The Weekend Ahead

We come, not to mourn our dead soldiers, but to praise them.  

~Francis A. Walker

As we approach this 3 day weekend, we need to remember why we are celebrating Memorial Day.  Take a moment or two during your festivities to say thank-you to those who have or are serving in our nation's armed forces.  Countless men and women have given their lives to keep our country strong and free for which they have earned our undying gratitude.  The next time you see a soldier in uniform, take the time to say thank you!  Without these fearless fighters of our defense, who knows what kind of country we would be living in.  God bless America and have a wonderful Memorial Day!!
I will be taking Monday off from blogging to celebrate with my family.

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LITTLE FACT OF THE DAY

Flag of the United States of America

I don't think there is a more patriotic symbol than our own country's flag.  The stars and stripes can move my soul with a single wave. We will be proudly flying our flag on Monday!  And since this fits with the coming holiday, here are some little facts about our flag...

* Another name for the American Flag; Old Glory actually refers to a specific flag owned by Captain William Driver. Old Glory was made with 24 stars and 13 red and white stripes representing the original 13 colonies

* The red, white and blue stripes are strictly defined as Dark Red (Pantone 193 C), White (Pantone safe), and Navy Blue (281 C).

* The current version of the US flag was designed by an 18 year old high school student, who only received a “B-“ for his efforts. Robert Heft, took exception to this grade, and issued his teacher a challenge: if Heft’s design proposal was accepted by Congress, he would deserve and receive an “A”. Heft earned his “A”, and by presidential proclamation in 1958, his design was officially adopted as the nation’s flag.

* 6 US flags are currently stationed on the moon. They were put there by Apollo 11, 12, 14, 15, 16 and 17.

* When folded properly, the US flag is shaped like a triangle with only the stars showing. If you have exacting standards, it usually takes 13 folds: the same number of original colonies.
* Only State Governors and the President of the United States order when the flags on government buildings are to be set at half staff.
* Red is for Valor and Hardiness; white is for Innocence and Purity; and blue is for Vigilance, Perseverance and Justice.


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SWAP BLOCKS

Back in March I made three blocks for swap partners that I never shared....

I made this Eccentric Star block for Karen, my swap partner for Quilting Block Swaps Australia.  Karen requested "bright greens, bright blues, fresh modern colors and each block to have some white".  This block fits both colors and is definitely modern.

This On The Oregon Trail block was fun to make - so much so that I made two!

Barbara was my March swap partner for Block Swap Adventure.  One of her previous month's partners didn't produce so I made her an extra block.  Barbara requested red and white fabrics be used to create her block.

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STITCHERY UPDATE

I was able to start the phase of my counted cross stitch project....

You can't see a whole lot of what I've been doing but you can see a bit at the bottom and then, of course, the outline and the start of a feather (sorry it's a bit blurry).  I just figured out how to enlarge the pattern to an easily readable size without the distortion I was encountering earlier.  Sure wish I had figured that out when I was working on the center section.  But that's okay, because now I know how it do it and it will come in handy for the next 2 Christmas projects I will make from the same designer.  Luckily, they don't have to be completed until Christmas 2013 and 2014 - lol!

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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TODAY'S GOAL

To get the spare bed cleared of all fabric carefully stored on it.  Our DD#2 and SIL will be coming for up for the weekend!!

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FINAL THOUGHT

Thank you to all who have served or are serving to keep our wonderful country free!!  Bless those that have given their lives protecting us!!  

TGIF

My mind contains many good ideas, but it's not always easy to squeeze one out.
~Ashleigh Brilliant

I'm glad the weekend is only one day away.  For some reason, this week has been tiring and seemed longer than normal.  I'm ready for some quiet time and the three day weekend.  Speaking of which, I will not be posting on Monday but will be enjoying the President's holiday with my hubby.  No big plans.  We will just be enjoying the extra day together.  Do you have big plans for the 3 day weekend?

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LITTLE FACT OF THE DAY

Strawberry

Here's a list of fun and interesting strawberry facts and trivia:

* Strawberries are the only fruit with seeds on the outside. It is argued that for this reason, it cannot be considered a real berry, since berries carry seeds on the inside

* A strawberry has, on average, 200 seeds

* A French noblewoman at the time of Napoleon, Madame Tallien, used to bathe regularly in strawberry juice, using 22 pounds per basin. She didn't bathe daily though

* There is a legend that strawberries were named in the nineteenth-century by English children who picked the fruit, strung them on grass straws and sold them as "Straws of berries".  Another theory is the name was derived from the nineteenth-century practice (and still today, although most farms use raised beds, enclosed in plastic) of placing straw around the growing berry plants to protect the ripening fruit. But the most widely held view is that the name Strawberry was derived from the berries that are "strewn" about on the plants, and the name "strewn berry" eventually morphed into "Strawberry".

