tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-73454496721583645922024-03-05T10:10:14.194-06:00rikraxcreativity: sewing, crafting, music performanceLaurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08499154983239676137noreply@blogger.comBlogger92125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7345449672158364592.post-34359590632761350342013-07-07T09:19:00.000-05:002013-07-07T09:19:00.254-05:00The Excitement of a New ProjectSince I have almost finished the baby quilt, it is time for a new project. Here's what I chose:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv3Ifg_o46brzi6J5UposraOEcl5NsqCPO9okco-BzN0dL8gz-kbW6OhDXw77Jwunr36ujjmeZ2dZCc5z8lN6kQqV6W7SnSxjRFVmGXIkWobuIsSof-IHYy_7opFuL0NmT2J0nU8Y4MGc/s1600/YinYangProject.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv3Ifg_o46brzi6J5UposraOEcl5NsqCPO9okco-BzN0dL8gz-kbW6OhDXw77Jwunr36ujjmeZ2dZCc5z8lN6kQqV6W7SnSxjRFVmGXIkWobuIsSof-IHYy_7opFuL0NmT2J0nU8Y4MGc/s400/YinYangProject.jpg" width="256" /></a></div>
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Two years ago, I bought this pattern at a yard sale - an enthusiastic quilter had passed away and the family was liquidating her stash. My, she had a quilt shop worth of fabric, precuts, patterns, and sewing machines! I like simple but effective designs, and this appealed to me. <br />
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You're supposed to make this from a jelly roll or two. I had purchased one jelly roll a few years ago in some pretty fall colors. I didn't know what I was planning to do with it - so I'm using it for this project. I picked up 3 yards of Kona cotton in "Bone" (a cream color) for the background and I started cutting. I have enough jelly roll fabric for the Twin size.<br />
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It's a log-cabin-like block done in two styles. They call it block "A" and block "B" as shown:<br />
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<td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBI_CSB5fs50YmMsx2LDtcPm6R4EPenkIDN95XQsUiQ9Ffck2fWksQUor7YG2OvFvYMoVeQECxPjenMFgXXCod6AxUMlDOUyASX60CJeVxkBozj7Kr5ypPl-a2ZvQrBt7t7x8GYO9K2YQ/s1600/YinYangABlock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBI_CSB5fs50YmMsx2LDtcPm6R4EPenkIDN95XQsUiQ9Ffck2fWksQUor7YG2OvFvYMoVeQECxPjenMFgXXCod6AxUMlDOUyASX60CJeVxkBozj7Kr5ypPl-a2ZvQrBt7t7x8GYO9K2YQ/s200/YinYangABlock.jpg" width="198" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEyC6Aje6dvEHQo-skrtZ3NUTDAQQadjsypKTbfHHgKtU6lmVFn8QdUNZyggGv3bYY873x7Uk0VWQSPD14ipNCFeHoZRNzaBzO-L6cZwsAf7a_QZgjko-kusHmu1mwHfMGJ58nSqyNLPU/s1600/YinYangBBlock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
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<td align="Center"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Block A</span></td>
<td align="Center"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Block B</span></td>
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The fabric color and style is a bit "country" for me, but as I said, I liked the colors.<br />
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Every project teaches me something. This one is no exception, even though I've only made a handful of blocks so far.<br />
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I like to press my seams to one side. The trend for modern quilters is to press the seams open - I don't know why - I guess it makes the seams flatter. Trying to sew open a 1/4" seam is tedious. When I was sewing some of the blocks together, the seam allowance on one seam was pushed apart by my feed dogs. OK, I thought, what the heck. I'll just press it open. Then I went on my merry way building the rest of the block, pressing my seam allowances to the side.<br />
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Don't do that. It resulted in an inconsistent block width, and the block looked "off."<br />
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<b>Lesson</b> - be consistent in how you press your seam allowances within your block, at least. Probably the whole quilt.<br />
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I don't know if I'll undo those blocks, toss them, of just leave them. It's not so bad that it will ruin the whole quilt. I have to think about it - if it bothers me enough, I'll have to get rid of them.Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08499154983239676137noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7345449672158364592.post-40084662707467810732013-06-30T09:28:00.001-05:002013-06-30T09:32:40.495-05:00Quilt For BabyThis darling little quilt is nearly done. I posted pictures of some of the blocks on March 19 and since then I set them as shown and recently completed the quilting.<br />
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The colored blocks are simple string pieced squares on a muslin foundation, made from strips cut from a purchased scrap grab bag. I bought them while I was staying in Virginia at the Cottonwood Quilt Shop. I really liked the colors and patterns and whimsical designs.<br />
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I like kid prints. I admit it. I like cute.<br />
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I quickly ran out of long strips so I had to get creative. I didn't really want to buy any more fabric beyond the scrap pack because at the time, I was staying at Dad's house temporarily. I didn't want more stuff to have to pack and bring home.<br />
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I like a creative challenge. First, I bought a small pack of solid fat quarters - I needed them for the other projects I was making with the scraps. Then I looked around the house for fabric. None. I found the backing fabric also at Cottonwood (deep discount - on sale!!) and I used a few strips of it in the blocks. I used some of the muslin I had picked up from a Joann's remnant bin. Finally, there was some fabric ribbon and I sewed some strips of grosgrain ribbon in.<br />
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When I got home, I made a few more blocks to make enough for this top. If Mom and baby are really clever, they will find fabrics from Mom's bed quilt made 10 years earlier and Mom's brother's baby quilt, made 11 years earlier.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Quilting Pattern</span></b><br />
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Deciding the quilting pattern is always a challenge. Quilting is fun, but marking the quilt for quilting is not fun. What can I do that doesn't require marking?<br />
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This design is featured on several Denyse Schmidt quilts.<br />
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Honestly, this pattern is a little tricky. You think the loops need to be opposing, but they do not - they are offset from one another. Once you realize that, it gets easier and the nice crosshatch pattern between the loops emerges. I must have started this design and taken it out at least 5 times, and that's after I filled several pages practicing with pencil and paper.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQOvRRT_MFOu0x9xzZaBS79A_kLQzkFm7YYAUo6VGMuYtQLb72ytuupi4UfZV9Eo_MMU5VgD7RzDphFufaqQgBPkxujjZPxxJH0csZMdO1ipVBd25SV2R6t9FS69uwdJu8HE45qqdwCDc/s1600/ClarasQuiltQuilting+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQOvRRT_MFOu0x9xzZaBS79A_kLQzkFm7YYAUo6VGMuYtQLb72ytuupi4UfZV9Eo_MMU5VgD7RzDphFufaqQgBPkxujjZPxxJH0csZMdO1ipVBd25SV2R6t9FS69uwdJu8HE45qqdwCDc/s320/ClarasQuiltQuilting+1.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjSovpKWQ1JBSkwiDzPcIVnd0QUTtcOZFaL6_wO6bfBe9rxRG7XxhL_VUYxxj-j1E1VTw7gObNoHuLrerfZLkONNj8RXSU4cEJ_U7O0VLthYFywAr5rOk2jAEQBoUekatrHnqXObSsop0/s1600/ClarasQuiltQuilting+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjSovpKWQ1JBSkwiDzPcIVnd0QUTtcOZFaL6_wO6bfBe9rxRG7XxhL_VUYxxj-j1E1VTw7gObNoHuLrerfZLkONNj8RXSU4cEJ_U7O0VLthYFywAr5rOk2jAEQBoUekatrHnqXObSsop0/s320/ClarasQuiltQuilting+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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That was fun. The last step remains - binding. Should be done in a few days.Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08499154983239676137noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7345449672158364592.post-3012128389304677772013-04-19T19:08:00.001-05:002013-04-19T19:09:24.974-05:00Bibs!While I was still in Virginia, I decided the new baby in the family might like some bibs. There was a cute ladybug print in the scrap bag in a fairly large piece. Hmm. What could I do with that?<br />
