tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91044512783822803072024-03-05T00:33:56.211-08:00Blue Tree StudioArt quilts by Angela WelchAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15629251191433752379noreply@blogger.comBlogger48125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9104451278382280307.post-76154371896561640532015-02-11T18:20:00.003-08:002015-02-11T18:20:55.643-08:00A fully fused top!I've completed fusing the top for Tree #7.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTtYJHet2X2auYi9x3cp7YlUKaW-T3LGaKWkgaJRfIpVk86BTQv_PSsHU2SBz_i-Y4Io-AwSc4RZ_UXcD43M-lWkWunhzTrnZmaghZA06olaUxTtpYGwFc6wV1ikbyiaG7CPABqaJfltk/s1600/tree7+autocorrected.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTtYJHet2X2auYi9x3cp7YlUKaW-T3LGaKWkgaJRfIpVk86BTQv_PSsHU2SBz_i-Y4Io-AwSc4RZ_UXcD43M-lWkWunhzTrnZmaghZA06olaUxTtpYGwFc6wV1ikbyiaG7CPABqaJfltk/s1600/tree7+autocorrected.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
I'm happy with how it looks so far. One of my favorite things about this technique is it's so easy to make changes. Below, you can see an earlier version. This previous attempt looks unbalanced, I think, because the left right corner is so much darker than the left top corner. It was so easy to pull off some snippets from both sides, shuffle them around and add some more, and fuse it again.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiol1quEvT42B61L6fsrJ8Ssfk19YAB0Lnt56zYc-dl2icri2Uo9elbTLv_Vwo6Gvu97N5todFh_j2s5PpuPD45iuHLLqAFHRiVQ3lNTFRugmGsPJY_6y7vwiaBdKRacpbh2kugIYd4ASY/s1600/tree7+needing+revision.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiol1quEvT42B61L6fsrJ8Ssfk19YAB0Lnt56zYc-dl2icri2Uo9elbTLv_Vwo6Gvu97N5todFh_j2s5PpuPD45iuHLLqAFHRiVQ3lNTFRugmGsPJY_6y7vwiaBdKRacpbh2kugIYd4ASY/s1600/tree7+needing+revision.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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Next I need to piece together a backing and do the basting. But first, I have to face the mountain of snippets on the studio floor. That's one drawback to this method- the snippets are threatening to take over my apartment!</div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15629251191433752379noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9104451278382280307.post-78070875334393494502015-01-31T10:10:00.002-08:002015-01-31T10:10:49.140-08:00Increasing my productivityI've been wanting to increase my quilting productivity, so I set a goal of quilting 30 hours this month. So far so good! I just finished a fun quilting session that brought my monthly total to 30.33 on the final day in January.<br />
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Here's what I have to show for it: some significant progress on Tree # 7.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYCkgxI4cKXOE3zvsLL6aV-6Y54I-dwDsSz53ZBTav7VLxQSA9jlfsZ8GueNeH-0bmi2OwU_-_6aElDP6PxmQsm7ZRBeqAK6P-6gUL_yU3WN_evrhyphenhyphenD9UtCk7gZ7wANlZob4twby7Sj4A/s1600/tree+7+wip+.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYCkgxI4cKXOE3zvsLL6aV-6Y54I-dwDsSz53ZBTav7VLxQSA9jlfsZ8GueNeH-0bmi2OwU_-_6aElDP6PxmQsm7ZRBeqAK6P-6gUL_yU3WN_evrhyphenhyphenD9UtCk7gZ7wANlZob4twby7Sj4A/s1600/tree+7+wip+.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
Here are some strategies that have been helpful for me in increasing my quilting time:<br />
1. I start by setting the kitchen timer, usually for an hour. This way I stay focused and productive until the timer goes off, so I don't wander off and check Facebook. When the timer goes off, I either take a break or set it again.<br />
2. I sometimes listen to audiobooks or music to stay motivated.<br />
3. I record the total time I quilt each day on my calendar.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq_MCSTtMM5hzDWDuL7p4kwtc5bGt7kZMqDYG6YTH3zhRfP9MBS9mzzgaEBlCn8q8uF6N3yoja_bcONGitHxDSUzC4KU1VBuXn6QjNxzxpYhH0wU-xI9aozRq-o05x5KpP-slj4jAOuII/s1600/calendar+jan+2015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq_MCSTtMM5hzDWDuL7p4kwtc5bGt7kZMqDYG6YTH3zhRfP9MBS9mzzgaEBlCn8q8uF6N3yoja_bcONGitHxDSUzC4KU1VBuXn6QjNxzxpYhH0wU-xI9aozRq-o05x5KpP-slj4jAOuII/s1600/calendar+jan+2015.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
4. I made a quick graph of this info:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrdi0rwGzC8oyMIrc7D7-dfq0ayauwKjRXCV2RqTh9dzMzx5IAWYZ64_cPqYXvRC9znyxDboiWMgxAbRTUaViyf7ntvnYil4qEniD2kO1ucVl3OQQ6cReh-vZ_TbyCd0mrzb5X9a0cZsU/s1600/jan+2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrdi0rwGzC8oyMIrc7D7-dfq0ayauwKjRXCV2RqTh9dzMzx5IAWYZ64_cPqYXvRC9znyxDboiWMgxAbRTUaViyf7ntvnYil4qEniD2kO1ucVl3OQQ6cReh-vZ_TbyCd0mrzb5X9a0cZsU/s1600/jan+2015.jpg" height="460" width="640" /></a></div>
Here's what I noticed from the graph:<br />
There's so much variability, with a peak of 4 hours of quilting (that was on a snow day when I didn't have to work). But there were 14 days with no quilting at all! For February, I'm setting a goal of 33 hours. I'll try to combat those 0 hour days by setting my alarm early and quilting before work.<br />
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I'm also experimenting with ways to make my quilting more efficient, so I get more done in the time available. That's a topic for another day.<br />
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What are your best tips for increasing quilting productivity?Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15629251191433752379noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9104451278382280307.post-43263064232169040842015-01-09T15:09:00.002-08:002015-01-09T15:09:50.547-08:00Making progressI'm making steady progress on Tree #7. I made a New Year's resolution to quilt 30 hours a month, and so far I've been really good at sticking to it.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAgrdAx6sUivvoFVnF_r1Y0NSqyt6DtcTTrH0xGSs-5bUerzgRuuVoD6SUiK-07fo2xb96qHyJyq7I0tJUljI2OSKgTTs_82-ggm5pfINaN86ElJ2aIglJt6sKhqAoYgLMiGFxh_-89sM/s1600/DSC02699.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAgrdAx6sUivvoFVnF_r1Y0NSqyt6DtcTTrH0xGSs-5bUerzgRuuVoD6SUiK-07fo2xb96qHyJyq7I0tJUljI2OSKgTTs_82-ggm5pfINaN86ElJ2aIglJt6sKhqAoYgLMiGFxh_-89sM/s1600/DSC02699.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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I'm trying to incorporate bigger pieces, with motifs cut out from large-scale prints. Here's one of my favorite parts- a little armadillo peeking out. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOr6FT1jivAShO6Nz8QmERoaMZP6hrbX2nw2Y8bu1nKwYtTZNzHi70mvXhDfUED3IC3gXJ3y7-unz3KEvgsFGL3QxM2DGCib0bczo-tJmjWWW-vbHOyXwXAz0nTMdrJeDYnKTUTrFk-qM/s1600/DSC02703.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOr6FT1jivAShO6Nz8QmERoaMZP6hrbX2nw2Y8bu1nKwYtTZNzHi70mvXhDfUED3IC3gXJ3y7-unz3KEvgsFGL3QxM2DGCib0bczo-tJmjWWW-vbHOyXwXAz0nTMdrJeDYnKTUTrFk-qM/s1600/DSC02703.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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Here's a few more close-up shots:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW9FxP0blATW7ARyv-jR5odedjMuYBQyyfVZ68ejw8mORKp8-9pj1QLVl7zPvJMh-8Sa3jTC9iIqOLm8Imqss_hd-JU_9ZgO3mCQqLpCLxoCjBsx8Z8pjNAxHptKLLiNwRdLVJr-cnLCc/s1600/DSC02701.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW9FxP0blATW7ARyv-jR5odedjMuYBQyyfVZ68ejw8mORKp8-9pj1QLVl7zPvJMh-8Sa3jTC9iIqOLm8Imqss_hd-JU_9ZgO3mCQqLpCLxoCjBsx8Z8pjNAxHptKLLiNwRdLVJr-cnLCc/s1600/DSC02701.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpRaBk9pBPJyUM7niW00v5FDP4AR66X5EMaFX0SlB-g91ZfXmbsGlFL69ndMRl2gH7kxZPLXMlV1K1YdcIVXy58ftzPkIY7nESc2-eNwpsD456W4oYHAN_Rh96n8e9CGcpRpsk1f1yuyI/s1600/DSC02700.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpRaBk9pBPJyUM7niW00v5FDP4AR66X5EMaFX0SlB-g91ZfXmbsGlFL69ndMRl2gH7kxZPLXMlV1K1YdcIVXy58ftzPkIY7nESc2-eNwpsD456W4oYHAN_Rh96n8e9CGcpRpsk1f1yuyI/s1600/DSC02700.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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I love these blue birds! I have some pink fabric with birds from the same fabric line, which I'm going to use in the background. I'm thinking I'll make the background mostly pink, with some yellow. </div>
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My goal is to have all the fusing completed by the end of January. </div>
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In other quilting news, I recently joined <a href="http://www.saqa.com/" target="_blank">SAQA </a>(Studio Art Quilt Associates). So far, I've been really happy and excited with the opportunities from this group and I'd recommend it to anyone interested in learning more about art quilting. </div>
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I'm linking this post up with <a href="http://ninamariesayre.blogspot.com/2015/01/sacred-curves-take-2-off-wall-friday.html" target="_blank">Off-the-Wall Fridays</a>. Check it out to see many other exciting artists at work!</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15629251191433752379noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9104451278382280307.post-84190885936322223212015-01-01T09:37:00.000-08:002015-01-01T09:37:38.903-08:002014 year in reviewSince I've neglected my blog for much too long, I'm going to do a quick wrap up of highlights from 2014, so I feel ready for a fresh starts of quilting goals (and blogging goals!) in 2015.<br />
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I finished Tree #5 (well, except for that hanging sleeve, but I'm going to still count it. Don't tell the quilt police.) Overall, I'm happy with it, because I like how it has a range of values, from light to dark, and the bark actually resembles a sycamore. An area that needs improvement is the transition from yellow to gold on the right hand side in the background. It is too abrupt- it looks like a line, instead of the more gradual transition I managed on the left. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH3HuVF3ahBaEuH78eQ5SgczqCWnABqDmJPBPQi186HbrDFiBVouCZtRpoPNUzyklsmf9V80S772rTHJte9TvBP21UQrjoSxI0XEXSndoAG5uOvPhLbOFqLaCoKkHa0RkONzu5baB5y60/s1600/tree5+full+view.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH3HuVF3ahBaEuH78eQ5SgczqCWnABqDmJPBPQi186HbrDFiBVouCZtRpoPNUzyklsmf9V80S772rTHJte9TvBP21UQrjoSxI0XEXSndoAG5uOvPhLbOFqLaCoKkHa0RkONzu5baB5y60/s1600/tree5+full+view.JPG" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
