Four More Flowers

Whoever dreamed up Scrabble had an exaggerated idea of how many seven-letter words have five i's.
 ~Robert Brault

It's already the middle of the week!  Wednesday has gotten here so quickly.  I could really use a couple of extra days - maybe two Thursdays or, even better, two Saturdays.  It doesn't seem like I've gotten anything accomplished.  Of course, it doesn't help that I keep playing Words With Friends with my daughter on Facebook.  But where else can I play Scrabble?  DD#1 and I are both game players.  My DH hates playing games - especially spelling games.  This way we can play a game without being in the same room let alone the same state.  We have seven games going at once.  Yes, I said SEVEN.  Some days we hardly play at all.  It all depends how much time I spend on the computer and if she is busy at work.  Over the weekend we barely play at all.  It's a great time waster but I don't mind wasting time if I'm having fun.

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LITTLE FACT OF THE DAY

Hats

Tomorrow, Thursday September 15, is both Make A Hat Day and National Felt Hat Day.  I don't plan on making a hat but here are some facts about hats.....

* 1814 first record of a white rabbit being pulled out of a top hat, by a French Magician named Louis Comte

* "Mad as a Hatter": in order to bind felt fibres the millinery industry used mercury. Felt fluff would be inhaled by the milliners and over time the mercury would drive them mad.

* London's iconic Black Taxi Cabs have to be tall enough to accommodate a gentleman wearing a top hat - even today!
* You lose 20% of your body heat from your head...mainly from the forehead as it has no insulation.
* The American financier J P Morgan loved wearing top hats so much he had his cars made with a high roof so he could ride around wearing his beloved hats!
* Panama hats actually come from Ecuador. The workers on the Panama Canal wore the imported straw hats but the Americans thought they were wearing locally made hats.
* Average Head size today 7 1/8, to 7 1/4. 19th and early 20th century 6 5/8 or even smaller; hence larger hats are at a premium.
* In the mid-80's the baseball hat kicked off the current trend for hat wearing. Since 1985 hat wearing has increased by 15% a year.

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TWO SMALL FLOWERS

Once again, I was only able to churn out two flowers for the Aunt Sarah quilt.....

This flower is full of autumn colors.

And even though there aren't many green flowers in nature, I thought this green basket weave pattern worked up nicely into flower petals.

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SPRING SWAP PACKAGE

A very pretty package arrived in yesterday's mail.....

I don't know that I've ever received such a colorful package.  I couldn't wait to open it to see what was inside......

Sarah, my Spring swap partner in the Once A Season Swap hosted by Cheryll,  took the time to wrap the three gifts individually.  She included a beautiful handmade card with hand stitched flowers on the outside.

Inside was a darling plate that can be hung on the wall and it is decorated with precious handmade paper flowers.  There is also a little bud vase that has a matching paper flower.  Sarah also included a package of cute magnets, some great gel pens and note cards that match the magnets. 

Thank you so much for everything, Sarah.  And a special thank you to Cheryll for hosting another great swap!

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FUN FLOWERS

This weeks Grandmother's Flower Garden hexagon flowers were both fussy cuts and my flowers for One Flower Wednesday......

This flower looks like a fish bowl.  I kept thinking about Charlie Tuna when I was stitching this one together - lol!

This one reminds me of a necklace worn by ladies many years ago - maybe it's because the little dots look a little like seed pearls.  Who knows....sometimes my mind comes up with some very weird thoughts and images.

For more hexagon beauties, just click on the link above or on the button on the right sidebar.  Thanks, again to Karen for hosting this weekly fun!

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FMQ FUN

On Monday, I could tell that I hadn't been at the machine for a few days......

Ocean Current didn't flow quite as smoothly as it should have.  There are a couple of fits and starts but if it were done on a printed fabric, you probably wouldn't even notice them.  This is the first beginner/intermediate practice I've done.

I missed putting the center of the Sunflower in the center of the block - dummy me!  I quickly ran out of room so instead of leaving part of the block empty, I added a stem and leaves.  I even added veins to the leaves.  Can you tell I had fun with this one?  You can click on the link to see what it was really supposed to look like.  The flower part reminds of those Spriograph designs I used to make when I was a child.

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TODAY'S GOAL

Today I have to decide on a block and cut fabric for Bee In Oz.  October is my month to be the hostess and I want the envelopes in the mail on the 15th.

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GIVEAWAYS

Annie's Ruby Slipperz is having her Monday Mystery giveaway.  You could win 5 fat quarters.  This giveaway ends Saturday, September 17.

