tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62077706819155558402024-03-13T11:40:56.802-04:00ShortcookieA creative journey to find the meaning of life . . . or something like that.Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06698162779579902452noreply@blogger.comBlogger111125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6207770681915555840.post-87610146855412504062015-04-10T13:55:00.002-04:002015-04-10T13:55:32.418-04:00Blocks From the Past: Bear ClawOkay, so this block took a bit longer than I had anticipated, so pardon my delay!!<br />
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Like the Kansas Troubles block, I really like the finished product—but I did not like the process. Actually, I think it was the lack of clarity on the directions that got me down!<br />
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This Bear Claw block is essentially an inversion of the Kansas Troubles Block. Here's a look of both blocks so that you can see what I mean:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh06zjNM7eWGVWoCbhMDApgekzdqsxnyK343zJnrPV9cTGN-1e-Aq9TUBxG8rGgx6kNm1fCYkxh16h9-oqO6_lRBGNB9AHIuahtfETzH9Gkx-AueSs3FNclD3ZZP04Bj0-SA_FB3f0g_Bw/s1600/Bear+Claw+Part+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh06zjNM7eWGVWoCbhMDApgekzdqsxnyK343zJnrPV9cTGN-1e-Aq9TUBxG8rGgx6kNm1fCYkxh16h9-oqO6_lRBGNB9AHIuahtfETzH9Gkx-AueSs3FNclD3ZZP04Bj0-SA_FB3f0g_Bw/s1600/Bear+Claw+Part+6.jpg" height="192" width="320" /></a></div>
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The Bear Claw block is on the left. Kinda cute, isn't it? Still, it made me go "Grrrrr" while putting it together.<br />
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Like the Kansas Troubles block, it calls for strips of the grey and blue/green that are intended to result in the HSTs. What's confusing to me is that the pattern calls for strip piecing of those two strips. Clearly a doctorate in education is not sufficient for me to figure out how strip piecing two long rectangles = 16 triangles. Unless one is supposed to do what I did: cut the rectangles down to squares, cut the squares in half diagonally, and chain piece HSTs. However, if that is what's intended, the directions should say that, right? So if anyone understands what may be obvious to everyone else but me, please clear up my confusion!!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEaXwwg2-i3XZPCM3x-RwqAMJ10z3HAe0AwHH1SGm22UpawdnSqtzv0S2egfPgjCU4KEhH5znViRCfa9PKdrvlxYRXIVZwX8YrsWCpokJg6SVqzGbhuG89dxmPFd3-0WIop_WFip4ACF0/s1600/Bear+Claw+Part+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEaXwwg2-i3XZPCM3x-RwqAMJ10z3HAe0AwHH1SGm22UpawdnSqtzv0S2egfPgjCU4KEhH5znViRCfa9PKdrvlxYRXIVZwX8YrsWCpokJg6SVqzGbhuG89dxmPFd3-0WIop_WFip4ACF0/s1600/Bear+Claw+Part+2.jpg" height="154" width="320" /></a></div>
So, however you might like to get your strips of fabric into HSTs, here's what they should look like.<br />
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Again, however, because the measurements call for only 2/10" difference between the cut fabric and the finished square, I needed to use a 2/10" seam allowance. That just annoyed me, so instead I made my triangles larger and then cut them down to the right size.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiThMQ_jgwdeZCnUd5wgdrfwAz2HykoPz38DnYf9c_Fyrs8d2q887EvsL-K3y9FBPghh6JctEsizia-KvzIHaC0Oijf6h35E3KHR2XyeDsKGe51o8vY9hczvpBKNh1cCDUqUAIfWOmQZpc/s1600/Bear+Claw+Part+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiThMQ_jgwdeZCnUd5wgdrfwAz2HykoPz38DnYf9c_Fyrs8d2q887EvsL-K3y9FBPghh6JctEsizia-KvzIHaC0Oijf6h35E3KHR2XyeDsKGe51o8vY9hczvpBKNh1cCDUqUAIfWOmQZpc/s1600/Bear+Claw+Part+3.jpg" height="228" width="320" /></a></div>
Like the Kansas Troubles block, I then pieced together two units: 1) two HSTs; and 2) two HSTs and a grey square. Again, here's my annoyance. I needed to use a 2/10" (or so) seam allowance to make this work. I, sadly, did not discover this until I had pieced all the units. Grrr.<br />
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Anywho, after some grumping and grrrrring I finally beat, er, sewed the pieces into submission. They look so peaceful and innocent over there, don't they? Who would know they could be so wrought with frustration??<br />
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I then inserted what I call "crossbeams" into the blocks as shown below:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVBjXvWevI4j7O6iEIe_NRYrBf0K0Oa4uGThcVSU9_tphn_Iv-gk6ZbUSHWwvcz2cffP9Wdc_IjKTvnzTcFelhqf2eGzKbrC0BmJsHGE5BEeninklf9cyUdk9XhoG7aFtGSYZBROuSU2E/s1600/Bear+Claw+Part+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVBjXvWevI4j7O6iEIe_NRYrBf0K0Oa4uGThcVSU9_tphn_Iv-gk6ZbUSHWwvcz2cffP9Wdc_IjKTvnzTcFelhqf2eGzKbrC0BmJsHGE5BEeninklf9cyUdk9XhoG7aFtGSYZBROuSU2E/s1600/Bear+Claw+Part+4.jpg" height="271" width="320" /></a></div>
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And here, at long last and with much frustration, is the finished block: </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht47ttlEBv53YeUBknUv7wThMxLWTaE0yDBZn3GXyeveb4a7MOFvSnKV3Ck13tldpA8vAmx196msL9pWq9nY7GQhIO2EXcggB4wG12Xov57lRej-KvnmM0_8r9BE94lcx0sfAjEoeh90c/s1600/Bear+Claw+Part+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht47ttlEBv53YeUBknUv7wThMxLWTaE0yDBZn3GXyeveb4a7MOFvSnKV3Ck13tldpA8vAmx196msL9pWq9nY7GQhIO2EXcggB4wG12Xov57lRej-KvnmM0_8r9BE94lcx0sfAjEoeh90c/s1600/Bear+Claw+Part+5.jpg" height="325" width="400" /></a></div>
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I think what I find so frustrating about this otherwise really satisfying block is that the annoyances could easily have been eliminated by doing the following:</div>
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<li>Specify what the finished measurements of the block's sub-units should be</li>
<li>Use more standard (modern) 1/4" measurements. <a href="http://myquiltdiet.blogspot.com/">Marion</a> has told me that in the past measurements such as 5/8" or 7/8" were more common. </li>
<li>Be more clear about the procedures (as in the construction of the HSTs). The book has an explanation of how to construct HSTs (which is sewing together triangles), but this does not shed any light on how the strips are supposed to become HSTs.</li>
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Anyway, I really do love the finished product, and I might make them again—but with my own measurements and my own directions!</div>
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Check in Sunday for Part 3 of my BFTPqal blocks: applique!</div>
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<br />Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06698162779579902452noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6207770681915555840.post-47952335724719748642015-04-06T14:31:00.001-04:002015-04-06T14:31:38.200-04:00Blocks From the Past: Kansas TroublesHappy Easter and Happy Passover—and Happy Spring!<br />
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I had an unanticipated hiatus from my newly renewed blogging when my father (who is moving from the Southwest U.S. to southern Baja, Mexico) asked me to drive him from NM to Mexico. Who can say no to a roadtrip—and a parent?!<br />
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So I'm back on grid after far too long without any access to internet. Felt like the old days!<br />
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Today I'm here to share with you my second week of coverage of Blocks From The Past! Today's block is "Kansas Troubles," and let me tell you it did cause me some troubles! I really love the finished product, but boy was it a bit troublesome!!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2eKA4tDcYCLMSRyQ_nQ51XpbJZSRHL_BKqfH0P5guzchB_3NorMokqdYvlckEJm9hhEqwU0RtOOJvzJydI2lK9S4VLoHTwkgb0xuXjt8h01Dw6xnMcYa1BWAZYtM5VZPdV4b_7Yuydn8/s1600/Kansas+Troubles+pieces.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2eKA4tDcYCLMSRyQ_nQ51XpbJZSRHL_BKqfH0P5guzchB_3NorMokqdYvlckEJm9hhEqwU0RtOOJvzJydI2lK9S4VLoHTwkgb0xuXjt8h01Dw6xnMcYa1BWAZYtM5VZPdV4b_7Yuydn8/s1600/Kansas+Troubles+pieces.jpg" height="256" width="320" /></a></div>
As with my last set of blocks, the measures were a little off our modern "normal" piecing, but thankfully easier than the last blocks I did!<br />
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The pattern called for three fabrics:<br />
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<b>Grey</b>: 1) Two 3 7/8" squares (cut into triangles); 2) Four 1 1/4" squares; and 3) One 1 1/2" strip<br />
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The pattern does not specify how long that 1 1/2" strip should be, but you'll need 8 squares (for HSTs), so according to the pattern the strip will need to be 12" long.<br />
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Note: We all have different ways of tackling HSTs. I prefer to have just a bit more fabric to work with that I can then trim back, rather than having a scant HST, so I actually cut my strips into 14x1.75" length, then cut my HSTs down to the required 1 1/4". For those of you who always have precise, flawless 1/4 inch seams, you'll likely go with the measurements as stated in the pattern.<br />
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<b>Green</b>: Two 2 3/8" squares, cut each in half diagonally<br />
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<b>Blue/Green: </b>1) Four 1 5/8" squares, each cut in half diagonally; and 2) 1 1/2" strips (see above note).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyODGyIYzc4N6Eu2YRKXI8jDy9pm6g8MPyJWrdTMicYgUtvEwRzCSkAjAGZSoT6CCMR3-WTN5woZ3tB_eFxPHNYFjsILgHWaxsTMAY3PwfDJODDHe_j-YS4ZcLcU095O_vYxjY7uMQ4d8/s1600/Kansas+Troubles+HSTs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyODGyIYzc4N6Eu2YRKXI8jDy9pm6g8MPyJWrdTMicYgUtvEwRzCSkAjAGZSoT6CCMR3-WTN5woZ3tB_eFxPHNYFjsILgHWaxsTMAY3PwfDJODDHe_j-YS4ZcLcU095O_vYxjY7uMQ4d8/s1600/Kansas+Troubles+HSTs.jpg" height="146" width="320" /></a></div>
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I sewed the grey and blue/green HSTs into blocks, then trimmed down to 1 1/4" squares.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQjPv-1Z2gzItWadRoTdULno_RRvju-AhyYdwvH5oqKlpcXoOCzuqhcJpu-ftkSrbHjn3YRa2T5r3eueZ7tVDWasgzUx1pzEBUWzZZbtgIlUoZJ6Xtw8KlA2IRN87U5vyjfsQQAU30edo/s1600/Kansas+Troubles+HSTs+together.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQjPv-1Z2gzItWadRoTdULno_RRvju-AhyYdwvH5oqKlpcXoOCzuqhcJpu-ftkSrbHjn3YRa2T5r3eueZ7tVDWasgzUx1pzEBUWzZZbtgIlUoZJ6Xtw8KlA2IRN87U5vyjfsQQAU30edo/s1600/Kansas+Troubles+HSTs+together.jpg" height="215" width="320" /></a></div>
I then assembled eight units—each had one blue/green triangle and two grey and blue/green squares. This was straightforward, but took some attention to ensure that the triangles were oriented in the right way.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj51Id3mOcLM-1ylqp-GHaOVp48WzkO_X46eCmD36is1eR8uGTirK2T7d62fD4L4pYZmtiH5aBAPLPDMEFw-msUzICwDXqY_cbDs6MNcSERFl2GfCV-I79tPa9aljHMarnOJmh5SImoec/s1600/Kansas+Troubles+HSTs+green.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj51Id3mOcLM-1ylqp-GHaOVp48WzkO_X46eCmD36is1eR8uGTirK2T7d62fD4L4pYZmtiH5aBAPLPDMEFw-msUzICwDXqY_cbDs6MNcSERFl2GfCV-I79tPa9aljHMarnOJmh5SImoec/s1600/Kansas+Troubles+HSTs+green.jpg" height="290" width="320" /></a></div>
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I then sewed a grey square to the end of one unit (described above) and the larger green triangle to another unit. Again, here it was important to ensure that I was constructing the triangles in the correct orientation to ensure it matched the direction in the outline.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaNIMsKKShefa9zEW_DkO87gKOsZ-b_FUI7f8nydxH7myMINagJA1hAPFjacvSgijUKanCzFlYrnmIoD2p9I2JJO1ddaRFPVsvMzm2T6yervJzQLZg8LeVv8kpwvM5guIiHksFBJZ03kI/s1600/Kansas+Troubles+together3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaNIMsKKShefa9zEW_DkO87gKOsZ-b_FUI7f8nydxH7myMINagJA1hAPFjacvSgijUKanCzFlYrnmIoD2p9I2JJO1ddaRFPVsvMzm2T6yervJzQLZg8LeVv8kpwvM5guIiHksFBJZ03kI/s1600/Kansas+Troubles+together3.jpg" height="236" width="320" /></a></div>
After sewing together the pieces pictured above, I then sewed the large grey triangles and assembled it in the order depicted in the pattern.<br />
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It was only at this point that I began to enjoy the pattern that was emerging as the block was taking shape.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDilE5BGUfvklbYzG7VZWfgM29-y8FdN-aAq9nk6S8ZfUIbmOrPa4IDl3_HExanNyL5c-h1GAyDTWtA-6ShaWuQqAkruNYJIDlaQJ7XVEN9ccrF-ctcL4G8n45VOqnEHRzNpFaTEBe-FI/s1600/Kansas+Troubles+Done.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDilE5BGUfvklbYzG7VZWfgM29-y8FdN-aAq9nk6S8ZfUIbmOrPa4IDl3_HExanNyL5c-h1GAyDTWtA-6ShaWuQqAkruNYJIDlaQJ7XVEN9ccrF-ctcL4G8n45VOqnEHRzNpFaTEBe-FI/s1600/Kansas+Troubles+Done.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDilE5BGUfvklbYzG7VZWfgM29-y8FdN-aAq9nk6S8ZfUIbmOrPa4IDl3_HExanNyL5c-h1GAyDTWtA-6ShaWuQqAkruNYJIDlaQJ7XVEN9ccrF-ctcL4G8n45VOqnEHRzNpFaTEBe-FI/s1600/Kansas+Troubles+Done.jpg" height="262" width="320" /></a></div>
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And here is the Kansas Troubles block—finished! Of the blocks that I've done so far from this book, this block is by far my favorite. Of course, the green Lizzy House fabric does help me feel happy!</div>
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Happy sewing and check back in tomorrow for a new blog post and Wednesday for a new BFTPqal block!</div>
