Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Flowers In Many Sizes


In the case of an earthquake hitting Las Vegas, be sure to go straight to the Keno Lounge. Nothing ever gets hit there. 
~Author Unknown

The earth is moving, rumbling and grumbling.  It's vibrating in places that don't usually receive earthquakes.  Is this a needed release or a build up of things to come?  Were you one of those on the East coast or in Colorado that felt the earth shake?  I have felt many earthquakes over my life time, but then that is expected here in California.  I don't think there's any place in the state that doesn't lay near a fault line.  We are over due for a large shaker.  With things moving and shaking across the country, who knows, we may be next.  Maybe I will finally get that beach front property the experts-that-be have been predicting for as long as I can remember. LOL!

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

PHOTO FACT OF THE DAY

Waffles

Today, August 24, is National Waffle Day.  Waffles can be traced to ancient Greece, when Athenians cooked obelios — flat cakes between two metal plates — over burning embers. The word waffle is related to wafer, as in the communion wafer — one of the only victuals that early Catholics could eat during fasting periods since wafers didn't contain animal fats, eggs or dairy products. During the Middle Ages, when bakeries decided to compete with monasteries in the wafer market, the secular — and considerably tastier — waffle was born. Eventually, waffle irons engraved with coats of arms, religious symbols and the familiar honeycomb pattern (said to resemble interlocking crosses) were used to brand the baked treats. In medieval France, an entire guild was established in 1270 to train the vendors who sold waffles on the street. Because the simplest version only called for flour and water, it soon became a staple of country cooking, though wealthier peasants would add honey, eggs and aromatized wine.
Thomas Jefferson, as legend has it, bought a waffle iron in France as a sort of culinary souvenir and began serving waffles in the White House, helping spark a fad for "waffle parties" nationwide. Americans got their first taste of Belgian waffles — which are leavened with yeast and egg whites — at the 1964 World's Fair (an event that also introduced sangria). While the most common way to serve waffles in the U.S. is covered in butter and syrup, regional variations have evolved. Waffles topped with kidney stew were once said to be a local favorite in Baltimore, while one restaurant in Harlem claims it introduced waffles paired with fried chicken back in 1938

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

BRIGHT FLOWERS

My flowers for my GFG and for One Flower Wednesday are bright once again......

I used left over jelly roll strips to make this flower.  The petals and center were cut quickly with the GO! Baby cutter.

This rainbow flower was a bit more challenging.  Not all of the stripes ended up perfectly matched going from one petal to the next but I still like the effect.  For this flower I used a template and did fussy cutting.  If you look carefully in the lower left petal you can see a tiny zebra hoof - it almost looks like someone took a little bite out the petal.
To see more hexagon flowers made by other bloggers, just click on the link above on in the right sidebar and it will take you to Karen's linky connection.  Thanks again, Karen, for all you do to keep us producing flowers each week.

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

A SMALLER FLOWER

I was only able to get one more flower made for the Aunt Sarah quilt.....

The flower is made with 3/4" hexagons so is considerably smaller than its flower mates above.  I did get lots of petals made on our travels this weekend, they just haven't been assembled.

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

WOOLY FLOWER

I am involved in a swap where the theme is Spring.  I decided to make......

a wool pincushion.  It is filled with crushed walnut shells and dried lavender.  I thought this pink posey looked quite springish.

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

ALMOST FORGOT

I almost forgot to share my latest FMQ practice.....

Yesterday's practice is called Mario Vines.  Some of my vines had some very irregular leaves - lol!  I can definitely see using this pattern in a quilt.


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

TODAY'S GOAL

Today I hope to finish my September mini quilt.

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

GIVEAWAYS

Sew 4 Home is having a giveaway.  You could win a Michael Miller Fabric-In-A-Fabric-Basket Gift Bundle.  This giveaway ends Saturday, September 10, at midnight PT.

Canton Village Quilt Works is having a giveaway.  You could win a copy of Quilt Album.  This giveaway ends Friday, August 26, at 10:00 pm EST.

It's So Kiki is having a sponsored giveaway.  You could win a "Sophie" jelly roll by Chez Moi for Moda from Fat Quarter Shop.  This giveaway ends Monday, August 29.

Lisnaweary Quilts is having a giveaway.  You could win a True Cut Rotary Blade Sharpener, a new non slip Basic Range 4" x 14" rectangle ruler, a new non slip multi size triangle ruler 45 and 90 degrees, and a Creative Grids Non slip ruler demonstration DVD.  This giveaway ends Wednesday, August 31, at midnight GMT.

Love Affair With My Brother is having a sponsored giveaway.  You could win a jelly roll of Hometown by Sweetwater from Fat Quarter Shop.  This giveaway ends Monday, August 29, at midnight PST.

Never Enough Stash is having a giveaway.  Peggy says "Included will be at least one chart, several skeins of floss, of course a wonderful Utah Mint Truffle bar (or another flavor if you prefer), and some other really cool stuff."  This giveaway will end on Wednesday, August 31.

Just One More Stitch is having a sponsored giveaway.  You could win your choice of the yellow bundle or the purple bundle of "Promenade" and it's by Riley Blake from Intrepid Thread.  This giveaway ends Sunday, August 28, at midnight CT.

