Friday, October 21, 2011

Little Quilts


Sometimes I feel that life is passing me by, not slowly either, but with ropes of steam and spark-spattered wheels and a hoarse roar of power or terror. It's passing, yet I'm the one who's doing all the moving. 
~Martin Amis, Money

Gosh!  I can't believe it's Friday already.  Where did the week go?  Did I miss some days?  Travel through them in a fog?  It just amazes me how quickly the days pass at times.  One day it's Monday and you are just starting the week, and POOF!  Five days have disappeared and it's almost time to start the weekend.  I know I accomplished some things this week.  All I have to do is look back at the previous posts and there's proof.  But for the life of me I couldn't tell you what happened each day this week.  I guess that's what happens when I'm so busy trying to reach my different goals.  Hopefully I will get at least some hand sewing or stitchery in over the weekend.  Do you have any plans for the weekend?

=============================

LITTLE FACT OF THE DAY

Fall or Autumn

The season we call fall was once referred to simply as “harvest” to reflect the time when farmers gathered their crops for winter storage, roughly between August and November. Astronomically, the season lasts from the end of the September until December, between the autumnal equinox and the winter solstice in the Northern Hemisphere. The word harvest comes from the Old Norse word haust meaning “to gather or pluck.” In the early 1600s as more people started moving into cities, the word harvest fell out of use. Instead, city dwellers began to use the phrase “fall of the leaf” to refer to the third season of the year when trees lose their leaves. The word “fall” comes from the Old English word feallan which means “to fall or to die.” Over time, the phrase was shortened to fall.
Surprisingly, it's not really known where the word “autumn” comes from. It was used as far back at the 1300s (by Chaucer), and Shakespeare often used the word, as in Midsummer Night’s Dream when one character describes the cycle of the year, “The spring, the summer, the childing autumn, angry winter.” However, etymologists have not determined its precise origin.
As English spread to the New World, the common season names split as well. The use of the word “fall” fell out of favor in England. Today, American English uses the word “fall” while British English uses “autumn” almost exclusively. Fall provides a nice foil to its opposite season, spring, and gives us the helpful reminder, “Spring ahead, fall back,” when we get confused about our clocks on daylight savings.

===================================

LOVING HANDS

Last night I turned in two little quilts to my guild's (Cotton Patch Quilters) Loving Hands coordinator......

First was this one made from squares I received in an I Spy square swap.  I selected fabrics that were more toward a girl.

And I used the fabric I won in a giveaway for the backing.  Sort of looks like a quilt all on its own with no work from me.

This is the challenge quilt I made.  The challenge fabric was used on the corner presents as the wrapping paper.  I was able to use leftover scraps from the Designer Mystery BOM from Fat Quarter Shop (2010-2011) to make the ribbons, bows and the green wrapping paper.  The block designs were from the newest Quiltmaker magazine.

The backing was mitten print that I have had around for years. 
And guess what?  After the vote was taken at the meeting last night.....I won first place!  And I didn't even vote for my own quilt.  I forgot my camera so I can't show you the competition - sorry.
I hope these two little quilts will brighten the life of a little preemie and their families.
 
 
=================================
 
 
FMQ FLOWERS
The last two day's free motion quilting practice was centered around flowers. 
 
 
I like the way this one started out but I think I should have added some extra petals in as the flower grew.  This one is called Flower Ball
 
 
Super Daisy was fun, after I started it for a second time.  The first time only had five petals and looked odd after just the second row of petals.  I added extra stitching to the flower center just because I could.
I can see both of these patterns being used in a girls quilt and I just might be using them in a baby quilt I am going to make.  Oh, and just to clarify, there are those of you out there that thought I make up these sample blocks on a long arm machine.  Not so!  I sew these all on my domestic machine - and so can you!

================================

TODAY'S GOAL

Today I plan to make two 6" blocks for my swap partner.

