Peace and Love

When we recall Christmas past, we usually find that the simplest things - not the great occasions - give off the greatest glow of happiness.
~Bob Hope

I finally wrapped the last gift yesterday.  One more thing done that can be checked off the 'to do' list.  I'm hoping I can get a couple of days of sewing in before I have to clean up the extra bedroom in anticipation of the arrival of our DD#2 and her husband on Saturday.  I know there are things I'm forgetting to do.  I still have to make the grocery shopping list for tonight.  But there are things I can't do yet - make the ambrosia and the breakfast roll - until this weekend.  Hopefully I'll remember whatever it is that I'm forgetting - lol!  If not, then I guess it wasn't important or meant to be.  How about you?  Are you sure you have everything in order for Christmas?

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LITTLE FACT OF THE DAY

Christmas Stockings

The tradition of the Christmas stockings began by a story told since ancient time about a kind noble man who had three daughters. The wife of the nobleman expired and the daughters and their father were left in a state of sorrow. The daughters had to do all the work in the house. When the daughters became young and eligible for marriage, the poor father could not afford to give huge dowries to their husbands.

One evening the daughters, after washing their stockings hung them near the fire place to be dried. Santa Claus being moved by the plight of the daughters came in and put in three bags of gold, one in each of the stocking hanging by the chimney. The next morning the family noticed the gold bags and the nobleman had enough for his daughter’s marriage. The daughters got married and they lived happily ever after. Since then children have been hanging Christmas stockings.

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ONE FLOWER FOR WEDNESDAY

With the hustle and bustle of Christmas preparations, I was only able to make one flower this week for One Flower Wednesday.......

This flower reminded me of the season not so much in color as in thought.  Peace and love for everyone! 

To see more of the creative hexagon flowers in blogland, Karen, of Journey of a Quilter, has provided a linky for One Flower Wednesday.  If you should stop by, make sure to thank Karen for all of her hard work this year.

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WINNINGS ARRIVED

Yesterday my mailbox contained a squishy that I had totally forgot was coming.....

I was one of the lucky winners of SewCalGal's Christmas Quilt Show giveaway.  I won my choice of 2 charm packs from Sherrod Studio.   I'm looking forward to using these charm packs to make two Loving Hands quilts.  Thank you to both Darlene and Kim!

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STITCHERIES

I finally finished the last three stitcheries for my Gardener's Journal quilt a couple of weeks ago. 

I've just started putting the squares together to make the quilt.  Hopefully I will have the top all sewn together by the first of the year.

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TODAY'S GOAL

Today I plan on sewing some more block together for Gardener's Journal

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GIVEAWAYS

A Stitch In Time is having a giveaway.  You could win 20 swivel clips from Charsbeads4U or $10 gift certificate to Zipit.  This giveaway ends Thursday, December 22, at 9:00 pm EST.

Confessions of a Fabric Addict is having a giveaway.  You could win a True Cut TrueSharp Electric Rotary Blade Sharpener.  This giveaway Ends Thursday, December 22.

Joie de Vivre is having a giveaway.  You could win a cross stitch pattern.  This giveaway ends Sunday, January 1, 2012.

Malt Designs is having a giveaway.  You could win a fat quarter bundle of Northcote Range Petite, by Cabbages & Roses.  This giveaway ends Saturday, December 31, at 11:00 pm EST.

KoolBeenz is having a giveaway.  You could win a $25 shoppe credit to Fat Quarter Shop.  This giveaway ends Friday, December 23, at midnight EST.

Annie's Ruby Slipperz is having her weekly Mystery Monday giveaway.  You could win 5 fat quarters and a copy of Lost December.  This giveaway ends Saturday, December 24, at midnight MT.

McCall's Quilting is having a giveaway.  You could win one of three "quilters' candy" pack of stash fabrics including over 8 yards of assorted famous-manufacturer prints.  This giveaway ends Monday, December 26.

Have you heard about the Traveling Stash?  It's ready to hit the roads and journey to a new home.  You can enter the giveaway HERE.

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FINAL THOUGHT

Flowers Come In Pairs

A peacefulness follows any decision, even the wrong one.

  ~Rita Mae Brown

I am so confused.  I have been working on my Colors Thru the Window quilt - backing pieced, batting cut and it's all sandwiched together.  I've even stitched in the sashings with black thread and a wavy line stitching.  Now I don't know what to do with the squares if anything.  I don't know if I'm brave enough to try any FMQ.  I don't know if I should just stitch in the ditch.  Each colored square is only 2" square which add up to 4" being unquilted.  I know this is okay to leave unquilted because I'm using Warm and Natural batting and it can span a much larger area without shifting.  I've toying with the idea of using a variegated thread in primary colors and doing a mid sized meander with an occasional flower in each block (not crossing the sashing).  I almost wish I hadn't started FMQ lessons - I wouldn't be having this dilemma.  Decisions, decisions, decisions.......

