tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25104862873266856962024-03-14T01:07:52.676-05:00annotations: a paper trail...Started as a blog about paper projects which became more about fabric projects.
Ultimately, it's just about me—my likes, projects, thoughts and heart.annotationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16921622993092303874noreply@blogger.comBlogger93125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2510486287326685696.post-52898238931526172732016-06-14T01:41:00.000-05:002016-06-14T01:41:00.699-05:00In lieu of posts...It's been AGES since I've posted, I know. I haven't had as much to say about what I'm making, but still wanted to show photos. Check out the page tabs above and see what new projects I've completed as far as Sewing, Quilting, Needlework, Other Art—even the Index Card a Day Challenge. No captions, just photos. Thanks for hanging in with me!annotationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16921622993092303874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2510486287326685696.post-57668113620707780872013-10-24T00:21:00.001-05:002013-10-24T00:21:30.044-05:00Back to batiks...<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WEMdriv4E54/UmijJbD2raI/AAAAAAAAO1Q/tiuuvWK-A1g/s1600/morian+top+sq+med.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WEMdriv4E54/UmijJbD2raI/AAAAAAAAO1Q/tiuuvWK-A1g/s400/morian+top+sq+med.jpg" width="353" /></a>My artist friend, Morian, got married last month. She's been such a great inspiration to me since I first saw her lively and colorful <a href="http://morianart.blogspot.com/p/portrait-examples.html">pet portraits</a>. I think I first met her at the Deluxe Indie Craft Bazaar a few years ago. And it turns out she also works where I used to work back in the late 1990s.<br />
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Once I discovered her wedding date, I knew I wanted to make her a quilt. I also wanted to use batiks because they are so painterly in tone and they'd be a natural for her. If nothing else, it would go with the batik fabric bowl i made for her a year ago.<br />
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Adapted from Villa Rosa Designs' Tulsa Town pattern, I jogged the centerline to minimize matching seams. The rusty red background was a repurchase of a batik I loved from and used a couple of years ago in the Garden Gate quilt I started at Quilt Camp 2011.<br />
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<span style="text-align: left;">The back wound up being large expanses of even more of my favorite batiks.</span><br />
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One of the little details I worked into the front was a Dr. Who TARDIS. When Tom first saw the top's layout, he thought a TARDIS would make itself right at home. I chose these swirls and he later told me it was just the right choice because apparently there was a Dr. Who episode/image pairing Van Gogh's 'Starry Night' and the TARDIS. I have to take his word for this because I just have not been able to sit through an entire episode.</div>
annotationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16921622993092303874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2510486287326685696.post-12242227086313758712013-10-23T18:23:00.001-05:002013-10-23T18:23:47.453-05:00Charity quilt tops...<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xnOIa3D0tv8/Umdm0Da4IEI/AAAAAAAAOzw/q8iMwp3C3wM/s1600/browns_sq_96.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xnOIa3D0tv8/Umdm0Da4IEI/AAAAAAAAOzw/q8iMwp3C3wM/s200/browns_sq_96.jpg" width="152" /></a>At my local quilt shop, <a href="http://okquiltworks.com/ics.htm">Quiltworks</a>, there are bags filled with charm squares to be put together for <a href="http://www.infantcrisis.org/">Infant Crisis Services</a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/"></a> here in the Oklahoma City area. Volunteers share the tasks for all phases of quilt making. While groups of quilters get together to share the work, they also let us sign out bags to be sewn at home and returned. I picked up a couple of bags in the summer.<br />
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The first one was pretty straight-forward and went together without much ado. It's a big part of my process to build my quilt tops/backs on the computer first. This means photographing one of each color/pattern, then building the top digitally in Illustrator or Photoshop. They're both apps I use in my professional world (graphic design) so using them is second-nature to me.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sWkkTA-jfu4/UmdnO2nJIAI/AAAAAAAAO0A/x3rSvE7YYRk/s1600/dogs_versions_96.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sWkkTA-jfu4/UmdnO2nJIAI/AAAAAAAAO0A/x3rSvE7YYRk/s400/dogs_versions_96.png" width="264" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sWkkTA-jfu4/UmdnO2nJIAI/AAAAAAAAO0A/x3rSvE7YYRk/s1600/dogs_versions_96.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><br /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sWkkTA-jfu4/UmdnO2nJIAI/AAAAAAAAO0A/x3rSvE7YYRk/s1600/dogs_versions_96.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><br /></a>The second packet presented more of a challenge. The theme was dogs and it even had a few Snoopy squares. So I got busy playing around with what I had. I was amused by just this many iterations of the same 48 squares.<br />
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This is the 'winner.'<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CWcv7RR5F_Y/Umdm2NgZBVI/AAAAAAAAOz4/Hg_E03tMCDY/s1600/dogs_sq_96.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CWcv7RR5F_Y/Umdm2NgZBVI/AAAAAAAAOz4/Hg_E03tMCDY/s200/dogs_sq_96.jpg" width="151" /></a><br />
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These got returned within a few days. Other volunteers will handle the quilting and binding. I also have a couple of Christmas packets and although they're photographed, I have not 'built' the tops (digitally) yet. Santa's gonna be making that list soon, so I'd better get in gear!<br />
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This Bento Box variation top is a charity quilt our guild is working on. It got started at a Sew Day in September and I volunteered to finish piecing the top together by assembling the last three 16-block rows. The batting and backing are lined up and it's heading to the quilter soon. It'll make a bright and happy addition to someone's life.annotationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16921622993092303874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2510486287326685696.post-56324831267618953252013-10-23T13:53:00.000-05:002013-10-23T14:49:27.728-05:00I love Lucy...<span class="gmw_">July was a busy month. In addition to working on some quilts, I also added a 'new' sewing machine to the family. A few of the folks in OKCMQG have adopted vintage machines—namely Singer Featherweights (1933-1964). It's the same model my mother had (though I don't know the age of hers) and on which I first learned to sew around five or six. Years later, she gave me that same machine. I used it quite regularly in the late 1980s when I was sewing decorative 'country' collars at home. I kept a <span class="gm_ gm_4c121e37-6b54-19c3-34b3-cd10cdf68103 gm-spell">ruffler</span><span class="gmw_"> attached to it<span class="gm_ gm_f80ea076-671b-ef1c-3e43-fdf4c5eb9064 gm-spell gm_tiny"> </span>and it served me quite well. Trouble was that when I divorced in 1993, I left it behind in the house. It just never occurred to me to keep it with me. Yeah, I didn't think about it for years and wanted to kick myself. Alas.</span></span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1AkMR3zwHtE/UmgUFvu2ubI/AAAAAAAAO0o/Mgt95uKYMJc/s1600/Lucy+Hi+Res+96.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1AkMR3zwHtE/UmgUFvu2ubI/AAAAAAAAO0o/Mgt95uKYMJc/s320/Lucy+Hi+Res+96.jpg" width="320" /></a>Twenty years later and <i>'all the other kids have one,' </i>so I jumped on the <span class="gmw_">bandwagon. There were lots less expensive ones to be had, but I bought a pristine one from <a href="http://www.sew-rite.com/">Jim Sorrell in Seminole</a>. He is pretty much the Singer Guru in the area. Another lady in our guild was headed out there to have him look at her Singer 301<span class="gm_ gm_052f03d2-975d-2479-c954-8cfe2665846b gm-spell gm_tiny"> </span><span class="gmw_">and I tagged along for the ride. Angela's machine needed just a basic tune-up so was a really good value for what she paid. I had a chance to ooh-and-ah over all the pretty Featherweights at his shop and came away with a 1952-made one. It wasn't until later when Angela named hers Ethel that I named mine Lucy. Yes, there's the Lucille Ball connection, but I also have affection/affinity for Lucy Van Pelt, of "Peanuts" fame. Charles Schultz's comic strip started in 1950<span class="gm_ gm_5383bd8d-6b0d-1184-dd55-283a50eb21db gm-spell gm_tiny"> </span>but its Sunday presence launched in 1952. Tah dah!</span></span><br />
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I told Tom early on that having Lucy was primarily an emotional purchase for me. Yes, I do like how she sews and all the attachments and so forth. But it's the aroma of the case (supposedly from the glue used to adhere its lining) that takes me back to a very pleasant bubble in my childhood. And threading it makes me happy as I recall how fascinated I first was with the delicate little wire spring on the tension knob—<i>'Wow, machines are cool!' </i>Lastly, she is a classicly, silver screen-gorgeous. <br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zsfkpuZc4Ys/UmgT-NBNGDI/AAAAAAAAO0U/Z_5mbOEeQCM/s1600/Kenmore+1914+w+Convertible+lid+Open+(640x480).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zsfkpuZc4Ys/UmgT-NBNGDI/AAAAAAAAO0U/Z_5mbOEeQCM/s320/Kenmore+1914+w+Convertible+lid+Open+(640x480).jpg" width="320" /></a>Sometime in the early 1990s, my mother also gave me her 1975 Lady Kenmore model 1914. It was a top-of-the-line (at its time) and newer model of my first machine from 1971<i> (see below)</i>. I gave the older one to a friend. I used that 'newer' machine for everything until getting <a href="http://annotations-apt.blogspot.com/2011/04/shorter-and-sweeter.html">Bertie</a> a couple of years ago.<br />
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From our trip to Ohio, I brought back a Japanese clone machine, a White. I am not quite clear if it belonged to Tom's mother or grandmother, though Tom remembers it being used in the home. She's a beauty and runs pretty well. Ideally, I'd like to send her in for a tune up, but unless I really plan on sewing on her, she's fine to look at, as is. Oh, and there's also a sweet little portable typewriter Tom's dad gave me. Vintage typewriters live in another part of the house.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-B-NQYqVVJt4/UmgT-LcC2GI/AAAAAAAAO0Y/NDoBoONlzyU/s1600/kenmore_1601.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-B-NQYqVVJt4/UmgT-LcC2GI/AAAAAAAAO0Y/NDoBoONlzyU/s320/kenmore_1601.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="text-align: left;"><span class="gmw_">I'd also been keeping an eye open for a Sears Kenmore 1601 model sewing machine. It is the same model as MY first machine I got when I was about 14. I found this one in Midwest City last month. She was in rough shape so I got her for less than asking<span class="gm_ gm_3a54494a-13b2-2896-0f01-e426261df692 gm-spell gm_tiny"> </span>price. She could use some maintenance and replaced bobbin winder if I use her, but again, she's fine to look at, as is. After all, isn't it all about sentimental value?</span></span><br />
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What's been quite educational in this whole vintage machine process is how expensive these machines were when they were new and what they'd cost in today's dollars. For instance, that Kenmore 1601 was under $200 back in 1971. That's around $1,100 today. I would be hard pressed to buy a 14-year-old an $1,100 sewing machine today. Yep, I was, and still am, spoiled.<br />
