tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14015121691346601642024-03-19T04:52:12.640-04:00Pinehurst ProjectsMy various projects (quilting, knitting, crafting, reading, etc.) and also random thoughts from time to time.Jeanne in Ohiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16053167586736687907noreply@blogger.comBlogger53125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1401512169134660164.post-55053970693039773302015-01-20T08:23:00.002-05:002015-01-20T08:30:13.108-05:00Block Lotto January 2015 <br />
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Just one this month for me. Thanks, Sophie! This is a fun and easy block and the quilts from this will be awesome.<br />
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I'm linking to <a href="http://www.patchworktimes.com/2015/01/19/design-wall-january-19-2015/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+PatchworkTimes+%28Patchwork+Times+by+Judy+Laquidara%29">Design Wall Monday</a>. Check out the inspiration! Jeanne in Ohiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16053167586736687907noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1401512169134660164.post-49633169643931068702014-04-16T08:11:00.003-04:002014-04-16T13:09:05.693-04:00Scrappy! and Stash Box<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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My latest Work in Progress started out as a block exchange for a retreat. That didn't work out because I missed going because I was sick with the flu. I decided to go ahead since I'd already done all the cutting and now I'll have another lap robe. I will group the blocks in fours and sash them. I'm not sure about borders yet. I'll decide when I have the top together.<br />
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The Traveling Stash Box is still looking for an owner. Are you game? <br />
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I'm linking up with<a href="http://www.freshlypieced.com/2014/04/wip-wednesday-two-patch-two-step.html"> WIP Wednesdays</a>. Check out the eye candy!<br />
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Jeanne in Ohiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16053167586736687907noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1401512169134660164.post-50598101654459151722014-04-07T09:28:00.002-04:002014-04-07T09:28:45.085-04:00Design Board and Traveling StashIt's been a while since I've posted because I haven't been sewing much lately. I've been working on organizing scraps while considering the Traveling Stash Box which I got a few weeks ago. <br />
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It came packed with fabrics, patterns, a couple books, and some miscellany. I snagged a cool book, some pre-cut 2 1/2-inch squares, a couple fat quarters, and some other scraps. I've added in some more patterns and some fabric. Now I'm looking to pass this treasure along to another lucky blogger.<br />
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If you're interested, leave a comment and I'll draw the lucky number and send it along. It's a fun project. All you have to do is agree to pass along the Stash Box and blog about it. Easy peasy, right?<br />
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Now about the Design Board, I've just about finished my latest Week-ender Bag. I've made 4 others using pre-quilted fabrics. They make wonderful gifts. This one is different in that I used leftover fabrics from other projects and faced and re-quilted it. This one is slightly more stable than the others, but it also was much more difficult to assemble. My shoulders were aching when I was done! I still need to add the bottom stabilizer and cover it and it will be good to go. It's a cool project and I'll probably do more in the future, although the "Franken-bag," won't be done again soon.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpO62OsuIkyZ3cvZKWCrB9GCosPpw21daxlYtHec7yfDZYj7AXoCJD-5infD0bp-GJSzV-xpltQPltAMOpaoNlQpseHxCMEgRZjZrAMXGSQdUYcAQJgNvhgqz2Du1CAD_59cXlX3frKrc/s1600/Colorwork+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpO62OsuIkyZ3cvZKWCrB9GCosPpw21daxlYtHec7yfDZYj7AXoCJD-5infD0bp-GJSzV-xpltQPltAMOpaoNlQpseHxCMEgRZjZrAMXGSQdUYcAQJgNvhgqz2Du1CAD_59cXlX3frKrc/s1600/Colorwork+2.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a>This sock is my first-ever color work. I started using Patons Kroy (one of my favorite sock yarns) but I knew I didn't have enough to finish, so I decided to make-do and learn colorwork at the same time. I wasn't concerned about coordinating colors; I just wanted the leg to be tall enough. I accomplished that, and now feel I can tackle another color work pattern. Yay me!</div>
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I'm linking this to <a href="http://www.patchworktimes.com/2014/04/07/design-wall-monday-april-7-2014/">Design Wall Monday</a> at Patchwork Times. Check it out and be impressed with all the creativity!</div>
<br />Jeanne in Ohiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16053167586736687907noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1401512169134660164.post-8991453610947683412014-03-24T09:04:00.001-04:002014-03-24T19:30:39.964-04:00Wonky Design WallMy design mojo has been missing in action since I finished my Celtic Solstice, so I’m really pleased that I finally have something in the works.<br />
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My guild, the Mansfield Millennium Quilters, issues a challenge each year and I usually participate. This year we had to select a stick of paint chips and make a quilt with something "wonky" in it.<br />
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My colors are teal, and I've chosen a Wonky Log Cabin, using a ruler by Eleanor Burns. It came together really easily and I enjoyed it a lot! I haven't used an EB pattern for quite a while and I forgot how well written her instructions are. It was a pleasure to do this project and I'm already thinking about doing another one, maybe scrappy.<br />
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I'm linking up to Design Wall Monday, where I'm always inspired. Check it <a href="http://www.patchworktimes.com/2014/03/24/design-wall-monday-march-24-2014/">out</a>!Jeanne in Ohiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16053167586736687907noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1401512169134660164.post-75945801705892210882014-03-23T20:57:00.000-04:002014-03-24T19:30:26.507-04:00Two rescues<div align="left">
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Both of my cats are rescues. It's really hard for me to understand how anyone could dump a kitten, but that's how I've gotten two wonderful pets.<br />
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Cato, my ginger kitty, came to us about six years ago. It was an autumn evening and we were watching the Cleveland Indians. We heard an awful sound outside the screen door to the deck. Guess who showed up? He was hungry and thirsty and not at all shy about expressing his displeasure!<br />
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We were going to call him Ginger because we thought he was female (what did I know?). He became Cato because he's an attack cat at times. Now, he's my lap kitty and he was an only fur-child until last summer, when another person decided to dump another kitten. That's when Frankie joined our household. She showed up on the porch at my husband's office. <br />
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They're all animal lovers there, so it was a toss-up as to who would keep her, but DH really wanted her. He thought she'd be a good companion for Cato. That has certainly proven to be true! Frankie is at least part Siamese and she has the bluest eyes! She's an active, goofy teen-ager and has really enlivened Cato's middle aged days. They chase and play several times a day and then sleep the rest.<br />
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Cato loves to sleep in my sewing room while I'm working. Frankie tends to sleep on her favorite chair in the dining room. <br />
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I cannot imagine life without them.<br />
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I saw this Linky on Colorpoint Quilter and wanted to join in. Click <a href="http://lilypadquilting.blogspot.com/2014/03/rescue-me-sponsored-giveaway-and-linky.html?showComment=1395527548075">here</a> to see more stories!</div>
