Friday, August 19, 2011

I DID FMQ!


Inflation hasn't ruined everything. A dime can still be used as a screwdriver.
  ~Quoted in P.S. I Love You, compiled by H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

My dreaded chore of grocery shopping on Wednesday actually went a little better than expected.  The store was practically empty.  We should have guessed this would be the case when we walked in and nobody, and I mean nobody, was in line for fried chicken.  There is always a line in the deli for fried chicken.  I had even asked DH if the store had run out of fried chicken - lol!  I don't know where everybody was but I'm not complaining.  We zipped through the store, bought what was on our list (minus two things) and were back home in less than 45 minutes.  I almost gagged when I looked at the receipt and noticed that a bag of frozen peas cost $3.69!!!!  WOW!  Talk about inflation!  That used to be one of the cheapest thing you could buy at the store.  I like to have a bag on hand for when I run out of fresh veggies, something quick to throw in the microwave for some green.  Oh well (sigh).  I guess nothing is cheap any more.

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PHOTO FACT OF THE DAY

Potatoes
 
 
Today, August 19, is National Potato Day.  Here's a holiday to celebrate one totally tubular tuber! The potato is a versatile food source and contributes to so many favorite recipes worldwide. The average annual diet of a global citizen is 73 pounds of potato and the world's top potato producer is China. So get up, couch potatoes, it's time to start peeling, slicing, mashing and frying to get your fill of potatoes today.  Did you know the potato is the world’s fourth most important food crop?  I bet you already know that approximately 1/3 of all potatoes grown in the US are grown in the state of Idaho but did you know that 62% of all Idaho potatoes that are harvested are used to make frozen or instant potatoes?  And our most starchy population is New York which consumes more potatoes than any other state, followed by Ohio, Florida, Pennsylvania, and Texas.

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LITTLE QUILTS

Earlier this week I finished three little quilts for Loving Hands. 

I used some fabric from my stash and made 2 1/2" strips and used the Jelly Roll Race quilt plan. 

Once it went together I wasn't real happy with the fabrics I used.  These will definitely be for little boys.  But you know what?  I actually did FMQ on each of these little quilts!

I did all over meandering on one.  I used the same gingham backing on two of the quilts.

And I did loop meandering on the other two.  What fun I had with this!

Here you can see the loops on the gingham and also where I outlined the little bee applique that was on the front. 

Here are the three little appliques that I cut using my GO! cutter and then appliqued to a front corner with a satin stitch.  I thought these might add just a little bit of cuteness to the quilts.  I really am happy that I used FMQ on these three little quilts.  It was a great exercise and they do look pretty good (if you don't look too closely).  I turned them into my quilt guild last night to be given to one of the local hospital's NICU.

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TWO MORE FMQ

I have tried two more of Leah Day's FMQ practice squares......

Wobbly Cosmos was fun to do.  I still have some trouble tracing exactly on the outside stitch lines.  I can see this pattern being used as another type of flower design.

Yesterday's practice is called River Path.  Ignore the top center error where I forgot to curve - I didn't realize that I was that close to the top.  You can also see some squiggly moves in a lot of the lines - this is where I reposition my fingers without stopping the stitching.  I'm so used to moving my fingers along a seam line that I forget it is best to stop before rearranging you hands and fingers while attempting FMQ.

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TODAY'S GOAL

Today I will work on a couple of swap blocks.

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GIVEAWAYS

Tales at Wayne Manor is having a giveaway.  You could win one yard each of two prints of Joel Dewberry's Deer Valley.  Not sure when this one ends :(

The Veggie Hunter is having a giveaway.  You could win a copy of the My Memories Suit software.  This giveaway ends ?

Button Mad is having a giveaway.  You could be one of 20 lucky people to win some darling hand painted owl buttons.  This giveaway ends Wednesday, August 24.

Little Island Quilting is having a giveaway.  You could win a fat quarter bundle of Pooches and Pickups from Fat Quarter Shop.  This giveaway ends Thursday, August 25, at 8:00 pm Little Island time.

PS I Quilt is having a giveaway.  You could win a promenade fat quarter bundle from Green Fairy Quilts.  This giveaway ends Monday, August 22.

Hawthorne Treads is having their weekly giveaway.  You could win a Peacock Land Fat quarter bundle.  This giveaway ends Wednesday, August 23.

The Jolly Jabber is having a giveaway.  You could win one of John Adams' Blogger’s Choice Fat Quarter Bundles.  This giveaway ends Wednesday, August 24.

Green Fairy Quilts is having a giveaway.  You could win a fat quarter bundle with 38 fat quarters in it called "Coming Home" by Deb Strain for Moda Fabrics, a jelly roll called   "Panier de Fleurs" by French General for Moda Fabrics or a layer cake called "Northcote Range" by Cabbage and Roses for Moda Fabrics.  Not sure when this one ends.

Crooked SeamsModa Scrap Bag, filled with strips from Sandy Gervais's Awesome collection.  This giveaway ends Monday, August 22, at midnight EST.

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FINAL THOUGHT

It's time to straighten up the sewing room.  I have stacks of fabric and scraps on almost every surface of the room.  I have managed to keep all scraps and WIP's off my DH's desk.  Or, at least I make sure it is cleaned off every evening before he comes home - lol!  I have books on the printer and swap blocks along with I Spy blocks and a fat quarter bundle on the computer desk.  The cutting table has quite a mound of scraps accumulated on it.  The sewing table is piled high in one corner with a WIP, FMQ squares, and another endless heap of scraps.  Even the digital clock has a small stack of scrap sandwiches that I use to check tension on.  I'm constantly picking threads off of the poor pups and pulling bitty scraps of fabric out of their bed.  It wouldn't be so bad if that all didn't stick to their fur and then end up all over the house.  I'm a big enough thread snip magnet as it is leaving my little trail of bits and pieces throughout the house.  They say clutter is a sign of creativity.  I think I should post that sign at my front door as a warning to all who enter.

