as a side dish. And they serve it with Mayonnaise, not ketchup ;-)

Barbara said...

The computer is fun, but it can become a time-hogging problem. The ironic thing is that what brings us together here in the first place is similar interests (quilt-making, etc.), but instead of spending time those things, sometimes all we end up doing is talking about them. It's just too darn addicting, so self-discipline is necessary for me.
I can see you are on your way with machine quilting, and I love your pink rollers! How did we ever sleep on those things?!

Maria said...

Your pink swirl hexie looks fabulous.
It is fun to se what all the ladies do each week

quiltercaroline said...

Hi Linda. You must do the amount of blogging as you want to - it shouldn't become a chore. Personally I am happy to see whatever you want to post whenever. I expect the research of the photos facts and giveaways take the most time - how about doing those only a few times a week. Just a suggestion - thank you for all your hardwork. Best wishes
Caroline

Annie said...

Love the hexie, and I had to laugh about the comment of the big rollers of the 60-70's. I, just before I sat down to read this morning, took some of those monsters out of my hair. I have extremely curly hair and in heat and humidity it drives me crazy....the rollers smooth it out quite nicely.

Do try to take it easy and get plenty of sleep.

: )

Teresa said...

You free motion looks like part of a fingerprint. Maybe it's going to be a CSI quilt.
I am now hungry for french fries.
Cut back if you need to we will all be here.
Teresa's Heartfelt Stitches

Needled Mom said...

Computer time is always such a battle. We want to read blogs and blog, but we also want to sew. It is tough. You always amaze me with all the blogging you accomplish and yet still have the time to sew.

I love the pink roller flower. I have some of that fabric myself!!

Melissa ;-) said...

Your quote for the day sure hits home for me right now!!! Love the fussy cut petals. I have the same problem as you with FMQ; I can go one direction, but not the other. I do believe practice is warranted - some day!!!

Terry said...

Your hexagon looks great! I could never blog on a set schedule. I blog when I have something to blog about! LOL

Hilachas said...

What a beautiful hexie flower you've made. You have such a good eye for designing beautiful flowers. I know what you mean about needing to cut back on blog time. I only blog 2-3 times a week and it takes a big chunk out of my sewing time, what with sewing, then taking photos, cropping them for posting, and then actually blogging. Yes, definitely cut your Wednesdays to One-Flower :)

Christine said...

Oh the hexie is beautiful. Just amazing! I enjoy reading your blog and will continue even if it is only one day! I know it takes a lot of time since my blog only gets updated once a week maybe twice but I would rather spend the extra time I have sewing. I do like blogging too!

Linda said...

I had to laugh at the pink curlers! I remember them well!!!! As a little girl I would try and try to get my head comfortable so I could sleep on them!
I have been trying to get more hours in my day by getting up early. I normally go to bed at around 10, read for an hour or so (thank goodness for the little light on my Kindle cover!) and then I lay there for another couple of hours, on average, thinking about "stuff". I have never been one to fall asleep easily! My husband gets up at 4:30, so for about a week I've tried getting up shortly after he did so I would have more hours. I noticed that last night I was so tired I could hardly move. I didn't even want to eat and we were at a family birthday party with Grandma's Chocolate Cake!!! I decided that this morning I would make myself stay in bed and sleep just a little longer. I was horrified when I rolled out of bed at 7:45! I had slept through my blogging time this morning!!! Hopefully, I will have more energy today, though.

Sunnybec said...

Hi Linda, I don't think people will leave your blog if you don't post as often, I am terrible at posting and so far no one has left me :) And, if anyone is laughing at your FMQ then they haven't attempted to try it themselves yet and therefore don't know how difficult it is, I think it looks really good, well done you.

Anne said...

I don't blame you for cutting back, and I think you've come up with the perfect solution. By the way, your FMQ sample looks great!

