tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23938813048251019112024-03-12T21:56:41.917-07:00Between Quilts...a homemade lifeValeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00316052455388116886noreply@blogger.comBlogger84125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2393881304825101911.post-41742579431182499132015-05-22T06:28:00.000-07:002015-05-22T06:28:13.265-07:00A Very Special Quilt<br />
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I don't know about all quilters, but I think it's safe to say we make quilts for lots of different reasons: a pattern we want to try, a combination of fabrics we want to see together, the sheer love of seeing how all that piecing comes together. I know I can't stop. There are constant rotating pictures in my mind of various shapes and patterns and color combos - if only there were time to make them all! And of course, we make quilts for other people. People we love - family, friends, new babies, (occasionally even ourselves!...) And sometimes we get to make something really special, for someone we really love, to mark a really important time in their life. We spend months thinking about patterns, agonizing over fabric choices, because this quilt needs to be just right. This is one of those quilts. <br />
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My Dad recently retired after teaching New Testament at Seminary for over 40 years. I knew this moment needed to be marked with a special quilt. I wanted to make something that would honor him, represent his legacy of work, be meaningful to him and my mom, and be something useful to them in their home.<br />
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Can I brag for just a minute on my Dad? He is one of the greats in my life. He is a highly respected scholar, teacher and speaker, which has led to many travels in the U.S. and abroad. He is the author of countless articles and several books, which have been translated into multiple languages. He's the kind of guy who just knows things. He's like my own personal Google long before that was even a thing. "Hey Dad! We're shopping for a new car...what do you know about Diesel engines?" And he would just spout off a three point lesson on things to consider with a diesel engine - like he had been sitting around just waiting for someone to ask him that very question. He just knows stuff. He can talk about anything, from what makes a tomato an heirloom to why we say "Amen" at the end of a prayer. Do you have someone like this in your life? I hope so...the sheer knowing that I can pick up the phone and call him to discuss anything about life provides an infinite source of comfort and security. And oh how I hope and pray my kids find this in me and my husband. <br />
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And he would be the first to say that he could not do what he does without the support of my mom, who is another great in my life. She loves everybody! I mean EVERYBODY! I grew up with a constant example in front of me of what it means to really love other people. To find the good in people, to love their quirkiness, to love in spite of mistakes, to show grace. Her eyes litterally light up when she's talking to you, makes you feel like you matter, that your story is significant. And God bless her, that woman can write you a letter that makes you feel like a million bucks! She's the one that will remember you have a test or a doctor appointment or some big meeting, and she'll call to see how it went. It was through watching her love and serve other people my whole life that influenced me to pursue a profession in Social Work. I wish you could all know her, because she would love up on you and flash that twinkle in her eye as she greeted you with a hug. You would love her!<br />
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See why this quilt had to be special?!<br />
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Everything about this quilt was carefully chosen: The blue and gold are the colors of the university where my Dad taught. The cross shape represents the calling and practice of their faith, the reason for all the hard work over the years. Since the front had such a strong geometric feel, I wanted the back to be something unexpected. I love this print used on the back from <a href="http://www.artgalleryfabrics.com/cgi-bin/fabricshop/gallery.cgi?Category=108">Leah Duncan's Gramercy</a> line, it reminds me of the city streets of Chicago where they live and taught all these years, and the light blue being the color in the Chicago flag was just an added bonus. <br />
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Aren't they adorable? (The quilt was presented at my Dad's retirement party.)<br />
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QUILT STATS:<br />
Pattern: Ripple by the super talented <a href="http://www.genxquilters.com/2013/06/ripple-quilt-finishpublished.html">Anne Marie Chany</a> (The arrows are paper pieced)<br />
Measures: About 61'" x 66" (I made mine a little bigger than the pattern because my Dad is super tall)<br />
Thread: Aurifil for 3/4 of the quilting and 1/4 Gutterman (A thread emergency when you run out of a specific color and there's no time to order more! So thankful for friends who can come to the rescue in a pinch - thank you Nancy (<a href="http://owensolivia.blogspot.com/">Owen's Olivia</a>) for having the perfect shade of blue that I needed!<br />
Fabric: Blue background is a Michael Miller Cotton Couture, various prints for arrows, and Leah Duncan Gramercy on the back.<br />
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I am linking this up with <a href="http://amyscreativeside.com/bloggers-quilt-festival/">Amy's Creative Side Blogger's Quilt Festival</a> - such a source of inspiration!<br />
<img alt="spring 2015 BQF Button" height="309" src="http://amyscreativeside.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/spring-2015-BQF-Button.jpg" width="320" /><br />
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<br />Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00316052455388116886noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2393881304825101911.post-13150622134253148972015-04-06T08:57:00.002-07:002015-04-06T08:57:29.394-07:00Winner!I am so very thankful to all the people who have supported Quilt Lemonade with their time and efforts to lovingly donate a quilt to those in need. I love you all! <br />
The winner of the <a href="http://tallgrassprairiestudio.blogspot.com/">Jacquie Gering</a> quilt is:<br />
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Congratulations Shirley! (I will also post on Instagram as I know Shirley is likely to see there first). I know you will enjoy and take good care of Jacquie's quilt!<br />
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<br />Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00316052455388116886noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2393881304825101911.post-29746264835092602392015-03-03T11:22:00.001-08:002015-03-03T11:22:17.815-08:00Win a Jacquie Gering Quilt!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All quilts pictured here were made by Jacquie Gering.</td></tr>
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I am so excited to announce the raffle of a <a href="http://tallgrassprairiestudio.blogspot.com/">Jacquie Gering</a> quilt! Jacquie hardly needs introduction as a leader in the world of moder quilting, where, among many things, she is an amazing quilter, talented <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Quilting-Modern-Techniques-Projects-Improvisational/dp/1596683872/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1425401364&sr=8-1&keywords=quilting+modern">author</a>, excpetional teacher, and she currently serves on the Modern Quilt Guild Board of Directors. But perhaps more important on her bio than all those impressive things is that she is extremely gracious, funny, and kind-hearted, and I am blessed to call her friend. If you have already met her, you know exactly what I mean and you are nodding your head in agreement as you read this. If you haven't met her yet, please listen to me and go and do so! You will come away feeling refreshed and inspired.<br />
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Last summer while having lunch together in Chicago, Jacquie gave me a stack of quilts to send down to Guatemala for <a href="http://betweenquilts.blogspot.com/2014/05/quilt-lemonade-details.html">Project Quilt Lemonade</a>. We thought it would be fun to raffle off one of them for people who have donated a quilt to this charity! <br />
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A quilt to beget quilts = a win for one of you <b>and </b>a<b> </b>win for the people of <a href="http://www.lemonadeinternational.org/">La Limonada</a>!<br />
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This is the quilt made by Jacquie Gering being raffled, named Selvage Spools:</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(Ignore the Christmas decorations in the background - I snapped this pic awhile ago!)</td></tr>
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The quilt measures about 33" x 49" and already has a convenient hanging sleeve :). It would look super cute hanging in a sewing room and I'm thrilled it is coming to live with one of YOU! <br />I am so appreciative of all the support from this community of makers in providing quilts for La Limonada. Thank you! We are spreading JOY my friends! <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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So, would you like to win Jacquie's quilt? Of course you do! Here are the details: Any quilt donated for Quilt Lemonade that makes it's way to me by March 31, 2015, will be included in the raffle. To be included in the drawing, <b>quilts must meet the guidelines for the project, as specified in <a href="http://betweenquilts.blogspot.com/2014/05/quilt-lemonade-details.html">this post</a> .</b> Basically, we need new <b>completed </b>quilts of a usable size. 50" x 50" is a general measurement requirement - Of course we will accept larger quilts or slightly smaller as long as they are of usable size. We want these quilts to be both a thing of beauty and function - something that will bring joy and warmth to those who could use more of both of those things in their life. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Close up of Jacquie's Selvage Spools</td></tr>
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And if you don't happen to win, <a href="http://www.tallgrassprairiestudio.blogspot.com/2011/02/selvage-spoolsthe-tutorial.html">Jacquie has a tutorial</a><span style="text-align: left;"> on her blog for how to make this cute selvage quilt. It's perfect for all those fun selvages out there. Is it me, or are the selvages getting cuter and cuter lately?! </span></div>
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<b>Good news: If you have already donated a quilt, you are already entered! </b></div>
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<b>More good news: Each quilt gets an entry, so you will have as many entries as the number of quilts you have donated.</b> </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another close up of Jacquie's Selvage Spools</td></tr>
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Now, let's get busy making some quilts for La Limonada! I'll draw a winner randomly at the end of March. If you have any questions, feel free to get in touch with me. Let me know when you are ready to mail a quilt and I'll send on the address. <br /><br /><div>
And I'm sending out a huge THANK YOU! to Jacquie for sharing her quilts with Quilt Lemonade! I am grateful. </div>
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OK, like many quilters, my favorite quilt is often the last one I've just finished. This just means there is lots of opportunity for each quilt to have it's turn in the spotlight - the one everyone clamors for during family movie night- the one I find the kids have snuck downstairs to put on their bed before they go to sleep. But truly, I think THIS quilt is my favorite. I mean it this time. ;)<br />
