A Class In Applique

The inertia hardest to overcome is that of perfectly good seconds.
~Martin H. Fischer

Yesterday seemed to fly by.  I did a little blog reading and POOF - it was time to have breakfast.  Caught up on some email and POOF - half the morning was gone.  Started some sewing and POOF - time to eat lunch or I might as well just wait for dinner.  Finished marking for an applique project and finished up another little project and POOF - time to fix dinner.  How does so much time just go POOF?  I think the minute hands on the clock must have been flying - sort of like those funny clocks in cartoons.  Another day that seemed to have evaporated before my eyes.  Humph.....thank goodness I get another day today :)

=================================

PHOTO FACT OF THE DAY

 

OPENING DAY
 
The Ringling Brothers Circus began in 1884 in Baraboo, Wisconsin using the title "Yankee Robinson and Ringling Brothers", the only time the Ringlings ever gave themselves second billing. It was a small circus at first, conveyed by wagons, and differed little from scores of other little shows that traversed limited geographic areas.  By the late 1880s, however, the circus had established itself as one of the largest and best-run circuses in the country.  What distinguished the Ringling Brothers Circus from others was its honest and fair attitude toward the public. Unlike other small circuses of the time, Ringling Brothers would not allow ticket sellers to short change customers, nor did they allow games of chance such as Three Card Monte and shell games on their lots. This reputation for clean dealing and good value brought them success, and soon they were able to make the leap into the ranks of railroad circuses.  In 1907 the brothers purchased the Barnum & Bailey Circus and ran the two circuses separately until they merged them into one unit in 1919, when they also moved the winter quarters to Bridgeport, Connecticut.
 
====================================

START OF CLASS

Last week I started a class online at Quilt University.  The class is called Triple Treat Tulips and is being taught by Susan Brittingham.  It will cover 3 methods of machine applique.  I thought since I am so new to applique, that it would a good class to pick up some pointers and learn the 'correct' way to do things.

For the first lesson we had to select fabrics and assemble the background.  No applique so far so I didn't have any troubles with making this much of it.  The tablecloth will be appliqued down in the next class - that's why you are seeing so many pins.  So far the piece measures 27" X 36".

If you look real close you can see that I've traced the placement of the pattern pieces onto the background.  Sorry that the picture is so poor but I didn't want to make the ink too dark.  This Friday will be the next class where we actually start doing some applique.

====================================

SMILE WITH ME :)

Today I received a squishy envelope that made me smile......

Last week I was one of two lucky winners over at Farm Girl Transplanted.  I won 2 charm packs of Prayer Flag and one yard of white background fabric.  Kris included two pretty nail files - and believe me my nails need all the help they can get.  I can't wait to get started on a project with these charm packs.  I think I already have the pattern in mind.  Thank you so very much for your generosity, Kris!!!!

===============================

TODAY'S GOAL

Today I am going to start assembling the Designer Mystery BOM quilt - woohoo!!

================================

GIVEAWAYS

From The Blue Chair is having a giveaway. Katie is giving away a Kona color card. Katie will pick a random winner on Monday, May 23.

Crafts and Stuff is having a giveaway.  You could win a miniature created by Hetty.  The winner will be selected on Wednesday, June 1.

Marcia's Crafty Sewing and Quilting Blog is having a giveaway.  You could win a set of May for Me Note Cards and The Easy To Sew Quilt Pattern for both you and the person who has inspired you.  Marcia will draw two winners on Sunday, May 22, at 6:00 pm.

Kati Cupcake is having a giveaway.  Amy is giving away a fat quarter bundle of her newest line of fabric, Sugar Blossom.  Not sure when this one ends :(

The Intrepid Thread is having giveaway #2.  You could win a charm pack that Julie has cut out.  This giveaway ends Wednesday, May 25, at midnight.

=================================

FINAL THOUGHT

Would you believe I'm already thinking about tomorrow?  I usually try not to think too far ahead because I feel like I'm just wishing the day away.  But tomorrow I have something to celebrate and I hope you will celebrate with me.  What am I celebrating, you ask?  Well, you will just have to wait until tomorrow to find out.  How can you help me celebrate?  All you have to do is come read my blog and join in the fun.  I'm just a tease, aren't I.  Tonight I will be attending the local guild meeting.  I will be reporting back to you about what happened and my thoughts on the whole thing but I won't be doing that until Monday's post.  I'm going to keep you in suspense again :P  Sometimes it's necessary to have a little mystery in your life, it adds a little spice to your life.  Now are you thinking about tomorrow too?

It's a great thing when you realize you still have the ability to surprise yourself.  Makes you wonder what else you can do that you've forgotten about. 
 ~Alan Ball

Enjoy your Thursday - I know I will!!

It Better Not Happen Again!

Symptoms, then are in reality nothing but the cry from suffering organs.
~Jean Martin Charcot

No sooner had we gotten one member of the family home from the hospital before we were admitting another.  My SIL had been having severe abdominal pain for most of Sunday.  My DD#2 (his wife) took him to the ER Sunday evening.  After four hours and several tests, it was determined that he had an acute appendicitis.  The emergency team was set in motion and SIL was in surgery by 2:30 AM.  It turns out that the appendix had ruptured but he came through the surgery just fine.  He is now in a nice room (new wing at the hospital), resting comfortably and being filled with mega antibiotics.  I have informed my family that we are not aiming for the "it always happens in 3's".  No more trips to the ER for anybody!!

