Great time in Keller.

Encouraging words of the day:

Praise the LORD, all you nations. Praise him, all you people of the earth. For he loves us with unfailing love; the LORD’s faithfulness endures forever. - Psalm 117:1-2 , NLT

What a great time we’ve had in Keller, Texas.  We spent time with our son, two godsons and their families, a couple more nephews and grand-nephew and even met a new member of the family, baby Chase born on March 8^th (my grand-nephew.)  Now another road trip back to our little ranch in the Texas Hill Country.  I’ll get some more hand-sewing done on my hexies so that is great.  Other than that, I’ve been a “bum” about getting any other sewing done although I did post my block of the week on the Penny Haren Intricate Applique Group.  It’s called “Rising Star” and I completed it before we left for Keller so it would be ready to post today.  Here is my “Rising Star.”

Giveaways I've run into while checking blogs:

"Mark Cesarik Fabric Fansite" is giving away 2 yards of Calypso Swing fabric – ends March 28^th.

"Susan's Texas Quilting Adventure"  is hosting a fabric giveaway - ends March 22^nd.

That is all.

Still visiting.

Encouraging words of the day:

Father God, today I choose to release the struggles in my heart. I release the offenses and wrongs done to me. I choose forgiveness. I choose peace. I choose to let You be my vindicator knowing that You love me and care for me. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Today finds us enjoying a visit with our youngest son in Keller, Texas.  All is well.  Best wishes to all my blogger friends for a nice weekend.

Giveaways I've run into while checking blogs:

"Samelia's Mom"  has a choice of two fabric bundles.  Ends March 25^th.

 "The Other Side of Me"   is having a Spring Giveaway of a set of 6 beautiful Moda Fat Quarters and the book,  "Quilting - 20 Fresh & Fabulous Projects."  Ends March 26^th.

"Such a Sew and Sew"    has 10½ yards of Civil War Reproduction Fabrics - ¼-yard cuts, a few fat quarters and a couple of bigger pieces to give away in honor of National Quilting Day, which is this coming Saturday, March 19^th. Last day to enter is March 18^th (today at midnight MDT).

That is all.

Lazy days, not much sewing.

Encouraging words of the day:

For God, who said, 'Let there be light in the darkness,' has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ. ~ 2 Corinthians 4:6, NLT

We’re still at our ranch in the Texas Hill Country so I’m doing that scene lately.  This enjoyment of nature sure takes me away from my sewing maching.  We’ll be traveling to Ft. Worth tomorrow so I’ll have more hand-sewing and sight-seeing time.  I’ve been doing very little sewing on my machine but have made 2 paper-pieced blocks from Carol Doak’s book.  Photos later. 

It’s “One Flower Wednesday.”  I’ve made 3 flowers.  These road trips make for quality hand-sewing time.

Giveaways I've run into while checking blogs:

"Bee in My Bonnet" is having a giveaway of two sets of 22 fat quarters. Ends March 19^th.

"From the Blue Chair" is giving away 75 charm squares.  Ends March 21^st.

 "Churchill Park Studio" is having a jelly roll giveaway.  Ends March 21^st.

 "Jackie's Art Quilts"is having a giveaway of 4 spring-like fat quarters.  Ends March 31^st.

That is all.

Hunting in the Hill Country

Encouraging words of the day:

For God, who said, 'Let there be light in the darkness,' has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ. ~ 2 Corinthians 4:6, NLT

A little more on feedsacks:

By the late 1930s there was competition to produce the most attractive and desirable prints. Artists were hired to design these prints. This turned out to be a great marketing ploy as women picked out flour, sugar, beans, rice, cornmeal and even the feed and fertilizer for the family farm based on which fabrics they desired. Some sacks displayed lovely border prints for pillowcases. Scenic prints were also popular. Manufacturers even made pre-printed patterns for dolls, stuffed animals, appliqué and quilt blocks.  By the 1950s paper bags cost much less than cotton sacks. Companies began to switch over to this less expensive packaging and by  the 1960s, feedsacks were gradually replaced by other materials.