I love the hexie flower -- so very pretty! I hate to mention tornadoes again because I don't want them to haunt your dreams, but recently I was visiting with a friend I have known since 10th grade. We were reminiscing about band camp, which was held at ASU in Jonesboro, Arkansas. In the early 70s, the town was badly damaged by a horrific tornado. The town fathers vowed to protect citizens during future threats, so each time a storm cloud loomed, all the campers would be ushered into the dorm hallway to take cover.

My friend recalled having visited Jonesboro days after that tornado hit. She was eleven years old at the time and said her most vivid memory was seeing thousands of pink sponge rollers scattered everywhere. My most vivid memory of sponge rollers is having my long hair rolled tightly every Saturday night, so I'd have a head full of bouncy ringlets to sport to church the next morning. Uh -- sleeping with rollers in my hair -- talk about a living nightmare! LOL!

corina said...

I think sewing is more important than blogging. Blogging is supposed to add to our lives, not overtake them. If you cut down to blogging every second day it would give you time to do the things you love! We all enjoy reading your blog, we won't go anywhere, it will just make us wait a tad longer to see what you've been up to - which would probably be more since you'd have a little more time!

rubyslipperz1052 said...

I will be a TRUE-blue follower...no matter what!!

hugZ,
annie
rubyslipperz106.blogspot

Pokey said...

I could not get anything done if I posted more, I do not know how you accomplish so much! I would read your posts regardless, Linda, I mean, how else would I know stuff about french fries, and how that little picture made me want some..today...now, even!

I can see the pink rollers, lol!
:-}pokey

Megan Harmeyer said...

I like the hexie - I love how it looks like it has motion to it. As for your free motion quilting...I don't have anything to compare it to, so it looks good to me! I need to take a break from blogging too, but when do I do that?! LOL

Quilting Chemist (Danette) said...

Such a colorful flower! I see the big pink rollers but I'd rather think of some sweet swirling confection...much more pleasant than those uncomfortable rollers!

I think I'll celebrate and have some french fries for lunch.

Teresa F. said...

I love reading your blog but if you think it's taking away some of your quality time then you should cut back.
I loved your swirly hexie, and your free motion quilting is going very nicely.

Lynda said...

Love the pink roller hexie flower. I wasn't laughing at your fmq at all...I don't even try it! I'll be here every day cuz I love your blog.

Staci said...

Love that flower! What a great swirly print. Your fussy cutting is just perfect!

sunny said...

My friend, there is no obligation to blog every day. I couldn't do it. I blog when I have something to say, and my goal is at least twice a week. Sometimes I do more. I love reading your blog, and I'm not going anywhere if you don't post every day. I've commented before to you about how long it must take to prepare your posts. Enjoy! Do what's fun! Do it for YOU, not for us. {{{HUGS}}}

Gene Black said...

Ha! I remember those big pink rollers, if you mean the foam ones. Mom used those.

Your free motion will get smoother as you go. But don't be too hard on yourself. This actually looks pretty artistic. Funny thing, yesterday as I was trying to distract myself from my sore side, I watched the video on this FMQ pattern. For a first try, you did GREAT.

Barbara said...

I think your FMQ looks great! One thing I've learned is to stop sewing before I move my hands. That will help with your lines. It's a hard habit to learn, however. Honestly, though. FMQ is so forgiving. I think most people see the whole design, not the individual lines. We are much more critical of our own work than others are. Keep practicing! (BTW, I'm only learning too--not an expert, by any means.)

quiltzyx said...

I'll still be checking in, no matter how many days you blog - any day I read your blog makes me happy! :D

You're right, the swirly design does look like those big pink rollers! LOL

I think your FMQ practice looks pretty darned good. Like you said, relax & breathe & eventually the muscle memory will take over.

The Vegetarian Hunter said...

How do you find all these National day of things?? It amazes me and this one is perfect as I am reading it early enough in the day! Even before reading this I was thinking of asking DH to pick up fish and chips on his way home!

Love the swirly fabric on your one flower Wednesday picture.

