tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33339463685235641042024-02-20T11:02:09.955-07:00tinkerfrog{all things crafty}Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12675830033695986836noreply@blogger.comBlogger71125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3333946368523564104.post-47037807933727460312015-07-03T22:17:00.000-06:002015-07-03T22:17:27.485-06:00Love Notes: They say it's her birthday....<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 18px; line-height: 23.399999618530273px;">Happy Independence Day, and Happy 40th Birthday to my dear, dear, funny friend</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 18px; line-height: 23.399999618530273px;"> </span><a href="http://crazymomquilts.blogspot.com/" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 18px; line-height: 23.399999618530273px;" target="_self" title="">Amanda</a><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 18px; line-height: 23.399999618530273px;">!</span><br />
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To honor and celebrate our favorite crazy mom, let's do the logical thing and make her a quilt!</div>
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We will use <a href="http://www.redpepperquilts.com/2013/08/economy-block-quilt-in-progress-tutorial.html" target="_self" title="">Rita's Economy Block Tutorial</a> (as Amanda is admittedly frugal, and we can use scraps!). </div>
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Use a solid for the center so you can write your name and where you live, or a more personal message if you'd like. Prisma Micron pens work great for writing on fabric, just give it a good press with a hot iron to set the ink!</div>
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Our birthday girl loves her some polka dots, so feel free to go dotty, but she isn't such a big fan of purple, so use it sparingly (read:skip it!). Other than that, go bright, go happy, go CRAZY(see what I did there?)!</div>
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These finish at 5" so we will need a lot of blocks to make her quilt! That shouldn't be a problem with her many friends and followers! </div>
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Share this info with anyone and everyone that would like to participate! Post your finished blocks on Instagram tagging @crazymomquilts and #lordylordyamandasforty!</div>
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Please mail the blocks to me by August 1! Feel free to include a card or note, and I'll deliver them with the finished quilt!</div>
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Thanks so much, and sew like the wind, my friends!</div>
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Tara Rebman</div>
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1020 Sycamore St</div>
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Fort Collins, CO 80521</div>
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Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12675830033695986836noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3333946368523564104.post-39853600262988309132013-08-30T09:33:00.001-06:002013-08-30T09:33:36.990-06:00Crazy cute clutch, redux<p> As many of you noticed, my blog ate my post! My tablet sleeve tutorial somehow got absorbed into the clutch tutorial and no matter how hard we looked, the original tutorial simply disappeared. Suffice it to say, that life has been crazy around here, and I'm sorry I'm just getting it rewritten. If you've ever written a tutorial, then you know they are a time consuming endeavor. Here's take two!</p>
<p> </p>
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<p> </p>
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<p> Cut out a 12" x 18" piece of batting, and draw lines across 6.5" and 12.5" from the bottom. Draw arrows as shown, to indicate directionality, because when you fold it, they will all face up!</p>
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<p> Use your favorite Quilt-As-you-go technique. Shocker, here, but I recommend my technique as seen in my <a href="http://www.craftsy.com/class/quilt-as-you-go-patchwork-bags/367?_ct=sbqii-jxucu-byij-ycw&_ctp=3" target="_self" title="">Craftsy</a> class!</p>
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<p> Cut out your lining and interfacing. I use decor-bond by Pellon. Cut one piece 7" x 12" and a second lining piece 12" x 12". Iron your interfacing to both. Cut a pocket and interfacing 8" x 9" and iron your interfacing to that as well. </p>
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<p> Make your pocket. I chose to insert a zippered pocket, but you can do a plain pocket if you prefer. Sew it on or sew it in as the case may be, centered, 6" from the top of your 12" x 12" lining piece. </p>
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<p> Sew your 7" x 12" lining piece to the bottom, leaving a 3"-4" opening for turning. Use a 1/2" seam here!!</p>
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<p> Using your favorite small plate, curve the top corners of both your QAYG panel and your lining. </p>
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<p> Now, add a magnetic snap if desired. Place one on your lining, 1 1/2" from the top, centered. Place the second snap at the bottom of your outer panel, 3" from the bottom, centered.</p>
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<p> If you want a tab to hang a handle from, cut a 4" by 1" strip, and press it in half lengthwise. Open it up, and press both raw edges into the center crease. Fold on the center crease, and edge stitch closed.</p>
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<p> Fold your tab, like so.</p>
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<p> Place your tab 5 1/2" from the top of your bag and baste in place. </p>
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<p> Place the outer and lining right sides together and sew around the entire thing with a 1/4" seam</p>
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<p> Clip your corners and curves. </p>
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<p> Turn the clutch right side out through the opening in the lining. </p>
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<p> Poke out your corners and smooth out your curves and press well. Sew the opening in the lining shut either by hand or machine. I choose to sew it by machine as it will be on the bottom of your bag, and all of the stitching lines from the QAYG will hide this new stitching line. </p>
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<p>Top stitch around the entire panel.</p>
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<p> Fold the bottom of your clutch up 6". It's good practice to use your magnetic snap here to determine exactly how deep your bag needs to be. Fasten the snap, and manipulate your clutch so that it lays flat. Sew both side seams 1/4" from the sides. Your lining will be having a little peep show, which I find charming!</p>
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<p> Voila! A crazy cute clutch!</p>
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<p> Sew like the wind, my friends!</p>
<p>Tara</p>
<p> </p>Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12675830033695986836noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3333946368523564104.post-66406434548713509072013-07-19T13:59:00.000-06:002013-07-19T15:59:58.143-06:00Custom QAYG Tablet or e-Reader Sleeve: a tutorial<p>At the request of one of my <a href="http://www.craftsy.com/class/quilt-as-you-go-patchwork-bags/367" target="_self" title="">Craftsy</a> students, here's a simple tutorial for making a zipped sleeve to fit any device.</p>
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<p> I made mine to fit my iPad with its case on as this is how I always use it. I installed a zipped pocket to hold the charger for traveling.</p>
<p>First, measure your device. Cut two pieces of batting and two pieces of utility cloth(also known as drill cloth, I get this light to mid weight canvas from Joann's) TWO inches larger on both sides. For example, my iPad is just under 8" x 10" with it's case on, so I cut my batting and utility cloth to 10" x 12."</p>
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<p> Layer your batting on your utility cloth and use your preferred Quilt-As-You-Go method( I'm partial to the one I teach in my <a href="http://www.craftsy.com/class/quilt-as-you-go-patchwork-bags/367" target="_self" title="">Craftsy class</a>!) to fill in both sides.</p>
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<p> Cut a pocket 8.5" x 14" and interface. I mean to say, cut your pocket 2" narrower and 2" longer than your panels. We do want your pocket to fit!</p>
<p>You can install a zipped pocket on the outside, as I did(I teach the technique I use in, you guessed it, my <a href="http://www.craftsy.com/class/quilt-as-you-go-patchwork-bags/367" target="_self" title="">Craftsy class!</a>), or make a basic pocket and sew it to the lining.(I teach that one, too)</p>
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<p> Place one of your panels right side up, and place your zipper(that is longer than the width of your sleeve) right side down starting at the end without your zipper pull. This keeps the zipper pull out of the way while sewing down the zipper. </p>
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<p> Place a lining piece right side down on top of this, lining up the edges. </p>
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<p> Stitch across with a 1/4" seam, making sure your edges stay aligned. Open this up with your outer panel and lining wrong sides together and, pulling the outer panel and lining tautly, edge stitch along the zipper to keep these away from the zipper teeth and give you a nicely finished edge. You should probably use a zipper foot here. I got lazy. </p>
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<p> Now, place your second lining piece, right side up. Lay down your panel with the zipper right side up, aligning your edges.</p>
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<p> Place the remaining outer panel right side down and sew across as you did before, keeping edges aligned as you go.</p>
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<p> Edge stitch as before to finish your zipper installation.</p>
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<p> Open the zipper about half way, and baste the zipper closed about 1/4" from the edge. Do you see where? Right where I'm pointing!</p>
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<p> Open the zipper all of the way. Now, open your sleeve by placing both the outer panels and lining panels right sides together.</p>
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<p> You will now sew around the entire sleeve with a 1/2" seam, leaving an opening for turning at the bottom of your lining. I left a 5" opening, but if you have a smaller device, and are, therefore, making a smaller sleeve, you will leave a smaller opening. Don't leave yourself less than three inches though, or turning will be a bitch. </p>
<p>When you get to the zipper, fold the zipper tape toward the lining for a cleaner corner. </p>
<p>Turn the sleeve through the opening. </p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tararebman/9321005949/" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7450/9321005949_9087ddc91a_c.jpg" id="blogsy-1374271175851.9568" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div>
<p> Square your sleeve up by gently poking out the corners. Hand or machine sew the opening closed. No one is ever going to see the inside bottom of your sleeve, so why would you hand sew it? Just sayin'</p>
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<p> Fold the lining into your sleeve. Et voila!!</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tararebman/9323798606/" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5464/9323798606_91e9326e44_c.jpg" id="blogsy-1374271175790.5657" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="734"></a></div>
<p> There are a myriad of ways to do this. This is how I did it. If you have questions, let me know. I'm pretty good about answering them!</p>