Laundry Basket Quilts Blog is having a giveaway.  You could win Edyta's new book, fabrics from her Indian Summer line, fabric pencils, a custom seam ripper, buttons, her favorite Aurifil thread and her calendar.  This giveaway ends Friday, September 30, at midnight EST.

BasicGreya Sampler in your choice of design as well as a box of BasicGrey goodness including our Blossoms, Vintage Buttons, Stitched Buttons and Vintage Patches.  this giveaway ends Sunday, September 18, at 11:59 pm MST.

The Raspberry Rabbits is having a giveaway.  You could win one of Shell's Folk Art Fusion pieces with the hanger.  This giveaway ends Monday, September 19.

Happy Quilting is having a giveaway.  You could win a Jelly Roll of Sweetwater's ever so popular Hometown line and 2 1/2 yards of coordinating fabric.  This giveaway ends Friday, September 16. 

Taking The Scenic Route is having a giveaway.  You could win a 17" mat designed with the acorns dancing along the edge by Jan Goos.  This giveaway ends ?

Live A Colorful Life is having a giveaway.  You could win a sample pack of Aurifil thread.  This giveaway ends Thursday, September 15, at 6:00 pm PDT.

A Quilting Life is having a sponsored giveaway.  You could win a $25 gift certificate to Fashionable Fabrics.  This giveaway ends Thursday, September 15.

Notions is having a giveaway.  You could win  a copy of More Layer Cake, Jelly Rolls & Charm Quilts by Pam & Nicky Lintott.  This giveaway ends Monday, September 19.

FabricWorm is having their weekly giveaway.  You could win 7 Fat Quarters of Timeless Treasures Organic Daisies.  This giveaway ends Monday, September 19, at 8:30 am PST.

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FINAL THOUGHT

It seems like once a week I have trouble coming up with a final thought.  Maybe it's that middle of the week thing when I'm still thinking about what has happened during the week and what I have left to accomplish.   I have nothing to give an opinion on nor anything to gripe about.  I have no words of wisdom or prophesy to share.  So I guess that this is it for today.  Have a wonderful and creative Wednesday!

I plan on living forever. So far, so good. 
~Author Unknown



Who Won The Go! Cutter?

We have a winner!!!!!!!

With the help of random.org, the winner is.......

Quiet Quilter said...

"I'll give it a spin and a whirl....
I would like the Apple Core, Hexagon, and Half square Triangle...

Thanks "

Congratulations, Frances!  I will be sending you an email shortly to get all of your needed information.  You better start studying those dies because you will need to let me know the three you would like.

Thank you, to all of you for taking the time to enter this sponsored giveaway.  And a big thank you to AccuQuilt for sponsoring it!!

Hugs,



Bee and Swap Blocks

We can't quite decide if the world is growing worse, or if the reporters are just working harder.
  ~The Houghton Line, November 1965

I did not write a separate post about 9/11.  I didn't think you needed nor wanted another reminder of that horrific day.  We didn't watch any of the tv shows or listen to any of the radio broadcasts about that day.  We remembered in our own way.  I will always remember where I was when I heard the news and how I felt.  I'll always remember the words that I shared with family and friends as we all tried to work through our own grief and fears.  My prayers always contain words for those lost and those affected by the events of that day.  I'm not trying to hide from the anniversary I just don't believe we need all of the media hype.  Okay.  I've spoken my piece.  It's time to move on.  It's a new day and a new week.  I'm ready to get to my sewing.

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LITTLE FACT OF THE DAY
(renamed by me!)

Fortune Cookie

Tuesday, September 13, is Fortune Cookie Day.  That must mean it's time to get some Chinese Food take out - lol!  Here are a few facts about the crunchy little cookies with the paper center.

* Fortune cookies were virtually unknown in Asia until 1993 when the Wonton Food Co. opened a factory in China. The project, however, was short-lived.

* Fortune cookies were originally made by hand using chopsticks. In 1964, Edward Louie of San Francisco's Lotus Fortune Cookie Company, automated the process by creating a machine that folds the dough and slips in the fortune.

* Today, the world's largest fortune cookie manufacturer, Wonton Food Inc. of Long Island City, Queens ships out 60 million cookies a month.

* Fortune cookies were invented in 1916 by George Jung, a Los Angeles noodle maker.

* Fortune cookies became common in Chinese restaurants after World War II. Since desserts were not traditionally part of Chinese cuisine, the cookies offered Americans something familiar with an exotic flair.

We always read our fortunes aloud and at the end add "between the sheets".  It's amazing how much it can change the meaning of the little message.

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A BEE BLOCK

A couple of weeks ago I finished a block for Bee In Oz....