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PHOTO FACT OF THE DAY

Watermelon

Today is National Watermelon Day.  Would you be surprised to learn I don't like watermelon?  That doesn't mean I can't share some little facts with you......

* Watermelon is actually a vegetable and not a fruit. It is also related to the pumpkin, cucumber and the squash.

* The watermelon (Citrullus Lanatus) are the natives of the Kalahari desert found in Southern Africa.

* Watermelon consists of 92% water and 8% sugar.

* The watermelon was brought into America across the Atlantic oceans by African slaves.

* Every part of the watermelon, including the seeds and the rind is edible.

* Over 1200 varieties of watermelon are grown in approximately 100 countries across the world.

* Watermelons are very fragile and cannot be harvested with the help of machines. Instead they are carefully tossed by workers on a relay that runs between the fields and the truck. 

* The first recorded watermelon harvest was in Egypt and it took place nearly 5000 years ago. This is depicted in the Egyptian hieroglyphics that is found in ancient buildings. As a matter of fact, watermelons were also placed in the tombs of kings to help them nourish in the after life.

* Bill Carson of Arrington, Tennessee grew a 262 pound watermelon in 1990. This feat found a place in the 1998 edition of the Guinness World Book of Records.

* Early explorers used watermelons as canteens.

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MAIL

I forgot to share on Monday, my stack of outgoing mail.  This is all of the swaps and Bee commitment I had this month (minus one).

Five of those envelopes are heading across the ocean to various countries.  The rest are staying her in the lower 48.  I think I'm trying to keep the postal service in business with my stamp purchases.

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PETALS

Friday I spent a little time cutting out hexagons....

I didn't want to get stuck in a traffic jam with nothing to do - lol!  These are for both my GFG and for Aunt Sarah.  Not sure how many there are but thanks to my GO! Baby Cutter I was able to make rapid work of the non-fussy cut hexies.

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SWAP FLOWERS

Over the weekend I made two hexie flowers for my August swap partner in the Inchy Hexagon Flower Swap......

Anette had no preferences so I went a little traditional and a little more modern.  These two hexies will be sailing across the ocean to Denmark in today's mail. 

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A COUPLE FOR AUNT SARAH

While traveling down south I was able to assemble several petals for the Aunt Sarah quilt.

Two flowers with cream petals - just the first of many more to come.

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GRANDMOTHER'S FLOWER GARDEN

Also on Sunday I created two more flowers for my GFG.....

First I made this flower - made me think of cool breezes with the light blue in the petals.

And this one made me remember all of the flowers that were blooming this spring - back when the yard was full of color and happiness.  For more hexies around blogland, check out Karen's linky page at Journey of a Quilter.

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FMQ - DAYS 15 and 16

Monday's FMQ practice was almost a repeat of Friday's......

As you can tell, Leah named this one Mud Flats.  I had the same problem with keeping the size the same across the block and also would loose my curves.  Guess this isn't one for me.

Tuesday's practice was much better.  And, yes, I know I spelled "algae" incorrectly - but when I was stitching it I was thinking sea and gea - they sound the same so my fingers spelled them the same way - lol!  I really got a workout tracing over previous stitching and it didn't feel awkward going from the bottom to the top on this practice - woohoo!  The practice is really titled Sea Algae.

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TODAY'S GOAL

Today I hope I decide on the whether "to quilt or not to quilt" - that is the question.  If I decide to quilt - then I will be quilting.

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GIVEAWAYS

Lily Pad Quilting is having a giveaway.  You could win a fat quarter bundle of Peacock Lane, by Violet Craft, for Michael Miller Fabrics.  This giveaway ends Monday, August 8.

Quiltsalott is having a giveaway.  You could win a sewing case from Annie Downs book "Some Kind Of Wonderful" that Janet made from linen and scraps of her favourite colour.  Janet will draw a winner on Saturday, August 6, Aussie time.

Vrooman's Quilts is having a giveaway!  You could win a Connecting Threads quilt kit with everything you need in it.  Sharon will draw a winner on Saturday, August 6.

Cut To Pieces is having a giveaway!  Here is another chance to win a GO! Baby Cutter and your choice of 3 dies.  This giveaway ends ?

Butternut Street is having a giveaway.  You could win $25 gift certificate to Fashionable Fabrics.  This giveaway ends Sunday, August 7, at midnight MST.

A Confused Quilter is having a giveaway.  Staci is giving away 3 packages of Heat Press Batting Together to three lucky winners.  This giveaway ends Friday, August 5.

Our Busy Little Bunch is having a giveaway.  You could win a quilt kit made with a quilt pattern from Quiltville and Central Park fabric by Kate Spain.  The winner will be announced on Wednesday, August 10. 