Here's a closeup to show the quilting:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBsPlHE0hphmDTz4s-LUFj29Tz2N02rxmWcwFx3Q73uUbBJXVmJKEFGgXUpOvFUj0pJIK14MXHHaE16Tb8XvBV8gcgW3fXSXglywjigZJagXhsUGyco8uzY_xedRhMeVZw2RK6fb2j_OQ/s1600/Tree+5+closeup.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBsPlHE0hphmDTz4s-LUFj29Tz2N02rxmWcwFx3Q73uUbBJXVmJKEFGgXUpOvFUj0pJIK14MXHHaE16Tb8XvBV8gcgW3fXSXglywjigZJagXhsUGyco8uzY_xedRhMeVZw2RK6fb2j_OQ/s1600/Tree+5+closeup.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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And here's a view of the back, which I really like:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKhCuG0DOMAknJ7Y3zSDEtw0jKuSSluW_ciLuqlPD7faUMP7Yc2r8O_BGhAQYURGlXaoKltjnCi1PY9feBHhBrrDYfEVkwg2_MGXSdCwuT6XucqAdJUocuNx4c5rk3yU02cF3JOvZcBv4/s1600/tree+5+backview.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKhCuG0DOMAknJ7Y3zSDEtw0jKuSSluW_ciLuqlPD7faUMP7Yc2r8O_BGhAQYURGlXaoKltjnCi1PY9feBHhBrrDYfEVkwg2_MGXSdCwuT6XucqAdJUocuNx4c5rk3yU02cF3JOvZcBv4/s1600/tree+5+backview.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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I've also finished Tree # 6, and weirdly enough I can't find it right now to take a picture of it. (I'll take that as a sign that I should clean my sewing room!)</div>
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But here you can see it during the basting:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuplGA9XkVFbl1PaS9TsyfXhNywIkGxFH66H3FYG_k6PBoyA181wtiD3eIvFQmsoxQVS1viiyJws0jTN2DheS-39d1OMPFx5MGa2i-GFmh9CHclmZNPAJM-0wvpyWwgxjQtZB71E2Ivsc/s1600/tre+6+in+basting.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuplGA9XkVFbl1PaS9TsyfXhNywIkGxFH66H3FYG_k6PBoyA181wtiD3eIvFQmsoxQVS1viiyJws0jTN2DheS-39d1OMPFx5MGa2i-GFmh9CHclmZNPAJM-0wvpyWwgxjQtZB71E2Ivsc/s1600/tre+6+in+basting.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
I put a wash-away stabilizer over the snippets, and then rinsed it out after quilting. It looks like a sheet of plastic, but it made the quilting much easier and it dissolves completely.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ghE2GJfwVZbXnbH-4pDdgodD8y2Y_maW_fpENEfdZbeEjKwkbWtID0KD8MGuwSl8qwUfHQTKJZUvtojwolNPhvUaH6eBDj53RGC46iJXcMfv_gKPnHqrQ4b1KBCx_jmlaOtgT2WONlA/s1600/washaway+stabilizer.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ghE2GJfwVZbXnbH-4pDdgodD8y2Y_maW_fpENEfdZbeEjKwkbWtID0KD8MGuwSl8qwUfHQTKJZUvtojwolNPhvUaH6eBDj53RGC46iJXcMfv_gKPnHqrQ4b1KBCx_jmlaOtgT2WONlA/s1600/washaway+stabilizer.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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I also made this quilt with LED accents, which I'm tentatively calling "Effervescent." </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixzN7PpFmvL7ONdtU_zI8csCGKoTZB9e4ghiG5htlGnSEJo0XCDOf6-EsiZUYXD5U6-fynD9AHGSCpSfinO83K7DyRdFq5Aap0MpK-9iFddDOmiuG-rg_O1oQa4jNXWEtO6lC85zwKmbo/s1600/bubbles+whole+view.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixzN7PpFmvL7ONdtU_zI8csCGKoTZB9e4ghiG5htlGnSEJo0XCDOf6-EsiZUYXD5U6-fynD9AHGSCpSfinO83K7DyRdFq5Aap0MpK-9iFddDOmiuG-rg_O1oQa4jNXWEtO6lC85zwKmbo/s1600/bubbles+whole+view.JPG" height="320" width="305" /></a></div>
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I'm still working on a video to show the LEDs in action. </div>
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And to finish off the year, an LED bracelet. It's hard to tell from the picture, but there is a twinkling light in the middle of the star.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWUP7qTEZL4KAiNeqay4CsUA3dugxSDKSQHHkzKkfWb6gkxoM1vJsdY1u5ZI0z1jfiY5Z13x9c9UupbmX7vGK5J_NPcAI3vS3p5QOdqJ-pWcVzVhHuBtJNZZ_i1Addo874eiXk_jZwR1s/s1600/led+bracelet.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWUP7qTEZL4KAiNeqay4CsUA3dugxSDKSQHHkzKkfWb6gkxoM1vJsdY1u5ZI0z1jfiY5Z13x9c9UupbmX7vGK5J_NPcAI3vS3p5QOdqJ-pWcVzVhHuBtJNZZ_i1Addo874eiXk_jZwR1s/s1600/led+bracelet.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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And one last highlight from 2014- Seeing my quilts hanging in the Fine Arts division at the Ohio State Fair. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgac_2MyA0No0c0S002w-7c2-n-2fu72rR5Ew_yMSkSs-LuVFBmVw5qCVDZQg3c5JgkJL9JY2WQ3i2Zzse0TIOX8lKYZ9hNUqNk1XnNq_T0yOzt1tjQWjwWRM1p7NdX9rlNfTtR8mzU-Q/s1600/at+the+ohio+state+fair+2014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgac_2MyA0No0c0S002w-7c2-n-2fu72rR5Ew_yMSkSs-LuVFBmVw5qCVDZQg3c5JgkJL9JY2WQ3i2Zzse0TIOX8lKYZ9hNUqNk1XnNq_T0yOzt1tjQWjwWRM1p7NdX9rlNfTtR8mzU-Q/s1600/at+the+ohio+state+fair+2014.JPG" height="320" width="277" /></a></div>
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I hope 2014 was full of happy and productive quilting for you too. Here's to a great 2015!</div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15629251191433752379noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9104451278382280307.post-45655519986437522632014-07-11T08:57:00.002-07:002014-07-11T08:57:41.340-07:00Light it up!<span style="font-family: inherit;">Usually when I start a new project, I have at least something of an image in my mind. Well, this time, I have started with an idea, and I'm still trying to get to the image.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I want to do something with fireflies, glittering and flittering across the surface of the quilt. But in a subtle, lovely way. Not tacky. And I have decided I want to do this with LED lights.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I found a neat website, <a href="https://www.sparkfun.com/" target="_blank">SparkFun</a>, where you can find LEDs and all the accessories you need, and read lots of tutorials about how to make it all work. Also, check out <a href="http://sewelectric.org/" target="_blank">Sew Electric.</a> These tutorials are designed for kids, and may especially appeal to girls or anybody interested in sewing as a way to learn about electronics.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">This is what my setup looks like, on a scrap of fabric I grabbed from my cutting table:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ7UEwJnyfCP8sSSfBI_tti_3y3lg6mqc3KvN08VfKoaOl9myWVbpgMCf4wNDqB058n4Ydm7H2HBDlFI_FFPgA2KR2PM5LhuJyPp9LC0otSfU146NL3aXD-5lVj83XNuGQWLiHaeswp-g/s1600/lilypad+on+fabric.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ7UEwJnyfCP8sSSfBI_tti_3y3lg6mqc3KvN08VfKoaOl9myWVbpgMCf4wNDqB058n4Ydm7H2HBDlFI_FFPgA2KR2PM5LhuJyPp9LC0otSfU146NL3aXD-5lVj83XNuGQWLiHaeswp-g/s1600/lilypad+on+fabric.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The red cord connects it all to my computer, the purple circle is a tiny computer called a Lilypad, and I've hand-sewn a connection to an LED with conductive thread. When the project is done, it will have a battery rather than being connected to the computer, but I haven't figured out how to put the battery in yet. And this is nothing like what the finished quilt will look like- it's just a way to experiment with the LEDs.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">It started off pretty easy- I made my LED blink on and off by following a <a href="http://sewelectric.org/diy-projects/3-programming-your-lilypad/basic-programming-steps/" target="_blank">step by step tutorial</a>. But then it got tricky. I wanted my light to fade slowly in and out, and then pause for a few seconds before turning back on. The fading took a few hours of Googling. That 2 second pause? It took me two days- but I actually wrote 2 lines of code myself to make it happen! </span><br />
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In this video, you should see the light gradually get brighter, then fade off, then go black for 2 seconds. <br /><br /><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/TSpOCrPMg4o?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">If this video doesn't play, you watch it on <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TSpOCrPMg4o" target="_blank">YouTube</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Learning new things can be fun and exhilarating, but it can also be super frustrating. When I was trying to figure out if the thread I bought will work to carry enough current through the surface of a large quilt, reading a suggestion like this filled me with dread: <span style="color: black;"><a href="https://learn.sparkfun.com/tutorials/sewing-with-conductive-thread/all#how-do-i-choose-the-best-conductive-thread-for-my-project" target="_blank">"</a><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><a href="https://learn.sparkfun.com/tutorials/sewing-with-conductive-thread/all#how-do-i-choose-the-best-conductive-thread-for-my-project" target="_blank">Your safest bet on a complicated project is to calculate the resistance your circuit can handle using Ohm's Law." </a> What? Should I just give up now? But, I figured out that if you can calculate how many strips of fabric it takes to make a binding, you can calculate resistance with Ohm's Law. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">So I'm excited to be embarking on a new project. I'll keep you posted as I learn more. If you have experience with e-Textiles I'd love to hear about it!</span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15629251191433752379noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9104451278382280307.post-24516223490668207892014-05-29T12:17:00.001-07:002014-05-29T12:17:17.563-07:00NQA showThe <a href="http://www.nqaquilts.org/abouttheshow/" target="_blank">National Quilting Association</a> show was here in Columbus, OH last weekend. I've enjoyed visiting this show for a few years now, and this was the first time I entered some quilts. It was a big thrill for me to go and see them hanging up, and also to win an Honorable Mention for Tree #1. The work of some from friends from AQA and the Columbus Modern Quilt Guild were also well represented.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVQyxhcVEm-Kw6S6-i-quzPlYMUBIFXdiQGxCcSIm-VSYb4jfmM4w6hm0m0kOxgj8hcUarOmESRN-lFOyG7rRIuW2PHYmsG-yS5SsAif62K0ZA7xSRiuwi81150C7llX5o489oWur1dmQ/s1600/IMG_1107.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVQyxhcVEm-Kw6S6-i-quzPlYMUBIFXdiQGxCcSIm-VSYb4jfmM4w6hm0m0kOxgj8hcUarOmESRN-lFOyG7rRIuW2PHYmsG-yS5SsAif62K0ZA7xSRiuwi81150C7llX5o489oWur1dmQ/s1600/IMG_1107.JPG" height="640" width="358" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP5zPYN7oeeiLZOWUsAqgOtY2qHgzqjpYwe2Xm_rIJm8mpC-ygYz3pToP1JrYAiHPKOvSHChNBd3aGJwi0Z32l8UrquMBkMtzDVMSGCoTY_9nGZsToNFeF3ulKsm2GJJntWVBFtSPvN3Q/s1600/IMG_1111.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP5zPYN7oeeiLZOWUsAqgOtY2qHgzqjpYwe2Xm_rIJm8mpC-ygYz3pToP1JrYAiHPKOvSHChNBd3aGJwi0Z32l8UrquMBkMtzDVMSGCoTY_9nGZsToNFeF3ulKsm2GJJntWVBFtSPvN3Q/s1600/IMG_1111.JPG" height="640" width="358" /></a></div>