Crazy About Quilts is ready to send the Traveling Stash on its way.  This giveaway ends Thursday, August 25.

The Q and The U is having a giveaway.  You could win an 8.5 by 11 inch envelope with lots of novelty fabric scraps from Riel's stash.  This giveaway ends Thursday, August 25, at 7:00 pm AST.

Quilting, Stitching, and Sew On is celebrating her blogiversary with a giveaway.  You could win 2 Marcus Brothers Fat Quarters, 1 pincushion, a card or coupon wallet, and a quilt pattern from Clares place.  This giveaway ends Friday, September 2.

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

FINAL THOUGHT

Brain is tired.  I want to shut my eyes for just a couple of minutes.  Thoughts?  What thoughts?  I don't have any - first, middle or final.  There's just that constant ringing sound that never ends..........oh wait, there was a brief color explosion behind the eyelids.  Darn....that didn't last long.  Breath in........breath out.......y...a...w...n.  Oh sorry!  Pardon me.  That was rather rude.  Guess that's it for today.  Hopefully tomorrow the brain and fingers will be functioning as one.  Hopefully there were will be some bright flashes of wisdom during the day to share.  Only time will tell........

A conclusion is the place where you got tired of thinking. 
~Attributed to Arthur McBride Bloch

44 comments:

Linda said...

Hi How is your morning going. No more earthquakes I hope. We felt it here in Toronto, Ont. Love the cute flowers. I may not be having a giveaway, BUT I am having a fabric sale. Won't you drop by.

Impera Magna said...

Oh man... if I had known it was Nat'l Waffle Day, I would have fixed me a waffle for breakfast!

Folks who were seated when the earthquake hit felt it here in southern NC. My sister and her family life outside DC and my BIL had to evacuate his downtown office bldng. Fortunately, no one was hurt and just some minor damage.

Becky G said...

My o my are your flowers fabulous! I see another of these quilts in my future with BRIGHTS! I too love wool & find your pincushion to be enchanting. Your free motion quilting is so nice.... Definitely can see uses for that pattern!
Here in central NC, the quake was quite apparent. I have lived most of my life here & only remember one other quake & that was just a few years ago. No one I have talked with here had any real damage thank goodness! Thanks for your great post. B

Lynda said...

I know what you mean by a tired brain. Now that school has started we have slowed down at work. No more heading out the door at 6:15 a.m. and not returning until 6:15 p.m. Even the doctor is burned out and glad for the down time.

Love the rainbow flower!

Annie said...

Hi Linda, didn't feel the quake here in Maine, though some did, and tall (all two of them, : ))buildings were evacuated.

Oh my, waffles, yum!

And look at those gorgeous flowers, I like how the rainbow flower doesn't quite match up,gives it an interesting look.

Sounds like you have tinnitus, the ringing in ears, I've had it most of my life, annoying!

Take care,
Annie

Staci said...

What happy flowers! I love them!!
Enjoyed the waffle history lesson. My husband adores waffles, so I'll be sharing it with him, too.

I can relate to tired! Insomnia is kicking me when I'm down lately. Hope you feel more energetic soon!

Vesuviusmama said...

Man, I didn't make waffles on Waffle Day! I love waffles, and make them at least once a week, although usually on the weekend when I have more time. I'm thinking I would have loved the 1964 World's Fair - waffles and sangria?

I was quite shook yesterday. It was my first ever earthquake. I'm just glad I don't live where it happens often or at greater magnitude! Way to go, looking on the bright side and hoping for beachfront property! That gave me quite a chuckle. (at the expense of those who live closer to the water, unfortunately)Have a great day!

Teresa F. said...

Lovely bright flowers. I bought the Aunt Sarah Quilt magazine but I'm using my 1 inch hexies anyway. I'll make the necessary changes.
Thanks for visiting my blog and enter my giveaway.
Teresa.

Sheila said...

Lovely flowers , I can see the go cutter is a valuable tool for making hexies. We didn't feel the quake this far east but they did in our neighboring province ,yikes.

Angie said...

I love those bright hexie flowers!!! And that wool pincushion is just luscious---did you ask for my snail mail addy?? ;D

Joanna said...

I'm in Massachusetts and didn't feel the earthquake. I think, as usual, the press made a bigger noise than the earth did, at least here. Love the rainbow flower which must have been a challenge. Also love the wool flower, something that I keep wanting to try.

Vroomans' Quilts said...

Cute rainbow flower - they all are great. My SIL and I were out and about and never felt the 'shake', but when we got into hometown, everyone was evaced into the street. The old home was still standing!

Teresa said...

Love the wool pin cushion.
I thoght I was going to get beach front property with the next big one (ha ha).
Teresa's Heartfelt Stitches

sunny said...

Can I just say, I love Joanna's comment - "the media made a lot more noise than the earth did".

I wish I had read this post earlier, because now I'm in the mood for waffles. I'm late because we had a power outtage this morning. Just looking at your bright flowers should wake you up. How pretty!

sunny said...

Oops, and I meant to say that I love your pincushion. It reminds me of my sunny-flower pincushion!!

