tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-89487179889358125082024-03-05T17:40:34.898-07:00We Shall SewMelissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03791242249964743766noreply@blogger.comBlogger171125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8948717988935812508.post-38341064299635023432019-03-09T09:49:00.000-07:002019-03-11T14:22:45.144-06:00Quilts for Tornado Victims<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSCqsxGUosQ2p23GGRxXcdDmVZqUixYSf84CDuN_iKy3arQ04KuF92-S0iL5khu9e0JyXdrtyJ-5Gp3wvZYnO36rxJwf_6_2W8rWQMr3Q58DawloVNEqpyIPyDstyWxW5FKDbiD4OJ708B/s1600/54278716_2181499302066908_3235311105010040832_n.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1447" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSCqsxGUosQ2p23GGRxXcdDmVZqUixYSf84CDuN_iKy3arQ04KuF92-S0iL5khu9e0JyXdrtyJ-5Gp3wvZYnO36rxJwf_6_2W8rWQMr3Q58DawloVNEqpyIPyDstyWxW5FKDbiD4OJ708B/s320/54278716_2181499302066908_3235311105010040832_n.png" width="289" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">Last Sunday, March 4, 2019, a EF-4 tornado surprised thousands of people just east of Auburn, Alabama. The tornado was 1/2 mile wide and traveled for over 70 miles before it dissipated. 23 people were killed, including 4 children, and over a hundred others were injured. Hundreds of people lost their homes and everything they own. </span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">You can look it up, and have maybe seen pictures already, but here are just a few:</span></div>
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</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgASrCQ3yi70THNuRkMZjAAm51xYx0lktfISTZznn4uqgOvbeF0kWwsS-dFf2ENvgpN3GfKTjHDor8nifYHqzdVhd_tgl3CYxaFah3Vef8caIF2SXKhLB6HIXcNJNTnPBxyt7cw_ZpAplQE/s1600/main_1200+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="674" data-original-width="1200" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgASrCQ3yi70THNuRkMZjAAm51xYx0lktfISTZznn4uqgOvbeF0kWwsS-dFf2ENvgpN3GfKTjHDor8nifYHqzdVhd_tgl3CYxaFah3Vef8caIF2SXKhLB6HIXcNJNTnPBxyt7cw_ZpAplQE/s320/main_1200+%25281%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TNQou9lUygk/XIPZSTsOreI/AAAAAAAAEGU/ZyZ9uAhbciYKOcu02fPGjAWECXRD8LuTQCEwYBhgL/s1600/main_1200%2B%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="743" data-original-width="1200" height="198" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TNQou9lUygk/XIPZSTsOreI/AAAAAAAAEGU/ZyZ9uAhbciYKOcu02fPGjAWECXRD8LuTQCEwYBhgL/s320/main_1200%2B%25282%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHpBx8ukM5ckPt164XObJospcMNH02AlYtysfcp5F2TOt9uzRWghgLbHFR9Bcde_zlPF8g5c7SGta4ujIzDxOBMGG4pzbJ649_ShQ-vTfyyOcZfXN7_r0S483vpPKW41EchjuQTX5eayHA/s1600/main_1200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="798" data-original-width="1200" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHpBx8ukM5ckPt164XObJospcMNH02AlYtysfcp5F2TOt9uzRWghgLbHFR9Bcde_zlPF8g5c7SGta4ujIzDxOBMGG4pzbJ649_ShQ-vTfyyOcZfXN7_r0S483vpPKW41EchjuQTX5eayHA/s320/main_1200.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">Audrey Smith, </span><a href="https://www.instagram.com/audreypawdrey/" style="text-align: start;">@audreypawdrey </a><span style="text-align: start;">on Instagram, and I are both graduates of Auburn University, and Audrey still has family there. After I checked in on everyone I know who is near, or has dear ones there, Audrey and I decided that we wanted to help, as quilters do.</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">We are requesting finished quilts and/or quilt blocks to send to the victims. I know there are other quilt drives for victims of this tornado, but we wanted to reach out to <i>our</i> community of quilters and friends and ask you to participate with us. </span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">Together, we can share some love and comfort and quilts with those who have lost everything. :o(</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">If you are interested in sending finished quilts (I know I've got a few I can send!), we are partnering with the Cotton Boll Quilt Guild in Auburn, and they are willing to receive finished quilts and distribute them when the victims are ready to receive them. Email me or send me a DM <a href="https://www.instagram.com/weshallsew/">on instagram</a> for their address. (my email is weshallew @ gmail (dot) com)</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">If you are interested in sending Audrey and me blocks, which we'll put together and make into quilts for them, email me or send me a DM on instagram, as above. <i> *due end of April, please.</i></span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">These are my EQ7 sketches of the quilts we could make. It doesn't include the various block sizes, but we can just use our imagination for that. ;)</span></div>
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We are asking for simple wonky cross blocks. There are several ways to do this, and many tutorials, so how you go about making them is up to you. Here are a couple that I found quickly: <a href="https://www.sewmamasew.com/2010/04/wonky-cross-block-sew-along/">Sew Mama Sew/Elizabeth Hartman</a>, and <a href="http://lollyquiltz.blogspot.com/2010/04/liberated-cross-blocks.html">Lolly Quiltz</a> (which makes 2 at a time, but doesn't use up your scraps!) This tutorial by Hillary at <a href="https://entropyalwayswinsblog.com/2017/09/23/inset-pieced-seams-on-the-fly-a-tutorial/">EntropyAlwaysWins</a> isn't for wonky crosses, but inset strips, which you can use to make a wonky cross - just start with your background either 7" or 13" square, and go from there to inset your cross strips.<br />
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Here's the first one I made. :o)<br />
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We ask that you use navy, orange, and white-based low-volume fabrics. We would like <i>most </i>of them to be low-volume background with either navy or orange crosses, but if you are using Carla's technique to make 2 at a time, that's fine, we'll make do. :o)<br />
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For size, we would like them to either be 6 1/2" square of 12 1/2" square, or even 6 1/2" x 12 1/2", as we want it to have some good variety and interest.<br />
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And we are asking to have blocks by the end of April so we can make the quilts and get them sent down early this summer.<br />
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And if you want to send a finished quilt (of any design), we are hoping to send some larger ones, like 72"x80", if that's not asking too much! But if you've got a finished quilt to send, we aren't picky about the size. Just send it! :o)<br />
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THANK YOU!!!<br />
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Thank you for still reading, thank you for your interest in helping out some people most of us have never met, thank you for your generosity! We really appreciate you! And if you can only make 1 block, that's great. If you can make 10, that's great! If you can make an entire quilt, that's great, too. We really want to be a blessing to those who are literally picking pieces of their lives out of the rubble. </div>
Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03791242249964743766noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8948717988935812508.post-33994202181584444192019-02-17T17:34:00.000-07:002019-02-18T16:45:20.848-07:00Scrappy String Half-Square Triangle Tutorial (Foundation Paper-Pieced)<br />
(I hate recipe posts where they tell me a whole bunch of crap <i>before </i>the recipe! Just give them the dadgum recipe, Lisa!)<br />
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My tutorial makes two 8 1/2" scrappy string half-square triangles.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQOdCp70euRpofGkV1MrtIwuuq3PeTFa4GcfRyv94aKowyP-2t6xgo1IUUV3tIr-9KEG_JV72i_OO9bgIYAtMDEZ582ZKxYlECUwxCpGCt1x0Esw6r-Xf7WdMDWnoWjGtXlqI-Mq_fOwKz/s1600/.11fpp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQOdCp70euRpofGkV1MrtIwuuq3PeTFa4GcfRyv94aKowyP-2t6xgo1IUUV3tIr-9KEG_JV72i_OO9bgIYAtMDEZ582ZKxYlECUwxCpGCt1x0Esw6r-Xf7WdMDWnoWjGtXlqI-Mq_fOwKz/s320/.11fpp.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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You can make it any way you choose so that it looks like I want it to, but I thought this was a pretty fail-safe way to go about it, considering there will be a bunch of different people making blocks for my quilt. Continuity and simplicity are the keys to success here. :o)<br />
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<b><u>Materials</u></b><br />
8 1/2" piece of copy paper (x2)<br />
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10" x 10" piece of Kona (or similar) solid white fabric, cut to half-square triangles along the diagonal</div>
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Scraps of chosen colors of varying lengths and widths. (between 1" - 2 1/2" wide, varied please)<br />
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<u style="font-weight: bold;">Procedure</u><br />
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<li>Cut paper to 8 1/2" square, fold along the diagonal, and open back up again. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdWDse9iqdfKQ7vlTLjBDHqcKT_TjWUYxxy4-QVGMU_qTvSjkiUeUeHjjb7_xPeNOdUb9Eav0KSIpIk3GbQMRb6IcW2vMe9_5VXhKtBQmsKUqZY4PKJPx-2r_dfxBuS3SoYTS3PJuxuuR9/s1600/.1fpp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdWDse9iqdfKQ7vlTLjBDHqcKT_TjWUYxxy4-QVGMU_qTvSjkiUeUeHjjb7_xPeNOdUb9Eav0KSIpIk3GbQMRb6IcW2vMe9_5VXhKtBQmsKUqZY4PKJPx-2r_dfxBuS3SoYTS3PJuxuuR9/s320/.1fpp.jpg" width="320" /></a><br /></div>
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<li>Draw a line 1/4" from the edge of the fold line on both pieces of paper. This will be the guide-line for the white fabric and your first scrap strip (string). Set one paper square aside for the second block.<br /></li>
<li>Cut the 10" piece of solid white along the diagonal, making two half-square triangles. Set one aside. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4gdqE_r8k-9yKNX3h4yH15cVKnnZK0eM-y7PhgVkIa_kInuOUDVNapDS5YwyliYVmOXG1GzgHbNvuMC0xFOIgvy35x5GSafwSNHKuEUA5ZoRL-OpAWIR-X2T62JmsO3QX5_7khJWqCt1A/s1600/.2fpp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4gdqE_r8k-9yKNX3h4yH15cVKnnZK0eM-y7PhgVkIa_kInuOUDVNapDS5YwyliYVmOXG1GzgHbNvuMC0xFOIgvy35x5GSafwSNHKuEUA5ZoRL-OpAWIR-X2T62JmsO3QX5_7khJWqCt1A/s320/.2fpp.jpg" width="320" /></a><br /></div>
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<li>Place the diagonal of the white fabric along the drawn line on the paper, then place a strip of colored fabric (14" long by chosen width), right sides together. Pin or glue baste, and stitch 1/4" from the line/white/colored fabric edge.<br /> <i>please make sure that your stitch line goes exactly through the diagonal, like bisecting the 90 degree angle at the upper left and lower right...if that makes sense! I didn't do this right on my second block and you'll see a picture of it below.</i><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC4WkPmzhPnJKqE58zCT2rPU-Z8JLpsqT8FdNrWjKZV8PqW3LGLkcDeBzcuNj8TvzTM4TPpW-C4Vyrgd8gNNzE0BCkD744Kwa8opJQhHblqa7WOWBix13Gtdv4XyzEZJQ1MEpODX93M59t/s1600/.4fpp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC4WkPmzhPnJKqE58zCT2rPU-Z8JLpsqT8FdNrWjKZV8PqW3LGLkcDeBzcuNj8TvzTM4TPpW-C4Vyrgd8gNNzE0BCkD744Kwa8opJQhHblqa7WOWBix13Gtdv4XyzEZJQ1MEpODX93M59t/s320/.4fpp.jpg" width="320" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhypcs_AcBGXBN_3WuL7Gh6U_g5fDfVsNwBDOaSKnk3KRCAPOV-J3X7EazaLFywQFGQqU2_DFdd12ks6L_PTROTvqMtfSLJ3hv6AmU8mceAaRVDEjMooOqwR0UPp1vG4oE1K36VDj0jfyOd/s1600/517C1B69-0DFF-4FCE-BB0C-02F6219CDAE8.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhypcs_AcBGXBN_3WuL7Gh6U_g5fDfVsNwBDOaSKnk3KRCAPOV-J3X7EazaLFywQFGQqU2_DFdd12ks6L_PTROTvqMtfSLJ3hv6AmU8mceAaRVDEjMooOqwR0UPp1vG4oE1K36VDj0jfyOd/s320/517C1B69-0DFF-4FCE-BB0C-02F6219CDAE8.jpeg" width="320" /></a><br /><i>See what I mean? I didn't make sure the first seam of the white-to-aqua strip went all the way from corner to corner. No big deal, I'll still use the block, but I just wanted to warn you to not make the same mistake I did! :o) Also, another great reason to not trim it...I'm happy to do that. :o)</i><br /></div>
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Open the strip out and press. </div>
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Place second strip (12" by chosen width) along the raw edge of the colored strip, right sides together. Pin or glue baste, then stitch 1/4" seam along the raw edge. Open out and press. </div>
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Note: I experienced some shifting unless I put a small amount of glue stick glue on the paper where the newly sewn strip goes. I didn't heat-set it, just pressed it down, but it definitely helps keep that piece in place when you stitch down the next piece. And since it wasn't heat-set, the paper pulls off relatively easily. :o)<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9alB-ZMmefkPWtfmuU2OgCXVHcDsg4I8A-fWM6IzzDyiajxWUiDGqStEBr9MINl-8Lmw7DWlWTNi8JRr_Cj3JNp2dw3PnvH4Jm9GGWuKQ3TDx7kSOMo0UwvdPy3h2OaMGAIiX-d7whjwn/s1600/D76F6675-F251-4A56-9DC9-1DB5D01BD3DC.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9alB-ZMmefkPWtfmuU2OgCXVHcDsg4I8A-fWM6IzzDyiajxWUiDGqStEBr9MINl-8Lmw7DWlWTNi8JRr_Cj3JNp2dw3PnvH4Jm9GGWuKQ3TDx7kSOMo0UwvdPy3h2OaMGAIiX-d7whjwn/s320/D76F6675-F251-4A56-9DC9-1DB5D01BD3DC.jpeg" width="320" /></a><br /><br /><br />
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Continue to add strips in the same manner until you get to the end of the paper square.</div>
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Look! Isn't it cool? :o) (Optional) Flip it over, take your ruler and trim around the edges of the paper, so that the block is 8 1/2" x 8 1/2" square. *Please make sure that your first diagonal seam goes from corner to corner before you trim. Don't do what I did! ;o) If you feel like leaving it untrimmed, please do. I am happy to square it up. :o)</div>
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Flip it over and look at your hard work!<br />
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(optional) Flip it back over and remove the papers. (or leave them, it's okay!)</div>
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Please make a second one!<br /></div>
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<i>you can see even better how my aqua fabric didn't actually bisect the square as I had hoped it would. :o) But it's okay...if yours does that, too, don't stress about it, I'll still use it! :o)<br /></i></div>
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<u style="font-weight: bold;">Color Palette</u><br />
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Please use one color per block, using one of the following colors: orange, pink, light-to-medium green, light-to-medium aqua.<br />
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Here is my inspiration quilt:<br />
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(quilt by blooming poppies)</div>
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<br />There you go! Do you have any questions? Please send me an email. :o)<br />
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<i>Please note: I would prefer that you not complete this block using fabric foundation piecing because I don't want the added bulk behind the colored strips. Using paper allows you to complete the block to the square specifications, but I can tear it off and there is no bulk. Thank you.</i><br />
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Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03791242249964743766noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8948717988935812508.post-2053022948483216232015-11-28T00:39:00.002-07:002015-11-28T00:39:36.653-07:00Top Ten DIY Gifts<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;">I wanted to curate a collection of easy DIY gifts to make for others (or yourself!) this year, and have found THOUSANDS, but these are my TOP TEN!<i><span style="font-size: x-small;"> (okay, top twelve, but I couldn't stop!)</span></i></span><br />But in the spirit of full disclosure, I haven't tried very many of these, they just look really great! Hopefully you won't be posting a #pinterestfail after trying one of these! :)<br /><br />I found all of these on Pinterest, and give credit and links where they are due.<br /><br />Enjoy! :)<br /><br /><u style="font-weight: bold;">1. <a href="http://www.womansday.com/home/craft-ideas/diy-style-monogrammed-tote-113634">Monogrammed Canvas Tote</a></u><br />I think this is incredibly classy, and (hopefully) easy to do! Teachers, nurses, bus drivers, babysitters, friends...I'm sure they would all love to have one of these!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aQhkgSHjqGg/VllX7JIQQyI/AAAAAAAAD6E/w5Zf5R_3cN4/s1600/doily%2Btote.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="292" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aQhkgSHjqGg/VllX7JIQQyI/AAAAAAAAD6E/w5Zf5R_3cN4/s320/doily%2Btote.jpg" width="320" /></a><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><u style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://www.scissortailsilk.com/2013/10/18/diy-boot-socks/">2. Boot Socks</a></u><br />I know I'm a little tardy to the party, but I really think boot socks are cute! But at $20 (or more) for a pair, I'm more than happy to chop up a thrifted sweater and call it good! (and use the body of the sweater to make a pillow! Double bonus!) Who do you know that wears boots? Or has pillows? Hustle to a thrift store and get cracking! :)<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-L4FseAv-Oto/VllYOCI2fGI/AAAAAAAAD6U/bOsBfkw9C70/s1600/Boot%2BSocks.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-L4FseAv-Oto/VllYOCI2fGI/AAAAAAAAD6U/bOsBfkw9C70/s400/Boot%2BSocks.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><u><b><a href="http://www.itsalwaysautumn.com/2014/05/07/20-cheap-easy-cute-practical-teacher-appreciation-gifts.html">3. Burlap Monogram Tote</a></b></u><br />I made these a couple of years ago for the preschool teachers, and they continue to comment on how much they love them! It was a really easy project.<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--8vEC2CiINc/VllYVtn-t_I/AAAAAAAAD6k/8uATcVOjdHU/s1600/burlap%2Btote.