QNSue...Hats off to you, or should I say sombrero. I have two more to finish and have been straightening up a bit. I cleared off my design wall and have all the strips cut for the finishing blocks, but have basically put PC away. I have plans for the bonus blocks but haven't started them yet.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Jan. you sound like you're sparkling as bright as your new bracelet.

Ay, ay, ay, ay,
Canta y no llores,
Porque cantando se alegran,
Cielito lindo, los corazones.

Back ground refrain instead of Happy Birthday!!

Okay--end in not in sight on my quilt--eeekk. Congrats to those of you who are!
OBTW I have a PA Star if anyone is interested in.

Happy Birthday JanRN, I hope you had a wonderful day with your family

I found this block as a 14" block and downsized it. Here's to the Pennsylvania birthday girl and a block for her state.[ATTACH=CONFIG]370861[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]370862[/ATTACH]Look no Y or L seams!:shock:

Thanks everyone! Had a great time, ate too much, and NO SOMBRERO!!!

I finished the PC blocks, too, QNS. Most of the last 6 are subs. Jeanie, was it you making 2 quilts instead of 1 large one? I know someone is; that's what I'm planning. How are you doing it? I was thinking 8 blocks by 6 blocks for each; then I'd need to make 6 more blocks. I don't have the need for another large quilt and I think this one is really large. I'm going to check around for some more 8" blocks (without y seams LOL). Is there a better layout? Would appreciate suggestions.

Neat block for this PA girl, OKsewglad. I'll save it; I want to do a quilt of blocks for all the 50 states one of these days.

I see that Congratulations are in order!!! Happy Birthday Jan! & Kudos to those who have finished!...I'm going to sulk if you don't mind....
Maybe we should start a Patriotic Journey and do the 50 states for the next ride after the Bonus Blocks??? it's a thought....we could create blocks for those not in the states??? Riders anyone???

Sounds doable, H. If enough is interested, would be nice to continue with this group 'cause they are the best!!

I saw that 50 state quilt and thought of us and hesitated because we are so international. I would love to keep sewing with all of you and welcome any others that would enjoy our company and activity.
H...please don't sulk. We have several more months to get this all put together and we wouldn't be this far if you hadn't headed us out in the trail.

I found 3 different books on Amazon.com; free pattern for blocks of 50 states on Bellaonline.com but they were different sizes, have not checked on quilterscache.com. Maybe someone has international blocks too or could offer suggestions...

Love your leadership, H. Joined up the PC trail 'cause you were leading it...and the gang mostly from FWQ. I just want to get on some UFOs that are hanging and driving me crazy...that needs done.

Late to the party here ...
http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:A...4lMZGEshEOwSsj</SPAN>
He's just for you JanRN ... do hope you had a great time out with your family and am more worried for you that instead of having to wear the sombrero, that your most favourite DGS might have arrived and shouted ......about your latest FART!!!! :)


OKSGlad ... What a nice birthday block you've created for JanRN ... and to think NO Y's!!!! :)





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QuiltE thank you for putting a smile on my face, I thought it was time I stepped away from the sewing machine as it is not doing what I want it to do. I am trying to quilt a charity quilt and my thread, (that I really really want to use) keeps shredding. I have 6 blocks finished and only 6 to go....

I will be up for any sew along that is proposed 50 states or whatever...I absolutely love love love doing just a few blocks per week, it makes it achievable.
Anyone interested in Sylvia's Bridal Sampler (just asking):o, I have the book and the fabric just no motivation at this point. I need someone to kick me to get me moving on it..

MiraB ... I had the shredding problem back in the summer .... end conclusion was that I had the tension all wrong. I was using a very fine thread and when I finally got it set properly .... I was almost at the end of the quilting! arrggghhhh!!! Here's hoping the next six blocks go a little smoother for you!! :)

And ... if you want/need some more **S*M*I*L*E*S**, here's another for you ... and JanRN too!

♫♪♪ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1qRQrNm8PTs ♪♪♫

I too have Sylvia's Wedding Sampler book. There are about 20 blocks that are the same as FWS but if I remember right there are some appliqué and pp blocks. They are 6 inch. I'm almost to the finish line piecing the FWS so it remains on my UFO list. My goal this next two months is to see how many UFO's I can complete. I think I'm going to pass on Bonnie's mystery quilt and not start anything new until January.
QNSue...sounds like you need an iron kettle like we used for butchering hogs so you can do it all outside. Invite those you want to share with and have them help and take home the fruit of their labors. I know we had turkey's one year but I don't remember the ending. Must have been in school.
Mirabelle...a topstitch needle can also make a difference. The eye and shaft are shaped to accommodate the thread so it doesn't shred as easily.