Jeanne in Ohiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16053167586736687907noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1401512169134660164.post-80648534784742049402014-03-02T23:01:00.000-05:002014-03-03T20:44:51.365-05:00Book Review: Things We Set on Fire<div style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img by="" src="http://pics.cdn.librarything.com/picsizes/c1/dc/c1dcfb12ba341aa596954586867434d414f4141.jpg" deborah="" fire="" height="221" on="" reed="" set="" we="" width="150" /> </div>
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I haven’t done a book review for a while, but this is one that I really want to share. I caught it as a free book for Kindle, and I’m really glad I did. I’d recommend it to anyone:<br />
<em>Things We Set on Fire</em> By Deborah Reed <br />
This is a deceptively simple story of a dysfunctional family, still reeling after many years from the loss of their beloved husband and father. In the intervening years, the Vivvie Fenton has grieved and been unable to move on because she lives with a heavy load of guilt, knowing that she’s the one who killed Jackson Fenton.<br />
The daughters, Kate and Elin, are equally damaged, because they also lost their mother when she became disengaged from life; and their sibling rivalry became so toxic they separated for many years. Unbeknownst to her mother, Kate lived across town in Florida. Elin made a life in Oregon.<br />
Everything changes when Vivvie is notified by the police that Kate has attempted suicide and the children, Averlee and Quincy, need their family to step in and take care of them. Since Vivvie and Elin didn’t know about the girls, they’re shocked, not to mention nervous about parenting two children they knew nothing about. They assume that Kate overdosed on drugs. Then the secrets begin to come out.<br />
I checked out reviews on both Amazon and Library Thing and I’m surprised at the wide range of opinion. The Amazon readers liked it; not so much with the Library Thing. I loved it and I would highly recommend it. <br />
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Edited to add back the paragraphing that Blogger somehow deleted. Jeanne<br />
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<br />Jeanne in Ohiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16053167586736687907noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1401512169134660164.post-64869934128569706782014-02-02T15:53:00.001-05:002014-02-03T09:58:42.559-05:00What I’ve learned from Celtic Solstice<blockquote>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-y3jSsW52UfI/Uu6RF8GIhPI/AAAAAAAAPJg/L9WLKHJK0Pc/s1600-h/Celtic%252520Solstice%252520top2%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Celtic Solstice top2" border="0" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-pkEqOhMxTNE/Uu6RGh5E_FI/AAAAAAAAPJo/6AtEMjlpCio/Celtic%252520Solstice%252520top2_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="484" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Celtic Solstice top2" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is my Celtic Solstice before I took it to Michele</td></tr>
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Thanks, Bonnie, for this wonderful design! I have seen countless gorgeous quilts and I’m sure I’ll see many more. It’s awesome.<br />
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That said, I learned a LOT while doing this mystery and I thought I’d share it here.<br />
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1. Bonnie’s idea about using the Command strips as a seam guide is fabulous! I have a Janome Horizon 7700 and its 1/4-inch seam foot – both regular and Acufeed -- has those flanges (or guides) on the edge. Hate it!<br />
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I’ve never liked them and usually use the Little Foot. However, I wanted to use my dual feed foot because of the small pieces, and the Command strips made it so easy! I was a little concerned that it would be tricky to set them up. Not so.<br />
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I simply used her seam guide and marked the bottom of the bobbin cover with a Sharpie. I can see the mark and place the Command strips accordingly. It was easier to keep my seam allowance accurate and faster, to boot. I’ll be using these from now on.<br />
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2. Someone on either the Quiltville Yahoo group or the Facebook page mentioned that she tries to keep usage of a single fabric to 10% of the total to keep the look really scrappy. I tried that and I am very happy with that formula. Bonnie had suggested that we make half the units if we weren’t sure about either of the provided sizes.<br />
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I thought half the smaller one was too small, so I made half the larger size. I ended up with a full-sized quilt and I’m delighted.<br />
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I have a lot of units leftover and I’ll need to do something with them, but I have other items on my list to do first. For the record, I have 63 triangle in a square units of both colorations, 41 shaded 4-patch units, 83 four-patches, 43 chevrons, 20 pinwheels and 38 half-square triangles. I think I may be well on the way to another quilt!<br />
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3. I used a Frixion pen to mark my sewing lines on both the chevrons and the half-square triangles. It worked perfectly. I’m aware that many people do not trust the chemicals over the long haul. I guess we’ll have to see, but it was a good solution for me.<br />
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4. I was hesitant about starting a new quilt around the holidays. It wasn’t as tough as I was afraid it would be to keep up, once I caught up, that is. I started late and only caught up around mid-December. I never doubted that the design would make me happy, because all Bonnie's quilts are so terrific. I seem to be one of those who love working with little pieces so her patterns are right up my alley.<br />
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I’d like to note that the colors are “off” in the picture above. What appears to be blue is really teal. I cannot take outside pictures because I’m in Ohio and we have about a foot of snow in our yard, so I have to settle for indoor shots. I’m sorry, because the actual colors are really vibrant.<br />
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Now I’m going through Bonnie’s previous four books to see if I can use these units in another of her designs. I’m thinking about Bargain basement from her first, Scraps & Shirttails. It uses 3 1/2-inch strips and units. It could be a perfect fit! Later.<br />
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This is the first mystery quilt I’ve made that I liked. I always was disappointed when my color choices fizzled. Not this time. I’m now officially a Bonnie mystery stalker.<br />
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I'm linking this to Bonnie <a href="http://quiltville.blogspot.com/2014/02/celtic-solstice-mystery-link-up-finale.html">CS finale</a> and will also link to <a href="http://www.patchworktimes.com/2014/02/03/design-wall-february-3-2014/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+PatchworkTimes+%28Patchwork+Times+by+Judy+Laquidara%29">Design Wall Monday</a>.Jeanne in Ohiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16053167586736687907noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1401512169134660164.post-68650062158743508442014-01-27T18:19:00.000-05:002014-01-27T18:19:09.463-05:00Flimsy is done!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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My Celtic Solstice flimsy is done! I'm mostly done with the backing, so I hope to get it to my favorite long-armer, Michele Mayton, sometime this week to get it quilted. It will be a pieced back using some fabric I had in my stash and some leftovers from the top. </div>
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I've said before I used only stash for this quilt, but I did have to get something for the outer teal border. Nothing I had was just "right." </div>