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So now, I have five sewing machines, including a seldom-used Singer serger. I am trying to keep the herd in check. Wish me luck.<br />
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Is it ironic that as we get older and have less time that we amass more things that once made us happy? Pharaohs were buried with their earthly treasures and the things to take them to the next world. At this rate, I am going to need a pretty big pyramid.annotationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16921622993092303874noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2510486287326685696.post-30775371922474918572013-10-23T00:26:00.000-05:002016-02-21T11:48:00.988-06:00Herringbone...<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cSULr9B0ZVc/UmdQd40C6vI/AAAAAAAAOys/l7RKEDGUAwY/s1600/herringbone+versions+all+96.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cSULr9B0ZVc/UmdQd40C6vI/AAAAAAAAOys/l7RKEDGUAwY/s320/herringbone+versions+all+96.png" width="320" /></a><span class="gmw_"><span class="gmw_">In mid-July, a pal in my quilting <a href="http://www.okcmqg.com/">guild</a> posted a photo of a herringbone-patterned quilt made with half-square triangles. It got me to thinking I'd like to make one. So I checked out a few more online and started laying out my own. The design evolved through a couple of different color palettes<span class="gm_ gm_a7fdef72-9452-d069-4dca-8cb93d0782c5 gm-spell gm_tiny"> </span></span><span class="gmw_">and I finally decided to use those two <span class="gm_ gm_5704339f-38ea-47ab-63b3-799464cca6b8 gm-spell">moda</span> Comma charm packs I had on hand. <i>(Little did I know </i></span></span><br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Lso48hqAP04/UmdWO_hBmjI/AAAAAAAAOzY/9E8SaAhkhEk/s1600/comma_hst.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Lso48hqAP04/UmdWO_hBmjI/AAAAAAAAOzY/9E8SaAhkhEk/s200/comma_hst.jpg" width="148" /></a><i>when I bought the second one that I already had the first.) </i>I also had a few fat quarters in the same line. What I think I really 'made' this design was using the solid yellow gold and lime green diagonally in the background.<br />
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I started cutting and piecing the top together within a couple of days. As I joined the squares to later split diagonally, I dangled them from a wire grid like fish on stringers. What a great catch!<br />
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I also came up with an easy way to accurately trim my HSTs by modifying one of my square templates.<br />
Over the next week or so, I finished the top and started planning the backing. I used up some of the last remaining charm squares and finished with big lime commas.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1ldqQfrLbpc/UmdUQysOBRI/AAAAAAAAOzQ/bC-rE9doR1o/s1600/wendy_wells_rings_sq_sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1ldqQfrLbpc/UmdUQysOBRI/AAAAAAAAOzQ/bC-rE9doR1o/s1600/wendy_wells_rings_sq_sm.jpg" /></a>I knew I wanted its quilting to be special. I strongly considered my usual choice of stitched patterns but wasn't 100% over the moon about any of them. In mid-August, I was in Quiltworks <i>(who am I fooling, I'm in there lots!)</i> and came across so perfect quilting on one of their samples. I made arrangements to meet Wendy Wells and delivered my quilt to her on August 20. By September 5th, I had it back in hand.<br />
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I finished binding it (more orange!) by September 20.</div>
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<b><i><span style="color: #e06666;">I think it's my favorite so far!</span></i></b></div>
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annotationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16921622993092303874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2510486287326685696.post-15636292380542634152013-10-22T15:12:00.001-05:002013-10-22T20:35:33.333-05:00Happy 2wenty Thr3e...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2qLqvEYuNY8/UmbUDVwJRSI/AAAAAAAAOx0/414FNAk4I_o/s1600/il_570xN.453359615_ptw5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2qLqvEYuNY8/UmbUDVwJRSI/AAAAAAAAOx0/414FNAk4I_o/s320/il_570xN.453359615_ptw5.jpg" width="320" /></a><span class="gmw_">I knew I wanted to make a quilt for my dear friend, Kelsey. Back in June, I found this fabric on Etsy—antique cameras—one of the things she collects. I started with this as my base and found more fabric from the <span class="gm_ gm_62db85e1-3002-31a6-8dac-c79a4218c7e0 gm-spell">moda</span> line <a href="http://www.unitednotions.com/fcc_23.pdf">2wenty Thr3e</a> and added some <a href="http://www.unitednotions.com/fcc_comma.pdf">Comma</a> and <a href="http://www.unitednotions.com/fcc_fandango.pdf">Fandango</a>. I loved the bright and cheerful colors and prints. They so reflect Kelsey's beautiful personality.</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PMp3Ilf2X74/UmbS-qNEwvI/AAAAAAAAOxc/x0yNZuGFMvU/s1600/IMG_2502_cb_blog_96.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="249" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PMp3Ilf2X74/UmbS-qNEwvI/AAAAAAAAOxc/x0yNZuGFMvU/s320/IMG_2502_cb_blog_96.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a>A couple of weeks before, Wanda gave me a couple Villa Rosa Designs cards, and one of them (<a href="http://www.villarosadesigns.com/shop/ROSECARDS/p/INTRIGUE---56-sku-rc045.htm">Intrigue</a>) seemed perfect for this project. <i>The pattern for our <a href="http://www.okcmqg.com/2013/06/even-moore-love-long-term-support.html">Oklahoma City Modern Quilt Guild's raffle quilts for Oklahoma tornado relief</a> was graciously donated by Villa Rosa Designs (<a href="http://www.villarosadesigns.com/shop/ROSECARDS/p/new-TULSA-TOWN--57x-72-x802171.htm">Tulsa Town</a></i><span class="gmw_"><i>).</i> </span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ftWDfynjPaI/UmbS_J0bfbI/AAAAAAAAOxg/7k7x20Qwsak/s1600/IMG_2508_96_back_combo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ftWDfynjPaI/UmbS_J0bfbI/AAAAAAAAOxg/7k7x20Qwsak/s320/IMG_2508_96_back_combo.jpg" width="320" /></a><span class="gmw_">I got the whole thing put together and tried </span><span class="gmw_"><span class="gm_ gm_dc325154-c6cc-1024-25b4-2a20dde9be00 gm-spell">doing</span></span><span class="gmw_"><span class="gmw_"><span class="gmw_"> a little something different with the backing. I'd already bought the yardage so was a bit limited in options. I finally got around to asking Kelsey how old she was going to be this year. TWENTY-THREE! Well, it was all meant to be</span></span><span class="gmw_"><span class="gm_ gm_34e5cdcc-a96d-4621-b58a-7eb8f76b3c93 gm-spell gm_tiny"> </span></span><span class="gmw_">and I played it up to the hilt.</span></span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-J-tAJgXqiCY/UmbTBR54WII/AAAAAAAAOxs/6_m8S-AWwqw/s1600/IMG_2505_96.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-J-tAJgXqiCY/UmbTBR54WII/AAAAAAAAOxs/6_m8S-AWwqw/s320/IMG_2505_96.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Again, Wanda quilted this for me. I loved the vines of hearts. Finally, I had lots of fun with the label on the back and the tiny piece of printed selvage appliqued to the front. I had so much fun making this quilt for an absolutely wonderful person!<b><i><span style="color: #e06666;"> I love you Kelsey!</span></i></b>annotationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16921622993092303874noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2510486287326685696.post-14643382993195161212013-10-22T13:27:00.001-05:002016-02-21T11:48:32.349-06:00Consolation prize...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DoHfPsS99Ho/Uma6EfBGC8I/AAAAAAAAOwg/H4Y5k4-e4QQ/s1600/Jana's+Quilt+on+FB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="148" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DoHfPsS99Ho/Uma6EfBGC8I/AAAAAAAAOwg/H4Y5k4-e4QQ/s200/Jana's+Quilt+on+FB.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
Back in May, before giving this quilt to a friend (she was right, it DOES go with the colors in her new house!), I decided to make this next one for myself. It's one of the first times I saw a quilt top at Quiltworks and immediately bought the pattern and the fabric on the spot. The pattern is Off Track, and the fabric is combined lines from Parson Gray (<a href="http://www.parsongray.com/#!curious-nature/cql3">Curious Nature</a> and <a href="http://www.parsongray.com/#!seven-wonders/c1j37">Seven Wonders</a>). Oddly enough, I'd bought a few fat quarters of these lines in December 2012 and more in March 2013. I'd certainly say the look grew on me.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gXjLsj0Qmz8/Uma6kv_10GI/AAAAAAAAOww/8Wm4DEvShYA/s1600/IMG_2564.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gXjLsj0Qmz8/Uma6kv_10GI/AAAAAAAAOww/8Wm4DEvShYA/s320/IMG_2564.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span class="gmw_">Once I got the top pulled together, I had the thought that it would be perfect for another friend of mine who has a real appreciation for great color and texture. Wait! This is the one to take the place of the last one I just gave away. I've still got it<span class="gm_ gm_fa4c2e90-b4e0-ad04-329a-882ce3ba3e35 gm-spell gm_tiny"> </span>but it may find itself heading west, someday.</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AQawE_PNlZ0/Uma6XUeLm5I/AAAAAAAAOwo/lPGQREAmER4/s1600/IMG_2558.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AQawE_PNlZ0/Uma6XUeLm5I/AAAAAAAAOwo/lPGQREAmER4/s320/IMG_2558.JPG" width="372" /></a></div>
<a href="http://expressionsinquilting.com/">Wanda</a> also quilted this one for me. I am just loving having someone do the quilting. By the time I get to that point, I am ready to have it done and am happy to let someone who knows what they're doing and can get it done quickly, for not too much expense, finish it off. I am a bit on a kick of using orange-red for binding these days.<br />
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What's next? <span style="color: #e06666;"><b>Kelsey's Birthday Quilt!</b></span>annotationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16921622993092303874noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2510486287326685696.post-24581679534404682082013-10-22T12:20:00.000-05:002013-10-22T15:13:04.249-05:00Trifecta...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b><span style="color: #e06666;">(Forgot to post this on August 22nd!)</span></b><br />
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Three quilts done, Done, DONE!<br />
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One was finished and delivered on July 12. Another given as a birthday present on July 14. And, for now, the third one's MINE!<br />
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<span class="gmw_"><span class="gmw_">I started the first one earlier this year. You've seen it here before. People on Facebook are probably sick of seeing it. What's really changed is that I decided to give it to a friend<span class="gm_ gm_d003a9bc-7d4d-c745-21b6-e02c0a500c92 gm-spell gm_tiny"> </span>AND I found someone to do the machine quilting. I didn't realize what a huge difference this single factor would make in my output.</span></span><br />
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<span class="gmw_"><span class="gmw_">I met Wanda Pinkerton-Holley quite by accident. I was at Savage Quilter for some fabric<span class="gm_ gm_f2aa0e97-a848-72b3-a771-03b1db518603 gm-spell gm_tiny"> </span>and Wanda was in there offering to quilt some charity quilts shortly after the May 20th tornadoes in Moore, Oklahoma. She recently moved her home and business, </span></span><a href="http://expressionsinquilting.com/">Expressions in Quilting</a><span class="gmw_"><span class="gmw_">, from the<span class="gm_ gm_00569986-3d3a-5ba3-842c-1cd56cc4afdc gm-spell"> the </span>Wichita area to be closer to her daughter and grandbaby. Because I'd only had one other quilt quilted by someone else (Stars over Bali Skies BOM), I was not first-hand experienced with edge-to-edge computer-generated quilting until I visited with Wanda in early June. Within only a few weeks, she did these three for me! If 'done is better than perfect,' nothing's better than DONE!</span></span><br />