Cherie sent out the Kaffe Fasset fabric along with the black and white strips to make this Modern Mosaic Block.  As most of you know, I don't create well without patterns so these mosaic blocks are always a challenge for me.  I may have found a block that I actually like Fasset fabric in.

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A SWAP BLOCK

Tarnyia was my swap partner for the Quilting Block Swaps Australia for September.....

She requested a red star with aqua/blue background.  Can't get much more basic that that!  I think this Friendship Star block fits all of the requirements.

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A LITTLE MORE FPP

Last week I was able to get a little bit more done on my FPP (foundation paper piecing) project.....

This is blocks (well more like triangles) A, B, C, and D all sewn together.  Maybe, just maybe, you can see something starting to form.......like a tree or two.  When sewing part D I only had to unstitch one seam :D

On Friday I stitched together Block E.  This one I had to unstitch several times :(  But I'm not getting discouraged!  I'm ready to tackle block F and all of the other blocks. 

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FREE MOTION PRACTICE

Friday's practice was a bit different.....

This looks like it should be a speedy one to do but I really had to concentrate on keeping my lines straight.  I think it might have been easier with a walking foot.  I do like the affect of Spiral Illusion. 

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TODAY'S GOAL

I have a Bee block to make today.

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GIVEAWAYS

Cat Patches is having her weekly Fun Fact Friday Freebie.  You could win a fat quarter.  The winner will be announce Friday, September 9.

Shabby Fabrics is having a giveaway.   You could win a Vintage Postcard patterns autographed by Meg of Crabapple Hill.  This giveaway ends Friday, September 30.

Dye Candy is having a giveaway.  You could win an item valued at $18.00 or receive $25.00 off an order of greater value from the Dye Candy Etsy store.  This giveaway ends Tuesday, September 13, at 6:00 am CST.

Southern Style is having a giveaway.  You could win a copy of My Memories software.  This giveaway ends Saturday, September 24.

Creative Urges is having a giveaway.  You could win one of two patterns and the fabric to make the tops.  This giveaway ends Thursday, September 15, at midnight EST.

Alamosa Quilter is having a giveaway.  You could win a $25 gift certificate to The Intrepid Thread.  This giveaway ends Friday, September 16.

Peas In A Pod is having a giveaway.  You could win 6 fat quarters of Taza fabric in the red/pink colorways.  This giveaway ends Friday, September 16, at 5:00 pm.

Happy Cottage Quilter is having a giveaway to celebrate having over 800 followers.  You could win a pattern, Luscious Lilacs Lap Quilt, and 1 1/2 yards of floral fabric.  The winner will be announced on Saturday, October 1.

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FINAL THOUGHT

laid there with a big smile on my face counting the seconds between lightening and thunder trying to figure how close the lightening was.  I think the closest strike to us was 1 1/2 miles.  And it lasted for almost 2 hours!  I was like a kid on Christmas morning.  I absolutely loved it!!!!!!  We did get a smattering of rain, but only enough to make the cars look really dirty, nasty.  What a perfect way to start my weekend!  The downside was that 50 fires were started across the county and our air is filled with smoke.  I hope your weekend was as exhilarating.

Thunder is good, thunder is impressive; but it is the lightning that does the work.
Mark Twain

Little Things

Life is like a ten-speed bicycle. Most of us have gears we never use. 
~Charles Schulz

Yesterday after lunch I felt like my brain just shut off.  I didn't feel like sewing.  I didn't feel like reading blogs.  I just felt like sitting and staring off into space.  Maybe I ate to much at lunch?  Maybe I didn't get enough sleep the night before?  Maybe I had overworked my brain in the morning?  One will never know the cause.  I ignored my brain and kept on plugging through the afternoon.  I made sure not to do anything too strenuous or start something new.  Have you ever had a time like that?  These little do-nothing events don't happen too often, thank goodness.  But all is well this morning and I'm ready to tackle the day!