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Everytime I walk through this room, my eyes find their way to all those colorful candy-like triangles, and it makes me happy. It just does! <br />
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This quilt was made with the help of my dear friends from around the globe in The Stitch Tease Bee. I have so enjoyed sewing with this group of talented women for the past few years and am so thankful to have a tangible reminder of our work together living wtih me in my home! I came up with a panel of flying geese (see <a href="http://betweenquilts.blogspot.com/search?q=flying+geese+tutorial">tutorial here</a>) for my beemates to make with me and I love what they created! There are so many special fabrics in here, including some of my all-time favorites, that it is easy to lose several minutes just looking at them all. Eye candy at its finest. <br />
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And the back! I've been saving this hoarded Ikea fabric for something special and had this quilt in mind from the start. I quilted with a walking foot spiraling out from the center - worth the effort and sore shoulders if you ask me. I love it! <br />
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<br />Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00316052455388116886noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2393881304825101911.post-32187532965444055942014-12-10T05:17:00.000-08:002014-12-10T05:17:19.086-08:00Scrappy Tree Mug Rug Tutorial<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Today is my stop on the Merry Mug Rug Blog Hop hosted by my dear friend Jennifer at <a href="http://ellisonlane.com/">Ellison Lane.</a> I'm bringing back the Scrappy Christmas Tree in mug rug form. You can see the original version in an advent calendar I made a couple of years ago <a href="http://betweenquilts.blogspot.com/2012/12/tutorial-scrappy-advent-calendar.html">here</a>. I love that scrappy little tree and was excited to do a mini version.<br />
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Although I have the earlier tutorial for this technique, I'm including a quick run through of the basics so you can make one of these scrappy little trees for yourself! <br />
Tutorial:<br />
First, gather lots of green scraps - we want a good variety of tiny scraps. Of course, this little tree would be adorable made of a single small scale green print with a scrappy garland if you don't want to fool with piecing the tree. But I like scrappy, so here we go!<br />
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Next, start building some green sections. I never measure, just join and trim, join and trim. Usually I don't even use a ruler to cut, so I can get some wonky lines which adds to the scrappy look. I know! So liberating!<br />
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You can stop once you have a general tree shape. <br />
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Cut out your tree shape:</div>
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Now my favorite part - the garland! Get out your tiny colorful scraps and sew them into strips.</div>
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Then just start playing with where you'd like to place your garland on the tree. </div>
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Take a deep breath and cut your tree so you can add the garland. Just do it. That scrappy tree is so cute on its own, and I do keep meaning to make one and leave it that way, but the garland adds so much! </div>
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Then add your background fabric. I just place the tree on top and use my ruler to line up the angle I need. </div>
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I then make a quick trunk using a scrap of brown fabric (about 1.5 x 2.5 inches before sewing) and adding some background strips. Center this piece on the tree. </div>
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I thought it would be cute to quilt in little snowflakes. I started with white but eventually decided I liked the contrast of teal snowflakes for this mug rug. It's all about trying things out, right?! I have to say, I had some issues when I quilted the flakes in and ended up having to rip it out. The solution was to interface the mini quilt top, add the flakes, and then quilt with backing and batting. This worked for this size project with just some light echo quilting around our little tree. </div>
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Add a binding and you're done! </div>
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I love this little mug rug and plan to give it to a friend this Christmas. And I'm so addicted to this technique, that I have a pillow in the works for the couch. I'll be adding red pom-poms for the trim - so cute, right?! </div>
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Thanks for stopping by, and be sure to check out all the other stops along the<a href="http://ellisonlane.com/2014/12/merry-mug-rug-tutorial-giveaway.html"> Merry Mug Rug Blog Hop over at Ellison Lane </a>- cuteness overload! While you're there, be sure to enter the great giveaway going on too! <br />
<img alt="stuff stocking graphic" src="http://ellisonlane.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/stuff-stocking-graphic.jpg" height="320" width="320" /><img alt="mug rugs christmas mug rugs a blog series at ellisonlane.com" src="http://ellisonlane.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/MERRY.png" height="320" width="320" /><br />
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<br />Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00316052455388116886noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2393881304825101911.post-88789726411471677672014-10-31T20:00:00.002-07:002014-10-31T20:01:42.451-07:00Blogger's Quilt Festival - Fall 2014<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hello my friends! I've been chatting with a lot of you on IG lately (find me there @valbetweenquilts) - which has led to fewer blog posts. But it's <a href="http://amyscreativeside.com/bloggers-quilt-festival/">Blogger's Quilt Festival</a> time again, so that's got me running back here - I always love participating in that!<br />
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This time, I'd like to share a mini quilt I made for a swap I was in earlier in the year. The Post Sew South Swap happens after the <a href="http://sewsouthretreat.com/">Sew South</a> retreat and my partner this time was my sweet friend Kim. I was so excited to make her something special and felt some paper piecing was in order.<br />
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I have been crushing on kaleidoscope quilts lately and decided to give the paper pieced pattern on <a href="http://redpepperquilts.com/">Red Pepper Quilts</a> a try. It is a lot of tiny piecing, but I love the end result. I think each block finishes at 4", so this mini quilt is 16"x16". I love how the low volume background prints set off the rich teals and golds. Every one of these fabrics makes me happy :). <br />
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Short and sweet tonight folks - time to check out some more <a href="http://amyscreativeside.com/bloggers-quilt-festival/">Blogger's Quilt Festival </a>entries! Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00316052455388116886noreply@blogger.com36tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2393881304825101911.post-46963375050165949382014-05-28T08:45:00.004-07:002014-05-28T08:45:23.259-07:00At Last!Can you hear Etta James in the background as you read this post?? Because I can, and certainly heard those sweet words as I danced around the house last night with my new bag slung over my shoulder: At last, my love has come along...<br />
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MY WEEKENDER BAG IS FINISHED!!! </div>
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Here she is in all her retro-vibey glory. This is a tough bag y'all. I have summitted my personal Sewing Everest. <a href="http://www.amybutlerdesign.com/products/patterns_display.php?id=22">The Weekender Bag pattern by Amy Butler</a> has turned in to a right of passage in the sewing community, and with good reason. It is like luggage and certainly looks sharp with loads of professional looking details. <br />
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Why, is that homemade piping made from bias strips?? Yes, yes it is. <br />
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Is that bag so sturdy it stands up all by itself?? Yes, yes it does. There is enough interfacing in this thing I would not be surprised if this bag stood up and walked across the room to me when I called it. (And it's such a smart bag, I should totally try that). </div>
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I did add a couple of pockets to the inside lining to make it more functional.<br />
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And I did add purse feet to the bottom to make it more sturdy.<br />
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I also lengthened the straps to 54" and used webbing as interfacing for the handles because I wanted them to be really strong. Oh, and I followed the advice of my friend <a href="http://lovebyhand.com/">Christen </a> and topstitched the lining right over the zipper line instead of having to do that by hand. Much faster and I'm so happy with the result. I think those are the only modifications I made to the pattern. Can I just say the zipper installation was GENIUS! I was skeptical reading the instructions because I've never done a zipper that way before, but I went ahead and followed what it said (I know, shocker! Actually following a pattern!). I'm so glad I did! The result is a clean, tight zipper line. <br />
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Y'all, I have wanted to make this bag for years. When I first joined the online sewing community back in 2011, I was amazed that this was a thing people could MAKE! I've admired so many other's Weekender Bags over the years, and have so many favorite - there are some beautiful bags out there and I've been inspired by them all.<br />
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I would never, ever in a million years have started this project without the serious hand-holding of my sweet friend <a href="http://blustitch.com/">Melissa </a>. We started this pattern together over a YEAR ago - her beautiful bag long being done and mine languishing in a sad pile of cut pieces for far too long. The Weekender Sew Along hosted by some more sweet friends <a href="http://sewlux.blogspot.com/">Sew Lux</a>, <a href="http://lovebyhand.com/">Love By Hand</a>, and <a href="http://modernhandcraft.com/">Modern Handcraft</a> was exactly the push I needed to finish this thing when I really just wanted to abandon it in a large pile of WIP's. And of course, I had constant support from so many IG friends who really cheered me on to finish. Thank you to all of you - really, I mean it! - I couldn't have done it without you. <br />
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<img alt="amy butler weekender sew along 2014" height="320" src="http://www.lovebyhand.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/WeekenderSewAlong2014.png" width="320" /><br />
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Now please excuse me, I am off to dance with my new bag...At Last!Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00316052455388116886noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2393881304825101911.post-11141472969322242014-05-23T09:31:00.000-07:002014-05-23T09:31:16.051-07:00Blogger's Quilt Festival Spring 2014<div style="text-align: center;">