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I really love this quilt and the design. Thanks, Bonnie Hunter, for all you do for your fans!</div>
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I'm linking to <a href="http://www.patchworktimes.com/2014/01/27/design-wall-january-28-2014/">Design Wall Monday</a>. Check out the quilty inspiration!</div>
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<br />Jeanne in Ohiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16053167586736687907noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1401512169134660164.post-149970781095612032014-01-11T22:05:00.001-05:002014-01-13T09:18:48.777-05:00I've assembled the blocks<div align="left">
In playing in EQ7, I decided to go with a 5 by 7 layout and a quilt that measures 60.5 by 78.5, a generous throw size.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfuzCVm6thGxYLuSjISiaxCuYaKclqbsScFzjuanbp5BLb-NBQcOHdu2NVZDffclDVNWIDzOh2OkvO9VMe4CfmzcukshO__zHbr5XnP5NXD59kp7Y9FFUr2EF2JWUCfPyVDywst1K6J9Y/s1600/Celtic+Solstice+11214.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfuzCVm6thGxYLuSjISiaxCuYaKclqbsScFzjuanbp5BLb-NBQcOHdu2NVZDffclDVNWIDzOh2OkvO9VMe4CfmzcukshO__zHbr5XnP5NXD59kp7Y9FFUr2EF2JWUCfPyVDywst1K6J9Y/s320/Celtic+Solstice+11214.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Some of the blocks</div>
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I got the file from the Inklingo blog post about layouts and changed the colors to mimic mine. I managed the blocks and now I'm thinking about the borders. I love everything about Bonnie's design, but I have the irrepressible urge to "make it my own," so I'm playing in EQ7.</div>
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I’ve played a little on the computer and I’m undecided. </div>
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Borders are my least favorite part of putting a quilt top together. I just don’t like wrestling with big pieces of fabric. That’s probably why I love Bonnie’s designs so much.<br />
I'm linking up to<a href="http://www.patchworktimes.com/2014/01/13/design-wall-monday-january-13-2014/"> Design Wall Monday</a>. Check out the eye candy!</div>
Jeanne in Ohiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16053167586736687907noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1401512169134660164.post-56828352478887939472014-01-06T08:27:00.000-05:002014-01-06T08:27:42.817-05:00Loving the Solstice! <br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh40bptPs6rAgZz-NdVh6Qd6MU8pu-tphQSRaEUFoWczHzxfyusR67Mi-snBoUqAF3nlJngf2RkQQ0I0XvdZd0Pj86_arReCGcy8jLl-lMAzcAXMcHrkOnhKJEZQR35glm2YUncF1ikL3c/s1600/Celtic+Solstice.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh40bptPs6rAgZz-NdVh6Qd6MU8pu-tphQSRaEUFoWczHzxfyusR67Mi-snBoUqAF3nlJngf2RkQQ0I0XvdZd0Pj86_arReCGcy8jLl-lMAzcAXMcHrkOnhKJEZQR35glm2YUncF1ikL3c/s1600/Celtic+Solstice.JPG" height="396" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My first nine Celtic Solstice blocks</td></tr>
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I've assembled the first 9 blocks of my version of Celtic Solstice and I couldn't be happier with my color choices.<br />
There's always that little bit of unease when you change colors from the designer. I thought I could keep the values the same and it would be OK.<br />
But, since you don't know what the quilt is going to look like, it's still a bit of a crap shoot. I think I won!<br />
I noticed today while reading the Facebook posts, that I've pressed my 54-40 or Fight blocks wrong. I can fix that on the other blocks, but I'm not going to change the ones I've already done. I've learned a lot on this project and I'll post about that next week.<br />
This design is a winner. Of all the posts I've seen on FB, they're all wonderful!<br />
I'm linking up with <a href="http://www.patchworktimes.com/2014/01/06/design-wall-monday-january-6-2014/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+PatchworkTimes+%28Patchwork+Times+by+Judy+Laquidara%29">Design Wall Monday</a> and Bonnie's<a href="http://www.patchworktimes.com/2014/01/06/design-wall-monday-january-6-2014/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+PatchworkTimes+%28Patchwork+Times+by+Judy+Laquidara%29"> Link-up</a>. Check out the creativity!<br />
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Jeanne in Ohiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16053167586736687907noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1401512169134660164.post-22063554810544566702014-01-02T21:38:00.001-05:002014-01-02T21:51:13.733-05:00A look back I had a pretty good quilting year in 2013. Going in, I wanted to improve my Free Motion Quilting, and I glad to say I made headway on that goal. I’m not where I want to be, but I’m closer than I was.<br />
According to my records, I finished 16 projects. Most were older UFOs that I used as practice for my FMQ. I’ve seen other bloggers make collages of their quilts, so I tried it:<br />
<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="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-hRV5BjtQfDw/UsYirX5KdPI/AAAAAAAAPAU/rpYnKm30-Fg/s1600-h/2014%252520quilts%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="2014 quilts" border="0" height="404" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-4RjfqxXvKGc/UsYismbg2fI/AAAAAAAAPAc/AFE5MuU31Ec/2014%252520quilts_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="2014 quilts" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From left, top to bottom: Stack of Leaves, Carpenter's Star, Ellie's Paper Dolls, Christmas Diamonds, Asian Kisses, Big Zig, Gabe's Quilt, Scrappy Trips in Blue, Butterfly Whirpool, Texas Braid and Sophie's Butterfly Challenge.</td></tr>
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This is just some of them from this year, but I haven’t been consistent about taking pictures of all my completed quilts, so you’ll have to trust me that there were five more finishes. (Three were charity quilts for the Mansfield Millennium Quilters and I don’t remember why I didn’t get pix of the other two.)<br />
So, what about this year? Currently I’m working on Bonnie Hunter’s Celtic Solstice Mystery. She revealed a knockout design on Jan. 1 and I have all the pieces and parts done as of this afternoon. I will probably start assembling some of the blocks tomorrow. I’m pondering a design decision on the other set and I won’t make a decision on that until this weekend.<br />
I chose to make half the number of units required for the king-sized quilt, so I’ll have layout decisions to make too, although I love the quilt so much I may go ahead and make the larger option. Another decision I don’t need to make immediately.<br />
More on my plans for the New Year in my next post. . .Jeanne in Ohiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16053167586736687907noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1401512169134660164.post-40667283740464733442013-12-30T08:23:00.002-05:002013-12-30T08:31:47.689-05:00I love Mary’s Triangles!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKp3mJpEo82PjebPeklfVWHS3U3iGJ4bI7J2z_svsi_iZGFleIsRTpp9zngpmTNc0fzJ6JlAIRtISCOQsfZoxFA3bCSJqRwHu5hmxGw4V82SKPiBBvEJeRcueYkLIKXKD73xYt__PQBVc/s1600/Mary%2527s+Triangle+unit+completed.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKp3mJpEo82PjebPeklfVWHS3U3iGJ4bI7J2z_svsi_iZGFleIsRTpp9zngpmTNc0fzJ6JlAIRtISCOQsfZoxFA3bCSJqRwHu5hmxGw4V82SKPiBBvEJeRcueYkLIKXKD73xYt__PQBVc/s320/Mary%2527s+Triangle+unit+completed.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
I’ve switched to Mary’s Triangles for making the shaded 4-patch units for Clue #5 of Celtic Solstice. Why? Honestly, I was struggling for accuracy with the individual pieces cut with the EZ Angle ruler. I’m sure it’s my cutting. I have trouble seeing the edges clearly against the color of my mat. <sub></sub><sub></sub>Also, the light isn’t the best.<br />
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With Mary’s Triangles (MT), you use squares and rectangles, or in our case, half-square triangles and rectangles.<br />