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I found a pretty free pattern on <a href="http://www.aspoonfulofsugardesigns.com/">A Spoonful of Sugar</a> blog for "<a href="http://www.aspoonfulofsugardesigns.com/2010/06/boutique-baby-bibs.html">Boutique Baby Bibs</a>."<br />
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I really needed size and proportions, not a specific design. Their designs were really cute and I was ready to do the hexagon design. But... when I put the tops of these together, I thought they were enough.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUuFWL_XQdDvR_0CSiDe5_I5obkEurVmrpBKY3cmPqFMMonqB6TQ4JCaULRKd_IhkiB2rhwdpclhH6SaihybtaLDWRJVKwiJypwPGuW_0wPAOnGxxal-NgxrsWnfTyPw0g-51geXWxzbE/s1600/Bibs+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUuFWL_XQdDvR_0CSiDe5_I5obkEurVmrpBKY3cmPqFMMonqB6TQ4JCaULRKd_IhkiB2rhwdpclhH6SaihybtaLDWRJVKwiJypwPGuW_0wPAOnGxxal-NgxrsWnfTyPw0g-51geXWxzbE/s640/Bibs+2.jpg" width="580" /></a></div>
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Lesson number one for downloading and printing patterns from the Internet:<br />
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<li>Check your PDF print settings. Make sure you're not printing with "reduce to fit page." </li>
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Whoops. I had cut out and sewn the pieces together before I realized the pattern was too small. It was preemie size! Reprinted and cut again.<br />
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I cut them out and put the tops together while in Virginia, and they arrived in my box last week. The back on the red one is green. The back on the green one is red.</div>
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<span style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3HyWUkXrNnedLstV0ayLuMl6PDDRxaWf6WPxYxuR1y5tFg6sIPen5ZjWVEZQFLygDutp_UuDeQgiC5JF6TBMmYPbKcvrsDdmpTVK-Ql7zPLnFErVRjbbYbogsOClCO4cTp49YiC2cLGc/s1600/Bibs+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3HyWUkXrNnedLstV0ayLuMl6PDDRxaWf6WPxYxuR1y5tFg6sIPen5ZjWVEZQFLygDutp_UuDeQgiC5JF6TBMmYPbKcvrsDdmpTVK-Ql7zPLnFErVRjbbYbogsOClCO4cTp49YiC2cLGc/s200/Bibs+1.jpg" width="200" /></a>Spoonful of Sugar has you use interfacing for substance and flannel for the back. I did a traditional quilt style with batting in between and fabric back. Quilting isn't necessary on theirs, but I like to quilt. As you can see, it's a simple grid design. The squares are 1-1/2" on the red one, and 1" on the green one. </span><span style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;">Colorful and spring-y. I hope the family likes them and will really use them. These bibs are well made and tough, ready for spit up, slop, strained squash, and drool, and about a million trips through the washing machine.</span></div>
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Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08499154983239676137noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7345449672158364592.post-88394793160936764702013-04-07T19:54:00.000-05:002013-04-07T19:54:39.381-05:00Crafting at Home NowBack at home, and due to the small size of my luggage, I had to ship the quilt blocks (and my scraps, and the fabric I bought!) back home. I have made little further progress on the strip piecing. By the end of my stay, I was so busy with household things trying to wrap up, I barely had any time to sew.<br />
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While in Charlottesville, I completed a total of 10 blocks (I think...I can't remember!!) I was hoping to make 16, so when the box arrives on Tuesday, I can get back to work. However, I was running low on scraps. That's a good thing!<br />
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I couldn't possible be idle, though!<br />
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Here's my block for Douglass in KC Scrappy Bee.<br />
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He asked for an improvisational piece. I intended to include some of my fabrics, but this block emerged and it didn't need anything else... well... at least... that's my story and I'm sticking with it. I didn't intend to make a square - it just turned out that way.</div>
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I also picked up a quilting project I needed to finish up. This is a very small quilt (for my dog's crate) made from scraps from <a href="http://rikrax.blogspot.com/2012/02/bevs-garden-quilt-final.html">Bev's Garden Quilt</a>. I messed up a bit when piecing that quilt's dark brown frames, such that I made too many green pieces with brown lines. I had a lot of frame pieces left over. I collected the scraps and fashioned them into a of pattern that pleased my eye. Now I'm practicing quilting designs in negative space.</div>
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The center portion of the quilt is a woodgrain pattern. The surrounding rows have those loops you see in the middle. The perimeter has a straight line design that makes random size rectangles filled in with straight lines. As you can see I used variegated thread. I like the effect overall, but in the straight line pattern, when you have to over-sew to get to a new area, the color is often different. So over-sewing is not so subtle<br />
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That's what I'm crafting on right now! Off to the sewing room.Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08499154983239676137noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7345449672158364592.post-37893761794577891562013-03-18T16:28:00.001-05:002013-03-18T16:29:09.683-05:00String PiecingI have a bunch of strips and scraps left over. The natural fit is....string pieced blocks! Looks like baby will get a quilt, also. Or, at least, that's my good intention.<br />
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Simple diagonal foundation pieced blocks, nine inches square. I want the finished block to be 8 inches square, so I have a little wiggle room to square the blocks up.<br />
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I'm throwing in some strips of solids from the fat quarter pack I purchased at JoAnn.<br />
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The foundation is a 9-inch square of muslin. I had found the muslin at JoAnn in the remnant bin, and purchased it because I figured I needed at least one piece of scrap fabric for testing out the machine and the stitches. I found a good use for it!<br />
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I don't have rotary cutting supplies here at my parents' house and I really don't want to buy a whole set. (It's bad enough I bought a machine just for the 6 weeks I'm here!) The foundation squares were cut with a cardboard template. I used Dad's right angle from his carpentry supplies and drew the shape on the the top of a shirt box. Then I cut it out. To make the muslin squares, I traced each square on the fabric with a pencil and cut it out by hand. The remnant was super wide, and I could draw 16 squares on it.<br />