* Strawberries for headaches??? They contain natural salicylates, an ingredient that's found in aspirin

* In some parts of Europe, people once believed elves could control how much milk cows produced and that the elves loved strawberries. Farmers tied baskets of strawberries to their cows' horns as an offering to them.

* Strawberries were a symbol of perfection and love: for instance, folklore says that if you split a double strawberry in half and share it with a member of the opposite sex, you'll soon fall in love. Medieval stonemasons carved strawberry designs on altars and around the tops of pillars in sacred places such as churches, as a symbol of perfection

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PROGRESS

During the past week, I managed to put in a few hours of stitching.  I progressed from this point last Friday....

To this........

I added the center circular area.  As you can see, I have more work to do on this part but aren't the children cute playing in the sand?  I hope to get some stitching hours in over the weekend. 

Design: Summer Sampler

Designer: Sandy Orton for Kooler Design Studio

Fabric: 18 count cream Aida cloth

Fiber: 2 strands over 1 - DMC floss

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2 MORE BLOCKS

Earlier this month I made a Bee block and a swap block......

This was the first string block of any kind I've made.  Carolyn said this was called Spider Web.  She was our hostess for January for Let's Bee Together.  Carolyn had all the strips cut to the correct width so it was just a matter of putting everything together.  She is going to have an amazing quilt.

Teresa was my swap partner for Quilting Block Swaps Australia.   She requested the Autograph Star in blues and creams.  Even though the photo made the background fabric look white, it really is cream.  Teresa didn't specify that we should sign the block so I included a card with my signature including my city and state that she could trace over if she wanted.  And that's exactly what she did. 

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TODAY'S GOAL

Today I plan to get a block sewn for a swap and then spend the rest of the stitching.

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GIVEAWAYS

The Rusty Thimble is having a giveaway.  You could win an American Apron Pocket.  This giveaway ends Wednesday, February 29.

Primitive and Folk Artists is having a giveaway.  You could win one of 33 different items.  This giveaway ends Wednesday, February 29.

Victorian Motto Sampler Shoppe is having a giveaway.  You could win one of 9 different items.  This giveaway ends Thursday, March 15.

Lindsey at Quilting Daily is having a giveaway.  You could win a bundle of Cabbage and Roses fabric from Moda.  This giveaway ends Wednesday, February 22.

Favequilts is having a giveaway.  You could win Sweetheart Houses Quilt Pattern Designed by Jennifer Bosworth from Shabby Fabrics Gifted by Shabby Fabrics.  This giveaway ends Monday, February 21.

Pat Sloan is having a giveaway.  You could win a FQ Bundle of Amy Butler "Lark", plus  Aurifil Thread and the EXCLUSIVE APQ Radio show Earbuds.  This giveaway ends Saturday, February 18.

Jolly Jabber is having a giveaway.  You could win Kim Kight's Bloggers Choice fat quarter bundle.  This giveaway ends Wednesday, February 22.

Hawthorne Threads is having their weekly giveaway.  You could win a Washi fat quarter bundle.  This giveaway Wednesday, February 22.


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FINAL THOUGHT

A Little This and That

Life is a great big canvas, and you should throw all the paint on it you can.
~Danny Kaye

I turned in my two entries for the quilt show on Wednesday afternoon.  We will be attending the show tomorrow and I hope to take lots of photos (I will share on Monday).  I will be working the admissions desk in the morning and then we will view the show in the afternoon.  There are 205 entries and over 20 vendors for the show. Luckily we don't have a lot of running to do over the weekend.  As far as I know, we will only have our weekly visit to the farmer's market as our only errand.  The weather has turned boring once again with nothing but sunshine and highs around 60.  I know I shouldn't complain but I like variety when it comes to weather.  Guess I live in the wrong place for that.  Do you  have big plans for the weekend?