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I've got another in the works, just delivered to the quilter. I'm trying Wendy Wells, who has done lots of the model quilts at Quiltworks. I saw one the other day, and the interlocking circles pattern was perfect for my herringbone top. That'll be my next post.<br />
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<span class="gmw_">(I'll show some details of these three, plus<span class="gmw_"> the fourth, in my post.)</span></span>annotationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16921622993092303874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2510486287326685696.post-28907062417329658562013-04-11T15:24:00.001-05:002013-04-11T15:26:21.547-05:00Stuff for OKCMQG...<h3>
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NMSXcsxzFZ4/UWcH3YkxN7I/AAAAAAAANvE/jwRzNbxTZ7c/s1600/broken+herringbone+square.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NMSXcsxzFZ4/UWcH3YkxN7I/AAAAAAAANvE/jwRzNbxTZ7c/s200/broken+herringbone+square.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="color: #0b5394;">Madrona Road Challenge mini-quilt</span></h3>
As I mentioned in my last post, OKCMQG was participating in the Michael Miller Madrona Road Challenge. While initially set up as a (national) Modern Quilt Guild challenge prior to QuiltCon, ours is an unofficial spin-off, and smaller—under 24" x 24". We were provided several fat eighths (9" x 22") of fabric from the line (and I bought a little additional yardage to complete my design). We were permitted to use matching solids, but only patterns from the line. To avoid inadvertently copying someone else design, I made it a point to NOT look at other challenge solutions online. <i>(See note below.)</i><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ylWHMMsELDA/UWcKu9rmX7I/AAAAAAAANvU/8pOfcT0595o/s1600/madrona+both.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="91" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ylWHMMsELDA/UWcKu9rmX7I/AAAAAAAANvU/8pOfcT0595o/s200/madrona+both.png" width="200" /></a>I decided on my design pretty quickly. The idea was to create a macro version of their Broken Herringbone pattern. I chose to use one pattern for each of the solids in the pattern. The 'big' detail I insisted upon was replicating the precise angles and proportions of the original. Most of the time, one would use 90-degree angles for this kind of layout, but THIS pattern was 95 degrees and I was determined to match it! After more work in Photoshop and Illustrator than I should probably admit, I discovered a big error in my layout and had to modify that. I was reminded how often our brains fill in what we think we see even when it's clearly different from what's there. Perception becomes reality, for sure.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0QgmpoE5GiY/UWcN6Tx-VOI/AAAAAAAANvk/8MJJFyelauE/s1600/Madrona+x4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0QgmpoE5GiY/UWcN6Tx-VOI/AAAAAAAANvk/8MJJFyelauE/s400/Madrona+x4.jpg" width="400" /></a>Under the heading of 'save everything,' I used an old (bought it in college) adjustable triangle (once used for hand lettering and drafting) to cut my strips. Shown is how I substituted each solid for a pattern. Once I got all of the top pieced, I had a nice wide strip left over that I used for the backing. I did simple straight line quilting. As it worked out, the front and back layered nicely and, seen below, there's an interesting translucence. Yay!<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yg4T5umx2Rc/UWcUFYm-_DI/AAAAAAAANwI/KttANAXh5xQ/s1600/madrona+chevrons.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="247" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yg4T5umx2Rc/UWcUFYm-_DI/AAAAAAAANwI/KttANAXh5xQ/s320/madrona+chevrons.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="text-align: center;">After finishing the mini quilt and before showing it off at our April meeting, I finally looked at the <a href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/2137282@N20/">other challenge solutions</a> online. Here are three of its siblings. Even though there are just a few from hundreds created, maybe there's really nothing new under the sun. I enjoyed it all the same!</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Gk84t26rFdo/UWcZlxt6u8I/AAAAAAAANwU/Qosg6yziBzE/s1600/okcmqg+madronas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="106" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Gk84t26rFdo/UWcZlxt6u8I/AAAAAAAANwU/Qosg6yziBzE/s320/okcmqg+madronas.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="text-align: center;">Here are some of the challenge pieces shown off the other night. Emily showed hers off in March, and Shana did TWO, but I don't have photos.</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cayh5W-ihf4/UWcW3GwmifI/AAAAAAAANwM/A4UbRJkrZaM/s1600/Shana_Cuppy_Cushion_96.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cayh5W-ihf4/UWcW3GwmifI/AAAAAAAANwM/A4UbRJkrZaM/s200/Shana_Cuppy_Cushion_96.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: magenta;">Cuppy cake!</span></span></h3>
<span style="text-align: center;">One of the girls in the guild had her birthday last week. She loves cuppy cakes. I promised her a special treat because I couldn't get her a real cuppy cake for her birthday. It's mostly <a href="http://www.pompomemporium.com/content/knitted-cupcakes">knitted</a>, but the whipped cream was crocheted. I made a few adjustments to the pattern due to yarn thickness. Pearl-top pins make this an even cuter pincushion! Happy Birthday, Shana!</span><br />
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<span style="text-align: center;">Next post—my foray into paper piecing my newest Block of the Month subscription!</span>annotationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16921622993092303874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2510486287326685696.post-65197268857005040222013-03-29T21:28:00.002-05:002013-03-29T21:32:06.553-05:00Proud as a...<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; border-spacing: 0px; font-family: Gotham;"></span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fIKkMj3sxhU/UVY_6E4ujbI/AAAAAAAANQ4/7iuX8X-ITzw/s1600/liberty_book_home_sewing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fIKkMj3sxhU/UVY_6E4ujbI/AAAAAAAANQ4/7iuX8X-ITzw/s200/liberty_book_home_sewing.jpg" width="158" /></a>'Only' 11 months after checking out the book from the library and working on it here and there, I finally finished up this little project.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xtOjYLSgsXk/UVY_6CjFNeI/AAAAAAAANQ8/g6WTrUF41Zc/s1600/libbook6_peacock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xtOjYLSgsXk/UVY_6CjFNeI/AAAAAAAANQ8/g6WTrUF41Zc/s200/libbook6_peacock.jpg" width="200" /></a>I thought this project absolutely PERFECT for my friend whose pseudonym is Gwendolyn Peacock. </div>
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It took me a bit of time to collect the fabric I wanted to use. I quickly discovered I would not be able to find the Liberty fabrics specified. At the time, I was well in the throes of my batik phase. The body fabric was a pretty easy decision, but I didn't know how I planned to replicate the tail feather 'eye' look. I even went so far as to buy some feathers to use.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AaWU6JKatH0/UVZAnopDF9I/AAAAAAAANRQ/CxI_LAtF-J0/s1600/mm_ombre_marrakesh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="249" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AaWU6JKatH0/UVZAnopDF9I/AAAAAAAANRQ/CxI_LAtF-J0/s320/mm_ombre_marrakesh.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Every so often, I'd find a fabric that I thought might work, and would buy a fat quarter here and there. I also needed to find the pins and sequins I'd use. At the beginning of March, I felt my prayers were answered when I came across this exotic piece of Ombre Marrakesh by Michael Miller. I saw lots of peacock feathers and a varied range of tones. As it turns out, this beautiful print is only seen if your look at the underside of the 'feathers.' The wrong side has smaller batik pieces appliquéd onto them.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TTSC2-vM6gw/UVY__vVhxrI/AAAAAAAANRI/g-H5DXwRELQ/s1600/Gwendolyn's_Peacock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TTSC2-vM6gw/UVY__vVhxrI/AAAAAAAANRI/g-H5DXwRELQ/s400/Gwendolyn's_Peacock.jpg" width="283" /></a></div>
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For the eyes, I finally cut into my new <span class="gmw_"><a href="http://annotations-apt.blogspot.com/2013/01/in-dangerous-hands.html">felt collection</a>. I once imagined I would plan my first cut into the pristine pieces of felt as a ceremony or sacred event. Reality—I tugged a corner big enough to use from the stack, chopped off each color, and smushed the remainder back into the stack. How quickly we forget the once regal and revered.</span></div>
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This is the finished project, only a mere 50 weeks later! I gave it to Gwen this past 'Gwendsday' and she loved it! I know it'll have a good home. We both remembered one of the first gifts I gave her was also a homemade pincushion—an Araucana chicken.</div>
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An extra treat was that my project was mentioned in OKCMQG's <a href="http://www.okcmqg.com/2013/03/march-flaunt-your-finish.html">March Flaunt Your Finish</a> post. Special thanks to Leslie for doing such a wonderful job gathering our write-ups and photos, editing, and sharing our finished projects! Unbeknownst to me until recently, I've been a big fan of Leslie's for a couple of years. She's done a couple of <a href="http://www.leslieunfinished.com/2011/03/houndstooth-quilt.html">houndstooth quilts</a>, including a <a href="http://www.leslieunfinished.com/2012/04/plaid-houndstooth-quilt.html">PLAID ONE</a>—the first one just a month or so before I did mine for <a href="http://annotations-apt.blogspot.com/2011/06/its-bird-its-frog-its-cat-its-bat.html">Baby Cairo</a>. I bet I came across her blog way back then while doing research and was duly amazed and inspired.</div>
annotationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16921622993092303874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2510486287326685696.post-15169800407524264882013-03-18T13:00:00.001-05:002013-03-18T13:04:39.113-05:00Closer to done, and just beginning...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yr37Vs_5bNI/UUc_2NCgYcI/AAAAAAAAMnI/lUVaVo2ZDc8/s1600/juggling_fence.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yr37Vs_5bNI/UUc_2NCgYcI/AAAAAAAAMnI/lUVaVo2ZDc8/s320/juggling_fence.jpg" width="274" /></a></div>
I'm happy to report Juggling Summer Shortcake quilt top is done! A couple of weeks ago, it was still a <a href="http://annotations-apt.blogspot.com/2013/03/in-works.html">computer image</a><span class="gmw_">. It went together pretty easily. Once all the blocks were done and I laid them out on the floor following my computer design, I knew I wanted to rearrange the single-pattern ones. I'm pretty pleased with it. I've no idea when I'll finish <i>(back, quilt, and bind)</i> it, or where it will find its home, but I'm glad to have this much done. I'm also liking the idea of photographing against a stockade fence. </span><i>(This appears to be a popular option of which I just recently became aware. Thanks <a href="http://www.thecozypumpkin.com/">Amanda</a> and others.) </i>I've tried indoor options up until now—the hot tub cover, a folding screen, and a slide projector screen. So, weather permitting, I'm liking this option as long as I don't mind the wind. Hey, it's Oklahoma, folks!<br />
