Monday, February 27, 2012

A LITTLE FINISH



We have to learn to be our own best friends because we fall too easily into the trap of being our own worst enemies. 
 ~Roderick Thorp, Rainbow Drive

The weekend certainly flew by quickly.  We ran errands most of Saturday and I couldn't seem to find what I was looking for.  Nascar made its big start on Sunday, well at least it was supposed to start.  There were several hours of the hosts trying to fill time with worthless bits of information and driver interviews.  I did get in some stitching between loads of wash and giving Weasley a bath.  We've had a roller coaster of weather over the last 3 days.  Friday we broke a record when our temps climbed to 81 degrees and then we plummet to a high of 59* today.  Almost summer one day and then back to practically winter temps 3 days later.  It's hard to know how to dress this time of year.  I hope your weekend was a good and that you have great plans for the week ahead.


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LITTLE FACT OF THE DAY

Tomatoes

Tomatoes are not high up on my 'favorites' list.  The one and only way I will eat them if they are in a well seasoned sauce, and that includes pizza.  However, I thought I would do a bit of research on the tomato and this is what I found:
Tomatoes are thought to originate in Peru. The name comes from the Aztec “xitomatl,” which means “plump thing with a navel”.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture says there are 25,000 tomato varieties. Other sources cap the number of types of tomatoes at 10,000. (Either way, that’s a lot.)
When the tomato was introduced to Europe in the 1500s, The French called it “the apple of love.” The Germans called it “the apple of paradise.”
Tomato is a cousin of the eggplant, red pepper, ground cherry, potato, and the highly toxic belladonna
The scientific term for the common tomato is lycopersicon lycopersicum, which mean “wolf peach.”
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Americans eat between 22- 24 pounds of tomatoes per person, per year. (More than half of those munchies are ketchup and tomato sauce.)
While tomatoes are perfectly safe and healthy to eat, their leaves are actually toxic!


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FLOWER GARDEN FINISH


A couple of weeks ago I tried something new.  I gave raw edge applique with straight stitching a try.....


This flower is part of it.  I probably should have stitched a bit closer to the edge.  I added a little detail with the swirl in the middle of the flower and the petal detail.  I also added veins to the leaves.  Oh, the stems are stitched with a button hole stitch.

This little bird is the focal point of the wall hanging.  It was fun making his curly tail.  His eye is a little button.  Here you can see the quilting I did.  It's sort of a curly vine sort of thing.  Don't look too closely as there are places where I didn't back track too well.

And here is the entire little wall hanging.  It is called Flower Garden.  I found the pattern at Don't Look Now. It's a freebie and their pattern makes it into a pillow.  I'm really happy with the results and have it hanging in my bathroom.  Yes, in my bathroom.  The bathroom needed a little color and this was the perfect addition.  
Wall Hanging:  Flower Garden
Pattern Design:  Don't Look Now
Dimensions:  18" X 18"
Completed:  February 15, 2012

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BLOCK RECEIVED

Late last week I received another swap block in the mail.  This one came to me from Arizona.

Linda B said she didn't think this block was very bright but I do and it certainly is child happy.  I just love the swimming frog in the middle square.  Linda was my February swap partner for Block Swap Adventure.  Thank you so very much, Linda B!

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TODAY'S GOAL

Today I plan to get some quilting done and hopefully a little stitching in the afternoon.

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GIVEAWAYS

Jolly Jabber is having a giveaway.  You could win Parson Gray’s Designer Select Fat Quarter Bundle.  This giveaway ends Wednesday, February 29.


Confessions of a Fabric Addict is having a giveaway.  You could win a signed copy of Back To Charm School or one of two table toppers.  This giveaway ends Tuesday, February 28, at midnight.


Sew4Home is having a giveaway.  You could win a Janome Hello Kitty 15822 machine.  This giveaway ends Friday, March 16, at midnight PST.


Hawthorne Threads is having their weekly giveaway.  You could win  a Star and Stripes fat quarter bundle.  This giveaway ends Wednesday, February 29.


SewCalGal is having a giveaway.  You could win a copy of Sonoma Rose by Jennifer Chiaverini.  This giveaway ends Friday, March 2.


The Intrepid Thread is having a giveaway.  You could win a Fat Quarter Bundle of Basics from Art Gallery.  This giveaway ends Friday, March2, at midnight.


Victorian Motto Sampler Shoppe is having a giveaway.  You could win a pdf chart of Two Long Eared Rabbits.  This giveaway ends Thursday, March 15.


Hilachas is having a Birthday-Ready for Spring giveaway.  You could win 5 spring fat quarters and a darling little kit you could use as a sewing kit.  This giveaway ends Friday, March 2.

