A Bit Of Sewing

Give thanks for what you are now, and keep fighting for what you want to be tomorrow. 

~Fernanda Miramontes-Landeros

Whew!  What a busy weekend.  Saturday was the annual Walk To Defeat ALS in Kern County.  My team was made up of family and friends and we all had a wonderful time.  The Walk started around 9:00 with over 500 people in attendance.  After lunch was served and devoured, we finally made it home around 1:30.  The rest of the afternoon was spent with our DD#2 and SIL and then expanded to include my BIL & SIL.  Soon after the rest of the family arrived and did the noise level ever increase - lol!  DH barbecued tri-tip and we served it with Santa Maria style beans, french bread, and salad with little eclairs and cream puffs for dessert.  I was totally exhausted by the time we were in bed at 9:30.  Sunday was dog wash day and laundry day.  I was glad to see Monday roll around so I could get back to some sewing and a bit of peace and quiet.  How was your weekend?

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LITTLE FACT OF THE DAY

Pumpkins

I probably gave you facts on these oranges fruits last year but this time of year always brings pumpkins to mind.  I just love pumpkin bread and pumpkin muffins and, especially, pumpkin pie!  Here are some little facts about pumpkins:

* Pumpkins originated in Central America.

* The name pumpkin originated from "pepon" – the Greek word for "large melon."

* Pumpkins contain potassium and Vitamin A.

* Pumpkins are fruit.

* Pumpkin flowers are edible.

* Eighty percent of the pumpkin supply in the United States is available in October. 

* The largest pumpkin pie ever made was over five feet in diameter and weighed over 350 pounds. It used 80 pounds of cooked pumpkin, 36 pounds of sugar, 12 dozen eggs and took six hours to bake.

* In early colonial times, pumpkins were used as an ingredient for the crust of pies, not the filling.

* Colonists sliced off pumpkin tips; removed seeds and filled the insides with milk, spices and honey. This was baked in hot ashes and is the origin of pumpkin pie.

* Pumpkins were once recommended for removing freckles and curing snake bites.

* The largest "official" pumpkin ever grown weighed 1,340 pounds.

* Pumpkins are 90 percent water.

(okay, I don't know why Blogger kept changing the font and size on me - and I couldn't fix it either! FRUSTRATING!! )

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DOLL QUILT

I have already sent off this months Doll Quilt to my swap partner, Vickie, who lives in Utah.  Hopefully she has received it by the time this post hits cyberspace.

The orange is so much brighter than this photo depicts.  I found this foundation paper piece Witch pattern on Artisania, where you can find several wonderful free patterns.  I then added the two borders from scrap Halloween fabric I had.  Wouldn't you know, I forgot to measure the finished piece but I think it came out to around 14.5" X 16.5".  The theme for October was "Spooky" so I think this fits.

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BEE BLOCKS

I also made and sent out the blocks for this month's Let's Bee Together hostess, Sara.  

And, of course, I through away the info before writing this post so I don't remember the name of the block.  I do remember that Sara got the pattern from Eleanor Burn's Quilt In A Day.  These were easy and fun blocks to make.  The green is the background fabric and she has each of us using different contrasting colors so it will be interesting to see what her quilt will look like.  

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FINAL THOUGHT

A little funny to brighten your day.......

Summer Is Almost Over

Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower.  

~Albert Camus

Tomorrow is the first day of autumn.  I sure wish it would show its face around here.  We have cooled off a bit - down to the low to mid 90's.  It will be awhile before the leaves start changing color and dotting our landscape with reds, oranges and yellows.  Autumn is my favorite time of year even though we don't go through the major color changes like you do in the east.  It usually means cooler weather (finally!) and I can start using the oven more and preparing slow cooker meals.  Which season is your favorite?

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LITTLE FACT OF THE DAY

Autumn Leaves

Autumn!  A bit of coolness in the air.  Colorful leaves.  Thoughts of Halloween and Thanksgiving.  Shorter days.  What comes to mind when you think of autumn?  Here are a few interesting facts:

* The first day of fall is also the second equinox of the year, when the Earth's axis is not pointed toward or away from the Sun. There will be approximately equal amounts of day and night today.

* Until December 22, days will be getting shorter and nights will get longer. Trees will stop performing photosynthesis, which is what causes the leaves to lose their green color.

