Monday, October 19, 2009

Olympic Bling….or Recycling…

Just thought you might like to check out the bling that will be awarded to the Olympic Super Stars this Winter…(I’m sure you are aware of the fact that Vancouver, BC is hosting the Winter Olympics this February. Vancouver is a 1 1/2 hour ferry ride away from Vancouver Island where I live).  I just have to show you the medals that were unveiled last week.  The medals are not only unique in design and content, but are the heaviest in Olympic history weighing in between 17 ounces (500 grams) to 20 ounces (576 grams).  So my first I thought was, hey we can’t afford to be making medals HEAVIER than normal….didn’t gold just hit a record high?  Then I read on….

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These medals break from normal Olympic tradition in their appearance and they contain a few other surprises as well. They are partly made of materials from recycled TVs, computers and keyboards that might have otherwise ended up in a landfill.  Now we’re talking!!  Nothing like having worked for 4 years or MORE, practicing and perfecting your sport so that you can get a recycled keyboard placed around your neck…!

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As you can see in the above pictures, instead of the traditional round and flat design, the 2010 Winter Games medals will have a wavy shape to them. The medals art designer, Corrine Hunt, a Canadian designer, said the ‘wonky’  medals are “inspired by the ocean waves, drifting snow, and mountainous landscapes found in the Games region and throughout Canada.”  I really do think that Corrine has achieve this, look at the waves of the medals….lovely!  They really are gorgeous!   I love the idea that we are into recycling but my questions still remain unanswered- how much gold/silver/bronze is actually in each medal? Do they turn green with age?  Do you have to polish it regularly? Do the medals give off any toxins and Do you have to turn it off when you’re not wearing it?  Is this a good thing….what do you think?

ON THE QUILTING FRONT~

PUMPKIN PATCH PRIMITIVE  has got an AWESOME give away!  Check out the bundle of Whimsical Fat Quarters ~Pumpkin and Spice~ oooohhhh auuuuhhhhh I love this fabric!!  Check out her blog and enter!  Tell her Paulette sent you!  The more people who enter the draw, the more stuff she’s giving away SO~ GO already!!!

image  Also…..V an C.  is having   a fantastic Give-Away- these lovely patterns…..check them out- they are lovely!!

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I would love to win these, wouldn’t you?….Well you know what you have to do…Hurry on over…blah blah blah….

Have a marvelous Monday and Happy Quilting!!

11 comments:

  1. Love your little background on the Olympic medals. They are beautiful, and I have all the same questions that you do!

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  2. Love the medals! They are absolutely beautiful. Bet they won't tarnish. And I'm on my way to visit the other blog for the pattern giveaways!

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  3. The meals are lovely, and it was most interesting to read about them so thank you. Maybe you shod befriend a winner and then you might get some answers!!

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  4. A big thumbs up for the recycling. Excellent idea.

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  5. The medals are very different and beautiful.

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  6. I love the recycling idea but not sure the medal winners will appreciate them. Hmmm...very interesting.

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  7. Well - I love the look of them, I love the IDEA of recycling...but I'm not sure this is the proper venue for it. I mean, you work your tail off your whole life, and you don't win real gold? Hm.

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  8. I love the look of those medals, and the background to them was so interesting, thanks. As you say though, there are some concerns in my mind about them, like the polishing. I do think it was very brave of the powers-that-be to move so radically far away from tradition and it'll be interesting to see what the world makes of them.

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  9. Love the medals, have already been over to the Give-aways
    Hugs Janice

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  10. Whaaaaaat.....I know we're into recycling and global issues and stuff but.....what the?????
    I'm with you on the questions.....they are a lovely design though....much more artistic than ever before! Just been to enter the giveaways...doncha just love em??
    'o) Wendy B

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  11. I'm just now catching up my reading of blogs after absence from the computer world. The recycled material in olympic medals is a great idea, and if the winners have any green thoughts in their heads, they will appreciate it. I don't think the medals usually have very much gold/silver/bronze in them.

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