Your free motion block - I did not laugh one bit. It may not have been what you were going for, but I can the technique being used on several projects. I love the look of topopraphic maps which this is perfect for, or I can see something similar for leaves? Keep practicing, you will be amazing!
hugs,
Carolyn

Sue said...

I'm a relatively new reader, but even so, I'm hooked. You have something really special going on with your blog and the only way for you to keep it that way is to be happy yourself. If that means you cut back a day, skip a day here or there, do it. We'll survive ... somehow. :-)

Pat said...

Another great flower!

Talin's Corner said...

My favorite...french fries. I feel so guilty eating them, but they are soooo delicious!

Another beautiful hexagon flower.

Lynette said...

Linda,your hexie flowers are always so amazing! I can't believe how stunning today's is.

Nancy said...

Okay, so I saw big pink roller and immediately flashed back to when I actually used those in my hair! Yikes. Happily, I have advanced and now just let nature do what nature will do and I'm deliriously happy with that.

Whatever you decide about your blog, we'll be here. Always too good to pass up!

Anonymous said...

You rock, Linda! Whether it's your blog, your super hexie flowers, or your "this is what today is about"....we're all hooked and love to visit with you.
At the same time, if you need/want to cut back, we will happily support you as true-blue followers, and enjoy what you have the time and desire to post. That's what bloggie friends are for!
Love ya! (And I did NOT laugh at your FMQ! I salute you!)
Jacque in SC
quiltnsrep(at)yahoo(dot)com

✾Jamie Lee Cooley✾ said...

That swirly flower is very pretty!

Miss Hillbilly said...

I have both those fabrics in the flower...and I do enjoy your Wednesday post. I've tried to cut back but having trouble. In fact I've already started a draft for Monday telling everyone I am such a blabber and I can't help it!

And then there is blog reading. That really really cuts into my sewing time. I read blogs at night when the boys go to bed, but that is my ONLY time to sew. I used to read blogs during the day but I got to where between blogs and emails my computer was a constant companion and I don't like the example that was for my boys.

Forget the money tree...we need a time tree!

Deb said...

Linda--don't worry about this every day thing...you are allowed to have a life!!

And, I LOVE your block. It brings back such memories of sleepless nights...high hopes of beautiful curls. My hair was straight as can be and fine. Even after suffering through curlers...the curls would be gone in about an hour!! AGH!!

Deb from clutteredquilter.blogspot.com

Evita said...

I'm on the same spot as you are. I need to make blocks to practice FMQ. I just dread the idea but it is a must for me. I'm taking a class from my Guild and it is a gorgeous wallhanging with beautiful sunflowers. The rest is all free motion.You give me incentive to keep going and I thank you much. Evita

Janet said...

I think you have a fabulous blog but don't let it own you, have fun with it when you feel like it. Love the GFG block and I learnt a fair bit about chips today.

Seams to Sew and Quilt said...

Linda you have a wonderful blog. I think no matter how you change it up they will still come. You always have fun and interesting stuff.
What size are you little hexi flowers.
I have been making a few of them but need to set a certain day like you do to get one. Also I need to post on my blog and put your quilt on it now since you have it on yours... I didn't want to post it before you did.
Wishing for you to have a great day!

Average Quilter said...

I don't know how people find the time to blog - if I didn't play around at work I would never be able to. I love, love you flower - I think that's the best yet. Don't give up on your free motion - practice practice practice - it makes the difference

Cheryl's Teapots2Quilting said...

Now that is one great hexie! Talk about movement. I get the cutting back. I just blog 1-2 times a week so far. I still spend way too much time on the computer.

Renate Bischoff said...

Your hexie is really a swirl, how beautiful.
And yes I can remember the hair roller. Long time ago!!!

Shannon said...

I understand what you mean about feeling like your on the computer to much. I think you are moving in the right direction for cutting out a few minutes. Your hexie flower is so great. Your FMQ looks good for a beginner. I did not laught until I read your post. Like you said just keep practicing. Soon it will be second nature to you.

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