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Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06698162779579902452noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6207770681915555840.post-64197780224630958992015-03-11T00:00:00.000-04:002015-03-11T00:00:01.052-04:00Blocks From the Past Part III: Lyre, Lyre Pants on FireAs I understand it, part of the modern quilting aesthetic is the exploration of traditional forms and concepts through a contemporary lens—the use of bold colors and prints, high contrast, a clean simplicity . . .<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyYAeoshJ59zp9ZVfC099a6kuJikq3f1Zb6LbpjdyVl3J-Fd98grU7sEFAr2DE91Fs9_lldH7uDf5kfBgUMaaN0vQpBQP-83iiMCzLrbDUuoA1ncBLBwFxTDq8FmZ6I-jcJPYqyukMGQQ/s1600/Bowtie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyYAeoshJ59zp9ZVfC099a6kuJikq3f1Zb6LbpjdyVl3J-Fd98grU7sEFAr2DE91Fs9_lldH7uDf5kfBgUMaaN0vQpBQP-83iiMCzLrbDUuoA1ncBLBwFxTDq8FmZ6I-jcJPYqyukMGQQ/s1600/Bowtie.jpg" /></a></div>
As someone whose first quilt was a 1904 Bowtie Quilt made by someone somewhere in Ohio, I love the parsimony (thrift) and utility of the old patchwork quilt. Made by mothers and sisters, aunts and grandmothers, these quilts were sewn from fabric left at hand—patchwork quilts were made by families who couldn't buy "store-bought" linens. These quilts were made with sons and fathers' work shirts, little ones worn and re-worn Sunday Best dresses. As I look at this bow tie quilt hanging across the room from me, I wonder the design decisions that ran through this long past quilt maker's mind as she pieced and quilted this quilt. Did she think about how quickly her children were growing (out of their clothes)? Remember a favorite moment represented by a particular scrap?<br />
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I think of these questions because, at their best, I think quilts are sewn, stitch by stitch, with the thought close in mind of the future recipient of the quilt being made. When I make quilts for friends, their babies, and family, I sew into each quilt hopes and wishes and love for the recipient. I think about what friend I was with or what town I was visiting when I bought a particular fabric.<br />
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When I'm trying out new design ideas, I think about what Nina Garcia on Project Runway calls an editorial point of view which, I think, means "what am I trying to convey and is it worth hearing?"<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdHo2GpLZFzCG9IYVt24QyOR5E_rMH-vwJQ-szWDuW1ixRLzmRqKsnds_QGWUWEjsysXeW1or4t_K7Z5dpvAR7nJ7YJw-1hbVq9H06FYotXP4gsjE5_iQLJmfE4zgMSdX-Swlo2dZdHL0/s1600/Lyre+Clipart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdHo2GpLZFzCG9IYVt24QyOR5E_rMH-vwJQ-szWDuW1ixRLzmRqKsnds_QGWUWEjsysXeW1or4t_K7Z5dpvAR7nJ7YJw-1hbVq9H06FYotXP4gsjE5_iQLJmfE4zgMSdX-Swlo2dZdHL0/s1600/Lyre+Clipart.jpg" /></a></div>
This is all to say that I have struggled to find the modern point of view for today's BFTPqal block. This image, for those of you who were not in their high school bands in ancient Greece or current day Eastern Africa, is the lyre—a Classical U-shaped stringed instrument. Think harp, but portable.<br />
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While I did go through a brief phase in childhood where I wanted to learn to play the harp, I couldn't find a way to relate to this image in a modern way. And then I discovered<a href="http://willywonkyquilts.blogspot.com/"> WonkyWorld</a>. This post about her <a href="http://willywonkyquilts.blogspot.com/2010/12/lyre.html">lyre quilt</a> gave me a new perspective. In her case, the lyre is the symbol of her high school literary magazine. Now, I found WonkyWorld just by googling lyre and quilting, but as it turns out, she and I went to competing high schools in NJ. Check out her blog—she's amazingly talented and also covers phenomenally special historic quilts.<br />
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Reading her post about her excitement about her lyre quilt made me think about lyres . . . and then it came to me. I can't speak about the Neoclassical roots of our culture and government and how the lyre is an icon of this time. Actually, I probably could, but I'll spare you!! But what I remembered was a musical theatre company in Chatham, NJ (Chatham Community Players) where in elementary school I "starred" in "A Palace Built by Music." I oddly remember most of the songs still to this day, and I remember my excitement when I was handed my very own gilded, cardboard lyre. Can't say much about the plot.<br />
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So, with all this said (are there any readers left out there?), I held tightly to this shred of a memory of a lost musical career to channel my Modern/Neoclassical lyre mojo as I approached my third Blocks From the Past post.<br />
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As all you close followers of our ever fabulous BFTPqal surely know, today's block is . . . . THE LYRE!!!<br />
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Now, not to whine or anything, because I actually do love my needle turn appliqué, but who thought appliquéing those slim little spaces between the lyre's strings was a good idea? Good thing I love Marion and Natalie to pieces, as I persevered!!<br />
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So, onto the business at hand. I began with selecting the ever fabulous VeloCity by Jessica Hogarth and the Grey Architextures by Carolyn Friedlander. The directions call for a 7" background square, which is later cut down to 6.5" after the appliqué is finished. I know you're asking: "where are the weird fraction of 37ths?" Today is apparently brought to you by the half and full inch measure. Phew!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2nViwAcc6jDTuyOjWGgCh5sRgCO8DQ7bYjFts23SjPZoSiEq9kKqjaHDEaRmlz-GagPp5YCYhO_ukusR3JpweY1SlIDItE3HorIsCnialpgkCJQ-K10qP-9CLUsNjKGLlc5N0JLR3Eic/s1600/Block+3B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2nViwAcc6jDTuyOjWGgCh5sRgCO8DQ7bYjFts23SjPZoSiEq9kKqjaHDEaRmlz-GagPp5YCYhO_ukusR3JpweY1SlIDItE3HorIsCnialpgkCJQ-K10qP-9CLUsNjKGLlc5N0JLR3Eic/s1600/Block+3B.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1642kW8JvaJHf710HZJzoadQI2uCd4q8aVpmMcNa1jVN-kVulrWYZgw9hbYA_aC3e0SuqvVOgU2fq406awPQB5nVNOSv_PmwAhr13v73OqoEeeh5kniX9LGqlRBYRQL_1W7-EkUY6Pgs/s1600/Block+3A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1642kW8JvaJHf710HZJzoadQI2uCd4q8aVpmMcNa1jVN-kVulrWYZgw9hbYA_aC3e0SuqvVOgU2fq406awPQB5nVNOSv_PmwAhr13v73OqoEeeh5kniX9LGqlRBYRQL_1W7-EkUY6Pgs/s1600/Block+3A.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a><br />
Everyone has their own way of approaching appliqué. For me, it depends on what the shape is. For this one, because I needed to cut into narrow slots (between the strings) I opted for freezer paper. I traced the lyre pattern from the BFTP book and then cut it down to size.<br />
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I then traced out the lyre shape on the right side of the fabric. Next, I cut out the shape, leaving approximately .25-.5 seam allowance. I don't show it here, but I then cut out the space between the strings. Check out Red Brolly's great <a href="http://www.red-brolly.com/2013/05/tutorial-ready-set-sew-how-to-needleturn-applique/">post</a> on Needle Turn Appliqué. As the name implies, the needle is a very important/useful tool that helps turn the fabric under to make a clean edge (as opposed to raw edge appliqué). </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEKqu6Bf_OilLKh1kC96VrBDDPHlmeuNfWS0HQI1vi69VNa-Qs1w-G6XETmzb9isihyphenhyphenejOu2BeJCnaBCXp0gVxMvNjJLJAhN9gnmu6cNXP6bdQKhPS1d-AtoLs5gr5Yd_R7XEqk2LjKHU/s1600/Block+3C.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEKqu6Bf_OilLKh1kC96VrBDDPHlmeuNfWS0HQI1vi69VNa-Qs1w-G6XETmzb9isihyphenhyphenejOu2BeJCnaBCXp0gVxMvNjJLJAhN9gnmu6cNXP6bdQKhPS1d-AtoLs5gr5Yd_R7XEqk2LjKHU/s1600/Block+3C.jpg" height="320" width="316" /></a></div>
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Apparently, so focused was I on the appliqué portion of this segment that I completely failed to photograph my appliqué. Plus, it's hard when your wife is at work and you can't take a picture of your own hands. Apparently I need some sort of headlamp selfie cam (I guess they call that a GoPro?) so I can do up to the minute video of my handicraft!!<br />
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At any rate, here's the finished product:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1vtQggS5X02sewrUD9KZcTRe6-cJRmHmoi94VKzaVYKqVYjt7eMZvDe0JEx5YXjR8ag9Dc4bz-_Hw_MuWgMJEK-kgFlWEpDS0PYBDRnS_q-w_Mb5vcXMaQgqJeFYy-YQYN5xd_5wlrUc/s1600/Block+3D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1vtQggS5X02sewrUD9KZcTRe6-cJRmHmoi94VKzaVYKqVYjt7eMZvDe0JEx5YXjR8ag9Dc4bz-_Hw_MuWgMJEK-kgFlWEpDS0PYBDRnS_q-w_Mb5vcXMaQgqJeFYy-YQYN5xd_5wlrUc/s1600/Block+3D.jpg" height="263" width="320" /></a></div>
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And to all those who made it through my ponderous post, check out my blog tomorrow for other non-BFTPqal postings, and check in April 6th for my next installment!!</div>
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Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06698162779579902452noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6207770681915555840.post-17535508428421829502015-03-10T00:00:00.000-04:002015-03-10T00:00:06.095-04:00Blocks From the Past Part II: Fox and GeeseI'm baaack!<br />
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I know!! Three days in a row! Brace yourself—many more ahead, my friends!<br />
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I'm here to bring you Part II of my first week of the Blocks From the Past QAL. Today we're tackling the Fox and Geese (a.k.a., P. 24).<br />
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For those of you who followed my angst-ridden journey through the perils of the 11/16 inch, rest assured that today limits its craziness to the 3/8 inch. Totally calming and manageable, no?!<br />
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First of all, here's the block in all its finished glory:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH1tciYITVuI7FESiDhyphenhyphenIm5155CMIJmJZDHkXln3TxKArn4T2pWcYIePc5XCkBUCn9pm0Arzn96qpLyAhQqdufCZh-rZjEyD9CadIdQuoHgBIZNZ8EbzmmIM25-lhYuLbLsw19gnH__oM/s1600/Block+2C.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH1tciYITVuI7FESiDhyphenhyphenIm5155CMIJmJZDHkXln3TxKArn4T2pWcYIePc5XCkBUCn9pm0Arzn96qpLyAhQqdufCZh-rZjEyD9CadIdQuoHgBIZNZ8EbzmmIM25-lhYuLbLsw19gnH__oM/s1600/Block+2C.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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The block calls for the following pieces:<br />
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<b>Color 1 (Grey Architextures background): </b><br />
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<ul>
<li>Five 2 3/8 inch squared, cut each diagonally</li>
<li>Four 2 inch squares</li>
</ul>
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<b>Color 2 (Navy & White Denyse Schmidt print): </b><br />
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<ul>
<li>One 2 3/8 inch square, cut in half diagonally</li>
<li>One 3 7/8 inch square, cut in half diagonally</li>
</ul>
<b>Color 3 (Green Half Moon Modern print): </b><br /><div>
<ul>
<li>Two 2 3/8 inch squares, cut each in half diagonally</li>
</ul>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi86WsUa28vUHvAnMtE3m7r4p-nJYyUK4uUjTXj27stQpYk3cJYSQfiUvGy_YDeStND86PKm85Uyh8oyOxZuyEK23HPMGA9qRbvbAKQ6MslCWwe3R-MhHhgzd4z5wTv9UFZdgSBV_YSDuI/s1600/Block+2A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi86WsUa28vUHvAnMtE3m7r4p-nJYyUK4uUjTXj27stQpYk3cJYSQfiUvGy_YDeStND86PKm85Uyh8oyOxZuyEK23HPMGA9qRbvbAKQ6MslCWwe3R-MhHhgzd4z5wTv9UFZdgSBV_YSDuI/s1600/Block+2A.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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As with yesterday's Sister's Choice block, I sewed the bias squares the old-fashioned way. If I had had more to do, I would have sewn the two squares together and then cut down the diagonal (check out April's great blog description of this <a href="http://april-makingendsmeet.blogspot.com/">here</a>).<br />
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After sewing and pressing the HSTs together (using <a href="http://shortcookie.blogspot.com/2013/03/hitting-bottle.html">Maggie's Classy Hooch Press</a>, of course!), I assembled this as pictured below, and then sewed it all together!!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtdOeYa3U2iNFcfq69eNWWGsBAukVkGGwyCppLqWFig53epdsgxCQDQPz14_OMZb-y5XUkAPegpfaXxHgwlNvJt0E5QMXd32VuPxU7nyMytxzVyR6fmk6af8hqiCe5LJ214Co9pfpERt0/s1600/Block+2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtdOeYa3U2iNFcfq69eNWWGsBAukVkGGwyCppLqWFig53epdsgxCQDQPz14_OMZb-y5XUkAPegpfaXxHgwlNvJt0E5QMXd32VuPxU7nyMytxzVyR6fmk6af8hqiCe5LJ214Co9pfpERt0/s1600/Block+2B.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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In tomorrow's post, I will try to make an argument for the modernity of the lyre (that's a "harp" to all you non-classicists out there) in needle turn appliqué. Oh boy, I live an exciting life!!<br />
