tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-328564972024-03-13T07:27:34.227-07:00Rampant MossA rolling display of fabric creations, and other improvisational ideas and thoughts. Keeping things fresh with original content. Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04625510429309438587noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32856497.post-43898770352760742672015-01-08T07:26:00.000-08:002015-01-08T07:26:10.150-08:00The Minimalists Game: Lazy VersionThis year I got married. But this post isn't about the wedding or the happily every after. This post is about stuff. Until last March I was a middle class single girl living in a 2000 square foot suburban home. I lived comfortably and had nice things in every room, every closet. I had a room devoted only to quilting and sewing. My husband and I moved in together after the wedding, he came from a town 3 hours away. So we really hadn't sorted or sifted anything, deciding which toaster we'd keep and how we might merge our coffee routines. He had a garage full of welding equipment, two beds, and a house full of stuff. I had a garage full of woodworking equipment (table saw included) three beds and a house full of stuff. You see where I'm going with this. Enter <a href="http://www.theminimalists.com/">the Minimalists</a>. <br />
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Joshua and Ryan recommend playing <a href="http://www.theminimalists.com/game/">this game</a> every month where they get rid of things for 30 days.<br />
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First day, one thing goes out of the house, second day, two things out, third day three things and so on. I loved the idea and the playful aspect of teh challenge but it was unrealistic for me to follow the strict regime of divesting while settling into a new life with my husband. So I modified the rules. I counted up all the things I would get rid of in a month of playing (496 things in a 31 day month). And devoted blank notebook pages to equal 496 things. At two columns a page that's over eight pages of things! <br />
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Money as a motivator. <br />
I knew it would be hard to get rid of things so I added a financial incentive. I would document the fair market value of all my items along with a description and donate them to my favorite local charity the Humane Society of Central Oregon Thrift Store. Then I could deduct the value of my donation from my taxable income. Essentially <a href="http://www.irs.gov/uac/Eight-Tips-for-Deducting-Charitable-Contributions">earning about $25 for every $100 in value donated</a>. <br />
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<u>Update</u>: December 2014<br />
Success, I'm proud to report over 500 things have left my household. While I will continue with the occasional purge, I don't think 2015 will be a year focused on reduction. My husband and our pup are both worried they will be "minimized" which might be a sign it's time to call it quits for now and enjoy our new space!<br />
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<u>Housekeeping Focus for 2015 Includes: </u><br />
I'll be taking the <a href="http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/lets-get-started-your-weekend-of-flowers-floors-the-january-cure-assignment-1-214522">January Cure</a> course from Apartment Therapy.<br />
I've signed up for <a href="http://simpleyear.co/">A Simple Year </a>to help me focus on 12 months of simplifying in all areas of my life.<br />
I'm implementing a few aspects of the recent book <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Life-Changing-Magic-Tidying-Decluttering-Organizing/dp/1607747308/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1420730599&sr=8-1&keywords=konmari+method">The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japaense Art of Decluttering</a> by Marie KondoChristyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04625510429309438587noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32856497.post-16136478891092696312014-05-15T09:16:00.000-07:002014-05-22T09:48:22.956-07:00Muddy Works Fabric and Pattern for Fendi Quilt<div style="text-align: center;">
Let the cutting begin! I've got a pattern. I wanted to captuure the bold graphic pattern on a large scale. The execution of this will be 5 1/2 inch finsihed squares and I'll likely add an improvised denim pieced boarder on the right side to give it a more fluid and dynamic feel. I'm conisdeing clustering the denim by color concentrating the dark patches on the right and the lighter patches on the left. Denim will be the darker color in this pattern and the Muddy Works print will fill in the white areas. </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f0_SYBuOjaU/U3Tm01wtfjI/AAAAAAAAAos/O6aZLoAnNtg/s1600/muddy2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f0_SYBuOjaU/U3Tm01wtfjI/AAAAAAAAAos/O6aZLoAnNtg/s1600/muddy2.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
