Flowers and a Learning Process

Cinema should make you forget you are sitting in a theater. 
~Roman Polanski

I read the book, The Help, way back in 2009.  At the time, I thought it was one of the best written books I had read in a very long time.  And I still do.  Over the weekend we went to see the movie version of the book.  What a great movie!!!  It followed the book fairly well.  You laughed, you cried, it made you think - just like in the book.  My DH thoroughly enjoyed the movie and as we were walking out he said "That has Academy Award written all over it".  You can't give a movie much higher praise than that.  I know most guys think it is a chic flick but it really isn't.  There were actually a quite a few men in the audience.  Even though it has been released for awhile, there was almost a full theater - and this was for the 11:15 am showing.  I know I sound like an advertisement for the movie but I really can't say enough about it.  If you have the chance and would like to be totally entertained, go see The Help.  Oh, and we saw a preview for a movie that won't be released until Christmas time called War Horse.  Now this movie I will be waiting to see until it is released for home viewing where I can cry my eyes out.

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PHOTO FACT OF THE DAY

Acorn Squash

Today, September 7, is National Acorn Squash Day.  The acorn squash was a favorite of early civilizations as it could be baked whole in their outdoor clay and brick ovens. Dating back to 4000 B.C., acorn squash, sometimes called Danish squash, is an edible gourd that grows on a vine. Generally considered to be a winter squash, the acorn squash is a member of the same family as summer squash, Cucurbita pepo.

While dark-green acorn squash are the most familiar, new varieties are becoming available, including gold acorn squash, and a white acorn variety which also produce yellow-orange flesh.
The dark green to blue-green squash is acorn-shaped, hence its name. The golden-orange colored flesh offers a mildly sweet flavor and a somewhat dry texture. Usually about five to eight inches long and four to five inches across, the hardy rind has deep, characteristic ridges with a splash of yellow-gold, considered a sign of maturity.

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TWO LITTLE FLOWERS

Once again I was only able to create two more flowers for my Aunt Sarah quilt......

This little 3/4" hexagon flower definitely reminds me of fall and the colors leaves turn on the liquid amber around here.

The shades of blue in this one remind me of a stormy winter sky.  Maybe next week I can get more than two made of the 3/4" hexie flowers.  Can you tell I'm hoping for cooler some time in the not too distant future?

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TWO BIGGER FLOWERS

For One Flowers Wednesday, I made two flowers.......

Anyone ready for the circus?  Where else might you find multi colored zebra :)  The circus was in town a couple of weeks ago but we didn't attend.  Maybe that is what made me go with the zebras this week.

Now this is my favorite for the week.  Red Hot Momma!!!  These are the temps we are still feeling here in central California.  It also reminds me of the flames on the race cars I watch with DH every weekend going around, and around, and around.......... LOL!  Well, not this week, as the race was delayed because of Lee.

Thanks to Karen (Journey of a Quilter), you can go to one spot to see more hexie flowers.  Karen has provided us all with a linky so you can hop all over blogland and see all of the gorgeous creations out there.  Thanks, Karen!!

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WHAT I STARTED

Yesterday I started on a new foundation paper piecing project.

Doesn't look like much yet, does it.  I am working on a pattern from England Design.  In the space of 3 hours, I unstitched numerous seams (I lost count) of itsy, bitsy stitching, wanted to pull my hair out, cried a few tears, and then actually started to create something.  I am still in the learning process with this method.  Thank goodness this is considered a beginning pattern!!  I almost gave up on it but walked away for a few minutes, took a few, good deep breathes, and returned to the machine with a new determination.  I will keep you updated on my progress - this is day one.  Wish me luck!

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FMQ PRACTICE

When I first looked at the practice piece that was next in line, my thought was why bother.  But I gave it a try and found out it was fun.  This piece is called Loopy Paisley. 

I had so much fun with Friday's practice I moved onto Loopy Flower.  This uses the same basic shape as the one above.  I missed tracing over a couple of my lines and probably could have taken a bit more time planning out my exact design but this was just practice so I just went with what felt right at the time.  I'm looking forward to tomorrow's practice already.