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PHOTO FACT OF THE DAY

Today, September 9, is National Teddy Bear Day.  The teddy bear got its name from President Theodore Roosevelt. On a political trip involving a dispute over the border between Louisiana and Mississippi, Roosevelt went on a side hunting outing in 1903, in Mississippi. Teddy Roosevelt refused to shoot a helpless black bear cub, which had been chained to a tree for him by his hosts. They wanted to ensure he would bag a hunting prize.  A political cartoon done by Clifford Barryman, portrayed the event reflecting both the bear and the border dispute. The caption read "Drawing the line in Mississippi".
A man named Morris Michtom and his wife created a pair of stuffed bears to put in their shop window. They were an instant hit. With permission from President Roosevelt, they were given the name "Teddy's" Bears.  The shop became the Ideal Novelty and Toy company in 1907. That in turn became The Ideal Toy Company in 1938.
Before the advent of the upright teddy bears, the Steiff toy company of Germany, had produced stuffed bears on all fours. They were mounted on a base with wheels to be pulled around. At about the same time, the Michtoms created the first teddy bears, the Steiff company was making their own version in Germany in 1902.  Richard Steiff, the nephew of the Steiff owner Margarete, went to a The Stuttgart Zoo and drew up plans for the new upright teddy bears. Steiff bears are often considered more realistic, having humps on their backs.

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TWO NICU QUILTS

Last week I finished up two little quilts for my guild's Loving Hands project.

Don't you just love all of the tractors?  This is some of the fabric I won recently from Frances (One More Quilt)  last month.  This fabric is perfect since I live in an agriculturally rich community.

This is the backing.  John Deere will make some little future farmer very snug and warm.

Then I worked with some larger panel blocks of tractors.  Another quilt for the NICU.

This serene farm scene I used for the backing should be very calming for a tiny baby.  These were all quilted with a simple loopy meandering.  They measure 32" X 32" to fit over the isolettes.  Thanks again to Frances for the wonderful fabrics!!  Oh, and a special thank you to DD#2 for being my quilt displayer :)

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A FORGOTTEN QUILT

Over the weekend I was looking for a fall type tablecloth I knew I had put away last year when the season was over.  While searching I came across a quilt I had totally forgotten about.  In fact, I don't really remember ever making it but I know I did.......

This had to be one of the first quilts I ever made.  The patchwork wasn't perfect and the stitch-in-the-ditch quilting definitely leaves something to be desired.  But after all is said and done, I really like the colors and I love the pattern.  Too bad I don't remember which pattern book it came out of.  I think this will be my new lap quilt for when I'm in my power chair this winter.  It is the perfect size.

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PRACTICE

Wednesday's practice was a fun little pattern I will probably never use......

Most of my circles were less than perfect and a couple of the straight lines are a little wobbly.  Leah named this one H2O after her two years in college as a Biology major.

Now this design I can see myself using in both blocks and sashings.   My biggest blunder was the block on the left side, third one down.  Don't know where my mind was on that one - lol!  This pattern is called Square Spiral.

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TODAY'S GOAL

Today I hope to start on a Fall/Halloween table runner I would like to have finished by the end of the month.

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GIVEAWAYS

I Play With Fiber (a brand new blog by our friend Annie of Annie's Ruby Slipperz) is having a giveaway.  You could win a copy of Sheep In A Jeep by Nancy Shaw.  Not sure when this ends though.

Sew 4 Home is having a giveaway.  You could win a Mystery Grab Bag.  This giveaway ends Saturday, September 24, at midnight PST.

Stumbles and Stitches is having a sponsored giveaway.  You could win a $25 gift certificate from Fashionable Fabrics.  This giveaway ends Saturday, September 10.

Bunny Hill Design is having a giveaway.  You could win one of 3 jelly rolls of Puttin' On The Ritz, or a bundle of waffle and satin cloth for baby, or one of 16 Puttin' On The Ritz scrap bags.  This giveaway ends Wednesday, September 14.

Quiltin' Grandma's Blog is having a giveaway.  You could win an autographed copy of Jennifer Chiaverini's newest book due out in November, "THE WEDDING QUILT"  and a new pattern book  "Traditions from Elm Creek Quilts: 13 Quilts Projects to Piece and Applique". This giveaway ends Monday, October 31.

Woolen Sails is having a giveaway.  You could win a copy of the software, Quilt Album.  This giveaway ends Saturday, September 10.

Annie's Ruby Slipperz is having her Monday Mystery giveaway.  You could win 5 fat quarters.  This giveaway ends Saturday, September 10.

Qubee Quilts is having a giveaway.  You could win a copy of String Quilting Today.  This giveaway ends Wednesday, September 14.

Loose Threads is having a giveaway to celebrate her 200th post.  You could win 1 1/2 yards of Kona White, 1/2 yard each Kona Red and Green, and 2 Flurry charm packs.  This giveaway ends this evening, Friday, September 9.

Possum Blossom Patchwork is having a giveaway.  You could win one pack containing 50 fabric hexagons in 50 different colours, plus one pack containing 100 1" paper or card hexagons.  This giveaway ends Wednesday, September 21, at 9:00 pm Aussie time.