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This fabric, a light canvas seemed perfect to compliment the recycled denim. It's Muddy Works by Tomotakke from their 2013 collection. I love the organic feel and look of this print and am excited to see how the circles take to the abuse of slice and dice to fit into this pattern. As you can see, the scale is fairly large. </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o2b-Oo0kyTk/U3Tm3d9QsJI/AAAAAAAAApM/tvOcYWWg6hY/s1600/muddy3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o2b-Oo0kyTk/U3Tm3d9QsJI/AAAAAAAAApM/tvOcYWWg6hY/s1600/muddy3.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
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The print is a grey-blue which almost seems more grey against the stack of variegated denim. These pants were collected over about a ten year period when I ripped them or just grew out of the size I cut the leg panels out and folded them into a denim bin. Since all the scraps are odd sizes, it took some time to cut them into same-sized squares. A step that shouldn't be forgotten when using recycled fabric the processing of it takes longer than when using yardage. </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vCgHFUIRvdE/U3Tm4OK4lAI/AAAAAAAAApQ/wE9Sw-yEHbc/s1600/muddy5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vCgHFUIRvdE/U3Tm4OK4lAI/AAAAAAAAApQ/wE9Sw-yEHbc/s1600/muddy5.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Here's a preview of the layout. The large scale dots provide enough consistency that the print should read well in the six inch squares I'm using to craft the pattern. I learned to get six inch finished half square triangles (HST) I had to cut 6 3/4 inch squares of both the denim and the print, sandwich them together, stitch and cut. There is a great tutorial for this method <a href="http://www.diaryofaquilter.com/2014/02/half-square-triangle-short-cuts-and.html">from Diary of a Quilter</a>. I think you could add 3/4 inch to any desired finished size for this HST method. <br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YcDB59ePaCE/U3Tm3RsZ-LI/AAAAAAAAApE/pozRV7YHX3g/s1600/muddy4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YcDB59ePaCE/U3Tm3RsZ-LI/AAAAAAAAApE/pozRV7YHX3g/s1600/muddy4.jpg" height="320" width="256" /></a></div>
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A red binding would really make this pop. I'd like to find a red that has a fair bit of yellow in it. Stay tuned for more excitement from the denim Fendi Gees Bend quilt! Do you design patterns? Have you thought about selling them via Etsy or directly? </div>
Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04625510429309438587noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32856497.post-8332193596573114732014-05-14T08:55:00.001-07:002014-05-14T08:55:07.437-07:00Fendi and Gees BendItalian Designer Family (Fendi) inspires Gees Bend style denim quilt. <br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hFJYuk4wJoY/U3OOhecfvoI/AAAAAAAAAoE/hGd2b_ETDgU/s1600/FendiSpring2014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hFJYuk4wJoY/U3OOhecfvoI/AAAAAAAAAoE/hGd2b_ETDgU/s1600/FendiSpring2014.jpg" height="400" width="265" /></a></div>
Inspired by thsi amazing pattern from Fendi's Spring 2014 collection I found on styelbistro.com<br />
I started graphing out the pattern and started thinking about how to use it in a quilt. At the same time, I've been enamored with the work of Gees Bend ladies lately and figured it was time to dive into my fairly large collection of denim scraps gathered from my old torn bluejeans over the years. <br />
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<a href="http://stylebistro.com/">stylebistro.com</a></div>
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The denim quilts of Gees Bend really sing and I love the weight of denim. </div>
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And I have lots of denim and am striving this year to work with at least some fabric I already have! </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O0ugzw_bJzk/U3OOjHkVOdI/AAAAAAAAAoQ/Yifc2CiP9ds/s1600/GeesBendDenimBKS4jhbFlickr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O0ugzw_bJzk/U3OOjHkVOdI/AAAAAAAAAoQ/Yifc2CiP9ds/s1600/GeesBendDenimBKS4jhbFlickr.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/bks4jhb/2272226771/"> Jan Berry's</a> image of a 2008 image of Gees Bend Quilt exhibition. </div>
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I recently watched the <a href="http://video.aptv.org/video/1724622078/">Quiltmakers of Gees Bend </a>on PBS and was even more impressed with the rich tradition and community these women have cultivated. </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-h67dZoous70/U3OOjO7-_FI/AAAAAAAAAoM/puMsWcVxE8I/s1600/DenimRedTreehuggercom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-h67dZoous70/U3OOjO7-_FI/AAAAAAAAAoM/puMsWcVxE8I/s1600/DenimRedTreehuggercom.jpg" height="320" width="222" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.treehugger.com/culture/improvised-quilts-of-gees-bend.html">http://www.treehugger.com/culture/improvised-quilts-of-gees-bend.html</a></div>
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So I'm working on pattern design and contemplating which fabric to pair with all my denim! </div>