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For at least a couple of months, I've been wanting to check out the <a href="http://www.okcmqg.com/">Oklahoma City Modern Quilt Guild</a><span class="gmw_">. They hold their monthly meetings the same night as another sewing group I've been considering. Last Monday evening, I held to my plans of attending an OKCMQG meeting and found it to be quite delightful. I knew a couple of the members in person and a couple others via their blogs or Facebook. Lucky me—it happened to be the night they were sharing the swag they brought back from <a href="http://www.quiltcon.com/">QUILTCON</a> in Austin, Texas, February 21-24. There were great stories from the event, <span class="gmw_">and I'm already dreaming about the next one in 2015! (They spoke highly of the lectures which are now available for <a href="http://www.craftsy.com/class/quiltcon-lecture-series-2013/194">FREE on </a></span><a href="http://www.craftsy.com/class/quiltcon-lecture-series-2013/194">Craftsy</a>!) Some brought some truly beautiful show-and-tell items. I also enjoyed that members spoke of their favorite fabric lines with the same glee and excitement I've been known to possess. (Posessed—that's me!) Within 24 hours, I signed up to become a member. Tah dah! </span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gFGSPunsfJ0/UUc_1SXcRHI/AAAAAAAAMnE/44HJBu72gfI/s1600/Madrona+Road+SQ+strips.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gFGSPunsfJ0/UUc_1SXcRHI/AAAAAAAAMnE/44HJBu72gfI/s320/Madrona+Road+SQ+strips.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
One of the projects OKCMQG is doing their own <a href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/2105749@N24/">Madrona Road Challenge</a>—theirs a mini-quilt using several fat eighths from the line supplied by <a href="http://www.michaelmillerfabrics.com/MMF/Swatch4.cfm?&Gnam=Madrona%20Road%20by%20Violet%20Craft">Michael Miller Fabrics</a>. I picked up my bundle of fabrics last Friday and came up with what I wanted to do pretty quickly. As usual, I worked out my design on the computer first—Illustrator and Photoshop. I took three good stabs at it, refining details along the way, and I am finally happy with my layout. I have some of the fabric cut and still need to go buy some solid white to use as a background. We're all bringing our submissions to the April meeting. I can't wait to see what everyone else has done! I expect to get it put together in the next few days but may wait to post it until after April 8th. I'm pretty excited about it!<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mu8KXn3fMTs/UR1bSW4lFiI/AAAAAAAAMl0/Twl1pCqn-ec/s1600/1-localquilt-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mu8KXn3fMTs/UR1bSW4lFiI/AAAAAAAAMl0/Twl1pCqn-ec/s200/1-localquilt-1.jpg" width="170" /></a></div>
OH, and I almost forgot to mention it—I signed up for <a href="http://carolynfriedlander.com/products/patterns/the-local-quilt-pattern/">The Local Quilt Block of the Month</a><span class="gmw_"> at <span class="gm_ gm_f7c00a38-a14b-0882-2175-33f1fbaa186e gm-spell">Quiltworks</span></span><span class="gmw_">. It's that wonky piece with </span><a href="http://annotations-apt.blogspot.com/2013/02/im-in-love.html">those fabrics I love from Carolyn Friedlander</a>. So, starting in April, I'll have <i>another</i> something to keep me company for nine months. (<i>I'm still thinking about creating some blocks based on my own homes over time.) </i>It's lots of paper piecing and I've only had limited experience with that process in a class I took in May 2011. Here's to jumping into the deep end—head first!<br />
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annotationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16921622993092303874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2510486287326685696.post-62152014739597070982013-03-06T10:20:00.000-06:002013-03-06T10:20:10.647-06:00In the works...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S2Bbj1z9u_A/UTdl-IlpJjI/AAAAAAAAMmo/8sx2jq3uDnY/s1600/Final+Juggling+Shortcake+Layout.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S2Bbj1z9u_A/UTdl-IlpJjI/AAAAAAAAMmo/8sx2jq3uDnY/s320/Final+Juggling+Shortcake+Layout.jpg" width="279" /></a></div>
This is the Photoshop layout of the quilt I'm working on right now. The pattern is Shortcake and it's made for jelly rolls. I am using the Zen Chic Juggling Summer jelly roll I bought about five weeks ago. I discovered/fell in love with the fabric line just before this past Christmas and used it it <a href="http://annotations-apt.blogspot.com/2013/01/christmas-was.html">two of my favorite pieces</a>.<br />
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Quiltworks offered a <a href="http://okquiltworks.com/classes/shortcake.htm">class in this quilt pattern</a> but I decided to download the pattern online and set out on my own. I wanted a 'modern' vibe, so opted for using a medium gray as my neutral—new concept for me. This is the second quilt top in a row in which I've used <a href="http://annotations-apt.blogspot.com/2013/01/kapalua-batik.html">significant areas of solid color(s)</a>.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LOWV4uQlWPU/UTdoyWl8vJI/AAAAAAAAMmw/p6GLQ9DhanY/s1600/Shortcake_Cover_smaller.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LOWV4uQlWPU/UTdoyWl8vJI/AAAAAAAAMmw/p6GLQ9DhanY/s200/Shortcake_Cover_smaller.jpg" width="131" /></a>Although I've managed to streamline the process a little, it's a bit more tedious than quick-go strip piecing. Yesterday, when <a href="http://www.savagequilter.com/">Savage Quilter</a> (moved two doors north into far more spacious and better lit space) had its 5th Birthday sale, I bought the fabric for the binding. I haven't really thought about the backing yet. I've only done a dozen blocks so far. I'll keep you posted as it comes together.<br />
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<— Oh, and here is the original pattern. It's a much different and daintier look.annotationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16921622993092303874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2510486287326685696.post-4809346726254564252013-02-14T16:38:00.000-06:002013-03-06T10:20:29.696-06:00I'm in love...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mu8KXn3fMTs/UR1bSW4lFiI/AAAAAAAAMl0/Twl1pCqn-ec/s1600/1-localquilt-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mu8KXn3fMTs/UR1bSW4lFiI/AAAAAAAAMl0/Twl1pCqn-ec/s320/1-localquilt-1.jpg" width="272" /></a></div>
There's a new line of fabric in my life. It first crossed my path when I saw the upcoming Quiltworks BOM. I liked the quilt pattern but didn't really NOTICE the print until a week or so ago. Since then, I've fallen hard.<br />
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After a hard search, I have some in my hot little hands. I found a jelly roll on Etsy and it arrived today.<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ollLkvr0vEU/UR1bJHisaMI/AAAAAAAAMls/f47mV603Les/s1600/ArchitexturesJellyRoll_blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ollLkvr0vEU/UR1bJHisaMI/AAAAAAAAMls/f47mV603Les/s200/ArchitexturesJellyRoll_blog.jpg" width="166" /></a><br />
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It's called <a href="http://www.robertkaufman.com/fabrics/architextures/">Architextures</a>, designed by <a href="http://carolynfriedlander.com/">Carolyn Friedlander</a>. Of course, I love the architectural elements, but even more so, it reminds me of the old textures we used to use in graphic design—<i>Formatt, Chartpak, Letraset, and prestype</i>—and all the old art board mechanicals we did in the dark ages, before computers/desktop publishing. Nostalgia!<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zBAujPpJpPk/UR1bd3kpc9I/AAAAAAAAMmE/N0kOVXjWNOs/s1600/architecturescollage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="220" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zBAujPpJpPk/UR1bd3kpc9I/AAAAAAAAMmE/N0kOVXjWNOs/s400/architecturescollage.jpg" width="400" /></a>The new BOM program does not start until April, and I haven't yet committed. Instead of standard piecing techniques, it uses paper piecing and I wouldn't mind learning more about that. When I first saw this quilt pattern, before I really looked at the fabric print, I was thinking about designing my own using this as a theme. Mine would have representations of homes in which I've lived over the years. I sketched out a couple and think it's all doable. So, do I buy their BOM and do it their way; customize it; or buy the fabric on my own and do my own thing?</div>
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Right now there appears to be a scarcity of this line fabric. Quiltworks is getting theirs in soon and says they're getting extra bolts to accommodate backing yardages. What shall I do? Ah, decisions, decisions.</div>
annotationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16921622993092303874noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2510486287326685696.post-12354162208660632932013-01-31T18:01:00.001-06:002013-01-31T18:01:55.799-06:00In dangerous hands...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DKBkW_4HVeo/UQrzRuFpq3I/AAAAAAAAMkU/4m2p7nGbjko/s1600/felt_96.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DKBkW_4HVeo/UQrzRuFpq3I/AAAAAAAAMkU/4m2p7nGbjko/s400/felt_96.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
I don't always know why I buy things.<br />
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Sometimes, it's just because they are pretty. My friends know this about me. Especially Gwen.<br />
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Hence, the beautiful box of 108 pieces of felt from <a href="http://www.woolfeltcentral.com/woolfeltbundles.html">WoolFeltCentral.com</a>, Gwen's felt source. For me, it is as much about the acquisition as the application. Once I had these gems in my hot little fists, I knew I had to—wait for it—catalog them! Sigh. Roll out a blank Excel spreadsheet and get to work! I love this stuff.<br />
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A couple of years ago, when I started organizing my fabric via a color system, I discovered <a href="http://joenwolfrom.com/color-design-tools/">Joen Wolfrom's Ultimate 3-in-1 Color Tool</a>. She assigns a number from 1 to 24 to colors on the color wheel, and then sub-numbers for values/tints. When I get new fabric, I photograph it, assign it one of these color numbers, and then add it to my visual data base. When the images are sorted by color name, they display in spectral order. Bliss! It's not a perfect system but mostly does what I need.<br />
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So, I made the spreadsheet using the information the seller. This included their colors' names, the order in which they were packed, and the DMC floss match color they provided. I then went on the quest to find or create swatches for all 108 colors and then put the appropriate swatch on the appropriate row. Then it was time to assign the Color Tool numeric value. And if all this wasn't enough, I then assigned two different tonal values to each swatch. These values came from looking at each swatch under a red, and then a green lens. All tolled, this took much of one weekend and a few afternoons. Here's a screenshot of one of the simpler sorts. If it's not worth obsessing over, is it really worth doing? Ha!<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qVB5Jv9S_vE/UQr2CPx1v_I/AAAAAAAAMkk/HlA_U1ftlvQ/s1600/gwen_felts_96.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qVB5Jv9S_vE/UQr2CPx1v_I/AAAAAAAAMkk/HlA_U1ftlvQ/s320/gwen_felts_96.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
On the more 'normal' side of life, I think it's fair to say I have friends who like felt. And <b>actually</b> make things from felt—REALLY darling things from felt. From Gwen, here are five monkeys waiting to jump on a bed, and a waterspout, spider, and sunshine. Pretty dern cute, eh?<br />