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It's that time again! I love the online quilt festival that Amy of <a href="http://amyscreativeside.com/bloggers-quilt-festival/">Amy's Creative Side</a> hosts twice a year to coincide with Quilt Market. This time, I'm entering a group quilt made by attendees of this year's<a href="http://sewsouthretreat.com/"> Sew South Retreat. </a> <a href="http://ellisonlane.com/">Jennifer of Ellison Lane</a> hosts this event and it is spectacular! I thought it would be a nice surprise to thank her for her hard work with a quilt made by all of us - an enduring keepsake stitched with love and gratitude! I asked the group to send in 12" or 6" stars of their choosing with a color palette of teal, pink, orange, and yellow with a low volume background.<br />
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<span style="text-align: start;"> I love making quilts like this because you end up with so many different blocks that work so great together. </span></div>
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For the back, I pieced the words "Sew South" - going scrappy within each letter in the color palette chosen, which I felt would compliment all the different fabrics on the front. I also pieced a signature panel from siggy blocks sent in by each person participating. </div>
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For the quilting, I used a tutorial from <a href="http://betteroffthread.com/">Better Off Thread</a> to do wavy lines close together. I love the effect - kind of looks like a fingerprint! This kind of quilting takes a ton of time but is worth it for the results and newly toned triceps. Quilting is my favorite sport! <br />
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Jenn loves her quilt and we were able to keep it a surprise until the last day of the retreat. It is always a joy to make quilts for people, especially good friends! <br />
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I'm off to check out more <a href="http://amyscreativeside.com/bloggers-quilt-festival/">Blogger Quilt Festival</a> quilts - join me!<br />
Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00316052455388116886noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2393881304825101911.post-79251891155920483702014-05-16T08:51:00.000-07:002014-05-16T08:51:30.608-07:00Quilt Lemonade: The Details<h2 style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;"><u>The Details</u></span></div>
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<u>Who We Are:</u> A charity quilt drive benifitting the community of La Limonada in Guatemala City, which is considered to be the largest urban slum area in Central America.</div>
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<u>Who Quilts Are For:</u> There are many great programs run by <a href="http://lemonadeinternational.org/">Lemonade International</a> to help the people in this community. Our primary focus is the children in the safe house, which currently houses 19 children. After this goal is met, my hope is that we can continue to cover this community in quilty love across all populations!</div>
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<u>What We Need:</u> <b>Completed </b>quilts in a usable size - lap size or larger. A general reference is 50" x 50", but if you have a quilt that you would like to share that is larger or a tad smaller that is welcome too! We want these to be a functional size - pretty to look at and warm to snuggle under!</div>
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<u>Get Involved:</u> If you are interested in providing a quilt for this community, or have any questions about this project, <b>please contact me (Valerie) via email at betweenquilts (dot) gmail (dot) com. </b> Learn more about La Limonada and other ways to be involved at<a href="http://lemonadeinternational.org/"> Lemonade International.</a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSUSzbsINW_EFfGbYC0aTwOa34zMkua-5-AX7Ly3Zy2mj6gqdrDZWHljug_3rwTDUp9zZ_crPZr8gC32VQeDzsAPJLjrlKbxV-I5ljc33s9DYfNEr4HF8sOdreESCExA8vOo6m8CKQMAwK/s1600/Quilt+Lemonade+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSUSzbsINW_EFfGbYC0aTwOa34zMkua-5-AX7Ly3Zy2mj6gqdrDZWHljug_3rwTDUp9zZ_crPZr8gC32VQeDzsAPJLjrlKbxV-I5ljc33s9DYfNEr4HF8sOdreESCExA8vOo6m8CKQMAwK/s1600/Quilt+Lemonade+1.jpg" height="400" width="373" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The first quilt I made for La Limonada</td></tr>
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Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00316052455388116886noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2393881304825101911.post-92194064562832050302014-04-25T08:23:00.000-07:002014-04-25T08:23:18.916-07:00Quilt Lemonade on Modern Sewciety Podcast Today! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I'm so excited to share about Project Quilt Lemonade on the <a href="http://www.modernsewciety.com/podcast-gallery">Modern Sewciety Podcast</a> today! I had a chance to talk at <a href="http://sewsouthretreat.com/">Sew South</a> about the charity quilt project I started for <a href="http://lemonadeinternational.org/">Lemonade International</a>. I have been so encouraged by the willingness of people to help this cause with their time and talent. After the retreat, </div>
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<a href="http://alisonglass.com/">Alison </a>put me in touch with Stephanie, who recently began a podcast for modern sewists, in an effort to reach a wider audience. <a href="http://www.modernsewciety.com/">Stephanie </a>was a delight to chat with, and I truly appreciate her help in spreading the word about our need for quilts for this community in Guatemala. </div>
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Check out the podcast by clicking <a href="http://www.modernsewciety.com/podcast-gallery">here</a>, and while you're there, check out the rest of her shows too - she has lots of talented, fun people on her show! It feels like you are listening to some friends having a conversation - which is pretty much the beauty of this quilting community. Thanks again Stephanie!</div>
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And don't you just LOVE the new Quilt Lemonade button?! A HUGE thank you to my sweet friend <a href="http://lrstitched.com/">Lindsey of LR Stiched</a> who made it for me! I love what she made and am grateful for tech-savvy friends </div>
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who help a girl out when she needs it :)</div>
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Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00316052455388116886noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2393881304825101911.post-65530886001391433602014-04-24T19:34:00.000-07:002014-04-24T19:34:46.964-07:00Sew South 2014<br />
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I blinked and a month went by. Why does that keep happening?? And although this time has passed, I simply must tell you about Sew South. Nearly 4 full days of friends, fun, laughing, crying (the good kind - from meaningful conversations), chatting, food, and very little sleep - all among the backdrop of fabric, thread, sewing, and classes. It was the best! I came home exhausted in the best way, feeling full and satisfied in deep places in my heart. It was just what I was needing. The people are by far the BEST part about a retreat and it was so great to see old friends and meet new ones too. Lots of laughs, chatting, and nerding out over thread and fabric were happening all over the place. I'm awful about taking pictures during an event - I'm so in the moment I don't even think about it - but here are a few taken with my cell phone.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1VRmnmtBwUkmA0MSafIkmNcZZMh16A85TzcsgAhtEA_XnBzpB8iQdjmOCGDBb6_62sCkGZe1Bhsixd4GcTUX0JiDZUXcp08Rlp4krTyPY0liPn1Du80bOmX3IleslMJzqtDYIafhzd1ZY/s1600/1345.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/AVvXsEh1VRmnmtBwUkmA0MSafIkmNcZZMh16A85TzcsgAhtEA_XnBzpB8iQdjmOCGDBb6_62sCkGZe1Bhsixd4GcTUX0JiDZUXcp08Rlp4krTyPY0liPn1Du80bOmX3IleslMJzqtDYIafhzd1ZY/s1600/1345.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With <a href="http://alisonglass.com/">Alison Glass</a><br /></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjklJDqKD9j9rEsWTx9i7O7_JFGZGKMX6VgM9xHmyXFQvANIMYqHMFwWZIOyWc787in6ebjDFDjADukdjel_Eu9_NQlHjd7vQvAPCRbpDzWU-3-t51vtv5p_k6Vsxcp34YzqSrPTucOKJbr/s1600/1338.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjklJDqKD9j9rEsWTx9i7O7_JFGZGKMX6VgM9xHmyXFQvANIMYqHMFwWZIOyWc787in6ebjDFDjADukdjel_Eu9_NQlHjd7vQvAPCRbpDzWU-3-t51vtv5p_k6Vsxcp34YzqSrPTucOKJbr/s1600/1338.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">With <a href="http://thesewingchick.blogspot.com/">Tessa </a></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5mf79vAkibf_eyjO9Tlp5q0WcIBPCdJLNwamWAxj__lIogsGn_pDw-8SpecKPy89eR4P-VvBkHdSk7VzCkwQCAuZPlLIZxhD-hx5F439CzYIaVgYIH0bGKLEpfSSgvFtoq6AcR7sea9ay/s1600/1344.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5mf79vAkibf_eyjO9Tlp5q0WcIBPCdJLNwamWAxj__lIogsGn_pDw-8SpecKPy89eR4P-VvBkHdSk7VzCkwQCAuZPlLIZxhD-hx5F439CzYIaVgYIH0bGKLEpfSSgvFtoq6AcR7sea9ay/s1600/1344.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With <a href="http://monpetitlyons.blogspot.com/">Courtney</a></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfvy-V7FwZhsFaKVcNoZTVvOYR-EyX_CcgQdXlSoIxWM-2c2rg1SQ_R8vfYDrN7V7dK34_raCQ9vZhA7LtOcoArhogqPTKYLd1vAfhaVhGlnqe2IpDulhhqn-qArmHu1ngX-AcKb1PiRMk/s1600/1339.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfvy-V7FwZhsFaKVcNoZTVvOYR-EyX_CcgQdXlSoIxWM-2c2rg1SQ_R8vfYDrN7V7dK34_raCQ9vZhA7LtOcoArhogqPTKYLd1vAfhaVhGlnqe2IpDulhhqn-qArmHu1ngX-AcKb1PiRMk/s1600/1339.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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With <a href="http://www.fromthebluechair.com/">Kati </a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq1WAd5fvqNTlgcYNzUq7IOW7ONa60KzCz1NOs9ZnauF5UE5Z3ppxGTwAAsxWnCFfJ6gp6dXqCafJRrH001HPJsWF-281qP01XokK85Mp8ch56M1e5DKd22IOqQb5ioAJGzHvlcE4LCNpC/s1600/1326.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq1WAd5fvqNTlgcYNzUq7IOW7ONa60KzCz1NOs9ZnauF5UE5Z3ppxGTwAAsxWnCFfJ6gp6dXqCafJRrH001HPJsWF-281qP01XokK85Mp8ch56M1e5DKd22IOqQb5ioAJGzHvlcE4LCNpC/s1600/1326.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
With several fellow Stitch Tease Bee members - <a href="http://www.randomthoughtsdoordi.com/">Di</a>, <a href="http://www.trinapeterson.com/">Trina</a>, and <a href="http://cindyloussouthernsewing.blogspot.com/">Cindy</a>. Interestingly, three additional members of this bee were together that same weekend on the other side of the world :).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDoPU2cI1NKhIBu2yk7-iqFpU0WVATbgIYDG6_JAfPpLEjfdDgv_aid9Flywfk0twzlmqgXrvMrcD8cwrPFd8BINkvvNjvY7qdwfAnjFv9rOdiWxHUgM_QQSWGkLtBZNoCfHCoKDM5DJGM/s1600/1329.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDoPU2cI1NKhIBu2yk7-iqFpU0WVATbgIYDG6_JAfPpLEjfdDgv_aid9Flywfk0twzlmqgXrvMrcD8cwrPFd8BINkvvNjvY7qdwfAnjFv9rOdiWxHUgM_QQSWGkLtBZNoCfHCoKDM5DJGM/s1600/1329.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