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I'm not sure how many blocks I'll get from the scraps. The number will determine the setting for the quilt top. If I get all 16, I'm thinking a 7x4 block straight setting with 4 rows of blocks alternating with 3 rows of white.<br />
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These blocks are crazy fun to make! And, they don't have to be precise, another bonus!Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08499154983239676137noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7345449672158364592.post-9069992248277365122013-03-12T09:13:00.001-05:002013-03-12T09:13:11.354-05:00One little, two little, three little burp clothsSung to the tune of the children's song: "One little; two little; three little Indians..."<br />
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One little, two little, three little burp cloths:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6OJBSY41RhwbJb7OckWYaipxRH3BAkJN_CP4FyvOIUhOeL0RDhvMW60uyz67DlSWdFs_ws_CehWAmdiipkN0Z7pgLRS7aMSzCVpcYmrof6WfKbgiXqKmgHjk_-f0wEy1GStmkffoQAQA/s1600/IMG_0098.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6OJBSY41RhwbJb7OckWYaipxRH3BAkJN_CP4FyvOIUhOeL0RDhvMW60uyz67DlSWdFs_ws_CehWAmdiipkN0Z7pgLRS7aMSzCVpcYmrof6WfKbgiXqKmgHjk_-f0wEy1GStmkffoQAQA/s400/IMG_0098.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">The Modern Collection</span></div>
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Four little, five little, six little burp cloths:<br />
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Seven little, eight little, nine little burp cloths! Ten little burp cloths for bay--bee!</div>
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<h3>
Construction Notes</h3>
As I said in my previous post, I got the idea to make these from Carla at Lollyquilts blog. I screwed up and didn't even realize that there was a difference between prefolded and non folded cloth diapers. Prefolded, as Carla used, cost a dollar more, so I got the cheaper ones. Who knew prefolded actually are made differently?? Not me.<br />
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I did not want to return my diapers, which were basically rectangles of cheesecloth-like weave of fabric, so I simply folded them in thirds, then in half. I zigzagged around the edges to seal the layers. With 6 layers of cloth, I figured they'd be absorbent enough for the job.<br />
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Then I decorated the edges using the scraps I had purchased.<br />
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Using Ribbon</h3>
I concealed the edges of the fabric appliqué using ribbon, much like Carla did. I wanted to use up ribbon I'm finding around my parents' house, and I pulled the ribbon from Mom's copious collection of gift wrapping supplies (I swear, I have uncovered at least 10 boxes of bows, wrapping paper, and ribbon! Geez, Mom!) Most of the ribbon was not suitable for sewing, but I found about 10 spools of fiber ribbon in different colors. I tested them to make sure they wouldn't melt when ironed. I also avoided wire-edged ribbon. We don't want baby to get poked!!<br />
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Not all of the ribbon worked great, but heck, baby's going to spit up on them. Doesn't need to be impeccable...just washable.<br />
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Project Burpcloth</h3>
The limited fabric selections and scrap sizes, and the uncoordinated ribbon colors made for a creative design challenge. Since I know several sewing techniques, I was challenged to apply them for interesting designs. You can see a couple of patchwork pieced designs, decorative stitching, and fancy embellishment (ruffle).<br />
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The most complicated was the one in the Princess collection in the lower left. I made two gathered ruffles out of a folded-over strip of the princess-themed fabric and sewed it down. Nice and girly!<br />
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The biggest design challenge was the patchwork in the Whimsy collection. Nothing looked right to edge it. I ended up buying a pack of fat quarters in solids at Joann's and made simple fold over binding out of the dark gray. <br />
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The top one in the Modern collection was a lot of fun. I used a decorative stitch over a thin plain white ribbon in contrasting thread color to add visual interest.<br />
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Thanks for looking! Now off to the post office to mail to the lucky little one.Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08499154983239676137noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7345449672158364592.post-70532219879773783632013-03-04T06:52:00.004-06:002013-03-04T06:52:44.483-06:00It's a long story...I find myself in Charlottesville Virginia on a 6-week leave from work, caring for my elderly father who has had a health crisis. He's in a rehab hospital and he is getting better, but it's slow. The family has "taken over" and we are gearing up to sell the house and move Dad someplace safer.<br />
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To maintain my mental health, I need to create. I expected to play with my mother's old Kenmore, but I arrived to find it had been donated! Woe is me! Ultimately, we would have donated it, I just didn't think it would be gone already. Dad hadn't been very motivated to clean out the house on his own, so I was surprised he had taken it to Goodwill.<br />
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It's gone, but I still have a need. What to do?<br />
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It has been said: a credit card can solve a lot of problems. So, I bought a cheapie:<br />
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It makes a decent straight stitch and does 24 other stitches. Good enough! Now I need stuff to sew. What's a good project?<br />
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There is a new baby in the family and, uh, that's another a long story. At first I wanted to make a baby quilt when I saw <a href="http://www.modabakeshop.com/2013/02/modas-new-precut-honeycombs-quilt.html">this pattern at the Moda Bake Shop</a>. However, no shops seem to have the Moda Honeycombs pre-cuts yet.<br />
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Then, <a href="http://lollyquiltz.blogspot.com/2013/03/making-burp-cloths.html">Carla from Lollyquiltz posted about the burpcloths</a> she's making for her new grandchild. What a great idea! I went down to <a href="http://www.cottonwoodquiltshop.com/">Cottonwood Quilt Shop</a> and found a scrap bag filled with delightful girly prints (the new baby is a girl). Perfect!<br />
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Cottonwood is a delightful shop in Charlottesville at Barrack's Rd. Definitely worth a stop of you are in the Charlottesville/Central piedmont of Virginia area.<br />
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<b>Spotted at Cottonwood:</b> <a href="http://emptybobbinsewing.com/2011/09/01/introducing-zigzagged-a-quilt-pattern/">the Zigzagged Quilt pattern</a> by <a href="http://emptybobbinsewing.com/">Empty Bobbin Sewing Studio</a>. The proprietor of this company is in the Kansas City Modern Quilt Guild. Yeah Shea!!Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08499154983239676137noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7345449672158364592.post-43171226815384948452013-01-01T08:28:00.004-06:002013-01-01T08:29:19.140-06:00Paper CraftingAround Thanksgiving, I got the urge to make Christmas Cards. I wanted to make a few, to satisfy the urge, knowing that I couldn't possibly get enough done for my entire list (I am so blessed that I have a list so long!)<br />