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="248" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--8vEC2CiINc/VllYVtn-t_I/AAAAAAAAD6k/8uATcVOjdHU/s320/burlap%2Btote.jpg" width="320" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://apumpkinandaprincess.com/2015/04/diy-lemon-bath-bomb.html" style="font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;">4. Lemon Bath Bombs</a><br />My mouth is watering at the mere thought of these! I haven't made them, but I imagine the fragrance to be light and invigorating and sunny. Make some for your favorite bath-loving friend, and make her day! (obviously these are not for eating...)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D5s6_1LMeuY/VllYYDTEoNI/AAAAAAAAD6w/u9NfPS9krB0/s1600/lemon%2Bbath%2Bbomb.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D5s6_1LMeuY/VllYYDTEoNI/AAAAAAAAD6w/u9NfPS9krB0/s320/lemon%2Bbath%2Bbomb.jpg" width="289" /></a><br /><br /><br /><b><u><a href="http://www.krystalskitsch.com/2015/05/cinnamon-coffee-scrub-recipe.html">5. Cinnamon Coffee Scrub</a></u></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Who can use a little pick me up in the shower? Coffee and scrubbing away the callouses sounds like a great way to wake up! :) And the amount of cute jars available is astounding. There's really no reason you couldn't make this -- we all know SOMEONE who loves coffee, right?<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqRwUNlxDOSrQY8HT-41CAN_Xk8Vx8AwITrCjphFS7vWc3NxeBThIfKQMeUGrz9W9tcWKl3rlC6j9s4BOQ7-P2NalFR-mS1FWkwEY71F4RbLzqQsLPEdfBr13rSfXtC1nkv7Np59Wzc7jE/s1600/coffee+scrub.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqRwUNlxDOSrQY8HT-41CAN_Xk8Vx8AwITrCjphFS7vWc3NxeBThIfKQMeUGrz9W9tcWKl3rlC6j9s4BOQ7-P2NalFR-mS1FWkwEY71F4RbLzqQsLPEdfBr13rSfXtC1nkv7Np59Wzc7jE/s320/coffee+scrub.jpg" width="208" /></a><br /><br /><br /><b><u><a href="http://mycrazyblessedlife.com/2012/11/04/a-detox-bath-that-changed-my-health/">6. Detox Bath</a></u></b><br />It's that time of year where we are exposed to a ton of germs, and are busy and stressed and aren't getting enough rest or water, so those germs can grab hold and knock us down! Well, this detox bath might be just the thing for a busy friend. We all love to feel pampered AND getting healthy at the same time!:)<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5tfngqTpkD-bZa-sCojPP_FnUkUoPMC77uyQ2y5ARhweedFNrsP0V0bG70PvmnQ_p5ukKOPI1nrTKqx_xLzcw9nn8JSdrzYu-HeSpOX60QtuHWJXkLe-vNUpt5cImOnwVkzv0JC4enqbg/s1600/Detox+Bath.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5tfngqTpkD-bZa-sCojPP_FnUkUoPMC77uyQ2y5ARhweedFNrsP0V0bG70PvmnQ_p5ukKOPI1nrTKqx_xLzcw9nn8JSdrzYu-HeSpOX60QtuHWJXkLe-vNUpt5cImOnwVkzv0JC4enqbg/s320/Detox+Bath.jpg" width="320" /></a><br /><br /><br /><b><u><a href="http://thefrugalgirls.com/2013/09/homemade-bath-salts.html">7. Jasmine Bath Salts</a></u></b><br />Here's a true story: When I was pregnant with both of my daughters, I had to have non-stress tests in the hospital 2x a week for 7 weeks prior to their birth. Well, the courtyard outside the hospital was just flourishing with jasmine plants, and since this was April and May, they were flowering like CRAZY! I was always nervous going into those very stressful non-stress tests, and felt calmed by the fragrance of the Jasmine. I've always loved the smell of Jasmine, but it now holds a special place in my heart. These bath salts will be a blessing for anyone you give them to. :)<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1ltynhhWSVCIrVL0p7Mo4N2km-5YButFU4xpZNB7_OUHTZF-tLhW_5T4Gz4dKJYLeI-4BEen8YIcJ2gfmUBwa-odvkBTiWwefcXr3AgfQM7g_vClPc0tFMEAIZBZElIAmkBgjEo5Y49Y-/s1600/Jasmine+Bath+Salts.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1ltynhhWSVCIrVL0p7Mo4N2km-5YButFU4xpZNB7_OUHTZF-tLhW_5T4Gz4dKJYLeI-4BEen8YIcJ2gfmUBwa-odvkBTiWwefcXr3AgfQM7g_vClPc0tFMEAIZBZElIAmkBgjEo5Y49Y-/s400/Jasmine+Bath+Salts.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.shannonsstudio.com/bull-celebrate-blog/gifts-last-minute-birthday-emergency-nail-repair-kit"><b>8. Emergency Nail Repair Kit</b></a><br />I'm totally making these up for all the teachers to keep in the classroom. And I will, of course, be adding a set of JAMS to the kit! :) Gotta keep those teachers feeling pampered and loved and pretty, right? :) Also, instead of a full bottle of polish remover, I'm just getting a box of polish remover wipes and putting them in the kit. No one likes a renegade bottle of polish remover! :)<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjEJTYmZGDEMilKvShjQVQgwpf5eh1VAI47LNzLcIfmWsY8hlSHXuNv7mEviafnVDQI8iB9ye7XYl8vmo7xec918b7m0tgocUw8KDygOVLxucibkkGSAHyNkuDHek9osqfEuswRLJ5WeKr/s1600/nail+repair+kit.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjEJTYmZGDEMilKvShjQVQgwpf5eh1VAI47LNzLcIfmWsY8hlSHXuNv7mEviafnVDQI8iB9ye7XYl8vmo7xec918b7m0tgocUw8KDygOVLxucibkkGSAHyNkuDHek9osqfEuswRLJ5WeKr/s320/nail+repair+kit.jpg" width="320" /></a><br /><br /><br /><b><u><a href="http://acultivatednest.com/2015/04/diy-peppermint-foot-soak/">9. Peppermint Foot Soak</a></u></b><u><br /></u>I can only imagine how good this would feel after a long day of shopping. Or running errands. Or wearing the heels we tend to wear to any fancy Christmas dinners... I think a peppermint foot soak will be just the right mix of relaxing and invigorating. Perfect for anyone with feet. :)<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wVXiZf4znPU/VllYnq2CB2I/AAAAAAAAD7o/yDXy6F3_suo/s1600/peppermint%2Bfoot%2Bsoak.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wVXiZf4znPU/VllYnq2CB2I/AAAAAAAAD7o/yDXy6F3_suo/s320/peppermint%2Bfoot%2Bsoak.jpg" width="282" /></a><br /><br /><br /><b><u><a href="http://www.buzzfeed.com/morganshanahan/clever-upcycled-gifts-to-make-with-kiddos">10. Puzzle Collage</a></u></b><br />Doesn't this look fun? When you're at the thrift store getting a sweater, grab a puzzle, and have your kids sort out the pieces by color. I know craft stores like Michaels are constantly putting canvases on sale, and then put the kiddos to work helping you! I think this would be a great addition to any room - for a young person or old!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9aWb353BAsgA7zJOJMSs0woLas5XW-VFy1U9AUkRBlcVuOm_WRAOz_jdeXVD79Av3WbSteIVjTAKbjIghrNTSCdh-6Z-D5vVN1yevNdSl5DBWc08M5cWY9ewqr7Hpd9tiDjlWjTOP3p4f/s1600/puzzle+collage.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9aWb353BAsgA7zJOJMSs0woLas5XW-VFy1U9AUkRBlcVuOm_WRAOz_jdeXVD79Av3WbSteIVjTAKbjIghrNTSCdh-6Z-D5vVN1yevNdSl5DBWc08M5cWY9ewqr7Hpd9tiDjlWjTOP3p4f/s320/puzzle+collage.jpg" width="320" /></a><br /><br /><br /><b><u><a href="http://myfrugaladventures.com/2013/12/easy-homemade-hand-scrub-diy-satin-hands/">11. Sugar Soap Scrub</a></u></b><br />I made this a few years ago for myself and keep it on the shelf in the shower. I love it. Seriously. I even changed the kind of soap we use in the kitchen because I love this fragrance so much! :) It's an easy, and simple, and much-appreciated gift for anyone you know.<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-upAPWD_d2ds/VllYq1okVqI/AAAAAAAAD74/LZIMvN-FqLU/s1600/Sugar%2BSoap%2BScrub.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-upAPWD_d2ds/VllYq1okVqI/AAAAAAAAD74/LZIMvN-FqLU/s320/Sugar%2BSoap%2BScrub.jpg" width="212" /></a><br /><br /><br /><b><u><a href="http://www.savvysugar.com/DIY-Tile-Photo-Coasters-30160439">12. Tile Photo Coasters</a></u></b><br />Everyone loves to show off pictures of their kids and grandkids, right? But sometimes there's no wall space left! So a coaster is a great alternative. And these are really easy to make. Find your favorite pictures, and some simple tiles, and go for it! Have fun with it! Let the kiddos help! :)<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggMs3OfZ77nedcGxDKyHVQlzJ1svCkSRUgx9AlrHMJXRXhDKrx6Rv5cJFYcPA86MgR0whs0_aWOft-Rw0FqgCAFjTFShlDJj_46Sy_i1BlkfJUxdaF8GZsu1NRYmvFSgOMc3mkXWdYr7Ia/s1600/tile+photo+coasters.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggMs3OfZ77nedcGxDKyHVQlzJ1svCkSRUgx9AlrHMJXRXhDKrx6Rv5cJFYcPA86MgR0whs0_aWOft-Rw0FqgCAFjTFShlDJj_46Sy_i1BlkfJUxdaF8GZsu1NRYmvFSgOMc3mkXWdYr7Ia/s320/tile+photo+coasters.jpg" width="318" /></a><br /><br /><br />So, there you have it! Some great ideas for gifts to make this year! I hope your holidays are wonderful and filled with blessings. </span><br />
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Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03791242249964743766noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8948717988935812508.post-36078968979671480562015-08-26T13:38:00.000-06:002015-08-26T13:38:53.972-06:00TRANSPARENCY!! (Bee Sewcial Instructions for March 2015)<span style="background-color: white; color: #212124; font-family: 'Proxima Nova', 'helvetica neue', helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">Hi! This post is for the members of the Bee Sewcial bee, and those following along as part of the Inspired by Bee Sewcial team. Hi! :o)<br /><br />March is my month to inspire and challenge my fellow Sewcialites to make blocks for my quilt. I'll be honest, my creativity is waning, and even though I've been ruminating on this quilt for a few weeks, I don't feel like I'm coming up with anything really challenging and innovative and unique. But as I have thought about it, I keep coming back to two features that I would love to have, and this is where I'm starting:</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #212124; font-family: 'Proxima Nova', 'helvetica neue', helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">1. Cool blues and cool greens.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #212124; font-family: 'Proxima Nova', 'helvetica neue', helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">2. Transparency</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #212124; font-family: 'Proxima Nova', 'helvetica neue', helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">Here are some color palettes for you to start with:</span><br />
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<a data-rapid_p="126" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/me1issa/16672974902/" rel="nofollow" style="background-color: white; color: #006dac; cursor: pointer; font-family: 'Proxima Nova', 'helvetica neue', helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; text-decoration: none;" title="March ~ Melissa"><img alt="March ~ Melissa" class="notsowide" height="322" src="https://ec.yimg.com/ec?url=https%3A%2F%2Ffarm9.staticflickr.com%2F8572%2F16672974902_c4a5fb3862_m.jpg&t=1440536211&sig=oukqZv3jANuMv3rsqw0yKQ--~C" style="border: 0px; height: auto; max-height: 500px; max-width: 500px; width: auto;" width="640" /></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #212124; font-family: 'Proxima Nova', 'helvetica neue', helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">. </span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #212124; font-family: 'Proxima Nova', 'helvetica neue', helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">And I would like any neutral to be a light/pale gray or light blue/gray, as you can see in some of the palettes.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #212124; font-family: 'Proxima Nova', 'helvetica neue', helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">As for transparency, I couldn't find a lot of images on Flickr, but I do love the original Traveling Quilt by Oliver+S, which can be found </span><a data-rapid_p="127" href="http://oliverands.com/community/blog/2011/01/little-things-to-sew-travel-quilt.html" rel="nofollow" style="background-color: white; color: #006dac; cursor: pointer; font-family: 'Proxima Nova', 'helvetica neue', helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #212124; font-family: 'Proxima Nova', 'helvetica neue', helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #212124; font-family: 'Proxima Nova', 'helvetica neue', helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">I <i>really</i> love this watercolor quilt by Eliza Kenan </span><a data-rapid_p="128" href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/68468856808819142/" rel="nofollow" style="background-color: white; color: #006dac; cursor: pointer; font-family: 'Proxima Nova', 'helvetica neue', helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #212124; font-family: 'Proxima Nova', 'helvetica neue', helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">, </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoZnHAu4t6cfys_pUPZikzGjhiaMC9zl4b580kvTD1rr-4RfM8s94FJOGj9CKkYiOHQ19K7ZD0B0w1j_Z_8lLNvvYJw1cTvF609R0G9IIS8gkn4C00qN1I5lleHc2mhP_aJtwy0VhxD9Ve/s1600/eliza.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoZnHAu4t6cfys_pUPZikzGjhiaMC9zl4b580kvTD1rr-4RfM8s94FJOGj9CKkYiOHQ19K7ZD0B0w1j_Z_8lLNvvYJw1cTvF609R0G9IIS8gkn4C00qN1I5lleHc2mhP_aJtwy0VhxD9Ve/s320/eliza.jpg" width="230" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #212124; font-family: 'Proxima Nova', 'helvetica neue', helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #212124; font-family: 'Proxima Nova', 'helvetica neue', helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">and this doll quilt on Flickr by Lisa K.</span><br />
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<a data-rapid_p="129" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/losabia/475587702/" rel="nofollow" style="background-color: white; color: #006dac; cursor: pointer; font-family: 'Proxima Nova', 'helvetica neue', helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;" title="Completed doll quilt: Strawberry-Rhubarb Πr2 by losabia"><img alt="Completed doll quilt: Strawberry-Rhubarb Πr2 by losabia" class="notsowide" height="240" src="https://ec.yimg.com/ec?url=https%3A%2F%2Ffarm1.staticflickr.com%2F226%2F475587702_0b5a29c192_m.jpg&t=1440536211&sig=YiZm9KS7.QAFVxToM8ESoQ--~C" style="border: 0px; height: auto; max-height: 500px; max-width: 500px; width: auto;" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #212124; font-family: 'Proxima Nova', 'helvetica neue', helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">Cool, right?</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #212124; font-family: 'Proxima Nova', 'helvetica neue', helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">So, here are my instructions. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #212124; font-family: 'Proxima Nova', 'helvetica neue', helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">1. Please make 2 blocks -- one at least 14" unfinished square (trim or don't trim, I just need it to be at least 14" to start, ), and one at least 9" unfinished.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #212124; font-family: 'Proxima Nova', 'helvetica neue', helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">2. Using mostly blues and mostly greens, and a slight dash of light gray, please construct the blocks however you like, in order to create a sense of transparency. Strips, squares, circles...whatever! I just love how the colors blend. Think Venn Diagram. ;)<br /><br />(UPDATE!)<br /><br />Here are the finished blocks on my design wall. There is no rhyme or reason for them to be where they are, and I have NO clue how to lay them out, but here they are! :)</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #212124; font-family: 'Proxima Nova', 'helvetica neue', helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><br />And there you have it, folks! March for the Bee Sewcial bee! Transparency. :)</span>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03791242249964743766noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8948717988935812508.post-43767457320857617562015-05-12T14:57:00.001-06:002015-05-20T00:14:33.661-06:00One Step At A Time: Stop One on C&T's Blog Hop ~ and GIVEAWAY!<h3 class="PostTitle" itemprop="name" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #262626; direction: ltr; font-size: 22px; line-height: 1.25; margin: 14px 0px 6px; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Helloow! And welcome to the first stop on C&T's "The Modern Medallion Workbook Blog Tour!"</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />C&T has just released <a href="http://www.ctpub.com/the-modern-medallion-workbook/">The Modern Medallion Workbook</a>, and I am so so so very happy to have my One Step at a Time quilt be a part of it! </span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_Aq5P_mmGds/VVJc0ireWPI/AAAAAAAAD0M/rz_CikF0DUw/s1600/IMG_6546%2B(crop).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="318" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_Aq5P_mmGds/VVJc0ireWPI/AAAAAAAAD0M/rz_CikF0DUw/s320/IMG_6546%2B(crop).jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When I first found out about this book, medallion quilts were just coming back into vogue, but I admit that I had <i>NO clue</i> what a medallion quilt was! So, if you're like me, wondering what makes a design a medallion, and if it is even possible to make it look modern, here you go! :) Here's <i>my </i>definition: a medallion quilt is one where the center block is a point of interest, maybe a star, maybe a basket of flowers, maybe a swirl of hexagons, and then each border radiating away from the center is different, and unique.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />The novel concept behind THIS book is that it truly is a <i>workbook</i>. If you are making your own modern medallion quilt and like the center block from one quilt, and then like the third border another quilt, but don't like the rest of the borders, just pull it out and incorporate it into <i>your </i>quilt! Easy peasy! You are literally able to resize and redesign any quilt you want by taking bits and pieces from all the quilts and making it your own! I love that idea! :)<br /><br />Or what if you love a design, but don't love the colors the designer used? Well, you are in luck! There are coloring pages at the back of the book (and my oldest daughter is <i>very </i>interested in these!) :)<br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEFnIG57pqpvtwgJZoACTefKnliBbIJx_1xtgViHG7HEM-HFuqkePNJNOUsI1ih0ugt-IvwLd4na2kONl_eK0kqUODcs1ErrCi_C772-NXzfXdU4RaSHeF8lCImdTn_3R14D2Mu8fKwLWE/s640/blogger-image-1910834304.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEFnIG57pqpvtwgJZoACTefKnliBbIJx_1xtgViHG7HEM-HFuqkePNJNOUsI1ih0ugt-IvwLd4na2kONl_eK0kqUODcs1ErrCi_C772-NXzfXdU4RaSHeF8lCImdTn_3R14D2Mu8fKwLWE/s320/blogger-image-1910834304.jpg" width="240" /></a></span> </div>