=============================

GIVEAWAYS

Sew Take a Hike is having a giveaway.  You could win a $25 gift certificate to Fat Quarter Shop.  This giveaway ends Wednesday, October 26.

Jaybird Quilts is having a giveaway.  You could win a Melly quilt pattern by RGD & a 10 square of Veranda by Amanda Murphy for Robert Kaufman.  This giveaway ends Saturday, October 22, at 10 pm PST.
From The Blue Chair is having a giveaway.  You could win a $25 gift certificate to Fat Quarter Shop.  This giveaway ends Wednesday, October 26.

Nomes's Brag-A-Long is having a giveaway.  You could win a baggie of selvages.  This giveaway ends Friday, October 28.

Fabricworm is having their weekly giveaway.  You could win 6 lovely Fat Quarters of So Sophie by My Mind's Eye for Riley Blake in Brown/GoldThis giveaway ends Monday, October 24, at 8:30 am PST.

World Of Charity Stitching is having a giveaway.  You could win a $25 gift certificate to Crazy Annie's Stitchin n Stuff.  This giveaway ends Tuesday, November 1.

Silly Mama Quilts is having a giveaway.  You could win a bottlecap pincushion make-it-take-it kit and a charm pack of Delighted.  This giveaway ends Monday, October 24.

The Intrepid Thread is having a giveaway.  You could win a bottle cap pin cushion kit or a fat quarter pack of one of the colorways of Delighted of the winner's choosing.  This giveaway ends Monday, October 24.

Little PenPen is having a giveaway.  You could win 21 quilt blocks.  This giveaway ends Wednesday, October 26.

To Everything There Is A Season is having a Fall Blessing giveaway.  You could win a lil-basket of pretty fall colors & a sweet cookie jar mix and spoon ,  a fall tea towel and 100% cotton dish cloth, and a  fall journal & sweet treats! This giveaway ends Saturday, October 22.

Birch Fabrics is having a giveaway.  You could win a darling market bag.  This giveaway ends Sunday, October 23, at midnight.

The Pickledish Patch is having a giveaway.  You could win an EQ7 full program.  This giveaway ends Thursday, October 27.

Hawthorne Threads is having their weekly giveaway.  You could win a Free Spirit Color Card.  This giveaway ends Wednesday, October 26.

Momloves2quilt is having a giveaway.  You could win a copy of String Quilts.  This giveaway ends Sunday, October 23.

Notions (Connecting Threads blog) is having a giveaway.  You could win a copy of Modern Mix or 2 yards of solid fabric.  This giveaway ends Monday, October 24.

Jaybird Quilts is having another giveaway.  This time you could win Silent Film pre-cuts.  This giveaway ends Sunday, October 23, at 10:00 pm PST.


Freshly Pieced is having a giveaway.  You could win a $25 gift certificate to Fat Quarter Shop.  This giveaway ends Wednesday, October 26.


===========================

FINAL THOUGHT

October gave a party;
The leaves by hundreds came -
The Chestnuts, Oaks, and Maples,
And leaves of every name.
The Sunshine spread a carpet,
And everything was grand,
Miss Weather led the dancing,
Professor Wind the band.

~George Cooper, "October's Party"





26 comments:

Cheryl said...

Love the new FMQ designs! Good job on the donation quilts...they will be appreciated.

Lynda said...

I do believe "Harvest" is my favorite time of year. Always enjoy seeing the progress on your FMQ. The 2 donation quilts will be much appreciated.

Barb said...

You little quilts are just wonderful....and that FMQ....you are doing sooooooo good!!

Pat said...

It's funny that the Norse Word for harvest is 'haust'. For many years than I care to think of, Fall was more like 'exhaust'. We had a huge garden which meant lots of harvesting, canning and cleaning up the garden. And because we burned our house 100% with wood, it was also bringing in the wood and stacking it. In spite of all the work, it was still one of my favorite seasons.

Cyndi said...

Hi Linda! I love reading your "fact of the day" section because I always learn something interesting!

