Friday, November 18, 2011

Happy Blocks


Sometimes it seems your ever-increasing list of things to do can leave you feeling totally undone.
~Susan Mitchell and Catherine Christie, I'd Kill for a Cookie

It's hard to believe it is Friday already.  I'm not sure I'm ready for the weekend.  I have a quilting class tomorrow that will take most of the day.  Then we have a 70th birthday party to attend in the evening.  Sunday we may do our weekly grocery shopping because I refuse to do it on our normal day, Wednesday.  Who wants to be in the grocery store the day before Thanksgiving when everyone is running around trying to pick up odds and ends for their big meal and the shelves would probably a mess and understocked.  I'm still working on the baby quilt that needs to be done by Monday.  I'm starting to feel like a chicken with its head cut off!

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LITTLE FACT OF THE DAY

Bagpipe

Saturday, November 19, is National Blow Bagpipes Day.  When you think of bagpipes, it's likely that Scotland comes to mind. So you might be surprised to learn that the instrument does not have its origins in Scotland. There are some interesting and little-known facts about the bagpipes, including what they were made of, how they are played and even why they were once banned in Scotland.
Contrary to popular belief, the bagpipes did not originate in Scotland. However, it was Scotland that kept the instrument alive. As a result, it is Scotland that is most often associated with the instrument. While the exact origins of the bagpipes are disputed, the oldest reference to the now-famed instrument is from Asia Minor. The reference was carved on a stone slab dated back to 1000 BC. Bagpipes were eventually found in various countries all over the world, including India, Spain, France and even ancient Egypt. Historians are unsure as to whether the Scottish bagpipes were imported from Rome or if they were brought to the country from Ireland.
Each bagpipe consists of a chanter, a bag and one or more pipes, also known as drones. Today drones are typically made from hardwood, but in historic times they were constructed of bone or ivory. The bags were made from the skin of animals, including sheep, cows and goats.
A little-known fact about the history of bagpipes in Scotland is that the instrument was actually banned in the country -- once in 1560 and again in 1746. James Reid, a bagpipe musician, was executed for having a bagpipe during the ban. During 1746, bagpipes were considered war instruments. It is reported that during WWI more than 500 pipers were executed for playing the bagpipes

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BRIGHT BLOCKS

Over the last few days I have received two sets of beautiful and bright swap blocks......

These two 6" blocks came from Jenn in PA.  Jenn and I were swap partners for October in the 6 Inch Block Swaps Australia.  Aren't these bold and bright.  I love the fussy cuts she did in this Bird In The Air block.  Thank you so much, Jenn.

Linda from Australia (my November Block Swaps Australia swap partner) made this very fun block.  I just love the little monkeys and the bit of added rick rack.  This mosaic block is just full of humor.  Linda wasn't happy with this block - can you believe it ?!?  As a result she sent me a second block.....

Another adorable block!  This one has a bit more rick rack.  Both blocks are going to make a wonderful children's quilt one day for Loving Hands.  Linda also included a boomerang key chain.  Does that mean when I lose my keys they will automatically return to me?  Thank you so very much, Linda, for both of the wonderfully happy blocks.

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LOVING HANDS II

Last night I took both of the Loving Hands quilts I made this week to our guild meeting.  I already shared with you the green and yellow frog quilt so here is the second one I made......

Definitely little girl.  I made this with some left over scraps from the baby quilt I'm making.  I just did some simple line quilting along with stitch-in-the-ditch quilting.  The backing is a white heart on pink flannel (I forgot to take a picture of the back).  All Loving Hands quilts measure 32" X 32".

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FMQ

Only time for one free motion quilting practice again.......

Texture of Two is created by echo stitching the number 2.  Each time you just change the angle of the 2.  Not my favorite design but a good practice anyway.

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QUILTING GALLERY CONTEST

I have entered my little monthly mini quilt in the Quilting Gallery Contest this week.  The theme is Thanksgiving/Gratitude.  In case you forgot what mine looks like here is another look at Who Me.....

I would certainly appreciate your vote.  But make sure to look through all of the lovely entries first by going HERE.

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TODAY'S GOAL

To finish the baby quilt and to survive the weekend with a smile :D

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GIVEAWAYS

World of Charity is having a giveaway. You could win one of 6 Pine Mountain Pillow Cross Stitch Kits. This giveaway ends Tuesday, November 22.

The Barn Hollow is having a giveaway.  You could win a snow couple made by Kim from a Country Friends pattern.  This giveaway ends Monday, November 21.

Marcia's Crafty Sewing and Quilting is celebrating her birthday with a giveaway.  You could win a quilting gift certificate worth $54.00 off the quilting on a twin size quilt.  This giveaway ends Thursday, November 24, at 6 pm.

Lily's Quilts is having a giveaway.  You could win two boxes of Kona Bounty of Basics - one dark and one light.  This giveaway ends Wednesday, November 23.

Fabric Worm is having a giveaway.  You could win 10 french inspired Fat Quarters of J'Adore by Dear Stella.  This giveaway ends Monday, November 21, at 8:30 am PST.

Smashed Peas and Carrots is having a giveaway.  You could win a pattern from Hadley Grace Designs.  This giveaway ends Saturday, November 19, at 8 am.

The Jolly Jabber is having a giveaway.  You could win  Bunny Hill’s Designer Select Fat Quarter Bundle.  This giveaway ends Tuesday, November 22.

The Confused Quilter is having a giveaway.  Staci is ready to send the other Traveling Stash on its way.  This giveaway ends Monday, November 21.

Out Numbered Quilter is having a giveaway.  You could win a special, beautiful, and unique bundle of fabric.  This giveaway ends Monday, November 21.