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<br />And as an added bonus, there are loads of techniques highlighted in here. Pieced curves, applique, paper-piecing...not only can you make beautiful quilts, but you'll become a more talented quilter along the way! Jackpot!<br /><br />It's a great book. It really is. Again, I feel so humbled to be included in a publications with the likes of Latifah Saafir, Becca Bryan, Erica Jackman, and Janice Ryan (our fearless leader), to name just a few! And not only that, but the quilts they designed are really, truly, <i>STUNNING</i>. Stunning. Those ladies have got some real talent! :) <br /><br />So for me, when it came time to design the quilt, I started with a sketch using grays and yellows, but that was too dreary. And I didn't want to be a TOTAL broken record and design ANOTHER rainbow quilt, so I went with a color scheme I think is truly fresh and modern and delightful -- cool greens and blues with a pop of coral. One of my favorite outfits from 8th grade was a navy blue skirt and a kelly green sweater with blue trim. I loved this color combination then, and I love it now!<br /> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA7FQQMtf3H8jtsPfBDv-oyZSi72CCQhlGKkbbjp41ZWIP1MqCAdY63egtBxbBV7np8dVMBOa1SEi5dUN6rhZG_gNsgD_120cvgiYAKUc75GA4Xo82XDTGh-ugyK9uhq-EI9CWcbGpTDwt/s1600/DSC_0993.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA7FQQMtf3H8jtsPfBDv-oyZSi72CCQhlGKkbbjp41ZWIP1MqCAdY63egtBxbBV7np8dVMBOa1SEi5dUN6rhZG_gNsgD_120cvgiYAKUc75GA4Xo82XDTGh-ugyK9uhq-EI9CWcbGpTDwt/s320/DSC_0993.JPG" width="320" /></a> <br />For my medallion, I went with a swirl of hexagons. I do love me some hexagons! I used an invisible thread and my blind hem stitch to applique them to the background fabric.<br /> </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVwsZgGF5tuxscdm1ozKfkwdtMUnHqzoOV5eimC0NtNON4mZP8jSOdLnnAqFV2f3veOKasHfA6qXePDXAI3AmbS0Pj-owz1Bbhe-lZaMIf3HpLzTpjlTBE5uQIRl9lm1FiulMW9pZG00AH/s1600/DSC_0994.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVwsZgGF5tuxscdm1ozKfkwdtMUnHqzoOV5eimC0NtNON4mZP8jSOdLnnAqFV2f3veOKasHfA6qXePDXAI3AmbS0Pj-owz1Bbhe-lZaMIf3HpLzTpjlTBE5uQIRl9lm1FiulMW9pZG00AH/s320/DSC_0994.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> <br /><br /><br />And then, each border is a different method of creating a chevron. There are four unique chevron borders on this quilt, and I think each one would make a lovely quilt!<br /><br />(In fact, the border that started this whole thing is the Palace Steps border, which I designed for this quilt that the Faith Circle of the do.good stitches bee made for Restore Innocence in 2013)<br /><br /> <img alt="Palace Steps ~ finished." height="320" src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5548/11391708796_0003ce8b7e_z.jpg" width="240" /> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />When it came time to quilt it, I wanted to quilt each section/border in a way that was reflective of that border, if I could. And frankly, I kinda made it up as I went along. :) <br /><br />In the center, I quilted a swirl of feathers...if you could call it that? I just wanted to mirror the hexagons, and I like how it turned out!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> <img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-r0EUvL_RKqA/VVJkW77bCDI/AAAAAAAAD1o/Q3xJM8F98Oc/s320/DSC_0984%2B(crop).jpg" width="320" /><br />Then in the first border, I quilted half-flowers in each large triangle space. Maybe I should call it a fan? I don't really know! :)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> <img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzsrRvTkjHt3PG0WCPiYQ3M2jbJHwF3-nsvCXDS8h1ptkGo_55TzL2AgSf_CjYuiHSnCBMp47LK3WMDidVxWgo9XyP1uf7fuFC8HUu7RU7VyrMmjh0FcL9PHH3RmH7luIJ16xVygQA4gQ8/s320/DSC_0985.JPG" width="320" /><br /><br />And the corner treatment:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> <img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsEsLz91vkz0ZaT-l1NJGj_sgh_qRVMZOikuACgQpwOj9-lvzbIG9iXg35x1cO6pp4G3biSzE_osG1GV2fb2px_cR7W2vZ3r2j3W2o0CfRU-Hku_VxBj5VrRCNzmbamtFkvVAj0ImCCZFO/s320/DSC_0991.JPG" width="320" /> <br /><br />In the green quarter-circle border, I quilted what reminds me of a fern frond. There is a "stem" that curves through each "leaf" section, and then blades that are quilted on either side of that stem.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> <img border="0" height="212" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gWqVTt9cdtA/VVJhE8vjtGI/AAAAAAAAD0w/XY0CocwZft0/s320/DSC_0986.JPG" width="320" /> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The third border is quite possibly my favorite because I had a vision, but it was complicated, and then I came up with a method to create the border with a lot less trouble than my original idea! I love it when that happens. Anyway...I quilted it with gentle waves.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> <img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7JPOootXiP0j97H9LWt5UbMcR4F2XCQYgo1QJTq2jjVnMnFY7EYlTfgHggMwEGUNYZfXNjm90pjWESCrAFWNb88_C82LrLedNt3Ed-RnDQ5217CRokMy7M-GFjiOyEyiru4Qb9NQpCgOS/s320/DSC_0987+(copy1).jpg" width="320" /><br />And in the final border, I quilted more waves, but in both directions, as the steps went up and down.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> <img border="0" height="212" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2G7uXD83Hu4/VVJnr0BcUWI/AAAAAAAAD20/8ydEnOOOX0s/s320/DSC_0988%2B(even).jpg" width="320" /><br /><br /><br />And now for the <i>true </i>truth: this was hard for me! Even though I had the design, and had the skills to create the quilt and to write the pattern, this was possibly the hardest thing I have done as a quilter. The perfectionist monster inside of me came out in an ugly manner more than a few times! I don't like that. Maybe if I were to submit another quilt to another book, I would be a little less wound up about it, I don't know, but this was HARD!! :) <br /><br />Don't get me wrong, I am very glad I did it, and Janice was a PHENOMENAL asset to the completion of this book, she was on top of everything, encouraging the authors to get their stuff in on time, and patient as a dove with me in all my insecurities. She is the rock and the glue and the life that made this workbook really come together. (FYI - in case you are wondering why I'm mentioning Janice so much, she and Beth split up the list of contributors so I didn't really hear much from Beth since Janice was my team captain.)<br /><br />This blog hop continues for another 10 days, so please visit the other contributors and read about how <i>their </i>modern medallions took shape!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #424242;"><span style="color: black;">May 13th</span>: </span><span style="color: #76a5af;">Amy Sinibaldi- <a href="http://nanacompany.typepad.com/"><span style="color: #76a5af;">nanaCompany.typepad.com</span></a></span></div>
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May 14th<span style="color: #76a5af;">: <a href="http://sometimescrafter.com/blog" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #76a5af;">Christina Lane- sometimescrafter.com/blog</span></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #424242;"><span style="color: black;">May 18th</span>:</span><a href="http://kitchentablequilting.com/" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #40c1bb;"> </span><span style="color: #76a5af;">Erica Jackman- kitchentablequilting.com</span></a></div>
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May 19th: <a href="http://www.bryanhousequilts.com/" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #76a5af;">Becca Bryan- www.bryanhousequilts.com</span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #424242;"><span style="color: black;">May 20th:</span> </span><a href="http://bloomingpoppies.net/" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #76a5af;">Karen Anderson-Abraham- bloomingpoppies.net/</span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #424242;"><span style="color: black;">May 21st:</span> </span><a href="http://www.latifahsaafirstudios.com/" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #76a5af;">Latifah Saafir- www.latifahsaafirstudios.com</span></a></div>
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May 22nd:<span style="color: #76a5af;"> <span style="color: #76a5af;"><a href="http://verykerryberry.blogspot.co.uk/" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #76a5af;">K</span></a><a href="http://verykerryberry.blogspot.co.uk/" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #76a5af;">erry Green- verykerryberry</span>.<span style="color: #76a5af;">blogspot.c</span></a>o.uk </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #424242;"><span style="color: black;">May 25th:</span> </span><a href="http://www.plumandjune.blogspot.com/" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #76a5af;">Beth- www.plumandjune.blogspot.com</span><span style="color: #40c1bb;"> </span></a><span style="color: #424242;">and</span><a href="http://www.betteroffthread.com/" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #76a5af;"><span style="color: #424242;"> </span>Janice- www.betteroffthread.com</span></a></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>The giveaway is closed. Annmarie from Wisconsin is the winner. :) Thanks for all your lovely comments!</b></span></span><strike><br /> </strike><br />
<strike>Now to the GIVEAWAY!! I personally HATE Rafflecopter, so i'm not going to go that route.</strike><br />
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<strike>C&T has offered to give one copy of the book to one lucky recipient here. If you win, and you live in the US, you will receive a hard copy of the book. If you live outside the US, you'll receive an electronic copy of the book.</strike><br />
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<strike>So...to win, I would like you to leave one comment with what your favorite modern color combination is right now. :) It's that simple! (Giveaway will close at 11:00pm MDT Friday the 15th of May)</s></strike><br />
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<strike>And then, tomorrow, go visit Amy's blog. ;)</strike><br />
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Have a great day!</div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03791242249964743766noreply@blogger.com62tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8948717988935812508.post-59276471048938756132015-01-12T10:30:00.001-07:002015-01-14T21:31:59.317-07:00Awareness.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MwqCZkP6NSc/ULxJiihXsaI/AAAAAAAADRg/mtErtVwwJ7g/s1600/stats.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MwqCZkP6NSc/ULxJiihXsaI/AAAAAAAADRg/mtErtVwwJ7g/s1600/stats.jpg" height="315" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">January is Human Trafficking Awareness month.</span> (those stats are from 2011, but still very accurate)<br />
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As you may know, I've become very aware of human trafficking in the US, specifically Colorado, over the last 2 years through my involvement with <a href="http://www.restoreinnocence.org/">Restore Innocence</a>. Restore Innocence partners with law enforcement agencies and victims assistance units to help girls rescued from modern day slavery (sex slavery) restore their lives, and rebuild them, away from the depravity they have known. I love what they are doing for these girls, specifically, and to bring an end to slavery, globally.<br />
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However, because of the ages of my kids and the general chaos of my life, I can't really donate much time to the organization. But I do what I can. I'm a member of the Faith Circle of the do.good stitches bee, and we make quilts for Restore Innocence, and they give them to girls in their program that have been rescued from sex slavery.<br />
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Here's a picture of the last Faith Circle quilt I finished for Restore Innocence in August. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCAU5KnOQavdduuOjWAq5cYWAKInDE4taKEdDWfZYWs85f_DkiFuPUF5Zb_WCx0PTBZwjmLLtFWehPvDtPCw5vU_BVbN6OT73wYp3a0eUwfpesYcDizzJ6-HlIEkBzdXpBLcq69lNhCKuc/s1600/14678185280_05516bb5e2_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCAU5KnOQavdduuOjWAq5cYWAKInDE4taKEdDWfZYWs85f_DkiFuPUF5Zb_WCx0PTBZwjmLLtFWehPvDtPCw5vU_BVbN6OT73wYp3a0eUwfpesYcDizzJ6-HlIEkBzdXpBLcq69lNhCKuc/s1600/14678185280_05516bb5e2_b.jpg" height="320" width="253" /></a></div>
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Dave and I also give financially to them so they can come along side girls rescued in Colorado, and all over the country. And, possibly most importantly, I use my <i>voice</i>. I post about trafficking on Facebook and Instagram. I have talked about it <a href="http://weshallsew.blogspot.com/2012/12/hope-takes-flight-and-giveaway.html">here</a> and <a href="http://weshallsew.blogspot.com/2012_12_01_archive.html">here</a> and <a href="http://weshallsew.blogspot.com/2013/02/hope-takes-flight-20.html">here</a> in the past.<br />
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Here is an excerpt from the last post I tagged above:<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>It's going on right under your nose. That van in front of you on the highway? Maybe he's driving a few girls to a "date"... The girl in line behind you at the grocery store that won't make eye contact? Maybe she's buying diapers for her baby that was born into this slavery. The billboard advertising a "massage and spa" at the truck stop???<br /> </i></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span style="color: #990000;"><b>THESE ARE LITTLE GIRLS!!!</b></span></i></span></blockquote>
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There are hundreds of people who "listen" to me, and sadly, many of them were unaware that modern slavery is happening in my backyard, and in theirs.</div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>Awareness. </b></span></div>
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Once the veil is lifted, and we begin to really see the depravity that is happening around us, we either retreat and hope <i>someone else </i>does something. ("I don't know what to do, I can't help!"). Or we feel compelled to help in whatever way we can. We volunteer our time, our talents, or our treasures. Like I said, for me, I make quilts and donate money, and talk about it.</div>
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<i>This January, I'm going to be doing two things.</i> First, I'm going to be talking about trafficking more than I have in the past. Here, and on Facebook and on<a href="http://www.instagram.com/weshallsew"> Instagram</a>. Second, for the month of January, I'm going to be hosting a fundraiser for Restore Innocence with <a href="http://melissarichie.jamberrynails.net/party/?uid=ed95205d-cfc0-461f-a0fd-83be0b81647a">Jamberry</a><span id="goog_1786964981"></span><span id="goog_1786964985"></span>.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wAhD-q1qwIk/VLQAX_Sc2fI/AAAAAAAADyc/UZS7f33WTq0/s1600/RI%2BEnd%2BTraff%2B2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wAhD-q1qwIk/VLQAX_Sc2fI/AAAAAAAADyc/UZS7f33WTq0/s1600/RI%2BEnd%2BTraff%2B2.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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As you may or may not know, I've just recently started selling Jamberry nail wraps, and so I'm going to host a fundraiser with 20% of the sales of the party (which is 2/3 of my commission) going to Restore Innocenc so they can make restoration bags to be given to girls at the moment they are rescued.</div>
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The fundraiser party will be mostly held on Facebook, so if you would like to be a part of that party to learn more about Jamberry, play some games, maybe win some free nail wraps, as well as be able to purchase nail wraps or other Jamberry products, then let me know. If I'm not already friends with you on Facebook, let me know how, and I'll find you.</div>
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If you would like to simply place an order, you can do that by going to my website: <a href="http://www.melissarichie.jamberrynails.net/">www.melissarichie.jamberrynails.net</a>, or by clicking <a href="http://melissarichie.jamberrynails.net/party/?uid=ed95205d-cfc0-461f-a0fd-83be0b81647a">THIS LINK</a>, which will take you through to the party directly <i>Just remember to select the Restore Innocence party</i>.</div>
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Or, if you would rather make a simple, tax-deductible donation to <a href="http://www.restoreinnocence.org/">Restore Innocence</a>, you can do that by going to <a href="http://www.restoreinnocence.org/">their website</a>, and scrolling to the bottom to give.<br />
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I don't honestly know that we will see an end to modern day slavery in my lifetime, but I do pray that it will end in my children's lifetime. It needs to end. The way these girls and boys are treated is simply inhumane and wrong. I want to be a part of bringing and end to it, and bringing hope to the ones who are rescued from it.<br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;">If we all <i>do something</i>, then we know an end will come. </span></div>
Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03791242249964743766noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8948717988935812508.post-28546474101865145472014-08-09T00:26:00.000-06:002014-08-09T00:26:42.852-06:00A Whole New World!I'm very excited about my most recent quilt finish. It's been a long time in the making because I was waiting for a few key elements for quilting: 1. Inspiration, and 2. A ruler base for my long arm. ;)<br />
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In late June I had the very unique opportunity to spend the day with Angela Walters and a few other VERY exceptionally talented long armers in Denver. The airlines <i>almost</i> didn't let it happen, but Angela persevered, and made it to Denver, and we just really tried to suck as much information out of Angela's brain as conceivably possible in a 6 hour span of time. ;o)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoZDmIJQ4XUvwsri6vscpHk3q3Dp6fVY-24DP5uaZWp-4pMg2saYLjdpHcGLZ4ptoc52RsPehSwBM4bSplFssojEIERliIOFoWD18H_gJ_V7cLmdz22tjSnddx0gD1RuDavLttA17-rLCT/s1600/IMG_0061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoZDmIJQ4XUvwsri6vscpHk3q3Dp6fVY-24DP5uaZWp-4pMg2saYLjdpHcGLZ4ptoc52RsPehSwBM4bSplFssojEIERliIOFoWD18H_gJ_V7cLmdz22tjSnddx0gD1RuDavLttA17-rLCT/s1600/IMG_0061.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(Susan (front right) made each of us these little placemats, it wasn't part of our class)</i></div>
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One of the take-aways for me (of MANY) was how to use a ruler for
