It's A Block

If you don't like something change it; if you can't change it, change the way you think about it.
~Mary Engelbreit

Have you ever started your day mad at the world but you just don't know why?  That's how my Sunday started.  I scowled at the dogs and snapped at my poor husband.  I felt like throwing something against the wall.  Nothing caused this feeling, it just happened.  Luckily it slowly disappaited over the morning and by noon I was fine.  Maybe it was knowing it was another day of wash.  Maybe it was feeling the pressure of having to complete certain things by Thursday.  I don't think I will ever figure it out.  Sometimes it just happens.  But, luckily, today is a better day and I'm ready for a brand new week!

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

PHOTO FACT OF THE DAY

Scrabble

Why are Scrabble letters distributed the way they are?

Scrabble Any Scrabble pro can tell you there are 12 Es, six Rs, and one Z in the game, but can they tell you why? Formulated by its creator Alfred Mosher Butts, Scrabble's curious letter distribution owes a debt to the New York Times. Butts wanted the spread to reflect the English language as it was used at the time, so he studied the relative frequency of each letter on the front page of the paper, and used the resulting data to guide the development of his new game. He made a tweak, though. The letter "S" appears very frequently in English -- it's around the seventh most common -- but Butts decided to only include four in Scrabble in order to make the game harder and limit the use of plurals.All that only applies to the English version, of course. Localized Scrabble versions -- of which there are many -- use letter frequencies appropriate to the language and add accented letters and characters that aren't used in the English game.

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

BEE BLOCK

A while back I made a block for Sue, this months hostess for the Bee In Oz group.

This block is called Interlocking Seasons.  It is a large block and ended up measuring 22.5" square.  Sue sent out Kaffe Fasset and Kona white fabrics to work with.  I'm not fond of Kaffe Fasset (yes, I really did say that) but it worked up nicely into this block.  You really had to concentrate on this block to make sure you were getting each piece in the appropriate place but I like the interwoven look.

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

A LITTLE HELP

Marydon of Blushing Rose is participating in Miracle Makeover.  Please help her reach her goal of 5,000 comments.  Each comment results in a dollar donation to this worthy cause.  It just takes a moment to leave a comment and could mean so much.

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

ANOTHER PRACTICE

You are probably getting sick and tired of seeing my daily FMQ practice.  But guess what?  Here's another one......

Most of my circles aren't real round but at least they were consistent.  This practice is called Concentric Circles.  I can see this being used as a filler on a quilt.  I actually had fun with this one.

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

TODAY'S GOAL

Today I need to put borders on QOV tops that were made by others.  I should be able to complete the three tops today.

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

GIVEAWAYS

Cat Patches is continuing with her Fun Fact Friday Freebie.  You could win a fat quarter just for answering her question of the week.  A winner will be announced on Friday, August 19.

The Raspberry Rabbits is having a giveaway.  Shell is giving away two darling white ceramic bunnies.  This giveaway ends Wednesday, August 17.

Qubee Quilts is having a giveaway.  You could win a book called Log Cabins Today.  This giveaway ends Tuesday, August 16, at 11:59 pm CST.

I'm Just A Guy Who Quilts is having a sponsored giveaway.  You could win a charm pack giveaway of Flurry.  This giveaway ends Wednesday, August 17.

Samelia's Mum is having a giveaway.  You could win 6 patterns from Sally Giblin Stitcheries.  This giveaway ends Sunday, August 21, midday Australian time.

Quilting Block Swaps Australia is having a giveaway to celebrate 100+  followers.  You could win a 12 1/2 inch ruler plus a bundle of Fat Quarters.  Not sure exactly when this giveaway ends :(

Leona's Quilting Adventure is having a giveaway.  You could win two charm packs from Westwood Acres.  This giveaway ends Saturday, August 20, at midnight. 

Sew Fun Quilts is having a giveaway.  You could win one of three great prizes.  This giveaway ends Tuesday, August 16, at midnight.

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

FINAL THOUGHT

It's Monday once again.  As if you needed me to remind you of that little fact.  My week looks to be a busy one with grocery shopping and a guild meeting happening later in the week.  I'm hoping the beginning will be at least a little quiet.  Last week I took the plunge and sent in my entry for the local county fair that happens next month.  I have entered two of my quilts and a counted cross stitch picture.  I have hopes for one quilt but not for the other.  Sort of silly to enter when you feel that way isn't it.  Oh well, it was only $1 an entry.  I used to enter counted cross stitch several years back and even won Best In Show two years in a row.  I'm not expecting anything this time.  Thought this might be a good place to get my feet wet before the guild show in January.  I feel like I'm jumping off into the deep end and don't know how to swim - lol!  Do you have your week all planned out?

You should listen to your heart, and not the voices in your head.
~Matt Groening