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<br />Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06698162779579902452noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6207770681915555840.post-62126089324562833752015-03-09T02:00:00.000-04:002015-03-09T02:00:00.216-04:00Blocks From the Past Part I: Sister's Choice<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxTAR_leP57DTUIXjNt7lYEdtnf360uvuWcnx98jGj0K2VK9kVhNU8RpX7D80cymjAivuAH-8a6mKtbnPkuFZfNVTBBmBKt4jBBXdzqpkljQlKnzEm06Rgwq5KupPRgqUe_M8pECyBE3M/s1600/BFTPqal+Button.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxTAR_leP57DTUIXjNt7lYEdtnf360uvuWcnx98jGj0K2VK9kVhNU8RpX7D80cymjAivuAH-8a6mKtbnPkuFZfNVTBBmBKt4jBBXdzqpkljQlKnzEm06Rgwq5KupPRgqUe_M8pECyBE3M/s1600/BFTPqal+Button.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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I'm so happy to be part of the Blocks From the Past Quilt-a-long! My fabulously talented—and fun—quilty friends Marion at <a href="http://myquiltdiet.blogspot.com/">My Quilt Diet</a> and Natalie at <a href="http://www.natalie-ever-after.blogspot.com/">Natalie Ever After</a> hosting a sampler quilt-a-long using Marie Henry's Teach Yourself Blocks From the Past book (available <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Teach-Yourself-Blocks-Past-Leisure/dp/1574862502/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1425847463&sr=8-1&keywords=teach+yourself+blocks+from+the+past">here</a> on Amazon). April over at <a href="http://april-makingendsmeet.blogspot.com/">Making Ends Meet</a> discovered this book at a yard sale and proposed a QAL using modern fabrics.<br />
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They organized a QAL blogfest, with each of us taking a week or two to highlight some of these blocks. If you haven't been following along before now, check out Marion's post <a href="http://myquiltdiet.blogspot.com/2015/01/blocks-from-past-qal.html">here</a>, which lists the bloggers and the schedule. Today starts the first of two weeks I'll be blogging about six of the pieced and appliquéd blocks from this book.<br />
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This week, beginning with today, I will do three posts on three separate blocks. The first up, is Sister's Choice on page 23.<br />
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Before I outline what I did, may I rant ever so briefly about the horrors of the One and Eleven Sixteenths Inch. Yes, I capitalized it. So horrible a thing deserves capitalized letters.<br />
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This pattern for the Sister's Choice block calls for squares of two different measures: One and Eleven Sixteenths of an inch, and Two and One Sixteenth of an inch. The first is kind of like 3/4 of an inch, but it isn't. I'm apparently more precise (also known as OCD) than I had realized—much as I wanted to just round it to 1 and 3/4, I just couldn't. Given the apparent shortcomings of our wonderful modern rulers, I pulled out my trusty 12" ruler from college:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMBCMCHa6F4SBF-2zyNzJpD3W35ocG-xnCWooFtHue-an5dkRrs_Y_pcKeAyn2Mqzyw3mjIUjD3yGIggZUTr_MaWUUHjq5fHPi41TxYRrtiZfOY0P07tY4gWDqrRqpcNZqz-Smlt6j0Ts/s1600/Crazy+Ruler.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMBCMCHa6F4SBF-2zyNzJpD3W35ocG-xnCWooFtHue-an5dkRrs_Y_pcKeAyn2Mqzyw3mjIUjD3yGIggZUTr_MaWUUHjq5fHPi41TxYRrtiZfOY0P07tY4gWDqrRqpcNZqz-Smlt6j0Ts/s1600/Crazy+Ruler.jpg" height="127" width="320" /></a></div>
Using my Washi tape in a vain attempt to lighten the moment, I marked out 11/16 of an inch. Do you know how little those little marks are? It was a grisly task. I then used this measure to mark out the 1 11/16 inch square on my Omnigrid ruler:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7etqP9shYN0EZG_KriLllCOyslnXvQLeRuvFUJf57NaaiRE_XAj09Yy03LeUJTuPi-Y9KzuD4jwKWQ3bAOpuDuQ7malj2jkKwjKU5F90gh9UKB7BfSbv3Djn1IT4wp6X6Fm9iZxlKgBE/s1600/Crazy+Ruler+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7etqP9shYN0EZG_KriLllCOyslnXvQLeRuvFUJf57NaaiRE_XAj09Yy03LeUJTuPi-Y9KzuD4jwKWQ3bAOpuDuQ7malj2jkKwjKU5F90gh9UKB7BfSbv3Djn1IT4wp6X6Fm9iZxlKgBE/s1600/Crazy+Ruler+2.jpg" height="196" width="320" /></a></div>
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After mastering this, I finally moved onto fabric. Now, my other quilty peeps who have preceded me in this QAL venture ably discuss the most efficient way of sewing half square triangles (HSTs), but I found myself so overcome by the 11/16 issue (see above) that I resorted to cutting out the HSTs and then sewing them together. Old School baby!<br />
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The block calls for the following pieces:<br />
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Color 1: Eight 1 11/16 squares; 4 2 1/16 squares, cut each in half diagonally<br />
Color 2: Four 1 11/16 squares<br />
Color 3: Four 2 1/16 squares, cut each in half diagonally<br />
Color 4: Five 1 11/16 squares<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2pc8H5_qqIsDcEryE_BW6Xt81Gsfk7pS0RzjarYLkpl792HqJ9kgbb0wlUTqjax7NFcyAG7HcFKTPzj1Kn-02M777pEd93M7HJA-JD1o8K7b4c7_X6BTj3y6U4QIrRqyrbLIqokHs7Vg/s1600/Block+1A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2pc8H5_qqIsDcEryE_BW6Xt81Gsfk7pS0RzjarYLkpl792HqJ9kgbb0wlUTqjax7NFcyAG7HcFKTPzj1Kn-02M777pEd93M7HJA-JD1o8K7b4c7_X6BTj3y6U4QIrRqyrbLIqokHs7Vg/s1600/Block+1A.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOofXiAyOxmggV8qGgYPkGJDIj5N59l9VeUxi66RMBf6nC7eQBCaaq40JT3UX-X1jzwB_rxMq625nk-M-hqU0XO_Kt7vy_ktnBLl26nWemdsWY0IpO1KkmKG0vW1C-_CF763cyVhR18uY/s1600/Block+1B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOofXiAyOxmggV8qGgYPkGJDIj5N59l9VeUxi66RMBf6nC7eQBCaaq40JT3UX-X1jzwB_rxMq625nk-M-hqU0XO_Kt7vy_ktnBLl26nWemdsWY0IpO1KkmKG0vW1C-_CF763cyVhR18uY/s1600/Block+1B.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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I then trimmed off the little ears from the squares and squared them up<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3S5Euu3uoqK9DUarWNaS6V-WgDTOFDQ0bHiViiFoFkHV3AvsOn-YH1Qc-6sdA1puB2CEGJnVABTD334Y3lZEx6dYK1BzW5dlK9H37lTPdiKOyTAc_LnlyexDXFVOsiMGBhQvgFPLjBqE/s1600/Block+1C.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
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I sewed the squares together in strips:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3S5Euu3uoqK9DUarWNaS6V-WgDTOFDQ0bHiViiFoFkHV3AvsOn-YH1Qc-6sdA1puB2CEGJnVABTD334Y3lZEx6dYK1BzW5dlK9H37lTPdiKOyTAc_LnlyexDXFVOsiMGBhQvgFPLjBqE/s1600/Block+1C.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3S5Euu3uoqK9DUarWNaS6V-WgDTOFDQ0bHiViiFoFkHV3AvsOn-YH1Qc-6sdA1puB2CEGJnVABTD334Y3lZEx6dYK1BzW5dlK9H37lTPdiKOyTAc_LnlyexDXFVOsiMGBhQvgFPLjBqE/s1600/Block+1C.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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And then sewed the strips together:</div>
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11/16 aside, I do like the look of this block. I'm ambivalent about my greens—I love them, but don't adore them together—but I do like the modern look of the general color scheme. </div>
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Give this a try and let me know what you come up with! Next up, the Fox and the Geese block! Stay tuned!</div>
Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06698162779579902452noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6207770681915555840.post-72289336176047706612015-03-08T15:57:00.001-04:002015-03-08T15:57:21.188-04:00Back from SiberiaEr, well, after much fanfare in my last post about my renewed commitment to regular blogging, I vanished from the blogosphere. I was, apparently, tempting the Fates, who decided that I was getting cheeky. Within a day or two of that last post (January 7th, I believe), I caught a cold. Not a big deal, right? Well, it is now March and I am only now getting over it. It's months like these that I start to see hibernation as a welcome alternative.<br />
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Anywho, dare I tempt the Fates again, I think I'm back. Still snuffly and such, but upright enough for stitchery and such and lots to talk about.<br />
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<b>First up, a shout out to my quilty peeps at the Quilt Bliss Retreat and Cabin Fever Retreat</b><br />
During the past two weeks I've been participating vicariously in the Quilt Bliss and Cabin Fever retreats. When I was living in Utah I met some incredible quilting folk, many of whom have become dear friends. There's an amazing modern quilting community out there—fabric designers, quilt designers, quilters, bloggers, and fabric shops.<br />
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Two years ago I joined some friends at a fun, food and fabric fueled getaway in a phenomenal snowy lodge at the Cabin Fever Retreat organized by Emily Herrick, Shannon White, and Terry Griffin. Picture an adult-sized spiral slide running from the loft down to the second floor. Serious fun. I couldn't go this year, but I hear it was fabulous!<br />
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Last year was the first ever Quilt Bliss, organized by Pamela Cardwell and friends. Imagine a horde of talented and wonderful quilters, retreating in a "cozy" 26,000 square foot log cabin. Check out my post <a href="http://shortcookie.blogspot.com/2014/02/back-from-quilt-bliss.html">here</a> from last year with all the details. I was sad to miss it this year, but still am holding out hope of going this fall. Check it out if you're interested, <a href="http://www.quilt-bliss.com/">tickets are still available</a>!<br />
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<b>Next, a look ahead</b><br />
Not sure you can A) believe me, or B) stand it, but brace yourself for a virtual onslaught of Shortcookie blogginess!! I have news of swaps, bees, tutorials, quilt-a-longs, and even some new news of progress on our dear 1927 house.<br />
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Next up—tomorrow—will be Part I of my first week in the Blocks From the Past quilt-a-long (#BFTPqal). Stay tuned for the wondrous challenge of using a block measuring 1 11/16". Yes, that's one and one sixteenth inch.<br />
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<br />Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00185935461807367754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6207770681915555840.post-70015064926998482242015-01-07T23:48:00.002-05:002015-03-08T18:28:38.619-04:00New Year's ResolutionsNo, it is not a mirage. It is actually I, Shortcookie, returned as if from the grave!<br />
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It has truly been eons since last I checked in, and it's been about that long since I was last in a regular sewing groove. But there was something about the coming holiday season that has returned my sew-jo (aka, sewing mojo).<br />
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Since I relocated back to the east coast from Utah almost a year and a half ago, I've been doing freelance work as an educational researcher and writer. It's directly related to my former life as a professor, but it is quite a different pace, with most of the work done from home in what I call my "day-time pajamas"—clean, fresh pajama bottoms with a comfy sweatshirt—as no one can tell from my email and reports what I'm wearing! No complaints about my work clothes, but it has been a bit of an adjustment to the pace. My consulting work is not yet up to full speed, so I have felt guilty over this past year when I spend any time sewing instead of working on drumming up more business.<br />
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So, day after day, I've walked by my mostly unpacked sewing room upstairs, trying not to be enticed by all the fabric yumminess. I did occasionally pull out my machine to work on my medallion round robin with my Utah quilty friends, and I think I may have made one baby quilt, but other than that it was one big goose egg for sewing over the past year and a half.<br />
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And then Christmas approached and I got that crafty vibe that you just can't say no to!! I have an abundance of fabric, extra time on my hands, and some ideas I've wanted to work on, and so it began anew!<br />
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I had made a vintage Lilly Pulitzer <a href="http://shortcookie.blogspot.com/search?q=lilly">quilt</a> for my mother almost three years ago, shortly after I began sewing and quilting. It is a smaller lap size, and it was early in my skill development, so I decided to make her a larger one with a bit more finesse. I was inspired by the baby quilt designed by Allison Harris over <a href="http://www.cluckclucksew.com/2012/07/tutorial-strip-and-flip-baby-quilt.html">Cluck, Cluck, Sew</a>. Her design is for a wonderful baby quilt that uses the WOF of each color, with a strip that inverts the color array. In order to make mine larger enough for my mother's use, I decided to create two rows of pieced fabrics for each color (Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Turquoise, Light Blue, Purple, and Pink), with white in between.<br />
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This is a lot of color to through into my mother's life (and decorating scheme), so I decided to make a more muted backing that still ties to the front scheme. A while back I had ordered a ton of Lotta Jansdotter's fabulous Kita fabric, intending to use it for drapes, but we ultimately decided that the print was too small a scale for the room we had targeted. Such a sad thing it is, having 8 yards of fabric without a purpose! So I used that fabric for the backing, with a panel of color strips.<br />
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This quilt still needs to be quilted and bound (see below for explanation of that), but it should be about 63" x 63". I know that usually only baby quilts are square, but I find them a satisfying shape for a cuddle on the couch quilt.<br />
