tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-68546699881014740292024-03-04T23:35:17.837-08:00Use the LootEvelynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18033361439996853864noreply@blogger.comBlogger178125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6854669988101474029.post-88026040586553324362011-10-05T05:12:00.000-07:002011-10-05T09:40:21.928-07:00bee block roundup<meta charset="utf-8"><div>It's been so long, I think I've forgotten how to blog! </div><div><br /></div><div>Yes, I made it back from New York, and the trip was a lot of fun. The 'Quilters Take Manhattan' event was interesting, and it was a hoot to watch Mark Lipinski and Jay McCarroll interact. I was too shy to actually speak to either one of them after the talk, much less get my picture taken with them!! But here's a crummy picture I took while they were doing the interview. That crazy outfit on the right was something Jay made in college, and it's what he submitted as his 'representative' piece to go along with his interview. </div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXqRs79jwLzMFmvoZWUHqagaRgDgthKPLowXei8UN6nzlo5urQHI5DQhC8c60piAuKhF-XccSD-8vsX-CY4tWA10UM-RhM0ryNVqzTYKWkGzrZf4HgPDKyLE4YnTdSGGvxkM5nrdO1H5c/s1600/DSCN0419.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXqRs79jwLzMFmvoZWUHqagaRgDgthKPLowXei8UN6nzlo5urQHI5DQhC8c60piAuKhF-XccSD-8vsX-CY4tWA10UM-RhM0ryNVqzTYKWkGzrZf4HgPDKyLE4YnTdSGGvxkM5nrdO1H5c/s400/DSCN0419.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXqRs79jwLzMFmvoZWUHqagaRgDgthKPLowXei8UN6nzlo5urQHI5DQhC8c60piAuKhF-XccSD-8vsX-CY4tWA10UM-RhM0ryNVqzTYKWkGzrZf4HgPDKyLE4YnTdSGGvxkM5nrdO1H5c/s1600/DSCN0419.JPG"></a><br /><div>He also showed a bunch of patchwork clothes he had made, modeled by members of the Alliance. Beautiful!</div><div><br /></div><div><meta charset="utf-8"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj63umvuneHfgyXf8-aMVCGh4mb7kq0-szHLK5dNegFOaRED_WWVUDvTzyBzyxwmRH2PXfgsxLP0_LBo3BcTCFeB_CBSf1SmeaOF8-w-7jf5_mbpeTMuqMWs4rf5cPLPvR5kQeXGpNuEcs/s1600/DSCN0417.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj63umvuneHfgyXf8-aMVCGh4mb7kq0-szHLK5dNegFOaRED_WWVUDvTzyBzyxwmRH2PXfgsxLP0_LBo3BcTCFeB_CBSf1SmeaOF8-w-7jf5_mbpeTMuqMWs4rf5cPLPvR5kQeXGpNuEcs/s400/DSCN0417.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a> </div><div><br /></div><div>Since that trip, I've been crazy busy - catching up on work, getting the kid started in kindergarten, finishing a big quilt (more on that later!), getting ready for quilt retreat (it was awesome! more on that later too!), and so much more. I've been keeping up with my <a href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/dogoodstitches/">do. Good Stitches</a> bee blocks, and here's a round up of the ones I've made over the last few months:</div><div><br /></div><div>Lollipops for <a href="http://quilttaffy.blogspot.com/">Des</a>. Here's <a href="http://quilttaffy.blogspot.com/2011/08/lollipop-kind-of-day.html">the completed quilt</a>. It's fantastic!!! I had so much fun making these blocks that I made like 3 times as many as I was supposed to. Maybe that's a sign I should make a quilt like this myself!</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXqRs79jwLzMFmvoZWUHqagaRgDgthKPLowXei8UN6nzlo5urQHI5DQhC8c60piAuKhF-XccSD-8vsX-CY4tWA10UM-RhM0ryNVqzTYKWkGzrZf4HgPDKyLE4YnTdSGGvxkM5nrdO1H5c/s1600/DSCN0419.JPG"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3-UC_xT7758k1yqcg8ib80xZJ_CedUFKZ1SHkWg-LQn1Ks4UmRvErgMKEnBzdW0kwJhuoA9zVjrJgRrGfrBDwO2PijAtaJLvfh-sXCXTEA5zm34XmN6EgBf1Vj0LG-sfNg_2rh9bNDX8/s1600/2011-06-11.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3-UC_xT7758k1yqcg8ib80xZJ_CedUFKZ1SHkWg-LQn1Ks4UmRvErgMKEnBzdW0kwJhuoA9zVjrJgRrGfrBDwO2PijAtaJLvfh-sXCXTEA5zm34XmN6EgBf1Vj0LG-sfNg_2rh9bNDX8/s400/2011-06-11.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXqRs79jwLzMFmvoZWUHqagaRgDgthKPLowXei8UN6nzlo5urQHI5DQhC8c60piAuKhF-XccSD-8vsX-CY4tWA10UM-RhM0ryNVqzTYKWkGzrZf4HgPDKyLE4YnTdSGGvxkM5nrdO1H5c/s1600/DSCN0419.JPG"></a>'Houndstooth' blocks for Lydia - these were fun to make! No finished quilt for this one yet... </div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTZKIm1QIlE930aBf7JNTZl2F5zUBzb2u8MUbNhKFutLHPtAbdpVeOeVR7_TK4ens3OePQQU9oc3gjoyXKI6gZGXj1k0a8eUMKM7WdMse9790_pkj7br2QLSoqKPwys54vzYtNFBnaxX8/s1600/DSC_0015.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTZKIm1QIlE930aBf7JNTZl2F5zUBzb2u8MUbNhKFutLHPtAbdpVeOeVR7_TK4ens3OePQQU9oc3gjoyXKI6gZGXj1k0a8eUMKM7WdMse9790_pkj7br2QLSoqKPwys54vzYtNFBnaxX8/s400/DSC_0015.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a> </div><div><br /></div><div>'Citrus sails' for <a href="http://purplepandaquilts.blogspot.com/">Lyanna</a>. Looks like it's <a href="http://purplepandaquilts.blogspot.com/2011/09/sneak-peek.html">almost done</a>!</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDsMLL5Q8Ts2awfkscmnsBlF8x_dPSBfr-67NTN8SfIf_kRcwDFAodbKQY0C4zVTgwxRF4PwV5RgSA_GamQ1Ze-DoKe4KEHteas7tSem0sS3w-jm4svAw6950F1idFY9CQEt7oDLlyOH4/s1600/DSC_0065-2.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDsMLL5Q8Ts2awfkscmnsBlF8x_dPSBfr-67NTN8SfIf_kRcwDFAodbKQY0C4zVTgwxRF4PwV5RgSA_GamQ1Ze-DoKe4KEHteas7tSem0sS3w-jm4svAw6950F1idFY9CQEt7oDLlyOH4/s400/DSC_0065-2.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Character blocks for Melissa. She's going all out to make 4 quilts for a family in need. Here's <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/me1issa/6032476564/">the first completed top</a>. </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDsMLL5Q8Ts2awfkscmnsBlF8x_dPSBfr-67NTN8SfIf_kRcwDFAodbKQY0C4zVTgwxRF4PwV5RgSA_GamQ1Ze-DoKe4KEHteas7tSem0sS3w-jm4svAw6950F1idFY9CQEt7oDLlyOH4/s1600/DSC_0065-2.JPG"></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1wNEU9rbtrTA5FLZSrP-Efr9BuSiuGf2809sIP9BKF5wEiIze95rjSwQVzw7qXcMv5_oxbmDro8FoL9V2pTZDt6myssuaLAM7ho1kSyBG0dayLTGfAlFnmjoeGe001s6nOcgzb-wzGEw/s1600/DSC_0070-2.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1wNEU9rbtrTA5FLZSrP-Efr9BuSiuGf2809sIP9BKF5wEiIze95rjSwQVzw7qXcMv5_oxbmDro8FoL9V2pTZDt6myssuaLAM7ho1kSyBG0dayLTGfAlFnmjoeGe001s6nOcgzb-wzGEw/s400/DSC_0070-2.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1wNEU9rbtrTA5FLZSrP-Efr9BuSiuGf2809sIP9BKF5wEiIze95rjSwQVzw7qXcMv5_oxbmDro8FoL9V2pTZDt6myssuaLAM7ho1kSyBG0dayLTGfAlFnmjoeGe001s6nOcgzb-wzGEw/s1600/DSC_0070-2.JPG"></a>Holly's purple/orange/gray blocks for last month...</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuQsJssYOXfWoHmdKtUQyMPAW_uSnoPXjouCVpvI6tT709ZJSfdKBjPxSGbdILoDmVWTjdATQJY2N9KWrhyphenhyphenmYR_NlY5JH6s7DKcPBnnOd7IzsCey_jRfMPGSkKPNw9uK_WGbrNHh1Fe0g/s1600/DSC_0353.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuQsJssYOXfWoHmdKtUQyMPAW_uSnoPXjouCVpvI6tT709ZJSfdKBjPxSGbdILoDmVWTjdATQJY2N9KWrhyphenhyphenmYR_NlY5JH6s7DKcPBnnOd7IzsCey_jRfMPGSkKPNw9uK_WGbrNHh1Fe0g/s400/DSC_0353.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuQsJssYOXfWoHmdKtUQyMPAW_uSnoPXjouCVpvI6tT709ZJSfdKBjPxSGbdILoDmVWTjdATQJY2N9KWrhyphenhyphenmYR_NlY5JH6s7DKcPBnnOd7IzsCey_jRfMPGSkKPNw9uK_WGbrNHh1Fe0g/s1600/DSC_0353.JPG"></a>The beast - a swoon block for <a href="http://www.stitchedincolor.com/">Rachel</a>. This block annoyed me in so many ways, from its size (24" square) to its complexity to the amount of fabric it required. The fabric requirements were very specific (big prints, in tomato red, slate grey, dark blue and light blue), and I had exactly one red fabric that I thought would fit. Problem was, I had only a 16x20" piece of it when the pattern called for a fat quarter!! Right. Switching out the normal flying geese for <a href="http://cinderberrystitches.typepad.com/cinderberrystitches/2011/02/addicted-to-geese-a-tutorial.html">the no-waste method</a> helped, and I just squeaked it out. But I was afraid the whole time of screwing it up... not fun! On the up side, I'm sure it will be a lovely quilt. Here's <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/48704476@N07/6199123312/">a collage of the other blocks so far</a>.<br /></div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTqWKacSfsjcQhsyyy7MvKqCa0622YhKUokD5b_Yh5yN84zSuyCIqdrZ7ciI5W_UwiLD7GPUoasr5wlHDviboqNDdaOXo070agdkok4cqrmcq2PvyeE3P_okUyv1DgP0YXQ0YMCytQemg/s1600/DSC_0356.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTqWKacSfsjcQhsyyy7MvKqCa0622YhKUokD5b_Yh5yN84zSuyCIqdrZ7ciI5W_UwiLD7GPUoasr5wlHDviboqNDdaOXo070agdkok4cqrmcq2PvyeE3P_okUyv1DgP0YXQ0YMCytQemg/s400/DSC_0356.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTqWKacSfsjcQhsyyy7MvKqCa0622YhKUokD5b_Yh5yN84zSuyCIqdrZ7ciI5W_UwiLD7GPUoasr5wlHDviboqNDdaOXo070agdkok4cqrmcq2PvyeE3P_okUyv1DgP0YXQ0YMCytQemg/s1600/DSC_0356.JPG"></a>I'm up for the Inspire circle for October. I chose this framed scrappy 16-patch block. It was so much fun to make (and I do love to use up scraps!) that I might just make another quilt like this for myself some day!</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXQo51CsDaewEQUfV9e38-JGQhJrIQwF8bmUxxaOlcoRPZaAOgcIWZho93rxaE4aJZs6KxT9UKv6lf78QZ5jsAwOaerUbxESSJVyt-AKr4MQH1wnA517bWl0Zxw0UnYDnjuKh_HyOzwQc/s1600/DSC_0358.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXQo51CsDaewEQUfV9e38-JGQhJrIQwF8bmUxxaOlcoRPZaAOgcIWZho93rxaE4aJZs6KxT9UKv6lf78QZ5jsAwOaerUbxESSJVyt-AKr4MQH1wnA517bWl0Zxw0UnYDnjuKh_HyOzwQc/s400/DSC_0358.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXQo51CsDaewEQUfV9e38-JGQhJrIQwF8bmUxxaOlcoRPZaAOgcIWZho93rxaE4aJZs6KxT9UKv6lf78QZ5jsAwOaerUbxESSJVyt-AKr4MQH1wnA517bWl0Zxw0UnYDnjuKh_HyOzwQc/s1600/DSC_0358.JPG"></a>My plan is to make the quilt bigger (since Project Linus seems to always need more twin-size quilts for the older kids) by adding solid blocks of big colorful prints. I can't wait to put this one together!!</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxIWyAGzqGKTwZgKoufp0bqn9ImsZkGjT5fa7dy464L_JRl9rQjriNJD0UT1OmfdVC1JQd1V-RZOHHoe7-2yp_M3veZltb2T-9jDwTavQ79lZeR-PlA-VdX4dudW8zjvkuZBVXLARM2WM/s1600/DSC_0359.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxIWyAGzqGKTwZgKoufp0bqn9ImsZkGjT5fa7dy464L_JRl9rQjriNJD0UT1OmfdVC1JQd1V-RZOHHoe7-2yp_M3veZltb2T-9jDwTavQ79lZeR-PlA-VdX4dudW8zjvkuZBVXLARM2WM/s400/DSC_0359.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /></div></div></div><div>Okay, that's all the blocks. Yay! Next post, quilt retreat. I'm just waiting for Karen's post, so I can steal pictures. :-)</div>Evelynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18033361439996853864noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6854669988101474029.post-24979235087801539862011-08-03T16:51:00.000-07:002011-08-03T18:53:34.352-07:00Rainbow quilt - done!<div>Hot out of the dryer - the rainbow quilt in all its colorful glory!</div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoWw4euFLljWqgKg-rmWk68MvsNAS3SIvOUU6XTxJZhWH56eim0azzvq6HRBpcKycakpuZHK4PZLb62Eblt91P_cImRx6HtMyiT8Ln6eX8WL0Gse5uCqF_eIIgECSBmkQLUZp3w0wS9Kc/s1600/DSC_0002.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoWw4euFLljWqgKg-rmWk68MvsNAS3SIvOUU6XTxJZhWH56eim0azzvq6HRBpcKycakpuZHK4PZLb62Eblt91P_cImRx6HtMyiT8Ln6eX8WL0Gse5uCqF_eIIgECSBmkQLUZp3w0wS9Kc/s400/DSC_0002.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a> <div><br /></div><div>Hey, the back is even centered pretty decently! :-)</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmcqX2g_Va_RsAkkGSeRyPw_Q76eN32nktysZFQtF15PAeVfeXfSd4jwceSjJWZR1FCGuqQwLZ2ut_S_5Fn5yeRf2lxkt1jk2QhljMkMnfDMmagxFnl-ewrXMRJN9s-QV9skRTYyGELfY/s1600/DSC_0004.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmcqX2g_Va_RsAkkGSeRyPw_Q76eN32nktysZFQtF15PAeVfeXfSd4jwceSjJWZR1FCGuqQwLZ2ut_S_5Fn5yeRf2lxkt1jk2QhljMkMnfDMmagxFnl-ewrXMRJN9s-QV9skRTYyGELfY/s400/DSC_0004.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a> </div><div><br /></div><div>I decided to go safe with the quilting - stippling with grey thread to match the background. I used my poor little mini quilt to test some options, and it is such a mess now. I tried stippling with the variegated thread (didn't like it), switched to grey thread and tried a sort of loopy linear thing (didn't love it), then tried pebbles (loved it, but it would have taken FOREVER). So, safe boring grey stippling won. And later, I will be spending several weekly conference calls picking out all that test quilting... I *will* have my mini quilt eventually! </div><div><br /></div><div>I started off thinking of using some sort of rainbow stripe for the binding. But I couldn't find a fabric that was exactly right. So, I went with a scrappy binding made from a subset of the rainbow fabrics. Oh, I think it's awesome!!</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinPIrtouboaieFlZZ6UzwuVG_sbB93hP6jPvfYYhy3RlQ9up_wlaAIMKnZywjv_-oJgerQVvzo1AveNBi633ux8esE7TiteNFscWjnNGs95mCzDyxxw4YimATyF6Iido7CKYGmnAsEdkM/s1600/DSC_0007.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinPIrtouboaieFlZZ6UzwuVG_sbB93hP6jPvfYYhy3RlQ9up_wlaAIMKnZywjv_-oJgerQVvzo1AveNBi633ux8esE7TiteNFscWjnNGs95mCzDyxxw4YimATyF6Iido7CKYGmnAsEdkM/s400/DSC_0007.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a> </div><div><br /></div><div>How about some more glamor shots? I love how stippling always looks so much better after you wash the quilt - the imperfections just fade away...</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYmI2D-cmxXuYwNjk5dXTowXPlgiDohxSxQpsI0eIVA-5aoHzt7cUbcf8u5qrNiFNBAAdQta0oEi-3Sr5uBrDieuSU1QuZRhPvFP4ZQz494Xfm42a7CJDUKtSVd15VQM4jSGlgkkuJRs8/s1600/DSC_0009.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYmI2D-cmxXuYwNjk5dXTowXPlgiDohxSxQpsI0eIVA-5aoHzt7cUbcf8u5qrNiFNBAAdQta0oEi-3Sr5uBrDieuSU1QuZRhPvFP4ZQz494Xfm42a7CJDUKtSVd15VQM4jSGlgkkuJRs8/s400/DSC_0009.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a> </div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2uJ-zEKbnZ3jJcxMy_NlmoFOoeQwfngEfr6QJbm9CDnSdyZ3Coo54hdy83pX5rKKLn_gnn7WoVbY-lwvwgwd4jk7dzBSXFzLJ5Asz13KMl1zYJDhghY4yXQ5-alJQZtVcUBJfBXblpW0/s1600/DSC_0011.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2uJ-zEKbnZ3jJcxMy_NlmoFOoeQwfngEfr6QJbm9CDnSdyZ3Coo54hdy83pX5rKKLn_gnn7WoVbY-lwvwgwd4jk7dzBSXFzLJ5Asz13KMl1zYJDhghY4yXQ5-alJQZtVcUBJfBXblpW0/s400/DSC_0011.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a> </div><div><br /></div><div>Okay, just one more of that lovely binding (hand-stitched this time!) ....</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinnsBCnKuAyjIi5Zli1oUtdGaBQ_EvFQz8_bhkKPctMLWyPieyJEYYhHIEe7YPFcQin7ujxGuZys3LgSN3tGWpkpprOtpyWtL0J19fF4FCI30oXs75XkSyaOG0HYTF_n1cNPJgb9S_HSc/s1600/DSC_0015.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinnsBCnKuAyjIi5Zli1oUtdGaBQ_EvFQz8_bhkKPctMLWyPieyJEYYhHIEe7YPFcQin7ujxGuZys3LgSN3tGWpkpprOtpyWtL0J19fF4FCI30oXs75XkSyaOG0HYTF_n1cNPJgb9S_HSc/s400/DSC_0015.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a> </div><div><br /></div><div>I'm really thrilled to have this done. In two days, I will be flying to New York City for some work meetings, and I will be giving this quilt to Q, my dear friend and coworker. Q lives in Christchurch, NZ, which has been badly damaged by earthquakes in the past year. While Q and his family haven't been as severely affected as many others there, they've still had a lot of upheavals - Q is working from home full time because his office building was condemned (he hasn't even been able to retrieve anything from it since the earthquake!), several houses in his neighborhood are being torn down, etc. He mentioned in passing that his young son had been having some difficulties handling things, and when I saw <a href="http://deb-robertson.blogspot.com/2011/06/making-it-better.html">Deb's post</a> about the book <a href="http://www.amazon.com/You-Me-Rainbow-Petrea-King/dp/1920727183/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1311538585&sr=8-1">You, Me & The Rainbow</a>, it just clicked - I needed to buy that book, and make this quilt for them.</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1r9SQi1JNvMtQmoLwKl4pn1_ForX1KPm8aP1-zPmZAIWN_MKbkSdHMGr5hU_GLJPJcy1gcmarqbnHLnsZvlmzQEM6jv_yrWVyLZeeLwO2lxOcdUWoHA8xmkIzAeZ9ep89Zsp9O4Vv9eg/s1600/DSC_0002-1.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1r9SQi1JNvMtQmoLwKl4pn1_ForX1KPm8aP1-zPmZAIWN_MKbkSdHMGr5hU_GLJPJcy1gcmarqbnHLnsZvlmzQEM6jv_yrWVyLZeeLwO2lxOcdUWoHA8xmkIzAeZ9ep89Zsp9O4Vv9eg/s400/DSC_0002-1.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a> </div><div><br /></div><div>Actually, I bought two copies of the book - I hope to make another rainbow quilt for my daughter someday (perhaps not the exact same design). The message of the book is wonderful - it's all about using the colors to visualize comforting thoughts and loving feelings, and connections to the people you love, even if they are far away. Even as far away as New Zealand. :-)</div><div><br /></div><div>Oh, and speaking of New York... when the dates were set for these work meetings, I was totally stoked to find out that there was <a href="http://www.allianceforamericanquilts.org/support/events.php">a quilting event</a> in the city the weekend before. I tried to convince my local buddies to come out there with me, but the price of airfare was just too crazy (boohoo!). So, I'll be dragging Q along with me to the afternoon event. Now you know what a great friend he really is, to agree to that! I'm really looking forward to it! It should be such a hoot to see <a href="http://marklipinskisblog.wordpress.com/">Mark Lipinski</a> interview <a href="http://jaymccarroll.wordpress.com/">Jay McCarroll</a>! I love them both, and can't wait to see them in person. </div><div><br /></div>Evelynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18033361439996853864noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6854669988101474029.post-12216984329627621222011-07-29T20:08:00.000-07:002011-07-29T20:52:44.934-07:00top done and basted<div>Thanks everyone for the feedback on the layout... I went with the last option (mostly because I really want a mini quilt to keep for myself!), and here it is just before I basted it. I love it!