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It was a fun day all around, with my mom and sister coming from out of town to see the show. Dan came by in the afternoon (what a supportive guy!). Our friend Derrick works at the convention center so he stopped by too. It is always interesting to hear the reactions of non-quilters. They both were impressed by the range of different things you can do with a quilt.</div>
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Some interesting things I learned from this show:</div>
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I definitely prefer entering shows that are within driving distance. It was great to see my quilts hanging up, rather than just sending them away.</div>
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I really love seeing tons of quilts in person, in a big range of styles. Modern, art, traditional- lots of quilts that I would never make myself but I just delight in looking at up close. Seeing quilts in person is way better than in magazines or on blogs!</div>
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Winning a ribbon was great, but not winning a ribbon is fun too (good thing- the ribbon is an anomaly). It was interesting to see the quilts under very good lighting from a larger distance and in a different setting. </div>
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The judges' comments were encouraging overall with some specific and helpful ideas for how to improve. Binding- you are my nemesis!</div>
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I would encourage everybody to enter their quilts in more shows! This one is not juried; they accept the first 400 entries. So go for it!</div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15629251191433752379noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9104451278382280307.post-65754629608740070152014-03-30T18:54:00.000-07:002014-03-30T18:54:04.298-07:00Is Tree #5 turning into a UFO?At what point does a work-in-progress become a UFO? I started Tree #5 with great eagerness, but it has been languishing on the design wall lately. To me, a project becomes a UFO when I start to dread it, rather than feeling excited about it. So I'm trying to recapture my excitement for this project!<br />
My plan for this quilt is to use more detail to make it resemble an actual sycamore, rather than just a generic tree. I'm challenging myself to work with a range of 5 values, rather than 3 as I have in previous quilts.<br />
Here's an inspiration photo I took of a sycamore.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgky75x8zvzGA7rWRtCixmzIodSvQ4m3ioc3jd_9HLFOMuY21oAmgNyT96dDJnK5hIcMZadi-h2w66lS3-3MWThL97iy5ysxL1YVHdmem8osITCwoHZXnulZpIuk7q3wdRr7yejc2Ftj4I/s1600/sunny+sycamore+5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgky75x8zvzGA7rWRtCixmzIodSvQ4m3ioc3jd_9HLFOMuY21oAmgNyT96dDJnK5hIcMZadi-h2w66lS3-3MWThL97iy5ysxL1YVHdmem8osITCwoHZXnulZpIuk7q3wdRr7yejc2Ftj4I/s1600/sunny+sycamore+5.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Here's the quilt so far. It's kind of hard to tell what it will look like, because there are lots of big white gaps in it still. I will be filling the gaps in with a second color, just like a sycamore has both gray and white bark. I haven't decided on the second color yet, but I'm considering green. I just need to make sure that there is enough contrast between the blue and green to show up. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggdhlKxybinexrDcG-BW_Fij6GvDxwZtirsrWdIrJ1DFsJe_Q5PJ67ufsmIx0vPlamLwTX8fD7PPAMfIhKH1I0XEZi1D3RFcdpWq8GAcy5FvQVLLwnqAkr33h9ABYGwm7hRMctevnSGEg/s1600/Tree+5+in+progress.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggdhlKxybinexrDcG-BW_Fij6GvDxwZtirsrWdIrJ1DFsJe_Q5PJ67ufsmIx0vPlamLwTX8fD7PPAMfIhKH1I0XEZi1D3RFcdpWq8GAcy5FvQVLLwnqAkr33h9ABYGwm7hRMctevnSGEg/s1600/Tree+5+in+progress.jpg" height="320" width="234" /></a></div>
Here's a close-up:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv0GZ0z4oQ9Es2YIUTWOawMoUnrBPGVIYiFHzgO8WryjQDu__7rAfWNxOG62M4cewQDzcLpf-d87FdPHzsjG3CLDvYt70bmskJwMUrHpLDno__ZoSYI7hWmXadRcC2BsLAB0nQtW1ElB8/s1600/tree+5+in+progress+detail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv0GZ0z4oQ9Es2YIUTWOawMoUnrBPGVIYiFHzgO8WryjQDu__7rAfWNxOG62M4cewQDzcLpf-d87FdPHzsjG3CLDvYt70bmskJwMUrHpLDno__ZoSYI7hWmXadRcC2BsLAB0nQtW1ElB8/s1600/tree+5+in+progress+detail.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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The <a href="http://columbusmodernquiltguild.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Columbus Modern quilt guild</a> is hosting a UFO challenge and I'm hopingit will motivate me to get this project done!</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15629251191433752379noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9104451278382280307.post-28697709905508960312014-02-07T19:48:00.002-08:002014-02-07T19:48:27.901-08:00Quilting over snippetsI started the free motion quilting on Tree #4 today. When I quilted Tree #3, it was the first time I had tried the snippet technique, and I had a lot of trouble with the pieces falling off while I was trying to quilt it. Not fun! So this time I really loaded it up with glue first. I think it is helping. The presser foot has caught a few edges and lifted them slightly, but no pieces are off of the quilt yet!<br />
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I gave a lot of thought to which quilting design to use. On Tree #3 I did spirals, mostly because that's what Susan Carlson does in her <a href="http://www.susancarlson.com/Serendipity_Quilts.html" target="_blank">Serendipity Quilts</a> book. I thought the spirals were too challenging, between the snippets falling off and the difficulty of seeing what you are doing, giving the mish-mash of many prints. And then, when you are done, the design hardly shows! The snippets themselves are so busy. See what I mean?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIgz4j1cH5Ckt0BZZaB_95MoQlBGHhR1TL15ap44L_-cDhZVmpvJa370wKRFX5sYTK67BpzKZZpnpC69N6f8seXZWH5qAI7DQOlG-frYedF1YUfBWcmkHghbrEaH632IYfWXMET8X-AIM/s1600/Tree+4+closeup.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIgz4j1cH5Ckt0BZZaB_95MoQlBGHhR1TL15ap44L_-cDhZVmpvJa370wKRFX5sYTK67BpzKZZpnpC69N6f8seXZWH5qAI7DQOlG-frYedF1YUfBWcmkHghbrEaH632IYfWXMET8X-AIM/s1600/Tree+4+closeup.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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So for these reasons I'm trying a variation of stippling that I think looks like bark for the tree. I haven't made up my mind about the background yet.<br />
Here's a closeup:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihLEqcCD1hRX7Tf-i5dbxK90lkY5Y5m-WiQvKQtf9cInNvxe-GFfT-LXH5tc9Wp_kdSSCA7XHIQH6pJrLh_Q7ay82CP9z-eDxHqTJFINcVo0SbKUw_8mW1hmaFMx09dcDdtd_o9Mh4EWs/s1600/Tree+4+closeup+.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Machine quilting stippling" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihLEqcCD1hRX7Tf-i5dbxK90lkY5Y5m-WiQvKQtf9cInNvxe-GFfT-LXH5tc9Wp_kdSSCA7XHIQH6pJrLh_Q7ay82CP9z-eDxHqTJFINcVo0SbKUw_8mW1hmaFMx09dcDdtd_o9Mh4EWs/s1600/Tree+4+closeup+.JPG" height="300" title="Machine quilting stippling" width="400" /></a></div>
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Another benefit of this design is that it goes so quickly! I'm linking up to <a href="http://www.freemotionquilting.blogspot.com/2014/02/fmq-project-link-up.html" target="_blank">Off the Wall Fridays</a> and the <a href="http://www.freemotionquilting.blogspot.com/2014/02/fmq-project-link-up.html" target="_blank">Free Motion Quilting Project</a>.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15629251191433752379noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9104451278382280307.post-61038338983440787812014-02-02T16:56:00.000-08:002014-02-05T03:50:29.578-08:00A productive weekMy newest project, Tree #4, is coming along nicely.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ-Gyb9CoPb7tQNlRMv21h1lImOppo3Dxa8wNrYXtLA-768Wix7Ri0XG1u2cmQI2lARPgDNlwbcIlV_VPb_vPqY9t6KcBlYS-I0DkaGOLvhfn-XiegYN0OrAmwKlhVbyp5WpGRqaxiJh4/s1600/Tree4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Tree art quilt" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ-Gyb9CoPb7tQNlRMv21h1lImOppo3Dxa8wNrYXtLA-768Wix7Ri0XG1u2cmQI2lARPgDNlwbcIlV_VPb_vPqY9t6KcBlYS-I0DkaGOLvhfn-XiegYN0OrAmwKlhVbyp5WpGRqaxiJh4/s1600/Tree4.JPG" height="240" title="Tree Art quilt in progress" width="320" /></a></div>
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I have all of the snippets in place, so now I need to go back and carefully glue down all of the loose edges. This is fairly time consuming, but I want to be thorough. Last time, on Tree #3, I skimped on glue and the pieces were falling off as I was try to quilt it. Pretty frustrating! Also, I made sure to use Aileen's tacky glue throughout, rather than the glue stick I tried before. Hopefully I'll be quilting it next weekend!</div>
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Here's what the sewing room floor typically looks when I'm working with snippets:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxGa-QhpSTirWiPEw4V1tlnRRTGzHcXdO207zd6BLH7HHKdKjR89HEn0U_0H-5tue16Q1Nxn7N4k0lIvacmfWKqEADsObvNBnYG5GjJD7NNoyk30WVXL3YARJLcqnoossn_azupED5EeQ/s1600/DSC01778.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxGa-QhpSTirWiPEw4V1tlnRRTGzHcXdO207zd6BLH7HHKdKjR89HEn0U_0H-5tue16Q1Nxn7N4k0lIvacmfWKqEADsObvNBnYG5GjJD7NNoyk30WVXL3YARJLcqnoossn_azupED5EeQ/s1600/DSC01778.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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I find them everywhere. A few weeks ago I felt a scratchy sensation on my arm while I was driving, and I figured out it was from masking tape sticking a snippet to the inside of my sleeve. </div>