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What's more fun than doing just one large quilt just before Christmas than doing another one! I decided to do a quilt for my brother and his wife, who live up in Boston. I had made another lap-sized quilt for them a few years ago.<span style="background-color: white;"> I wanted to do something that would fit well with their lovely 1920s' home and balance both a masculine and feminine aesthetic. I found several versions of the quilt online of the quilt I've made for them, although can't find a source, so I apologize for not giving credit to the original designer. If you're out there, let me know and I'll give you proper credit!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">UPDATE: Thanks IPatchandQuilt for letting me know that <a href="http://ludlowquiltandsew.co.uk/free-quilt-and-sew-patterns/free-quilt-patterns/shadow-box-quilt-pattern/">Ludlow Quilt and Sew</a> calls this the Shadow Box pattern. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV28C3AM9DHCXRNm51OU2BzGwrjy6-tRTrUFDZoFSmW2-QUwKtkgZ469MI8_DXjnr674A4s8C31RJWasKG4eLi4yJgbmNi_LHKQZTEXzwAwxMDvjLdA4d7lLtbG0qzx4WUhVzIXxF8GGE/s1600/CEB+TK+Shadow+Quilt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV28C3AM9DHCXRNm51OU2BzGwrjy6-tRTrUFDZoFSmW2-QUwKtkgZ469MI8_DXjnr674A4s8C31RJWasKG4eLi4yJgbmNi_LHKQZTEXzwAwxMDvjLdA4d7lLtbG0qzx4WUhVzIXxF8GGE/s1600/CEB+TK+Shadow+Quilt.jpg" height="286" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white;">I was originally going to use the Kona slate grey for all the shadows, but had a brief, panicked meltdown when I thought I didn't have enough for the whole quilt. Karen, as always, stepped in with both a calming influence and a great idea, suggesting that I alternate the slate grey Kona with the Lotta Jansdotter Kita. I later realized that I actually did have enough of the slate to have done the whole quilt, but I found I preferred the alternating light and dark shadows. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">For the backing, I used a similar approach as with my mom's quilt. My back was starting to act up, so Karen took over the sewing. She came up with yet another great idea and created a patchwork panel using all the fabrics from the front, set between Kita. This quilt also needs to be quilted and bound, but should be 62' x 72'.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">They were both quite a hit at Christmas, even though they each remain unquilted and unbound. And now for that story . . . What I have not yet mentioned is that this great inspiration to make these two quilts was five days before Christmas. Knowing that we would be driving to my mother's on Christmas Eve, that left only four days to get it all done. Apparently my back and shoulder didn't quite like non-stop marathon sewing sessions, so I hit the wall. I woke up on Christmas morning and couldn't raise my arm above my shoulder. </span><br />
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So, dear readers, I have likely overwhelmed you with too much quiltery after so much radio silence. But my chief 2015 quilting resolution is to get back quilting and get back to blogging, so stay tuned for much more soon! Lots to report!!<br />
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<br />Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06698162779579902452noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6207770681915555840.post-10793709493434961102014-02-20T15:22:00.001-05:002014-02-20T15:22:15.684-05:00Still Back from Quilt Bliss!So, continuing my saga from the other day . . . after we arrived at Timber Moose Lodge, we settled into the sewing room, which was transformed from this great upstairs room with a fantastic view of the mountains:<br />
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There wasn't quite enough room for all the sewists, so another room was set up on the first floor. I snuck down there occasionally to lay out and baste my quilts, and they had quite a cool, zen sewing environment. Just a handful of ladies, but they were having a great time and had plenty of room. I loved being upstairs, although there were a lot of tables to fit in and it was sometimes hard negotiating around people on the way to and from the iron and cutting table. </div>
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Before I forget to mention it, throughout the retreat we had the most amazing meals, prepared by Pamela's sister Christina, mother Ginny, and aunt Becky. Seriously good. I tried to be good and skipped most of the desserts, but they were incredible: bouche de noel, meringues, rustic tarts, and more! They worked so hard for us and did an outstanding job. Thank you ladies!!</div>
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Throughout the retreat there were many great classes and trunk shows. Because I signed up late, there were only a few classes left, but still such great choices! I have to confess that I spent most of my time sewing, so I only got to one class, but it was great! I took a fabulous scrap class with <a href="http://www.diaryofaquilter.com/">Amy Smart</a>. Amy reviewed a number of great techniques to use scraps, but we focused on making a string pieced quilt. It was perfect! About a year ago I won scraps from <a href="http://www.filminthefridge.com/">Film in the Fridge</a>, leftovers from her lovely Bonnie & Camille Ruby <a href="http://filminthefridge.com/2012/02/02/ruby-strings-a-pdf-chart/">quilt</a>, and I've been holding off using them until I got around to doing these string blocks. I made it through one block before digging back into other projects at the retreat, but I'm inspired to finish a quilt with them. I was so impressed by so many ladies at the retreat who really dug in and made a ton of these blocks. Amy had the great idea of cutting the block into quarters, which made a super cute baby sized quilt. </div>
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In addition to the class I took with Amy, there were great classes by <a href="http://www.acraftyfox.net/">Amanda Woodruff</a> on mixing and matching fabric, <a href="http://emersonquilting.com/">Emily Sessions</a> on quilting, <a href="http://sadiebird.blogspot.com/">Kristin Barrus</a> on quilt journaling, <a href="http://aroundthequiltblock.blogspot.com/">Anna Morrison</a> on paper piecing, <a href="http://leedledeedlequilts.blogspot.com/">Leigh Hansen </a>on carving out creative time, and Jeannette Hartvigsen on her fabulous hand-turned appliqué. </div>
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I had been so crazed with work and preparing for my big meeting in DC (which was scheduled for the day following the retreat) that I really didn't have much time to plan (or pack) for the retreat. The morning of, I opened up a suitcase and just dumped in somewhat random piles of fabric. All were tied to projects I had already planned, but I just ran out of time to think about how much I could accomplish and how much to pack. As a result, I ended up with a rather small suitcase filled with retreat and work clothes and a large suitcase filled with fabric and assorted projects in progress. Some of what I packed were the medallion quilt blocks from the round robin I've been working on. I had three to tackle, and April had the awesome idea of us working on them together at the retreat. I've decided not to show the blocks, as I know there are peekers out there! </div>
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But here's a photo of some of the great swag we received:<br />
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There's an adorable little print of a sewing machine, two Omnigrid rulers (5.5 inch square and 1x5 inch ruler), little snips scissors, some Aurifil and Metrosene thread, a charm pack and Kona solids mini charm pack, and that adorable little name "tag" person. It's all resting on top of the great Valentine's table runner made for me by my secret swap partner, Lori. I've also included some of the fat quarters I bought at Corn Wagon on my way to the retreat (on the right) as well as two cute Christmas FQs from April. I have just realized that I neglected to add (but need to include) the great little jar filled with selvedges that Sue gave me!<br />
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Going to the retreat has really rekindled my sew-jo, and I've been busy since I returned working on a hexie quilt. I've noticed everyone around me getting into the hexie craze for some time, but it really just didn't interest me until now. The QuiltBliss swag included a little hexie starter kit with EPP templates. While I love all things paper piecing, I initially only picked up the little hexies when I returned from the retreat with a bad cold and ended up in front of the TV (and Olympics) for a solid week. Now I have totally gotten into it!<br />
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I initially started making flower circles, using the same scraps pictured above, but I didn't like the more traditional look they were creating. I unpicked what I had done and restarted using a swirling spiral pattern which is making me much happier. And the best part? All of the fabric I'm using—even the white Kona—comes from my scraps collection! I forgot to add something to give a sense of scale, but they're little 1-inch hexies. So lots more to go if I want to make this into a lap quilt!<br />
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Okay, enough for today . . . stay tuned for more to come!<br />
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Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00185935461807367754noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6207770681915555840.post-18868158714279052812014-02-15T15:00:00.001-05:002014-02-15T15:00:25.787-05:00Back from Quilt Bliss!And back from the blogging grave too! This past month or two have been totally crazy with a big work project that, of course, coincided with the much anticipated Quilt Bliss retreat! My work project included a big trip to DC and I initially worried that I'd have to skip Pamela's retreat in order to meet my work obligations. A little bit of tweaking of the itinerary and I made it work!<br />
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As you know, I left Utah mid-summer, relocating to the NYC area. When <a href="http://frenchknots.blogspot.com/">Pamela</a> first mentioned she was hosting a fabulous luxury retreat along with the <a href="http://utahcountymqg.blogspot.com/">Utah County Modern Quilt Guild</a>, I knew I wanted to go, but I assumed I wouldn't be able to come, given that we're still very much settling into our new jobs and new home. When I discovered a few months ago that there was still room in the retreat AND I realized I had some frequent flier miles piled up, with the support of my honey I decided to make the trip. I knew it'd be a fabulous experience, not to mention a great opportunity to catch up with dear friends.<br />
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And what an adventure it was! My dear friend Sue weathered a nasty storm to drive all the way up from Utah County to pick me up late at night at the SLC airport. I settled into her guest room, which included chocolates on my pillow! The next morning, <a href="http://april-makingendsmeet.blogspot.com/">April</a> picked me up and, along with <a href="http://myquiltdiet.blogspot.com/">Marion</a>, we wended up our way up to Heber, stopping along the way at several fabulous quilt shops. As I may have mentioned, it has taken some adjustment living in the NY metro area in terms of the shortage of modern fabric stores. There are a few places out on Long Island that have primarily batiks and traditional fabrics, but we have to head into Manhattan to the <a href="http://www.cityquilter.com/">City Quilter</a> to get some real options. I felt as if I were coming out of the desert into the rich world of Utah fabric stores! Despite the great temptations at <a href="http://www.cornwagonquilts.com/">Corn Wagon</a>, <a href="http://www.gracielousquiltshoppe.com/">Gracie Lou's</a>, and <a href="http://american-quilting.com/">American Quilting</a>, I walked away with some fat quarters and some new fabric ideas for my wish list.<br />
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We then headed up to the Timber Moose Lodge in Heber. So grateful for Marion's trusty monster truck! A lot of snow had accumulated and only the most robust of 4 wheel drive vehicles were making it up the hill! We actually passed the Dave's Bernina truck, which had gotten stuck going up the hill. After a little backing and forthing up the hill, we finally found the lodge. Funny that you can drive past a 26,000 square foot home and not see it!<br />
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Yes, this place is so massive that I could fit my entire house—with room leftover—in the lodge's great room! This incredible place is apparently the largest privately-owned log cabin in the U.S. It has 13 bedrooms, 16 bathrooms, an indoor pool, outdoor hot tub, a game room, and plenty of nooks and crannies, including a gorgeous crow's nest with a nearly 360 degree view!<br />
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The lodge overlooks a private lake, which is apparently stocked with fish! I didn't bring my camera (just one thing too many to pack!), so I'm using photos from the lodge rental site (thank you!), but during our stay the lake was frozen over and covered with snow.<br />
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I bunked with my friend Sue in the lodge's bunk room, which had six queen-sized bunk beds. I don't think I've bunked down with so many people since sleep-away camp in my teens! There was such an impressive number of bathrooms that despite having almost 60 people sharing facilities, I never once had to wait in line for the shower or potty!<br />
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So this is a little glimpse of where I stayed. Stay tuned tomorrow for more about the retreat itself!Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00185935461807367754noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6207770681915555840.post-64745907248419303712013-12-13T19:59:00.003-05:002013-12-13T19:59:58.740-05:00Utah, I'm a coming!So, I don't think I've mentioned that I've signed up for Pamela's fabulous 2014 Quiltbliss retreat in Utah. Yay!<br />
