Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Four More Flowers


Whoever dreamed up Scrabble had an exaggerated idea of how many seven-letter words have five i's.
 ~Robert Brault

It's already the middle of the week!  Wednesday has gotten here so quickly.  I could really use a couple of extra days - maybe two Thursdays or, even better, two Saturdays.  It doesn't seem like I've gotten anything accomplished.  Of course, it doesn't help that I keep playing Words With Friends with my daughter on Facebook.  But where else can I play Scrabble?  DD#1 and I are both game players.  My DH hates playing games - especially spelling games.  This way we can play a game without being in the same room let alone the same state.  We have seven games going at once.  Yes, I said SEVEN.  Some days we hardly play at all.  It all depends how much time I spend on the computer and if she is busy at work.  Over the weekend we barely play at all.  It's a great time waster but I don't mind wasting time if I'm having fun.

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LITTLE FACT OF THE DAY


Hats

Tomorrow, Thursday September 15, is both Make A Hat Day and National Felt Hat Day.  I don't plan on making a hat but here are some facts about hats.....
* 1814 first record of a white rabbit being pulled out of a top hat, by a French Magician named Louis Comte
* "Mad as a Hatter": in order to bind felt fibres the millinery industry used mercury. Felt fluff would be inhaled by the milliners and over time the mercury would drive them mad.
* London's iconic Black Taxi Cabs have to be tall enough to accommodate a gentleman wearing a top hat - even today!
* You lose 20% of your body heat from your head...mainly from the forehead as it has no insulation.
* The American financier J P Morgan loved wearing top hats so much he had his cars made with a high roof so he could ride around wearing his beloved hats!
* Panama hats actually come from Ecuador. The workers on the Panama Canal wore the imported straw hats but the Americans thought they were wearing locally made hats.
* Average Head size today 7 1/8, to 7 1/4. 19th and early 20th century 6 5/8 or even smaller; hence larger hats are at a premium.
* In the mid-80's the baseball hat kicked off the current trend for hat wearing. Since 1985 hat wearing has increased by 15% a year.

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TWO SMALL FLOWERS

Once again, I was only able to churn out two flowers for the Aunt Sarah quilt.....

This flower is full of autumn colors.

And even though there aren't many green flowers in nature, I thought this green basket weave pattern worked up nicely into flower petals.

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SPRING SWAP PACKAGE

A very pretty package arrived in yesterday's mail.....

I don't know that I've ever received such a colorful package.  I couldn't wait to open it to see what was inside......

Sarah, my Spring swap partner in the Once A Season Swap hosted by Cheryll,  took the time to wrap the three gifts individually.  She included a beautiful handmade card with hand stitched flowers on the outside.

Inside was a darling plate that can be hung on the wall and it is decorated with precious handmade paper flowers.  There is also a little bud vase that has a matching paper flower.  Sarah also included a package of cute magnets, some great gel pens and note cards that match the magnets. 
Thank you so much for everything, Sarah.  And a special thank you to Cheryll for hosting another great swap!

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FUN FLOWERS

This weeks Grandmother's Flower Garden hexagon flowers were both fussy cuts and my flowers for One Flower Wednesday......

This flower looks like a fish bowl.  I kept thinking about Charlie Tuna when I was stitching this one together - lol!

This one reminds me of a necklace worn by ladies many years ago - maybe it's because the little dots look a little like seed pearls.  Who knows....sometimes my mind comes up with some very weird thoughts and images.
For more hexagon beauties, just click on the link above or on the button on the right sidebar.  Thanks, again to Karen for hosting this weekly fun!

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FMQ FUN

On Monday, I could tell that I hadn't been at the machine for a few days......

Ocean Current didn't flow quite as smoothly as it should have.  There are a couple of fits and starts but if it were done on a printed fabric, you probably wouldn't even notice them.  This is the first beginner/intermediate practice I've done.

I missed putting the center of the Sunflower in the center of the block - dummy me!  I quickly ran out of room so instead of leaving part of the block empty, I added a stem and leaves.  I even added veins to the leaves.  Can you tell I had fun with this one?  You can click on the link to see what it was really supposed to look like.  The flower part reminds of those Spriograph designs I used to make when I was a child.