Amy's Creative Side is having a giveaway.  You could win a kit from 1 Choice 4 Quilting.  Amy will announce the winner on Friday, August 5.

Love Affair With My Brother is having a giveaway.  You could win a set of all of Amanda Murphy's patterns and a fat quarter set of Swiss Chocolate in the "Chocolate" color story.  A winner will be selected on Monday, August 8.

From The Blue Chair is having a giveaway.  You could win a a fat quarter pack of Heirloom in the Sapphire colorway.  A winner will be selected on Monday, August 8.

Jo's Country Junction is having a giveaway.  You could win a $25 gift certificate to Fat Quarter Shop.  This giveaway ends Friday, August 5.

Sew Fabulous is having an August giveaway.  You could win a Christmas Candy Fat Quarter Bundle by Doodlebug Design for Riley Blake Designs.  This giveaway ends Tuesday, August 30. 

McCall's Quilting is having a giveaway.  You could be one of five lucky winners to receive a charm pack of Moda Nature's Chorus.  This giveaway ends Monday, August 8.

Fabric Worm is having their weekly giveaway.  You could win one yard of Jay-Cyn Designs for Birch Fabrics Storybook Gone Fishin' Cheater.  This giveaway ends Monday, August 8, at 8:30 am PST.

The Intrepid Thread is celebrating her second blogiversary with a giveaway.  You could win a Little Apples Jelly Roll, Modern Log Cabin Quilting Book, a fat quarter pack of Taza in the pink and red colorway, and a fat quarter pack of Heirloom in Ruby.  This giveaway ends Friday, August 5, at midnight.

1 Choice 4 Quilting is having a giveaway.  You could win either a layer cake or a jelly roll of either Summer House, Meadow Friends for boys, or Meadow Friends for girls.  This giveaway ends Monday, August 8, at 10:00 pm EST.

Fashionable Fabrics is having a giveaway.  You could win one of two $50 gift certificates to their store.  This giveaway ends Friday, August 5, at midnight CST.

Hawthorne Threads is having their weekly giveaway.  This week you could win  a fat quarter bundle of Joel Dewberry's Heirloom collection.  A winner will be drawn on Wednesday, August 10.

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FINAL THOUGHT

Today is one of those days with no final thoughts or words or wisdom.  I think my brain has been taxed too much with the quilt or not to quilt dilemma.  It's still hot here but that's nothing unusual.  Our highs have been anywhere from 98* to 103*.  Lows have only been down to around 73*.  I'm tired of listening to the A/C.  I would like to be able to open the windows and air out the house.  It's that time of year when the sun is blinding and the skies are smoggy (YUCK!).  It's the time of year when you burn your legs on the car seats if you are wearing shorts.  The bugs are out in force - the big ones with the sticky feet that chase me around the yard.  Can you tell I'm tired of summer?  I can't wait until fall graces us with cooler temps, beautiful colors, and fewer flying aggravations.

Cockroaches really put my "all creatures great and small" creed to the test.
~Terri Guillemets

Flower Power X 3

Books can be dangerous. The best ones should be labeled "This could change your life."
~Helen Exley

Everything was quiet around the house yesterday.  It seemed a little strange after having family in and out for the last two weeks.  Even the birds outside were quiet - I think they were just trying to cope in the heat.  I enjoyed the peacefulness.  I enjoyed the solitude.  I did talk with my mother but that was just 30 minutes of listening with a couple of "is that right" and "I understand" thrown in for good measure.  I did finish listening to a book recommended to me by another blogger (I can't remember who *see me hanging my head in embarrassment*) - Water For Elephants by Sara Gruen.  Excellent!  It was a good book to sew by.  Do you ever listen to books while sewing?  Have you heard/read a good book lately?

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PHOTO FACT OF THE DAY

National Camera Day

The earliest cameras were massive, difficult to operate and required subjects to hold posses for so long they often needed to sit down or lean against a table.  Photography started with a camera and the basic idea has been around since about the 5th Century B.C. For centuries these were just ideas until an Iraqi scientist developed something called the camera obscura sometime in the 11th Century. Even then, the camera did not actually record images, they simply projected them onto another surface. The images were also upside down.  Photography and cameras were brought to the general public by George Eastman somewhere around 1885. He called his first camera the 'Kodak'. It was a simple box camera which had a fixed focus lens and had a single shutter speed. It had enough film for a hundred exposures (photos) and had to be sent back to the factory for processing the camera, as well as reloading it. Cameras became widely available only in the nineteenth century, with Kodak coming out with a series of box cameras as well as folding cameras.The Brownie by Kodak may be the cheapest camera to be ever made, with it being sold at around a dollar. The Brownie was also the camera to introduce the 'snapshot' concept. The Brownie was first introduced in 1900 and was on available for purchase even till 1960.  The first true digital camera was the Fuji DS-1P in 1988. It had a 16 MB internal memory. However, it was never released in the US. The first widely available digital camera was released in 1991, the Kodak DCS-100.