* Modern Halloween has its origins in the Celtic holiday at the end of the annual harvest, similar to an ancient Thanksgiving. Carving pumpkins didn't become a part of the holiday until the 19th century.

* Evergreen trees like pines, cedars, spruces, and firs, stay green all winter because their leaves are covered with a thick wax, and their insides hold materials that help them not to freeze

* In order to know which way to go when they fly south, birds use a variety of techniques such as the position of the sun or the stars, and big landmarks like lakes, rivers, or mountains

* Squirrels rely on a storage of nuts to eat during winter, so they collect and bury nuts all fall. Plus, the nuts they bury but don’t retrieve sprout into new trees

* There are only two days of the year when you can stand an egg on end. One of these days falls on the first day of autumn.

* The leave colors red, yellow & brown are in the leaves all year long & only become exposed when the green chlorophyll disappears in the fall.

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BEE BLOCK

The Bee block for September ended up being two blocks.

Robyn was the hostess this month for Let's Bee Together.  She sent some beautiful fabrics to work with.  These blocks weren't difficult to make as long as you follow the instructions.  And there were no Y seams!  Robyn asked us not to trim down the blocks so this is what she received from me.  I'm looking forward to seeing what she will be creating.

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CUTE!

I received my September swap block from Nancy.

Isn't it adorable?  My request for my Block Swap Adventure swap partner is to 'think kids' and 'think happy'.  Nancy did a wonderful job of meeting both of those goals.  I just love the way Nancy fussy cut the Berenstain Bears and used them in this block.  Thank you, Nancy!!

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FINAL THOUGHT

A More Relaxing Week

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

~Russel Baker

Who would ever think that I would celebrate having 3 days in a row below 100 degrees.  We crested at 98 and 99 degrees over the weekend.  I know it's all psychological, but those few degrees make all the difference in the world.  Last week was more busy than I care for.  We had something going on three out of the five evenings and then I had a full day work shop on Saturday.  It felt so good to be able to stay home on Sunday.  Luckily this week will be much more relaxing.  So far I don't think we have anything in the evenings to attend.  I'm looking forward to some serious sewing and stitching time.  What are your plans this week?

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LITTLE FACT OF THE DAY

Julia Child

Last week was Julia Child's 100th birthday (August 15, 2012).  What a wonderful lady, so full of spunk and the creator of so many recipes.  Here are a few fun facts on this amazing lady:

* She was the first educational television personality to receive an Emmy

* Julia was 6'2" tall and played basketball at Smith College in Massachusetts

* The French Chef was the first cooking show on PBS, premiering in 1963.  Julia had new cooking shows air over the next five decades.

* She donated her home to Smith College and her kitchen to the Smithsonian Institution.

* While filming the Baking with Julia series, she used 753 pounds of butter.

* In 2003, Julia was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the United States highest civilian honor, by President George W. Bush

* She wore a size 12 shoe

* She was a breast cancer survivor

* Her nicknames were Juke, Juju, and Jukies

* Julia has a rose named after her that she chose herself.  It is butter-colored.

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BEE BLOCKS

Over the last couple months, I've made two Bee blocks for the hostesses of Let's Bee Together.

This was the block Bailey chose for us to make.  It is called Carpenter's Star.  I thought it was going to be hard to make but it went together easily - as long as you followed the instructions.  The fabrics were gorgeous - the camera did a very poor job of picking up the beautiful colors no matter what kind of lighting I used.

Charlene was the hostess for August.  This block is called Butterflies' Delight.  This was such a bright and cheery block to work on.  I love the fussy cut hummingbird and butterfly.

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COUNTED CROSS STITCH UPDATE

I have been working on my counted cross stitch project.  I try to do at least a little stitching every day.

I know this doesn't look like much but sometimes you have to work the boring to get to the exciting.  Wait until you see the next update.

Design:  Desert Mandala

Designer:  Martina Weber / Chatelaine Designs

Fabric:  Antique White Belfast 

Stitched:  2 strands of DMC floss over 2 threads

1 strand of Treasure Braid over 2 threads

This is the latest block I made for WOCS.  It is a piece going into a special quilt for someone recently diagnosed with cancer.  

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FINAL THOUGHT

Hey!

Our wedding was many years ago.  The celebration continues to this day.  

