tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81440560832126554462024-03-13T14:11:24.472-05:00Manda Made QuiltsMandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13877671059849465046noreply@blogger.comBlogger35125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8144056083212655446.post-85006572773139547962012-08-29T20:32:00.001-05:002012-08-29T20:32:26.367-05:00QuiltCon Block Challenge<div style="line-height: 0px; padding-bottom: 2px;">
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Source: <a href="http://mandamadequilts.blogspot.com/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">mandamadequilts.blogspot.com</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/sahlibrarian/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Manda</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div>
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When my friend Carolyn at <a href="http://demandingcatquilts.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Demanding Cat</a> posted that her block was going to be featured on the MQG blog, I was only a little jealous, but mostly proud of her. After church this evening, I checked my email (and left putting the kids to bed to my husband) and got my own email. Now, I'm no longer green with envy. Check it out tomorrow! I can hardly wait.</div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Thank you so much for submitting a block or blocks to the QuiltCon Block Challenge! I'm truly overwhelmed by the beautiful blocks you made. </span></blockquote>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I'm just sending you this e-mail to confirm that your block or blocks will be featured on the </span><a href="http://themodernquiltguild.com/" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;" target="_blank">MQG blog</a><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> tomorrow (Thursday, August 30). You can follow the blog during the next few weeks to see more fabulous blocks and be sure to check the blog starting September 24, for the announcement of the blocks that were selected to be included in the QuiltCon Raffle Quilt.</span></blockquote>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">The blocks that aren't selected for the raffle quilt will be used to make bed quilts for the Austin Children's Shelter so, even if your block doesn't end up in the raffle quilt, it is definitely going to a good cause! We're currently looking for guilds interested in finishing one of the quilts for the children's shelter so, if you think your guild might be interested, please let me know.</span></blockquote>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Thank you, again, for participating in the QuiltCon Block Challenge!</span></blockquote>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">-Elizabeth</span></blockquote>
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Mandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13877671059849465046noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8144056083212655446.post-26502458124017810242012-08-29T20:26:00.002-05:002012-08-29T20:26:24.301-05:00Silent Night, Holy Moly NightThe charm swap has wrapped. Other than figuring out international shipping on a package, I'm done. Paypal won't release the shipping to me because I sent the bill as an invoice, and I don't have a spare $20 right now, but, overall, I'm pleased about the outcome of the swap. I couldn't have met a better group of ladies. They make all the sorting worth it. If you plan on doing your own swap, don't start at 7 o'clock on night and expect to be done before bedtime. Oh, no no. But, the packages are out of my hands and control now. For sure, my next swap will go more smoothly, as long as my husband doesn't split when he sees me laying out over 100 piles of fabric. Many thanks to the ladies who participated. I can't wait to see the projects that come of it! Let me know if you blog it, and I'll pin it to our <a href="http://pinterest.com/sahlibrarian/christmas-in-july-patchwork-ideas/" target="_blank">board</a>.Mandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13877671059849465046noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8144056083212655446.post-14461942738795128882012-07-17T10:39:00.003-05:002012-07-17T11:28:55.952-05:00We Pin You a Merry ChristmasWe're more than halfway there for the <a href="http://mandamadequilts.blogspot.com/2012/07/christmas-in-july-5-charm-swap.html" target="_blank">Christmas in July Charm swap</a>. I still have 24 spots open. I know it's hard to get in the mindset of Christmas in July, but, really, now is the time to start planning your Christmas projects. I have a lot of ideas for my charms. I want to make another <a href="http://pinsandbobbins.blogspot.com/p/made-in-cherry-quilt-along.html" target="_blank">Cherry Quilt</a>, like the I-Spy I did for Willa, but this time, with all Christmas prints. It takes 228 prints to do it. I did a charm swap last year and another a 10" swap with <a href="http://sewscrappyquilts.blogspot.com/2012/07/christmas-in-july-10-charm-swap-signups.html" target="_blank">Angela</a> this year, so with this filled swap, I should have enough prints to get it done. I'm not above begging, so Puuhhhleeeeze, <a href="http://mandamadequilts.blogspot.com/2012/07/christmas-in-july-5-charm-swap.html" target="_blank">won't you take a spot- or two</a> ?<br />
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I've started an <span style="background-color: white;"> </span><a href="http://pinterest.com/sahlibrarian/christmas-in-july-patchwork-ideas/">Pinterest Board</a><span style="background-color: white;"> board to get you and others tempted to join the swap.</span><span style="background-color: white;"> I'd love for you to pin to it also. Contact me and I'll add you as a pinner to the board. </span>
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Here are some other ideas that are on top of my "to do" Christmas craft list:<br />
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Lee made this <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/leeraezler/6583614529/" target="_blank">tree skirt</a> from the charm swap last year. She is a no-share flickr member, so you'll have to click on the link to see it. I promise, it is awesome. <br />
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Of course, once you have a tree skirt, you need to make stockings to match.
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Source: <a href="http://theredpistachio.blogspot.com/2012/07/christmas-in-july-and-poor-colorado.html" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">theredpistachio.blogspot.com</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/sahlibrarian/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Manda</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div>
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But, I have to say, that the cutest thing I've seen today in looking for projects, is this Santa Mug Rug.<br />
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Source: <a href="http://www.pleasant-home.com/2011/12/dear-santa-mug-rug.html" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">pleasant-home.com</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/sahlibrarian/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Manda</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div>
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So, what's stopping you? If you'd like to join, but there is some little thing stopping you, contact me and maybe we can work something out. Come <a href="http://mandamadequilts.blogspot.com/2012/07/christmas-in-july-5-charm-swap.html" target="_blank">join us</a> and make your own crafty Christmas goodness.<br />
<br />Mandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13877671059849465046noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8144056083212655446.post-1682994058630787062012-07-10T15:05:00.001-05:002012-07-21T09:43:41.228-05:00Christmas in July 5" Charm Swap<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The swap is now closed. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: left;">(Thanks <a href="http://www.crafterhoursblog.com/2012/07/christmas-in-july.html" target="_blank">Susan</a>, <a href="http://freshlypieced.blogspot.com/2012/07/christmas-tree-skirt-in-july.html" target="_blank">Lee</a>, and <a href="http://ellisonlane.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Jennifer</a>.) </span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Hello quilty world! I have been more than a little absent from my blog, and from FLICKR. With good reason- I had to pack up my house and move a total of 3 miles. It was a lot of work, and I'm still working on unpacking, but I am getting there.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I have toyed with the idea of hosting a charm swap for about a year, and have finally decided to take the plunge! I'm doing a Christmas in July swap. <span style="background-color: white;"> This will be a 5" charm swap, and I'd like to give props to </span><a href="http://ellisonlane.blogspot.com/2012/02/how-to-host-fabric-swap.html" style="background-color: white;" target="_blank">Ellison Lane</a><span style="background-color: white;"> for her "How to Host" a charm swap, and of course </span><a href="http://obsessivelystitching.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: white;" target="_blank">Care</a><span style="background-color: white;">- who got me started on my charm swapping addiction.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>{Since posting the swap, in a bit of irony, several on-line swaps have issued discount codes. I have no connection to these shops. The discount codes may expire before the mailby date of the swap. Those codes are being shared by group members in the <a href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/1986743@N24/" target="_blank">flickr </a>group.}</i></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #fefefe; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: left;">1. For swapping charm squares, each of the 56 participants (1 being me) will purchase 2 yards of holiday themed fabric to be cut each into 5" charm squares. 1 yard = 56 charms. 2 yards= 112 charms</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br style="background-color: #fefefe; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: #fefefe; text-align: left;">2. Choose a fabric that has a small print suitable for an 5" charms. Scale of the print is very important. If you are buying online, look for retailers that have the grid included in the photo of the fabric in order to give you an idea of scale. If your scale is close, you may need to purchase additional fabric in order to fussy cut the fabric. ( I've done this in the past, I do not recommend it.) Go with the smaller scale fabrics. Buy extra fabric if you are worried that you could make a cutting mistake.</span><br style="background-color: #fefefe; text-align: left;" /><br style="background-color: #fefefe; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: #fefefe; text-align: left;">3. Fabric must be designer label, 100% cotton, quilt shop quality, <i>holiday themed</i>, fabric. No Hancocks, Joanns, Hobby Lobby, or anyone else who might have a flyer in your Sunday newspaper. </span><br style="background-color: #fefefe; text-align: left;" /><br style="background-color: #fefefe; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: #fefefe; text-align: left;">4. Fabric must be from a smoke free home. Do not pre-wash your fabric. While this swap is not limited to modern fabric, please do not send the fabric that has been sitting unused in the corner of your fabric closet since 1990. The <span style="color: #ffd966;">Golden Rule</span> applies to this swap: Send to others what you'd want to be sent to you. </span><br style="background-color: #fefefe; text-align: left;" /><br style="background-color: #fefefe; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: #fefefe; text-align: left;">5. Cut your fabric into 5" squares (</span><a href="http://www.ohfransson.com/oh_fransson/2010/05/charm-squares-101.html" rel="nofollow" style="background-color: #fefefe; color: #1057ae; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">tutorial on how to cut fabric into charms by Elizabeth Hartman).</a><span style="background-color: #fefefe; text-align: left;"> In order to move things along on my end, pair your charms (alternate fabric A, Fabric B, Fabric A, Fabric B.... 56 times), in a stack and put them in a ziploc bag. Here is an example of how I received Becky's fabric. </span></span><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/54631932@N03/7586295004/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Untitled by stayathomelibrarian, on Flickr"><img alt="Untitled" height="320" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7277/7586295004_0584588e86_o.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br style="background-color: #fefefe; text-align: left;" /><br style="background-color: #fefefe; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: #fefefe; text-align: left;">6. Include your name and address on an index card and mail the fabric to me. (address to be sent via email once we have our 56 participants) </span><br style="background-color: #fefefe; text-align: left;" /><br style="background-color: #fefefe; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: #fefefe; text-align: left;">7. Upload pictures of your fabric to <a href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/1986743@N24/"><span id="goog_1998927988"></span>this Flickr group<span id="goog_1998927989"></span></a> and be sure to include the name and designer of the fabric. Before you buy your fabric, check the pool to make sure no one has beat you to the punch. </span><br style="background-color: #fefefe; text-align: left;" /><br style="background-color: #fefefe; text-align: left;" /><b style="background-color: #fefefe; text-align: left;">Shipping</b><br style="background-color: #fefefe; text-align: left;" /><br style="background-color: #fefefe; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: #fefefe; text-align: left;">Participants must include a prepaid self-addressed, stamped envelope along with their charms. Don't include postage you've printed from your computer. <u>A SASE flat rate priority mail envelope is the best way to handle postage. </u> I'm going for a quick turn around, so mail your package by </span></span><span style="background-color: #fefefe; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: left;"> <b>August 11</b></span><span style="background-color: #fefefe; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: left;">. (<i>We still have some spots open, so I changed the mailby date a little. We're getting so close to filling the swap, and I want everyone who wants to participate feel like they can. If you're thinking of joining, just plan on being timely with sending your charms.</i>)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br style="background-color: #fefefe; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: #fefefe; text-align: left; text-decoration: line-through;">Since this is my first swap, I have decided </span><i style="background-color: #fefefe; text-align: left; text-decoration: line-through;">not to accept international swappers at this go around</i><span style="background-color: #fefefe; text-align: left;"><strike>. International friends, please accept my sincere apology for excluding you. </strike> <b>In the interest of drumming up more swappers, I am opening the swap to international swappers. I will invoice you for shipping through paypal. In order to complete the swap expeditiously, international swappers may have their fabric sent to me. I will cut it for you free of charge, but if you want to add a FQ of any fabric in your fabric order - I wouldn't stop you ;)</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="background-color: #fefefe; text-align: left;">Sign up by filling out <a href="https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dHpDQjczMTVLOWVCZ3pDRFlJcmxVR2c6MQ#gid=0" target="_blank">this form</a>. The swap will be run from Flickr, so you will need to <a href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/1986743@N24/" target="_blank">join the group</a>. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="background-color: #fefefe; text-align: left;"><strike><i>7.19.2012</i>- </strike></span></span><strike style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: left;">We are full, If you'd like to be put on the list as an alternate, please let me know. </strike><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="background-color: #fefefe; text-align: left;"><strike>7.19.2012- 1 hour later. A double swapper dropped out opening a spot for Jeanne- and maybe you? </strike></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">7.20.2012- We are full again. Thanks so much to everyone for your participation and for the quilty world in helping to get the call out. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="background-color: #fefefe; text-align: left;"><br /></span></span>Mandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13877671059849465046noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8144056083212655446.post-61963767096051507762012-05-30T11:30:00.001-05:002012-05-30T14:23:24.192-05:00Rainbow Cherry StarI have two recent finishes. <br />