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In other quilting news, I enjoyed seeing a selection from Quilt National at the <a href="http://www.oac.state.oh.us/riffe/" target="_blank">Riffe Gallery</a> last week. The show is open through April 13, so check it out if you are in Columbus! </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15629251191433752379noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9104451278382280307.post-61253480187779918662014-01-25T05:41:00.001-08:002014-02-05T03:58:19.130-08:00Grow your BlogToday's post is a little different. For my loyal readers (that's you, Mom!) it's kind of a review of what I've been up to- and a big thank you for following along! For anybody visiting from the <a href="http://vicki-2bagsfull.blogspot.com/2014/01/welcome-to-grow-your-blog-2014.html" target="_blank">Grow Your Blog Linkup</a>, welcome! I'd like to show you what I make, and also invite any comments or suggestions about how to improve my blog.<br />
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This is me, in the middle. My mom's on the left, and my sister on the right. This picture is from our trip to Hawaii, back in 2012. Of course, we had to stop at some quilt stores!<br />
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I appreciate and admire all types of quilting, from traditional to modern. I personally most enjoy making art quilts. I've been working on a series of Tree quilts. So here they are, in chronological order.</div>
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Tree #1</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiHv1R-mN-FUcdpCJMrMuZRtRnXTFmyDSK89_D_4iftCi79irIJJJi-OsrZZHuyqZI3SBNbXkRGe1eaJ_2juHhL-yDyK-mNFPtUsgBoCVKmyptfbuRvOY9B3f12m-SM2uZMh9Y9HKeEV4/s1600/Angela+Welch+Tree+%231+Full+Viewedited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="blue and red tree quilt" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiHv1R-mN-FUcdpCJMrMuZRtRnXTFmyDSK89_D_4iftCi79irIJJJi-OsrZZHuyqZI3SBNbXkRGe1eaJ_2juHhL-yDyK-mNFPtUsgBoCVKmyptfbuRvOY9B3f12m-SM2uZMh9Y9HKeEV4/s1600/Angela+Welch+Tree+%231+Full+Viewedited.jpg" height="400" title="Tree Art quilt" width="335" /></a></div>
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Tree #2</div>
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Tree # 3<br />
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I love machine quilting. It was tricky to learn at first, and it took lots of practice! Luckily I found the FreeMotion Quilting Project- it's a great website with tons of videos that show you how to machine quilt, step by step. <br />
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Now I teach an Intro to Free Motion Quilting at<a href="http://www.sewtospeakshoppe.com/index.htm" target="_blank"> Sew to Speak</a>. I love helping beginners get started on FMQ. <br />
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Also I belong to 2 fun quilt guilds: <a href="http://columbusmodernquiltguild.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">The Columubs Modern Quilt Guild</a>, and the <a href="http://artquiltalliance.org/" target="_blank">Art Quilt Alliance</a>.</div>
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So these are few of my favorite things. What do you love most about quilting?Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15629251191433752379noreply@blogger.com57tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9104451278382280307.post-65113828143624200732014-01-11T17:31:00.000-08:002014-01-11T17:31:58.598-08:00Out on a limbI've made some progress on Tree #4 this week. <br />
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The limb on the left was longer before- I had planned for it to extend off the edge, but it seemed to overpower the main tree. I've covered it up by laying yellow background pieces on it, but I haven't glued them down yet. Which do you like better- the shorter limb (above) or the longer limb (below)? You can got out on a limb (ha, ha) and leave your vote in the comments!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguA3yKKPfngfQTa703LV9TCIQoAlF-NZhQkIFHPQEMTZVVmnBQVh9ahMFDHM_f9jKEU9y1ldK6ZQCrRt3UE7vxu-VxLpKCOFm2Fl29GUJQgVeGMvLhWm_ufcA-8xr_hOxj9mwhUQpKinE/s1600/Tree+4+fullview.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguA3yKKPfngfQTa703LV9TCIQoAlF-NZhQkIFHPQEMTZVVmnBQVh9ahMFDHM_f9jKEU9y1ldK6ZQCrRt3UE7vxu-VxLpKCOFm2Fl29GUJQgVeGMvLhWm_ufcA-8xr_hOxj9mwhUQpKinE/s1600/Tree+4+fullview.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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It was so cold here early this week that there was frost inside the window of my quilting room. Those Machinger's quilting gloves really came in handy!</div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKoNO7a7gk601PfHcZe9QfrvshNPdfgAPRwMUPeMPvn11n0smwpU7iaBf6EImPNZf2c9wqy2NflOGs-nLIZmziBm6JPimF13b1U7MwcbuxCiCjN5hn067GSydFWiIQ2LTsSzWW-ttJ2aQ/s1600/cold+window.JPG" height="240" width="320" /><br />
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And I made an impromptu draft dodger by bunching up some FMQ practice sandwiches and stuffing them at the bottom of my window. Hmm... maybe I should write a tutorial and call it the "FMQ Up-cycling Draft Dodger!" (just kidding!)</div>
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I'm linking up to <a href="http://ninamariesayre.blogspot.com/2014/01/underlying-value-off-wall-friday.html" target="_blank">Nina Marie's Off the Wall Fridays</a>. Check it out to see lots of inspiring fiber art!</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15629251191433752379noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9104451278382280307.post-73372009759666414022014-01-02T12:08:00.002-08:002014-01-03T06:19:54.870-08:00Hello 2014Time for a quick recap of 2013, and some goal-setting for the New Year. I find quilting goals so fun and invigorating, because I tend to actually follow through much better than with my typical resolutions (lose weight, clean more, etc) which are quickly abandoned. <br />
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Here's what I made in 2013:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtSSdz400yv91Qk-v_xgukhyphenhyphenb98V1M-zFeAGa4nkRg31ZpdNqephIth4Sd0Savcsg2LA-3V9aR3YhVmapftR5BNvPyEtObw2shGS4WyuMWwiH1wMk2YszEHOdDcpujrXtsCCjwOXLMkmc/s1600/PicMonkey+Collage2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="388" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtSSdz400yv91Qk-v_xgukhyphenhyphenb98V1M-zFeAGa4nkRg31ZpdNqephIth4Sd0Savcsg2LA-3V9aR3YhVmapftR5BNvPyEtObw2shGS4WyuMWwiH1wMk2YszEHOdDcpujrXtsCCjwOXLMkmc/s640/PicMonkey+Collage2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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It was a good year. I met some goals: I improved my free-motion quilting, and I started teaching at <a href="http://www.sewtospeakshoppe.com/classes.htm" target="_blank">Sew to Speak</a> (yay!). I've entered my work in shows, and I finished 3 quilts in the Tree series. So, what's next?<br />
2014 Goals:<br />
1. Continue to exhibit my work in shows- specifically MQX East, NQA, and the Fine Arts division of the Ohio State Fair.<br />
2. Finish Tree # 4.<br />
3. Re-organize my sewing room. I need better storage for my stash. Currently I have these plastic drawers under my cutting table, which make great use of the space, but I've outgrown them. Also I'd like to organize my thread on a hanging rack. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp0-yYVNJwkYT_yzBT8QFyz8-sCQ_eb4IECiUyqGxu5wS3Pq7hw0kHcZOCj0TFjYfcoF6x5nrQs0R_VXfxcgfGrH7hhcbuk83r8AN5KmCFLdWQ34zRzsXKd11z_UCvlDQmCRcQib3LTPc/s1600/DSC01748.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp0-yYVNJwkYT_yzBT8QFyz8-sCQ_eb4IECiUyqGxu5wS3Pq7hw0kHcZOCj0TFjYfcoF6x5nrQs0R_VXfxcgfGrH7hhcbuk83r8AN5KmCFLdWQ34zRzsXKd11z_UCvlDQmCRcQib3LTPc/s320/DSC01748.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVhOg9NiIWP0oJ8nCs0la7tkB253HaXOioTyCaxxxPe47hSCp_pX1CIOxdB5Q-LymWUMqyB8wGnhUlRpU8-eJbyfiA135aKroDCYFykBf8sD0btynwee_lLHIQ5ZV2fW31vdljAh8LDcw/s1600/DSC01751.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVhOg9NiIWP0oJ8nCs0la7tkB253HaXOioTyCaxxxPe47hSCp_pX1CIOxdB5Q-LymWUMqyB8wGnhUlRpU8-eJbyfiA135aKroDCYFykBf8sD0btynwee_lLHIQ5ZV2fW31vdljAh8LDcw/s200/DSC01751.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
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4. Move toward making more original quilts, and defining my own style. <a href="http://www.ruthbmcdowell.com/" target="_blank">Ruth McDowell</a> and <a href="http://www.susancarlson.com/Welcome.html" target="_blank">Susan Carlson</a> have been big influences on the Tree quilts. I appreciate and admire their work, but now I want to move beyond that. I want to make quilts that look like me, and not like somebody else (well not literaly me. I'm not going to make self-portraits). This is a big goal, and I'm not sure exactly how to get there. And it's certainly not something to cross of the list in just one year. But if you don't know where you want to go, you'll never get there, right?<br />
I'm linking up with <a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/frame?post=2139307217&group=0&frame_type=a&blog=4780053&link=aHR0cDovL25pbmFtYXJpZXNheXJlLmJsb2dzcG90LmNvbS8yMDE0LzAxL3RoaW5ncy1pLWxlYXJuZWQtZnJvbS1jYW5keS1jcnVzaC1vZmYuaHRtbA&frame=1&click=0&user=0" target="_blank">Off-the-Wall Fridays</a>. Check it out! <br />
