Flowers and Squares

You will never find time for anything. If you want time you must make it.

~Charles Buxton

It has felt really good to back in my sewing room.  I've caught up on a all of my swap blocks and finished a mug rug for another swap.  I've even been working on one of the little quilts to donate to the guild.  Our guild is having a challenge using a piece of fabric they provided to make a Loving Hands quilt and then the membership will vote on the quilt.  At the meeting they said we had until the November meeting to complete this little quilt.  No problem, right?  Wrong!  I read the newsletter today and because of a conflict, the little quilts must be ready for the October meeting.  Next Thursday (October 20)!  Here I'd been just sort of thinking what to create...thinking I had all the time in the world - but NO!  Time to get busy.  And the little quilt I was working on wasn't the one due next week.  Everything else to the back burner until it's done!

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LITTLE FACT OF THE DAY

Farmer

Today, October 12, is Farmer's Day.  Old MacDonald is finally getting his due. We all have to get our food from somewhere and the men and women who sow the seeds are finally getting their just rewards: a day dedicated only to them! Know any farmers? Shake their hand and thank them for their skill and dedication.  Did you know:

* The United States provides food at a lower cost, as a percentage of income, than any other country in the world. We produce sufficient surplus to be the nations leading exporter.

* The United States produces 46% of the world's soybeans, 41% of the world's corn, 20.5% of the world's cotton and 13% of the world's wheat.

* There are 2.19 million farms in the United States.

* Individuals, family partnerships or family corporations own 99% of U.S. farms with fewer than 10 stockholders. Non-family corporations own only 0.4% of America's farms and ranches.

* The American Farmer feeds an average of 130 people. In 1960, he only fed 26!!!!

* The hourly rate for the average American farmer is about $0.90 per hour.
Those are some pretty amazing facts, don't you agree?

 

 

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BACK TO FLOWERS ON WEDNESDAY

 

 

With this being Wednesday, it means it's time for those hexie flowers to come out.  So in keeping with One Flower Wednesday created by Karen (Thank you!!) here a couple I made this week.....

 

 

If you couldn't already tell, I'm still in the Halloween mode for my flowers.  Ghostly cats and mice dance on the petals around the glowing orange center.

I couldn't pass up all of these cute Jack O Lantern faces for the petals on this flower. 

If you would like to see some more beautiful and creative flowers, click on the link above or on the sidebar to take you where you can find a linky to hop all over blogland.

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A NEW AND EASY SWAP

Did you see the new button on my sidebar?  I've decided to join in the fun over at Coloradolady.  She is hosting the Secret Santa Soiree.  All I have to do is come up with $20 worth of goodies for my secret swap partner and have them in the mail by December 10th.  Sounds easy enough and I can't wait to go shopping for my secret swap partner.  If you would like to join in the fun, just click on the button in my sidebar or the link above.

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FREE MOTION PRACTICE

I bet you thought I had forgotten to keep up with my FMQ practice squares.  Well, I have been practicing, just forgetting to share.

I really enjoyed this practice square called Mussel Shell.  Some of my shells ended up a bit fat but who knows what you might find in nature.

The very next day was Heart Paisley which I wasn't at all happy with.  Apparently I go for the 'fat' in figures - lol! 

This was my first practice square after not sewing for over a week.  I think Coffee Beans went fairly well.  Wouldn't this look great on a mug rug?

This is called Elodea.  I didn't have a clue as to what Elodea was so I had to look it up.  And in case you don't either......

I can see where Leah got her inspiration for the design.  If you are interested in some great FMQ designs, check out Leah Day's website, Day Style Designs.  She gives great little video's with each design.

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TODAY'S GOAL

I have to start working on the Loving Hands little quilt due for the guild challenge next week!

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GIVEAWAYS

Annie's Ruby Slipperz is having a giveaway.  You could win 5 fat quarters.  This giveaway ends Saturday, October 15, at midnight MT.

Lisnaweary Quilts is having a sponsored giveaway.  You could win a 'Wildflower Fairies' panel and four fat quarters from Fabric Freedom's new range 'Deco Delights' from Quilter's Quest.  This giveaway ends Saturday, October 22, at midnight GMT.

Quiltstory is having a giveaway.  You could win a copy of Deploy That Fabric and a darling bag.  This giveaway ends Monday, October 17.

Mama Spark's World is ready to send the Traveling Stash on it's way.  Mama Spark will draw a winner on Saturday, October 15.

Lovin' Life At The End Of The Dirt Road is having her first giveaway.  You could win a copy of The Devil's Puzzle.  This giveaway ends Thursday, October 13.

A Vision To Remember is having a giveaway.  You could win MyMemories software.  This giveaway ends Monday, October 17.

Gen X Quilters is having a giveaway.  You could win a copy of Deploy that Fabric and a matching Eco Messenger Bag.  This giveaway ends Saturday, October 15, at midnight EST.

Bejeweled Quilts by Barb is having a giveaway.  You could win a card of ladybug buttons from Incomparable Buttons.  This giveaway ends Tuesday, October 18.

Jenny of Elefantz is celebrating 1500+ followers with a giveaway.  You could win a prize depending on where you live.  This giveaway ends Thursday, October 20, at midnight.

McCall's Quilting is having a giveaway.  You could win 1 of 3 prize packages of 13 fat quarters each.  This giveaway ends Monday, October 17.


Jolly Jabber (Fat Quarter Shop blog) is having a giveaway.  You could win a Panier De Fleurs Jelly Roll.  This giveaway ends Tuesday, October 18. 

Have you entered my Fat Quarter Shop sponsored giveaway?  Go HERE to enter!

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FINAL THOUGHT

Back for the second time and I'm already blank on a final thought.  Nothing.  Zip.  Zilch.  Nadda.  So I will leave you with this thought....

Give thanks for what you are now, and keep fighting for what you want to be tomorrow. 
~Fernanda Miramontes-Landeros