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So I bought some supplies, glued and cut and trimmed and stamped and embossed. I made about 20 cards, I think. Here is the one picture of my handiwork:<br />
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The ones with the snowflakes were a lot of fun to do. These are quilled - paper filigree.<br />
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ASIDE: funny that I like to QUILT and I like to QUILL. Heh.</blockquote>
My Mom, sister and I went through a quilling phase in the 1970s and I found it ironic that I wanted to do it again. It all started when I found an old quilling tool among my Mom's crafting items, while cleaning out her house. Then I found some quilling paper at <a href="http://www.tuesdaymorning.com/">Tuesday Morning</a>. (I love that store, especially since they're expanding their craft aisle!)<br />
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Then the quilling tool broke while I was trying to widen the slit for the end of the paper. By that time, I had it in my mind and I was resolved! I bought a new tool set from Archivers and I'm on my way.<br />
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I also enjoy stamping. I had a great time making different designs with my stamps and embossing some of them. With gold ink and clear embossing powder, it looked like gold leaf designs!<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Moving Forward</span></b><br />
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It has been a great and difficult year, 2012. I am hoping for better times in 2013, including more blogging and crafting. I don't know if that will happen, yet optimistically, I will try. I will be faced with difficult decisions in 2013 as I assume more responsibility for my ailing father. Community is important and I'm going to need as much support as possible for what lies ahead.Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08499154983239676137noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7345449672158364592.post-16395049521236437022012-07-23T21:42:00.000-05:002012-07-23T21:42:25.653-05:00Creativity through photographyThe photography bug has bit me this summer (along with several hundred mosquitos). Here are a few pictures I'm quite proud of:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBE4HuCtEdCSpg8jZmLXLOjx9WQNJg8TfUXnvdTVbw2hBikrXfpoihgo1wSel-SduuXauM7YZwRJ1E_sAgg4-lVZF2zzWumgZ5vya9mxpcP7szJgfbYk7mnt7ouGAJNvEi91SkLRK-bMA/s1600/Goldfinches.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBE4HuCtEdCSpg8jZmLXLOjx9WQNJg8TfUXnvdTVbw2hBikrXfpoihgo1wSel-SduuXauM7YZwRJ1E_sAgg4-lVZF2zzWumgZ5vya9mxpcP7szJgfbYk7mnt7ouGAJNvEi91SkLRK-bMA/s400/Goldfinches.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Goldfinches at the Feeder</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhi-Gm_axywjsPJVb4IDbM8YVEUQzIe937uzN-hTl8CJN_eMsTcW1Zal3w5d0XzMG2uGdBkphUKwf4wn1SQnRO8uixmCD7fEqKtB4hLjdLX_q2m6kMPBkaKRmEChyfVzsIPty7StFStck/s1600/SunflowerAndCicada.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhi-Gm_axywjsPJVb4IDbM8YVEUQzIe937uzN-hTl8CJN_eMsTcW1Zal3w5d0XzMG2uGdBkphUKwf4wn1SQnRO8uixmCD7fEqKtB4hLjdLX_q2m6kMPBkaKRmEChyfVzsIPty7StFStck/s400/SunflowerAndCicada.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunflower with Cicada</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPjUwmH99sQ6A8YUGZUGJ5lx39A8R5LuY3NG-52Gy7BmOzJiXDsOw7_lPLFoZo4TXOToB8D4xerFPUCxvMtlVWOG85448WxxcMkW2z5_6br-v3FaGcuWOfK15VE8rS5kB-OiFxd47WCJE/s1600/Polinator2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPjUwmH99sQ6A8YUGZUGJ5lx39A8R5LuY3NG-52Gy7BmOzJiXDsOw7_lPLFoZo4TXOToB8D4xerFPUCxvMtlVWOG85448WxxcMkW2z5_6br-v3FaGcuWOfK15VE8rS5kB-OiFxd47WCJE/s400/Polinator2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pollinators at Work</td></tr>
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There's a lot to learn with photography. While I understand the concepts of aperture and shutter speed, I'm still refining my working knowledge how to use them to get the effects I want. I enjoy doing pictures of nature and quilts. Pictures of people tend to draw you in more and tell a story.Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08499154983239676137noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7345449672158364592.post-87547235373108823722012-07-02T20:52:00.001-05:002012-07-02T20:52:46.830-05:00A Little WhimsyWhimsy is the Moda fabric line I used in this quilt top. It is from a few years ago, not easy to find these days. I discovered the layer cake precut set at a garage sale a little over a year ago. It's a children's print, really, and since I don't have kids, I didn't know what I'd do with it. But I was drawn to the soft colors, the delightful collection of images and words, the rick-rack design and the dainty check pattern on some of the fabrics squares....oh, I don't know, I just liked it.<br />
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The pattern is from a book called <u>Quilt Boutique</u>, by Suzanne McNeill. The pattern is simply called 10 Minute Blocks Quilt. The blocks do go together quickly.<br />
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This quilt will be a silent auction quilt for a fundraiser at my church in September. I'm really going to have to put my nose to the grindstone to get it done on time.<br />
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Here's a block close up. You can see the child-friendly words on the square with the circles if you zoom in on it. It's quaint - all kinds of everyday things a child might know. The other shot is my attempt to be an "art photographer." Ha ha ha ha ha!<br />
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The sandwich is pin-basted and the quilting plan is nearly finalized (in my mind). Then the quilting work begins!</div>Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08499154983239676137noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7345449672158364592.post-43554869010201827632012-06-30T11:52:00.002-05:002012-06-30T11:53:02.471-05:00Melting in Kansas CityIt is dreadfully hot here (100 degrees F) and there's no end in sight! the heat wave is supposed to be here for around 10-12 days total. Whew!<br />
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Sounds like a good day to:<br />
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<ul>
<li>Go hide down the basement where my sewing room is conveniently located</li>
<li>Sew - both mending (my serger is back from repair!) and quilting</li>
<li>Install Aperture on my computer</li>
<li>Play with Aperture and the pictures I took this morning at the garden</li>
<li>Post to my blogs.</li>
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I usually get my best sewing done in January and July, when it's just dreadful outside. July is just around the corner. My current quilting project is to finish a quilt I'm making for a charity silent auction. Hopefully I will have a photo of the top for you today!</div>Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08499154983239676137noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7345449672158364592.post-54665988061867103622012-06-20T21:08:00.003-05:002012-06-20T21:08:34.542-05:00Camera is back!My camera is back from Best Buy! Well, not exactly - they decided to replace the whole thing. That's fine, but it seems silly when the problem was a scratch on the lens. DH thinks they may have dropped it.<br />
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This evening, I practiced on a bloom in my garden: a "Peace and Love" rose that started opening yesterday. The color is so vibrant! This is pretty darn close to actual color.<br />