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Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04625510429309438587noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32856497.post-42960019870766759932014-02-18T07:18:00.002-08:002014-05-21T13:56:20.302-07:00Riley Blake Challenge QuiltThis challenge included tea-dyed Riley Blake striped fabric. I used a concentrated mixture of PG Tips brand black tea. It also included, applique, up-cycled denim, curtains from Ikea, and a mix of stash solids. <br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5W7vRyVPZIo/UwN3W3P_pUI/AAAAAAAAAkw/d7JiWex2whI/s1600/teadye.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5W7vRyVPZIo/UwN3W3P_pUI/AAAAAAAAAkw/d7JiWex2whI/s1600/teadye.jpeg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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I started the challenge by narrowing the color palette of Riley Blake fabrics, trading with a friend in our Guild to make the remaining colors more monochromatic and somewhat manly (this will be a gift for a little boy). </div>
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I cut equal sized squares and used<a href="http://www.ohfransson.com/oh_fransson/2010/02/crazy-ninepatch-lattice-quilt.html"> Elizabeth Hartman's tutorial </a>for a crazy nine patch for the center focus of the quilt. <br />
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After the nine patch blocks were finished I made use of remaining fabric to create some movement, using improvisational piecing to complete the sashing on my design wall. Here's a WIP shot. I love the extra blocks set on point along the top and bottom, I think they add a little something unexpected! <br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8tGrv0T8tUY/UwN3X7GdPgI/AAAAAAAAAk0/srTB6a2xPz0/s1600/RileyBlake2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8tGrv0T8tUY/UwN3X7GdPgI/AAAAAAAAAk0/srTB6a2xPz0/s1600/RileyBlake2.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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I bound the quilt in dark blue and used several shades of tan to add interest to the negative space. I love this quilt because by shrinking the color palette down to a smaller set of print fabrics, I was able to achieve something so different from many of the other entries. What fun to see all the beautiful challenge completions! <br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PSYBxnHJcrg/UwN3WxTMmQI/AAAAAAAAAko/ih45CMOsnj0/s1600/rileyblakemcdevitt.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PSYBxnHJcrg/UwN3WxTMmQI/AAAAAAAAAko/ih45CMOsnj0/s1600/rileyblakemcdevitt.jpeg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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Thanks <a href="http://comqg.blogspot.com/">Central Oregon Modern Quilt Guild</a> for the inspiration and camaraderie with this challenge! </div>
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Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04625510429309438587noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32856497.post-87952280017383279052014-02-07T07:49:00.000-08:002014-02-07T08:08:00.756-08:00Bridesmaid Bag Tutorial<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am making these for the bridesmaids and my MOB and MIL for my grey and yellow themed wedding coming up in March. They went together quickly and i think will be useful the day of the wedding! I bought the yellow leather handles at <a href="https://www.etsy.com/transaction/146122902?ref=fb2_tnx_title">this Etsy shop</a> but you could also use any material you like grey webbing or even folded fabric handles. I wanted something like this but for less. If you decide to go for the original they can be found at <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/88129982/canvas-tote-baggray-with-leather?ref=related-7">Cocsheaven Esty Shop</a>. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Materials</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One bottom piece (denim in this tutorial) 15"X 21"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One inside piece (tan linen in this tutorial) width of fabric x 21" <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One outside piece (gray linen blend in this tutorial) width of fabric by 21" </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One set of handles, 25" long</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> I used leather but you could also use
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Assembly: </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Press in half the bottom piece wrong sides
together.</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Press in half the outside
piece wrong sides together.</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">This will
set a fold mark in the middle of the pieces that you will line up at the end of
this step.</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="text-indent: -24px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fold ½ inch of the long sides of the bottom piece in toward the wrong side. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Line up and center the two fold lines of the
outside piece and the bottom piece as shown below. </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Pin
