Sunday, June 12, 2011

June Berry

How did a strawberry get its name? Some believe that the name hailed from the practice of placing straws around the growing strawberry plants. Other say that the name evolved around 1000 years ago from the word, 'strew' that means 'spread', applicable to runners that spread outwards from the strawberry plants. The strawberry is the only berry that has seeds on its external surface. The other berries have seeds inside. A single strawberry has 200 tiny seeds. They are also the first ones to ripen in spring. Strawberries are low in fat content and calorie. They are rich in vitamin C, fiber, folic acid as well as potassium. They can reduce the risk of cancers and heart attacks. Fresh juice from strawberry pulp helps in recovering from fever. Strawberry juice, if combined with honey can reduce inflammation. It has a curative effect on sunburns.

FOR FUN


I enjoyed participating in the Christmas sewing and finished another set of blocks. Check out Sue's Christmas quilt along that is very relaxed and fun - work on the lovely quilt she has or any project to help get your Christmas gifts done. Every second Saturday of the month - one day or use the weekend - so doable and great motivation.


This is a European bread basket - pattern here for Swap Exchange #3 over at Gone Stitchin' part of a 'reverse' swap. Something new to me. This pattern works up so quickly - took me 1/2 hour from start to finish. Would make a great Christmas gift - tuck some kitchen towels and pot holders in for a nice set.



SQUARED UP


This will be my next Squared Up project. Part of the quilt along with Charming Chatter's Charming Girl's Club. I will be posting step by step as I do my quilt. Just love 'Strawberry Fields' and these charm packs were a birthday gift from a friend. They are going to make a lovely summer quilt.




ON THE WALL


This is a UFO that has me stumped right now. All the blocks are together and framed them with black, but I have auditioned several fabrics for a border - then will bind in black pin dot. I just cannot decide on the border and hopefully hanging here will inspire - would like to get this finished this week. I want to use a mix of machine and hand quilting.


Tuesday is National Strawberry Day and many communities host strawberry festivals. I plan on having one of these at a neighboring festival - oh yum! Wouldn't is be fun to sleep in a strawberry field with tubs of cool whip at your fingertips?




CLOSING THOUGHT

HAVE A LAUGH:

A little boy runs across this man who has a truck load of cow manure. Amazed, the boy asks him what he is going to do with it. The man tells the little boy, “I’m taking it home to put on my strawberries.” With a strange look on his face, the little boy looks up at the man and says, “I don’t know where you come from, but where I come from we put cream and sugar on our strawberries.”

Sewingly Yours,
Sharon

23 comments:

Christine M said...

I like your little boy strawberry story. Had a little chuckle! Your bread basket looks good. I'll have to try making one of those (along with all the other things I want to make!) Hugs, Christine

Anonymous said...

yes Sharon i used the same pattern and was surprised how easy they were to make,lol love the story at the end.

Roma said...

What a hoot!! Out of the mouths of babes!!

As for your flying geese, when I very first seen it, it said done to me.. I would finish it as is. Another border would take away for the beautiful work in the center.

I love Strawberries almost as much as tomatoes..

Wilma Lee said...

I love strawberries!!! And the strawberry fields fabrics are so sweet!!!

Sue Daurio said...

love the quilt with all the colors and the stitching in it. How about some colorful flying geese around two opposing corners? The strawberry story at the end made me laugh this morning!!

Average Quilter said...

Great quilt. I'm like you sometimes I have to look at it awhile and wait for the light bulb to go off (or should I say on)

Miss Hillbilly said...

Mmmm, that strawberry fest sounds scrumptious. I am wondering if I should crush some and rub all over my burnt neck/upper chest. My lips are blistered too. I am a big believer in sun screen but hubby bought a cheap brand. I'll have to tell Seth that about the strawberries!

Char said...

Thank you for all the great info on strawberries and the laugh. I like the new quilt. I do the same thing when I'm stumped. I figure if I sneak up on it, a fresh idea will pop into my head.

rubyslipperz1052 said...

Your Christmas stars are really pretty!

Hanging to inspire...this usually helps me too...if I'm auditioning borders, sashing...or where each block should go...

I LUV strawberries! They are beautiful and YUMMY~

Funny how kids think...cute story!

hugZ,
annie
rubyslipperz106.blogspot

Cheryl's Teapots2Quilting said...

Strawberries! Yum! I bought my first strawberry plant this year. I've already had a few strawberries from it. I love your UFO quilt. It's got great colors and movement. You'll find a great border for it.

Linda said...

I agree that your quilt top looks finished as is. If you want a border to enlarge it, how about piecing a border using scraps of all the colors used in the quilt. I often do this for those quilts that I just can't decide on a border for.

BillieBee (billiemick) said...

Too funny!

beth said...

Thanks for the laugh! ;) Your colorful UFO is asking for a Red print in the borders...that kind of goes along with strawberry day too, huh?

Anonymous said...

Yum! You're making me want to go to the grocery store. I can't wait to see your Strawberry Fields from the quilt-a-long. I love that fabric too.

Bonnie said...

Lots to look at. But Sharon -- I don't think I would put any other border on your flying geese and strings quilt. (Well, unless I needed it bigger for some reason...) It looks good as is.

StitchinByTheLake said...

I'm going to take a look at that bread basket pattern - what a great gift that would be! blessings, marlene

Beth said...

love the string block top 'on the wall' Were the HST leftovers from another quilt? I'm always looking for ways to use up my leftovers!

Marcia - Crafty Sewing and Quilting said...

Great strawberry information! I eat strawberries at least 5 days a week year round for the potassium and I also love them. I took more pictures of my hanging strawberries...I may have one tomorrow that might be ripe enough to pick!

The story about the little boy and the strawberries is funny!

Michelle May-The Raspberry Rabbits said...

Love strawberries and love your funny thought for the day!
xx, shell

AnnieO said...

Thanks for the strawberry lesson! We have many thousands of acres planted in strawberries in our county--but I have never been to the Strawbery Festival held every May for the past 20 years!

Hope you find a solution to your quilt puzzle!

Anonymous said...

I'm still chuckling over your little story at the end...so cute! I love your charm packs that you are starting a project with - gorgeous! Perhaps a scrappy border for the quilt on the wall? I dunno, it really looks great as it is!
Jacque in SC
quiltnsrep(at)yahoo(dot)com

Shannon said...

I loved that story. So funny!! Strawberries are great. I love that fabric Strawberry Fields. So pretty. I am stumped also on a border. Maybe just a plain white border. Good luck!

Sheila said...

I didn't know that about strawberries!
Can't wait to see your Christmas Quilt :)
Your joke cracked me up.