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I used a chart in a book, Triangle Tricks, published by Martingale & Co. It’s a whole book devoted to the unit known as Mary’s Triangles or the shaded 4-patch. I‘ve had it for some time but never made anything from it. Lucky for me that I remembered it because it’s really helped me with this stage of the CS mystery.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7c_OZgsJuM2YexGS20dV2_ER6GiEO9L0md8jEc7zqX8zY2nal8xXcXgdR2-brZ0emffKrM_72ff2bhyq97QBmBaGL7cofPUJoZWfRNaOhdlPT9F_UCTXajmR1wlt3qZLpytPZH7uA6FU/s1600/Mary%2527s+Triangles+marking.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7c_OZgsJuM2YexGS20dV2_ER6GiEO9L0md8jEc7zqX8zY2nal8xXcXgdR2-brZ0emffKrM_72ff2bhyq97QBmBaGL7cofPUJoZWfRNaOhdlPT9F_UCTXajmR1wlt3qZLpytPZH7uA6FU/s320/Mary%2527s+Triangles+marking.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
For a 3-inch finished block, the chart in the book calls for two 2-inch squares (our HSTs), two rectangles cut 2 x 3 inches and one rectangle cut 3 1/2 x 4 1/2. The description of how to make them sounds much more difficult than it is to do them. I made 30-plus units the prescribed way over the course of two days. Using this method I've made 36 in an afternoon.<br />
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And, they're more accurate! I couldn't ask for anything more. If you're interested, <a href="http://www.treadleon.net/quiltshop/TrailtoTreadleonia/trailtotreadleonia.html">here's a link to a tutorial on making a block using four of these units.</a><br />
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The book came out in 2003 and is available on Amazon,<a href="http://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/1564774678/ref=olp_product_details?ie=UTF8&me=&seller="> here</a>.<br />
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I'm certain I'll be able to finish Clue #5 on time and probably catch up with Clue #4 (4-patches) I'm doing those as Leaders and Enders while working on the MTs.<br />
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This mystery has been a lot of fun so far! I haven't done many of these because I've had unpleasant surprises a couple times. I feel confident that Bonnie's design will be wonderful in my colors. Wish me luck!<br />
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And, my wish to you is a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year.<br />
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I'm linking up with <a href="http://www.patchworktimes.com/2013/12/30/design-wall-monday-december-30-2013/">Patchwork Times</a> and also Bonnie's <a href="http://quiltville.blogspot.com/2013/12/mystery-monday-link-up-part-5.html">link-up</a>. Check out the creativity!<br />
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Jeanne in Ohio<br />
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Jeanne in Ohiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16053167586736687907noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1401512169134660164.post-47200505836490894062013-12-26T19:52:00.001-05:002013-12-30T08:19:51.021-05:00Clue #4, here I come!<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-dfJfXWVn1E8/UrzPOgkMa3I/AAAAAAAAAn0/1AKs-m4Al8U/s1600-h/Pinwheels%25255B11%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Pinwheels" border="0" height="772" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-vPMmBd9T-c4/UrzPQRmX1CI/AAAAAAAAAoE/GMEiw_unC3I/Pinwheels_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Pinwheels" width="669" /></a><br />
I’m nearing the finish line on my previous clues, so I plan to begin cutting Clue #4 tomorrow. Clues 2 and 3 are done and I’m almost done with #1. I've chosen to go on and finish #1 because that's a difficult unit for me and I wanted to get it out of the way. The 4-patches shouldn't be hard, although 150 is a lot!<br />
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-dAt-d25DORk/UrzPRmhmwKI/AAAAAAAAAoU/5DHLvSkiiag/s1600-h/Clue%252520%2525231%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img align="left" alt="Clue #1" border="0" height="254" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-n3TmzHhgcLY/UrzPTOJKnMI/AAAAAAAAAok/sT82wfYPxr0/Clue%252520%2525231_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; float: left; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Clue #1" width="195" /></a>I have some gray squares precut because I goofed on the second clue (Bonnie’s green is my gray). I have a few yellows also, so I think I’ll make 4-patches with those as Leaders and Enders while I strip piece the majority of my 4-patches. I’ll need 150 to continue my plan to make half of the number for the large sized quilt.<br />
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Wish me luck! My wish for you is a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year!<br />
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I’m linking up with <a href="http://quiltville.blogspot.com/2013/12/mystery-monday-link-up-part-4.html">Bonnie</a> and barely in time. I’ve had the sewing done for a couple days, but had holiday responsibilities so waited until the last minute to write this post. I’ve got to stop procrastinating!Jeanne in Ohiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16053167586736687907noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1401512169134660164.post-78624712853497234442013-12-17T09:52:00.003-05:002013-12-17T09:52:45.708-05:00Clue #3 is mostly done<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-423R4iaEsd0/UrBjGn7bzdI/AAAAAAAAAZk/ha8RO5Tbbok/s1600-h/Celtic%252520HSTs%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Celtic HSTs" border="0" height="300" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-IPI2l0u1afQ/UrBjHlc-VdI/AAAAAAAAAZs/VLLAfydnh6I/Celtic%252520HSTs_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Celtic HSTs" width="400" /></a>I’ve made great progress on Clue #3. My HSTs are all done (I made 280) and pressed. After I trim them, I plan to make 30 pinwheels.<br />
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I’m making about half the number of units for the large quilt. Then I’ll decide how to set them if I cannot use Bonnie’s layout. I still haven’t begun Clue #1 other than some preliminary cutting. I’ve finished Clue #2 and made 120 chevrons.</div>
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-efX7gv0ggS8/UrBjJFMsd9I/AAAAAAAAAZ0/XAjmjo2-9vY/s1600-h/Celtic%252520chevrons%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Celtic chevrons" border="0" height="184" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-d-HZsG5v1DI/UrBjJ-4t1II/AAAAAAAAAZ4/slNLQMMHBQs/Celtic%252520chevrons_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Celtic chevrons" width="244" /></a>I like to summarize what I’ve learned with each quilt I make because I always try to learn something new with each project. So, here goes:<br />
1. It’s OK to use what I have. I don’t have to have 50 yellows. I have about 12 that I think work in this color scheme. They’ll be fine. (I just have to keep telling myself that so I don’t go shopping. . .)<br />
2. I must stabilize my rulers! I was struggling with the Easy Angle. It kept moving on me. Once I applied InvisiGrip on both sides of the ruler, I was fine. It’s a wonderful product. Why did I wait?<br />
3. I’m a process quilter. I love the various parts of making a quilt, from picking out the fabric to the very end. I’m not in a race, so it doesn’t matter that I’m behind. I will do the best I can within the restraints on my time that the Holidays impose. (I really need to get out and do some shopping!)<br />
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I’m having a great time with this mystery, my first with Bonnie. I love my colors and also that I’m using my stash to make it.<br />
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I'm linking up with Patchwork Times <a href="http://www.patchworktimes.com/2013/12/16/design-wall-monday-december-16-2013/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+PatchworkTimes+%28Patchwork+Times+by+Judy+Laquidara%29">Design Wall Monday</a> and Bonnie's Monday <a href="http://quiltville.blogspot.com/2013/12/celtic-solstice-mystery-monday-link-up_4572.html">Link-up</a>. Check out the inspiration!Jeanne in Ohiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16053167586736687907noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1401512169134660164.post-33417541655749083922013-12-10T17:56:00.001-05:002013-12-10T17:58:51.462-05:00Celtic Solstice: I caved!I wanted to join in on the Celtic Solstice Mystery, but I was afraid I’d be disappointed or I’d never finish it. However, I love Bonnie’s patterns, so I was sorely tempted! <br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-dNWK-67XBbY/UqecGI_0ZwI/AAAAAAAAAY8/hnkXf5Km92s/s1600-h/Celtic%252520Soltice%252520colors%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Celtic Soltice colors" border="0" height="484" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-7FpCl_jEjd0/UqecHBmVrCI/AAAAAAAAAZE/G2DqZEgu_hU/Celtic%252520Soltice%252520colors_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Celtic Soltice colors" width="644" /></a><br />