</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibEMDduP97-7whndQRTTafcXtwQeF3mFDFsFbUnLLkzZKE0WN9QvP1Dr8sPLdomILe2oq9aZM5eHVRWMIafK7ixldnw5J3tJMoM96hKSDeTTl9oxDbtYFfrRbsfNX7eXCGtUiPFB5xXto/s1600/DSC_0007.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibEMDduP97-7whndQRTTafcXtwQeF3mFDFsFbUnLLkzZKE0WN9QvP1Dr8sPLdomILe2oq9aZM5eHVRWMIafK7ixldnw5J3tJMoM96hKSDeTTl9oxDbtYFfrRbsfNX7eXCGtUiPFB5xXto/s400/DSC_0007.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a> </div><div><br /></div><div>I had a heck of a time choosing fabric for the back. The recipient is a 6 year old old boy, who loves the color red. I wanted something colorful and fun, but not too juvenile. I was really tempted by David Walker's collections, especially <a href="http://www.freespiritfabric.com/core-pages/gallery.php?gal_id=170">robots</a> or <a href="http://www.freespiritfabric.com/core-pages/gallery.php?gal_id=292">boys will be boys</a>, or the rocket-related prints in Sara Jane's <a href="http://www.michaelmillerfabrics.com/MMF/Swatch4.cfm?Gnam=Children%20at%20Play%20by%20Sarah%20Jane">children at play</a> collection. But then I took one last look through my stash, and found this old (2003) Alexander Henry print of hot air balloons. I think it's almost perfect - colorful and fun, and playful but not too childish. The red borders are from a (new) IKEA sheet I had on hand. So it turns out that everything except the gray background fabric was from my stash!</div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM8vQTn0TdioAsbeVP_aI3aXv5PvleS-3yi2WcdaDnX3Q0AHRzWrz-jbrWURqZFV2upfs9lX7WxCV-2oy-rjCQ25LNXDaWlTjn-V_SBckOMuxCI1TedNlqFY4XFqv9bGDLu700RVIqAhc/s1600/DSC_0002.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM8vQTn0TdioAsbeVP_aI3aXv5PvleS-3yi2WcdaDnX3Q0AHRzWrz-jbrWURqZFV2upfs9lX7WxCV-2oy-rjCQ25LNXDaWlTjn-V_SBckOMuxCI1TedNlqFY4XFqv9bGDLu700RVIqAhc/s400/DSC_0002.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM8vQTn0TdioAsbeVP_aI3aXv5PvleS-3yi2WcdaDnX3Q0AHRzWrz-jbrWURqZFV2upfs9lX7WxCV-2oy-rjCQ25LNXDaWlTjn-V_SBckOMuxCI1TedNlqFY4XFqv9bGDLu700RVIqAhc/s1600/DSC_0002.JPG"></a><br />And here's a lesson I learned from this quilt... I rarely press my seams open (because I'm lazy, mostly), but I did for this quilt - I didn't know what my final layout would be, so I didn't want to end up having to join a bunch of seams going in the same direction. But then I ended up having to match a crapload of open seams, which wasn't much better. I ended up with several places like this, where tiny gaps opened up at the intersections:<br /><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNP_q68a4bVHlt7J0Q7c04tk1O_KrcArRgX1VCrKRDs-4rFPdrLnTWOyLglyHuQb-m5tGGVjKK8HUKIanvGqSTqUVbOhx75YMrpAvgm_g-ymbpGjr2XhshWA5koamOKcEtMWfDe25DHw8/s1600/DSC_0005.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNP_q68a4bVHlt7J0Q7c04tk1O_KrcArRgX1VCrKRDs-4rFPdrLnTWOyLglyHuQb-m5tGGVjKK8HUKIanvGqSTqUVbOhx75YMrpAvgm_g-ymbpGjr2XhshWA5koamOKcEtMWfDe25DHw8/s400/DSC_0005.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a> </div><div><br /></div><div>Ug! I went behind and sewed them up by hand before I basted the quilt, and hopefully everything will be okay once it's quilted. But next time, I'll be sure to use a thinner needle and a shorter stitch length - I think both of those would help. And no more pressing seams open for me, if I can help it!</div><div><br /></div><div>Next up - the quilting. What would you do? I wish I had the nerve to try something fancy, but I'm pretty sure I'll just stipple it. It's quick and easy, and I know I can do an okay job with it. I picked up some variegated thread (another first for me), and I'm going to try it on the mini quilt to see how that looks... <br /><div style="clear:both; text-align:NONE"><br /></div></div></div>Evelynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18033361439996853864noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6854669988101474029.post-34053026387692642372011-07-24T11:19:00.000-07:002011-07-24T18:53:59.031-07:00the next quilt<div>This quilt was inspired by <a href="http://www.amazon.com/You-Me-Rainbow-Petrea-King/dp/1920727183/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1311538585&sr=8-1">a book</a> mentioned in <a href="http://deb-robertson.blogspot.com/2011/06/making-it-better.html">this post</a> of Deb's over at <a href="http://deb-robertson.blogspot.com/">Works in Progress</a>. To begin, I went through my stash and picked out a bunch of fabrics that were bright and saturated, and mostly monochromatic, with not too much white. I spent WAY too much time narrowing down the prints, with helpful input from <a href="http://crafty-musings.blogspot.com/">Robin</a>, <a href="http://36stitches.blogspot.com/">Quynh</a>, <a href="http://sewclickcreate.com/blog/">Chara</a> and <a href="http://raindropstitches.com/">Ahava</a>. After much back and forth, I ended up with 18 prints, and a medium gray background.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXYwLeeHWC6GIT5RITNOQdWtVuRv9DQeP7UCt55dhyelsGdDc-MSUmpOZC7-3wVVIFwawLYJcpmCrOW7aDjbMJLpUySoImavgFd6fqh_sCFzyd0S7jwNHVuLhHeIxMlaI6HfhgU5ugACc/s1600/DSC_0018.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXYwLeeHWC6GIT5RITNOQdWtVuRv9DQeP7UCt55dhyelsGdDc-MSUmpOZC7-3wVVIFwawLYJcpmCrOW7aDjbMJLpUySoImavgFd6fqh_sCFzyd0S7jwNHVuLhHeIxMlaI6HfhgU5ugACc/s400/DSC_0018.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The design was inspired by <a href="http://www.modabakeshop.com/2010/07/random-reflections.html">the Random Reflections quilt</a>, though I did things a little different (trying to be more efficient, as always!). I already want to make another one, and Chara has asked for a writeup, so I'll try to do that next month. </div><div><br /></div><div>But for now, I need to settle on the layout, and get this puppy done. I've got all the strips sewn into groups of 6, and here's the most basic layout - all the rainbows going in the same direction (let's call that A).</div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlRNb0sPmoKh3beg8VxO0T2xGQDKh-Wu_M2ZyuH0PKVCMcdKKyV1hwwsR6nv53WsV8rmZT07ru5ZpSE4ATD1JkRmsd9fd6EW20QELiwGPOnj52NcLDutgZ_M5yXb5S3Jhi7MrcegCm18I/s1600/DSC_0008.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlRNb0sPmoKh3beg8VxO0T2xGQDKh-Wu_M2ZyuH0PKVCMcdKKyV1hwwsR6nv53WsV8rmZT07ru5ZpSE4ATD1JkRmsd9fd6EW20QELiwGPOnj52NcLDutgZ_M5yXb5S3Jhi7MrcegCm18I/s400/DSC_0008.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlRNb0sPmoKh3beg8VxO0T2xGQDKh-Wu_M2ZyuH0PKVCMcdKKyV1hwwsR6nv53WsV8rmZT07ru5ZpSE4ATD1JkRmsd9fd6EW20QELiwGPOnj52NcLDutgZ_M5yXb5S3Jhi7MrcegCm18I/s1600/DSC_0008.JPG"></a>And here's B - pretty much the same thing, but with the middle column reversed in direction.</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVz2Jd19L1PCcPq8Yb1xjcw8_IcmjiCBejMsFjEzEJks1fnrR96zkhh8OhsP_PTUfNFsLVrg_Y3TeDwiVWNpDOjfORWvCdge_rj0IjdGtxcMQXvsHpYUkahVbpeJqTD33_11L2pCRWhI4/s1600/DSC_0013.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVz2Jd19L1PCcPq8Yb1xjcw8_IcmjiCBejMsFjEzEJks1fnrR96zkhh8OhsP_PTUfNFsLVrg_Y3TeDwiVWNpDOjfORWvCdge_rj0IjdGtxcMQXvsHpYUkahVbpeJqTD33_11L2pCRWhI4/s400/DSC_0013.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>And here's C, with the rainbows in the same direction, but each column is staggered by one group. </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVz2Jd19L1PCcPq8Yb1xjcw8_IcmjiCBejMsFjEzEJks1fnrR96zkhh8OhsP_PTUfNFsLVrg_Y3TeDwiVWNpDOjfORWvCdge_rj0IjdGtxcMQXvsHpYUkahVbpeJqTD33_11L2pCRWhI4/s1600/DSC_0013.JPG"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBzvqb_Cd1sJB-tGvgBoTbINExwywxfp-dsAJfkvqRhyphenhyphenGGiooLKLbCHwytLhV7PAxqsHmq3hIsY2kWx6KyweJv0eOP38yswAVa0eXa-xKRA1ikR5aaauYJH-M-r0alKB9FTMZ0NUdjXVY/s1600/DSC_0021.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBzvqb_Cd1sJB-tGvgBoTbINExwywxfp-dsAJfkvqRhyphenhyphenGGiooLKLbCHwytLhV7PAxqsHmq3hIsY2kWx6KyweJv0eOP38yswAVa0eXa-xKRA1ikR5aaauYJH-M-r0alKB9FTMZ0NUdjXVY/s400/DSC_0021.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBzvqb_Cd1sJB-tGvgBoTbINExwywxfp-dsAJfkvqRhyphenhyphenGGiooLKLbCHwytLhV7PAxqsHmq3hIsY2kWx6KyweJv0eOP38yswAVa0eXa-xKRA1ikR5aaauYJH-M-r0alKB9FTMZ0NUdjXVY/s1600/DSC_0021.JPG"></a>Those layouts are all a little large - 66" x 95". I could change up the layout by removing one rainbow (and make myself a mini quilt with it!). This would give me 4 horizontal stripes instead of 3 vertical ones, with overall dimensions of 63" x 88". Here's D, where two rainbows go to the right, and two go to the left.</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpKEEkSd95Kig5v5cAVGqcY3asGqw8lEwT5WPHeXVlVbXoO3CYU1E52vIDSSyPpyz_qBUTNZHJYAiWaKOWMbXpJfpjkTQeb076XqRs0VDYLYOjEyDyCrDNwlPLmlkvvyEBwYHuW52rSyQ/s1600/DSC_0016.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpKEEkSd95Kig5v5cAVGqcY3asGqw8lEwT5WPHeXVlVbXoO3CYU1E52vIDSSyPpyz_qBUTNZHJYAiWaKOWMbXpJfpjkTQeb076XqRs0VDYLYOjEyDyCrDNwlPLmlkvvyEBwYHuW52rSyQ/s400/DSC_0016.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpKEEkSd95Kig5v5cAVGqcY3asGqw8lEwT5WPHeXVlVbXoO3CYU1E52vIDSSyPpyz_qBUTNZHJYAiWaKOWMbXpJfpjkTQeb076XqRs0VDYLYOjEyDyCrDNwlPLmlkvvyEBwYHuW52rSyQ/s1600/DSC_0016.JPG"></a>Or layout E, where they go the same direction, but each row is staggered by one group.</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAQ81DxlVZsf5PnaKnRyYY9pyDZtMNxUfk1qWJeGdv_kdpYiKstkvAw6sLYpAbspqKBoFC_ZNV1v2He5sstMuO4TIpoVRO7-zQL8Gc9R6Ec3vUSpg8s55HQcA-57oPxUsTERqH8JsKRbA/s1600/DSC_0019.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAQ81DxlVZsf5PnaKnRyYY9pyDZtMNxUfk1qWJeGdv_kdpYiKstkvAw6sLYpAbspqKBoFC_ZNV1v2He5sstMuO4TIpoVRO7-zQL8Gc9R6Ec3vUSpg8s55HQcA-57oPxUsTERqH8JsKRbA/s400/DSC_0019.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAQ81DxlVZsf5PnaKnRyYY9pyDZtMNxUfk1qWJeGdv_kdpYiKstkvAw6sLYpAbspqKBoFC_ZNV1v2He5sstMuO4TIpoVRO7-zQL8Gc9R6Ec3vUSpg8s55HQcA-57oPxUsTERqH8JsKRbA/s1600/DSC_0019.JPG"></a>Any votes? Or any other layout ideas? I did consider chipping each block in half (through the "center" of the colored portions), and randomly recombining them so that the colored bits are all varied widths. But I'm afraid that might not look great, and I don't want to risk it - I'll try it on the next version instead. So, I think I'm leaning towards the last layout... It's a little smaller, but still a decent size. And I really like the idea of having a small version to keep for myself! </div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDekAJ5jeIYvhglQZXC1O5dWJU-LQWGOSgDV6RZQFcYnJ5-5bZILIzwcv1spYpo1Y8PuclvmkC89Fw4KCno-a2Rmlza34fDkE8B-Z6TMtFvIgBylDQD4Lk_OwDGamnKsOG1eoEUm_0z_c/s1600/DSC_0010.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDekAJ5jeIYvhglQZXC1O5dWJU-LQWGOSgDV6RZQFcYnJ5-5bZILIzwcv1spYpo1Y8PuclvmkC89Fw4KCno-a2Rmlza34fDkE8B-Z6TMtFvIgBylDQD4Lk_OwDGamnKsOG1eoEUm_0z_c/s400/DSC_0010.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDekAJ5jeIYvhglQZXC1O5dWJU-LQWGOSgDV6RZQFcYnJ5-5bZILIzwcv1spYpo1Y8PuclvmkC89Fw4KCno-a2Rmlza34fDkE8B-Z6TMtFvIgBylDQD4Lk_OwDGamnKsOG1eoEUm_0z_c/s1600/DSC_0010.JPG"></a>I asked Trudy, but she didn't have an opinion. But at least she stayed off the "design floor" while I was working on the layouts! :-)<br /><br /></div>Evelynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18033361439996853864noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6854669988101474029.post-31835123297606251472011-07-20T16:34:00.000-07:002011-07-20T17:24:01.169-07:00back, with a finish<div>I know! It's been forever! I have been doing a little bit of sewing this summer, and here's a recent 'big finish'. </div><div><br /></div><div>I've been a member of the <a href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/dogoodstitches/">do. Good Stitches bee</a> for the last 9 months or so, and have been having fun being a stitcher, making blocks for the <i>Faith</i> circle. A couple months ago, I also joined the <i>Inspire</i> circle (making quilts for my favorite charity - <a href="http://projectlinus.org/">Project Linus</a>), but this time as a quilter. Being a quilter means you get to choose a design, collect the blocks and assemble the quilt. My month was May, and I chose this beautiful quilt by Amy of <a href="http://www.diaryofaquilter.com/">Diary of a Quilter</a> as my inspiration:</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/31159787@N04/5314860532/"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja58AZSLKX4ihgrA6HW-3Uh6BzjuKtIrdWODqC_rDF-NiYLcMAzZZywLuc7HaSq_o5nCET_g_qazB5RdUe_jEAWsUoUM-vW6XKHwQfvjqJOO6g14E-_aGhnGhhztITjrt30M8gOx5CZY0/s400/amys_quilt.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631585253595032210" style="cursor: pointer; width: 311px; height: 400px; " /></span></a></div><div><br /></div><div>To make up for all the girly and toddler quilts I usually make for Project Linus, I wanted to make something for an older boy. I asked for blue and brown square-in-square blocks, with a touch or green and gray. They were to be either 12.5" or 6.5" square, or a mix of the two sizes. The members of my group made some really wonderful squares for me! To make it a larger quilt (those teen boys are big!), I made the equivalent of 7 more blocks (though most of them were 6.5" blocks, so let's say 2 big blocks, and 20 small ones). The final dimensions were about 54" by 72". It was pretty addictive to go through my scraps and stash, and to use fabrics I wouldn't normally pick out or put together. What a great stash-buster project!</div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVRuO5cArxSk15l8k55jkfl7r9WfnEFgCEUstg-AXqRcfDbqn1jKFB_7lZnk8smS1nE_8wApvJmsdaod-KaUkpKsiQhJa8WoaTKL8VQZ3s1uJYd0gpePnrEZz7kCNMdAM6mv9s-i8BdxE/s1600/DSC_0038.JPG"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVRuO5cArxSk15l8k55jkfl7r9WfnEFgCEUstg-AXqRcfDbqn1jKFB_7lZnk8smS1nE_8wApvJmsdaod-KaUkpKsiQhJa8WoaTKL8VQZ3s1uJYd0gpePnrEZz7kCNMdAM6mv9s-i8BdxE/s400/DSC_0038.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></span></a><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVRuO5cArxSk15l8k55jkfl7r9WfnEFgCEUstg-AXqRcfDbqn1jKFB_7lZnk8smS1nE_8wApvJmsdaod-KaUkpKsiQhJa8WoaTKL8VQZ3s1uJYd0gpePnrEZz7kCNMdAM6mv9s-i8BdxE/s1600/DSC_0038.JPG"></a>As you can see, my layout is a lot more regular than Amy's was. I tried to do a random layout, but I just couldn't get it to look right! So, I gave up, and went for a more regular one. With all the variety in the blocks, it still looks pretty random! Many thanks go to <a href="http://sewclickcreate.com/blog/">Chara</a> for helping me with the layout! </span></div><div><br /></div><div>For the back, I used a large piece of this fantastic Katie Jump Rope fabric. I had picked it up at a Project Linus meeting, long before I planned this quilt. It was perfect! I bordered it with a medium gray - it doesn't quite match the lighter gray in the KJR fabric, but close enough!<br /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVRuO5cArxSk15l8k55jkfl7r9WfnEFgCEUstg-AXqRcfDbqn1jKFB_7lZnk8smS1nE_8wApvJmsdaod-KaUkpKsiQhJa8WoaTKL8VQZ3s1uJYd0gpePnrEZz7kCNMdAM6mv9s-i8BdxE/s1600/DSC_0038.JPG"></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMWR11pY4dLPGHDsPJxdgMcUNfbhP3HgKZULX5J1PI4mlRVF6AdII50jVsYhPAhc0C9j-OALP0-hG1XuEIUKgZj5iUx0puRQuFN2Z-Up3vJB2i7PiF5v3X_xKt66VTrh7xv0ILs9vpmhg/s1600/DSC_0039.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMWR11pY4dLPGHDsPJxdgMcUNfbhP3HgKZULX5J1PI4mlRVF6AdII50jVsYhPAhc0C9j-OALP0-hG1XuEIUKgZj5iUx0puRQuFN2Z-Up3vJB2i7PiF5v3X_xKt66VTrh7xv0ILs9vpmhg/s400/DSC_0039.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMWR11pY4dLPGHDsPJxdgMcUNfbhP3HgKZULX5J1PI4mlRVF6AdII50jVsYhPAhc0C9j-OALP0-hG1XuEIUKgZj5iUx0puRQuFN2Z-Up3vJB2i7PiF5v3X_xKt66VTrh7xv0ILs9vpmhg/s1600/DSC_0039.JPG"></a>I based the quilting on the diagonal print of the KJR print. After basting (using spray basting, as usual!) I took a kid's washable marker, and used a ruler to extend the diagonal lines into the border fabric. After that, I quilted it from behind. I've <a href="http://usetheloot.blogspot.com/2010/03/on-roll.html">used this technique before</a>, and I highly recommend it. It's super quick, and looks great from the front.<br /></span><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFaWhgfKyH59mJJqYNJKPmru1eKlK0LgL-udA9nDxwkhgcadCvMRkhsu2JZJGmLwZvZdR0X71EzxQ73l494uR2cEjt7Qs2DibEmhH7NAinqxdjuz-Y9yp6zYRjY3G19x9BzCJSQYmpLzs/s1600/DSC_0040.JPG"></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA5P3hFluOP3Pyh-rMCYY7RuS3DCR2q5VdR9pCu7yhfBiiFyIEjPnjKsroVPeYhGptu9sfp7hosMGmwMKRwJrKprDpcvJFsR_-Li5Ww_PfshWsoEevrpv9Dg8KOGWtryLqynHaLziP6n8/s1600/DSC_0041.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA5P3hFluOP3Pyh-rMCYY7RuS3DCR2q5VdR9pCu7yhfBiiFyIEjPnjKsroVPeYhGptu9sfp7hosMGmwMKRwJrKprDpcvJFsR_-Li5Ww_PfshWsoEevrpv9Dg8KOGWtryLqynHaLziP6n8/s400/DSC_0041.