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HEXAGON SWAP

Yesterday I finished two hexagon flowers for my July swap partner in the Inchy Hexagon Flower Swap.  First I made this flower.......

Paula requested bright petals with the center being any color of green.  These petals are definitely bright.  Next I made Paula a second flower......

The purple isn't necessarily bright but the pinks and greens make the petals bright.  And, again, with the same green center.  These will be off in today's mail to Paula.

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MAIL DELIVERY TO CANADA

I read where we can now start sending mail to Canada again (as of Monday, June 27).  USPS said there might be some delays until all the backlog is cleared but they hope to have everything back to normal soon.

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MY OWN FLOWER

Today is One Flower Wednesday!  And, of course, I couldn't let that go by without my weekly addition to my GFG.....

Just look at those plump little ladybugs on the petals!  I like how their feet added a whole different dimension to the center of the flower.  And, yes, this is another green center.  Guess I just sort of got stuck on green this week.  This will be a great addition to my other bright flowers :)

And, thanks to Karen's linky (of Journey of a Quilter), you can view more wonderful hexagon flowers out there in blogland by clicking on Karen's name or on the link on my sidebar.

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TODAY'S GOAL

Today I will make swap blocks for Block Swap Adventure and Quilting Block Swaps Australia.

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GIVEAWAYS

Amy's Creative Side is having a giveaway.  You could win 2 Lapel Sticks.  This giveaway ends Friday, July 1.

Irish Muses is having a giveaway.  You could win a Beam n Read.  This giveaway ends Friday, July 1, Irish time.

Happy Cottage Quilter is having a giveaway.  You could win a Beam n Read here also.  A winner will be selected Saturday, July 2.

Diary of a Quilt Maven is having a giveaway.  You could win a copy of Snowy Garden Stitcheries pattern.  Monica will pick a winner on Friday, July 1.

Diary of a Quilt Maven is also having another giveaway.  In this giveaway you could win 6 patterns by Sue Daley of Patchwork With Busy Fingers.  A winner will also be drawn for this giveaway on Friday, July 1.

Fabric Worm is having their weekly giveaway.  This week you could win 6 bolt ends from the Heather Ross Far Far Away 3 collection from Kokka Japan.  This giveaway ends Monday, July 4, at 8:30 am PST.

Do you need a new pair of embroidery scissors?  Or maybe a kit for a table runner?  You could win those at MY VACATION GIVEAWAY!

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FINAL THOUGHT

I have been toying with the idea of purchasing a new sewing machine.  I'm just beginning the research.  I would absolutely love a long arm and quilting frame but have neither the money nor the room.  I have started with research on the HQ Sweet Sixteen with the sit down table.  It affords ample sewing room for quilting without taking up too much room.  Plus it lets me sit down while quilting which is a good thing since I can't stand up for long periods of time.  Have any of you ever used this machine?  Could you let me know the pros and cons?  Is there another machine out there similar to the HQ Sweet Sixteen that allows you to sit down?  Do you know of a good source that reviews such machines?  As you can tell, I asking you for your advice.  Let me hear from you!

I always pass on good advice.  It's the only thing to do with it.  It is never any use to oneself. 
 ~Oscar Wilde

I Spy Flowers :)

Ah, summer, what power you have to make us suffer and like it.
 ~Russel Baker

 Yesterday was a day of finishes.  They were simple projects but at least they are done.  I was able to prepare four envelopes for mailing.  Only one more project to make and finish for my monthly obligations to be complete.  Taking off that week of sewing really threw things out of balance.  However, I wouldn't trade the time I had with family for anything.  I was even able to start a new project - woohoo.  It was quite warm here yesterday.  Oh, who am I kidding.  It was darn right HOT.  The high yesterday was 105 F.  Lovely to know that summer did not forget us.  And what better way to start summer than with a scorcher.  Only the first of many more to come.  Yay!  I can hardly wait.  Not really, but I have to try and look at it positively - either than or it just puts me in a funk.  Thank goodness for the good ol' A/C!!!

