tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-89986966001474143052024-03-05T09:14:41.828-08:00ScrappyBlue QuiltsDeborahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02569300304612683966noreply@blogger.comBlogger65125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8998696600147414305.post-25914780318764932592022-05-18T09:41:00.006-07:002022-05-18T09:47:07.049-07:00Moving on ...<div class="separator"><div class="separator" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="text-align: justify;"><p>Wow - I just realized it's been a very long time since I last posted! In my defence, I have been busy, but part of that "busy" was of course quilting so it's time I shared what I've been up to.</p></div><p style="text-align: justify;">My daughter got married in September 2020, so of course I made them a wedding quilt. She likes blue, like her mama, so it was a pleasure to work on it. I designed it myself, with a 48" Mariners Compass in the centre, and wonky log cabin blocks surrounding it in a barn raising design. It's a queen size. The centre took the longest to quilt, but once that was done I was home free. All of the blue sections (in the compass and the log cabin strips) are quilted in the ditch with some 1/4" echos inside for larger spaces. The light background areas are filled in with random squirlios and curlicues. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhFihzaL5oZMaJ0bkDqJ4V3DCqGk3hMx5ZxCspty3ouE12VL8aj8E0UfL0Z0B1wDwcKIJcSbRFuCGMCWtccM10cAIkzd7_6hU-gwORC2rM3IxaE2GDg2Pr9HBP-68j7grGigg-VQ8OVj2SNYxCV8k4TAKeiD8tsqJJFCIvC46tBymtoLWkWAF0nMw=s960" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhFihzaL5oZMaJ0bkDqJ4V3DCqGk3hMx5ZxCspty3ouE12VL8aj8E0UfL0Z0B1wDwcKIJcSbRFuCGMCWtccM10cAIkzd7_6hU-gwORC2rM3IxaE2GDg2Pr9HBP-68j7grGigg-VQ8OVj2SNYxCV8k4TAKeiD8tsqJJFCIvC46tBymtoLWkWAF0nMw=w150-h200" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiigNJMNL9F1Q0-fyg7A-zVFX-iOYi9XDwK7f4iqmAy2tCXKUhrFwC2XWI_LsT3am5YHpKehtxg72ZC1uXzqTk8A15jRK416jmKTIQwJookeGwxZjNz6R8Odc0HXR7tN36miNZZeT0GSfL8Ceqiph2FzKiGalH9FioAtEZWOvIfy83k84lKynyzfw=s960" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiigNJMNL9F1Q0-fyg7A-zVFX-iOYi9XDwK7f4iqmAy2tCXKUhrFwC2XWI_LsT3am5YHpKehtxg72ZC1uXzqTk8A15jRK416jmKTIQwJookeGwxZjNz6R8Odc0HXR7tN36miNZZeT0GSfL8Ceqiph2FzKiGalH9FioAtEZWOvIfy83k84lKynyzfw=w150-h200" width="150" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiuZyc0soSzDcOPlsXm89DGkdPeS8iuNCSW3RctDqC4sBbTF4ErflD5KOOzDqZS2-kQUjpfKufWJ1G92DobebycA5Dam4yHxY7EgnqpNh17E4IjdSM_tT_ALuZVCcMIhpehdUl_FhVM0L5vwtR2ora7IoLal64vMDOpxlELW4A5akc903Z9gMC_HA=s960" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg8LdF1WLPN5J_He2N_uocZXUoGdyaP7n3MMoA4O_GsgIcRI_VHDktCbsw-jgkGycJJw13pQdeVL71lqu01mWV7Zhf5vpGpDtN_5K6nlZBsqapHCVhjRNRDMT3nozUyCtOy5di-duiqaV5hRrJFnEI4XPiFH5dMBNKZZJ_xeKdbHdIvzv4GA2NQrA=s960" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg8LdF1WLPN5J_He2N_uocZXUoGdyaP7n3MMoA4O_GsgIcRI_VHDktCbsw-jgkGycJJw13pQdeVL71lqu01mWV7Zhf5vpGpDtN_5K6nlZBsqapHCVhjRNRDMT3nozUyCtOy5di-duiqaV5hRrJFnEI4XPiFH5dMBNKZZJ_xeKdbHdIvzv4GA2NQrA=s320" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">I'm still very busy at Christmas with the JOY runners, hoping to get enough made this year to participate in a local craft fair in November. We'll see!</p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMDSIxmK66B0vOAfgfqWFr0KwYMSSOiNNhu1BxQnDDHO4AbUnXNKrEta14zDZanXx16eo_JFynJyE0w9OBdzU6jUWmC72VHL3KiJLMyBJqShgW7o-VnlM5r_PqsReXYg63RdYNLcGAqnbo0SA-1oZEPWddu4J4Hn52ne2v5-dZMHixewT0U7_Qlg/s960/Rockadoodle%20red.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="766" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMDSIxmK66B0vOAfgfqWFr0KwYMSSOiNNhu1BxQnDDHO4AbUnXNKrEta14zDZanXx16eo_JFynJyE0w9OBdzU6jUWmC72VHL3KiJLMyBJqShgW7o-VnlM5r_PqsReXYg63RdYNLcGAqnbo0SA-1oZEPWddu4J4Hn52ne2v5-dZMHixewT0U7_Qlg/s320/Rockadoodle%20red.jpg" width="255" /></a></div><p> </p><p style="text-align: justify;">I then decided to duplicate Cockadoodle Blue in red ... I named him
Rockadoodle Red. I quilted the background in a curlicue pattern instead
of the lines that I'd done on the blue one. It looks nice, but
personally I prefer the lines. <br /></p><p> </p><p style="margin-left: 80px; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj1yoslzrnFrHHJEX6usQgkDol7exedigkY1pCNdEzfN8vQsvJO0szROrf_I7zNJr8Nx8Q2earWtocwX-L6eW6KpUWQdEJrz5y-F2W7QqoNbn19t5CbmE-3i-VWKiTlRcIPtqXTmN755TPVaBx3BayDB1iUdQ60nbpin_plAFeBTwwXqyqJK86A6A=s960" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj1yoslzrnFrHHJEX6usQgkDol7exedigkY1pCNdEzfN8vQsvJO0szROrf_I7zNJr8Nx8Q2earWtocwX-L6eW6KpUWQdEJrz5y-F2W7QqoNbn19t5CbmE-3i-VWKiTlRcIPtqXTmN755TPVaBx3BayDB1iUdQ60nbpin_plAFeBTwwXqyqJK86A6A=w150-h200" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl-Ypqns4Osd0uZMaVDYXeIWQRjEUNTfw2DDU7G9QBIEhA9HQKVyLg97Ey1CvuIZQTA_RWnfnxCJf4JXjXR_-bqVYLb4eEaxC32GNXqzOHXo5Se6KwiEXrUpJVnEnrvuXWeSVNsB9eOd_l6iDE0azKANwgnNox3Pi_qEkDxi2Zk50YXfRjVGkt9w/s960/240593627_10158793327233823_562843257836005429_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl-Ypqns4Osd0uZMaVDYXeIWQRjEUNTfw2DDU7G9QBIEhA9HQKVyLg97Ey1CvuIZQTA_RWnfnxCJf4JXjXR_-bqVYLb4eEaxC32GNXqzOHXo5Se6KwiEXrUpJVnEnrvuXWeSVNsB9eOd_l6iDE0azKANwgnNox3Pi_qEkDxi2Zk50YXfRjVGkt9w/w200-h150/240593627_10158793327233823_562843257836005429_n.jpg" width="200" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"> <br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Now that I'm back living in Nova Scotia I thought I'd make some wall
hangings that might resonate with the local population. This part of
the province is well known for its fishing industry, most specifically
for lobsters. So I laid out some strips in shades of grey, white,
cream, and tan to mimic the look of driftwood for the background of a
wall-hanging. Then I drafted up a lobster and gave it a shot. Lobsters
fresh from the sea and still alive are mostly black, usually with bits
of red or blue here and there. Once they're cooked they're fully red.
Being a big fan of blue, of course I did my first one in a nifty blue
striped print, the second one I used a mottled blue/green print, and the
third I did in a burgundy fossil fern. All three sold immediately,
with orders queued up for more! I'm really pleased with how they turned
out and how well they've been received. Hopefully they'll continue to
be popular right through into Christmas. Each one is about 28" x 38". <br /></div><div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT0sL4x2ffSEkrsz-SRJNUIsT1QC5g2Z9XaNWEqBrK9fi32m4B9kmkS2TH4vmeuwvNLr2jzXGr86gG7rh3np7HudClN3ZhD0WCbXyPAPuWyJDyuGsxIZLqAYoSAfXTsqpDHcaeUjDBAFX4h6SSJFnImOwuNT4Hsr2UzHKoOocBILwmydyTtpgJlg/s960/Blue%20lobster%201.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT0sL4x2ffSEkrsz-SRJNUIsT1QC5g2Z9XaNWEqBrK9fi32m4B9kmkS2TH4vmeuwvNLr2jzXGr86gG7rh3np7HudClN3ZhD0WCbXyPAPuWyJDyuGsxIZLqAYoSAfXTsqpDHcaeUjDBAFX4h6SSJFnImOwuNT4Hsr2UzHKoOocBILwmydyTtpgJlg/s320/Blue%20lobster%201.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzpPq8UBuo8UsurvBiPTLINr8AnoNiSS9_fFdh7DMbwPaVdCNoVRN7ResXMl77FGkTrDsM9T-zB6j5TgE_dQ9TNbYRkGcnlOvlFZuPnBGWvyAwrJKsP_ynBS5hO5nEz6ATyd1YYPFNJwwodq80MetZaa4zgo8l55XI5mmNdN8VdnWZ1hPmI_5iJg/s2048/Blue%20lobster%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1562" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzpPq8UBuo8UsurvBiPTLINr8AnoNiSS9_fFdh7DMbwPaVdCNoVRN7ResXMl77FGkTrDsM9T-zB6j5TgE_dQ9TNbYRkGcnlOvlFZuPnBGWvyAwrJKsP_ynBS5hO5nEz6ATyd1YYPFNJwwodq80MetZaa4zgo8l55XI5mmNdN8VdnWZ1hPmI_5iJg/s320/Blue%20lobster%202.jpg" width="244" /></a> </div><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY7_kiIAEwqyTxWtwM2ehrdc14QHvOdMloc_S6iCFjgkWUuZXNDZfjZlzs2tRZLzd-MR6YhJyph4ECm3ycVXZz4uEpiq4W9clfLReonjPUmu4xk_HJegDQLtWni4CxcBHl_Y94z1iD89i12dcOw_CenLMo5tvFmU5wggxwL0eqiMXtKT4mZuGF9w/s2048/Red%20lobster%201.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1494" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY7_kiIAEwqyTxWtwM2ehrdc14QHvOdMloc_S6iCFjgkWUuZXNDZfjZlzs2tRZLzd-MR6YhJyph4ECm3ycVXZz4uEpiq4W9clfLReonjPUmu4xk_HJegDQLtWni4CxcBHl_Y94z1iD89i12dcOw_CenLMo5tvFmU5wggxwL0eqiMXtKT4mZuGF9w/s320/Red%20lobster%201.jpg" width="233" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">As I worked on smaller things, like the lobsters, I was also quilting a king size quilt on commission for a customer. I had designed it as another wonky log cabin, similar to the one for my daughter but without the large compass in the middle. The customer wanted a king size though, so I added borders to make it the right size and got busy with the quilting. I quilted in the ditch for most of it, with some randomly placed stars throughout the light areas.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4QA3YNMnTW2nZAoC4dO-UIsjqWkC6hKgNbd4Ii1-xEB-28MfnJaQwe3rv6PXc0SVn7DiIOCpLHawTXsXaMJjJbIJrnaMINa4qT6J_kPHLa1XC0VEWks47mAJKdYG_i3u6jtPZHWTbG2FG0enO7VFVMVr48weQGxpZ_tti6TrCgpBj8l_dA92VKA/s2048/Wonky%20log%20cabin%201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4QA3YNMnTW2nZAoC4dO-UIsjqWkC6hKgNbd4Ii1-xEB-28MfnJaQwe3rv6PXc0SVn7DiIOCpLHawTXsXaMJjJbIJrnaMINa4qT6J_kPHLa1XC0VEWks47mAJKdYG_i3u6jtPZHWTbG2FG0enO7VFVMVr48weQGxpZ_tti6TrCgpBj8l_dA92VKA/s320/Wonky%20log%20cabin%201.jpg" width="320" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKbrpa62EQ1gIP7CvXSMevx5ZGfzv1VPVkV7wJUTX7a_YRfGOgl84-w9A6UVsnt-puTNOeOXwM9uGd-RI3dlND52HpXI06fhS_A7QYQ_uTgjLOkz_LQzbU-At1df4ptpXUcHn0uLslyb_TSijREiDOYETFEZMnAi6n1dymGLRZLYGW5qScbZOYnA/s2048/wonky%20log%20cabin%203.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKbrpa62EQ1gIP7CvXSMevx5ZGfzv1VPVkV7wJUTX7a_YRfGOgl84-w9A6UVsnt-puTNOeOXwM9uGd-RI3dlND52HpXI06fhS_A7QYQ_uTgjLOkz_LQzbU-At1df4ptpXUcHn0uLslyb_TSijREiDOYETFEZMnAi6n1dymGLRZLYGW5qScbZOYnA/w150-h200/wonky%20log%20cabin%203.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCIedWXnumV5XdH9U4xEmABYiIWxiS5FfJqROLBktcdbcLGJlZ6DCZD1uSRxMyFB170oR4PjuYUwyfWurtL6VjZdjAGMeZmjUEsuqY7vvENBw-slxWaPGH23oOlW_k6dFkIubOtcY5-mU6cQ8QEZECAD8x3hxmkjm0o3SwlzM7KnVOyHDkcznUQA/s2048/wonky%20log%20cabin%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCIedWXnumV5XdH9U4xEmABYiIWxiS5FfJqROLBktcdbcLGJlZ6DCZD1uSRxMyFB170oR4PjuYUwyfWurtL6VjZdjAGMeZmjUEsuqY7vvENBw-slxWaPGH23oOlW_k6dFkIubOtcY5-mU6cQ8QEZECAD8x3hxmkjm0o3SwlzM7KnVOyHDkcznUQA/w200-h150/wonky%20log%20cabin%202.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKbrpa62EQ1gIP7CvXSMevx5ZGfzv1VPVkV7wJUTX7a_YRfGOgl84-w9A6UVsnt-puTNOeOXwM9uGd-RI3dlND52HpXI06fhS_A7QYQ_uTgjLOkz_LQzbU-At1df4ptpXUcHn0uLslyb_TSijREiDOYETFEZMnAi6n1dymGLRZLYGW5qScbZOYnA/s2048/wonky%20log%20cabin%203.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div></div>Deborahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02569300304612683966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8998696600147414305.post-65011852744024874562020-07-13T14:20:00.002-07:002020-08-23T21:32:30.128-07:00Ch-ch-changes! <div style="text-align: justify;">
My pleated face masks have been selling pretty well, which is great, although I have had some reports that the ones made with the black elastic don't seem to work out as well as the ones with the white elastic. They're the same kind of elastic, just a couple of millimetres thick, but somehow the white ones are more stretchy and fit better. So to anyone who has bought the ones with the black elastic and they have snapped or not fit well, I do hope you will let me know so I can replace them. Also, not ALL of the black elastic ones are bad, it's just that they seem to snap off if really yanked on to stretch across a larger face.</div>
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I had heard that one didn't fit well, so I replaced it, then I messaged a few people about theirs only to find out that they hadn't worked out but they hadn't bothered to let me know. I have had a few people say so, which is great, because I most definitely don't want word getting out there that I make inferior products. I stand behind everything I make, and if it isn't right, I'll make it right. I don't know there's a problem unless I'm told, so please do speak up! </div>
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For the past couple of weeks I've switched gears and started making the shaped masks instead of the pleated ones and using a 1/4" wide elastic and these are selling like hotcakes. They're also really easy to make once I figured out a well fitting pattern. I've also adjusted it to fit larger or smaller faces, and for children. The elastics and the mask itself are quite comfortable (as comfortable as one can be, I guess). The pleated ones are more suited for smaller faces, or teens, so they're not out of the picture, but they're not great for men or people with larger faces. </div>
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In the past 2 days I've banged out over 60 masks! I did the ones in the first picture yesterday, then moved into blues and greens today.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYXPEGvr9zFCDVRLId0bMQxo9yvy1ZNjR9lme2LW504ywT1unFDJsUv7Ba8kVW0DbzjfwiiEFvzwv6j5F08liMeirweF6N8w9I_SqwUHbaOnfg_YELyHBWoWeT_BkqQncl7xyLaS3YFA/s1600/Jul+13.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1164" data-original-width="1600" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYXPEGvr9zFCDVRLId0bMQxo9yvy1ZNjR9lme2LW504ywT1unFDJsUv7Ba8kVW0DbzjfwiiEFvzwv6j5F08liMeirweF6N8w9I_SqwUHbaOnfg_YELyHBWoWeT_BkqQncl7xyLaS3YFA/s320/Jul+13.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Here's a sample of what I have on hand now. My personal favourite is still the blue skulls (and besides the Nova Scotia tartan, they are my next best seller!), but now I've got other blues, some lips, some that are clearly for women, others that are more "manly". I haven't gotten much into the browns, oranges and yellows yet, I think tomorrow might be the day for them. I have a ton more fabric I can and will use to add to the varieties available.<br />
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I also have some Toronto Blue Jays and NHL Original Six fabric ordered and on the way. Ideally people will start ordering specific colours, so I don't have to have a ton on hand, I can just make them per order, but for now this works fine. And yep, there I am modelling it for you. I don't think I'll ever get used to them, but for now they're part of the "new normal".<br />
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<br />Deborahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02569300304612683966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8998696600147414305.post-49435016248992956932020-06-01T12:16:00.000-07:002020-06-01T12:17:34.330-07:00I really didn't see this coming ....<div style="text-align: justify;">
As a quilter, I really didn't see this coming ... the day that my primary big selling item would be non-medical face masks. I guess nobody saw it coming, who would ever have thought something like this would happen? Well, some out there knew it was coming, could have stopped it, didn't ... and here we are. Regardless, now the world needs to wear face masks and I have the skills to make them so face masks I shall make. </div>
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I've been making them for a couple of weeks now and they're selling well. I had initially found a free pattern online and gave it a go, it didn't go well. It was complicated and awkward and didn't fit well, so I figured it was time to build a better mousetrap and designed my own.<br />
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<b>*** NOTE *** These are non-medical face masks. They do not contain a filter and do not have a pocket to insert a filter. They are double sided, 100% cotton. </b></div>
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I used one of the actual hospital masks as a guide for size, length of elastic, etc, and this is what I came up with. Of course, as a quilter, I have a LOT of 100% cotton, much of which has been donated to me over the years, some I bought or won, regardless how it came to me it's all fair game when it comes to being used. </div>