the bottom piece to the outside piece along the folded edge.</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span></span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mHkGONRVVIk/UvQs8JY-wuI/AAAAAAAAAgc/UaPgozwb_FU/s1600/bag2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mHkGONRVVIk/UvQs8JY-wuI/AAAAAAAAAgc/UaPgozwb_FU/s1600/bag2.jpeg" height="240" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Stitch ½ inch from the edges to join the bottom
to the outside piece. Stitch a second
line very close to the edge of the bottom piece so you end up with two lines of
stitching. Figure 3 shows the first line of stitching completed and the second
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">Here
is an example with three lines of decorative stitching. </span><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">Go with whatever look you like just make sure
at least one line is close to the edge to tack the bottom piece to the outside
piece. </span></span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0rBEFklhVCk/UvQs8JqjsoI/AAAAAAAAAgs/hz_0KcAG9_0/s1600/bag3.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0rBEFklhVCk/UvQs8JqjsoI/AAAAAAAAAgs/hz_0KcAG9_0/s1600/bag3.jpeg" height="320" width="240" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fold
the bag in half wrong sides together and trim it down to 20 inches wide, you
are cutting off any excess so the two pieces are the same width. </span></span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vjJhydKbkjs/UvQs67dtIsI/AAAAAAAAAgM/qEDQNXmwRAs/s1600/bag10.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vjJhydKbkjs/UvQs67dtIsI/AAAAAAAAAgM/qEDQNXmwRAs/s1600/bag10.jpeg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fold the bag inside out, placing right sides
together. Press the bag.
Pin the sides and sew a ½ inch seam (yes, ½ not ¼) from the bottom to
the top, being careful not to stretch or bunch the fabric. The next picture shows the bag sewed together after
this step. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Press <span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">the seams open with a
hot iron.</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">This is an important step as
it sets you up for less bunching when you add the inside of the bag and anchor the
inside and outside together.</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span></span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tkyKBdH3QBk/UvQs64-MTMI/AAAAAAAAAgQ/nW44gfh-maQ/s1600/bag11.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tkyKBdH3QBk/UvQs64-MTMI/AAAAAAAAAgQ/nW44gfh-maQ/s1600/bag11.jpeg" height="320" width="240" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Turn the outside piece right side out. Fold the inside piece right sides together as
shown below. Measure the total width of
your outside piece. It will vary
slightly based on your seam width. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 7pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">Cut your inside piece down so that it will be ¼ inch
smaller than the outside piece once finished.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">
</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">So if your bag measures 18 ½ inches on the outside cut your inside down
to 19 ¼ inches (19 ¼ minus two ½ inch seams is 18 ¼).</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">With a slightly smaller inside piece you will
be more successful in not bunching or pulling the fabric.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"> Your bag should now look like this: </span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yZguogAfcYI/UvQs78Xnh-I/AAAAAAAAAgo/qINfS3uvYvU/s1600/bag12.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yZguogAfcYI/UvQs78Xnh-I/AAAAAAAAAgo/qINfS3uvYvU/s1600/bag12.jpeg" height="240" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Pin and sew the inside piece from bottom to top with
half inch seams. Press the seams open as
you did with the outside piece. Turn the
inside piece right side out and slip the two pieces together. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Stuff the inside and the outside together
pushing the corners out as best you can.
Next you will sew two rounds of anchor stitching. One four inches from the blue bottom fabric
and one eight inches from the blue bottom fabric at the locations of the pens
in the figure below. Mark the bag with a
disappearing fabric marker and then pin along the line for both locations. Sew the deepest line first followed by the
line closer to the top of the bag. Put
at least 10 pins around the bag to hold the fabric. here is a picture of the first row, pinned and ready to sew, the disappearing fabric marker line is faintly visible. </span><o:p></o:p><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cUu064n5lKQ/UvT_ohdjxQI/AAAAAAAAAh4/na2R3laDsNQ/s1600/bag13.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cUu064n5lKQ/UvT_ohdjxQI/AAAAAAAAAh4/na2R3laDsNQ/s1600/bag13.jpeg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5D2Xoi8HDeY/UvQs9TPYneI/AAAAAAAAAhA/Hj7VdeXMFak/s1600/bag6.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5D2Xoi8HDeY/UvQs9TPYneI/AAAAAAAAAhA/Hj7VdeXMFak/s1600/bag6.jpeg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Trim the top of the bag so all layers are the
same length, taking off as little as possible.