Here's to a happy and productive 2014! Thanks for reading!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15629251191433752379noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9104451278382280307.post-16715653048788760042014-01-01T10:39:00.000-08:002014-01-01T10:39:35.499-08:002 finishes in one dayI celebrated New Year's Eve with a quilting marathon. In addition to Tree #2 which I posted yesterday, I also finished Tree # 3 (it was almost done already, though).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPX5mYpI2C9KlwEnUdS8qIUyONhX0kpw3Nl8_vMMdbVtRzduD-EYhvWYdBw4KYcLJVm6-jHLUywuzd19TkdLuWX5x6IVhpA79wShPcfvhtqKDHcmGNEskXri4Pk5s9Yopc2llNJql0iyk/s1600/DSC01740.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="337" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPX5mYpI2C9KlwEnUdS8qIUyONhX0kpw3Nl8_vMMdbVtRzduD-EYhvWYdBw4KYcLJVm6-jHLUywuzd19TkdLuWX5x6IVhpA79wShPcfvhtqKDHcmGNEskXri4Pk5s9Yopc2llNJql0iyk/s400/DSC01740.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
I used a finishing technique from <a href="http://www.susancarlson.com/Serendipity_Quilts.html" target="_blank">Susan Carlson's book</a>- I glued snippets of fabric to the front, wrapped around the edge, and glued them on the back. I really like how it looks on the front, but I think it's kind of messy on the back. But I didn't want to see a line of binding around the edge, and it was too stiff to turn under for a facing. So this seemed like the best option. In this picture, I've almost finished the edging, and you can see the back of the quilt with room for about 3 more snippets.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYKh6jySWXH3FX48zTgH2Zke4Xb97qBjSrYASdVlbT-IsYKQjK5jbpCpeVelvIXTqsUsqv69PSLi3W4y3omE2oKEcNZyiuzUr5qiKFJdOqUnwR7ZfofVGrgtGNC3i3oZUKIJARLNUCKaA/s1600/DSC01738.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYKh6jySWXH3FX48zTgH2Zke4Xb97qBjSrYASdVlbT-IsYKQjK5jbpCpeVelvIXTqsUsqv69PSLi3W4y3omE2oKEcNZyiuzUr5qiKFJdOqUnwR7ZfofVGrgtGNC3i3oZUKIJARLNUCKaA/s400/DSC01738.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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I ironed the label on at 11:43 pm Dec 31- so I can say I finished it in 2013!<br />
Happy New Year, and thanks for reading!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15629251191433752379noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9104451278382280307.post-74658926842032908722013-12-31T11:21:00.001-08:002013-12-31T11:21:32.504-08:00Tree #2 is finished!Well, I just managed to finish this up at the tail end of 2013. Overall, I'm pleased with the results.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF-n2EtU6vF0iMikKoicmWEPSqOGXza360G54bDEaLcE0bG7ZOHm8TDnY95NSmgTDWc01Lgia9rX6Q3PqV8idSgZUn9wZlGHmrp88lXa09Ku_YvMSiqj9-80SDUxif9ARgAGD1GFMu5qQ/s1600/Tree2+full+view.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="346" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF-n2EtU6vF0iMikKoicmWEPSqOGXza360G54bDEaLcE0bG7ZOHm8TDnY95NSmgTDWc01Lgia9rX6Q3PqV8idSgZUn9wZlGHmrp88lXa09Ku_YvMSiqj9-80SDUxif9ARgAGD1GFMu5qQ/s400/Tree2+full+view.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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I challenged myself to use more solid fabrics, and fewer prints, than I have in previous work. I like how machine quilting in almost-matching thread looks on the solids. Here's a closeup:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhhac7w_M4M7J8UxR8CYqZQgetgaX0d6GTPtnfymz1jc_d3ggjL46qcuwY_UfK6Mx-gmHNYzurch5tROSRuBtgVkiVZeuowwF23HYUq-3NIPkFsFQV-12qFlWJjoAJVA5Dqni0lKlWDDs/s1600/Tree2closeup2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhhac7w_M4M7J8UxR8CYqZQgetgaX0d6GTPtnfymz1jc_d3ggjL46qcuwY_UfK6Mx-gmHNYzurch5tROSRuBtgVkiVZeuowwF23HYUq-3NIPkFsFQV-12qFlWJjoAJVA5Dqni0lKlWDDs/s400/Tree2closeup2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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And another:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyLjvkY2fgOrJJYv1VjoDRGo2zzFJ_i9Xa3xnGq-5Z30Jo-538nwzaENefJOpj0K2PdTj3Je9iDdvLWnwHcpeZ0grHA_WJns-OZFAZPSAIVjFE0qkfjOAx0APM11tylnwwfwP729Ce8bk/s1600/Tree2+closeup.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyLjvkY2fgOrJJYv1VjoDRGo2zzFJ_i9Xa3xnGq-5Z30Jo-538nwzaENefJOpj0K2PdTj3Je9iDdvLWnwHcpeZ0grHA_WJns-OZFAZPSAIVjFE0qkfjOAx0APM11tylnwwfwP729Ce8bk/s400/Tree2+closeup.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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I tried a facing, rather than binding for the first time. I used<a href="http://artwithaneedle.blogspot.com/2011/03/perfect-faced-quilts-tutorial.html" target="_blank"> Kathy Loomis's facing tutorial</a>-it was very clear and detailed, but might not be the best technique for very heavily quilted pieces. I do like the finished result, though, so I will keep experimenting with facing methods.</div>
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How do you like to finish the edges of quilts? Have you found a good method for applying a facing? </div>
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Thanks for reading!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh20qZE0yFaWCXwXTxJzZbF8SVKMBdgCVtz0ZUyRERfJi1ZzWxWZObkX1eKuBOKrjV0yPEuNUbuRVM5oCdlhJRCJ0gzv4KzHJbfDZxuIt4JYUpXq0tF26Hlvkb-wuMGJmD9Yn31TTxwFPg/s1600/Tree2+closeup.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15629251191433752379noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9104451278382280307.post-32833154673352603052013-11-30T11:52:00.000-08:002013-11-30T11:52:38.288-08:005K- I did it!Not related to quilting, I know. But, I accomplished a major goal today- I completed a <a href="http://www.salemcommunitycenter.com/wellness-fitness-activities/adult-youth-activites/scc-post-tnt-5k-run-walk-nov-24.html" target="_blank">5K</a>. <br />
Here I am crossing the finish line-<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRJvzlXmNgEQp5tU3uqQklZlXQ4m6TirFLAOKy9XGDgbZveBNVC3M-0ZRjwtKq7Rj2BzKI5ywqKdtswnNxfX8ny9WWbdmujGg0pvPo1qL_rKK97JE9oRMk5lTjfiQcZbvDqBpJdJJOg-4/s1600/008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRJvzlXmNgEQp5tU3uqQklZlXQ4m6TirFLAOKy9XGDgbZveBNVC3M-0ZRjwtKq7Rj2BzKI5ywqKdtswnNxfX8ny9WWbdmujGg0pvPo1qL_rKK97JE9oRMk5lTjfiQcZbvDqBpJdJJOg-4/s320/008.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
And a few seconds later...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyR0uryG-9HEnMRkAy7hP7Z0kkVyDUpvTyC_PCrfBgcv7zAlstPNS1UIaJdv3yAl9Sto801416rfieE21N9BLisVQbzn5_Ha-gmFflLmVM69OVI4w4KhWr9j1GDyn-8zY_X16UKvUh52M/s1600/009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyR0uryG-9HEnMRkAy7hP7Z0kkVyDUpvTyC_PCrfBgcv7zAlstPNS1UIaJdv3yAl9Sto801416rfieE21N9BLisVQbzn5_Ha-gmFflLmVM69OVI4w4KhWr9j1GDyn-8zY_X16UKvUh52M/s320/009.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
My mom and my sister joined me. My sister has more running experience- she's already done a half-marathon.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNe9G7ZUYLyBdwiJxyluf9jVoDjO4A4b0luBK4iOgQSHQh9J2K6nQf1LOvqRv8SX6rGyz7rW2hYonlQnu3wjNytdyQ0-6-AWmC5ery7YHjVJb9C4ABprVVDQ1Qioy54QEO-e-bN-QBeAk/s1600/005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNe9G7ZUYLyBdwiJxyluf9jVoDjO4A4b0luBK4iOgQSHQh9J2K6nQf1LOvqRv8SX6rGyz7rW2hYonlQnu3wjNytdyQ0-6-AWmC5ery7YHjVJb9C4ABprVVDQ1Qioy54QEO-e-bN-QBeAk/s320/005.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Here' my mom on the home stretch:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig_di_0fg71v7RQkN7g8VT1zvmmu1EpohfFvkoK05NaZKQ6Wa0tAbCvslvTFKjRG3pm-FHGH-A-iryrTiv8zsZv95ibGK0WMuZgWE782-UjmBfJvIf_qesmekHfG3eiwcajtDnZ0dqtg0/s1600/011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig_di_0fg71v7RQkN7g8VT1zvmmu1EpohfFvkoK05NaZKQ6Wa0tAbCvslvTFKjRG3pm-FHGH-A-iryrTiv8zsZv95ibGK0WMuZgWE782-UjmBfJvIf_qesmekHfG3eiwcajtDnZ0dqtg0/s320/011.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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This is extra-special because two years ago today she was one-day post-op from a hip replacement. Go Mom!</div>
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We're planning to make this an annual tradition. Next time I hope to do a little more running and a little less walking :)</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15629251191433752379noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9104451278382280307.post-72986584879005008662013-11-12T07:16:00.000-08:002013-11-12T07:16:12.962-08:00Why finish one quilt when you can start another?Designing and starting new projects is my favorite part of quilting, so I tend to have a backlog of unfinished projects (hmm...I guess that is not unusual among quilters, though!) I'm enjoying Tree #3 so much that I decided to do something very similar for Tree #4. This time I'm experimenting with using some bigger pieces of fabric. I fussy-cut motifs from some large scale prints to get started.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3wDL-lKrWRHrxhKRXs7qNTXOsVqc-1R-ZVkRf9amPbLcz8m3YfwmgroLJGRzTjV0rU1kS4YQXB-prcGotWIKaOVrOhns5FhhFPp90bpHZ8UA-qjJkskHffIYa7fznSS9uwaaP_RYNhLc/s1600/Tree+%234+fussy+cut+pieces.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3wDL-lKrWRHrxhKRXs7qNTXOsVqc-1R-ZVkRf9amPbLcz8m3YfwmgroLJGRzTjV0rU1kS4YQXB-prcGotWIKaOVrOhns5FhhFPp90bpHZ8UA-qjJkskHffIYa7fznSS9uwaaP_RYNhLc/s400/Tree+%234+fussy+cut+pieces.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Here's how it looks after filling in some pieces. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz54jmWYM5IUsO9dMQjLxAyzIiMVC6tBVlxNJpMKum_u0NQH4_9KFiookm81Drjx4v1f0xuKePSM4fNNLYk23veziE106C4krwCjuawImmAVLTniSfGeRp5yGDRUAGxyiDRn59aQS6kuU/s1600/Tree4+full+view+work+in+progress.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz54jmWYM5IUsO9dMQjLxAyzIiMVC6tBVlxNJpMKum_u0NQH4_9KFiookm81Drjx4v1f0xuKePSM4fNNLYk23veziE106C4krwCjuawImmAVLTniSfGeRp5yGDRUAGxyiDRn59aQS6kuU/s320/Tree4+full+view+work+in+progress.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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It's been challenging to use larger pieces, because its harder to blend the colors together smoothly without one piece jumping out and being too obvious. Also, it is harder to judge the value of a motif from a large print, because they usually have a range of values. So I'm filling in the areas around big motifs with little snippets to help them blend together.<br />
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I did find one spot where the shadow I wanted under a branch was about the same shape as a darker area in a leaf motif I'd cut from an Amy Butler (?) print.<br />
