Flowers Come In Pairs

A peacefulness follows any decision, even the wrong one.

  ~Rita Mae Brown

I am so confused.  I have been working on my Colors Thru the Window quilt - backing pieced, batting cut and it's all sandwiched together.  I've even stitched in the sashings with black thread and a wavy line stitching.  Now I don't know what to do with the squares if anything.  I don't know if I'm brave enough to try any FMQ.  I don't know if I should just stitch in the ditch.  Each colored square is only 2" square which add up to 4" being unquilted.  I know this is okay to leave unquilted because I'm using Warm and Natural batting and it can span a much larger area without shifting.  I've toying with the idea of using a variegated thread in primary colors and doing a mid sized meander with an occasional flower in each block (not crossing the sashing).  I almost wish I hadn't started FMQ lessons - I wouldn't be having this dilemma.  Decisions, decisions, decisions.......

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

PHOTO FACT OF THE DAY

Watermelon

Today is National Watermelon Day.  Would you be surprised to learn I don't like watermelon?  That doesn't mean I can't share some little facts with you......

* Watermelon is actually a vegetable and not a fruit. It is also related to the pumpkin, cucumber and the squash.

* The watermelon (Citrullus Lanatus) are the natives of the Kalahari desert found in Southern Africa.

* Watermelon consists of 92% water and 8% sugar.

* The watermelon was brought into America across the Atlantic oceans by African slaves.

* Every part of the watermelon, including the seeds and the rind is edible.

* Over 1200 varieties of watermelon are grown in approximately 100 countries across the world.

* Watermelons are very fragile and cannot be harvested with the help of machines. Instead they are carefully tossed by workers on a relay that runs between the fields and the truck. 

* The first recorded watermelon harvest was in Egypt and it took place nearly 5000 years ago. This is depicted in the Egyptian hieroglyphics that is found in ancient buildings. As a matter of fact, watermelons were also placed in the tombs of kings to help them nourish in the after life.

* Bill Carson of Arrington, Tennessee grew a 262 pound watermelon in 1990. This feat found a place in the 1998 edition of the Guinness World Book of Records.

* Early explorers used watermelons as canteens.

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

MAIL

I forgot to share on Monday, my stack of outgoing mail.  This is all of the swaps and Bee commitment I had this month (minus one).

Five of those envelopes are heading across the ocean to various countries.  The rest are staying her in the lower 48.  I think I'm trying to keep the postal service in business with my stamp purchases.

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

PETALS

Friday I spent a little time cutting out hexagons....

I didn't want to get stuck in a traffic jam with nothing to do - lol!  These are for both my GFG and for Aunt Sarah.  Not sure how many there are but thanks to my GO! Baby Cutter I was able to make rapid work of the non-fussy cut hexies.

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

SWAP FLOWERS

Over the weekend I made two hexie flowers for my August swap partner in the Inchy Hexagon Flower Swap......

Anette had no preferences so I went a little traditional and a little more modern.  These two hexies will be sailing across the ocean to Denmark in today's mail. 

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

A COUPLE FOR AUNT SARAH

While traveling down south I was able to assemble several petals for the Aunt Sarah quilt.

Two flowers with cream petals - just the first of many more to come.

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

GRANDMOTHER'S FLOWER GARDEN

Also on Sunday I created two more flowers for my GFG.....

First I made this flower - made me think of cool breezes with the light blue in the petals.

And this one made me remember all of the flowers that were blooming this spring - back when the yard was full of color and happiness.  For more hexies around blogland, check out Karen's linky page at Journey of a Quilter.

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

FMQ - DAYS 15 and 16

Monday's FMQ practice was almost a repeat of Friday's......

As you can tell, Leah named this one Mud Flats.  I had the same problem with keeping the size the same across the block and also would loose my curves.  Guess this isn't one for me.

Tuesday's practice was much better.  And, yes, I know I spelled "algae" incorrectly - but when I was stitching it I was thinking sea and gea - they sound the same so my fingers spelled them the same way - lol!  I really got a workout tracing over previous stitching and it didn't feel awkward going from the bottom to the top on this practice - woohoo!  The practice is really titled Sea Algae.

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

TODAY'S GOAL

Today I hope I decide on the whether "to quilt or not to quilt" - that is the question.  If I decide to quilt - then I will be quilting.