My Go-Go Life is having a giveaway.  You could win 3.5 yards of Katie Jump Rope.  This giveaway ends Monday, September 12.

Quilter In The Gap is having a giveaway.  You could win a Spice Blossom Flannel Stack from Connecting Threads.  This giveaway ends Thursday, September 15, at midnight EST.

Amanda Murphy Design is having a giveaway.  You could win a copy of My Memories software scrapbook.  This giveaway ends Monday, September 12, at midnight.

Bejeweled Quilts By Barb is having a giveaway.  You could win a $25.00 shopping spree to Inchworm Fabrics.  This giveaway ends ?

This is the final reminder to enter my giveaway for a GO! Baby Cutter and your choice of 3 dies.  Go HERE to enter.

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FINAL THOUGHT

Today is Friday!  The final work day of the week.  It usually means the last sewing day of the week for me, too.  I sometimes get some hand sewing in but not much more than that.  I like to spend time with my DH and sitting in front of the sewing machine just doesn't allow for that.  Our weekend isn't too full.  Just the normal run to the farmer's market and an ALS support group meeting.  Speaking of which,  I am participating in the ALS Walk To Defeat ALS on October 1.  If you would like to know more about it or become a member of my team, just click on the button at the top of my right sidebar.  But I digress.  This should be a fairly relaxing weekend before a jammed packed week next week.  We have something going on every evening next week and into next weekend.  So we will be recharging our batteries, watching some tv (I'm sure there's a car race some place) and just enjoying each other's company.  I hope you have a wonderful weekend planned, too!

Weekends don't count unless you spend them doing something completely pointless. 
~Bill Watterson

Flowers and a Learning Process

Cinema should make you forget you are sitting in a theater. 
~Roman Polanski

I read the book, The Help, way back in 2009.  At the time, I thought it was one of the best written books I had read in a very long time.  And I still do.  Over the weekend we went to see the movie version of the book.  What a great movie!!!  It followed the book fairly well.  You laughed, you cried, it made you think - just like in the book.  My DH thoroughly enjoyed the movie and as we were walking out he said "That has Academy Award written all over it".  You can't give a movie much higher praise than that.  I know most guys think it is a chic flick but it really isn't.  There were actually a quite a few men in the audience.  Even though it has been released for awhile, there was almost a full theater - and this was for the 11:15 am showing.  I know I sound like an advertisement for the movie but I really can't say enough about it.  If you have the chance and would like to be totally entertained, go see The Help.  Oh, and we saw a preview for a movie that won't be released until Christmas time called War Horse.  Now this movie I will be waiting to see until it is released for home viewing where I can cry my eyes out.

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PHOTO FACT OF THE DAY

Acorn Squash

Today, September 7, is National Acorn Squash Day.  The acorn squash was a favorite of early civilizations as it could be baked whole in their outdoor clay and brick ovens. Dating back to 4000 B.C., acorn squash, sometimes called Danish squash, is an edible gourd that grows on a vine. Generally considered to be a winter squash, the acorn squash is a member of the same family as summer squash, Cucurbita pepo.

While dark-green acorn squash are the most familiar, new varieties are becoming available, including gold acorn squash, and a white acorn variety which also produce yellow-orange flesh.
The dark green to blue-green squash is acorn-shaped, hence its name. The golden-orange colored flesh offers a mildly sweet flavor and a somewhat dry texture. Usually about five to eight inches long and four to five inches across, the hardy rind has deep, characteristic ridges with a splash of yellow-gold, considered a sign of maturity.

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TWO LITTLE FLOWERS

Once again I was only able to create two more flowers for my Aunt Sarah quilt......

This little 3/4" hexagon flower definitely reminds me of fall and the colors leaves turn on the liquid amber around here.

The shades of blue in this one remind me of a stormy winter sky.  Maybe next week I can get more than two made of the 3/4" hexie flowers.  Can you tell I'm hoping for cooler some time in the not too distant future?

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TWO BIGGER FLOWERS

For One Flowers Wednesday, I made two flowers.......

Anyone ready for the circus?  Where else might you find multi colored zebra :)  The circus was in town a couple of weeks ago but we didn't attend.  Maybe that is what made me go with the zebras this week.

Now this is my favorite for the week.  Red Hot Momma!!!  These are the temps we are still feeling here in central California.  It also reminds me of the flames on the race cars I watch with DH every weekend going around, and around, and around.......... LOL!  Well, not this week, as the race was delayed because of Lee.

Thanks to Karen (Journey of a Quilter), you can go to one spot to see more hexie flowers.  Karen has provided us all with a linky so you can hop all over blogland and see all of the gorgeous creations out there.  Thanks, Karen!!