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<img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwr4ujwJ8v56HkMh8Q5WxFufBW2y-XrofZxp0H_WeepoABTBIq0jVO4LxyaMvXsMZR7WlF8t1DNxGID_ezl5hXv3xiIavbdLkUd2he9fKMDITrhoSKBwhwwL2NPjIoqM9YiBsCQcUbgug/s320/Tree+4shadow+closeup+1.JPG" width="320" /> </div>
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See the triangle with the D and the half circle marked DD? These are areas I plan dark and very dark values (hence the D's, to help me remember). By placing dark values there I will hopefully make it look like a shadow under the tree branch. Well, this leaf shape continued the shapes in the fabric above it, and even though it is not the exact same shape as the shadow I originally planned, I think it works well.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz0lVleqnQzBn72ptopoPq15iUpNDPP2vG5KYaFeMZh27B5MsN7vhTQqY9C-oTKYfW4W_IdQ7zWUXMp3p65wB9CMj9m2fGIHveUq5AETudATGT0jefTaxw8mslpHcpAFZnapdyf61g2yU/s1600/DSC01614.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz0lVleqnQzBn72ptopoPq15iUpNDPP2vG5KYaFeMZh27B5MsN7vhTQqY9C-oTKYfW4W_IdQ7zWUXMp3p65wB9CMj9m2fGIHveUq5AETudATGT0jefTaxw8mslpHcpAFZnapdyf61g2yU/s320/DSC01614.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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To help the large leaf motif blend with the fabrics around it, I trimmed the black off the edges. Here it is after filling in some more pieces.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDrwx6yTcSqWHlwAJ5QfUjz8tAkncCQkR1_Lg3wpB6uNRmeCCtDYsHpZJgvc-9k_DmEz_F8AgBx4nb9R4EiM5rb0e1jGmxIS_iq8AHyr7LO2MOAjS2V06Utve1gg2dkCuwXx6Abh3q9to/s1600/DSC01619.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDrwx6yTcSqWHlwAJ5QfUjz8tAkncCQkR1_Lg3wpB6uNRmeCCtDYsHpZJgvc-9k_DmEz_F8AgBx4nb9R4EiM5rb0e1jGmxIS_iq8AHyr7LO2MOAjS2V06Utve1gg2dkCuwXx6Abh3q9to/s320/DSC01619.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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So for now, Tree #1 is the only one in the series completed. I'm still quilting Tree #2, need to finish the edge and do a sleeve on Tree #3, and Tree #4 is underway. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdj7BYTdupraeGGGa_0IrK_MpxhoQK8prAGLGD7fbm-M7Wgqtt2kQC_7DtEBfOpOitbUwdMk7lp-vO1qjmUYzk_U8-Foc87XD6_89InCStnivwA8u8uzAqY07QxHt_Rz6HHbVh5BrkhJs/s1600/Tree+%25234+fussy+cut+pieces.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15629251191433752379noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9104451278382280307.post-28330405934595477492013-08-04T12:34:00.002-07:002013-08-04T12:34:59.232-07:00Tree #3 is underwayEarly this spring I took many photos of trees. Big and little, closeup and far away, and lots of different textures of bark. After looking through these photos, I realized that depicting sunlight and shadow on the trees is what interests me the most. Here is one of my favorite pictures with highlights and shadows:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOYtyMVCcvGC5u6LDEA_Bdv8syYTUHLWPD-c3fvMNuizi1CMfdv2qAQ2-8vRHSFK3u5Lsjm_Z0e6GBz3FXwT1NcpdyXABwpH2gW0mHolbFp0JHMbVuGEHLE21b1l2gtUG21p967SCOxzo/s1600/sycamore+against+the+skyedited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOYtyMVCcvGC5u6LDEA_Bdv8syYTUHLWPD-c3fvMNuizi1CMfdv2qAQ2-8vRHSFK3u5Lsjm_Z0e6GBz3FXwT1NcpdyXABwpH2gW0mHolbFp0JHMbVuGEHLE21b1l2gtUG21p967SCOxzo/s400/sycamore+against+the+skyedited.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Here is what I came up with. It's an interpretation of the photo, not an exact replication.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKsRh_I-ntejSW0NxHEpyEQQtXYehbHCD-BlRVMSJgRYGPBasNc3bHskCmo0sxTI7O95Ktx3IJT8wgw1gJPl1mDbAoVAaI6_rCOcFm0JTyAe6OEGWDsBwqAviFaiCm8KEEeL8m27J4id8/s1600/Tree%233+full+viewedited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKsRh_I-ntejSW0NxHEpyEQQtXYehbHCD-BlRVMSJgRYGPBasNc3bHskCmo0sxTI7O95Ktx3IJT8wgw1gJPl1mDbAoVAaI6_rCOcFm0JTyAe6OEGWDsBwqAviFaiCm8KEEeL8m27J4id8/s400/Tree%233+full+viewedited.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
I used <a href="http://www.susancarlson.com/Home/Home.html" target="_blank">Susan Carlson's</a> technique, explained in her book <a href="http://www.susancarlson.com/Serendipity_Quilts.html" target="_blank">Serendipity Quilts</a>. Basically you glue snippets of fabric down, and then quilt over it. I haven't done the quilting yet, but the gluing was really fun! Here's a close-up view:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD_YvBePX3W0sz874-IdkWLqZBCJcTs6uFPDIjZRE8xoPqxi9U0aLroXpNDVSJ-vwp3mG4zeszF5_7v2Iic09DP4G56pClwNUOF-AG5ix4R4qmt88F7WWkkkznQji3CpABrqCYFVzX3ug/s1600/Tree+%2523+3+closeup+2edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD_YvBePX3W0sz874-IdkWLqZBCJcTs6uFPDIjZRE8xoPqxi9U0aLroXpNDVSJ-vwp3mG4zeszF5_7v2Iic09DP4G56pClwNUOF-AG5ix4R4qmt88F7WWkkkznQji3CpABrqCYFVzX3ug/s400/Tree+%2523+3+closeup+2edited.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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This is a really fun technique!</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15629251191433752379noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9104451278382280307.post-351797093738631212013-07-12T11:42:00.002-07:002013-07-12T11:42:26.900-07:00Teatime mug rugAs a little break from bigger projects, I whipped up this mug rug. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh43NRi9NjJ7I3tNPPSdioCN4YkPTtjv2gm9_hVsbzRmlJ7_41CEOY11Sgg02QUQht3EoE7nHShts7YvxQJgQ-UXTFUhlDKa5pk_aSHGSGvvTbues4pmiZW1qWVa3fBKBq1RVjInsgDP-I/s1600/mug+rug+full+viewedited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh43NRi9NjJ7I3tNPPSdioCN4YkPTtjv2gm9_hVsbzRmlJ7_41CEOY11Sgg02QUQht3EoE7nHShts7YvxQJgQ-UXTFUhlDKa5pk_aSHGSGvvTbues4pmiZW1qWVa3fBKBq1RVjInsgDP-I/s320/mug+rug+full+viewedited.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I paper-pieced the teacup from this free <a href="http://piecebynumber.com/Teacup-&-Coffee-Cup%20Blocks-PieceByNumber.pdf" target="_blank">pattern</a> at <a href="http://piecebynumber.com/" target="_blank">Piece by Number</a>. The pattern includes 4 variations; this one is Teacup #2. I had originally made the block back in October when I did a paper-piecing demo at the <a href="http://columbusmodernquiltguild.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Columbus Modern Quilt Guild</a>. I had planned to use 4 blocks and make a table runner or wall quilt, but the idea of a mug on a mug rug just seemed too perfect. Plus, this block was already done!</div>
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The quilting is a fun combination of Pebbling and <a href="http://freemotionquilting.blogspot.com/2010/03/day-141-swirling-water.html" target="_blank">Swirling Water</a>. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizN7HRdr3qSYWRPsd0zXrm4P7dBcNAiSxqSyQ-Av1obIAA6yUV-Sr5PKkor_U1qGTLrPny0wfiWRIqH1Viz2Gv6A5RRSVTqL_yO2HRRicdD2txkbx0DjsOf9YAuu6d-slR_A9KEUhEXDc/s1600/teacup+closeup+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizN7HRdr3qSYWRPsd0zXrm4P7dBcNAiSxqSyQ-Av1obIAA6yUV-Sr5PKkor_U1qGTLrPny0wfiWRIqH1Viz2Gv6A5RRSVTqL_yO2HRRicdD2txkbx0DjsOf9YAuu6d-slR_A9KEUhEXDc/s320/teacup+closeup+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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And I added some steam coming from the cup. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwRCfQihFwvzPq2mFrAflVug1-BkL3oH5kcFyVJDq4pQHRVXhM7SszB0Xb-5QmARs3RtoBuShyiwO5N9UPSiJPHQPtEM_IR5JLg7zetCD0W-5AYbCSOA7zuBJ52t2_C18KhmmIk9Q2oRE/s1600/mug+rug+teacup+closeup.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwRCfQihFwvzPq2mFrAflVug1-BkL3oH5kcFyVJDq4pQHRVXhM7SszB0Xb-5QmARs3RtoBuShyiwO5N9UPSiJPHQPtEM_IR5JLg7zetCD0W-5AYbCSOA7zuBJ52t2_C18KhmmIk9Q2oRE/s320/mug+rug+teacup+closeup.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I'm linking up to <a href="http://freemotionquilting.blogspot.com/2013/07/fmq-friday-dyeing-up-storm.html" target="_blank">Free-Motion Friday</a>. Check it out!</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15629251191433752379noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9104451278382280307.post-80886532377248391022013-07-12T05:41:00.000-07:002013-07-12T05:45:16.675-07:00Learn to Free Motion Quilt<span style="font-family: inherit;">Come join me for a fun start in Free Motion Quilting. I will be teaching Intro to FMQ at </span><a href="http://www.sewtospeakshoppe.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Sew to Speak</span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"> in Columbus, Ohio, on August 7 from 6-9 pm.</span> <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjx-4CevQup6nMAEYUbGRdpBwq4WHi-tyZVlM3wMpXCOqSDn6olH_tBv9EKE930705QMKIApsR6O0_MSwrlOTnK_WXw3-9WFTtRayZa3WrlA-8s31oOXAJa_ALnu5p1Jv5Fc4i0Yoj_64/s1600/stipple+sample+closeup.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjx-4CevQup6nMAEYUbGRdpBwq4WHi-tyZVlM3wMpXCOqSDn6olH_tBv9EKE930705QMKIApsR6O0_MSwrlOTnK_WXw3-9WFTtRayZa3WrlA-8s31oOXAJa_ALnu5p1Jv5Fc4i0Yoj_64/s400/stipple+sample+closeup.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Here's the class description:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In this fun and relaxed introduction to freemotion quilting,
we will de-mystify stippling, a great design to finish any project.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Learn about supplies, including batting,
threads, and needles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Try using some
specialty products that make freemotion quilting easier.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gain confidence in adjusting the tension on
your machine and solve common beginner’s problems.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We will have lots of hands-on practice
time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is a technique class, so you
will make practice stitch samples, rather than a completed project.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Free-motion quilting definitely improves with
practice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let us help you get off on the
right foot and make machine quilting fun. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sewing machine with free-motion foot required