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Even if I never make anything from my beautiful pieces of good quality felt, I really enjoy having it all the same. And, when/if I do, you'll see it here!<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5hsfQ8xu5Bs/UQsB0hS-YsI/AAAAAAAAMlI/wUeeSJTi1cQ/s1600/bucilla-santa-clock-twas-the-night-felt-christmas-sto.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5hsfQ8xu5Bs/UQsB0hS-YsI/AAAAAAAAMlI/wUeeSJTi1cQ/s200/bucilla-santa-clock-twas-the-night-felt-christmas-sto.jpg" width="132" /></a>Also felt-related, I relented and finally purchased a Christmas stocking kit, on clearance. Some of my friends make these and seem to enjoy the experience. I'm still a little befuddled about the process, but now I have a chance (and plenty of time) to try one, too! I haven't done that much up-close, detailed hand stitching in recent years, so this will certainly require a different set of skills. Truth be told, I loved it for the mouse and the candy cane! I'll let you know how it goes.<br />
<br />annotationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16921622993092303874noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2510486287326685696.post-72775481302142876972013-01-31T15:45:00.001-06:002013-01-31T15:45:40.868-06:00Kapalua Batik...<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F6ry00tfrAM/UQZ1CO89PzI/AAAAAAAAMgc/oq9agZpafzk/s1600/kapalua+jellyroll.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="183" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F6ry00tfrAM/UQZ1CO89PzI/AAAAAAAAMgc/oq9agZpafzk/s200/kapalua+jellyroll.png" width="200" /></a>I am not sure how long ago I purchased this jellyroll, but I know it's been sitting around awhile. I never had much of a plan for it, but finally made a quilt top from it this month.<br />
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I knew I wanted to add some solids (yes, SOLIDS) to my next project, so what better place to hide some in plain sight among all these colors? I found four solids I could love—a bright chartreuse, a deep raspberry sherbet, scrumptious eggplant, and bright orange. I played around with several different designs on the computer. I wanted to intersperse the solids but wasn't sure about its order—randomness, hard pattern, or perceived randomness IN a pattern? And then, what would be the easiest way to sew it all together? My first runs at it looked something like:<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WkzORNnDLy8/UQrOErj0eDI/AAAAAAAAMi0/KASattU4q5w/s1600/first+kapaluas+96.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="153" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WkzORNnDLy8/UQrOErj0eDI/AAAAAAAAMi0/KASattU4q5w/s400/first+kapaluas+96.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Colorful, but not too orderly/orderly enough. Then I was reminded of a zig zag pattern I liked and came up with how I wanted to sew 20 sets of two strips, then each of the solids onto that. I arranged all 40 strips into a spectral order I liked, numbered them <i>(you'll see number labels in my layouts)</i>, and paired them. Here are those 20 sets of strips, arranged beautifully. Yes, it did take quite a bit of manipulating to get them to lay this way, but what good is having beautiful fabric if you can't fondle it?<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8wt3fRWA_xc/UQZ0Rh-DYzI/AAAAAAAAMgI/tJojoTYM8UU/s1600/kapalua+duets+96.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8wt3fRWA_xc/UQZ0Rh-DYzI/AAAAAAAAMgI/tJojoTYM8UU/s200/kapalua+duets+96.jpg" width="200" /></a>Once all of the pairs were put together, I needed to add them to their solids. Which way to best attach the solids—long strips or short ones? Short ones won the day. <i>(Based on the arrangement in this shot, I am wondering if I am a wanna-be bartender? Look at the cocktail napkin fanning of those blocks!)</i> Problems I ran into in this jelly roll of strips was the fact that all the long edges were already 'pinked' and they were not all consistent in width. Using all those edges as guides gave me some wonky dimensions. This required some adjusting of seams along the way and that gobbled up lots of time. In the future, I will straight cut all the strips into a width I know is consistent and even.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V3Y1ysqyVps/UQrY4UsqWmI/AAAAAAAAMjY/QzRBxWbksbI/s1600/Kapalua+both.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V3Y1ysqyVps/UQrY4UsqWmI/AAAAAAAAMjY/QzRBxWbksbI/s400/Kapalua+both.jpg" width="155" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9wMoXoi6t10/UQZ0RiWcGSI/AAAAAAAAMgE/0nrk_xbGWXY/s1600/kapalua+duets+solid+96.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9wMoXoi6t10/UQZ0RiWcGSI/AAAAAAAAMgE/0nrk_xbGWXY/s200/kapalua+duets+solid+96.jpg" width="200" /></a>So I had the idea in my mind and printed out so I could follow it while piecing. Zig zag. I attached 80 pairs of paired batiks to 80 solids and started thinking about the vertical strips I'd build to make the zig zag. Hold on a minute. What if I rotated these blocks and mixed up the pattern a little? Hmmm. Sure, I could do that. It wouldn't be a hard zig zag, but more of a <i>suggested</i> zig zag?<br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-F3h_gXCyLS8/UQZ0Rqdaa3I/AAAAAAAAMgA/OIkKtQS_hVg/s1600/kapalua+strips+96.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-F3h_gXCyLS8/UQZ0Rqdaa3I/AAAAAAAAMgA/OIkKtQS_hVg/s200/kapalua+strips+96.jpg" width="150" /></a>Time to commit. Here's how the columns of blocks went together. Having to go back and 'fix' some of the strip inconsistencies made this part of the process a bit more tedious than necessary, but all in all, it still went together fairly well. Oh, did I mention I wanted the back seams to be pretty, too? I pressed and flared my seams and love the effect even though no one sees them.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bdn7WX2KH2c/UQrf_CzDD5I/AAAAAAAAMjw/_k9xD04Yvm4/s1600/kapalua+group.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="233" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bdn7WX2KH2c/UQrf_CzDD5I/AAAAAAAAMjw/_k9xD04Yvm4/s400/kapalua+group.jpg" width="400" /></a>I'm not sure how I'm going to finish, back, or bind this top, but I'm happy to have this much done. Right now it's about 54" x 67". Voila!annotationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16921622993092303874noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2510486287326685696.post-80434655944084711602013-01-29T23:33:00.002-06:002013-01-30T09:04:04.749-06:00Spokes, Totes, and Hand Warmers...<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AcpxJJOfiCQ/UQiwciTu4nI/AAAAAAAAMhI/bExg1klS0So/s1600/kelsey_vimeo.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AcpxJJOfiCQ/UQiwciTu4nI/AAAAAAAAMhI/bExg1klS0So/s200/kelsey_vimeo.png" width="193" /></a>Last spring/summer, I became friends with Kelsey. I first became aware of her when she was in a series of some very funny sermon series bumper videos. It was a series about dating. Here is the <a href="http://vimeo.com/36992546">link to the first</a> of three* <i>(see below)</i> videos she did. What a funny way to get to know someone! She and I knew many of the same people, especially media team staff/volunteers. It also turned out that we'd just started attending a community group her parents led.<br />
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We got to know each other better over some Starbucks coffee and church activities. Within a few weeks, she adopted me as her 'Second Momma.' What an honor! I was tickled!<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VmQFK4vd3uQ/UFqI6FUwQYI/AAAAAAAAMTY/Mt0xTmiAvs4/s1600/Rollin+with+the+homies+sticker.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VmQFK4vd3uQ/UFqI6FUwQYI/AAAAAAAAMTY/Mt0xTmiAvs4/s200/Rollin+with+the+homies+sticker.png" width="200" /></a>Kelsey and her roommate, Hailey, started riding bikes. <u>Seriously</u> started riding bikes. As in 'cycling!' They joined a group of mutual friends who have a cycling group. Their organization's name is <b><i><span style="color: #990000;">Rollin' With the Homies</span></i></b>. Here's their patch/label, a <a href="http://grpfly.com/our-story">Group Fly</a> design.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v_baoOtfQZM/UQi8H-hk4ZI/AAAAAAAAMhs/51TYLpc7ju0/s1600/kelsey_hailey_trio_96.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v_baoOtfQZM/UQi8H-hk4ZI/AAAAAAAAMhs/51TYLpc7ju0/s400/kelsey_hailey_trio_96.jpg" width="188" /></a><b><i><span style="color: #073763;">Fast forward to mid-September</span></i></b> and Rollin' With the Homies is riding in the <b><span style="color: #e69138;">Bike MS: The Mother Road Ride | Tulsa to Oklahoma City</span></b>. It was a 150-mile ride from Tulsa to Oklahoma City, with one overnight stop in Chandler, Okla, and benefitted the <a href="http://www.nationalmssociety.org/">National MS Society</a>. Kelsey was riding the first leg of the ride, and Hailey was doing both. We decided we want to go to Chandler and welcome them there. </div>
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We got there with some time to spare. After a bit, we got word they were coming in. Click, click, click. I've gotta confess I love the little square single-shot photo on the right most because I know Kelsey's just saw us! The one next to it is what everyone else saw. Beneath is one of the two of them. Can you believe how lovely they look after cycling 75 miles up and down the hills?! Guess there's something to be said for good training!</div>
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I knew I wanted to have some sort of surprise or trophy for the girls as they finished the first leg of the 150-mile ride. But what? A week before, while at Quiltworks, I saw this fabulous cream and dark blue fabric made into a tote bag. Free pattern with purchase of fabric? YES! I was especially fortunate to find two fabric color combos so I could make distinctly different bags for them (roommates having identical bags was impractical). And I lined them. I was concerned they might not be the most useful gift, but I LOVED the look, so took my chances. I presented the bags after they arrived and was so thrilled they loved them. Yay! Turns out they were perfect for carrying their helmets and shoes. Tah dah!<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n5wHAWYbJmw/UQjA3qmTckI/AAAAAAAAMiQ/Y_qWTstm5RY/s1600/owlies_x3_96.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n5wHAWYbJmw/UQjA3qmTckI/AAAAAAAAMiQ/Y_qWTstm5RY/s640/owlies_x3_96.jpg" width="244" /></a></div>
<b><i><span style="color: #073763;">A little more time travel—Christmas. </span></i></b>I came across a knitting pattern for fingerless gloves—plain, but a <a href="http://creativeyarn.blogspot.com/2008/01/emerald-greenhandwarmer.html">pretty moss stitch</a>. After making a pair for myself, and a little inspiration, I knew I wanted to make some for Kelsey that resembled owls. I so enjoyed making those that I thought Hailey, avid cat lover, might get a giggle out of kitty ones. So, here ya go! My mind is a mysterious (and furry) place!<br />
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The owl eye and beak motifs came from the an <a href="http://www.repeatcrafterme.com/2012/06/crochet-owl-family-amigurumi-pattern.html">Amigurumi Pattern</a> I used in making Kelsey's little owl friend, Wilbur <i>(see <a href="http://annotations-apt.blogspot.com/2012/08/more-bowls.html">post</a>)</i>. Then I added a couple little tufts for 'ears,' and there ya go.<br />
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For the kitty ones, I just added plastic cat eyes, pink nose, mouth stitching, and triangle ears. This particular pair was bigger than the owls, but I think it made the kitties rounder looking.<br />
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I'm so glad I have these lovely young women in my life to enjoy, cherish, and pelt with homemades! And I get a <i>daughter</i> in the deal! Wow!<br />