quilting. I have a few quilt tops that are awaiting quilting
inspiration, but I only really have one that was right for using the
ruler base. (It's basically an acrylic add-on, similar to an acrylic
extension table for your domestic sewing machine.)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_k5_GeHFT0r-zBWjl3-JPFEwYaDljr3bAbRChzWR128sv7DB8PM5AN1RrIxfb-KAJ5UeUjt5BjaOFcuu1PNUShpbGFDBzzKUAwCeed7xBhwo_BX69qCTV8MOxwZrOtvUXS3ebFZKmWBV8/s1600/IMG_0054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_k5_GeHFT0r-zBWjl3-JPFEwYaDljr3bAbRChzWR128sv7DB8PM5AN1RrIxfb-KAJ5UeUjt5BjaOFcuu1PNUShpbGFDBzzKUAwCeed7xBhwo_BX69qCTV8MOxwZrOtvUXS3ebFZKmWBV8/s1600/IMG_0054.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<i>(this isn't me practicing with a ruler, obviously, but it's the best picture of me and my BFF, Angela!) </i>;o)<br />
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So after that amazing "mountain top" experience, I seriously debated buying a ruler base for my long arm. It was $100, and I just wasn't sure it would be worth it, you know? I spend SO much money on stuff that I don't need or end up using (Hello, Accuquilt Go cutter!), but I decided to take the plunge on this one.<br />
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The Shape Shifters quilt that the<a href="https://www.flickr.com/groups/faithdogoodstitches/"> {Faith Circle} of the Do. Good Stitches bee </a>made in April was perfect for ruler-guided quilting. The problem? I needed to piece the top!! There were a few blocks that I had to re-make because they were trimmed wrong, but it really is an amazingly easy set of blocks to make. (You can find the tutorial <a href="http://weshallsew.blogspot.com/2014/04/shape-shifters-tutorial.html">HERE</a>) Once I got the top pieced and the backing selected, it was time to get to work! <br />
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And WORK it was!! Man alive. Practicing on Susan's long arm for a few minutes was NOTHING like actually doing the quilting on my own quilt, on my own machine. The first block took for. eh. ver. Forever. Or at least four hours, which felt like forever! <br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="320" mozallowfullscreen="" msallowfullscreen="" oallowfullscreen="" src="https://www.flickr.com/photos/me1issa/14760851996/player/" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="320"></iframe><br />
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But then I figured out how to stream-line the process a bit, and
eventually got to where each block was taking me about 30 minutes. All
in all, though, I believe I spent about 20 hours quilting this quilt.<br />
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Totally worth it, yes, but goodness gracious! My arms ached, my legs ached, my back ached...Ruler-guided quilting is not for the weak, that's for sure! <br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="320" mozallowfullscreen="" msallowfullscreen="" oallowfullscreen="" src="https://www.flickr.com/photos/me1issa/14678185280/in/photostream/player/" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="253"></iframe> <br />
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Now it's bound, and I'm going to put on the label, and take it to <a href="http://www.restoreinnocence.org/">Restore Innocence </a>so they can give it to a girl rescued from sex trafficking. <br />
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Here are a couple of pictures of the secondary design of the blocks, and the quilting in each.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="320" mozallowfullscreen="" msallowfullscreen="" oallowfullscreen="" src="https://www.flickr.com/photos/me1issa/14864557792/in/photostream/player/" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="320"></iframe> <iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="320" mozallowfullscreen="" msallowfullscreen="" oallowfullscreen="" src="https://www.flickr.com/photos/me1issa/14864560792/in/photostream/player/" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="320"></iframe><br />
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And one more glamour shot for good measure. ;o)<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="320" mozallowfullscreen="" msallowfullscreen="" oallowfullscreen="" src="https://www.flickr.com/photos/me1issa/14861794091/in/photostream/player/" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="247"></iframe>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03791242249964743766noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8948717988935812508.post-88777935059132578702014-06-22T16:23:00.001-06:002014-06-22T16:23:43.133-06:00Rolling the Dice with Urban Zoologie and Remix(actually, it's only one. It's a "die", but I didn't like the alternative title.) :o)<br />
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I recently had the opportunity to take <a href="http://www.robertkaufman.com/fabrics/urban_zoologie/AAK-14742-192/">this adorable panel of Urban Zoologie</a> by Kelle Boyd of Ann Kelle for Robert Kaufman, and make it into something fun for a baby gift.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPWQegyLj4tw_QZHbaTqrTw-1QBaX3ClXgl8xnSJiXRT-Arw8w_k5djjEEem4evqXGGpR3AqcXKJ9adRDflf_XIor1ds7geXoj-jLbIUg6L-aqfpl92PnqdSEsaMna6mErnPABqib5HZQ_/s1600/UZ+pane;.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPWQegyLj4tw_QZHbaTqrTw-1QBaX3ClXgl8xnSJiXRT-Arw8w_k5djjEEem4evqXGGpR3AqcXKJ9adRDflf_XIor1ds7geXoj-jLbIUg6L-aqfpl92PnqdSEsaMna6mErnPABqib5HZQ_/s1600/UZ+pane;.jpg" height="174" width="320" /></a></div>
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When I first saw the panel, I immediately saw a giant stuffed die (dice...why are plurals so difficult?!) I wasn't entirely sure how to make it, but I knew I could figure it out. After a brief consultation with Pinterest, I confirmed my suspicions, and got to work! (I started with <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/londonmummy/sets/72157604381990885/">this tutorial</a> by London Mummy, if you want to follow her great instructions!)<br />
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I don't think I had to, but I chose to back the panel with interfacing (SF101) to give the fabric a bit more stability. I added a ribbon handle to the side, and thought it would be fun to include a little bell. :o) <br />
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All of my kids love this die. It's just FUN! :o)<br />
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Since I couldn't make a baby gift without making burp cloths and a receiving blanket, I used some YUMMY Robert Kaufman flannel to round out the gift. If you've never used it, you need to. It feels soooo soft and fluffly and strong compared to other flannels I've used! (Note: I always prewash flannel, and I used a 1/2" seam allowance)<br />
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I know a number of people like to use prefolded Gerber cloth diapers to make burp cloths, and I admit I've made my fair share of those, but I've recently started making my own entirely out of flannel. And I will. NEVER. Go. Back. <br />
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I'm not sure I save that much money doing it this way, but I really do love how dreamy these burp cloths are.<br />
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I used white flannel for the base, but could easily have used any other color, and made these the same size as the Gerber diapers. And I know no one will be surprised to know that I used some of Ann Kelle's Remix rainbow chevron for the accent and the receiving blanket. <br />
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(this is just such a happy sight!)<br />
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These are just so soft! And the receiving blanket? Even softer. Not that I want another baby, because I DON'T, but I'd be willing to <i>hold </i>a baby swaddled in this. Mama ain't got no chance for the baby blues with her baby swaddled in this! :o)<br />
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All in all, this was a great challenge (not really a challenge, mind you!), and I had fun using Kelle's Urban Zoologie panel and Remix flannels. Love them BOTH!! Thank you to both Kelle Boyd and Robert Kaufman for the fabric and the chance to make something new and different. :o) Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03791242249964743766noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8948717988935812508.post-8121802993212538622014-06-18T14:22:00.000-06:002014-06-18T14:46:02.536-06:00{WiP} Wednesday ~ 24/56<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I haven't sewn much lately. My family and I just got back from an epic 12-day, 3000 mile road trip in an RV. Yes, it was as exhausting and crazy as you are thinking. It was also as good as you are thinking. :o)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">And while it was (technically) possible to have a sewing machine in the RV, it wasn't really possible to sew while in motion, with 3 small children and their constant needs. And their constant motion. And their constant talking. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Thankfully, I was able to work on my<a href="http://www.schnitzelandboo.com/2014/05/mini-quilt-swap-is-under-way.html"> Schnitzel and Boo swap mini</a> at my in-laws' house. I didn't do much, but I did attach the Dresden blades to the background for my partner. Then I hand-stitched them down on the drive home. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />I don't think it will be that big, though I do want it to be off-set. Here's a picture of just the Dresden plate.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Now my question to you is, how should I quilt it? What do you think? What would you love if this was given to you?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I'm linking up with<a href="http://www.freshlypieced.com/2014/06/wip-wednesday-central-block-done.html"> Lee of Freshly Pieced for her regular WiP Wednesday party</a>. :o)</span></span></div>
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<a href="http://freshlypieced.blogspot.com/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="WIP Wednesday at Freshly Pieced" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1109/5159705972_49be14a673_m.jpg" height="100" width="100" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;">And<a href="http://sewfreshquilts.blogspot.com/2014/06/lets-bee-social-25.html"> Let's Bee Social at Sew Fresh Quilts</a> :o)</span></span></span><br />
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Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03791242249964743766noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8948717988935812508.post-80186356445736995932014-05-28T22:44:00.002-06:002014-05-28T22:44:59.557-06:00{WiP} Wednesday ~ The May Edition<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Do you feel like this time of year is just WAY out of control? I do. And I purposely let a lot of things slide just so that I can stay on top of the things that are mandatory!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">We have 2 birthdays in May, the end of the school year for the girls, and the end of the school year for Dave (an instructor), there are always a couple of formal(ish) dinners we have to attend... it's just too much! Here's one: We had a formal (called a "dining out" in the military) on the same night - at the same time! - as our daughter's art show at school. So, since it was her first gallery opening, we decided to dress accordingly... ;o) </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">And we had one girlie girl turn 4, and had a very busy day, but it ended with a big ol' bucket of modern pop beads, and she was happy. :o)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> And the other turned 6, choosing to go to HuHot Mongolian Grill for her birthday.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">We had a small combined party at Build-A-Bear for the girls and some friends, which was fun, and not at all crazy! :o) Then we took the party upstairs to a new restaurant in the mall called PB and Jellies. The girls each got to make their own jar of peanut butter (with fun add-ins, of course!), and enjoy a PB&J kids meal (or grilled cheese, but WHY?) </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Crazy as things are, I'm still trying to sew when I can. I decided to not try to sew something for the girls' teachers this year because it would just take too much time and too many brain cells! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I finished this graduation gift for Dave's cousin. T-shirt quilts aren't that hard to do! I know I was intimidated for a while, and then once I realized I was armed with all the right supplies, and could handle it, I did fine! There are probably a ton of tutorials out there, but if anyone is interested in how I did it, let me know and I'll do a simple how-to. I also made a pillow out of a sweatshirt that was too large for the quilt, so that'll be fun to have on her college bed. :o)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">And I have <i>finally finished </i>some AMH feather blocks for my Bee Happy bee, and I'm wishing I had foundation paper pieced them. There is just SOOO much fabric waste! (Which equals time waste, in my book!)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">As for my WiPs, there are many. :-/. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I need to finish quilting my Colorado MQG challenge quilt and get it bound soon. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I have to make my do.good stitches blocks for the Faith Circle for May. And...I have a couple of fun baby things to make!! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Oh, time. Not on my side. :o)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I'm linking up with <a href="http://www.freshlypieced.com/2014/05/wip-wednesday-sewing-for-me.html">Lee at Freshly Pieced for WiP Wednesday.</a> :o) Hope you have a great week!</span></div>
Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03791242249964743766noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8948717988935812508.post-25552846711762228202014-05-13T12:44:00.002-06:002014-05-16T21:43:03.044-06:00It's Giveaway Time at Sew Mama Sew!Hi there, and if this is your first visit, welcome! <br />
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My name is Melissa, and I live in Colorado with my husband and 3 young children. They are all very wonderful, and I am so very blessed to be able to stay home with them! I sew and craft when I can, which isn't as often as I would like, but I do my best. :o)
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This week I'll be giving away a few of my favorite things: a <a href="http://www.joann.com/pentel-fabric-gel-roller-pens-black/13410014.html?mkwid=q41MBd1N|dc&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=&utm_campaign=Product+-+PLA&002=2365735&004=13592507403&005=67928458803&006=36924610923&007=Search&008=&025=c&026=&gclid=COeNyfDGqb4CFYlFMgodeEEAGQ">Pentel Fabric Gel Roller</a> (which is awesome for labeling your quilts), one of<a href="http://www.purpledaisiesllc.com/Fine_Tip_Set_for_Basting_Glue_p/69.htm"> Cristy's glue tips</a> for glue basting (I glue baste EVERYTHING!), a new bottle of Elmer's washable glue (don't pay for the expensive stuff when this works just as well!), a 2-pack of sewing-themed washi tape (so cute!), my<a href="http://www.craftsy.com/pattern/quilting/other/love-letters--a-mod-alphabet-quilt/93877"> latest pattern! (Love Letters</a>), and a set of 2 1/2" x 15" strips to complete the alphabet (26 strips from the Kona Solids <a href="http://www.robertkaufman.com/pre-cut/_66/">New Brights palette</a>). And I'll tuck them all into a sweet little Kona Solids tote by Robert Kaufman.<br />
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Oh, yeah! There's a bonus "I love Kona" tattoo! :o)<br /><br />Comments are now closed. The winner is Comment 50 -- <a href="http://lethargiclass.blogspot.com/">Lethargic Lass!</a> (I'm emailing you now...)<br />
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<strike>Wanna win it? Just leave a comment below with your favorite encouragement for moms. I am blessed to stay home with my kids, but I admit to getting discouraged from time to time. (Just keeping it real!) So tell me what you like to say - or hear - as a pick-me-up. :o) </strike><br />
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<strike>(And <u><i>please</i></u> make sure you aren't a no-reply blogger! I can't <i>reply</i> to you and tell you you're a winner! That would be sad...) (If you aren't sure, then put your email address in your comment.)</strike><br />
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<strike>Good luck with this giveaway, and all the others you are entering. I hope you come back and visit sometime! :o)</strike><br />
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<strike>Here's the link back to the <a href="http://www.sewmamasew.com/2014/05/giveaway-day-supplies-fabric-patterns-etc/">Sew Mama Sew Giveaway page</a>. Go back there and comment on more posts! :o)</strike><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>*This giveaway will close at midnight MDT on Friday, May 16th, and I will randomly choose a winner and notify you by May 18th.* Again, make sure you aren't a no-reply blogger!</i></span>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03791242249964743766noreply@blogger.com164tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8948717988935812508.post-27981707089081518782014-04-28T23:32:00.000-06:002014-04-30T22:21:12.328-06:00Strip-Easy: Quilt Challenge ~ a future WiP. :o)I need another project like I need a hole in my head, but<a href="http://www.piecedbrain.com/2014/04/strip-easy-quilt-challenge.html"> Denise at Pieced Brain</a> liked<a href="http://weshallsew.blogspot.com/2014/04/shape-shifters-tutorial.html"> this Shape Shifter </a>block, and suggested I look at her upcoming<a href="http://www.piecedbrain.com/2014/04/strip-easy-quilt-challenge.html"> Strip Challenge.</a><br />
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She's calling it Strip-Easy (like "strip tease", but different) (except I'll be <i>teasing</i> you with my design until the big reveal...) ;) and the idea is to use up the 2 1/2" strips that you <i>already have</i>. No cutting open a new jelly roll, no cutting fabric, unless it's for sashing or background.