Thanks Ggal, I always use Topstitch needles for everything, I tried a 70 then an 80, even went to a 90 which has a large eye, still shredding. I changed the tension numerous times but was still having the problem. I eventually used another brand of needles that I had and a size 70 and guess what no shredding and I managed to finish the last 6 blocks in about an hour. Just have to sew the binding on tomorrow. Then it is onto another ufo, I am trying not to start anything new at the moment, as I have several (who said several) projects already started and need to get at least some of them finished before Christmas.

Since I started patchworking I have always started a big new project on Boxing Day, and I have a Bargello kit that I want to make . It might have something to do with the holidays, the house has been spring cleaned and I have cooked for an army so not much to do on the home front

I'm like you MiraB ... do a lot of sewing during the holidays too!
Cleaning done and leftovers to eat ... and other than the obligatory gatherings to attend, other things are not happening ... so what better to do than sew? :D
And I am SOOOOOOO looking forward to this ME time ... yes all about me me me!!!!! :thumbup:


Glad you got the problem figured out ... though it's annoying when all does not cooperate!

Oksewglad I bought the Dear Jane book and have since seen lots of finished Dear Janes and I don't think it is a quilt that I would want to make. I'm not sure if it is the borders or what. I am seriously considering Sylvia's BS in pinks lots and lots of different pinks to burgundy. I do like working with small blocks 12 inch blocks seem huge to me now.

QuiltE I hope you have a lovely "me" holiday my DH will be home for Christmas this year and returns to work on New Years Day. The first Christmas we had here both DH and DS were working at the mine and DD was working on an island so spent Christmas Day with the pooches and had a prawn sandwich for lunch:D it was so peaceful and the best bit no dishes

MiraB ... pinks and burgundies could be oh so nice! I'm like you ... 12" blocks seem impossible now! Even the 8" PCs seemed awkward after I did the FWS. Oh no matter what, I'll have a good Christmas. Christmas day I will likely be with my "adopted" family. Though they haven't officially said it will be on the 25th yet. With more additions to the family and in-laws to consider, the date may change. And if not, I'll be quite content home alone ... and will look forward to the GTG with all, whenever!

OKSGlad ... it's been hard and yes, I have been going BONKERS! I know it would settle me so much better, if only! I think I have gotten so over tired (can we say next thing to exhaustion?), that to some extent just haven't had the energy to push myself towards the machine ... and it always seems there's something else that needs doing. Now it's a matter of getting The Royal over, and get Christmas organized (gifts/sewing) and then I am making it ALL about me!! :) I promise!!! :)

I think we all have mini-itis! :D

OKSGlad ... yes the carrot is dangling for me and I am so looking forward to it!

In the other thread, I said ... Fair season is over, and yet, funny enough the really big Fair is just coming up and thus where I'll be the first two weeks in November. All livestock shows plus some crops ... there haven't been any "domestic" classes for years.

BTW ... you could still come, OKSGlad!!!! :)

Me thinks those neighbors to the North know how to celebrate that Fair season for long fair time!! Its getting colder, time to go South, pass the other border...if I were a goose, I would be long gone...even the Texas State Fair is in September, I believe....right, Dublb??

QuiltE...what is it that you do that keeps you at the Royal for two weeks? And the other fairs....did you run an exhibit or something? If this is all paycheck for you, I hope they are paying you well. You sure put your all into it! BTW....your prizes are well deserved since you do such careful piecing. And I know s couple of them you whipped out in short order! Well done!
I too find the larger blocks awkward after the 6 inch ones. The 6 inch ones have made me a much better piecer for sure.

QNSue ... In Ontario, we have somewhere between 80-100 Fairs! :)
They start in May though most are in late August thru to Thanksgiving, with a only couple the week after.

There used to be many more, as every community had their own Fair. For example, within 20 kms or less, I have five Fairs! And not many more kms away, several others. With the need for volunteers and fewer people interested, the high costs of making the Fairs happen, urban development encroaching, some Fairs are struggling and do not survive. For some, the development has been a blessing, as they were able to sell old fairgrounds at development values, and start fresh with new facilities.

Size wise, some are small and only a one day fair ... most weekend from Thurs or Fri thru to Sat or Sunday ... and some run for two weekends and the week in between.

The CNE I was at in August/September is 18 days and is along the waterfront right in the ♥ of Toronto, our largest city in Canada. As you can guess, it' not your typical country Fair! There is just a small portion which showcases agriculture (where I was!) as it is seen as an outreach to help the consumer understand more about where their food comes from. This same concept is at many of the Fairs, as even with them being in the countryside, there's still a huge lack of knowledge with many. After all, farmers are only 2% of the population ... so even living in the country there is often a huge education gap when it comes to farming and how our food is produced.