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TODAY'S GOAL

Today I have to decide on a block and cut fabric for Bee In Oz.  October is my month to be the hostess and I want the envelopes in the mail on the 15th.


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GIVEAWAYS

Annie's Ruby Slipperz is having her Monday Mystery giveaway.  You could win 5 fat quarters.  This giveaway ends Saturday, September 17.

Laundry Basket Quilts Blog is having a giveaway.  You could win Edyta's new book, fabrics from her Indian Summer line, fabric pencils, a custom seam ripper, buttons, her favorite Aurifil thread and her calendar.  This giveaway ends Friday, September 30, at midnight EST.

BasicGreya Sampler in your choice of design as well as a box of BasicGrey goodness including our Blossoms, Vintage Buttons, Stitched Buttons and Vintage Patches.  this giveaway ends Sunday, September 18, at 11:59 pm MST.

The Raspberry Rabbits is having a giveaway.  You could win one of Shell's Folk Art Fusion pieces with the hanger.  This giveaway ends Monday, September 19.

Happy Quilting is having a giveaway.  You could win a Jelly Roll of Sweetwater's ever so popular Hometown line and 2 1/2 yards of coordinating fabric.  This giveaway ends Friday, September 16. 

Taking The Scenic Route is having a giveaway.  You could win a 17" mat designed with the acorns dancing along the edge by Jan Goos.  This giveaway ends ?

Live A Colorful Life is having a giveaway.  You could win a sample pack of Aurifil thread.  This giveaway ends Thursday, September 15, at 6:00 pm PDT.

A Quilting Life is having a sponsored giveaway.  You could win a $25 gift certificate to Fashionable Fabrics.  This giveaway ends Thursday, September 15.

Notions is having a giveaway.  You could win  a copy of More Layer Cake, Jelly Rolls & Charm Quilts by Pam & Nicky Lintott.  This giveaway ends Monday, September 19.

FabricWorm is having their weekly giveaway.  You could win 7 Fat Quarters of Timeless Treasures Organic Daisies.  This giveaway ends Monday, September 19, at 8:30 am PST.

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FINAL THOUGHT

It seems like once a week I have trouble coming up with a final thought.  Maybe it's that middle of the week thing when I'm still thinking about what has happened during the week and what I have left to accomplish.   I have nothing to give an opinion on nor anything to gripe about.  I have no words of wisdom or prophesy to share.  So I guess that this is it for today.  Have a wonderful and creative Wednesday!

I plan on living forever. So far, so good. 
~Author Unknown



35 comments:

Fiona said...

I always like to see your Hexie flowers.... pretty goodies in your Spring Swap... and great FMQ happening now...
Hugz

rosie said...

I always love reading your posts Linda, so full of fascinating facts.. You have been truly blessed by your swap partner.. Love your hexie flowers..

Karen said...

More great flowers!!! LOVE the fish bowl!

Cheryl said...

Uh, I am a Scrabble junkie, but have not tried playing on FB. I just play on POGO with a computer opponent...no pressure!
I always love your hexies.

Teresa said...

What a fun package both inside and out.
Love the little fish flower.
Teresa's Heartfelt Stitches

Sheila said...

A great package and some really lovely hexies this week , also your free motion work is great , love the sunflower!

Jessica said...

I also love Words with Friends and Scrabble. The fun never ends :) I'd like to try that sunflower FMQ... that would look so pretty on solids.

Barbara said...

LOVE your fish bowl hexie! I promise to stop gushing about your FMQ practice pieces, but one last comment -- they are works of art in themselves!

Sara Lyn said...

Your quotes today were hilarious! I love to laugh in the morning, so thanks! :) Scrabble is fun, but my husband and I have gotten more into Scrabble Slam and Quiddler recently. They're quicker and easier to quit. :) I love your Sunflower stitching. Very cute! And what a fun package to receive in the mail!

Hilachas said...

Hi Linda,
I also love Words With Friends. I have several games going with family members and a few strangers I've found with the random player choice.
Wow, I had no idea where the "Mad Hatter" came from. I actually always thought it was from the Mad Hatter in "Alice in Wonderland."
Beautiful hexie flowers you've made. Your quilt is going to be gorgeous.

Hilachas said...

