Monday, September 12, 2011

Bee and Swap Blocks


We can't quite decide if the world is growing worse, or if the reporters are just working harder.
  ~The Houghton Line, November 1965

I did not write a separate post about 9/11.  I didn't think you needed nor wanted another reminder of that horrific day.  We didn't watch any of the tv shows or listen to any of the radio broadcasts about that day.  We remembered in our own way.  I will always remember where I was when I heard the news and how I felt.  I'll always remember the words that I shared with family and friends as we all tried to work through our own grief and fears.  My prayers always contain words for those lost and those affected by the events of that day.  I'm not trying to hide from the anniversary I just don't believe we need all of the media hype.  Okay.  I've spoken my piece.  It's time to move on.  It's a new day and a new week.  I'm ready to get to my sewing.

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LITTLE FACT OF THE DAY
(renamed by me!)

Fortune Cookie

Tuesday, September 13, is Fortune Cookie Day.  That must mean it's time to get some Chinese Food take out - lol!  Here are a few facts about the crunchy little cookies with the paper center.
* Fortune cookies were virtually unknown in Asia until 1993 when the Wonton Food Co. opened a factory in China. The project, however, was short-lived.
* Fortune cookies were originally made by hand using chopsticks. In 1964, Edward Louie of San Francisco's Lotus Fortune Cookie Company, automated the process by creating a machine that folds the dough and slips in the fortune.
* Today, the world's largest fortune cookie manufacturer, Wonton Food Inc. of Long Island City, Queens ships out 60 million cookies a month.
* Fortune cookies were invented in 1916 by George Jung, a Los Angeles noodle maker.
* Fortune cookies became common in Chinese restaurants after World War II. Since desserts were not traditionally part of Chinese cuisine, the cookies offered Americans something familiar with an exotic flair.

We always read our fortunes aloud and at the end add "between the sheets".  It's amazing how much it can change the meaning of the little message.


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A BEE BLOCK

A couple of weeks ago I finished a block for Bee In Oz....

Cherie sent out the Kaffe Fasset fabric along with the black and white strips to make this Modern Mosaic Block.  As most of you know, I don't create well without patterns so these mosaic blocks are always a challenge for me.  I may have found a block that I actually like Fasset fabric in.

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A SWAP BLOCK

Tarnyia was my swap partner for the Quilting Block Swaps Australia for September.....

She requested a red star with aqua/blue background.  Can't get much more basic that that!  I think this Friendship Star block fits all of the requirements.

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A LITTLE MORE FPP

Last week I was able to get a little bit more done on my FPP (foundation paper piecing) project.....

This is blocks (well more like triangles) A, B, C, and D all sewn together.  Maybe, just maybe, you can see something starting to form.......like a tree or two.  When sewing part D I only had to unstitch one seam :D

On Friday I stitched together Block E.  This one I had to unstitch several times :(  But I'm not getting discouraged!  I'm ready to tackle block F and all of the other blocks. 

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FREE MOTION PRACTICE

Friday's practice was a bit different.....

This looks like it should be a speedy one to do but I really had to concentrate on keeping my lines straight.  I think it might have been easier with a walking foot.  I do like the affect of Spiral Illusion

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TODAY'S GOAL

I have a Bee block to make today.

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GIVEAWAYS

Cat Patches is having her weekly Fun Fact Friday Freebie.  You could win a fat quarter.  The winner will be announce Friday, September 9.

Shabby Fabrics is having a giveaway.   You could win a Vintage Postcard patterns autographed by Meg of Crabapple Hill.  This giveaway ends Friday, September 30.

Dye Candy is having a giveaway.  You could win an item valued at $18.00 or receive $25.00 off an order of greater value from the Dye Candy Etsy store.  This giveaway ends Tuesday, September 13, at 6:00 am CST.

Southern Style is having a giveaway.  You could win a copy of My Memories software.  This giveaway ends Saturday, September 24.

Creative Urges is having a giveaway.  You could win one of two patterns and the fabric to make the tops.  This giveaway ends Thursday, September 15, at midnight EST.

Alamosa Quilter is having a giveaway.  You could win a $25 gift certificate to The Intrepid Thread.  This giveaway ends Friday, September 16.

Peas In A Pod is having a giveaway.  You could win 6 fat quarters of Taza fabric in the red/pink colorways.  This giveaway ends Friday, September 16, at 5:00 pm.