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<span style="text-align: left;">*</span><i style="text-align: left;">(Okay, here are the <a href="http://vimeo.com/36992374">second</a>, and <a href="http://vimeo.com/37531729">third</a> video links. Enjoy!)</i><br />
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annotationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16921622993092303874noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2510486287326685696.post-12276665125596875842013-01-11T20:47:00.000-06:002013-01-11T20:47:21.983-06:00Catching up...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HmyYon2hAqk/UPCZ6f4fx_I/AAAAAAAAMec/T9tYIsAXGU8/s1600/Morian_bowl_96.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="244" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HmyYon2hAqk/UPCZ6f4fx_I/AAAAAAAAMec/T9tYIsAXGU8/s320/Morian_bowl_96.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I've written about my artist friend, <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/Morian">Morian</a>. I love her paintings. I love what I've learned observing her painting style. And she's a really nice person, too. So, every so often, she does a giveaway of some sort—random drawing, Pinterest pin, etc. I have won TWO of the two contests I've entered (a stuffed orange tabby kitty pillow and a print of one of her horse paintings). I was feeling a little guilty about this, beyond just curtailing the number of her contests I enter. Morian well deserved something FROM me, so she got a fabric bowl made from my favorite batiks. I'm happy to say it lives on her desk at work. Ironically, for the past 7 years, she's worked for the same company I worked for 16 years ago. Small world, indeed.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RyDyr-dGcvk/UPCZ8wTT11I/AAAAAAAAMek/l4wABTp5nCY/s1600/fletcher_task-it.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="192" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RyDyr-dGcvk/UPCZ8wTT11I/AAAAAAAAMek/l4wABTp5nCY/s320/fletcher_task-it.jpg" width="320" /></a>Back in September, friends of ours were having a special 'homecoming shower' for their little boy, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aUcNA0L30dw">Fletcher</a>. He's lived at The Children's Center in Bethany, Oklahoma, since he was a little baby, just over 7 years ago. Anyway, they were hoping to bring him home to live in October, so friends were throwing a shower to help his family in getting some needed supplies and equipment to aid in the transition. Due to an insurance glitch, his homecoming has been delayed. Well, just a couple of days ago, the insurance company has relented and Fletcher is due to come home and live in his OWN room under her family's room for the first time. Everyone is very excited. This is the first <a href="http://www.craftsy.com/pattern/sewing/accessory/task-it-basket-/3627">Task-It™ Basket</a> (pattern designed by my friend, Martha) I made. I made the process far more complicated than it needed to be but got it done with minutes to spare! Ha, ha! I loved the Dr. Seuss characters! We placed a few toiletry items and lotions inside.</div>
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Fast forward to December. Friends in our former community group were having their first baby. Dad is a <u><b>serious</b></u> Alabama fan. What better than a Tide Task-It™ Basket? I was going to put the baby's name on the crimson lining but decided dad may hijack it someday for his TV remotes! This basket it a bit smaller because of the one-way print direction and a first set of seams I misjudged. Their beautiful son arrived a few days early and has made his parents and family very happy. We couldn't be more pleased for them! <b><i><span style="color: #990000;">Roll Tide!</span></i></b><br />
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These Task-It™ Baskets are becoming great go-to gift beginnings—make it, fill it, give it!</div>
annotationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16921622993092303874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2510486287326685696.post-42073830735990828172013-01-11T16:54:00.002-06:002013-01-31T18:04:04.629-06:00Christmas was...It's been so long since I posted any creations, I really don't know where to start. I'm picking a couple of random items I made within a few days of each other. <i>(Turns out I'm making a few shorter posts in near succession.)</i><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New rug & grand puppy</td></tr>
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I promised my son Matt's girlfriend, Ariel, I would make her a fabric bowl. I'd had a couple of ideas along the way, but didn't get around to it until just before Christmas which worked out great because she got a new area rug for her living room and those new colors inspired this new bowl.<br />
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Taking nothing from my other bowls made to date, I think this is my favorite. This one reminds me of a raku-style pot. I was always going to use the slate blues, and maybe some browns, but the pop of mixed colors the rug suggested really made this one stand out. Shown below are swatches of the three fabrics used to make the bowl. The third one (round discs of color) are from a collection I've recently discovered and absolutely love. It's from Moda and is called Juggling Summer from Zen Chic.<br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-z325nqAG4l4/UO9qY86tkdI/AAAAAAAAMaI/rTuqOcnPi1E/s1600/Karen_Gold_Task-it_96.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="248" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-z325nqAG4l4/UO9qY86tkdI/AAAAAAAAMaI/rTuqOcnPi1E/s320/Karen_Gold_Task-it_96.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
Then here comes Christmas. I was invited to Ariel's mom/step-dad's house in Tulsa for their family gathering. I wanted to make a hostess gift for her mom. I was still desperate for an option the night before and asked a friend of mine who happened to be on Facebook overnight. She suggested I make one of her <a href="http://www.craftsy.com/pattern/sewing/accessory/task-it-basket-/3627">Task-It™ Baskets</a>. I'd bought the pattern a few months ago and have already made a few of them. After a little hemming and hawing, it wound up being a great idea. Martha also told me that a box of Keurig 18-count K-cups fits perfectly in it. Bazinga—perfect hostess gift. I hated parting with these two wonderful fabrics, but I guess that makes the gift all the more special. <i>(And, I replaced the fabric a few days later, of course.)</i><br />
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<span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">And then there were a couple of Christmas ornaments. Years ago, as a child, I had a little felt mitten into which Santa would leave a dollar bill each year. I am not quite sure what's happened to that mitten, but I was feeling sentimental about it and decided to create a new one. This started me on my quest for <a href="http://annotations-apt.blogspot.com/2013/01/in-dangerous-hands.html">BETTER felt</a>. What's readily available in sheets at Hobby Lobby is pretty pitiful. This particular felt was not their standard white, but a thicker version with glitter. </span><i style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">(I've got a whole post about felt coming soon.)</i><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"> Apparently Santa has become pragmatic over the years. I got a note from him this year saying only little girls under 13 still get dollars, but he's held on to my last 'Little Girl Dollar' since 1969, and with interest (complete with CPI inflation calculator data), I got $5.93 (rounded up to $6.00). </span></div>
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And then there were the Froebel Stars <i>(<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Froebel_star">Fröbelstern</a>)</i>. A friend in our <i>D'art </i>group showed these to us just before Christmas. They are part of her German heritage and she'd made and boxed dozens of the beautiful ornaments to accompany the Christmas cards she sent out this year. I was immediately taken by them and came home and started folding some. I found the easiest material to use was gift wrap ribbon. It provides long, consistent widths. I first tried cutting strips of scrapbook paper but had mixed results. The star on the left is the traditional 3D version. On the right is a modified '2D' version that can be mailed flat. It loses something in the flattening, but is still interesting.annotationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16921622993092303874noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2510486287326685696.post-24472865361710478472013-01-11T15:17:00.001-06:002013-01-11T15:17:44.302-06:00T-shirt quilt...<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xNcoPnXYAHU/UPB-j3MRhSI/AAAAAAAAMdw/kXUL7BGB0cc/s1600/KayleighShirtsContact.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xNcoPnXYAHU/UPB-j3MRhSI/AAAAAAAAMdw/kXUL7BGB0cc/s200/KayleighShirtsContact.png" width="150" /></a><br />
This was the first I've ever done. When my friend, Denise, said she'd saved all of her daughter's T-shirts since she was little and wondered if I knew how to make a T-shirt quilt, I figured—sure. The learning curve wasn't too steep. Some parts of the process were definitely easier than others.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l2a0MjLC9lU/UPB-jxm9_7I/AAAAAAAAMd0/_iW1GqaKzN4/s1600/Kayleigh+Quilt+BOTH+96.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l2a0MjLC9lU/UPB-jxm9_7I/AAAAAAAAMd0/_iW1GqaKzN4/s320/Kayleigh+Quilt+BOTH+96.png" width="162" /></a>Part of my process is to layout my design on my computer first. I took photos of all the fronts and backs I was going to use. After I figured out some consistent measurements, I chose which designs/colors would be where. I presented Denise and Kayleigh the computer images for their approval. The chosen layout was without the sashing and border <i>(bottom image)</i>.<br />
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Once I got all of the shirts cut, I adhered each knitted panel to fusible interfacing to stabilize each panel. After that, I joined together each column of panels and then each row together. And this is where it started getting heavy. Ah, ha. Add to that a layer of fleece (used as batting, and another layer of fleece for the backing, and you get one rather ungainly mass of fabric. After a couple of hit-and-miss tries (read: stitching and ripping out), I wound up hand-basting the entire quilt sandwich together. I think this totaled ten rows of basting—multiple runs horizontally, diagonally, and vertically. And though that was a bit time consuming, it made quilting all the layers together much easier. I just stitched-the-ditch and called it done. I found I also need to make my binding narrower. This one wrapped a little wide over the backing. Somewhere along the line, I got the idea I needed to make 3" binding. After further investigation, I think 2.25" might work better.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vXwERjoycS8/UPB9RMQ_tyI/AAAAAAAAMc8/lD_1BEUrWcs/s1600/kayleigh_quilt_done_96.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vXwERjoycS8/UPB9RMQ_tyI/AAAAAAAAMc8/lD_1BEUrWcs/s320/kayleigh_quilt_done_96.jpg" width="320" /></a>Anyway, here's the finished piece. I appreciated them waiting over 90 days from start to finish. Rumor has it, another one of their family members wants a T-shirt quilt, too. Because I 'gifted' my labor, I have no idea how much I'd charge for something like this. Early in the process, I was thinking, while I was on a roll, I wanted to make one for myself. After I was done, I decided I needed a break.annotationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16921622993092303874noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2510486287326685696.post-12944817790519775802013-01-07T22:44:00.002-06:002013-01-11T15:20:05.925-06:00Pay it forward...<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