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People have suggested to me that they'd like to see masks with musical instruments, or sports teams on them. For one thing, with the folds in the fabric, the pictures of those things would have to be pretty small to even be recognizable. It might work on other styles, but not on mine. Plus, a lot of those are really hard or near impossible to come by, especially with so many people buying online right now. So I'm using what I have. I have a wide variety of colours and prints, some are more plain than others though I have very few just plain no-pattern fabrics. Most of them either have streaks of something on them, or an all-over design, or just a tone-on-tone print (like blue on blue, etc). So far I've been told that they're breathable and very comfortable, so I think I'm doing ok. </div>
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It was recently suggested that I include a slot along the top for a pipe cleaner to be inserted for nose comfort. I hadn't thought of that and might give it a shot in the next batch I make. Currently this is what I have on hand. Just email scrappyblue@gmail.com if you want to buy any, they're $10CAD each, plus shipping if applicable.</div>
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Of course, I'm still quilting in between making the masks. I've got a quilt in the works for a lady I've quilted for many times, plus a wedding quilt for this fall, and I'm restoring an antique quilt for a friend, so needless to say I'm always busy, but never too busy to take on another project.</div>
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Deborahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02569300304612683966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8998696600147414305.post-15007128894603362332019-11-01T14:21:00.002-07:002019-11-03T11:27:59.029-08:00Wait for it ......<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiejsVnL_1uZYtGgoolSFR7_Da5RRjPqhyUQ_OKQ4FzlF167u4hHTZmGLCTUyMzILA2c4koZ-7VHufw_swmhG5Y9wEWgCFr4fva53rKo6HjZQtGgKyEtrDFLzFlX28xoT9RptXMxqzC_w/s1600/IMG-1980.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1585" data-original-width="1600" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiejsVnL_1uZYtGgoolSFR7_Da5RRjPqhyUQ_OKQ4FzlF167u4hHTZmGLCTUyMzILA2c4koZ-7VHufw_swmhG5Y9wEWgCFr4fva53rKo6HjZQtGgKyEtrDFLzFlX28xoT9RptXMxqzC_w/s200/IMG-1980.jpg" width="200" /></a>Wow, I've been so lazy at posting here. So much for promising to do better. Regardless, I have something to share that should make up for it. <br />
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First off I'd like to announce that earlier this year I was contacted by Shannon of <a href="https://skunkhollowfabrics.ca/october-2019-showcase-give-take/" target="_blank">Skunk Hollow Fabrics </a>who asked if I'd be interested in being a featured artist on her blog. Of course I would! So (drumroll please) I am Miss October ... just click the link and you'll be sent to the article. Thanks Shannon!<br />
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As usual, I've been busy making and selling lots of JOY runners ... some people save them for Christmas decorations, others use them year-round. I think I only have one on hand right now, should probably get making a few more just in case. I'm thinking my next one will be blue and silver, then maybe a red and gold, a traditional red and green .... the possibilities are endless!</div>
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A few years ago I designed a small tote bag, mainly out of necessity for my own use. I made it exactly big enough to hold 2 hardcover novels and used it as my library bag. I tend to spend a lot of time at the library, at least a few visits a week, checking out books and doing ancestry research. Then I started taking it with me on my trips to Nova Scotia to carry around everything I need when doing my cemetery visits. You can read about those adventures <a href="http://searchingforjesse.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">here</a> if you like (be sure to check out <a href="https://searchingforjesse.blogspot.com/p/the-tale-of-ancestral-eye.html" target="_blank">The Tale of the Ancestral Eye</a> for a chuckle). The bag was perfect for carrying my camera, notebook, sticks (for cleaning up lichen on headstones or dirt off footstones), all sorts of things. My tools are gradually becoming too many for this particular bag so I may have to make a new one for my next trip. Regardless, people started noticing this little bag and asked if they could buy it, so I got into bag production. As I said, the bags are exactly big enough to hold 2 hardcover novels, so they're about 7" x 10", with a strap to comfortably carry it over your shoulder. They have a split pocket on each side (split meaning each pocket is divided into 2). And the bag is reversible ... the colours are reversed on the inside, and it can be turned inside-out and used either way. It is also machine wash and dry. They've become very popular. I've been selling them for $20 each so far.</div>
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Ok, now here's the really exciting part. I've been quilting since 1998. When I first started out I had nobody to teach me, I knew no quilters, and although I had a lot of sewing experience I had never tried quilting and knew nothing at all about it. I bought a magazine and the rest is history. I collected magazines and books and started making quilts like mad. Since 1998 I'd guess I've probably made well over 1000 quilts of all sizes, from placemats to king size. I've always been a hand quilter, all my appliqué is by hand, my piecing is sometimes machine, sometimes hand. And at the risk of sounding too immodest, I will state with fair confidence that I'm very good at what I do.</div>
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In the past few years I've pretty much stopped using all the books and magazines I've collected over the years. If I need to make a quilt for someone quickly and don't have the time to come up with an original plan I will dive into them for that, it's a guaranteed way to get a good result fast and it takes the pressure off. But if I'm just making something to make it, or I have time to ponder and play, I usually try to design it myself. I have several patterns for sale actually, mostly just small stuff like runners.</div>
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I decided I wanted to make something really cool and different. I had an idea for a rooster quilt for my sister for Christmas, so that got the creative juices started. She lives on a farm and has a rooster, so I found a picture of a rooster and got started on her wall-hanging. He looks exactly like a rooster, I'll post a picture when he's finished. It's her style, and I'm confident she'll like him. He's not my style however, but I wanted a rooster for myself anyhow. So I googled various rooster ideas and got out the freezer paper and drafted up my own. Of course he's blue, that's always my colour of choice for anything. The background is various strips of light prints machine pieced. The rooster himself is entirely done by hand, from the appliqué to the piecing, and of course the whole thing is hand quilted. He is so far out of the box from my normal quilting, the box is nowhere in sight. I have a feeling I may never see that box again, I love this guy so much. His name is <b>Cockadoodle Blue</b>. He's 40" x 52".<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWFOHGhCZOUBMvEsPyL-DDwBphOrtotuQjK33I0hOrEhz6qfJsLUARXcxo3jajfIIdFmUD-LJgbSvcZVgZdnKpNhM5o6dplD4atsOQ_EVjMFIoOH1iWpp9TMRP9sKrHNUaVv37MUGnog/s1600/IMG-2018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWFOHGhCZOUBMvEsPyL-DDwBphOrtotuQjK33I0hOrEhz6qfJsLUARXcxo3jajfIIdFmUD-LJgbSvcZVgZdnKpNhM5o6dplD4atsOQ_EVjMFIoOH1iWpp9TMRP9sKrHNUaVv37MUGnog/s200/IMG-2018.jpg" width="149" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwfxrdWWSQHApYXuOnETzoBKvrFkeYG21Sy7eijmcmKkg36INcXkoQyELLEFk7p1lgIp7ILz0d1nu4CMBM931n36Y_RZqsh4zcumBrxoCOhNXFitqttEw6AM5kJC47YH8yCiTOxp-fVA/s1600/IMG-2020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwfxrdWWSQHApYXuOnETzoBKvrFkeYG21Sy7eijmcmKkg36INcXkoQyELLEFk7p1lgIp7ILz0d1nu4CMBM931n36Y_RZqsh4zcumBrxoCOhNXFitqttEw6AM5kJC47YH8yCiTOxp-fVA/s200/IMG-2020.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIBZj99IFH9OQ49-TypGB2XsvSUXQAa8xWedry3rNIzDv1IA-fYNK92LS104fPdXdn38OmyNuqfGOm5wamw6xqEaugrFIb7MjIgLirDTW5xiHMHd2kS8jdKppPg39VTuwMpcIpAbWtEw/s1600/IMG-2043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIBZj99IFH9OQ49-TypGB2XsvSUXQAa8xWedry3rNIzDv1IA-fYNK92LS104fPdXdn38OmyNuqfGOm5wamw6xqEaugrFIb7MjIgLirDTW5xiHMHd2kS8jdKppPg39VTuwMpcIpAbWtEw/s200/IMG-2043.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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<br />Deborahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02569300304612683966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8998696600147414305.post-22766344586515115752018-03-26T15:41:00.001-07:002018-05-09T13:43:14.302-07:00In my own defense, I've been BUSY ....<div style="text-align: justify;">
Wow, I just noticed that I haven't posted in a year. So much for being diligent and posting regularly. I really should make that a New Years Resolution, and then stick to it. In my own defense, I haven't just been sitting around eating bonbons, I have actually been quite busy. So let's see what I've accomplished since I last posted. </div>
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I'll start back at last May and work my way to the present. Trust me, it'll be worth the read.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhATSuSdOGWtaGkB9tnDHRcAD74OiPKhoFjoQzptuZaPJRbURdtuWQCAYvIk3wbWbxfr5en6fUNqdsDGp4a1Z4nGE_GUjsRvYji-qKu727u3HrKRm-ZMIeh8hCSDWcCuY41PGD6ZTqIGA/s1600/Pause.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="662" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhATSuSdOGWtaGkB9tnDHRcAD74OiPKhoFjoQzptuZaPJRbURdtuWQCAYvIk3wbWbxfr5en6fUNqdsDGp4a1Z4nGE_GUjsRvYji-qKu727u3HrKRm-ZMIeh8hCSDWcCuY41PGD6ZTqIGA/s200/Pause.jpg" width="137" /></a></div>
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The semicolon is a symbol for the mental health awareness campaign, Project Semicolon, to draw awareness and support for those dealing with mental illness, depression, or the loss of someone from suicide.</div>
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As someone who has problems with depression, this is very relevant for me.</div>
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"Pause" is 24" x 34". The background is made of various light strips in white, cream, and light blue. The semicolon is a mottled navy. It is, of course, hand appliqued and hand quilted (do I really need to say that anymore? they ALL are). I quilted random width vertical lines in the background and radiating circles inside the semicolon.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4ufaJ4obc7dkqk_k8BPy7lOuPDx9F6maRIoOwOadKE0VRXy2lKyJqnDZ-GaqQHsIRUc1Aj6TJMnQ-jEUerWZyIl6OaRnPFC8V2FNIWP2rBVjfl8quwBQEvaFwhYsQfEmi-8uLQ2OG0w/s1600/To+the+Moon.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="906" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4ufaJ4obc7dkqk_k8BPy7lOuPDx9F6maRIoOwOadKE0VRXy2lKyJqnDZ-GaqQHsIRUc1Aj6TJMnQ-jEUerWZyIl6OaRnPFC8V2FNIWP2rBVjfl8quwBQEvaFwhYsQfEmi-8uLQ2OG0w/s200/To+the+Moon.JPG" width="113" /></a></div>
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I get a lot of ideas from wall art I see in home decorating stores, I think that's where I got the idea for this one. It's pretty basic, with cream and blue wide horizontal background strips and a sparkly moon with the words appliqued on top. I just ditch quilted around the words and the moon, random stars in the background.</div>
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"To the Moon" is 20" x 34".</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiS-3ICicT-odE7-6Y7pQSqk1lIips70BqriWMxNMUzDBZyg_ifyrjmQUDRPl9UeLZG_ZCLWGYAW3NIyve16mu8QvZG-HIFwjYGdpGHcwE0Pbc5ORZ0wXfjIxSH7IPCVJCaZUclY4u8g/s1600/Horse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="624" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiS-3ICicT-odE7-6Y7pQSqk1lIips70BqriWMxNMUzDBZyg_ifyrjmQUDRPl9UeLZG_ZCLWGYAW3NIyve16mu8QvZG-HIFwjYGdpGHcwE0Pbc5ORZ0wXfjIxSH7IPCVJCaZUclY4u8g/s200/Horse.jpg" width="130" /></a></div>
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I like horses. I think they're beautiful, graceful creatures. I'm deathly allergic to them, but I like them from afar. I had been wanting to make a horse quilt for a while, but didn't want to make one that looked like it was trying to be too realistic. Then when I came across this blue and purple batik I knew exactly what it was for. I used different dark solids for the outline of the horse, but the feathers are all from the same fabric. It's 21½" x 32"</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMgr4f5bB6ykX2bRjsT_fJ-jGQ91ZBVKqmnfL6ulxrH5l0pGuvXq6vMpzEbg1hOxgpswLqb8duyTS5rSi-BdcxGk-qTUP1QOFbA7-wS_P89IXYYyVKF_So2tsYp9P3BWKVTfyJCGctBg/s1600/D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMgr4f5bB6ykX2bRjsT_fJ-jGQ91ZBVKqmnfL6ulxrH5l0pGuvXq6vMpzEbg1hOxgpswLqb8duyTS5rSi-BdcxGk-qTUP1QOFbA7-wS_P89IXYYyVKF_So2tsYp9P3BWKVTfyJCGctBg/s200/D.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
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I've done a bunch of name banners for nieces and nephews over the years, but recently I've been more into just doing the initial. A friend saw the lower case g I made for myself (for Gray) and asked if I could do a D for her sister's birthday. </div>
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So "D" is 21" x 28½", in a sparkly pink on a light background and a couple of dark pink hearts. I quilted it with variegated pastel thread.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvGGNUsbXrCFf4GE2uXYQw7Bjy6ONP_VVzirYlBmQJCkKw6QTC-YeVgKb46v99_cVQTxhqf37KJve_e1sYcvKW-Z951mK4PScpE6P-nxSbXmfMYld3_EzQsWmEKOtQaMJ6piK2iR_Qag/s1600/Live+in+the+moment.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="580" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvGGNUsbXrCFf4GE2uXYQw7Bjy6ONP_VVzirYlBmQJCkKw6QTC-YeVgKb46v99_cVQTxhqf37KJve_e1sYcvKW-Z951mK4PScpE6P-nxSbXmfMYld3_EzQsWmEKOtQaMJ6piK2iR_Qag/s200/Live+in+the+moment.jpg" width="120" /></a></div>
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This is another one that was inspired by something I saw on tv or in a decorating store. It is also a learning experience.</div>
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"Live in the Moment" is 20" x 34". I love the sage green lettering, though it doesn't show up great on the darker beige strips in the background. Also, I loved the idea of quilting bubbles in the background, going from larger on bottom to smaller at the top. That was such a pain in the neck to do! And I don't think I did a wide enough variation between the large and small. Note to self: don't do that again.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3vDOM-saU7q-43gUh5pIAE6FoCJw5QgSHmgf8vvN6NhSXIaqI8p8Rw-Gt9TCBTci5Dp8R-MDOy6gsbrgxX2yQiQPJkJJh4OnRounRJgxQU1gXYQIvsYXY20Tu1N2Y_7egfsyvD9JOsA/s1600/you+are+my+sunshine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="778" data-original-width="960" height="161" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3vDOM-saU7q-43gUh5pIAE6FoCJw5QgSHmgf8vvN6NhSXIaqI8p8Rw-Gt9TCBTci5Dp8R-MDOy6gsbrgxX2yQiQPJkJJh4OnRounRJgxQU1gXYQIvsYXY20Tu1N2Y_7egfsyvD9JOsA/s200/you+are+my+sunshine.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIQ5e2-6i7185YdD2eIYkwJJFPA6H-Wz0sYE2N5xQCFeS64dzMUKEIBvE_ykLnIBgCnlKkIOBlRE00qV_jKZjk0TA0QSLraLcuYoqzc56VyEX_sZRWHbFV8OClNtQfd4b2M6oSOCiNlg/s1600/You+are+my+sunshine+closeup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIQ5e2-6i7185YdD2eIYkwJJFPA6H-Wz0sYE2N5xQCFeS64dzMUKEIBvE_ykLnIBgCnlKkIOBlRE00qV_jKZjk0TA0QSLraLcuYoqzc56VyEX_sZRWHbFV8OClNtQfd4b2M6oSOCiNlg/s200/You+are+my+sunshine+closeup.jpg" width="150" /></a><br />