I went back and forth several times until I was drifting off to sleep on Thanksgiving eve and the color team came to mind. That was it. I was hooked. My color scheme was born and I began plotting when I could start.<br />
I was MIA for Clue #1, but I’m about 3/4 done with Clue #2. I’ll go back and pick up Clue #1 now that I’ve decided to make half the number of units for the Large sized quilt.<br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-_yQBAg2XQlg/UqecIFnIPgI/AAAAAAAAAZM/CTA9ZqAPreQ/s1600-h/Celtic%252520Soltice%252520Pt%2525202%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Celtic Soltice Pt 2" border="0" height="484" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-DkFFsFPP4nM/UqecJAd9elI/AAAAAAAAAZQ/ihQGGmGgwII/Celtic%252520Soltice%252520Pt%2525202_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Celtic Soltice Pt 2" width="644" /></a><br />
Bonnie’s Blue is my Teal. Her Green is my Gray. I kept her Oranges and Yellow gold. Her Neutrals are my White. I’m loving my colors and they’re all from my stash!<br />
(Thanks, Deb, for encouraging me to post again.)<br />
I’m linking to Bonnie’s <a href="http://quiltville.blogspot.com/2013/12/celtic-solstice-mystery-monday-link-up.html">link-up</a> today.Jeanne in Ohiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16053167586736687907noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1401512169134660164.post-6358900749547457662013-05-21T09:47:00.000-04:002013-06-16T19:37:18.458-04:00Book review: The Last Victim<div style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;">
<img alt="The Last Victim by Karen Robards" class="workCoverImage" id="mainCover" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/P/0345535812.01._SX140_SY224_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg" /></div>
Note: Updated 6/16/13 to add link to Weekend Update Linky Party<br />
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Dr. Charlotte Stone is an expert on serial killers. She's also the only survivor of the vicious Boardwalk Killer. When a series of family murders resembles the Boardwalk case, she's asked to consult on the case by the FBI. <br />
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Her adventures bring her into contact with a hunky FBI agent and his team, as well as the ghost of a man she tried to save. Charlie sees dead people, especially the recently departed, such as Michael Garland who was murdered in the hallway as she left the prison to join the FBI team. Her efforts to save him were futile, but they caused him to "attach" to her. This is where the story became too much for me.<br />
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From that point, Charlie juggles her attraction to the agent, Tony Bartoli, and Garland, the apparition, while at the same time trying to find the killer. <br />
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I received this book as part of the Early Reviewers program on Library Thing. I cannot say I loved the book, but I was absorbed by it and finished it. I'd rate it 3 1/2 stars out of 5. It is well written and the characters are well-crafted, although cliched (Charlie is beautiful and smart; Bartoli is a hunk and Garland is a seductive bad boy). There's a twist at the end that I didn't see coming that I found too too convenient. Maybe it's just me.<br />
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If you enjoy paranormal fiction, this may be the book for you. I have two copies to give away. Contact me by email and I'll send them on.<br />
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Details: <br />
The Last Victim, by Karen Robards<br />
Published by Ballantine Books<br />
384 pages, paperback<br />
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I'm linking up to Weekend Update <a href="http://www.blocklotto.com/2013/06/share-something-un-quilty-weekend-update-linky-party/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:">here</a>.Jeanne in Ohiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16053167586736687907noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1401512169134660164.post-28725733935599132962013-04-29T20:23:00.002-04:002013-04-29T21:43:29.142-04:00Challenge, check!<br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-N28HVnWWVGA/UX8IbmEO9XI/AAAAAAAAAXA/MgY-QsluZ7A/s1600-h/Butterfly%252520panel%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Butterfly panel" border="0" height="484" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-JKoIpvPDMY0/UX8IcJqkctI/AAAAAAAAAXI/qscfy_3H44o/Butterfly%252520panel_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Butterfly panel" width="644" /></a><br />
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I finished my butterfly panel challenge yesterday and to say I’m happy with it would be an understatement. I’m thrilled!<br />
This started with a Christmas gift from my friend Sophie and a challenge to “do something.” We were supposed to have them done last May (I’m very late with this!), but I couldn’t proceed with a plan. Once I finally had a plan I didn’t really have any problems finishing the piecing.<br />
But. Then I was afraid to begin the quilting. I took the plunge Saturday and It went very well. I quilted gentle breezes into the sky, circles on the butterfly wings, a small feather in the one border and scrolls in the other. The outer pieced border was a challenge. The piecing had bumpy intersections where eight seams met, so I didn’t feel I could do any all over design, so I stitched in the ditch and added a motif in the wings. <br />
This project is around 36 inches square. Now that it’s done, I’m left wondering why I was so afraid. Lesson learned: Take the plunge and do it. Give yourself permission to learn.<br />
Now if I can only transfer this to my next project!<br />
An overall view:<br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-etp6fuz60Xg/UX8Ic3-P_II/AAAAAAAAAXQ/M6Kv1jfaPNs/s1600-h/Butterfly%252520Challenge%25255B23%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Butterfly Challenge" border="0" height="484" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-eNdoK4TWIWs/UX8Id0TDZwI/AAAAAAAAAXY/KKZYMQzAbfY/Butterfly%252520Challenge_thumb%25255B14%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Butterfly Challenge" width="483" /></a><br />
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I'm linking to <a href="http://www.patchworktimes.com/2013/04/29/design-wall-april-29-2013/">Design Wall Monday</a> , the <a href="http://freemotionquilting.blogspot.com/2013/04/fmq-fridayersaturday.html">Free Motion Quilting Proj</a>ect, and <a href="http://gemini-stitches.blogspot.com/2013/04/lets-get-acquainted-link-up.html">Let's Get Acquainted Monday</a>.Jeanne in Ohiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16053167586736687907noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1401512169134660164.post-86118189347315357742013-04-01T11:05:00.000-04:002013-04-01T11:25:11.943-04:00Design Wall 4/1/13 <br> <div class="separator" style="text-align: center; clear: both"><a style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdx4gy98v9W4suaJdrTUYp3rD8zMOCqBVL1yooUHOdg8HV6H-2k1z6wVPWepCk0qbURXqRjrmO9tAnD3Y-lweyIWFHsXsQy0LbdoieryO8vkh-5iAtKtuvKshKifY9t8bCF6qcMNilQmA/s1600/String+piecing.JPG"><img style="float: right; display: inline" border="0" alt="" align="right" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdx4gy98v9W4suaJdrTUYp3rD8zMOCqBVL1yooUHOdg8HV6H-2k1z6wVPWepCk0qbURXqRjrmO9tAnD3Y-lweyIWFHsXsQy0LbdoieryO8vkh-5iAtKtuvKshKifY9t8bCF6qcMNilQmA/s320/String+piecing.JPG" width="320" height="236"></a></div><a style="margin-bottom: 1em; float: left; clear: left; margin-right: 1em" href="http://www.blogger.com/" imageanchor="1"></a> <a style="margin-bottom: 1em; float: left; clear: left; margin-right: 1em" href="http://www.blogger.com/" imageanchor="1"></a>I've spent the last couple days piecing these strings for a quilt I'm making along with my friends, the Material Girls. We're making this as a memorial for our friend, Joe, who passed last month. He was married to one of our members, S.