Heirlooms by Ashton House is having a giveaway.  You could win a copy of Dawn Heese's latest quilt book,Cozy Comforts: Quilts and Projects for Every Season.  This giveaway ends Tuesday, February 28, at noon.

Needles and Pins is celebrating her 100 post with a giveaway.  You could win some fabric or a sweet set of crocheted dish cloths.  This  giveaway ends Sunday, March 4.

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FINAL THOUGHT


Which owl are you today?


29 comments:

Vroomans' Quilts said...

Love your sweet wallhanging. We tend to forget to decor our baths - my walls are bare right now - but that's cuz it needs a good scrub down. Oh, I am a regular coffee person no matter what day or time of day. Have a wonderful day.

sunny said...

Love your cheerful little wall hanging! Nothing wrong with hanging it in the bathroom. And your opening quote today is a very good one for most of us.

Diane N said...

I LOVE your little flower garden wall hanging! I've never done any applique, but I just might have to try!

Maria said...

What gorgeous fabrics you used in the little wall hanging. I am sure it looks fabulous in the bathroom.
Nice swap block you received too.

Teresa said...

Love your flower garden. Very cheerful and colorful.
Teresa's Heartfelt Stitches

Connie Kresin Campbell said...

What a perfect little wall hanging for your bathroom! I made a made pillow very similar. Don't Look Now is a great blog!

Needled Mom said...

It is just darling, Linda. Your quilting looks terrific too. It will certainly put a smile on your face when you look at the cheery colors and design.

Yes, this weather is crazy. 70% rain forecast for today with strong winds. Should be interesting.

I hope you have a fun week of sewing ahead for you.

Impera Magna said...

Oh, I love your birdie wall hanging, Linda! Very nice... and I'm sure it brightens up your bath very well!

I love tomatoes... home-grown tomatoes... the things in the stores that look like tomatoes are generally tasteless softballs. :p

Hope you get your sewing/quilting done today... have fun!

Average Quilter said...

Your Flower Garden is just awesome. I'm like you - where does the time go - the weekend went so fast and now the week will drag.

sew.darn.quilt said...

Your Flower Garden is perfect for this time of year! It's so darn cute :)

Carolyn

Lynette said...

Your wallhanging is absolutely marvelous, Linda! I just love her patterns. I need to make one!

WoolenSails said...

I wanted to try that pattern and never got around it. Love the idea of doing raw edge to make art pieces, yours came out beautifully.

Debbie

quiltercaroline said...

I love the wallhanging Linda - what a cute design and the quilting is beautiful - reward for all that practice you have been putting in. I love it and hope you enjoy it.

Christine M said...

Your flower garden is beautiful Linda. You've done a fantastic job.

Anne said...

Your wall hanging is wonderfully done! I love it!

The coffee owls made me smile. I like them all! Have a great day.

Teresa F. said...

Your wall hanging is beautiful. I love that pattern, I made my daughter a pillow using that same pattern, she loves it,too.
Your coffee owls are the best!

Terry said...

Your little flower garden is beautiful! I just love that birdie! :0)

Snoodles said...

Fantastic wall-hanging! I love that. Love your owls, too! Heehee!
And I think the most scrumptious summer treat is a "plump thing with a navel" fresh off the vine, eaten while I'm still standing there in the warm sunshine! Yum!

Wendy said...

Linda, you are SO talented with your machine stitching. Your flower garden is adorable and so bright and cheery!

Barbara said...

That little quilt is adorable! It's a perfect size for a doll quilt. Thanks for the link.

free indeed said...

Your little wall stichery is adorable...very well done.

Anonymous said...

I love that quote! It's so very, very true, too. Your bathroom wallhanging is delightful - love the bright colors and the little bird is too adorable! Thanks, as always, for all the giveaway hints.

Becky said...

Great work on your project! Your machine quilting looks wonderful. Thanks, too, for the link to the pattern! Have a wonderful evening!

Jen said...

Wow! Love the wallhanging! It's so cute and whimsy :) did you do the quilting?

Miss Hillbilly said...

That is absolutely adorable!!!!!!!!

Jocelyn said...

I love your Flower Garden. It is adorable!

Staci said...

Darling wallhanging! Your quilting has gotten really good. All that practice really shows!

Shannon said...

I LOVE your wall hanging. So cute. I have been doing some raw edge applique also, it is so fun and freeing. I love how easy it is and how fast it whips up. I like all the facts on the tomates. Lots of things I did not know.

quiltzyx said...

What a CUTE wall hanging! It really makes me smile. :D

Also, I usually refer to tomatoes are poinsonous wolf peaches!

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