With <a href="http://owensolivia.blogspot.com/">Nancy </a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpiHjLX2WBFmX8swNPczigcsAWBn6R1eCz3Ds_cnUohw10VCgkG-an9ErJKQvxPgjTufKhymogdZY3JCqn1EPdi3g7jobbU6bcJB4PiS4vNvYI3AK5WeF-3lCACsDIbu0tsGK8CAMmsS04/s1600/1341.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpiHjLX2WBFmX8swNPczigcsAWBn6R1eCz3Ds_cnUohw10VCgkG-an9ErJKQvxPgjTufKhymogdZY3JCqn1EPdi3g7jobbU6bcJB4PiS4vNvYI3AK5WeF-3lCACsDIbu0tsGK8CAMmsS04/s1600/1341.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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With <a href="http://krynocks.blogspot.com/">Laurel</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIL9sY2rNs1tu-ya19FBwYeI1PAFvOyEwXh8EIzIJNgalLMGu8OeneH0nmuScykzsPAn7ROqavoFQdAnA2RTYKpTSZl2ataEvxSj4h2PZxiEb7Jsi_iWGA7cB2Qh6Hs1WEfRA0QyXjkGwx/s1600/1349.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIL9sY2rNs1tu-ya19FBwYeI1PAFvOyEwXh8EIzIJNgalLMGu8OeneH0nmuScykzsPAn7ROqavoFQdAnA2RTYKpTSZl2ataEvxSj4h2PZxiEb7Jsi_iWGA7cB2Qh6Hs1WEfRA0QyXjkGwx/s1600/1349.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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With <a href="http://lrstitched.com/">Lindsey</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdKZTCC-xAnT5LtXwS3JopeimUUyHtoUhg7aSXnoQURibxmKJsoyOTPYvZsHl0JwZPHdWDrGybH572g1hf-rWkb31Qt1JRPxN4TUKwgomzx3DAwFGR3_pwg5zYfdL1XVEkeobeG26Oi0wP/s1600/1331.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdKZTCC-xAnT5LtXwS3JopeimUUyHtoUhg7aSXnoQURibxmKJsoyOTPYvZsHl0JwZPHdWDrGybH572g1hf-rWkb31Qt1JRPxN4TUKwgomzx3DAwFGR3_pwg5zYfdL1XVEkeobeG26Oi0wP/s1600/1331.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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With Roommate <a href="http://www.stitcherydickorydock.com/">Amy</a></div>
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A highlight for me was when we presented Jennifer with the quilt we had made her, but alas, that deserves it's own post so I'll write about that later. Spoiler alert - lots of tears that morning!</div>
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A GIANT thank you to <a href="http://ellisonlane.com/">Jennifer </a>and all the sponsors for making Sew South such a fantastic event!<br />
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Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00316052455388116886noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2393881304825101911.post-80562914550605824352014-02-16T19:27:00.000-08:002014-02-16T19:27:16.181-08:00Riley Blake / MQG Fabric ChallengeHere is my entry for the <a href="http://www.rileyblakedesigns.com/">Riley Blake</a> fabric challenge hosted by the <a href="http://modernquiltguild.com/">Modern Quilt Guild</a>. <br />
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Measures: 15" x 19.5"</div>
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Fabrics: The Orange and Yellow - Riley Blake</div>
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The Solids - Kona</div>
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Designed & Quilted by me on my home machine</div>
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Members of the MQG who particpated in the challenge were given a set of fat eighths of various Riley Blake fabrics, with the rules of being able to use only Riley Blake prints, any solids, and your item had to be quilted. I was smitten with the orange print, and loved how it looked with the yellow, and from that point it just sort of evolved to sticking with fresh, spring-like colors. Given how cold it's been here lately, no wonder I'm dreaming of spring! For the quilting, I went with ascending curves, which reminded me of a slice of citrus fruit. I'm so pleased with how it turned out! A huge thank you to <a href="http://www.rileyblakedesigns.com/">Riley Blake</a> and <a href="http://themodernquiltguild.com/">The Modern Quilt Guild</a> for providing the fabric and the platform for this challenge. </div>
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Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00316052455388116886noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2393881304825101911.post-34374848752606551032014-02-12T20:12:00.004-08:002014-02-12T20:12:45.723-08:00Review: South Park Bag<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Welcome to my stop on the Crafty Traveler Blog Hop Series! I am so excited to share my thoughts with you on the South Park Bag by <a href="http://ellisonlane.com/">Jennifer of Ellison Lane</a>. Let me first start off by saying I am not the biggest suck-up because I am reviewing a pattern designed by my friend and the host of this series. Really, I'm not. I truly do love this bag! I had the chance to see the original version of this bag in action during a visit with Jenn last summer, and I was smitten with it's curved lines, ideal size, and structure. When she asked for some pattern testers, I couldn't respond fast enough. </div>
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Now, time for true confessions: Prior to this bag, I had NEVER made a bag by myself (and only a couple with some <i>serious </i>hand holding). Patterns scare me. There always seems to be a lot of steps - lots of words to read, seemingly really important steps that I feel sure to mess up. Even with quilting, my true crafty love, I very rarely use a pattern. So I knew this was going to be a challenge for me, and I felt ready to tackle it. </div>
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And look - I did it! Whoever left this fantastic Ikea fabric on the Freebie Table at <a href="http://sewsouthretreat.com/">Sew South</a> last year, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. To be sure there is a special spot in heaven for you and I'm guessing you are smart and beautiful and gifted with many talents, such are the ways of a person generous with fabric. </div>
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The other side:</div>
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My favorite parts about this pattern: <br />
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* The steps are clearly written, make sense, and are broken up logically (meaning, there's not really 18 steps in 1). <br />
* It was easy to understand and execute the steps even for a newbie bag maker. Beginner friendly! <br />
* The inside pocket. Oh, the inside pocket!! It is so simple, so polished looking, and the absolute perfect size with a slot for my cell phone and another for my sunglasses. I LOVE that about this bag. In fact, I have thought I would use this pocket in other bags I make (yes - there will be more!) because I am always digging for my phone and glasses with other purses. It is the perfect pocket. Try it - you'll see what I mean!<br />
* The handle. One handle, cleverly attached with rings for a smart look, that is just the right size to always stay on my shoulder. Love. <br />
* As I mentioned earlier - the sloped shape of this bag feels very contemporary to me - it is simple and elegant at once. The single handle complements this shape perfectly. <br />
*The size of this bag is great - roomy enough for what I need without being too big to allow me to carry more than necessary.<br />
*It really went together very quickly. I am not a super fast sewer but was still able to complete this in just a couple of sewing sessions. <br />
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I get compliments on it all the time when I'm out, and people can't believe I made it. I had such a sense of accomplishment when I finished. And just like that, I became a maker of bags. <div>
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(You can purchase the <a href="http://www.craftsy.com/pattern/sewing/accessory/the-southpark-bag/69809">South Park Bag pattern her</a>e, you'll be glad you did!) </div>
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OK, on to some details about the blog hop. Be sure to check out all the stops in the series and link up your own handmade crafty traveler item on <a href="http://ellisonlane.com/">ellisonlane.com</a> March 6 for a chance to win some great prizes!</div>
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This is the Crafty Traveler Blog Hop Schedule:</div>
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2/3: <a href="http://patchworkposse.com/" style="color: #63ad9e; text-decoration: none;">Patchwork Posse</a> &<a href="http://fabricmutt.blogspot.com/" style="color: #63ad9e; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"> Fabric Mutt</a></div>
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2/6: <a href="http://ellisonlane.com/2014/02/www.randomthoughtsdoordi.com" style="color: #63ad9e; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Random Thoughts Do or Di</a></div>
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2/10: <a href="http://goldenwillowquilts.com/" style="color: #63ad9e; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Golden Willow Quilts</a></div>
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2/13: <a href="http://ellisonlane.com/2014/02/Www.betweenquilts.blogspot.com" style="color: #63ad9e; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Between Quilts</a> & <a href="http://ellisonlane.com/2014/02/www.thesewingchick.blogspot.com" style="color: #63ad9e; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">The Sewing Chick</a></div>
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2/17: <a href="http://ellisonlane.com/2014/02/www.maychappell.com" style="color: #63ad9e; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">May Chappell</a> & <a href="http://ellisonlane.com/2014/02/www.modernhandcraft.com" style="color: #63ad9e; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Modern Handcraft</a></div>
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2/20: <a href="http://bryanhousequilts.blogspot.com/" style="color: #63ad9e; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Bryan House Quilts</a> & <a href="http://lovebyhand.com/" style="color: #63ad9e; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Love By Hand </a></div>
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2/24: <a href="http://ellisonlane.com/2014/02/www.monpetitlyons.blogspot.com" style="color: #63ad9e; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Petit Lyons </a>& <a href="http://ellisonlane.com/2014/02/www.trinapeterson.com" style="color: #63ad9e; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Sew Many Possibilities </a></div>
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2/27: <a href="http://ellisonlane.com/2014/02/www.owensolivia.blogspot.com" style="color: #63ad9e; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Owen’s Olivia</a></div>
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3/3: <a href="http://oldredbarnco.blogspot.com/" style="color: #63ad9e; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Old Red Barn Co. </a> & <a href="http://gogokim.blogspot.com/" style="color: #63ad9e; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Go Go Kim</a></div>
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3/6: Link-up opens at www.ellisonlane.com</div>
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3/13: Winners announced!</div>
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A special thank you to these wonderful sponsors for the great prizes!</div>
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Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00316052455388116886noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2393881304825101911.post-47246926500771856372014-02-10T19:36:00.003-08:002014-02-10T19:36:48.715-08:00Circle 7: Courtney<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t152/danabol/circle7bee125_zpsb2e78c28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t152/danabol/circle7bee125_zpsb2e78c28.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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Time for another Circle 7 update! This one is Courtney's quilt, and her theme was "Favorites. " I absolutely love what everyone has made for her! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiQkGUJ6eYIx52dIj3PxEF3ks0wsun1Ezw9ZLr9UXtHb1KH9SmG3GNIccKAxVJqKWRxLEEfeGEK-Q0RQ3PNxZHkwVtJPbFAvC7lrW9fBqYw-OVF1kTXpoRZJrWS25HPGvTGaxWGlnmiOW1/s1600/courtneys+whole+panel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiQkGUJ6eYIx52dIj3PxEF3ks0wsun1Ezw9ZLr9UXtHb1KH9SmG3GNIccKAxVJqKWRxLEEfeGEK-Q0RQ3PNxZHkwVtJPbFAvC7lrW9fBqYw-OVF1kTXpoRZJrWS25HPGvTGaxWGlnmiOW1/s1600/courtneys+whole+panel.jpg" height="270" width="400" /></a></div>
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This is the panel I added:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpysOrKJnGppG7iB5DIvRt2X0LRcjopmUj03sZzoeZos_jRTn8ln3to_v-43aCMSNgvsLD-qolnSdYJxuv5i4zc7VSN9uSBtzXz5i7Th4YnQ-qbg4TDAfraah9c3hojhCk4Hau_mbS2vjo/s1600/courtneys+panel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpysOrKJnGppG7iB5DIvRt2X0LRcjopmUj03sZzoeZos_jRTn8ln3to_v-43aCMSNgvsLD-qolnSdYJxuv5i4zc7VSN9uSBtzXz5i7Th4YnQ-qbg4TDAfraah9c3hojhCk4Hau_mbS2vjo/s1600/courtneys+panel.jpg" height="640" width="273" /></a></div>