<p>Did I mention my <a href="http://www.craftsy.com/class/quilt-as-you-go-patchwork-bags/367" target="_self" title="">Craftsy class</a>? Quilt-As-You-Go Patchwork Bags with Tara Rebman. That's me!</p>
<p>Craftsy is in the midst of a <a href="http://www.craftsy.com/ext/TaraRebman_holiday" target="_self" title="">mega blowout summer sale</a>, and my class will be on sale in the next couple of days! Or you can get 25% off right now with <a href="http://www.craftsy.com/quiltasyougo25" target="_self" title="">this link! Hope to see you there!</a></p>
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<p>Sew like the wind, my friends!</p>
<p> </p><div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" alt="Posted with Blogsy" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" height="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12675830033695986836noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3333946368523564104.post-51703802984151513402013-06-05T10:37:00.002-06:002013-06-05T15:10:15.710-06:00Quilt-As-You-Go Patchwork Bags: a Giveaway!!<br />
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Wow! It's been a whirlwind couple of months for me! I was approached at QuiltCon in February about the possibility of teaching a patchwork bag class for Craftsy, and after a flurry of work, blood, sweat and many tears(of joy, of course), it's now live on Craftsy! You can find my class <a href="http://www.craftsy.com/quiltasyougo25">here</a>(this link is good for 25%off)!</div>
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The Craftsy platform is an amazing tool for sewists, as you can pause the class at any time, use the 30 second playback to see something again, and ask questions at the point in the video where you have questions, so I have a context for answering!! I'll be there to answer your questions and help you along the way. I look forward to seeing what you make and getting your feedback, as well!</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">I'm also set to giveaway one free class to one of my readers! </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b>All you have to do to enter is </b>s</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b>ign up for Craftsy using</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://www.craftsy.com/ext/TaraRebman_Giveaway">this link</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b>(it's free!). If you already have a Craftsy account, no problem, you can still</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://www.craftsy.com/ext/TaraRebman_Giveaway">enter to win</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b>by simply using your login ! (Use the link to enter!) </b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b>The giveaway will be open until Wednesday, June 15, and the winner will automatically have the class delivered to their Craftsy account!</b></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpi1MTPin9bHvZ8cNVVdHbbWJcxJIw6WkGYf1x8gGPmqPiMwHGhJGBSBDHbFeco5d0oceUzBN2GF_NbyGQ-OF64xhhmq2SZjS5369vbGKi2OdE7TLwqg0g4rN-7ouLbJXOGYUL9S0bqQ/s1600/titleCard.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/AVvXsEjpi1MTPin9bHvZ8cNVVdHbbWJcxJIw6WkGYf1x8gGPmqPiMwHGhJGBSBDHbFeco5d0oceUzBN2GF_NbyGQ-OF64xhhmq2SZjS5369vbGKi2OdE7TLwqg0g4rN-7ouLbJXOGYUL9S0bqQ/s320/titleCard.jpg" height="181" width="320" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b><br /></b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b>You can also get 25% off <a href="http://naptimequilter.blogspot.com/">Cheryl Arkison's</a> Craftsy class by following <a href="http://www.craftsy.com/ext/TaraRebman_Circles25">this link</a>! </b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b>And <a href="http://www.craftsy.com/ext/TaraRebman_ImprovPiecing25">here's 25%</a> off <a href="http://tallgrassprairiestudio.blogspot.com/">Jacquie Gering's</a> Craftsy class! Love these ladies!</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b><br /></b></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b>Have a great day!!!</b></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b><br /></b></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b>xo, Tara</b></span></span>Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12675830033695986836noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3333946368523564104.post-68999754851540875572013-05-24T10:20:00.000-06:002013-05-24T10:20:31.016-06:00This Ain't How the Pros Do It: an amateur guide to bias bindingHi! I'm baaaack! (that just autocorrected to Barack, which made me giggle uncontrollably!) If you've found this via <a href="http://craftsy.com/" target="_blank" title="">Craftsy</a>, then welcome! If you've been following my little blog for years, then many apologies! You should really follow my Instagram feed @tinkerfrog if you want to see what I've been up to!<br />
And here's the tutorial that has had you all chomping at the bit, lol!<br />
Bias binding has always intimidated me, so I only use it when working with curves. There are some fantastic tutorials out there, like <a href="http://www.craftsy.com/blog/2013/03/bias-quilt-binding-three-ways/" target="_blank" title="">this one</a> and<a href="http://www.thatgirlthatquilt.com/2011/02/rounded-quilt-corners-bias-binding.html" target="_blank" title=""> this one</a>. But if those don't fit your needs, here's this lazy girl's mind-blowingly fancy technique!<br />
First, lay your carefully chosen fabric out on your cutting mat. Trim off the selvedge on the side facing you, and square up the left side of your fabric.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tararebman/8804328633/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="667" id="blogsy-1369412066953.0923" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2851/8804328633_30115e7bc4_c.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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Second, line up the 45 degree line on your ruler with the left edge of your fabric.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tararebman/8814915470/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="375" id="blogsy-1369412066966.8677" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5443/8814915470_f5e827f265_c.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);">Make your first cut. </span><span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);">I usually cut my strips to 2 1/4", which works well for most quilts either machine or hand bound, as well as the visible binding on my Tinker Tote. For the hidden binding on my Tinker Tote, I cut my strips to 1 1/4".</span><span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);"> Continue moving your ruler, lining up your fabric edge with the correct marks on your ruler.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);">The first few will be short, so you decide if you want to relegate those to the scrap pile, or piece them all together. It really depends on the size fabric you began with and how many inches of binding you need! Cut strips until you have enough to bind your project.</span></div>
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Overlap your ends and stitch together. </div>
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Fold your binding in half and press well. You are now ready to attach your binding!</div>
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Thanks so much for visiting! Sew like the wind!<br />
xo, tara<br />
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Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12675830033695986836noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3333946368523564104.post-83242635273850303722012-06-24T07:36:00.001-06:002012-06-24T07:41:02.436-06:00Quilting on a Sunday MorningGumdrops have always been one of those candies that I'm not sure why they make anymore. Sure, they look great on a gingerbread house at Christmastime, but who eats them? Not me.<br />
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But when I was chatting with <a href="http://crazymomquilts.blogspot.com/">Amanda</a>, and she asked me to test her gumdrops pattern from <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Sunday-Morning-Quilts-Projects-Treasured/dp/1607054272" target="_self" title="">Sunday Morning Quilts</a>, of course I said yes. I had seen the quilt in person when I visited in February of last year and it was so appealing!<br />
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I jumped right in, with a color scheme that was "current," wanting to put my stamp on it. The pattern was very well written, undoubtedly, but my gumdrops in yellow on grey was a bit lackluster.<br />
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See what I mean? The cuteness of the gumdrops are completely lost with this uninspired color palette. What to do, what to do? (it wasn't helped by it's decidedly awkward size of 19" x 44," either). I stuck it on a shelf for a year waiting for inspiration to strike.<br />
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Rather than inspiration, it was a push from Amanda to talk about the pattern testers work on her blog that had me pulling it out again. I mean, my sweet friend links to my blog with some frequency, but this felt like it needed a solid effort on my part to participate!<br />
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Pillows, I was thinking, to which Amanda replied that it was no surprise. Turns out I'm not a big quilter, but quite the pillower.<br />
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They might no longer look like gumdrops, but in yellow I think that's okay. (And as it turns out, gumdrops from Whole Foods, just like to ones pictured on the quilt in the book, are pretty tasty.)<br />
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Finished, finally, and just in time to donate to a silent auction to benefit the <a href="http://www.coloradoan.com/viewart/20120622/NEWS01/306220030/High-Park-Fire-burns-through-subdivisions-north-Poudre-Canyon?odyssey=mod%7Cmostview" target="_self" title="">High Park Fire</a> victims. This wildfire is hitting close to home, it seems that we all know someone whose home was lost, or evacuated. 82,000 acres and still growing. It makes my heart hurt. Please pray for rain, we could really use it here in Colorado!<br />
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<br />Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12675830033695986836noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3333946368523564104.post-30845016517359769782012-05-22T11:54:00.001-06:002012-05-22T12:13:43.094-06:00The View from the Cheap SeatsSo, you might have heard that <a href="http://crazymomquilts.blogspot.com/" target="_self" title="">Amanda Jean</a> and <a href="http://naptimequilter.blogspot.com/" target="_self" title="">Cheryl</a> wrote a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/1607054272" target="_blank" title="">book</a>. It's really, really good. It is purportedly flying off the shelves. And I was lucky enough to go to Quilt Market in Kansas City to witness these two fantastic ladies in their element. It was a joy to watch.<br />
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<i>Sunday Morning Quilts</i>--book signing in the United Notions booth</div>
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Now, I didn't really have any business being there. But who was I to pass up the opportunity to be a fly on the wall? I drove out with the amazing Angela of <a href="http://www.mamasaidsew.com/" target="_blank" title="">Mama Said Sew</a>, here in Fort Collins. If you live under a rock and haven't heard, the <a href="http://sweetwater.typepad.com/" target="_self" title="">Sweetwater</a> family of designers debuted their next fabric line, named after Ange's shop. That. Is. So. Stinking. Cool.</address>
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These ladies were so sweet(their design company is so aptly named!) and cute and I could have happily packed them up to take home with us. They're going to give Angela scraps to make some shop samples and I will gleefully go pick those up in Fort Morgan. It's possible that I'm the first person ever to have any level of excitement about traveling to that town!</address>