Hi Linda,
I also love Words With Friends. I have several games going with family members and a few strangers I've found with the random player choice.
Wow, I had no idea where the "Mad Hatter" came from. I actually always thought it was from the Mad Hatter in "Alice in Wonderland."
Beautiful hexie flowers you've made. Your quilt is going to be gorgeous.

Quilting Chemist (Danette) said...

Beautiful flowers, cute fishbowl with Charlie Tuna and I always enjoy your facts of the day. Never knew where 'Mad Hatter" came from.

Bethany said...

Your FMQ always looks so nice. No matter what I do I cannot make mine look good - I have hideous tension issues, and it's always just so blah looking.

Lynda said...

Hexie fish....really cute. Your blog is always full of fun facts...even when you say you have nothing to say!

Maria said...

Great flowers again this week. The fish are cute.
WOW that FMQ is just fantastic.

Vroomans' Quilts said...

SOme sweet flowers - love the fishies. What a cute package and such wonderful delights inside.

BillieBee (billiemick) said...

I couldn't decide what to comment on today. I love guys hats....they always remind me of my dad. That's what I kept after he passed away. His old house coat and some hats. I used to wear them around the house. I finally outgrew his housecoat....giggle.

Then you great hexie blocks of which the fish is my favorite, but then I cracked up with your comment..

I plan on living forever. So far, so good.
~Author Unknown

Too funny! Thanks for the laugh.

Erica said...

Yep, I have Words with Friends from Facebook going on also. I have 5 games going on with 4 people. I never liked scrabble, but since I started playing this, I've gotten better.

I love your fussy cut hexies every week. Where do you find all your cute fabric?

Linda Big D said...

Additional "hat" fact: I believe that John F. Kennedy was the most recent president to wear a hat at his inauguration; since then the Presidents have been bare-headed. (But I wonder if someday we'll have a President-elect wearing a baseball cap?)
i also play words with friends; I'm Lindytx if you want to play.

Teresa F. said...

It's always a pleasure to see your flowers, specially the fussy cut ones. Love the fishies.

Impera Magna said...

Love your hexies... so cool! And your FMQ stuff is so much fun... love that you improvised on the sunflower!

Jeanette said...

Love the gorgeous fussy cut blooms. Especially the fishies. So cute. Happy Stitching,

quiltzyx said...

More fun hexie flowers today! The 'fish bowl' makes me smile...

If you weren't so far away, you could be a member of my guild - the theme for our 2012 quilt show is Grandmother's Flower Garden! :D

Renate Bischoff said...

Your fussy cut flowers are so beautiful. I love the one with the fishes.

Lots of Fabric 2 said...

Love look at your hexies,I'm new to the flower garden what a wonderful place to be

Mad about Craft said...

In a town near us there is a hat museum which is very interesting, seeing how hats were made.

Becky G said...

O my gosh... this is another great post, and I love, love, love your flowers! Hope you have a great week. 'til next time, B

Melissa ;-) said...

Your FMQ is so good!

Barbara said...

Your FMQ just gets better and better!

Barbara said...

Your FMQ just gets better and better!

Miss Hillbilly said...

I haven't had time to blog either. No time at all. I am catching up on reading three days worth now. Perhaps I'll get a blog in tomorrow but probably not. Oh well :)

I hope that my FMQ goes as well as yours someday. (if I ever start on it). I do know that you said that you can't draw either so there is hope for me.

Bev C said...

Hello Linda,

Oh that fish bowl is so cute.
happy days.
Bev.xoxo

Anonymous said...

Linda~ you post an amazing amount of stuff in one blog! Love it!

And I must respond to your words on my blog-love how you called my machine servicing a "machine spa day!" And you are right-14 years is a long time. Guess I'll have to do some hand quilting that also has been put off for a while!

Have a super day!!! (love your hexies, btw.)

Snoodles said...

Enjoyed your post, as always! Your final quote reminded me of an interview I saw long ago of Steve McQueen...he told a joke about a man who fell out of a window many floors up on a tall building. As he passed each floor he was heard to say, "So far, so good..." EEK!! I haven't thought of that in years!

rubyslipperz1052 said...

I'm always envious...of all your fun swaps! You give and get such fun things...and, I never-EVER tire of seeing your wonderful flowers!

hugZ,
annie
rubyslipperz106

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