Monday, September 19, 2011

Catching Up


Autumn arrives in early morning, but spring at the close of a winter day.
~Elizabeth Bowen

Finally I can say we felt just a touch of the fall weather that will be here permanently in the not too distant future.  Both Friday and Saturday nights we were able to sleep with the windows thrown open.  We were finally able to enjoy some fresh (albeit smog laden) air.  We didn't have to listen to the sound of the A/C or the neighbors evap cooler.  We've even had crickets chirping in the yard at night - something we haven't heard in a very long time.  I know this was just a hint of things to come as we are to warm up again starting today.  This comes as no surprise as our county fair starts Wednesday and we ALWAYS have a heat wave for at least half of those 10 days.  But one can hope that autumn is just around the corner.  Maybe as soon as October 1.

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LITTLE FACT OF THE DAY

The Constitution

Saturday, September 17, was Constitution Day.  Previously known as Citizenship Day, this holiday was dubbed Constitution Day when it was established by Congress in 2004. Before that, it was I am an American Day in the 1940s.  Here are a few more facts about our Constitution:
* One state did not attend the Constitutional Convention. That state was Rhode Island. They did eventually sign it in 1790.
* Benjamin Franklin was 81 when he signed the constitution, and was the oldest delegate to sign. Jonathan Dayton was the youngest delegate, at age 26.
* The word “democracy” does not appear once in the Constitution
*Established on November 26, 1789, the first national "Thanksgiving Day" was originally created by George Washington as a way of "giving thanks" for the Constitution.
* More than 11,000 amendments have been introduced in Congress. Thirty three have gone to the states to be ratified and twenty seven have received the necessary approval from the states to actually become amendments to the Constitution.
*When the Constitution was signed, America's population was approximately 4 million.
* The Constitution was written in Pennsylvania State House, now known as the Independence Hall.

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BLOCK FROM LAST MONTH

I completed the August Designer Mystery BOM shortly after I received it in the middle of August.  I had forgotten about sharing it until I received the newest block in Thursday's mail.......

So far this group of blocks of blooms and blossoms for the Mystery have been a lot easier than a lot of the previous Mystery Christmas blocks.  But that's okay as it is nice to have 'easy' every once in awhile.  I do love the fabrics that Fat Quarter Shop is using this time around.

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PROGRESS

Last week I was able to work on my foundation paper piecing project for three days in a row.....

Block F

Block G
(the easiest block yet)

Block H

Blocks F, G, & H sewn together

And here are A through H.  As you can see, my tree on the right must have gone through some growing pains with the way the trunk sort of has a bend in the middle.  But that's okay.  This is a learning process and I'm learning A LOT!!!  Hopefully this week I'll be able to sew on it at least a few more days.

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FRIDAY'S FMQ

Friday, I think I should have walked away from the machine......

I enjoyed this practice but for some reason, I could not make a smooth arch.  Almost every one has a wriggle or a blip.  I did get the general concept down but jeeze.  Hopefully today's will go a little smoother.  Oh, this one is called Echo Shell.

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TODAY'S GOAL

Today I will work on the most recent Mystery BOM I received in the mail on Thursday.


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GIVEAWAYS

Kansas Troubles Quilters is having a giveaway.  You could win  a Cattails and Clover Layer Cake, Jelly Roll or fat 1/16 bundle.  This giveaway ends Sunday, October 2, at 10 pm.

Happy Cottage Quilter is having a giveaway for you knitters out there.  You could win a pair of Rosewood needles and two skeins of Sugar 'n Cream.  This giveaway ends at the end of the month.

Cat Patches is having her weekly Fun Fact Friday Freebie.  You could win a fat quarter for answering her question.  The winner will be announced Friday, September 23.

Hancock's of Paducah is having a giveaway.  You could win an Imari Plate quilt kit featuring Kaffe Fassett cotton fabric.   This giveaway ends Friday, October 14, at 4:01 pm EST.

Hawthorne Threads is having their weekly giveaway.  You could win a charm pack from the not yet released Meet the Gang line from Creative Thursday for Andover Fabrics.  This giveaway ends Wednesday, September 21.

Pink Sweet Treats is having a giveaway.  You could win the software, MyMemories.  This giveaway ends Saturday, September 24.

cadamsCREATIONS is having a giveaway.  You could win $20 credit to Silly Mama Quilts.  This giveaway ends Friday morning, September 23. 

