Monday, June 27, 2011

A Basket In The Garden


Birthdays are good for you. Statistics show that the people who have the most live the longest.
~Larry Lorenzoni

We had a busy weekend.  We did our normal running on Saturday morning and then our DD#2 arrived around noon.  We did a few quick errands after lunch and then tried to stay cool the rest of the afternoon by playing a few round of Wii Resort.  In the evening we attended a double 60th birthday for two cousins.  Lots and lots of family were there from my DH's side.  We all had a good time but I left there with my ears ringing as they are not a quiet bunch - lol!  Sunday was spent with a relaxing breakfast and lots of visiting time with our daughter.  And now I'm ready to start the week.  I've already received a couple swap assignments for the month of July so hopefully I will get a head start on them this week.  Do you have big plans for the coming week?

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PHOTO FACT OF THE DAY

Sunglasses Day

The history of sunglasses can be traced back thousands of years though they were much different to those worn today and served a completely different purpose.  The Roman emperor Nero apparently liked to watch gladiatorial combat through polished gemstones though the first things resembling what we would know as sunglasses appeared in 12th century China. The lenses were made of smoky quartz and did go someway to protecting wearers from glare. These early sunglasses were actually used in courts to shield the expressions of judges when they questioned witnesses.
By the turn of the 20th century sunglasses became more widespread and early silent movie stars rapidly took up wearing them before filming to shield their eyes from the right stage lights, which were often as bright as the sun itself.
It is widely believed that sunglasses really became 'cool' during the second world war when people viewed photographs of prominent military figures such as General MacArthur wearing them. The popular wartime image of a GI in sunglasses made them become an aspirational item among young people all over the world.  Since then sunglasses have grown in popularity to such an extent that people can be seen wearing them even when it is not sunny, or even indoors.

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FINAL JUNE FINISH

Friday I finished my final June obligation.  I had signed up to participate in Cheryll's Let's Exchange #3.  This time we were to make a bread basket and purchase 4 novelty buttons......

This 14 1/2" square and ribbon doesn't look like it would hold much bread, does it......

Once you tie up the sides it can then hold the bread.  It's nice that it can then lay down flat again for storage.  This basket was easy to make and took me less than two hours to make from cutting to the final tie.  These would make great Christmas gifts if made out of a Christmas print and then filled with cookies.

Here's another angle so that you can see that it does have a nice depth.  The sides are about 3" high. 
If you would like to participate in this swap, there's still time.  This is considered a reverse swap so you have to make the basket before you know who your swap partner is so there's no worry on fabric selection.  And the four buttons can come out of your stash or you can purchase them special for this. (I forgot to take a picture of the buttons).  To join in the swap just click on the link above and you will find the necessary instructions/rules. 

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A NEW PROJECT

Last week I started a new project.  I have began working on A Gardener's Journal by Anni Downs.

This is the first block I have stitched.  It is called The Potting Shed.  I stitched using two strands of DMC floss.  I am unsure of the fabric name but do know it came from Connecting Threads a few years back - there is no name in the selvage.

Here is a picture of the back.  I did not use a single knot anywhere in the stitching.  I also made sure not to carry any threads across the back unless absolutely necessary.
I plan to do all of the embroidery blocks before assembling the bigger blocks with the patched piecing.  I have what I think is the perfect line of fabric for that, but you will have to wait to see it until later.  If this project turns out as I hope it will, this may be my first entry in the local quilt show come January.

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TODAY'S GOAL

Today I hope to work on the first Designer Mystery BOM for 2011-2012.

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GIVEAWAYS

I'm Just A Guy Who Quilts is having a sponsored giveaway.  You could win a fat quarter bundle of 21 fat quarters in different shades of Kona pink from Canton Village Quilt Works.  Ryan will announce the winner on Wednesday, June 29.

Hawthorne Threads is having their weekly giveaway.  This week you could win a 1001 Peeps quilt kit.  The winner will be selecting on Wednesday, June 29.

Vicki B Quilts is having a giveaway.  You could win an AccuQuilt GO! Baby cutter and three dies.  This giveaways ends Sunday night, July 3.

The Intrepid Thread is having their weekly giveaway.  You could win a fat quarter pack of one of the three color ways of Wrenly.  This giveaway is open until Friday night, July 1.

Leona's Quilting Adventure is celebrating her 700th follower with a giveaway.  She is giving away some wonderful notions and two Hullabaloo charm packs.  This giveaway ends Sunday, July 3, at midnight EST.

There's still time to enter MY VACATION GIVEAWAY.  Check it out today!

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FINAL THOUGHT

I went to look up a pattern on google the other day. Found it.  But then that lead to me in another direction. I probably spent an hour hopping all over cyberspace looking at this, looking at that. And, do you know, by the end of that hour I had forgotten exactly what I started out looking for. Sometimes I get so easily distracted. Often I look through an online store and see something I like and wonder "Can I find that some place else for less?" So off I go - again! While looking for that 'something' - oh look! I like that! Isn't that cute? Maybe I can find it for less some place else. Oh look - I didn't know they carried wool. LOL! And so goes my life with online shopping. Sometimes it is a good thing because I get so confused and want so much that I finally end up not buying a single thing. Guess I just enjoyed the window and comparison shopping journey. Does the same thing happen to you?

One of the Internet's strengths is its ability to help consumers find the right needle in a digital haystack of data.
~Jared Sandberg

29 comments:

Sarah Craig said...