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Angela in the Sweetwater booth with Lisa and Susan</div>
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mama said sew candy--yum!</div>
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So I got to meet some pretty fantastic people. <a href="http://tallgrassprairiestudio.blogspot.com/" target="_self" title="">Jacquie Gehring</a> of Tallgrass Prairie Studio was there promoting her new book, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/1596683872" target="_self" title="">Quilting Modern</a>. She pretty much rocks. I read her blog and see her quilts, and I always think that this is a woman who takes her art very seriously. She couldn't have been more charming and personable. We are in the planning stages, but she will be here in Fort Collins in August for a trunk show!</div>
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<a href="http://www.iheartlinen.typepad.com/" target="_self" title="">Rashida Coleman-Hale</a> was there promoting <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/1607054167" target="_self" title="">Zakka Style</a> and her fabric line, Washi. I might now be her biggest fan. She came to dinner with us on Saturday night as well as <a href="http://www.made-by-rae.com/" target="_self" title="">Rae</a> of Made by Rae. It's pretty cool to have a friend like Amanda, because otherwise I wouldn't have rubbed my elbows raw hobnobbing with the cool kids!</div>
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<a href="http://dsquilts.com/" target="_self" title="">Denyse Schmidt</a> was there with her first ever market booth. She signed a copy of her book for me, and I shoved my phone in her face to show her my <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tararebman/7078715825/in/photostream" target="_self" title="">"eating in bed</a>" quilt out of Flea Market Fancy. She was incredibly gracious about the whole thing. And I might have thanked her for coming just so we could stand in her presence. Tongue in cheek, of course. I'm anxiously awaiting Chicopee; she has such a great aesthetic that really resonates with me.<br />
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I was literally teary as I talked Angela into buying some(read: 12 bolts!) of Suzuko Koseki's prints for the shop from Yuwa. I could have happily spent all of her money in this single booth. I want to swim in it. I already have plans to make <a href="http://www.indygojunction.com/patterns/adult_clothing/all_adult_clothing/chic-cowl-neck-shift/" target="_self" title="">this</a> dress out of the red Shasta daisy print as soon as it comes in. You can see pictures of all the prints that she's gonna carry <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tararebman/" target="_self" title="">here</a> in my Flickr photostream!<br />
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Liberty of London is releasing a new line of quilting cottons that are gorgeous! We chose two of the five color ways. I'm so glad that Angela has good taste! And, if in the not too distant future, they release charm packs of their Tana Lawns, that was my idea. You can thank me later.<br />
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The Kokka booth was full to over flowing with eye candy! These texty penguins cracked me up! We got the new echinos, Melody Miller's new line and a bunch of other stuff that is drool worthy! Our timing at the Kokka booth coincided with <a href="http://imagingermonkey.blogspot.com/" target="_self" title="">Katy</a>, <a href="http://flossyblossy.blogspot.com/" target="_self" title="">Brioni</a>, and <a href="http://haniesquilts.blogspot.com/" target="_self" title="">Tascha</a> walking by, so they stopped to help. They have good taste too.<br />
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And, while I'm a little late for the hexagon craze, I bought some hexy papers on our road trip and Amanda taught me how to English paper piece while standing in line for an hour waiting to eat some fantastic BBQ at <a href="http://www.oklahomajoesbbq.com/" target="_self" title="">Oklahoma Joe's</a>. This will become a pillow, because I prefer to machine sew hexagons, but this technique rocks!<br />
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So, that's it folks. There is so much more to say, but others took more pictures, and I'm all out. Though you should all go read the story of how I touched <a href="http://freespiritfabric.com/core-pages/designer_detail.php?des_id=93" target="_self" title="">David Butler's</a> arm in a very "How I Met Your Mother" moment over on <a href="http://crossstitchdramaqueen.blogspot.com/"><strike>Jane's</strike>Jana's</a> blog!<br />
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<br />Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12675830033695986836noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3333946368523564104.post-58342688942544742232012-01-15T17:08:00.001-07:002012-01-15T17:08:23.529-07:00Technologically Inept<p>When I began blogging, I had a crappy camera and even crappier computer. Not much has changed. We got a new camera(with credit card points) that wasn't as crappy, I did okay for a while, and then last Christmas(2010) I got a new netbook. I thought my problems were solved!</p><p>But then it was all about taking the pictures, downloading them, using my (awesome?) new computer with the little bitty screen, and somehow blogging fell through the cracks. I didn't even have time to make things to blog about if I was going to try to blog too. </p><p>And then I dropped my camera, and things went from bad to worse. </p><p> So, I worked really hard, and we saved our money, and, for Christmas last(2011), I was gifted a phone upgrade from the iPhone 3GS to the new iPhone 4S. And we(I) got an iPad2. I felt like all the (quilt)blocks were falling into place for me be a blogger again! ( I also highly reccomend the apple bluetooth keyboard!)</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://flickr.com/photos/34882226@N04/6704314749" target="_blank" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="http://farm8.static.flickr.com/7173/6704314749_d5329780a8.jpg" id="blogsy-1326672464851.0752" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p>Until today, the iPad has been just a very expensive, larger version of my old phone. Crappy camera, no easy way to upload photos, my phone seems just like the old one, but with a better camera.</p><p>Wait! Better camera! Way better camera! And so today I set out to make these "toys" work for me. And they did...</p><p> </p><p>Apps that I LOVE!!!:</p><p>Camera+(iPhone)--Uploads pics straight to flickr. Also e-mails multiple pictures wickedly fast. Grandma's around the world should gift this app. Awesome. Not to mention all of the great features it has. I wish I had known about this before I got the new phone, it would have improved the old phone's camera too!</p><p>goodReader(iPad)--Allows me to upload my pdf patterns directly and has sweet features for hi-lighting, making notes, etc. I will probably use this more for knitting, but how awesome to have the pattern there for quilting too. Print the necessary templates/pattern pieces and the rest is literally at your fingertips! (I printed all 17 pages of <a href="http://www.noodlehead.com" target="_blank" title="">Anna's</a> 241 tote before reading the directions. My print cartridges and my husband did not thank me.)</p><p>Blogsy(iPad)--So I mistakenly thought that I would be able to use photos from my photostream to blog from the iPad. Not so. And then when I painstakingly cut and pasted urls from my flicker photostream, that wasn't working either. So ready to throw the expensive toy across the room. That's when I got a glass of wine. I thought to myself, what would Drew do? So, I googled it. And there it was. Blogsy. This will be only my second time using it. But so far, it rocks my world. I can drag photos from flicker into the exact place I want them(after a few tries, but that's the learning curve, I'm sure.) I can choose from my really random array of 5 blogs(!?!) It has a button to let me imbed Youtube video!!! If I were so inclined.</p><p> So here's some random pics from my photo stream. I hope to be here more often. I'll be really careful with my new tools. My blog has missed me, as I have missed it!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://flickr.com/photos/34882226@N04/6704251229" target="_blank" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="http://farm8.static.flickr.com/7021/6704251229_c4fb658939.jpg" id="blogsy-1326672464864.0393" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="375" height="500"></a></div><p> 36 patch apron, photo taken with the old phone!</p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://flickr.com/photos/34882226@N04/6664467967" target="_blank" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="http://farm8.static.flickr.com/7006/6664467967_ccb9773420.jpg" id="blogsy-1326672464844.7222" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="500"></a></div><p> Add-a-border Swap Block for the Fort Collins Modern Quilt Guild, photo taken with the new phone!</p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://flickr.com/photos/34882226@N04/6703583675" target="_blank" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="http://farm8.static.flickr.com/7010/6703583675_f4760125f9.jpg" id="blogsy-1326672464861.2183" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p> Playing with my Go! Baby fabric cutter for the first time. Kinda liking it! New phone photo!</p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://flickr.com/photos/34882226@N04/6703556235" target="_blank" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="http://farm8.static.flickr.com/7005/6703556235_3a7258fbc8.jpg" id="blogsy-1326672464855.705" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p> New-to-me vintage fabric goodies for my stash, which is growing at a rather alarming rate. Must sew more to compensate. And another new phone photo! Love it!</p>Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12675830033695986836noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3333946368523564104.post-24935988306824843242011-05-26T18:20:00.000-06:002011-05-26T18:20:19.704-06:00Utter Charm<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjApVM_ujvgrlX2YhQibD5vfjeSusSHUkiJR5mHTiCKups6afLA48PCKdfrXIUF52igOD0uU6IubN_CUBIPwdV0vTSO2i8HcDMxJphjA8bxUkUno-2htIS_RVzpbbgeimXTQpsEucX9Yw/s1600/IMG_1353.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjApVM_ujvgrlX2YhQibD5vfjeSusSHUkiJR5mHTiCKups6afLA48PCKdfrXIUF52igOD0uU6IubN_CUBIPwdV0vTSO2i8HcDMxJphjA8bxUkUno-2htIS_RVzpbbgeimXTQpsEucX9Yw/s320/IMG_1353.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>I've been lucky enough to thrift a couple of lovely vintage quilt tops this spring. I got the two on the left for an absolute song! $4.99 and $3.99 respectively. They both have lots of feedsack fabrics in them, though the center one has considerably fewer. It's so very nice to know that UFOs span the decades and are not a recent affliction!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH9vS1f3k6vPjxXnD5X12108NIC1WwsZ5A9kYYggayOVHIknhrFvdopTJ4l_6K0QilI2m51X_jeSxtEhF7XxgxKw_tSYmQ2yogUXR_WPjHnPMRAAupRt0gL01JFctkJge_C8K2UnYaUQ/s1600/IMG_1355.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH9vS1f3k6vPjxXnD5X12108NIC1WwsZ5A9kYYggayOVHIknhrFvdopTJ4l_6K0QilI2m51X_jeSxtEhF7XxgxKw_tSYmQ2yogUXR_WPjHnPMRAAupRt0gL01JFctkJge_C8K2UnYaUQ/s320/IMG_1355.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>I picked this one up today and it made up for the woman in the aisle ahead of me that snagged a printed tablecloth from the fifties in amazing shape. It's sashed in a pale yellow that lets those gorgeous feedsacks shine!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXgeUrl6hn6hC0_Az8al7py5OgwBAc6aFuzVX2hRiCve1v1ke-L_y3ZoyhUzIRvcOYEq1f8mbOzwY3pfgoUsxLMIbVBzAc8Q8UO7INg_3pEaUte7xkOd5gTBY-zw49UmRYvgkVK13Lmw/s1600/IMG_1354.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXgeUrl6hn6hC0_Az8al7py5OgwBAc6aFuzVX2hRiCve1v1ke-L_y3ZoyhUzIRvcOYEq1f8mbOzwY3pfgoUsxLMIbVBzAc8Q8UO7INg_3pEaUte7xkOd5gTBY-zw49UmRYvgkVK13Lmw/s320/IMG_1354.