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<br />Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08499154983239676137noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7345449672158364592.post-84864557079570961172012-06-05T22:01:00.001-05:002012-06-05T22:03:37.613-05:00Fret, fret!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYvq9Gb_GQlBrWabP8eQv8ncmkfvh5hmIDbVaghGSFqZTrqgtaDs9UsY7ZjC9SfMs3XH_HXDfxyUA07ejHFONUOcO4eODgrqZ4IXmXHJhCzu99bY7n6eSbhyphenhyphenwVhuKWVPzWLoyzz0HeiSI/s1600/MonogramB_Towel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYvq9Gb_GQlBrWabP8eQv8ncmkfvh5hmIDbVaghGSFqZTrqgtaDs9UsY7ZjC9SfMs3XH_HXDfxyUA07ejHFONUOcO4eODgrqZ4IXmXHJhCzu99bY7n6eSbhyphenhyphenwVhuKWVPzWLoyzz0HeiSI/s320/MonogramB_Towel.jpg" width="273" /></a>My camera's out getting repaired and I'm fretting about not being able to take pictures. Everyone says the best blogs are all about pictures. I don't have any new ones to share!<br />
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Early summer time is a time of gardening, yard work, outdoor festivals and travel.<br />
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Needless to say, my quilting and stitching are not progressing quickly. I continue to progress on the cross stitch fingertip towel which I showed a few posts ago, and at the same time I completed a monogrammed tea towel from a Martha Stewart kit. Michael's had the kit on clearance so I grabbed it right up. I'm not super-experienced at embroidery, but this design only required a few of the easier embroidery stitches: stem stitch, french knot and backstitch.<br />
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Heh! No camera.....but I still have a scanner! Here's the monogram on the tea towel. Rather sweet, wouldn't you say? It was easy and a lot of fun to do. I found the bird design very finely detailed on the pattern and it was a little difficult to follow when stitching. Unless you compare it to the original, though, you really don't notice any difference.<br />
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<br />Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08499154983239676137noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7345449672158364592.post-8010954664510697372012-06-01T12:23:00.000-05:002012-06-01T12:23:04.008-05:00Small Blog MeetI'm participating in <a href="http://lilysquilts.blogspot.com/">Lily's Quilts</a> Small blog meet.<br />
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<a href="http://lilysquilts.blogspot.com/" title="Lily's Quilts"><img alt="Lily's Quilts" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7069/6941827867_47a1264625_m.jpg" style="border: none;" /></a></div>
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I am the definition of small. I have three followers that I know of, and a few lurkers that stop by now and again. I am hoping to meet other fiber-crafters who blog about their projects, their crafting life, their inspirations, and their creativity. Blogging and crafting is fun, and although I know many people make businesses out of these things, I'm on the hobby side. I do it for love and I never want it to become work for me.<br />
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Although, it would be fun to do some of the things the businesses get to do...publish a pattern, give a talk, win a prize, inspire others, and become delirious from the beauty of it all.<br />
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Are you like-minded? Drop a comment....maybe we can form our own little network.<br />
<br />Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08499154983239676137noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7345449672158364592.post-63721865120929436422012-05-17T07:43:00.002-05:002012-05-17T07:45:15.715-05:00More Cross StitchHere's something else I'm stitching:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXzg66rHKj_8MK1tvG3Ko4NSJ0aQbz7k3mT1ms7iwPrRMLsWUyZZ2Ps3vUIO2B8h3N_hUcXybfxhgEF-ryeZrkyMgQJ4t8cLz4H5CRr-iQaHn1dZat8mSDJXBWU85pZ3EDvPOG1mM5Nns/s1600/TeaTowelSpring.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXzg66rHKj_8MK1tvG3Ko4NSJ0aQbz7k3mT1ms7iwPrRMLsWUyZZ2Ps3vUIO2B8h3N_hUcXybfxhgEF-ryeZrkyMgQJ4t8cLz4H5CRr-iQaHn1dZat8mSDJXBWU85pZ3EDvPOG1mM5Nns/s640/TeaTowelSpring.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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This is the 4th in a fingertip towel set Mom had started. Each one is a design for the seasons, and Mom had finished Summer, Fall and Winter. Spring wasn't even started! I wonder why? I found the set among her crafting supplies when I was working on the house last month, and I'm terribly sentimental about craft projects. I don't know why, exactly - they seem so personal to me, I guess, and people intend to finish them.<br />
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It'll be more defined when it's finished. It's two bunnies sitting in a thicket of springtime flowers.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMaihtqvzauOI7TRXLEVVQm_RneVtpO8IHpbBUlIsXAu3Yz-dc9QjsFmJICWPgI2mYki8Mg-ZDGWlKj0AZHHlKZezQxypiCRPtYbmxHVvAgykyML0KjRwOsXodCawlfxuxhxwM7mKzJkI/s1600/FlossPile.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMaihtqvzauOI7TRXLEVVQm_RneVtpO8IHpbBUlIsXAu3Yz-dc9QjsFmJICWPgI2mYki8Mg-ZDGWlKj0AZHHlKZezQxypiCRPtYbmxHVvAgykyML0KjRwOsXodCawlfxuxhxwM7mKzJkI/s400/FlossPile.jpg" width="400" /></a>Mom had a boatload of embroidery/cross stitch floss, and I took it all. I have no idea what I'll do with all the floss, but there may be embroidered quilt blocks in my future.<br />
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As I was getting ready to start this project, I thought I'd try to find the right colors among my vast collection. The floss colors are numbered, and the project was only a design sheet with the numbers. I wonder if I have them all.<br />
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As luck would have it, I had all but one! And I had a color close enough for the one I could not find exactly. What a collection!Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08499154983239676137noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7345449672158364592.post-46388234241915082722012-05-14T08:46:00.000-05:002012-05-17T07:29:32.943-05:00Cross Stitch for GeeksLately I've been cross stitching. I've enjoyed doing hand work while watching TV, and I haven't had any quilt work suitable for stitching in front of the TV.<br />
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My conscience is nagging me, "Lauren, you certainly do have quilting projects needing hand work. What about those applique blocks you've been working on for....I dunno... 3 or 4 <b><u>years</u></b>??" Uh, hmmm, yeah, I do have those. You're right, Ms. Conscience. But, I do so much better with good lighting when applique-ing! The lighting in the house by the TV is just terrible. I don't need such bright lighting for cross stitch.<br />
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That's my story and I'm sticking with it.<br />
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Here's my first project, completed and framed. I <a href="http://rikrax.blogspot.com/2012/03/stitchin.html">posted about this a few months ago</a>, but had no pictures then.<br />
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I love it! Totally medical nerd. Since I used to be a cardiology nurse, it's so cool for my office, now. (I'm an informatics nurse now.) For those that don't read heart rhythms, this is accurate, and it reflects a stepwise degradation of rhythm. The last one's fatal. Kinda gruesome, in a scholarly way.<br />
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I'd repost a link to the pattern, which I had found on Etsy, but I think the seller shut down the shop. :-(Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08499154983239676137noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7345449672158364592.post-4280068696832676882012-05-06T10:56:00.003-05:002012-05-06T10:57:18.067-05:00Springtime: Lots of Work to be Done!It has been a warm spring and that means we're out in the garden early this year.<br />
