Anyone else out there an Olympic junkie? Official Olympics nerd right here.
In 2002 the Winter Olympics came to my home town, Salt Lake City. I had a 3-yr-old and a nursing baby at the time so I didn't attend a single sporting event, but we did take in the atmosphere downtown and let me tell you - it's magic. Celebration of hard work and the unique cultures and traditions of the nations of the world juxtaposed with the brotherhood of man - the Olympic spirit is tangible. As soon as that cauldron went out, things were back to normal and it was gone. But it was so amazing while it lasted!
Combine my Olympics die-hard-ness with my favorite city on the planet and I just might spontaneously-combust. Olympics nirvana.
So in honor of the parade of nations, I've been making more flag quilt blocks. (Fine. I know. It's a sickness. I can't help it.) I'm using my stash plus some of my new Vintage Summer prints. I'm going to do something along the lines of this quilt that I made a few years ago for a friend. Want some geography trivia? I'll give you clues as to which countries these flags represent as they may be less obvious.:
Notre Dame (as in The Hunchback of), Monet, and crepes
Maria Von Trapp and Arnold Schwartznegger
Andy Murray and haggis
And you know this one.
Did you watch the Opening Ceremonies? I was in heaven. Seriously: Kenneth Branagh, Jerusalem, Mary Poppins, Chariots of Fire and Mr. Bean. What more could an anglophile want? The only thing I was missing was a good chippy. Proud of you, Brits.
Speaking of which, if you're jumping on the British-love-bandwagon, checkout this new collection of fabrics from DearStella called Town and Country. Lots of London icons like Eros at Picadilly, the Tower, and St. Paul's, but it's those London buses that kill me. I need to find the perfect use for them.
Cheers my loves!
Vanssmomc
We are all Olympic junkies at this home!! I love your flag blocks, and I must admit I loved seeing Mr. Bean. Thanks for sharing!!
Monica
Your flag blocks are great! I love London too. I would live there in a heartbeat! Happy Olympics watching!
Isisjem
These blocks are fabulous! I love the opening ceremony - cried in places. Feel very proud to be British. Oh and LOVE that last fabric must look out for it!
linda f
Amy,<br /><br />You blocks are awesome! We are totally thrilled about the Olympics! It is so hard to get chores done when you are glued to the TV. Have a great day!<br /><br />Linda F
Leslie
these blocks are great.....we are waiting for some choice events to come on so we can catch a little olympic fever
Ellen
Love your flags! The Olympics have me wanting to go back to London (its been almost 20 years since I've been), and I just bought the Victory Garden pattern which is a quilt made with a bunch of Union Jacks. The Dear Stella fabric is adorable - that's a must for the stash!
Jane
Love your flag blocks - and the previous flag quilt! I really enjoyed watching the Opening Ceremony - Wow! Would like to see it again! Hope and pray all goes well during the Games!
Heather
This is so awesome!! Now I want to do a quilt of nations!! Then every Olympics I could snuggle under it and watch it!!<br />If you ever feel the need for a quilt a long sign me up!!!
Archie the wonder dog
I love your flag blocks and that fabric is gorgeous! I'm enjoying the Olympics so far but am shattered from staying up to watch the opening ceremony ;o)
Zoe
I'm a total Olympic nerd. I love every minute of it. I'm so happy that NBC is letting you watch all the events online LIVE (if you have a cable subscription 🙁 ) There are so many events that I miss every year because they just don't show them. 🙂
Katy Cameron
Love all the different flags, and that fabric is cute! I'm enjoying the whole multi-view option the BBC is running right now, pick your sport and you don't have to be interrupted by anything else :o)
Emily {Creative Chicks}
Ack!!! I never thought your flag quilt could be any cuter, but it most definitely will be with the addition of MORE flags!! Can't wait to see what you do.
dolores
I know exactly what you mean...when hubby and I were watching NBC's little beginning clip starting at the headwaters of the Thames it went through OX and we were like STOP...the girl is there and we were just there last month! So cool!:)
Nedra
I am watching as much as my work schedule will let me 🙂 Loved the Queen's entrance at last night's opening ceremony! I think when it's time for the Queen's funeral, among all of her other accomplishments, she will be noted for her humor and participation during the 2012 Olympics.