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

GIVEAWAYS

Lily Pad Quilting is having a giveaway.  You could win a fat quarter bundle of Peacock Lane, by Violet Craft, for Michael Miller Fabrics.  This giveaway ends Monday, August 8.

Quiltsalott is having a giveaway.  You could win a sewing case from Annie Downs book "Some Kind Of Wonderful" that Janet made from linen and scraps of her favourite colour.  Janet will draw a winner on Saturday, August 6, Aussie time.

Vrooman's Quilts is having a giveaway!  You could win a Connecting Threads quilt kit with everything you need in it.  Sharon will draw a winner on Saturday, August 6.

Cut To Pieces is having a giveaway!  Here is another chance to win a GO! Baby Cutter and your choice of 3 dies.  This giveaway ends ?

Butternut Street is having a giveaway.  You could win $25 gift certificate to Fashionable Fabrics.  This giveaway ends Sunday, August 7, at midnight MST.

A Confused Quilter is having a giveaway.  Staci is giving away 3 packages of Heat Press Batting Together to three lucky winners.  This giveaway ends Friday, August 5.

Our Busy Little Bunch is having a giveaway.  You could win a quilt kit made with a quilt pattern from Quiltville and Central Park fabric by Kate Spain.  The winner will be announced on Wednesday, August 10. 

Amy's Creative Side is having a giveaway.  You could win a kit from 1 Choice 4 Quilting.  Amy will announce the winner on Friday, August 5.

Love Affair With My Brother is having a giveaway.  You could win a set of all of Amanda Murphy's patterns and a fat quarter set of Swiss Chocolate in the "Chocolate" color story.  A winner will be selected on Monday, August 8.

From The Blue Chair is having a giveaway.  You could win a a fat quarter pack of Heirloom in the Sapphire colorway.  A winner will be selected on Monday, August 8.

Jo's Country Junction is having a giveaway.  You could win a $25 gift certificate to Fat Quarter Shop.  This giveaway ends Friday, August 5.

Sew Fabulous is having an August giveaway.  You could win a Christmas Candy Fat Quarter Bundle by Doodlebug Design for Riley Blake Designs.  This giveaway ends Tuesday, August 30. 

McCall's Quilting is having a giveaway.  You could be one of five lucky winners to receive a charm pack of Moda Nature's Chorus.  This giveaway ends Monday, August 8.

Fabric Worm is having their weekly giveaway.  You could win one yard of Jay-Cyn Designs for Birch Fabrics Storybook Gone Fishin' Cheater.  This giveaway ends Monday, August 8, at 8:30 am PST.

The Intrepid Thread is celebrating her second blogiversary with a giveaway.  You could win a Little Apples Jelly Roll, Modern Log Cabin Quilting Book, a fat quarter pack of Taza in the pink and red colorway, and a fat quarter pack of Heirloom in Ruby.  This giveaway ends Friday, August 5, at midnight.

1 Choice 4 Quilting is having a giveaway.  You could win either a layer cake or a jelly roll of either Summer House, Meadow Friends for boys, or Meadow Friends for girls.  This giveaway ends Monday, August 8, at 10:00 pm EST.

Fashionable Fabrics is having a giveaway.  You could win one of two $50 gift certificates to their store.  This giveaway ends Friday, August 5, at midnight CST.

Hawthorne Threads is having their weekly giveaway.  This week you could win  a fat quarter bundle of Joel Dewberry's Heirloom collection.  A winner will be drawn on Wednesday, August 10.

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

FINAL THOUGHT

Today is one of those days with no final thoughts or words or wisdom.  I think my brain has been taxed too much with the quilt or not to quilt dilemma.  It's still hot here but that's nothing unusual.  Our highs have been anywhere from 98* to 103*.  Lows have only been down to around 73*.  I'm tired of listening to the A/C.  I would like to be able to open the windows and air out the house.  It's that time of year when the sun is blinding and the skies are smoggy (YUCK!).  It's the time of year when you burn your legs on the car seats if you are wearing shorts.  The bugs are out in force - the big ones with the sticky feet that chase me around the yard.  Can you tell I'm tired of summer?  I can't wait until fall graces us with cooler temps, beautiful colors, and fewer flying aggravations.

Cockroaches really put my "all creatures great and small" creed to the test.
~Terri Guillemets