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I left Utah mid-summer, not sure of when I'd be back, so I'm really excited to be able to come back to catch up with all my quilty friends!<br />
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And what could be a better way of catching up than a four-day modern quilting retreat right in the middle of my favorite snowy season?!<br />
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Just look at these funky and fabulous accommodations!<br />
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Queen-sized bunk beds!! Totally fabulous, right??<br />
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I'm already starting to collect the projects I'll be bringing. Lots to sew, lots to sew, my friends! I've been kind of in a sewing funk of late, as I'm still trying to figure out and settle into my sewing space here. Being back among my sewing friends will be so fabulous! And there will be amazing classes with talented folks like Amy Smart, Anna Morrison, Emily Sessions, and many more!<br />
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Maybe I'll finally get around to that table runner that I've been meaning to tackle . . .<br />
<br />Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06698162779579902452noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6207770681915555840.post-9033841233156748042013-11-11T20:07:00.000-05:002013-11-11T20:07:02.740-05:00Back in the Groove<br />
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I think I'm hot on the trail of my sew-jo at last! I was wandering through blogs and found a great tutorial from Amy at <a href="http://www.diaryofaquilter.com/">Diary of a Quilter</a> for a modern take on the pinwheel. I had some charm squares looking for a home, so I got busy and fell in love with this pattern!</div>
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It took no time at all to whip up, even with the addition of the border with 1 inch squares and rectangles. </div>
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Now I just have to figure out how to quilt it. Any suggestions? </div>
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Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06698162779579902452noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6207770681915555840.post-52894201364994480262013-11-05T13:22:00.002-05:002013-11-05T13:22:08.987-05:00Looking for my sew-joSo, I'm in search of my sewing mo-jo (my sew-jo, as I call it), as it seems to have wandered off somewhere recently. I love sewing and making things. I want to sew. I spend time thinking about which projects I want to work on. I just can't seem to get myself up and going.<br />
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Part of it is that I still haven't fully settled into my sewing room. I need to install shelves so that I can put everything away. Until then, I have piles upon piles of loose fabric and such. I also haven't figured out my set-up at my sewing table. Like where do I put my laptop so that I can follow along on tutorials and such? Right now, it's piled up on top of a plastic basket that started out holding feet and supplies for my Juki, but now has become a catch-all for all things that wander by. If I want to baste a quilt I need to clomp downstairs (in my boot for my <a href="http://shortcookie.blogspot.com/2013/10/the-perils-of-sewing.html">injured foot</a>), lugging the quilt, and giant roll of batting, where I can lay it out properly on the dining room table. Then I can either lug it all back upstairs to quilt, or have the machine dragged downstairs for me to work on.<br />
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I think the other part of it is this pesky boot I'm lugging around on my right foot. I feel clumsy, I have to use my left foot on the pedal, which is awkward, and my sewing room feels even smaller with this enormous boot.<br />
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In my search for my sew-jo, I wander in and out of my sewing room, sort of wistfully visiting my neat fabric piles organized in color order. I just can't seem to turn the ignition!<br />
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Not all is lost, of course. I did finish a baby quilt for a former neighbor's new baby girl, Rosy:<br />
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The quilting took no time . . . not counting the SIX HOURS I spent sorting out the tension issues. Apparently both my needle and bobbin tension were off, so I kept going back and forth trying to get it right. Still not perfect, but much better.<br />
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I also sat down this morning and whipped off these, using Threading My Way's helpful <a href="http://www.threadingmyway.com/2013/07/small-lined-drawstring-bag-tutorial.html">tutorial</a>. There are a ton of great tutorials for these drawstring bags out there. I adjusted the pattern to make a slightly larger bag. These bags are going to be goodie bags for . . . I can't say yet!<br />
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So, still looking to get back in my groove, but making a little progress!<br />
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Now I'll leave you with some gratuitous puppy pictures from this summer at the beach in New Jersey:<br />
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Oh, and by the way, I'm now on Instagram . . . You can find me there at maggieb016<br />
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<br />Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06698162779579902452noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6207770681915555840.post-86568807339807515342013-10-21T11:27:00.001-04:002013-10-21T11:27:22.594-04:00Fabric HoardingSo, I can't be the only one reluctant to cut into my favorite fabrics, can I? I've been hoarding some of my most treasured collections, afraid to either do something with the fabric and then regret it or to use it up and not have it left. Take my Heather Ross/Munki Munki collection:<br />
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I do <i>occasionally</i> cut into these fabrics for my baby quilts—the poplin Munki Munki is just so soft and the images so amazingly cute. But I most definitely hoard it. However, I've recently been so inspired by Susan at <a href="http://canadianabroad-susan.blogspot.com/2013/10/can-you-see-my-grin.html">Canadian Abroad</a>, who just showcased her gorgeous Heather Ross quilt. I love what she's done, and it's made me consider cutting into and using my HR prints a bit less stingily (is that a word?).<br />
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My most prized HR is this fabulous wahini/surfer girls print that's just impossible to find. But what good is fabric if you never use it, and instead just visit it occasionally and stroke it lovingly?!<br />
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I did, once upon a time, actually surf (badly), so I particularly love these adorable surfer girls. While I have given away a lot of the things I've sewn, I'm not sure I could give away whatever item contains this. But the more I think about Susan's great quilt, I think this would look fabulous in a quilt mixed with other HR fabrics.<br />
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Just picture it, this surfing fabric, alongside HR's Mendocino collection, with its mermaids and sea horses!<br />
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A while back, I scored a great deal on a whole luscious yard of HR's pink with VW vans—definitely the right transportation for my surfer girls!<br />
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In addition to my Heather Ross, I've also been been <strike>hoarding</strike>, er, holding onto my Melody Miller Viewfinder fabric. I think I bought the last two yards off of Etsy about 9 months ago, and I've been reluctant to cut into it.<br />
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I think it's time, however. I think I'm going to make a shopping tote, using this great grey textured fabric from Architextures. I typically follow Bijou Lovely's <a href="http://www.bijoulovelydesigns.com/2010/05/market-tote-tutorial.html">tutorial</a> for making the bag. More on this as I get going on it.<br />
Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06698162779579902452noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6207770681915555840.post-38409854851795066812013-10-14T15:10:00.000-04:002013-10-14T15:18:56.702-04:00Free Motion Quilting PracticeSo I have a love-hate relationship with FMQ'ing—I want to be able to do it and I love those (rare) moments when I seem to be challenging an actual, real-life quilter and it works, but I find the learning curve to be slower than I'd like. Let's face it, as adults, who likes to have to learn to be competent at something? But since I've had to do that for sewing and quilting, I guess it makes sense that I have to be patient and keep working on my free motion quilting!<br />
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My friend <a href="http://aprilmaedesigns.com/">April </a>recommended a Craftsy class by <a href="http://www.quiltingismytherapy.com/">Angela Walters</a>, who is a quilting superstar. For those not familiar with <a href="http://www.craftsy.com/user/1235244?initialPage=true">Craftsy</a>, it's a great site for craft-sters, complete with patterns, projects, and online classes. While a lot of the classes and patterns are for sale, there are also some for free. April had recommended the "dot to dot" class that Angela teaches, so I signed up. One of the benefits of these online classes is that once you buy it, you can keep going back to it and replaying the parts you need.<br />
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My FMQ efforts to date have been mostly my attempts to replicate what I see out there on other people's amazing quilts. The difficult aspect of that, however, is that it means I'm trying to get mine to look like the others without necessarily knowing how to get there. Also, I started by practicing circles and stippling. While my stippling is coming along, circles are hard for me overall. What I really like about Angela's class is that she's easy to understand and provides great tips for improving my skill. The first lessons are on straight lines—which, despite some waviness here and there, seems to be more forgiving than the circles are.<br />
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Here's what I worked on today for practice:<br />
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They're the same essential shape—triangles—but used in different ways achieve a different effect. Angela's class provides the pattern for a quilt to use as a test quilting surface, but I didn't want to go to that effort of making a quilt I like only to put quilting on it that I don't like, so I just made a quilt sandwich from leftover batting and some old fabric that's faded and I won't otherwise use. Clearly, I still need to work on straightening my lines, but it's getting better! I also feel fairly proud of being able to do all of this with my left foot on the pedal, since my <a href="http://shortcookie.blogspot.com/2013/10/the-perils-of-sewing.html">right foot will be out of commission</a> until December! My left quad is so tired! Funny the muscles you don't realize you use until you change feet!<br />
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Angela had a great tip that has really helped me: don't stare at the needle when I'm quilting; instead, focus on where I want the needle to go. She gives the analogy of driving: when you drive, you don't stare at the hood of the car (at least you shouldn't!); instead you should look 2 car lengths ahead.<br />
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Check out Angela's blog, Quilting is My Therapy, for some great patterns and tutorials, including some video clips!<br />
<br />Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06698162779579902452noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6207770681915555840.post-48248590441631109562013-10-12T03:53:00.001-04:002013-10-12T03:53:42.866-04:00The Perils of SewingDon't worry! This is not a post where I show you gory photos of rotary cut or sewing machine needle injuries! I decided to go big on my sewing-related injury:<br />
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Yup, that's right, I took out my ankle while simply walking across the hall from the bathroom to the sewing room. I sprained my ankle, and ended up rupturing a tendon. Big woops!<br />
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When I went to the doctor I was expecting to get an ace bandage, not a monster boot that I'd be stuck with for 3 months!<br />
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I appreciate <a href="http://aprilmaedesigns.com/">April's</a> suggestion that I go as a storm trooper from Star Wars for Halloween:<br />
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For those that might actually want to talk about sewing and not the state of my health, check out what I think will be my next project. It's a fabulous Hummingbird quilt pattern from the always great <a href="http://www.redpepperquilts.com/2013/10/a-finished-hummingbirds-quilt-and-eq7.html">Red Pepper Quilts</a>. Check out her site: she's offering a free pattern and a giveaway for EQ7!Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06698162779579902452noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6207770681915555840.post-12901960308320799712013-10-08T16:35:00.001-04:002013-10-08T16:35:36.586-04:00X+ Quilt Top Finished!I finished this a little while ago, but haven't shown the finished top. After countless hours and hours of putting together these blocks . . .<br />