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I started with the coffee pot - I happened to have the same black dot print she used around her mugs in her starter panel, so I thought that would tie in nicely. I scanned the internet for inspiration and made up this block to get the scale right. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5tKujmOkYGYCD4PWER8LX8peCizlBDtUnlvAM8oa1UvL4d-x_Dvwkuz7NY0EtaeBJu5H-XLf3m326zFvoRp_-gwJoXAIE3Hd4KCmwV1bRBF_TxUs7i23j3Xo975ILvg8tGYSLubKzzlh7/s1600/courtneys+pot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5tKujmOkYGYCD4PWER8LX8peCizlBDtUnlvAM8oa1UvL4d-x_Dvwkuz7NY0EtaeBJu5H-XLf3m326zFvoRp_-gwJoXAIE3Hd4KCmwV1bRBF_TxUs7i23j3Xo975ILvg8tGYSLubKzzlh7/s1600/courtneys+pot.jpg" height="400" width="375" /></a></div>
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Then I added these economy blocks with some of my favorite things that I also thought Courtney would enjoy - a recipe print, some HR, homey images...all in happy, bright fabrics. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmlI-gpQaj9APdvLaCxsW5U_51Sv-ZvUe6aI53gdbgFTigqRf5grY5W0CeAfl68XhQYYZ6CKR1Wy794YRUsejoB1MWGv5jXjhSZlFs12t2JCUHDY8t1zPbPpCRRLauSK5Cu6wmUvmV_W0u/s1600/courtneys+economy+blocks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmlI-gpQaj9APdvLaCxsW5U_51Sv-ZvUe6aI53gdbgFTigqRf5grY5W0CeAfl68XhQYYZ6CKR1Wy794YRUsejoB1MWGv5jXjhSZlFs12t2JCUHDY8t1zPbPpCRRLauSK5Cu6wmUvmV_W0u/s1600/courtneys+economy+blocks.jpg" height="400" width="308" /></a></div>
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I met Courtney at<a href="http://sewsouthretreat.com/"> Sew South</a> last year and was instantly drawn to her warm and sunny disposition and great sense of humor. And the girl can SEW! Every time I looked up, she was finishing yet another awesome project as I was laboriously trying to finish The Duffle. I should probably mention she was like 8 1/2 months pregnant at the time too...You can check her out at <a href="http://monpetitlyons.blogspot.com/">Mon Petit Lyons</a>. I'm so thankful to have had the chance to get to know her better in this bee, and look forward to seeing her again soon!</div>
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Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00316052455388116886noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2393881304825101911.post-77306971402135775252014-01-22T20:06:00.003-08:002014-01-22T20:07:25.380-08:00Thank You<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht69HoTbgowQIV8awGlFH4SPfPtLlcHjrStxHU4dd-fC6wy-j1w7u6NKyfjXPp0YnDITOULqzuwm_vY_wM8-GYpAddLiRvFGHsid9aU8VQznn696dEv4R5uuZ4IZzCSIuYqWbdxLFMW5eM/s1600/1176.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht69HoTbgowQIV8awGlFH4SPfPtLlcHjrStxHU4dd-fC6wy-j1w7u6NKyfjXPp0YnDITOULqzuwm_vY_wM8-GYpAddLiRvFGHsid9aU8VQznn696dEv4R5uuZ4IZzCSIuYqWbdxLFMW5eM/s1600/1176.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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This stack of quilts is on it's way to Guatemala this week thanks to the kind and extremely generous efforts of the quilting community. I have been giddy over the last couple of months as these quilts have come in from all over to be shared with the children in the <a href="http://www.lemonadeinternational.org/programs/safe-home/">Safe House of the La Limonada community</a>. This week, 6 more kids will receive their quilts and I know there will be smiles all over their sweet faces! <br />
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A special thank you to the following friends for making this happen:<br />
Lisa - <a href="http://hilltophousecreativeworks.blogspot.com/">HilltopHouseCreativeWorks</a><br />
Lorna - <a href="http://sewfreshquilts.blogspot.com/">SewFreshQuilts</a><br />
Renee - <a href="http://seoulscrappin.blogspot.com/">SoulScrappin'</a><br />
Nicole - <a href="http://mamalovequilts.blogspot.com/">MamaLoveQuilts</a><br />
Megan - <a href="http://crookedseams.blogspot.com/">CrookedSeams</a><br />
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Truly, I am so thankful to each one of you for sharing your gifts and talents to provide care and comfort for people you've never even met. Quilters are the best! Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00316052455388116886noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2393881304825101911.post-39933015919472098142013-10-30T20:18:00.003-07:002013-10-30T20:18:59.973-07:00Circle 7: Lindsey<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I am so late in posting my Circle 7 Bee updates, but I am really excited to share these quilts with you. Each quilt in this bee has been an absolute delight to work on and I feel so giddy as I make each one - like I'm working on a surprise for that particular person each month! That's not to say I don't stress about these quilts - trying to narrow down ideas and utilize designs that complement what the others in the group have contributed has been a fun challenge for me. <br />
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My sweet friend<a href="http://lrstitched.com/"> Lindsey of LR Stitched</a> requested vintage kitchen as her theme. FUN!!! Let me at it! She was open about colors, adding that she loves bright happy fabrics and polka dots. Very doable! I have always wanted to make one of those beautiful stand mixer paper pieced patterns, and this seemed the perfect opportunity to try it out. But all the paper pieced patterns I found weren't as big as I wanted for Lindsey's block. So, I think to myself - I can improvise a paper pieced pattern! Why not?!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZBGiAsWrSv-BVoa5TMA0j1llAhUzQvEYMOt2-_kvwlRN99nYrKZ1pMCOjx2iU9x79hEdT55-w_s5mp12e6abGS4fK8-yMPqhyphenhyphen43DMStm4xhHKxPoHgUM_vA0HWUJOOVHZlJVcSR3_WgG8/s1600/real+mixer+in+progress.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZBGiAsWrSv-BVoa5TMA0j1llAhUzQvEYMOt2-_kvwlRN99nYrKZ1pMCOjx2iU9x79hEdT55-w_s5mp12e6abGS4fK8-yMPqhyphenhyphen43DMStm4xhHKxPoHgUM_vA0HWUJOOVHZlJVcSR3_WgG8/s640/real+mixer+in+progress.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Well, guess what?? Turns out, it's not that easy. Especially when you don't have any software and you're going all old school with pencil and paper and such. Ha! I turned to the awesome tutorial <a href="http://whynotsew.blogspot.com/2011/11/paper-pieced-kitchen-aid-mixer-pattern.html">here</a>, but again, I wanted something significantly bigger. And maybe y'all would know not to simply add inches around the pattern pieces because the proportions don't translate well. Of course you would know that. But I didn't. I best learn lessons like this the hard way! Long story short, I ended up paper piecing some sections, and free piecing others, and even using the freezer paper technique in spots too. And lots of starting over. And then starting over again. But look - It turned out!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPLo6AN7KUAF-vcEC_IR1KG7XDt26_ruJim23MwPHe_k2Srq9CCSYJOc4kRtkuY02Mu4E5dfVGU1DH-zcVgFN29uh11EQ8pj4laXbygZnN8t2IS2LH1r1DHt9mb0rH0ujFbyk2Q64Mds4y/s1600/Lindsey's+Circle+7+real.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="465" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPLo6AN7KUAF-vcEC_IR1KG7XDt26_ruJim23MwPHe_k2Srq9CCSYJOc4kRtkuY02Mu4E5dfVGU1DH-zcVgFN29uh11EQ8pj4laXbygZnN8t2IS2LH1r1DHt9mb0rH0ujFbyk2Q64Mds4y/s640/Lindsey's+Circle+7+real.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Please don't ask me how - I couldn't begin to tell you! But it is done - it is a thing I made! And I love it. And I love that <a href="http://lrstitched.com/">Lindsey</a> will have it. I hope she enjoys it - I'm sure she will, as all of us quilters know what labors of love each stitch is. I added the colorful patchwork along the sides to brighten it up and frame it out a bit, as well as the red-check to make the table it sits on since that reminded me of a tablecloth. </div>
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I'll be back soon with some more progress on these Circle 7 quilts. Hard to believe the bee is almost over as the year draws to a close.</div>
Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00316052455388116886noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2393881304825101911.post-45667944896351507182013-10-30T17:55:00.000-07:002013-10-30T17:55:47.628-07:00Blogger's Quilt Festival Fall 2013<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<img alt="Blogger's Quilt Festival - AmysCreativeSide.com" src="http://amyscreativeside.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Fall-BQF-Button-e1380294012428.jpg" /></div>
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Y'll know I'm a big fan of <a href="http://amyscreativeside.com/">Amy's</a> <a href="http://amyscreativeside.com/bloggers-quilt-festival/">Blogger's Quilt Festival</a>, where twice a year she hosts a giant linky party for quilters to enter their quilts in a variety of categories. What a treat this online quilt show is! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmSGCBRabDJhu7GSNbTsN-EAyheCjPvX4FG0r8tdPhycK9i3vlZi_faAwHmYOULbIPhWOu1EE-oRHCnfAUGF4B0I6eZ3kzRsAtmqKx8EPBCg09zv1bruWAQ-q95X7MiCPBXGbSmogJduPf/s1600/claudias+quilt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmSGCBRabDJhu7GSNbTsN-EAyheCjPvX4FG0r8tdPhycK9i3vlZi_faAwHmYOULbIPhWOu1EE-oRHCnfAUGF4B0I6eZ3kzRsAtmqKx8EPBCg09zv1bruWAQ-q95X7MiCPBXGbSmogJduPf/s640/claudias+quilt.jpg" width="478" /></a></div>
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I'm entering Claudia's quilt in to the Group/Bee Quilts category. I know I've recently shared this, so if you'd like to hear the whole story, click <a href="http://betweenquilts.blogspot.com/2013/09/the-quilt.html">here</a>. The quick version is that my sweet friends in That Stash Bee and I made this quilt for my friend Claudia and her family who lost their 6 year old son Michael earlier this year after a tough battle with Neuroblastoma cancer. There are no words for this kind of heartbreak, but I knew I wanted to make them a quilt in the hopes of offering some kind of comfort. I asked my bee mates for a variety of stars and the words Faith, Hope and Love in a rainbow of colors. I was in awe as the blocks started coming in! What a joy it was to put this together, although many tears were shed while making it in memory of that sweet boy. <br />
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Here's the back:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC2bGDBpZGllHij3ZAYyZXJcvXS3buAL7ozChvJFnoWbz4eot-_FyMjJOs5-FxuGMEXqSVNtHMI35YL5pOaXnEoXwtOZCDVrkbPDeY18xf_o5n1HgnyiPsKKrm3aLyTYQGvqZPTj4LoUyj/s1600/Back+of+Claudia%2527s+quilt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC2bGDBpZGllHij3ZAYyZXJcvXS3buAL7ozChvJFnoWbz4eot-_FyMjJOs5-FxuGMEXqSVNtHMI35YL5pOaXnEoXwtOZCDVrkbPDeY18xf_o5n1HgnyiPsKKrm3aLyTYQGvqZPTj4LoUyj/s640/Back+of+Claudia%2527s+quilt.jpg" width="474" /></a></div>
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I did that giant LOVE banner and liked how it came together with the scrappy stars. This quilt was full of significant coincidences such as Michael's birth year in one of the fabrics and birds on several of the fabrics, which is a favorite of Michael's and his family. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNE5iLbJURyYe8_lv5qwR8EPBmkVafWf48W8Fdr57rkE85yTy5lAXinQZ6gxsofTrNoh08Ah-GmoJJTfjmnKXE4TqKG2zaaAajwM2Et8hVy9jk4yyFRe1cZ3y2Dn0wQswupt5HeGlPqe_z/s1600/IMG_9550.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNE5iLbJURyYe8_lv5qwR8EPBmkVafWf48W8Fdr57rkE85yTy5lAXinQZ6gxsofTrNoh08Ah-GmoJJTfjmnKXE4TqKG2zaaAajwM2Et8hVy9jk4yyFRe1cZ3y2Dn0wQswupt5HeGlPqe_z/s320/IMG_9550.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfMkajo4XfUyKjY-XM0tFSjJrAmVtrmVKz3GhTDhXZVwowPqnXEd5C6l2aBkWfys0cdmKiznqC2afL9nlyKwti2YwpfxxSNCPE8lq4Ofr6goWXuet6WafS-p0s9wq6LA_Vs4OLQj9arNkB/s1600/IMG_9561.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfMkajo4XfUyKjY-XM0tFSjJrAmVtrmVKz3GhTDhXZVwowPqnXEd5C6l2aBkWfys0cdmKiznqC2afL9nlyKwti2YwpfxxSNCPE8lq4Ofr6goWXuet6WafS-p0s9wq6LA_Vs4OLQj9arNkB/s320/IMG_9561.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I know this quilt is loved by my sweet friends, and I feel so grateful to my friends in That Stash Bee for their help in making this quilt for them:</div>