Blueberry Patch is having a giveaway to celebrate her birthday.  You could win 5 fat quarters.  This giveaway ends Friday, September 23, at 7:00 pm PST


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FINAL THOUGHT

I'm always glad when Monday roles around.  It seems as if it is my one full day of sewing.  I start the day and the week with a renewed interest.  I'm ready to get going - alone in my sewing room.  The weekends are usually busy with running and doing the wash.  Mondays are special - you either love 'em or hate 'em.  I like this day.  It just makes me take another look at how special life is.  You can decide what your week will be like.  Welcome Monday!  I'm glad you're here.

  
~Walt Disney


22 comments:

Vroomans' Quilts said...

Now I have never seen a 'perfect' tree - so your trees are just fine. Left brain/right brain, I think the underside of my brain takes over when I try FMQ as it tends to get a little upside down and backwards. I hated Mondays when I worked, but now they are my 'starting point'.

Lynda said...

OK I thought I just left a comment but it somehow disappeared!

Absolutely love the paper pieced scene. It is going to be a real work of art!

Teresa said...

Those cool nights were just wonderful, but a tease I am sure.
I have never seen the paper thing you are doing, looks hard can't wait to see more.
Teresa's Heartfelt Stitches

Cheryl said...

Happy Autumn! Love the Xmas BOM block. Have a great day in your sewing room.

Joanna said...

Your Christmas block has alot of interest even though it was easy to make. It's a nice block design. Enjoy your day.

sunny said...

Happy Monday! That paperpiecing looks very challenging, but you're doing a great job. I'm usually newly inspired on Mondays, and as a matter of fact, I need to get off this computer and go do some sewing!

Tamara Hampton said...

I like mondays too, a fresh start. Weekends tend to be busy at work and the pace slows down today. I think we complain about mondays more out of habit!

I love the paper piecing! I cant wait to see more of it, it looks really hard!

Staci said...

Wow! Those are some complicated trees! I admire your courage in tackling that project!

Your new block is very nice, I love that fabric line. Hope your sewing Monday is a good one!

Melissa ;-) said...

That is one intricate paper pieced pattern you are working on! I think it is cute!

Sheila said...

I love your BOM block , the colors as well as the pattern and your FMQ looks great . Enjoy your Monday , I enjoy Mondays as well .

Megan Harmeyer said...

Your piecing project looks complicated! I like how it turned out, though. It's been pretty average as far as temps go lately - it's been so nice to be able to open up the windows!

Shannon said...

Wow, you are coming along with that paper-piecing. It is amazing. Trees never have perfectly straight trunks so that trunk is just doing the natural thing, LOL! I agree this years BOM from Fat Quarter is easier, I like it that way. Monday's are great, a fresh start to try and do the week better than the last!

Joanne Lendaro said...

Wonderful post with lots of interesting things as usual!! Happy Monday!!

Barbara said...

Great progress on the paper piecing! It's not that easy until one practices a bit. I found myself wanting to do the opposite of what was required. Your piece will be great!

Debra Hawkins said...

I love your tree! You are an amazing quilter!

Linda said...

Yay to the cooler weather! We actually got rain this weekend!!! It was 103 on Saturday and then it rained that afternoon! We also got some rain last night. This is one year when Fall will be really welcome!!!

Barbara said...

Hi Linda--I love your BOM. Good to see you linked up at BOMs away! Are you taking a paper-piecing class? Are you learning how to do the patterns? I always wonder how those are figured out. If there are classes, I might want to take one. Looks like fun. I love your trees. They have an endearing quality to them.

Gene Black said...

That Christmas block does look nice. How did you cut the chisel and parallelogram shapes?

BillieBee (billiemick) said...

Your block turned out great!

Sarah Craig said...

I find that my curves are curvier and less bumpy when I speed up the machine - I don't know why but it's true! Give it a try......

Connie Kresin Campbell said...

Great BOM block and I agree that the fabrics are beautiful! Looks like a very challenging paper piecing pattern! We have had some cooler weather and even turned on the furnace for a little bit....love the cool weather!

Miss Hillbilly said...

I love the bumpy tree. Haven't you ever seen one of those? I have seen many, but then I used to spend every hour I could in the woods.:)

I like Mondays too.Fresh start, new week!

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