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I have finally sewn all 99 of them together into this . . . .<br />
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I began this one way back in February at <a href="http://crazyoldladiesquilts.blogspot.com/">Emily Herrick's</a> great Cabin Fever retreat, and only finished up the last 99th block in July.<br />
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Now you might (reasonably) ask me why I have 99 blocks in a quilt—the answer is that I started the blocks before I decided to make a queen-sized quilt, and the pattern I was following used 10" squares. Oops! Given that I wanted a range of fabrics used together, it meant that I had to look long and hard for enough fabrics to provide good variation. Although I love the kind of wild X+ quilts that use a wide variety of colors, I wanted something less busy, so I decided to focus mine by using grey, aqua, green, and orange. I then used Architexture's Grey Crosshatch fabric to pull together all the blocks.<br />
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(by the way, please excuse my bad photo—In the chaos of my move across country I've misplaced the cord that connects my camera to the computer, so I'm relying on my trusty iPhone for photos. Not quite as good!)<br />
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<br />Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06698162779579902452noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6207770681915555840.post-21936173535274036512013-10-05T18:23:00.003-04:002013-10-05T18:23:41.521-04:00Heading North . . .I'm so impressed by Quilt Smart! I've spent the past hour working on my mini mariner's compass, and I'm 1/4 the way through:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM06FxYQ0ivaGAFbQ0_xBsbRZuFW97keuaBbRemLlEoBTWnssn2SMFRHIlziq-wGKrc35op6IX5-aB8zw_Z8gU3dfpvMLppSE__oJsE04EB0OlvBF17avW0jbJnq93h2Z6CzzCX9mRQf0/s1600/Mariner+quarter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM06FxYQ0ivaGAFbQ0_xBsbRZuFW97keuaBbRemLlEoBTWnssn2SMFRHIlziq-wGKrc35op6IX5-aB8zw_Z8gU3dfpvMLppSE__oJsE04EB0OlvBF17avW0jbJnq93h2Z6CzzCX9mRQf0/s1600/Mariner+quarter.jpg" /></a></div>
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It was so so easy! A little tedious in terms of cutting out the fabric in preparation for the sewing, and a bit of a walkabout—sew, go to ironing board in one room to press the seam, go to cutting board in another room to trim the fabric, repeat. I know, I know, it would make more sense to have all those things in the same room, but I haven't yet figured out a way to make that all happen! The sewing room is still in progress and it sadly won't fit my large cutting board (which is currently dominating the dining room table).<br />
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Six more pie slices and I'll have a full compass!Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06698162779579902452noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6207770681915555840.post-58787416395788351922013-10-03T17:01:00.002-04:002013-10-03T21:21:37.126-04:00Mariner's CompassSo, almost a year ago, Hurricane Sandy came whomping up the east coast and flooded or completely destroyed countless homes. I have some friends whose homes (and the sand beneath them) are now totally gone. Others suffered severe flooding and mold damage. My mother is quite a ways inland in northern NJ, but the wind was so bad that it knocked out transformers that took almost 3 weeks to be repaired (meaning that she was without heat or power into November).<br />
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My aunt and uncle's home was one of those damaged, but fortunately, because they happen to be at a wider part of the barrier island where their home is located, and because of the capricious nature of storms, the damage was relatively minor. Newer construction on this (and many) barrier islands/beaches require that homes be built on pilings, so that the living space is on the second (and third) floor, while the first floor is just an entrance and storage. They got quite a lot of flooding and resulting mold, but thankfully their home is still standing.<br />
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I felt helpless back in Utah, neither able to lend a hand with the clean-up at my uncle and aunt's home, nor able to help out my mother who was without power for so long. So I did the one thing I could do (after sending my mother a care package with batteries, flashlight, and the ever critical coffee!): I began to sew.<br />
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My dear friend Sue gave me a wonderful fat quarter bundle from <a href="http://crazyoldladiesquilts.blogspot.com/">Emily Herrick</a>'s Going Coastal collection, and it seeded an idea. What if I made a quilt for my aunt and uncle's home, using coastal-themed fabric? I added some of Emily's Shore Thing fabric to the Going Coastal fabric, and I began to quilt. You may remember my talking about this quilt last year—although I don't think I gave the background on why I was making it.<br />
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Here's a picture of the pattern I used (although this one uses different fabric):<br />
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I finished this pictured quilt last November using my scraps. I used the same pattern for my aunt and uncle's quilt, but with Emily's great Going Coastal and Shore Thing fabric. The pattern is from <a href="http://www.redpepperquilts.com/">Red Pepper Quilts</a>' tutorial. It's her pieced scrap border quilt. I thought I had a photo of the beach quilt, but apparently not yet! I'll take a photo and include it tomorrow.<br />
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It's an involved quilt, even with strip piecing, so I was pretty pleased with myself just for finishing the top. I was all set to put a matching back on, quilt and bind it, and send it on its way . . . and then <a href="http://bolohead.blogspot.com/">Robyn</a> came along! She had just finished a fabulous mini mariner's compass, using Quilt Smart, and she had an extra kit, which she so thoughtfully gave to me!!<br />
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I was overwhelmed by her generosity (and the thought of figuring out how to tackle what seemed like a tricky project), but I knew in that moment that I wanted to make the mini mariner's compass the center of the quilt back.<br />
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And then I began the horrible process of packing up my house and moving across country, and the project came to a standstill. Now that I'm (sort of) settled into my new house and my sewing room is (sort of) organized, I thought it was time to get back to this project.<br />
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Essentially, the kit comes with a fusible interfacing, with the pattern printed on it. It has 8 "pies," with corresponding bits and bobs that, when put together, makes a beautiful mariner's compass. Here's what the pie piece looks like:<br />
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I spent the LONGEST time trying to figure out which fabrics to put in the compass. I knew I wanted to use Emily's fabric for the back as well, but wasn't sure how to put them together. Here's what I've decided to do. I'm using these fabrics for the top triangles:</div>
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I'm going to use the madras (total beachy summer, right?? It certainly is here on the east coast!) for the downward facing triangles (kinda like the stalactites), and I'm going to use the blue and green kelp for the stalagmites (the upward facing triangles). </div>
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I'm then going to use these fabrics for the pizza wedge that's at the bottom of the triangles (this actually is in two parts, which is why I've chosen two fabrics): </div>
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For the compass points (north, south, east, west), I'm planning on using these fabrics:<br />
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I love love love the starfish, but I'm not sure I have enough of it. I'm within inches of having enough, but I can't find any more on Etsy. Oh noes! Anyone have any out there I could buy from?<br />
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I wanted to make sure that I fully understood the pattern, and I was lucky enough to find a great tutorial on Youtube (where else?!) that walked me right through it. It seems pretty straightforward. Here's the link to the tutorial:<br />
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<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IlF1J05OV4U">Mini mariner's compass tutorial</a><br />
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I've cut out a lot of the fabric, and am ready to start sewing, so more pictures coming soon!Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06698162779579902452noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6207770681915555840.post-23047023183233609212013-10-02T12:00:00.000-04:002013-10-02T11:54:29.750-04:00Don't read this post Marion or Emily!Now I'm hoping that Marion and Emily have greater restraint than I would with such a post title. For me, that's an invitation to keep reading! But then again, I was the child who would do some "research" once the Christmas presents started appearing beneath the tree!<br />
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I'm following Mischelle's great advice to just warn off Marion and Emily in the title so that I can actually show y'all what I'm working on. Especially since that's the only sewing I've done in ages!</div>
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First, you remember Emily and Marion's great <a href="http://shortcookie.blogspot.com/2013/09/going-round-and-round.html">medallion centers</a> with the gorgeous work done by the other ladies in our round robin? Marion's is the one on top with the adorable Matryoshka dolls all in a circle and Emily's is the gorgeous star in reds and blues. </div>
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Here's what I did with Marion's:</div>
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Given all that was going on with this quilt so far, I thought I might just add a quiet border that pulls from what others have already done. So I added this cute material from the Sew Mama Sew collection:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9gMAMn06yF1XpEEWmI2msVIjQsFQo9GdGDi_3wjp-1Hw8X4JF82RG0kWFUqYdFQ6D8-h2UY_8Elwe8ow6_n6uW61AAFdd7GvoL6lleI8i3gj94ocSWZrKLYzNnNsNEfB-eFwiKi6XoWI/s1600/Sew+Sew+Sew.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9gMAMn06yF1XpEEWmI2msVIjQsFQo9GdGDi_3wjp-1Hw8X4JF82RG0kWFUqYdFQ6D8-h2UY_8Elwe8ow6_n6uW61AAFdd7GvoL6lleI8i3gj94ocSWZrKLYzNnNsNEfB-eFwiKi6XoWI/s320/Sew+Sew+Sew.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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This is the material that Marion used in the very center of the quilt (at the feet of the nesting dolls). It's also what is in some of the lighter colored squares in the great purple and black checkerboard border. </div>
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I love the center and I love Jeanette's phenomenal appliqué, so I wanted to do something that would highlight them by not distracting from them. I figured something too busy might not be good right next to the birds. </div>
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I added a 3 inch border (not including seam allowance). That's the minimum border we're supposed to add in each round. </div>
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And here's what I did with Emily's quilt:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOcy6GjzwjbAF4EPeeB111LjyrT_68Umd1oH0chSLHuHfjSKAZrIV6lyGU4y6l1APXhvN6jQ-thhXs1D2g6S2POb8DoDoViatTtYJ8Gw79_KdG0Ogn7GikvoPU_feJFWb9d4-358NRHKM/s1600/Emily's+Quilt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOcy6GjzwjbAF4EPeeB111LjyrT_68Umd1oH0chSLHuHfjSKAZrIV6lyGU4y6l1APXhvN6jQ-thhXs1D2g6S2POb8DoDoViatTtYJ8Gw79_KdG0Ogn7GikvoPU_feJFWb9d4-358NRHKM/s400/Emily's+Quilt.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Excuse the lack of pressing! I added the red and blue borders. Jeanette again did her magic with her appliqué on either side of the square. I decided to square it up by adding an imbalanced red border (which mirrors the fabric used in the center of the star), and then added blue to frame it all and to mirror the blue checkerboard border surrounding Emily's medallion. Emily said that she wanted to emphasize blues and reds, so hopefully this is what she was thinking!</div>
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For those interested in the house progress, we've finished stripping wallpaper and ripping up carpeting, and we've repainted the stairwell, upstairs hall, and den Coastal Vista blue:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmzbEAhUhfZln28uS1kwxgHvg02V72OPgndYrsRFX6Q0IZKnY3bXhrgaGYP9Z2oGui-rwFikSCRLV-whXWWcOL_sbPuq1z0IC5TW_z5p1cYtfKoFYA4IsTm143NCbVl2J62JFwwJbU12I/s1600/Stairwell+Wall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmzbEAhUhfZln28uS1kwxgHvg02V72OPgndYrsRFX6Q0IZKnY3bXhrgaGYP9Z2oGui-rwFikSCRLV-whXWWcOL_sbPuq1z0IC5TW_z5p1cYtfKoFYA4IsTm143NCbVl2J62JFwwJbU12I/s1600/Stairwell+Wall.jpg" /></a></div>
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We were still finishing touching up the upper part of the stairwell, so that's why the handrail is blue (tape) and the banister is covered with a plastic bag. </div>