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"You are my Sunshine" is 28" x 22". The sunflower petals are all individually appliqued, made from a lovely bright yellow batik. I love the look of batik, especially all the variation in the marbling of the pattern, but it's a real b**** to quilt through. My fingers always need a break after something like this. I do like how the layered petals turned out though.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLG1PG450FNQns_nVe_JIUmx7ShU418CNvmXVX5F_ExTve5wAj2AzniihqpsYfDIO8JJJeYb40CY8xtO6ucn_gSQ5si71JLbiRLa6asosvK6awphrHhxQPD4aZITFJc_pS0uxU90QXKw/s1600/O+baby.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="850" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLG1PG450FNQns_nVe_JIUmx7ShU418CNvmXVX5F_ExTve5wAj2AzniihqpsYfDIO8JJJeYb40CY8xtO6ucn_gSQ5si71JLbiRLa6asosvK6awphrHhxQPD4aZITFJc_pS0uxU90QXKw/s200/O+baby.jpg" width="176" /></a></div>
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I'd been trying to come up with another original pattern to put out there, then when my cousin's girl had a baby I got a brainstorm for a baby quilt. Of course it's circles, they're one of my favourite things to do. Blues and greens (also my fav) for a boy. I quilted circles into the background with variegated blue thread. It's called "O Baby". I've got a lighter colour version in the works now, then I'll do a pink one as I work on the pattern instructions.</div>
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Deborahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02569300304612683966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8998696600147414305.post-85262455239622812822017-04-20T16:53:00.003-07:002017-08-19T14:50:10.005-07:00Welcome back!<div style="text-align: justify;">
Welcome back! The website - it's new! The quilts - they're updated!<br />
Yes, it's been a while since I've posted anything on here ... not because I haven't had anything to post, but mainly because I've just been really busy quilting and redoing the whole website! So let's get right to it and see what's kept me so preoccupied ...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFT2450a5MmF7ODK5QyeqyjU7f6lHQg8bo3N2V5eWXYUxlOnBaH4mpaE2eCDuZdBllqLQVZTQiqy8Ct2aVI0VQ7XFAJEc7vwU5xkdCPnVPLvCpnzCRBkO4ydidPGiuYaN6BUnP2jrquA/s1600/Vertical+dot+dot+dot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFT2450a5MmF7ODK5QyeqyjU7f6lHQg8bo3N2V5eWXYUxlOnBaH4mpaE2eCDuZdBllqLQVZTQiqy8Ct2aVI0VQ7XFAJEc7vwU5xkdCPnVPLvCpnzCRBkO4ydidPGiuYaN6BUnP2jrquA/s200/Vertical+dot+dot+dot.jpg" width="169" /></a>After I finished the blue on neutral "Dot, Dot, Dot" quilt I decided to do it again, this time in reds. And vertical. So in my usual uber-creative way of naming quilts, of course this one is called "Vertical Dot, Dot, Dot". It's 25½" x 30", a little bigger than the blue one, again with backgrounds and circles ranging from white to light tan, then the feature circles in pinks, oranges, and mostly reds. I quilted radiating circles into the background, and in the ditch around each appliqued circle.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibnIVh9syU2LVd-l1IUArfKQXLXHNsp0v3C8cUKXwwopi_zuKsL21F9pWpoIYDgw3ULG6VHWob1KrJjBq0k6xwBM_g2UFHE82QL_P9W877Wtzh9Ayh7oWOQm64AgW_UI7zToK6PWeD4w/s1600/Feathers+for+Megan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibnIVh9syU2LVd-l1IUArfKQXLXHNsp0v3C8cUKXwwopi_zuKsL21F9pWpoIYDgw3ULG6VHWob1KrJjBq0k6xwBM_g2UFHE82QL_P9W877Wtzh9Ayh7oWOQm64AgW_UI7zToK6PWeD4w/s320/Feathers+for+Megan.jpg" width="271" /></a>I do some volunteering with a few different organizations, one of which is <a href="http://canuckplace.org/" target="_blank">Canuck Place Children's Hospice</a>. So far I've made and donated 4 quilts to them, and decided it was high time I did another. I don't work with pastels very often, and I have a very small supply of 30's repro prints, but I do love the look of them. Every time I use them I vow that I'll do more repro quilts, then it's years before I actually do it. This one I designed myself, using one of my most favourite blocks: Drunkard's Path. I alternated using the prints as the quarter circle and the background to create the undulating pattern around the Dresden Plate in the middle. Heart-winged butterflies are randomly placed to fill in the white space. It's machine pieced, but all of the applique and quilting is done by hand. I quilted feathers throughout the whole thing. It was inspired by the daughter of a friend of mine, so I named it "Feathers for Megan". It's 45" x 54", took about 4 weeks to quilt it.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM6AObG7m6Z1_kCz5Oo3Eat2wPFX-1eakArUAS3BENkd7radbh3drUUqVzYM6ZMogENH113QEldF9Zo1N9e7upap8_z9iBxttvShMNH_k2e2aa5VmRFsbNJkIgAkdOaNxMtBRhhqyVaw/s1600/feathers+for+megan+closeup4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM6AObG7m6Z1_kCz5Oo3Eat2wPFX-1eakArUAS3BENkd7radbh3drUUqVzYM6ZMogENH113QEldF9Zo1N9e7upap8_z9iBxttvShMNH_k2e2aa5VmRFsbNJkIgAkdOaNxMtBRhhqyVaw/s200/feathers+for+megan+closeup4.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwj9uHqG_KN-IUVnzJpsu3KjPNp7JvGWdfZ2vYxtR30e_FYgjET_56lUxa2wIYtZldx2HirQ9osvw_UCLjuWLiVSXPhPJqfBjLoGhUvZaQBNulRbCcb2f8MwB_tAHYXHVPXJjk1GI6tA/s1600/Feathers+for+Megan+closeup1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwj9uHqG_KN-IUVnzJpsu3KjPNp7JvGWdfZ2vYxtR30e_FYgjET_56lUxa2wIYtZldx2HirQ9osvw_UCLjuWLiVSXPhPJqfBjLoGhUvZaQBNulRbCcb2f8MwB_tAHYXHVPXJjk1GI6tA/s200/Feathers+for+Megan+closeup1.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHdJS06A3Y_vJybBNOiqfsDNs0ktRsqjz-bevaXcZza2LlzfTYxN9fJBfPFcVk3TjoDWSlpJZRVmb5SEO9dAPcQdGSdU4upuAFpGdzuIVEOCZPqEZX_myogby_e_nmSwLurfBDXnKbSw/s1600/feathers+for+megan+closeup3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHdJS06A3Y_vJybBNOiqfsDNs0ktRsqjz-bevaXcZza2LlzfTYxN9fJBfPFcVk3TjoDWSlpJZRVmb5SEO9dAPcQdGSdU4upuAFpGdzuIVEOCZPqEZX_myogby_e_nmSwLurfBDXnKbSw/s200/feathers+for+megan+closeup3.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDkQ80UpjGJmGl0GAz2rao2Uss9oBayLqznkCxLWwgQs6IY3HNQXVhpnwjvIr5te79UJy3Q9vnzPs1Ha1MC4kSUBpKKQeyE4wGxH7hP5ozkUx14tSWCNJsVwkDVfoGglzhokKyH9OEJg/s1600/Seaquine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDkQ80UpjGJmGl0GAz2rao2Uss9oBayLqznkCxLWwgQs6IY3HNQXVhpnwjvIr5te79UJy3Q9vnzPs1Ha1MC4kSUBpKKQeyE4wGxH7hP5ozkUx14tSWCNJsVwkDVfoGglzhokKyH9OEJg/s320/Seaquine.jpg" width="202" /></a><br />
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I love the sea. I can't imagine living anywhere that I can't readily see or smell the ocean at any given time. I also love the colours, all the blues and greens, they calm my heart and settle my soul. And if you've been paying attention, the only thing I love to quilt as much as circles, is feathers. So this is "Seaquine". It's 19" x 31". The background is actually a fair bit bluer than it appears in the picture.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmQviPb9P12xpFANhyphenhyphenWdwkZ2w-fAj7VW3_7NZ_nfd4sCPJ4Fa0Bk0_2-9v8kyQqRA1hYO_ZlcjklKbbPqWjclCtMuW3VKrSx40RYhu_Or4t0aX_t9x83RU4E4unkQAxOIjSbWHIhjUlQ/s1600/Feathered+Green.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="131" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmQviPb9P12xpFANhyphenhyphenWdwkZ2w-fAj7VW3_7NZ_nfd4sCPJ4Fa0Bk0_2-9v8kyQqRA1hYO_ZlcjklKbbPqWjclCtMuW3VKrSx40RYhu_Or4t0aX_t9x83RU4E4unkQAxOIjSbWHIhjUlQ/s320/Feathered+Green.jpg" width="320" /></a>Every now and then when I'm between projects and I don't know what I really want to make next but just NEED something to work on, I'll make a table runner. This one is called (what else?) "Feathered Green" ... because it's feathered, and it's green. duh....<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaO85OzL4m6VbQMx0nytGuR3j6AUGhaBj_41gayGvChnG6RFhbo_0Py5a7IEniXxSBCfFjmn6-YBwb14hZzDQLx9UejuEBRiLipS-dlfiNaVSsgwBGAGkaZeJI5ZeZVhG0aBkcKWJptQ/s1600/live+love+laugh+blue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaO85OzL4m6VbQMx0nytGuR3j6AUGhaBj_41gayGvChnG6RFhbo_0Py5a7IEniXxSBCfFjmn6-YBwb14hZzDQLx9UejuEBRiLipS-dlfiNaVSsgwBGAGkaZeJI5ZeZVhG0aBkcKWJptQ/s320/live+love+laugh+blue.jpg" width="135" /></a><br />
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Once I finished the runner (actually more like while I worked on the runner, who really just works on one project at a time?) I decided on a wall-hanging to make for my cousin's kid's wedding. I always want to call him my nephew, because we're more like sisters than cousins, but technically that wouldn't be right so we'll leave it be. Anyhow, he got married in June 2016 (I can't believe I'm really that slack at posting my work lately) so here's what I came up with for him. I'd made a version of this in reds and a bit smaller, but I like this one much better. I may end up making it again for myself. It's called, of course, "Live, Love, Laugh" and measures 16" x 35".<br />
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I then decided to get back to my all-time favourite: circles. I first made "Squircles & Circles" in my blues and greens on neutrals, then loved it so much I had to make it again, this time in neutrals on neutrals. I love them both and really want to make another one, but nobody has bought either of these yet and I really don't need <i>that</i> many versions of the same quilt lying around the house. For anyone who doesn't know, a Squircle is a real thing ... it's a square with rounded "circle-like" corners. The background squares are 4½", so I made the squircles just a tad under 4" so there would still be a bit of background around them after they were pieced, then randomly placed a circle on each squircle and carefully cut it out to applique down and let the background peek through. Each of these quilts is 39" x 24".<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7mOMsaYODRkO2CVIct2JvEFt-H805QWg5kIq1YhOA2X77sfznowPQiLqZBju-Rnuzo-fLY_qoc2SFup_1Mpmd7J9aDnvhqn7kNgS1oFk6nU7LSF25dKRBSMgCW9uYWhKE6-eMOXQo5w/s1600/squircles+%2526+circles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="118" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7mOMsaYODRkO2CVIct2JvEFt-H805QWg5kIq1YhOA2X77sfznowPQiLqZBju-Rnuzo-fLY_qoc2SFup_1Mpmd7J9aDnvhqn7kNgS1oFk6nU7LSF25dKRBSMgCW9uYWhKE6-eMOXQo5w/s200/squircles+%2526+circles.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDc4UOQwYxZ7t9r9Qnt6c5Rd3TsEzmnUSPgx2aE8cvaTgFSEfggFqBH2NMDqgegqspx7M3RGrnrY91F6dNF9wrdAOoFyR6JxeJUrsy70wYVfblgWaYEsX4quIRj1kHEL3KOTSRzxnpfw/s1600/circles+%2526+squircles+neutral.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="121" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDc4UOQwYxZ7t9r9Qnt6c5Rd3TsEzmnUSPgx2aE8cvaTgFSEfggFqBH2NMDqgegqspx7M3RGrnrY91F6dNF9wrdAOoFyR6JxeJUrsy70wYVfblgWaYEsX4quIRj1kHEL3KOTSRzxnpfw/s200/circles+%2526+squircles+neutral.jpg" width="200" /> </a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHXuBxD2sXbd-V5YSl8l23BTU863xZFe1lmna8EYPugLKQtO263LsKVXOcY3lzPVI5gjtLhTx9YRlNBabyhp8jHky8aoznXryHZhAN67w-tDPZXdaUSwqqeDo4x1_e-5HHGK9UQMFP-A/s1600/crop+circles+closeup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHXuBxD2sXbd-V5YSl8l23BTU863xZFe1lmna8EYPugLKQtO263LsKVXOcY3lzPVI5gjtLhTx9YRlNBabyhp8jHky8aoznXryHZhAN67w-tDPZXdaUSwqqeDo4x1_e-5HHGK9UQMFP-A/s200/crop+circles+closeup.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhshnEPsvuS-8zqfrE_RC-98UcJ6F0xubCQhXodGmZtyskcUO_ceixnXJH_Ymjyaj-JfMbEzX3_iTKNtSGAw_hd4Z46F2A6PQ_6-5GuVHNon7K1ETFY4Z-eSUpvwIeROQl9uN8BiHG4fg/s1600/Crop+Circles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhshnEPsvuS-8zqfrE_RC-98UcJ6F0xubCQhXodGmZtyskcUO_ceixnXJH_Ymjyaj-JfMbEzX3_iTKNtSGAw_hd4Z46F2A6PQ_6-5GuVHNon7K1ETFY4Z-eSUpvwIeROQl9uN8BiHG4fg/s200/Crop+Circles.jpg" width="150" /></a>Then I was watching a program on History Channel about crop circles. I've always been fascinated by them and always thought they'd make a neat quilt, so here we have "Concentric" which is vaguely inspired by that. Yes, more circles and more blue and green. It's 28" x 38". I started with the small centre circle, appliqued it to the next colour, cut it out to the size I wanted, appliqued it to the next, and so on until I had the size I wanted for the main one, then added the satellites around it. I appliqued them all to a piece of muslin that I tea-dyed, then hand quilted it with variegated tan thread.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdxU4JSwFU_VNuOvosA-D8L0PB5E0NJf5ziLpiMCuvLdF3hS0KaCORVLsjc1K8-BHg4diL6kqW1LuKCz0rgla_jNgDyxiAAzWDjCKv138h4809bMruuMqiLYaMc2g_v5JUpqvLrdilSg/s1600/dream+sparkle+shine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="161" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdxU4JSwFU_VNuOvosA-D8L0PB5E0NJf5ziLpiMCuvLdF3hS0KaCORVLsjc1K8-BHg4diL6kqW1LuKCz0rgla_jNgDyxiAAzWDjCKv138h4809bMruuMqiLYaMc2g_v5JUpqvLrdilSg/s200/dream+sparkle+shine.jpg" width="200" /></a>All my life I've been a sucker for inspirational posters. You know the ones, like with the kitten hanging from a thing that says "Hang in there!". I've recently been making quilted versions. I've made a few in the past, but this is the first one I've really liked. I found this font online a while back and have used it over and over again.... it's easy to read and easy to sew and looks great. "Dream, Sparkle, Shine" is 33" x 27". I used a sparkly blue fabric for the words "sparkle more" (so whimsical, I know!). I used 3 different neutral bands of background fabric, hand quilted horizontal lines throughout it.<br />
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Besides blues and greens, believe it or not, I do like other colours. For example, red on black is always stunning. And I love symbols like the & quilt I made a while back, so this time I went for the musical clef. I don't generally collect a lot of blacks, so I had to dig deep into my scrap bin to find enough to make this one. "Fade to Black, Cue the Music" is 50" x 28".<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioCe5gvPSUDZqVdA77BWdEV3WFn7QDbpxDLfyNFjq8ujdzUk3gf3lXMjznHx5QEGZBA29qPebiz5sVEi8mtA_uv8bYYz_IoyMjHhf0kaWydlpv4rYSRPAXhVskfmUXA7bhEt8akP8yZA/s1600/Fade+to+black%252C+Cue+the+music.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="171" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioCe5gvPSUDZqVdA77BWdEV3WFn7QDbpxDLfyNFjq8ujdzUk3gf3lXMjznHx5QEGZBA29qPebiz5sVEi8mtA_uv8bYYz_IoyMjHhf0kaWydlpv4rYSRPAXhVskfmUXA7bhEt8akP8yZA/s320/Fade+to+black%252C+Cue+the+music.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcEjRwSthHRVlnZFQe5YmRwam9apXsjWZH_SpQtT1qX3LhxEiK0zg01UbGLJyoIndwbShV2afmK3kw9ckYsgvAwSgKez0AogwrvAR-f2rGv0gplxcQAnMzOraoWwTT07zyCwKLjITpOw/s1600/g.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcEjRwSthHRVlnZFQe5YmRwam9apXsjWZH_SpQtT1qX3LhxEiK0zg01UbGLJyoIndwbShV2afmK3kw9ckYsgvAwSgKez0AogwrvAR-f2rGv0gplxcQAnMzOraoWwTT07zyCwKLjITpOw/s200/g.jpg" width="150" /></a>I'm into giant things lately ... makes me feel all artsy fartsy. Since my last name is G I made this to hang in my bedroom. I used a number of different lime green strips of varying widths, then had to put a long one down one side because it didn't quite turn out to be quite wide enough for my liking. I drew out this g freehand - no pattern! I'm quite pleased with myself for that ... yes, I've been writing g's all my life, but it's quite different when you need one to draft a pattern from, getting it all symmetrical and everything. It looks black but it's actually navy. Of course it's machine pieced, hand appliqued and hand quilted with green variegated thread. "G" is 19" x 26".<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5wlN7aE-h66PNY-xeF-5o1hGmRd2JPPGoE6zFo51TqF6IdxchpU_v-U_eeVH0wR4snUaS4CEvd_1GE2ccLZZCZCHSbPIz-IrCvU0lUk0bA4ZIz_XOw1YOAY1lIlpVsHiTZEKyIB4OIw/s1600/bluegreen+harvest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="95" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5wlN7aE-h66PNY-xeF-5o1hGmRd2JPPGoE6zFo51TqF6IdxchpU_v-U_eeVH0wR4snUaS4CEvd_1GE2ccLZZCZCHSbPIz-IrCvU0lUk0bA4ZIz_XOw1YOAY1lIlpVsHiTZEKyIB4OIw/s200/bluegreen+harvest.jpg" width="200" /></a>Then autumn came along (yes, fall of 2016 ... I'm not THAT far behind) and I finally got around to making a pumpkin runner for my coffee table. I've been literally saying for years that I wanted to make a blue and green pumpkin runner for the autumn and I finally did it. I have an orange ceramic pumpkin I got from Pier 1 a few years ago and just love the shape of it, so I used it as inspiration for the pumpkins. "Blue-green Harvest" is 37" x 18".<br />