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LITTLE FACT OF THE DAY

California

I was a total blank when it came to the 'fact' for today so I decided to share a little trivia and obscure facts about my state, California. 
* In 1925 a giant sequoia located in California's Kings Canyon National Park was named the nation's national Christmas tree. The tree is over 300 feet in height.
* Alpine County is the eighth smallest of California's 58 counties. It has no high school, ATMs, dentists, banks, or traffic lights.
* In Pacific Grove there is a law on the books establishing a $500 fine for molesting butterflies.
* Demonstrations on making toothpaste from orange by-products were popular attractions at the Los Angeles County fair in 1922. The fair is held in Pomona
* Totaling nearly three million acres, San Bernardino County is the largest county in the country.
* The Country Store in Baker has sold more winning California State Lottery tickets than any outlet in the state.
* Death Valley is recognized as the hottest, driest place in the United States. It isn't uncommon for the summer temperatures to reach more than 115 degrees.
* Inyo National Forest is home to the bristle cone pine, the oldest living species. Some of the gnarled trees are thought to be over 4,600 years old.
* San Francisco Bay is considered the world's largest landlocked harbor.
* One out of every eight United States residents lives in California.
* It is estimated there are approximately 500,000 detectable seismic tremors in California annually.
* The highest and lowest points in the continental United States are within 100 miles of one another. Mount Whitney measures 14,495 feet and Bad Water in Death Valley is 282 feet below sea level.

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THIS WEEKS STITCHERY REPORT

I was able to get a bit more stitching done on my Cirque des Carreaux.....

You can see where I was last week Here.  I've started a new section and hope to have the entire piece completed by this time next week.

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AND THAT - SWAP BLOCKS RECEIVED

This week the mailman delivered two wonderful blocks.....

This beautiful wonky star block was made for me by Karen P.  I just love the colors in this block!  Karen was my January swap partner in Block Swap Adventure.  Thank you so very much, Karen!

This darling block was made for me Lynette.  I just love the colors and the adorable little birds!  Lynette was my January swap partner in Quilting Block Swaps Australia.  Thank you, Lynette!

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TODAY'S GOAL

Today I will make 2 Bee blocks.

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GIVEAWAYS

Abby Lane Quilts is having a giveaway.  You could win a copy of Simple Choices and 4 yards of Ric Rac.  This giveaway ends Sunday, January 29.

Sew Can She is having a giveaway.  You could win a jelly roll of Prairie Paisley II from Fat Quarter Shop.  This giveaway ends Tuesday, January 31, around midnight.

Fairy Face Designs is having a giveaway.  You could win a Scrappy Pouch pattern and a Zipper Pouch pattern. This giveaway ends Sunday, January 29, at 9 pm Irish time.

FabricWorm is having a giveaway.  You could win a neutral custom bundle with 12 Fat Quarters.  This giveaway ends Monday, January 30, at 8:30 am PST.

Victorian Motto Sampler Shoppe is having a giveaway.  You could win some beautiful hand dyed floss.  This giveaway ends Tuesday, February 28.


Hopeful Threads is having a giveaway.  You could win a bundle of Sweet Lush.  This giveaway ends Monday, January 30.

My GIVEAWAY ends this Sunday, January 29.  If you would like a chance to win 2 charm packs from Fat Quarter Shop, go HERE now!

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FINAL THOUGHT

Two More Swaps Completed

Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds that you plant.
~Robert Louis Stevenson

Well, I'm back in shorts AGAIN!  Mother Nature is not playing fair and has raised the temperature once again.  I shouldn't complain as the Los Angeles area is even hotter with the addition of Santa Ana winds.  Hopefully all of those people who like to play with fire will stay in their homes and not cause havoc.  The plants and trees aren't sure what to do right now.  The sycamore across the street is a huge tree but looks really ugly right now with all of its brown leaves.  The Gerbera daisies are blooming again and I even had a hydrangea send up a tiny bloom.  Everything is so confused.  The one consolation is it is still cooling down at night so we can have the windows open for some fresh air.  The cooler night weather has sent the local rodents looking for new homes and one of them is trying to set up house keeping in our attic.  DH put out some poison so hopefully we won't become known as the Mouse Motel.  Now if only Oregon would share some of that lovely moisture with us commonly known as rain - I would be a very happy lady!!

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LITTLE FACT OF THE DAY

Pumpkins

Have you been out collecting your pumpkins for Halloween?  Are you going to carve yours or just make some yummy desserts?  While you decided what size and what you will be doing with your pumpkin, here are some fun facts:
*  Pumpkins originated in Central America
* The name pumpkin originated from "pepon" – the Greek word for "large melon."
* Pumpkin flowers are edible
* Pumpkins were once recommended for removing freckles and curing snake bites. 
* 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.
* Native Americans flattened strips of pumpkins, dried them and made mats.
* The largest "official" pumpkin ever grown weighed 1,340 pounds. And the largest "unofficial" pumpkin ever grown weighed 1'458 pounds, but was not awarded due to damage.

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A LITTLE HOOT

My swap partner, Melody, for the Quilting Block Swaps Australia this month requested a block with an owl.  Here's is the sneak peek I provided for her.....