Now the GrandDaddy of them all is The Royal ... world class and certainly we have a huge influx of visitors from around the world. It is held on the same grounds as the CNE, though all within buildings, linked from one to the other. Many Americans come north with their stock for the show, particularly horses and dairy cattle. It's a busy time when the Country Comes to the City!

I know you have County Fairs and State Fairs ... not so much here, just that some are bigger and better, and draw a larger crowd ... or because of their size, offer more classes and events.

Believe it or not, at The Royal, I will not be working for Dairy ... most of the time I will be working for Veal and a couple days for Beef! Though often times we find that the boundaries are fuzzy! Yes, it's in a display booth where I will be. Mon-Fri there will be hoards of school kids coming thru .... it's crazy crazy crazy ... and we spend a few minutes with them in a "teaching" mode. In Beef, we have a cow's stomach, and explain about the four parts. It helps them understand why a cow can eat feed that we humans cannot! I'm not sure what the Veal display will be and what interactive elements there will be. They do have a very good video about veal housing and conditions, to help the consumer understand the truths ... and dispel the myths.

What I really enjoy is the spontaneity of the questions ... we have no clue what we will be asked, and you need to be ready to answer properly! A response that makes sense to a farmer, can easily be misconstrued by a non-farmer, so it's critical to talk to their level and not have their minds going down a different thought path (eg. re animal acitivists). Research has been done that proves people "believe" farmers ... unfortunately, we are not always out there telling our story, so the untruths get planted ... and then we have a hard time getting them righted.

There is nothing more rewarding than to have a conversation with someone at these venues ... and as you talk you see the "lights" go on, as they have an aha moment! In all honesty, sometimes I feel I learn as much or more than the people I meet and talk with, as I think things thru for the best appropriate response for them. There's always something new that we get asked!!

And yes, there are times we get asked what we think are the obvious ... eg. do male cows have babies ... you soon learn to take it seriously for their sake!! :D And at times like that, it helps reinforce "why we do this"!

As for pay ... yes, this time I am employed by the commodity groups. Am I "well paid"? Probably not, but I look at it that all expenses are covered, I do get an hourly rate ... and it's really not that hard. I stand around ... and talk! PLUS the bonus ... I see people from across Canada, USA and all round the world that I only get to see at The Royal!! (*hint* GGal and OKSGlad you could come!! ... anyone else too!) And another bonus, nightly there are horse shows, which being there working, one can usually make connections and find a "way" to get in for free!! :) I won't go all the time, but will catch most of the heavy horse shows, I expect!

The Royal just has its own sense ... and I love the Royal ... so when I get a chance to work it, I'm all over it! :)

"the light comes on, the there's aha moment" is what all teachers live for!! To see that sudden sparkle, a light that comes into their eyes, that says, "I get the idea!" Kids are funny that way...sometimes an adult will still show that spark as well. It is a good day when we can learn something new, and when you teach, that moment happens like magic!! It can happen with grandparents and the grand child, too.

Yes, we have county fairs, state fairs, and other celebrations, like my hometown Pancake Day. This time of year, its Pumpkin Patches, corn mazes, and haunted houses. Britt, Iowa has a Hobo Day.

It is nice we have this opportunity to learn more about the wonderful folks North of our border and their lives. A 'one on one' thing that is so wonderful...in our virtual RV on QB in this Pony Trail. It is a good thing that you can enjoy the moment and laugh about others later.

You're ever so right QNSue ... so nice to learn about others and their traditions, customs and celebrations.
On one of the other threads, I learned about a "Cake Walk" the other day ... never heard of that one before!

And yes, the lights going on with anyone, no matter the age or stage, reason or purpose, is a huge reward!


Oh ... I could give you stories and stories of some of the things people believe!
Of course, there's the chocolate milk coming from brown cows ... but in their defense it does make a little sense, being that brown chickens give us those brown eggs!

This year, we kept hearing that "white cows" were the bulls ... no clue where that came from, but it came out several times, both at The EX and again at the smaller Fair we did. And each time, the individual was totally convinced they were right and we were wrong!! At The EX we had five Holsteins, one of which was very white ... and despite all the same physical endowments, they were convinced she was a Bull!! :)

Mercy me! Where are my manners?
Thank you for the kind words GGal ... I enjoy the piecing and don't find it much of a challenge, if I keep everything cut accurately, and then keep it all square and even as I go. ITA the 6" FWS blocks made me a better piecer ... I did many of them traditionally, before I got hooked by the PPing. Now, when I look at the quilt, some of the blocks I have a hard time determining which way I did them. HSTs and QSTs I always oversize and then trim to precision. Yes, it takes extra time, but the finished results are so worthwhile. And oh, secret tactic ... new blades regularly in the rotary cutter!