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<a href="http://hoosiertoni.blogspot.com/" style="color: #888888; text-decoration: none;">Toni </a></div>
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<a href="http://www.smalltownstitcher.blogspot.com/" style="color: #888888; text-decoration: none;">Kelli</a></div>
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<a href="http://aquilterstable.blogspot.com/" style="color: #888888; text-decoration: none;">Debbie</a></div>
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<a href="http://mamalovequilts.blogspot.com/" style="color: #888888; text-decoration: none;">Nicole</a></div>
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<a href="http://fromthepeacocktree.blogspot.com/" style="color: #888888; text-decoration: none;">Whitney</a></div>
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<a href="http://cathy-blueberrypatch.blogspot.com/" style="color: #888888; text-decoration: none;">Cathy</a></div>
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<a href="http://kelseysews.blogspot.com/" style="color: #888888; text-decoration: none;">Kelsey</a></div>
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<a href="http://renorx.blogspot.com/" style="color: #888888; text-decoration: none;">Michonne</a></div>
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<a href="http://kakorner.blogspot.com/" style="color: #888888; text-decoration: none;">Katie</a></div>
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It was so great to work together with friends across the miles to make this quilt. Enjoy the rest of the <a href="http://amyscreativeside.com/bloggers-quilt-festival/">Festival</a>!</div>
Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00316052455388116886noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2393881304825101911.post-10221237586992737382013-10-24T11:44:00.001-07:002013-10-24T11:44:52.237-07:00QUILT LEMONADEI've been wanting to write this post for a while. Years really! Today is the day I share with you a vision I have had to spread some love and kindness in a particular part of the world that could use some good quilty cheer. <a href="http://www.lemonadeinternational.org/about-lemonade-international/la-limonada/"> La Limonada</a> is a community in Guatemala City where tens of thousands of people live in extreme poverty. All the things that are associated with extreme poverty exist here: Addiction. Violence. Poor housing conditions. Lack of decent paying jobs. For some, having safe water or electricity is a luxury. Things that I take for granted a thousand times a day before lunch. <br />
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But there is also hope. Always hope. <a href="http://www.lemonadeinternational.org/">Lemonade International</a> has been working for the past five years in the people of La Limonada to partner in community development. A school was started. Then another school was started. Scholarship programs started. Sponsorship programs begun. Micro-enterprise and vocational training programs are now available. A fair trade coffee partnership with a coffee house here in Raleigh was recently launched (check out <a href="http://www.jubalavillagecoffee.com/public/">Jubala</a> - the best cup of coffee in town. Worth traveling for if you aren't in the area!). I am always inspired with the creative and effective ways this organization utilizes to support and nurture this often overlooked population. Perfect example - Establishing a shoe maker in the community as the official shoe provider for the children in the schools. Lives are being changed here!<br />
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Perhaps the project most near and dear to my heart is the safe house that was started for children who were in dangerous situations. The most needy of the needy. Currently, there are 18 children living in the <a href="http://www.lemonadeinternational.org/programs/safe-home/">Mi Casita Safe House</a>. As a quilter and a mother, I want to wrap each of these kids up in a warm embrace, to whisper in their ears and hearts that they are loved. That they are valuable. That they matter. That they are remembered! <br />
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I so want each of these kids to have their very own quilt - a spot of brightness that is made specifically for them and belongs soley to them. I stepped out on a limb and told Cherie (of the husband/wife team Bill and Cherie who started the non-profit Lemonade International) that I would make a quilt for every child in the safe house, even if it took me 10 years. I have already sent this quilt down for a special resident of the safe house, and have seen pictures of her enjoying this treasure made just for her. Oh, my friends. This feeling of being able to share a bit of comfort and cheer is one of the joys of being a quilter! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWCJrr8TlT7mpsjaJxvCgk0mJubjkXUF4l5K-3hjQ0kFF0WrX8vThkaYeT5BqCSM4iHiKPLTP4j7mxjRSrPvCI1dkry5AQhdlIwZnt0PZ94dFcUv9c6kWgglXjbRVcKEmJWFnxgShwjZ2T/s1600/limonada+quilt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWCJrr8TlT7mpsjaJxvCgk0mJubjkXUF4l5K-3hjQ0kFF0WrX8vThkaYeT5BqCSM4iHiKPLTP4j7mxjRSrPvCI1dkry5AQhdlIwZnt0PZ94dFcUv9c6kWgglXjbRVcKEmJWFnxgShwjZ2T/s400/limonada+quilt.jpg" width="375" /></a></div>
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<b>I would love your help in making some quilts for these kids</b>. I don't want any of the kids to have to wait for their turn to get a quilt. I want to rain down some love on them! And secretly, I would love to see quilts popping up throughout the community, beyond the safe house, spreading some tangible cheer in a place that so desperately needs it. If you are interested in helping out, please leave me a comment or send me an email. Thank you!<br />
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And so, Project Quilt Lemonade begins.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRdn5K0QbTBRJYUHlDsdn90qPdO91JxFO2APJOJ7cfpia12DZKb5xc1FLJB7jTBiHp6ReW5yjzuWUtE7ESVRLyh5NJxHeuGj1qc5JPHBsHzccUPn4v6QqOIb9nuz3dW_nPUlr6fD6sV-bD/s1600/limonada+closeup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRdn5K0QbTBRJYUHlDsdn90qPdO91JxFO2APJOJ7cfpia12DZKb5xc1FLJB7jTBiHp6ReW5yjzuWUtE7ESVRLyh5NJxHeuGj1qc5JPHBsHzccUPn4v6QqOIb9nuz3dW_nPUlr6fD6sV-bD/s320/limonada+closeup.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00316052455388116886noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2393881304825101911.post-64475722846320381342013-10-24T09:43:00.000-07:002013-10-24T09:43:48.130-07:00Over at Amy's today! <img alt="Blogger's Quilt Festival - AmysCreativeSide.com" src="http://amyscreativeside.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Fall-BQF-Button-e1380294012428.jpg" /><br />
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Come hang out with me later today over at <a href="http://amyscreativeside.com/">Amy's Creative Side</a>. She's been featuring quilters from all over the blogosphere in preparation for the Fall <a href="http://amyscreativeside.com/bloggers-quilt-festival/">Blogger's Quilt Festival</a> and is including me in today's line up of artists. Somebody pinch me! I have had the privilege of meeting Amy briefly at both <a href="http://sewingsummit.com/">Sewing Summit</a> and <a href="http://www.quiltcon.com/">Quilt Con</a> and she is just as nice and genuine as you imagine she would be. I so enjoy and look forward to her <a href="http://amyscreativeside.com/bloggers-quilt-festival/">Blogger's Quilt Festival</a>, which is an online quilt show with entries in all kinds of categories from people all around the globe every Spring and Fall. It all starts up again tomorrow - I so hope you will join me in sharing some of your work!Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00316052455388116886noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2393881304825101911.post-36118699922714466782013-10-24T09:25:00.003-07:002013-10-24T09:25:22.163-07:00Circle 7: Jennifer<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi0Ob1v6nfewJhbD5KPmXcTcM7GNCpzJfPfrcNtwOyXqb3hF_xhQEC6nFrcdmfeWzBzsfDqJbScBtP_F6k-iel54UfwCqqXMYM-p107FbXq0Nd1hwaEi4oJYoUAcj7XoNlJ69xjcNw28Ec/s1600/improve+color+block.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi0Ob1v6nfewJhbD5KPmXcTcM7GNCpzJfPfrcNtwOyXqb3hF_xhQEC6nFrcdmfeWzBzsfDqJbScBtP_F6k-iel54UfwCqqXMYM-p107FbXq0Nd1hwaEi4oJYoUAcj7XoNlJ69xjcNw28Ec/s400/improve+color+block.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I couldn't wait to get my hands on <a href="http://ellisonlane.com/">Jennifer's </a>Circle 7 quilt. She requested low volume background with a range of solid colors. I had a hard time narrowing down what to make because there were so many fun directions to explore with this quilt. I have found that to be the best challenge in this bee - my mind will spin with ideas for each person's quilt and the narrowing down to just one or two designs is the hard part. <br />
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I first made this Racing Stripes panel since I've been wanting to explore this theme again. I felt it was perfect to add this to her quilt since I debuted the original <a href="http://betweenquilts.blogspot.com/2012/09/throw.html">Racing Stripes</a> on her blog during a feature she did on me <a href="http://betweenquilts.blogspot.com/2012/01/follower-spotlight.html">here</a>. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3UZ6giFuaYGSUPL6eioHlPlyUDmXN3lDKUlu3Z2DGmAskv_x-A0PPzQPkfchsVNo5nJRYLgTNuhUFCOdXMjUAh7ce4hmLh8PIwIeM4YhjqmXBo9ndDP84bOmSMOztZ9s6ChC0CXxLaUQ_/s1600/racing+stripes+for+Jenn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3UZ6giFuaYGSUPL6eioHlPlyUDmXN3lDKUlu3Z2DGmAskv_x-A0PPzQPkfchsVNo5nJRYLgTNuhUFCOdXMjUAh7ce4hmLh8PIwIeM4YhjqmXBo9ndDP84bOmSMOztZ9s6ChC0CXxLaUQ_/s640/racing+stripes+for+Jenn.jpg" width="380" /></a></div>
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And because I'm a lover of improv piecing, and I know <a href="http://ellisonlane.com/">Jenn </a>is as well, I made this sort of pixelated improv block to also add to her quilt. This type of piecing always takes time, but the end result is worth it in my mind. Can you imagine a whole quilt done this way?! It would be fantastic! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixufdyVhEgJ8IP4yODA2NmtKoIq7CYZuqUaT6ezzZHzZSZX7IZWD3wbLlz7Yb1Fx_xOF_BiFs-s518LAWvEycP4KbHo8SaSJp0tLNEj5jfsD2UVEPpZAaKxWPrWkJdr4c10RMe2ukNU7BB/s1600/improv+block+for+Jenn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixufdyVhEgJ8IP4yODA2NmtKoIq7CYZuqUaT6ezzZHzZSZX7IZWD3wbLlz7Yb1Fx_xOF_BiFs-s518LAWvEycP4KbHo8SaSJp0tLNEj5jfsD2UVEPpZAaKxWPrWkJdr4c10RMe2ukNU7BB/s640/improv+block+for+Jenn.jpg" width="432" /></a></div>
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I added my contributions to her starter pieces, which includes the wonky star block you see below, as well as the herringbone strip. <a href="http://lrstitched.com/">Lindsey</a> added the triangle strips and wonky churn dash blocks and split off part of the herringbone strip to expand Jenn's original panel. So this is how it looked when it left my house! <br />
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I love seeing how these quilts evolve over time! I'll be trying to post updates on the other quilts in this bee over these next couple of weeks. I can hardly believe these quilts will be done soon!</div>
Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00316052455388116886noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2393881304825101911.post-16401706568826029912013-10-09T09:45:00.001-07:002013-10-09T09:45:17.595-07:00Tutorial: Tablet Carrying CaseThis is a re-post of the tutorial I shared for <a href="http://ellisonlane.com/2013/09/back-school-sewing-tutorial-round.html">Ellison Lane's Back to School Series</a>. This makes a great Carrying Case for your tablet devices! I have a basic commercial case for each of these devices but found that when I traveled, I always felt like my iPad and e-reader were bumping around in my tote bag. So, I came up with this Carrying Case - which is really a glorified pouch with a couple of modifications. So if you have made any kind of zippered pouch, this construction will already be familiar to you and you can crank one of these out pretty quickly. Here we go!<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><u>iPad & e-Reader Carrying Case</u></span></div>
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Finished Size: 11.5" x 9.5"</div>
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<b>Supply List:</b> </div>
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(2) Exterior Fabric Pieces 10.5" x 12.5"<br />
(2) Lining Fabric Pieces 10.5" x 12.5"</div>
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(1) Divider Panel Fabric 10.5" x 20"</div>
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(2) Batting 10.5" x 12.5" (or fusible fleece)</div>
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(1) Decor Bond Interfacing 10" x 10"</div>
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(2) Fabric for Finished Zipper Ends 3"x 3"</div>
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(1) Zipper (at least 10" long)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBF8vhyphenhyphenb8JxsPvH0hJUqU72ntDD2Kk4zXx-Jt9urtf-BGL3xSFG3tM54YLXMeD5n2p4zX7e5SuL5mHs99bi7-gX5GUm-rLiSuvBMQd0KTz4uIQnUl_skZ95N8ROdu50q5RXNY66wJ3_BYt/s1600/supplies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBF8vhyphenhyphenb8JxsPvH0hJUqU72ntDD2Kk4zXx-Jt9urtf-BGL3xSFG3tM54YLXMeD5n2p4zX7e5SuL5mHs99bi7-gX5GUm-rLiSuvBMQd0KTz4uIQnUl_skZ95N8ROdu50q5RXNY66wJ3_BYt/s400/supplies.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Prepare Exterior/Interior Fabric:</div>
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Prepare your exterior panel pieces by quilting fabric and batting together. I chose to piece my exterior panels and quilt them, but you could also use a solid piece of fabric with fusible fleece. Both will make it nice and cushy.</div>
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(You might notice in some of the pictures that I also used light interfacing on the lining pieces, but I have made these cases without doing that step, and haven't really noticed any difference in the end product. I just happened to have some and thought I'd try it and see if it made any difference. Up to you, but totally not necessary). </div>
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Divider Panel: </div>
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I added a divider panel in the middle of the case so that I could keep my devices separate. I have found it handy to have two large "pockets" in the case, but if you want to skip this step, that's fine too!<br />
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Fold your Divider Panel Fabric piece in half, WRONG SIDES TOGETHER and press. Open it back up and lay it down wrong side facing up. Lay your Decor Bond interfacing piece centered on one half and fuse to the wrong side of the fabric. The top edge of the interfacing should fit right into the crease you just pressed. This is going to be the top of our divider panel. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxpQD28q_OE62LIW9kDUyFaZ59l0VOesWS5osIve0OzkdaUBJ3RcABJtQj1K2W0iOACOolWnHGaQ9QAtPyPVSbr40ZyTnbizKh8T0maeK_k0gH7SfprpFW-7p5RNJiadKzM_xwzyz9MV0G/s1600/divider+panel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxpQD28q_OE62LIW9kDUyFaZ59l0VOesWS5osIve0OzkdaUBJ3RcABJtQj1K2W0iOACOolWnHGaQ9QAtPyPVSbr40ZyTnbizKh8T0maeK_k0gH7SfprpFW-7p5RNJiadKzM_xwzyz9MV0G/s400/divider+panel.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Now fold your divider panel piece back wrong sides together. Place folded divider panel on top of one of the lining pieces. I placed the bottom of the panel 1/4" above the bottom of the lining piece to help reduce bulk in the seam of the final product. Stitch the divider panel onto the top of the lining piece around the sides and bottom with a 1/4" seam.<br />
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Zipper Preparation: </div>
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Now lay your zipper on top of one of the exterior pieces and mark the end. Sew a few stitches back and forth a little before your end marks, then cut off the extra length of the zipper at the mark. <br />
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Let's add our fabric pieces to the ends of our zippers to give it a nice finish. Fold your 3 x 3 square of fabric in half WRONG SIDES TOGETHER and press. Fold that folded piece in half again and place over the zipper end and pin. True confessions - I always fudge this step a little and cut my fabric squares generously so that I can get it just how I want it and trim to what I need. You may want the length of your zipper a little longer, in which case, just slide the folded fabric piece down a bit before pinning. Just make sure they are even on both ends of the zipper. So, we are not going to worry about that overhang of fabric - we'll trim it later! </div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgViDeuGCBnjkjH8yUnwAxaiP5kWmRhC3_1OTz4_gfzYWObGTBF6vO7FSjrBxwnDUCHLuukeypxbk241wEW_NWbP4W3yBcC03U4UMyryJ7Gv0ynI0Ri9Uu49afSexK3Sb4jP7wOldVHO09G/s1600/zipper+end.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgViDeuGCBnjkjH8yUnwAxaiP5kWmRhC3_1OTz4_gfzYWObGTBF6vO7FSjrBxwnDUCHLuukeypxbk241wEW_NWbP4W3yBcC03U4UMyryJ7Gv0ynI0Ri9Uu49afSexK3Sb4jP7wOldVHO09G/s400/zipper+end.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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<span style="text-align: left;">Sew 1/8" across top of the folded fabric over the zipper. Be careful when your needle goes over the zipper and go slooowly!! If you feel any resistance against the needle, stop, raise your presser foot, slide the zipper/fabric forward a bit, then return presser foot and continue on slowly. Your machine will thank you. Your needle will thank you. Your eyes and any other exposed body parts will thank you. I will now end this zipper installation public service announcement.</span></div>
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Do the same on the other side, making sure to move the zipper pull back so that the presser foot has clearance to go over it. When you do this, be sure to clip the zipper sides back together at the end (as you can see here with the Clover binding clip - love these things!). You want to make sure the zipper teeth are touching when you sew your 1/8" topstitch over the fabric so that the zipper can close all the way. Again, be cautious as you sew over that zipper! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisAxphpZ_jK1TWysHivYHjT37fcYPwL4qa2kzJGSeLydm1LRq54LVaIz7j3e8J5Yci4815j8VmYoNu-fIpOgJYSg8jcWEUlfUTjnw_pRheOrJlOVC1FXIP7tI3H2ULwZkHVeQ4gTqWODCW/s1600/zipper+prep.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisAxphpZ_jK1TWysHivYHjT37fcYPwL4qa2kzJGSeLydm1LRq54LVaIz7j3e8J5Yci4815j8VmYoNu-fIpOgJYSg8jcWEUlfUTjnw_pRheOrJlOVC1FXIP7tI3H2ULwZkHVeQ4gTqWODCW/s400/zipper+prep.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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Fold back the ends of the fabric and clip the ends of the zipper (so this won't be in the seam when you sew the pieces together).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuxvljyrxPLj579wSQVHWH6HmI0E9GQi9SLWhnDFecJFkMHORGwaGU-fh_7e5s12GDzOganzFIwEWSCY3fjm5OHVatCp5uDYOWGvAcYzvwaMJ5bUQlak0iX_Y7sv7LVrbMrwEasaowr-B9/s1600/trim+zipper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuxvljyrxPLj579wSQVHWH6HmI0E9GQi9SLWhnDFecJFkMHORGwaGU-fh_7e5s12GDzOganzFIwEWSCY3fjm5OHVatCp5uDYOWGvAcYzvwaMJ5bUQlak0iX_Y7sv7LVrbMrwEasaowr-B9/s400/trim+zipper.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Trim any fabric overhang to be even with the edges of the zipper.</div>
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Attach the Zipper:<br />
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Lay one of the lining pieces Right Side up and lay your zipper on top. </div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">Next put an exterior piece Wrong Side up on top. So the right sides of the lining and exterior pieces are touching, with the zipper in between. </span></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">Clip/pin and with your zipper foot, sew through the layers close to the zipper (remember, you may need to move the zipper pull out of the way, sew some, then move it back to accommodate it going under the presser foot. Open up this piece so that the wrong sides of the lining and exterior fabrics are touching. </span></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">Now sew the remaining lining and exterior pieces to the other side of the zipper, laying down your lining piece first right side up, next the zipper with the pieces we just sewed on (the "free" side of the zipper lined up with the top of the lining piece), and lastly the exterior fabric wrong side up on the top. Clip/pin and sew closely along the zipper. </span></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">Next, open up the pieces so that you have a lining and exterior piece on each side of the zipper. Press, and </span>topstitch<span style="text-align: left;"> 1/8" from the edge of the fabric along the length of both sides of the zipper, using a 2.8 stitch length. This gives a nice polished finish and prevents the lining from getting caught up in the zipper feet. </span></div>
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Now it looks like this. We are getting close!</div>
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Sew Together:</div>
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Open up your pieces and line up the exterior pieces right sides together and your lining pieces right sides together. <b>Open up the zipper </b>at least half way or you will be getting real intimate with your seam ripper after this step! <br />
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As you are lining up the sides, scootchie the zipper teeth towards the lining and pin/clip all around, making sure to leave an opening about 5" in the bottom of the lining piece. <br />
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Sew all around using 1/2" seam allowance. </div>
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Clip all 4 corners to reduce bulk.</div>
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Turn inside out by pulling the exterior through the opening you left in the lining. I love this part - It's like watching a pouch be born! Use a blunt tool to push out the corners. Press your seams.<br />
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<span style="text-align: left;">Close the hole in the lining by folding the raw edges in and top-stitching across the bottom. Tuck your lining inside the outer case. </span></div>
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It's done!<br />
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Enjoy toting your mobile devices around in style. And if any of my family members happen to be reading this, you may or may not be getting one of these for Christmas. Just sayin'. Act surprised.</div>
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Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00316052455388116886noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2393881304825101911.post-25716987181598111912013-10-09T09:39:00.003-07:002013-10-09T09:39:58.189-07:00Circle 7 : My Starter Panel <img height="200" src="http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t152/danabol/circle7bee125_zpsb2e78c28.jpg" width="200" /><br />