The first <span style="color: #cc0000;"><b>five</b></span> people who comment on this post will receive a special little handmade gift from me sometime in 2013. May I ask in return that you also post this and pay it forward to others in some way?</div>
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I just recently tried doing this on Facebook and did not get five takers, so we'll see if this gets a better response. And, if you're one of the three Facebook commenters, please let fiver others 'win' this time. Thank you.</div>
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And thanks to Jeanne at <a href="http://spiralj2.blogspot.com/">Spiral</a> for re-inspiring me to try again.</div>
<!--EndFragment--><br />annotationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16921622993092303874noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2510486287326685696.post-45818215526360834772012-09-30T23:53:00.000-05:002012-09-30T23:53:01.089-05:00SmartHours winding down...<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">With only a few hours remaining in September, we're coming to the end of our enrollment in OG&E's <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><span style="color: red; font-weight: bold;">Smart</span><span style="color: #444444;"><b>Hours </b>program this year. Our most recent bill reflected a $93.24 savings this past month due to time-of-use savings.</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">In summary, from May through September of this year, we:</span></span></span><br />
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<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">Spent </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">$595 less</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"> than the same time period in 2011.</span></span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Used only 91% of the kilowatt hours we used last year.</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">Paid only </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><b>68%</b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"> of what we paid last year.</span></span></li>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;">Bottom line—if </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><span style="color: red; font-weight: bold;">Smart</span><span style="color: #444444;"><b>Hours</b> is the same/similar program next year as it was this year, we'll be signing up! I can honestly think of no real sacrifices and loved the savings. We maintained a high level of comfort and convenience. IF we got SERIOUS about, I know we could have saved even more—according to the charts, we used almost twice the power as our neighbors' average. Wow. Again, if you'd like to read all posts about our </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><span style="color: red; font-weight: bold;">Smart</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><span style="color: #444444;"><b>Hours </b>experience, simply click <a href="http://annotations-apt.blogspot.com/search/label/SmartHours">here</a>.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><span style="color: #444444;">I've also enjoyed participating in the blogging program. It's been fun telling my friends/readers about my experiences and I'm thrilled I had so many wonderful stories to report. Thank you for inviting me to participate!</span></span></div>
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annotationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16921622993092303874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2510486287326685696.post-54171318773976891632012-08-27T00:49:00.000-05:002013-01-30T09:03:48.512-06:00More bowls...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GdfghMveNRg/UDRom4GLwiI/AAAAAAAAJ6Q/SNfKlUKJmT4/s1600/heather_bowl.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="162" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GdfghMveNRg/UDRom4GLwiI/AAAAAAAAJ6Q/SNfKlUKJmT4/s320/heather_bowl.png" width="320" /></a></div>
Here are the most recent bowls I've made. The <span class="st">aubergine</span> and crimson one was for our daughter-in-law. They are in the process of updating their home and hopefully this will fit in with the facelift. <br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-v4kJS8eRX4Q/UDRooJq6TAI/AAAAAAAAJ6Y/VYfPCF6vQH0/s1600/nail_bowl.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="232" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-v4kJS8eRX4Q/UDRooJq6TAI/AAAAAAAAJ6Y/VYfPCF6vQH0/s320/nail_bowl.png" width="320" /></a></div>
The lighter color one was for a friend who moved to Tulsa. She's decorating a new home and these are her three colors.<br />
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<i><b>Bowls minus "B" minus "s" equals OWL!</b></i></div>
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9KsgiFlY3hk/UDr__CEoCfI/AAAAAAAAKFI/K8M4cnao-Dw/s1600/wilbur_home.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9KsgiFlY3hk/UDr__CEoCfI/AAAAAAAAKFI/K8M4cnao-Dw/s200/wilbur_home.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hxO40ExNd_o/UDr__gR9cNI/AAAAAAAAKFQ/V9McFBGc9To/s1600/wilbur_work.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hxO40ExNd_o/UDr__gR9cNI/AAAAAAAAKFQ/V9McFBGc9To/s200/wilbur_work.jpg" width="150" /></a>My sweet friend Kelsey was telling me about collecting owls when I saw her several days ago. I happened to come across a cute owl pattern on Etsy, via Pinterest. That pattern was sold out, but I came across a few more. I made a sample, liked it, then set out to make one just for her. He's been named Wilbur and she sent me a photo of his new home. I'm so tickled!<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b><span style="color: red;">Smart</span><span style="color: #444444;">Hours</span>—winding down...</b></i></span><br />
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<b><span style="color: red;">Smart</span><span style="color: #444444;">Hours</span></b> runs through September so there are only a few weeks remaining. Our newest billing was last week and here's the highlights. Soley due to <b><span style="color: red;">Smart</span><span style="color: #444444;">Hours</span></b> pricing, we saved $81.63 this billing. This billing cycle was $75.61 less than last year at this time, and that includes our moderate run of 100˚+ days, including some 109˚ and 113˚ days! We used 97% if the kilowatt load this year compared to last. And, had we been on <b><span style="color: red;">Smart</span><span style="color: #444444;">Hours</span></b> last year, our bill might have been $64 less. All tolled, so far we saved just over $350 this summer soley due to <b><span style="color: red;">Smart</span><span style="color: #444444;">Hours</span></b> pricing and time of use. And our bills have been $484 less this year than last from May through July. <br />
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Based on this year's experience, I'll gladly sign up for <b><span style="color: red;">Smart</span><span style="color: #444444;">Hours</span></b> next year. I can't think of any reason why I wouldn't. The savings are incredible and I can't really think of a downside. Once I got over Tom's initial misgivings, it was smooth sailing. I know we could have saved even more if we were uber vigilant, but for a couple of comfort hounds, we did well. I'll have one more summary in late September—stay tuned!<br />
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annotationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16921622993092303874noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2510486287326685696.post-86552644898329983332012-08-10T01:24:00.000-05:002013-01-11T20:49:12.478-06:00Fabric bowls...<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kXDaZ8kECh4/UB4YWYkEp1I/AAAAAAAAJUQ/dGLUhK3E3Zc/s1600/LeesaBasketComposite.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="92" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kXDaZ8kECh4/UB4YWYkEp1I/AAAAAAAAJUQ/dGLUhK3E3Zc/s320/LeesaBasketComposite.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Two fabrics + 80 feet of clothesline = Fabric Bowl</i></td></tr>
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We were invited to a friend's 50th birthday celebration. I knew I wanted to make Leesa something, but what? As it worked out, I was able to wrap each of the two fabrics two ways which gave me a four-level range of gradation. When I purchased the fabric, I was thinking of mimicking a zebra pattern. I knew, a few rounds in to the base, it probably wasn't going to succeed. But I kept on, lightening the black/white balance until the top four rounds which were my darkest tone.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-shY5si2dQqc/UCSiyLSgc5I/AAAAAAAAJcs/e4eSsxmk6wE/s1600/BOM+BOWL_96.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="165" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-shY5si2dQqc/UCSiyLSgc5I/AAAAAAAAJcs/e4eSsxmk6wE/s200/BOM+BOWL_96.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Made from 2011 BOM Batiks</i></td></tr>
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A few days later <i>(I think that was last night)</i> I started my own bowl. Months ago when I was working on my BOM batik quilt, I saved .5-inch wide strips intending to make a fabric bowl someday. This was also before I took the class. From the background color fabrics, I cut the supplied 3-inch wide strips down to 2.5 inches. I started with the dark tones, worked into the middle and light tones, and finished with more dark strips.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-e5LLoTktz0E/UCSi0iAYjfI/AAAAAAAAJc8/A6acVUVtFT8/s1600/Piping_96.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="110" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-e5LLoTktz0E/UCSi0iAYjfI/AAAAAAAAJc8/A6acVUVtFT8/s200/Piping_96.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Paper piping ready to be wrapped</i></td></tr>
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Instead of using clothesline, I tried out some paper piping cord. I bought this stuff decades ago when I was sewing spa and makeup bags from vinyl-laminated fabric—it was c.1988-1991. One thing I really liked about using this piping is that it is on a spool so unwinds easily with no tangling or twisting. I LIKE. I worked directly from the spool; wrapped the cord at the sewing machine; then stitched a bit and wrapped some more. I like the shape of this one—a little curvy and a turned down lip. Got this one done mid-afternoon.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Kj2vr-cKhjo/UCSizj3QGoI/AAAAAAAAJc0/ZSAlrbc0JRo/s1600/Kelsey_Bowl_96.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="135" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Kj2vr-cKhjo/UCSizj3QGoI/AAAAAAAAJc0/ZSAlrbc0JRo/s200/Kelsey_Bowl_96.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>More Giardiniera</i></td></tr>
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I've been wanting to make something special for a young friend of mine from the same fabric as my <a href="http://annotations-apt.blogspot.com/2012/07/two-years-later.html">Lemon Pepper Poppy Quilt</a>. I cut mostly .75-inch strips from the remnants and arranged them into a pattern I liked. This wound up being another bowl with a 6-inch base <i>(as were the two previous ones above) </i>with a slightly turned under lip. I loved it for her! And she loved it, too!<br />
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I've got a couple more bowls to make for friends and family while I'm still in the bowl-building groove.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9Ypexh4gxpE/UCSg972-4oI/AAAAAAAAJcc/CZqnsvuL4Ig/s1600/tgyc_spectra_2.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9Ypexh4gxpE/UCSg972-4oI/AAAAAAAAJcc/CZqnsvuL4Ig/s200/tgyc_spectra_2.png" width="148" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>from The Gourmet Yarn Co.</i></td></tr>