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And for those who have requested puppy photos, I will leave you with a picture of Sophie in her and Zoey's favorite spot in the house (on an ottoman in the den). Isn't she cute with her chin resting on the window sill?!</div>
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Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06698162779579902452noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6207770681915555840.post-388244212050695022013-10-02T11:52:00.000-04:002013-10-02T11:53:20.946-04:00My stripping days are over!At last! We've finished stripping the wallpaper off the walls. Yay!<br />
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We've now washed down the plaster walls with sponges to get the residual wallpaper paste off, so now we need to spackle the dings in the plaster walls . . . and then we get to PAINT!<br />
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This is the color we've chosen for the upstairs hallway, stairwell, and our downstairs den. It's Behr's Coastal Vista:<br />
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Isn't it yummy? We thought it'd go really well both with our upstairs paint (Behr's Manhattan Mist)<br />
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. . . and with the downstairs color (Behr's Wheat Bread):<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2G2O7hfJv5YDjf6nAyA_QcrUyw2QvA-DQSS5TXKZS0elHRko98LVGKD_BaI9LmH5oGNLXExyaZPhoGzFVUN0NVsFQCPlmRgVZins-5pobVxKQVsj3Di6uwNI7r9PVyNNAxe-Il4CHyhs/s1600/Wheat+Toast+Paint.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2G2O7hfJv5YDjf6nAyA_QcrUyw2QvA-DQSS5TXKZS0elHRko98LVGKD_BaI9LmH5oGNLXExyaZPhoGzFVUN0NVsFQCPlmRgVZins-5pobVxKQVsj3Di6uwNI7r9PVyNNAxe-Il4CHyhs/s1600/Wheat+Toast+Paint.jpg" /></a></div>
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By a strange turn of events, the Wheat Bread is the exact same color as the color my mom chose for her kitchen cabinets (although she's using Martha Stewart paint, and she calls it Sharkey Gray). We saw the color and thought it'd be the perfect neutral yet rich tone for our downstairs.<br />
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This will be such a nice switch from the salmon orange that is currently in the kitchen!<br />
<br />Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06698162779579902452noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6207770681915555840.post-58228127170010069792013-09-17T20:00:00.000-04:002013-09-17T20:00:01.403-04:00Going Round and RoundAm I blowing you all away with my renewed blogging vim and vigor?!! Now that I'm ensconced in my new home and not driving cross-country or living out of my mom's house (which we did for weeks waiting to get into our house—thanks mom!), I'm actually able to sit down a little bit every day to blog. Yay! I've missed chatting with you all!<br />
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One of the project I started with my friends back in Utah was a round robin. We each made our own 18 inch square medallion center, then passed it along to the next person on the list. A new talented person every month. I thought I took a picture of my center before I passed it along, but now I can't find it. Sigh. So picture this: I made an extra large spool using selvedges from favorite fabrics. I then waved it goodbye and handed it over to the ever-talented Ella to work on before she passes it down the line. Each person adds at least a 3 inch border, so when we get it back (sometime at the end of the year), we'll have a finished quilt. I'm not sure what size. It'll be so amazing to have a quilt collectively made by such special and talented friends. Oh wait! I already have a <span style="background-color: white;">quilt</span> like that (see my Gratitude post!), but now I'll have another!<br />
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I've been so so amazed and humbled by the incredible talent of the women in this round robin! I don't want to give anything away about what others have done, but let's just say that everyone has set a high bar and I'm a bit freaked out about keeping up with the quality and creativity!<br />
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I totally want to write about what I'm doing on this round robin, but have to find a way to do it without giving it away for anyone who might be involved and reading this . . . any ideas? I'll at least show you some of the centers that people have done, editing out the borders that have been added.<br />
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Here are two that I'm about to work on:<br />
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Aren't these just gorgeous?! So different and each so creative!Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06698162779579902452noreply@blogger.com3Long Island, New York, USA40.7891424 -73.13496049999997739.251576400000005 -75.716747499999983 42.3267084 -70.553173499999971tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6207770681915555840.post-71746259619915335662013-09-16T20:00:00.000-04:002013-09-16T20:00:04.760-04:00GratitudeAlright, no house updates in this blog, I promise! I'm taking a break to talk about my wonderful quilty friends and wonderful quilty things!<br />
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So, because I was a bit preoccupied with my packing up and getting out of Utah (which was quite a feat, given the 28 foot long truck we filled!), I have neglected to tell you all about the most amazing group of friends I have.<br />
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Almost two years ago I began to sew, learning most everything from blogs and the internet in general. One of the blogs I was following was Pamela's <a href="http://frenchknots.blogspot.com/">French Knots</a>, which I found charming and full of great information. One day, I read about a retreat that Pam was hosting about 45 minutes away from where I live, and I decided on a whim to go. I didn't know Pam, and didn't know anyone going to the retreat. In fact, I had never even gone to a sewing retreat before and was still fairly self-conscious and nervous about my sewing skills—or lack thereof! Nonetheless, I gathered up my sewing things (feeling like I was packing to run away from home, I brought so much!) and headed to Utah County for the several day retreat. It was so great! I met the most amazing group of women and learned so much in the few days I was there! Pam threw a great retreat, with yummy food and a terrific class on appliqué.<br />
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It was at that retreat that I met Ella, <a href="http://frenchknots.blogspot.com/">Pamela</a>, Kristen, Sue, <a href="http://april-makingendsmeet.blogspot.com/">April</a>, <a href="http://crazyoldladiesquilts.blogspot.com/">Emily</a>, and <a href="http://www.diaryofaquilter.com/">Amy</a>. I'm not sure how it developed, but next thing I knew we were getting together regularly for sew days and retreats. At those days I met many other great people, including <a href="http://myquiltdiet.blogspot.com/">Marion</a> and Jenny. Now it's been almost two full years, and I regard these women as great friends who made my time in Utah so special. I think I may have shared this story before, because last time I moved—then it was "just" across town—they showed up at my door with mop and pail (and wearing cute little bandanas) and cleaned our house from top to bottom with us. What a special gift it was!<br />
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When it came time for me to move east, I knew that the hardest part would be to leave my friends. I plan to return for retreats and such, but it's still not the same as being in the 'hood! Sweet Ella hosted a lovely farewell party for me the week before I moved, and they surprised me with the most wonderful, gorgeous churn dash quilt. So amazing! Just look at it—here's the front:<br />
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And here's the back:<br />
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Do you see? It has my first initial in the middle! The pink fabric is puppies from Ella's amazing stash. I had admired it once, and she generously gave me some of the fabric with a blue background. I was so delighted to have that fabric then, but to then discover the same fabric in pink on the quilt . . . so wonderful!<br />
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Everyone contributed a square, or binding, or quilting, and then signed it. What a special gift! I always think about my friends back in Utah anyway, but this is a particularly dear reminder. In fact, as I write this post I'm snuggled up in this great quilt.<br />
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April, in addition to her contributions to the quilt, made me an amazing, ever-coveted weekender bag. We had talked about making one, but I never dreamed she'd make one for me! I've been wanting one for so long, but they're such a project to make that I was a bit too daunted to try it myself.<br />
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Here's the bag in all her glory:<br />
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And here's the other side:<br />
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Here's the closeup on the front—the clothespin dolls are from my ever favorite Heather Ross:<br />
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And here's the closeup on the back—It's so so special, it even has a car pulling a teardrop trailer, just like we did driving across country!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLdsfOVrI5Qtt68I3NvFLNufLadHbyKvBlklBfsGMNC1oNuc_yd_Cy_eoSQV53jLwPJ2Atkl1aURBaLjIFzMtbm5-D1c7CmQgmk_8oTPAF42fsgccBwwGB8LKU9WliJUUhhh243Vd2kdU/s1600/Weekender+Camper.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLdsfOVrI5Qtt68I3NvFLNufLadHbyKvBlklBfsGMNC1oNuc_yd_Cy_eoSQV53jLwPJ2Atkl1aURBaLjIFzMtbm5-D1c7CmQgmk_8oTPAF42fsgccBwwGB8LKU9WliJUUhhh243Vd2kdU/s1600/Weekender+Camper.JPG" /></a></div>
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Do you see the great Denyse Schmidt Flea Market Fancy on the bottom? April knows I love my Denyse Schmidt, so she used her fabric throughout. This was my "to go" bag on my trek cross country. You can fit a small country in here!<br />
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I miss everyone so much, but I can curl up with my quilt and use my weekender bag and feel so close!Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06698162779579902452noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6207770681915555840.post-89176927168678450292013-09-15T18:48:00.002-04:002013-09-15T18:48:22.470-04:00Strip TeaseSo the battle continues against the pervasive cigarette smells in our new house. We have officially waged war! The wallpaper is coming down, and not a moment too soon! It looks innocent enough, but waves of cigarette odors are emanating from the wallpaper as it's ripped off. So so gross! Fortunately, because there's plaster beneath the wallpaper, it's a hard, less porous surface than if it were dry wall. Plus, it also seems to come off a bit easier than I remember wallpaper coming off of dry wall. We've just needed to use a razor blade to pull off the top layer of wallpaper and a spray of water to loosen the second, backing layer of wallpaper to get back to the base plaster foundation.<br />
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I know, I know, I sound as if I'm a total anti-smoking fanatic! I really don't care if other people smoke, but going through this process of trying to clean up all the tar residue has made me truly appreciate what non-smokers breathe in when around cigarettes!<br />
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We're continuing to battle the gunk on the banisters, but it looks as if it may actually be the old varnish aging and clumping together—overlain with a layer of tar. Unfortunately, I think the only solution for this is to strip and revarnish the banister. Sigh.<br />
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Once we finish stripping and prepping the wallpaper, we're going to paint the upstairs hallway and stairwell a gorgeous rich blue that will play off the grey/blue in the bedrooms and more taupe-y grey downstairs. I can't wait—both for the elimination of the odor and the replacement of the wallpaper with a much nicer, rich color! We'd love to return the baseboards and trim to the original finished wood, but there are so many layers of paint on them right now, that we're going to simply paint them white and leave the refinishing for another phase of home decoration.<br />
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The more we clean the house (woodwork, trim, windows, etc.), the more we narrow down the offending sources of the cigarette odor. We've removed all window treatments (which weren't to our taste anyway), are working on the wallpaper, have painted over a lot already, so the only thing left is . . . the carpet! Fortunately, only the stairway and upstairs hallway are carpeted, and when we peeked we discovered beautiful hardwood beneath. We'll need to refinish the floors ultimately, but for now just getting the carpeting up will be a huge benefit!<br />
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Just look at how good the floor looks now that the burgundy carpeting is gone!<br />
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(the greenish, splotchy wall behind the stairs is the bare plaster that was beneath the wallpaper. Still some more to strip off, but we're almost there!)<br />
