Fellow Quilters,
Today I’m coming to you from the Greek island of Crete, where Hubby and I are alternately trekking and dipping our toes in the Aegean Sea.
We are most certainly enjoying the delicious cuisine of this arid Mediterranean country, perhaps some of the local beverages, and definitely the spectacular landscape.
This time last year we were also in the Mediterranean, venturing into north Africa for a brief stop in the Arab country of Tunisia. So much of this area of the world is hot and dry – a desert.
Have you ever taken a ride on a camel?
In fact, the port in Tunis had some camels dressed to the nines in bright sparkling covers, and passersby were enticed to go for a short ride on these peculiar animals.
When this month’s theme for Quilt Block Mania was announced – desert – I thought of those creatures, a classic symbol of desert life. I was not brave enough to go for a test drive on one of them, but I watched as a family with young kids took a trip around the port from the lofty height of the camels’ backs. The kids were so very excited!
What brings to mind a symbol of desert? Sand, most likely, stretching on as far as the eye can see. And what better to traverse these vast tracts than a trusty camel? Here’s my
Toes in the Sand block for this month.
My easy Toes in the Sand block for this month’s Quilt Block Mania – Desert theme
You can download the simple pattern here.
Just for fun, I colored up several blocks in non-traditional hues – how fun! They remind me of the colorful covers worn by the Tunis camels.
A brightly-colored Toes in the Sand 48″ x 60″ quilt – I can’t get “Midnight at the Oasis” out of my head!
Here are some fun facts about camels:
Camels have either one hump (Dromedary) or two humps (Bactrian).
Camels are born without humps.
Camels store water in their blood (not their humps – they store fat in them) and can survive for weeks without water.
They are the only land mammals capable of drinking salt water without any ill effects.
Camels have three sets of eyelids and two rows of eyelashes to keep sand out of their eyes.
A pack of camels is called a caravan.
Camels live on average 40-50 years.
Camels can maintain a speed of 25mph for over an hour.
Camels sleep standing up.
Camels have large, flat feet to help them walk on sand. The soles of their feet have a large surface area to stop them from sinking into the sand. Camels have two toes on each foot. A hoof that looks like a toenail grows at the front of each toe. Cows, horses, and many other animals walk on their hoofs but a camel walks on a broad pad that connects its two long toes. This cushion like pad spreads when the camel places its foot on the ground. The pad supports the animal on loose sand in much the same way that a snowshoe helps a person walk on snow.
Looking for more desert-themed quilt blocks? Here is a list of the other 18 quilt designers participating in this free monthly event – enjoy!
Coiled Snake by Carolina Moore
Pyramids by Patchwork Breeze
Bison Skull by Crafty Staci
Renewal (snake) by Eudaimonia Studio
Gecko by Inquiring Quilter
Cactus Rose by Scrapdash
Oasis by Appliques Quilts and More
Adobe House by QuiltFabrication
Sand in my Toes by Patti’s Patchwork
Diamondback Quilt Block by Brown Bird Designs
Desert Bear by Colette Belt Design
Yucca by Tourmaline & Thyme Quilts
Arizona Poppy by Cristy Fincher
Palm Tree by Slightly Biased Quilts
Desert Cactus
A Prickly Pear in the Garden
Goldenhead Flower by Emerald Falls Quilts
Blooming in the Desert
Tucson Too Late by Orange Blossom
Have you been brave enough to ride a camel? Share your experience below to inspire other quilters like myself.
Cheers,
Patti
pattispatchwork-blog.com 
4 Responses to “Sand in my Toes”