Craftaholics Anonymous is having a giveaway.  You could win  a Silhouette Cameo digital cutting tool.  This giveaway ends Wednesday, November 23, at 11:59 pm EST.

***Make sure to stop by on Monday as I'm having a giveaway sponsored by Fat Quarter Shop***

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FINAL THOUGHT

Buttons and patches and the cold wind blowing,
The days pass quickly when I am sewing.

~Author Unknown

20 comments:

sunny said...

I'm with you on NOT going to a grocery store on Wednesday!! If you need a little known fact for that day, I heard somewhere that Wednesday is the biggest pizza delivery day of the year - not Superbowl SUnday. The bagpipe info was interesting. We had a bagpiper at my dad's funeral, and it was incredibly moving. I'll always remember that.

Gene Black said...

Interesting facts on the bagpipes. I am sure that if a neighbor were learning to play them, I would be in favor of execution LOL.

Great blocks.

Is Loving Hands a national organization or is it local?

Sheila said...

I love to listen to the bagpipes . Your little quilt is adorable and a wonderful idea to make these . Enjoy your day and good luck finishing the baby quilt.

Megan Harmeyer said...

I hate this time of year. I'm glad I'm not cooking for Turkey Day because that's one less thing I have to stress about. The Sock Monkey blocks are CUTE!! And your Loving Hands quilt is so girlie - love it. Good luck on your Quilting Gallery Contest entry - yours is my favorite. :)

Joanna said...

In my younger days I had a part time job at Macy's, and the day before Thanksgiving there was no one in the store. They were all at the supermarkets. Enjoy your weekend.

Sheila said...

Love your colorful blocks!!
Such a sweet little Loving Hands quilt. I didn't know that they should be 32"x32". That's a good thing to know.

Barbara said...

I saw your quilt this morning and voted for it. Good luck! Those monkey blocks are adorable, and I really like your loving hands quilt.

Needled Mom said...

I love bagpipes! Interesting.

Cute blocks. Hope the weekend is relaxing!

rubyslipperz1052 said...

"not ready for the weekend"...OMGosh, I feel like I'm not going to be ready for the holidays. They are coming WAY too fast! I always wish for Christmas to be celebrated the 25th of January.

I LUV seeing all your pretty pictures, the block exchanges, the quilts, and the quilting. No matter what, they are always inpsiring to me.

hugZ,
annie

Melissa said...

I can't believe Linda wasn't happy with her first block. They are both ADORABLE! I am with you on not going shopping on Wednesday - just like Black Friday - it just isn't worth the hassle for me!

Snoodles said...

I went to vote for your cute turkey! LOL Interesting post on bagpipes...never knew you could get killed for playing 'em!

✾Jamie Lee Cooley✾ said...

Not to toot my own bagpipe, but I got up at 4:30 this morning and was inside Walmart by 5am doing my Thanksgiving grocery shopping! It was worth it, too...hardly a line at check out (there was only one lane open) and no kids along so plenty of cart space. And the really awesome thing is that all the kid somehow "know" I'm awake whenever I get up, so the baby and 3 year old both got up as I was leaving...my poor husband had to get up with them...but they are NAPPING AT THE SAME TIME RIGHT NOW!!!! The 3 year old stopped napping a long time ago, but she was tired and succumbed to her sleepiness while I read to her. Lucky me...now I have time to enter some of those giveaways you blogged about.

I voted for your turkey, hope you win!

quiltzyx said...

I *LOVE* bagpipe music! Well, just not so much inside a banquet room, but generally. How funny that they were considered a war instrument.

Wow! You received some fun blocks this week, lucky girl!

Have a lovely weekend...

sandra said...

I rather like bagpipes, just not for too long at a time. Love the blocks you received, they are all gorgeous. Don't we wish we all had a little boomerang keyring that actually returned our keys.
We don't have Thanksgiving, but I understand why you wouldn't want to go shopping then.

Miss Hillbilly said...

You are number 4--Just voted!

Valspierssews said...

I love the bright blocks you received. The animal theme is cute. Your baby quilt is so sweet and that turkey is so outrageous and clever. Hope you have a happy Thanksgiving and get some time to enjoy it.

Teresa F. said...

Thanks for another great post. I love your mini quilt and i've just voted for your nice turkey.
Hugs,
Teresa

Marcia - Crafty Sewing and Quilting said...

I like the quote at the beginning of you post. Sometimes our lists get too long... and we do feel undone.
Christmas quilts consume all my time this time of year -- which is great! Busy Busy Busy!
Thanks for the mention, photo, and link to my Big Giveaway! I appreciate help getting the word out!
I'll hop over and Vote at the Quilting Gallery! Good luck!

Michele said...

I love the quote! I keep adding to my list of things to do. Sigh. Yes, I'm avoiding the grocery store this week, except to pick up a few fresh items for Thanksgiving on Tuesday. I went shopping for most of the food last week.

Jeanne said...

I already get Fat Quarter Shop's newsletter. They were the very first online quilting store I bought from. In fact, yesterday I received a kit for the quilt called Bedazzled. I shop there as often as I can afford to. They are the best! My favorite fat quarters are Calico Caterwauling Tales Fat Quarter Bundles by Sue Marsh. I have never seen them before until I came to your website. Oh, how I adore them. I'm thawing out my turkey right now. I'm going to make the dressing today so I don't get overwhelmed tomorrow. It's just my DH and myself this year. First time we haven't been with family. My kids can't make it down (They live in the San Juan Islands and I live in north eastern Oregon). I think it'll be fun for just the two of us. Hopefully I can watch the Macy Day Parade. I haven't seen it in 16 years.

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