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I have been lax in taking pictures of my crafts for posting. Here's one thing I have been doing instead of crafting: working our plot at the <a href="http://opgarden.squarespace.com/">Overland Park Community Garden</a>.<br />
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Looking West on Our Plot 4/28/12</div>
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Last year I'd planted half a plot and donated all of the produce to the local food bank. This year, I invited others from my church to help with the garden, and I reserved a whole plot. Two weeks after our first workday this is the result. Onions in the foreground, then two rows of beets. Down at the other end, we planted lettuce, spinach, and carrots.<br />
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Yesterday, two of my teammates and I went out and put in most of the warm season vegetables: tomatoes, parsley, basil, peppers, and marigolds. I didn't feel like bringing the camera, though I really should have.<br />
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We're calling the project "Grace Garden." This is a specific project of the KAIROS group at my church, <a href="http://www.gcpc.org/">Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church</a>. KAIROS is a ministry (i.e. a subgroup) of church members who believe in social justice, peace, and environmental responsibility as essential values of Christian living. This translates into environmental, justice-oriented, and anti-war projects.<br />
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Our goal for the garden is 100 lbs of food. If things grow well, I don't think we'll have a problem reaching that goal, at all.<br />
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The group of volunteers wanted to coordinate our efforts online. I found this site: <a href="http://www.cozi.com/">Cozi</a>. It's designed for multiple users to work with a calendar and manage tasks together - really, it's for a family. We're kinda like that, so we're giving it a try. Best of all it's free. We just have to tolerate ads that are rather family oriented (diapers or minivans, anyone??). We'll see how it goes.<br />
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So I've been working on the Grace Garden for 3 months now. I haven't done much to plan my own garden - isn't that always the way? I bought some tomatoes, pulled out my seeds and threw them in yesterday.<br />
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God is helping out both Grace Garden and my garden, though. We're having a beautiful rain this morning.Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08499154983239676137noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7345449672158364592.post-59943803277846468932012-04-24T21:41:00.000-05:002012-04-24T21:41:05.223-05:00Fab Shop Hop, againI got a little addicted to the FabShopHop and hopped around in March, qualifying for the first prize contest. And, OMG, I won a promotional prize! I got a $10 gift certificate to one of the shops, and coincidentally, it's a shop I visited in person last November, in Albuquerque!<br />
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So, check it out: <a href="http://www.swdecoratives.com/">Southwest Decoratives and Kokopelli Quilt Company</a><br />
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If you want anything for your quilts that is:<br />
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<ul>
<li>Native American in theme</li>
<li>Mexican culture</li>
<li>Dia de los Muertos</li>
<li>Catholic themes (our lady of Guadalupe, crosses, saints, etc.)</li>
</ul>
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This is the shop for you. I have never seen such a selection chili pepper fabrics. Need tortilla chip fabric? They've got it. They have patterns for southwestern themed quilts, too.<br />
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I don't win Internet stuff very often. I'm kinda excited!Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08499154983239676137noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7345449672158364592.post-43976751905497036962012-04-21T07:21:00.000-05:002012-04-21T07:22:15.801-05:00Once again, real life interferes with my sewingDarn this real life. These things get in the way of my crafting.<br />
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Which is intended to be light hearted and humorous...life sometimes tosses in some difficult situations. Here I am, in the middle of one.<br />
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My father, a widower less than a year, has deteriorating health. He has some neurological dysfunction and I am steeling myself for a disappointing diagnosis. The fact is we don't have a clear diagnosis, and this is common for neurological problems ("Parkinsonian symptoms and possibly early dementia"). There is another test to be done and this tests may show that a (relatively) simple surgery can help his situation, maybe even reverse some of the symptoms! On the other hand, the test may show that surgery would not help. In that case, we will have to get through one day at a time.<br />
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My Dad lives in Virginia. There is no family nearby. His neurological dysfunction is physical and mental - he is increasingly forgetful and I question his judgment at times. He is stiff, slow, arthritic. The neurologist said he shouldn't drive, but of course, he lives alone in a house at the end of a long semi-country street. Not being able to drive would almost completely isolate him, and as an introvert with neurological dysfunction, he is not gregarious. That means, few friends (yes, a few good ones), and he wouldn't dream of asking anyone to help. In his mind, there is no need to ask for help, anyway.<br />
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So....what to do?<br />
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I am here in Virginia for the weekend. Two days ago, I went to the neurologist with Dad - to hear the results from some recent testing was the motivation for coming here. I am also working on the house and yard. It's in decent shape but there are signs of neglect here and there. Dad does not like to do yard work, so the yard is rather sloppy. Thankfully, he has a yard service to mow the lawn, trim, and edge. The house is fairly clean, and thankfully, he has a maid service to come in and clean up. There is (mostly) fresh food in the house and Dad's eating well.<br />
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It is not a crisis yet. Now is the time to set a direction and some goals, including selling the house, moving Dad to a retirement community, and reducing the driving. Hence, I'm here to clean out part of the house, clean up the yard and look for home maintenance things that will prep the house for sale.<br />
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Getting Dad to understand and agree will be the harder challenge.<br />
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Thanks for listening.Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08499154983239676137noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7345449672158364592.post-79344598419639090452012-04-09T19:18:00.001-05:002012-04-09T19:19:05.877-05:00Baby BirdsOne by one the baby Robins are hatching! Right on schedule!<span id="goog_763434779"></span><span id="goog_763434780"></span><br />
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There are two in the photo - they're wrapped around each other, undoubtedly conserving their body heat. The first one emerged on Easter, yesterday, and the second one must have come out today.<br />
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Just as I started shooting, Mama, who was procuring insects from the front yard below, saw movement in the window. She made a beeline for the sill - funny to see a bird aimed straight for your head - right between the eyes!<br />