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<a href="http://mandamadequilts.blogspot.com/2012/05/happy-6th-birthday-ada-plus-quilt.html" target="_blank">Ada's Plus Quilt</a> (just posted today)<br />
<a href="http://mandamadequilts.blogspot.com/2012/05/d-love.html" target="_blank">Mackenzie Love</a><br />
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Making an I-Spy quilt playing with color has been something I've thought about since I started collecting I-spy charms. After seeing two quilts (<a href="http://flyingblindonarocketcycle.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/bloggers-quilt-festival.html" target="_blank">Flying Blind Cherry Star</a> and <a href="http://www.morepleasethankyou.com/byazoo/?p=1284" target="_blank">B. Yazoo's I-Spy Version</a>) made using Sarah Fielke's <a href="http://www.sarahfielke.com/media/uploads/2011/10/19/files/Sarah_Fielke_St_Ives_Free_Pattern3.pdf" target="_blank">Made in Cherry</a> Pattern, I decided to go for it. Of course, this is adding to my WIPs. I have another top secret I-Spy quilt still in its infant stages using I-Spy labels from <a href="http://www.crafterhoursblog.com/2012/03/i-spy-something-sorta-new.html" target="_blank">Crafterhours</a>. I'll not share that until I have something more substantial to show, but if you are into I-Spy and Spoonflower, Crafterhours is a place you should visit, just sayin'.<br />
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Onto the quilt.<br />
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There are 220 charms in this top, no repeats. I did this in one day. The large square in the middle (100 charms) is one piece, and each triangle is a piece. I'm thinking of using Kona Med gray for the background pieces. I used 4 inch charms. My collection of I Spys included 4 and 5 inch charms. Lucky for me because I used the 5 inch charms to make the HSTs required for the color division. The kids already love the quilt. It is destined for Willa, the curly headed kid at the top of the picture. You'll notice a lack of orange. I have several hundred I Spy charms, but not enough for orange to have its place in this quilt. If I ever run an I-Spy swap, I'll suggest people look for orange fabric. </div>
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<b>Works still in progress.</b></div>
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<i>Spiderweb quilt</i>- this one is over a year old now. I did work on it this week in that I sorted through my fabric and sorted out some strips to be used in the quilt. This was a bee quilt. I also inspected the blocks and had to take out a couple that just aren't big enough to be used. I've also decided not to make this a queen quilt. I'm going to make a few more blocks and call it done. </div>
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<i>Houndstooth tubes</i>- I don't think I've ever shared this one on the blog, but it is a WIP for my husband. It's pretty cool, so I'll have to get back on that one one day soon.</div>
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<i>Love you to the Moon</i>- a word quilt. </div>
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<i>Shot cottons wonky log cabin quilt- </i>another neglected WIP. All the blocks are made. It needs to be sashed and quilted.</div>
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<i>Rainbow Diamond- </i>I need to get on this one or I'll be paying shipping to Japan as my friends are moving duty stations. Note to self- find out when</div>
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<i>Scrappy Bentos- </i>This was a swap block. I love how it is coming together. I might keep this quilt for myself!</div>
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<i>4x5 bee blocks- </i>Another bee quilt. It's going to be a birthday present for my little brother. I need to sash the blocks and think about what I'll use as the backing, and how to quilt. </div>
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<i>Willa's Birthday Quilt- </i>will need to be bound when it returns.</div>
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<a href="http://freshlypieced.blogspot.com/"><img alt="WIP Wednesday at Freshly Pieced" height="150" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1109/5159705972_49be14a673_m.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>Mandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13877671059849465046noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8144056083212655446.post-49687485379300911152012-05-30T10:53:00.004-05:002012-05-30T13:22:49.181-05:00Happy 6th Birthday Ada (Plus Quilt)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">I've had two big finishes recently. <a href="http://mandamadequilts.blogspot.com/2012/05/d-love.html" target="_blank">Mackenzie's D-Love Quilt</a>, and Ada's Plus Quilt. Ada's birthday was on the 11th, and let me tell you, I cut it close. Truthfully, Willa is still waiting on her birthday quilt. The top is done and is being quilted by <a href="http://quiltingismytherapy.com/" target="_blank">Angela</a> ( <3 ). In order to get this one done on time, I carried the quilt with me and stitched on the binding whenever I had a free minute. I decided to bind it in RK's Quilter's Linen. I love it! I got warnings that the red, and perhaps the pink would bleed, so I doubled up on the color catchers. As promised, when I took the quilt out of the washer, the color catcher was bled upon. I pulled it out of the dryer on the eve of her birthday. </span></div>
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<span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">In addition to the SJ fabrics there are some Moda Crossweaves and Pezzy prints. I'm still heart broken that the crossweaves are being phased out of production. They are great solids! I love texture and rich vibrant colors, and the crossweaves have both. I used some of the Jewel prints from Lizzy House. They make great "almost solids" and are perfect for a color quilt like this. There is a LouLou Thi in there. The hugs and kisses are very much like the Jewel prints. All the dots are Michael Miller. </span></div>
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<span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">I have no idea how big it is, but here is the front. I cut the charms into 4 inch squares instead of 4.5 inch squares most plus quilts utilize. So mine is a bit smaller than most. I used smaller cuts in order to have some left over from the FQs I used to be used for the pieced strip down the back. And as someone who has OCD (and not just the kind that people claim to have when they are picky clean about their house) using whole numbered cuts makes me feel better. </span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xRWQn4XTMEQ/T8Y8RrVEaeI/AAAAAAAAA2g/juPGvpxiNO4/s1600/ada'splusquilt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xRWQn4XTMEQ/T8Y8RrVEaeI/AAAAAAAAA2g/juPGvpxiNO4/s640/ada'splusquilt.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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On second thought, using the balloon print on the back was a little busy, but I love that little red-headed girl. Ada sends balloons to her twin in heaven pretty often, so I had to use it! I love this print so much I've often thought about getting a tat of it.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G-1PeJgip8U/T8Y8SArnAWI/AAAAAAAAA2o/YEc9PjsKwJg/s1600/adaplusquiltback.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="394" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G-1PeJgip8U/T8Y8SArnAWI/AAAAAAAAA2o/YEc9PjsKwJg/s640/adaplusquiltback.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I also scoured etsy to find a seller who had the fabric in order to make Ada her birthday shirt. Each of my children have gotten a customized shirt for each of his or her birthday. One day I'll make a t-shirt quilt out of all of them. This is the 1st time I've customized the shirt to their birthday quilt. Of course, this is only the 2nd year they've gotten birthday quilts. Willa has a love affair with poodles at the moment, so I could only have gotten her a <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/93786329/greatstitch-ruffle-shirt-poodle-birthday?ref=sr_gallery_35&ga_search_query=poodle+shirt&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=ZZ&ga_min=0&ga_max=0&ga_search_type=handmade" target="_blank">poodle shirt</a>.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8nVs_JX6kPs/T8Y-0fhzdlI/AAAAAAAAA28/68W2WFc6Gz8/s1600/adashirt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8nVs_JX6kPs/T8Y-0fhzdlI/AAAAAAAAA28/68W2WFc6Gz8/s320/adashirt.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
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I have no idea how big the quilt is. But some other details are as follows: I quilted it with Auriful white 2024 I think. You can't really tell from the finished picture, but the quilting is 1/4 inch from each vertical and horizontal seam. I do have an Instagram of the in progress quilting.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/54631932@N03/6980145126/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Quilting. Do not disturb. by stayathomelibrarian, on Flickr"><img alt="Quilting. Do not disturb." height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7178/6980145126_4d993b9544.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fdcoxEe_vCE/T8Y8ScxBBHI/AAAAAAAAA2w/Ei8wABRJeiI/s1600/plus-quilting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fdcoxEe_vCE/T8Y8ScxBBHI/AAAAAAAAA2w/Ei8wABRJeiI/s640/plus-quilting.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Ada is my last quilt in Sarah Jane's Children at play quilt. Her new fabric collection is just as cute. I can already see that I'll have to force myself to work on my sewing skills to make some dresses from the new fabrics, but as someone who isn't a huge nautical fan, I don't see any quilts coming from it.Mandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13877671059849465046noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8144056083212655446.post-74710418341774157102012-05-20T16:46:00.001-05:002012-05-21T08:37:05.559-05:00Mackenzie Love (Quilted in Memory of Aleah)Thanks to the gang-buster lightening quick humming of sewing machines across America, Mackenzie's D-Love quilt will go out in tomorrow's mail. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/54631932@N03/7237160216/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="mackenzielovefront2 by stayathomelibrarian, on Flickr"><img alt="mackenzielovefront2" height="400" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7080/7237160216_794b0dcfcd_b.jpg" width="304" /></a></div>
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There is a special little girl in <a href="http://valdostadailytimes.com/local/x101447258/Valdostan-given-special-gift" target="_blank">Valdosta, GA</a> that is very near and dear to the heart of my mother. She is her best friend's granddaughter. Her best friend became a grandmother to triplets 6 months old before my mother became the grandmother to twins. While I've never met Mackenzie, the love that my mother and her best friend have for her is contagious. Also, as someone who was the mother to a child with special needs, I can empathize with what her mother is experiencing. I was dejected when I learned that Mackenzie had entered hospice. I knew then that it wasn't a coincidence that I'd been placed in the heal circle at do.good stitches- a group making quilts specifically for people in hospice. <a href="http://kisskissquilt.blogspot.com/2012/04/heal-at-dogood-stitches.html" target="_blank">Nicke</a> does an excellent job of explaining our mission on her blog:<br />
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the <a href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/1928374@N22/" style="color: #f4ba08; text-decoration: none;">HEAL circle</a> will make quilts that will be donated to hospice patients and their families. <br />
now, i understand that the role of hospice is comfort care and not healing but i hope the quilts we donate will help heal the hearts of the families.</blockquote>
When I started quilting, I had it in my mind to participate in such charity bees. My Ada and Aleah had both been given quilts while in the NICU, from local groups, and from groups like Project Linus. 5 years after her death, I still appreciate the quilts that Aleah received in the NICU and PICU, so I know from personal experience that they can help heal, if only to prove that the journey isn't a lonely one. After all the meals have been delivered, after all the cards have been received, after all the flowers have died, a quilt can serve as a lasting reminder that the life and death of someone important to you was important to someone else- even if that person is a complete stranger. <br />
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These "strangers" involved in the making of this quilt are:<br />
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<a href="http://kisskissquilt.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Nicke</a><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/melly314/" target="_blank">Melissa</a><br />
<a href="http://gingersnapsfabricsandquilts.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Vickey</a><br />
<a href="http://www.imaginegnats.com/" target="_blank">Rachael</a><br />
<a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/quiltsbyemily" target="_blank">Emily</a><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/kelleighz/" target="_blank">Kelleigh</a><br />
<a href="http://throwawenchintheworks.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Ella</a><br />
<a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/bulabean" target="_blank">Suzy</a><br />
<a href="http://www.frommartawithlove.com/" target="_blank">Marta</a><br />
<a href="http://www.kelseysews.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Kelsey</a><br />
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I put out the call on the do good stitches, and also asked if the ladies of my <a href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/12blocksofchristmasbee/" target="_blank">Ba{m}S</a> group if they'd like to be involved. The response was overwhelming, especially since I asked for the blocks to be made in the week. I added a few extra days for mailing. It took me about two weeks to get the top put together and backing made, and to quilt it. I'll admit that I did attach the binding by machine, partly for expediency, partly for ease. For shame! The quilt top is made of thirty 12" blocks.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/54631932@N03/7236065746/" title="drunklovedonefront by stayathomelibrarian, on Flickr"><img alt="drunklovedonefront" height="640" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7095/7236065746_308842c72c_b.jpg" width="560" /></a>
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The top ended up being so big that I struggled with the back. I'd planned to use 2 pieces of fabric that I had in my stash, but oops, it was a bit short, so I made 5 more 10" blocks to be placed in a strip down the back. Some of the blocks had linen in them ( <3 ) so I used the opportunity to put some more linen in it! Even with that additional piece, the fabric on the back was pretty close, but I got it quilted.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/54631932@N03/7236065986/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="drunklovedoneback by stayathomelibrarian, on Flickr"><img alt="drunklovedoneback" height="640" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7086/7236065986_fdcf345e2f_b.jpg" width="478" /></a></div>
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I love me some straight line quilting. My eyes just light up when I see quilts that have been straight line quilted, not in the ditch, but in some fashion that compliments the quilt. The quilting for this quilt were inspired by some of the blocks. The ones made by Kelligh have a lot of geometric overtones in them, particularly a rhombus- or maybe more trapezoidial. Either way, I wanted to work that shape into the quilting, so I did a diagonal double through the quilt, and then quilted either side of the middle seams. I'm pleased with the overall look of the quilt, and I am more than happy to send this off in the mail. I <i>do </i>wish just a little bit that I had quilted the diagonal lines from bottom to top instead of top to bottom. Does that make sense? I like the look of the quilting on the back, and wish it were on the front. Minor thing- but there ya go.</div>