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PHOTO FACT OF THE DAY

Velcro

Velcro, whose name is a combination of the French words velour and crochet, was developed in the early 1940s, after Swiss inventor George de Mestral returned home from a walk with his dog and noticed that pesky cockleburs had stuck to his pants and his dog’s coat. Examining the burrs under a microscope, de Mestral found the basis for a unique two-sided fastener — one side with stiff hooks (like the burrs) and the other with soft loops (like the fabric of his pants).

de Mestral gave up his engineering gig, got a $150,000 loan and spent eight years staring at matted dog hair under a microscope before arriving at a patent in 1955. He named the invention "special napped piles of man-made material with some of these loops having the means of hooking near their ends."
The first Velcro sample was made of cotton, which proved impractical and was replaced by nylon and polyester. Velcro fasteners made of Teflon loops, polyester hooks, and glass backing are used in aerospace applications, e.g., on space shuttles.
Velcro is strong enough that a two inch square piece is enough to support a 175 pounds (79 kg) person.  In favor of Velcro, it is easy to use, safe, and maintenance free. There is only a minimal decline in effectiveness even after many fastening and unfastenings. The tearing noise it makes can also be useful against pickpockets. Additionally, in the United States Air Force, where Velcro is used to attach patches to flight suits, aircrew have learned that they can remove small cloth pile balls that accumulate on the suits by using the hook side on the back of the patches like a brush to remove them.

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HEXAGON SWAP

I finally finished the second hexie flower for my swap partner in the Inchy Hexagon Flower Swap.

You might remember from a couple of weeks ago, Jane requested modern fabric for the petals and a white center.

Here are both of the hexie flowers that will be winging their way across the ocean to Jane in Australia.

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I SPY SWAP

Recently I joined in on an I SPY Swap being hosted by Mrs. Sassy Crafter.  There are a total of 20 people participating and we are to each cut twenty 4" squares out of each of ten different novelty print fabrics.  I purchased 10 fat quarters from Connecting Threads for this swap.  Yesterday I cut out these squares. 

Aren't these some cute fabrics?  These went out today and some time next month I will receive 200 I Spy squares back.  I can't wait to see what other people used for their fabric choices.

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ANOTHER HEXIE

Today is One Flower Wednesday.  Each week, Karen, of Journey of a Quilter, creates a linky page for those of us who are creating hexagon flowers to share our flowers.

Here's my flower for this week.  No, those dots are not on the yellow petals.  Those are the center of my paper templates that are showing through.  Don't the bright yellow petals remind  you of the blazing sun?  I thought the little mouse in the middle with the paw prints was awfully cute :)

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TODAY'S GOAL

Today I will finish my Let's Bee Together block for Melissa.

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GIVEAWAYS

Stumbles and Stitches is having a giveaway.  You could win a $25 gift certificate from Fashionable Fabrics.  This giveaway ends  Friday, June 24.

Annie's Ruby Slipperz is having a giveaway.  You could win a kit to make a darling baby quilt.  This giveaway ends Friday, June 24, at midnight MT.

Fabric Worm is having their weekly giveaway.  This week you could win Hoos in the Forest by Doohicky Designs Yellow in Fat Quarters.  This giveaway ends Monday, June 27, at 8:30 am PST.

McCall's Quilting is having a giveaway.  You could win 1 of 2 patriotic Gingher Scissors.  This giveaway ends Monday, June 27.

Did you enter MY VACATION GIVEAWAY?  There's still plenty of time but you don't want to put it off and then forget.  Just click on the link :)

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FINAL THOUGHT

We have been going through a dessert desire in this house.  We can go months on end with no desserts - no cookies, no cakes, no ice cream.....no sweets of any kind.  Don't these kind of cravings usually happen during the winter?  We have had Klondike Bars on a regular basis - Heath and chocolate chip.  We have had our favorite spice cake with coffee frosting - several times!  Occasionally we have a good for you dessert and have a bowl of strawberries or blackberries.  Where are these cravings coming from?  Does it mean we are missing something essential in our diets?  It really has to stop!  I love the desserts but they tend to stay with me for a long, long time.  As the saying goes "A minute on the lips, a life time on the hips" - but that should include my arms, thighs, butt and anywhere else that fat likes to stick.  Oh no!!!  Now I'm hungry - off to eat my multi-grain cheerios for breakfast - lol!  How are you starting your day?

Seize the moment. Remember all those women on the Titanic who waved off the dessert cart.
~Erma Bombeck

Everything's Coming Up Flowers

Clouds come floating into my life, no longer to carry rain or usher storm, but to add color to my sunset sky.
~Rabindranath Tagore

We had a very overcast day yesterday.  The morning was almost like beach weather - cool and cloudy.  I think we saw the sun for about an hour.  The clouds continued through the rest of the day.  So strange!  We have been about 15 degrees below normal for our high for this time of year.  I'm not complaining but it feels so odd to still be in my sweatshirt all zipped up in June - and even with the hood up first thing in the morning!  They are predicting normal temps by the end of the weekend.  That means we will be in the low 90's.  I'm not looking forward to it at all.  This has been one of the longest springs that I can remember.  Am I complaining?  Not one bit.  Now I know why people cram themselves into the Los Angeles basin - it's to enjoy the temperate weather.  The farmers are not happy as this is not good crop growing weather.  However, my hydrangeas are absolutely loving it and so am I :D

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PHOTO FACT OF THE DAY

Roses

June is National Rose Month.  Have you been enjoying roses in your yard or neighborhood?  My Dad used to have 52 different varieties in our yard when I was growing up.  Here are some fun facts about roses:

* Roses are valued for their romantic symbolism but their blooms are also edible. No, they don’t taste like chicken. Rather like the flavors of green apples and strawberries.