<br><br> She wanted to use some of her Asian fabrics which she's been collecting for at least 20 years. We picked out this pattern from Bonnie Hunter's Quiltville site, and we're all going to piece strings. When we have the strings, we'll pick out the background fabric or fabrics, and we'll decide on a border when we can see the center. Right now, I'm leaning toward a string-pieced border; I'm pretty sure we have enough fabric cut for it! S was extremely generous with the ones we picked out.<br><br> I used my Accuquilt Go! and it really didn't take very long compared to using a rotary cutter. <br><br>I’ve done string piecing before and didn’t enjoy it, but I loved doing this! Maybe it was the variety of perhaps the ones I was using were so different from mine but it was so fun! We have a tentative plan of getting this together later this spring. I’m not sure about the quilting. We’ll decide that later. More about this project later. I’m linking up to <a href="http://www.patchworktimes.com/2013/04/01/design-wall-monday-12/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+PatchworkTimes+%28Patchwork+Times+by+Judy+Laquidara%29">Design Wall Monday</a> at Patchwork Times. Check out the cyber creativity! <br><br>Please excuse the formatting errors. I cannot get Blogger to work today! Jeanne in Ohiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16053167586736687907noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1401512169134660164.post-87047903810833574862013-03-24T18:53:00.000-04:002013-03-24T18:53:41.413-04:00Fun block!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqReTeVd3ar7BaqWUzQj5lvuKv3SBUHH6B2-D-3BlFkdJ4Nks6Q2oQ98mHAHpTLwYaYCusp5_NOdah467vpgFOLMwr-uRCc4CI0YMo9kk5G4yac7Ml7qzhCEzyoScv84Mc3AWZyXpF6oc/s1600/Steps.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqReTeVd3ar7BaqWUzQj5lvuKv3SBUHH6B2-D-3BlFkdJ4Nks6Q2oQ98mHAHpTLwYaYCusp5_NOdah467vpgFOLMwr-uRCc4CI0YMo9kk5G4yac7Ml7qzhCEzyoScv84Mc3AWZyXpF6oc/s320/Steps.JPG" width="281" /></a> As usual, I'm in the latter part of the month posting this. I originally made these blocks when I was at Quilt Camp, but they didn't turn out the right size. That won't do for Block Lotto.<br />
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Not to be confounded by such a simple block, I decided to make a better effort and re-did them. They're good now!<br />
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The challenge was to use a white or white-on-white, a gray and another color in each block. They're to finish 6 by 9 inches. I'd REALLY like to win a bunch of these!<br />
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Jeanne in Ohiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16053167586736687907noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1401512169134660164.post-1615668829596614622013-03-01T10:05:00.000-05:002013-03-01T10:05:14.500-05:00A Mixed Bag<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/AVvXsEgRNgTzdyvNXOKSo2ZWiC8Snnj_WNOmq7Agz2qhsISLa4vgI_mudjSYWE_avNOLTHHyBW_Oe0A4wGbG7UGFsHzlDegqgnzRyqkou5w0suXR-OoYURGwKntXmofrXGkPE0I8XUw_5QMLtc0/s1600/DSCF0180.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRNgTzdyvNXOKSo2ZWiC8Snnj_WNOmq7Agz2qhsISLa4vgI_mudjSYWE_avNOLTHHyBW_Oe0A4wGbG7UGFsHzlDegqgnzRyqkou5w0suXR-OoYURGwKntXmofrXGkPE0I8XUw_5QMLtc0/s640/DSCF0180.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Texas Braid is done and I love it!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marge's socks are done and gifted<br />
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My to-do list for February had five items on it, and I only completed two of them. In my defense, however, I completed two additional knitting projects, so I'm not feeling too bad about my productivity. Also, I rearranged my sewing room and had a week of vacation in Arizona and finished three books. The sewing room project took way more time than I ever imagined! Combine that with getting ready for vacation and I missed two weeks in my sewing room!<br />
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The sewing room saga began late last year when I began looking for a sturdier cutting table. The one I had was a cheap one from JoAnn's and it was pretty wobbly. The glue holding it together had dried and the top flipped up if I wasn't careful about there I stacked my fabrics. I looked at several options and decided on two sturdy work tables from a mail order catalog. I wasn't planning on this project until April because of some commitments, but DH ordered it as a surprise and I got them in early February.</div>
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Needless to say I had to scramble to clear out space for them. In doing so, I nearly emptied the room. The tables are assembled and in place and I love them! They measure 48 by 30 and I have them back to back so my work surface is 48 by 60 and there is absolutely no wobble now. </div>
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While re-assembling the room, I also decided to move my sewing machine so I could see something besides a wall while working. I think I'm really going to like this new arrangement. I've only sewn for a few minutes so far, but it's going to be nice to look up and see the trees outside my window.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These "cousin" socks are done!<br />
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While putting the room back together I've come across a whole bunch of stuff I forgot I had, including some projects! That's a bummer. Now they need to go onto the UFO list. So many projects; so little time!<br />
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All this is justification for failing once again on my to-do list. Let's see where I stand. My February commitments were: 1. finish sewing and get Christmas Diamonds to Michele for quilting. Not done, but very close. I cut the backing yesterday and will have that together as soon as I get off the computer. 2. finish Texas Braid. Done on Feb. 4th. 3. finish the blue socks I discovered while looking for something else. Done. Blogged about <a href="http://pinehurstprojects.blogspot.com/2013/02/a-good-start-and-finish.html">here</a>. See photo above. 4. layer and quilt Sophie's Butterfly. Not done. This won't happen in March either. 5. Block Lotto blocks. Not done, I wasn't feeling the love and didn't have my room in order to sew until yesterday. That was a very low priority anyway because I wasn't feeling the love for the block in the first place.</div>
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The two additional projects that I knitted were a ruffle scarf and a pair of socks for the two lovely women who hosted us on our vacation. The socks are the in-progress shot above. I used two strands of Heart and Sole to make a worsted weight pair that I'm sure will keep her feet warm. The colors reminded me of the red rocks near Sedona. The ruffled scarf was from Sashay in wonderful teal colors that happened to match her jacket perfectly!</div>
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I knitted that in the car while traveling from near Phoenix to the Nike Missile Museum near Tucson. (Fascinating place! Go if you get a chance.)</div>
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The books I read were "Agenda 21" by Glenn Beck, "Across Many Mountains" by Yangzom Brauen and "After the Rising" by Orna Ross.</div>
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Beck's book is a chilling look at the future if the environmentalist agenda is taken to the nth degree. It's a world without any modern conveniences where there is no electricity, animals have more rights than man and The Authority dictates citizens' every movement.</div>
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"Across Many Mountains" tells the story of a devout Tibetan family and their harrowing journey across the Himalayan Mountains, their travails in India and ultimate settlement in Switzerland. This was a book club selection that I cannot say I liked, but that I'm glad I read. The narrator is the granddaughter of the parents in the trek. She shares a lot of information about the Buddhist religion which I found fascinating. It's really hard for this independent American woman to understand the Tibetan deference to authority which her parents exhibited, but that seems to be a big part of both their culture and religion.</div>