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>The blocks are simple but striking. This is probably my favorite block of the bunch! I don't think I'll quilt this, but back it with muslin to use as a table covering.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEmGYaRIJ-N3XULOdKOWyaFIUZ_kQt5ZtpFOMCZeAf1xfn3nblCb4k6HRqR5wrw6A2m-CiTRr86xhS2JbntuzD1fLk2xvD44_B0vzTom8W8e-FQZcVQBEEHXhHT_VZbb0LlGi0-pw3tg/s1600/IMG_1356.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEmGYaRIJ-N3XULOdKOWyaFIUZ_kQt5ZtpFOMCZeAf1xfn3nblCb4k6HRqR5wrw6A2m-CiTRr86xhS2JbntuzD1fLk2xvD44_B0vzTom8W8e-FQZcVQBEEHXhHT_VZbb0LlGi0-pw3tg/s320/IMG_1356.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>I picked this up a couple of months ago, and I really wish that I had some history on it. Each of the star's centers has names embroidered on them and each time I look at it I have to smile! There are lots of women's names and a few men's as well. Makes me wonder if the maker identified herself by who she was married to or not.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHmJ_EY6MAXMIKdnAQUejgKn-5KZU444wMoDH8Bi068J0GPCC_uwzqvKKy2sSFetWRS30n6SRvMiQb9ZjFBvuNOutxoRtshoGmzTIa95vl5zNcDOzRGsMEBVK0lqdvk-q1vaAwi3j5hQ/s1600/IMG_1359.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHmJ_EY6MAXMIKdnAQUejgKn-5KZU444wMoDH8Bi068J0GPCC_uwzqvKKy2sSFetWRS30n6SRvMiQb9ZjFBvuNOutxoRtshoGmzTIa95vl5zNcDOzRGsMEBVK0lqdvk-q1vaAwi3j5hQ/s320/IMG_1359.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Two of the blocks say "Mother," though only one has her age! Thinking about how we identify ourselves, it made me wonder just how often these women were called by their given names. I don't think I ever heard my grandfather call my Grandma her name. It was always "Mother." I'd like to think that these women wore beautifully handcrafted aprons, every single day.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNmYeUnyQdt8rcdNQxHXUAT3H2ojvR_9oUIhPiQDzT6fHr4Qdgz83egeNoBr0QD9yj53h7j0c032eEFUny4zk5Vl-x7Hlafh0wUqgo9ggFhkeswvGbbxbb9eVA3T_ORwsRgnK4ERbJdg/s1600/IMG_1357.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNmYeUnyQdt8rcdNQxHXUAT3H2ojvR_9oUIhPiQDzT6fHr4Qdgz83egeNoBr0QD9yj53h7j0c032eEFUny4zk5Vl-x7Hlafh0wUqgo9ggFhkeswvGbbxbb9eVA3T_ORwsRgnK4ERbJdg/s320/IMG_1357.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>The third quilt is a simple bow-tie that must be the newest of the three, judging by the fabric choices. It was gifted to me by the oh so sweet and generous Elaine of Soggy Bottom Quilts. The maker of this quilt used some seriously odd combinations of fabric, but that does just add to it's appeal.<br />
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I don't know if I'll ever quilt these as I have quite a few UFOs of my own, but they are my treasures! I love anything vintage and am so glad that there's still a market for 30s reproductions and that many of the designers use vintage fabrics as their inspiration. <br />
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Have a wonderful and safe Memorial Day weekend. Many thanks to our troops and their families for the sacrifices they make on our behalf. It's a time to send up many prayers and to count our blessings. I'm off to spend the weekend with my two biggest blessings, my husband Drew and son Tade. May you do the same!Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12675830033695986836noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3333946368523564104.post-25374787395890150652011-05-04T10:35:00.000-06:002011-05-04T10:35:26.522-06:00Running on empty<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivEmPnqR_s3JXjMmNHDPzeiNYc5Sn8oDffTmaV2R55Fxwu_JgUwH7a_IuuKe-4ZXi5xG3TLLsTQiUHT7wtlzaytxKAc-503a5h_x8EmEfGEbdhTciifsKv2cLNknyVpDfSVcQJBKPObQ/s1600/IMG_1221.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivEmPnqR_s3JXjMmNHDPzeiNYc5Sn8oDffTmaV2R55Fxwu_JgUwH7a_IuuKe-4ZXi5xG3TLLsTQiUHT7wtlzaytxKAc-503a5h_x8EmEfGEbdhTciifsKv2cLNknyVpDfSVcQJBKPObQ/s320/IMG_1221.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">pretty little pillow to add some color to my dreary day--I'm loving some half square triangles lately!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Do you ever have those times in your life where you feel like you're carrying the weight of at least an elephant if not the world on your shoulders? This is one of those times for me. And I am realizing that something's gotta give! I tend to load my plate so full that I am not even enjoying the process. I'm a yes girl and need to learn the value of the word, "no."<br />
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I'm struggling to balance my creative outlets with family life, work, and other obligations. The lack of balance here really has me questioning the why of many thing that I do.<br />
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Why do I feel the need to do everything? I'm feeling overwhelmed by my current hobbies of sewing, quilting, cooking, baking and yet I dream of weaving and stained glass. I try not to even think about the hobbies that I neglect, like knitting and soap making! Our garden this year is going to be huge, which means time away from what I want to be doing. Before we even have our little seedlings in the ground, I find myself resenting this intrusion on my time.<br />
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I'm constantly raising the decades old question of whether we, as modern women can indeed have it all. While I've never been able to fully discern what having your cake and eating it too really means, I know that I want that cake!!<br />
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I was telling a friend recently that I write hundreds of blog posts in my head that never see the light of day. I want to blog more, and yet it seems to be the one thing that I can let slide. I do feel like my creative endeavors have value and merit and should be shared with my online community. I'm sure my incredibly supportive husband would appreciate a break from me constantly showing him what I'm working on. <br />
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Thanks for "listening," I needed to get that off my chest! Here's to answering no to someone that wants me to hem their pants. May they understand that just because I have a sewing machine and am lucky enough to have a room dedicated to my crap, that doesn't make me a tailor!<br />
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I'm hearing the timer beep on the oven, so I really must go. Once I have the 3 tier cake for 150 people off of my plate maybe I can practice what I preach and not say yes anymore. Once I eat a piece, that is!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5NWVTl3sXzvWe83b0vXHbq3x739uaGT4RNOmNL1exM28vMdr-Q-Phyphenhyphen2csOqPL1kHl_jx1KCj-qThEsFwjkCVxGKL3kNZb0hUCYsI92x-AjjXE26QWb8vpfLMC-SmsChWwXKzhseynSw/s1600/IMG_1313.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div>Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12675830033695986836noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3333946368523564104.post-60039730403963653092011-04-04T15:41:00.000-06:002011-04-04T15:41:47.949-06:00101 Patchwork Projects and Quilts!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglqBy5DJqq0u1Bivs9L8SPB_1hXrJzblrnAtFFTn-zaTKKxnHVBVZ8rxijnwwC36oFwD189rqj8iuUiQkAPqmSDWQrPt-24OJF7PG3nmKcNjQd6sKqme8PfKJIgPftDF9yT_H8sHqy6g/s1600/PT1100.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglqBy5DJqq0u1Bivs9L8SPB_1hXrJzblrnAtFFTn-zaTKKxnHVBVZ8rxijnwwC36oFwD189rqj8iuUiQkAPqmSDWQrPt-24OJF7PG3nmKcNjQd6sKqme8PfKJIgPftDF9yT_H8sHqy6g/s1600/PT1100.jpg" /></a></div>It's here! I'm so excited to have a little project in this <a href="http://www.interweavestore.com/Quilting/Magazines/101-Patchwork-Projects-and-Quilts.html">big magazine</a>! I made nametags for <a href="http://crazymomquilts.blogspot.com/">Amanda's</a> retreat last fall that turned out pretty darn cute. I had a tutorial on my blog for about 5 minutes when <a href="http://sewtakeahike.typepad.com/">Penny</a> suggested that I submit the project for this issue. She has an awesome vase in this issue as well! <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdUpcLUK7Areg_2HuVvuGiIODmvmRN8BFj_QW00dJl-V6b0miQl1E5o70WG8qYXcY9i6OOLZ-sBCnNzSViEfzZt37vGPMSHIUU10GvwMn1PV_PZdXZx3AxqL6jMkl3pEUAwwfV5Q5o2Q/s1600/IMG_1317.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdUpcLUK7Areg_2HuVvuGiIODmvmRN8BFj_QW00dJl-V6b0miQl1E5o70WG8qYXcY9i6OOLZ-sBCnNzSViEfzZt37vGPMSHIUU10GvwMn1PV_PZdXZx3AxqL6jMkl3pEUAwwfV5Q5o2Q/s320/IMG_1317.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>So glad she suggested it as I would never have thought to, and I must say it is very cool seeing a project of mine in a magazine!!! And my husband's words were, "Look at that, I'm in a magazine!" I love that Drew, my mom and mother-in-law were the featured tags! And ready for gifting too!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA_i9XknTRnzH-EybSD10AGWRFYKPRI3mIksw7RPJ5xSFLyUbQSWHHiH0jReVuQl09IrCI_SzO5p0CJABjPF_8vM1_WsNUADGhV2PrdJ3p1LVBrYhcnDJGXmGes1wHiVJ21YB8zSQZbQ/s1600/IMG_1321.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA_i9XknTRnzH-EybSD10AGWRFYKPRI3mIksw7RPJ5xSFLyUbQSWHHiH0jReVuQl09IrCI_SzO5p0CJABjPF_8vM1_WsNUADGhV2PrdJ3p1LVBrYhcnDJGXmGes1wHiVJ21YB8zSQZbQ/s320/IMG_1321.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Here's a few of the tags that did not make the cut, but are nonetheless ready to be tied to a gift too!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8cSJ509e0AQZADrzoIMfHhv8bRgR0FL4dpJMfKV-7IPglOgjvQV_t5SiJRtagoI3PQ2-0mF39TTmpi-gLRxOGaZDWwM7kxJbB0rSWFrxRNAMHGwtrEdBFZtcdjKToh8pbxbRE9jHoiQ/s1600/IMG_1320.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8cSJ509e0AQZADrzoIMfHhv8bRgR0FL4dpJMfKV-7IPglOgjvQV_t5SiJRtagoI3PQ2-0mF39TTmpi-gLRxOGaZDWwM7kxJbB0rSWFrxRNAMHGwtrEdBFZtcdjKToh8pbxbRE9jHoiQ/s320/IMG_1320.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
And the newest batch with a ticker tape twist ready for the retreat with Penny in less than two weeks!! I am so lucky in my crafty friends--blogging and otherwise. This group is going to be so much fun!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigY7-pJHcTj8uGBEzAZG34O1lrSZpjSbjuvd9CYZrpiFN0wpjnN0xGb-Zha3WFebMDDyRXu1QXN9CGdma8MordvE5HVlCjgP12Ohdtfrn-x5NqfBmgEp6agfa3QbHaQNMOS3HwPya8Zw/s1600/IMG_1318.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigY7-pJHcTj8uGBEzAZG34O1lrSZpjSbjuvd9CYZrpiFN0wpjnN0xGb-Zha3WFebMDDyRXu1QXN9CGdma8MordvE5HVlCjgP12Ohdtfrn-x5NqfBmgEp6agfa3QbHaQNMOS3HwPya8Zw/s320/IMG_1318.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Here are a couple of the little projects for the gifts bags! Aren't those dresden pin cushions so cute? It was <a href="http://crazymomquilts.blogspot.com/2011/04/3-things.html">Amanda's</a> idea--her choice of colors is just perfect! And I love the key chains! So quick and easy!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj53mKwDJH1Jxtv7WQhlMByN2tjASy-lOzO50jLFc66UiUjPeWDJcvlEBge7GEqjG3rJ1aCQBKoAu3pp3ece6Kw7ooRJ-179wgAAXbKEmIvPI-Ivtau39WY_4nOWynlgCo3z2cAtEs2mg/s1600/IMG_1319.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj53mKwDJH1Jxtv7WQhlMByN2tjASy-lOzO50jLFc66UiUjPeWDJcvlEBge7GEqjG3rJ1aCQBKoAu3pp3ece6Kw7ooRJ-179wgAAXbKEmIvPI-Ivtau39WY_4nOWynlgCo3z2cAtEs2mg/s320/IMG_1319.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>And a few oilcloth covered grid paper sketch pads. I love these too! Can't wait to start coloring in mine!<br />