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a></span><div style="clear:both; text-align:NONE"><br /></div><div style="clear:both; text-align:NONE">Sorry these photos kinda suck - I finished the quilt the morning of our monthly meeting, and was in a rush to get the photos taken so I could run off to donate it!</div><div style="clear:both; text-align:NONE"><br /></div><div style="clear:both; text-align:NONE"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFaWhgfKyH59mJJqYNJKPmru1eKlK0LgL-udA9nDxwkhgcadCvMRkhsu2JZJGmLwZvZdR0X71EzxQ73l494uR2cEjt7Qs2DibEmhH7NAinqxdjuz-Y9yp6zYRjY3G19x9BzCJSQYmpLzs/s1600/DSC_0040.JPG"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFaWhgfKyH59mJJqYNJKPmru1eKlK0LgL-udA9nDxwkhgcadCvMRkhsu2JZJGmLwZvZdR0X71EzxQ73l494uR2cEjt7Qs2DibEmhH7NAinqxdjuz-Y9yp6zYRjY3G19x9BzCJSQYmpLzs/s400/DSC_0040.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></span></a></div><div style="clear:both; text-align:NONE"><br /></div><div style="clear:both; text-align:NONE">I wanted to do something special for the label, more than just the standard tag. The text reads "This quilt was stitched with lots of love, especially for you, by the members of the "Inspire" circle of the "do. Good Stitches" bee on Flickr.com, May 2011. We hope it keeps you cozy!" </div><div style="clear:both; text-align:NONE"><br /></div><div style="clear:both; text-align:NONE"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHxIE_zP4y1y-fKAltzkNZEgkfoqBZbX6hdaBtF2amttZj8lqMaoVynXbsafL-nq1CXiEoLdcrBA2cZGKBvfeHxmZ9fZqfdaUMKnDUDKc9FVXIp4gt0rFMHr-weqcTth14scQ8-h6NXp4/s400/DSC_0036.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></span></div></div></div></div></div><div style="clear:both; text-align:NONE"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div style="clear:both; text-align:NONE"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span">I'm also pretty darn proud of myself for finishing it on time - the bee rules say you should finish the quilt within 30 days of receiving all the blocks. I think I got my last block in the middle of June, and the quilt was donated on July 10. Yay for me!! </span></span></div>Evelynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18033361439996853864noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6854669988101474029.post-5000399538537327462011-04-30T05:22:00.000-07:002011-04-30T09:12:58.952-07:00finding my lost mojo<div>Oh, my poor neglected blog! </div><div><br /></div><div>It's been a whole month - I had a work trip, followed immediately by a visit from my mom and sister for Vada's birthday, and then I had to catch up on work... It was just one thing after another! For a few weeks, the only sewing I managed was this birthday outfit for Vada, just another appliqued t-shirt and circle skirt. (Yes, I am a one-trick pony!) </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRCiQyZNKLgoyoHDupJ8WP6NvQyagtHb66Q21wxdL3nKNEIMuXYYcqr1A0eCMJORaISzP2dCfenbjPVD0fv644-N7HlMKdzmkNW9MK8qM0_KYpJTuFucUtPJ2hYdhKlXbV-V9NOOAZJ6k/s1600/DSC_0246.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRCiQyZNKLgoyoHDupJ8WP6NvQyagtHb66Q21wxdL3nKNEIMuXYYcqr1A0eCMJORaISzP2dCfenbjPVD0fv644-N7HlMKdzmkNW9MK8qM0_KYpJTuFucUtPJ2hYdhKlXbV-V9NOOAZJ6k/s400/DSC_0246.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRCiQyZNKLgoyoHDupJ8WP6NvQyagtHb66Q21wxdL3nKNEIMuXYYcqr1A0eCMJORaISzP2dCfenbjPVD0fv644-N7HlMKdzmkNW9MK8qM0_KYpJTuFucUtPJ2hYdhKlXbV-V9NOOAZJ6k/s1600/DSC_0246.JPG"></a>Isn't she a cutie, though? It's the only year I could give her a "V" shirt (V being the roman numeral for 5 - get it?). It doesn't take much to amuse me! I love how her outfit matches her new bike - not planned at all.</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_EwoOKxIcHr-lxWFs3NefZ-0T_k1djg2X3jBDdLjGxn6C5YF0ZMChBaxKxsrflPw5Uj8w62rUwxLArlb0mCjoUYoynhR4ETd3QbIpOlac4e7WxED3vRWGunQIicbMXpMpyC_QvukPq9k/s1600/DSC_0343.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_EwoOKxIcHr-lxWFs3NefZ-0T_k1djg2X3jBDdLjGxn6C5YF0ZMChBaxKxsrflPw5Uj8w62rUwxLArlb0mCjoUYoynhR4ETd3QbIpOlac4e7WxED3vRWGunQIicbMXpMpyC_QvukPq9k/s400/DSC_0343.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>So, after life settled down a bit, I tried my usual trick for getting back into sewing. I took the old two-page list of UFOs and TODOs, and rewrote it.</div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisqadVA9OWwMuCJRYahGeIlgqwHtqSstCRYkwnK-NqNLcZrZ8XlBh5Gphss4SbpLny1r0ju7wbgsxX8uetQQL9oB_OeULc4aKOraCvhM7kTTi6bsG3ETcHononNCa2zgY8bm9YtikeoEo/s1600/DSC_0099.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisqadVA9OWwMuCJRYahGeIlgqwHtqSstCRYkwnK-NqNLcZrZ8XlBh5Gphss4SbpLny1r0ju7wbgsxX8uetQQL9oB_OeULc4aKOraCvhM7kTTi6bsG3ETcHononNCa2zgY8bm9YtikeoEo/s400/DSC_0099.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisqadVA9OWwMuCJRYahGeIlgqwHtqSstCRYkwnK-NqNLcZrZ8XlBh5Gphss4SbpLny1r0ju7wbgsxX8uetQQL9oB_OeULc4aKOraCvhM7kTTi6bsG3ETcHononNCa2zgY8bm9YtikeoEo/s1600/DSC_0099.JPG"></a>Somehow it still ran over to two pages! Drat - I'd better get busy!</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZoC8qmrrdn5OsLxZ2cIIDHTeffcjiRWbgheelPU2dhewzLcqVwyXqEoYPjC0LYbrvSe07a8wGhLwWc7_svt7OucGup0uWFITrxNdebuanzycWOFc8TUSnk93wUSPJHfBSzWoILJv1te4/s1600/DSC_0100.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZoC8qmrrdn5OsLxZ2cIIDHTeffcjiRWbgheelPU2dhewzLcqVwyXqEoYPjC0LYbrvSe07a8wGhLwWc7_svt7OucGup0uWFITrxNdebuanzycWOFc8TUSnk93wUSPJHfBSzWoILJv1te4/s400/DSC_0100.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a><div style="clear:both; text-align:NONE"><br /></div></div><div style="clear:both; text-align:NONE">Still not motivated, I moved onto trick number 2 - an easy sewing task with a hard deadline. These are my blocks for the April "Faith" circle in the <a href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/dogoodstitches/">do. Good Stitches bee</a>. I loved the rainbow theme, and I <b><i>really</i></b> loved the freedom to make blocks in whatever size we pleased. I was having so much fun, I made 3 blocks instead of 2. They are simple designs, but I guess that's just my style!</div><div style="clear:both; text-align:NONE"><br /></div><div style="clear:both; text-align:NONE"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUxG421NpcgL9i9zbez-ADccQTb4RSc3egD6KIzdlVWTQIhyS85rfeZpmTDLlgaEAbf4dim87fOzcICReCcW55z10RAdDDaxcqvUrfQyDeGWLXJMrGyn_6TWLK8JGVTw3z-3HcNzI01oo/s1600/DSC_0090.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUxG421NpcgL9i9zbez-ADccQTb4RSc3egD6KIzdlVWTQIhyS85rfeZpmTDLlgaEAbf4dim87fOzcICReCcW55z10RAdDDaxcqvUrfQyDeGWLXJMrGyn_6TWLK8JGVTw3z-3HcNzI01oo/s400/DSC_0090.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a></div><div style="clear:both; text-align:NONE"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUxG421NpcgL9i9zbez-ADccQTb4RSc3egD6KIzdlVWTQIhyS85rfeZpmTDLlgaEAbf4dim87fOzcICReCcW55z10RAdDDaxcqvUrfQyDeGWLXJMrGyn_6TWLK8JGVTw3z-3HcNzI01oo/s1600/DSC_0090.JPG"></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvhCO2JviFnkZgMPgJok5kKaSyNiHY_P7WPOFKoyzZn_qH8U4eNTDq0vuuCdQZxMI_rlzZoP7mzvyJOaEE0flsT88nS3aaOiKap_IfeEpmDPFdYkbkHdLBlXJhLtDYuZBBGzJhYSnz1Zk/s1600/DSC_0091.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvhCO2JviFnkZgMPgJok5kKaSyNiHY_P7WPOFKoyzZn_qH8U4eNTDq0vuuCdQZxMI_rlzZoP7mzvyJOaEE0flsT88nS3aaOiKap_IfeEpmDPFdYkbkHdLBlXJhLtDYuZBBGzJhYSnz1Zk/s400/DSC_0091.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a></div><div style="clear:both; text-align:NONE"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvhCO2JviFnkZgMPgJok5kKaSyNiHY_P7WPOFKoyzZn_qH8U4eNTDq0vuuCdQZxMI_rlzZoP7mzvyJOaEE0flsT88nS3aaOiKap_IfeEpmDPFdYkbkHdLBlXJhLtDYuZBBGzJhYSnz1Zk/s1600/DSC_0091.JPG"></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNtMwU4p2jeiScR2axLCnKV-1KUKopKrpHGoxYdJIfP8djxdEE2R5r-2776Zvp8E_2EkyDtXjxNylIDcRLZrz0ivucEDyA23A22SV60BaxphKbl_ufHqwVwapAg4hN3b8daVX8RYkAMjk/s1600/DSC_0092.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNtMwU4p2jeiScR2axLCnKV-1KUKopKrpHGoxYdJIfP8djxdEE2R5r-2776Zvp8E_2EkyDtXjxNylIDcRLZrz0ivucEDyA23A22SV60BaxphKbl_ufHqwVwapAg4hN3b8daVX8RYkAMjk/s400/DSC_0092.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a></div><div style="clear:both; text-align:NONE"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpTBRIbT5ro1PPXLWZTJ6SAHMhDG3N7l4AuAjzjJJMi_VX7A08gTGlo1Ceqyv6qIEmfzA8Vs5Y08XEH5lEe97aoDT4cCkhy4709WoNCSLXT3_yOcoJL8r8bGn5tt2taS9bPQsyKlbzvK8/s1600/DSC_0093.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpTBRIbT5ro1PPXLWZTJ6SAHMhDG3N7l4AuAjzjJJMi_VX7A08gTGlo1Ceqyv6qIEmfzA8Vs5Y08XEH5lEe97aoDT4cCkhy4709WoNCSLXT3_yOcoJL8r8bGn5tt2taS9bPQsyKlbzvK8/s400/DSC_0093.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a><div style="clear: both; "><br /></div></div><div style="clear:both; text-align:NONE">So, that's one thing to cross off the new list! Yay! Now I need to get cracking on blocks for the second circle I joined - the new "Inspire" circle for Project Linus quilts. Next month is my turn to be the quilter for that circle, so I get to pick the theme. I'm a little nervous about it, but I think I picked something fun and flexible, so hopefully it will go smoothly. </div><div style="clear:both; text-align:NONE"> </div>Evelynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18033361439996853864noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6854669988101474029.post-52801397643701992582011-03-24T20:00:00.000-07:002011-03-24T20:17:33.565-07:00my new friend - FOE<div>Have you ever used FOE (fold over elastic)? I'd been mildly interested, but I don't really sew enough clothing to justify ordering any. Then I saw some at the sewing expo a few weeks ago, and was sorely tempted... and when I saw the "remnants - all you can stuff in a bag for $10" bin, I fell for it. I think I scored a great deal - I got at least 45 yards, of several different widths and colors. Plenty to play around with now!</div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxQj1wsGVgfZCKcCz_xbivFWMEVmLzNC0K-qiZ7qeICDW7tOjtuEjZerQ7z6HeZtb-rvwuwuJtQ9IRiKBsQLUuX_-W2PXppwP28Ks0Z6Am_DqJNqaSaR6Dtdg_rXV3qIr7p6KFfwDknwQ/s1600/DSC_0029.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxQj1wsGVgfZCKcCz_xbivFWMEVmLzNC0K-qiZ7qeICDW7tOjtuEjZerQ7z6HeZtb-rvwuwuJtQ9IRiKBsQLUuX_-W2PXppwP28Ks0Z6Am_DqJNqaSaR6Dtdg_rXV3qIr7p6KFfwDknwQ/s400/DSC_0029.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxQj1wsGVgfZCKcCz_xbivFWMEVmLzNC0K-qiZ7qeICDW7tOjtuEjZerQ7z6HeZtb-rvwuwuJtQ9IRiKBsQLUuX_-W2PXppwP28Ks0Z6Am_DqJNqaSaR6Dtdg_rXV3qIr7p6KFfwDknwQ/s1600/DSC_0029.JPG"></a>My first attempt to use it was for this simple circle skirt for the kid. Happy St. Patrick's day! I followed the basics of the <a href="http://www.dana-made-it.com/2008/07/tutorial-circle-skirt.html">MADE tutorial</a> (could not be any easier!). When it came time to do the waistband, I cut a length of FOE about the same length I would for normal elastic if I was using a casing. I pinned it at 4 places, and stretched the FOE as I sewed it down with a zigzag stitch. Super easy, super quick! </div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg68tSD6kOlJ-fInT5bu-eLJOvckTjSNoDbh5lcbniTsvlE12ghETfscNQPvbHZSRoKd1AelqQXR9l5kl4Z5-eZTZu60Z2y2X7cFHCBpb9nmvMxhq-yjxa-JusBGXsfxKnmHCgO_M5xMZE/s1600/DSC_0005-1.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg68tSD6kOlJ-fInT5bu-eLJOvckTjSNoDbh5lcbniTsvlE12ghETfscNQPvbHZSRoKd1AelqQXR9l5kl4Z5-eZTZu60Z2y2X7cFHCBpb9nmvMxhq-yjxa-JusBGXsfxKnmHCgO_M5xMZE/s400/DSC_0005-1.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The only problem is that it somehow turned out WAY too big! I wasn't about to redo it (me? rip out zigzag stitching? not on your life!), so I just made two really ugly tucks on the sides. On the upside, it will be really easy to let those tucks out, so this skirt should last for *years*! So I guess the stitching makes it so that the elastic doesn't un-stretch all the way back once you've sewn it down. Is there some magic formula for how much shorter you should make it? I guess I can answer my own question - for about a 19" waist, I had to take up about 4 or 5". So, about 25% less. There you go. </div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5tIDeI6rDe_wjTM-rozihHqm9y5wF6VpUWulB18NzljZSt0hBUyg3SccIyGyjv8_jQ8W-MAGdPvQuRuV6dVMockyY0VdCc-5ocoCmFBpmhzxHUlkQRPrILCtzAjii5Nh7yxGRVBQLnzc/s1600/DSC_0020-1.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5tIDeI6rDe_wjTM-rozihHqm9y5wF6VpUWulB18NzljZSt0hBUyg3SccIyGyjv8_jQ8W-MAGdPvQuRuV6dVMockyY0VdCc-5ocoCmFBpmhzxHUlkQRPrILCtzAjii5Nh7yxGRVBQLnzc/s400/DSC_0020-1.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5tIDeI6rDe_wjTM-rozihHqm9y5wF6VpUWulB18NzljZSt0hBUyg3SccIyGyjv8_jQ8W-MAGdPvQuRuV6dVMockyY0VdCc-5ocoCmFBpmhzxHUlkQRPrILCtzAjii5Nh7yxGRVBQLnzc/s1600/DSC_0020-1.JPG"></a>I did look around youtube to see if there were any videos about how to use FOE. I found a few, but nothing about how to measure it to fit a waistband. I loved the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/akarol123#p/u/3/Bc4BLL2MhVY">Angry Chicken video</a>, but even hers didn't say anything about it. Oh well, I'm okay with trial and error!</div><div><br /></div><div>And speaking of other new things to try - what do you know about laminated cottons? I picked up a couple of these remnant pieces at the expo ($1.50 each, for two extra chubby fat quarters), but they curl up like crazy! I can't imagine trying to sew when the fabric is like this. Especially for a laminate - aren't you supposed to avoid using pins? Any hints for how to get them to lay flat? I tried to press them, but it just seemed to make it worse. Should I wash them, or throw them in the dryer? Any other advice? I'm not even sure what I'm going to make with them, maybe snack bags?</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5i-Tx8LD5q8D-CUBccjAfWfddivuZpJ0vfcpYVKtIPc16m4X08Ar2MDTXBvezZs3adu-NuIkEHNb3s9Q44ZqmnXa4ZMTsF6t2CCHPQ4Qfnymr4ddBG1X6QOwrOb9hv9pOCTBj4FaCB0k/s1600/DSC_0033.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5i-Tx8LD5q8D-CUBccjAfWfddivuZpJ0vfcpYVKtIPc16m4X08Ar2MDTXBvezZs3adu-NuIkEHNb3s9Q44ZqmnXa4ZMTsF6t2CCHPQ4Qfnymr4ddBG1X6QOwrOb9hv9pOCTBj4FaCB0k/s400/DSC_0033.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a><div style="clear:both; text-align:NONE"><br /></div></div>Evelynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18033361439996853864noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6854669988101474029.post-70204138035230654992011-03-23T13:47:00.000-07:002011-03-23T14:32:17.297-07:00for Japan<div>If you've been thinking about donating to relief efforts in Japan, let me twist your arm a little...</div><div><br /></div><div>I had already planned to donate, and when I saw some wonderful bloggers offering up their lovely quilts to encourage donations, I decided to take what I'd normally donate, and spread the love around. It's not so much that I want to win a quilt, mind you. I just want these generous folks to know I appreciate their efforts, and that their quilt "earned" as much cash as possible! So, if you're able to donate, why not support these awesome quilters? And if I missed any others, please let me know!</div><div><br /></div><div>Just click on the picture to go to their giveaway post.<div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div><div>From <a href="http://www.ohfransson.com/oh_fransson/">Elizabeth at Oh Fransson</a> (ends today, so be quick!)</div><div><br /></div><a href="http://www.ohfransson.com/oh_fransson/2011/03/fundraiser-for-japan.html"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqpLFi_WTMgbL3-_UXjiJn1Z_vYh8_xuBzL0USNJZWYstzJrVsQ6cGeVzAFXr_E-ugnpdZSwygqI_r_6G_qnx7_9JVEaYYkmLL_rj52nl1hzZ83YOrwEQZeDa4C7gpeNaZVfyBeMK84SQ/s400/frasson.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587386038330524802" /></a><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.ohfransson.com/oh_fransson/2011/03/fundraiser-for-japan.html"></a>From <a href="http://tallgrassprairiestudio.blogspot.com/">Jacquie at Tallgrass Prairie Studio</a> (ends today too!)<br /><br /><a href="http://tallgrassprairiestudio.blogspot.com/2011/03/with-love-to-japan.html"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWMnc8zAbAaVJHtSgMDwklvvmNCNo4xJQe8npBJT1n8zCUxVHov8s8_fZkItfjQxYhO5EPQW-FSCfjWMR-xy5Z1Y2MrQ5kYzOPhkLMbH8nESna1bXJSIF9tDPVk79Q3EQiW2deS8u-b5Y/s400/tallgrass_quilt.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587386024153291986" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://tallgrassprairiestudio.blogspot.com/2011/03/with-love-to-japan.html"></a>From <a href="http://loftcreations.blogspot.com/">Stephanie at Loft Creations</a> (ends March 26)</div><div><br /><a href="http://loftcreations.blogspot.com/2011/03/special-plea-for-help.html"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmTPdpT_iYhV23Aid8cbdkSHCa9Eyk4FNqbGThct0dijFiz_89zlcMDC87xMv41mlHkvWMFVqLhx5wdCQ7DOfcmnqzTPAwAPKpRSZOf0fQL0aDErxkiFgLP5ofLdcnq3_IgEuWjNhW8aU/s400/loft_quilt.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587386018687314578" /></a><br /><br /><div><div><div>From <a href="http://blog.maryquilts.com/">Mary at Making Scrap Quilts from Stash</a> (ends March 31)</div></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://blog.maryquilts.com/2011/03/16/help-japan-win-this-quilt/"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUhhzJtzFf4RHbZwsxNQCgIf3LBItG1WPmNqwoeUnYgkiVH6QH4w3WS9kpJOW2OSXKY8XDqel0dk82DREJUSzrT7UOCmvog4VoLOxWml7DhDXw0wdRKreOmjGqwx314EF1H-4fSAP9B5o/s400/mary_quilt.