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WHAT I STARTED

Yesterday I started on a new foundation paper piecing project.

Doesn't look like much yet, does it.  I am working on a pattern from England Design.  In the space of 3 hours, I unstitched numerous seams (I lost count) of itsy, bitsy stitching, wanted to pull my hair out, cried a few tears, and then actually started to create something.  I am still in the learning process with this method.  Thank goodness this is considered a beginning pattern!!  I almost gave up on it but walked away for a few minutes, took a few, good deep breathes, and returned to the machine with a new determination.  I will keep you updated on my progress - this is day one.  Wish me luck!

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FMQ PRACTICE

When I first looked at the practice piece that was next in line, my thought was why bother.  But I gave it a try and found out it was fun.  This piece is called Loopy Paisley. 

I had so much fun with Friday's practice I moved onto Loopy Flower.  This uses the same basic shape as the one above.  I missed tracing over a couple of my lines and probably could have taken a bit more time planning out my exact design but this was just practice so I just went with what felt right at the time.  I'm looking forward to tomorrow's practice already.

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TODAY'S GOAL

Today I hope to make more progress on my FPP (foundation paper piecing) piece.

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GIVEAWAYS

Verykerryberry is having a giveaway.  You could win a GO! Baby Cutter and your choice of 3 dies.  This giveaway ends Friday, September 9, at 6:30 am GMT.

Cat Patches is once again having her Fun Fact Friday Freebie.  Answer her question of the week and you could win a fat quarter.  The winner will be announced on Friday, September 9.

The House on the Side of the Hillblogiversary with a giveaway.  You could win A handmade gift each month for a year. So that's 12 secret presents Melody will make just for you, with lots of love and attention to detail. Plus your first gift will be accompanied with a $25 Gift Voucher from the on-line shop Want It, Need It Quilt.  This giveaway will end Thursday, September 15.

Vicrace Designs is having a giveaway.  You could win some digital scrapbooking software from MyMemories.  This giveaway ends Saturday, September 10.

Sew Fabulous Quilt Shop is having a giveaway.  You could win a Going Coastal Fat Quarter Bundle by Emily Herrick for Michael Miller Fabrics.  This giveaway ends Friday, September 30.

Want It, Need It, Quilt! is having a giveaway.  You could win a a design roll by Dena Fishbein for Westminster fabrics called Kumari Garden.  This giveaway ends Friday, September 30, AEST.

Sew Cal Gal is having a sponsored giveaway.  You could win a $10 gift certificate to MyEQBoutique.com.  This giveaway ends Saturday, September 10.

The Intrepid Thread is having a giveaway to celebrate their 300th post.  There will be three of all sorts of wonderful things.  This giveaway ends Friday, September 9, at midnight.

Tonya's Sewing Room is having a giveaway.  You could win a darling zippered coin purse by ZiaMaria Designs.  This giveaway ends Friday, September 9.

We Love Quilting! is having a giveaway.  You could win a surprise package.  This giveaway ends?

Quilt Inspiration is having a giveaway.  You could win Hoffman California fabric, or a $10 gift card to Joann's, or a copy of At Home With Thimbleberries Quilts by Lynette Jensen, or Valley of the Kings fabrics by Robert Kaufman, or Quilter's Newsletter, August-September 2011, and Quilt Magazine, October 2011.  This giveaway ends Sunday, September 11.

Pieces From My Heart is having a giveaway.  You could win a Sassy fat quarter pack, or a Sassy Layer Cake, or a Sassy Jelly Roll, or a Kit that includes a pre-printed apron and apron lining from Sandy Gervais.  This giveaway ends Sunday, September 11, at 10:00 pm CST.
Blueberry Patch is having a giveaway.  You could win 4 Halloween fat quarters.  This giveaway ends Sunday, September 11, at 7:00 pm PST.

Happy Quilting is having a giveaway.  You could win a sample pack of AuriFil threads.  This giveaway ends Thursday, September 8.

Quilting By The River is having a giveaway.  You could win My Memories, a digital scrapbooking software.  This giveaway ends Sunday, September 11.

Gosh!  I almost forgot to remind you about my giveaway.  If you would like a chance at a GO! Baby cutter and your choice of 3 dies - go HERE.

