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.
================================
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!!
==================================
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!
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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.
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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
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
39 comments:
you always have so much going on! I am amazed and I know I definitely couldn't keep up! Good luck with all your projects :)
Beautiful flowers to add to your garden, The orange and yellow swirled flower does remind me of the really hot days we've had.
i agree that it is nice to have a variety of projects going on at once. As long as they are in differet stages of completion or use very different techniques, it leaves you with the choice of doing what you fancy on that day. I do limit my projects (perhaps to 3) since I do not like UFOs but I need that variety. Right now, I am piecing one quilt, hand quilting a GFG, and machine quilting another. I really enjoy having a choice!
I think the FMQ wave chain looks great! You did an awesome job. You're making me think about trying my hand at all the different ones also. Right now I just meander :)
Great FMQ! Wish I had the discipline to do one each day.
Love your hexies! Which size do you prefer? I like the 3/4" best.
I have been trying all year not to start a new project until I finish one. Now I have a backlog of quilting to get to ;-). It does keep me in check, though - glad something does!
Your FMQ is improving by leaps and bounds...the benefit of daily practice! Where do you find your hexie templates? Purchased or made yourself? I want to make a wedding quilt using them, but larger. Thanks.
Your flowers are looking fabulous and I love seeing them with the stepping stones. The "sun" one is perfect for summer. The little hexie flowers will be gorgeous.
I loved reading the facts. I can testify to the roaches because the geckos used to eat the heads off of the roaches when we lived in Hawaii. Several days later you could still see the roach walking about. Eeewww.
Start to finish might be rather boring. After all, isn't variety the spice of life????
Enjoy your day of sewing.
Love your free motion quilting blocks!
Always love your flowers!
And your final thoughts -- about more than one project going at a time. I think is is good to have more than one going, as you never get bored!
Enjoy your day!
Wow, Linda, your free motion quilting is stupendous! I don't think I could ever do that! Love your flowers, too!
Jacque in SC
quiltnsrep(at)yahoo(dot)com
Love your flowers. One of these days I will get back to mine...I hope. Good luck with all your projects.
Of course you can do it! One block at a time, and you have more than a month for some of them. Certainly don't rush on mine if you aren't feeling inspired to tackle it. I'm a little sheepish about sending my fabric out so early, but I wanted to get it out there before the kids's summer camp ended and I got wrapped up in the whole back-to-school scene. And I am laughing thinking about an intoxicated ant! That fire-y hexie flower definitely puts me in mind of the sun and hot summer weather. I hope you are staying cool!
You always seem to have many projects going at once. Love the hexie flowers and mug rugs. Your FMQ is coming along wonderfully!! It is hot here too with cloud bursts every once in awhile to make the muggy level go up too. Seems like ages since I've been in my sewing room. Gotta get down there soon!
I'm not licking any more stamps! Who knew they had calories. Your quilting is great.
Great hexies going there. Doing terrific with the free motion. I get into the finishing moods - 1-3 finishes and then I treat myself with a NEW. But I work better when there is more in progress.
Wow, no wonder you had to cut back on the number of days you posted to your blog. You are certainly getting a lot accomplished, even though you don't feel that way. Loving the hexies, and your FMQ practice is definitely paying off.
And...I saw you won the giveway on Cat Patches First Blogiversary Giveaway. So congratulations!!!!!!!
Well, there's just no telling how many tittles and tenths of calories it took for me to address and mail all of my daughter's wedding invitations this time a year ago! LOL!
Again, I am so impressed with your free-motion work! Love the Aunt Sarah quilt! I suppose I had better start my Aunt Grace quilt before I take on additional "auntie" quilts!
Hope you're having a productive day. Sounds like you've got lots of projects to keep you occupied.
I love the quote at the top today!
As usual, your fussy cut hexies are wonderful. I think I may have some of that swirly orange fabric - it looks very familiar!
Stay cool!!
It's a good thing you started Aunt Sarah's quilt before you implemented the start one, finish one rule! Very clever on your part. (wink, wink) I love that Aunt Sarah's quilt and thought about starting it when I saw it on Sunny's blog. It's just one of the prettiest quilts I've seen.
Your hexagons are great, and I think the plaid with black is an optical illusion of sorts. I mean I see it as you hoped, that the black would make the colors pop; but others see it as opposite. Also, I know I keep saying this, but your FMQ just gets awesomer and awesomer!
I will think twice before I ever call myself a twit again!! I'm with you on the variety of projects - I thought it was my short attention span but really it's just that I try and squeeze every spare moment into sewing - whether it's on the couch with my hubby handsewing or at the machine doing a different project---and sew on. Love your new hexie project - and ALL your flowers are looking great.. I must remember to do a centre hexie with the date on it. Neat idea.
All your blooms are gorgeous. I'm thinking more & more i need a go cutter. :) Happy Stitching,
I think you can, I think you can, I think you can too!!! I see you have found Aunt Sarah and you are off to a very pretty start.
Just wanted to say how much I love your flowers. The one with the dotted center is adorable. And I'm so impressed with how far you're coming on the FMQ. Wowzers!
I am going to have to pull out Ben Hur now. It wont hold a candle to that little boy in Three Men and a Baby though. That one creeps me out every time. I watch that movie and I just see that boy looking in my window!
And in the Monkey scene of Wizard of Oz a man hangs himself. It has to be the original non re-mastered version. The scene was too difficult and dangerous so they didn't re-shoot it and didn't have the capability back then to remove it. I have never been able to see the man get hung but my friend does every time and tries to point it out to me.
LOVE the flower blocks, and your trivia!!
My favorite is "PHD's" I have several...PHD's....projects half done...see how smart I am??
What a great way to get a jump on August. Get all of your Bee blocks out of the way. I love little facts like the ones you posted on. So fun to read. Your hexie flowers are so beautiful, The back does pop and the ohter IS the sun, LOL! Made me hot just looking at it. I agree I would rather have a lot of different projects to work on. It all depends on how I feel.
More pretty flowers! I'm loving the colors of the smaller flower. You're doing very well with your free motion quilting.
Love, love, love your bright flowers!! I also love your new hexie project! ...add another hexie quilt to my to-do wish list! LOL
I'm happiest when I'm working on many projects - I get bored easily so flitting from kit to kit (I try to kit my projects to keep all the bits and pieces together) keeps me productive :) I did finish off 7 PhD's this year in a challenge so that left only 6 quilts (all fairly small and very simple) to finish in my stash. Since most of my other projects are small, I don't feel guilty about flitting around like a bee :D
Finally got enough time on the internet while travelling to check out all my One Flower Wednesday friends.
Love you beautiful flowers.
Oh I know you will love the Patchwork and Stitching Books as I am an Aussie and am lucky enough to get them each month.
Glad you loved the show. I work at a local shop and it was our first time as a vendor. I see we have the same taste. I didnt get a chance to get the Farmhouse Pattern, but I cant now go online and order it since you reminded me with your pic of the treasures you got.
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