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So one of my favorite quitly things going on right now is being part of the Circle 7 bee. Essentially, each person in the bee created a starter panel and set a theme for her quilt, which would then be passed along to each other person, everyone adding their part to her quilt. Since the first <a href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/travelingquilts/">traveling quilts bee</a> began, the idea of creating a quilt with a group of friends in this way - where there is tons of room for improv and creativity - was super appealing to me. So when <a href="http://ellisonlane.com/">Jenn </a>asked me to join a group of women I hugely respect and admire to make quilts in this way, I didn't even have to think about it. Of course I wanted to be a part of that! The hardest part was finalizing a theme for a quilt. I ultimately chose to make a quilt with pieced words and favorite patchwork. <br />
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Here is the starter panel I made for my quilt.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxGoz3b863mEA4qQ_Grav_tdmvy2nKYaJw75Ee4OUV3REcVf4AWfwvDv-k5cvivHYU1eTCY4iPBh2DM9MSyxiZBqs5922RbzwZm8bOnzI5AXhS_iAQschn7Fg6c85kSU8Z6VAKZqnuBDT_/s1600/Circle+7+Starter+Panel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxGoz3b863mEA4qQ_Grav_tdmvy2nKYaJw75Ee4OUV3REcVf4AWfwvDv-k5cvivHYU1eTCY4iPBh2DM9MSyxiZBqs5922RbzwZm8bOnzI5AXhS_iAQschn7Fg6c85kSU8Z6VAKZqnuBDT_/s640/Circle+7+Starter+Panel.jpg" width="483" /></a></div>
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I free pieced the word "Smile" - this is quickly becoming one of my favorite things to do! It takes me forever, but I'm always happy with how it turns out, and I love that I can write whatever I want. <br />
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Next I made this Carpenter Wheel block.<br />
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This is the colorway I chose for the quilt. Without a doubt, one of my favorite parts about quilting is pulling fabric combinations. The possibilities are endless!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWJgfF4S-atFh33FgU54Iq887GNSeH3hp7e0TRrld86xfsWxab2QPSWM6c87cnQi_ZtOGajxeVPG1x5Xr_6g8DhRTGpPYM3FLV7qPtKnQFeowJOPJNU___wyk5-npfYDcATb507V1DZMS-/s1600/fabricpull7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWJgfF4S-atFh33FgU54Iq887GNSeH3hp7e0TRrld86xfsWxab2QPSWM6c87cnQi_ZtOGajxeVPG1x5Xr_6g8DhRTGpPYM3FLV7qPtKnQFeowJOPJNU___wyk5-npfYDcATb507V1DZMS-/s640/fabricpull7.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I sent out my starter panel at the end of May, and I've been giddy watching my friends add to it over the past few months. I am so excited to see how it makes it's way back home to me! Watching the quilts evolve and change with each step along the way is so exciting. A huge thank you to Jenn for gathering us together. I am so thankful to create with this wonderful group of women!Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00316052455388116886noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2393881304825101911.post-45134292309326686802013-10-01T20:52:00.002-07:002013-10-09T09:29:38.427-07:00Quick Flying Geese TutorialHere is a quick tutorial for Flying Geese really written as instructions for my fellow Stitch Teasers since its my month to be Queen Bee. It's pretty basic, and there are tons of tutorials out there for these - but I'm going old school back to the basics for these this month which allows for lots of variety for this quilt. <br />
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So, Stitch Tease Bee Mates:<br />
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This is what we're going to make this month. Let's just pretend all these flying geese are all joined together nice and pretty for one giant block that will finish at 15" x 20". It's made of 24 individual flying geese that measure 3" x 5 1/2".<br />
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This is our color palette inspiration:</div>
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<img alt="milk tones" src="http://design-seeds.com/palettes/MilkTones_1.png" /></div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">(Source: Design-seeds.com)</span><br />
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You will need to cut:<br />
24 assorted prints 3 inches x 5 1/2 inches <br />
Magentas and Golds (I would love to stick to only the colors in this palette)<br />
Maybe a couple (no more than 3 please!) Medium gray prints randomly in the mix too!<br />
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48 assorted low volume 3 inch squares<br />
White/Off-white with gray - very soft<br />
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Construction: <br />
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Draw a line corner to corner on the wrong side of the 3 inch square. (I just mark it with a Hera Marker).<br />
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Line up a square on top of the rectangle of fabric that will be your "goose", Right Sides Together. Sew directly on this line and trim 1/4 inch away from line for seam allowance. Press. (Don't throw away those trimmed triangle scraps - they will make a lovely half square triangle for another project! I usually go ahead and sew them up right away so they're already done.) <br />
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Repeat on the other side - Sew on the marked line, trim 1/4 inch away and press. <br />
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Done! Pay attention to the top of the block - there should be 1/4 inch on top of the triangle's point. This is important so that when the blocks are sewn together, the goose's beak doesn't get chopped off!<br />
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Then just arrange the geese in a random layout (geese pointing up in one direction please!).<br />
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These come together really quickly and hopefully won't be too much trouble for my bee mates - Thanks y'all!<br />
I can't wait to see this quilt come together! I'm so enjoying being in this group :)<br />
<br />Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00316052455388116886noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2393881304825101911.post-77863848389795173062013-09-26T05:54:00.000-07:002013-09-26T05:54:55.144-07:00Guest Blogging today over at Ellison Lane! <img alt="back to school sewing series button" height="400" src="http://ellisonlane.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/back-to-school-sewing-series-button-e1379440613642.jpg" width="383" /><br />
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Y'all hop on over to<a href="http://ellisonlane.com/"> Ellison Lane</a> where I am guest blogging today with a tutorial for these iPad/e-reader Carrying Cases!<br />
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<br />Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00316052455388116886noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2393881304825101911.post-42411249671687894152013-09-02T20:00:00.001-07:002013-09-02T20:00:06.191-07:00THE QuiltYou guys! What on earth?! How is it possible it's been months - MONTHS! - since I have last been on this blog? How can that be? Summer - ahh, summer - it has lingered, and lingered, and clung for ever-lovin' mercy to our doorstep. We have had a ton of fun, aaaaaaannnnnd, we are ready to all be back in school. It's time. Mama needs to sew ;).<br />
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OK. I have been itching to share this quilt with you. THE quilt. This quilt was made by my sweet friends in That Stash Bee. April was my month to be queen bee and I knew for a while what I wanted to ask for. I wanted to make a quilt for my dear friend Claudia and her family as they endure the loss of <a href="http://betweenquilts.blogspot.com/2013/03/reflecting_18.html">Michael</a>. I knew I wanted to make them something to cuddle up in, that would provide some comfort, maybe even some cheer during some dark times. Since the first quilt I ever made was for them, with the embroidered words Faith, Hope and Love, I thought it was the perfect time to revisit those words. Gentle reminders of some important things, and my constant prayers for them. So, I asked my bee mates for colorful stars (whichever stars they wanted to make) and if anyone was up for a challenge, a pieced letter/word to make up those three words. <br />
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Well, my friends blew me away with their generosity and creativity! Honestly, I was thinking if a few people did a letter - one letter! - it would help me out, so I was stunned when several of these gorgeous pieced words popped up. And the stars! So many varying shapes and sizes - literally every single block that came my way was absolutely perfect and just what this quilt needed. <br />
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This is the back - in my mind, just as great as the front. I pieced that LOVE banner as my starter for the quilt. <br />
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We were traveling to see them over the summer and I was strongly hoping I would have the quilt done to give them in person. The members of this bee, in addition to being wildly talented, are very diligent and reliable. Thanks to them, I was able to finish in time for our trip - hand-stitching the binding on during the car ride up. </div>
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Being able to share this gift in person was such a special moment. Our friends are living moment to moment every day missing their son, and the first thing Claudia said as she opened it with tears in her eyes was how much Michael would have loved it because of all the colors. I enjoyed sharing how this quilt was a collective effort made by a group of people, and as we poured over every inch, we discovered several special touches. Like on this giant star made by <a href="http://kelseysews.blogspot.com/">Kelsey </a>- one of the fabrics had dates on it including the year Michael was born. </div>
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And on this little star made by my friend <a href="http://mamalovequilts.blogspot.com/">Nicole</a>, a bird - one of Michael's favorite things. Several of the blocks had fabrics that had a bird of some kind on it - I had never shared their significance with the group. Another example was deer fabric, and Michael loved hunting with his Daddy. So many small reminders, rich with significance. <br />
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I am in deep gratitude to my friends in That Stash Bee for helping me to create such a meaningful gift:<br />
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<a href="http://hoosiertoni.blogspot.com/">Toni </a></div>
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<a href="http://www.smalltownstitcher.blogspot.com/">Kelli</a></div>
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<a href="http://aquilterstable.blogspot.com/">Debbie</a></div>
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<a href="http://mamalovequilts.blogspot.com/">Nicole</a></div>
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<a href="http://fromthepeacocktree.blogspot.com/">Whitney</a></div>
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<a href="http://cathy-blueberrypatch.blogspot.com/">Cathy</a></div>
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<a href="http://kelseysews.blogspot.com/">Kelsey</a></div>
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<a href="http://renorx.blogspot.com/">Michonne</a></div>
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<a href="http://kakorner.blogspot.com/">Katie</a></div>
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I am thankful to count you among my friends - it is an honor to sew with you all.</div>
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Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00316052455388116886noreply@blogger.com15