* The rose family also includes pears, apples, cherries, plums, peaches, apricots, and almonds.
* The rose is named as the favorite flower of 85% of Americans.
* A fossilized rose - over 35 million years old - was found in Florissant, Colorado.
* Rose hips contain more Vitamin C than any other fruit or vegetable.
* The oldest rose in the world has flourished for over 1,000 years on the wall of Hildesheim Cathedral in Germany
* There are more than 15,000 different types of rose species and cultivated varieties worldwide
* Among the 50 U.S. states; Georgia, Iowa, New York, and North Dakota list the rose as their state flower
* The most expensive privately developed rose specie is the Juliet. An English breeder spent 14 years and $5.5 million dollars to cultivate this apricot colored variety

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SWAP FLOWERS

Yesterday I managed to make one of two flowers for my swap partner.

Jane, my swap partner in the Inchy Hexagon Flower Swap, asked for modern fabrics for the petals with a white center.  Would you consider the fabric modern?  I'm always confused about the term "modern".  She also requested that all the petals be the same.  I still have to make one more flower for Jane before putting this one in the mail.

Last week I received two flowers from my swap partner......

Marina made these two beautiful flowers for me!  I especially like the blue flower made with the sweet rose fabric.  Thank you so very much, Marina!

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ANOTHER FLOWER FOR TODAY

Yesterday I also made a hexagon flower for One Flower Wednesday....

Remember that wonderful fat quarter I received awhile back for my birthday?  This is one of the flowers I have created from that bright, wonderful fabric.  Takes me back to the psychedelic colors of my teens - lol!  I love the little paw prints in each of the paisley shapes. 

If you would like to see more hexagon flowers being created out there in blogland, Karen of Journey of a Quilter has provided us with a link up page to make this search easy.  Thanks again, Karen!

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TODAY'S GOAL

Today I would like to make one more swap block.  And, if given the time, I hope to start stitching the binding onto the road way quilt.

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GIVEAWAYS

Ruby Slipperz is having a giveaway.  You could win a copy of Quilter's Cookbook.  This giveaway ends Friday, June 10, at midnight.

Gen X Quilters is having a sponsored giveaway.  You could win a Fat Quarter bundle of Honey Child from Swell Cloth.  This giveaway ends Saturday, June 11, at 11:59 pm EST.

Fabric Worm is having their weekly giveaway.  You could win Mosterama in Fat Quarters.  This giveaway ends Monday, June 13, at 8:30 am PST.

1 Choice 4 Quilting is having a "super Awesome" giveaway.  Shawna is giving away a Swell Everyday Bag from Moda filled with lots and lots of wonderful, awesome things.  This giveaway ends Monday, June 13, at 10:00 pm EST.

The Quilting Pirate is having a Manic Monday giveaway for June.  Toni is giving away two each of 24- 5" charms of Batiks.  This giveaway ends Sunday, June 12.

My Patchwork Life is ready to send the Traveling Stash on its way.  The box is filled with all sorts of goodies.  This giveaway ends Friday, June 10, around dinner time.

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FINAL THOUGHT

Have you ever wondered what goes on in your dog's or cat's minds?  Do they think we are some super beings put on this earth just for them?  Sometimes I will look over at either Weasley or Snickerdoodle and they have a look on their face of such delight that says "Really?  Are we going to do something fun?"  Or, if I've accidentally disturbed their sleep they can both give very perturbed looks.  And then their is always what we call the "Evil Eye" look.  When they look at you with total disgust of "How could you do that again - was that really necessary?".  Then there are the dreams - with little barks and running feet.  Are they chasing a cat out of the yard or, in Snickerdoodle's case, is she chasing that ball just one more time?  I would love to know what goes on in my two pups minds.  Oh, to be a mind reader - or maybe I would be disappointed - best not to know and just wonder.

They never talk about themselves but listen to you while you talk about yourself, and keep up an appearance of being interested in the conversation.
 ~Jerome K. Jerome

Flowers Come In All Sizes

Be not afraid of going slowly; be afraid only of standing still.
~Chinese Proverb

Some days it just feels like I can't get much accomplished.  Yesterday morning, I worked on cutting out borders and sewing HST and bias triangles together.  Then in the afternoon I worked on hexie flowers.  But for some reason, I still don't feel that I got much done.  Maybe I feel that way because I did get so much hand sewing done on Sunday watching cars go around and around and around from sunrise until after dark.  On Sunday I traveled from Monaco to Indianapolis to Charlotte, NC - all from the ease of my recliner.  I did get tired of turning left most of the day - lol!  Anywho, yesterday I felt like I was treading water, spinning my wheels, standing still.  I'm hoping today will be better.  At least I better not go backwards.