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="320" mozallowfullscreen="" msallowfullscreen="" oallowfullscreen="" src="https://www.flickr.com/photos/me1issa/14056395291/player/" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="240"></iframe><br />
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So, in reality, my <a href="http://weshallsew.blogspot.com/2014/04/shape-shifters-tutorial.html">Shape Shifter blocks</a> won't work since I don't have a pile of those strips, but I <i>do</i> have a pile of leftovers from the roll-up of Kona solids from my <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/184318340/love-letters-mod-alphabet-quilt-pattern">Love Letters quilt.</a><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="320" mozallowfullscreen="" msallowfullscreen="" oallowfullscreen="" src="https://www.flickr.com/photos/me1issa/13983177985/in/photostream/player/" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="320"></iframe><br />
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I'm not sure if I'm going to make a baby quilt with some of the letters, or if I'm going to make a special quilt that my little girlie requested...both would be awesome, I just need to decide. :o)<br />
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But, again. I need another project like I need a hole in my head! :o(<br />
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If you want to participate in the <a href="http://www.piecedbrain.com/2014/04/strip-easy-quilt-challenge.html">Strip Easy Quilt Challenge</a>, go to <a href="http://www.piecedbrain.com/2014/04/strip-easy-quilt-challenge.html">Pieced Brain's blog</a>, and check it out! There will be some fabulous prizes for the winner!<br />
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Other than that, I'm still working on the t-shirt quilt, but I'm waiting on some flannel for the border and backing. So far, so good, though! :o)<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="500" mozallowfullscreen="" msallowfullscreen="" oallowfullscreen="" src="https://www.flickr.com/photos/me1issa/14060656801/player/" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="332"></iframe><br />
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Then my Colorado MQG Challenge quilt needs to get to the top of the list. I've got a very short amount of time to complete this, and I have to do it because this all-guild challenge was my dumb idea! <br />
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Then there's the matter of <i>quilting </i>everything I have touched since January...(sigh)<br />
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I hope you're all having a great week!<br /><br />(I'm linking up with<a href="http://www.freshlypieced.com/2014/04/hey-i-sewed-things-this-week.html"> Lee of Freshly Pieced for her {WiP}Wednesday post)</a>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03791242249964743766noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8948717988935812508.post-40440341645968905652014-04-23T10:51:00.000-06:002014-04-23T14:22:17.714-06:00{WiP} Wednesday ~ And a PATTERN!!So many WiPs! :o)<br />
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Oh, so many. <br />
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My first is very exciting. I finally finished and listed <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/184318340/love-letters-mod-alphabet-quilt-pattern?ref=shop_home_active_1">this pattern for sale on Etsy</a>! And it's <a href="http://www.craftsy.com/pattern/quilting/other/love-letters--a-mod-alphabet-quilt/93877">for sale on Craftsy</a>, too! :)<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="300" mozallowfullscreen="" msallowfullscreen="" oallowfullscreen="" src="https://www.flickr.com/photos/me1issa/13983177985/in/photostream/player/" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="300"></iframe><br />
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It's called Love Letters, and it's a<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/184318340/love-letters-mod-alphabet-quilt-pattern"> pattern for all 26 letters</a> (plus a heart), and each letter is made from squares and <i>pieced quarter circles!</i> Oh, be still my beating heart! :o)<br />
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Here's a close-up of the P:<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="250" mozallowfullscreen="" msallowfullscreen="" oallowfullscreen="" src="https://www.flickr.com/photos/me1issa/13979960212/in/set-72157644290941533/player/" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="250"></iframe><br />
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I was inspired by the cover of the ESPN Magazine when Le Bron James was on the cover. See, inspiration is everywhere! ;o) My hope is that people will use the letters and make personalized quilts. That's expected, right? <br />
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I give instructions in the pattern for how to piece quarter circles, but there are loads of tutorials online. I don't use pins<i> or glue</i>. Shocking, I know. ;o) I just found that the glue made it too difficult, and I found it took a lot more time<i> </i>to use pins, but <i>did not improve accuracy.</i> Seriously! <br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="320" mozallowfullscreen="" msallowfullscreen="" oallowfullscreen="" src="https://www.flickr.com/photos/me1issa/13960931106/player/" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="240"></iframe><br />
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Here's my sweet girl playing on the quilt top...which is why this is still a WiP, and not a finish! I'm stumped on how to quilt it!! <br />
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(Plus I have 3 other quilt tops that need quilting...shame on me!)<br />
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Here's my other gotta-finish-soon WiP -- a t-shirt quilt for Dave's cousin as she graduates from high school.<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="300" mozallowfullscreen="" msallowfullscreen="" oallowfullscreen="" src="https://www.flickr.com/photos/me1issa/14003164793/player/" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="300"></iframe><br />
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It's actually a really good project for me right now. I feel like I've only done <i>stressful sewing</i> for so long -- two patterns and quilts for Robert Kaufman at Christmas, a super secret project I can't tell anyone about, and now the alphabet quilt. Sometimes you just need to SEW!!!! I'm not usually a fan of mindless sewing for the sake of finishing another mindless quilt (I like meaning behind my quilts. And patterns.), but it just feels good to sew simple lines and make a simple (yet, meaningful...) quilt. :o) <br />
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I just hope the purple sashing isn't a mistake! <br />
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Lots of other stuff on the near horizon. Hopefully I can finish this and start my next must-do-now project and show you some progress next week! <br />
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I hope you have a wonderful, and crafty, week!<br />
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Linking up with <a href="http://www.freshlypieced.com/2014/04/wip-wednesday-crazy-good.html">Lee of Freshly Pieced for WiP Wednesday.</a> :)Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03791242249964743766noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8948717988935812508.post-3880166781826449082014-04-01T15:13:00.000-06:002014-04-01T15:13:31.087-06:00Shape Shifters ~ A Tutorial<div style="text-align: center;">
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Have you ever come across a quilt block and thought, "Man! I wish I had thought of that!" <br />
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Well that happened to me last week when I saw blocks that my friend, Liberty, is making for a charity bee. I knew my turn with the {Faith Circle} of the Do. Good Stitches bee was coming up, and I needed something quick and easy. (I'm all about quick and easy for these quilts. We give our quilts to <a href="http://www.restoreinnocence.org/">Restore Innocence</a>, and these girls wouldn't know a Swoon block from a butcher block, so as long as it's beautiful, why complicate it, right?)<br />
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Anyway, Liberty pointed me to <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L5Ixvjje310">this tutorial</a>, and I started to play. Man, I wish I had thought of that! So, giving credit where credit is due, there are <a href="http://www.3dudesquilting.com/">3 Dudes</a> in Arizona that came up with this method of making a quilt block. I, however, tweaked it a smidge to make my vision come to fruition. :o)<br />
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After playing around with color options, I decided to go fresh and nautical with a yellow, white, navy combination. Delicious! Since yellows are tricky to match, to say the least, I decided to send half of the yellow that all of my bee mates will need, and they can match the other half from their stash. Hopefully that will allow for some cohesion among the scrappiness of the quilt. <br />
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You will not believe how utterly simple this is. Prepare to be shocked. :o)<br />
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<i>Note: This tutorial is for each member of the Faith Circle to create 8 blocks for April's quilt, not for the entire quilt</i>. :o)<br />
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<u>Fabric Requirements</u> (for 8 blocks) <br />
<ul>
<li>1 strip mid-to-dark blue (<i>but not navy</i>!) 2 1/2" by WOF</li>
<li>2 strips Kona White (mailed to you with the yellow) 2 1/2" by WOF</li>
<li>2 strips yellow (please use the yellow I'm mailing to you as a guide, please choose a warm yellow (no green tones) 2 1/2" by WOF </li>
</ul>
<u>Sewing Instructions</u><br />
<ol>
<li>Sew the strips together along the long edge as follows: yellow to white to blue to white to yellow. Use a scant 1/4" seam, and try to sew the strips so that they don't warp or bow.</li>
<li>Press the seams to the darker fabrics</li>
<li>Square off the left side of the strip set, then measure 10 1/2" over, and cut perpendicular to your seams to make a 10 1/2" square. Repeat 3 more times to make 4 squares.</li>
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4. Rotate two of the squares so the stripes are vertical, leaving two with horizontal stripes (as above)</div>
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5. Place the vertical blocks on top of the horizontal blocks, and secure around all four sides using pins</div>
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or glue. You know how I feel about my glue basting! :o)</div>
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6. Sew around all 4 sides using a scant 1/4" seam, as seen below.</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="367" mozallowfullscreen="" msallowfullscreen="" oallowfullscreen="" src="https://www.flickr.com/photos/me1issa/13555796573/in/photostream/player/" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="500"></iframe></div>
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7. Take your two sewn-on-all-sides blocks to the cutting mat and get a long ruler and your rotary<br />
cutter.<br />
8. Placing the ruler <i>across the diagonal</i> from one corner to the opposite corner, cut through both <br />
layers.</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="257" mozallowfullscreen="" msallowfullscreen="" oallowfullscreen="" src="https://www.flickr.com/photos/me1issa/13555748065/in/photostream/player/" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="500"></iframe></div>
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9. Rotate your ruler to the opposite set of corners, and cut across the <i>other diagonal</i> from corner to <br />
corner again. Open up the cuts and find beautiful, triangular blocks! Voila!<br />
10. Press the seams to the yellow (center strip), and you are finished!<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="287" mozallowfullscreen="" msallowfullscreen="" oallowfullscreen="" src="https://www.flickr.com/photos/me1issa/13566120483/in/photostream/player/" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="500"></iframe><br /></div>
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<i>I see you!</i></div>
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Thank you, Faith Circle, for always being willing to make beautiful quilts for the girls rescued from human trafficking and supported by <a href="http://www.restoreinnocence.org/">Restore Innocence</a>.<br />
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Again, this method was devised by the guys in Arizona, I just played with the colors so it would look like eyeballs...just kidding. :o) If you have any questions, please feel free to ask! And if you make a quilt using this technique, let me know! Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03791242249964743766noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8948717988935812508.post-89761160193363231502014-03-19T00:04:00.002-06:002014-03-19T00:04:27.885-06:00{WiP} Wednesday - Week 12I've got something pretty up my sleeve! It's for that new pattern I mentioned last week, and involves the New Brights collection of solids from Robert Kaufman, although I'm not using all of them.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/me1issa/13245223084/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Kona Love❤️ by ~Me1issa, on Flickr"><img alt="Kona Love❤️" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7425/13245223084_9bf841f964.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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My sweet little 3 year old saw the rejects hanging on the design wall and said "Mommy, I love your quilt xylophone!" So...I guess I know what I'll be making when this is finished! (I especially love how she called it a <i>quilt xylophone</i> - it's just so like that sweet little girl of mine to transpose her words. :o) )<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/me1issa/13245204404/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Kona Love❤️ by ~Me1issa, on Flickr"><img alt="Kona Love❤️" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7128/13245204404_2a4789ce0b.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVRvPJ-EXqbff9Ikk6ugeVak8pHe5B1JBPnlqN9O0Zs_k1NGmXZhA0l-xB2baN53nEZW7VfUIdQ0JjZJ5InVk8EJQalyffajyTuUUh4ZWkHXbOMtD4xfEPiv4VD6FflPAl5tQaO0paprX1/s640/blogger-image-319646338.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
And I've been working on another secretive quilt project, that I'll show you in about 4 months...maybe...if I remember...but here's a snippet:<br />
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<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xTihA_crYFw/Uyhmg0G7VvI/AAAAAAAADpw/zrCt9OLAi4A/s640/blogger-image-2057419797.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" height="320" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xTihA_crYFw/Uyhmg0G7VvI/AAAAAAAADpw/zrCt9OLAi4A/s320/blogger-image-2057419797.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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My 5 year old wasn't pleased that I made 2 zippy pouches for our guild swap, and didn't make one for her. (She also didn't like either of the ones I received in return -- more for me!), so she chose these fabrics for me to make a pouch for her (WHEN, child, WHEN do you think I have time for this?????) But I love this color combination! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr9-mtNlLWH6oay4zKHdfcyLV_5rjsXCG-NK8E5PJzbxwxOfzZzHSq8dcl3MSZRvYFvlTsw1Ne0wmG-Gjs7soOqVjVElSLF-pup0vHri_EL_ngZP4f73tb86Fh98YbJl9k7BHIsH0xfDg5/s640/blogger-image-71853046.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr9-mtNlLWH6oay4zKHdfcyLV_5rjsXCG-NK8E5PJzbxwxOfzZzHSq8dcl3MSZRvYFvlTsw1Ne0wmG-Gjs7soOqVjVElSLF-pup0vHri_EL_ngZP4f73tb86Fh98YbJl9k7BHIsH0xfDg5/s640/blogger-image-71853046.jpg" /></a></div>
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Have I mentioned that our guild is participating in an all-Colorado Modern Quilt Guild challenge? Everyone who is participating received 4 fat quarters of Free Spirit Solids in colors that represent Colorado, and we are to make a modern quilt that is inspired by Colorado. (except two of the colors aren't right in this picture, sorry!)<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/me1issa/10374725543/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Colorful Colorado MQG Challenge fabrics by ~Me1issa, on
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fabrics" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3698/10374725543_e2844ac941_n.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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Well, I've had at least 5 ideas, but I am VERY VERY VERY excited about the one that I had Sunday while driving to church. It is inspired by Colorado, and Denyse Schmidt, and Latifah Saafir, and QuiltCon, and my heritage...OH, I can't wait to get that started!!!! However, comma, I must finish the first thing I mentioned...and then the fourth thing I mentioned...and maybe then the second thing I mentioned if I can do it quickly...<br />
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I hope you are having a great, and crafty, and productive week!<br />
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(<a href="http://www.freshlypieced.com/2014/03/wip-wednesday-stacking-cutting-stitching.html">linking up with Lee at Freshly Pieced</a>)<br />
<br />Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03791242249964743766noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8948717988935812508.post-65707386056129974402014-03-13T07:38:00.001-06:002014-03-13T07:38:47.647-06:00{WiP} Thursday ~ Week 11<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtONIfkLy4aEYcVeIispeA8mz3HV0VrnQ8Xe7v3tA5LSjw9A2JQlY5Pj-EEKVN9eIc8n1akPoOewoXkVIrW8U2OOq9acFb8oAspQOfMGFkBBN7TikRcFs8346Ml4bFEYjoICXuA7yGXsRF/s640/blogger-image-1691965536.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtONIfkLy4aEYcVeIispeA8mz3HV0VrnQ8Xe7v3tA5LSjw9A2JQlY5Pj-EEKVN9eIc8n1akPoOewoXkVIrW8U2OOq9acFb8oAspQOfMGFkBBN7TikRcFs8346Ml4bFEYjoICXuA7yGXsRF/s640/blogger-image-1691965536.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BbnaHloru4A/UxedliuV8nI/AAAAAAAADoI/xF8LFe6HU78/s640/blogger-image--1873160299.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
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I hope you've had a great week. The weeks always go by super fast for me! </div>
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(almost two weeks ago, now!) Last Friday I gave a lecture/trunk show on modern quilting to a local traditional guild, and I think it was well received. (At least the people who came up to me afterwards were nice!)</div>
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Here I am showing off the awesome mini quilt <a href="http://www.dontcallmebetsy.com/2013/11/hello-showstopper.html">Elizabeth Dackson of Don't Call Me Betsy</a> made for me in a swap. (I won the jackpot, didn't I?) She turned it into a <a href="http://dontcallmebetsy.bigcartel.com/product/showstopper-quilt-block-pdf-pattern">pattern </a>if you want to make one for yourself. :o)</div>
<img border="0" height="284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAiD8IanN3AZeGMr1fhxBM_11Ak4JTtLb-YI4zwArD0kdREnleI4l1xjtIwZmww7Secjyng1xyjhmPU8bJK8-1zLEV4j8hdw5jXTOicCveqSg2tyfRVwZdWGS71oAdmDJKwTHlgDsn-hfA/s320/blogger-image--610295874.jpg" width="320" /><br />
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Here's the hexie quilt I made during <a href="http://weshallsew.blogspot.com/2013/08/hexie-queen-blog-hop.html">Madame Samm's Hexie Queen blog hop</a> last fall, and I'm donating it to <a href="http://instagram.com/craftersforcourage#">Crafters For Courage</a> so they can auction it off and raise money to build another <a href="http://courageworldwide.org/">Courage House for girls</a> rescued from sex trafficking. I recently read that approximately 1% of the people rescued from sex trafficking have a safe place to go, so they often find their way back into the traps of the pimps. (We all need to do more to end modern slavery.)</div>
<img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BbnaHloru4A/UxedliuV8nI/AAAAAAAADoI/xF8LFe6HU78/s640/blogger-image--1873160299.jpg" /><br />
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And this is the longest (and largest!) WiP, my Mod Mosaic bee quilt. The Mod Mosaic bee started 2 years ago, if that gives you any idea. :-). It's a king-sized quilt, and all that's left is the binding. Unfortunately, I didn't think about Susie's Magic Binding technique before I started binding this. :-/ But it's for ME, so it can sit. :o)</div>
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtONIfkLy4aEYcVeIispeA8mz3HV0VrnQ8Xe7v3tA5LSjw9A2JQlY5Pj-EEKVN9eIc8n1akPoOewoXkVIrW8U2OOq9acFb8oAspQOfMGFkBBN7TikRcFs8346Ml4bFEYjoICXuA7yGXsRF/s640/blogger-image-1691965536.jpg" /><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
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My newest WiP is this improv beauty of solids. I am totally crushing on it! Here is a bit of one of the sections:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNv1IxIn9JTEG6bFgUJRiJ6a0hraN-muKO-8vmHLAj_YKI631ESnvoXC67U0lA5s0CmSa6KgxykKPasdvbPKnNEsOK5_d5xwSu4Nv9kQ0CYs99cPPxrwg-fHyj7w4exVMALROTO7h552iO/s640/blogger-image--934926456.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNv1IxIn9JTEG6bFgUJRiJ6a0hraN-muKO-8vmHLAj_YKI631ESnvoXC67U0lA5s0CmSa6KgxykKPasdvbPKnNEsOK5_d5xwSu4Nv9kQ0CYs99cPPxrwg-fHyj7w4exVMALROTO7h552iO/s640/blogger-image--934926456.jpg" /></a></div>
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And here is a picture of the whole thing. I hope to get it quilted in the next week.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IseTn1T1Sag/UyGzMTAyMpI/AAAAAAAADow/N9dDQq2Ov-Q/s1600/JGering+Back.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IseTn1T1Sag/UyGzMTAyMpI/AAAAAAAADow/N9dDQq2Ov-Q/s1600/JGering+Back.jpg" height="320" width="243" /></a></div>
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And something I've been wanting for over a year? The<a href="http://www.craftsy.com/pattern/sewing/accessory/sew-together-bag/36309"> Sew Together bag </a>by Michelle of Sew Demented! It took me a full week (because I kept making stupid mistakes), but I love it! And, yes. In case you are wondering, I am planning another one. Hopefully it won't take me another year! :o)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwWS3JgR7_Gy68kByIh_ArDZXPoXe_xTGvpJRAyWiRjrP0XNDyyOzEFcCPqoxN2Y76ZN8e9XS7MC2Q9M8W6MtPu6KuIE8aZd6FR3GAzC8iPJBgY_yBUyYlfMmC36vprU1kdxCivJNpWk97/s1600/blogger-image-1611773827.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwWS3JgR7_Gy68kByIh_ArDZXPoXe_xTGvpJRAyWiRjrP0XNDyyOzEFcCPqoxN2Y76ZN8e9XS7MC2Q9M8W6MtPu6KuIE8aZd6FR3GAzC8iPJBgY_yBUyYlfMmC36vprU1kdxCivJNpWk97/s320/blogger-image-1611773827.jpg" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light',HelveticaNeue-Light,helvetica,arial,sans-serif;" width="240" /></a><br />