Queen Mary
You know, I wanted to cross stitch blocks for my sister who moved a lot as a Navy wife, then put them into a quilt -- but this is a fantastic idea for my brother in the State Department who has lived all over the place with his wife and kids. He's thinking of retiring after his next posting, which is a four year post so I could get a HUGE head start on this! You are a genius and I'm
Alisa
We've been watching here too. The opening ceremonies were great!
Barb
These are so cute! Yay for Olympic fever. I'm going to re-post a few of these photos at Bring the Monkey and link to you, of course. thanks for sharing the fun!
Crafts4others
Have you seen the London Medley of fat quarters over at Keepsake Quilting? I LOVE the fabrics. https://www.keepsakequilting.com/productdetail/6754.htm
CathyK
I am an Olympic freak!!!!Go USA!!! Love your blocks! 🙂
gloriajanine
Those are soooo great!! Have you seen Nanette's(Fredas Hive) London quilt in progress? It is terrific - cant wait to see the finished quilt!
Erin
Olympic junkie here too! I really don't know how much blogging is going to be done for me in the next two weeks.
Jacqueline
Yeah, I'm Australian!<br /><br />Aussie Aussie Aussie! Oi oi oi!<br /><br />:-)
Cindy
Love your blocks! Love the Olympics!
Tessa Marie
Oh yes I am an Olympic junkie! I am from England so am really loving seeing all the sights on tv! Love your flag blocks, there's just something about red, white and blue 🙂
Peter
Like the flag blocks, and I like the Olympics. We've been kinda busy with family the last few days so haven't seen as much of the Olympics as I would like, but still a fan, Family is important too!
Sharon
These flag blocks are wonderful! I am from slc, too, though now live in Ohio. I lived there for the Olympics and know what you mean by the magic. I wish we were in London no. Someday. I cannot wait to see what you do with your flags.
Thimbleanna
Ha! I just bought some of that Dear Stella fabric over the weekend. I didn't get the umbrellas though and I'm regretting it. They had it in oilcloth too -- it was killing me. I'd LOVE to make a rain slicker out of that fabric -- tooooo cute!!!!
pennydog
If you're going to indulge the Scottish with both their national flag and the Union Flag, you need to do the England and Wales ones too... :P<br /><br />Yeah total Olympics nerd here too. I have watched pretty much all of the fencing, archery and shooting so far.
Abbybeth
I love that you did a block for the Saltire! I want to do a whole quilt of Saltires someday, much like the Union Jack quilts that are popping up around bloglad ....
bethanndodd
Simply fabulous! We have been watching here when we aren't at baseball games.<br />Smiles~Beth
Wanda
What more could we want? The Doctor! Watching the Olympics 24/7 here. A friend at church is the mom of the coach of the US diving team. She's heading to London soon, lucky her.
Cynthia@aquilterbynight
I love London, and the Olympics... And thoroughly enjoyed this post!
Live a Colorful Life
I just love your Union Jack blocks. And that fabric with the red umbrellas--sigh--the best!
trish
Love your blocks Amy!! :0)<br />We too have really enjoyed watching<br />the Olympics. :0)
sophieandsus
I just used the Dear Stella fabric to make a British "flag" (the Union Jack is intimidating!) and a Uruguay flag for my family 🙂 Glad I'm not alone in jumping on the Olympic flag making! Go GB!
quiltzyx
Oh, I am so sleep deprived from watching the Olympics this week! Love your flag blocks & the flag quilt showcased on Generation Q Magazine today.<br />I laughed so hard at Mr. Bean playing with the Symphony & running with the 'guys' of Chariots of Fire!! And I was so happy to see that Voldemort was vanquished by the Mary Poppinses!
Sew Create It - Jane
Your flag blocks are fab! I love the Scottish one for Andy Murray...Mr. Gold!
Patti Griffin
What size are your blocks? I love this, awesome idea and beautiful work!!