PS. I would like to thank you all for your kind birthday wishes yesterday.
~Linda's DH (aka The Quilt Holder)

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PHOTO FACT OF THE DAY

The Month of June

Here we are at the first day of June.  June - the sixth month of the year - the halfway point of the year.  Here are some facts about June:

* The gems for June are pearl, alexandrite, and moonstone.

*  The rose is the flower for June

* On the Roman calendar, June was considered the fourth month and had only 29 days.

* Tennessee, Arkansas, West Virginia and Kentucky all became states in the month of June

* Senator Robert F. Kennedy was shot in June 1968

* Ford Motor Company was founded in June 1903

* William Penn signed land treaty with  Indians in June 1683

* Helen Keller was born in June 1880

* Susan B Anthony is fined for trying to vote June 1872

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ONE FLOWER WEDNESDAY

Yes, today is One Flower Wednesday, but I'm going to share more than one hexie flower.  Over the weekend I was able to play with some different size hexagons.  First I made the normal size.....

This flower is made with 1" hexagons.  Aren't the little duck decoys cute swimming around on the petals?

Next I made this hexie flower.  The hexagons for this measure 1/2",   I put a quarter in the corner of the picture for a reference as to the size of the flower.

Then I decided to take it down one more step.  This flower was made with 3/8" hexagons.  Still smaller but not impossible to work with.

And finally I made the smallest flower with 1/4" hexagons.  The entire flower is not much bigger than the quarter!  A little hard to work with but I liked the results.

And here are the three smaller flowers all together to give you a reference of diminishing size.  I guess I should have included the original size flower that I make every week.  I'm thinking of making something with smaller hexagon flowers but I'm not sure exactly what yet.  This will be a project for sometime in the future.

And for those of you who have wondered how my Grandmother's Flower Garden is growing - well, I can tell you it is growing very, very sloooooowly.  I have several more flowers made but for some reason they just don't make it into the garden.  I did add three more flowers and several stepping stones yesterday.  I need to take the time to make lots and lots of the stepping stones.  Guess it's time to take a trip - they are wonderfully easy to work on in the car.

To see more hexagon flowers and growing gardens, click on the link above or on the button on my right side bar.  A big shout out to Karen of Journey of a Quilter who provides the linky and keeps us all organized!

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TODAY'S GOAL

Today I hope to complete and attach the borders to the Designer Mystery Quilt 2011.

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GIVEAWAYS

Just One More Thing is having a giveaway.  You could win one of three $10 gift certificates to Good Buy To You where 40% of all purchases will be donated to the Four Diamonds.  This giveaway ends Sunday, June 12, at 12:00 pm EST.

Fabric Worm is having their weekly giveaway.  This week you could win a Fat Quarter set of Jay-Cyn Design Avalon.  This giveaway ends Monday, June 6, at 8:30 am PST.

Adventures In Oz is having a giveaway.  You could win Scrappy Happy, a brand new pattern by Amy Bradley.  A winner will be chosen on Friday, June 3, at midnight MT.

P.S. I Quilt is having a sponsored giveaway.  You could win a $50 gift certificate to Sew Fabulous Quilt Shop.  A winner will be drawn on Friday, June 3.

V and Company is having a giveaway.  You could win 5 patterns (your choosing) and the tool to make it.  The winner will be announced "Friday-ish" around mid-day.

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FINAL THOUGHT

I have no deep thoughts today.  I just received a text that our family vacation house on the coast now has a bright red garage door and I think it is UGLY!  It's the first thing you look at instead of the whole house.  I know that a red door is supposed to be welcoming but this is a little too 'welcoming'.  Oh well.  I only see it maybe twice a year.  My room is a mess but I don't want to clean it up - maybe I can ignore it too - lol!  The high school kid next door is really into yelling at his younger sister.  It's going to be a long summer vacation.  Time to turn up the volume on my CD player.  I feel a bit disjointed - can you tell?  It's just one of those days - thoughts everywhere and nothing worth sharing.  Hopefully tomorrow will be better :)

Did you ever stop to think, and forget to start again?
~Winnie the Pooh

Flowers, Bees & Baltimore

What may be done at any time will be done at no time.
~Scottish Proverb

I'm getting that feeling again.  The feeling of wanting to start something new.  This is a bad feeling.  I currently have 5 projects I'm working on.  To start another would most certainly send one of my current projects into that deep pit known as the UFO pile.  I just remembered - I have another project that needs to be sandwiched, quilted and bound.  Not a big project - it is a PIF project.  I keep putting it off knowing that I have until October to finish it.  So, I definitely should not start a new project.  I have to quit looking at other's projects but that is rather difficult when I'm reading blogs.  The temptation to start something new is sometimes hard to ignore.  Okay.  I will promise myself not to start a new project until I have completed at least one of the 5 I'm currently working on - swaps and bees not included.  There.  It has been said out in public.  Ahhhhhh!  I feel better.  Well, at least for today I do - lol!