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587386027707933298" style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 330px; " /></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Evelynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18033361439996853864noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6854669988101474029.post-8742010343514315702011-03-21T15:21:00.000-07:002011-03-21T16:12:57.324-07:00just a few more blocks<div>Here are my two blocks for this month in the <b>do. Good Stitches</b> bee. I didn't love the construction, because we had to use paper templates (which seems like it could be error-prone). But I think the quilt will look awfully cute!</div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9m3IHmqAhsm9Jx89HxbiPSQtz-_RAEJ8Ji1EBABV7YHQkmmIuyZo6_45QqlozF3o8WmgT1BTWaNSyZgX7zmhYLZHZpdh8e1OLew7xbYkMyUh3TMjaX0EYnN5gu03J_MnMMcG5JLqIg6Y/s1600/DSC_0002-1.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9m3IHmqAhsm9Jx89HxbiPSQtz-_RAEJ8Ji1EBABV7YHQkmmIuyZo6_45QqlozF3o8WmgT1BTWaNSyZgX7zmhYLZHZpdh8e1OLew7xbYkMyUh3TMjaX0EYnN5gu03J_MnMMcG5JLqIg6Y/s400/DSC_0002-1.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9m3IHmqAhsm9Jx89HxbiPSQtz-_RAEJ8Ji1EBABV7YHQkmmIuyZo6_45QqlozF3o8WmgT1BTWaNSyZgX7zmhYLZHZpdh8e1OLew7xbYkMyUh3TMjaX0EYnN5gu03J_MnMMcG5JLqIg6Y/s1600/DSC_0002-1.JPG"></a>I'm pretty proud of my work - the centers are <i>almost </i>perfect! I used starch at every step, and I think that really helped.</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihyPzKAeJtpV0vfMnrpW92QAXJD2kkYHDXwkGZctp9hUjdVXrjhy7uZNFqCgtwhXdS7VuYz1Wgvr9Htp-_4ezntitp5ficu8gvV5TVCY13JmPmX2BtqyWw9rrWQBBGM93YU3kUC1Qf4fI/s1600/DSC_0001-1.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihyPzKAeJtpV0vfMnrpW92QAXJD2kkYHDXwkGZctp9hUjdVXrjhy7uZNFqCgtwhXdS7VuYz1Wgvr9Htp-_4ezntitp5ficu8gvV5TVCY13JmPmX2BtqyWw9rrWQBBGM93YU3kUC1Qf4fI/s400/DSC_0001-1.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihyPzKAeJtpV0vfMnrpW92QAXJD2kkYHDXwkGZctp9hUjdVXrjhy7uZNFqCgtwhXdS7VuYz1Wgvr9Htp-_4ezntitp5ficu8gvV5TVCY13JmPmX2BtqyWw9rrWQBBGM93YU3kUC1Qf4fI/s1600/DSC_0001-1.JPG"></a>And surely you've heard of Moda's <a href="http://modalissa.blogspot.com/2011/03/just-one-star.html">Just One Star</a> project by now. Of course I had to join in! But asking me to make <i><b>just one</b></i> of anything? Ha!! If I pull a fabric out of the stash, it's not going back in! I pulled out a couple blues, and made as many stars as I could - 20 to be exact! </div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhVit-UnMWkfQHBmM8mWQQoDaflyhknVwu8HPlaNJuO_vtlEDri8KklsAu3bXBucRGtqCz2oP9h1l25EgWDhCSOX1WsbjgPZHkeyLcbalJ165UA8AVtqDkOPTB5ug4EG3ksMI2EqBiL8s/s1600/DSC_0006-1.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhVit-UnMWkfQHBmM8mWQQoDaflyhknVwu8HPlaNJuO_vtlEDri8KklsAu3bXBucRGtqCz2oP9h1l25EgWDhCSOX1WsbjgPZHkeyLcbalJ165UA8AVtqDkOPTB5ug4EG3ksMI2EqBiL8s/s400/DSC_0006-1.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhVit-UnMWkfQHBmM8mWQQoDaflyhknVwu8HPlaNJuO_vtlEDri8KklsAu3bXBucRGtqCz2oP9h1l25EgWDhCSOX1WsbjgPZHkeyLcbalJ165UA8AVtqDkOPTB5ug4EG3ksMI2EqBiL8s/s1600/DSC_0006-1.JPG"></a>As I was following the instructions they provided, I got really tired of all the trimming and waste that went along with making the star points. A light bulb finally went off when I realized that these are just flying geese. I hadn't made them before, but I had seen tutorials for no-waste methods. I found <a href="http://cinderberrystitches.typepad.com/cinderberrystitches/2011/02/addicted-to-geese-a-tutorial.html">this one</a>, figured out the new dimensions I'd need, and tried it with a red fabric (yes, just one star that time!). It worked great! So much faster, and no waste. So, if you are thinking of making these blocks and want to use an easier method for the star points, use both of the tutorials together, with these substitutions:</div><div><ul><li>Four 2 3/8" (2.375") squares of red/blue fabric (instead of the eight 2" squares the Moda tutorial calls for)</li><li>One 4 1/4" (4.25") square of background fabric (instead of the four 2" x 3.5" rectangles the Moda tutorial calls for)</li></ul><div>Hope that helps - go make some stars!</div></div>Evelynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18033361439996853864noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6854669988101474029.post-71578128174714052192011-03-03T05:30:00.000-08:002011-03-03T06:21:55.868-08:00sweatshop mode<div>No interesting sewing has been going on around here these last couple of weeks. I've been sweatshopping up a storm, though. My MIL asked for a few more reusable grocery bags (<a href="http://usetheloot.blogspot.com/2009/12/tutorial-reusable-grocery-bags.html">see my tutorial here</a>), so I whipped up a couple using a vintage sheet. I love this print, but that dark gray doesn't really go with most other sheet prints, so it was perfect to use for a bigger project.</div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiElkw6E0XDZXohgBgHj1txVP523bTDm8WZPolgJ8FJoR2c_sbdvA2ctMmCqBv7gABGN4dXnyoYfoPZrgc9veGXV790_gJChqDsTg9mE3uGAQSR-uXxXjp_ZZvtb1Zk7GHdvuQWo0FWGMI/s1600/DSC_0017.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiElkw6E0XDZXohgBgHj1txVP523bTDm8WZPolgJ8FJoR2c_sbdvA2ctMmCqBv7gABGN4dXnyoYfoPZrgc9veGXV790_gJChqDsTg9mE3uGAQSR-uXxXjp_ZZvtb1Zk7GHdvuQWo0FWGMI/s400/DSC_0017.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiElkw6E0XDZXohgBgHj1txVP523bTDm8WZPolgJ8FJoR2c_sbdvA2ctMmCqBv7gABGN4dXnyoYfoPZrgc9veGXV790_gJChqDsTg9mE3uGAQSR-uXxXjp_ZZvtb1Zk7GHdvuQWo0FWGMI/s1600/DSC_0017.JPG"></a>Unfortunately, after I was done, I loved them so much that I didn't want to give them away! I had a duvet cover that I'd bought specifically to make bags (my favorite way to go, because the front and back fabrics coordinate), so I cut that one up and made 6 more. I'll probably give 3 to my MIL, and keep the other 3 for a future gift.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqptVuoEjXzhHmdd518pco2HIcsG7s2uk3RUrILoViNqqyhjw1G7BSMebTe5jUQACLbsBNTkC-YGke6E5HjKkOPm9F5bIeudPPJhSQrTER5I7ttPoElxhrhEvPzYeVUGHXwSz2WQ4i3rA/s1600/DSC_0019.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqptVuoEjXzhHmdd518pco2HIcsG7s2uk3RUrILoViNqqyhjw1G7BSMebTe5jUQACLbsBNTkC-YGke6E5HjKkOPm9F5bIeudPPJhSQrTER5I7ttPoElxhrhEvPzYeVUGHXwSz2WQ4i3rA/s400/DSC_0019.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>And why not go crazy? I had this other sheet that I loved, but it wasn't really vintage enough for other projects, so I backed it with a solid peach sheet and made 6 more bags!</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqptVuoEjXzhHmdd518pco2HIcsG7s2uk3RUrILoViNqqyhjw1G7BSMebTe5jUQACLbsBNTkC-YGke6E5HjKkOPm9F5bIeudPPJhSQrTER5I7ttPoElxhrhEvPzYeVUGHXwSz2WQ4i3rA/s1600/DSC_0019.JPG"></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqptVuoEjXzhHmdd518pco2HIcsG7s2uk3RUrILoViNqqyhjw1G7BSMebTe5jUQACLbsBNTkC-YGke6E5HjKkOPm9F5bIeudPPJhSQrTER5I7ttPoElxhrhEvPzYeVUGHXwSz2WQ4i3rA/s1600/DSC_0019.JPG"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcxI9j09nmfiVCAlIR4Qq7nkanZq1uLdYnCoQjSposT8o1Wqgsjzhd0A2SdAV0BW5xONueQ8z1OyF5xReTksZ3bRmGHuBf6ivjpSnHJgXdvrWhy46RLECzOO-q-uMU64i2xtMYaSAOtYo/s1600/DSC_0020.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcxI9j09nmfiVCAlIR4Qq7nkanZq1uLdYnCoQjSposT8o1Wqgsjzhd0A2SdAV0BW5xONueQ8z1OyF5xReTksZ3bRmGHuBf6ivjpSnHJgXdvrWhy46RLECzOO-q-uMU64i2xtMYaSAOtYo/s400/DSC_0020.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>While I was making these, I walked my friend <a href="http://nha22.com/">Quynh</a> through the process, and she made a few bags of her own. Then she put her own creative twist on it, and turned a bunch of vintage sheet charm squares (that I'd given her for xmas!) into patchwork bags. They are so awesome!! She let me pick my favorite one to keep, and I chose this beautiful blue one. How sweet is that? I think it might be my favorite bag ever!</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcxI9j09nmfiVCAlIR4Qq7nkanZq1uLdYnCoQjSposT8o1Wqgsjzhd0A2SdAV0BW5xONueQ8z1OyF5xReTksZ3bRmGHuBf6ivjpSnHJgXdvrWhy46RLECzOO-q-uMU64i2xtMYaSAOtYo/s1600/DSC_0020.JPG"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrL03dGeXo_fRffiLweCMT7Bprwtn3qvMGBxIo0KUpxcgnAq6YsQTn7Xhmy0VdW9s2IRCbnh0N9A6k82ZvWm3CWZMIwFTFCOoYVQfXYDWYA2j3hCnUpuU2BwI4HXirxua1Q40vlUgDHao/s1600/DSC_0015.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrL03dGeXo_fRffiLweCMT7Bprwtn3qvMGBxIo0KUpxcgnAq6YsQTn7Xhmy0VdW9s2IRCbnh0N9A6k82ZvWm3CWZMIwFTFCOoYVQfXYDWYA2j3hCnUpuU2BwI4HXirxua1Q40vlUgDHao/s400/DSC_0015.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><div style="clear:both; text-align:NONE"><br /></div></div><div style="clear:both; text-align:NONE">And my latest sweatshop project - going through the sheet stash, and cutting out yardage to send to my best addict/customer, <a href="http://littlecumulus.wordpress.com/">Amanda</a>. We have such a great thing going - I get to keep collecting prints, but my bins no longer overflow quite so much, and Amanda gets a steady supply of raw materials for her shop. Perfect! </div><div style="clear:both; text-align:NONE"><br /></div><div style="clear:both; text-align:NONE"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_TDWG9pS7s8xdaXrJ1M3ZMf08oNpoZjKSi6MtL-JoWtk1qmhGZZDVM0N9-Fmnn_xeYpOB4ouyO0ODoTRFHDicqGcbU9J7OjuiDL3P8Qg-cSZR4KCO48R7bGdESzdxsv9Yf6ear1IOwyc/s1600/DSC_0012.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_TDWG9pS7s8xdaXrJ1M3ZMf08oNpoZjKSi6MtL-JoWtk1qmhGZZDVM0N9-Fmnn_xeYpOB4ouyO0ODoTRFHDicqGcbU9J7OjuiDL3P8Qg-cSZR4KCO48R7bGdESzdxsv9Yf6ear1IOwyc/s400/DSC_0012.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a></div></div>Evelynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18033361439996853864noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6854669988101474029.post-78092839095822067092011-02-22T17:20:00.000-08:002011-02-22T17:29:45.734-08:00loot, and someone else's WIPs<div>It started off innocently enough.... Another stash sale + a few free hours on a Saturday morning = me suckered in...</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXhkVsmAiOfhpCYxrjU9jQTn0MCiZZn__xeRYYvblFY51X4Uy3B9DATf1v0ZBTGx6AdLzNe1_Jq0u0AdeyXm7CSTQtp_SO4YkzCPRJlf0kexIlj3pCvwLBfaQIEG4aUuMzFmpo2PjXqYE/s1600/Fullscreen+capture+2212011+120349+PM.bmp.jpg"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXhkVsmAiOfhpCYxrjU9jQTn0MCiZZn__xeRYYvblFY51X4Uy3B9DATf1v0ZBTGx6AdLzNe1_Jq0u0AdeyXm7CSTQtp_SO4YkzCPRJlf0kexIlj3pCvwLBfaQIEG4aUuMzFmpo2PjXqYE/s400/Fullscreen+capture+2212011+120349+PM.bmp.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>"Lucky" and "ecstatic" were overstating it a bit! There was the usual collection of "stuff" - some okay fabric, some crap fabric, some rulers, some bags of scraps, etc. I was chatting up the seller, and she said she had tried out quilting a few years back, and had taken a few classes, but never really got into it, so she was getting rid of everything. There were a couple quilt tops, and I suggested that if she wanted to donate them, I'd quilt them up and give them to <a href="http://www.projectlinus.org/">Project Linus</a>. She had never heard of the organization, but immediately said yes (I later learned she was a nurse, so no wonder!). </div><div><br /></div><div>Then she asked if I knew anyone who could do some quilting for her, as she had one quilt top left that she loved and wanted to keep. I told her I could certainly ask around and find someone for her. She ran inside to get her card, and came back with the quilt. It had obviously been a while since she looked at it, because it turned out it had already been professionally quilted and trimmed up, and all it needed was binding. The words "Well, gosh - I can do that for ya!" were out of my mouth before I knew what I was saying! I was holding a little stack of fabric that I had picked out, and she asked if I wanted to swap that for the labor. Um..... Oh, what the heck! Sure. But then I was kicking myself all the way home. Was it really worth my time to bind a quilt for a few yards of fabric? Oh well, I would consider it a 'random act of kindness', and it would be all good.</div><div><br /></div><div>And look how pretty her quilt was! After 5 years of WIP purgatory, it totally deserved to be out of that plastic bag and put to use!</div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcdYNXNE3i4MkXvKsOo7DaqXFUYBKhpbdgeDVQc7ZmQcFcIEMDM9T_MrrccpePuytDXTAq7KU_k2E__IMxehPpqcjEWMZAN9QxefGqziMKN1kPGsN7NVu7VnUUyd8_nRi8RAiXWehnGsA/s1600/DSC_0001.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcdYNXNE3i4MkXvKsOo7DaqXFUYBKhpbdgeDVQc7ZmQcFcIEMDM9T_MrrccpePuytDXTAq7KU_k2E__IMxehPpqcjEWMZAN9QxefGqziMKN1kPGsN7NVu7VnUUyd8_nRi8RAiXWehnGsA/s400/DSC_0001.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a><div><br /></div><div>It was about 72" square, and there was some of the border fabric in the bag with the quilt, so I just used that for the binding. Thankfully she was okay with having it machine stitched down in the back (no way I would have agreed to hand sewing - I'm not that crazy!), and it only took me about an hour and a half to get it finished. Yay for me! I should totally add this to my big list, just so I can cross it off! Finishing someone else's WIP should count! (Maybe double!) :-)</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcdYNXNE3i4MkXvKsOo7DaqXFUYBKhpbdgeDVQc7ZmQcFcIEMDM9T_MrrccpePuytDXTAq7KU_k2E__IMxehPpqcjEWMZAN9QxefGqziMKN1kPGsN7NVu7VnUUyd8_nRi8RAiXWehnGsA/s1600/DSC_0001.JPG"></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOI9EOpBFqT88I3RTjcetiXAPoev3pFBdy1-ahz7t3T41R1TfR57U8ikW2TqdE35LCurIYKarUFNRV9A4DHwc0kX8U6q8XGmaO6Ut5hGQ1ijaa_vA2mkj1RgoBPBHv4vEK2tJyOM7HOTU/s1600/DSC_0009.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOI9EOpBFqT88I3RTjcetiXAPoev3pFBdy1-ahz7t3T41R1TfR57U8ikW2TqdE35LCurIYKarUFNRV9A4DHwc0kX8U6q8XGmaO6Ut5hGQ1ijaa_vA2mkj1RgoBPBHv4vEK2tJyOM7HOTU/s400/DSC_0009.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Later in the afternoon, I trundled back up to Woodinville to drop off the quilt. She was so pleased to have it back so soon, and she loved it! Yay! </div><div><br /></div><div>You know that old saying 'no good deed goes unpunished"? With her garage sale over, she asked if I would like to take home all the remaining sewing stuff, to use or donate. And of course, I can't pass up an offer like that! It took me quite a while to sort through it all. But in the end, I ended up with several bags of non-cotton fabric to be donated or freecycled, plus all this loot:</div><div><br /></div><div>A medium-sized cutting mat, some small rulers and a bunch of thread...</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMnFXXYzAJz2OiaDPDLrsH2FxABHgiNuFBY_y4alvdpTI059_pB4TpO_lsVDEn44gC2XZznHuEbc8jZ4QBh-DGO0YqZyehxeMY95qI9n8VuAdRshDkBixUGDYoemg1lTDFf3zNMI8kStY/s1600/DSC_0013.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMnFXXYzAJz2OiaDPDLrsH2FxABHgiNuFBY_y4alvdpTI059_pB4TpO_lsVDEn44gC2XZznHuEbc8jZ4QBh-DGO0YqZyehxeMY95qI9n8VuAdRshDkBixUGDYoemg1lTDFf3zNMI8kStY/s400/DSC_0013.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>A small basted quilt (or table topper or wall hanging, maybe?), which I might donate to Project Linus (the colors aren't very child-friendly, so maybe not)... </div><div><br /></div><div><div><div><div style="clear: both; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ0IJH_NV8CytvHG1osx7UfTJxPU3Khg7ZYserktSCveOGq5GjJNokerIhPN37IiO851MW1Nf-bkxdauq0XSVymxa5fA73jL52SxAzdm9ywpeutmypeeYm70WhNLCBbSuMyFJ4VRaxi1E/s1600/DSC_0004.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ0IJH_NV8CytvHG1osx7UfTJxPU3Khg7ZYserktSCveOGq5GjJNokerIhPN37IiO851MW1Nf-bkxdauq0XSVymxa5fA73jL52SxAzdm9ywpeutmypeeYm70WhNLCBbSuMyFJ4VRaxi1E/s400/DSC_0004.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a></div></div></div><div style="clear: both; "><br /></div><div style="clear: both; ">A basted table runner. Not sure what the heck I'll do with this. At least the colors are more cheery. Maybe I can add some borders and turn it into a small quilt? There are some scraps of those fabrics left, but I'm not at all interested in making more of those blocks!</div><div style="clear: both; "><br /></div><div style="clear: both; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikazINhuIyV3QqmoDZFYJzR00uvZZkjXXwKCBMAw57BmV9tEkYJN0aAWsavAp0GUpId6IJdWFIA1RI6DMEvPYlf3WDwCakgd0XB3jNtgZiS5VOJPPTPcFUHectlZRO4zVTLBkufuU6VBs/s1600/DSC_0005.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikazINhuIyV3QqmoDZFYJzR00uvZZkjXXwKCBMAw57BmV9tEkYJN0aAWsavAp0GUpId6IJdWFIA1RI6DMEvPYlf3WDwCakgd0XB3jNtgZiS5VOJPPTPcFUHectlZRO4zVTLBkufuU6VBs/s400/DSC_0005.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a></div><div style="clear: both; "><br /></div><div style="clear: both; ">A mostly complete xmas-themed top (just needs some borders), about lap size. Definitely colorful enough for a PL quilt!</div><div style="clear: both; "><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMnFXXYzAJz2OiaDPDLrsH2FxABHgiNuFBY_y4alvdpTI059_pB4TpO_lsVDEn44gC2XZznHuEbc8jZ4QBh-DGO0YqZyehxeMY95qI9n8VuAdRshDkBixUGDYoemg1lTDFf3zNMI8kStY/s1600/DSC_0013.JPG"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0TxkRMerGxflJk-mY54zt1X9cJzCu3WLybP-Emgd2mKFTSXuM-ryr2I5Rk1NN_Vl51KbCexbteW64NNM9crHKI_4pN2RPXdUm6BLbJMI-3VUOUs5JyzL7IvUfG5uMV8GVG9aJnJry-Fw/s1600/DSC_0015.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0TxkRMerGxflJk-mY54zt1X9cJzCu3WLybP-Emgd2mKFTSXuM-ryr2I5Rk1NN_Vl51KbCexbteW64NNM9crHKI_4pN2RPXdUm6BLbJMI-3VUOUs5JyzL7IvUfG5uMV8GVG9aJnJry-Fw/s400/DSC_0015.