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FINAL THOUGHT

Have you ever gotten so frustrated with something that you just wanted to throw it away? Never wanted to see it again?  Sometimes learning is like that.  I remember as a kid taking piano lessons, I thought I would never learn all of the scales and the proper way to hold my hands.  But, before I knew it, I was actually playing little songs, followed by songs with cords.  Then I was able to add in the foot pedals and the rest is history.  I've lost the ability to play the piano - that happens when you don't have one in the house to practice on.  I'm hoping it will be a similar experience with the foundation paper piecing.  I'm falling and stumbling, still feeling my way around.  Trying to mold my mind around how to place the pieces together without wasting too awful much fabric.  Hopefully taking one step at a time, I will learn to walk through the process and one day be able to take it on at a full run.  Learning something new is good exercise for the mind, even if it is a little painful at times.

I am learning all the time. The tombstone will be my diploma. 
~Eartha Kitt

Are You Celebrating?

­For a lot of people, Labor Day means two things: a day off and the end of summer. But why is it called Labor Day? Labor Day is a day set aside to pay tribute to working men and women. It has been celebrated as a national holiday in the United States and Canada since 1894.

The first Labor Day parade occurred Sept. 5, 1882, in New York City. The workers' unions chose the first Monday in September because it was halfway between Independence Day and Thanksgiving. The idea spread across the country, and some states designated Labor Day as a holiday before the federal holiday was created.

President Grover Cleveland signed a law designating the first Monday in September as Labor Day nationwide. This is interesting because Cleveland was not a labor union supporter. In fact, he was trying to repair some political damage that he suffered earlier that year when he sent federal troops to put down a strike by the American Railway Union at the Pullman Co. in Chicago, IL. That action resulted in the deaths of 34 workers.

I hope you are enjoying your Labor Day!  I am taking the day off, too,  a rest from blogging, and will return on Wednesday.

Hugs,



Let's Have A Go! Cutter Giveaway

A truly happy person is one who can enjoy the scenery while on a detour.
~Author Unknown

WOOHOO!  Good news about my sewing machine troubles.  Wednesday morning I figured out what was wrong.  DH and I were going over all of the possibilities during breakfast and he suggested maybe it was the foot control.  I didn't think that could possibly be the cause.........or could it.  First I disconnected the foot control from the machine and then turned it on.  Okay - it didn't start stitching by itself and it didn't blink messages at me to lower my needle or pressure foot.  I carefully placed a piece of fabric under the needle, lowered the pressure foot and lowered the needle.   Whew!  So far so good.  I tentatively pressed the Start/Stop button and it immediately began to stitch.  Pressed the button again and it stopped - right where it was supposed to.  Well, at least I can sew on my regular Janome, I thought.  As I was stitching away pressing the Start/Stop button (which is really a pain, by the way) I thought about switching out the foot control from my little Janome to the bigger Janome.  As I'm doing this my immediate thought was that they probably aren't interchangeable since the pressure feet aren't.  Low and behold - it fit.  Ever so slowly I stepped on the peddle....stitch after stitch at the speed I was pressing.  I lifted my foot off of the control and it actually stopped!  As many of you suggested (I later learned when reading the comments) it was all being caused by a faulty foot control.  I have a new one arriving in the mail by early next week.  DH said he will take apart the old one and see if he can fix it for a back up.  I'm so glad it was something so simple and I even managed to avoid a diagnostic fee!  I've been sewing ever since - and under my control, not the machine doing what it wants.  Thank you all for your words of comfort and for all of the suggested remedies!!

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PHOTO FACT OF THE DAY

Bowling

Saturday, September 3, is National Bowling League Day.  Many moons ago I used to bowl but never belonged to a league.  I even had my own shoes and a pretty blue 6.5 pound ball.  Now I bowl on Wii and do pretty darn well - lol!  Here are a few facts about bowling:

*  Bowling balls were made out of wood until the early 1900s.

*  The first indoor bowling lanes were built in New York City in 1840.
* A bowling ball weights between 2,7 to 7,3 kilograms.
*  The United States Bowling Congress has more than 2,5 million members.
*  The largest bowling center is located in Japan and has 141 lanes.
*  The origins of bowling can be traced about 4,000 years back to Rome and Greece.
*  A bowling pin is made from hard Maple with a plastic coating.
*  Three strikes in a row is called a Turkey.  The term originated in the 1800s when at holiday time, the first member of a team to score three strikes in a row won a free turkey

If you run out of things to do over the Labor Day weekend - go out for bowling.  It's good family fun and indoors where the temperate is controlled for comfort.

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SEPTEMBER IS HERE

Yesterday was the start of another month.  Hard to believe we are in the 9th month of the year already.  I couldn't let the month start without hanging up a new mini quilt......

This pattern came from the book Count On It by Nancy Halvorsen.  As you can see, I satin stitched around the applique pieces this time.  The colors aren't quite as light as they appear, the sun sort of washed out the colors a bit.  This is now hanging in my entryway for the month of September.