~Gene Perret

Hello!  Hi!!  I'm back!!  I sure missed all of my blogging friends but I did enjoy my time off.  While I was away we were lucky enough to be able to spend 5 days in Santa Cruz at the family home.  The weather was beautiful, even the one day it rained.  We rested, ate too much, visited the Boardwalk, and just enjoyed life, each other, and our fur babies.  Luckily, we returned to moderate temps but that has since gone away.  We are definitely into summer with our highs breaching 100 degrees (of more), and to think, we only have 3 1/2 more months to go.  Yesterday we celebrated our 37th wedding anniversary!  We were quite young when we said our vows (at least by today's standards) but it has been a wonderful journey through life together.  There is nothing better than being married to your best friend and sole mate.  

I have to admit that I really enjoyed my time away from blogging.  So much so that I will be taking off some more time.  Writing the blog today was very much a chore and not something that I found fun.  I am looking at taking off until August 1.  Blogging is meant to be something fun for me and not a daily or weekly duty that I feel I must do - I must want to do it.  However, I will be checking on your blogs from time to time - I have to keep up on what's going on in my friends' lives.  Hopefully you will be around when I return, but if not then I fully understand.  Oh, and just in case you are concerned, I will be keeping up with the Doll Quilt Swap, Let's Bee Together, and Block Swap Adventure.

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LITTLE FACT OF THE DAY

Elephants

Elephants have always amazed and intrigued me.  I love the way they lumber around and their babies are just too cute.  Here are some fun facts about this large creature...

1.  The elephant’s closest living relative is the rock hyrax, a small furry mammal that lives in rocky landscapes across sub-Saharan Africa and along the coast of the Arabian peninsula.  

2.  Elephants don’t like peanuts. They don’t eat them in the wild, and zoos don’t feed them to their captive elephants.

3.  Elephants prefer one tusk over the other, just as people are either left or right-handed

4.  An elephant’s trunk has about 150,000 muscles and no bones: these features make the trunk very flexible.

5.  Elephants can hold 4 gallons or more of water in their trunks at one time.

6.  Elephants drink about 50 gallons and consume 400 lbs. or more of food each day.  Elephants eat about 16 hours a day.

7.  An elephant sleeps an average of 2 hours during a 24-hour period.

8.  An elephants' skin is an inch thick

9.  Elephants use their feet to listen, they can pick up sub-sonic rumblings made by other elephants, through vibrations in the ground

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MAIL BAG

While I was on break, I received some wonderful things in the mail....

These two 6" blocks were made by Ann W. in Australia.  Ann was my January 6" Inch Block Swaps Australia and these are replacement blocks. The original blocks she made were lost somewhere across the great blue expanse that separates our countries.  The corner squares actually have a lot more green in them than the photo shows.  I love the center square fabric selection.  Thank you for the wonderful blocks, Ann!

My Block Swap Adventure partner for June was Shannon B from Georgia.  She made me TWO beautiful blocks!  One block was for the normal monthly swap and the second "as a thank you for all your had work and time as hostess".  That's so nice!  Shannon also told me that the blue floral in the middle of the bright batik block was from the Atlanta Shop Hop Batik from 2005 and that Hoffman produced this batik exclusively for the shops during the hop.  How cool is that?  I have to admit that the batik block is my favorite - bright colors on black just speak to me.  Thank you Shannon!!

Last month I won this fun book!  Beaquilter had a giveaway and I was the lucky winner.  The book has all sorts of wonderful ideas and it is even signed by the author.  I have been building quite a stash of buttons so maybe this is a way to use some of them.  Thank you, Bea!

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A BIT OF SEWING

While I was away from blogging, I did manage to spend some time in front of the sewing machine but not nearly as much time as I had hoped.  Here is some of what I created......

These two blocks were made for Erin, the June hostess for Let's Bee Together.  I really like the white on white fabric she sent out for us to work with and the scrap fabric was fun.  Erin requested that these blocks not be cut down to size, allowing her to complete that task.  These went out in yesterday's mail.

This is the little quilt  I made for the June Doll Quilt Swap.  The theme was "Something old, something new, or something blue".  Guess you can tell I went with something blue.  The star blocks measure 3 inches square and the entire little quilt measures 16 1/4" x 20".  I found this pattern in a book titled "Small Quilts with Vintage Charm" by Jo Morton.  I followed her directions for making flying geese and I have to say it wasn't my favorite method.  This quilt is traversing the country all the way from California to Wisconsin.