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><div style="clear:both; text-align:NONE"><br /></div><div style="clear:both; text-align:NONE">This flannel WIP, which I'll probably go ahead and finish up to donate. It has all the pieces, just needs a little more piecing. I do not love these colors, but it should be warm and snuggly anyway.</div><div style="clear:both; text-align:NONE"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge2u6bUXePF709NbRBPZywnEgdg5uatZyDgKh9FxrXaMXVqQQWSGv5Bqvq-pNsyczr6I8MfrS6wXMbOauNgy55DxLCXkZWl0tjyY75HZJ1m1aKHJ2_9QjjsxI5E75eUHY7HKI71TD2wV0/s1600/DSC_0021.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge2u6bUXePF709NbRBPZywnEgdg5uatZyDgKh9FxrXaMXVqQQWSGv5Bqvq-pNsyczr6I8MfrS6wXMbOauNgy55DxLCXkZWl0tjyY75HZJ1m1aKHJ2_9QjjsxI5E75eUHY7HKI71TD2wV0/s400/DSC_0021.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a></div><div style="clear:both; text-align:NONE"><br /></div><div style="clear:both; text-align:NONE"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge2u6bUXePF709NbRBPZywnEgdg5uatZyDgKh9FxrXaMXVqQQWSGv5Bqvq-pNsyczr6I8MfrS6wXMbOauNgy55DxLCXkZWl0tjyY75HZJ1m1aKHJ2_9QjjsxI5E75eUHY7HKI71TD2wV0/s1600/DSC_0021.JPG"></a>This WIP has a LOT of blocks, and only a few are sewn together. Again, I don't love the colors, but maybe it would be okay for an older boy. I'm not sure I want to spend the time it would take to finish this one up, so I might try to pass it off to someone else...</div><div style="clear:both; text-align:NONE"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoXaCPwEPuR32cAk5LiVlOPH0Hb6oQ_PR1u-lzZNmNR51CiuOXyagkIgehfI0bIB_r19saW1Rs1Y1aKSQZ0VVGtOGbp6VOjTxlQMi2NLSEigaZcOyHe-oz8mifMEI6mzG7cwCZWoWIsSw/s1600/DSC_0029.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoXaCPwEPuR32cAk5LiVlOPH0Hb6oQ_PR1u-lzZNmNR51CiuOXyagkIgehfI0bIB_r19saW1Rs1Y1aKSQZ0VVGtOGbp6VOjTxlQMi2NLSEigaZcOyHe-oz8mifMEI6mzG7cwCZWoWIsSw/s400/DSC_0029.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a></div><div style="clear:both; text-align:NONE"><br /></div><div style="clear:both; text-align:NONE">This project was either a kit, or only taken to the cutting stage. One block was finished, and one block was started, and that was it. I think it would be a piece of cake to turn this into a different design, like maybe a coin quilt. And it sure is colorful!</div><div style="clear:both; text-align:NONE"><br /></div><div style="clear:both; text-align:NONE"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV90hxXFRnOvmNR_opWyMgJAX0Lx7DeSq0twwpBs7oTwDbGyxfDgPgJzChN6BvDaR0yY5-DuM-RkfOt9ywy909RZlkNusJ_gmD1cYRDJCn_2oO2_672ioYIoOBG9zerExT5vqqFAUsGgg/s1600/DSC_0028.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV90hxXFRnOvmNR_opWyMgJAX0Lx7DeSq0twwpBs7oTwDbGyxfDgPgJzChN6BvDaR0yY5-DuM-RkfOt9ywy909RZlkNusJ_gmD1cYRDJCn_2oO2_672ioYIoOBG9zerExT5vqqFAUsGgg/s400/DSC_0028.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a></div></div></div><div style="clear:both; text-align:NONE"><br /></div><div style="clear:both; text-align:NONE"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikazINhuIyV3QqmoDZFYJzR00uvZZkjXXwKCBMAw57BmV9tEkYJN0aAWsavAp0GUpId6IJdWFIA1RI6DMEvPYlf3WDwCakgd0XB3jNtgZiS5VOJPPTPcFUHectlZRO4zVTLBkufuU6VBs/s1600/DSC_0005.JPG"></a>And lastly, some fabric. Some yardage of flannel...</div><div style="clear:both; text-align:NONE"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxXk0VAsInZkpyMio0bpP4Xx39Ih7sQ9pp92Ovn7J4xhApCgor3yutCTtfDp-5TLxictkkPtVKvILpUGvXhOEi_Im4ztzsQHSkY7jDecNH6PapAic0xLCVT_rNT_-9Q8nNldfvE3zjeHY/s1600/DSC_0022.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxXk0VAsInZkpyMio0bpP4Xx39Ih7sQ9pp92Ovn7J4xhApCgor3yutCTtfDp-5TLxictkkPtVKvILpUGvXhOEi_Im4ztzsQHSkY7jDecNH6PapAic0xLCVT_rNT_-9Q8nNldfvE3zjeHY/s400/DSC_0022.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a></div><div style="clear:both; text-align:NONE"><br /></div><div style="clear:both; text-align:NONE">And a bunch of fat quarters of flannel and a little homespun. There are multiples of each print, and I'm not sure they were meant to go together, so I'm not sure what to do with them.</div><div style="clear:both; text-align:NONE"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxXk0VAsInZkpyMio0bpP4Xx39Ih7sQ9pp92Ovn7J4xhApCgor3yutCTtfDp-5TLxictkkPtVKvILpUGvXhOEi_Im4ztzsQHSkY7jDecNH6PapAic0xLCVT_rNT_-9Q8nNldfvE3zjeHY/s1600/DSC_0022.JPG"></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCV8b92m_HzVIZoqCbaCZ8LeQ0HKwP1U0DNl3UgfzH4FTaPjqegqeCvfMCLC78QyD-4vQrFpsIHucdH5baTuOj0seq32NqKvGwKvpmv2BnAOt2pAQOI2OeX2IPoJ4eHrD55qW0BRdGo_Q/s1600/DSC_0025.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCV8b92m_HzVIZoqCbaCZ8LeQ0HKwP1U0DNl3UgfzH4FTaPjqegqeCvfMCLC78QyD-4vQrFpsIHucdH5baTuOj0seq32NqKvGwKvpmv2BnAOt2pAQOI2OeX2IPoJ4eHrD55qW0BRdGo_Q/s400/DSC_0025.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a></div><div style="clear:both; text-align:NONE"><br /></div><div style="clear:both; text-align:NONE"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCV8b92m_HzVIZoqCbaCZ8LeQ0HKwP1U0DNl3UgfzH4FTaPjqegqeCvfMCLC78QyD-4vQrFpsIHucdH5baTuOj0seq32NqKvGwKvpmv2BnAOt2pAQOI2OeX2IPoJ4eHrD55qW0BRdGo_Q/s1600/DSC_0025.JPG"></a>Some coordinating FQ's...</div><div style="clear:both; text-align:NONE"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj98pt8T8SuR1Nq5S3KDKsAudz9w7Tz4F4TmLfzAe5Ua8FGadJlr5ZqWV_F6v8wJjMXpptGiQEgIP6K9hBelBdeXkJ9g7C5z3h8CM7SsioENvlynHrhzkCJko3aTOamTFbeW4wl-tlGdMg/s1600/DSC_0026.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj98pt8T8SuR1Nq5S3KDKsAudz9w7Tz4F4TmLfzAe5Ua8FGadJlr5ZqWV_F6v8wJjMXpptGiQEgIP6K9hBelBdeXkJ9g7C5z3h8CM7SsioENvlynHrhzkCJko3aTOamTFbeW4wl-tlGdMg/s400/DSC_0026.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a></div><div style="clear:both; text-align:NONE"><br /></div><div style="clear:both; text-align:NONE">And a pretty piece of silk. </div><div style="clear:both; text-align:NONE"><br /></div><div style="clear:both; text-align:NONE"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7DNbAv8yAtUOaEHWOq2trqF07kpvS8T4iKU79W04W4khpmLHZBabNch7UpHX_dyP9BerPIX6_IvgRTEi6NCF48jR7vnm5LtZRJXKo9duXLUYceZHQ1Uxsps4V9K6Z-aM5W0P_o5EOA_g/s1600/DSC_0027.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7DNbAv8yAtUOaEHWOq2trqF07kpvS8T4iKU79W04W4khpmLHZBabNch7UpHX_dyP9BerPIX6_IvgRTEi6NCF48jR7vnm5LtZRJXKo9duXLUYceZHQ1Uxsps4V9K6Z-aM5W0P_o5EOA_g/s400/DSC_0027.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a></div><div style="clear:both; text-align:NONE"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7DNbAv8yAtUOaEHWOq2trqF07kpvS8T4iKU79W04W4khpmLHZBabNch7UpHX_dyP9BerPIX6_IvgRTEi6NCF48jR7vnm5LtZRJXKo9duXLUYceZHQ1Uxsps4V9K6Z-aM5W0P_o5EOA_g/s1600/DSC_0027.JPG"></a><br />Phew... Almost done. I'll spare you the photos of the stack of random fabrics and scraps, and show you just one more thing. There are 12 of these Trapunto blocks...</div><div style="clear:both; text-align:NONE"><br /></div><div style="clear:both; text-align:NONE"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbLjUPlegPpT8L3c1YE3gGUor1iL5xNTPVHhDUWfyiNODjLd8iI8KF6WKNChHMThv0b4dAeEwOobyz3gkKdBXO84eGe9huyILSzTJ1GObHdS9Zxqtja_2MC8fiMnFhb82LDaOg9H-6qAA/s1600/DSC_0016.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbLjUPlegPpT8L3c1YE3gGUor1iL5xNTPVHhDUWfyiNODjLd8iI8KF6WKNChHMThv0b4dAeEwOobyz3gkKdBXO84eGe9huyILSzTJ1GObHdS9Zxqtja_2MC8fiMnFhb82LDaOg9H-6qAA/s400/DSC_0016.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a></div><div style="clear:both; text-align:NONE"><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI67fpBKfdv5f-bpPpTmDEmksXbQ-7RvPMLROnc-83_bRZHOlGm0Sz2WRP8sGcUdVBfCdbGSwwcXh7u11JOA8vWi8ZZb5sJLAWoaZQOqLId8dLsVDAZr-QzyL5pupwIHRiYpVK46e91v8/s1600/DSC_0017.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI67fpBKfdv5f-bpPpTmDEmksXbQ-7RvPMLROnc-83_bRZHOlGm0Sz2WRP8sGcUdVBfCdbGSwwcXh7u11JOA8vWi8ZZb5sJLAWoaZQOqLId8dLsVDAZr-QzyL5pupwIHRiYpVK46e91v8/s400/DSC_0017.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a><div style="clear: both; "><br /></div></div><div style="clear: both; ">They are about 12" square, and each bird is outlined and stuffed. I think there are 2 each of 6 different scenes (or maybe 3 each of 4 scenes?).<br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="clear: both; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgL57c7iKtn230w33Wpb-VdFG3bMloNyivzg0pEX_tWv01-jXiHyOW7sT5uZ6lKqNODatl3rW1cyLznVIHlVwO9wVgi0dtZLAZKZCU4WNOfHp9QT1KbXOTYGqg1pPg3WOG-BfxmcgEh_0/s1600/DSC_0018.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgL57c7iKtn230w33Wpb-VdFG3bMloNyivzg0pEX_tWv01-jXiHyOW7sT5uZ6lKqNODatl3rW1cyLznVIHlVwO9wVgi0dtZLAZKZCU4WNOfHp9QT1KbXOTYGqg1pPg3WOG-BfxmcgEh_0/s400/DSC_0018.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>I can't see these being used for a Project Linus quilt, and I won't use them myself. But I hate to think of all that work being wasted! So, if you want them, just leave me a comment! I'll even spring for the shipping (US only, please) to get them to a good home. :-) On the off chance that there's more than one taker, I'll draw a name in a couple days.</div></div>Evelynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18033361439996853864noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6854669988101474029.post-43737420653176420632011-02-17T20:21:00.000-08:002011-02-17T20:21:00.811-08:00the winner, and another strippie<div>The lucky winner of the pink charm squares is #40, and that's Sue of <a href="http://suesquiltinghaven.blogspot.com/">Sue's Quilting Haven</a>. Looks like she's been having quite the winning streak lately! I was pleased to see the Project Linus badge on her blog - it's always nice to meet another 'blanketeer'!</div><div><br /></div><div>And speaking of which (and just so I don't have a post without pictures!) here's my latest PL donation quilt, which I finished last month. It's the second <a href="http://usetheloot.blogspot.com/2010/07/tutorial-super-quick-baste-as-you-go.html">'baste as you go'</a> quilt that I started back in July. I wish I had paid attention to the repeat on the focus fabric when I put it together, but it's hard to see the overall pattern until you step away from the quilt. Oh well! I'll know to keep an eye out for that next time. </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYZnjPdGsVsubn1lVnYhp4cZXicowUlejOuh6OSRVsuBu1LOHpPl_WBpk88tkp9Sadc3ilNyyluhDlm5W_rlusxAS41HXVe0B0B4gwmUtCgzhyphenhyphenPix1bcQD-5f506ZPgHeR8UCV1up_v5s/s1600/DSCN0363.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYZnjPdGsVsubn1lVnYhp4cZXicowUlejOuh6OSRVsuBu1LOHpPl_WBpk88tkp9Sadc3ilNyyluhDlm5W_rlusxAS41HXVe0B0B4gwmUtCgzhyphenhyphenPix1bcQD-5f506ZPgHeR8UCV1up_v5s/s400/DSCN0363.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>This is the fifth <a href="http://www.maryquilts.com/quick-strippie/">Quick Strippie</a> quilt I've made, and I have 4 more in the works (they're on the big list!). They are just so easy to make!</div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrhdRyB8qcRb7PRSTRKhDvGrJLjhdO6-VvjkKlz4pt3SJCdM7qh13EIpmIAlqC4tSyTCnGRnLynIKoJ65vkg7esWYxSw_4b3BA75-lByKA5B6Hbgt-Ad8sqy6LDgdcAzNRkKFyBuk0muo/s1600/DSCN0362.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrhdRyB8qcRb7PRSTRKhDvGrJLjhdO6-VvjkKlz4pt3SJCdM7qh13EIpmIAlqC4tSyTCnGRnLynIKoJ65vkg7esWYxSw_4b3BA75-lByKA5B6Hbgt-Ad8sqy6LDgdcAzNRkKFyBuk0muo/s400/DSCN0362.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><div style="clear:both; text-align:NONE">And of course, my usual big crazy patchwork backing. Also fun and easy to make, and a great use for random scraps of novelty fabrics!</div>Evelynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18033361439996853864noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6854669988101474029.post-34093194754477875882011-02-16T13:15:00.000-08:002011-02-16T13:19:44.113-08:00hanging my minis<div>I hate to admit, but I've never hung a quilt before. I was so thrilled with my new wall hangings, and really wanted to get them up. I had this idea in my head that involved covered buttons (shank removed, glued to thumbtacks), twine and clothespins. In my head, it looked adorable. In practice, not so much....</div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicrSm5Oxrpzl24auG5ZW1fJiwQ9GtWNAkaTWoiqynwwjHjVOaZAjw0Vgzg26hJooOfZZ_gLVpRJCUiKHXnU4FY5vDtBxl0ueJY12sIHLc55X-V0Rv7Xm0oln8uy6aluihKU3Z9f7P67xI/s1600/DSC_0003.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicrSm5Oxrpzl24auG5ZW1fJiwQ9GtWNAkaTWoiqynwwjHjVOaZAjw0Vgzg26hJooOfZZ_gLVpRJCUiKHXnU4FY5vDtBxl0ueJY12sIHLc55X-V0Rv7Xm0oln8uy6aluihKU3Z9f7P67xI/s400/DSC_0003.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicrSm5Oxrpzl24auG5ZW1fJiwQ9GtWNAkaTWoiqynwwjHjVOaZAjw0Vgzg26hJooOfZZ_gLVpRJCUiKHXnU4FY5vDtBxl0ueJY12sIHLc55X-V0Rv7Xm0oln8uy6aluihKU3Z9f7P67xI/s1600/DSC_0003.JPG"></a>But then I remembered this wacky lady named <a href="http://www.potsandpins.com/blog/">Nan from Pots & Pins</a>, who <a href="http://stashmanicure.blogspot.com/2010/12/unorthodox-quilter.html">'fessed up to stapling</a> her quilts to the wall. If she could use staples, why not thumbtacks?? I just gently pushed the tacks through the quilt, and it worked great! </div><div><br /></div><div>Here's a couple different styles for ya. We've got some kinda big buttons that match the binding...</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-y07Rl6BydPc1UOJ0O_yi-5hGg1PzIge6A-16TgBdZmrOq-J_blHMpfnef5JOclpP0o_uLGYlGSlZevXNiljXtvoTmYlLr7Sp7DUHLmdeCIbbsI3UQjhyphenhyphenlinqybxt1ujxVkW91z-ZgII/s1600/DSC_0013.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-y07Rl6BydPc1UOJ0O_yi-5hGg1PzIge6A-16TgBdZmrOq-J_blHMpfnef5JOclpP0o_uLGYlGSlZevXNiljXtvoTmYlLr7Sp7DUHLmdeCIbbsI3UQjhyphenhyphenlinqybxt1ujxVkW91z-ZgII/s400/DSC_0013.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-y07Rl6BydPc1UOJ0O_yi-5hGg1PzIge6A-16TgBdZmrOq-J_blHMpfnef5JOclpP0o_uLGYlGSlZevXNiljXtvoTmYlLr7Sp7DUHLmdeCIbbsI3UQjhyphenhyphenlinqybxt1ujxVkW91z-ZgII/s1600/DSC_0013.JPG"></a>And some small buttons that match the background, so that they are almost camouflaged...</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbUVSLIK7LLKcrIJhJFc0X76dV3Bi5qTgOvyCOFl8qr_int9PDC5_UuKiE9Tni1uBk2G9XMb-key3YUSkvMJJNiiQ034aletS4VpZflfOU9gIC_FymDMx5r4NSoC2J-YiQBqN7Z__v1r0/s1600/DSC_0014.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbUVSLIK7LLKcrIJhJFc0X76dV3Bi5qTgOvyCOFl8qr_int9PDC5_UuKiE9Tni1uBk2G9XMb-key3YUSkvMJJNiiQ034aletS4VpZflfOU9gIC_FymDMx5r4NSoC2J-YiQBqN7Z__v1r0/s400/DSC_0014.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbUVSLIK7LLKcrIJhJFc0X76dV3Bi5qTgOvyCOFl8qr_int9PDC5_UuKiE9Tni1uBk2G9XMb-key3YUSkvMJJNiiQ034aletS4VpZflfOU9gIC_FymDMx5r4NSoC2J-YiQBqN7Z__v1r0/s1600/DSC_0014.JPG"></a>And some fun and contrasty buttons (I was too lazy to run upstairs to get actual fabric from the quilt, and that red polka dot was at hand).... </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEez3V8PAeYWmDZ4paOtyJlcnlaPYLZXdMiJ0hkN5m0K8SskCzOwrhe_UjF7MDa0TMxjRODsE-Cms8ZOZjgyiy9FfOOd9FbMuGW3gfUoVWD25Q19Yj5_NQ1yXQ-lPcqzoNJgcES5cY-S8/s1600/DSC_0010.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEez3V8PAeYWmDZ4paOtyJlcnlaPYLZXdMiJ0hkN5m0K8SskCzOwrhe_UjF7MDa0TMxjRODsE-Cms8ZOZjgyiy9FfOOd9FbMuGW3gfUoVWD25Q19Yj5_NQ1yXQ-lPcqzoNJgcES5cY-S8/s400/DSC_0010.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a><div style="clear:both; text-align:NONE"><br /></div></div><div style="clear:both; text-align:NONE">For the long wall hanging, I thought I'd try a cleaner look. I had sewn little triangles into the backing (not knowing how I'd eventually hang it), and so I tried putting the buttons in there. </div><div style="clear:both; text-align:NONE"><br /></div><div style="clear:both; text-align:NONE"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7s_W0iBU55msXtc_D_02gKlIerIRMZxhjTSR923tKn3b3bm2nt6ZGPYmMsPFzO1Cbhxtq-07Is6rftYgZQiSL1M7NqhRqIHXdBhvwkBWXGMXmw9SacpM-nVeP68ouxTJnbL1X_7d0xjM/s1600/DSC_0004.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7s_W0iBU55msXtc_D_02gKlIerIRMZxhjTSR923tKn3b3bm2nt6ZGPYmMsPFzO1Cbhxtq-07Is6rftYgZQiSL1M7NqhRqIHXdBhvwkBWXGMXmw9SacpM-nVeP68ouxTJnbL1X_7d0xjM/s400/DSC_0004.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a></div><div style="clear:both; text-align:NONE"><br /></div><div style="clear:both; text-align:NONE"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7s_W0iBU55msXtc_D_02gKlIerIRMZxhjTSR923tKn3b3bm2nt6ZGPYmMsPFzO1Cbhxtq-07Is6rftYgZQiSL1M7NqhRqIHXdBhvwkBWXGMXmw9SacpM-nVeP68ouxTJnbL1X_7d0xjM/s1600/DSC_0004.JPG"></a>That worked okay, but was a little bulky (and why waste a pretty button where no one will see it?), so I pulled out the button-tack and just used a plain old tack instead. Works great!</div><div style="clear:both; text-align:NONE"><br /></div><div style="clear:both; text-align:NONE"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtMvVZfQJ4MzxRThjoTgCWgOIRbcqM1OiOBgP4Tm4fdVcut5Fp5DnnV7soeKY0s024ii4gDdAhJSfhjr894CoLtwU1dsl9I2dnHebX77U4CwOl1sLhSHWmexnRb26bQuV4PnBXDGtguuQ/s1600/DSC_0008.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtMvVZfQJ4MzxRThjoTgCWgOIRbcqM1OiOBgP4Tm4fdVcut5Fp5DnnV7soeKY0s024ii4gDdAhJSfhjr894CoLtwU1dsl9I2dnHebX77U4CwOl1sLhSHWmexnRb26bQuV4PnBXDGtguuQ/s400/DSC_0008.