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Have a happy week!Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12675830033695986836noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3333946368523564104.post-44571339094421632352011-03-21T00:00:00.000-06:002011-03-21T00:01:07.263-06:00Purses, Bags and More Blog Tour and Giveaway!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDZP9bssb32bmN3tkPPMzrZ5rbDW3QsZFO0qF_qL9327IOvDHKj61n5bLadXB0QNQiGC9wrS8igKk_AcrE86vNE-LsKSH_3LbPoj7rKwt4WShzYz4P9w6ucJw6Cf9EGGhsP2eHrQMjNQ/s1600/PursesBagsMore.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDZP9bssb32bmN3tkPPMzrZ5rbDW3QsZFO0qF_qL9327IOvDHKj61n5bLadXB0QNQiGC9wrS8igKk_AcrE86vNE-LsKSH_3LbPoj7rKwt4WShzYz4P9w6ucJw6Cf9EGGhsP2eHrQMjNQ/s320/PursesBagsMore.jpg" width="256" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZK1YeeJ5p3mvyo2cpuXTKr7vi7wYDChHCWUi4gcz2xvCNSnG9k86w-A-kISGTZaMTVnenCM8IFpasojdReUahW20B_wPqwJ_1ErzUzU7B0aQV2-SzJ0ff7YNXuSA5VSPUs8LwY5hALQ/s1600/PosyPatchwork.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div>Welcome! We're starting off the week of a great new book's tour here at tinkerfrog. I was asked by<a href="http://www.clotilde.com/detail.html?prod_id=14546&source=blogtour%20"> Clotilde</a> to join in and review a pattern from Pearl Louise Krush's book<i> <a href="http://www.clotilde.com/detail.html?prod_id=14546&source=blogtour%20">Purses, Bags and More</a></i>. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZK1YeeJ5p3mvyo2cpuXTKr7vi7wYDChHCWUi4gcz2xvCNSnG9k86w-A-kISGTZaMTVnenCM8IFpasojdReUahW20B_wPqwJ_1ErzUzU7B0aQV2-SzJ0ff7YNXuSA5VSPUs8LwY5hALQ/s1600/PosyPatchwork.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZK1YeeJ5p3mvyo2cpuXTKr7vi7wYDChHCWUi4gcz2xvCNSnG9k86w-A-kISGTZaMTVnenCM8IFpasojdReUahW20B_wPqwJ_1ErzUzU7B0aQV2-SzJ0ff7YNXuSA5VSPUs8LwY5hALQ/s320/PosyPatchwork.jpg" width="250" /></a></div>My pattern to review is the Posy Patchwork. It is so sweet. This book is full of great tips and techniques for personalizing bags for any occasion.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy_Bd18aAVPBryeCsmBHSykV5maNsxVMs4QVaHXxzqggp_WD_iDZNKa5zkttU43bAGUgRfqtqRiDBX7EPWXBISoWdgiCntzlf2ck5XPuX89u4b7gTxgQBuu0FwMKhYP0RnhKo1ZFO7Qw/s1600/photo+3%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy_Bd18aAVPBryeCsmBHSykV5maNsxVMs4QVaHXxzqggp_WD_iDZNKa5zkttU43bAGUgRfqtqRiDBX7EPWXBISoWdgiCntzlf2ck5XPuX89u4b7gTxgQBuu0FwMKhYP0RnhKo1ZFO7Qw/s320/photo+3%25282%2529.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>Here is my scrappy version of the bag! My friend <a href="http://www.sparrowsandspools.blogspot.com%20/">Caitlyn</a> is moving to San Diego for a music therapy internship and I whipped this up for her as a knitting bag. All of those pockets on the outside will be perfect for this! I loved the use of binding on the top edge. It really took the pain out of trying to turn the bag inside out. I machine stitched the binding down, rather than hand sewing it, which was painless!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfoQAK2kjx8PErY2x9GBkLge1AeFqfvKkQGgyFXkopPHo6l9RCNh_IjlvE_HEUhUHNNPiwe4pAvQ2YM4IcQUSvUyniKT0yhlSoeI38tQ9feXCxya72OFkAXeeQrbUMVr37-xhPhl6Mpg/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfoQAK2kjx8PErY2x9GBkLge1AeFqfvKkQGgyFXkopPHo6l9RCNh_IjlvE_HEUhUHNNPiwe4pAvQ2YM4IcQUSvUyniKT0yhlSoeI38tQ9feXCxya72OFkAXeeQrbUMVr37-xhPhl6Mpg/s320/photo+1.JPG" width="240" /></a></div> <br />
The only fabrics that I repeated were all of the linings. She has great cutting instructions that made figuring out how to cut the sizes needed very simple. <br />
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You can find the book <a href="http://www.clotilde.com/detail.html?prod_id=14546&source=blogtour%20">here</a>. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did! If you'd like a chance to win a copy, just leave a comment making sure I can contact you if you win! I'll pick a winner on Friday, March 25 at the end of the tour.<br />
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Be sure to check out more projects from the book on the blog tour!<br />
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Tuesday, March 22--Cindy of <a href="http://www.sew-blessed.blogspot.com/">Sew Blessed</a><br />
Wednesday, March 23--Stephanie of <a href="http://www.unfinishedprojectparty.com/">Unfinished Project Party</a><br />
Thursday, March 24--Ruth of <a href="http://sewchic.blogspot.com/">Sew Chic</a><br />
Friday, March 25-- Julie of <a href="http://www.fromthesehands.net/">From These Hands</a><br />
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Have a happy Monday!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfoQAK2kjx8PErY2x9GBkLge1AeFqfvKkQGgyFXkopPHo6l9RCNh_IjlvE_HEUhUHNNPiwe4pAvQ2YM4IcQUSvUyniKT0yhlSoeI38tQ9feXCxya72OFkAXeeQrbUMVr37-xhPhl6Mpg/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDZP9bssb32bmN3tkPPMzrZ5rbDW3QsZFO0qF_qL9327IOvDHKj61n5bLadXB0QNQiGC9wrS8igKk_AcrE86vNE-LsKSH_3LbPoj7rKwt4WShzYz4P9w6ucJw6Cf9EGGhsP2eHrQMjNQ/s1600/PursesBagsMore.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div>Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12675830033695986836noreply@blogger.com29tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3333946368523564104.post-21447201460510741022011-03-08T21:22:00.000-07:002011-03-08T21:22:35.718-07:00Compromising your values<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2LYcely4IrXvhfRqzucko_D5sT0Ta5gMxX3ilIe4ZSU71zv_0UkzP-NemnR8Uc73ubBUUrhm63zPv7FZxxiFpgueHnPgs9r0FuBzzSxb9nDnLpD1lMfATgBz1oODCQVOyvx4fNAyGLA/s1600/discharged+fabricdetail.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2LYcely4IrXvhfRqzucko_D5sT0Ta5gMxX3ilIe4ZSU71zv_0UkzP-NemnR8Uc73ubBUUrhm63zPv7FZxxiFpgueHnPgs9r0FuBzzSxb9nDnLpD1lMfATgBz1oODCQVOyvx4fNAyGLA/s320/discharged+fabricdetail.JPG" width="320" /></a></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;">Lots of fun and frustration was had at my house playing with bleach, vinegar and fabric recently. I got some plexiglass circles and triangles to try some of the techniques from <a href="http://stitchindye.blogspot.com/">Malka Dubrawsky's</a><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Color-Your-Cloth-Quilters-Patterning/dp/1600595138"> Color Your Cloth</a>. I got the book when it first came out in 2009 and have wanted to try this since, but just got the "tools" for Christmas. It isn't as easy as it looks, but I loved her results! So, in an effort to get a similar effect without wasting any more fabric, I discharged some squares and sewed them into half square triangles with their original counterparts to great effect. I LOVE this!!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVU9W0_IbySDSad0HpkNA0EZhxRfQV75MkIa_r_0ueuvj8NVkcduz0ZCaMKWf0LxA9vvqY0mKZI9oXtj_PiuTVSZKeqqoejqLFsj2VpbytUztygtT2vn0UGaoUOZqXLuC1z6TiNL9lTw/s1600/IMG_1204.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVU9W0_IbySDSad0HpkNA0EZhxRfQV75MkIa_r_0ueuvj8NVkcduz0ZCaMKWf0LxA9vvqY0mKZI9oXtj_PiuTVSZKeqqoejqLFsj2VpbytUztygtT2vn0UGaoUOZqXLuC1z6TiNL9lTw/s320/IMG_1204.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The half square triangles, which I have quite an obsession with anyway, became these pillows. This technique naturally lent itself to a layout highlighting the values. Simple outline quilting left these so stinking soft! And by stinking I don't mean that they reek of bleach. The technique of bleaching, counteracting the bleach with vinegar and rinsing, left them smelling pretty good from the get go!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Did I mention how naughty it feels to deliberately bleach Flea Market Fancy? Good naughty. But maybe that's just because it worked! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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I'll be teaching these pillows at <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mama-Said-Sew/179893960031">Mama Said Sew</a> as a two part class on Mondays April 4th and 11th. The class schedule should be announced soon! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And we have a few spots left at our <a href="http://www.innatcitypark.com/quilt.html">spring retreat</a> with<a href="http://sewtakeahike.typepad.com/"> sewtakeahike</a>! Just so you know, I host awesome retreats--so if you're on the fence, let my culinary degree help entice you! Good, good food. Great workshops. Incredible laughter(I'm pretty funny , too!). And in short, an experience you'll want to make an annual event! Hope to see you there!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPnPOAPBWGHbYo03mLTO61VXa6E-h7gt_sLG6-vog-27MqCrajroT6Nm2pL6UGb376Q6Y9qFd_6d4Bs_x9f2a75-sNIvaygAQ_Xi5gjgPQrR9m6HIcckzbMrQBEGfg5DunGNk0ZEnwdA/s1600/compromised+pillow+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
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</a></div>Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12675830033695986836noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3333946368523564104.post-41563587168401034972011-03-04T08:52:00.000-07:002011-03-04T08:52:36.566-07:00Wickedly belated, but better late than neverLast summer, I bought yards and yards of fabric to make Tade a quilt for his birthday in August. A week before his birthday, I frantically spent a couple of hours throwing together some huge rectangles of fabric into something approximating a quilt top. Two days before his birthday, I had it basted and planned on some straight-ish line quilting about an inch apart. I got about 8 inches of it quilted before his birthday.<br />
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It then became a "Christmas" quilt. I got about 7 more inches done and hung it in the closet for when I got better at straight line quilting.<br />
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Fast forward to last Saturday, when I talked to <a href="http://crazymomquilts.blogspot.com/">Amanda</a> (she was making foccacia and had some questions). I keep talking about all of these projects that I want to make but am stifled by my WIPs. I cannot justify starting something new until I get some of this done. I need the space; I need them out of my head and weighing me down.<br />
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So, she "assigned" me 15 rows of stitches to get done this week and recommended lengthening my stitch length to fix my struggles with my walking foot(this was suggested months ago--I obviously hadn't tried it yet). Wow. I spent about 16 of the next 24 hours finishing the quilting, and had the binding sewn down by 10:30 pm on Sunday.<br />
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What an awesome feeling! Tade told me that it's lovely and beautiful. And I love it. It's not much to look at from a piecing stand point, but I love it's simplicity.<br />
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And it's twin sized and he sleeps in a full size bed. Always has. I must have hoped that he'll still be using this quilt when he goes off to college as it would fit a dorm bed perfectly. (photo taken at the <a href="http://www.innatcitypark.com/">Inn at City Park</a>, because the full sized bed just wasn't doing it for me!)<br />
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All of the fabrics are American Jane--I love the vintage aesthetic and the bright colors! I bound it in the black Punctuation and love how scrappy that made it look.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxWEGYo7aMZmdPa3c-sOWcPhQENZUVivUYKTvdHgpNXEqzUgNyPhJJossmbdgQk8nSHqSVPsD77PMVhQhXAgwHcCpwqow6aiX3juvTa26I-B7zz3Bd7nWbO_pGd658pC-HTbeQV1jeMA/s1600/IMG_1210.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxWEGYo7aMZmdPa3c-sOWcPhQENZUVivUYKTvdHgpNXEqzUgNyPhJJossmbdgQk8nSHqSVPsD77PMVhQhXAgwHcCpwqow6aiX3juvTa26I-B7zz3Bd7nWbO_pGd658pC-HTbeQV1jeMA/s320/IMG_1210.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
Of course i have no pictures of that, so you'll have to take my word for it! It's backed with a sheet. That worked pretty well for me, I'll be doing that again!<br />
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Thanks, Amanda! What should I work on this week?Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12675830033695986836noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3333946368523564104.post-80533908196799235092011-02-28T00:00:00.001-07:002011-02-28T00:00:12.452-07:00I love a good moleskine!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFPlq17P5t0Qr8u2xxP9bt9t-t9l1cj3USfrdFgRKSVCfzlS8cbPwX-48lgoaxFfDD9e6I6-UShObzhWWTSPwDY4xOkFf0tiZMog0R9PAggEYi1b3mmTnk40E77j11bVfyCdDd5xI_sA/s1600/001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFPlq17P5t0Qr8u2xxP9bt9t-t9l1cj3USfrdFgRKSVCfzlS8cbPwX-48lgoaxFfDD9e6I6-UShObzhWWTSPwDY4xOkFf0tiZMog0R9PAggEYi1b3mmTnk40E77j11bVfyCdDd5xI_sA/s320/001.JPG" width="240" /></a></div> For my mom's birthday I embellished a <a href="http://www.moleskines.com/">moleskine</a> journal for her using some of my echino and Ruby Star Rising scraps. I love these scraps and could happily use them for years!!<br />