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I'm so proud of the ladies in my bee, and seriously, did I mention this was the quickest turn around on bee blocks, (?) that I've decided to enter this quilt in the <a href="http://amyscreativeside.com/2012/05/18/bloggers-quilt-festival-spring-2012/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+amyscreativeside+%28Amy%27s+Creative+Side%29" target="_blank">Bloggers' Quilt Festival </a> to hopefully be considered for the category of bee quilts.</div>
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As I mentioned, this quilt was made specifically for Mackenzie, but also for me. I'm able to pay forward some of the kindness I received during the life and death of my Aleah. For that reason, it is also special to me. I hope to one day see a picture of Mackenzie with it. I learned that women all over the world are more than happy to share parts of themselves with people whom they've never met before. If you aren't a member of <a href="http://do.good.stitches/">do.good.stitches</a>- go- and get on that list to be placed into a group. There is a link to the form on the linky in the sentence before this one. </div>
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Getting Mackenzie this quilt before she leaves this earth to go and play with my Aleah was a top priority in my life, and I am so happy to have gotten it done. Perhaps it is with more pride than I should have. I'll confess, I don't cry much since Aleah died. Not a lot of things compare to the ache in your heart once you've said goodbye to a part of you that you wanted so badly to keep. The parents of children with special needs are often short-changed, because society can't imagine raising a child with special needs. Death almost seems like a relief to them, whether people mean to imply it or not. Now, I believe that my Aleah is in heaven right this very minute, and while that gives me hope, her death has never given me any sort of relief, and I would pluck her out of the sky right now if I had the opportunity. I wouldn't make her "normal", but would love her with the unconditional love a mother shows a child- exactly how she was. </div>
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Making this quilt has allowed me to heal a little, because I've cried a few tears in the process. I'm so sad that another mother with a child with special needs will go through this journey, and that people, will probably say things to her that should be left unsaid. I hope this quilt comforts her, and that she knows that she isn't alone. My heart aches for LaShaun like it hasn't for anyone in awhile. I've avoided that ache simply by putting up a wall and just not looking over it. These things have just all worked together. Mackenzie is so important to my mother that I just can't choose to not see it. Having had been placed in the <a href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/1928374@N22/" target="_blank">heal circle</a> at do.good, I had, at my fingertips, a group of women who could help me get it done. It was making the choice to get it done that was the hard part. A simple email to Nicke solved that problem for me. It was put into motion. I learned while making this quilt that it is never too late to move forward. If you are anything like me, quilting is a very personal time in which you get to do a lot of thinking, not about dinner tomorrow, or what a pig says, how a silent e works, who poked who first, or where someones night night might be, but that "selfish" sort of thinking you can't drown out with a boob tube or a book. I knew that while making this quilt, I'd be doing that sort of thinking that I've avoided before. I got mad at people all over again. I got over some things, just because it's time to let it go. I shed some tears y'all. It was very liberating. That's why this quilt is special to me. To all the ladies who've shed some tears with me, thank you so much for being a part of this process with me. Thank you. It has truly been an honor. </div>
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/1928374@N22/" target="_blank"></a></center>Mandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13877671059849465046noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8144056083212655446.post-20282635094227534752012-04-29T06:40:00.001-05:002012-04-29T07:11:21.806-05:00Sewing with kids<div class="hreview">
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My relationship with my oldest is quite special. I credit her with my life, meaning, that after her twin died, she was really my reason for continuing, for getting out of bed every day. She is Aleah's identical twin, so I can look at her and imagine Aleah. Last week I glanced in my rear view mirror while Ada was singing loudly, and off-key. It was easy to picture her doppelganger seated next to her, smiling just as broadly. <br />
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I try to make her birthdays special. Willa and Micah have birthdays just weeks after Christmas (Jan 11 and 24), so I'm afraid to say that, yes, they receive the short end of the proverbial stick when it comes to birthdays. Ada has been asking for a sewing machine for- well- months. I suggested it would be a good birthday present for a 6 year old. She has not forgotten. I asked her Nini to purchase the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0012PTMAG/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=tattotsch-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B0012PTMAG">Janome 11706 3/4 Size Hello Kitty Sewing Machine</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=tattotsch-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B0012PTMAG" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />. I can quilt straight lines. That's about it. I am no sewist I'm going to have to learn to sew. But our first project will be to make quilts for these super cute adorable bunkbeds!<br />
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<a href="http://www.laurentdoll.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=FDBB-WHT-01">Originally submitted at Laurent Doll</a><img align="left" class="photo" src="http://images.powerreviews.com/images_products/07/13/11857052_100.jpg" style="margin: 0 0.5em 0 0;" />Includes two each cotton covered mattresses and pillows Measures 12" x 24.5" x 24.5" Weighs 12.5 lbs<br />
<strong class="summary">Bunk bed for my children's children</strong>By <strong>Manda</strong> from <strong>Montgomery, AL</strong> on <strong><abbr class="dtreviewed" style="border: none; text-decoration: none;" title="2012429T1200-0800">4/29/2012</abbr></strong><br />
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<strong>Pros: </strong>Heirloom quality, BEAUTIFUL, Easy to assemble<br />
<strong>Cons: </strong>Very chemical smell<br />
This doll bed will be a birthday gift to my daughter in a couple of weeks. I put the boxed product in our linen closet after we received it last week, and I smelled it each time we open the door. The smell is strong even through the packaging. I took it out of the packaging 2 weeks in advance to assemble it and hide it in outdoor place in hopes the smell will subside. I still gave the product a top rating, but wanted to mention this to those who have sensitivity to smells.<br />
Other than that issue, it is a very cute and very durable bed. I expect that this will be treasured and loved for decades to come.<br />
(<a href="http://www.powerreviews.com/legal/terms_of_use.html" rel="license">legalese</a>)</blockquote>
I got her a <a href="http://www.fabricworm.com/facubuwav5in.html" target="_blank">fabric bundle</a> from Fabricworm. Confession: it has been so hard for me not to slice into these babies! Oh my goodness they are cute! I can't wait to share my love of quilting with Ada! We'll do a simple patchwork top with a border. As a librarian, I like to do things by the book. I'm trying to decide which of the limited titles on quilting with kids I should buy, if any. I did get <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1453858687/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=tattotsch-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1453858687">My First Sewing Machine Book: Learn To Sew: Kids</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=tattotsch-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1453858687" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />, which is pretty good. <br />
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I've been scouring the internet looking for blogs that focus on kids and sewing. Remember, that I'll be learning right along with her. Here are a couple of my favorites:<br />
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<a href="http://www.ikatbag.com/search/label/Kids%20Sewing" target="_blank">ikat bag</a><br />
<a href="http://sewingschool.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Sewing School Blog</a><br />
<a href="http://www.polkadotchair.com/" target="_blank">Polka Dot Chair</a><br />
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If you have a blog post on sewing with kids, or a book suggestion, or any advice, please share and help this anxious mama!<br />
<a class="url fn" href="http://www.laurentdoll.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=FDBB-WHT-01" style="display: none;"><span class="fn">Doll Bunk Bed</span></a></div>
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<span class="rating">5</span>out of 5</div>
</div>Mandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13877671059849465046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8144056083212655446.post-88407311668047040252012-04-28T16:55:00.001-05:002012-04-28T22:14:25.757-05:00Craigsblock<div style="font-size: 0.8em; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0 0 10px 0; padding: 0;">
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--NfULeId0ZY/T5xn6EdCaUI/AAAAAAAAA0c/gxo0LmB4L9Y/s1600/cmqg3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="556" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--NfULeId0ZY/T5xn6EdCaUI/AAAAAAAAA0c/gxo0LmB4L9Y/s640/cmqg3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/54631932@N03/6976406650/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Craigsblock"><img alt="Craigsblock by stayathomelibrarian" height="403" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7088/6976406650_0cbdd0df71.jpg" title="" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/54631932@N03/6976406650/">Craigsblock</a>, a photo by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/54631932@N03/">stayathomelibrarian</a> on Flickr.</span></div>
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Unfortunately, there is no modern quilt guild near me, but I do have hopes that one day I may be able to be a member of one! I'd love to be able to go to Texas to Quiltcon, but honestly, if I had the spare cash to spend on quilting, it would be for a new machine (I'm wishing for the more affordable Janome Horizon opposed to a Bernina), and not a trip. Keeping it real, yo! However, I am happy to participate, even if just a little way, in <a href="http://www.quiltcon.com/" target="_blank">Quiltcon</a> by submitting this block for the <a href="http://www.quiltcon.com/get-involved/quiltcon-block-challenge/" target="_blank">Quilt Block Challenge</a>.<br />
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Having had read about the Quiltcon Block Challenge, I never expected to be sending in an entry until the other day when I was surfing around on Craigslist (you know you do it too) and came across this couch. I said to myself, "Self, that would make a cool quilt block". So, here I am, translating this retro couch into my version of a modern quilt block. The colors chosen for the challenge really did most of the work. I call this block "Craigsblock".<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TLdqhe9Rea8/T5xnqA83XyI/AAAAAAAAA0M/iCPNtqiFVcQ/s1600/retro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TLdqhe9Rea8/T5xnqA83XyI/AAAAAAAAA0M/iCPNtqiFVcQ/s320/retro.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I have no expectations that it'll be well liked, or even in the running to be included in the final quilt, but I'm proud of it regardless. I even got out my camera and took it on a little photo shoot! If you know me over at Flickr, or read this blog-ever- I'm pretty famous for my poor quality iPad photos.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eetqBn_m8t0/T5xoEv3luaI/AAAAAAAAA0s/Ocbbhat3ybA/s1600/cmqb2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eetqBn_m8t0/T5xoEv3luaI/AAAAAAAAA0s/Ocbbhat3ybA/s640/cmqb2.jpg" width="600" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EW87cFWcQ8U/T5xoFAyknzI/AAAAAAAAA00/uCq4jKhCbEE/s1600/cmqg4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EW87cFWcQ8U/T5xoFAyknzI/AAAAAAAAA00/uCq4jKhCbEE/s640/cmqg4.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
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<br />Mandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13877671059849465046noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8144056083212655446.post-71542276485119791162012-04-27T08:05:00.001-05:002012-04-27T08:27:57.764-05:00Drunk Love for Mackenzie<div style="font-size: 0.8em; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0 0 10px 0; padding: 0;">
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/54631932@N03/6972413622/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="D-Love for Mackenzie"><img alt="D-Love for Mackenzie by stayathomelibrarian" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8143/6972413622_9b940d6938.jpg" width="428" /></a></div>
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<span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/54631932@N03/6972413622/">D-Love for Mackenzie</a>, a photo by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/54631932@N03/">stayathomelibrarian</a> on Flickr.</span></div>
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I left 4 blank spots for blocks that didn't get uploaded to FLICKR, but that I have been told have been mailed. I *think* we'll have at least 25 blocks to make this quilt. I never imagined such come-togetherness on this project. Of course, I'm not surprised.Mandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13877671059849465046noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8144056083212655446.post-88538632718407784562012-04-25T08:23:00.002-05:002012-04-25T11:23:15.148-05:00Drunk Love Charity Quilt<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/dogoodstitches/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J5XOlmQOXJA/T5f6XMOilgI/AAAAAAAAAz0/ze9YOrZCxAc/s1600/do.good.stitches.jpg" /></a></div>
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Firstly, I finished both the top and back for Ada's plus quilt! No pictures though, I've been busy working on another project. I believe I've mentioned before that I'm a quilter for the<a href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/1928374@N22/" target="_blank"> heal circle of do.good.stitches</a>. I've also mentioned before that one of my twins died 5 years ago at 9 months old. She spent a lot of time in the NICU and PICU, and during that time, I received a few quilts which I used to decorate her crib, and that I still treasure today. When I started to quilt, one of my goals was to be able to "pay back" some of that comfort and kindness in quilts that I'd made.<br />
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My mother has a beautiful Goddaughter named Mackenzie. She is 6 years old and recently went into hospice. My mother sent me an email link to an <a href="http://valdostadailytimes.com/local/x101447258/Valdostan-given-special-gift" target="_blank">article about Mackenzie and her gift from Make a Wish</a>. It only just occurred to me then that Mackenzie needed a quilt! The heal circle was made specifically to benefit hospice patients and their families. I sent an email to the groups admin, and we quickly, and without much thought, settled on this <a href="http://www.dsquilts.com/quilts.asp?PageID=1" target="_blank">Drunk Love</a> block by Denyse Schmidt. I asked for I-spy middles. While I'm not a huge fan of the name, I do like the methodical madness to the wonky of this block. If I were to rename the block, I'd call it "Method to this Madness". Doesn't make sense? Make a couple, you'll get it. <br />