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Now, waiting on the last two.Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08499154983239676137noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7345449672158364592.post-51487979454293343872012-04-06T15:29:00.002-05:002012-04-09T19:19:41.814-05:00Blocks of the Month: I forget which monthsI promised some pictures....and I'm good for it! Here's one of the Starry Night Blocks of the Month. (See my <a href="http://rikrax.blogspot.com/2011/05/block-of-month.html">previous post about the BOM</a> from last year.)<br />
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The upheaval in my personal life last summer, when my mom died, put everything on hold for a while, including this BOM. I collected the block kits as they arrived in the mail and completed a couple of them by the end of the year. I found I had 3 left to do when I was packing up for the retreat last weekend. I brought them along. I hoped to get all three done, but only managed to finish 2 of them.<br />
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Here they are:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7zaDoHo0F2wr-IYX2dRhLUL2l2XeLcVfCRyzfFN-EY_kKt-9NtLQ-TCVnpyrLdd4ZLEAnrHZJ_iJbyVnxPhv7WsUxkzkjwilqoyJYxV2DYIMv131C44izez70UwIDNYueEo2HEC5n2Bo/s1600/StarryNightSept.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7zaDoHo0F2wr-IYX2dRhLUL2l2XeLcVfCRyzfFN-EY_kKt-9NtLQ-TCVnpyrLdd4ZLEAnrHZJ_iJbyVnxPhv7WsUxkzkjwilqoyJYxV2DYIMv131C44izez70UwIDNYueEo2HEC5n2Bo/s320/StarryNightSept.JPG" width="319" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDe9hWjsTxqMaJkd_DXBN0Xa1bBC8rWNgrlZiEohiYggb4VUqaEv978ituRi2Rr-o192yYQhBld0rYjBa5qR38-w0Lh7tUbbaqRacfR2VKgcTrEk3UdIHA5GYiyAyi_kZKSUGyqVVIENo/s1600/StarryNightDec.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDe9hWjsTxqMaJkd_DXBN0Xa1bBC8rWNgrlZiEohiYggb4VUqaEv978ituRi2Rr-o192yYQhBld0rYjBa5qR38-w0Lh7tUbbaqRacfR2VKgcTrEk3UdIHA5GYiyAyi_kZKSUGyqVVIENo/s320/StarryNightDec.JPG" width="319" /></a></div>
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I also received the instructions for setting the blocks to complete the top. I tell you what - I just don't like the setting at all. Boring. The blocks are traditional in a contemporary fabric, and I would like to do a more modern setting. Ideas are coming...here are three thoughts: a wonky setting on a black background so the "stars" are floating in the night sky; vertical rows of 6 with black sashing and background fabric; something with solids in the predominant color of the block.<br />
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The thing that puzzles me is that the instructions said to keep the extra fabric for the top completion, but the setting they sent didn't use very much of that extra fabric. Weird.<br />
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In all, I'm glad I did a block of the month, but I'm not sure I'll do it again. Maybe it's a control thing - I didn't like not having control and when I didn't like the end result, it was really unsatisfying.<br />
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All is not lost - I have approximately 24 pieces of Kaffe Fassett in my stash now! Woo!Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08499154983239676137noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7345449672158364592.post-69497173785652578522012-04-03T21:57:00.003-05:002012-04-03T21:57:58.582-05:00Inspiration comes from everywhereFirst, let me say Wow! I got a few comments on my last post! What a real treat!<br />
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And, just to follow up the previous post (for posterity). The Jayhawks won on Saturday, and three of us quilters went down to Mass St (the main college street in Lawrence, home of KU) to check out the revelry. It was a phenomenon to see!<br />
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So, the KU men's basketball team played in the final game on Monday (last night), but lost to University of Kentucky. Still, it was a great run for the Jayhawks. I'm so proud to be associated with KU, however tangientially (I work for the University of Kansas Hospital).<br />
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At the retreat...<br />
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I finished my Whimsy quilt top and it turned out so very nice. Again, I gotta take a picture for my blog, here! I did not finish all of the Starry Night block of the month blocks, but cut out the pieces for the last block. I kept getting distracted with making improvisational blocks from my scraps and snippings, for the block give-away. And, since I contributed the most blocks (only 4!) I won the prize: a sample pack of Oakshott cottons from the UK. Oakshott is not widely available in the US. I have not tried shott cotton fabric yet, so I'm eager to see for myself what all the excitement is about.<br />
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After the retreat I was so energized and inspired! I subscribed to at least 4 more blogs by my fellow guild members. Now I'm catching up on all of these creative blogs. I chatted with several people about what blogs they liked, but I didn't write any of them down, darnit. I also found out one of the guild members is planning to offer a photography class later in the summer. I could sure use tips and instruction on being a better photographer.<br />
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Now, onto today's topic: Inspiration in the Every Day<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibk0T9HCuwNGVsHUCGsJrPSmflixhfu7Ac2Uuen9R8OBvcooC6fCPY6jHHR_-cyYbk-QkFSayjT1XREwSDjwFwNirTsyTn7vpgG4H0Hp6kte0YOieKduc_WxIO3Ft37KTj_x4pJGWVFUM/s1600/RobinsNest.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibk0T9HCuwNGVsHUCGsJrPSmflixhfu7Ac2Uuen9R8OBvcooC6fCPY6jHHR_-cyYbk-QkFSayjT1XREwSDjwFwNirTsyTn7vpgG4H0Hp6kte0YOieKduc_WxIO3Ft37KTj_x4pJGWVFUM/s400/RobinsNest.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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A robin has chosen our windowsill for a nest. It's just beautiful. Over the last week, a new egg would appear every other day or so. Sometimes I see mama sitting on the eggs, and this morning, she let me peek at her. She fits snugly in the nest and looks serious about her work.<br />
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The color: four perfectly formed, brilliant blue eggs. The nest: made with care using grasses, sticks, and a bit of polyester fiber fill procured from the neighborhood. Smooth inside. Rough outside. <br />
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Ah, spring! The earth is ready for renewal.Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08499154983239676137noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7345449672158364592.post-52087032657821236532012-03-31T18:34:00.001-05:002012-03-31T18:34:26.885-05:00RetreatingToday I'm at the <a href="http://kcmodernquiltguild.webs.com/">Kansas City Modern Quilt Guild</a> retreat in sunny Lawrence KS. Who knew when we signed up 5 months ago that it would be a final four basketball weekend starring The University of Kansas? If they win, the main drag in town is going to be a crazy-full with rowdy college kids. We're staying within walking distance of Massachusetts St.<br />
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The game is starting soon, so who knows how the Jayhawks will fare. They say they're the underdogs. If they do win, I think I'll check out the crowd for a few minutes, then return to my safe hotel. I hope there aren't too many crazy fans staying here!<br />