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A few years ago I gave all my nieces and nephews name banners for Christmas. I appliqued their name on a wall-hanging and added something they liked as a feature ... like for example Melissa's had a moose, because she likes mooses. Meese? Moose.....<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO6f8gUYu9Tf3l-UhoTf01Yu8sKZMM8BAc0PHrKn0EW3uzKH1Px6hAfQErlILVABsLXc4q6Q5D_c2eXQh6ogXIzlj8tt5rq5D9FJcV2wVEuUMsZjqR_7k0Uu0Pj5bSCGOPl4F2HZ8doQ/s1600/Amos2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="84" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO6f8gUYu9Tf3l-UhoTf01Yu8sKZMM8BAc0PHrKn0EW3uzKH1Px6hAfQErlILVABsLXc4q6Q5D_c2eXQh6ogXIzlj8tt5rq5D9FJcV2wVEuUMsZjqR_7k0Uu0Pj5bSCGOPl4F2HZ8doQ/s200/Amos2.jpg" width="200" /></a>Melissa now has her own kid. I had made him a baby quilt when he was born, and now that he's gone from baby to little boy I decided to make him a name banner. "Amos" is 35" x 15" in blue and green on tea-dyed muslin with a nuts print (as in nuts and bolts, not tree nuts) in the border. I quilted hexagonal nut shapes into the background with variegated multi-colour thread.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4PKEGOsTxj__CrX6gRy5MASu7y-9ROOmsz8aQC8FJ1C3hpRuh9fAcixlJjsn2W0F1ypLg529EeytD5rYZznr7xxF75jIeHda0zigTDHG__MvM6orhPnr11j88UIObWZKybxrQskb5eQ/s1600/bluecheckerboard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4PKEGOsTxj__CrX6gRy5MASu7y-9ROOmsz8aQC8FJ1C3hpRuh9fAcixlJjsn2W0F1ypLg529EeytD5rYZznr7xxF75jIeHda0zigTDHG__MvM6orhPnr11j88UIObWZKybxrQskb5eQ/s200/bluecheckerboard.jpg" width="198" /></a>I have this great book, "Fast, Fun, & Fabulous Quilts" and it's just jam-packed with really neat smallish quilt patterns. I've made quite a few from it, actually, but none recently. One of my favourites is also one of the simplest. It's made with a basic 9-patch, they did it in 1" squares for a completed quilt size of 27". I've made it before exactly as instructed, and now decided to do it again, but this time I used 1½" squares for a completed size of 36". I used a variety of different white, cream, light tan backgrounds and of course scrappy blues. I quilted it diagonally in a cross-hatch design.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjge8_SkquHrOwDcwVUQvWeGrjJlXLXAjI9AQbuQlif0GL9oIYSunhpSB-T2Sx5UtY8k9EYjOcUAtIg22PrWBGiWqSHeYJbm18fHD40e0e0g_aNWl69OyA5uLBhBVLM4gsHmOrh5Kjukg/s1600/TheGoodLife.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjge8_SkquHrOwDcwVUQvWeGrjJlXLXAjI9AQbuQlif0GL9oIYSunhpSB-T2Sx5UtY8k9EYjOcUAtIg22PrWBGiWqSHeYJbm18fHD40e0e0g_aNWl69OyA5uLBhBVLM4gsHmOrh5Kjukg/s200/TheGoodLife.jpg" width="200" /></a>Earlier I'd said that my kinda nephew got married ... well, just after New Years 2017 his sister also got married. She's more of a modern type person, likes simple things, and when I asked her mom told me she likes navy. I watch a lot of home reno shows and had seen a piece of art on a wall that said "The Good Life" and thought it would make a fantastic quilt, so this is what I did for Carrie's wedding present. It's 30" x 26". I drafted the font myself, used 3 different light background strips and 3 different navy blues for the letters. Of course it's hand appliqued and hand quilted.<br />
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Of course my Christmas decorations follow my blue-green theme. I had made a Christmas runner a long time ago that had red, blue, green, and gold in it, and it served its purpose well for a long time. This past Christmas I decided it was time to make one in my true colours. I love door wreaths ... especially the ones made from many different Christmas balls, so I used this as inspiration for my Christmas runner. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHpLhwCtJsRpMH763FSkdN-RbEO5Sc0NZTYoYa5nymVM9wHIyoSP6xllTbIWQxq8OvgWAg69U8lP4GsW4r3JP1a-3Das6oiHPr68EuCP41878zXzEMTHbVRjyCEb35r7lW0W4Ug9zNfQ/s1600/JOY+runner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="96" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHpLhwCtJsRpMH763FSkdN-RbEO5Sc0NZTYoYa5nymVM9wHIyoSP6xllTbIWQxq8OvgWAg69U8lP4GsW4r3JP1a-3Das6oiHPr68EuCP41878zXzEMTHbVRjyCEb35r7lW0W4Ug9zNfQ/s320/JOY+runner.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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In my guild there are a few members who have hired me to hand quilt their quilts. One lady in particular has gotten me to do quilt a few of hers, many of which have ended up in our quilt show. I finished this one for her the end of January. I don't know what she's calling it. She hand appliqued the whole thing, then I quilted a cross-hatch throughout the center and straight lines around the borders. It's a queen size quilt.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh144_GPH7okP_nL-rGvkwBtgVZPiNvXmednyZRyTIrzxUwJtc7qLaP6WBu5cW0RmRooPNgmSWOXW8L4q6dV4vjTafCG_6AHEgBoEcXUka-2797rfR3Y7pRq1LKSlqChypMU_9XPTtIiw/s1600/Wendy+toonies4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh144_GPH7okP_nL-rGvkwBtgVZPiNvXmednyZRyTIrzxUwJtc7qLaP6WBu5cW0RmRooPNgmSWOXW8L4q6dV4vjTafCG_6AHEgBoEcXUka-2797rfR3Y7pRq1LKSlqChypMU_9XPTtIiw/s200/Wendy+toonies4.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEEDLg41Lz4DYFCuUsF_6LeOpSbnOfTBGQRS9ewKKRSiHcVxtrIQe6mt3Wuf-orCWsDiKBwSvNGlh9rHS8UY8lQwOt2HFez9xIFnOXRr0lzx7XzTw4Jbx78Q4rRvKQw7D6YaYTvMWoww/s1600/Wendy+toonies2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEEDLg41Lz4DYFCuUsF_6LeOpSbnOfTBGQRS9ewKKRSiHcVxtrIQe6mt3Wuf-orCWsDiKBwSvNGlh9rHS8UY8lQwOt2HFez9xIFnOXRr0lzx7XzTw4Jbx78Q4rRvKQw7D6YaYTvMWoww/s200/Wendy+toonies2.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitjBPXW3ijwMfBkHnp5cSXDDVyIyZ5TOyoQUotlvgRdzl8efiIX34fRFY7dQJ09jb8GYxeBl3Zx7NaSRnAmx6n49D0Czre3j2_rvxoDaKTz2SLnavK9pZ54IRlcPPBYfUkTDCcWkdlZw/s1600/Wendy+toonies3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitjBPXW3ijwMfBkHnp5cSXDDVyIyZ5TOyoQUotlvgRdzl8efiIX34fRFY7dQJ09jb8GYxeBl3Zx7NaSRnAmx6n49D0Czre3j2_rvxoDaKTz2SLnavK9pZ54IRlcPPBYfUkTDCcWkdlZw/s200/Wendy+toonies3.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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As soon as I finished that one I got another customer quilt to work on. Besides handquilting for others, I often get jobs restoring or repairing old or worn out quilts. This one's an antique, likely made in the 1930's or 40's. It has the flowers of all the Canadian Provinces appliqued onto blocks, which are then appliqued to the background. Some of the flowers are also blanket stitched in great detail. The green border was completely shredded along 2 sides. The owner wasn't overly concerned with retaining the historical integrity or value of it, she just wanted it to look good and be usable. </div>
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It was in pretty good shape, considering its age. 3 of the blocks had been removed, but she had them for me to reattach. There were also a few bits of thread in the background where those blocks had been, so by colour of the thread I could tell which block went where. I reattached the loose flowers on all blocks that needed it, re-appliqued the 3 blocks, then got to work on the border.</div>
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Even though she wasn't picky about the historical part of the quilt, I really wanted to find a green that matched the border as closely as possible. I took one of the loose blocks with me to the fabric shop and although they didn't have anything that resembled the border green, there was an exact match for a slightly darker green used in the blocks, so I got that instead. </div>
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I appliqued the border (over the old one) to the front all the way around, then flipped it over and blind-stitched it to the back exactly as the original was done. Any time I have to replace blocks in an old quilt, I never remove the old ... I cover the old with the new so that the work of the person who originally made the quilt is preserved inside. I finished off this one by hand quilting a couple of lines through the border as the original border was done. Here you can see the finished quilt, with the repaired border and the back side of the border.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIdjdsgYUuaNdNKnTyZnQaUvdR5zZtssXjKOkSyiaaYJGRn3UIIfCCpzuFeFreWykrSEWwmQ9Q7kobhmahvC1LMk6pe0LDKMl2ypnhAQy8_qe6oCPFkzhWdhhDlkLE5xE2vfC_drrvPQ/s1600/kathy3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIdjdsgYUuaNdNKnTyZnQaUvdR5zZtssXjKOkSyiaaYJGRn3UIIfCCpzuFeFreWykrSEWwmQ9Q7kobhmahvC1LMk6pe0LDKMl2ypnhAQy8_qe6oCPFkzhWdhhDlkLE5xE2vfC_drrvPQ/s200/kathy3.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE0qi2i_Ihetxl0gMNUSTBYNbaiV4R2yi20ZZ4_jWhDgJJ8dsCv08c8yK3nh_oF7xSXyFAAmBPo5rOf1OFs9t8hrJlK74xOeQcFwrQsmxiWPeqAITlT7pgmH-KVUBIut3GQqrBiqU-Ng/s1600/kathy2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE0qi2i_Ihetxl0gMNUSTBYNbaiV4R2yi20ZZ4_jWhDgJJ8dsCv08c8yK3nh_oF7xSXyFAAmBPo5rOf1OFs9t8hrJlK74xOeQcFwrQsmxiWPeqAITlT7pgmH-KVUBIut3GQqrBiqU-Ng/s200/kathy2.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqwf3_teja0bWWTKpBDA8u1nnW6Q7Vfx_CMYqctOTUU2Ul9Zijbu-ik5yTrAMBNB9_IHW4SlF_vf1WFpjiYuuhUnaq2HNuMohDNRZvy7XbCRnLjJe8YR4TQ2-xDuYwm5AoMCR9hEpiAg/s1600/kathy1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqwf3_teja0bWWTKpBDA8u1nnW6Q7Vfx_CMYqctOTUU2Ul9Zijbu-ik5yTrAMBNB9_IHW4SlF_vf1WFpjiYuuhUnaq2HNuMohDNRZvy7XbCRnLjJe8YR4TQ2-xDuYwm5AoMCR9hEpiAg/s200/kathy1.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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So, work quilts completed and I'm back to my own stuff. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjexgvLK3Uo5RUBWxgPdSSDppVZHH2Zz4ltqy78qlpdkAcJnP2bv4at4oCng5FcOWRDx9Hmq923c_kAaMUeqw8f5G8PjZrl6IbvPboS4zwWyzcrI7oRJkbFt5gD0p95FBw1z8Q3M0yMSw/s1600/side+by+side.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjexgvLK3Uo5RUBWxgPdSSDppVZHH2Zz4ltqy78qlpdkAcJnP2bv4at4oCng5FcOWRDx9Hmq923c_kAaMUeqw8f5G8PjZrl6IbvPboS4zwWyzcrI7oRJkbFt5gD0p95FBw1z8Q3M0yMSw/s200/side+by+side.jpg" width="150" /></a>Here we go again with my blues and greens. I started out with a centre that was half blue, half green, connected by a wavy line. I added borders to it in a Courthouse Steps design, doing top/bottom, then side/side until it was the size I wanted. I put a teal strip down the wavy centre, then appliqued green feathers to the blue side and blue feathers to the green side. I hand quilted it with variegated blue thread on the blue side, variegated green on the green just radiating rectangularly (yes, that's a word .... now). It's 22" x 30".</div>
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Just last night I finished this one. A few years ago I had created a runner in red and white for Chinese New Year, named it Gung Hay Fat Choy. The circles are meant to represent coins, and red is considered a lucky colour in Chinese culture. I've since made the same pattern in a 30's repro version and another in green, both sold almost immediately. This time I did it in blues. The pattern is available for purchase <a href="http://www.scrappyblue.com/p/home.html">here.</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIL2Yf0naAvW07Eor7gKi9q_G2MPR_ufDWYBTsY51woVYlMTK4g-S-Qjp1yY5Z2WN2BMQq7OOROzQ99PLwtLqA4_LQMlDYmC1rmQJXTVUWjcI8yCha1KiRIDryZVzgdTN_yunW4UJssg/s1600/gung+hay+blue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="125" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIL2Yf0naAvW07Eor7gKi9q_G2MPR_ufDWYBTsY51woVYlMTK4g-S-Qjp1yY5Z2WN2BMQq7OOROzQ99PLwtLqA4_LQMlDYmC1rmQJXTVUWjcI8yCha1KiRIDryZVzgdTN_yunW4UJssg/s320/gung+hay+blue.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />Deborahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02569300304612683966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8998696600147414305.post-37751683253463733652015-09-12T14:59:00.003-07:002015-09-12T14:59:50.556-07:00What I did on my summer vacation .....<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFYhWZ1baHRsy-wy91LMWFXr-Eycn4a5kuApxM1zu5PFXT0056xUEqo6cg9HrnTbm6mF4JT8yjvYqnRURCavjYh3HyEUKCRCBtQgYIHy39qDy8h8l1Hyge_7lidAf9h3WV0iED8LmANw/s1600/joanne+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFYhWZ1baHRsy-wy91LMWFXr-Eycn4a5kuApxM1zu5PFXT0056xUEqo6cg9HrnTbm6mF4JT8yjvYqnRURCavjYh3HyEUKCRCBtQgYIHy39qDy8h8l1Hyge_7lidAf9h3WV0iED8LmANw/s320/joanne+1.jpg" width="310" /></a>Well, I guess it can hardly be called "vacation" since it runs all year long every year, but you get the drift. Shortly after I finished Wendy's red bird quilt I got a call from another lady in my guild, Joanne, asking if I had time to quilt a lap quilt for her. I got it from her around mid-July. It was about 60" square and such lovely colours! I love blue and yellow together, and red and yellow together, so this was a knockout in blue, red and yellow. It was a really quick job, lots of straight lines and quilting in the ditch, plus she had taken out all of the excess fabric behind her appliqué so it wasn't overly thick to quilt through the layers. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIuUnCnVqJheUnJufHRKkQkuEFeL_aX6SG6dfHJei3juNPNrrT9vbQQqMpf3xETAUqAaIPG05tyClYwMoh-WnzAEqAjlcG1xkI_A5jQbOJvW7ZlRVkxaSuUcmqsGM_WAlVvuJflqxqyg/s1600/joanne+3.+jpg.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIuUnCnVqJheUnJufHRKkQkuEFeL_aX6SG6dfHJei3juNPNrrT9vbQQqMpf3xETAUqAaIPG05tyClYwMoh-WnzAEqAjlcG1xkI_A5jQbOJvW7ZlRVkxaSuUcmqsGM_WAlVvuJflqxqyg/s200/joanne+3.+jpg.JPG" width="150" /></a> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9v_9NcNx8K7ie5Hvfg_K9kXjKTgFjdkkOISHfCFYbairOb_9ygabUn3fN8Ohb6WdXCnqvHj1_RP4XRVxKz1vFSwZMgfmPDIhZrQMIWRlSwWWCVEutE2FOShl0xkNRChPSW54qpt_BxA/s1600/joanne+2.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9v_9NcNx8K7ie5Hvfg_K9kXjKTgFjdkkOISHfCFYbairOb_9ygabUn3fN8Ohb6WdXCnqvHj1_RP4XRVxKz1vFSwZMgfmPDIhZrQMIWRlSwWWCVEutE2FOShl0xkNRChPSW54qpt_BxA/s200/joanne+2.jpg" width="158" /></a>I quilted straight lines radiating out from the centre and meeting up along the edge of each section of the big yellow star. All of the vines, leaves and flowers were quilted in the ditch. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3r9oQhEsloAj0Xkw9OW8CwQSfpvxtHrlrOzf3Iyf5gLO7RNoWvc3POChhOT9PjHYz-JrR7O3ZE5JXQ9q11j2fzCqwR6AucXPwS8wfTfoQJnF7mmkHf2QGRyPNN0CPrRyJQNKVVzF95w/s1600/joanne+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3r9oQhEsloAj0Xkw9OW8CwQSfpvxtHrlrOzf3Iyf5gLO7RNoWvc3POChhOT9PjHYz-JrR7O3ZE5JXQ9q11j2fzCqwR6AucXPwS8wfTfoQJnF7mmkHf2QGRyPNN0CPrRyJQNKVVzF95w/s200/joanne+4.jpg" width="150" /></a>When she dropped the quilt off for me we had talked about what to do in the blue setting squares and triangles. She was thinking maybe something round like a feathered wreath or something to offset the sharp pointyness of the star. When I got to that part, though, I didn't think a wreath would look very good, particularly in the triangle pieces, so instead I drew some feathers freehand, sprouting from each corner and curving outward. It turned out great and she was quite pleased.</div>
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Straight lines in the 2 outer borders finished it off. Here's a picture of the back of the quilt. She had pieced a couple of different yellows for it so it looks quite nifty. A lot of people have trouble piecing an 8 pointed star and getting it to lay flat without a bubble in the middle. She did a great job. The border had a bit of a ripple in it but that was easily disguised when I quilted that part, you can't tell at all where I fixed it. I haven't seen it since she put the binding on, I'm not sure what she was going to use for it but I'm sure it looks great. I think I would just use the same print that's in the outer border. I think she's putting it in our guild's quilt show this fall so I'll see it then.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz1j9JVeF493PMxhQW3XRSCKoVrE2__jnuLZGWZvmMl68Eugl4GDh763DRcuaJV1IOvqJsmP4yVsEdrMgBjng2C6Bpaz_nvhVJIQ7QUucgAKeTPQQhRy5b4wp_9UhKN5cCg3KFeneu_Q/s1600/dot+dot+dot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="129" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz1j9JVeF493PMxhQW3XRSCKoVrE2__jnuLZGWZvmMl68Eugl4GDh763DRcuaJV1IOvqJsmP4yVsEdrMgBjng2C6Bpaz_nvhVJIQ7QUucgAKeTPQQhRy5b4wp_9UhKN5cCg3KFeneu_Q/s200/dot+dot+dot.jpg" width="200" /></a>Now that I'm finished all the work quilts I had for now I've been back to quilting my own stuff. First I made this dotty one, in various combinations of lights on lights and then a couple of strips of blues on lights. All of the blues are different. I quilted it with variegated blue thread. It's about 20" x 32" and named "Dot ... dot ... dot ...".</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2pFZ3fhyVpDtl1957bg8PjNL2N3r5F5FoztgY6-m_U70NHzFqql-y92mQY03oJn2oWepD4mloT9XTkhNqUWgqPu5t2qCaEL0UO0xxtLpiY2o9oRpjjVmx0dmdzRxmo67LxaI011wyqA/s1600/And.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2pFZ3fhyVpDtl1957bg8PjNL2N3r5F5FoztgY6-m_U70NHzFqql-y92mQY03oJn2oWepD4mloT9XTkhNqUWgqPu5t2qCaEL0UO0xxtLpiY2o9oRpjjVmx0dmdzRxmo67LxaI011wyqA/s200/And.jpg" width="146" /></a></div>