Two little eyes and just the hint of a beak.  The block is winging its way to Australia so I thought I would share it with you today...

This little owl came from the pattern Hooterville by Brandywine Design.  I enlarged it to fit better onto a 12" block.  It is a raw edge applique that I used a buttonhole stitch on.  To complete the owl I used two little buttons for his eyes.  I sure hope Melody likes this little guy.

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MUG RUG SWAP

I recently sent off a mug rug to my secret partner in the Mug Rug Swap Adventure 3.  She requested a mug rug for Christmas, Halloween or Easter and dislikes muted colors.  After much deliberation I finally came up with......

This mug rug is anything but muted!  I found this pattern on Artisania under their free pattern tab.  It was a fun foundation paper piecing pattern.  The colors don't show up quite true because when I went out to take the picture, there was no sun left in the yard.  I just couldn't pass up using the spooky eye fabric for the background.  I did a simple echo quilting on this mug rug.  This, too, is on its way across the ocean.

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A FEW MORE PUMPKINS

While looking through Leah Day's designs I found the perfect practice square......

Isn't this the perfect design for October?  If I had found it sooner, I could have used it on the mug rug above.  Oh well.  Next time.  I really like the spacing in the top left corner but for some reason most of the pumkpins and vines ended up spaced further apart.  Maybe I was in a hurry.  Oh, this one is called Pumpkin Patch in case you hadn't noticed.

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TODAY'S GOAL

I'm still working on the Loving Hands quilt.  Today I plan to finish with the applique work and hopefully make the sandwich.

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GIVEAWAYS

Lily's Quilts is having a sponsored giveaway.  You could win a Designer Collection, or an Ultra Collection, or a box of six spools of 50wt thread from Aurifil.  This giveaway ends Wednesday, October 19.

It's So Kiki is having a giveaway.  You could win a Sampler Stack from Connecting Threads.  This giveaway ends Tuesday, October 18.

Quilting By The River is having a giveaway.  You could win an AccuQuilt GO! Baby Cutter and your choice of 3 dies.  This giveaway ends Wednesday, October 18, at 11:59 pm CST.

Alderwood Quilts is having a giveaway.  You could win a Boondoggle Ruler and pattern set by Bella Nonna Quilts.  This giveaway ends Tuesday, November 1.

The Raspberry Rabbits is having a giveaway.  You could win a pair of Rabbit Embroidery Scissors.  This giveaway ends Monday, October 17.

Stitches From The Bush is having a giveaway.  You could win  'I'm Charmed, I'm Sure' Table Runner pattern, Rouenneries Deux Charm Pack (new FG range due out in January next year), 70cm of Oyster FG fabric (for stitching on), 30cm of Rouge FG fabric (for binding), and 1 reel of Cosmo Multi Work Thread.  This giveaway ends Monday, October 24, Australian time.

Vrooman's Quilts is celebrating her blog-aversery with a giveaway.  You could win a 'StoneHenge' roll pack.  This giveaway ends Friday, October 21.

My Patchwork Life is having a giveaway.  You could win some floss.  This giveaway ends Sunday, October 16, before Erin's bedtime.

Fabricworm is having their weekly giveaway.  You could win 7 fun Fat Quarters of Doohickey Designs Fox Trails in Green.  This giveaway ends Monday, October 17, at 8:30 am PST.

Renegade Quilter is having a giveaway.  You could win 'countdown to christmas' charm packs.  This giveaway ends Monday, October 17, at 5:00 pm.

Hockey Mom Stitchin' Hobby is having a giveaway.  You could win a mystery bag of stitching stuff and maybe even a gift certificate to 123Stitch.  This giveaway ends November 27, at 11:59 pm PST.

Still a few days left to enter my giveaway for a fat quarter bundle of Family Forever from Fat Quarter Shop.  To enter go HERE.

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FINAL THOUGHT

My mind has been on nothing but a little quilt the last couple of days.  I didn't even start my day with a FMQ yesterday.  It's amazing that something so small can be so all time consuming.  But I'm determined to get it done.  I hope to be stitching on the binding this weekend.  I'm starting to feel the time crunch on so many things.  Once again I've over loaded myself with swaps and the time is drawing near that they are all due - by the end of the month!  Why can't I say 'No'?  It took me years to convince my DH that he could say no to Community groups that were eating away at his time.  And now it's me.  I've got to know when to put the brakes on and learn that two letter word.  Why is it so much easier to yes?  Oh well, I know I will make it but in the mean time I'm feeling just a tiny bit of stress.

Sometimes the most important thing in a whole day is the rest we take between two deep breaths.
~Etty Hillesum