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At the same time, here I am at a local hotel, and I spent most of they day using my sewing machine in a ballroom. It's been a beautiful day....and other than an outing to <a href="http://sarahsfabrics.com/FlashIndex1.html">Sarah's Fabrics</a>, I've been holed up here.<br />
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I have gotten so much done! My "whimsy" quilt should be pieced by the end of the evening. I did some more quilting on <a href="http://www.swirlygirlsdesign.com/blog/2009/10/24/new-starry-night-block-month/">Hexagon Park</a> (it's a Moda Bake Shop pattern). I completed 2 more blocks in my <a href="http://www.swirlygirlsdesign.com/blog/2009/10/24/new-starry-night-block-month/">Starry Night block-of-the-month</a> (by Swirly Girl designs) - only one left! It's a nice retreat. I have been getting to know my fellow guild members better and I've learned a few things. There are some neat prizes - I won a book that I've had my eye on for a while: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Vintage-Notions-Inspirational-Needlework-Cooking/dp/0982627009/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1333236418&sr=8-1">Vintage Notions by Amy Barickman</a>.<br />
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So, back to work, soon. I'm taking a little break at the computer, a chance to have some quiet time to myself. I've been eating way too much of all kinds of delicious snacks and goodies.<br />
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<br />Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08499154983239676137noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7345449672158364592.post-87830688575308644702012-03-17T12:09:00.002-05:002012-03-17T12:09:55.002-05:00Stitchin'I've been in the mood to stitch lately - that is, hand work. I have been working on a piece of embroidery on linen - need to photograph it for you. It's a funny southern saying and it needs some embellishment around it to make it cute.<br />
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My other project is too funny. I found <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/ucladoc">ucladoc's Etsy store </a>while searching for a birthday gift for my sister. This crafter makes original and unique counted cross stitch patterns, and what hooked me was the anatomy and medical humor designs. I mean, who would think to make a cross stitch pattern out of an x-ray or a hand? Or an MRI of a brain? Check these patterns out:<br />
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<li><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/89444867/nerdy-cross-stitch-pattern-ekg-heart">EKGs Heart Rhythm </a>(I bought this one, since I'm a cardiology nurse)</li>
<li><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/91392308/nerdy-anatomy-cross-stitch-pattern-hand">Hand x-ray</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/86674872/human-brain-cross-stitch-pattern">Human Brain</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/87051695/human-heart-cross-stitch-pattern">Human Heart</a> ('nothing says I love you quite like a heart!)</li>
<li><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/93842644/nerdy-anatomy-cross-stitch-pattern-x-ray">X-ray of Cervical Spine</a> (neck)</li>
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Wouldn't these make an awesome gift for your sister the physician or your brother the chiropractor?</div>
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I can't wait to hang mine in my office!!</div>Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08499154983239676137noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7345449672158364592.post-37804933073933749512012-03-03T09:04:00.000-06:002012-03-03T09:04:06.296-06:00The Fab Shop Hop<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.fabshophop.com/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="140" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirKVmXAwHEv1uSjs3cP1yG-Zbjps6Lys9J871Kw-qtwHixZUbXhLxS3_AbHwjGg0vNTKoCkZtys5oLJ0A4xoL2q4y_LZ1fEz17_bErFfe5uQopKhgEDof9DovaaY4sghxNHJa_XlNMR60/s200/FabShopHop_11-hops-2012.jpg" width="140" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Click to sign up!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
In February, I completed the Fab Shop Hop. It's a virtual "shop hop" where you have to go to various fabric/quilt shop websites, find a special icon (the "bunny") and register that you found it. It's a month long hop, and you really need a whole month. There are over 150 shops on the list! That's a lot of hopping!<br />
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You don't have to find all of the bunnies. There are prize levels for 75 shops, 110 shops, and 140 shops. Still, getting even 75 shops takes some diligence. But, it's fun - sometimes there are special promotions as a part of the hop - sales at the shops, patterns that you build (randomly you find a block pattern when you register a find), and sometimes bonus bunnies for extra giveaways. Sometimes you come upon a shop you know in the real world - like someplace you visited on vacation or where you used to live.<br />
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The point of all this hopping is to generate sales for the shops. It worked for me, this time.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDSWkMFPRj4iw3yy70FQCQqJ-a-PXR1UPftE7Tcu7ydACuCJzfbho2XLO3uimpJRc_ffPRTktpA6ErJUWC_a2zz9dyWfkfIbbnx5NThicIWOleQ7IuI9jiQ7rok0mCMZS7BvOnijKiX00/s1600/Whimsy+Hang+Tag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="135" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDSWkMFPRj4iw3yy70FQCQqJ-a-PXR1UPftE7Tcu7ydACuCJzfbho2XLO3uimpJRc_ffPRTktpA6ErJUWC_a2zz9dyWfkfIbbnx5NThicIWOleQ7IuI9jiQ7rok0mCMZS7BvOnijKiX00/s200/Whimsy+Hang+Tag.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
I have a quilt top created from a "Layer Cake" precut pack of a <a href="http://www.unitednotions.com/un_main.nsf/modahome">Moda</a> line called "Whimsy," a style from few years ago. I can't find it in shops any more, and I'd like to make the back out of the same line. It has a specific color palette I'd like to match. Sure enough, a few of the shops in the hop had some left over Moda Whimsy! Better yet, since its an old design, these shops had it on clearance! Bonus!<br />
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I found my backing fabric at <a href="http://www.thequiltedb.com/">The Quilted B</a> from Washington state. The shop owner sent the fabric promptly, wrapped with a pretty printed ribbon from their shop, with a handwritten note of thanks. Excellent customer service. I hope to shop there again!<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">You can download all these images from the <span id="goog_2112431258"></span><a href="http://www.unitednotions.com/un_main.nsf/main?openpage">Moda website</a><span id="goog_2112431259"></span>!!</span></div>
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I investigated several of the shops while hopping, if the style of the shop appealed to me. I bookmarked several as favorite shops<br />
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Well, yeah, you do have to exercise restraint and not overspend! Don't go crazy.<br />
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I also signed up for a newsletter at <a href="http://www.stitchinheaven.com/">Stitchin' Heaven</a> in Texas - they organize quilting vacations, like cruises and bus tours! I think that would be crazy fun to do. And their newsletter is called <a href="http://www.stitchinheaven.com/stitchin_heaven_pages/hot_flashes.asp">Hot Flashes</a> - too funny. Sign me up!!<br />
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I hope you try the virtual shop hop. Maybe you'll win something. At the least, you'll have some fun and maybe even find a unique gift at a shop<br />
<br />Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08499154983239676137noreply@blogger.com0