(also called darning foot or hopping foot).</span> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">If you'd like to join us, contact </span><a href="http://www.sewtospeakshoppe.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Sew to Speak</span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"> to sign up.</span> </span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15629251191433752379noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9104451278382280307.post-36456287672556120512013-07-11T07:24:00.001-07:002013-07-11T07:24:41.287-07:00Now I'm on Bloglovin'<a href="<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/9830733/?claim=3uy99cmbfua">Follow">http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/9830733/?claim=3uy99cmbfua">Follow</a> my blog with Bloglovin</a><br />
So, I've been using Bloglovin' for awhile without realizing my own blog wasn't on there! Okay, now it is, so you can follow me if you'd like. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15629251191433752379noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9104451278382280307.post-19987261283836639812013-07-09T19:30:00.001-07:002013-07-09T19:31:32.813-07:00Teaching a FMQ classOn Sunday I taught beginning Free-Motion Quilting to 5 great friends. I met this awesome group of ladies through the <a href="http://columbusmodernquiltguild.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Columbus Modern Quilt Guild</a>. Since I've been wanting to start teaching, I asked them to join me as my "guinea pigs" to test out the class. I know it sounds like a cliche, but I think I learned just as much as the students!<br />
Here's Barb quilting away happily. Check out her blog at <a href="http://blacksquirrelthreads.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Black Squirrel Threads</a>- she is a great writer! (And a great quilter!)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNH905cXhYd3k0CKNiU_V0JBN_KrHvvxOA4j0cE4WW8N3R8BxvnT1FN5QIai97XnIu3Abqh4ItAo8n-Iv9JEfln4tgnCGGS4mk8urcF6Van5MAT5zws6DFKjbAh23AkCRC4KgtJa9-TY8/s1600/Barb+FMQedited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNH905cXhYd3k0CKNiU_V0JBN_KrHvvxOA4j0cE4WW8N3R8BxvnT1FN5QIai97XnIu3Abqh4ItAo8n-Iv9JEfln4tgnCGGS4mk8urcF6Van5MAT5zws6DFKjbAh23AkCRC4KgtJa9-TY8/s400/Barb+FMQedited.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Look at Abbe's work. Nice letter-E shapes, Abbe!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz4vsnYs61N1Bs7m5ZWGJMzbXarG4cJFF_OYvYCBqWyYEr2gHahm6x-FlmNAm_FG12hbbX6aNjdLQAplTkyHrXHBC0at2Xv9qjv7N4MbVR8HlETMPqmbnVJPamsDWFpOR5mN41H-sAO9s/s1600/Abbe's+sampleedited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz4vsnYs61N1Bs7m5ZWGJMzbXarG4cJFF_OYvYCBqWyYEr2gHahm6x-FlmNAm_FG12hbbX6aNjdLQAplTkyHrXHBC0at2Xv9qjv7N4MbVR8HlETMPqmbnVJPamsDWFpOR5mN41H-sAO9s/s400/Abbe's+sampleedited.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHqRhxRQXAoCFMJIGqCPRbWg6uXdFQfFDx0FtQd7bMZevOlLtJdDxPcFQgP1E6eTKDK3wlDRrRJa79DHPbCaRZmuayZfQgyeszloLHigXc6rGhKIu2pLFhm_sX09HvF41miG5Kkx5pBfc/s1600/friends+at+FMQedited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHqRhxRQXAoCFMJIGqCPRbWg6uXdFQfFDx0FtQd7bMZevOlLtJdDxPcFQgP1E6eTKDK3wlDRrRJa79DHPbCaRZmuayZfQgyeszloLHigXc6rGhKIu2pLFhm_sX09HvF41miG5Kkx5pBfc/s320/friends+at+FMQedited.jpg" width="320" /></a>And here's Polly and Kathy. We set out to prove the Free Motion quilting is really all about FUN!<br />
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I didn't think to take enough pictures- we were too busy! So I didn't get a picture of Sheila or her work, but she was very productive! <br />
Thanks to a super group of quilters for a fun afternoon of stitching. For anyone interested in teaching quilting, I highly recommend doing a trial-run of your class with some friends. I got great feedback about what areas need more information and what to cut. I had planned to cover way too much!<br />
And thanks to Kathy for hosting us in her office!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15629251191433752379noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9104451278382280307.post-21362970601437702132013-07-04T09:06:00.000-07:002013-07-04T16:52:21.390-07:00NQA Show<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I had a great time at the <a href="http://www.nqaquiltshow.org/Show" target="_blank">NQA show</a> last Friday. If you have a chance to make it to Columbus for next year's show, I highly recommend it! I met up with my friend Stacey. Here she is with her quilt "My Quilting Scrapbook" hanging in the show.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_PSCpmF8TLk-BQzw9xImVO5VVgf_50vWBs2-K8tuU3Q87MwmJdnjGPm3cfTsJcaoLWbJfh6-oJdljTBmYyBNf9hnUbGHV_On-fInn9dmAuKuGMa6Asfqw74Ljo3CRfoJzTHaRJS1oMfA/s800/stacy+and+her+quiltedited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_PSCpmF8TLk-BQzw9xImVO5VVgf_50vWBs2-K8tuU3Q87MwmJdnjGPm3cfTsJcaoLWbJfh6-oJdljTBmYyBNf9hnUbGHV_On-fInn9dmAuKuGMa6Asfqw74Ljo3CRfoJzTHaRJS1oMfA/s320/stacy+and+her+quiltedited.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Here's a closeup so you can see the great long-arm quilting on it, done by Michele Mayton. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0sMSmTvpjK6duxmfVXthurI9m-27OXKz9Ov7Q4vZWzJurblatizD8aG9VtGR462TEgZHB3l0lUxK_pvfOcJpVkBX05tA6GwQVymkzb8vH5qLYPXbb6TLMWB5wBOyJpthDbueIfIM38RY/s800/stacy's+quilt+closeupedited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0sMSmTvpjK6duxmfVXthurI9m-27OXKz9Ov7Q4vZWzJurblatizD8aG9VtGR462TEgZHB3l0lUxK_pvfOcJpVkBX05tA6GwQVymkzb8vH5qLYPXbb6TLMWB5wBOyJpthDbueIfIM38RY/s320/stacy's+quilt+closeupedited.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Last year after NQA, I said to myself, "I need to learn to machine applique!" This year, I said the same thing. So I'm really going to do it this time! I might need to update those quilting <a href="http://bluetreestudio.blogspot.com/2013/01/goals-for-2013.html" target="_blank">goals</a>!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15629251191433752379noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9104451278382280307.post-81277115249104892722013-07-03T09:34:00.000-07:002013-07-04T16:51:32.855-07:00WIP WednesdayI've been working on the FMQ on Tree #2, the wall quilt I'm making for my mother-in-law.<br />
(You can read about the construction <a href="http://bluetreestudio.blogspot.com/2013/03/i-recently-put-together-final-seams-on.html" target="_blank">here</a> and <a href="http://bluetreestudio.blogspot.com/2013/01/work-in-progress.html" target="_blank">here</a>). So far, so good!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIcom32eQC1ffbYkvVC3qt1Lvzpz0YQ4l83SIPWO8tXN_wtqz8uMTipRY2xczjg3QoAtmryukp09PlPFl6-slfYqblpRiR_MxfO92Qv4j1D9OgK5reM0Xkrc5k4Ya0mCUJRbEzlRXlWd0/s800/Tree%25232+quilting+in+progress+whole+viewedited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="328" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIcom32eQC1ffbYkvVC3qt1Lvzpz0YQ4l83SIPWO8tXN_wtqz8uMTipRY2xczjg3QoAtmryukp09PlPFl6-slfYqblpRiR_MxfO92Qv4j1D9OgK5reM0Xkrc5k4Ya0mCUJRbEzlRXlWd0/s400/Tree%25232+quilting+in+progress+whole+viewedited.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
I'm applying few lessons learned from quilting Tree #1. In that project, it was hard to see the quilting because of the busy fabrics, so I used more solids and hand-dyeds with fewer prints this time around. I'm really liking the look of quilting over solids. Also, I'm trying to match the colors of the threads with the fabrics, to highlight the piecing rather than blurring it together.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5hEyXq9XLw_Fpw82DYGLb0K3SGKZl7zSAUh7ie0rbdjFADZJq0DmC8GK_7iJJXCxultpp9i0QPyyQ89J9CoIwVJwsY-tsqPdWA_qEGQS5-K2zXRp3WSi3O_-xVGCFcW3RJsx6kZJm1PU/s800/feather+closeupedited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5hEyXq9XLw_Fpw82DYGLb0K3SGKZl7zSAUh7ie0rbdjFADZJq0DmC8GK_7iJJXCxultpp9i0QPyyQ89J9CoIwVJwsY-tsqPdWA_qEGQS5-K2zXRp3WSi3O_-xVGCFcW3RJsx6kZJm1PU/s400/feather+closeupedited.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
My friend Janet gave me this cute little box of threads- she had gotten it some time ago when she was sewing with her sons' Boy Scout badges, and wanted threads to match. Not only is the box cute, the blues, greens, and yellows blend beautifully with these fabrics. (The white feathers on the purple fabric have nothing to do with my current project, it just looks better under the threads than my wooden sewing table!)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKGptnO_2YJMkTWmJXnS5LUrPfyXKafK4sPHzpraErQn2xG8e4rW1ooF8j3eikTEOQKLISoJledAbSUefGI32julTz2GKf7bMau7JxjEG3NkzFEEDjn9TTxJWJ5z6HQMzoaGjVxx4gCDU/s800/janet's+thread+boxedited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKGptnO_2YJMkTWmJXnS5LUrPfyXKafK4sPHzpraErQn2xG8e4rW1ooF8j3eikTEOQKLISoJledAbSUefGI32julTz2GKf7bMau7JxjEG3NkzFEEDjn9TTxJWJ5z6HQMzoaGjVxx4gCDU/s320/janet's+thread+boxedited.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Check out <a href="http://www.freshlypieced.com/2013/07/wip-wednesday-guest-hosted-by-stacey.html" target="_blank">WIP Wednesday at Freshly Pieced</a> for more inspiration!</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15629251191433752379noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9104451278382280307.post-11753242734348036362013-06-27T16:27:00.000-07:002013-06-29T05:40:45.148-07:00Tutorial: How to quilt KitesHere's a fun Free-Motion quilting design I first stitched last summer, when I was quilting a baby quilt with a "Kite Star" design. I'll show you how simple it is to quilt!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8KTQXwnxZKaA-UajGu85xnyZ2r_3IBNCRCJqKLlUmC76MqBlIvp8gdCmqbcwuG86uKGRoToMj2ybyaLMbfwG4_0GAlcCUhvcJpsMbQf-rvOlm2RVWzMHJhe77pVyVNDWD66vJFmAE7F4/s1600/kites+full+viewedited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8KTQXwnxZKaA-UajGu85xnyZ2r_3IBNCRCJqKLlUmC76MqBlIvp8gdCmqbcwuG86uKGRoToMj2ybyaLMbfwG4_0GAlcCUhvcJpsMbQf-rvOlm2RVWzMHJhe77pVyVNDWD66vJFmAE7F4/s320/kites+full+viewedited.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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There's 3 simple parts of the design, and you'll put them all together:</div>