=================================

PHOTO FACT OF THE DAY

Popsicles

Did you know that the Popsicle the Popsicle was invented by an eleven-year-old Frank Epperson in 1905?  He had left his fruit flavored soda outside on the porch with a stir stick in it. The drink froze to the stick and tasted good. It took 18 more years in 1923 for Epperson to apply for a patent for a "frozen ice on a stick" called the Epsicle ice pop, which his children re-named the Popsicle.  Popsicle sticks were first made from Birch wood and the first twin popsicles were invented during the great depression.  Popsicles can be pretty messy, which is okay if you're poolside but not so much when you're headed to grandma's or somewhere else afterward. To cut back on popsicle mess, save the small lids from yogurt, margarine, cottage cheese and sour cream containers. Cut a very small slit in the lid and slide the sticks of popsicle sticks through them to create a "catch" for all the drips. Wash and reuse, or throw away the lid and stick if you're on the go. Good Humor now owns the rights to the Popsicle.

====================================

BEE BLOCKS FINISHED

Yesterday I accomplished my goal of completing both of the Bee blocks for Let's Bee Together members that were waiting on me.  Not really waiting on me, as they aren't due until the end of the month but I felt like they needed to be done and in the mail.

Here is the block that gave me such problems - well, problems that I caused myself.  It really shouldn't have, it was a rather simple block to make.  But when you cut the squares the wrong size that turn into HST, you end up with a mess.  I had to wait for the dark brown and the green paisley fabrics to arrive and they did Saturday.  This block is for Ann and she selected the block Arkansas Crossroads.  Her only requirement was to use the green paisley fabric as I have them stitched into the block.  The rest of the fabric was to be used as we wished in the block.  I would have rather had a different print than the green and black but I think it looks okay the way it is.

This block is for Tamera.  She is using a pattern by Miss Rosie's Quilt Co. called High Cotton and is making the quilt in Civil War Reproductions in pink and brown.  Tamera selected the Shoo Fly block and then added a little twist.  There is sashing pieces but just on two sides.  She specified which fabrics to use for the Shoo Fly part of the block and then left it up to us on how to assemble the sashing.  I hope she likes how it turned out.

==================================

RICH FABRICS

I received an order from Connecting Threads yesterday for a new project I will be starting soon.

The far left is just a plain cream but the rest are from their Quilter's Candy Mirage line of fabrics.  Aren't the colors just so rich and luscious?  They look even more beautiful in person.  The fabric is a nice weight and you certainly can't beat the price at Connecting Threads.

==================================

WINNINGS RECEIVED

Yesterday I also received my winnings from The Quilty Home Giveaway last month. 

I'm now the happy owner of two charm packs of Hoopla!  I'm not sure what exactly I will be making with this wonderful line of fabric but I know it will be bright and cheery.  Jennifer also included a very nice note with the charm packs.  Thank you, Jennifer!!

==================================

TODAY'S GOAL

Today I think I will spend time working on the wool table runner that I cut out the pieces for last week.  I still am not sure how I will transfer the lettering but I have to applique on all of the flowers and leaves on first.  I have received several suggestions for transferring the letters that I will share with you at another time.

==============================

GIVEAWAYS

Cranberry Samplings is celebrating 300 followers with a giveaway.  Deborah is giving away an assortment of patterns, some fabrics, floss, a pair of little scissors and a wonderful pinkeep she has made.  She will draw a name on Monday, February 14th.

Jay Bird Quilts is having a sponsored giveaway by Pink Chalk Fabrics.  You have the opportunity to win a full collection of fat quarters of Far Far Away II by Heather Ross!  You have until Wednesday at 10:00 PM EST to enter.

Smashed Peas and Carrots is having a great giveaway.  They are giving away about two half yard cuts of some of their lovely and oh so buttery-soft Anna Maria Horner Little Folks Voile.  This giveaway ends Tuesday, February 15th.

Flourishing Palms is having a fun giveaway.  You could win one of two set of Drunkard's Path acrylic templates from Baycreek Quilting.  This giveaway will end on Sunday, February 13th, I think.

Anne Kelle is having a Valentine giveaway. She is giving away bundle of Sweetie Pie (four yards total)! This giveaway will end Monday, February 14th.
Connecting Threads is having a giveaway.  You could win some of their Essential Pro thread and/or a copy of Freemotion Quilting by Judy Woodworth.  This giveaway ends Sunday, February 13th at 11:59 PM PST.

=======================================

FINAL THOUGHT

Challenges are constantly being thrown at us.  Whether by something we choose to do or by an unforeseen event that comes our way.  I like challenges that I give myself.  They are a learning exercise and help keep the mind sharp.  The challenges given to me by life are sometimes not so fun to learn from.  But learn we must and then move on.  Life would become rather boring if it just sailed along smoothly day after day.  I could use with a little boredom about now - well, at least for a couple of days.  Then I will provide my own challenges - life can keep their challenges on a shelf for awhile, thank you very much!

But the moment you turn a corner you see another straight stretch ahead and there comes some further challenge to your ambition.
 ~Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr.


It's another terrific Tuesday!!