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I don't know what it is about a moleskine(it could simply be the seemingly random e on the end), but I'm happy if I've got one in every drawer, pocket, bag and car. Ever so handy, and light years cooler than a post-it!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeBHvekfatAvxuCmimqn3cCoyncV4qWpxyj7YauN5Ic5NXogWLWY6uSqrlOEQKxakUy6QnaCXoCw_WcDcMmsmkU0V7y1lWg1TKs_Bqzr1fnocmOApvvQQ34nYeRft4frHqfxpxOxpHPQ/s1600/002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeBHvekfatAvxuCmimqn3cCoyncV4qWpxyj7YauN5Ic5NXogWLWY6uSqrlOEQKxakUy6QnaCXoCw_WcDcMmsmkU0V7y1lWg1TKs_Bqzr1fnocmOApvvQQ34nYeRft4frHqfxpxOxpHPQ/s320/002.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>A little finishing touch of a tinkerfrog label, just because I can. Thanks to my sweet Drew for following my instructions on what to order for Christmas to the letter! Good job, honey!Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12675830033695986836noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3333946368523564104.post-2064228290667954672011-02-25T08:10:00.000-07:002011-02-25T08:10:56.275-07:00Really Rather Random<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih73Pdqdw-m5s8pyTNNDFei1bzuZNzgaGCzI1rHn_uk1k802CMY-dzLi4V2qTS7_HSHbfaM1uxesCOFnxvuxwOIdh87e37NABz_gHCHT3Q-cO1nod7hyphenhyphens4yN7oVYAm5-RfE8ppV2KKzQ/s1600/003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih73Pdqdw-m5s8pyTNNDFei1bzuZNzgaGCzI1rHn_uk1k802CMY-dzLi4V2qTS7_HSHbfaM1uxesCOFnxvuxwOIdh87e37NABz_gHCHT3Q-cO1nod7hyphenhyphens4yN7oVYAm5-RfE8ppV2KKzQ/s320/003.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> Here's my current knit-in-progress, the lovely <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/wispy-cardi">Wispy Card</a>i(Ravelry link), in the oh, so soft Malabrigo lace. I'm teaching this class at <a href="http://www.mysisterknits.com/">My Sister Knit</a>s in April, so am making this as the class sample. It's not moving as fast as I would have hoped. In fact, I need to stop sewing for a while, which isn't cool at all.<br />
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I need to find my knitting mojo, because I'm missing it! I used to be able to knit for hours and hours. Now I can sew for hours and hours without a break, but can't find that zen space that knitting used to take me to. Any suggestions?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieHXKSA9ngquoPkDOzz3zwFdYqewj6evkMG2OvnkfQgSRcZbhRZa76aLO2LF_Ux9XFqsKgybuxZY7cfqKZvFVrKjv04zSVMN91xs2Drty5zZ_tUvOHNyXGOfILpSUnAUVNhRhBRIvUpg/s1600/006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieHXKSA9ngquoPkDOzz3zwFdYqewj6evkMG2OvnkfQgSRcZbhRZa76aLO2LF_Ux9XFqsKgybuxZY7cfqKZvFVrKjv04zSVMN91xs2Drty5zZ_tUvOHNyXGOfILpSUnAUVNhRhBRIvUpg/s320/006.JPG" width="240" /></a></div> Here's a little shot cotton <a href="http://thesillyboodilly.blogspot.com/2010/07/pojagi-machine-stitch-seam-tutorial.html">pojagi</a> that I've been playing with. If I get the urge, it will gain a few more feet and get hemmed to be a lightweight scarf. If not, I like it hanging in the window!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixtZXnUOqW24JM-DQxTZVInc9ONLxz4ZMkkxSWlA1OVzAlqOawbamFMYtaaH_7M8xrIQ7xqUPP0gQqfMJ8fKxtfBvAfLF9jbAZleQ46PpOQ495rLFJYVe4PDUlm8-ay_v10RVqv6KPjw/s1600/007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixtZXnUOqW24JM-DQxTZVInc9ONLxz4ZMkkxSWlA1OVzAlqOawbamFMYtaaH_7M8xrIQ7xqUPP0gQqfMJ8fKxtfBvAfLF9jbAZleQ46PpOQ495rLFJYVe4PDUlm8-ay_v10RVqv6KPjw/s320/007.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> <a href="http://crazymomquilts.blogspot.com/">Amanda Jean</a> and I hit the jackpot when I was visiting her at the beginning of the month! We were at her <a href="http://www.colorcrossing.com/">local yarn shop</a> and were directed to a table of free fabric in the back room! With quilting on the brain, we weren't expecting much, but found loads of vintage silks that are so, so luscious. I really wish you could all feel these. They are the reason people crazy quilted. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6qU5KPtjTzyoGLK996SswTKuR9noWwYbpE6j661bKN4ycz9RxedoDzdjMgPVfK_N1ui-IyE5uihnq9F24jKHRWHpuI-XbMLAywonGLXf3_2WC0OpyFkdisVB93UjihsrGvH9JljD03w/s1600/009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6qU5KPtjTzyoGLK996SswTKuR9noWwYbpE6j661bKN4ycz9RxedoDzdjMgPVfK_N1ui-IyE5uihnq9F24jKHRWHpuI-XbMLAywonGLXf3_2WC0OpyFkdisVB93UjihsrGvH9JljD03w/s320/009.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>That little green, red and white bit up there? Amanda Jean hated it, so it all came home with me. Lucky me!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtcMkRwOqoj7NH2Q0CHeJRjkWAtO5SQXdek2GyiPYW9MUKG1oroEoxE9Yo9f3xunzAeY6-Td_ELSAt_0AY9NWvA_BAjHEE_sEpxpd3ApueVBC7GIdubXWBTRIbysQvQIPIp74KLw86gw/s1600/lets_quilt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtcMkRwOqoj7NH2Q0CHeJRjkWAtO5SQXdek2GyiPYW9MUKG1oroEoxE9Yo9f3xunzAeY6-Td_ELSAt_0AY9NWvA_BAjHEE_sEpxpd3ApueVBC7GIdubXWBTRIbysQvQIPIp74KLw86gw/s320/lets_quilt.jpg" width="197" /></a></div><br />
In other news, we will be having another quilting retreat in April! Penny of <a href="http://sewtakeahike.typepad.com/">sewtakeahike</a> will be teaching block design and construction--if you've never checked out her blog, you're in for some serious eye candy! I'm very excited for this one, as I always am! I cannot emphasize just how much fun they are!<br />
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The price includes 5 meals, and all the workshops for only $250.00! It really is such a good deal. Rooms at the inn are available on a first come first serve basis as well. For more information, go <a href="http://www.innatcitypark.com/quilt.html">here</a>! We really hope to see you there!Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12675830033695986836noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3333946368523564104.post-75450180945257166642011-02-22T15:39:00.000-07:002011-02-22T15:39:37.929-07:00Cogsmo Explorer<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgG0ZN-f6NwU1VJ6fXRwuyhTfEiaHAAoTNl6Fwh2NfK189m5Zcbva0h2EIOTwHpkDBBmyZxss6Fz6MWe2VojZsafJtsQdrco0IAxqo5xUWtXOow6QCLkl8H600Aj4njUBNjG3WI7AFTw/s1600/001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgG0ZN-f6NwU1VJ6fXRwuyhTfEiaHAAoTNl6Fwh2NfK189m5Zcbva0h2EIOTwHpkDBBmyZxss6Fz6MWe2VojZsafJtsQdrco0IAxqo5xUWtXOow6QCLkl8H600Aj4njUBNjG3WI7AFTw/s320/001.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> Many thanks to <a href="http://www.cluckclucksew.com/2011/02/protection-for-leapster.html">Cluck, Cluck, Sew</a> for giving me the impetus to make this much needed bag! Santa brought Tade a Leapster Explorer for Christmas and I've looked for the carrying case each and every time I'm at a store that supposedly carries them. Why hadn't I made this before I'll never know. <br />
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I got to use some of the Cogsmo by Cosmo Cricket that is one of my all time favorite prints for little boys!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZclo9FrIio30qKBD7G5ORBp8bijyW23zjpOBD-_4Q-0YIAe9BJwivguz0lf8aA6TL8xIMsIjxJ-J9gyWfdCARKMpp7AoqgLBQzSHzPnEptxt8adzh81kytAcRUYt13Y9K2m-gAOqCnA/s1600/002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZclo9FrIio30qKBD7G5ORBp8bijyW23zjpOBD-_4Q-0YIAe9BJwivguz0lf8aA6TL8xIMsIjxJ-J9gyWfdCARKMpp7AoqgLBQzSHzPnEptxt8adzh81kytAcRUYt13Y9K2m-gAOqCnA/s320/002.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>He had very specific instructions on how deep the pockets should be for the games. This means that they fall out of said pockets each and every time he zips it shut and carries it around. He then places them back in said pockets with a measured patience.<br />
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Now if only he would take that patience and do the learning parts of the games instead of handing them to us to "find the letters" so he can get back to the "good" part--killing the bad guys. Oh, and I'm wondering too, why did Santa get him that Dora game?Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12675830033695986836noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3333946368523564104.post-36045168939928870672011-02-08T13:48:00.000-07:002011-02-08T13:48:37.423-07:00I might have a small problem....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYDqEFv6zPijn8A6ORAtkCgZQ8fOFdIbR6Hbhga3sAegDNE76PUmSJfW51U3v3eifwBRNbyYyi-1r1PWZP5tY8Pb31aBxUrBCcLG2vyXV_lars1mb48VjgIgeyBTh9gcAYTUihTh5Mpw/s1600/003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYDqEFv6zPijn8A6ORAtkCgZQ8fOFdIbR6Hbhga3sAegDNE76PUmSJfW51U3v3eifwBRNbyYyi-1r1PWZP5tY8Pb31aBxUrBCcLG2vyXV_lars1mb48VjgIgeyBTh9gcAYTUihTh5Mpw/s320/003.JPG" width="240" /></a></div> I just got home from visiting the oh so wonderful <a href="http://crazymomquilts.blogspot.com/2011/02/crazy-quilting-with-free-fabric-from.html">Amanda Jean</a>. I feel so blessed to call her a friend and so lucky to get to spend some quality time being crafty. The downside is that I came home with about 25 new projects and ideas. I dove right in on a project I'm calling the "Minis." I think I'm going to start making everything small. These 9-patches and lone wonky star finish at 1 1/2 "!!!!! (the wonky star is about an inch thick with all of those seams, but it had to be done!)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmSgIdBBEbPU35MIVR0MrVh1-pLfCRhRqSYb2xDTbtI9ZeLkjKWjAj3y6BeaS0XP11CPv5gi8xAspP5s9ZUP39ZZdwpCe5z_SG83QS4dLEZQgzP4hX2FBsPf-Tj7RpImDg0B-eRLooGQ/s1600/005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmSgIdBBEbPU35MIVR0MrVh1-pLfCRhRqSYb2xDTbtI9ZeLkjKWjAj3y6BeaS0XP11CPv5gi8xAspP5s9ZUP39ZZdwpCe5z_SG83QS4dLEZQgzP4hX2FBsPf-Tj7RpImDg0B-eRLooGQ/s320/005.JPG" width="240" /></a></div> They are <i>achingly cute</i>. In fact they might be making my teeth hurt. Or that might be the large number of kolaches I've eaten since Dana at the <a href="http://oldredbarnco.blogspot.com/2011/02/kolaches-part-deux.html">Old Red Barn</a> posted her recipe yesterday and I all but ran to the kitchen to get the dough rising. So good. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Rdz4DdABo56_ZJ73v2a8EKYuXXJKHjzNiIGygf6qoPqhQMuISXh-i3UuTLsJ6EX21Mv0XBPZ0p3YIZviN6Qx7yBlLosnkxlAeKpZByGlDsyI3qnndBNu1UC2mJIhI4DcZ4-d4Y_V5w/s1600/006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Rdz4DdABo56_ZJ73v2a8EKYuXXJKHjzNiIGygf6qoPqhQMuISXh-i3UuTLsJ6EX21Mv0XBPZ0p3YIZviN6Qx7yBlLosnkxlAeKpZByGlDsyI3qnndBNu1UC2mJIhI4DcZ4-d4Y_V5w/s320/006.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>How can you not just smile when you see this? I think there will be many more minis in my future!Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12675830033695986836noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3333946368523564104.post-14122689622102317142011-01-26T08:31:00.000-07:002011-01-26T08:31:34.755-07:00Ba dunk ba dunk--OR--Where to put your trash<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPjYNiNFpOyo7rnvYBhxxiMlYZ-NrDTTXoTkHKeIvwTdAK3NEyg67Prq_yGtjrfBU0D8-99HnnXTlrnTKB66VuZFSoApf5VJyJBz_hz9_cqYfq-XpABbOHR698iQcQwG1ILea8o5FdYg/s1600/IMG_1151.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br />
</a><br />
So, the Boy--4 years old now!-- asks why I never clean my car. I look around. Front seat, clean. Floors, clean enough. Back seat, tornado of 4-year-old-ness. And, yet, it is "my mess"<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp-KBhehTZTXUC1NdWftOg7IM7zuG-x5Gb8LY6eP8AD-2XhhjK1yQynuoEzvn7yd6zS4qeBY8VOxsHlCRF3hXJdy1oLYQW5GtVJ0aBNZqRyfGo_iZmCBHsuWs0sw9gEYBEcHpXPL0oNg/s1600/IMG_1155.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp-KBhehTZTXUC1NdWftOg7IM7zuG-x5Gb8LY6eP8AD-2XhhjK1yQynuoEzvn7yd6zS4qeBY8VOxsHlCRF3hXJdy1oLYQW5GtVJ0aBNZqRyfGo_iZmCBHsuWs0sw9gEYBEcHpXPL0oNg/s320/IMG_1155.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