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Then there's this one. I had been thinking about this pattern for a little while, deciding whether to strip piece the background or the front or both, what colors to use, etc. Finally I decided to strip piece the background in random widths. I had one particular light fabric that I had found in the remnant bin at the fabric store, it was really cheap because it had been mis-dyed. There were random blotches of green all over it. Perfect! I love pieces like that! So I put a few strips of that in the background too and that decided for me that I would use a dark green for the appliqué. I used off-white thread to quilt in the ditch around the & and randomly spaced vertical lines throughout the background. It's 20" x 26", named "And ...".</div>
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For the past few years I've been volunteering a few times a week at the <a href="http://www.canuckplace.org/" target="_blank">Canuck Place Childrens' Hospice</a> here in Vancouver. We have so many amazing people there ... volunteers, staff, nurses, families. We've had a fair bit of staff turnaround this year. I had been contemplating to, at some point, make a Canuck Place quilt, but as yet had never gotten around to doing it or even figuring out where to start. Finally I did and made 2 for a couple of staff members. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_XfBrgL5JZFoufidTjQkDzSm-yj-_xNnZwVhFmZ6xD9LJptqtX1kUoJBkCr3dmEgr8poQJ1wEBmtmafOhyo5LquYHffPFjA7xOoL1EPLg78cfnyNyPRqp2AFbuOTEnPmu2i2clBoUbA/s1600/Joanne.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_XfBrgL5JZFoufidTjQkDzSm-yj-_xNnZwVhFmZ6xD9LJptqtX1kUoJBkCr3dmEgr8poQJ1wEBmtmafOhyo5LquYHffPFjA7xOoL1EPLg78cfnyNyPRqp2AFbuOTEnPmu2i2clBoUbA/s200/Joanne.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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This is the first one I did. The picture I worked from is above the quilt. I put fusible interfacing behind the blue siding on the 2nd floor so it would be 3-D when I layered it. The trees are done the same way, so they look more realistic. I embroidered all of the fancy doodads on the fence and gate. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXOH9TpxNkx6TqIWWBJ8ZlBGK64gzy7AhjDUfXPZd8aH4ScDJnILN9ftcwGaC0QLN-kp9E_1HPNvypQfkywcBun4Q4SK7O4p05fqb8EHsgGSbGd2OajGkgF4rWJ_9HT1Qz__AAAO7bMA/s1600/Leanne.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXOH9TpxNkx6TqIWWBJ8ZlBGK64gzy7AhjDUfXPZd8aH4ScDJnILN9ftcwGaC0QLN-kp9E_1HPNvypQfkywcBun4Q4SK7O4p05fqb8EHsgGSbGd2OajGkgF4rWJ_9HT1Qz__AAAO7bMA/s200/Leanne.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw95gfgTv6P2CxLM_GQ51CoY1DuObF93oHbIUgHx8uiKGK-kAbFA_9Koxp6a3W_muyXR1OlxTITd048mcoSnHjBMUJtSQPkbHjWa8sKvQznxjqRDjFCWUWT3ALbd2UzAGtXjCGvE4pdw/s1600/Leanne%2527s+CP+pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw95gfgTv6P2CxLM_GQ51CoY1DuObF93oHbIUgHx8uiKGK-kAbFA_9Koxp6a3W_muyXR1OlxTITd048mcoSnHjBMUJtSQPkbHjWa8sKvQznxjqRDjFCWUWT3ALbd2UzAGtXjCGvE4pdw/s200/Leanne%2527s+CP+pic.jpg" width="200" /></a>I did the next one from another perspective, using the same basic methods as
I did for the first one. I did both of them from actual photographs
that I took of the house, then used a process I've been developing called "Repliqué" to make the pattern to work from. I first created this process when I made the <a href="http://www.scrappyblue.com/2009/10/hypothetically-logos-are-done.html" target="_blank">logos</a> for my <a href="http://www.scrappyblue.com/2009/12/its-hockey-christmas.html" target="_blank">NHL quilt</a> a few years ago, and have been fine-tuning it ever since on various types of quilts. Until now I'd only used it on diagrams or cartoons, logos and such. This is the first time I've used a picture of an actual real-life thing to recreate on a quilt. It's been a definite learning process, working out what looks right, what doesn't, what is feasible or doesn't even need to be there, prioritizing what should be pieced, appliquéd, embroidered, or drawn. To be honest, I'm not eager to make another one anytime soon, but I definitely will make another, and no doubt each time will turn out better than the last.</div>
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Now I'm off to work on some owls .... Deborahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02569300304612683966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8998696600147414305.post-74350290008760349742015-06-03T23:25:00.002-07:002015-06-03T23:25:43.664-07:00Another one done!<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg62hJfxxpBr6cDbB570D_w91Gy8qWI55NUarIlVaSkemPTGReR6yCjAYJOGP6YWtNJa8KwFqxLJAQuLBr9d3cNu29iMJVlWIramd9nI096nL-sLKvcMFsESbDJ-pWaiuAQyo6IX6DWA/s1600/11392933_10152799471956269_6055637146452521690_n.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg62hJfxxpBr6cDbB570D_w91Gy8qWI55NUarIlVaSkemPTGReR6yCjAYJOGP6YWtNJa8KwFqxLJAQuLBr9d3cNu29iMJVlWIramd9nI096nL-sLKvcMFsESbDJ-pWaiuAQyo6IX6DWA/s200/11392933_10152799471956269_6055637146452521690_n.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr9V2S3AwNNDbR3uK4ThmmvGc12E2Yk4ITQVjlch0kFHElebXzfRt_A3DX6DZSyA8p5zAxj0bnJtrVU7HpSgD3-x-LwnEC1uHAJspF6JPiBrcDmR5lcjvTxmodEmInRsF_T83jrQpLcQ/s1600/11350516_10152799471766269_2562308870791812550_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr9V2S3AwNNDbR3uK4ThmmvGc12E2Yk4ITQVjlch0kFHElebXzfRt_A3DX6DZSyA8p5zAxj0bnJtrVU7HpSgD3-x-LwnEC1uHAJspF6JPiBrcDmR5lcjvTxmodEmInRsF_T83jrQpLcQ/s200/11350516_10152799471766269_2562308870791812550_n.jpg" width="200" /></a> Barely two months later and here we have another finished quilt! I got this one from Wendy on March 18, but didn't have the batting to get it started until a week later, began actually quilting it on March 28 and put the last stitches in today. It's from the book <i>"In the Meadow"</i> by Barb Adams and Alma Allen of Blackbird Designs. The finished quilt is about 81"x81" and will hang in Wendy's living room.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_GWKBwKt3lhOhTTr3cgviVt-OoN57iliAqWfoht80NGemQWq1FmdL52HKOY60jW9xsxcs_SO7hWjZZmJrAuhgrf_XwxlX_3QXcvEyw9xC3qHRWyiQdPdr5TJAPr878sP4N7O19CE15A/s1600/11329867_10152799471846269_5060979332562899125_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_GWKBwKt3lhOhTTr3cgviVt-OoN57iliAqWfoht80NGemQWq1FmdL52HKOY60jW9xsxcs_SO7hWjZZmJrAuhgrf_XwxlX_3QXcvEyw9xC3qHRWyiQdPdr5TJAPr878sP4N7O19CE15A/s200/11329867_10152799471846269_5060979332562899125_n.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg62hJfxxpBr6cDbB570D_w91Gy8qWI55NUarIlVaSkemPTGReR6yCjAYJOGP6YWtNJa8KwFqxLJAQuLBr9d3cNu29iMJVlWIramd9nI096nL-sLKvcMFsESbDJ-pWaiuAQyo6IX6DWA/s1600/11392933_10152799471956269_6055637146452521690_n.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDD2SZxGjy8eb_5qPFCChTFzFcGzsWrO2SWV2yrKj5rzAEIR98cfK2uYI86F4yu-_jgZHpj6CSVk8Fr7n0n0QSAZos_EuJjwqpuHQKZmwBaVdD8KDbkLSM9GM9_ZQ15kkTeJ2G5QoHKA/s1600/10426534_10152799471921269_6427156127401345728_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg62hJfxxpBr6cDbB570D_w91Gy8qWI55NUarIlVaSkemPTGReR6yCjAYJOGP6YWtNJa8KwFqxLJAQuLBr9d3cNu29iMJVlWIramd9nI096nL-sLKvcMFsESbDJ-pWaiuAQyo6IX6DWA/s1600/11392933_10152799471956269_6055637146452521690_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmgxeIU37MlQbQJe_uY33gdT14qVsk6h0e-A__eaJVbcHoYCFVLTuKU7OMFvI2DtmZxbY-DBw85vje2JZ3dclQYvOsXRYaiOd01FvsyI-wxcHt0Fn7VHkcfL4nYtA0NvGGUHbY4g1EbA/s1600/11049978_10152799471806269_6869419822532120571_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmgxeIU37MlQbQJe_uY33gdT14qVsk6h0e-A__eaJVbcHoYCFVLTuKU7OMFvI2DtmZxbY-DBw85vje2JZ3dclQYvOsXRYaiOd01FvsyI-wxcHt0Fn7VHkcfL4nYtA0NvGGUHbY4g1EbA/s200/11049978_10152799471806269_6869419822532120571_n.jpg" width="200" /></a> As usual, Wendy provided the quilt top, meaning she did all the lovely bird and leaves applique. All different reds and greens on a scrappy background. She does a great job with her applique, I always love the colours she chooses and the patterns are never boring. She usually has a rough idea of what she wants me to quilt, but leaves
most of it up to me. It's great to have that kind of trust that I'll
know what to do for each particular quilt. In this one I did some 1/4"
outline stitching in and aound each bird and leaf, with feathers quilted
in the birds' wings and tails and a vein through the centre of the
larger leaves. </div>
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Even after all of that there were still large gaps of
empty space between the blocks, all around the birds. I took each of
those spaces as I came to them, quilting random shapes in each one just
to fill the space. For the border I copied the shapes of 3 different leaves, traced them
around the border, then put 1" apart lines around them One section of the border was a bit wavy so I did 4 "adjustments" to force it to lay flat. I'm very
pleased with how it turned out and I know Wendy will too. She had gone
on vacation and called me today to see how it's coming along. Good
timing, as I had the final corner left to quilt and finished that today.</div>
<br />Deborahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02569300304612683966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8998696600147414305.post-47170770001377759582015-03-05T00:26:00.003-08:002015-03-05T00:26:44.424-08:00A whole year already!!??<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxymK7R1Zd_QfdOJW8epnArnmBRLzrifyyW4IzhYwLbZ1VWcAUNebIow7Y6pjyNCC2ri4D688IWQ97CaG2BaUiTTRK0QJkUUK-eQ_Ao0RXLxbj3M0juW1t7QjKWaZxpbXCDo5Xf7b1nQ/s1600/amos.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/AVvXsEhxymK7R1Zd_QfdOJW8epnArnmBRLzrifyyW4IzhYwLbZ1VWcAUNebIow7Y6pjyNCC2ri4D688IWQ97CaG2BaUiTTRK0QJkUUK-eQ_Ao0RXLxbj3M0juW1t7QjKWaZxpbXCDo5Xf7b1nQ/s1600/amos.jpg" height="200" width="157" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnMHvjzFRq7QAFNXju8tvGereqTF6BIWbZvppQGwIwSgbb0RS2zZPt_hJB4VmZXvvPZVgcuLpwHFmx_f8Tga8ldjysrVwN_NFHub7BfKfaP38CFuCBIoJCksaRe7wKPRtkP2t8y3Ow4g/s1600/iris+marion.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/AVvXsEhnMHvjzFRq7QAFNXju8tvGereqTF6BIWbZvppQGwIwSgbb0RS2zZPt_hJB4VmZXvvPZVgcuLpwHFmx_f8Tga8ldjysrVwN_NFHub7BfKfaP38CFuCBIoJCksaRe7wKPRtkP2t8y3Ow4g/s1600/iris+marion.jpg" height="200" width="157" /></a>Wow, it's been a whole year since I posted anything on here .... holy cow, am I ever slack. Despite all appearances to the contrary, I have actually been quite busy this past year. My cousin and my sister both became grandmothers this past fall! My cousin's granddaughter, Iris Marion's quilt is all pink and purple squares alternating with a light print with pink and purple hearts appliqued on them. I quilted hearts into the background.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFcoOUWviyLxepxEgxIA14oHNt2LfzsE3zarFXxGfHontXdknnPEEW_owNqJPY4rNuY4BuIJj3B1zT-BsJtOQvINaJnMj730BDR8rBhPCS3kyXUPaRLVeJxjKdKKslMHdMCswd33M2IQ/s1600/blackhawks.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/AVvXsEhFcoOUWviyLxepxEgxIA14oHNt2LfzsE3zarFXxGfHontXdknnPEEW_owNqJPY4rNuY4BuIJj3B1zT-BsJtOQvINaJnMj730BDR8rBhPCS3kyXUPaRLVeJxjKdKKslMHdMCswd33M2IQ/s1600/blackhawks.jpg" height="200" width="130" /></a>My sister's grandson Amos's quilt is blue and green with an appliqued bee, snail, ladybug, and grasshopper. Swirls and hearts are quilted into this one. </div>
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<span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">Gord has been nagging, pestering, begging me to make him a
Chicago Blackhawks quilt and so far I have refused. Finally this
Christmas I gave in. It's done like the front of their jersey with the
logo and then stripes at the bottom. Although this one seems to have
Orcas quilted into the background ... I wonder if the real ones do .....<br />
I was pretty sure I was going to catch fire while working on it ... my
eyes burn just looking at it ... but he's quite pleased and it's hanging
in the office now with his NHL quilt. I named it "Booooooo!!"</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSJhHvIaFNhMyDv-G_aNKjAmjCh0zBoi3W2nFwArBIMbV0uCrn2jSR0NjbyHwNJLPnR1oE6koq1rn_dt4ugabw_xpaUaasyQQx7_A-q8PpnLrsmFCh9H1GVQx5f_CaQficOmLvKmhgSQ/s1600/janet+closeup.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/AVvXsEjSJhHvIaFNhMyDv-G_aNKjAmjCh0zBoi3W2nFwArBIMbV0uCrn2jSR0NjbyHwNJLPnR1oE6koq1rn_dt4ugabw_xpaUaasyQQx7_A-q8PpnLrsmFCh9H1GVQx5f_CaQficOmLvKmhgSQ/s1600/janet+closeup.jpg" height="119" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCDkmVIptNROxXpFE4piWXXiKDrAX25WIW1qh5LNpr-VNpcufcrRU4BfBhyphenhyphenDvewxrVM1fX5PE457h8fo1Gamme9uBVNmxxAEt2EcwJXEyqBnAKNco8G0n25JvxCysFnHA8qPoy-2kGVw/s1600/janet.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/AVvXsEjCDkmVIptNROxXpFE4piWXXiKDrAX25WIW1qh5LNpr-VNpcufcrRU4BfBhyphenhyphenDvewxrVM1fX5PE457h8fo1Gamme9uBVNmxxAEt2EcwJXEyqBnAKNco8G0n25JvxCysFnHA8qPoy-2kGVw/s1600/janet.jpg" height="119" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCRr_MG7z02oVpE95HkGs52CcW1m5tFic034vcpW6EV5mtPh4NBo9WpmC-ct1B2FeRW9SfLHIMHKJa8VIxLrP6EecLv9na1XZ5visDO3glDyXGx-UrIKLH8zHrrzyYaKVLJmOX676MJg/s1600/janet+back.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/AVvXsEiCRr_MG7z02oVpE95HkGs52CcW1m5tFic034vcpW6EV5mtPh4NBo9WpmC-ct1B2FeRW9SfLHIMHKJa8VIxLrP6EecLv9na1XZ5visDO3glDyXGx-UrIKLH8zHrrzyYaKVLJmOX676MJg/s1600/janet+back.jpg" height="119" width="200" /></a>Besides these smaller projects I have mainly been working on quilting Janet's queen size quilt. It's from Rosemary Makhen's book<i> "Rose Sampler Supreme"</i>. Janet had actually met Rosemary and taken her course on this pattern a few years ago. I quilted each block in the ditch around each appliqued piece, then the V grid repeated in each block with hearts in the sashing. I started it in August 2014, worked on it pretty steadily with a few breaks here and there to do the baby quilts and the evil Blackhawks for christmas, then back to the roses once those were done. I'm very pleased with how it turned out ... the backing print is perfect for this quilt's colours and the pattern in it doesn't overpower showing off the quilting from the reverse side of the quilt. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhiaRUbci6ktGaGHENITAZ0JswC2n0ReWgc9HBkIJ5Vr9KOsHOlQ0_ynPBawGua-IGcRBLT5mTu_oeQKaC77-songq1OvYrsYNZ9pEc6CWG61SQ6m8RSI14OMK8kV-g4M8FBJ1jnmLjw/s1600/LTP.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/AVvXsEjhiaRUbci6ktGaGHENITAZ0JswC2n0ReWgc9HBkIJ5Vr9KOsHOlQ0_ynPBawGua-IGcRBLT5mTu_oeQKaC77-songq1OvYrsYNZ9pEc6CWG61SQ6m8RSI14OMK8kV-g4M8FBJ1jnmLjw/s1600/LTP.jpg" height="119" width="200" /></a>I broke a couple of toes last week, so I'm giving myself a week off and then I'll be off to the races again on another one ... I'll give Wendy a call soon, she's been so patient waiting for me to be ready to start working on hers. So far on my week off I've finished the applique on my living room table runner, got some applique done on my Detroit Red Wings banner, some ideas started for possible ebay sells, and I've started getting my Mariners Compass a bit more ready for quilting. I'm hoping to enter it in my guild's Quilt Show this fall. I have to sew the corner half-compass blocks on, and now I'm appliqueing multi-blue hummingbirds randomly throughout the quilt. I honestly don't know if I'll have it ready for the show, but I'm going to do my level best to try. Wish me luck!</div>
Deborahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02569300304612683966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8998696600147414305.post-80094476668323306572014-03-23T11:21:00.003-07:002014-03-23T11:21:46.624-07:00Betty's quilt<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyKnGgYm9tccdVKlAQChqKgIXXyV7t7-Si1k7rcm0NKweFCQaQ1j0qcCt3kRTDrUhrsfUXA4JyOFtQx1bodceNv8OGu9xA4aaEjR1Na2r_ErfmNOFiziZlqDwTgTE5BR7EkQfdF1dmEA/s1600/betty.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/AVvXsEiyKnGgYm9tccdVKlAQChqKgIXXyV7t7-Si1k7rcm0NKweFCQaQ1j0qcCt3kRTDrUhrsfUXA4JyOFtQx1bodceNv8OGu9xA4aaEjR1Na2r_ErfmNOFiziZlqDwTgTE5BR7EkQfdF1dmEA/s1600/betty.jpg" height="119" width="200" /></a>I'm a member of the <a href="http://www.vancouverquiltersguild.com/" target="_blank">Vancouver Quilters' Guild</a> ... actually this year I'm Vice President, which means I sit at the head table at meetings with the rest of the executive committee but I don't actually have to DO anything. Pretty sweet job, that's why I agreed to do it :D</div>
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In my guild there is a lady named Betty. She's been going to this guild for many, many years and has been reputed as the resident hand-quilter. Now she's getting quite up in age and is finding it difficult to do her hand work ... I can only imagine how heart-breaking that must be for her. A friend of mine had told me that Betty had been eying up my work for a few years now, watching how I do things, how my stitches look, etc. She knew the day would come that she wouldn't be able to do her own quilting and was looking for someone she could trust to do it for her.</div>
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At our October guild meeting she approached me and asked if I would quilt for her. I have to admit I was/am pretty honored that she wanted me to do it, considering the reputation she has in the guild. Her quilt is a queen size, all hand appliqued. Here's how it looks so far. I reckon I'm about 2/3 of the way done. I take pictures to update her on the progress every meeting. I'm hoping to be done it for our April meeting, but we'll see. Luckily she's not in a hurry for it, but I do want to get it done asap. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeHgYHXNF-z8gD6_TU5F4M3UrjhrAfiFJDDW9F9F5l12iz0u3gYK8Fe8M5LuHDK4J0N-h0a1qjieBnEu1KG5AVEYUf6vCSy2fuoU26OU5ZEnLCf863ArkcJMkcwJ9FKjwbLaOqufYoMw/s1600/betty+closeup.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/AVvXsEjeHgYHXNF-z8gD6_TU5F4M3UrjhrAfiFJDDW9F9F5l12iz0u3gYK8Fe8M5LuHDK4J0N-h0a1qjieBnEu1KG5AVEYUf6vCSy2fuoU26OU5ZEnLCf863ArkcJMkcwJ9FKjwbLaOqufYoMw/s1600/betty+closeup.jpg" height="119" width="200" /></a> </div>
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It's funny though, how when I have no major projects going I can't think of what I want to do next. Yet when I have something big to work on that needs to get done I'm full of ideas of all sorts of new designs I want to get started. Anyhow, fingers crossed for April. Looking good so far!</div>
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<br />Deborahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02569300304612683966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8998696600147414305.post-14717476452027338272014-01-03T11:20:00.003-08:002019-01-06T13:14:17.460-08:00So you want to have your quilt Hand Quilted <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgujzUhOvT2oXJQ2jv04LpfMMOTku1sCSuJvgNG95pe8n8OTRPukokbFB_ytgBepP70nZudAlhtURU647yD1038mLdXZotUQ9JDTwylxyIuaWhegCx92_f_h5cPBnsHJdkCAGf-VlSvwA/s1600/2013-07-09+11.57.37.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgujzUhOvT2oXJQ2jv04LpfMMOTku1sCSuJvgNG95pe8n8OTRPukokbFB_ytgBepP70nZudAlhtURU647yD1038mLdXZotUQ9JDTwylxyIuaWhegCx92_f_h5cPBnsHJdkCAGf-VlSvwA/s320/2013-07-09+11.57.37.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
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In
this grand age of technology more and more people are choosing to
machine quilt. Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against machine
quilters or their work ... like anything else, if they know what they're
doing they get fantastic results, and you can't argue with the
speediness that they are able to get things done.</div>
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Personally,
I prefer hand quilting. It's all I've ever done ... I have absolutely
no interest whatsoever in learning to machine quilt. I do some piecing
and binding on my machine, but that's pretty much it. </div>
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I've been hand
quilting since 1998. I am by no means the Ultimate Queen at it, but I'm up there. My stitches are small and even, which is what counts in hand quilting. Besides my own quilts, I'm also what I call a "hit quilter" ... like a hit-man, I'm a quilter for hire. I usually get about 5 quilts a year to do for customers; some pieced, some applique ... so here are a few tips for anyone who is contemplating having their quilt hand quilted. (note: I use "she" when referring to the quilter, since I'm a she, no offense to the male quilters out there)</div>
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<li>Remove all of your tiny straight pins</li>
<li>Remove all of your tiny straight pins</li>
<li>Remove all of your tiny straight pins</li>
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I don't think I can repeat that rule enough. I'm not a person who swears a whole lot, but one sure way to see the air around me turn blue is to catch me discovering a tiny straight pin hidden in the layers of some applique. Nine times out of ten it gets rammed up under my thumbnail ... this pretty much puts a halt to all quilting for a couple of days until it heals enough to hold a needle again.</div>
<ul style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ4ea8ydfAtFVaUKCv0aoE04x0j0dY9_-ZWKbHv4OJBT2zpQIj8pNeu55pcdxdK_IpoMp-U3tl0S0dBAbucxsIVeVz3nESXPmlqPmq-It7hJEhyphenhyphenq_aiYHU0gy-RoCyojowQ153ptJAQM8/s1600/CIMG4447.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ4ea8ydfAtFVaUKCv0aoE04x0j0dY9_-ZWKbHv4OJBT2zpQIj8pNeu55pcdxdK_IpoMp-U3tl0S0dBAbucxsIVeVz3nESXPmlqPmq-It7hJEhyphenhyphenq_aiYHU0gy-RoCyojowQ153ptJAQM8/s1600/CIMG4447.JPG" border="0" class="decoded" height="95" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ4ea8ydfAtFVaUKCv0aoE04x0j0dY9_-ZWKbHv4OJBT2zpQIj8pNeu55pcdxdK_IpoMp-U3tl0S0dBAbucxsIVeVz3nESXPmlqPmq-It7hJEhyphenhyphenq_aiYHU0gy-RoCyojowQ153ptJAQM8/s200/CIMG4447.JPG" width="200" /></a>
<li>Trim behind applique layers. Nothing disrupts the cohesiveness of a beautifully quilted design like unevenness, but it is virtually impossible to continue with the same size stitches if the texture of the quilt changes. The thicker the piece, the bigger the stitches will be. The best way to prevent this is to remove the extra layers behind the appliqued sections.</li>
<li>Do not layer or baste your quilt until you have spoken to your quilter. As with everything else, every quilter has a preference when it comes to this. If she doesn't have a lot of space she may want you to do it before handing it over. Depending on how she actually quilts, she may request a particular basting method. Personally, I prefer to layer and baste the quilt myself. I want to see the back of the quilt top to make sure there's nothing funky going on in there that may cause a snag in the quilting. Plus I don't use a hoop or frame, I quilt loosely in my lap, so I want it basted with bent basting pins (size 2) as shown here. I use a minimal number of pins spaced in a particular way so as to hold the quilt together without getting in my way. Many times I've received a quilt that has been thread basted or pinned with tiny safety pins ... I end up spending half a day taking it all out and re-basting myself.</li>
<li>Ask about her preference when it comes to batting and backing. As does layered applique, the choice of batting and backing can have an effect on the quality and stitch size of hand quilting. One of the first quilts I was hired to hand quilt had flannel backing and thick cotton batting. It was a king size Double Irish Chain with velvet for the diagonal squares throughout. A beautiful quilt, no question about it, but I came to think of it as the Quilt from Hell ... it was too thick to get a very small stitch, plus it was so bloody heavy I had a hard time manipulating it as I hand quilted.</li>
<li>Ask about thread. I generally provide the thread for my jobs unless the customer wants a particular type used. Some thread is made for hand quilting, some unsuitable for hand quilting, some are ridiculously impossible. Remember that machine thread is not the same as hand quilting thread. Metallic and rayon threads are not for hand quilting, though if your quilt is a wall-hanging and you want special fancy thread used in a few areas, it can probably be managed. I always keep a variety of thread colors on hand. I have a fair
amount of white and off-white, plus solid colors and various variegated.</li>
<li>Ask to see samples of her work ahead of time. This is particularly important if you are not already acquainted with her. I don't know any quilters, machine or hand, who would not want to show off what she has done. If she hesitates, you may want to find someone else.</li>
<li>Settle on a price beforehand. Some quilters charge by time, others by size, but regardless she should be able to at least give you a near estimate. She may want half up front, particularly if she is providing the batting and/or backing.</li>
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Remember that as with anything else communication is the key. Don't assume anything and don't hesitate to ask questions. You are spending your money on this, so you need to be sure you are getting what you want and expect. Also, your quilter needs to know what that is so she can do her job. </div>
Deborahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02569300304612683966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8998696600147414305.post-44480998341234736112013-11-12T21:12:00.003-08:002013-11-12T21:12:59.779-08:00Coming together<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOkxwzD60chftzO_QUrEQpNLq67IQx-YGlL3h5Yw37Tm_g7VIPiMcdYPuANLkCdCjshl_0oThmHYkU2DeE8N8dQ0M9W8a4nTBF7d5KFu-Z1XhyphenhyphenFWYk16pF83JkbQ0ClxC22jSoXH-9jA/s1600/ltp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="119" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOkxwzD60chftzO_QUrEQpNLq67IQx-YGlL3h5Yw37Tm_g7VIPiMcdYPuANLkCdCjshl_0oThmHYkU2DeE8N8dQ0M9W8a4nTBF7d5KFu-Z1XhyphenhyphenFWYk16pF83JkbQ0ClxC22jSoXH-9jA/s200/ltp.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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I finally took a trip across the border to Joanns fabric in Bellingham, WA ... my first in almost a year! It's been a busy year and I hadn't had a decent sales flyer in a long time, was very excited to go. One of the top things on my list of needed fabric was some white on whites. All I had left to do on my Mariner's Compass were the 4 corner triangle units. I had 1 done, and 2 compasses done but no background triangle to applique them to. Finally this week I was able to make the last compass and get all of the remaining corners done. I put borders on them today and will hopefully get them attached to the center tomorrow. Then I'll see how big it is and if it looks like it needs a final white outer border. I'm planning to put it in my guild's quilt show next fall. Haven't decided yet how I'll quilt it, probably feathers and some sort of grid ... we'll see.</div>
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My niece got married this fall, so I have to get busy on Christmas stockings for her and her new hubby ... plus my other niece had asked me earlier in the year if I'd make one for her boyfriend. Emma wants one for her boyfriend too. I guess I should get busy on those soon. </div>
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<br />Deborahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02569300304612683966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8998696600147414305.post-33941427004285637312013-08-02T17:52:00.000-07:002013-08-02T17:52:17.604-07:00I don't get it<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Well, for the first time in 9 years my entry for the <a href="http://www.hoffmanchallenge.com/" target="_blank">Hoffman Challenge</a> will not be traveling in the trunk show. It's weird because every time my entry was chosen to travel I was surprised, yet this year for a change I'm surprised it didn't get chosen. I put more thought and work into this one than any other, really thought I'd hit it this time. Don't get me wrong, the entries that won prizes are beautiful, excellent work ... but when I look at them I have to say I just don't get it. In many of the winning entries the focus fabric was used as is, like huge chunks of it cut out and sewn on ... a flower is used as a flower, a medallion is used as a medallion, etc. The third place applique entry is a prime example ... particularly the border. Yes, it's a beautiful quilt and was done really well, but I just don't get it.</div>
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Anyhow, congratulations to the winners ... nice job done by all. </div>
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Bring on the next challenge!</div>
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Deborahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02569300304612683966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8998696600147414305.post-44619883413565855362013-07-10T08:42:00.000-07:002013-07-10T08:44:19.803-07:00Hoffman Challenge 2013<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPW_cOwrOk14WRr6UW7M02iQkl3IF2KpII7LfFR9klAa50WWERpnl4zuCJnYoQwJTA1FDrDcciSqH7yg5f_NJYNCSWkra2eyvXBk5qXZl1fWyBTh-77Oa5ycnADPVuhF6MMeDaL_rHhg/s1600/h2013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPW_cOwrOk14WRr6UW7M02iQkl3IF2KpII7LfFR9klAa50WWERpnl4zuCJnYoQwJTA1FDrDcciSqH7yg5f_NJYNCSWkra2eyvXBk5qXZl1fWyBTh-77Oa5ycnADPVuhF6MMeDaL_rHhg/s200/h2013.jpg" title="Hoffman Peacock Gold" width="126" /></a></div>
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It's done! It's mailed! I'm freeee! I feel like I've been working on this forever ... it's completely applique and seemed to be never-ending but now it is completed and in the mail to Colorado. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlPPD8xnslb-stUSpehwf2kqaZsTosBLfknt73nsKUUYeAesQoTJqtY7WdXo-zqMDjl4n2Icbhd3yEYNlKUKsjXsnH6mSdr1AMOiPqOmSOiVlwxTW7SVDOhNbFJKDUkfRcGJzAkhhyphenhyphenYQ/s1600/unbalanced+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlPPD8xnslb-stUSpehwf2kqaZsTosBLfknt73nsKUUYeAesQoTJqtY7WdXo-zqMDjl4n2Icbhd3yEYNlKUKsjXsnH6mSdr1AMOiPqOmSOiVlwxTW7SVDOhNbFJKDUkfRcGJzAkhhyphenhyphenYQ/s200/unbalanced+copy.jpg" width="170" /></a>So ... the feature fabric this year is called Peacock Gold. I loved it from the moment I saw it, it's filled with my favorite colors -- shades of blues and green on tan! As soon as I saw it I knew the flowers would make great 3-d fish scales. The leaves, of course, make great leaves. Every year I take apart the images in the featured fabric and blend them in with other fabrics to make something else ... and every year I lose. Inevitably the winners have used the flowers as flowers ... like just cut out great big frickin flowers and sew them on as is! Yes, the resultant quilts are beautiful and there is a lot of other work in them besides the flowers, but it always seemed like cheating to me. This year I decided to make an exception and used some leaves as leaves ... turned out pretty good, though it still feels like cheating. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig9nw1xk_VNIMhcPmQ5oOVyibIqyJPNbXb3RDJPRKlaPeRiNIwfQiKti4DAnBW2cDS6ji1_1LhqWxYWk_iuxCVIL7bOQzeMsgO1lEPGX0kK0urWQbxZqWipu5A_ofT02UylaaZJDNTOw/s1600/Unbalanced1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig9nw1xk_VNIMhcPmQ5oOVyibIqyJPNbXb3RDJPRKlaPeRiNIwfQiKti4DAnBW2cDS6ji1_1LhqWxYWk_iuxCVIL7bOQzeMsgO1lEPGX0kK0urWQbxZqWipu5A_ofT02UylaaZJDNTOw/s200/Unbalanced1.jpg" title="Unbalanced" width="188" /></a>Here you can see where I actually used the focus fabric ... fish scales, eye, yin yang circle, leaves, flower center, and the little green thingies on the outside of each flower. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVP0osm_ekusTseqUIEIG2RuymX56-fjBumuesw8o9FcYBT502KuSla25-RIxBJiW2INnT6HG6yeTgebmZCIBa7Glv7BD0B2LAY0-5XkjMwCOi2Qtd95h54NyZslJ6ExwEIwdCYqy2PA/s1600/Unbalanced+closeup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVP0osm_ekusTseqUIEIG2RuymX56-fjBumuesw8o9FcYBT502KuSla25-RIxBJiW2INnT6HG6yeTgebmZCIBa7Glv7BD0B2LAY0-5XkjMwCOi2Qtd95h54NyZslJ6ExwEIwdCYqy2PA/s200/Unbalanced+closeup.jpg" title="Unbalanced" width="119" /></a>Colors always manage to elicit an emotional response in me, and no doubt many others. To me shades of blues, greens, teals, aqua all inspire a feeling of calm. The fish in the centre represents the yin yang. In conjunction with that I put a watery wavy circle around it. Then surrounding that are the flowers and feathers. I quilted it all with variegated thread ... beige in the middle, green in the feathered area, and blue in the outer area. <br />