I did make two more Loving Hands quilts but they look very much like the two I made for May - only the center panel is a bit different.  I worked on a couple of small cross stitch project for World of Charity Stitching - one was a repeat of the Scroll block I made and have already shared and one I'm not quite finished with.  I began a major FPP project and will be working on that for awhile.  I have to do most of my sewing in the morning hours as the sewing room gets very hot in the afternoon sun even with the A/C and ceiling fan running.  

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FINAL THOUGHT

Look for me August 1.

Sailing Away

Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass on a summer day listening to the murmur of water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is hardly a waste of time. 

 ~John Lubbock

Boy this was a short week!  I still don't have my mind wrapped around the fact that it is already Friday.  Yesterday was my sweet DH's birthday.  We started the morning off with gifts and then he had to spend it like he does every other Thursday by going to work.  I did make a lemon cake with lemon frosting that tasted oh so good - lol!  Maybe by the end of the weekend my brain will be back in sync with the days of the week.  We have no big plans for the weekend - just some R and R.  What are your plans for the weekend?

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LITTLE FACT OF THE DAY

Centipede

The only time I've come across a centipede was in New Mexico at DD#1's home.  Thinking about all those feet crawling on me gives me the willies - lol!  Here are some facts:

* The amount of legs a centipede has varies on the species. But, centipedes usually have between 30 and 350 tiny legs.

* Some people mistakenly believe that centipedes are insects. However, they are not classified as insects because they have more than six legs. They are part of the arthropod family (that includes insects) and are in the myriapod class.

* The length of the centipede's legs increase as you go down the centipede's body. This prevents the centipede from stepping on his or her legs. It also helps them to move quickly in a special rhythm

* Centipedes hunt for their food. They search for spiders, worms, flies and other insects to turn into a meal. Some of the larger centipedes will even eat slugs, snails and small lizards. Some centipedes will even eat prey that are as big as themselves.

* The majority of centipedes are brown, reddish-brown or yellow. However, in some places in the world, you can find centipedes that are blue, bright orange and red.

* The most common place for centipedes to live are forests around the world. However,they also reside in caves, deserts, gardens and grasslands

* Some centipedes are only an inch or two in length. However, some centipedes are much longer. In fact, the Peruvian giant centipede can be up to a full foot long

* Some centipedes can live up to six years

* Some enemies of centipedes are birds, toads, shrews and frogs. Centipedes can try to defend and protect themselves by producing a sticky and smelly substance. They can also pinch their prey using their hind legs.

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A LITTLE FINISH

Last week I was able to finish a small quilt I was working on....

Summer Sailing measures 22" square.  Each sailboat square is paper pieced and measures 4.5" square.  I should have paid a bit more attention to how the sky fabric was going to lay but I'm still happy with how this turned out.  This will be going up to the family vacation home in Santa Cruz - a home located across the street from the yacht harbor so the sailboats are very fitting.

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STITCHERY UPDATE

I wasn't able to get much stitching in this week so there wasn't much to show.  Maybe next time - hopefully.

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BEE BLOCK

Last week I also made a Bee block for the May hostess of Let's Bee Together, Ann......

I love the fabrics she sent for us to work with.  The block she selected was a breeze to make.  Ann should have a wonderful quilt when she receives all of the blocks being made for her.

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FINAL THOUGHT

I will be taking a small break from blogging.  DH has taken a few days off from work and we will be relaxing and enjoying each other's company.  I will return on Friday, June 15.

Mess Made

The best things in life are nearest:  Breath in your nostrils, light in your eyes, flowers at your feet, duties at your hand, the path of right just before you.  Then do not grasp at the stars, but do life's plain, common work as it comes, certain that daily duties and daily bread are the sweetest things in life.  

~Robert Louis Stevenson

This week just flew by.  It's hard to believe that the weekend is just a few short hours away.  Mother Nature has been kind to us these last few days blessing us with beautifully cool mornings and temperate afternoons.  If only it could stay this way until fall arrives - lol!  Our weekend promises to be a busy one and includes a 65th birthday celebration.  I probably won't get much stitching or sewing in.  What about you?  What are your plans for the weekend?