Wow you are one busy lady QuiltE, thank you so much for your explanation on your Fairs, nothing like that where I live just a small District Show. Mainly for the young ones with sideshow alley, must admit I haven't been for a couple of years. Nothing happens during the day it is all at night and I don't like going out at night.

I guess I left out the other parts ... yes, there's lots of sideshows, midway rides and games and other things going on.
For the country fairs, there's often tractor pulls, garden tractor pulls, lawn mower races, demolition derbies, combine smashes, and more ... something for everyone and not all at the same fair. Attraction getters that draw the crowds and increase the $$ ... more so than the few that come for the quilts, and other domestic classes.

Thanks QuiltE. I love the livestock judging no matter what the breed. Horse pulls?.....what athletes. Some of those drivers are real artists too. Booth work while interesting can be very tiring. Do take care of yourself but have a good time!!!

So come on northwards and ENJOY the livestock shows ... there'll be many Americans coming with and without their cattle! It'd be a good get away for you and your DH!!!! :)

Yes, we have horse pulls at some too ... though many fairs have stopped them because of the activists.

One of my favourite is to see the heavy horses dressed up in their finery ... singles or in teams! Also, enjoy the antique tractor pulls and the antique tractors on display.

Yes, QuiltE, seems to thoroughly enjoy whatever she's doing, soon the crowd gathers to see what it is and some are so captivated that they try their hand at it. I wonder how many people are now quilting because she "rubbed" off on them? Border crossings used to be an easy thing but now with passports required, not so. When I was young, the border guards would ask where we were going and if we had any fruits or vegetables with us. No ID or anything, they just took our word that we were US citizens. What a different world now.
Oksewglad..too bad you didn't have your camera. That quilt you described is interesting. Were all of the blocks 3 inch? Glad you had some fun time. Now to bring the creativity back home and enjoy it all over again. How much more do you have to go before you complete your FWS?

OKSGlad and GGal ... ... OK OK a girl has to promote her land! ... And remember, one of the perks in working the Royal is the opportunity to see people *like you*!!!! Almost makes it seem more like play, than work ... and to think they pay me for that! :) I will confess, the droves of kids (upwards to 15,000 per day... UGH!) that come thru during the week, are not my most fun time ... not at all!!!

And BTW you don't have to hop into the car, just jump on a plane! Choose either of the Toronto Airports .... the Island one is just across the water from the Royal and the Pearson is only 1/2 hour taxi, more or less, depending on the traffic ... but our taxi drivers are notorious for getting thru traffic that's impossible (as I think they are everywhere?). AND ... I bet we could get you into the same hotel as I am .... and I could become your taxi! :) Easy-Peasy!!! :D

Yes, border crossings since 911 are not the same! It's important to keep your passport updated, just in case!! :)



What a wonderful afternoon for you OKSGlad ... I have yet to see another FWS IRL and to see several, IMAGINE!! I did see a Sylvia last year at one of the Fairs, never a DJ. You had some interesting layouts worked out before, with blocks on-point in the centre, then regular layout around the edges. That could be very effective ... like two quilts in one.

May be with a please, Oksewglad, you might post the layouts of PC quilt blocks again...I forgot where they were and did not save it as I should have.

Oh, dear, QuiltE did not realize crossing the border is different since 911; not a problem back in 1967-69 when I left the states for Alaska via Canada, and returned stateside via Canada. Strange how lawmakers/rules change, and we all pay for more security after a tragic occurrence, hoping it will never happen again. Sometimes I think, policies can go too far, like 'cause one incident of a horse killing people in a parade, local officials ban horses from our Pancake Parade. What will they do if a car kills someone in a crosswalk? Will they ban cars?

Yes, 911 changed lots for us all.

Passports are the rule now, which I can totally understand ... the world is truly smaller, and we have become such a multi-cultural society, to what we were in the past. Thus, easy for infiltrators to merge and be unnoticed. In the other sense, it's too bad, as it was so nice that our two countries honoured each other with the trust in the past.

I don't know about USA, but here, if your passport expires it takes more steps to get it re-newed, than if you do it before expiry. So now, I just have to keep remembering to stay on top of it ... just in case I want to head off somewhere. Not that, that seems to happen! :D

The horse vs. car issue ... oh so true!
Though, if they'd only change those crossings for deers, all would be good!!! (that one keeps me smiling every time I see a deer cross sign!!)

Yes it was a serendipitous afternoon as I thought I was going to miss the show. On the minis in the FWS-the quilter was going to make 3 inches of every block and make 2 quilts but as she got into the process decided some of the pieces were just a wee bit small, so incorporated the blocks within the larger quilt.

Here's some layouts as requested QNS[ATTACH=CONFIG]371435[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]371437[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]371438[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]371439[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]371440[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]371441[/ATTACH]