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Because it hasn't been as much a priority as battling cigarette smells and unpacking things like the kitchen and clothes, I haven't been able to do much in the Sewing Room yet, but I'm excited to have a sewing room in this new house. It's quite a bit smaller than my last one (where I was really spoiled). Do you remember that scene in Star Wars (the first one) where Princess Leia and Luke (and maybe Hans Solo?) were in the garbage room that was compacting and getting smaller and smaller? My sewing room kind of feels like that. The walls are definitely closer together than they were in Utah! Nonetheless, once I get my fabric unpacked and settled in I think I'll have a great space. I started to unpack my fabric, but then worried that it would pick up the cigarette odor (my fabric is sealed in huge plastic bags), so I've left almost all my fabric still packed safely away.<br />
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Here's a picture of the space, with only the bookcases set up and plenty of boxes to unpack:<br />
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Okay, enough on cigarette smells! We live only 6 miles from the beach, so we've already taken some great, early morning walks on the beach. I love the salty smell of the air and feel of sand beneath my bare feet! So, I'll leave you with a little bit of the beach . . .<br />
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<br />Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06698162779579902452noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6207770681915555840.post-83871946513488667292013-09-03T12:21:00.000-04:002013-09-03T12:21:18.944-04:00Back from the dead!Hi y'all!<br />
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I know, I know, it's been MONTHS since I last posted anything, and I may well be posting this just for me to read, as everyone may have long given up on me!<br />
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Things have been busy here in Shortcookie's world, so it's not as if I don't have an excuse for my extended radio silence! Since we last chatted, I've moved across country to New York, just outside the big city! Yup, that's right! A Utah girl no more! I've returned to the East Coast at last! My partner got a fabulous job as a professor at a university located close to our new home, so we packed up and left the Intermountain West.<br />
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We found a wonderful and sweet little home here in New York, which was built in 1927 and has been in the same family since it was built! It has the most amazing big yard with a gorgeous garden. It has hydrangeas (my favorites!), azaleas, peonies (also my favorites!), and stunning rosebushes, among other great plants and shrubs. Just look at these roses:<br />
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I'm going to have my work cut out for me with all the weeding and gardening! We met with the sellers before we took possession of the house and they walked us through all the various stages of weedkiller and fertilizer and such. It was a bit overwhelming! It was definitely helpful to have them give us an overview of everything. Less of a blessing, however, was the large (3 feet high) white metal windmill they left us in the yard. Now I'm open to yard ornaments (to a point), but this one looks like it's right out of a mini golf course! I had been thinking the yard was perfect for croquet, but I may decide instead to build a miniature golf course out there! Not only did the sellers leave the windmill, but also a gigantic (definitely larger than life) white and red mushroom patch. No gnomes, though! </div>
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We're having a good time settling into the house and have already begun putting our touches on the place. When we initially walked through the house we were stunned by how pristine the house was--the basement and attic looked as if they were regularly vacuumed out and every bit of maintenance has been done on the house. We apparently had buyers' goggles on, however, because we somehow didn't notice that the whole house is covered with a coat of tar from the seller's longterm smoking habit. We knew that the house was bit smoky, and we anticipated having to air it out and clean the carpets and drapes and such, but we had no idea of how bad the tar was going to be. In case you're blessed not to know, when smokers exhale, they breathe out tar (yuck!) which, over time, accumulates on every surface it touches. It has a yellowish cast and is sticky to the touch. We spent the first days in the house washing down the walls. Here's what we've learned about cleaning tar off surfaces: First, leave bowls filled with vinegar throughout the house to absorb and kill the cigarette odor. Next, wash down the walls, trim, and baseboards with a solution of one part vinegar and one part water (you can also add some dish detergent for some added cleaning power). We did that, but the smell persisted. So we washed down the walls with TSP, which is an all-purpose cleaning agent and degreaser. Be sure you get the phosphate-free kind, because the original kind is terrible for the environment. </div>
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The house still smelled just a bit . . . AND we had already decided we hated the wall colors, so we painted and we painted and we painted. Here's a picture of our girl Sophie against the awful wallpaper that ran throughout the living room, up the stairs, and in the upstairs hallway. </div>
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If you can't tell, there's a weird background to the wallpaper that looks like dirt stains, but is apparently a deliberate part of the design. Go figure. Do you see the white baseboard behind Sophie? That was already that way when we arrived. Do you see the baseboard on the left by the painted wall? That was painted off white. Seriously, an off white baseboard just ran right into the white baseboard. This is the case throughout the house. Wackiness, right?</div>
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With the exception of the wallpaper behind Sophie and on part of the living room wall, most of the downstairs is wallpaper that was painted over in the past. Looks funky, but we just weren't up to pulling off all the wallpaper (dining room, large living room, staircase, upper hallway) and then possibly having to repair the plaster wall beneath it. Instead, we just painted right over the previously painted over wallpaper. Not a perfect solution, but the color is so much better than what was there before! And it has totally taken care of the cigarette smell! Yay! For those that care, we painted the downstairs Martha Stewart's Sharkey Gray. Yes, I succumbed to Martha's charms. </div>
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The very first thing we painted was the master bedroom, which had been painted an appalling two tones of light and royal/aqua-ish blue. It was truly awful. The room has beautiful baseboards, and they were painted a dark blue! We painted this room Manhattan Mist. It's a grey with light blue tones. We really love it, especially with the white trim!</div>
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My current project is to try to get the tar off of the stunning1927 cherry banister. It's a gorgeous architectural piece, but look how disgusting it's become (the orange peeking out is the natural cherry stain; the black speckles and clumps are tar. Really).<br />
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I've tried Murphy's Oil, which has helped quite a bit, but I think I would need gallons of the stuff to get this clean. Furthermore, the black speckly parts are actually rock hard, so won't just wipe off like it did on the walls. We've tried sandpaper, and it seems to work--it sands off the tar without even getting down to the stain. Does anyone out there have any other recommendations? CLR makes a product (Stain Magnet) which is described as safe for wood furniture and good for getting off bad stains and such, but the cherry wood is so nice I don't want to risk it.<br />
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Okay, that's enough for now . . . back to work and unpacking! My sewing room is still completely packed up (although we did paint it before the movers came--it had been an awful taffy pink), so no sewing updates for now, but hopefully by the weekend, because I have to cracking on my round robin sewing!<br />
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<br />Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06698162779579902452noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6207770681915555840.post-90929238421944995102013-04-08T15:53:00.000-04:002013-04-08T15:53:10.658-04:00Some Finishes!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Done! Finished! Fini! I have at last finished Twisted! The quilt that I thought would kill me! Here she is in all her twisted glory:</div>
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Here are a few critical lessons I've learned during this process:</div>
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1. Don't assume that all twin sized quilt sizes are the same, so don't go with the first (HUGE) dimensions you find on the internet. This one is 78x98 and easily covers my queen bed. Apparently I could have made this as small as 65x88. Oy!</div>
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2. Just give up the fantasy that I'm <a href="http://myquiltdiet.blogspot.com/">Marion</a> and can machine quilt mammoth-sized quilts on a small-throated sewing machine! I straight-line quilted this entire quilt, all the while checking my work, yet somehow only discovered at the end that my basting was @#$$% and had to have my dear, sweet better half pick out ALL of my stitches! Double quilting drat!</div>
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3. Be extremely grateful for the generosity of great friends like <a href="http://pinkpicklequilts.blogspot.com/">Ella</a> who rescued me with her amazing quilting skills (and amazing Gammill longarm machine). </div>
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4. Using up stash is sooooo satisfying! This quilt is made up 100% from stash. It is actually from the very first fabric I have ever bought--almost 15 years ago (which many of you can probably tell since it is so so different from the fabric I'm currently using in my quilts!). </div>
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<img border="0" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ9uv7I3do53aorG4aMh-P2fzgRWcod_B1UJjRaaO2FF3BJyhk-Par6gR1M_HUk3Iz6lgnj5PpiDpOK0M_C_2M5iqcVQqgwh07xPcBfj2y_RKEnnA6qmvPoCrqfeMjlGFZ04Yrnqzgmbo/s400/WeirdSucker.jpg" width="400" /></div>
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This fabric is what I call "weirdsucker;" it looks kind of like a seersucker, but it's not, but it's not quite a quilting cotton either. It's a fabric I inherited from my aunt who had an album business that made custom wedding and baby albums with lots of different fabrics. When she closed up shop, she gave me a ton of her leftover fabric for my stash. Little by little, I'm making my way through it!</div>
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In addition to Twisted, I'm almost finished with the baby quilt I'm making for my friend Jill's brother's baby quilt. I was hoping to finish it time for their baby shower a few weekends ago, but you know how those things go!! While I was at Ella's she showed me her cool pantograph feature on her Gammill and she quilted dog bones on the quilt. So awesome! Thank you Ella! </div>
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I used my usual favorite rainbow pattern from <a href="http://www.hookedonneedles.com/2011/09/rainbow-quilt-picture-tutorial.html">hooked on needles</a>:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiZnSqEotewkgQL7TFJKEJUL7yJBb-K1Qd64ofW0H2WLDtZ6ZAJxsx_87cIKAUaHzWPZKLHoysFpoQKgBTB7jUg_4ghViMJlfIBz6YZABYn8rOe3Iqzu6f6zjUXOsFvOKNGsMRhG6f03o/s1600/Hecht+Baby+Quilt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiZnSqEotewkgQL7TFJKEJUL7yJBb-K1Qd64ofW0H2WLDtZ6ZAJxsx_87cIKAUaHzWPZKLHoysFpoQKgBTB7jUg_4ghViMJlfIBz6YZABYn8rOe3Iqzu6f6zjUXOsFvOKNGsMRhG6f03o/s400/Hecht+Baby+Quilt.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Sorry the color isn't better, but it's a rainy day and the lightbulbs are a bit yellow . . . I'm calling this one my Color Munki.</div>
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This quilt uses some of my favorite Heather Ross Munki Munki (you can see in this picture the bicycles, the chickens, and seahorses), as well as Sarah Jane, Laurie Wisbrun and others. I think of it as an elevated "I Spy." I want to have interesting fabrics for the babies to look at, but I also want it to be pretty for the grown-ups too (rather than having SpongeBob on it!). </div>
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Here's one of my favorite, really hard-to-find Munki Munki fabrics from Heather Ross: The Chickens:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVCgKytvzKZ0PDKpD2R-VNfge0GSA_-GV-r30_K5VB9vSpxUESslhL4omeL6b_YkPcrA8vRkeSBPUyGNctK2Vk0PrpHj7bnwFXrg3r8ZgerI7huYxE7GMak8Y0zSG0aoWUntTtC0m8KjU/s1600/Hecht+Baby+Chicken+Block.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVCgKytvzKZ0PDKpD2R-VNfge0GSA_-GV-r30_K5VB9vSpxUESslhL4omeL6b_YkPcrA8vRkeSBPUyGNctK2Vk0PrpHj7bnwFXrg3r8ZgerI7huYxE7GMak8Y0zSG0aoWUntTtC0m8KjU/s320/Hecht+Baby+Chicken+Block.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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It's poplin, so it's wicked soft. I would love to have jammies made out of this material!<br />
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Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06698162779579902452noreply@blogger.com4