Press all layers in ¾ of an inch with a hot iron. Pin the folded top and sew around the
outside. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QA1bKKl06rw/UvQs-oGUvOI/AAAAAAAAAhc/iWS_jK572NM/s1600/bag9.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QA1bKKl06rw/UvQs-oGUvOI/AAAAAAAAAhc/iWS_jK572NM/s1600/bag9.jpeg" height="320" width="240" /></a></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Fold the top of the bag in <b>again. </b>This time it
will be close to an inch. Pin and sew
two lines around the top of the bag. One
about ¾ inch from the top and one ¼ from the top. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Center the handles 1/3 of the width of the bag, in from the
edges. Use a fabric marker to draw
around the desired location of the handle. Handles in the picture extend 1 ½ inches down the outside of the bag from
the top edge. Shorten your stitch length
to 2.0 and stitch through the handles in a box pattern to adhere them to the
body of the bag. Repeat
for the second handle making sure they are not twisted as you sew them to the bag. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZFoOuB1zmSk/UvQs80LOsqI/AAAAAAAAAhU/brNqZmYPqLI/s1600/bag4.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZFoOuB1zmSk/UvQs80LOsqI/AAAAAAAAAhU/brNqZmYPqLI/s1600/bag4.jpeg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> This picture shows only line of stitching at the top, I recommend two lines for added stability. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MHzmTMVdlpU/UvQs9kCr8xI/AAAAAAAAAhE/B0XkhNugk5I/s1600/bag5.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MHzmTMVdlpU/UvQs9kCr8xI/AAAAAAAAAhE/B0XkhNugk5I/s1600/bag5.jpeg" height="320" width="240" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I hope you've enjoyed the tutorial. Enjoy your bag at the beach, the library, at work or the farmers market! Or anywhere you may have travels planned. If you have comments or questions or design ideas, feel free to email me at mcdevittchristy(at)gmail(dot)com</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">thanks for sewing! ~Christy </span></div>
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<span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><br /></span></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04625510429309438587noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32856497.post-36231482248601534232014-01-03T16:20:00.001-08:002014-01-03T16:20:25.473-08:00This Year, A Love Ninja<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><span style="color: #17375e; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #17375E; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: text2; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 191;">This year<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #17375e; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #17375E; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: text2; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 191;">more time and energy <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #17375e; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #17375E; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: text2; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 191;">to appreciate <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #17375e; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #17375E; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: text2; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 191;">the beauty in ourselves everyday<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #17375e; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #17375E; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: text2; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 191;">pay attention <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><span style="color: #17375e; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #17375E; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: text2; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 191;">challenge yourself to not participate<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #17375e; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #17375E; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: text2; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 191;">I will slow down, get quiet, and tune in.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #17375e; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #17375E; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: text2; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 191;">create the space necessary to listen <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #17375e; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #17375E; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: text2; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 191;">to what my body and mind are saying, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<i><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #17375e; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #17375E; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: text2; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 191; padding: 0in;">slow down, take care of me</span></i><span style="color: #17375e; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #17375E; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: text2; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 191;"><br />
</span><b><i><span style="color: #17375e; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #17375E; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: text2; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 191;">I choose to say “No” to
unnecessary commitments</span></i></b><span style="color: #17375e; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #17375E; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: text2; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 191;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #17375e; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #17375E; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: text2; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 191;">develop a </span><b><span style="color: #17375e; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #17375E; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: text2; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 191;">foundation</span></b><span style="color: #17375e; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #17375E; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: text2; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 191;"> to make skillful decisions<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #17375e; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #17375E; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: text2; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 191;">and wise changes to my life<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><span style="color: #17375e; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #17375E; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: text2; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 191;">I am a curious and