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The birth of the back seat hanging trash/toy bin was imminent. Version 1 and 4 can be viewed together in the above picture of this tutorial. Versions 2 and 3 are in my sister and mother's cars. My 5 year old niece informed me that I had one hour before they left in order to make them for her and Grandma, so I stepped on it! Nothing like a deadline! So, if you take the time to read this and have the materials on hand, you, too, can be on the path to a clean(er) car!!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKQvbEsWXNwEmmDTdKn-24ZbkZKIDaxxXy23z3TmumsJxdG_KFaQvxTqUTDcq_dkTJNTGYn9onRpyqT79UzhotJOwXFlpVe8mNWWdgyW43hFEdm-M6fweeyDd4jdnuzXX1Nl1I-260_Q/s1600/IMG_1138.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKQvbEsWXNwEmmDTdKn-24ZbkZKIDaxxXy23z3TmumsJxdG_KFaQvxTqUTDcq_dkTJNTGYn9onRpyqT79UzhotJOwXFlpVe8mNWWdgyW43hFEdm-M6fweeyDd4jdnuzXX1Nl1I-260_Q/s320/IMG_1138.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Materials: 2- 12" squares oilcloth or laminated fabric. 2- 12" squares cotton or home dec weight fabric. 2- 18" x 2" strips of fabric.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb6PaUldfOimWIsQg6i2z1H3m97SYD8oxVjd4DexIOD72br1TMSUHcOnaQhBPfCIyXyz-D5yPysF0jH6k9U0ducyHrcMayR4v0izG4NLa6j2cw7jfHCiSZp4Z1ti__JoJlFzU4bLSdjQ/s1600/IMG_1143.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb6PaUldfOimWIsQg6i2z1H3m97SYD8oxVjd4DexIOD72br1TMSUHcOnaQhBPfCIyXyz-D5yPysF0jH6k9U0ducyHrcMayR4v0izG4NLa6j2cw7jfHCiSZp4Z1ti__JoJlFzU4bLSdjQ/s320/IMG_1143.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Press the 18" x 2" strips in half lengthwise, fold open and turn the raw edges to the center crease and press. Edge-stitch around both straps. (I left the ends of the straps raw in versions 1, 2 and 3, but for the purposes of this tutorial that I'm sharing with the public, I didn't want anyone thinking me lazy, so made nice neat pointed ends on these straps!)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-OWNpaZxYnxjt-8VT_I5PfgjTbQkNvhTv6NRcC8RwEvhspyOH3H4arkUz-yZP1732qaXUtrH55FEYuCQu1xwGf_hC5p6SCu0iPdoisjSK2HXfmC2JzVtoGk47S9-15zZ_1GbhMa-igQ/s1600/IMG_1144.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-OWNpaZxYnxjt-8VT_I5PfgjTbQkNvhTv6NRcC8RwEvhspyOH3H4arkUz-yZP1732qaXUtrH55FEYuCQu1xwGf_hC5p6SCu0iPdoisjSK2HXfmC2JzVtoGk47S9-15zZ_1GbhMa-igQ/s320/IMG_1144.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>With the right sides together and a 1/4" seam, stitch the sides of the outer fabric together on three sides. Repeat with oil-cloth or laminated fabric.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIB010QNbYkx604CXg5kbJfLlQtO0b6YkA7Iy8vosu17v7gl0Fbjxc0GLojMSD02pYdtZVHR4voLl17mQrK57QCmeVEKDWTqbAvghFU-Bs9nW_OgR7c-BrE7taFabq2YjEbCDjPNoMuw/s1600/IMG_1145.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIB010QNbYkx604CXg5kbJfLlQtO0b6YkA7Iy8vosu17v7gl0Fbjxc0GLojMSD02pYdtZVHR4voLl17mQrK57QCmeVEKDWTqbAvghFU-Bs9nW_OgR7c-BrE7taFabq2YjEbCDjPNoMuw/s320/IMG_1145.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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To make gussets, nest the seams of the outer fabric and oil-cloth at both bottom corners, and pin in place. Measure 2" along the seam line. Use disappearing ink to mark the stitch line where the seam line measures 2" from the corner and the width measures 4." Stitch along these lines on all four corners, outer and oil-cloth.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7OaUlZpFxHslQC6EV2DZ8VfadRQ7wCNHEgQeZ-GMDiCnIwAnQhvxtgabwNdndIXF348s8b622ut1AEupG8m3kNs-FA0kYBoLgh4Bg22_guPVBiZWW4Ud33T3_moL0A2RVczw8PK9pfg/s1600/IMG_1148.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7OaUlZpFxHslQC6EV2DZ8VfadRQ7wCNHEgQeZ-GMDiCnIwAnQhvxtgabwNdndIXF348s8b622ut1AEupG8m3kNs-FA0kYBoLgh4Bg22_guPVBiZWW4Ud33T3_moL0A2RVczw8PK9pfg/s320/IMG_1148.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Turn outer fabric right side out and keep inner fabric wrong side out. I left the fabric in place after sewing the gussets to add some more stability to the bag.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDcOJ4RvFWh8j2t0sQVaYLHQ0FDYf8BfwjpK6DAj9ZiB2INCxmHqvzfCDVe1wieQmKpdJorUEKxb3Jt6Ei-YXUthmakj4n_f6iJlZNr0I0jyOhL6Swrc83kedHNHLNnXqb6lHIczKHfg/s1600/IMG_1149.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDcOJ4RvFWh8j2t0sQVaYLHQ0FDYf8BfwjpK6DAj9ZiB2INCxmHqvzfCDVe1wieQmKpdJorUEKxb3Jt6Ei-YXUthmakj4n_f6iJlZNr0I0jyOhL6Swrc83kedHNHLNnXqb6lHIczKHfg/s320/IMG_1149.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
On outer fabric, measure 2 1/2" toward the center from each seam and pin raw edges of straps in place. Baste 1/8" from fabric edge<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiucdeUeozNM3ZC4OirkS0X87xiZ0Vi05h0uZJAH_SB955u8eUCpK8DZeYSi1xLPf2HaTP9-cL1uA7ObHjxg7PWcAnE7NPbXQkzux-N5MTLQ4XX4Qe0oWyl22sdUvG4DHguntR76zRM3g/s1600/IMG_1150.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiucdeUeozNM3ZC4OirkS0X87xiZ0Vi05h0uZJAH_SB955u8eUCpK8DZeYSi1xLPf2HaTP9-cL1uA7ObHjxg7PWcAnE7NPbXQkzux-N5MTLQ4XX4Qe0oWyl22sdUvG4DHguntR76zRM3g/s320/IMG_1150.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Place the outer fabric--inside-- right sides together with the bag interior. Match seams and pin well.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPjYNiNFpOyo7rnvYBhxxiMlYZ-NrDTTXoTkHKeIvwTdAK3NEyg67Prq_yGtjrfBU0D8-99HnnXTlrnTKB66VuZFSoApf5VJyJBz_hz9_cqYfq-XpABbOHR698iQcQwG1ILea8o5FdYg/s1600/IMG_1151.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPjYNiNFpOyo7rnvYBhxxiMlYZ-NrDTTXoTkHKeIvwTdAK3NEyg67Prq_yGtjrfBU0D8-99HnnXTlrnTKB66VuZFSoApf5VJyJBz_hz9_cqYfq-XpABbOHR698iQcQwG1ILea8o5FdYg/s320/IMG_1151.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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Sew around top of bag interior and outer fabric with a 1/4" seam, leaving a 4" opening for turning. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigI0uA9cSlz5d8SYhI9KG0GGL34fqaVQfo58x_3ykuHaLPqsnQdY8o5xP9C2Ef3fn_4w7xIk7n89QRaNUFdoro3uymOtWExXhC5ZHqiN1p5guhpJjY02udkWl8A_1cGJgExUNCmIeG1A/s1600/IMG_1152.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigI0uA9cSlz5d8SYhI9KG0GGL34fqaVQfo58x_3ykuHaLPqsnQdY8o5xP9C2Ef3fn_4w7xIk7n89QRaNUFdoro3uymOtWExXhC5ZHqiN1p5guhpJjY02udkWl8A_1cGJgExUNCmIeG1A/s320/IMG_1152.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Pull fabric through opening, turning right sides out. Make sure to have some legos on hand in case you're bored by this project.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2BiKL0kIUXyMzJbCoMpOskZPS1BqJYDw3fJSi2Z9h7VTopTZdEMdRjfdXJJB_Ax_ALc9wPzSJbL1hdDHy8GgdJOhaHXRPShpDKDnic8pkg1ceCUnGYs7KRUGjcbmy3S09er1CnHWgpQ/s1600/IMG_1153.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2BiKL0kIUXyMzJbCoMpOskZPS1BqJYDw3fJSi2Z9h7VTopTZdEMdRjfdXJJB_Ax_ALc9wPzSJbL1hdDHy8GgdJOhaHXRPShpDKDnic8pkg1ceCUnGYs7KRUGjcbmy3S09er1CnHWgpQ/s320/IMG_1153.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
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Edge stitch around top of the bag, closing opening as you go. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY5YRlQuj6f0TQPk_BkOV2ej66L_uf7cNnMnTByGG5xbG1AMAvwALfQxEJSscq0l6zDDL1QoIr1ZNugS9f7VG_PdZdjBSU3Y46p74KyioWuGJDHYMKVDnO38GJEbNX7rnlc4SSZoT6_g/s1600/IMG_1154.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY5YRlQuj6f0TQPk_BkOV2ej66L_uf7cNnMnTByGG5xbG1AMAvwALfQxEJSscq0l6zDDL1QoIr1ZNugS9f7VG_PdZdjBSU3Y46p74KyioWuGJDHYMKVDnO38GJEbNX7rnlc4SSZoT6_g/s320/IMG_1154.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigI0uA9cSlz5d8SYhI9KG0GGL34fqaVQfo58x_3ykuHaLPqsnQdY8o5xP9C2Ef3fn_4w7xIk7n89QRaNUFdoro3uymOtWExXhC5ZHqiN1p5guhpJjY02udkWl8A_1cGJgExUNCmIeG1A/s1600/IMG_1152.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div>Lift the headrest in your car and tie around posts. Lower the headrest to hide the ends. Let your children play basketball with their trash and enjoy a cleaner car!Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12675830033695986836noreply@blogger.com54tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3333946368523564104.post-66811469048744643942010-12-01T21:07:00.000-07:002010-12-01T21:07:23.024-07:00The Frugal Reality!So--I LOVE MaryEllen's Best Press. It smells awesome, it works great. It does everything it says it's going to. But I can't afford it. $50.00 a gallon translates to about 5 yards of fabric--6 or 7 if I hit a sale! (So, if you're looking for gift ideas....)<br />
<br />
I make my own starch!<br />
<br />
I have a 16 oz spray bottle(yes, I use my empty MaryEllen's!)<br />
<br />
Fill with H2O--otherwise known as tap water!! <br />
add 1 1/2 tsp corn starch --which is always in my kitchen anyway!<br />
add 2-3 drops lavender essential oil--(If you're not already adding a couple of drops of this<br />
to your bath, why not?)<br />
(do not use any citrus or other oils with any "color to them")<br />
<br />
<br />
I use lavender or geranium essential oils in mine, and find that the starch doesn't leave residue and the oils don't leave marks---<br />
BUT if you find that yours does, pour some out and add more water. Or skip the Essential oils if you're worried about that. I have no issues with flaking, Make sure to shake well before each use!<br />
<br />
Makes a great and easy gift for any quilter or sewist-- add a fat quarter or two and make someone really happy!Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12675830033695986836noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3333946368523564104.post-56342742352419664662010-11-18T09:53:00.000-07:002010-11-18T09:53:43.181-07:00"Oh my Heck," that was better than last year<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwOPa4e-fNlMyYF7-7JLMYskHxGcpHstqkHkyHXEq0Zg-M9ctz6f2tW8-shATxDxpJR4dXTjzJ1aSVFqVy70Ifir9RD2PGey-kYJSf33ilfSIOSg1hiSO3WiuJWLd2c6245AsBxBXnng/s1600/IMG_1003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwOPa4e-fNlMyYF7-7JLMYskHxGcpHstqkHkyHXEq0Zg-M9ctz6f2tW8-shATxDxpJR4dXTjzJ1aSVFqVy70Ifir9RD2PGey-kYJSf33ilfSIOSg1hiSO3WiuJWLd2c6245AsBxBXnng/s320/IMG_1003.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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My sleep deprived self is finally awake enough to post about the most fantabulous weekend of quilting and laughing that I've ever had! <a href="http://crazymomquilts.blogspot.com/">Amanda</a> and 14 other quilters gathered at the <a href="http://www.innatcitypark.com/">Inn at City Park</a> for our 2nd annual retreat with the un-paralleled crazy mom. You might want to grab a cup of coffee or tea, this might be my longest post ever!<br />
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I worked my tail off to make sure it was everything that I thought it should be, which might be a little psychotic. Here's the gift bag goodies: Scrappy name tags, fat quarter of fall-ish fabric, 2 bars of homemade soap, lavender lotion bar, lip butter, key chain, and scrappy pin cushion, a fabric magnet and the much desired cookbook with recipes fro 2009 and 2010. Also coupons to the 3 local quilt shops so a little shopping could be done.<br />
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And then the prizes--It's important to me that everyone win something. And I don't like for anyone to feel like they got the boobie prize either!<br />
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So we have Amanda's awesome Blues quilt, which is even more amazing in person. <a href="http://yayak8.wordpress.com/2010/11/15/the-quilt-retreat/">Kate</a> said, of the retreat, "It was even better than last year." No surprise there since she walked home with the quilt! It's going to a good home!<br />
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We had a gift certificate to the Inn, Bag of coffee, mug and 2 charm packs, 3 yards of <a href="http://thecalicohouse.blogspot.com/2010/09/word-play-fabric.html">Word Play</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Fassetts-Simple-Shapes-Spectacular-Quilts/dp/1584798378/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1290098342&sr=1-1">Kaffe's gorgeous book</a>, autographed at market(!), an Amy Butler Pattern and some of her <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Rowan-Butler-Thread-Blossoms-Package/dp/B0042TMM7E">threads</a>, some FMF fat eighths with some cards and quilting gloves, some Amy Butler fat quarters with some patterns and more cards, and an Arcadia honey bun with some Best Press and, once again, cards.<br />
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Two sets of pillows quilted at the retreat by Amanda--they both turned out so cute and went home with people to love them! I also made this Streetcar bag by Indygo Junction out of thrifted vintage curtain panels, this little tote from some yummy Echino, and a table runner.<br />
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Whew! I need another nap just writing that down! So fun and so worth it. Of course, I came home inspired to sew and finally finish some of my projects!<br />
