Wednesday = Flowers

The finest clothing made is a person's skin, but, of course, society demands something more than this.
~Mark Twain

I read on Monday that the Wall Street Journal predicts our cotton fabric prices will be rising once again.  Why?  Because of the drought in Texas.  I don't know if I can keep quilting with the prices continuing to rise on fabric.  The price of cotton has risen dramatically over the past year.  I won't be able to afford $15 a yard.  This may cause the popularity of quilting to decline once again.  This increase will also cause raised prices for clothing.  Pretty soon I'm going to have to run around naked just so I can continue quilting and that's something nobody wants to happen.  What's the highest price you are willing to pay for a yard of fabric?

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LITTLE FACT OF THE DAY

Cotton

As you slip your favorite pair of comfortable jeans on, you probably, like most of us, take them for granted. Have you ever thought about the cotton that it takes to make those favorite jeans?  Here are a few facts about cotton:

*   The word "cotton" is an English version of the Arabic "qutun" or "kutun," a generic term meaning fancy fabric. But one of cotton's original popular names was "vegetable wool."  

* Cotton was originally grown in several different colors, including brown, rust, and even light purple. However, most of the cotton grown today is white. When mechanical processing methods were introduced it was easier to maintain a consistent color by using only white-fibered plants. Colored cotton is still grown, but on a very small scale. 
* It is know that man has made cotton into fabric since at least 3000 BC
* The cotton fiber is slightly over one inch long.  It is a single cell, and is the largest cell in the plant kingdom.  No other plant anywhere in the world has a cell even close to an inch long.
* Cotton seeds are tough enough to survive travel across oceans on the wind. This could explain how botanists are not sure where the first plants came from, and probably why similar varieties grow sometimes thousands of miles apart.


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TWO MORE FLOWERS

I was able to produce two more flowers this week.......

and

Both of these flowers came from the same fabric.  I found this fun fabric at Joann's with the original intent to use some hearts on it, but as you can tell, I went in a totally different direction.  I love finding fabric that has lots of possibilities for flowers.  And there are even a few more flowers that I can create from this same piece.  If you would like to see more hexie flowers, Karen has graciously provided a linky to make your viewing a one stop location.  You can check that out HERE.  

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TODAY'S GOAL

Today I will make two 6" blocks for a swap

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GIVEAWAYS

Craftsy is having a giveaway.  You could win a Mystery Box worth $100.  This giveaway ends Monday, February 27.

Victorian Motto Sampler is having a giveaway.  You could win some Plum floss.  This giveaway ends Tuesday, February 28.

Leona's Quilting Adventure is having a giveaway.  You could win a copy of Sonoma Rose, One Vicksburg Civil War charm pack, and one spool of King Tut #50 weight thread from Superior Threads in variegated olive green.  This giveaway ends Friday, February 24, at midnight EST.

Little Miss Shabby is having a giveaway.  You could win a $25 from Intrepid Threads.  This giveaway ends Monday, February 20.

Diary Of A Quilter is having a giveaway.  You could win a $25 gift certificate to The Little Fabric Shop.  This giveaway ends Friday, February 17, at midnight MST.

Annie's Ruby Slipperz is having her Mystery Monday giveaway.  You could win 5 fat quarters in your choice of colorway.  This giveaway ends Saturday, February 18, at midnight MT.

With Thread In Hand is having a giveaway.  You could win a Key to Wonderland from Shabby Apple.  This giveaway ends Friday, February 17, around noon.

Silly Stitching is having a giveaway to celebrate her 300th post.  You could win 2 charm packs, or two sweet rolls, or a 26 strip jelly roll.  This giveaway ends Saturday, February 18, at 9:00 pm EST.

Nutmegger Stitcher's Works is having a giveaway to celebrate 200+ followers.  You could win a $20 gift certificate to 123stitch.com.  This giveaway ends Friday, March 2.

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FINAL THOUGHT OF THE DAY