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One of her motive for writing the memoir is to promote Tibetan independence from China which invaded the country 50 years ago. It seems very unlikely that that could ever happen after all this time.</div>
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The third book, "After the Rising," I read on my iTouch. It was a freebie in the Kindle store and I had no idea what to expect. The story is of an Irish expatriate who returns from San Francisco to her hometown for her mother's funeral. In the ensuing weeks, she is given a suitcase full of papers from her mother's and grandmother's lives. While dealing with her own problems, she digs into the stash and finds out how involved her grandmother, Peg, was in the Irish struggle for independence from England. Ultimately I found the book frustrating because it's obviously the beginning of a series and the cliff-hanger ending did its job: keeping me in suspense. Do I care enough to buy the second book? I don't know.</div>
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This has gotten extremely long, so I think I'll post later about my goals for March. Stay tuned!</div>
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Jeanne in Ohiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16053167586736687907noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1401512169134660164.post-78907971554537262432013-02-11T08:51:00.001-05:002013-02-11T08:51:57.870-05:00Design Wall Monday Feb. 11, 2013<div align="left">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnxqIwYYxgY1slJF4CutBp_NQlCMwuFfK8EqGY_hYwM_EWpeBhr-q6bh3EqO_cVph7m7dy4RmULie-0_p6x2Oqif-fGmqGeRJWF98uouQgzJQypvrKX4xJRM3rkfNwU9RAYn0mR-y8NGA/s1600/DSCF0184-001.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnxqIwYYxgY1slJF4CutBp_NQlCMwuFfK8EqGY_hYwM_EWpeBhr-q6bh3EqO_cVph7m7dy4RmULie-0_p6x2Oqif-fGmqGeRJWF98uouQgzJQypvrKX4xJRM3rkfNwU9RAYn0mR-y8NGA/s400/DSCF0184-001.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
This is my finished flimsy for Sophie’s Butterfly Challenge. I hope to get this layered and quilted before the end of the month since it’s on my to-do list. It’s pretty small, so it shouldn’t take long, but I don’t have a place to layer it until my new cutting table arrives. </div>
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I’m pretty excited about the new table, but a little frustrated that they’re not here yet. DH found some work tables in a catalog that he gets, and I think it’s the best answer to my wish list. I need a sturdier table than I have (one of those folding ones from JoAnn’s) I also wanted something a little wider than the 36 inches I currently have. The new one will be 48 by 60 with a sturdy metal base.</div>
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How will I quilt this? I have no idea! I’m pretty sure I’ll outline the butterfly and the various borders, unless I decide to treat several as one. I guess I’ll decide that when I get there.</div>
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I’m linking this to<a href="http://www.patchworktimes.com/2013/02/11/design-wall-monday-6/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+PatchworkTimes+%28Patchwork+Times+by+Judy+Laquidara%29"> Design Wall Monday</a>. Check out the cyber inspiration!</div>
Jeanne in Ohiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16053167586736687907noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1401512169134660164.post-89908407520380645772013-02-08T17:11:00.001-05:002013-02-08T18:44:17.966-05:00A good start and a finish<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsa29Q6P5ogWudkwD4FME-JRU563dYG5gvh3zV3KUn8Cihs9jjfCWL3oL3cOFKr3wr2WI0Za7XLGG6QKzguDqjrba6ygB14Lu7wwDYkIqEMnzhttaT-drKMN7vWXT18GH1S1bO8xsWuno/s1600/Socks+for+Marge.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsa29Q6P5ogWudkwD4FME-JRU563dYG5gvh3zV3KUn8Cihs9jjfCWL3oL3cOFKr3wr2WI0Za7XLGG6QKzguDqjrba6ygB14Lu7wwDYkIqEMnzhttaT-drKMN7vWXT18GH1S1bO8xsWuno/s320/Socks+for+Marge.JPG" style="clear: both; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These are gift socks.</td></tr>
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I’m working on some gift socks. They’ll go to my friend who is hosting
my husband and me for an upcoming trip to Arizona. <br />
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I’m using Red Heart Heart & Sole, which is 70% wool and 30% nylon,
doubled and 3.5mm Knit Picks interchangeable needles. I’m using Magic Loop. <br />
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I love the colors of this yarn, especially doubled. It really reminds me
of the red rock canyons around Sedona. I’m hoping we’ll spend a day there.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj9WB1cSiHtWnQr18VKK4ZSQNmKMM4DQ_OHWQRiRlNcR2CanLul1mt5qak7s2QmdAAdvK-OdI_P8untgv3ogKe5MWmnbwGJkFGlRy4In_WL1SMmjbbV401TiyYkRXB6V-pdlIN94Qff9Y/s1600/Cousins+socks.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj9WB1cSiHtWnQr18VKK4ZSQNmKMM4DQ_OHWQRiRlNcR2CanLul1mt5qak7s2QmdAAdvK-OdI_P8untgv3ogKe5MWmnbwGJkFGlRy4In_WL1SMmjbbV401TiyYkRXB6V-pdlIN94Qff9Y/s320/Cousins+socks.JPG" style="clear: both; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cousins?<br />
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Earlier this week I finished these blue socks, which turned out to be
more cousins than twins. I got tired of the pattern I used on the first sock and
switched to a beaded rib on the second one. It looks bad now, but I doubt it
will be that noticeable when I’m wearing them. Either way, they’re done! I have
no idea when I started these socks. I found them in a bag when I was looking for
something in my sewing studio. I’ve been keeping a log of my various projects
since 2009, and they’re not on any of them. I don’t know what happened, but it’s
a finished project and that makes me happy! <br />
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I’m linking to <a href="http://marciascraftysewing.blogspot.com/2013/02/minutes-for-me-linky-party-29.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+CraftySewingQuilting+%28Crafty+Sewing+%26amp%3B+Quilting%29">Minutes for Me</a>, <a href="http://crazymomquilts.blogspot.com/2013/02/sock-monkeys.html">Finish it Fridays</a> and Judy's <a href="http://www.patchworktimes.com/2013/02/08/whats-on-your-needles-february-8-2013/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+PatchworkTimes+%28Patchwork+Times+by+Judy+Laquidara%29">What on your Needles</a>. Check out the creativity!<br />
<a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img align="middle" alt="Posted by Picasa" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" style="-moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; background: 0% 50%; border: 0px currentColor; padding: 0px;" /></a>Jeanne in Ohiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16053167586736687907noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1401512169134660164.post-60914416443250661192013-01-31T13:17:00.001-05:002013-01-31T13:17:31.902-05:00My list for February<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW-hXujMUgGGK3Zy5xjMR89iO3bqU6GxL33w0mrhbVMspZ9cGR9wQySMESDn1A1ZopL5H2KSJZn2NdRSvFjSzKIldMYkXloZQ9bNyW6hidQcmSGHbWRVl1KKvS6hJpXXPI6CwDkvF4R3k/s1600/P1020226.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW-hXujMUgGGK3Zy5xjMR89iO3bqU6GxL33w0mrhbVMspZ9cGR9wQySMESDn1A1ZopL5H2KSJZn2NdRSvFjSzKIldMYkXloZQ9bNyW6hidQcmSGHbWRVl1KKvS6hJpXXPI6CwDkvF4R3k/s320/P1020226.JPG" style="clear: both; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Texas Braid<br />
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The picture you see at left is my Texas Chain quilt, which will be finished the next time you see it!<br />
I started this in October, 2010, and Michele finished the quilting last fall. I WILL bet it bound and labeled in the next month. Why did I drop the ball when I was so close to the end? I'll never understand that!<br />
Anyway, that's No. 1 on my list for February. But let's look back at January first. I listed four things: 1. Quilt the Carpenter's Star from Judy's feather lessons last year. Fail<br />