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LITTLE FACT OF THE DAY

Pig

You either think pigs are cute or totally ugly.  I personally think pigs are cute and just love their grunting and squealing sounds.  How can you look at the cute face above and not think of Wilbur from Charlotte's Web?  Here some interesting facts I found while researching pigs:

* After a baby piglet is born, it will eat so much that its weight will double after only a week

* Pigs are generally not mean-spirited animals. They only time they will fight is if a sow's piglets are threatened by some immanent danger, or if a boar gets too annoyed.

* They don't like heat. Since they can't sweat from a lack of sweat glands, pigs have to wallow around in mud to stay cool.

* Pigs are also fantastic swimmers, which is quite surprising considering the structure of their bodies

* Pigs' noses and eyes are very powerful. Their snouts are highly sensitive and their eye balls located far on the outside of their faces, giving them a large range of vision.

* A pig's tail can come in three different varieties: kinky, straight, or curly

* Pigs are not picky eaters by any means. They have been known to consume tree bark, garbage, dead insects, rotting animals, and other types of refuse. Pigs are also cannibals, meaning they will happily feed on their own kind.

* There are four toes on a pig's foot, but they only use two toes when walking

* They can live to be 15 years old

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BEE BLOCK

I recently received fabric from April's hostess of Let's Bee Together.   There's no way to put this other than to say I made a big mess of some beautiful fabrics.

I thought I had enough to make the block I wanted but I didn't and then couldn't make a 12 1/2" block out of the remaining cuts.  Why is it I only destroy fabric when it is sent to me by someone else?  So I asked Melinda if I could substitute some similar color fabrics and she said she didn't mind.  I come up with.....

This paper pieced block.  As you can see, the colors of the fabric used pretty much match the colors I was sent.  I just hope Melinda is still able to use this block.

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CROSS STITCH UPDATE

This week went fairly smoothly in the counted cross stitch department.  Not too much unstitching was necessary.

It's time to add designs around the original center - lots of cacti.  These are going fairly quickly since there isn't a lot of color changes.

Design:  Desert Mandala

Designer:  Martina Weber / Chatelaine Designs

Fabric:  Antique White Belfast (linen - for those of you who do not stitch)

Stitched:  2 strands of DMC floss over 2 threads

1 strand of Treasure Braid over 2 threads

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I WON!

Recently I was the lucky winner of Cat Patches' Fun Fact Friday Freebie.  Every week Barbara poses a question and then randomly draws a winner to receive a fat quarter of her choice.  Here's what I received...

The note attached said "Happy Cinco de Mayo".  I can see some great fussy cut hexies being made from this fabric.  Thank you, Barbara!

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TODAY'S GOAL

Today I will be working on that table runner.

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GIVEAWAYS

123Stitch is having a giveaway.  You could win a chart pack for Summer Band Sampler by Little House Needleworks.  This giveaway ends Thursday, May 31.

Fabrics N Quilts is having a giveaway.  You could win a Snap Sack.  This giveaway ends Sunday, May 6.

CraftFoxes.com is having a giveaway.  You could win a copy of Happy Home by Jennifer Paganelli.  This giveaway ends Monday, May 7.

Scarlet Fig is having a giveaway.  You could win a fat quarter bundle of Perfectly Perched.  This giveaway ends Saturday, May 5.

Little Dear Tracks is having a giveaway.  You could win a copy of Pretty Little Pillows.  This giveaway ends either today or Monday, May 7 (it was listed as Friday, May 7, so you understand the confusion).

Hopeful Threads is having a giveaway.  You could win a Ruffle Swing Skirt & Halter pattern set AND your choice of 2 Fabric Flower patterns from Bumbleberries Boutique.  This giveaway ends Tuesday, May 8.

The Jolly Jabber is having a giveaway.  You could win a copy of Geared For Guys by Emily Herrick.  This giveaway ends Tuesday, May 8.

Sew Hooked is having a giveaway.  You could win a copy of Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks Vol 5.  This giveaway ends Tuesday, May 8.

FabricWorm is having a giveaway.  You could win a fat quarter bundle of Lucie Summers' Summerville in Sea Foam.  This giveaway ends Monday, May 7, at 2:00 pm PDT.

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FINAL THOUGHT