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a></div><div style="clear:both; text-align:NONE"><br /></div><div style="clear:both; text-align:NONE">I love it! So easy and so quick. I do realize that the tacks might eventually rust or pull the fabric or whatnot. But I'm cool with that. The instant gratification is worth it. :-)</div>Evelynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18033361439996853864noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6854669988101474029.post-39356872121161642652011-02-15T08:00:00.000-08:002011-02-15T08:00:03.021-08:00valentine's day project #2<div>Another new project that wasn't on the list... When I saw <a href="http://nostalgiccafe.blogspot.com/2011/02/distractions.html">this cute wall hanging</a> over at <a href="http://nostalgiccafe.blogspot.com/">Nostalgic Cafe</a>, I knew I wanted to make one. I had some 5" squares left over from my <a href="http://usetheloot.blogspot.com/2010/10/retreat-project-1.html">pink triangle quilt</a>, and thought they would be perfect! I cut them into 2.5" squares, and used one of each print to make this little cutie!</div><div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0jx8pjSc8Swz7wGrL4n6ZxOV7WHxdXUK3P8WzUWGL1yeAuNG56bZa4Kk2jscMTzyeezmgdfejsdydC-OfuJAa7CQwXDgEjalXrGpdEaKNZLCJHkDzcwnqzxcmwbiMlbkU_EvleM457XU/s1600/DSC_0001.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0jx8pjSc8Swz7wGrL4n6ZxOV7WHxdXUK3P8WzUWGL1yeAuNG56bZa4Kk2jscMTzyeezmgdfejsdydC-OfuJAa7CQwXDgEjalXrGpdEaKNZLCJHkDzcwnqzxcmwbiMlbkU_EvleM457XU/s400/DSC_0001.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0jx8pjSc8Swz7wGrL4n6ZxOV7WHxdXUK3P8WzUWGL1yeAuNG56bZa4Kk2jscMTzyeezmgdfejsdydC-OfuJAa7CQwXDgEjalXrGpdEaKNZLCJHkDzcwnqzxcmwbiMlbkU_EvleM457XU/s1600/DSC_0001.JPG"></a>The only bad thing was that I now had 3 more squares of each print! Following my new "create no UFOs" rule would mean tossing the extra squares into the scrap box. I couldn't bring myself to do that, so I went ahead and whipped up 3 more hearts (they don't take as long as you would think!), and sashed them together to make another wall hanging... In this shot, I have it laid out on the cutting table while I mark the diagonal lines (using one of the kid's washable markers - works great!).</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggn3EYAArOMNI463ly6w5F91GOx3PF-K4IKhB0igoNfKNvz1nQXwSmP7A508aNZ-9EiQK6jIcd55Oj1fV4hLA12M8vWkA8d_QPoTc2mM-ehEu38cKw1lNuz9vIWHE0F7P7A2WPKzcU-KM/s1600/DSC_0007.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggn3EYAArOMNI463ly6w5F91GOx3PF-K4IKhB0igoNfKNvz1nQXwSmP7A508aNZ-9EiQK6jIcd55Oj1fV4hLA12M8vWkA8d_QPoTc2mM-ehEu38cKw1lNuz9vIWHE0F7P7A2WPKzcU-KM/s400/DSC_0007.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div>I love how they turned out! For the little one, I used stippling in the white areas (dense in the heart area, more loose around the edge), and just some simple diagonals around the heart. I think this one will end up in my sewing room!</div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOUblswojEdSePmUZu5QDsoLWBbzbZgLkZ5RcsQ3eEn8G8iMUI4KhEH0R9yu4zSGCezW_5q7hHaldpRXhAQvs17BP4k12CRwX_AyCepkur00y30pOQ8XUvwXfWwamnkkUp_VvhvSlE8eU/s1600/DSC_0079.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOUblswojEdSePmUZu5QDsoLWBbzbZgLkZ5RcsQ3eEn8G8iMUI4KhEH0R9yu4zSGCezW_5q7hHaldpRXhAQvs17BP4k12CRwX_AyCepkur00y30pOQ8XUvwXfWwamnkkUp_VvhvSlE8eU/s400/DSC_0079.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOUblswojEdSePmUZu5QDsoLWBbzbZgLkZ5RcsQ3eEn8G8iMUI4KhEH0R9yu4zSGCezW_5q7hHaldpRXhAQvs17BP4k12CRwX_AyCepkur00y30pOQ8XUvwXfWwamnkkUp_VvhvSlE8eU/s1600/DSC_0079.JPG"></a>For the long one, I did an all over cross-hatch design.</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmEod4JL1nx9CWzkw9uBtKMb7JS3y2DmPQnZShtwBNN22IDvAffadj47miQa75Uxpg4zaD-BeBNCnDv938geIn68ruv1csVsKiyPGZfh_Uldh9s7muAXjHVKHLhiAav9qNKWS3kNmnmFY/s1600/DSC_0089.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmEod4JL1nx9CWzkw9uBtKMb7JS3y2DmPQnZShtwBNN22IDvAffadj47miQa75Uxpg4zaD-BeBNCnDv938geIn68ruv1csVsKiyPGZfh_Uldh9s7muAXjHVKHLhiAav9qNKWS3kNmnmFY/s400/DSC_0089.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>This one will be hung on the narrow wall in the hall by the guest room. Probably year-round, until I can make more wall hangings to swap it out with! It's not TOO valentines-y, right?</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmEod4JL1nx9CWzkw9uBtKMb7JS3y2DmPQnZShtwBNN22IDvAffadj47miQa75Uxpg4zaD-BeBNCnDv938geIn68ruv1csVsKiyPGZfh_Uldh9s7muAXjHVKHLhiAav9qNKWS3kNmnmFY/s1600/DSC_0089.JPG"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBKCkoOqsgf-Rq-LE3nor8WbFroCbs52CcOTB6FO5Onxmp8FPLVYJ1b06_X39ho9WpucQ8dvAjzsS4cFtEuZ7GKkDkUmoc-ms7h4HId2Y6FzmUywn9vEF-NEi-zlopR_PbnFjbynb8eM0/s1600/DSC_0082.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBKCkoOqsgf-Rq-LE3nor8WbFroCbs52CcOTB6FO5Onxmp8FPLVYJ1b06_X39ho9WpucQ8dvAjzsS4cFtEuZ7GKkDkUmoc-ms7h4HId2Y6FzmUywn9vEF-NEi-zlopR_PbnFjbynb8eM0/s400/DSC_0082.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBKCkoOqsgf-Rq-LE3nor8WbFroCbs52CcOTB6FO5Onxmp8FPLVYJ1b06_X39ho9WpucQ8dvAjzsS4cFtEuZ7GKkDkUmoc-ms7h4HId2Y6FzmUywn9vEF-NEi-zlopR_PbnFjbynb8eM0/s1600/DSC_0082.JPG"></a>And guess what... I still have more 5" squares left! To celebrate the finish of this mini project, I'd love to give this 'charm pack' to one of you. There's one each of 30-ish prints (a couple more than I used to make the wall hangings). Of course you don't have to make the same project that I did - it would make a cute little patchwork quilt for a baby girl! </div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilh9BfR0QsEChKRVGKhcICzUvw9lTffbx-lor8FARU637fStBcG8uI9NBiv3owmma02Tnxc_5vjrqwWTtb1Vtk-Ws3knvZRFFxfFdw5ZKGifkrsErwyB7e284e3WBZ0p_Mhr4T8O6nVpw/s1600/DSC_0092.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilh9BfR0QsEChKRVGKhcICzUvw9lTffbx-lor8FARU637fStBcG8uI9NBiv3owmma02Tnxc_5vjrqwWTtb1Vtk-Ws3knvZRFFxfFdw5ZKGifkrsErwyB7e284e3WBZ0p_Mhr4T8O6nVpw/s400/DSC_0092.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a><div style="clear:both; text-align:NONE"><br /></div></div><div style="clear:both; text-align:NONE">Just leave any old comment (and I'm happy to ship international). I'll pick a winner on Thursday night, so hopefully I can get it in the mail on Friday! Yay for finished projects!!!</div>Evelynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18033361439996853864noreply@blogger.com48tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6854669988101474029.post-90603394486297291832011-02-14T16:23:00.000-08:002011-02-15T04:32:27.223-08:00Happy valentine's day!<div>I've amended my "no new projects" resolution. I'm still working down my list, but I'm also making room for small diversions. Sometimes you just gotta have a little fun! So now my rule is "no new UFOs". If I want to start something, I have to commit to finishing it before I move on to anything else. This way, when the little missy asks for a new skirt for Valentine's day, I can say sure, why not!</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy-4xxKvTUG8MWRsk1QSHtjBthkBEDujasUe3C5tsp14rnXqNXwNZV0oV4DVXmmWgO-xk-5HBhjFQxoNI0BQGK9d8XbUid45hjyoS0fJuWemJrxVSeRC1ladhBF4y51HDxGO6sIi-xflg/s1600/DSC_0063.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy-4xxKvTUG8MWRsk1QSHtjBthkBEDujasUe3C5tsp14rnXqNXwNZV0oV4DVXmmWgO-xk-5HBhjFQxoNI0BQGK9d8XbUid45hjyoS0fJuWemJrxVSeRC1ladhBF4y51HDxGO6sIi-xflg/s400/DSC_0063.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy-4xxKvTUG8MWRsk1QSHtjBthkBEDujasUe3C5tsp14rnXqNXwNZV0oV4DVXmmWgO-xk-5HBhjFQxoNI0BQGK9d8XbUid45hjyoS0fJuWemJrxVSeRC1ladhBF4y51HDxGO6sIi-xflg/s1600/DSC_0063.JPG"></a>It's just a simple gathered tiered skirt with an elastic waistband. I did the ruffles with the serger by increasing the differential. I first tried it with some el-cheap-o fabric, and set the differential to 2, which made it gather about 100% (42" wide strips gathered up to about 21"). For the test skirt, I used seven 6" strips to make a 3-tiered skirt - the top tier was one strip, the second tier was 2 strips, and the third tier was 4 strips long. It was really, <b><i>really </i></b>twirly! For the real skirt, I decided to start a little smaller so it wouldn't end up quite so voluminous (and because I only had a yard of fabric, so I only had 6 strips instead of 7). The top tier would be 3/4 of a strip, the middle tier would be 1.5 strips, and the bottom tier would be 3 strips, for a total of 5.25 strips, giving me a little fabric left over for a comfortable margin of error. But even though I set the differential to 2 again, it somehow gathered more loosely than the first time!! What the heck? Oh well - it somehow worked out perfectly so that I had enough to make 4 tiers instead of 3, with about 12" left over. It could be twirlier, but it's good enough. And it's a little long, but that just means she can wear it next year, right? :-) </div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9so0CMJK-GUq5gcB_Ez6fep2YBbkCzRmfXtOsEs4-5PJHy_xB57pTW7gWTZkfZULfftQTbnd61Wrjq8eUOERcVAvzED7cPcqfRM48Gus-qikFOvRHHbkgGTbiYQU5V-fCmE8TdUi_qmg/s1600/DSC_0076.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9so0CMJK-GUq5gcB_Ez6fep2YBbkCzRmfXtOsEs4-5PJHy_xB57pTW7gWTZkfZULfftQTbnd61Wrjq8eUOERcVAvzED7cPcqfRM48Gus-qikFOvRHHbkgGTbiYQU5V-fCmE8TdUi_qmg/s400/DSC_0076.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>I picked up the solid shirt at Target a long time ago, and was so pleased that the color happened to match perfectly. One big appliquéd heart later, and her outfit was complete (and total pink overload!!). </div>Evelynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18033361439996853864noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6854669988101474029.post-89157102609779037422011-02-07T19:37:00.000-08:002011-02-09T08:35:58.645-08:00bee block round up<div>I haven't posted my bee blocks in a long time! First up, here is the last round of blocks for the <a href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/vintagesheetquiltingbee/">vintage sheet bee</a>...</div><div><br /></div><div>For November. This is going to make a such a pretty quilt! And the block was not as difficult as it looks. (Here's a link to <a href="http://nittanyblockparty.blogspot.com/2010/02/february-blocks.html">the tutorial</a>, if you want to try the block yourself!)</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEBebkR_uJ5gu4CL8_m4x-bwzMQvlSitgRNBo5ydkkZj4LSGpOzgVGD1MoZPXyfn2HfCEi07yv7aCKoH2Xtezzuq1C0Jh1kCQ4qSeJLA0ngqNY7Fq0LmsUBpEeicL7fD2ghrc2qnHFpZU/s1600/DSCN0127.JPG"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEBebkR_uJ5gu4CL8_m4x-bwzMQvlSitgRNBo5ydkkZj4LSGpOzgVGD1MoZPXyfn2HfCEi07yv7aCKoH2Xtezzuq1C0Jh1kCQ4qSeJLA0ngqNY7Fq0LmsUBpEeicL7fD2ghrc2qnHFpZU/s400/DSCN0127.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div> </div><div><br /></div><div>December - time-consuming, but kinda cool!</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPOxy7oTv329WWtvlWocHlNU1lvnWsIQv9dssVIwmSEsgSn1iXyi2szvKv-ZPyocFUvaPZACMlK4dWzUAZqFq4c1ktT6v4IVXKbyDIvFj3IaPfFK3_4jzBIdKFcZpPfoEfDAo2rMaVeY0/s1600/DSC_0012-1.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPOxy7oTv329WWtvlWocHlNU1lvnWsIQv9dssVIwmSEsgSn1iXyi2szvKv-ZPyocFUvaPZACMlK4dWzUAZqFq4c1ktT6v4IVXKbyDIvFj3IaPfFK3_4jzBIdKFcZpPfoEfDAo2rMaVeY0/s400/DSC_0012-1.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPOxy7oTv329WWtvlWocHlNU1lvnWsIQv9dssVIwmSEsgSn1iXyi2szvKv-ZPyocFUvaPZACMlK4dWzUAZqFq4c1ktT6v4IVXKbyDIvFj3IaPfFK3_4jzBIdKFcZpPfoEfDAo2rMaVeY0/s1600/DSC_0012-1.JPG"></a>January - my first ever "representational" block! It was a lot harder than I thought it would be. It takes a whole different way of thinking about putting things together!</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggLwNHZFYdNM9WzHkkgrZPoorGMAt6yjS2sHuv8qVc5MvRIZewiE1zzZSPk1YdKfWie21LN_lOmN53_NO6Eq5e2Z8PBsHQq951nPG2YQuKYhg-4I9CAme9OQfQosDKrIbcDcCCnpT64Yc/s1600/DSC_0028-1.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggLwNHZFYdNM9WzHkkgrZPoorGMAt6yjS2sHuv8qVc5MvRIZewiE1zzZSPk1YdKfWie21LN_lOmN53_NO6Eq5e2Z8PBsHQq951nPG2YQuKYhg-4I9CAme9OQfQosDKrIbcDcCCnpT64Yc/s400/DSC_0028-1.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggLwNHZFYdNM9WzHkkgrZPoorGMAt6yjS2sHuv8qVc5MvRIZewiE1zzZSPk1YdKfWie21LN_lOmN53_NO6Eq5e2Z8PBsHQq951nPG2YQuKYhg-4I9CAme9OQfQosDKrIbcDcCCnpT64Yc/s1600/DSC_0028-1.JPG"></a>And finally, for February. I love the look of these blocks, but honestly they were such a pain in the butt to make. And I felt like I was always trimming, trimming, trimming - more fabric got thrown away than was left in the block!</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdO97XvLHkTn0G0MUvYghSAp2oOPgDN46o_NWUkNeOZ6DGqiflxG0YFicsosuNphwkPcpCILOL_Ja21SC65w9VFKynlWBzqQ9RJc5hyYBPF_Qd3s0tqyhOEr5HigT7z13KfnrNrOzp_W4/s1600/DSC_0032-1.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdO97XvLHkTn0G0MUvYghSAp2oOPgDN46o_NWUkNeOZ6DGqiflxG0YFicsosuNphwkPcpCILOL_Ja21SC65w9VFKynlWBzqQ9RJc5hyYBPF_Qd3s0tqyhOEr5HigT7z13KfnrNrOzp_W4/s400/DSC_0032-1.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdO97XvLHkTn0G0MUvYghSAp2oOPgDN46o_NWUkNeOZ6DGqiflxG0YFicsosuNphwkPcpCILOL_Ja21SC65w9VFKynlWBzqQ9RJc5hyYBPF_Qd3s0tqyhOEr5HigT7z13KfnrNrOzp_W4/s1600/DSC_0032-1.JPG"></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit1yr57AOGpFvWkjjVK22L9H4m3iGYphYNqzfW_8H8i9Ui4rMlB6xbxLkxiy-kTY2wXaUqgtfiaVkkFpRdKHyaF8Ny4F4JRhr5E5EUlRXL8TQXxa8ftBtK8cjYK7bEZk3sSxTbYSGMzm4/s1600/DSC_0030-1.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit1yr57AOGpFvWkjjVK22L9H4m3iGYphYNqzfW_8H8i9Ui4rMlB6xbxLkxiy-kTY2wXaUqgtfiaVkkFpRdKHyaF8Ny4F4JRhr5E5EUlRXL8TQXxa8ftBtK8cjYK7bEZk3sSxTbYSGMzm4/s400/DSC_0030-1.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>And here are my blocks for the <a href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/dogoodstitches/">do. Good Stitches</a> bee... (i'm so petty - every time I have type that name out, the kreativ punctuation drives me batty!)</div><div><br /></div><div>Anyway, here's the November block... You should click over and <a href="http://www.stitchedincolor.com/2010/12/blessings.html">see the final quilt here</a>. It's gorgeous!</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSqxcU4k-GcteVRSVbRSvlHwhC7FZQ9OeOzR9x6-bJanDINDVJzAJ5znmOWdKWUGGAWOc3uGXs6lFEMsq3QWfeIFOZpfNq_UV5RE-ip-MKv9W4OutirmWcxj4llFeGOGKUaBRUZ3nqYMk/s1600/DSCN0247.JPG"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSqxcU4k-GcteVRSVbRSvlHwhC7FZQ9OeOzR9x6-bJanDINDVJzAJ5znmOWdKWUGGAWOc3uGXs6lFEMsq3QWfeIFOZpfNq_UV5RE-ip-MKv9W4OutirmWcxj4llFeGOGKUaBRUZ3nqYMk/s400/DSCN0247.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>And the December blocks. Nice and simple, yay!</div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFwN6g0xoJr7uTlw9NXHYTkcdFd4ZKjn3UBH_5QLW7L8bmudvWZJE9jmS7o_CuiWzGB7Co0FMXW0-1uC6go-vQolI-P870K-qVPGIPcuNMwmpBksYnwwko1J7001CgQlJd-BM1jETs2ac/s1600/DSCN0304.JPG"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFwN6g0xoJr7uTlw9NXHYTkcdFd4ZKjn3UBH_5QLW7L8bmudvWZJE9jmS7o_CuiWzGB7Co0FMXW0-1uC6go-vQolI-P870K-qVPGIPcuNMwmpBksYnwwko1J7001CgQlJd-BM1jETs2ac/s400/DSCN0304.JPG" border="0" /></a> <div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNLdOEujrU5_u6hfkynv2MuGK7ah4PmHdI7gWgb_89uEIsGZ02KDbuOTQoVnDqQKQzGytSOVTY8-iDgJi5amh2TJhb2Q29Ei1ns1FYSm5Ve9Ny-kuGT3CXPgHdsMkIqQg8sPddrXa2YVM/s1600/DSCN0305.JPG"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNLdOEujrU5_u6hfkynv2MuGK7ah4PmHdI7gWgb_89uEIsGZ02KDbuOTQoVnDqQKQzGytSOVTY8-iDgJi5amh2TJhb2Q29Ei1ns1FYSm5Ve9Ny-kuGT3CXPgHdsMkIqQg8sPddrXa2YVM/s400/DSCN0305.JPG" border="0" /></a> <div><br /></div><div>The January block... I was glad that I already had experience with this block! I loved picking out the fabrics for this one.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd0agjvYeYfTRalybqpo-roXEmZyRmenCEHtF8ld1HTXcrycjOl1MPPB_qEhy7_vSqa2XaC-Vx8pJOoVvnkrw6JR4BUqSqd7Scx0Kxm-8KnRUfSK5YbRuLbQrGeo3hu-IhMbGTj9GDG8E/s1600/DSC_0002-1.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd0agjvYeYfTRalybqpo-roXEmZyRmenCEHtF8ld1HTXcrycjOl1MPPB_qEhy7_vSqa2XaC-Vx8pJOoVvnkrw6JR4BUqSqd7Scx0Kxm-8KnRUfSK5YbRuLbQrGeo3hu-IhMbGTj9GDG8E/s400/DSC_0002-1.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a></div><div><br />Okay, I'm all caught up now, whew! :-)</div></div><div><br /></div>Evelynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18033361439996853864noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6854669988101474029.post-90146305887866386682011-01-31T17:19:00.000-08:002011-01-31T17:39:07.545-08:00Happy new year!<div><span class="Apple-style-span" >Hi friends! My plan A (catch up on everyone else's blogs) didn't work, so I'm going with plan B (start fresh and hope y'all don't hold it against me!). I have no great excuse for not posting - just lots of little bumps in the road, like a new computer (my first Mac! and this old dog is not having fun learning new tricks!), minor illnesses, travels, internet outages, stressful work deadlines, you name it. But nothing serious - life is good here, and I'm so happy that the holidays are over and spring is on the way! </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >Before I start posting about my recent projects, I have one very overdue thank-you to take care of. Check out this fantastic apron that <a href="http://littlecumulus.wordpress.com/">Amanda</a> sent me!!! I just adore it. Every time I see it, I just want to blow off work and get all domestic in the kitchen! Thank you so much, Amanda! Oh, and go check out <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/themodernmarigold">her shop</a> - I bet if you asked nicely, she'd make an apron for you too!