2. Finish Christmas Diamonds top, piece backing and send to Michele to quilt. 1/2 done. (I was worried about the size and afraid I couldn't get it to her requirements. She told me 120x120 for the batting would be fine, so I'll go ahead with it.)<br />
3. Make blocks for January Block Lotto. Check! Posted <a href="http://pinehurstprojects.blogspot.com/2013/01/6-block-lotto-blocks.html">here</a>.<br />
4. Begin cutting scraps with my new Accuquilt Go! Check! (I cut a huge amount of fabric, but it doesn't look like I've made much headway. Another goal to make, hum?)<br />
So January wasn't too great. I need to do better in February. I also need to be realistic about what I can get accomplished. It's not like I don't have a lot of UFOs sitting around to choose from. Some are almost done, for goodness sake!<br />
With that in mind, here's what I need to get finished in February:<br />
1. Assemble backing for Christmas Diamonds and get it to Michele. <br />
2. Bind and label the Texas Chain quilt.<br />
3. Finish the blue socks that have been hanging around forever.<br />
4. Layer Sophie's Butterfly Challenge and quilt it.<br />
5. Block Lotto blocks (maybe). I'm not too wild about this month's pattern and I want to see some before I decide to make them.<br />
A list of five rather than four doesn't look like reality, but the first two shouldn't take more than a couple days. Am I losing touch with reality? I guess we'll see.<br />
To be continued. . .<br />
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Jeanne in Ohiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16053167586736687907noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1401512169134660164.post-27683250081757856142013-01-28T09:18:00.000-05:002013-01-28T09:18:57.316-05:00Design Bed Monday<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC7taVCF2HqRt_yh7OVthNXHb52KOWsnQQTf8y1DTzuV_F5ZX-ZiiN2rTkaxf4yhd2odYesjey19HEBKvOv18_kPBODwjGFZegzTfQ4jfpBxRi3BtLaLX0ozaolZdTg7mq5f-rfCtN_DY/s1600/DSCF0162-001.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC7taVCF2HqRt_yh7OVthNXHb52KOWsnQQTf8y1DTzuV_F5ZX-ZiiN2rTkaxf4yhd2odYesjey19HEBKvOv18_kPBODwjGFZegzTfQ4jfpBxRi3BtLaLX0ozaolZdTg7mq5f-rfCtN_DY/s400/DSCF0162-001.JPG" style="clear: both; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" width="400" /></a> Thanks, Blogger!<br />
I had this post all ready to go and somehow it got "lost" in the ozone. I cannot express how upset I am!<br />
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Anyway, the quilt at left is my Christmas Diamonds flimsie. It is based on a pattern from Fons & Porter's magazine (Imperial Diamonds). <br />
I first posted about it almost a year ago, <a href="http://pinehurstprojects.blogspot.com/2012/02/design-wall-feb-13-2012.html">here</a>.<br />
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The thing is I modified the pattern to better use the fabric I already had, and my mods have taken a nice, queen-sized project to a monster king-sized one. I don't even have a final measurement because I don't have floor space big enough to lay it out.<br />
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I have an idea, though, and if it works, I will have dimensions to give Michele when I talk to her. My concern is that the batting that I have is 120-inches square, and I think the flimsie is 112 by 113. She wants 4 inches on each side, and that only gives me 3.5. On my last quilt she scolded me for not giving her enough room around the quilt. <br />
More to come . . .<br />
In the meantime, I'm linking up to <a href="http://www.patchworktimes.com/2013/01/28/design-wall-january-28-2013/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+PatchworkTimes+%28Patchwork+Times+by+Judy+Laquidara%29">Design Wall Monday</a>. Check out the incredible online inspiration!<br />
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Jeanne in Ohiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16053167586736687907noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1401512169134660164.post-61877211464521491012013-01-21T09:02:00.000-05:002013-01-23T08:29:49.974-05:00Finishes<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDfHt9DP6mZql8vdzW9FC-OUVUcouw4eYuwl_VQD61lT3MSdh0VBcVADKFH-0Sf8g6Mkf3p2GY3OHF5kbYsxD4hOACnr8897j4KtD4pSefet7SGC-CitBgF8PbjnC8YjYZ1H2RGPfEUeY/s1600/Butterfly++Whirlpool-002.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDfHt9DP6mZql8vdzW9FC-OUVUcouw4eYuwl_VQD61lT3MSdh0VBcVADKFH-0Sf8g6Mkf3p2GY3OHF5kbYsxD4hOACnr8897j4KtD4pSefet7SGC-CitBgF8PbjnC8YjYZ1H2RGPfEUeY/s320/Butterfly++Whirlpool-002.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Butterfly Whirlpool<br />
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I've "teased" these two finishes but I didn't have a chance to get an outdoor shot until yesterday. My ever-helpful DH held them up and I was able to shoot them in better light than in my sewing room. It does make a difference, doesn't it?<br />
I love making Stack N Whack quilts, so much so that I've made at least four, and one of them lives on our bed. I'm not sure what will happen to these, but they are finally done. I think I started them around 2007 or so, so I think they've aged to perfection!<br />
The quilting was done on my Janome Horizon. I used a titanium topstitch needle, Bottom Line thread in the bobbin and a combination of Isacord and C&C machine quilting thread on top. <br />
The butterflies, called Butterfly Whirlpool, have drawn and traced feathers, echoing and stippling behind the feathers. I did free-form feathers in the outer border, and I'm not as happy with those as with the ones I drew. However, I did improve from beginning to end, so I guess that's a win.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ9swXWBGvqPML-iWKtoLmNWcbjrmWegoqRvAjb8jHW1XOJapPJ5aHXVF6cNfaDm-ksfoVxVyjD8417_30hej3MIPClTHoDa-h3zlnPLPPfwSYD5HPXYvKtQ2LzEAo1hdH5sDz1KZJMcI/s1600/Butterfly++Whirlpool.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ9swXWBGvqPML-iWKtoLmNWcbjrmWegoqRvAjb8jHW1XOJapPJ5aHXVF6cNfaDm-ksfoVxVyjD8417_30hej3MIPClTHoDa-h3zlnPLPPfwSYD5HPXYvKtQ2LzEAo1hdH5sDz1KZJMcI/s320/Butterfly++Whirlpool.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stack o' Leaves</td></tr>
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For the leaves, I did a feathery thingie (technical term) in the centers, squiggles in the star points, and drawn feathers in the green border. I drew bubbles in the narrow peach border and leaves in the outer one. This was the first finish for the year; the butterflies were second, but I'm happier with the butterflies so I placed them at the top of the post.<br />
I have one more quilt layered and ready to go, but I want to do some piecing for a week or so before I jump on that. I spent time Sunday piecing six Block Lotto Tall Shoo Fly blocks and it was a ton of fun. I want to do more with BL this year. The blocks are going to be rectangles, which I haven't done much with.<br />
On my Get it Done list:<br />
1. I have done the stabilizing stitching on the Carpenter's Star quilt, but nothing else. I still have hopes for this.<br />
2. I have two more border pieces to add to the Christmas Diamonds quilt. Then I need to piece the backing and give it to Michele to quilt. This is a monster-sized king, and I'll be glad to hand it over.<br />
3. The <a href="http://blocklotto.com/">Block Lotto</a> blocks are done and posted, so check! <br />
4. I cut some triangles with my Go! cutter, and found I have a defective die. I contacted the seller and they are going to get back to me. Now I really want to test all those other dies to make sure they're OK. I have a 1-year warranty, so I'm pretty sure the defective one will be replaced.<br />
The bottom line is I have only one check out of four and it's the 20th of the month. I need to get cracking! <br />
I'm linking up with <a href="http://www.patchworktimes.com/2013/01/21/design-wall-monday-january-21-2013/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+PatchworkTimes+%28Patchwork+Times+by+Judy+Laquidara%29&utm_content=Google+Reader">Design Wall Monday</a> today and I'll add a link Wednesday for <a href="http://www.freshlypieced.com/2013/01/wip-wednesday-have-wips-but-no-machine.html">WIP Wednesday</a>. Enjoy surfing the creativity!<br />
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Jeanne in Ohiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16053167586736687907noreply@blogger.com5