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I really want to get this quilt made and sent to Mackenzie and her tripets as soon as possible, so I gave my bee mates just a little over a week to get their blocks made and to me. I am amazed and humbled by their response. Given more time, I know I'd get more blocks. I also asked the ladies over at Be a {Modern} Swapper (<b>BA{m}S</b>) to participate, as well as a call to the general do.good stitches group. I can't wait to start getting these blocks in the mail.<br />
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If you can get a 12.5 block made and in the mail to me on/before Saturday (4/28/12), I'd like to officially invite YOU to participate. Comment below, and I'll send you my snail mail address.<br />
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Here are (poor quality) photos of the blocks I've made:<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/54631932@N03/7100220353/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Drunk Love by stayathomelibrarian, on Flickr"><img alt="Drunk Love" height="461" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7270/7100220353_4bbce14a02.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/54631932@N03/6966416226/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Drunk Love 2 for Mackenzie by stayathomelibrarian, on Flickr"><img alt="Drunk Love 2 for Mackenzie" height="474" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7085/6966416226_169665542e.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/54631932@N03/7112498689/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Drunk Love 3 for Mackenzie by stayathomelibrarian, on Flickr"><img alt="Drunk Love 3 for Mackenzie" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7080/7112498689_87033e000b.jpg" width="493" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/54631932@N03/7112501119/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Drunk Love 4 for Mackenzie by stayathomelibrarian, on Flickr"><img alt="Drunk Love 4 for Mackenzie" height="491" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7053/7112501119_415e832174.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/54631932@N03/6966426084/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Drunk love 5 for Mackenzie by stayathomelibrarian, on Flickr"><img alt="Drunk love 5 for Mackenzie" height="476" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7205/6966426084_d91c1486d7.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://freshlypieced.blogspot.com/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="WIP Wednesday at Freshly Pieced" height="150" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1109/5159705972_49be14a673_m.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>Mandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13877671059849465046noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8144056083212655446.post-47961587213115446842012-04-18T20:20:00.001-05:002012-05-30T13:24:20.244-05:00Willa's Doll QuiltI finally finished the back to Willa's doll quilt. I pulled the hopscotch board in one of the fabrics out of the fabric and put it into a strip down the back. I used the cream doll print that is featured in the blocks.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ARJwXKyghdU/T49jtkx9VjI/AAAAAAAAAzI/ECeWkHoyyNI/s1600/willa-doll-quilt-back.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ARJwXKyghdU/T49jtkx9VjI/AAAAAAAAAzI/ECeWkHoyyNI/s640/willa-doll-quilt-back.jpg" width="465" /></a></div>
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I've never posted a picture of the completed top, and I hesitate to post this one. See that little hand in the above picture. With his "help" I managed to not get a decent un-blurred picture. That'll teach me to get out the real camera. I coulda got a better pic with my Ipad. But this'll give you an idea. </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sIOn4brvEvc/T49kHQMPdSI/AAAAAAAAAzQ/E2ImUZxC7A0/s1600/dollquilt-finished.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sIOn4brvEvc/T49kHQMPdSI/AAAAAAAAAzQ/E2ImUZxC7A0/s640/dollquilt-finished.jpg" width="502" /></a></div>
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It's already packed away in its box, ready to be shipped to <a href="http://quiltingismytherapy.com/" target="_blank">Angela</a> tomorrow, and I'm not going to wake it up to get a new picture. When it comes back, I'll have plenty of pics to post!</div>
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Ada's quilt top is done. Her birthday is May 11th, and last birthday of my year. I'm hoping to have at least 1 done on time. Especially since her appliqued birthday shirt coordinates! The back is going to be Aqua Balloons. I'm going to quilt this myself. Not quite sure yet. I'd like to quilt 1/4 inch along the seams, but I might try some diagonal lines. WWYD?</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--oJziUbVEmw/T49k6p9Ad3I/AAAAAAAAAzY/xd611x_XzUs/s1600/plus-quilt-top.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--oJziUbVEmw/T49k6p9Ad3I/AAAAAAAAAzY/xd611x_XzUs/s640/plus-quilt-top.jpg" width="568" /></a></div>
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I also finished my blocks for the 4x5 modern quilt bee!</div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/54631932@N03/7065680879/" title="4x5 by stayathomelibrarian, on Flickr"><img alt="4x5" height="351" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7257/7065680879_3e7dc5697a.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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<i>Semi-Completed Project:</i><br />
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<li><span style="background-color: white;">Sarah Jane Cross Quilt top</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white;">Willa's Doll Quilt top </span></li>
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<i>New Projects:</i></div>
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<li><span style="background-color: white;">Wacky Bentos (yet to be started)</span></li>
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<i>Projects in the Workbox</i>:<br />
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<li><span style="background-color: white;">Houndstooth Tubes </span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white;">Love You to the Moon Word Quilt (worked on this one since I last posted. I need some advice on that one- later)</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white;">Shot Cottons Wonky Log Cabin </span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white;">Spiderweb</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white;">Rainbow Diamond (I completed 4 blocks)</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white;">(and 7) Sarah Jane Family Panels (Waiting on the embroidery fairy)</span></li>
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<i>Bees:</i></div>
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-Sew Bee Wonky- finished March and April blocks</div>
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-heal.do.good stitches- Ribbon star</div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/54631932@N03/7049269849/" title="Ribbon stars for heal.do.good.stitches- April 2012 by stayathomelibrarian, on Flickr"><img alt="Ribbon stars for heal.do.good.stitches- April 2012" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7214/7049269849_aa79ab34cb.jpg" width="253" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://freshlypieced.blogspot.com/"><img alt="WIP Wednesday at Freshly Pieced" height="150" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1109/5159705972_49be14a673_m.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>Mandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13877671059849465046noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8144056083212655446.post-13219804434298061932012-03-28T17:12:00.006-05:002012-05-30T13:24:51.926-05:00Another Sarah Jane QuiltMy last Children at Play quilt is a plus/cross quilt. In addition to the CAP prints, I also used some Jewel prints from Andover. I really really like them. I'm using Pezzy Prints, the last of my cross weaves. I'm bummed that Moda isn't going to be making these anymore. I love them. Right now I only have the rows paired. I sure do wish I could figure out chain piecing. I'm doing it square by square, row by row. When I even try to do the rows 2 squares at a time, I forget which way is up. I have to do a lot of unsewing, so for now, I'll just do it the long way. I hadn't planned on posting it, but Ada insisted on inspecting the progress, so I decided to snap a quick pick on the iPad. I have the Parade Panel from this line to be used in the back, and I've seen some great scalloped quilts like <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jackmanfamily/6780857944/" target="_blank">this one</a>. I want to try it! I'm not sure my sewing level is high enough. I wonder if I could talk my LQS into doing a class.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/54631932@N03/7025024923/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Untitled by stayathomelibrarian, on Flickr"><img alt="Untitled" height="375" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7114/7025024923_1cd039abd1.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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Not very interesting, but here are the other rows- on my handy TV table. And there's <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/54631932@N03/6967454389/in/pool-1658135@N21/" target="_blank">my new pinnie</a> from Bee a [modern] swapper- in use!<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/54631932@N03/7025038659/" title="Untitled by stayathomelibrarian, on Flickr"><img alt="Untitled" height="375" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7176/7025038659_5c335744a1.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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So- that's it. I still have lots of WIPs I haven't thought of in months! This quilt will be Ada's birthday quilt. It's coming up in May. So it's pretty high on my list, as is finishing the back of Willa's quilt and getting it sent to Angela.<br />
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This week I need to work on some liberated churn dash blocks for a wonky bee. I don't know why, but I'm terrified of doing this block. I'm also getting set this weekend to swap partners for the <a href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/12blocksofchristmasbee/discuss/72157629183404380/" target="_blank">Pot Holder Swap</a>. It'll be a busy day of cutting and pasting from the google doc. I sure do love google docs though!<br />
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About an hour ago, I got my swapped blocks back from<a href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/modmosiac/" target="_blank"> Kari's Scrap Busting Group</a>. We did wacky bentos. I made- a lot- of blocks. When I counted them out, it was about a dozen more than I thought I'd made. I'm dense like that. These are quartered blocks, so for each of my own blocks, I have 3 more to complete 1 16 in block. I decided to put 1 of my blocks in each of the completed blocks, and distribute the rest randomly. This one will go together quickly, but I guess technically, I've added another project. It will be the biggest quilt I've made to date. We're doing Herringbone blocks this time. Go sign up!<br />
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Preview:<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/54631932@N03/7024982313/" title="Untitled by stayathomelibrarian, on Flickr"><img alt="Untitled" height="369" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7229/7024982313_140b9577f5.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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<i>Completed Project:</i><br />
none<br />
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<i>New Projects:</i></div>
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(2) Sarah Jane Cross Quilt, Wacky Bentos<br />
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<i>Projects in the Workbox</i>:<br />
1. Houndstooth Tubes </div>
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2. Love You to the Moon Word Quilt</div>
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3. Shot Cottons Wonky Log Cabin </div>
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4. Spiderweb</div>
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5. Rainbow Diamond</div>
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6 & 7. Sarah Jane Family Panels (Waiting on the embroidery fairy)<br />
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<i>Bees:</i></div>
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-Sew Bee Wonky- liberated churn dash to be completed</div>
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-heal.do.good stitches- pinwheels complete</div>
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- Bee a {modern} swapper- It's my month, and I'm getting some great blocks!</div>
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</div>Mandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13877671059849465046noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8144056083212655446.post-29306790938815817142012-03-21T20:31:00.003-05:002012-05-30T13:25:29.457-05:00Micah's Tumbler QuiltIf I were a regular blogger, I'd like to think I'd have regular readers- if of course they had something to read- regularly. I'm funny, witty, smart, and quite humble, and not the least bit vain. (; But, I'm not (a regular blogger that is), so I'll have to live with my delusions. I have so many works in progress, that I really should post more often. <br />
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I shared a photo through instagram a few weeks ago of how I organize my WIPs:<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/54631932@N03/6976257867/" title="How do you organize your WIPs? Mine get a labeled drawer. by stayathomelibrarian, on Flickr"><img alt="How do you organize your WIPs? Mine get a labeled drawer." height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7052/6976257867_ab1dda06b2.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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They're in those drawers to the right of my desk. I don't have a better name for it than that. To steal a homeschooling term, I call them workboxes. I have, I think, 10 WIPs. Realizing of course, there are people with more WIPs than I do. I'd like to get to the point where I have more completed quilts than planned quilts.</div>
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One of those WIPs is this:</div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/54631932@N03/6828719562/" title="Moon by stayathomelibrarian, on Flickr"><img alt="Moon" height="360" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7190/6828719562_24b38fa63a.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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It's part of a top I've been working on for some time. You can't tell it from my crappy photo (my lack of time to take and edit photos is #1 on my list of reasons I don't blog more often). It's hot hot pink, not red. I'm making it for a friend who lost a child in a car accident last year. Her name will be the top half. Dividing the top from the bottom will be a row of hearts. I have to get busy making those hearts. I'll also overcome my fear of paper piecing and do a moon, or do a wonky one for the top half. I really am pleased with how it's turning out. This is a collaborative quilt, and much love to my ladies at the <a href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/wordplaybee/" target="_blank">Word Play Bee</a>.<br />
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You can see the other half of my soon-to-be completed top on my work table here:<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/54631932@N03/6976270473/" title="Got these bins at Ikea to color code my scraps. by stayathomelibrarian, on Flickr"><img alt="Got these bins at Ikea to color code my scraps." height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7046/6976270473_29df39a5d8.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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There are too many WIPs to list here, but as I get them out and play with them, I HOPE to write about them a little more. Willa's doll quilt is now a quilt top. It's even got 3 more blocks than I showed several months ago. I'm having it professionally quilted by <a href="http://quiltingismytherapy.com/" target="_blank">Angela</a>. I've got my appointment in May! That means I'll have to get the back made quick like. Remember these blocks?<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hO-ew829cIo/T2p4hAIl2vI/AAAAAAAAAww/r1Z377N81FE/s1600/mosaic819ae46bf60dabf24d23a8154b4859ae9eca747e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hO-ew829cIo/T2p4hAIl2vI/AAAAAAAAAww/r1Z377N81FE/s640/mosaic819ae46bf60dabf24d23a8154b4859ae9eca747e.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I'm very excited to report a big finish this week. I started this quilt right after Thanksgiving. It was to be completed by my son's second birthday, but that was over 2 months ago. I have a love affair with Sarah Jane Studios fabric. I got enough of it to make all three children a quilt. Willa's doll quilt is Sarah Jane's Children at Play, and I have recently started cutting squares in order to make Ada a <a href="http://incolororder.blogspot.com/2010/09/plus-quilt-tutorial.html" target="_blank">Plus Quilt</a> for her birthday (in May). Sarah Jane has a new line coming out soon. Hopefully, I don't love it as much as this line, because I have plans to hopefully find yardage of this line on sale in order to make some <a href="http://sarahjanestudios.com/blog/2011/06/introducing-on-parade-panel-and-a-floor-pillow-project/" target="_blank">floor pillows</a> and curtains. <br />