objective observer of myself<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #17375e; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #17375E; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: text2; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 191;">simply without judgment.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<i><span style="color: #17375e; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #17375E; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: text2; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 191;">By learning we develop resilience <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<i><span style="color: #17375e; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #17375E; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: text2; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 191;">to tolerate discomfort without reaction<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #17375e; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #17375E; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: text2; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 191;">My heart<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #17375e; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #17375E; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: text2; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 191;">is patient and quietly certain <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #17375e; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #17375E; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: text2; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 191;">I’m fine just as I am now<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #17375e; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #17375E; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: text2; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 191;">I will become a love ninja.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #17375e; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #17375E; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: text2; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 191;">Rather than hurling judgment,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #17375e; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #17375E; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: text2; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 191;">I will </span><b><span style="color: #17375e; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #17375E; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: text2; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 191;">stealthily launch my compassion,</span></b><span style="color: #17375e; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #17375E; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: text2; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 191;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #17375e; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #17375E; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: text2; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 191;">empathy and love.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: #17375e; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #17375E; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: text2; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 191;">A love ninja.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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Adapted <a href="http://www.elephantjournal.com/2014/01/an-anti-diet-resolution-for-2014-jenna-hollenstein/">from</a></div>
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An anti-diet resolution for 2014 by Jenna Hollenstein<o:p></o:p></div>
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Elephant dedicated to the mindful life</div>
Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04625510429309438587noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32856497.post-62413441013514691202013-11-29T14:43:00.000-08:002013-12-02T10:25:37.131-08:00<div style="text-align: justify;">
Ohio Wedding was born of necessity to combine two challenges. I'm entering this in the NYC DWR Challenge: MODERN as well as the <a href="http://comqg.blogspot.com/">Central Oregon Modern Quilt Guild</a> 2014 challenge to do a modern interpretation of an Ohio Star. </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ug-JB-BwA7Q/UpkW-8m44kI/AAAAAAAAAd8/-z62XIdP1RA/s1600/IMG_5592.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="MQG DWR Challenge Quilt" border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ug-JB-BwA7Q/UpkW-8m44kI/AAAAAAAAAd8/-z62XIdP1RA/s640/IMG_5592.JPG" title="Ohio Wedding " width="510" /></a></div>
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I wanted to do something different and yet very familiar for the Ohio stars so I carved a large linoleum block into an Ohio star and printed a couple yards of Kona with a dark gray ink. The wedding rings were made from this stamped fabric. <br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-meNJ0W8a5zQ/UpzQgBxan1I/AAAAAAAAAec/Du7CQzSEaJI/s1600/10a500785b7d11e3bbc412f05c1f5777_8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-meNJ0W8a5zQ/UpzQgBxan1I/AAAAAAAAAec/Du7CQzSEaJI/s640/10a500785b7d11e3bbc412f05c1f5777_8.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The design board was key for this project. I have a new appreciation for the layout of DWR quilts after attempting one myself!<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ncvw2MLwySQ/UpkXP53hvKI/AAAAAAAAAeE/2bVXOscMCrM/s1600/d25b7dba559111e3b1cf12d170e743f9_8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ncvw2MLwySQ/UpkXP53hvKI/AAAAAAAAAeE/2bVXOscMCrM/s640/d25b7dba559111e3b1cf12d170e743f9_8.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I also used pants suiting material that was interfaced with pellon for stability and some more solids and low volume whites. I wanted some uncut Ohio star prints so I braved a few Y seams and blended the rings with some square piecing. To add a little pizzaz, I bound the quilt in a turquoise color rose printed fabric.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7R2r3Rc1fNU/UpkXw4xInoI/AAAAAAAAAeM/a3l5JwE5RB4/s1600/a8fe8582566011e3a2530e616ca66f71_8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7R2r3Rc1fNU/UpkXw4xInoI/AAAAAAAAAeM/a3l5JwE5RB4/s640/a8fe8582566011e3a2530e616ca66f71_8.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I'm excited to have finished my first DWR the same year I'll be getting married! (well, 3/15/14) It's an honor to enter this contest and display my quilt along side such great creations. </div>
Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04625510429309438587noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32856497.post-52342624401277102502012-04-27T07:44:00.001-07:002012-04-27T07:45:33.486-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jrSkA1xJTWA/T5qvQXTUgtI/AAAAAAAAAOg/oz2PmD0N72k/s1600/IMG_0477.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jrSkA1xJTWA/T5qvQXTUgtI/AAAAAAAAAOg/oz2PmD0N72k/s400/IMG_0477.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Oh my it's been too long! I even forgot I had this blog. Hmmm that may not </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">be something I should readily admit as it probably won't garner me many new</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> readers. But as you can see I'm excited to be back. Lets see since 2006... </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">moved to Bend, got a new job, got a dog. Yep that's pretty much it!. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And here he is.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JtsqMfEgRTA/T5qvCLKJIWI/AAAAAAAAAN4/FcHp5QmCTx4/s1600/IMG_0354.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JtsqMfEgRTA/T5qvCLKJIWI/AAAAAAAAAN4/FcHp5QmCTx4/s320/IMG_0354.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> <span style="text-align: center;">If he looks blurry it's cause he's so stinkin' fast.</span></span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kx_P_yomcIs/T5qvEP4G2hI/AAAAAAAAAOA/vt2iIAO4t1g/s1600/IMG_0358.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kx_P_yomcIs/T5qvEP4G2hI/AAAAAAAAAOA/vt2iIAO4t1g/s320/IMG_0358.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TMj5ybNd1r0/T5qvHLIhSLI/AAAAAAAAAOI/Ye8appP2F0c/s1600/IMG_0501.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TMj5ybNd1r0/T5qvHLIhSLI/AAAAAAAAAOI/Ye8appP2F0c/s320/IMG_0501.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Meet Sherman! Best dog ever. French Bulldog Pug cross. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He's 30 lbs of solid muscle and love. </span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9A-a_40Z7qA/T5qvVkxHU7I/AAAAAAAAAOw/-Nimdxuyb3U/s1600/IMG_0383.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9A-a_40Z7qA/T5qvVkxHU7I/AAAAAAAAAOw/-Nimdxuyb3U/s320/IMG_0383.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Other recent exploits include joining a quilting group where I'm preparing to </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">take my first, okay well second, real quilting class. Tokyo Subway! By </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Elizabeth Hartman. The woman is amazing. Checkout her amazingness here. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Of course I'm not following directions well and so am re-designing the pattern </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">to something more meaningful. (A race course called King of the Hammers </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">instead of the Tokyo Subway.) </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Checkout the other blog I write for Balls Out Domestic Club for a story about</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> our adventures at the 2012 KOH race. </span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xL7Wg_JFIfc/T5qvKcalgRI/AAAAAAAAAOQ/UBMn2hWHkLA/s1600/_MG_0512.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xL7Wg_JFIfc/T5qvKcalgRI/AAAAAAAAAOQ/UBMn2hWHkLA/s320/_MG_0512.JPG" width="213" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And here is a sneak peak of the pattern and the first block!
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<br />Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04625510429309438587noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32856497.post-1159999793091081842006-10-04T14:59:00.000-07:002006-10-04T15:09:53.120-07:00Sweaters for Alaska<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2564/3599/1600/sweater.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2564/3599/320/sweater.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Finally back from the last fire tour. I ended up spending three weeks on the Puzzle Fire near Sisters Oregon. I worked with the Alaska Type 1 team. They were great! The assignment yielded lots of flight time (in helicopters) and much hiking in the deciduous Wilderness area south of Mt. Jefferson. Ah, to be out in the dirt eating MRE's. So satisfying. I didn't look at a computer screen for 18 days.<br /><br />I amused myself with knitting during slow periods and finished my first sweater. From the pattern "Skully" in the first Stitch and Bitch book. It was pretty easy and despite looking like it was knit from an orangutan (I did shorten the sleeves) it went together well. I can't wait to deliver it to the recipient. I've already started my next project with the same pattern it will be a moss green with turquoise accent haven't' decided on the pattern yet. The last one was charcoal with skulls and corresponds on the arms. Who said knitting wasn't cool?<br /><br />I've got three weeks of office work before I'm headed to Australia. My favorite site to check right now is the <a href="http://sydneynearlydailyphot.blogspot.com/">Sydney Daily Photo</a>. It's full of off the wall and out of the way stuff from the city. I'll be there for two weeks hitting Sydney, Brisbane, and Cairns. I promise to post a few pica here! We leave on October 23rd.<br /><br />All in All September has been a wonderful month! I'm trying to enjoy the last of the fall colors and soak up what little sun is left before the dark days of winter set in. I'm also seriously pondering a move to Alaska! I'll be checking job availability and looking at housing in Fairbanks and Anchorage and elsewhere!<br /><br />Until next time!Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04625510429309438587noreply@blogger.com0