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Two weeks ago, I took a class at <a href="http://www.gourmetyarnco.com/">The Gourmet Yarn Co.</a> on knitting the <a href="http://westknits.com/index.php/pattern/scarves-cowls/spectra">Spectra Scarf</a> designed by Stephen West. Owner Margaret Schroeder<span style="font-size: 18px;"></span> taught the class. It was a sluggish start but after two hours, we all got the hang of it. I've been working on it off and on and am pretty pleased so far. The only part I didn't like was finding a mistake I couldn't live with 70 rows back. Yup. A big part of knitting is fixing mistakes. I'm getting better at it. I pulled the 70 rows; managed to get all the stitches back on my needles; and am now back about where I was before. I've learned a couple of things through this project. First, I've been purling incorrectly for years. I was throwing my yarn the wrong direction and twisting my loops. Ugh. And two, with long sessions of knitting, I've much improved my hand positioning/use and cut down of lots of extra repetitive motion. I am only about 25% done, so there's lots to do. It takes a certain kind of faith/folly to knit in the summer on 113˚ days while dreaming of cooler temps down the road. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MIErHlZ_Hek/UCShmIeky4I/AAAAAAAAJck/Il4y9_3Ii4o/s1600/Spectra_AES_96.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MIErHlZ_Hek/UCShmIeky4I/AAAAAAAAJck/Il4y9_3Ii4o/s320/Spectra_AES_96.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Tosh Merino Light (Ruby Slippers) and Crazy Zauberball</i></td></tr>
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I fell in love with this scarf when I first saw it on TGYC's Facebook page in a near-Cherokee Red and blues/gray variegated yarns. They were out of the red when I bought my supplies, so I chose a plum and orange/taupe/gray/purple variegated yarns. I still think I'd like to do a red one that will remind me of <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/army_arch/331253593/">Fallingwater's tower of windows</a>.annotationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16921622993092303874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2510486287326685696.post-64601804811721155352012-07-19T17:15:00.000-05:002012-07-19T17:15:30.852-05:00Same song, second verse, more $avings...<div style="color: #666666;">Hi, all! I first mentioned it on Facebook and here it is—solely due to OG&E's <b><span style="color: red;">Smart</span><span style="color: #444444;">Hours</span></b><b> </b>pricing, we saved <b>$125.79</b> this billing! Additionally exciting, this billing cycle's total was $252.90 less than last year at this time. Part of that is due to us using only 75% of the kilowatt hours as last year. But even so, let's imagine last year's usage at our current average kilowatt hour rate—had we been on <b><span style="color: red;">Smart</span><span style="color: #444444;">Hours</span></b><b> </b>last year, our bill might have been $160 less! </div><div style="color: #666666;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #666666;">For 143 hours every week, we pay only 4.5 cents per kilowatt hour. From 2–7 p.m. each weekday, we pay anywhere from 4.5–46 cents per kilowatt hour. That rate varies due to energy costing more to produce when temps and usage volume are up.</div><div style="color: #666666;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #666666; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UGXDA7mi6MM/T-wAnr71nEI/AAAAAAAAFRY/PzzYW86zbEU/s1600/smarthours_pricetimelinecombo_j.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="168" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UGXDA7mi6MM/T-wAnr71nEI/AAAAAAAAFRY/PzzYW86zbEU/s320/smarthours_pricetimelinecombo_j.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="color: #666666;">We are now in the midst of 100-plus degree days and higher nighttime temperature lows. I notice this in our 'base load' overnight usage. We've even turned off the heater on the hot tub, but are keeping the pump running for a 'cool tub.' I have also recently turned off the window unit in the sun room area because we spend so little time in there. Other than early morning, it is mostly shaded throughout the day. If we plan on working in there <i>(Tom's plastic model building; drafting table; my sewing/crafts)</i> for any amount of time, I'll crank 'er back up.</div><div style="color: #666666;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="color: #666666;">I've moved most of my energy-gobbling chores outside of the 2-7 p.m. <b><span style="color: red;">Smart</span><span style="color: #444444;">Hours</span></b>. These include baking <i>(yeah, right)</i>, running the dishwasher, and washing/drying/ironing clothes. The one activity I've not moved past 7 p.m. is cooking dinner, so we do have some usage spikes around 5-6 p.m., but that's still only a matter of a dollar or two.</div><div style="color: #666666;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #666666;">I've been thoroughly pleased with<b> </b><b><span style="color: red;">Smart</span><span style="color: #444444;">Hours</span></b>. I'd encourage my friends to try it. To check your OG&E account eligibility, click <a href="https://smarthours.com/">here</a>. <i>(Homeowners, renters and those in multi-family residences may qualify if those residences already have SmartMeters [were likely installed outside in 2010] in place.)</i> Remember, you, the <b>CUSTOMER</b> retain <b>COMPLETE CONTROL</b> over how cool or warm you keep your space as well as how and when you use your energy. Want to know more about the SmartTemp thermostat tool that's at the center of your money saving? Check out this <a href="http://www.ogepet.com/videos/smarttemp.aspx">video</a>.</div><div style="color: #666666;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #666666;">If you've got questions, please comment below and I'll get back with you. If you want to read my other <b><span style="color: red;">Smart</span><span style="color: #444444;">Hours</span></b> posts, check them out <a href="http://annotations-apt.blogspot.com/search/label/SmartHours">here</a>. As you'll see in the tiny tagline below, these are sponsored posts. Rest assured, if being enrolled wasn't worth it, I'd tell you that, too.</div><div style="color: #666666;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #666666;"> <span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>*This is a sponsored post. As always, my thoughts and opinions are my own.</i></span> </div>annotationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16921622993092303874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2510486287326685696.post-83829420814520552812012-07-19T02:49:00.000-05:002012-07-19T02:49:43.281-05:00Two years later...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J1IbGx22hpU/UAexfGKJdtI/AAAAAAAAI6g/DqEoZ1WMwwY/s1600/giardiniera_and_quilt_96.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J1IbGx22hpU/UAexfGKJdtI/AAAAAAAAI6g/DqEoZ1WMwwY/s320/giardiniera_and_quilt_96.jpg" width="224" /></a>Back in July 2010, before I gave serious thought to ever making a quilt, I came across this quilt when I was merely fabric shopping at <a href="http://www.okquiltworks.com/">Oklahoma Quiltworks</a>. I was in the midst of becoming enamored with poppies. This was one of two quilts I fell in love with. Only recently has its colors reminded me of Italian <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giardiniera">giardiniera</a>—simply lovely pickled vegetables like carrots, cauliflower, and peppers. <i>Did I mention I loved bright greens and oranges together? </i>I bought fat (22" x 18") and linear (44" x 9") quarters of each of the fabrics with the idea of making little fabric <a href="http://www.clover-usa.com/products/453736">yo-yo</a> discs, but with no final project in mind. Those pieces became the beginning of my now-sizable fabric/fat quarters stash.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FX1uYqnPdbk/UAevKH3P_UI/AAAAAAAAI6M/GkkNl5b6yLw/s1600/2012-07-07_16-32-55_749.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FX1uYqnPdbk/UAevKH3P_UI/AAAAAAAAI6M/GkkNl5b6yLw/s320/2012-07-07_16-32-55_749.jpg" width="179" /></a></div>Fast forward a bit. I came across a pretty little quilt pattern called <a href="http://www.fatquartershop.com/store/stores_app/Browse_Item_Details.asp?sid=471171922914711&Store_id=499&page_id=23&Item_ID=75972&Parent_Ids=">Lemon Pepper from Madison Cottage Design</a>. What attracted me to the pattern was that it was made of fat quarters, and I have lots of those on hand. I made the crib size one, with a bit of variation. It called for 35 blocks (five across by seven down), but I made 36 blocks and arranged them six-by-six. That total helped me mathematically as well. Oddly enough, I did NOT build this in Photoshop first. That said, it meant I organized the fabrics differently.<br />
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The instructions for this quilt were not exact. It said 'mix it up.' <b>Random order?</b> How does one make order so it appears random? That took my brain on quite the hamster wheel ride. Each block contains nine fabrics. Nine. Like Sudoko. I can find a solved Sudoko puzzle and assign each fabric a color number and arrange them accordingly. Ouch. It started out as a good idea but wound up searing my brain. So I ranked the fabrics and noted/classified the nine as three greens, three reds, and three grays. I let the greens dominate the order. Oh, did I mention in this strip quilt, each row is made of three widths of strips. Sorting strips to make the 36 blocks was another short course in random order. 1-2-3, 2-3-1, 3-1-2, 3-2-1, 2-1-3, and 1-2-3. It made sense to me. Once I arranged each three-strip, nine-piece block, I knew I didn't want them jostled. I got the idea to lay each block's components within a 'page' of a filing sorter—31 plus 12 slots <i>(below)</i>.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pzdeAc4QEB8/UAewiPpajPI/AAAAAAAAI6Y/gzx3dv0sFBE/s1600/sorted_mixes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="90" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pzdeAc4QEB8/UAewiPpajPI/AAAAAAAAI6Y/gzx3dv0sFBE/s400/sorted_mixes.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>I got it all pieced together and wound up taking the top with me to <a href="http://www.quiltnow.net/">Prairie Quilt</a> where I'd gone for a demonstration, but I hadn't really thought about what I wanted to use for a backing. Loved the demo on hexagon piecing. <i>(I absolutely love the folks at Prairie Quilt! If I ever need to buy another sewing machine, I'll get a Pfaff from them!) </i>The demo was upstairs which is also where they display their sale fabric. And from across the room, my eyes lasered in on the same orange lantern pod fabric used on the front! Okay, to have a real appreciation for this amazing find, consider this: I found this two years later, in a completely different shop, AND on sale for 30% off! Divine providence for sure!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UI1e2K0aHAA/UAe3i0s9N5I/AAAAAAAAI64/LuJ7q5xyT30/s1600/2012-07-19_00-34-46_331_96.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UI1e2K0aHAA/UAe3i0s9N5I/AAAAAAAAI64/LuJ7q5xyT30/s320/2012-07-19_00-34-46_331_96.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>The last trial for this quilt was in the quilting. I still have not gotten comfortable with <i>free-motion</i> sewing. It's kind of like 'random order'—very foreign in feel and uncomfortable to do. But maybe I could build up some muscle memory and power through it. So I did. I used my Bertie's <a href="http://www.berninabsr.com/bsr/">BSR</a> <i>(Bernina Stitch Regulator) </i>to stagger, swirl, stutter, loop and curl my way over my quilt's surface. I told a friend it looked like I had Tourette syndrome spasms—and I probably inappropriately cussed a few times, too! Sigh. I finished up the binding and now it's done! Haven't a clue what I'll do with it, but think I will use some of the left over strip pieces for some gifts. I glad to have another project done, especially because it goes back to the beginning of this fabric journey of mine.annotationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16921622993092303874noreply@blogger.com2