About my sewing…

The   "Penny HarenPieced Applique"   quilt-along continues.  This week’s block is "Chain of Diamonds."  Mine continue to be the oddest of the blocks posted. My block ended up with little arrowheads in the corners that are not supposed to be there.  Go figure.

 Is that all I’ve done?  Yes, as far as quilting.  I’ve been hog hunting.  Feral hogs are predators in the Hill Country of Texas. They eat baby whitetail deer and compete with whitetail deer for food so they are hunted year round.  Sows can have their first litter (4-16 in number) as early as 6 months of age and can have a litter every six months so, you do the math.  Here’s a picture of me and my Dad  with the boar hog I killed.

Giveaways I've run into! 

 "Quilt Cookies"   is having a fabric giveaway.  Not sure when this ends.

 "The Material Girls Quilts"   is having a  giveaway which ends March 16th.

That is all.

Beautiful feed sacks

Encouraging words of the day:

Shout to the LORD, all the earth; break out in praise and sing for joy!
~ Psalms 98:4, NLT

We’re at our little ranch in the Hill Country of Texas for a couple of weeks.  The days are warming up somewhat and we’re looking forward to beautiful weather.  We’re involved in “Wildlife Management” and one of the things we do is supply supplemental food in the form of “deer corn” and “wildbird food” which come in plasic or paper feed sacks.  

This got me to thinking of feed sacks of old which were much more interesting.  Aren’t these feed sacks beautiful ?  Even better, wouldn’t it be wonderful if these feed sacks were still made of cotton?

According to  "Feedsacks in Georgia: Their Manufacture,Marketing, and Consumer Use"
by Ruth Rhoads from Uncoverings 1997  farm and food products were initially shipped in barrels. Between 1840 and 1890 cotton sacks gradually replaced barrels as food containers. Women quickly discovered that these bags could be used as fabric for quilts and other needs.

Cotton had been king until the period of 1914 to 1929 when the price dropped out of the cotton market because synthetic fabrics like rayon became popular for dresses and undergarments. With the drop in the price of cotton even more companies began using cotton sacking as packaging.  It took a while for feed and flour sack manufacturers to realize how popular these sacks had become with women. Eventually they saw a great opportunity for promoting the use of feedsacks.  First feed sacks began to be sold in colors then around 1925 colorful prints for making dresses, aprons, shirts and children’s clothing began to appear in stores. 

Back to my sewing:

I finished Block #10 from the “Layer Cake Quilt-Along.”  This block was designed by Kari Ramsay of Fresh Cut Quilts.  This was also an easy block.  I guess I’m getting better at since the first one was probably easy as well but SO HARD for me.

Giveaways I've run into!   

  "The Vegetarian Hunter"  is having a giveaway of 4 fat quarters and a quilt pattern.  Ends March 20^th.

 "Amy's Creative Side"   is having a giveaway of your choice of two beautiful fabric bundles from the Fat Quarter Shop.  The winner will be chosen on March 14^th.

 "Sew Fabulous"   is having a giveaway of a Central Park fat quarter bundle.  Ends March 31st.

 "Leona's Quilting Adventure"  is giving away three copies of Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks Volume 2!   This ends on March 18^th. 

 "Desert Quilter"  is having a “March Madness Giveaway.”  You have the chance to win 12 Fat Quarters of "Rouge et Noir" by Michael Miller and a 100m spool of red Gutermann thread.  Closes on March 12^th.

 "Sew We Quilt" is having a huge giveaway of layer cakes, charm packs, jelly rolls, fat quarter bundles, patterns, silk fabric, silk floss, embroidery

packages complete with pattern and floss, background fabric...books...

Ends March 12th.

 "The Plaid Scottie" is giving away a fat quarter bundle and a box of scraps, ends March 17.

About  UFOs:

UFOs will remain on the shelf for a while longer as the Dresden Plate quilt is taking me forever and I have other projects I’m working on .  I’ve decided to quilt at least one of the blocks each day but that’s kinda faltering…

That is all.