Gerda Hartman said...

Love your flowers.

Barbara said...

You were born to FMQ!!!!

Deborah in Atlanta said...

You have some of the most adorable fabric that is used for your flowers. They are so wonderful - and I can't imagine the thought process you go through to determine what will make a flower turn out the way it does. But your brain is doing a beautiful job. Guess that's why you couldn't come up with anything for your final thought. You'd done used up all those brain cells trying to make those flowers.

Kris said...

Great post, Linda!! Amazing info on the waffle!! And a perfect day for it as my Dad is taking us to IHOP tonight - hmmm, I think I will have a waffle!!

Love your bright hexies and a lot of work went into those little guys!! And your pincushion is fabulous!! I like the idea of adding lavender - I need to try that!!

Sarah's flower is darling!! Hope your brain gets a good nap!!

Kris

Pokey said...

Boy, neat circle created by your rainbows, what a challenge. I LOVE the wooly pincushion, Linda, so precious!
:-}pokey

Natalie said...

The rainbow flower is awesome! If it had been perfect, I don't think non quilters would have realized you put the pieces together individually. I love it.

Jessica said...

Over here in New Jersey I felt the earthquake!! Love your flowers for the week and that's funny, I had waffles this morning without knowing what day it was :)

Maria said...

Your flowers are lovely and the rainbow one would have been very challenging.

Hilachas said...

Your hexie flowers are just gorgeous. You keep coming up with fabulous creations each week. It looks like you're doing really with your FMQ. WTG!

Needled Mom said...

I always love your flower Wednesdays. I can't wait to see the flower garden completed. How many more years????

The flower pincushion is gorgeous. I just love mine and use it all the time. I love the weight of it because it stay put. The lavendar is a nice touch.

Well....if you get that beachfront property I had better start my ark. ;)

Gill said...

I love today's FMQ pattern!
and your pincushion is gorgeous - is it your own design??

Deborah said...

Oh my! I just love your blog! Hexy flowers are so cool and the wool pincushion is lovely. Great job on them all.
Deborah

Hennie said...

I love your colorful flowers, gorgeous hexjes ! ! !

Gr. Hennie.

Pat said...

Wowee! Bright flowers! Wonderful as always.

Krista Schneider said...

I've never felt an earthquake, but a friend of mine was in china with the peace corps when that huge one hit a couple years ago, her stories blew my mind! LOVE those flowers, wonderful fabric choices! I need to try these little hexies sometime.

Snoodles said...

I swear, you do the best hexie flowers, girl! And your FMQ is rocking! LOL After following for quite a while, I finally got started on putting my fav blogs on my sidebar...your button was one of the first!
My sis lives (and quilts, of course) in Anaheim, so I guess she is feeling the same jolts that you do!
Have a sunny day!
Jacque

Erica said...

Your rainbow flower is my favorite! So cute!

Deb said...

Hi Linda ~ I'm back catching up on several of your posts again! Why can't I keep up with my blogs these days?! Anyway, just wanted to say that I'm in Virginia and only about an hour from the earthquake. My daughter was on the riding lawn mower and was bumping up and down anyway, so she didn't feel it. My other daughter said the breakfast nook chandelier was rattling and shaking and all my patriotic stars were rattling at each window. My hubby and I were celebrating our anniversary with a special lunch out on a lunch cruise about two hours from home. Being on the water in the boat...never felt a thing!

Quilting Chemist (Danette) said...

Beautiful colorful blooms to add to your garden - so bright! Love your wool flower pin cushion!

Talin's Corner said...

Love all your new flowers. I really love your wool pin cushion. It is too pretty to stick pins in.

Karen said...

We had an earthquake here the other day and I didn't feel a thing! But, I had to put my sunglasses on again to look at your flowers! :) And, the Aunt Sarah one is very pretty and so is the Wooly Flower.

Connie Kresin Campbell said...

Love your bright and cheerful hexies and I can see the little zebra foot! Your pincushion is beautiful! I really like your FMQ Mario Vines, well done!

Melissa said...

That rainbow flower is AMAZING! Love it!

Birdie said...

I think your brain is tired from all that fussy cutting you do. Great bright colours, love them. Cute pin cushion, I have to make myself a new one.

Linda in Calif. said...

Those fussy cut flowers are amazing. And so is that flower pin cushion - just too pretty. My family loves waffles and we put peanut butter on them. If you haven't tried it, please do, it's so yummy. And the other thing we all love is cream corn in our waffles. Now that one's that different isn't? Of course we put peanut butter on those too. (Sound bad, but it's really so goood!)

Anne said...

Mario Vines -- LOL! That familiar theme song popped into my head the second I read the title of your FMQ stitching! Great job, though. Love the hexies, too.

Miss Hillbilly said...

Kidney stew??? Oh YUCK. Talk about ruining a perfectly good waffle!

Love those bright flowers!

Wendy said...

Love your bright flowers and beautiful pin cushion! And now...I have a craving for waffles.

Bquiltin said...

The Stray part of your blog name could well be changed to STARRING... so neat to see your flowers... I got you comments...glad we are sharing!

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...