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiljjYcX9Jlnhi3aWsO4cMshbiuea_NWRf38knIB5gFfYB-I9quj-8cytSEMDuOSxVL-nUD8OdoUcS1wm0K7MoVaQh4ei74bFjS6_b34QmBtIMK9BHP7-pg0gbCo5e3MocYOJNReGayvq8/s1600/DSC_0022-1.JPG"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiljjYcX9Jlnhi3aWsO4cMshbiuea_NWRf38knIB5gFfYB-I9quj-8cytSEMDuOSxVL-nUD8OdoUcS1wm0K7MoVaQh4ei74bFjS6_b34QmBtIMK9BHP7-pg0gbCo5e3MocYOJNReGayvq8/s400/DSC_0022-1.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></span></a></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >Even though I've been neglecting this blog, I'm happy to report that I've been keeping myself busy with the thrifty/crafty stuff. My number one goal for 2011 is to finish up as many WIPs as I can, and to try like crazy not to start any new projects until I get the existing ones done. To keep myself on track, I started a list of all the projects I have in progress. Some are small (like individual bee blocks, or hanging up some miniquilts in my sewing room), but I'm writing down everything as I encounter it, and celebrating every item that I mark off. It's been very motivating for me!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPjgC7BXLpOuBpF1p3UAIlm_7YyBKqN_7aXtoP2gYGkOjdow__JMOLy3OfH2Mz-zAweJZ5-vs_jCIWf3XxpoNaZKaYHcNd283XIzSiJQG_kosSYba1JWi84XEpJPLdhZpAfql_1Textlc/s1600/DSC_0096.JPG"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPjgC7BXLpOuBpF1p3UAIlm_7YyBKqN_7aXtoP2gYGkOjdow__JMOLy3OfH2Mz-zAweJZ5-vs_jCIWf3XxpoNaZKaYHcNd283XIzSiJQG_kosSYba1JWi84XEpJPLdhZpAfql_1Textlc/s400/DSC_0096.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></span></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >I have a few holiday projects to show, but to heck with catching up chronologically. Instead, I'm going to start off with my most favorite project I've finished lately. You might remember some test blocks that I made last May, and this little table runner I whipped up:</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjne5qsu1kMCLWAikN0lhHPsBoaUf7pvfuyKOoNcGImLzmOvx36oLuia3GbyT9Cea9wJL571TqVhcg5hfS9ur-QZ5JaXlOH_8d9BfEfTe6zd3v-ryaINNSc2GT_s35xFFwlMlpGaVaXtMM/s1600/IMG_0272.JPG"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjne5qsu1kMCLWAikN0lhHPsBoaUf7pvfuyKOoNcGImLzmOvx36oLuia3GbyT9Cea9wJL571TqVhcg5hfS9ur-QZ5JaXlOH_8d9BfEfTe6zd3v-ryaINNSc2GT_s35xFFwlMlpGaVaXtMM/s400/IMG_0272.JPG" border="0" /></span></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >I wasn't in love with it then. But now... I love, love, LOVE it. Behold!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyKVYltBX41D4xlg4QrC0T6V8RGiPRXly94fwA6S_07us6u24dosZDYRhDwD40KDMMzPHEhynij9LaM4ei8M5Jor9_-Q-kosJUb7itywVXRBve2oANTOIoLGveVRqRzIARd8fzyh0BvaQ/s1600/DSC_0001-2.JPG"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyKVYltBX41D4xlg4QrC0T6V8RGiPRXly94fwA6S_07us6u24dosZDYRhDwD40KDMMzPHEhynij9LaM4ei8M5Jor9_-Q-kosJUb7itywVXRBve2oANTOIoLGveVRqRzIARd8fzyh0BvaQ/s400/DSC_0001-2.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></span></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDGeyWTLyH3nI6iV-mw5k1sN6SowVJ4WycR86Q7UwkMBqhHdBZOS9kHNSXVd2xMTx97vRE14ysIbYYwJGRbuwt3LAEy8j2gOUWgG9x3zpeNzl4NzNYa6ME8XDAHfn3O99KKr-oaG-O6ew/s1600/DSC_0005-2.JPG"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDGeyWTLyH3nI6iV-mw5k1sN6SowVJ4WycR86Q7UwkMBqhHdBZOS9kHNSXVd2xMTx97vRE14ysIbYYwJGRbuwt3LAEy8j2gOUWgG9x3zpeNzl4NzNYa6ME8XDAHfn3O99KKr-oaG-O6ew/s400/DSC_0005-2.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></span></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span">It's going to live happily on my credenza (that's a 'fancy nancy' word for big filing cabinet). </span><span class="Apple-style-span">I love having something in my office that I made just for myself! </span><span class="Apple-style-span"> And <i><b>maybe</b></i> it will help keep me from piling crap on top of there (um, not working at the moment, I have to confess!).</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXSJyI1XVDoxOXNnduOcx6oKjdfwKZ1pVtsm9al1W97hPNwVUsjXIU4ZKE98Sqq_eOx8SioixWXmu_b-vgtXKas-Wh4mQsCxF-ehktOk1c5UD4-dgKHWUA3MQNFxhUktuP8A_1n_hgyxg/s1600/DSC_0002-2.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXSJyI1XVDoxOXNnduOcx6oKjdfwKZ1pVtsm9al1W97hPNwVUsjXIU4ZKE98Sqq_eOx8SioixWXmu_b-vgtXKas-Wh4mQsCxF-ehktOk1c5UD4-dgKHWUA3MQNFxhUktuP8A_1n_hgyxg/s400/DSC_0002-2.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_NwHz72nOBag-Rb5sTMxe5zqPp_my7J7e1_38WaiWzzWvggOExaWRi74sy9BvMbmbbRCQmjMjV1t0nDFxa7yuDdHUYY5ddklnPpZ3ZcU1RFmmSAPQrqesWlK5lsNoJ1FdSyHxt1zVScQ/s1600/DSC_0003-2.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_NwHz72nOBag-Rb5sTMxe5zqPp_my7J7e1_38WaiWzzWvggOExaWRi74sy9BvMbmbbRCQmjMjV1t0nDFxa7yuDdHUYY5ddklnPpZ3ZcU1RFmmSAPQrqesWlK5lsNoJ1FdSyHxt1zVScQ/s400/DSC_0003-2.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >The back is just as pretty! I used one of my favorite vintage sheets, and the colors are perfect for the "tiffany" blue walls. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_NwHz72nOBag-Rb5sTMxe5zqPp_my7J7e1_38WaiWzzWvggOExaWRi74sy9BvMbmbbRCQmjMjV1t0nDFxa7yuDdHUYY5ddklnPpZ3ZcU1RFmmSAPQrqesWlK5lsNoJ1FdSyHxt1zVScQ/s1600/DSC_0003-2.JPG"></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguneaNfRMX4wlXTeLbydTZzwAiFk28bXBCbKouO_jeWV4XRr4KEFf1vj7ZS1MX36giK_8o8iokcLAoAAxUQyWactirR3g9oM42wkn3k4A2K64OhyphenhyphensxgKo2V6xajUfbO-saYlYW4advTds/s1600/DSC_0008-2.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguneaNfRMX4wlXTeLbydTZzwAiFk28bXBCbKouO_jeWV4XRr4KEFf1vj7ZS1MX36giK_8o8iokcLAoAAxUQyWactirR3g9oM42wkn3k4A2K64OhyphenhyphensxgKo2V6xajUfbO-saYlYW4advTds/s400/DSC_0008-2.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a></span><div style="clear: both; "><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div style="clear: both; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-gv6sqrp_flQa6c7ggyMNVt7zD4nkEH7FcUK9a3YMOc4fjL_06SD3w9_dTHfb_Y-54xsRCVgJtI2W6OpemKsvM_xRpVGXF9zATtR1zlNWoGX_c5jf_5zeeEsxt6gaCTSaJFw4KhqQ7Us/s1600/DSC_0010-2.JPG"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-gv6sqrp_flQa6c7ggyMNVt7zD4nkEH7FcUK9a3YMOc4fjL_06SD3w9_dTHfb_Y-54xsRCVgJtI2W6OpemKsvM_xRpVGXF9zATtR1zlNWoGX_c5jf_5zeeEsxt6gaCTSaJFw4KhqQ7Us/s400/DSC_0010-2.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></span></a></div><div style="clear: both; "><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br />Now I just need to get busy on the actual bee quilt. I've received all my blocks from my bee partners, and I'm almost ready to start putting them together. It's on the big list! :-)</span></div><div style="clear: both; "><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div style="clear: both; "><span class="Apple-style-span" >I have two other goals for 2011. My big list of projects includes a bunch of Project Linus quilts I've got cut out, and I'm hoping that I can use up all the polyester batting that's taking up WAY too much space in my closet. If I don't use it all by the end of the year, I'm going to donate the rest and be done with it. </span></div><div style="clear: both; "><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div style="clear: both; "><span class="Apple-style-span" >My last big goal for the year is to blog regularly, and to reply to all the comments you wonderful friends leave for me. I do appreciate them, and I know I've sucked at this in the past. But I'm recommitting. Go ahead - try me! :-) </span></div></div>Evelynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18033361439996853864noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6854669988101474029.post-28188505820691324222010-12-18T05:39:00.000-08:002010-12-18T06:42:14.571-08:00still here...Yes, I'm still here. Sorry for the incredibly long absence... I had a big work deadline this week, which slowly ramped up the pressure over the last month or so. On top of that, there were bouts of sickness, snow days, holidays, birthdays, feeble attempts to get ready for xmas... Blech. I know I should love this time of year, but I honestly don't. <br /><br />And I know it doesn't take long to make a blog post, but... I'm also utterly behind on reading blogs. My reader had been pegged at 1000+ for weeks now!! I somehow feel wrong to post when I haven't caught up on all my friends' blogs (or even worse, emails). So, friends, please forgive me for not having my act together. I'm working on it. And if you soon get some comments on <span style="font-style: italic;">really </span>old blog posts of yours, you'll know why!<br /><br />Meanwhile, here's a little show and tell from last month. I finally finished the Project Linus quilt I started <a href="http://usetheloot.blogspot.com/2010/07/tutorial-super-quick-baste-as-you-go.html">way back in July</a>! <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5U_STMzLmljePQM2dSkn9dWeZcqaKUuJdJEprbx_jPvh32KJb3l6zHcH4mSvEdMRfDQ3An_dpPbZ-VOZoZKaO5clzdd_h2sxuVaVuuoaOE4ljvrOYitlmaPRhX6hdzDt7tejaGgZ4SwM/s1600/DSCN0003.JPG"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5U_STMzLmljePQM2dSkn9dWeZcqaKUuJdJEprbx_jPvh32KJb3l6zHcH4mSvEdMRfDQ3An_dpPbZ-VOZoZKaO5clzdd_h2sxuVaVuuoaOE4ljvrOYitlmaPRhX6hdzDt7tejaGgZ4SwM/s400/DSCN0003.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The standard crazy patchwork back...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie4HzQANnJF5noi6dgTAnAhoBtvmKdSDpvDkLRtwtyVe1IoCqdF__EiHGaRFWeFrS_pu4gsS8rZNINgL9ZC-7quI-MtK5VQKE7lwP3bD0CZQctD7IcWkXNEDReMP8vSN95q2u_pcadbD4/s1600/DSCN0004.JPG"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie4HzQANnJF5noi6dgTAnAhoBtvmKdSDpvDkLRtwtyVe1IoCqdF__EiHGaRFWeFrS_pu4gsS8rZNINgL9ZC-7quI-MtK5VQKE7lwP3bD0CZQctD7IcWkXNEDReMP8vSN95q2u_pcadbD4/s400/DSCN0004.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I did all the quilting at the November PL meeting (killing two birds with one stone!), and it was pretty interesting to do the quilting in front of a room full of people. I was surprised that so many of them had never done free-motion quilting! I'm no expert, but I did my best to demonstrate, and answered lots of questions.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo21csCprDU7C1cnmafV94Z-GozAWJmutWyUgP17-P9Zekj0NROPlsVLCbIc92QpRRcEYjl4FVNoyVG0vwXuVW_ck9Eff3MUHGoZ2uGXyJKkIOemt5RmycIOOiZ5IE1cNSyoI5OKOklqQ/s1600/DSCN0008.JPG"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo21csCprDU7C1cnmafV94Z-GozAWJmutWyUgP17-P9Zekj0NROPlsVLCbIc92QpRRcEYjl4FVNoyVG0vwXuVW_ck9Eff3MUHGoZ2uGXyJKkIOemt5RmycIOOiZ5IE1cNSyoI5OKOklqQ/s400/DSCN0008.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I did stippling in the large strips, and tried a couple new-to-me things in the narrower strips. The loopy quilting in the pink strip was fun, and I did okay on that. The wavy quilting in the green strip, on the other hand... not so great! I think I was getting tired and sloppy by the time I got to that. Oh well, it was good to try it out anyway!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB5ToVRxZqJOpWJ2c4eeI-mZKLFU2ZE_hHHlHtPh7ghaORhR68adnH5R4cKIic49g8Ss1PYXJfslBfalo35inejWK7aWq2wHPxVZ1MMRFJNjQVOfwx-7UVyOe7eoE23kF_-sqENuDoPvA/s1600/DSCN0009.JPG"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB5ToVRxZqJOpWJ2c4eeI-mZKLFU2ZE_hHHlHtPh7ghaORhR68adnH5R4cKIic49g8Ss1PYXJfslBfalo35inejWK7aWq2wHPxVZ1MMRFJNjQVOfwx-7UVyOe7eoE23kF_-sqENuDoPvA/s400/DSCN0009.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Sorry again for dropping off for a while. I'll try to do better in the future. :-)<br /><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>Evelynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18033361439996853864noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6854669988101474029.post-88847986148119856202010-11-07T15:19:00.000-08:002010-11-07T15:19:00.386-08:00I'm so crafty, I make...<div>Hair! Ha! I've been growing my hair out for a <a href="http://www.locksoflove.org/">Locks of Love</a> donation, and last week was the big day. So, in memory of Julie, and my aunt Georgeanna, and in honor of my friend Kelli and everybody else fighting cancer... I went from this:</div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFCT5EiJajFU1N9TaOiv4rqdA6UCVtwZgqaXSgK-voJsmqGRGjzfTtm2LT9AYYNnMAgaR_B_9xRe298qwvPjbsUsErKiMcIi1TDra_0DHehG_EKnC6SPW47Wuv-x2yhGRvufBJM4p8CYM/s1600/DSCF0571.JPG"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFCT5EiJajFU1N9TaOiv4rqdA6UCVtwZgqaXSgK-voJsmqGRGjzfTtm2LT9AYYNnMAgaR_B_9xRe298qwvPjbsUsErKiMcIi1TDra_0DHehG_EKnC6SPW47Wuv-x2yhGRvufBJM4p8CYM/s400/DSCF0571.JPG" border="0" /></a> <div><br /></div><div>to this! Big thanks to Hannah at <a href="http://www.gretchenscottsalon.com/">Gretchen Scott Salon</a> in Woodinville, WA, for a fantastic (and free!) haircut. I really love having shorter hair again. </div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMv7WSfjfPE3z8MG1tcL1nMJpSeYSzWk_5nHqzutVSDkZFTnO46_pHS-VPXgDnsUqddCJFzCba_sUoES6zO68LnlrgL4JGfSPaFhRi9ft3VIuhg0dHJpBZd3j7JINZRk7pxW6ogEZBeXc/s1600/DSCF0573.JPG"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMv7WSfjfPE3z8MG1tcL1nMJpSeYSzWk_5nHqzutVSDkZFTnO46_pHS-VPXgDnsUqddCJFzCba_sUoES6zO68LnlrgL4JGfSPaFhRi9ft3VIuhg0dHJpBZd3j7JINZRk7pxW6ogEZBeXc/s400/DSCF0573.JPG" border="0" /></a><div style="clear:both; text-align:NONE"><br /></div></div><div style="clear:both; text-align:NONE">Funny thing is, I hated (<b><i>hated!</i></b>) my red hair when I was growing up. If I had been given a chance to get a wig back then, I wonder if I would have said "hey, make mine blonde, please!". Oh well, I hope my donation helps make a kid happy, whether they already have red hair or just want to try it out for fun. :-)</div>Evelynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18033361439996853864noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6854669988101474029.post-53369505778720334622010-11-06T15:07:00.000-07:002010-11-06T15:07:00.155-07:00October bee blocks<div>Here are my bee blocks for the <a href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/dogoodstitches/">do. Good Stitches</a> bee (nice and straightforward)... </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdNcFxHKYvivPjwR5klPaYdaV7p9n0BM8_3X21xJxRz1xuPwpVl9vGDVMg14u4fhuAoPS3fgBoAm7bm0YpDC0UoWgXENUTiRzSH8CMWv95oABx2iempXdN1Q7xUcK06VxrKpHJILeL4sU/s1600/DSCF0606.JPG"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdNcFxHKYvivPjwR5klPaYdaV7p9n0BM8_3X21xJxRz1xuPwpVl9vGDVMg14u4fhuAoPS3fgBoAm7bm0YpDC0UoWgXENUTiRzSH8CMWv95oABx2iempXdN1Q7xUcK06VxrKpHJILeL4sU/s400/DSCF0606.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>and the <a href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/vintagesheetquiltingbee/">vintage sheet bee</a>. </div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibc41-LR6qemXocDiwRU_UhWL2R2Uz1vfY1sdqcCkqThbAtk5aS1tiOfpKnomh3liOjyxrLVMfGdERjYKh1oG1FiXpljkpYjMtuVQ05xmL8KqgDXbe-ZkIi5U70NxH4HyrTVkaw6YXYaU/s1600/DSCF0649.JPG"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibc41-LR6qemXocDiwRU_UhWL2R2Uz1vfY1sdqcCkqThbAtk5aS1tiOfpKnomh3liOjyxrLVMfGdERjYKh1oG1FiXpljkpYjMtuVQ05xmL8KqgDXbe-ZkIi5U70NxH4HyrTVkaw6YXYaU/s400/DSCF0649.JPG" border="0" /></a> <div><br />I have to admit, I was a little intimidated by this block. With all those seams, I was worried about having it come out the wrong size. But the directions (and my 1/4" foot!) are spot-on. I only had to trim a tiny bit, and it was perfect. I think it's going to be a really cute quilt. Though if I was making this myself, I know I'd take the easy way out (just do a straight patchwork, and set it on point). :-)</div>Evelynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18033361439996853864noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6854669988101474029.post-30143959184519092742010-11-05T17:49:00.000-07:002010-11-05T17:49:00.800-07:00loot!<div>I had some great scores at the thrift store last weekend! Wouldn't these three sheets make a pretty <i>something </i>together? I think I can hear <a href="http://littlecumulus.wordpress.com/">Amanda</a>'s sharp intake of breath - I know that one on the right is one of her favorites. :-)</div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEignlM3aP2gDufH_m8af1CMDPPQu4B0dotL0wgfl1iir8STBxGPnlsvbwI-JK8ypIxCY3X8RoX52gKPHCIlz7qfpxxcBTQzjuEe27ZMMYlxp67VDcxvt4idVrCWOKdfWaDD5XIlso2OJE0/s1600/DSCF0634.JPG"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEignlM3aP2gDufH_m8af1CMDPPQu4B0dotL0wgfl1iir8STBxGPnlsvbwI-JK8ypIxCY3X8RoX52gKPHCIlz7qfpxxcBTQzjuEe27ZMMYlxp67VDcxvt4idVrCWOKdfWaDD5XIlso2OJE0/s400/DSCF0634.JPG" border="0" /></a> <div><br /></div><div>And how about some more butterflies? I really debated about the one on the right - It's a Vera print, and I have it in purple (and love it, of course), but brown and orange aren't the most popular colors. Oh well, I always err on the side of buying!</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD_b5jAYK8xymdINYjkTlYS61qyb1ZUX-pI98ESscG5wpzvP_fFzW114177XGSM7uaSpMu0h4644kb6UNy4f65N1ZRmw2UC3sCRf75DMUr695O4PlmHx196Y06RzZHViF7pd1Ms07n4d4/s1600/DSCF0636.JPG"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD_b5jAYK8xymdINYjkTlYS61qyb1ZUX-pI98ESscG5wpzvP_fFzW114177XGSM7uaSpMu0h4644kb6UNy4f65N1ZRmw2UC3sCRf75DMUr695O4PlmHx196Y06RzZHViF7pd1Ms07n4d4/s400/DSCF0636.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div><br /></div><div>I seriously almost squealed out loud when I saw these pillowcases! I love this print, and have it in orange and pink. It pained me a little to fork over $2 each for them, but wow, I just love them!