Friday, September 23, 2011

Blocks and Practice X Three


Silence is more musical than any song. 
~Christina Rossetti

Thumpa, thumpa, thumpa is what I heard most of the day yesterday.  The teenage boy next door was home playing his music almost the entire day.  He must not have school on Thursdays.  This was one time I was glad not to have the windows opened.  I was actually glad to hear the A/C running.  Unfortunately, I couldn't drown out the noise with my sewing machine as it was a day spent on the computer prepping for October's swap group, paying bills, and other miscellaneous.  There were two definite bright spots in my day.  First, a friend that had moved away over a year ago surprised me at lunch with a visit!  How fun to catch up and hear what's been going on in her life.  And the brightest spot of all was learning that my DD#1 and GS#2 will be coming out for a almost a week at the end of the month.  WOW! That's next week.  I'm already counting the days.  Happy dance being done by me!!!!!

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LITTLE FACT OF THE DAY

Pasta

Sunday, September 25, is World Pasta Day.  Will you be fixing spaghetti or lasagne?  How about some mac 'n cheese or just a heaping bowl of angel hair smothered in cheese and your favorite sauce?  While you are deciding, here are some fun pasta facts:
* There are more than 600 pasta shapes produced worldwide
* In 18th century England, macaroni was a synonym for perfection and excellence. That's why, for example, the feather in Yankee Doodle's cap was called "macaroni." In fact, the word "macaroni" means "dearest darlings" in Italian.
* The Chinese are on record as having eaten pasta as early as 5,000 B.C.
* In Italian, fettucine means ribbons; stelline means little stars; and capelli d'angelo means angel's hair.
* Thomas Jefferson is credited with introducing macaroni to the United States. It seems that he fell in love with a certain dish he sampled in Naples while serving as the U.S. Ambassador to France. In fact, he promptly ordered crates of "maccaroni," along with a pasta-making machine, sent back to the States
* America’s first large pasta factory was built in Brooklyn, New York in 1848 by a Frenchman who would spread out his spaghetti strands on the roof to dry in the sunshine.
* "Pasta" is Italian for "dough."
* Approximately 2.75 million tons of pasta is made in Italy each year.

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FINAL BLOCKS

I had finished all of my swap blocks for September earlier in the month but just realized I hadn't shared them all......

This was the first of three blocks I made for Block Swap Adventure members.  I had my own swap partner and then made two more for members whose swap partners failed to produce blocks of their own.  This block is called Go Along Star #2.  It was made for Susan Mc

This block is called Friendship Scrap Block and was made for Robyn.  Her color preferences were burgundy and cream.  What looks like white is really cream.

And, finally, this block was made for Carolyn.  Her preferences were for civil war prints/colors.  What appears to be turquoise was actually a bit more green.  This block is called A Dandy.
All of these blocks can be found at Quilter's Cache.

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FREE MOTION QUILTING X 3

I realized after I posted on Wednesday, that I forgot to include my FMQ practices from Monday and Tuesday.  Now I have three to share as I also have Wednesday's.

This practice was fun!  And it even looks like its name - Fern & Stem.

Pebbles in the Stream was more challenging.  I had some trouble tracing over the stones.  Thank goodness all stones are perfect circles because my stones were anything but.

Now I probably won't use this pattern on any of my quilts but it was a lot of fun to do.  And my circles were closer to actually being round.  This one is called Fiery Comet.

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TODAY'S GOAL

Today I hope to complete a table runner........maybe


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GIVEAWAYS

Chatterbox Quilts Chitchat is having a giveaway.  You could win MyMemories software.  This giveaway ends Tuesday, September 27, at 8:00 pm MST.

Tea Rose Home is having a giveaway.  You could win a fat quarter stack of Indian Summer and a layer cake of Wanna be a Cowboy2.  This giveaway ends tonight, Friday, September 23, at midnight.

Mariliz's Musings is having a giveaway.  You could win a copy of the book, The Harvest of Grace.  This giveaway ends Sunday, September 25.

Cloth Stitched is having a giveaway to celebrate her daughter's birthday.  You could win a 1/2  yard piece of Denyse Schmidt’s Fairgrounds dots blue and 5 colors of DMC embroidery floss.  This giveaway ends tonight, Friday, September 23, at midnight EST.

Life's Rich Patterns is having a giveaway.  You could win a FQ bundle of Moroccan Mirage in the Marrakech colourway.  This giveaway ends Thursday, September 29, at 5:00 pm GMT.

Inside The Studio is having a giveaway.  You could win Boy and Girl Fat Quarter Bundles from "Meadow Friends" or a Fat Quarter bundle of "Coming Home" fabric and Deb Strain's 2012 "Coming Home" calendar.  This giveaway ends Saturday, October 1.

The Average Quilter is having a giveaway.  You could win two books, Quilter's Complete Guide and Skillbuilder Companion, or a box full of embroidery floss.  This giveaway ends Saturday, October 1.

Quilt Story is having a sponsored giveaway.  You could win a $25 gift certificate to Fashionable Fabrics.  This giveaway ends Monday, September 26.

Leona's Quilting Adventure is celebrating her 200th post with a giveaway.  You could win 10 fat quarters of Free Spirit Fabric by Annette Tatum's Lifestyle collection, one package of Timtex Interfacing 13.5" X 22", one Quilt in a Day Large Flying Geese ruler, and one copy of The Startooth Quilt by Jean Wells.  This giveaway ends Saturday, October 1, at midnight EST.

Rogue Quilter is having a giveaway.  You could win a copy of Patchwork-Play Quilts by Lynn Roddy Brown.  This giveaway ends ?