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Micah's quilt is a tumbler quilt. I decided to make one after watching the video at Missouri Quilt company. I have Accuquilt Go envy, and since I won't be buying one anytime soon, I decided I could do a quilt just as easily without the handy dandy cutter. The truth is, it probably would've gone much faster with the machine. I made my own template out of template plastic and used the little neon tape you put on quilting rulers to outline it. I cut dozens of tumblers. It was quite time consuming. My hubby spent a few days laying out the arrangement. I looked critically at it a few times, but in the end, we settled on a layout we really both liked. I put it in a drawer and neglected it- until last week. I got it done pretty quickly, and I <3 it.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qWZwd-mqgqk/T2p7MF1kOFI/AAAAAAAAAw4/RoPK0hsjbgw/s1600/micah-train-quilt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qWZwd-mqgqk/T2p7MF1kOFI/AAAAAAAAAw4/RoPK0hsjbgw/s1600/micah-train-quilt.jpg" /></a></div>
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Not so close-up of the quilting. I quilted it 1/2 inch from all the seams. I sorta wished I'd done 1/4 inch seams, but I really do like it. </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RmuQWn7Qm1M/T2p7MyZA8jI/AAAAAAAAAxA/pavWojICmF8/s1600/trainquilting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RmuQWn7Qm1M/T2p7MyZA8jI/AAAAAAAAAxA/pavWojICmF8/s1600/trainquilting.jpg" /></a></div>
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I backed this quilt with a racing stripe flannel from this same fabric line. it is soooo soft. Here's a picture of my kitty helping me baste it (yup, still cheating) to give you an idea of the backing. It was nothing special, and you can't really see the quilting in a photo.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/54631932@N03/6988167441/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Cheater cheater quilt trying to baster. by stayathomelibrarian, on Flickr"><img alt="Cheater cheater quilt trying to baster." height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7054/6988167441_b5914d2504.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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I did finish a LOT of blocks for a <a href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/modmosiac/" target="_blank">scrapbuster</a> swap. I didn't realize that I'd made so many until I counted them out to mail. I should be able to make a twin sized quilt once I get the swap back. I was a modified- modified bento block box. Realistically, we made log cabin blocks, and quartered them. <br />
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I worked also on my blocks for the 4x5 modern quilt bee. I have two more to make before I'm done. I may be late in getting my own stuff done, but I like to be early when working on a project from someone else. <br />
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Several months ago I submitted my application to join the <a href="http://do.good.stitches/">do.Good.stitches</a> bee. It's a group that makes blocks and donates the finished quilts to a charity. I was even asked to be a quilter. Not sure how I got into the classification as a quilter, but I'll do my best. I'm a quilter in the <a href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/1928374@N22/" target="_blank">Heal circle</a>. I'm excited to participate in this bee, and I got my pinwheels made quickly!<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/54631932@N03/6949445773/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" title="Heal.do.good.stitches block 2 by stayathomelibrarian, on Flickr"><img alt="Heal.do.good.stitches block 2" height="240" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7203/6949445773_67f835eac2_m.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/54631932@N03/6949440353/" title="Heal.do.good.stitches block 1 by stayathomelibrarian, on Flickr"><img alt="Heal.do.good.stitches block 1" height="240" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7040/6949440353_c714e0c255_m.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
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I've got plenty to keep me busy in the quilting world, and here is to hoping I have something to report on again!<br />
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<a href="http://freshlypieced.blogspot.com/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="WIP Wednesday at Freshly Pieced" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1109/5159705972_49be14a673_m.jpg" /></a></div>
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</div>Mandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13877671059849465046noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8144056083212655446.post-54085167420538143932012-02-12T15:18:00.007-06:002012-02-13T12:00:21.677-06:00Love Letters<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="text-align: left;">We aren't much of Valentines celebrators around my house, but when Madamme Samme at </span><a href="http://www.sewwequilt.com/" style="text-align: left;" target="_blank">!Sew We Quilt!</a><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><span style="text-align: left;">put out a call for the color red and heart themed tutorials, I asked if readers might be interested in a quick lesson in the "L" word. This post won't be on the Sew We Quilt blog until Thursday. In case you have a few minutes to whip up some <a href="http://needledmom.blogspot.com/2008/04/fabric-postcard-tutorial.html" target="_blank">fabric valentines</a>, I wanted to share it before V-Day.</span></span><br />
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</div><div style="font-size: 0.8em; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0 0 10px 0; padding: 0;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/54631932@N03/6864629929/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Handmade valentine"><img alt="Handmade valentine by stayathomelibrarian" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7184/6864629929_a680226a9c.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/54631932@N03/6864629929/">Handmade valentine</a>, a photo by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/54631932@N03/">stayathomelibrarian</a> on Flickr.</span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0000ee; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><u></u></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: left;">Pick a letter fabric, and a background fabric. In my observation, using solids is the easiest. If you use a print, try to use one that has a small design, and also not too busy. If the prints coordinate too closely, it may be </span><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/96461879@N00/6213113834/in/pool-1692112@N22/" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: left;" target="_blank">hard to read</a><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: left;"> the word. In this case, I'm using red for the background, and white for the letters. I use a ruler from June Tailor called a Shape Cut. I cut 1 inch and 1.5 inch strips before I get started. Occasionally you do need wider pieces (as in the V below), but this will get you started.</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-35YtqCtcdr4/TzgszoT-5qI/AAAAAAAAAtI/60RV8cC6eKY/s1600/cut.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="392" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-35YtqCtcdr4/TzgszoT-5qI/AAAAAAAAAtI/60RV8cC6eKY/s640/cut.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">A word of caution when using this ruler. Take your time when using it. Pay attention to where you place your hand in order to hold the ruler. Imagine this pencil might be your finger. Things could get a little- dicey (pause for audience laughter).</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3X8fJKio3S4/Tzgsze49-gI/AAAAAAAAAtA/vY5QoVdizQg/s1600/careful.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="416" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3X8fJKio3S4/Tzgsze49-gI/AAAAAAAAAtA/vY5QoVdizQg/s640/careful.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
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</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Piecing letters is easier than you might think. Before we start, I want to put forth a tip that'll save you some grief. Set your stitch length short. It needn't be this small, but after my first few words fell apart in the wash, I made it a habit to set it low when I sit to join my strips.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Dj1duH3ctBQ/TzgwGevnJAI/AAAAAAAAAtw/QmLcQ8oDN7A/s1600/stitch-small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="272" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Dj1duH3ctBQ/TzgwGevnJAI/AAAAAAAAAtw/QmLcQ8oDN7A/s400/stitch-small.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
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</span></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Now, get one of each of your strips and stitch them together. Press the seams open. Open? Does it matter? Well, I really think it does, and I'll tell you why. Pressing the seams open keeps it looking flat. If you press your seams to the darker fabric, in this case the red, the bulk of the pressed seam would cause the background to appear raised. In instances where the letter fabric is the darker fabric, the letter would appear raised. However you decide to press your letters, choose a way and stick to it. But don't skip pressing.</span></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W6HmKNAacko/TzgwdpEagXI/AAAAAAAAAt4/JylmPMNoc54/s1600/open-seam.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="246" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W6HmKNAacko/TzgwdpEagXI/AAAAAAAAAt4/JylmPMNoc54/s400/open-seam.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Add the bottom piece to construct the letter "L". If you want to make your letters wonky, trim at angles before adding the bottom piece. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mnepJ_Z1qOA/TzgxpEY7WsI/AAAAAAAAAuA/O1dg4elEz90/s1600/L.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mnepJ_Z1qOA/TzgxpEY7WsI/AAAAAAAAAuA/O1dg4elEz90/s400/L.jpg" width="202" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">For the O, cut a piece of the background fabric and build your "o" around it. You can be really creative with this letter. It doesn't need to be as boring as this one. It may be hard to imagine, but this is one of those letters you can make your own by changing your trimming angles, and using different width of letter fabrics.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-F9n2pemWA-g/Tzgx96XA8RI/AAAAAAAAAuI/WDrGi9ZRJtg/s1600/o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-F9n2pemWA-g/Tzgx96XA8RI/AAAAAAAAAuI/WDrGi9ZRJtg/s320/o.jpg" width="292" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The V is my favorite letter. Once you can make the V, you can make the <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/54631932@N03/6641817025/in/pool-1692112@N22/" target="_blank">W, and Y</a>. The W is two Vs placed together, and the Y is the V with a stick on it. I like my Vs pointy bottomed, and it is my pleasure to show you how to achieve this look.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NEJyZAMMNek/TzgyUNEZJ2I/AAAAAAAAAuQ/gzm3iWN3nLc/s1600/v1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="283" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NEJyZAMMNek/TzgyUNEZJ2I/AAAAAAAAAuQ/gzm3iWN3nLc/s320/v1.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Put a piece of wide background fabric with one of your wider letter strips. Also sew together thin pieces of each of the fabrics. </span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-strABNNVYWo/TzgyUk7OWgI/AAAAAAAAAuY/sZrY6pDj8Go/s1600/v2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="288" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-strABNNVYWo/TzgyUk7OWgI/AAAAAAAAAuY/sZrY6pDj8Go/s320/v2.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Eyeball the strips to decide on the angle that you like best. Cut your strip on this angle.</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bGe6AxdJnb4/TzgzanGISsI/AAAAAAAAAuw/qxiR6bOQ9P4/s1600/v3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bGe6AxdJnb4/TzgzanGISsI/AAAAAAAAAuw/qxiR6bOQ9P4/s320/v3.jpg" width="280" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This is where your point comes in. Resist the urge to attach these pieces at the bottom. Offset it so that when you sew the pieces together, press it, open it, and trim it, that the letter will come to a point. If not, you'll get a flat bottomed v. </span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CZEkWeims5g/TzgyVZjznVI/AAAAAAAAAuo/c6Anazle3wg/s1600/v4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="307" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CZEkWeims5g/TzgyVZjznVI/AAAAAAAAAuo/c6Anazle3wg/s320/v4.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Add another piece of background fabric. As wide as you can stand it, you can always trim it down later.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I tend to make the most of my fabric. Meaning, I dig through the pieces I've trimmed in order to construct easier letters. The E is one of these easiest with which to do this (also the lowercase l).</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EiEDVK7BB6E/Tzg05RvJb-I/AAAAAAAAAu4/KoXSxEnEC48/s1600/e1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EiEDVK7BB6E/Tzg05RvJb-I/AAAAAAAAAu4/KoXSxEnEC48/s400/e1.jpg" width="252" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Can you see it? I joined these three pieces together, and then added an unused letter fabric in order to make this E.</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Zg8TUOYqdTw/Tzg05zsimiI/AAAAAAAAAvA/0SyfiudDDIU/s1600/e2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Zg8TUOYqdTw/Tzg05zsimiI/AAAAAAAAAvA/0SyfiudDDIU/s400/e2.jpg" width="286" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This is where you get to play. Arrange your letters. You might want to save trimming your letters until you get to this point. As it concerns anything, practice makes perfect, and I for one need a lot more practice, but through some trial and lots of errors, I've found my way to piece letters. That's the best thing about liberated, improv, free, unruly- or whatever you call- style of piecing. There is no right or wrong way. There's no need for the size of your letters to be uniform. When you're first piecing, you might want to try making larger letters before trying smaller letters.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-acZ-UvR_Abo/Tzg1kkRoCrI/AAAAAAAAAvI/ub3-c1rdqJw/s1600/love-block.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-acZ-UvR_Abo/Tzg1kkRoCrI/AAAAAAAAAvI/ub3-c1rdqJw/s400/love-block.jpg" width="298" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">So, I hope I've hooked you enough to want to make some more letters. There are plenty of resources which you may use. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1604680172/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=tattotsch-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1604680172">Word Play Quilts: Easy Techniques from the UnRuly Quilter</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=tattotsch-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1604680172" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> by Tonya Ricucci is a great place to start.</span>Mandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13877671059849465046noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8144056083212655446.post-17207590239879545912012-02-10T11:05:00.004-06:002012-02-10T12:20:16.981-06:00Bee a {modern} swapper<div style="font-size: 0.8em; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0 0 10px 0; padding: 0;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/54631932@N03/6852162245/" title="Cathedral window pincushion staying with me."><img alt="Cathedral window pincushion staying with me. by stayathomelibrarian" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7178/6852162245_ee06b9c283.jpg" /></a></div><span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/54631932@N03/6852162245/">Cathedral window pincushion staying with me.</a>, a photo by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/54631932@N03/">stayathomelibrarian</a> on Flickr.</span></div>Katherine at <a href="http://www.honeyhilldesigns.com/" target="_blank">Honeyhill designs</a> asked me to help moderate a new sort of bee over at Flickr. Being the total follower that I am, I agreed. Her idea was to have a year long bee for as many people the two of us felt comfortable enough to handle. The participants would be split into groups we call honeycombs. Those groups would function like a traditional bee, but only be required to make blocks every other month. On the off months, there would be the optional swaps. Her idea is brilliant, and is working marvelously. We capped our membership at 36 for this year. She called it <a href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/12blocksofchristmasbee/pool/with/6852162245/" target="_blank">Bee a {modern} swapper</a>. If I were a good co-moderator, I'd have a little button to share here. But, a sippy cup of juice, a toddler, and a smoking lap-top have prohibited my construction of said button.<br />