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Here's the outside. I guess I've been in a gray mood lately! Everything I've done lately, including a super new pattern I'm working on, is gray! No worries, though. Rainbow is still my favorite color, and I'll get back to that really soon. :o)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiINU7bod7dNKcix6kfF58UTx6jrhlAmnQ4mxQmtmCWbY_ntd_NVsnZQaIQWOKzYn_aFp68L-UHWH371Wm9_9RKE17wXCsXYLwdKFucCV328K1hSgt3GegVtMnbhydEQXdeJJXB7wDOMbxn/s1600/Sew+Together+Bag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiINU7bod7dNKcix6kfF58UTx6jrhlAmnQ4mxQmtmCWbY_ntd_NVsnZQaIQWOKzYn_aFp68L-UHWH371Wm9_9RKE17wXCsXYLwdKFucCV328K1hSgt3GegVtMnbhydEQXdeJJXB7wDOMbxn/s1600/Sew+Together+Bag.jpg" height="320" width="240" /> </a></div>
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And, finally, a super cute dumpling pouch and key fob for our <a href="http://www.frontrangemodernquiltguild.webs.com/">Front Range MQG</a> pouch swap on Saturday.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQxnigR-WrsLQEbm6rRxzwZMjuRgHmaPoOg4F7YXvLyoTiCFiTDd_sXWcNkzrNVSA9svSe6qUKnZIYRIRumjE962kIXy8jrYhj317YHxbbbJlKQPNy2OV8H1fZzNkPaPbPapnLwkSlwUSb/s1600/FRMQG+Pouch+Swap+2014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQxnigR-WrsLQEbm6rRxzwZMjuRgHmaPoOg4F7YXvLyoTiCFiTDd_sXWcNkzrNVSA9svSe6qUKnZIYRIRumjE962kIXy8jrYhj317YHxbbbJlKQPNy2OV8H1fZzNkPaPbPapnLwkSlwUSb/s1600/FRMQG+Pouch+Swap+2014.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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That'll probably be it for things I can show for a while. I've got to get my nose to the grindstone and sew up the new pattern (very exciting and daunting and nerve-wracking and oh-I-hope-this-turns-out-like-in-my-head stressing!)<br />
<br />I hope you all have a wonderful week! I'm planning to post a giveaway -- soon? -- just need to get myself together!<br /><br />Blessings,<br />~Melissa<br />
<br />Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03791242249964743766noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8948717988935812508.post-70339169830104087232014-02-26T10:20:00.000-07:002014-02-26T10:33:02.260-07:00{WiP} Wednesday - Week 9Man, I've missed linking up with Lee for <a href="http://www.freshlypieced.com/2014/02/wip-wednesday-semi-wordless.html">{WiP}Wednesdays</a>! It always kept me on track, keeping WiPs in my face, <i>and </i>keeping me blogging! <br />
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Well, I had a little quilty heart-break last fall, and I didn't feel like blogging much. :-( No big deal, not even really worth talking about, but I've sure missed blogging!<br />
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I've been <i>very</i> busy, though! Very. :o) <br />
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I made my Hope Takes Flight quilt two more times, and <a href="http://www.robertkaufman.com/quilting/quilts_patterns/hope_takes_flight/">Robert Kaufman</a> now has the pattern on their website for free.<br />
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Here is the one made from a Kona Classics charm pack (<a href="http://www.robertkaufman.com/quilting/quilts_patterns/hope_takes_flight/">and the pattern HERE</a>)<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/me1issa/12751481854/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Hope Takes Flight ~ Kona Charm Pack by ~Me1issa, on Flickr"><img alt="Hope Takes Flight ~ Kona Charm Pack" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7373/12751481854_7127fd886b_m.jpg" height="240" width="159" /></a></div>
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And here's the batik version (and <a href="http://www.robertkaufman.com/quilting/quilts_patterns/hope_takes_flight_2/">pattern HERE</a>) <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/me1issa/12751061265/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="HopeTakesFlight ~ Geoscapes Batik by ~Me1issa, on Flickr"><img alt="HopeTakesFlight ~ Geoscapes Batik" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7352/12751061265_32c70ec3e1_m.jpg" height="240" width="187" /></a></div>
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Not too shabby for batiks, eh? Research has shown that a good number of people enjoy making modern quilts with batiks, and Robert Kaufman wanted to show a pattern that uses both. I'm so thankful they wanted my butterfly pattern for that! :o)<br />
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And I did another top secret quilt that I will show you someday. :o) But now that those three major projects are finished, I'm back to sewing for FUN! :o)<br />
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Like this. I'm not really a fan of stick-you-hand-in-a-bag improv piecing (my brain can't handle all that chaos!), but I do love no-expectations-no-plan improv piecing. :o) I started sewing strips together, thought the orange strip was too thick, so I cut it down the middle, and sewed the pieces together on opposite sides. Then I decided the whole thing was too wide, so I cut a piece off the left and flipped it. Loved that, so I did it on the right. I really <i>love</i> the way your eye moves across the block, and I love how this is coming together! It's going to be the back of a special baby quilt.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/me1issa/12795369334/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="No-plan Improv by ~Me1issa, on Flickr"><img alt="No-plan Improv" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7382/12795369334_ebc68a7b4a_m.jpg" height="240" width="180" /></a></div>
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The<a href="http://www.frontrangemodernquiltguild.webs.com/"> Front Range MQG</a> retreat is this weekend, and I've decided that I'm only going to work on things for ME. No charity blocks, no bee blocks, no gifts. Only things for me (and maybe my children), because I very rarely sew things for me. And I've got a list as long as my arm! :o) We'll see how well that works out...<br />
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I hope you have a wonderful, crafty week! Thanks for reading! :o)Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03791242249964743766noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8948717988935812508.post-14865707682385755542014-02-24T23:31:00.000-07:002014-02-24T23:31:05.792-07:00Hope Takes Flight ~ Double the pleasure. :)I've finished Hope Takes Flight 4 and 5.<br />
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I've made this quilt <b><i>five</i></b> times now! Yes, four of them look very similar, whatever.<br />
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One ~ butterflies made by {Faith Circle} members<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/me1issa/8258145073/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Hope Takes Flight ~ Above the Stage at church by ~Me1issa, on Flickr"><img alt="Hope Takes Flight ~ Above the Stage at church" height="240" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8066/8258145073_96fd0a34a3_m.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Two - at QuiltCon 2013 ~ butterflies made by {Faith Circle} members<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/me1issa/12762915583/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Hope Takes Flight ~ 2 by ~Me1issa, on Flickr"><img alt="Hope Takes Flight ~ 2" height="240" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7436/12762915583_1af51d5ac3_m.jpg" width="159" /></a></div>
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Three ~ made with <i>Scrumptious </i>by Bonnie and Camille<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/me1issa/10023339173/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Hope Takes Flight ~ at the Zoo by ~Me1issa, on Flickr"><img alt="Hope Takes Flight ~ at the Zoo" height="240" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7298/10023339173_e247990f58_m.jpg" width="221" /></a></div>
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Four ~ made from one<a href="http://www.robertkaufman.com/pre-cut/konareg_cotton_solids_classic_palette1/?permanent_out_products"> Kona Classics charm pack</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/me1issa/12751481854/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Hope Takes Flight ~ Kona Charm Pack by ~Me1issa, on Flickr"><img alt="Hope Takes Flight ~ Kona Charm Pack" height="240" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7373/12751481854_7127fd886b_m.jpg" width="159" /></a></div>
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and Five ~ made from<a href="http://www.robertkaufman.com/fabrics/artisan_batiks_geoscapes_4/"> Artisan Batiks: Geoscapes 4 by Lunn Studios for Robert Kaufman</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/me1issa/12751061265/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="HopeTakesFlight ~ Geoscapes Batik by ~Me1issa, on Flickr"><img alt="HopeTakesFlight ~ Geoscapes Batik" height="240" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7352/12751061265_32c70ec3e1_m.jpg" width="187" /></a></div>
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I kept the making of these last two under wraps since December because Robert Kaufman asked me to write the pattern for this quilt using the Classics charm pack <i>and</i> Artisan Batiks. I said "Are you <i>sure</i> you want me to do this twice?" They said "Yep. We're sure! Get busy, Melissa!" (I was honestly confused about it for a long time!)<br />
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But <i>twice </i>I did! One in <a href="http://www.robertkaufman.com/pre-cut/konareg_cotton_solids_classic_palette1/?permanent_out_products">solids </a>(= my comfort zone) and one in batiks (=not far from my comfort zone). This <a href="http://www.robertkaufman.com/fabrics/artisan_batiks_geoscapes_4/">collection of batiks from Lunn Studios</a> is really pretty. I love how each butterfly moves more than in the solids quilt. Plus, Nichole at Robert Kaufman told me that there has been a lot of research done lately that shows that batiks are selling really well with more modern quilt patterns. Who knew, right? :)<br />
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And NOW, I am pleased to tell you that the patterns are available <i>for free</i> on the Robert Kaufman website! Yeppers, F. R. double E. Free!! Here is the <a href="http://www.robertkaufman.com/quilting/quilts_patterns/hope_takes_flight/">link for the solids</a> pattern, and here is the<a href="http://www.robertkaufman.com/quilting/quilts_patterns/hope_takes_flight_2/"> link for the batik </a>pattern.<br />
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I want to make this one more time, using only two colors (well, three, if you include the black for the bodies!) like my friend Aunt Spicy did. I'll be sure to post it if I ever get around to it! :)<br />
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Also...and I would be remiss if I didn't say this...I want to thank YOU for being so encouraging and excited about this pattern from the very beginning! The first and second quilts were made in late 2012 by the members of the {Faith Circle} of the Do.Good Stitches bee, and donated to Restore Innocence for a girl rescued from human trafficking. The response that I got from finishing those two quilts was just overwhelming! Without that, I never in a million years would have considered writing up the pattern (and making it three more times, hah!). And the continued <strike>nagging</strike> follow-up from a couple of lovely friends really spurred me on to finish the pattern. And <i>then</i>, when I was asked by Robert Kaufman to make these last two for them, to post free on their website, I thought that was the perfect ending to the story. <br /><br />And while that story is wrapping up, I've got lots more "stories" in my head that <i>will </i>become patterns one day. :) I just need to find the time!<br /><br />I hope you have a wonderful week, and thanks again for being so supportive. I most certainly couldn't do this alone. :)Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03791242249964743766noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8948717988935812508.post-85188402699463126432014-01-14T22:13:00.000-07:002014-01-14T22:13:24.708-07:00Hello Again! {DIY Project Life Cards Tutorial}<div>
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Yes, I've been gone forever. I'm sorry. Maybe I'll tell the story sometime. <br /><br />I've been sewing. <i>A lot, </i>but can't show you most of what I've done yet, but I have been wanting to get back to blogging, and this is my toes-in-the-water post. I'm not converting all my crafting energy to Project Life, don't worry. It's just a little thing I've done lately. :)</div>
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I'm trying to keep track of our year with Project Life again this year. Hopefully I'll do better than last year, but seein's how far I got last year, it won't be hard to improve. :)<br />
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There are SO doggone many cute Project Life journal cards. So many that I can't hardly choose which ones to use, and get paralyzed in the overwhelming sea of color and icons and shapes and quotes! Too much! But the other night, as I was putting the girls to bed, I started to play around with my Rhonna Designs and A Beautiful Mess apps on my phone, and I was very pleased to come up with some simple cards that I can print at home! I bought these apps when they first came out, and really love them.<br /><br /> I don't have Photoshop, and while I could get it and learn it, I don't like to spend a lot of time on my computer if I don't have to. Plus, I spend about 30 minutes in the girls' room every night with only my phone, so why not, right? After I design them, I use the photo editing tool in my iPhone's Camera Roll to crop the cards to 4x3", and then when I print them, they'll drop right into the PL slots. (Note: I can also print each card as a 4x6" card, and it will work, too.)<br />
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Here is a collage of a few others I made. I am laying them out in a Word document and printing them at home. I know I can also have these printed as photos, but I want to be able to write on them.</div>
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Anyways, I put a few pictures on Instagram the other night, and a few people asked how I made them, so here is a tutorial. I <i>promise you</i> it is easier than the 400 steps here makes it seem -- I just wanted to be thorough. :) If you have <i>any</i> questions, please don't hesitate to ask!<br />
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<u><b>Step 1: Create background </b></u>-- either take a picture of a card or paper you want to use as your background, or create a background in A Beautiful Mess app...that's what I did. :) <br />
<ol>
<li>Open A Beautiful Mess, and click on Collage. I then chose the horizontal collage, and picked the top one with only two windows. If you want to create vertical journal cards, then pick the vertical collage</li>
<li>Click on Color at the bottom, scroll to the color you want to use, and click on it. Repeat for the other window. </li>
<li>Finally, click on Frame Size and move the slider all the way to the left, thereby removing any sashing between the two windows. </li>
<li>Click the check mark at the top, then click Done, and Yes. If you want to embellish your background in A Beautiful Mess, then don't click Done. :)</li>
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<u><b>Step 2: Embellish</b></u> -- you can do any number of things here, to achieve your ultimate design. This is how I created the polka dot background and letters on the Week 1 card at the very top.<br />
<ol>
<li>Open Rhonna Designs, and choose the background image you just created and saved in your Photos folder.</li>
<li>Tap Crop, and then tap the sunburst icon for Design Packs.</li>
<li>Scroll down and click on Insta Chalk, and then select either of the two frames (second or third from the left). Rotate it and expand it so that it is horizontal and takes up the width of your screen. This is approximately 3" tall and 4" wide.</li>
<li>Next, push the + symbol in the upper left corner, and the Design Packs will open up again. </li>
<li>Scroll down to Insta Patterns, then scroll to the right and select the large polka dots. Move them to the lower left hand corner, and click the + symbol again.</li>
<li>The Design Packs will open up again, but you want to go to the bottom of your screen and click on the polka dots again, and move them into position next to the first set of polka dots.</li>
<li>Click the + symbol again, and continue choosing polka dots, moving them into place, and clicking the + symbol until you have filled up the frame. There will be some dots to the right of the frame, and that's okay -- you'll crop them off later. :)</li>
<li>Once the frame is full, you are ready to add your words. Tap Done at the top.</li>
<li> Click on the T at the top left, and your font packs will pop up. I played around with all of them, and chose a font from Rhonna Fonts 2. Click that font pack.</li>
<li>A text field will open up that says "DOUBLE TAP TO EDIT". Click there, and type in Week 1, then click the small X in the keyboard window. </li>
<li>Then change the color of the text to the color you would like to use, and then start playing with fonts. You'll see that the font of your text is changing, but the text is not. If you don't like any of the options in that font pack, then gently pull the font bar to the far left, and you'll see the Font Packs open up again. </li>
<li>Play around until you find the font you like, and then increase the size to fill the frame.</li>
<li>To add the dates below Week 1, tap the + in the upper left hand corner, and another text field will open up. Type in January 1-5, change the font color, and then size to the one you want, and move it into place. (Almost done!)</li>
<li>Finally, tap on the edge of the frame, and a pink line should appear around the entire frame with a dot on the lower left. This lets you know that you have selected the frame, and not any of the polka dots.</li>
<li>Click the button in the upper right that has 3 bars, which takes you to the Design Options. With the <i>frame</i> highlighted, click Delete, and your frame should disappear. </li>
<li>Now that you are finished, click the 3 bars in the upper right again, and choose Share at the bottom. I choose Save Image, and it's saved in my Pictures folder on my phone.</li>
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<u><b>Step 3 : Cropping to 3x4"</b></u> -- I am making these cards 3x4" so they'll fit into the Project Life slots, so that's what these instructions will help you do. Please note, I have an iPhone5, and this works for me. I don't know anything about any other phones, so I suggest you play around with your features if you have a different kind of phone. :)<br />
<ol>
<li>Open the image in your Camera Roll (or whatever it's called on your phone).</li>
<li>Click Edit in the upper right hand corner, and then click the Crop icon in the lower right. </li>
<li>Click Aspect, and then choose 4x3. You can move your image around inside the crop window to get it to be the right size and layout, and then click Crop in the upper right hand corner. </li>
<li>If it looks right, click Save, and you're done!</li>
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I really am having fun playing with these, creating Week cards, creating cards that are meaningful to me and my family, creating cards that I know I will use. <br /><br />If you're into Project Life, and have these two apps, or other apps like them, then I encourage you to play around and create some of your own, too! It's pretty fun. :) And if you have any questions (or if I made a mistake), don't hesitate to ask.</div>
Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03791242249964743766noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8948717988935812508.post-80785015218969896382013-09-18T12:46:00.000-06:002013-09-18T12:47:43.713-06:00{WiP} Wednesday ~ Week 38Hiya!<br />
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Welcome back! Thanks for <i>coming</i> back! I've been spending my spare time sewing, and not blogging, although I haven't been spending <i>that</i> much time doing either! :)<br />
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I've been working on finishing my <i>third</i> butterfly quilt (Hope Takes Flight 3.0) using Scrumptious by Bonnie and Camille and Moda Bella solids. (I've been working on writing the pattern for it.) (Very exciting and very intimidating!).<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/me1issa/9804085574/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Hope Takes Flight 3.0 by ~Me1issa, on Flickr"><img alt="Hope Takes Flight 3.0" height="320" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5502/9804085574_06ae9804d2.jpg" width="259" /></a></div>
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And I've been working on another top secret project. I can't wait to get to show it to you and tell you the story. I <i>can</i> say, however, that it does <i>not</i> involve any fabric companies or books or magazines. It just involves family. A legacy. Heritage. And I'm pretty stoked about that. :) If you follow me on Instagram, then you know what I'm working on. I'm fairly certain the secret is safe here, but I don't want to blow my cover! ;o)<br />
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So, back to the butterfly quilt. I finished the quilting on Monday night, but still need to bind it. I quilted swirls on the butterflies (like a broken record), and <b><i>CLOUDS</i></b> in the open space, and squiggles in the thin border.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/me1issa/9803967204/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Hope Takes Flight 3.0 by ~Me1issa, on Flickr"><img alt="Hope Takes Flight 3.0" height="320" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7450/9803967204_19dfca7913.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Can we just talk about those clouds for a sec? OH. MY. GRANNY!!!!! I love them more than warm brownies on a cold day. More than a full tank of gas and no one else in the car. More than a rainbow array of Aurifil thread. Well...maybe not <i>that</i> much, but they were SO fun!!! And different! (I <i>love </i>different).<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/me1issa/9723069008/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Cloud Quilting by ~Me1issa, on Flickr"><img alt="Cloud Quilting" height="320" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7398/9723069008_f096a9be68.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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And so easy. I'm not kidding. Free-motion clouds are no harder than free-motion swirls, and easier than pebbles. I promise! <br />