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We had everyone bring a gallon bag of scraps to swap, and we just dumped them out on the kitchen floor. I think I laughed until I cried. When we were done Amanda sat down (she thought she already had enough scraps?!)and thought we were crazy to be leaving so much behind. So we'll split those up at our next guild meeting and make a quilt for charity. We know better than to throw any away!<br />
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Well, I'm off to label some more soaps--I've got a trunk show at <a href="http://www.wadoofurniture.com/">Wadoo Furniture</a> tonight. I'm always inspired to make stuff when I'm in this store! I'll be opening my etsy shop with some soapy goodness--tomorrow, once I see what I've got left!Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12675830033695986836noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3333946368523564104.post-40793643627209513652010-11-09T15:14:00.000-07:002010-11-09T15:14:10.264-07:00Crazy mom is coming!Yeah! The <a href="http://www.innatcitypark.com/">quilt retreat</a> with Amanda of <a href="http://crazymomquilts.blogspot.com/">crazymomquilts</a> is almost here! It's been a year since our last one and I'm so stinking excited!<br />
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I just wanted to show you some of the fun stuff I've been working on. We have a giveaway with a <a href="http://crazymomquilts.blogspot.com/2010/10/blue.html">quilt</a> made by Amanda as the grand prize and I like for everyone to be able to win a little something! So I've been busy scrounging up donations and making everything else.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>These will be quilted by Amanda as part of our free motion quilting classes and then I will quickly sew them into pillows as one of the prizes. I made these using Penny's tutorial over at <a href="http://sewtakeahike.typepad.com/sewtakeahike/2010/10/modus-operandi.html">sewtakeahike</a>. I love her projects and I have some pretty serious fabric envy. I just love everything she makes! AND She's joining us for the retreat too! <br />
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Same story with these 18" wonky log cabins with some Opal Owls. <br />
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Here I thought I was prepared and had some more pictures, but I'll have to come back later apparently! I'll try not to let 6 months pass by this time!Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12675830033695986836noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3333946368523564104.post-67426629349869442842010-05-21T13:59:00.000-06:002010-05-21T13:59:44.872-06:00What the heck do you do with a mini-quilt? I signed up for the mini quilt swap last month at <a href="http://modifytradition.blogspot.com/">Modify Tradition</a>(great blog!) and just finished. The guidelines were for a traditional quilt with modern fabric and NO wonkiness. Let me assure you that any wonkiness was completely unintentional! Bought some yummy fabrics and this is the result....<br />
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What I used: to die for echino, michael miller, and amy butler( If you live in NoCO and haven't been to <a href="http://www.facebook.com/#%21/pages/Fort-Collins-CO/Mama-Said-Sew/179893960031">Mama Said Sew</a> on E. Mountain Ave. in Old Town, Fort Collins, get there as fast as you can! Awesome!)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdSHEYL2CepuAmUPCeWBlR1cYMpX7GoP6lTu-S1z_T3DISLlNoaDj4ojiNzv7NKRA7J7pqVj0dCy2D4MgDFMT68sBqCiVB5DqTJIaa9wc1rUV_YtcwiCFIphZbd9Wz0LGSudZ2XrLksQ/s1600/Picture+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdSHEYL2CepuAmUPCeWBlR1cYMpX7GoP6lTu-S1z_T3DISLlNoaDj4ojiNzv7NKRA7J7pqVj0dCy2D4MgDFMT68sBqCiVB5DqTJIaa9wc1rUV_YtcwiCFIphZbd9Wz0LGSudZ2XrLksQ/s320/Picture+001.jpg" /></a></div>What I learned: I'm a crappy quilter! This was my third attempt and I'm realizing, stick with what you know! I can't even maintain an even 1/4"seam when sewing strips! Ugh! <br />
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I've been enamored with the winding ways quilts since I read Jennifer Chiaverini's book of the same name(great series,that![I just read a British chick lit book, can you tell?]). With fabric like the echino--rather heavy linen-like--the seams were so bulky that it didn't have a prayer of lying flat! So that will be turned into a pin cushion.<br />
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My next try was a double wedding ring, paper peiced. Well, I don't know how to do that! A goodly amount of wasted(I''ll figure out something for it!) fabric later, courthouse steps fit the bill.<br />
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After I finished, I realized I had made a<a href="http://tinkerfrog.blogspot.com/2010/02/100th-post-giveaway.html"> quilt</a> like this before using a Wonderland honey bun, not realizing it had a name--just thinking I was tweaking a log cabin. I guess what's true for cooking is the same for quilting--there's just not much that hasn't already been done! <br />
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So after all that--I love it! I couldn't stop looking at it last night after I got the binding sewn on! <br />
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As to the title of my post....my answer to that question is to give it an envelope back and give the option of a fantastic pillow. It could still hang on a wall or sit on a table, but I'm really happy with it as a pillow-mini-quilt! Hope my partner likes it!<br />
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There's a meeting of the <a href="http://modernquiltguildfortcollins.ning.com/">Fort Collins Modern Quilt Guild</a> on Thursday, May 27 at Half Moon Bay Coffee Co in Fort Collins from 5:30-8. I'm hoping to make it--I think April was it's first month.<br />
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Have a great weekend! And we still have room for 8 more quilter's at the <a href="http://www.innatcitypark.com/Quilting_Brochure_2010.pdf">retreat </a>in November with <br />
<a href="http://crazymomquilts.blogspot.com/">crazy mom quilts</a>!Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12675830033695986836noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3333946368523564104.post-25324155519183990742010-05-21T00:17:00.001-06:002010-05-21T00:19:56.970-06:00Giveaway Winner!!Who knew? Let me tell you--I was beyond overwhelmed by the response to this giveaway! Thanks to all who stopped in and many thanks to the 101 new followers and the 40 original followers that make me feel like someone wants to hear about my crafty nonsense!<br />
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I read each and every of the 526 comments and kept my husband updated too. When the comments were in the 280s I told him how excited I was and he wanted to know(again) why there was this much traffic. And then with a look of sheer panic, wanted to know how many bags I had to make!<br />
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I wish I could make one for each of you, but all in good time!<br />
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So with out further ado.......<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Congratulations to commenter # 179!!</b></span><br />
<dl class="avatar-comment-indent" id="comments-block"><dt class="comment-author " id="c7310011324884619538"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/00264269587210371131" rel="nofollow">handmadehappiness</a> said... </dt>
<dd class="comment-body pid-489451175" id="Blog1_cmt-7310011324884619538">purple purple purple i do love it!!! the bag is to die for!!! <span class="interaction-iframe-guide"></span> </dd><dd class="comment-footer"><span class="comment-timestamp"> <a href="http://tinkerfrog.blogspot.com/2010/05/sew-mama-sew-giveaway-day.html?showComment=1274170857204#c7310011324884619538" title="comment permalink"> May 18, 2010 2:20 AM </a></span></dd><dd class="comment-footer"></dd><dd class="comment-footer"></dd><dd class="comment-footer"><span class="comment-timestamp">I shall be e-mailing your shortly! Purple it is!</span></dd><dd class="comment-footer"></dd><dd class="comment-footer"><span class="comment-timestamp">I'm going to bed! </span></dd><dd class="comment-footer"><span class="comment-timestamp"> </span></dd><dd class="comment-footer"><span class="comment-timestamp"> </span></dd><dd class="comment-footer"><span class="comment-timestamp"> </span></dd><dd class="comment-footer"><span class="comment-timestamp"><span class="item-control blog-admin pid-489451175"></span></span></dd><dd class="comment-footer"><span class="comment-timestamp"><span class="item-control blog-admin pid-489451175"></span></span></dd><dd class="comment-footer"><span class="comment-timestamp"><span class="item-control blog-admin pid-489451175"></span></span></dd><dd class="comment-footer"><span class="comment-timestamp"><span class="item-control blog-admin pid-489451175"></span></span></dd><dd class="comment-footer"><span class="comment-timestamp"><span class="item-control blog-admin pid-489451175"></span></span></dd><dd class="comment-footer"><span class="comment-timestamp"><span class="item-control blog-admin pid-489451175"></span></span></dd><dd class="comment-footer"><span class="comment-timestamp"><span class="item-control blog-admin pid-489451175"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/delete-comment.g?blogID=3333946368523564104&postID=7310011324884619538" title="Delete Comment"> </a> </span> </span> </dd></dl><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden" /><input id="jsProxy" onclick="jsCall();" type="hidden" /><br />
<div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden" /><!--Session data--><input id="jsProxy" onclick="jsCall();" type="hidden" /><div id="refHTML"></div>Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12675830033695986836noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3333946368523564104.post-63279752561636494882010-05-17T07:39:00.001-06:002010-05-20T19:44:28.019-06:00Sew Mama Sew Giveaway Day!!<span style="color: blue; font-size: small;"><b><i>Edited to add: The giveaway will close at midnight mtn std time!! so you've got 4 more hours</i></b></span>! <br />
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Welcome to Tinkerfrog! I am happy to be participating in <a href="http://sewmamasew.com/blog2/">Sew Mama Sew's May Giveaway Day</a>! Once you've registered for this giveaway, make sure you head over there for the literally hundereds of giveaways going on!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizd7ENKhFA_q7j-cgXHsXgipWMbwGpPJDHi3AxKJ7x7GF9RFq3v22ev7zgL6Pr2_Y8xivsHnFp5JnJaYuNUAGcPuY11N9J6RiyNTdO6XoilJqAGEbhON3akjGwVLvSu26O9RBuECu70g/s1600/Picture.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizd7ENKhFA_q7j-cgXHsXgipWMbwGpPJDHi3AxKJ7x7GF9RFq3v22ev7zgL6Pr2_Y8xivsHnFp5JnJaYuNUAGcPuY11N9J6RiyNTdO6XoilJqAGEbhON3akjGwVLvSu26O9RBuECu70g/s320/Picture.jpg" /></a></div><br />
I'll be making someone lucky this beautiful bag in the color of their choice! We have a big selection of <a href="http://www.sewmamasew.com/store/ecom-catshow/DSABUTLER.html">Amy Butler Love</a> at my LQS, <a href="http://www.mamasaidsew.com/">Mama Said Sew</a>, and I'll be happy to go pick some up for the winner!<br />
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To enter, just leave me a comment with your favorite colors. To gain an extra entry, become a follower and leave me a separate comment. Make sure your profile allows an e-mail address to be seen, otherwise I have no way of reaching you! The giveaway is open until May 20th and the drawing will be random. Some extra prizes might be thrown in, too!<br />
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Thanks for stopping by! <br />
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Tara<br />
<input id="gwProxy" type="hidden" /><!--Session data--><input id="jsProxy" onclick="jsCall();" type="hidden" /><div id="refHTML"></div>Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12675830033695986836noreply@blogger.com518