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PHOTO FACT OF THE DAY

Here are some fun animal facts that you may, or may not, know:

* Hippo milk is pink.

* The oldest known animal in the world was 'Ming' the 405 year old clam, discovered in 2007.

* Sharks, like other fish, have their reproductive organs in their chests.

* Sheep can survive for up to two weeks buried in snow drifts

* Flies are deaf.

* Honeybees never sleep.

* Cockroaches can live for 9 days after their head has been cut off.

* The katydid bug hears through holes in its hind legs!

* The ant, when intoxicated, will always fall over to its right side.

* If NASA sent birds into space they would soon die; they need gravity to swallow.

* A duck's quack doesn't echo, and no one knows why.

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ONE FLOWER WEDNESDAY

Yesterday when I made my goal for the day, I had forgotten it would be One Flower Wednesday today.  But have no fear, I did get a hexie flower made.....

This bright and cheery flower will be a great addition to my GFG.  To see more wonderful hexagon flowers, go to Karen's blog, Journey of a Quilter.  Karen is the one that keeps all of us flower makers in line and provides the linky site.  Thanks, Karen!

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BEE BLOCK

Even though I had to get my hexie flower done, I still me my goal of making a Bee block....

This block, much like the last block, was a challenge to make.  Our hostess for Let's Bee Together Group B, Jorie, sent out beautiful fabrics to work with, but all of the pieces were rather small.  Every pattern I looked at needed more fabric of certain a certain color than I had.  I must have spent an hour looking at block patterns.  I finally just ended up cutting 2.5" squares.  I think I arranged them in a rather pleasant pattern.  Now I just hope that Jorie will like the block, too.

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BALTIMORE CONTINUES

Over the last couple evenings I have been able to make a little progress on block 4 of the Baltimore Basics....

So far this block has given me two new things to try.  First the little stems were only 1/8" when finished.  Instead of creating a bias tube, you folded the fabric wrong sides together and stitched down the length just shy of center.  Then you centered the the stems on the placement marks and folded the finished edge over the unfinished edge and stitched it in place that way (did that make sense?).  The other new method to me was needle turn applique.  The gold center piece is all done with the needle turn technique.  You can almost tell where I first started working (top right corner) and where I finished (bottom right corner).  My technique improved as I went.  Now to make flower buds.

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TODAY'S GOAL

Today I need to cut and assemble the background pieces for my quilt class at Quilt University.

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GIVEAWAYS

Sew 4 Home is having a giveaway.  You could win a copy of Crazy Quilting by Allie Aller.  This giveaway ends Tuesday, May 31, at midnight PT.

Sew I Quilt is having a giveaway.  You could win an I Top Tool and accessories.  This giveaway ends Thursday, May 19.

FabricWorm is having their weekly giveaway.  This week you could win  Laurie Wisbrun Pooches and Pickups in Fat Quarters.  This giveaway ends Monday, May 23, at 8:30 am PST.

Grosgrain is having a giveaway.  You could win a Silhouette SD Machine.  The winner will be announced Tuesday, May 24.

Ditzy and Dotty is having a giveaway.  Sally is giving away a pdf file of her lunch bag pattern PLUS a copy of the ‘Red Riding Hood Basket’ pattern plus, if that wasn’t enough, Lisanne at Sewcity has donated a bundle of 4 gorgeous Fat Quarters.  This giveaway ends Thursday, May 19.

Rsisland Crafts is having a giveaway.  Robin is giving away two Simplicity patterns - one is for bags and the other is for skirts.  This giveaway ends Friday, May 20.

The Intrepid Thread is having a giveaway.  You could win a darling little kit for a pillow that was only available at Market.  This giveaway ends Tuesday, May 24, at midnight.

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FINAL THOUGHT

Thank you all for your encouragement to attend the local quilt guild meeting.  I think I have convinced myself to give it a go (don't you like the decisiveness there - lol!).  If I don't go, I will never know and will always wonder what it is like and what the people are like.  I've been thinking about dragging my DH along for the first meeting but that might be considered cruel and unusual punishment.  He likes (or at least pretends) to learn about what I'm working on and enjoys going to quilt shows with me, but I don't think listening to 2 hours of quilt talk would be very interesting for him.  I just need to suck it up and be brave.  I need to push myself out of my secure little nest - to spread my wings, so to speak.  I think I could handle this for one evening a month.  I will do it!!

A year from now you may wish you had started today.

~Karen Lamb

Make your Wednesday wonderful!!