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You should try them. <br />
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I've got to get back to my secret project, but I am glad I got to show you my butterfly quilt. (again!). :o)<br />
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I hope you have a wonderful, and crafty, week!<br />
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Linking up with Lee at <a href="http://www.freshlypieced.com/2013/09/wip-wednesday-quick-one.html">Freshly Pieced for {WiP} Wednesday. </a><br />
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Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03791242249964743766noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8948717988935812508.post-76659658299883463632013-09-02T08:48:00.001-06:002013-09-03T13:55:37.490-06:00Making Super Hero Capes ~ with Arms!A week or so ago, my oldest was invited to a birthday party for a boy in her class. They only started 2 weeks ago, so I was a bit unsure of what to give, not knowing him or his family. You know how <i>some people</i> expect a purchased gift for their child, and others feel like their kids already have too much <s>crap</s> stuff, and so a simple gift (that they will actually play with for more than 8 seconds) is fine? Man, I was hoping that Jack was one of the latter, but I didn't know! I texted friends, I asked Instagram...what do you do for a 6 year old boy? Legos, books...all good, but it's more <i>stuff</i>! Our children already have too much <i>stuff</i><br />
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Well, then I had a revelation. Jack's party was a super hero theme, and they asked guests to dress as their favorite superhero or princess for the party...a party at the park. In the middle of the day. I wasn't too keen on having my girls wear their princess dresses <i>to the park</i> on a hot day! That's a recipe for misery and whining if you ask me! :) So I decided to make the girls a super hero cape, and one for Jack as well.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/me1issa/9652754417/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Super hero cape ~ almost done! by ~Me1issa, on Flickr"><img alt="Super hero cape ~ almost done!" height="320" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3791/9652754417_73b9f053e7.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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There was one thing I knew I wanted. Arms. I wanted the capes to attach on their arms, not their necks. I mean, <i>come on</i>!! Kids run, and jump, and swing, and slide, and sit, <i>and sleep</i> in their super hero capes, so <i>why</i> would I want to have them attach at the neck? That's just crazy talk! So I hopped on over to Pinterest to find a tutorial for a cape with arms, and what do you think I found? Zip. Nada. Zilch. Well, that's not true. I did find <a href="http://www.maubys.net/2010/06/flying-fat-quarter-fun.html">one tutorial</a> where she made a cape for a toddler with a fat quarter. And it was what I wanted, but I didn't want to put in that much time and effort. I also found <a href="http://www.onesavvymom.net/2013/06/no-sew-upcycled-super-hero-cape-kids.html">another tutorial</a> for up-cycling a man's t-shirt into a super hero cape, but it attached around the neck again. :-/ Drawing blanks...<br />
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I happened to be near a thrift shop, so I stopped and grabbed a few t-shirts, thinking there <i>had to</i> be a way to make super hero capes that were easy <i>and</i> fun! I washed them. No inspiration. I dried them. No inspiration.<br />
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I cut one up...<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/me1issa/9649436161/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Super hero cape - fail by ~Me1issa, on Flickr"><img alt="Super hero cape - fail" height="320" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2864/9649436161_bac1613b72.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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...pppppphhhhhbbbbbtttttt. Not quite what I was going for! (She was even less impressed than I was!)<br />
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And then after I put the kids to bed, I had an idea! What if...I cut the <i>collar </i>to make the arms?! Could it work?<br />
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I commenced to cutting some more, and since the girls were in bed, I had to rely on an inferior model. One that seemed more compliant, though probably not as willing to run around the yard. ;)<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/me1issa/9652430552/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Super Hero Cape with arms ~ a tutorial by ~Me1issa, on Flickr"><img alt="Super Hero Cape with arms ~ a tutorial" height="320" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5323/9652430552_a5b56f9b7e.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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So then I started to really pay attention to what I was doing so I could share it with you! Because while these are NOT going to be the best selling capes on Etsy, they <i>are</i> good for playing in, and most kids need to play - <i>and imagine</i> - more. Amen.<br />
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1. After you have washed your thrifted shirt, cut up each side to the armpit. If there is a seam, cut on the back side of the seam so it won't be there when the shirt becomes a cape.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/me1issa/9652645884/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Super Hero Cape with arms ~ a tutorial by ~Me1issa, on Flickr"><img alt="Super Hero Cape with arms ~ a tutorial" height="320" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2890/9652645884_cce5d63ccc.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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2. My pictures don't <i>quite</i> reflect this, because I figured it out later, but on the <b><u>back </u></b>of the shirt, from the armpit, you want to cut <i>at an angle</i> (see the purple marks) on the inside of each sleeve seam, up to the shoulder seam about an inch away from the collar, then crossing over the shoulder seam, cut along the bottom of the collar all the way around to the other shoulder seam. Go back to the center of the collar, and snip it right in half.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/me1issa/9652635078/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Super Hero Cape with arms ~ a tutorial by ~Me1issa, on Flickr"><img alt="Super Hero Cape with arms ~ a tutorial" height="320" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5462/9652635078_247bcacfd2.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/me1issa/9649408989/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Super Hero Cape with arms ~ a tutorial by ~Me1issa, on Flickr"><img alt="Super Hero Cape with arms ~ a tutorial" height="305" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2866/9649408989_e861aca24b.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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3. Now, rather than continuing down the front, which you can definitely do, I went back to the other armpit, and cut up to the shoulder seam at an angle, to the point where I had just cut under the collar. Hard to visualize, maybe, but this is what it looks like when it's finished.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/me1issa/9649677067/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Super Hero Cape ~ with arms by ~Me1issa, on Flickr"><img alt="Super Hero Cape ~ with arms" height="320" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7310/9649677067_6d632f04d5.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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You can also cut away the front, and <i>then</i> the back (like I did in the pictures), but you can do it in fewer steps the way I just said.<br />
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4. Now that you've only got the back and the collar, it's time to make the arms. (I honestly can not tell you HOW excited I am that their capes don't have choke-collars!) Take the left collar-half, and bring it down to where the armpit met the side seam. There's a little corner there, and it's the perfect place to attach the collar. I measured each girl to make sure this location of attachment was good enough. It's not necessary, but I matched the outside of the collar to the outside of the t-shirt, and pinned them together. Then I went to the sewing machine and used a zig-zag/overcast stitch to fix the collar to the side seam. Repeat for the other side.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/me1issa/9652652918/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Super Hero Cape with arms ~ a tutorial by ~Me1issa, on Flickr"><img alt="Super Hero Cape with arms ~ a tutorial" height="320" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7382/9652652918_014a88f663.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/me1issa/9649443449/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Super Hero Cape with arms ~ a tutorial by ~Me1issa, on Flickr"><img alt="Super Hero Cape with arms ~ a tutorial" height="320" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5508/9649443449_3c3e2b1c36.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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(not small enough!)</div>
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You can see below, I had to make some drastic modifications for my littlest one's arm holes. Attaching at the corner like I did with the others was just TOO big for her. This made it much more manageable. :)<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/me1issa/9649466565/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Super Hero Cape with arms ~ a tutorial by ~Me1issa, on Flickr"><img alt="Super Hero Cape with arms ~ a tutorial" height="320" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7326/9649466565_9a25ee6382.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Here you can see my big girl modeling hers. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/me1issa/9652695938/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Super Hero Cape with arms ~ a tutorial by ~Me1issa, on Flickr"><img alt="Super Hero Cape with arms ~ a tutorial" height="320" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7333/9652695938_61cb2f6163.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Much better this time! :)<br />
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After I got the capes made, next I had to embellish them and put shields on! I'm not going to go into that here -- this is long enough already -- but it was simple applique. I cut the shield shape out of freezer paper, and used it to cut my white out of woven cotton. The yellow (another thrifted t-shirt, of course!) and pink (from the front of her shirt) were knit, so I attached fusible interfacing (don't know the brand, sorry!), and then cut my shields out and ironed them onto the white. Then I cut out the letters, fusible interfacing again, and then sewed them all (1/8" seam allowance) to the capes. <br />
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Here she is wearing her finished cape:<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/me1issa/9628546229/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="The shield needs to be sewn down, but I like it! Up-cycling at it's best! #superherocape by ~Me1issa, on Flickr"><img alt="The shield needs to be sewn down, but I like it! Up-cycling at it's best! #superherocape" height="320" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3704/9628546229_6c932d558b.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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And here is the birthday boy opening it up, putting the "awe" in "awesome!". :) He had <i>great </i>responses for every single gift. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/me1issa/9664465149/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Jack loved his cape. :-) by ~Me1issa, on Flickr"><img alt="Jack loved his cape. :-)" height="320" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7451/9664465149_638aa6c2f6.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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There you have it! A super hero cape made in two days flat! ;-) (It won't take you NEARLY that long!)
I <i>know</i> this is a long post, but I hope it makes sense! Give it a try! If you have any questions, let me know. I'm happy to help. :) <br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>As I stated, I was inspired by those other two capes that I linked to. I have never seen a cape like the ones I designed, though I looked high and low. If someone else has already made one, I am happy to link to that tutorial , although I won't say I was inspired by them. Because I wasn't. :)
If you would like to notify me of another super hero cape like this,
please feel free to email me at the address listed in my profile. Thank
you for being polite.</i></span>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03791242249964743766noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8948717988935812508.post-70784072843079026112013-08-27T00:00:00.000-06:002013-08-27T00:00:01.182-06:00Hexie Queen Blog HopWelcome to my little stop on the Hexie Queen Blog Hop!<br />
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I was really humbled when <a href="http://www.sewwequilt.com/">Madame Samm</a> contacted me asking if this <a href="http://weshallsew.blogspot.com/2011/04/fiw-wednesday.html">rainbow hexie quilt</a> was actually mine. It was. :)<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/me1issa/5661249293/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="TNT Quilt ~ From Colorado to Japan by ~Me1issa, on Flickr"><img alt="TNT Quilt ~ From Colorado to Japan" height="320" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5305/5661249293_85b21a6e28.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>
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A friend had sent her a picture from Pinterest, and she wasn't sure how to get to the original blog post and quilter. She found me, though! :) She told me all about the Hexie Queen Blog Hop, and it sounded like SUCH fun blog hop that I jumped in feet first! :)<br />
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So one Saturday, when I was supposed to be working on a million other things, including potty-training Little Bird, I decided to start my hexie quilt instead. She helped. ;) A couple of years ago, I participated in 5 rounds of the Hexie Swap on Flickr, and one round was all solids, so I had about 50 pre-cut hexagons, just waiting for a project! They were cut with the Accuquilt Go cutter, and they're perfect for a quick project like this!<br />
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Once Little Bird and I had decided on the colors we wanted to use, I set her free with her own stack of hexagons so she could make "her own" quilt. She didn't really do much with hers, but it gave me the chance to get mine all laid out. :)<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/me1issa/9598622919/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Symmetry Quilt by ~Me1issa, on Flickr"><img alt="Symmetry Quilt" height="320" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3717/9598622919_d4b00d8eb6.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
Once I had the layout I liked, I adhered the hexies to the top of the 44" square of Kona White. I used the same method I used when I did my first hexie quilt. I sprayed the back with spray baste, and pressed it down with my hand. If I needed to adjust it, I could.
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/me1issa/9598626667/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Symmetry Quilt by ~Me1issa, on Flickr"><img alt="Symmetry Quilt" height="320" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3685/9598626667_0ae1d95b3a.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
The next step was to heat set the hexies in place with a hot iron. I used a random scrap of fabric to protect my iron from any overspray of glue.
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/me1issa/9598630763/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Symmetry Quilt by ~Me1issa, on Flickr"><img alt="Symmetry Quilt" height="320" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7392/9598630763_5c051fd0e6.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
The beauty of heat-setting them this way is that when I inevitably had to put the quilt away, I could go away trusting that the hexagons wouldn't move a millimeter. And little hands couldn't move them, either. Security is a good thing when you've got curious little helpers around the house! :)
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A couple of hours later, I was able to come back to the quilt. I raw-edge appliqued each hexagon in place with a straight stitch 1/4" in from the edge. I didn't want to stitch over any other stitches, so I stopped where I started, and tied a knot on the underside of the quilt top.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/me1issa/9598639359/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Symmetry Quilt by ~Me1issa, on Flickr"><img alt="Symmetry Quilt" height="320" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7354/9598639359_5d1fdbbda0.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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When the quilt top was finished, I just felt like singing! It felt <i>soooooo</i> good to put the must-do list aside and just <i>follow the inspiration</i> for once!
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/me1issa/9598640969/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Symmetry Quilt by ~Me1issa, on Flickr"><img alt="Symmetry Quilt" height="320" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7379/9598640969_af36638881.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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And then it came time to quilt it. I had a hundred ideas (and two more after I started, ain't that always the way!), but I went with a straight line between opposite hexagons, and then a spiral throughout the whole quilt.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/me1issa/9598648567/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Symmetry Quilt by ~Me1issa, on Flickr"><img alt="Symmetry Quilt" height="320" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7374/9598648567_066a9660c4.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
Spiral quilting takes <i>foreeeevvvvvvvvvvver</i>! :) And this is a small quilt! I can't imagine doing it on a larger quilt. Sheesh!
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/me1issa/9601451330/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Symmetry Quilt by ~Me1issa, on Flickr"><img alt="Symmetry Quilt" height="320" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5489/9601451330_0b8619f863.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Here's Little Bird claiming "her quilt" once again. :) I've never made a quilt <i>just for the fun of it</i>, so I've never had the chance to have one of my children claim it as their own. I'm not sure if she really thinks this is for her, but, other than it being a bit small for a 3 year old, there isn't any reason I <i>can't</i> give it to her! :) Plus, then I would get to enjoy it, too! ;)
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/me1issa/9601447910/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Symmetry Quilt by ~Me1issa, on Flickr"><img alt="Symmetry Quilt" height="320" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3781/9601447910_dfff4419f5.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Do you know this trick when you're attaching your binding to your quilt? I either wrap my binding around a pencil or an old thread spool, and then stick it on the extra thread stand on my sewing machine. It <i>really</i> helps keep the binding straight and orderly while I'm attaching it. Sure beats the pile of binding I used to have on the floor!
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/me1issa/9602778666/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Binding trick by ~Me1issa, on Flickr"><img alt="Binding trick" height="320" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5529/9602778666_68cb618c55.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Here she is again! This time she is tracing the quilting lines with a play-doh cutter. :) Maybe she's just as attracted to rainbow quilts as I am... ;)
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/me1issa/9604107868/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Symmetry Quilt ~ finished by ~Me1issa, on Flickr"><img alt="Symmetry Quilt ~ finished" height="320" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5525/9604107868_85866b2582.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
Uh oh! Buzz is making his move! Move over, sista! This one's MINE! ;)
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/me1issa/9604116996/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Symmetry Quilt ~ finished by ~Me1issa, on Flickr"><img alt="Symmetry Quilt ~ finished" height="320" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2831/9604116996_01a112d9c9.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
It's hard to tell in this picture, but I backed it with a random yellow-and-white polka dot fabric I had. I'm happy to use something that I already had on hand. Going to the fabric shop with 3 little ones is <i>NOT</i> fun! For anyone! :)
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/me1issa/9600876749/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Symmetry Quilt ~ finished by ~Me1issa, on Flickr"><img alt="Symmetry Quilt ~ finished" height="320" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7434/9600876749_32760f42e8.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
You can see the quilting a little better here, I think. I realize it looks a bit like a spider web, but <i>c'est la vie</i>. I like it. And I have an even greater respect for spiders now! This web was TOUGH to weave!