Your little challenge quilt is so cute...love those little packages; and your free motion is coming along quite nicely!

Have a wonderful "Fall/Autumn" day! :o)

XOXO,

Cyndi

Joanna said...

Both of your little quilts are adorable. I love how great a simple patchwork quilt can look when done well. And the gift quilt is lovely. Hope you have a great weekend.

Megan Harmeyer said...

I really like the little present quilt. I know what you mean about time passing by too quickly - I can't believe it's almost the end of the month! One of my patients said "Hey! It's almost Christmas." And everybody within earshot groaned. LOL

Impera Magna said...

Fall/autumn/harvest is my favorite time of year...

krisgray said...

Congrats on your challenge quilt - it's very cute! Time is flying a little too fast for me, atm. Have a great weekend!

Needled Mom said...

Congratulations on the win!!! It is a darling quilt too.

I love the two new FMQ designs. I can really see where you could use them in quilts.

We always called it "harvest" when we were growing up too. Guess that is what they do in a farming community.

No big weekend plans - dinner at my mom's one night and maybe some sewing time.

Vroomans' Quilts said...

Sweet little quilts and just love the 'presents' pattern - congratulations on your win too! Wow, what a list of give aways, but I am passing them by, so good luck to all.

My weekend plan is to set up my Ghastlie room and do a photo shoot and draft blog so ready for my day of the blog hop. And helping my SIL with a shirt - gosh, started with sewing, but we are hair pulling in reading the pattern! Shhhh, actually re-doing with things that pop in our head as we remember tips and techniques from so long ago.

Barbara said...

Just caught up here after being away, can't comment on it all, but will just say WOW! -- love the quilts and hexies, as always, but as Barb said, your FMQ is awesome!

Wendy said...

Still in awe of your FMQ! I really must get started! I can't remember, are you taking a class or using a book...?

Linda said...

Wow, you did a terrific job on the two little quilts!!! They turned out great. You've also really perfected your FMQ.

Kari @ The Purple Quiltapotamus said...

I'm going through a serious Eye Spy quilt phase right now - love the one you posted. Also your flower is lovely.

Unknown said...

What darling creations, Linda. They will bring warmth & joy to some little persons.

So love each season for its beauty.

Have a beautiful weekend ~
TTFN ~
Hugs,
Marydon

BillieBee (billiemick) said...

Well you are definitely not wasting your time. Beautiful quilts. I love that Fat Quarter shop BOMs always have great leftovers.

Wonderful free motion as well.

Connie Kresin Campbell said...

Your 2 little quilts are so cute! Love your FMQ as always, flowers look wonderful, thanks so much for the giveaway links and I love Fall, it is so beautiful here.

Kasey said...

Your FMQ always looks so amazing, and today is no exception! I wish mine looked half as good.

elizabeth said...

Your little quilts will definitely bring a smile to those who receive them : ) I admire your FMQ....you are doing a fantastic job with each one!

Linda in Calif. said...

Congrats on the win. Your little quilt is just adorable! I can see why you won.

I love the flower ball quilting design - I think that one would be fun to do.

Staci said...

I especially love your challenge quilt. I just picked up that magazine because I love that particular pattern so much. It turned out so well.
Hope you have a lovely weekend.

quiltzyx said...

Your 2 small quilts came out great! I can see why the "presents" won first place!!! Congratulations.
And to think that you were hesitant about joining the guild....

Miss Hillbilly said...

Congrats on first place! Those are cute little quilts!

Pokey said...

Your little quilt is gonna make some little one's eyes light up! Very cute. I like the Flower Ball fmq. Look how much you are improving with just a little bit of practice!
:-}pokey

rubyslipperz1052 said...

congrats on your "present" quilt...it's really pretty!

your machine quilting - is...well, getting to look professional!

hope you have a great weekend!

hugZ,
annie
rubyslipperz106.blogspot

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...