Happy Cottage Quilter is having a giveaway to celebrate having over 800 followers.  You could win a pattern, Luscious Lilacs Lap Quilt, and 1 1/2 yards of floral fabric.  The winner will be announced on Saturday, October 1.

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FINAL THOUGHT

laid there with a big smile on my face counting the seconds between lightening and thunder trying to figure how close the lightening was.  I think the closest strike to us was 1 1/2 miles.  And it lasted for almost 2 hours!  I was like a kid on Christmas morning.  I absolutely loved it!!!!!!  We did get a smattering of rain, but only enough to make the cars look really dirty, nasty.  What a perfect way to start my weekend!  The downside was that 50 fires were started across the county and our air is filled with smoke.  I hope your weekend was as exhilarating.

Thunder is good, thunder is impressive; but it is the lightning that does the work.
Mark Twain

21 comments:

Maria said...

Nice Bee Block. Like the way you used the B/W sashing.
Tarniya's block is lovelt too.
Your FMQ is getting sew good Linda.

Cheryl said...

If you can stitch such straight lines with FMQ, you are on your way to mastering it! Straight lines are the hardest, I think. And that FPP pattern looks complicated...no wonder you have your seam ripper handy.

Lynette said...

Wow! Those are some really intense paperwork pieces!

Barbara said...

Amen to your 9/11 thoughts, and I absolutely love that Bee block!

Sara Lyn said...

Cool Bee Block! And fun thunderstorm! I love those!

I think it's hilarious that fortune cookies are one of the seemingly few things NOT made in China. :)

Joanne Lendaro said...

LOVE the Bee Block! FPP, looking good!

sunny said...

Your FMQ is fantastic! I relly like that pattern. I love a good thunderstorm - too bad they can be so dangerous.

krisgray said...

Your bee block makes me like Fassett more, too! Those little black white stripes really stop the eye. I lke that FMQ pattern. The only time I try to do straight line quilting with my darning foot is when I don't need much of it. I just hate taking the time to switch those feet!

Linda said...

I love the Modern Mosaic Block, but I really like Kafe Fasset fabrics.
I had to smile at the fortune cookie comments. We had Chinese Friday night and my fortune was "You will soon witness a miracle." (I decided it might be rain!)
Speaking of rain, I'm sorry you didn't get more than you did and that the fires were started by all the lightening. My husband went to the UT football game in Austin on Saturday and came home hoarse from all the smoke in the air. (He said it wasn't just his yelliing!)

Vroomans' Quilts said...

I am with you on the 9/11! Love the Bee Block - have seen some others, this will be a striking quilt. Your FPP is starting to assemble nicely - a change in gears.

Char said...

I love that Bee in Oz block. Nice job.

WoolenSails said...

I really like your bee block, that does look good with those fabrics. I was quilting my hexagon table topper by hand yesterday, now my fingers are killing me, lol. Think I need a break today, so will do some machine quilting.

Debbie

Miss Hillbilly said...

Hey, I am glad to hear you say that about 9/11. We didn't watch and I sure have skipped alot of quilt blogs about it. Not to be mean but they are everywhere.

Yay for your FPP!!

Barb said...

You have been a busy gal....as usual, love your FMQ

Anonymous said...

Love your Bee block and your FPP! Wow-that paper piecing is intimidating looking!

You've got quite a few things going, there! Great!

Thanks for the visit to my blog. :)

Joanna said...

Love you bee block. A friend today complained to me about the media overload of yesterday's remembrance. I agree. I'm afraid that in future years it will become a circus and a distorted event, instead of the solemn remembrance it is for most of us.

Teresa F. said...

I couldn't agree more with you. 9/11 will always be remembered by everyone, we don't need the media to do that for us.
I love your FMQ, how on earth did you manage so straight lines?

Valspierssews said...

Love the Bee block. The black and white looks great between the colours. Your paper pieceing looks very intense. I can see a few trees there too.

BillieBee (billiemick) said...

Great Bee block. Are you enjoying the paper piecing. I've done some, but still have decided. I do like my points.

Shannon said...

I am like you, I watched nothing yesterday about the Towers. I watched and saw everyting when it happened. I remember and grieve for those people but I will not dwell. I love your block. I can see those trees.

Lynda said...

I really like the black and white stripe with the Kaffe Fasset fabrics. I did watch a couple things on 9-11....the heartwarming stories of survival and the acts of service because of it all.

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