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/me1issa/9604114732/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Symmetry Quilt ~ finished by ~Me1issa, on Flickr"><img alt="Symmetry Quilt ~ finished" height="320" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3798/9604114732_fbb6a8f1a3.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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I hope you enjoyed learning about my little hexagon quilt. Where else have you been on this Hexie Queen Blog Hop? Here is a list of the others that are posting today. If you haven't already been, you should go visit their blog! I am confident inspiration awaits. :)<br />
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<a href="http://ruffhaven.blogspot.com/">Life@RuffHaven </a></div>
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<a href="http://www.piecedbrain.com/">Pieced Brain </a></div>
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<a href="http://densyendehimmel.blogspot.no/">Den Syende Himmel </a></div>
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<a href="http://createinthesticks.blogspot.com/">Creatin’ in the Sticks</a></div>
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<a href="http://meadowbrook-kristen.blogspot.com/">Meadowbrook </a></div>
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<a href="http://www.sandrakayedesigns.blogspot.com/">Sandra Kaye Designs </a></div>
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<a href="http://letspatchitup.blogspot.it/">Let’s Patch it Up</a></div>
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<a href="http://sewmanyyarns.blogspot.com/">Sew Many Yarns</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.aroundthehomestead.blogspot.com/">Around the Homestead</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.sewmolliesue.com/">Sew Mollie Sue, Quilt Much? </a></div>
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Thanks for stopping by today! I hope you enjoyed my little hexie project! :) </div>
Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03791242249964743766noreply@blogger.com98tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8948717988935812508.post-66912742240119598772013-07-31T07:55:00.000-06:002013-08-01T00:01:04.737-06:00Palace Steps Tutorial - {Faith Circle} August 2013 QuiltWhat am I doing? I'm kinda sitting here in shock! I can't believe it is August <i>tomorrow</i>! But it is, and it's my turn to design and quilt a quilt for the {Faith} Circle of the do.Good Stitches bee. I <i>really</i> like to keep the blocks simple. And the piecing simple. I've had to make complicated, convoluted, time-consuming blocks before, and while they look lovely, I don't think the person who receives that quilt will be any more blessed than the person who receives a quilt made with simple blocks. Amen? :)<br />
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So I spent some time the other night looking at different books and magazines, and came across the "Tumbling Down" block by <a href="http://draft.blogger.com/www.kimdiehl.com">Kim Deihl</a> in Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks, Vol 4. I like the look of the finished quilt, but didn't like the idea that we would have to piece together a bunch of tiny squares. So I decided to modify it just a smidge, and instead of using squares, we will use strips.<br />
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Here is a mock-up of the finished quilt:<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/me1issa/9386016621/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Faith DGS Gray and Yellow by ~Me1issa, on Flickr"><img alt="Faith DGS Gray and Yellow" height="320" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5455/9386016621_73129e7e6c.jpg" width="261" /></a></div>
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Modern, simple, bright, a blessing...I hope so! :) We give quilts to<a href="http://www.restoreinnocence.org/"> Restore Innocence</a>, which is an organization that provides assistance, housing, counseling and mentoring to young women rescued from sex trafficking all over America. They don't give a quilt to every girl rescued, mind you, but they do give them to girls that stay in the program. We have given them 6 quilts so far, and there are about 5 more in the works. :) <br />
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We will need two different orientations of block to achieve the ombre effect. Here are EQ7 mock-ups of each block. The finished size is 12.5" tall x 24.5" wide. Members of the circle will only have to make one block (woohoo!), and use 16 pieces of fabric. I think that qualifies as "simple"! :)<br />
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Block Orientation A (Stitchers will make this one)<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/me1issa/9388827640/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="DGS Gray and Yellow block by ~Me1issa, on Flickr"><img alt="DGS Gray and Yellow block" height="160" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3751/9388827640_6a5d735f6c.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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And Block Orientation B (Quilters will make this one)<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/me1issa/9402075078/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="DGS Gray and Yellow block B by ~Me1issa, on Flickr"><img alt="DGS Gray and Yellow block B" height="160" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2818/9402075078_7bb5782e65.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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See how they're opposite? THAT is how it works! :) <br />
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So here's where the tutorial starts. <br />
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I hope it makes sense, and PLEASE ask questions if you have any! I'd much rather answer a question now than anyone have to remake a block later. :( Also, I am humble enough to admit that there more ways to make a block than my way. If you want to do it differently to achieve the same result, go for it! :) <br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><u><i><b>Everyone </b></i></u></span>will cut the same fabric.<br />
<ol>
<li>Collect 6 pieces of varying shades of yellow (could be print or solid, but please be sure that it <i>reads </i>yellow). Arrange them from darkest to lightest, and label them alphabetically from A (darkest) to F (lightest). </li>
<li>Cut one strip from each yellow that is 2.5" wide by 14.5" long. </li>
<li>Now pick your gray solid. It needs to be a solid, and please keep it medium gray or lighter. The brand doesn't matter, but please use the same gray throughout your block. Kona grays that work are Medium Gray, Ash, or Iron. I don't have a color card for other brands, but just keep them on the light-to-medium side. :) You will need a total of 2 2.5" x WOF strips that you will cut.</li>
<li>Cut strips of gray (2.5" wide) according to the following list. Cut <i><b>two </b></i>(2) of each: 10.5", 8.5", 6.5", 4.5", 2.5" It's a total of 64" of gray fabric. </li>
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Here is a picture of my grays and yellows:<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/me1issa/9394767945/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Fabric Cuts for Palace Steps Tutorial by ~Me1issa, on Flickr"><img alt="Fabric Cuts for Palace Steps Tutorial" height="320" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7329/9394767945_55915a0eb1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Remember, you need TWO of each measure of gray, you just can't see it there because they're stacked together.<br />
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Here's a picture of my gray strips <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_sGpTZBBc4">glue-basted</a> to my yellow strips for Block A:<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/me1issa/9397626998/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Untitled by ~Me1issa, on Flickr"><img alt="Untitled" height="240" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3826/9397626998_d9a8d46922.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>Stitchers</i>, for Block A, you should attach your gray strips as follows, identical to mine. </div>
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A -- 10.5" on <i>right </i>side (nothing on the left)<br />
B -- 2.5" on left side, 8.5" on right side.<br />
C -- 4.5" on left side, 6.5" on right side<br />
D -- 6.5" on left side, 4.5" on right side<br />
E -- 8.5" on left side, 2.5" on right side<br />
F -- 10.5" on <i>left </i>side<br />
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The <i>Quilters</i> will do it opposite, and make Block B, to achieve the ombre effect. And for those of you who might still be reading, wanting to make this quilt, you should make 6 like that above, and 4 like this below:<br />
Here's a picture again. :) <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/me1issa/9402075078/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="DGS Gray and Yellow block B by ~Me1issa, on Flickr"><img alt="DGS Gray and Yellow block B" height="160" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2818/9402075078_7bb5782e65.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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A -- 10.5 on the <span style="color: #cc0000;"><i>left </i></span>side (nothing on the right)</div>
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B -- 8.5" on the left side, 2.5" on the right side<br />
C -- 6.5" on the left side, 4.5" on the right side<br />
D -- 4.5" on the left side, 6.5" on the right side<br />
E -- 2.5" on the left side, 8.5" on the right side<br />
F -- 10.5" on the <i>right</i> side.<br />
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Make sense? I hope so!! I sure hope so!! :)<br />
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Then press your seams, and sew Strip A along the long side to Strip B, and C to D, and E to F, then A/B to C/D, and then E/F to the bottom of A/B/C/D, and it should be perfect! You shouldn't need to even trim it! It should finish to 24.5" wide, and 12.5" high. Done!<br />
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See? Block A. Easy!<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/me1issa/9399731256/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Palace Steps Block - Finished by ~Me1issa, on Flickr"><img alt="Palace Steps Block - Finished" height="164" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5532/9399731256_37590f3820.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I hope you find this easy, and rewarding. Please please<i> PLEASE</i> let me know if you have any questions! :)<br />
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I'm linking up with <a href="http://www.freshlypieced.com/2013/07/wip-wednesday-my-biggest-wip.html">Lee of Freshly Pieced</a>, and her regularly-scheduled {WiP}Wednesday party. :) <br />
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<a href="http://freshlypieced.blogspot.com/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="WIP Wednesday at Freshly Pieced" height="90" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8357/8253389546_fdb631e427_o.jpg" width="90" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Please note. As I stated, I was inspired by Kim Diehl's block. I have never seen a block like this, or a quilt like this. If someone else has already made one, I am happy to link to that quilt, although I won't say I was inspired by them. Because I wasn't. :) If you would like to notify me of another block or quilt like this, please feel free to email me at the address listed in my profile. Thank you for being polite.</i></span></div>
Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03791242249964743766noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8948717988935812508.post-36788671124814615852013-07-17T00:43:00.000-06:002013-07-17T00:43:58.244-06:00{WiP} Wednesday ~ 29/52I'm<i> this close</i> to finishing my do.Good Stitches quilt. I finally pieced the back the other day and spent less than 2 hours quilting it - and that includes thread and bobbin changes! Stippling is the way to go when you need a fast finish!<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/me1issa/9295603152/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Wonky Zig Zag quilted! by ~Me1issa, on Flickr"><img alt="Wonky Zig Zag quilted!" height="320" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7420/9295603152_3a325cdf49.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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All that's left is the label, really. Last night I finished the binding -- it was <i>magical</i>!!! I used Susie's Magic Binding technique, demonstrated <a href="http://www.52quilts.com/2012/05/tuesday-tutorial-susies-magic-binding.html">here </a>on my friend Marti's blog. I stink stink <i>stink </i>at machine binding, so <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I wanted to try this, thinking <i>maybe </i>this will work and it won't look like something the dog rolled in! And it does! It does! It DOES!!</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br />Here is a picture of the <i>purdy</i> mitered corner...<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/me1issa/9303515247/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Such a lovely corner! by ~Me1issa, on Flickr"><img alt="Such a lovely corner!" height="320" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2806/9303515247_0889ea394d.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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And here you can see the front and the back. Honestly, this is the closest-thing-to-perfect my machine binding has EVER looked!!<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/me1issa/9306642690/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Susie's Magic Binding by ~Me1issa, on Flickr"><img alt="Susie's Magic Binding" height="320" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5499/9306642690_9e21b5fd94.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I'll put a label on it this week, and take it to <a href="http://www.restoreinnocence.org/">Restore Innocence.</a> They were very appreciative the last time I took them some quilts, and I know they are so happy to bless the girls with these quilts. :)<br />
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">And then I'll put my sewing machine away. I've got a lot going on this weekend, and sewing isn't going to be a part of it. :( But then next week, I will put on a brave face and make <a href="http://www.betteroffthread.com/">Janice</a>'s paper-pieced blocks for our Bee Happy bee. I'm only marginally better at paper piecing than I am at machine binding! </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">And I've designed a few quilts that I am SUPER eager to make! <a href="http://www.auntspicy.blogspot.com/">Aunt Spicy</a> is my partner in crime on these, and keeps encouraging me to make more! What a friend, right?!? And I loved getting back to the long arm. It seems I'm prolific at the first and last steps of the quilting process, but I'm a slow turtle at actually MAKING the quilts! I need to get faster. I have two baby quilts to make, and only know the gender of one of them. If the unknown is a boy, then I'll give my Huckleberry quilt I made when Latifah Saafir was here in May. If it's a girl, I'll do something quick and easy and double the recipe. ;-)</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I am linking up with<a href="http://www.freshlypieced.com/2013/07/wip-wednesday-wips-from-way-back.html"> Lee at Freshly Pieced</a>. Go check out the linky party. There's some beautiful stuff being made!</span></div>
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Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03791242249964743766noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8948717988935812508.post-16871349317877790492013-07-10T22:06:00.003-06:002013-07-10T22:10:29.055-06:00{WiP} Wednesday ~ 28/52I am very aware of how blessed I am - and how much I take for granted. Really, I am. My life is FULL. Busy. Blurry from all the activity, really, and I know that will only get worse as the kids get older. But it's a <i>good</i> busy, a <i>good</i> full. I know that.<br />
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But it's exhausting, too. As an introvert, having 3 people in my face, on my leg, on my hip all day long can add to the exhaustion. So when they're all <i>finally</i> in bed, and the house is quiet, it's my time. My time to sew, or blog, or catch up on blogs, or read.<br />
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What? Read? What's that? :)<br />
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I'm just saying that it's all good. I wish I had time to sew more, and blog more, but the most important thing I can do every day is take care of my family. I know that. It's tiresome, but it's the right thing to do, and it's what I <i>want</i> to do! But I also want to be creative and productive and make this gigantic to-do list just an eensy bit smaller! :) That being said, I'm hoping to put a bit of normalcy back into my life, because it's been far from normal lately!<br />
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We just got back from a week in LA, visiting friends, visiting the LA MQG, visiting with some of my Bee Happy hive, going to Disneyland...for THREE days... ugh!<br />
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We've been home for 2 days now, and we're still trying to get back to normal and acclimate! It's not like we've got jet-lag, really...it's more like vacation-lag! :)<br />
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This is what I sewed just before we left. They are called Starburst Cross blocks, and they are for the Faith Circle of the do.Good Stitches bee. <a href="http://sewcraftyjess.blogspot.ca/2012/05/starburst-cross-block-tutorial.html">The tutorial is by Sew Crafty Jess.</a>, and it's going to be a stunning quilt! I just love the bright colors!<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/me1issa/9175634617/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Sunburst Stars by ~Me1issa, on Flickr"><img alt="Sunburst Stars" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7395/9175634617_b5e58bc9d5.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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And then we left for California. It was a GREAT trip, really. Not long enough!<br />
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I took over a thousand pictures over the course of the week, but I won't hit you with all of them. I need to do a separate blog post about the whole trip just so I can remember it all! :)<br />
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Here are a few of my favorites, though.<br />
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Hugging Cinderella after they twirled together in their dresses (<a href="http://www.ramonarose.com/">Ramona </a>was kind enough to let us borrow Bean's dress for the day!)<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/me1issa/9200361365/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Magic. #disneyland #twocinderellas by ~Me1issa, on Flickr"><img alt="Magic. #disneyland #twocinderellas" height="500" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3826/9200361365_668f7ac4e7.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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Waving back at Rapunzel who waved first. Starstruck. :)<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/me1issa/9210609612/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Quite possibly my favorite picture from yesterday. She was star-struck when Rapunzel waved back at her. #latergram #disneyland by ~Me1issa, on Flickr"><img alt="Quite possibly my favorite picture from yesterday. She was star-struck when Rapunzel waved back at her. #latergram #disneyland" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7376/9210609612_157f6681dd.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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Here's Buzz at the Mickey and the Magical Map show -- he was <i>mesmerized</i>!! <br />
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Our Disneyland passes had a blackout day on July 4th, so we went to the beach instead. It had been a <i>very long while</i> since Mookie had been to the beach, and I don't believe Sprout had ever been! And I know Buzz hadn't ever been! :)<br />
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Mookie really enjoyed the water, Sprout enjoyed the sand, and Buzz didn't really enjoy any part of it!<br />
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We went to California Adventures the next day, and after we had a spontaneous rendez-vous with Mr The Mouse himself...<br />
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...we headed for Monsters, Inc. Here's Buzz practicing his scream. It sounded a wee bit like his tiger roar, but it was darn cute! <br />
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Then after lunch, Dave took Mookie on the Grizzly River Run (think Thunder River...) She had a blast! <br />
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And on the third day, Dave and I split up so he could take Mookie on more big kid rides, and I could keep it simple with the little ones. We happened to see Rapunzel in her tower, which was kind of amazing.<br />
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Unfortunately, most of those pictures didn't turn out because, not surprisingly, it's kind of hard to manage an active one-year old while a three-year old meets her all-time favorite princess!<br />
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In the afternoon, we got to meet Tinkerbell, which was equally amazing, and equally hard to photograph! Honestly, I think the girls were kinda <i>done</i> having to smile for all the paparazzi! :) (they get that from their father...)<br />
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And then on Sunday we went to church and then spent some time with friends from church, and got ready for the journey home on Monday :( Sad and exhausting journey home. <br />
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Yesterday was a lazy, lazy day recovering from our wonderful trip, but last night I needed to really get down to business on the aforementioned <i>gigantic</i> to-do list, so I made my July blocks for the Faith Circle. This time it's <a href="http://www.freshlemonsquilts.com/?p=1113">Modern Cross Blocks,</a> featured by Faith of Fresh Lemons in her Summer Sampler Series. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/me1issa/9253783149/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Modern Cross blocks for the Faith Circle (do.Good Stitches) by ~Me1issa, on Flickr"><img alt="Modern Cross blocks for the Faith Circle (do.Good Stitches)" height="375" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2887/9253783149_9796c48902.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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And tonight, I've got one more bee block for June, and I've got to piece a back, and maybe even get it loaded onto the long arm. Wouldn't THAT be grand!<br />
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It feels great to link up with <a href="http://www.freshlypieced.com/2013/07/wip-wednesday-more-quilting.html">Lee at Freshly Pieced</a>. Go see what others are doing, and have a great week!<br />
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Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03791242249964743766noreply@blogger.com5