I find it nearly impossible to make an appliqued quilt perfectly symmetrical and even. At a glance it looks very even and lined up, but when you get right into the nitty gritty of it, it's very much NOT, thus I named it "Unbalanced". <br />
All hand appliquéd and hand quilted, of course. It should get to its destination just in the nick of time .... wish me luck! </div>
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<br />Deborahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02569300304612683966noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8998696600147414305.post-57597546603653853202013-04-30T11:28:00.002-07:002013-04-30T11:49:43.609-07:00Busy, busy, busy ..... and maybe a little slack<div style="text-align: justify;">
I realized recently that I hadn't posted anything in a while so I figured I'd best get to it. Since my last post before Christmas I've been working on a lot of things, none of which are finished yet. Thus is the life of a quilter ... many PHDs (Projects Half Done). I usually have a few things on the go at varying points of completion ... usually a large quilt, some applique, and a smaller quilt. </div>
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The large quilt I'm doing now is one for my niece's upcoming wedding in September. I can't show it here yet in case she decides to peek at my website, don't want her seeing it before it's done! I have finished quilting the body of it, doing the borders now, so when it's done there will be photos.</div>
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Appliqué .... I LOVE APPLIQUE! I tried machine appliqué <u>once</u> and that was enough. I much prefer hand appliqué. I have more control over how it turns out, I can tote it along with me when I go to appointments and things that I know there will be waiting involved. So here are a few of the PHDs I've got going at the moment. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin7FdNK32VfWtprWo4bKvB5mI74ECskIVbYgNNACcOqKL8JvmBKOXaMHvgxgEHhazleZvtdjoItqeYhJvqMCZ4U_hKCX8V6_FhS6RaPT2MMM5FNhx9fnWOmDrceNmc_IQjqw8CQSj3QA/s1600/yellowred.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin7FdNK32VfWtprWo4bKvB5mI74ECskIVbYgNNACcOqKL8JvmBKOXaMHvgxgEHhazleZvtdjoItqeYhJvqMCZ4U_hKCX8V6_FhS6RaPT2MMM5FNhx9fnWOmDrceNmc_IQjqw8CQSj3QA/s200/yellowred.jpg" width="200" /></a>I love red and yellow together. I finally decided I want to make a red and yellow quilt for my bed. I'm using multiple scrappy yellows for the background, scrappy reds for the applique. Each block will be unique with a theme of hearts and/or feathers throughout. As you can see in this block, it'll be kind of heart shaped made from feathers (I love love love feathers), then there'll be a heart thingie at the top between the ends.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSVeCsrDUZ_Wt6tal-Afzxy2oz-rQL0DRpHBApZobadUzvP6mwQGAHvmnPx-MR8hzvxt6j7pRqVnQ6T6nKLbC0IgXgySKlT1kdUG1eALmvAqBVnOdvs1O9NL-EcjswKDLpUfi7qkaCIQ/s1600/tree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="157" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSVeCsrDUZ_Wt6tal-Afzxy2oz-rQL0DRpHBApZobadUzvP6mwQGAHvmnPx-MR8hzvxt6j7pRqVnQ6T6nKLbC0IgXgySKlT1kdUG1eALmvAqBVnOdvs1O9NL-EcjswKDLpUfi7qkaCIQ/s200/tree.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGHnH3Z5Gcvo9A0BtwFb0qy2NlvuLPGWC4YWidryH944krGuMi3v053xymqelgelYPoM1kJbPB3gGvwSvEj2cXCDN_BDQPP8pH3KNnjH3oIicpsXcXUUMlrQ5aY7EfSzDz0YUZ_dgc-w/s1600/cream+on+white.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGHnH3Z5Gcvo9A0BtwFb0qy2NlvuLPGWC4YWidryH944krGuMi3v053xymqelgelYPoM1kJbPB3gGvwSvEj2cXCDN_BDQPP8pH3KNnjH3oIicpsXcXUUMlrQ5aY7EfSzDz0YUZ_dgc-w/s200/cream+on+white.jpg" width="119" /></a>Besides feathers lately I've also been into trees. Funky twisty trees in particular. I had forgotten about this gorgeous green and gold print I had in my stash until one day I was digging for something else. Right away I knew it was what I needed for a new tree. It's going pretty slowly because this is usually the one I take along with me to meetings and stuff. Not sure what I'll quilt in the background yet, but whatever I do it'll probably be with green variegated thread.</div>
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This pale one is again hearts and feathers. This is the centre of it where 4 feathered hearts meet. I have no idea what I'll put beyond them yet but obviously I have a while before I have to think about that anyhow. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQP3c6_YWdCCnEWispxZlJZXZNXjeQFp73UKMahWlE8x6mUgOe2jd6bk2kWZ3o1aJ97eJ3Q3-4zZTn8g4-JFDF54naxkC_G3jG8gxc5KOxPFwIUjyc6K6DqpXmGl9csc288852WhIphg/s1600/hoffman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="75" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQP3c6_YWdCCnEWispxZlJZXZNXjeQFp73UKMahWlE8x6mUgOe2jd6bk2kWZ3o1aJ97eJ3Q3-4zZTn8g4-JFDF54naxkC_G3jG8gxc5KOxPFwIUjyc6K6DqpXmGl9csc288852WhIphg/s200/hoffman.jpg" width="200" /></a>And this is my Hoffman Challenge entry for 2013. It's actually quite far along, probably another week of appliqué and then it'll be ready to quilt. Sorry, not showing any more of it than this little section until it's done and off to Colorado for judging.<br />
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Last week I did a talk at the Blue Mountain Quilters Guild in Port Coquitlam. I showed some of my quilts, then talked about Quilts of Valour. They all seemed to enjoy it (nobody left halfway through lol) and I had a great time. It's funny how you can walk into a room full of quilters in a place you've never been with people you've never met and feel right at home. <br />
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I'm approaching the one year mark since I started volunteering at <a href="http://www.canuckplace.org/" target="_blank">Canuck Place Children's Hospice</a>. Every Saturday evening from 5-9 I get to hang out with the kids ... we make crafts, paint, watch movies, play games, go for walks or play basketball in the yard ... always something different and always lots of fun. <br />
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In between all of this other stuff I'm also researching my family tree. It's so easy to get lost in reading all the old stories, diaries, wills, lists upon lists of names, I lose all track of time. Gradually I'm filling in names and dates here and there, lots of fun when I get going down one particular branch of the tree and a name will pop up that I know I've seen before. I take a closer look and lo and behold, that branch is now connected to another branch. Lots of fun stuff.</div>
Deborahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02569300304612683966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8998696600147414305.post-51379172981894334682012-11-06T12:06:00.005-08:002012-11-06T12:06:50.988-08:00Things are starting to settle down ..... finally!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS_R2wyx7nAUtnay4w0bbAVxGLvMhfUZuaLrd-B_zqLr8pFjqquA2ZCkSBITADfWxgrOTD8zaPw6JxThxIE_xrnvI5pJnfnqMWkWEOJ-pUe_82fxjTFA8QUWv4pA2Oa62KrYmB8NGJ0Q/s1600/sedlak.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS_R2wyx7nAUtnay4w0bbAVxGLvMhfUZuaLrd-B_zqLr8pFjqquA2ZCkSBITADfWxgrOTD8zaPw6JxThxIE_xrnvI5pJnfnqMWkWEOJ-pUe_82fxjTFA8QUWv4pA2Oa62KrYmB8NGJ0Q/s200/sedlak.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
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My guild's biennial quilt show was in October. I had hoped to complete a new bed quilt of my own to enter, but that didn't happen. Too busy! I'm not complaining, busy is a good thing. As I said in my last post, I had 2 customer quilts to do for the show, plus the Sedlak quilt for Canuck Place. Here's a picture of the entire Sedlak quilt ... turned out pretty good!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTCN-Ge9XIdhvI3PDBy3gT54QIgLsZhLiTFwqZT6qipJjPPUujoiYbqqnFuLO2FgOr8lIjhrV2rnX-QF5mCWPyAezt9jN2B8MiLaDMLsdDGw6EC29KFuD2_rwC4KV4dgEsseUzMST6ZQ/s1600/wendy+red.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="119" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTCN-Ge9XIdhvI3PDBy3gT54QIgLsZhLiTFwqZT6qipJjPPUujoiYbqqnFuLO2FgOr8lIjhrV2rnX-QF5mCWPyAezt9jN2B8MiLaDMLsdDGw6EC29KFuD2_rwC4KV4dgEsseUzMST6ZQ/s200/wendy+red.jpg" width="200" /></a>I then got straight back to work on Wendy's quilt for the show. Normally I can estimate pretty well how long it will take me to quilt something. My average hand quilting speed is about a square foot an hour. Wendy's quilt took about 4 or 5 times longer than that. Crazy eh! At first I thought I must be getting too distracted while quilting, so I put all my focus on it and it made no difference ... still very slow going. It's about 90" square, and almost all applique. Layers upon layers of applique. So what appears to be just a flower is actually a bunch of layers upon layers. The stems and flowers are 4 layers themselves, on top of the backing, batting, and background. My quilting speed slowed to a crawl every time I got to a flower, and this entire quilt is flowers.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4-u9KcgUtn75M6pixc7SI9jlrVyNkOPwxsx9CXaB975tpokrpjBEnOyyijffCJAyXSbBgvguF0aIRRg75Kkms15vlYt7SoUHGr8h0R04POrI4yEyiKlSb6XS40Nj9ROAkplmCvjcQWQ/s1600/wendy+red3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4-u9KcgUtn75M6pixc7SI9jlrVyNkOPwxsx9CXaB975tpokrpjBEnOyyijffCJAyXSbBgvguF0aIRRg75Kkms15vlYt7SoUHGr8h0R04POrI4yEyiKlSb6XS40Nj9ROAkplmCvjcQWQ/s200/wendy+red3.jpg" width="119" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOwIZO6XaEb7EtXPkF8gWP6_FXEVPqXqF2DT0dW3Dhi2gJ_dfAlI9cC2OYoFeboWoJGjtzmvFuJtDkYwisnj6uI2_DyDKgdYlMG-IMwKipNzrgFwpIk4Jwr9AmJv7wuEIS7PuKSIQONA/s1600/wendy+red2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOwIZO6XaEb7EtXPkF8gWP6_FXEVPqXqF2DT0dW3Dhi2gJ_dfAlI9cC2OYoFeboWoJGjtzmvFuJtDkYwisnj6uI2_DyDKgdYlMG-IMwKipNzrgFwpIk4Jwr9AmJv7wuEIS7PuKSIQONA/s200/wendy+red2.jpg" width="119" /></a>I didn't figure out exactly how many hours I put into it, but in the last 4 days alone of working on it before the show I put in 76 hours ... including 2 24-hour straight runs!</div>
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When I finally got it done I took it straight up to Wendy so she could gather her friends and put the binding and sleeve on. She was really pleased with how it turned out. We laid it out on her bed to get a good look at it and I have to admit, it looks great. I didn't get a good picture of the entire quilt ... I took one at the show but the lighting sucked and it looks yellow. I'll have to see if she got a good one.</div>
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So now I'm back to my own work. It's a little strange to all of a sudden be able to quilt on anything I want! Funny how the whole time I'm working on someone else's quilt I have all these wonderful brainstorms of what I want to make, then when I can finally do it I can't make up my mind. For now I'm going to finish up some small (12" square) quilting samples to leave with a couple of local fabric stores so they have something to show people that may want to hire me as a hand quilter. I've got one sample done, about half finished the other one. Then maybe I'll get back to my own bed quilt.</div>
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<br />Deborahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02569300304612683966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8998696600147414305.post-91479515087172089162012-09-16T16:15:00.005-07:002012-09-16T16:15:47.715-07:00Quilt your fingers to the bone what do you get? Boney fingers!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWr35EKtKttVsOST4NFCdWYaem35hyvEzpYc1Qca-LutxZ6U5VKpZ-eIirkCnPTqkDkPq7WQgAbv7OKopexVUDxJ3jnFCH5Bi6hIA2VNJfamZ8heRoH2yR3eM3oWuFV6Ys80j2S6EjzQ/s1600/dolly2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWr35EKtKttVsOST4NFCdWYaem35hyvEzpYc1Qca-LutxZ6U5VKpZ-eIirkCnPTqkDkPq7WQgAbv7OKopexVUDxJ3jnFCH5Bi6hIA2VNJfamZ8heRoH2yR3eM3oWuFV6Ys80j2S6EjzQ/s200/dolly2.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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It's been a busy, busy summer! In early July I was hired by Dolly, from
my guild, to hand quilt a lap/wall size quilt of hers. It was about
48-ish" square. I was hoping to get it done in 2.5 weeks, it took a few
days longer due to the summer heat, but finally got it done and
returned to her. With cream colored thread I quilted in the ditch around
each heart and along the blue strips, then a 1" cross-hatch in the
backgrounds of the heart blocks.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhJ2-4S5Tu1LM-Q1Pp19g9R-t1pR6LibWdubsxuaeJHVbA2FeC03snjIE2eWQmFMAZlO4ewcwbuB-LvlMKfeIHYGNIbjHhmcH4hqpzxgm39MBfrgfQWQ_pKnGQXvzgHKikjgQ_WVbzDQ/s1600/sedlak.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="143" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhJ2-4S5Tu1LM-Q1Pp19g9R-t1pR6LibWdubsxuaeJHVbA2FeC03snjIE2eWQmFMAZlO4ewcwbuB-LvlMKfeIHYGNIbjHhmcH4hqpzxgm39MBfrgfQWQ_pKnGQXvzgHKikjgQ_WVbzDQ/s200/sedlak.jpg" width="200" /></a> </div>
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Right around that time I had heard on the news that chef Anthony Sedlak had passed away suddenly. I had watched his cooking show on tv a few times but didn't actually know him or anything. I've been volunteering at Canuck Place for a few months now and it turns out that his mother is a semi-retired nurse there. The staff at the hospice wanted to do something for her, to show that they care and are thinking of her. One of the girls in the office, Jen, does some machine work and decided to make a tree quilt and have the leaves signed by the other nurses and close friends. She did a great job machine appliqueing the tree, leaves, and a few birds to the background. Then she handed it off to me and I hand quilted radiating hearts. I used a beige/tan variegated thread and just quilted the hearts freehand. It took a total of 115 hours to quilt it ... the background was a beautiful batik, a little stiff as batiks tend to be, but so very pretty and looks great with the batik leaves in blues, greens, and tans. I handed it off to Jen last week, she'll do the binding and then they'll present it. I think she'll be very touched when she sees all the encouraging words and notes everyone wrote on the leaves. </div>
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I had started hand quilting a king size for Wendy, also from my guild, just before I got the tree quilt to do. Took a bit of a break from it to do the tree, so now that it's done I'm back to Wendy's. She needs it back in time to get it bound and ready to go in our guild's bi-annual quilt show in October. I think I have it about 1/3 to 1/2 done, it should be ready in another couple of weeks. It's a scrappy red pattern on scrappy neutrals, so very pretty and fun to quilt. I'll post some pictures of it once I'm done.</div>
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Hi ho, hi ho, it's off to quilt I go! Until next time .... </div>
Deborahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02569300304612683966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8998696600147414305.post-34349254869970420762012-07-11T09:27:00.000-07:002012-07-11T09:30:32.022-07:00Hoffman Challenge 2012<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhovR05h4mDbLEJBAE1KTcuro3IGc5LLP1X-VlVbN9HNTh2TBiwULjQJQKm5EbcdB9duRo48X7xNdjwOOkDf_UsNgbxxO61VyVQlO6gtIOGzys7I6tatU-LDNk9U122rrSGYjzqsv9Psw/s1600/h2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhovR05h4mDbLEJBAE1KTcuro3IGc5LLP1X-VlVbN9HNTh2TBiwULjQJQKm5EbcdB9duRo48X7xNdjwOOkDf_UsNgbxxO61VyVQlO6gtIOGzys7I6tatU-LDNk9U122rrSGYjzqsv9Psw/s200/h2012.jpg" width="141" /></a>I mailed my Hoffman Challenge entry about a week or so ago ... I should get notification that it's been received any day now. They usually do the judging and notify winners by early to mid August. I've gotten in the traveling trunk show every year so far, fingers crossed that this one gets in too!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZq_O1Ra7ehoX-5I6ccGk6wGYS42ArKt8PnXoOJlhn1TYr_gYre3ZPUJ7fmWCJbjB22GyE99lETB7-J3iZieU8wGlu16IrVtT2j-rsnPvLpYu2AdS0cubUNHYOXX9Q6QZpbZNpF77iMw/s1600/pretty+pink+&+purple+paisley+plumed+peacock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZq_O1Ra7ehoX-5I6ccGk6wGYS42ArKt8PnXoOJlhn1TYr_gYre3ZPUJ7fmWCJbjB22GyE99lETB7-J3iZieU8wGlu16IrVtT2j-rsnPvLpYu2AdS0cubUNHYOXX9Q6QZpbZNpF77iMw/s200/pretty+pink+&+purple+paisley+plumed+peacock.jpg" width="176" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGdvocnZiXjN5-g3fA6qOfXchQLX5DsFHKhNGEwRO09eJ7kmLBS_JpEPA20dEXqpim5jfMS847BW5lY9r7QzOfDlVoKmWMEW97GJT2rEEnRTZakTH_L_ugJiRM8VGCga9eZDNLQBjJiw/s1600/back+of+pp&pppp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGdvocnZiXjN5-g3fA6qOfXchQLX5DsFHKhNGEwRO09eJ7kmLBS_JpEPA20dEXqpim5jfMS847BW5lY9r7QzOfDlVoKmWMEW97GJT2rEEnRTZakTH_L_ugJiRM8VGCga9eZDNLQBjJiw/s200/back+of+pp&pppp.jpg" width="176" /></a>The focus fabric this year is a huge pink and purple floral print. I had designed a peacock quilt earlier in the year, intending for it to be the prototype for my hoffman entry ... then I saw the flowered print and wasn't so sure if that was a good idea or not. Peacocks are usually done in blues, teals, etc, but I finally decided it doesn't matter what they <i>usually </i>are, this is what <i>mine</i> will be.</div>
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The quilt is 24 x 27½" in size. I used both the pink and purple flowers throughout, coordinating with other prints to match. I LOVE purple and teal together, so the background color was a no-brainer. The Chinese character in the corner means "pretty". I quilted it with variegated purple thread (sulky #4111 deep jewels) with a feather design filling in the background. Click on each picture to get a more detailed view.</div>
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The quilt is titled "<b><span style="color: #674ea7;">Pretty Pink & Purple Paisley Plumed Peacocks</span></b>". Wish me luck!</div>Deborahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02569300304612683966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8998696600147414305.post-15568352354984665332012-06-15T12:02:00.001-07:002012-06-15T12:02:02.350-07:00One of my favorite authors has finally completed book two of the Discovery of Witches trilogy. There's a great contest available at http://www.lushbudgetproduction.com/2012/06/giveaway-shadow-of-night-signed-by.html<br />
Can't wait to read this one!Deborahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02569300304612683966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8998696600147414305.post-12864577156728546942011-11-03T11:10:00.000-07:002011-11-03T11:11:22.239-07:00Baby Feathers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUN9XQbysRZ5MeQhq5OIXgrLXGM-7xXISFewVubWQshlHDIXwaKtneUzTcYolVDfaLu_FqmrvWFD_0euV7OqA9oNy7dN90ERARSEpHirGblivEdhoycFevwxnWo9DZt4JawgtQzqXAAQ/s1600/baby+feathers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUN9XQbysRZ5MeQhq5OIXgrLXGM-7xXISFewVubWQshlHDIXwaKtneUzTcYolVDfaLu_FqmrvWFD_0euV7OqA9oNy7dN90ERARSEpHirGblivEdhoycFevwxnWo9DZt4JawgtQzqXAAQ/s200/baby+feathers.jpg" width="166" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguc-wm8VExZFHQVo9-Om-2f-YZ2B9MX_jGfQ9r8A9IDxcj7f1UycdtIBI6tFNcOZKk5IijLLUEWizheSkN8JBrpUG7oFoMcNPBU9TxuFho5YYPg7mtMXZF8IA-Gzx7xPCDVmZo0IB7yA/s1600/red+orange+batik.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguc-wm8VExZFHQVo9-Om-2f-YZ2B9MX_jGfQ9r8A9IDxcj7f1UycdtIBI6tFNcOZKk5IijLLUEWizheSkN8JBrpUG7oFoMcNPBU9TxuFho5YYPg7mtMXZF8IA-Gzx7xPCDVmZo0IB7yA/s1600/red+orange+batik.png" /></a>A friend of ours is having a baby ... what better reason to make a quilt! They had a couple of ultrasounds and after asking them a few times to <i>make sure</i> I was assured that it's a girl. Ok ...</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I saw this gorgeous red/orange/pink/yellow batik and fell in love with it right away. PERFECT for a girl. I put it together with a pink patterned background and designed this quilt. I love love love quilting feathers ... both in applique and quilting ... so I incorporated it into the entire quilt. The dragonflies add a little bit of fun and extra color to it. It's all done by hand, with multicolored variegated thread used in the quilting.</div><br />
It was a big hit at the shower, everyone loved it. All I can say is, it better be a girl!Deborahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02569300304612683966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8998696600147414305.post-54553667077162192422011-10-06T18:17:00.000-07:002011-10-06T18:17:12.523-07:00a quote from Steve Jobs ....<div style="text-align: justify;">A friend pointed out this quote to me today, something Steve Jobs said at one time. Apparently it sounds like he was talking about me when he said it, I have to say I'm flattered. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">"Here’s to the crazy ones. The misfits. The rebels. The troublemakers. The round pegs in the square holes. The ones who see things differently. They’re not fond of rules. And they have no respect for the status quo. You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them. About the only thing you can’t do is ignore them. Because they change things. They push the human race forward. And while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius. Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do."</div>Deborahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02569300304612683966noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8998696600147414305.post-83424792015867308342011-09-23T10:42:00.000-07:002011-09-23T10:42:51.401-07:00Hou Leng<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQDwQzTSKm_yFbMptF_GWIe-_6RunAr8f7Ts2YFI7o1ifjP8NZ77o_Kzg6VRCaK9bSmE9eQhTf42NGBsmmce3aezpjxyD9LoaCUmYVgz8luV-rovE2_5Y4kyYMc5XaFgbwnJuERtjIdA/s1600/hou+leng.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQDwQzTSKm_yFbMptF_GWIe-_6RunAr8f7Ts2YFI7o1ifjP8NZ77o_Kzg6VRCaK9bSmE9eQhTf42NGBsmmce3aezpjxyD9LoaCUmYVgz8luV-rovE2_5Y4kyYMc5XaFgbwnJuERtjIdA/s200/hou+leng.jpg" width="155" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">I was out for a walk a few weeks ago and wandered into a <a href="http://www.pier1.ca/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=pier%201&utm_campaign=Brand">Pier 1</a> store. I love looking at all the home accessories and picking out all the things I would buy if I was furnishing my house from scratch ... it's kind of a game I play. I also watch for things that catch my eye that would make an interesting quilt or part of a quilt and take a picture of them with my phone. Later I go home and see if I can draft up something cool with it.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMYOnuatu6-yzQoc5J2B1WUXBtOYVzcv8dR6J0kF-e3i__romR9ElsM2b4PJ7xBnrKUOIUUvRBkBCfmL6gz5by73lMIOQ2waTCLUjK-mzJ9wB0ad4k3ML94_Y2OI_zi5_8K-lvv6Visg/s1600/hou+leng+closeup2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMYOnuatu6-yzQoc5J2B1WUXBtOYVzcv8dR6J0kF-e3i__romR9ElsM2b4PJ7xBnrKUOIUUvRBkBCfmL6gz5by73lMIOQ2waTCLUjK-mzJ9wB0ad4k3ML94_Y2OI_zi5_8K-lvv6Visg/s200/hou+leng+closeup2.jpg" width="200" /></a>This time I saw a pillow with a peacock on it. I've been wanting to make a quilt in blues, greens, turquoise, and this one fit the bill perfectly. It's not exactly like the pillow of course, I changed it enough to make it mine and added the chinese character.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBMhDFb-IUWrj1N0LS_CxuTfXkPPBx5GmvnthM0_99M4ph8ss0yMnqpi2r5BT_h2Pdmh8e4yC_XrwlCEY2A01340aLbHjL0Ef7yGP2c1Tjd5Ptji8yt6Lp6KMwHHWkOGYBdsQxuHofkg/s1600/hou+leng+closeup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="154" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBMhDFb-IUWrj1N0LS_CxuTfXkPPBx5GmvnthM0_99M4ph8ss0yMnqpi2r5BT_h2Pdmh8e4yC_XrwlCEY2A01340aLbHjL0Ef7yGP2c1Tjd5Ptji8yt6Lp6KMwHHWkOGYBdsQxuHofkg/s200/hou+leng+closeup.jpg" width="200" /></a> </div><div style="text-align: justify;">The peacock is well known as a symbol of pride and beauty, so I've done it here with the chinese character for "beautiful". The quilt is 24 x 18½" and is named "Hou Leng" which means "very pretty" in Cantonese. It's all hand appliqued and hand quilted with variegated blue thread.</div>Deborahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02569300304612683966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8998696600147414305.post-69800807550548424152011-09-05T13:09:00.000-07:002011-09-05T13:12:10.669-07:00<div style="text-align: justify;">
ok so ... I have very vivid dreams almost every night. Often,
unfortunately, they're nightmares of the past (you can find a bit of info on that <a href="http://www.scrappyblue.com/2010/11/im-still-standing.html">here)</a>, flashback type stuff that
wakes me up terrified. But when it's not that sort of dream, I dream
about a group of animals, and apparently I talk about them in my sleep. </div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
It started with Gustave, a snail, and has progressed to quite a few
critters now, each with their own personalities. To date we have 8 hedgehogs, an owl, a snail, a chameleon, a turtle and a rabbit. They call themselves TOMH&R (pronounced tom-har) ... The Order of Mostly Hedgehogs & Raoul. To find out more about them take a look on their own blog <a href="http://tomhar.blogspot.com/">here</a>.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Keep in mind that every post/adventure, including every critter involved, happens in my dreams ... if I didn't dream it I don't write it. Gord often asks me what about this, or did this happen ... I just tell him if it didn't happen it isn't there, I won't elaborate on them. Not yet anyhow ....</div>
Deborahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02569300304612683966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8998696600147414305.post-91390484305009530652011-08-25T13:48:00.000-07:002011-08-25T13:48:13.055-07:00A quilter's work is never done ....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQp7esOmyJKch0dXu5yDp5c4-cK4zlkhcUW1FQ5gOlHRITm3gBucjCEfnr2wb4Aook6B2JdUkEO83fJ0zTx1ubgwTTbNyhL_T-iGH35Vos5sD3or6eS_W3qnyR9EVQkVRzvhtPajlbrw/s1600/4trees.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="57" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQp7esOmyJKch0dXu5yDp5c4-cK4zlkhcUW1FQ5gOlHRITm3gBucjCEfnr2wb4Aook6B2JdUkEO83fJ0zTx1ubgwTTbNyhL_T-iGH35Vos5sD3or6eS_W3qnyR9EVQkVRzvhtPajlbrw/s200/4trees.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I finished these wallhangings a few weeks ago, just haven't gotten around to posting them here until now. This first one is called "4 trees" (duh) ... it's literally just 4 versions of the same tree. Each background is different with waves quilted in the background in variegated thread. It's 14½ x 49".</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeS3eJGAK63UpHfT9eMoZsGivHDsITZJiMUztsoJQ7DRaWOLtOAc87GDh_VrbDaq6XuooikDD5q2xQAOc1Xeo_CVZoxhpMukhARkiulzTGFdSwzwy6peVyLcwoZmHxg0Y6QF9EzSkduw/s1600/blessings.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeS3eJGAK63UpHfT9eMoZsGivHDsITZJiMUztsoJQ7DRaWOLtOAc87GDh_VrbDaq6XuooikDD5q2xQAOc1Xeo_CVZoxhpMukhARkiulzTGFdSwzwy6peVyLcwoZmHxg0Y6QF9EzSkduw/s200/blessings.jpg" width="137" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="fbPhotoCaptionText">This one is 27½ x 39½" and is called "Blessings".<br />
The characters top to bottom, left to right are:<br />
row 1: wealth, luck, peace & harmony<br />
row 2: courage, longevity<br />
row 3: love, long life<br />
row 4: happiness, beautiful, virtue</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="fbPhotoCaptionText">in Chinese calligraphy. Chinese belief is that by hanging these characters or representations of them near your front door will invite or encourage these things into your home and life. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="fbPhotoCaptionText"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="fbPhotoCaptionText">Both of these quilts are, of course, hand appliqued and hand quilted. Now I'm quilting a batik double wedding ring with a floral appliqued batik border, a wallhanging made up of a bunch of various sized circles in greens, blues, and browns, and some Christmas gifts for my nieces and nephews.</span></div><span class="fbPhotoCaptionText"><br />
</span>Deborahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02569300304612683966noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8998696600147414305.post-76536990517166439882011-07-23T11:18:00.000-07:002011-07-23T11:19:38.696-07:00Hoffman Challenge 2011<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv1bzPYQpjKjpXY8BkGQkLNr2N-i9yzlQkBE4ha_IRgu9A_z-M56i5izMPo6aAqfmpm6rn26Rb-4LwHeuyKIny-aZXL-Bvv9NsaBWOe7g1lrTAcMfQHy1DxD8VKCfo8v05YrUw55OFwg/s1600/h2011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv1bzPYQpjKjpXY8BkGQkLNr2N-i9yzlQkBE4ha_IRgu9A_z-M56i5izMPo6aAqfmpm6rn26Rb-4LwHeuyKIny-aZXL-Bvv9NsaBWOe7g1lrTAcMfQHy1DxD8VKCfo8v05YrUw55OFwg/s200/h2011.jpg" width="129" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">This year the Hoffman Challenge focus fabric was really pretty, and equally as challenging to use as every other year. I had a hard time deciding how to use it, I think I started and changed 4 different designs before finally settling on this one.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I had designed a "Wings" quilt this past winter and decided to use that design for the center of my challenge piece. This centerpiece is all made of the focus fabric on a pale yellow background.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih2TkCS_38MhZY9P113R8AUJ8CHbzTvobJz1K7s5ZCck18iyuxISgH7IZGtaPu0STKjg9FIPXJ6GqsH_CVNId3QysswQNHZLI4x9CsWZDq_DmbMlb_P8sA2P2VxxzhSY0RDBeGTrp90A/s1600/serendipity.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih2TkCS_38MhZY9P113R8AUJ8CHbzTvobJz1K7s5ZCck18iyuxISgH7IZGtaPu0STKjg9FIPXJ6GqsH_CVNId3QysswQNHZLI4x9CsWZDq_DmbMlb_P8sA2P2VxxzhSY0RDBeGTrp90A/s320/serendipity.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqoVRe_oM5Q7Lol6iR5cB6FkZPA1tA747eZQCqKbl8R0yEDqz4HjsbEfyxDklFifqBRMZDChwyfo8KJdQw0lPNwfS5Qbo99UIyA8ySHgbEZ01l0JSFtOyriFEw0sB012LLvCpAFFkdOA/s1600/serendipity+closeup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqoVRe_oM5Q7Lol6iR5cB6FkZPA1tA747eZQCqKbl8R0yEDqz4HjsbEfyxDklFifqBRMZDChwyfo8KJdQw0lPNwfS5Qbo99UIyA8ySHgbEZ01l0JSFtOyriFEw0sB012LLvCpAFFkdOA/s200/serendipity+closeup.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Then I fussy-cut feather shapes from various sections of the focus fabric to get feathers in purple, pink, dark and light green to use in the border. Feathers and a 1" grid are hand quilted into the background with light colored variegated thread.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I just heard yesterday that although I didn't win anything, my quilt has once again gotten into the traveling trunk show for the 7th time in a row.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The quilt is named "Serendipity".</div>Deborahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02569300304612683966noreply@blogger.com0