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Our first month was a swap month. While I have sewn a total of two dresses in my life, I am no sewer. The idea of crafting something as small as a pincushion was rather frightening. But, I did it. Three times in fact. I used a wonderful tutorial from Kim at <a href="http://gogokim.blogspot.com/2011/12/cathedral-window-pin-cushion-tutorial.html" target="_blank">My Go-Go Life</a>. The first had some construction issues. This is the second. I didnt fall in love with the color scheme I'd chosen. I decided to keep it. I did have the perfect spot for it. When my grandmother died, I got this pincushion chair from her night stand. She'd already given away and bequeathed everything she owned, which wasn't much- mementos really. She'd made each of her grandchildren quilts in which she said her goodbyes. She lived a minimalist life as long as I knew her. This gaudy little chair had been a prop in my childhood, and it was still there, useful to her at the end of her life. If my grandmother had been a rich woman, no greater gift could have been given to me. The pincushion fits perfectly. The more I look at it, the less I dislike the pincushion. I am in love with the third pincushion, which is the one I'm swapping. I hope my secret swap partner digs it as much as I do. <br />
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And thanks for Kaki for making me step outside my comfort zone in more ways than one.Mandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13877671059849465046noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8144056083212655446.post-83496990194206755612011-12-21T10:01:00.001-06:002011-12-21T10:17:38.856-06:00It's a work in manic processChristmas is almost here! My girls got American Girl dolls from their grandmother for Christmas. They got them when we were in Virginia for Thanksgiving. I had it in my mind to do doll quilts for them. Two are completed. One, I like. The other I hate. I just want to put it in the trash, but my husband thinks that would be silly. I'm going to share, hoping that my picture doesn't end up pinned to Pinterest as a "What not to do" quilt board. <br />
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A few weeks ago I made the <a href="http://mandamadequilts.blogspot.com/2011/11/quilt-for-margaret-rose.html" target="_blank">Japanese Charm</a> quilt. I wanted to put a flange binding on it, but ended up transposing the numbers for the strips. I cut the binding down, but it was obvious that it wouldn't work. The mis-cut binding was squirreled away. I've never made a doll quilt, but I have observed that bindings on smaller items are often out of proportion to the item. Maybe I could use this skinny binding on a doll quilt? It turns out that it was still too skinny for someone on my quilting level. I hate it.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QVCR6VFkSGY/TvH851k-Y7I/AAAAAAAAAm0/1DywEX7C7f0/s1600/dollquiltbad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="600" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QVCR6VFkSGY/TvH851k-Y7I/AAAAAAAAAm0/1DywEX7C7f0/s640/dollquiltbad.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
I don't think I mitered the corners correctly either. I've never been so frustrated with any of my quilts. As I struggled with it, I marveled that I have ever managed to complete a quilt.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8tqSDnXBKOI/TvH93sEYUKI/AAAAAAAAAnE/3-pqukoBy6M/s1600/flange-close-yp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="500" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8tqSDnXBKOI/TvH93sEYUKI/AAAAAAAAAnE/3-pqukoBy6M/s640/flange-close-yp.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
If I'm being truthful, my frustration started with the quilting. I didn't originally quilt the borders, and went back and added to those lines. That is a mistake. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GeiabvH57YA/TvH86OLQHbI/AAAAAAAAAm8/sPo7aBlHWnI/s1600/dollquiltbadback.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="600" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GeiabvH57YA/TvH86OLQHbI/AAAAAAAAAm8/sPo7aBlHWnI/s640/dollquiltbadback.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
So, I'm undecided on what to do with this quilt. What do you do, assuming you do occasionally, when you have quilts that you just can't live with? <br />
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My second doll quilt went a little more smoothly. I even did my first cheater binding. I.love.cheater.binding!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-avlRcUSXfRc/TvH-1Qn7yxI/AAAAAAAAAnU/CO0TdRc1JUA/s1600/dollquilt2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="616" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-avlRcUSXfRc/TvH-1Qn7yxI/AAAAAAAAAnU/CO0TdRc1JUA/s640/dollquilt2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-P3UYZOSpT-0/TvH-0sgAA0I/AAAAAAAAAnM/PSYbR7s9laQ/s1600/dollquilt1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="456" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-P3UYZOSpT-0/TvH-0sgAA0I/AAAAAAAAAnM/PSYbR7s9laQ/s640/dollquilt1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>The quilt lines aren't perfect, but I am pleased with it. I'm even thankful for the disaster quilt. I learned a lot making both of these little boogers. <br />
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I don't think my Mama reads my blog, but in case she does- she should go away. The next is a result from my <a href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/wordplaybee/" target="_blank">Word Play Bee</a>. The blue was an unfortunate color coordination on my part, but I didn't hate it enough to duplicate the work in another combo. The border is a bit different than planned. I sent all of the solid crossweave I had to each member. I didn't get the leftover fabric back from everyone, so I had to nix the solids from the border. I used every single scrap of the print in the border. It was a close one. So- lesson learned.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_FnMuCxg1a0/TvH_z9B5cCI/AAAAAAAAAnk/jGJLNjzUkrE/s1600/maninifront.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_FnMuCxg1a0/TvH_z9B5cCI/AAAAAAAAAnk/jGJLNjzUkrE/s640/maninifront.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It's a quilt, obviously, for my Mama. The left side (as pictured) is the name of my children- the right their corresponding nick names. On the back- her "grandmother" name which is:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Lad3110jpaw/TvH_zM0BP3I/AAAAAAAAAnc/dIk5M7k1TC8/s1600/maniniback.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="466" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Lad3110jpaw/TvH_zM0BP3I/AAAAAAAAAnc/dIk5M7k1TC8/s640/maniniback.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rhymes with Panini</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div>My backings end up huge because I use the entire WOF. I made the middle panel first, and then made a tube with the other fabric. This way, I only have to do one cut (in this case tear) down the fabric. I'm comfortable doing it this way, but I think I'm probably wasting a lot of fabric.<br />
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I'm getting ready to quilt this sucker- today. I'm going to do "organic lines" as coined by <a href="http://tallgrassprairiestudio.blogspot.com/2010/08/organic-line-quilting.html?m=1" target="_blank">Tallgrass Prairie Studios</a>. I'm binding it in gray Heath, and I've thought about doing the lines both horizontally and vertically, but I just don't know!Mandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13877671059849465046noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8144056083212655446.post-57591716787171523412011-12-17T22:09:00.004-06:002012-01-03T17:02:56.540-06:00Tooth Fairy Pocketed Patch PillowSomething big happened at our house today. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Av36OC1jqn4/Tu1ZHg2f3UI/AAAAAAAAAlE/RWF0hiRD9Hc/s1600/tooth1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Av36OC1jqn4/Tu1ZHg2f3UI/AAAAAAAAAlE/RWF0hiRD9Hc/s320/tooth1.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Yep, my baby girl lost her first baby tooth. It happened in a flash. Recently friends have posted to FB pictures of their children and their gaps, and I thought-<i> wow, Ada doesn't even have a loose tooth</i>. Last night that changed, and today, the tooth was out. I thought I'd have a little bit of time to whip up a pillow, but no such luck. She lost her tooth at about 3pm. I decided to make her a pillow out of my favorite fabric- Sarah Jane. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">I'm always excusing my pictures, but I have a camera that's nicer than my picture taking abilities. Something is funky about the flash. Couple that with poor lighting in our home and the late hour, and well, I'm sure by now you're buying the excuses for my poor pictures. There is no such excuse I can offer for the following tutorial. It is as clear as mud, but I hope the inferior pictures make it understandable enough to do on your own- should you too need to make a tooth fairy pillow quick like.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Materials:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">-2 pieces of fabric about 9x7 (1 for back<b>ground</b>, another for backING)</div><div style="text-align: left;">-3 scrap pieces of fabric for front panel</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">1. Sew two strips of scrap fabric together and hem a seam of the top strip. This is going to be your pocket. </div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gzpB8P2Eqv0/Tu1ZIF8MIXI/AAAAAAAAAlM/u6th_Fif-aw/s1600/toothpillow1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="384" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gzpB8P2Eqv0/Tu1ZIF8MIXI/AAAAAAAAAlM/u6th_Fif-aw/s640/toothpillow1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">2. Put these pieces on top of your back<b>ground</b> fabric.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CHK79AUlr04/Tu1ZIhvu76I/AAAAAAAAAlU/5EUgH0E7Hcw/s1600/toothpillow2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="460" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CHK79AUlr04/Tu1ZIhvu76I/AAAAAAAAAlU/5EUgH0E7Hcw/s640/toothpillow2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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3. This is where it gets a little tricky. You need to take your third piece of scrap fabric and position it right sides together over the strips, and the background fabric. (You're working without a pattern here, and basically what you are doing is freepiecing a patchwork square, or in this case, a rectangle- of sorts.) With a 1/4 inch seam allowance, sew from top to bottom across the <b>background</b> fabric and the strips<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gOPmZSXarGI/Tu1ZJSzKWeI/AAAAAAAAAlc/-Pd3u-wPPwg/s1600/toothpillow3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="472" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gOPmZSXarGI/Tu1ZJSzKWeI/AAAAAAAAAlc/-Pd3u-wPPwg/s640/toothpillow3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
4. Press your seam, flip it over, press the panel. Easy peasy. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BoOFMRP9kPQ/Tu1ZJvreT_I/AAAAAAAAAlk/gwE3k5_spns/s1600/toothpillow4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="546" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BoOFMRP9kPQ/Tu1ZJvreT_I/AAAAAAAAAlk/gwE3k5_spns/s640/toothpillow4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">5. Square it up and you're done (with the top), but the hard part is over.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">6. Now, get your backING fabric and cut it to fit the panel you've just created. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nDrKbw4PqoM/Tu1ZKi3LIeI/AAAAAAAAAls/PaDnly09Rhc/s1600/toothpillow5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nDrKbw4PqoM/Tu1ZKi3LIeI/AAAAAAAAAls/PaDnly09Rhc/s640/toothpillow5.jpg" width="418" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">7. Put the backing and your panel right sides together and pin.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XaYGrpaRhCc/Tu1ZLFV-XJI/AAAAAAAAAl0/wYoLhozkCqc/s1600/toothpillow6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="592" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XaYGrpaRhCc/Tu1ZLFV-XJI/AAAAAAAAAl0/wYoLhozkCqc/s640/toothpillow6.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">8. Sew all the way around. Leave a gap for stuffing. Note that my gap is at the bottom. A better place would've been one of the sides. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">9. Trim your corners.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m7kMMMEt0aw/Tu1ZLkQXivI/AAAAAAAAAl8/ct0XQxeWvFo/s1600/toothpillow7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="588" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m7kMMMEt0aw/Tu1ZLkQXivI/AAAAAAAAAl8/ct0XQxeWvFo/s640/toothpillow7.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">10. Go to your kitchen drawer and get those chopsticks that you don't know why you have. If you don't have said chopsticks, snag a pair next opportunity, stick them in your purse and remember to put them in your kitchen drawer. Forget that you have them until you need to pull the outside out of the inside of something. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Pdef1a2-Hvw/Tu1ZL9X-7_I/AAAAAAAAAmE/l0dmlh0Ptl4/s1600/toothpillow8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="564" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Pdef1a2-Hvw/Tu1ZL9X-7_I/AAAAAAAAAmE/l0dmlh0Ptl4/s640/toothpillow8.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">11. Ta da. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D21iQl44d-o/Tu1ZMWd8nTI/AAAAAAAAAmM/POkoTO4AwCw/s1600/toothpillow9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D21iQl44d-o/Tu1ZMWd8nTI/AAAAAAAAAmM/POkoTO4AwCw/s640/toothpillow9.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