I'm creative - you can't expect me to be neat too. 
~Author Unknown

33 comments:

Annie said...

Love those little quilts, and your fmq looks great. Fun isn't it?

: )

Vroomans' Quilts said...

Yeah, she braved some quilts! Way to go. Great little projects - love the little added whimsie applique in the corners.
I'm housecleaning too - there has to be some order at some point.

Barbara said...

Yes, you did do it! Congratulations. I've thought the practice pieces were impressive, now to see it on a real quilt is beyond impressive. I'm so bad at this. So, that leads me to a question, what kind of machine did you use?

Donna said...

Thanks for the very valid explanation of my clutter!

Linda said...

What a lovely ideas you have. Those are cute little quilts. I look forward to reading your posts.
Keep them coming.

Pat said...

Congratulations on taking the FMQ plunge. Now that you've been initiated, it'll be easier to quilt your next one.

sunny said...

Linda, you're doing a great job with your fmq. Thge only one I've done is all over meandering. Have a great weekend.

krisgray said...

Pretty quilts and FMQ! The all over meander is something I have a problem with. I really should take some of Leah's lessons like you have been doing.

Cheryl said...

Bravo for you! The 3 quilts are precious and the quilting is perfect. The more you practice, the better you will get!
My room needs a little TLC when you are finished in yours!

Patty C. said...

Your Quilts look great - I like the added applique ;)

rubyslipperz1052 said...

o..o..o...(raising my hand), I have a quote to add - "A clever mind is RARELY tidy"...whew, thanks for letting me get that out!

OMGosh, your FMQ is looking sooo good!

Sewing room - I felt really lucky yesterday because I had a friend over quilting and I tidied my room at the same time.

love your posts as always!

annie
rubyslipperz106.blogspot

Little Penpen said...

Funny that no one was in line for fried chicken. :o) The prices at the grocery store are unbelievable these days, aren't they? I like the loop meandering FMQ... I hope to try it very very soon.

Jessica said...

Those quilts are so cute, and you did a fantastic job with the FMQ! I know how hard it is!!

Deborah said...

The quilts are adorable! I love how you FMQ them, too. Very nice.
Deborah

Lynda said...

The quilts turned out great. You did a fantastic job with FMQ.

Maria said...

Your lovely little quilts will put a smile on someones face. Also a great way to practise your FMQ. Looks good.

Sarah Craig said...

Woohoo for you!!! Your FMQ looks great!!! Keep it up - it only gets easier!! And I love that last quote.....

Sheila said...

Sweet little boy quilts. Liked the FMQ, especially the loops :D
Applique was a nice touch.
Oh, I love potatoes.
Tried to give up diet drinks, but decided to simply cut back. lol.

quiltercaroline said...

Well done Linda the quilts look great. I'm glad that you also had a great time doing them.

corina said...

The quilts are adorable. I like the colors you chose for them - they have pizazz! The applique addition is perfect. I'm hoping to add the applique flowers on my jelly roll quilt tonight for the FNSI. Isn't it fun to be able to FMQ?!

quiltzyx said...

Your FMQ is getting better & better & better! I'll bet some kiddos are going to be very happy to have those little quilts. :D

Linda in Calif. said...

Good idea the use the jelly roll quilt pattern for these ICU quilts. I made a nightgown out of the owl, racoon in the tree fabric. The appliques really make the little quilts cute. And you are doing so well with the freemotion quilting!!!!

JustPam said...

You are becoming quite accomplished with your quilting.

Staci said...

Enjoyed your post. LOL! I know what you mean about stacks. Where do they come from? I swear, one second everything is clean and tidy and the next there are stacks and piles everywhere! And snippets of thread and fabric. Yep, that is a constant thing. I finally put a lint roller in the glove box of the car because I never remember to clean the fuzz off my clothes before I leave the house!

quilterliz said...

G'day. I love the saying about being creative and not being neat, that's a good one. I must do something with that and have it in my sewing room, or maybe in the house somewhere were everyone who visits can see it. I could use that as an excuse if the house is messy !! Love the little quilts and the satin stitch around the applique. I haven't mastered satin stitch yet, but am still trying. Thanks for your help with my blog. Still not sure if the problem is sorted out. Take care. Liz...

Talin's Corner said...

Then I am very, very creative. It takes me a good day to straighten up my room, hope yours is done a lot quicker. So you can have more time to create!

Barb said...

Now that was a good grocery day!!!

Your FMQ is getting better and better....looks great!

BillieBee (billiemick) said...

Love you blog as always. Who comes up with "National Potato Day"

I love them but really.....grin.

Linda said...

Wow! You're really going to town with your FMQ! Great job on the quilts!

Barbara said...

Look at you go! It's very empowering to do FMQ, isn't it?

BTW, I checked the price of frozen peas at my grocery, and they were $1.05 for a 12 oz. bag.

Joanne Lendaro said...

Love the little quilts, your machine quilting is getting much better!! Your trips to the grocery store always make me laugh, until you got to the peas part. Enjoyed the potato facts!! Have a wonderful week!! (I'm catching up on blog reading....)

Miss Hillbilly said...

I think the price of peas went up when everyone started using them as an ice pack!

Shannon said...

Great quilts. The applique really add to them. Great touch. Did you make on big quilt then cut them up? How big are they? I will be adding them to my to do list. Your quilting is wonderful. I like all of the practice blocks you are making. I think I need to do the same thing. What are you going to do with all of your practice squares?

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