Heirlooms by Ashton House is having a giveaway.  You could win a copy of Stitches from the Schoolhouse by Renée Plains of Liberty Star.  This giveaway ends Thursday, September 29.

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FINAL THOUGHT

Today and tomorrow I will be enjoying a breather from the daily normal.  We will be doing a little bit of running around but we will also be enjoying some different sights and sounds.  I will share them with you on Monday.  I'm still enjoying the fact that my DD#1 and GS#2 will be here in less than a week.  Plus, during that time we will be visited by DD#2 and SILALS Walk to Defeat with me and DH on October 1.  This may not be a fun disease but it does bring my family together.  Fun will be had, laughter shared, and probably some food consumed during that time too - lol!  I'm not wishing my days away but I sure wish next week would get here in a hurry!

The best thing about the future is that it comes only one day at a time.
~Abraham Lincoln


28 comments:

Mommarock said...

Your Free Motion is looking Fantastic!! I really need to give it a shot just like you are. Do you put the batting and everything in there? I hate to waste anything, as I don't have much, but I guess it isn't really wasting if you are learning. Also, wanted to be sure to thank you for posting all of the great giveaways... I usually find quite a few, but you always find me a few more great ones (and then I run and enter..gotta try!)

Average Quilter said...

Your FMQ is looking really good. I had a little problem when I 1st did the pebbles but after I got in the swing of it it was fun.

Vroomans' Quilts said...

Lovely set of blocks - just adore the Civil War Dandy block! Your FMQ is going terrific - time to put it to use on a quilt. Enjoy your weekend and we will all help you count down.

Snoodles said...

Love those blocks . . . especially the Friendship Scrap block. That one is gorgeous, but the Dandy one is, too. Oh, gotta scroll back up and look again. So pretty! Have fun counting down the days, and enjoy the visit! We'll all be here when you get back!

sunny said...

I love the Dandy block. I'm not familiar with that one, but now I'll try it someday. Have a great time with your family!!

Cheryl said...

You are getting to be quite skilled at FMQ! Hope the walk is a big success.

Linda said...

I love the blocks you've made! You used great colors and all your points are perfect!
How exciting that your daughter and grandson will be there for a visit!

elizabeth said...

Love all the blocks, but the Friendship blog is one that I really love : ) Family makes me Happy Dance too....have fun and enjoy getting ready for their arrival!

Jocelyn said...

Your FMQ is really looking great!

Barb said...

You do such precise work on your blocks and one again, love the FMQ

Bethany said...

I'm totally adding "macaroni" to my vocabulary in a non-eating context :)

shirley from oz said...

I am not a quilter, but I do appreciate the work. i like your free motion stitching particularly the pebbles I can see a use for this in embroidery.

Sara Lyn said...

I love that Friendship Scrap block!

Char said...

Love all the swap blocks especially that purple star. Your FMQ looks great.

Patty C. said...

Your blocks look just wonderful ;)

Kathryn said...

Good luck with your walk on 10/1. I will doing a walk for another cause that day - oral cancer. This time of year you could do several walks a day for various causes. Kathie L in Allentown

Joanna said...

I love the block you made for Carolyn called A Dandy. It has a great look. Enjoy your weekend.

The Vegetarian Hunter said...

OMG, your free motion stitching is amazing! Do you ever look at the ones you did in the beginning and compare to how Superstar you are now? You deserve a huge pat on the back for being so diligent about your practising. Obviously as I gush on, I think they are fantastic!
Interesting about the pasta to, macaroni is now the quick and easy fix - not the symbol of perfection that it once was. I have been craving spaghetti so I best take advantage of pasta's special day and make some up.
Cheers,
Carolyn
ps, sorry I have been away from your blog for so long! I think I am ready to get back in to the grove of things.
hugs,
C

Annabella said...

How lovely to have an old friend pay a surprise visit and you can catch up. LOVE your pebbles FMQ and your blocks are lovely!

CathyC said...

Great Blocks - thanks for including the names. Now I have some more blocks to add to my to do list.
Love seeing your practice bits - I am tempted ;-)

Fiona said...

Love those blocks.... and wishing you a wonderful visit with your family...
must get out the pasta machine for sunday.... yayyay
Hugz

Lynda said...

Your FMQ is really looking great! Enjoy the time with your family.

Staci said...

So glad you explained the 'macaroni' thing, because the Yankee Doodle song has bugged me since I was a child! LOL! Thank you!

Lovely blocks!

And you lucky ducky! I am so glad you have visitors coming soon!

Robin (RsIslandCrafts) said...

We have a neighbor house that has two teenage boys. I can tell when their parents aren't home because all I hear is their BOOM BOOM music. Lots of bass and I can feel it thumping in my chest with every beat. We let them have their fun for a few hours but eventually Hubby has to go over and ask them to turn down the music. At least they listen and turn it down. We can still hear it but at least the house doesn't bounce anymore.

Family get togethers are so much fun. Right now it is just the 5 of us but I'm hoping eventually we will grow and be able to have our own get togethers too.

Deborah in Atlanta said...

Hi Linda - I wanted to pop in and congratulate you on your winnings at Blueberry Patch. Such bright and cheerful fabrics! I'm sure you'll have something in mind for them, and we'll be able to share in all that wonderful creations you make with them. Congratulations!!!

Quiet Quilter said...

You are doing so well with your practice..I don't know why I thought of it, but before I read the caption regarding Pebbles in a Stream,,,I looked and thought they were amoeba wandering around in water....weird, I know....

Anonymous said...

Thank goodness some bloggers can write. Thank you for this piece of writing

Miss Hillbilly said...

Hey, I am slow to read so I can say, "Next week is here now!" Enjoy your visit.:)

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