12. Stuff (chopsticks handy here also ) and close your hole. (In my case- have your Mama do it because your own whipstitch is sad- very sad).<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bG4p6XaABfo/Tu1ZMju33HI/AAAAAAAAAmU/Tim3PZB9mEk/s1600/toothpillow10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="554" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bG4p6XaABfo/Tu1ZMju33HI/AAAAAAAAAmU/Tim3PZB9mEk/s640/toothpillow10.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'll get a better picture of the finished project in the day time. </td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Of course you could make this pillow as simple, or complicated- or wonky as it suits you. I thought about adding an extra piece to the left, leaving a tiny pocket in the middle, but settled on quick and dirty. Good luck, and let me know how it goes!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Also, how much does the Tooth Fairy leave these days? My husband says a quarter. I convinced him that that wasn't nearly enough. He went up to $1- but that's what I got 30 some-odd years ago. Has inflation hit the TF? Ada hasn't decided if she wants the TF to take her tooth, so it may be a moot point. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div>Mandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13877671059849465046noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8144056083212655446.post-82731192061139211992011-12-17T10:46:00.000-06:002011-12-17T10:46:46.222-06:00Winner Announcing Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">Giveaway week culiminates with winner announcing day. I never imagined that I would have over 200 comments, and thanks to everyone who followed- putting me into double digits. I tried to respond to all the comments, but missed a few. I'm in the process of checking out all of your blogs. But, I want to give out my heartfelt thanks to everyone who took the time to leave a comment. The winner is: </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">Sissy who said: </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><b>Thank you for this give away and reminder about "no reply blogger</b>." I am half way thru the blog hop when I discovered I was "no reply." (sad face)</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">I love to make baby and children's quilts. they are quick, easy, well received and I can FMQ with my little Kenmore sewing machine. I love your redheaded babies. I had two (now grown). My last child was the only non redhead/freckled child. I love the back of the eye spy quilt. love scrappy backs. Def want to follow your blog. Don't feel bad about not writing often. I get so far behind on my blog..too busy with life to sit at computer. ok, thanks again and enjoy this season with your beautiful children.</span></i> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Seriously, take a minute and check your reply status. You'd be surprised at the number of people who entered who were no-reply and didn't leave an email. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><br />
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</div>Mandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13877671059849465046noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8144056083212655446.post-70167764813198807562011-12-11T23:36:00.014-06:002011-12-16T21:23:03.957-06:00A charm(ing) and novel(ty) giveawayI want to type something wonderful and witty to want to make you come back here after this Giveaway Day at <a href="http://sewmamasew.com/blog2/" target="_blank">Sew Mama Sew</a> is long over. But, nothing <i>charming</i> has come to mind. Nothing <i>novel</i> at least. <br />
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My name is Manda. I'm a librarian turned stay at home, homeschooling, sometimes quilting, rarely blogging -Mama. I started quilting a little over a year ago after my family had to uproot our lives in Virginia and move to Alabama for work. Quilting made those first few lonely months bearable. I come from a long line of quilters. In fact, I still sleep each night with a quilt that my great-grandmother made for me. But, I never took interest in the craft as a young person, so I don't have any great stories about learning to quilt from either one of them, although I am happy to continue the tradition. Even now, my mother and I have two different quilting styles, so I don't go to her for a lot of things. However, without her to wind bobbin after bobbin for me until I learned, I wouldn't be the so-so quilter I am today. I'm happy to report that I am an excellent bobbin winder these days. With any luck, and with a lot of practice, my children- and one day grandchildren- might treasure quilts made by me.<br />
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My kids love I-Spy quilts. I love working with novelty fabric. Here are some quilts I've made over the past year:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7i6lqJhuGwk/TuYkz1mrC-I/AAAAAAAAAkE/EczOSAxoXec/s1600/mosaic3167d23f87e3c1dcd2e26a50d48497315fbf2d49.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7i6lqJhuGwk/TuYkz1mrC-I/AAAAAAAAAkE/EczOSAxoXec/s640/mosaic3167d23f87e3c1dcd2e26a50d48497315fbf2d49.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">1. <a href="http://mandamadequilts.blogspot.com/2011/11/quilt-for-margaret-rose.html" target="_blank">Quilt for Maggie Rose</a>, 2. </span><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/54631932@N03/5988535641/" style="font-size: small; text-align: -webkit-auto;">Ada's I Spy- back</a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small; text-align: -webkit-auto;">, 3. </span><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/54631932@N03/5988535589/" style="font-size: small; text-align: -webkit-auto;">Ada's I Spy- front</a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small; text-align: -webkit-auto;">, 4. </span><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/54631932@N03/5346183577/in/photostream/" style="font-size: small; text-align: -webkit-auto;">birthdayquilt2</a></td></tr>
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My oldest daughter and baby son have one. My middle daughter is waiting patiently for hers. She's going to be lucky enough to be the recipient of a Spoonflower I-Spy quilt. I've been fortunate enough to participate in Spoonflower swaps. One was a small swap. We ended up with pairs of squares, and I'm happy to offer my duplicate charms in this giveaway. There are also some pairs of Japanese charms I have left over. Maybe you're too a Spoonflower swapper? Maybe you could use these in a mug rug, or doll quilt?<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BGudDOpEVOc/TuWNi9UV2HI/AAAAAAAAAjc/ZoBlpWXslE0/s1600/003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BGudDOpEVOc/TuWNi9UV2HI/AAAAAAAAAjc/ZoBlpWXslE0/s1600/003.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">You will also receive these scraps of novelty fabric. I've entered several I-Spy swaps and sometimes have extra yardage leftover. I never know what to do with it, and I'm not one good at saving and remembering to use what I have. These are all large pieces. If you don't like novelty fabric, then I guess this isn't too exciting of a giveaway for you.</div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Fo7NKwlrr4w/TuWNjBbB7QI/AAAAAAAAAjk/nGiIZkHP0ck/s1600/007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Fo7NKwlrr4w/TuWNjBbB7QI/AAAAAAAAAjk/nGiIZkHP0ck/s1600/007.jpg" /></a></div><br />
The giveaway is open to anyone who can type. I'll ship anywhere my post office allows me to ship. This is the holidays, and I have three small children, so I do appreciate some understanding if I don't get to the post office the day the giveaway closes. The giveaway will close on the 16th at 7 central standard time.<br />
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Mandatory entry- please <i>comment below. </i>Maybe tell me about a special handmade gift you've either given or received. The longer-windier, the better(read for me), but it won't improve your chances of winning. Neither will becoming a follower, but I have my candy canes crossed that I'll reach double numbers! The winner will be picked at random by generating a number at random.org. <br />
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But, before you leave, I have to have you look at my cute babies!<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">Merry Christmas, Y'all!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-size: x-large;"><br />
</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2JW6D2GMT5c/TuWZCsx5BvI/AAAAAAAAAjs/Sp7Ff6ORRVM/s1600/kids-sleigh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="454" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2JW6D2GMT5c/TuWZCsx5BvI/AAAAAAAAAjs/Sp7Ff6ORRVM/s640/kids-sleigh.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Willa, Ada, and Micah</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BhJiBKkgkSk/TuWZCyJDxII/AAAAAAAAAj0/GQryAyy9Pyk/s1600/micah-santa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BhJiBKkgkSk/TuWZCyJDxII/AAAAAAAAAj0/GQryAyy9Pyk/s640/micah-santa.jpg" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Santa and Micah</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OcMYaDH7WiY/TuWZDeOxHeI/AAAAAAAAAj8/ePu5NIdBKqo/s1600/mrssanta.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OcMYaDH7WiY/TuWZDeOxHeI/AAAAAAAAAj8/ePu5NIdBKqo/s640/mrssanta.jpg" width="316" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Willa (with shoes on the wrong feet) and Ada with Mrs. Claus and Jingles the Elf</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">Be sure to stop by <a href="http://sewmamasew.com/blog2/" target="_blank">Sew Mama Sew</a> to enter hundreds of giveaways today!</div><div><br />
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<div>PS. Please make sure that I can reach you. If you are chosen, and you didn't leave your email, and you are set to no-reply, I'll go to the next person.<br />
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<b> Edited to add: </b><br />
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<b>P.P.S.</b> Please check your blogger profile to make sure that you aren't a no-reply blogger. I was for a while without realizing it. There are a handful of people who've entered thus far that won't be able to win because they are no-reply and didn't leave an email. I hate to think of all that wasted time spent entering giveaways over the next week.<br />
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<b>P.P.S.S</b>. I may not be home to close the comments for the giveaway, so if you can comment, it's still open. I anticipate that it won't be much later than 7pm CST.</div><div><br />
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</span></div></div></div>Mandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13877671059849465046noreply@blogger.com206tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8144056083212655446.post-42201988133075484392011-12-08T14:52:00.001-06:002011-12-08T14:52:42.806-06:00Giveaway Day ~ December 12!<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://giveaway%20day%20%7E%20december%2012%21/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://www.sewmamasew.com/blog2/november2011/GiveawayDay.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>I'm going to be participating in Giveaway Day next week. I have some leftover Spoonflower charms, a couple of Japanese charms, and some pretty large pieces of novelty scraps that the I-Spy lover might like to have.</div><div><br />
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</div><a href="http://sewmamasew.com/blog2/2011/11/giveaway-day-december-12/#.TuEiq9r8Fcg.blogger">Giveaway Day ~ December 12!</a>Mandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13877671059849465046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8144056083212655446.post-61120481934138430992011-11-17T19:40:00.004-06:002011-11-18T07:54:05.051-06:00Quilt for Margaret Rose<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>I can't even excuse my iPhone for the poor pictures. This is my good camera, but at about 4 o'clock in the afternoon. These charms you see in this quilt were collected from the Japanese Charm Swap over at <a href="http://www.genxquilters.com/" target="_blank">GenX Quilters</a>. The pattern is from <a href="http://www.made-by-rae.com/" target="_blank">Made by Rae</a>. I have a confession to make, but more on that later. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NEt8vtB6jN0/TsWuoiTvyEI/AAAAAAAAAiI/vlEF_gjUDhc/s1600/maggiequiltfront.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NEt8vtB6jN0/TsWuoiTvyEI/AAAAAAAAAiI/vlEF_gjUDhc/s640/maggiequiltfront.jpg" width="580" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I used Mettler Silk Finish thread for the quilting and can I say Yum-my. I'm an Auriful die hard, but this thread is wonderful.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"> </span> This is not my 1st try at straight line quilting. I also straight line quilted <a href="http://mandamadequilts.blogspot.com/2011/08/i-spy-with-my-little-eye.html" target="_blank">Ada's I Spy Quilt</a>, but that was a bit different. Since it was diagonal lines, I could start and finish the lines easily off the edges of this quilt. In quilting this, I was lost when it came to changing the bobbin, or starting and stopping a new line. Do you "lock down" your stitch? I did, although not consistently, and it shows. The quilting isn't perfect, but I'm pleased. Many thanks to my Mr. for drawing all those lines for me. Turns out, the rows weren't all that even. I never would've finished it. If I were better at math, I'm sure quilting would be more enjoyable, but don't tell Miss and Mrs. Wilbourne I said so. ( I was educated by a daughter for two years in middle and then her mother for two years of high school.)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I had originally planned to bind this with a flange binding, and it was going to be so cool, but I transposed the measurements and cut the strip widths wrong and ended up wasting a good bit of my Kaffe Fassett Stripe. (much gnashing of teeth). In the end, I just decided to do a plain old binding, but a bit skinny. I cut my binding to 2.25. </div><br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nzG8QC3FsGo/TsWumwn5iGI/AAAAAAAAAiA/trkUU3siFTY/s1600/maggiequiltback.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nzG8QC3FsGo/TsWumwn5iGI/AAAAAAAAAiA/trkUU3siFTY/s640/maggiequiltback.jpg" width="626" /></a><br />
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My girls wanted to pose with the quilt. Ain't they some cuteness? <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fs1qGRSJrGw/TsWuyQ7aUKI/AAAAAAAAAiQ/Jz8u37kslDw/s1600/maggiequiltgirls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="362" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fs1qGRSJrGw/TsWuyQ7aUKI/AAAAAAAAAiQ/Jz8u37kslDw/s640/maggiequiltgirls.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
I put my spoonflower label right smack dab in the middle of the back, well, because that was the only place to put it without covering the quilting. I started to make a pieced back for this one, but I decided to keep it simple. I made the label according to this <a href="http://www.quiltmaker.com/blogs/quiltypleasures/2010/07/a-quick-quilt-label-method-and-a-giveaway/" target="_blank">tutorial</a>. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zqkrfMxp8GI/TsWxm0RuKTI/AAAAAAAAAig/BOcgcYoTIks/s1600/maggiequiltlabel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zqkrfMxp8GI/TsWxm0RuKTI/AAAAAAAAAig/BOcgcYoTIks/s640/maggiequiltlabel.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I know you didn't forget about my confession. Basting purist should stop here. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I spray basted this quilt, and I LOVE IT. It was the 1st quilt where I didn't have some sort of issue with slippage. This sucker was secure. Originally I decided to use the adhesive because it's all linen, and I expected it my be a bit slippy as my 3 year old would say. After my experience, I don't think I could go back to pin basting again. I know that it is significantly more expensive than one batch of basting pins, but my goodness, the $13 I paid for the can of <a href="http://www.sprayandfix.com/505.html" target="_blank">505</a> was well worth it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So, there you go, my first quilt finish in months, and this was a quick one! It's washed and dried, and ready to be packaged to ship to a waiting Maggie.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><i>Stats:</i></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><u>Name</u>: Japanese Charm</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><u style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.6em; text-align: -webkit-auto;">Pattern:</u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.6em;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://www.made-by-rae.com/2010/12/finito-storytime-squares-quilt-in-far-far-away-ii/" target="_blank">Storytimes Quilt</a>- Made by Rae</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><u>Quilting:</u> Straight-line channel quilting on my Janome 8050</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><u>Thread</u>: Mettler silk finish (in natural I think)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: x-small;"><u></u></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><u>Backing and sashing:</u> Essex Linen- Putty</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: x-small;"><u>Fabric: </u> Japanese Fabric Charms</span><br />
<u style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">Binding:</u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"> Kaffe Fassett Serape in Green</span><br />
