Friday 30 May 2008

How many states? (48)

We had great fun last night. We went to a quiz night at the sports club that we belong to. Unfortunately, we came in 3rd out of 6 teams, although we had led for the first few rounds. We fell down on Sport and Games and on Geography. Terrible really, six members of a sports club who know nothing about sport! The geographical questions were all based on a blank map of the USA where we had to fill in the names of 10 states. If only I had carried out my plan of finding out where all you American bloggers live! I've spent some time today printing off a map of the USA - tell me, am I right that there are 51 states? That's all I've managed to count, so I hope I haven't lost any.


I managed to finish the quillow that I was making for my niece's birthday. I've used 30s reproduction fabrics in a sort of disappearing nine-patch. I love quilting these quillows with big stitch embroidery and a few buttons.



I've also finished the blocks for Step 5. I'm really not convinced that it's all going to work together. I laid some of them out in the way that some people have suggested is the solution to the mystery, and it looked very bright and rather confused, but I just have to hope it will all come together well in the end.


20 comments:

Candace said...

There are 50 states including Hawaii and Alaska. District of Colombia is not a state. If they gave me a map of almost anywhere I would be in trouble.
Your quillow is the prettiest that I have seen, your niece will love it. I am liking the 30's fabrics more and more.
While I've been piddling, you've been sewing. Your blocks look great. I feel the same way, I put some beside each other, and it sure looked busy. I just keep remembering all the beautiful quilts on Bonnie's site.

Kay said...

Actually, there are only 50 states. That's Hawaii. The 49th was Alaska. The 51st that you're probably thinking about is Puerto Rico which is not yet a state.

Your project here looks very pretty. I'm looking forward to seeing it done.

Kay said...

I forgot to mention that your quillow is just fabulous. That crafty friend of mine also made us a couple of quillows a few years ago and we use them all the time in fall and winter.

Amelia said...

48 states all connected together...then we have Alaska and Hawaii as the last two states added

For a total of 50 states.

I would have difficulty in placing all the area in the UK. I know I don't know the world like I should.

amelia

Renee said...

Hi Amanda,

Sorry, at the moment we only have 50 states. Puerto Rico is a commonwealth, I think, and they can vote in the primary, but not in the general election. They will be voting on Sunday and believe it or not, they have more delegates to the Democratic convention then some of the states. I glad that you were feeling well enough to go out. The blocks look great. Renée

scraphappy said...

Just 50 states. Are you counting Puerto Rico? Mine if Florida, hanging off of the bottom on the east coast. Americans are horrible at geography, so don't feel bad. My Girl Scout Troop can't figure out the difference between England, Brittan and Whales. Our co-leader is Whelsh.

Helen in the UK said...

Gosh, another quilt finished already - you are really quilting up a storm!! Very pretty quillow, bet your niece will be thrilled.
Good luck with your Geography learning :)

Carla said...

Actually there are 50 states. There's no telling what kind of answers I'd give about the United Kingdom! The competition sounds like fun, though.

Journeying said...

I LOVE your quillow! The embroidery looks really cool, and the fabrics are great. (love those 30's) Your niece will be thrilled - but if not, just send it to me. teehee
Big stitch embroidery? I've heard of big stitch quilting, but not embroidery . . .sounds most interesting and I really like what I can see in the picture.

Julie said...

Hi, Amanda! There are 50 states. There are 48 "contiguous" states and then Hawaii and Alaska which are not "attached" to the others.
Julie

Lynn said...

Sorry - there's 50 states - I think you added one. We hear of people who live in the US who can't name many states or find them on a map. Plus I think that we here in the states don't have a very good handle on world geography. So all in all you did pretty well. I love the quillow, the fabrics are so pretty.

Lori said...

I count 50. Geography would make me stumble too.(I wouldn't be able to find my way out of a paper bag if both ends were open.)LOL

Orange Crush looks great to me!How many steps are there? I love your quillow too.

Amy said...

First, we'll get you "into shape" to beat anyone with USA State trivia!!! :0) There are 50 states. I'm in Wisconsin, northern border of the US just west of the Great Lakes (Lake Superior, Michigan, Erie, Huron, and.....ummm......oh dear.......there are 5 of them!!! ----doing a quick google....BRB... ONTARIO!!!)

See...I even LIVE right in the US and don't know everything! :0)

Second, the quillow is precious! The colors are so soft and perfect for any special girl!!!

Third, I haven't peeked into the OC5 yet, but I must concur by your layout ........ ???hmmmmm...how will this all come together and please the eye? I have complete faith in Bonnie, as do most of us, and I am certain your pinks and purples will end up looking bright and awesome!

Debbi said...

Your quillow is very pretty...the big stitch embroidery adds a nice touch! Using the sashing on the D9Patch looks nice as well, makes it make sense.

I think there are 50 states and I embarrassed to say I'm not so sure!

Anonymous said...

love your OC and also your quillow,
I don't think you have to worry not knowing all USA states.

Christine

Linda C. said...

As everyone has mentioned, 50 States, the District of Columbia, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. I'm in Indiana, which is an area called the midwest, but we are not really in the middle. The "toe" of Lake Michigan fits into the northern border of Indiana, and I'm just very nearly due south of that, at Lafayette, Indiana. Home of Purdue University! Thanks for your nice comments on my blog . . . the book sale was great. I filled in many titles I've been looking for, so that was exciting! DH is a retired teacher . . . some days, I just want to slap that silly grin off his face!

Lurline said...

Amanda - I just love your little Thirties cushion and your OC is coming along nicely, too.
Best wishes - Lurline/Australia.

Colleen and Jason said...

I'm sure most Americans can't identify all 50 of our states given a blank map, much less any of the countries of Europe, so not to worry. (When I taught 10 year olds, I made darn sure they knew their states, if only to help them in a trivia contest later in life!) And your blocks are definitely like mine, lots of bright colors that played well. Then, we add the scrappy bits and we decide, eh, not so sure about this. well, we'll see, right? We need to get you making more quilts so you are ok with letting a top go for donation or a gift or for the dog... :)

Linda said...

Hi Amanda, yes, as everyone says there are 50 states in the USA. Here is a good website that might help you with US Geography or anything else...it's called www.Ask.com. When you get to the site, just type in your question. If you type in: How many states are there in the United States of America? it will give you several listings. I went to the one that says United States, Geograhy...This site is great for everything. I use it alot. I agree with Carla, I could not answer very many questions about Britain either. I agree with everyone else too about your Quillow, very cute. I hope your niece likes it. Hugs, Linda

Katie said...

Yep. 50 states. It's a bit of a challenge for Americans to identify them all correctly on a blank map!

I was at a quilt retreat last weekend and one of the gals had her OC blocks with her as "the quilt top she hated the most". We all had to agree with her, it was really ugly no matter how we lay it out! It's gonna be interesting!