</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFfldYCEE08Z30pKnzZAoft6yq0rgsh53wezx7RyXAFB4-7IFqAE1LRPs8IiU9pTjKUqqPgUNLh4bGnBwL-mldPF7VEOG4iA6fp8zCHGLjUvYObDCc-6rZrr6MEtUOrC3HfRpfS7lEzp0/s1600/DSCF0610.JPG"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFfldYCEE08Z30pKnzZAoft6yq0rgsh53wezx7RyXAFB4-7IFqAE1LRPs8IiU9pTjKUqqPgUNLh4bGnBwL-mldPF7VEOG4iA6fp8zCHGLjUvYObDCc-6rZrr6MEtUOrC3HfRpfS7lEzp0/s400/DSCF0610.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div><br /></div><div>I also found a bag of new FQs from Joann, 7 of them for only $1! Very timely too - I just used the one on top for one of my bee blocks!</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWUHnhZvxRGdjwEyLiYwbuiKQO5xpYuHhZ9E9TxTx7Ko57xeMHTuBQLSrZ31SBHQwwdLFqzlkfRT1Q2v3TGSE39vQ3oWKfKphUJQ0BSlQFIxLZcAVI7s3yRU0us-mr0s5xDVjcCyAb0WI/s1600/DSCF0607.JPG"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWUHnhZvxRGdjwEyLiYwbuiKQO5xpYuHhZ9E9TxTx7Ko57xeMHTuBQLSrZ31SBHQwwdLFqzlkfRT1Q2v3TGSE39vQ3oWKfKphUJQ0BSlQFIxLZcAVI7s3yRU0us-mr0s5xDVjcCyAb0WI/s400/DSCF0607.JPG" border="0" /></a><div style="clear:both; text-align:NONE"><br /></div></div><div style="clear:both; text-align:NONE">And last, but not least, some vintage fabric that had been sewn into a duvet cover. I love the orange and pink combination!</div><div style="clear:both; text-align:NONE"><br /></div><div style="clear:both; text-align:NONE"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmjmOaVPhf5hxTYpsVjUu3br_xiKjPv_w1YKak6PnZNJ-9etZfeXEdmyzcJFOkPQ115vgV_XOOM-RghPlOWs5k_KD8-WKEs5e1vHi3ZbWerBK8sxWt9kv1zNma-4_ctWjH7arxs6bTfYs/s1600/DSCF0612.JPG"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmjmOaVPhf5hxTYpsVjUu3br_xiKjPv_w1YKak6PnZNJ-9etZfeXEdmyzcJFOkPQ115vgV_XOOM-RghPlOWs5k_KD8-WKEs5e1vHi3ZbWerBK8sxWt9kv1zNma-4_ctWjH7arxs6bTfYs/s400/DSCF0612.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div style="clear:both; text-align:NONE"><br /></div><div style="clear:both; text-align:NONE">No thrifting for me this weekend - I'll be too busy sewing instead! Yay!</div>Evelynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18033361439996853864noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6854669988101474029.post-89918121771735381662010-11-05T14:40:00.000-07:002010-11-05T14:59:42.067-07:00retreat - project #2<div>After all those triangles, I was ready to slip back into my comfort zone! I was inspired by <a href="http://incolororder.blogspot.com/2010/10/bloggers-quilt-festival.html">this quilt</a> on Jeni's blog <a href="http://incolororder.blogspot.com/">In Color Order</a> (another vintage sheet fan!), and knew this would be a fun and simple retreat project. I went through my stack of pre-cut sheets (6" squares), and grabbed any that I liked that I had at least 5 of. I brought about 80 prints, when all I needed was about 30! Oh well, it gave me plenty to choose from at the retreat!</div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR6_wwPChF9YmGGgcAQbhPAkiBEG33xzOz36SPMsek0Cs_n4Dc8znWbrRWmK6VgvQuwwZOmgETTnDfp07Zm080plvyLAn7jtjs8KiwvgrcPmkyBWO_UukwnyyMxaK1-kUt1LeNp7s93vY/s1600/DSCF0597.JPG"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR6_wwPChF9YmGGgcAQbhPAkiBEG33xzOz36SPMsek0Cs_n4Dc8znWbrRWmK6VgvQuwwZOmgETTnDfp07Zm080plvyLAn7jtjs8KiwvgrcPmkyBWO_UukwnyyMxaK1-kUt1LeNp7s93vY/s400/DSCF0597.JPG" border="0" /></a> <div><br /></div><div>I really love the simplicity of it. I didn't think too hard about the layout - I just narrowed it down to my favorite prints (anything 'colorful'), and then I slapped them up on the design wall. I did some minimal rearranging as I went, but I really tried not to over-think it. </div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl4_ed9-f3Rlvk06nZB-LFtwtS5AgcvhNe-43zvyjcK6CQG8lFny0IgqvGIqPfLXOgUGKDnKrBIT280ZOY1sDrwrWFzN-I5NzDYqxKj-ZymFc0kVat1-errELJ4fib2Jn5C0gW6gYfgFs/s1600/P10102121.jpg"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl4_ed9-f3Rlvk06nZB-LFtwtS5AgcvhNe-43zvyjcK6CQG8lFny0IgqvGIqPfLXOgUGKDnKrBIT280ZOY1sDrwrWFzN-I5NzDYqxKj-ZymFc0kVat1-errELJ4fib2Jn5C0gW6gYfgFs/s400/P10102121.jpg" border="0" /></a><div style="clear:both; text-align:NONE"><br /></div></div><div style="clear:both; text-align:NONE">(I stole this picture from <a href="http://annalenaland.com/2010/10/30/retreat-wall-of-fame-part-2/">Karen's blog post</a>). The purple square really jumps out, doesn't it? I probably won't get this quilted until next year. In the meantime, it will languish in 'quilt purgatory' (draped over the stair railing upstairs), where I'll get enjoy petting it whenever I walk by!</div>Evelynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18033361439996853864noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6854669988101474029.post-70657247160672271942010-10-29T14:07:00.000-07:002010-10-29T14:07:45.537-07:00retreat - project #1<div>The quilt retreat was awesome! I was fighting a stupid cold the whole time, but I was determined to not let it get the best of me. There were no <i>super </i>late nights this year, but when we weren't eating or sleeping, we were sewing! Here are my buddies <a href="http://nha22.com/">Quynh </a>and blogless Suzette (not great pictures, sorry! I hate my new camera.... grr....)</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjRm4qaFmkJLK647tD9dPQHGk9aB96J1ebhfppnJKVXhhr8Z408sE8LbShbNjBfRbSbW-FAz3z3PvqH_ZEC4yCcLb331viHCch0r6JYGqsH0WCfx63QMIkgoS66C3qu8kwgbzdDzyUU2Y/s1600/DSCF0554.JPG"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjRm4qaFmkJLK647tD9dPQHGk9aB96J1ebhfppnJKVXhhr8Z408sE8LbShbNjBfRbSbW-FAz3z3PvqH_ZEC4yCcLb331viHCch0r6JYGqsH0WCfx63QMIkgoS66C3qu8kwgbzdDzyUU2Y/s400/DSCF0554.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaYxpK39mkkA7c6rPFgfpNSG5G5hdeYVBVMdAvcWJzgiYbFP6PxpJBdavPOcYEN4kd2AGsgt0a-7gUohALmysDX1-ZyMwtt-6FgYc0D__mdD63nz9XiIbVcARuzsRluBkLxanYnSzVjus/s1600/DSCF0567.JPG"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaYxpK39mkkA7c6rPFgfpNSG5G5hdeYVBVMdAvcWJzgiYbFP6PxpJBdavPOcYEN4kd2AGsgt0a-7gUohALmysDX1-ZyMwtt-6FgYc0D__mdD63nz9XiIbVcARuzsRluBkLxanYnSzVjus/s400/DSCF0567.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>My biggest project by far was a half-square-triangle quilt. It's been on my wish-list since I saw <a href="http://www.cluckclucksew.com/2009/06/red-quilt-finished.html">this quilt</a> last summer. Loved, loved, <i><b>loved </b></i>it! I started with 5" squares, with white for the background, and 32 prints from my stash (mostly "colonial" type reproductions), in all sorts of pink, peach and salmon-y colors. I came to the retreat with all the squares cut, and the white ones marked for sewing. It took me about 8 hours just to sew, cut and press all the HSTs! I made them in the standard fashion (sewing 1/4" on both sides of the diagonal), except that I trimmed the corners <i>before </i>I cut along the diagonal. I don't know where I read this tip, but if you fold the square along the diagonal and snip across the corner (perpendicular to the raw edges, not perpendicular to the fold), it makes a notch in the corner such that you don't have to do any trimming after you cut and press the HSTs. It works great - but only if you're very precise! My HSTs were pretty good, but not exactly perfect. I was torn - should I spend the time to square up all 256 of those blocks (ug!), or just throw caution to the wind and sew them all together (and maybe end up disappointed)? I had some (40) extra blocks, so I decided to make a test mini quilt to see just how far off my squares were. Turns out that they were fine! Or at least fine enough for me. :-)</div><div><br /></div><div>And after 8 more hours of sewing, and I had 16 blocks of 16 HSTs! Yay! </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi54LdMgowx4bY6xfmpQsoWJyh5Z-kzWSYajbOdV356sl2aqXIEhvAmNW0jrdN2HGShgkma9X6_LmD5ie76a0a4E8cGQyNhyphenhyphenM3Ab4nzFJvTwEPVtxc61KuRo9I1221fO4mozasO3bIWpTs/s1600/DSCF0545.JPG"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi54LdMgowx4bY6xfmpQsoWJyh5Z-kzWSYajbOdV356sl2aqXIEhvAmNW0jrdN2HGShgkma9X6_LmD5ie76a0a4E8cGQyNhyphenhyphenM3Ab4nzFJvTwEPVtxc61KuRo9I1221fO4mozasO3bIWpTs/s400/DSCF0545.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div><br /></div><div>I would have sewn them all together and called it done, except certain friends kept <i>pestering </i>me with suggestions... How about a different arrangement for the blocks? Like maybe this... </div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq9rWDGIzXz6HCN0EyeEfub2Ox5k-HKnJGOn7jtU4BmrgSTvhuVOXWh4PfkXyFMEpFbTWNTKJ5MuAWUIu9IZf4FlQnM5rBEFd3ib7rt2LcHKv6HBlfhHuZbr2VqhmWL9vgxv6lLbcF4Uo/s1600/DSCF0541.JPG"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq9rWDGIzXz6HCN0EyeEfub2Ox5k-HKnJGOn7jtU4BmrgSTvhuVOXWh4PfkXyFMEpFbTWNTKJ5MuAWUIu9IZf4FlQnM5rBEFd3ib7rt2LcHKv6HBlfhHuZbr2VqhmWL9vgxv6lLbcF4Uo/s400/DSCF0541.JPG" border="0" /></a> <div><br /></div><div>Or maybe all pointing out...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxGaUhDRE3Ub4pFZzNLkBZVz7Xw3ANwYZ9gIMWT_F9TppX4HBR6hsAHHR04i5do_oyDRrEBHlu6GxweMQD95Rr7OjbK2IvDxVKjDRMZd29mE7RtHqhol_iDJngq0G77eRHDdCoOtvhZeM/s1600/DSCF0543.JPG"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxGaUhDRE3Ub4pFZzNLkBZVz7Xw3ANwYZ9gIMWT_F9TppX4HBR6hsAHHR04i5do_oyDRrEBHlu6GxweMQD95Rr7OjbK2IvDxVKjDRMZd29mE7RtHqhol_iDJngq0G77eRHDdCoOtvhZeM/s400/DSCF0543.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div><br /></div><div>Or maybe all pointing in... </div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWpAZ9XpJNUWAvsJMuSjvpayAldeBPzzdE6IndsBDo2zARBQY9MPJlE0un-ZS4vMetyGd2sDxH75chyphenhyphenDAOjNmnBQYEoe9oKOaIEhCybyodyeH6m0qFfdTpnKCnoiGVZ04DMvZhBt_mnKg/s1600/DSCF0547.JPG"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWpAZ9XpJNUWAvsJMuSjvpayAldeBPzzdE6IndsBDo2zARBQY9MPJlE0un-ZS4vMetyGd2sDxH75chyphenhyphenDAOjNmnBQYEoe9oKOaIEhCybyodyeH6m0qFfdTpnKCnoiGVZ04DMvZhBt_mnKg/s400/DSCF0547.JPG" border="0" /></a><div style="clear:both; text-align:NONE"><br /></div></div><div style="clear:both; text-align:NONE">And how about sashing around each block? Or maybe just around the groups of 4 blocks? Would the sashing be the same white? Or maybe an orange or gray would look cool! Arg!!!! After 16 hours of working on it, I was in no frame of mind to make a decision! I gathered up the blocks, and moved on to a different project. I'm going to let it percolate for a while. If you have any opinions or brilliant ideas, let me know! :-)</div>Evelynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18033361439996853864noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6854669988101474029.post-54692557985474173062010-10-17T07:26:00.000-07:002010-10-17T07:27:35.366-07:00back from vacationWe've been back from Texas for a few days now, but I'm still not back to normal. <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"></span> I felt like I was fighting some sort of flu the whole time we were there, and now I'm left feeling exhausted and spacey all the time. I hope it clears up soon - the quilt retreat is next weekend, and I've still got lots of prep to do!! <br /><br />Here's a sure sign I've been on vacation...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq0p23cTHxv6BM4jTwC0LPoOZCefl6GAMKKRGxvK0fpU5_IJp4PytH7-hQdk14xTEgTUrFZHisI6FrkBRHmt5LNMi0NM79-33qKyJDeKNjwCiH4R039diJucgk4qt5IrKSIJzyLazjPUQ/s1600/DSCF0537.JPG"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq0p23cTHxv6BM4jTwC0LPoOZCefl6GAMKKRGxvK0fpU5_IJp4PytH7-hQdk14xTEgTUrFZHisI6FrkBRHmt5LNMi0NM79-33qKyJDeKNjwCiH4R039diJucgk4qt5IrKSIJzyLazjPUQ/s400/DSCF0537.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />A new stack of craft magazines! It's one of the few times I let myself splurge on magazines - who needs them when you have the internet, right? But on vacation... if I can't *be* crafting or reading blogs, at least I can be looking at crafty p*rn!<br /><br />I'm happy to report that my stepmom loved her new <a href="http://usetheloot.blogspot.com/2010/10/happy-4th-of-july.html">patriotic table topper</a>! I lucked out, and it was the perfect size for her dining room table. And sorry I'm way late, but the winner of the mini quilt kit is Elaine from <a href="http://soggybottomflats.blogspot.com/">Soggy Bottom Flats</a>. Yay!<br /><br />In more somber news, my friend Julie (who I made my first <a href="http://usetheloot.blogspot.com/2010/05/pink-quilt-1-finished.html">pink quilt</a> for) passed away last weekend. I'm so sad she's gone from the world, and for all that she and her husband had to go through, especially in those last months. I'm grateful that I was able to give a little comfort with that quilt - Brian said Julie used it all the time. I stole this picture from her blog....<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcZw7ntLLDfqJWCrsy-0JzMfKdTGqW8H-hFM47lGU1I8bek4BZiJ75HMxqFgtm2u9aDd80VYCGe6J55zmwm0FIjzCV3DCGcCHIzMkVQ2vkjekZ-mnh7F74rUA7b1fPvRLCYQTEQI9zyOM/s1600/julie.jpg"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcZw7ntLLDfqJWCrsy-0JzMfKdTGqW8H-hFM47lGU1I8bek4BZiJ75HMxqFgtm2u9aDd80VYCGe6J55zmwm0FIjzCV3DCGcCHIzMkVQ2vkjekZ-mnh7F74rUA7b1fPvRLCYQTEQI9zyOM/s400/julie.jpg" border="0" /></a><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>Evelynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18033361439996853864noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6854669988101474029.post-71379070592520558462010-10-08T17:48:00.000-07:002010-10-08T17:48:00.644-07:00quickie projects<div>I'm almost embarrassed to post about these, because they're such quick and easy projects. But what the heck! Here's what you can do with 15 or 30 minutes of sewing time...</div><div><br /></div><div>Cut a pretty pillowcase in half, sew a casing and add elastic at the top. There you go - a cute little skirt!</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUixOZIXRRb1-Wkm20H6Ss3ZMIagKEUee0BViyRi5WqTq6euwuHgXNdK336-ikG2qk1XB_qIzPiDG-8dpLt5bY6ibGX3kk0L2aSCn21XLJBB4uNtWDgSssDovGrhLOCt5lXwq6k5wPVic/s1600/IMG_0768.JPG"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUixOZIXRRb1-Wkm20H6Ss3ZMIagKEUee0BViyRi5WqTq6euwuHgXNdK336-ikG2qk1XB_qIzPiDG-8dpLt5bY6ibGX3kk0L2aSCn21XLJBB4uNtWDgSssDovGrhLOCt5lXwq6k5wPVic/s400/IMG_0768.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUixOZIXRRb1-Wkm20H6Ss3ZMIagKEUee0BViyRi5WqTq6euwuHgXNdK336-ikG2qk1XB_qIzPiDG-8dpLt5bY6ibGX3kk0L2aSCn21XLJBB4uNtWDgSssDovGrhLOCt5lXwq6k5wPVic/s1600/IMG_0768.JPG"></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglP3phmUprtgMPS7Mz8V39Ot0KSZGayy2bboYlKuNAD_em-gUiMe3vo525k4NxB1KXp6Ii_xGwfgs24vcu_CUijIJSFci4SOAbuPVH3EHkB_QF9rtkoGY3t3iv9fAjG9g7aR78yU0Jt64/s1600/IMG_0744.JPG"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglP3phmUprtgMPS7Mz8V39Ot0KSZGayy2bboYlKuNAD_em-gUiMe3vo525k4NxB1KXp6Ii_xGwfgs24vcu_CUijIJSFci4SOAbuPVH3EHkB_QF9rtkoGY3t3iv9fAjG9g7aR78yU0Jt64/s400/IMG_0744.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Take a couple of old (but dearly loved) dresses that have become too small up top...</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE0zTPTfn-gdWDS2N7075xeLIlgxY4TT78e-LtS5kInTtFQjTza33ZX3r-nDuK4oFpLI-dlj2yeoADuM0UodnEGjVeDXlDHefqy5gP_WjRymb1rufDu2TYoObt-67O9cOBdIwcP3NYIRw/s1600/IMG_7214.JPG"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE0zTPTfn-gdWDS2N7075xeLIlgxY4TT78e-LtS5kInTtFQjTza33ZX3r-nDuK4oFpLI-dlj2yeoADuM0UodnEGjVeDXlDHefqy5gP_WjRymb1rufDu2TYoObt-67O9cOBdIwcP3NYIRw/s400/IMG_7214.JPG" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAn-eCY3mI0Lcwes4rFNn0vMCx9mZZl7lQaPuko4kxRWVt7OqZfR5YvVVeZR67Qh445dAD-YO2kNSLl7CzIk66fNWH7fwHlr-cqNnBR6_uvjxjLt7pfQRIarcEjIsOMkwvahb7iUT_WBg/s1600/IMG_4284.JPG"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAn-eCY3mI0Lcwes4rFNn0vMCx9mZZl7lQaPuko4kxRWVt7OqZfR5YvVVeZR67Qh445dAD-YO2kNSLl7CzIk66fNWH7fwHlr-cqNnBR6_uvjxjLt7pfQRIarcEjIsOMkwvahb7iUT_WBg/s400/IMG_4284.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Chop off the dress tops, chop off the bottom 3 or 4 inches from a new shirt, and sew the skirt to the shirt (I just used my serger). There you go - two new twirly dresses!</div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglkrI_IisOkxq4Zl0hg5o77hWvCas602f0oB_0riljL9bLw9u4MDgYGh1I8z34kU4qei8N_95WB_MMp3-lj1pYq88IFtJnJhnTBxACUAv077H39aJbh9QmxKwGL442qkXYG4ufr7ImbEI/s1600/DSCF0404.JPG"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglkrI_IisOkxq4Zl0hg5o77hWvCas602f0oB_0riljL9bLw9u4MDgYGh1I8z34kU4qei8N_95WB_MMp3-lj1pYq88IFtJnJhnTBxACUAv077H39aJbh9QmxKwGL442qkXYG4ufr7ImbEI/s400/DSCF0404.JPG" border="0" /></a> <div><br /></div><div>Take one crappy old canvas bag and cover the random logo with a patch of cute vintage fabric. There you go - a new bag for your budding ballerina to take to dance class. Sweet!! </div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEDitVSw1hNxzbLOX0APL6lkU1D1AFr66sx0Ok7m2lf-r_0curDpRT9jFZSTMAY_0uqi7hTlvZmZVKQi8x2Q3mcJ6nBEW6iOTFL-0hyhm1YA6Ew0fYlNzahgQZmzKQE1wsdZtuzjDHUo8/s1600/DSCF0406.JPG"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEDitVSw1hNxzbLOX0APL6lkU1D1AFr66sx0Ok7m2lf-r_0curDpRT9jFZSTMAY_0uqi7hTlvZmZVKQi8x2Q3mcJ6nBEW6iOTFL-0hyhm1YA6Ew0fYlNzahgQZmzKQE1wsdZtuzjDHUo8/s400/DSCF0406.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>[PS. I haven't forgotten about <a href="http://usetheloot.blogspot.com/2010/10/happy-4th-of-july.html">the giveaway</a> - I neglected to mention a deadline, so I'll pick a winner on Thursday 10/14.]</div>Evelynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18033361439996853864noreply@blogger.com7