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TODAY'S GOAL

Today I hope to make more progress on my FPP (foundation paper piecing) piece.

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GIVEAWAYS

Verykerryberry is having a giveaway.  You could win a GO! Baby Cutter and your choice of 3 dies.  This giveaway ends Friday, September 9, at 6:30 am GMT.

Cat Patches is once again having her Fun Fact Friday Freebie.  Answer her question of the week and you could win a fat quarter.  The winner will be announced on Friday, September 9.

The House on the Side of the Hillblogiversary with a giveaway.  You could win A handmade gift each month for a year. So that's 12 secret presents Melody will make just for you, with lots of love and attention to detail. Plus your first gift will be accompanied with a $25 Gift Voucher from the on-line shop Want It, Need It Quilt.  This giveaway will end Thursday, September 15.

Vicrace Designs is having a giveaway.  You could win some digital scrapbooking software from MyMemories.  This giveaway ends Saturday, September 10.

Sew Fabulous Quilt Shop is having a giveaway.  You could win a Going Coastal Fat Quarter Bundle by Emily Herrick for Michael Miller Fabrics.  This giveaway ends Friday, September 30.

Want It, Need It, Quilt! is having a giveaway.  You could win a a design roll by Dena Fishbein for Westminster fabrics called Kumari Garden.  This giveaway ends Friday, September 30, AEST.

Sew Cal Gal is having a sponsored giveaway.  You could win a $10 gift certificate to MyEQBoutique.com.  This giveaway ends Saturday, September 10.

The Intrepid Thread is having a giveaway to celebrate their 300th post.  There will be three of all sorts of wonderful things.  This giveaway ends Friday, September 9, at midnight.

Tonya's Sewing Room is having a giveaway.  You could win a darling zippered coin purse by ZiaMaria Designs.  This giveaway ends Friday, September 9.

We Love Quilting! is having a giveaway.  You could win a surprise package.  This giveaway ends?

Quilt Inspiration is having a giveaway.  You could win Hoffman California fabric, or a $10 gift card to Joann's, or a copy of At Home With Thimbleberries Quilts by Lynette Jensen, or Valley of the Kings fabrics by Robert Kaufman, or Quilter's Newsletter, August-September 2011, and Quilt Magazine, October 2011.  This giveaway ends Sunday, September 11.

Pieces From My Heart is having a giveaway.  You could win a Sassy fat quarter pack, or a Sassy Layer Cake, or a Sassy Jelly Roll, or a Kit that includes a pre-printed apron and apron lining from Sandy Gervais.  This giveaway ends Sunday, September 11, at 10:00 pm CST.
Blueberry Patch is having a giveaway.  You could win 4 Halloween fat quarters.  This giveaway ends Sunday, September 11, at 7:00 pm PST.

Happy Quilting is having a giveaway.  You could win a sample pack of AuriFil threads.  This giveaway ends Thursday, September 8.

Quilting By The River is having a giveaway.  You could win My Memories, a digital scrapbooking software.  This giveaway ends Sunday, September 11.

Gosh!  I almost forgot to remind you about my giveaway.  If you would like a chance at a GO! Baby cutter and your choice of 3 dies - go HERE.

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FINAL THOUGHT

Have you ever gotten so frustrated with something that you just wanted to throw it away? Never wanted to see it again?  Sometimes learning is like that.  I remember as a kid taking piano lessons, I thought I would never learn all of the scales and the proper way to hold my hands.  But, before I knew it, I was actually playing little songs, followed by songs with cords.  Then I was able to add in the foot pedals and the rest is history.  I've lost the ability to play the piano - that happens when you don't have one in the house to practice on.  I'm hoping it will be a similar experience with the foundation paper piecing.  I'm falling and stumbling, still feeling my way around.  Trying to mold my mind around how to place the pieces together without wasting too awful much fabric.  Hopefully taking one step at a time, I will learn to walk through the process and one day be able to take it on at a full run.  Learning something new is good exercise for the mind, even if it is a little painful at times.

I am learning all the time. The tombstone will be my diploma. 
~Eartha Kitt