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</u></span></span></div>Mandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13877671059849465046noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8144056083212655446.post-86811386767173560842011-11-12T12:19:00.000-06:002011-11-12T12:19:35.334-06:00October Bee BlocksI never got around to posting my October Bee Blocks. Since it was my month as queen at SMQB2, I didn't have any blocks to make, but I did have word blocks to make. I have to tell you, I'm really REALLY loving making letters and words. If you haven't tried it, you should.<br />
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Can you guess what kind of quilt Alison is making?<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/54631932@N03/6274346916/" title="Floyd by stayathomelibrarian, on Flickr"><img alt="Floyd" height="286" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6098/6274346916_06a2662967.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/54631932@N03/6274340746/" title="Thelma Lou by stayathomelibrarian, on Flickr"><img alt="Thelma Lou" height="157" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6227/6274340746_b942ec9138.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/54631932@N03/6273819969/" title="Otis by stayathomelibrarian, on Flickr"><img alt="Otis" height="328" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6092/6273819969_523507108c.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/54631932@N03/6273817943/" title="Helen by stayathomelibrarian, on Flickr"><img alt="Helen" height="350" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6051/6273817943_4e1bd7e16f.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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Head over to the <a href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/wordplaybee/pool/with/6273817943/" target="_blank">Word Play Bee</a> to check out the other blocks.Mandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13877671059849465046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8144056083212655446.post-71388603939186135582011-11-09T11:12:00.010-06:002011-11-09T19:05:30.081-06:00Japanese Charm<div style="font-size: 0.8em; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0 0 10px 0; padding: 0;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/54631932@N03/6328756181/" title="Baby quilt made by using Made by Rae tutorial and Japanese Import swap charms. Better photo when sun is out. Sashing is Essex Linen Putty."><img alt="Baby quilt made by using Made by Rae tutorial and Japanese Import swap charms. Better photo when sun is out. Sashing is Essex Linen Putty. by stayathomelibrarian" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6036/6328756181_4843cd20e9.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/54631932@N03/6328756181/">.</a>, a photo by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/54631932@N03/">stayathomelibrarian</a> on Flickr.</span></div></div>I know it's an awful photo. Besides being too lazy to connect my camera to my computer, it's starting to have shutter issues. I have an SLR that is just too much camera for me. I need a decent camera that will post photos directly to social media. We're having an overcast day here in Alabama, so this is the best my iPhone can do for now.<br />
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On to the quilt. I whipped this up yesterday. It's made using Japanese Charms from the 1st swap over at <a href="http://www.genxquilters.com/">Gen X quilters</a>. The pattern I got from <a href="http://www.made-by-rae.com/2010/12/finito-storytime-squares-quilt-in-far-far-away-ii/">Made By Rae</a>. I did have some issues with getting the rows to meet up at the corners, but this could be my own error. If I had to guess, I would say it's ironing related, but I really can't say for sure. If making this quilt, please note that you need 48 squares (the quilt calls for 40), and 10 strips of 3 inch selvage to selvage strips. The pattern called for 8. I think this must be if you don't mind seams. I wanted continuous sashing, so I opted to cut more strips.<br />
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I originally planned on using Essex Natural for this project, but Brenda over at <a href="http://www.etsy.com/people/pinkcastlefabrics">Pink Castle Fabrics</a> talked me into some putty with a picture she posted of a project she'd made using it. I do like the natural better, alone, but the putty was the "natural" choice for this quilt.<br />
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I'm not sure how I want to go forward with this quilt. The pattern calls for "cheater" backing and binding, but I'm afraid to mess this quilt up. I do think I'm going to back it with putty, bind it with putty, but use some of my <a href="http://www.kaffefassett.com/Fabrics.html">Kaffe Fassett Serape Stripes</a> to do a<a href="http://tlcstitches.blogspot.com/2010/07/faux-piped-binding-tutorial.html"> flange binding</a>, in order to break up the monotony between the sashing/binding/backing all being the same color.<br />
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This baby quilt is for my little sister from college. She became a mama last month after years and years of waiting. Welcome to the world Margaret Rose.<br />
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<b><i>My other WIPs only continues to grow</i></b>. I have another <i><b>Shot Cottons Baby Quilt</b></i> I've yet to finish. Stuck on that one creatively. Since my last post, I also started on a <b><i>Houndstooth quilt</i></b> for my hubby for Christmas. I ran out of black, and had to order some from Brenda.<br />
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The quilt I would mostly like to finish is my <b><i>spider web quilt</i></b>. I'm still thinking of trying my hand at a swap and doing a "jelly roll" type swap where participants trade 2.5 inch strips instead of charms. I've put a bug in the ear of Jennifer at Ellison Lane Quilts. I should really do the swap myself. Maybe after the holidays.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/54631932@N03/5583327085/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Spider web quilt by stayathomelibrarian, on Flickr"><img alt="Spider web quilt" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5093/5583327085_ae73a3ef19.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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My bee buddies really stepped up this time and sent me some killer blocks for <b><i>Willa's doll quilt</i></b>. I'm waiting for two more. Beth is a newlywed with machine issues right now. This our second round in this bee. After hearing some stories, I think I'm fortunate to have lucked out with these ladies. Only one of our members when MIA, the person who started the bee ironically enough. I sent them Sarah Jane! I <3 it. Here's some eye candy:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P_3LDnttxo0/Trq-CotMt0I/AAAAAAAAAh4/sOCwyAE6T54/s1600/mosaic819ae46bf60dabf24d23a8154b4859ae9eca747e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P_3LDnttxo0/Trq-CotMt0I/AAAAAAAAAh4/sOCwyAE6T54/s640/mosaic819ae46bf60dabf24d23a8154b4859ae9eca747e.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">1. <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/58856991@N08/6264731291/in/pool-1595166@N20/">SMB2 Sarah Jane Bee Blocks-October</a>, 2. <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/58856991@N08/6265230842/in/pool-1595166@N20/">SMB2 Sarah Jane Bee Blocks-October</a>, 3. <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/58856991@N08/6264717199/in/pool-1595166@N20/">SMB2 Sarah Jane Bee Blocks-October</a>, 4. <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bethadeezoo/6308074436/in/pool-1595166@N20/">SMQB2</a>, 5. <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bethadeezoo/6308074654/in/pool-1595166@N20/">SMQB2</a>, 6. <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bethadeezoo/6308074874/in/pool-1595166@N20/">SMQB2</a>, 7. <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jmcbroom/6244778967/in/pool-1595166@N20/">Simple Modern Quilt Bee 2 - October</a>, 8. <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jmcbroom/6244769427/in/pool-1595166@N20/">Simple Modern Quilt Bee 2 - October</a>, 9. <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jmcbroom/6244768409/in/pool-1595166@N20/">Simple Modern Quilt Bee 2 - October</a></span></div><br />
I don't know why I keep forgetting about my <i style="font-weight: bold;">Rainbow Diamond Quilt. </i>I quilt on one of Janome's basic machines. It's the one marketed for Hancock's. There's a comparable version available from dealers, but I don't remember the name. I'm having trouble with the HSTs, well, they are really quarter square triangles technically, they keep getting snagged in my feed dogs. I don't know how to explain it, but it is annoying. I just got the Auriful Rainbow variegated thread, so I don't have really real excuse for not working on this one. I could do a block a week and get it done faster than it is currently getting done. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/54631932@N03/6120604072/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Diamond Rainbow Quilt- side view by stayathomelibrarian, on Flickr"><img alt="Diamond Rainbow Quilt- side view" height="257" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6086/6120604072_711f5e0684.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/54631932@N03/6120604016/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Diamond Rainbow block by stayathomelibrarian, on Flickr"><img alt="Diamond Rainbow block" height="424" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6071/6120604016_39908e10a3.jpg" width="500" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a look at the individual block</td></tr>
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I'm working on <b><i>2 secret quilts</i></b>. Both are word quilts. One is for someone I know who lost a child in a car accident this year. Her daughter's 9th birthday is coming up, so that quilt, once the blocks start coming in will be my absolute priority. My mom is going to do some hand applique on it.<br />
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Katherine at <a href="http://www.honeyhilldesigns.com/blog/">Honeyhill Designs </a> has sent me some wonderful embroidery tutorials, so I think I'm actually going to embroider my <a href="http://mandamadequilts.blogspot.com/2011/09/wip-wednesday.html"><b><i>2 family tree quilts</i></b>.</a> They are Christmas quilts. Didn't last Christmas just end? We're going on vacay to Virginia, and I plan to embroider on the car ride up. Actually, I suffer from motion sickness, so this is a pipe dream, but as long as I don't look out the windows, and stay focused on what's in my hands, I can at least give it a try.<br />
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We recently finished round 2 of the bowtie swap. I just need to sew those things together to have that <b><i>bowtie quilt</i></b> top done. It's a cute quilt, but I don't love it, so I thought it would be a great opportunity to learn to let go of things you've created.<br />
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My 4 year old asked me this morning where her <b><i>I-Spy quilt</i></b> was. Her brother and sister both have them. I have the charms, but I don't want to start any new quilts until I get some of these done! I think she sees her doll quilt, she might forgive me for a little while.<br />
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I also participated is a Christmas Charm Swap, and I'm just waiting for the charms to come back. I have 2 ideas for the charm. A <i><b>Christmas I-Spy</b></i>, and this<a href="http://www.sewmamasew.com/store/media/blog/SMSAdventCalendar.pdf"> <i><b>Advent Calendar</b></i></a> at Sew Mama Sew. Maybe next year.<br />
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There are other unfinished projects, but this seems to be the theme over at WiP Wednesday. I'm happy to be in good company. But, you don't have to wonder why I don't have time to blog. This has taken me almost an hour, and we've still got homeschool to do today once we get lunch and I put the baby down for a nap. But, quilting keeps me sane!<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://freshlypieced.blogspot.com/"><img alt="WIP Wednesday at Freshly Pieced" height="150" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1109/5159705972_49be14a673_m.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>Mandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13877671059849465046noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8144056083212655446.post-30067274169329372412011-09-28T23:00:00.001-05:002011-09-28T23:07:49.731-05:00WIP Wednesday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://freshlypieced.blogspot.com/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="WIP Wednesday at Freshly Pieced" height="150" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1109/5159705972_49be14a673_m.jpg" width="150" /></a></div><br />
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I'm happy to finally have something to show. <br />
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No doubt, I did finish my<a href="http://mandamadequilts.blogspot.com/2011/09/4x5-modern-quilt-bee-finish.html"> 4x5 Modern Bee Blocks </a>, ahead of schedule, so go look at those. They even got mailed and some have started to arrive. (<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">If you're coming here from Freshly Pieced- that lime, aqua and green Oregon star block is destined for me!</span></i> ) I'm more proud of myself than I probably should be about the finish, but, I'm a wait to the last minute kind of person. Which is why, I'm more happy to share this WIP. It's a- CHRISTMAS present- started before Halloween! The plan is to have both of these done before Thanksgiving. I am <strike>more than</strike> a little freaked about learning how to embroider the names. I do have a very good friend with a fancy smancy embroidery machine, but I'm thinking I should do them by hand. Thoughts? Suggestions? Favorite tutorials?<br />
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So, about the panels. This <a href="http://www.sarahjanestudios.com/blog/">Sarah Jane</a> fabric is my first official fabric crush. It took over a year, but it was love at first sight. When I saw this panel quilt on her blog, I just had to have it. I'm sure you know, but it's Children's Play by Sarah Jane, and it's produced by Michael Miller.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-az26D4cG1cU/ToPlIw1sjFI/AAAAAAAAAho/8QrR57yMjFA/s1600/sarahjanegreenpanel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-az26D4cG1cU/ToPlIw1sjFI/AAAAAAAAAho/8QrR57yMjFA/s640/sarahjanegreenpanel.jpg" width="385" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-L2fIZoTOEQg/ToPlJLydcVI/AAAAAAAAAhs/daguRPyvrL4/s1600/sarahjanepinkpanel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-L2fIZoTOEQg/ToPlJLydcVI/AAAAAAAAAhs/daguRPyvrL4/s640/sarahjanepinkpanel.jpg" width="380" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><i>My projects:</i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><ul><li>Spiderweb quilt (no progress)</li>
<li>Diamond Rainbow Quilt- this one is driving me crazy. The corner seams are getting caught in my feed dogs. I think maybe I should re-iron all these little boogers and try again. Maybe it's an issue with my machine. I dunno. </li>
<li>Wonky Shot Cottons Log Cabin (no progress)</li>
<li>Secret Christmas Present (got the fabric waiting on the bee blocks)</li>
<li>My husband reminded me of a flannel D9P I started last year, and well- forgot!</li>
<li>Cream Dolls square quilt- October is my month in my Simple Modern Quilt Bee, and I sent Sarah Jane fabrics and asked for some pieced blocks. Wait with bated breath for those to start showing up on my blog.</li>
</ul><div><b><i>Coming Soon:</i></b></div><div><ul><li>Garden Fence quilt using Children's Play On the Go fabrics. I'm looking for solids to match the aqua and orange if you happen to know of any. Sashing will be Kona snow.</li>
<li>Houndstooth quilt- I've got fabric for it. I just need to sit down and do it.</li>
</ul><div><b><i>ASAP list:</i></b></div></div><div><ul><li>Deadline for the 2nd round of the Bow Tie Swap is coming up. I'd planned on making 40, but I might just be happy with 10. They don't take long to make, but I have a busy few days. Homeschooling is going great, but it's time intensive. Mommy time is pretty rare. I'm lucky that I can pawn my kids off to my parents on the weekend, then I sew sew sew. I've convinced myself that I'd be a pretty decent quilt blogger- if only. I guess you'll just have to take my word for it. I'd be lieing, if I hadn't thought- more than once- how much quilting I could get if she were in a brick and mortar school. </li>
<li>Learn to embroider.</li>
</ul></div>Mandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13877671059849465046noreply@blogger.com3