I tend to chase a lot of rabbits while cyber-shopping too! But sometimes it's so much fun to find such cool stuff. Which reminds me I've got a gift certificate for a shop I ought to check out..... Bye!

Lynda said...

Love the bread basket. They will make perfect gifts. Thanks for the idea.

Donna said...

Adore the bread basket. Cyber space is tricky. Some days I find what I am looking for an get on with life. Others I find/or not what I was seeking and get lost looking.

Debbie said...

When i do a lot of searching online I open A LoT of tabs :)

Debbie said...

traveling stash giveaway- drawing wednesday evening

http://debaeremaeker.blogspot.com/2011/06/twice-as-lucky.html

Mommarock said...

Love that tie up basket/box.. that is just so cute. Even the color you chose is wonderful.. Nice work!

Linda said...

Your little bread basket turned out so cute! Looks like an easy project.

Lynette said...

oh!! That bread basket needs to be my Christmas project for all the away family!! So easy to whip up a few different themes for different times of the year, light to ship, flat for storage, washable and useful for anything! Thanks for sharing. :D

Vroomans' Quilts said...

Oh, love your butterfly basket - hope we swap! I browsed Anni's shop - ohhhhhh. Great little stitchery. I don't surf too often for shopping - I have found some delightful on-line shops with great prices and superb service, so I stick with what I trust.

Sallie said...

I love your bread basket!
Yes, I get carried away on the computer, too. The other night I told my DH I was going to "glance" at it before going to bed, and an hour later I finished. :)

Needled Mom said...

Happy Monday!!! It sounds like you had a great weekend.

I love the fabric basket. It would make such a practical gift too.

Your stitchery is beautiful from the front and back. That sounds like it will be a fun project.

Yes, I am the same way with internet searches. One can go on forever.

Joanna said...

Like the fabric basket very much and the Christmas gift idea. Is it your pattern? Your stitchery is beautiful.

rubyslipperz1052 said...

blogland can be like the "Bermuda Triangle" for me... lol

Great bread basket! And, your needlework is really pretty too! I've not dipped meee ol' feet into embroideries...yet..

Glad you had a fun-fam weekend!

hugZ,
annie
rubyslipperz106.blogspot

Sandie @ crazy'boutquilts said...

Love the potting shed! Did you know there is even a song about wearing sunglasses at night? DS was playing it the other day. lol Have a happy Monday!

Barbara said...

Your projects project 'cuteness' today. Very, very cute bread basket and stitchery!

Maria said...

Sounds like a busy weekend. I am getting ready for a sewing retreat and then we are going on a road trip. Need lots of hand stitching for that.
Interesting info about the sunglasses.
Lovely bread basket.
WOW how great is that stitchery!!

Char said...

I love you new stitching project. I haven't even started my Birdie BOM yet.
I had to chuckle when I read your comment about your husbands family. My family is very loud and whenever we get together I have to rest my voice for 2 days afterward. It's hard work yelling over people to be heard.

Vesuviusmama said...

That bread basket is precious - I've been eyeing a fabric basket pattern for a while now thinking I may give it a try. And I absolutely LOVE the Potting Shed block. I'm curious, though, since I'm new to embroidery, how do you stitch a whole block with no knots?

Terry said...

I love your fabric bread basket! What a great idea! And have fun with the Gardener's Journal! I really enjoyed stitching mine! Although I don't want anyone looking at the backs of my blocks! They're a mess! LOL

Christine M said...

Lovely bread basket Linda. I love the fabric you've chosen.

Deborah in Atlanta said...

Well hi Linda - I'm excited because I have my 5-year old granddaughter next week. I'll get her Friday evening and won't take her back until next Friday. I'm excited, and just hope I have enough energy to keep up with her. And I spent waaayyyy too much time surfing the web. Like you, I tend to jump from place to place because of the same reasons you stated. Nice to know I'm not the only one!

Sheila said...

Love the bread basket and it would make a wonderful gift . Your stitchery is just sweet and I am impressed with the back , you might not want to see the back of mine ;-0I don't do much online shopping but have found I get distracted when I do, just so much to see .

Fiona said...

Your bread basket is georgeous... I love the fabrics you chose... so happy
Hugz

Anonymous said...

I love your new stitchery project! Your block looks good.

My plans for the week are to sit on my hands to keep from biting off all my nails while I wait for the bank to come back on my offer on the repo house I want. Or maybe I'll keep my hands busy stitching instead.

Miss Hillbilly said...

I used to make a living selling high end sunglasses. I was the manager of the store in a mall. I would meet all kinds of famous people that thought just because they could slap down $300 for a pair of sunglasses they should get special treatment. Not with me! Ha! I did enjoy the job. You would think that would be boring but I actually won all kinds of great things and learned that I can sell anything if I want to.
Maybe I should look into selling used cars??

Marcia - Crafty Sewing and Quilting said...

Love the little stitchery - perfect stitches. Cool to see the back too.
Can't wait to see more!

Erica said...

Love the bread basket idea! Now I know what I'm giving everybody for Christmas!

Anonymous said...

your bread basket looks great,love the colours,well done

Cheryll said...

The fabric is so bright and beautiful and perfectly matched. I LoVe the butterflies in all their colours. Fantastic job Linda... I know Sharon just loved it too!
Cheers

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