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A WIN FOR ME

A couple of weeks ago I was the happy winner of a giveaway held by The House on the Side of the Hill.  Melody was giving away a $25 gift voucher to Want It, Need It, Quilt and I won!  There were several things to choose between and I finally decided on......

the Superior Threads Frosted Donut II.  I already had the first donut and love having all of those wonderful colors when stitching my hexagons together or for hand applique work.  There are a bunch of new colors in this second donut.  A girl can never have enough colors of thread.  And Jane included the cute little 2 1/2" charm pack of Antique Fair by Blackbird Designs.  Thank you so much, Melody, for having such a great giveaway!!

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MORE PRACTICE

Since my machine is back up and running smoothly, I was able to keep up with my FMQ practice.

Matrix Rays was a rather easy practice but allowed me to work on even spacing.  Boy, the black material I used sure doesn't photograph well.

Here was another fun practice - once I finally figured out what I had to do - lol!  My best row of Spiral Vines is the third from the left.  This might be a fun FMQ to use in a sashing.

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WHO DOESN'T WANT A GO! BABY CUTTER?!?

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED

If you should be one of the few who don't want to have an AccuQuilt Go! Baby Cutter and your choice of 3 dies, then please skip this section. 

AccuQuilt is allowing me to have a giveaway!!!!  You could win a GO! Baby Cutter and your choice of 3 dies.  I have had a lot of fun with mine and use it all the time for cutting out hexagons and applique pieces.  You can see my little tutorial HERE.    How can you enter to win, you ask?  I'm going to make it very simple.  Just answer this one question:

What 3 dies will you select if you win?

Hop on over to AccuQuilt and check out the Go! Baby compatible dies and then come back here and leave a comment.  Only one comment per person.

Rules:

1.  I must have a way to contact you!  If you are a no-reply blogger you must leave leave me an email in your comment or you will be not be included in the drawing.

2.  This giveaway is open to absolutely everyone!!!  International, domestic, foreign, whatever or wherever.

3.  Only ONE comment per person

4.  You Do Not have to be a follower, but if you like what you see, I would  welcome you to become a new follower.

5.  This giveaway will end Monday, September 12, at 6:00 am PST.  I will announce the winner later that same day.

Good luck!!!  I will not be responding to these comments but will be reading each and every one :)

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TODAY'S GOAL

Today I will finish hand sewing on the bindings to two Loving Hands quilts

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GIVEAWAYS

Lucky Duck Dreams is having a giveaway.  You could win some great scraps that Colleen has left over from the most recent quilts she has completed.  This giveaway ends Wednesday, September 7, at 5:00 pm.

Color Crazy is having a giveaway.  You could win an autographed copy of the new “Locking Loops” book along with a wonderful variety of supplies valued at over $120.00.  This giveaway ends Friday, September 23.

World of Charity Stitching is having a giveaway.  You could win a $50 gift certificate to Fat Quarter Shop.  This giveaway ends Friday, September 16.

FabricWorm is having their weekly giveaway.  You could win 5 lovely Fat Quarters from the Monaluna Sew Happy Collection.  This giveaway ends Monday, September 5, at 8:30 am PST.

One Shabby Chick is having a giveaway.  You could win a fat quarter bundle of the Sunset Garden colorway - 14 fat quarters.  This giveaway ends Monday, September 5.

One More Quilt is having a giveaway.  You could win Christmas fabrics.  This giveaway ends Sunday, September 4.

Sweet P Quilting is having a giveaway.  You could win a package of Stitching Lines plus Paulette throw a few more goodies into the hat to sweeten up the win.  This giveaway ends Sunday, September 4.

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FINAL THOUGHT

Do you have big plans for the long weekend?  Or are you one of the unfortunate ones that actually have to work on Labor Day?  We don't have big plans.  My daughter and SIL will arrive tomorrow morning and stay until after dinner on Sunday.  They haven't been up in a few months and it will be nice to be able to sit and catch up with them.  We will also be having my mother and sister over for dinner on Saturday - barbecue tri-tip, corn on the cob, salad of some sort and fresh fruit and ice cream for dessert.  Pretty much the normal fair for a summer holiday.  The rest of the weekend is open and hopefully Monday will be a day of rest for DH.  He has been extremely busy at work (which is a good thing being in the building industry) and could use the down time.  Here's hoping you all have a wonderful and safe weekend! Enjoy!

If all the cars in the United States were placed end to end, it would probably be Labor Day Weekend. ~Doug Larson