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1. Kite</div>
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2. Tail</div>
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3. Loops</div>
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Let's see how you quilt it.</div>
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Kite:</div>
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1. Quilt a diamond. You'll end up back where you started.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg55aqCNrkOUzt0d78-CHoFzxNu6c-1ZtgXSDPZacktYMn412seHn9YD285F_rrVA5DIgGRQfPWW43JDT9PBkRhgT27g2vDXPGpuuth4tYlBsdr1YhV9vpqh9N-HCmGYbejxs4qmou6faU/s1600/kite+step+2edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg55aqCNrkOUzt0d78-CHoFzxNu6c-1ZtgXSDPZacktYMn412seHn9YD285F_rrVA5DIgGRQfPWW43JDT9PBkRhgT27g2vDXPGpuuth4tYlBsdr1YhV9vpqh9N-HCmGYbejxs4qmou6faU/s320/kite+step+2edited.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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2. Make a straight line to the tip of the kite. Sometimes it's tricky to end up at the right spot. It help me to keep my eyes on the point I'm aiming for, rather than watching the needle as I quilt.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfQrLx2TTLGaj96p2JYLjn4AoqHCAMBD5cSwVdQ0Fo31ZD6aMnXZS30o8fXsUf8lyRoO-geJf5BydayznZmFwf5j2QmQwq_kABiOrSckWDGcTxgyq9080Z-uP_KNF3xpAGRetZAkQ43bY/s1600/kite+step3edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfQrLx2TTLGaj96p2JYLjn4AoqHCAMBD5cSwVdQ0Fo31ZD6aMnXZS30o8fXsUf8lyRoO-geJf5BydayznZmFwf5j2QmQwq_kABiOrSckWDGcTxgyq9080Z-uP_KNF3xpAGRetZAkQ43bY/s320/kite+step3edited.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Now you've finished the kite and the first part of the design is done! Next, we'll do the tail.</div>
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3. Make a curvy line away from the kite. Angle back toward the line to form a bow.</div>
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4. Form a triangle, returning to the point where you started the tail. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCgwqgg8TMdP9UxCibVTHLxkhXHaj8uO8TQY4xYMaynZ-IHKgvCQ4on0NLRD1ceFvAPAh8CsW7ybG6jHTlFKsjMzKp29C_2nV69tPZe6aB3TPOTrxNk_6pt3hUfq0Ms3VW0ChpBADELE8/s1600/kite+step+5edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCgwqgg8TMdP9UxCibVTHLxkhXHaj8uO8TQY4xYMaynZ-IHKgvCQ4on0NLRD1ceFvAPAh8CsW7ybG6jHTlFKsjMzKp29C_2nV69tPZe6aB3TPOTrxNk_6pt3hUfq0Ms3VW0ChpBADELE8/s320/kite+step+5edited.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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5. Now make the other side of the tail, with a mirror-image triangle. You'll finish back at the same point.</div>
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6. Add as many tails as you like. I usually make 1-3 tails per kite. </div>
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Then, when you are done with the tails, add some loops. Use the loops to travel as you need through the quilting space, until you are ready for the next kite.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnfFdwWAvUNJz3KK0XH5r3Kgo1L2rR5a0vDhLn7DPsJsB0qZAM3G3jd1uEcG4YjT-Koxfm919KiaU3IyaLAsjHwbpcaC3ZkU4rZICn8v5nxVlcVPEkDE9nYMtWug_nOQTrHtjNLFoSeEo/s800/kite+step+8aedited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnfFdwWAvUNJz3KK0XH5r3Kgo1L2rR5a0vDhLn7DPsJsB0qZAM3G3jd1uEcG4YjT-Koxfm919KiaU3IyaLAsjHwbpcaC3ZkU4rZICn8v5nxVlcVPEkDE9nYMtWug_nOQTrHtjNLFoSeEo/s320/kite+step+8aedited.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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7. Add a few more loops.</div>
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8. Now continue the design with kites and tails.</div>
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9. Here's a fun variation. Sometimes I think it's hard to quilt straight lines, and curves come more naturally. If that's the case for you, why fight it? Your kite can take inspiration from a manta-ray. Quilt each line as a curve, sloping in toward the center of the kite. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvsZoQuuMz62NESmjYwqtlxQJcRpm4Py8C6LjumlzQSg6obm_Jsag32F2-pAZuaUesnaQ7Zeo87-PfAhVSZUHOspb8dvAE658xKmck-ANamLQk4Drx9oJ-bdSOddnYHAPRVl9IE1QevGY/s800/kite+step+12edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvsZoQuuMz62NESmjYwqtlxQJcRpm4Py8C6LjumlzQSg6obm_Jsag32F2-pAZuaUesnaQ7Zeo87-PfAhVSZUHOspb8dvAE658xKmck-ANamLQk4Drx9oJ-bdSOddnYHAPRVl9IE1QevGY/s320/kite+step+12edited.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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10. Whether you form the kite with straight lines, or with curves, remember to finish it by quilting a line through the center, ending at the bottom tip of the kite.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCElCiVn5TFo05OA1wk5mrDZF34urIVFEv1EwOtCVHGP0CeabvVTEW9oNx8QMa17Yf4-OPjm-Ocix3oJEh-YY7chhxdXj6C3SlgEfm1DTTBpgipgtnfjGmqmkwyUgjD5WvagfeZqWdn5Y/s800/kite+step+13edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCElCiVn5TFo05OA1wk5mrDZF34urIVFEv1EwOtCVHGP0CeabvVTEW9oNx8QMa17Yf4-OPjm-Ocix3oJEh-YY7chhxdXj6C3SlgEfm1DTTBpgipgtnfjGmqmkwyUgjD5WvagfeZqWdn5Y/s320/kite+step+13edited.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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11. Finish up with tails and loops.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmdz5zRMRIIa-QIBs6DriQ7GykDNUTVs5uLv2dRcDSCBFrLhna9j76JTgEbvhMIQplElrpEdoYE38CxAAqVOZFq0YL_pijMl8F_zN1APkY1KuUCVa408myCp-gLL3ympzsVNJvxrbmj6A/s800/kite+step+14edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmdz5zRMRIIa-QIBs6DriQ7GykDNUTVs5uLv2dRcDSCBFrLhna9j76JTgEbvhMIQplElrpEdoYE38CxAAqVOZFq0YL_pijMl8F_zN1APkY1KuUCVa408myCp-gLL3ympzsVNJvxrbmj6A/s320/kite+step+14edited.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Have fun with the easy and free-flowing design! I'm linking up to <a href="http://www.freemotionquilting.blogspot.com/2013/06/fmq-friday-balancing-intensity-and.html" target="_blank">FMQ Friday</a>- check it out!</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15629251191433752379noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9104451278382280307.post-18320868620600127982013-06-20T17:15:00.003-07:002013-06-21T07:05:02.520-07:00Tree #1 is finished!I finished up this quilt, which I started about a year and a half ago. Although I've done a few projects in between, I worked on it pretty steadily, so it feels great to be done!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYFhQY9eMFyEN6yv4xU7FF0qrRcjeoaig81i8dYk0a2GDxQ48mkamliZlFwHSHw8AaavemCz9WGtN_9Vc9Ft9KYe5JYbpSVr3PLFCLIlwVP_tGcU_tp2wbBo5SMEh2q1KGpZ1Sb38DyDk/s1600/full+view+with+flash+3edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYFhQY9eMFyEN6yv4xU7FF0qrRcjeoaig81i8dYk0a2GDxQ48mkamliZlFwHSHw8AaavemCz9WGtN_9Vc9Ft9KYe5JYbpSVr3PLFCLIlwVP_tGcU_tp2wbBo5SMEh2q1KGpZ1Sb38DyDk/s320/full+view+with+flash+3edited.jpg" width="287" /></a></div>
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One thing I learned from making this quilt is how significantly quilting can change the look of piecing. I made the background of many different pieces, with complicated curved piecing. Then I quilted over it with different colored threads, but I did not pay attention to the piecing lines as I did the quilting, as you can see in these closeups. This blurred together the piecing. I think this could be a nice effect in the right quilt, when you want to obscure the lines. But in this project, I think it is a little disappointing. Next time I'd like to try to accentuate the piecing, rather than overpower it. I'm really happy with the way the project turned out, and I'm not trying to nit-pick it, just analyze it to see what I can learn for next time. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh86P83uMdb3WJchhjIi_MN3azZyY-4hG5ZH9qF-S19rleYG_ncfZ95w6NPF9m-X-OvVeIk-wnUHW1NwU9etVdHUmnwpG558mV_GYiRlc_rZsXKk7bs-7HxTj2AaHFHkMBKjwo7uqMEZJc/s1600/2+feathersedited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh86P83uMdb3WJchhjIi_MN3azZyY-4hG5ZH9qF-S19rleYG_ncfZ95w6NPF9m-X-OvVeIk-wnUHW1NwU9etVdHUmnwpG558mV_GYiRlc_rZsXKk7bs-7HxTj2AaHFHkMBKjwo7uqMEZJc/s320/2+feathersedited.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDm8bP6P2fGoNiFhtxOHLCABQZn745jy7bKZJ2sVCuefrmIr4sj6AKWKKytL979u40A1jXaFfpHSOdwritgqaoACSG1Y-5omZgtujPuaBs79qOH4lhBGwuNtDKzkZojS-g5JtHP-pglFY/s1600/flowing+leavesedited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDm8bP6P2fGoNiFhtxOHLCABQZn745jy7bKZJ2sVCuefrmIr4sj6AKWKKytL979u40A1jXaFfpHSOdwritgqaoACSG1Y-5omZgtujPuaBs79qOH4lhBGwuNtDKzkZojS-g5JtHP-pglFY/s320/flowing+leavesedited.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Another thing I learned was how to make my feathers more flowing and graceful. They certainly improved over the course of this project! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3QTDC9ghaQdH3XAKmsZdnurLANCtLitUUKUl6KfkaY_FiAaKuY_LmVMVfnDUQzoslKL-D1uBer-E_Sqr8eRUTX9KwSv4P-dykNqNBY7ZVY-ihhNDLQ7u7qzjEQ0coK88m6EK-vc_vse8/s1600/wavy+edges.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3QTDC9ghaQdH3XAKmsZdnurLANCtLitUUKUl6KfkaY_FiAaKuY_LmVMVfnDUQzoslKL-D1uBer-E_Sqr8eRUTX9KwSv4P-dykNqNBY7ZVY-ihhNDLQ7u7qzjEQ0coK88m6EK-vc_vse8/s320/wavy+edges.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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The edges of this quilt are really wavy, as you can see! I did block the finished and quilted top before putting on the binding. I used the method Ann Fahl explains in her <a href="http://www.annfahl.com/book" target="_blank">book</a> "Threadplay", in which you hold an iron just above the surface of the quilt and steam it. I think it helped a lot, but maybe next time I should do it to the top before quilting. And maybe I will try blocking it by getting it completely wet. </div>
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I'm linking up to <a href="http://ninamariesayre.blogspot.com/2013/06/the-lilies-finished-up-off-wall-friday.html" target="_blank">Off the Wall Fridays</a> and <a href="http://www.freemotionquilting.blogspot.com/2013/06/fmq-friday-creating-perfect-spot-to.html" target="_blank">FMQ Friday</a>.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15629251191433752379noreply@blogger.com11