tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46658312736952565702024-03-12T18:49:30.576-05:00Ahhh...QuiltingCynthiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10445554271830722221noreply@blogger.comBlogger106125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4665831273695256570.post-78656458124861610172022-09-23T20:14:00.002-05:002022-09-24T08:35:16.210-05:00Witch's Cupboard Quilt<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGFOH6j1Zbwm4sGnQjigHDeeN4Xg6FySdeD7eg2Ubrx3J-PanZrXv2lRmhCyFdteNm0Pid9xazkQvdpwISrRE2o-u9r4hOd0mnDiL8rw7MXt73vBDce32gprhwXtlehmNWgFaZi5H2H6tkvXDdHPFlkp2nL7mzWzVRtGgOimSllrdU3QglhZfVoBtK/s3701/Witch's%20Cupboard%20on%20Wall1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3701" data-original-width="2724" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGFOH6j1Zbwm4sGnQjigHDeeN4Xg6FySdeD7eg2Ubrx3J-PanZrXv2lRmhCyFdteNm0Pid9xazkQvdpwISrRE2o-u9r4hOd0mnDiL8rw7MXt73vBDce32gprhwXtlehmNWgFaZi5H2H6tkvXDdHPFlkp2nL7mzWzVRtGgOimSllrdU3QglhZfVoBtK/w295-h400/Witch's%20Cupboard%20on%20Wall1.jpg" width="295" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Check out my new Halloween quilt...The Witch's Cupboard Quilt! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp7juffJuHbiwKZQYIvd9yGUXFqRRxKztUZSG0HeUqVXkF2t95rvHyuiRxRfIZoQL2cvkv-g8QIn9qJIcRYqp-H9AAkMc6mDhd0nFboiZy3hEpCeT8s4TiOiw8NR38FJRh4jeaT7YaIFB6MyJ0ZdXVDsGk-VR_326tJ5vz6WyFfXmT_BPRzIavmnd-/s3441/Witch's%20Cupboard%20Cover%20Photo2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3441" data-original-width="2751" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp7juffJuHbiwKZQYIvd9yGUXFqRRxKztUZSG0HeUqVXkF2t95rvHyuiRxRfIZoQL2cvkv-g8QIn9qJIcRYqp-H9AAkMc6mDhd0nFboiZy3hEpCeT8s4TiOiw8NR38FJRh4jeaT7YaIFB6MyJ0ZdXVDsGk-VR_326tJ5vz6WyFfXmT_BPRzIavmnd-/w320-h400/Witch's%20Cupboard%20Cover%20Photo2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Every once in a while, one of my gazillion quilt ideas actually gets made into a quilt. This is one of the lucky ones and I love how it turned out. The process of taking a random idea and turning it into a quilt is something I have done so many times now, I don't really even think about it. But just in case anyone is interested, I will tell you how this one came to be. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I have always loved seeing little potion bottles as Halloween decorations- but I don't actually own any. A few times I have bought some labels from Etsy and turned my Jarritos and Root Beer bottles into fun Halloween party drinks. But a couple years ago I decided a collection of potion bottles would make a cute quilt. So I started sketching...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRlybav7VzxdHvN5KSF5GsJ6NqWa01DbRhMoej8JS4dUAnMlDOnPYk8oVd3S8tGS-kc-jDRKOedYOu-s9Op6uJQGSoGF9ALNbpa5u5nUtwr_lfAayC3IM0YWjO_qOjJ2QJXgk_tua0ryFOMrytu1pYHaPrB9TGK88RzaqnviShne32hhFKg8R5bDlm/s4032/IMG_9109.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRlybav7VzxdHvN5KSF5GsJ6NqWa01DbRhMoej8JS4dUAnMlDOnPYk8oVd3S8tGS-kc-jDRKOedYOu-s9Op6uJQGSoGF9ALNbpa5u5nUtwr_lfAayC3IM0YWjO_qOjJ2QJXgk_tua0ryFOMrytu1pYHaPrB9TGK88RzaqnviShne32hhFKg8R5bDlm/w300-h400/IMG_9109.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I found this photo of the first sketch in the camera roll on my phone. Just a rough sketch. I took a picture so I could load it into Inkscape (graphic design program similar to Adobe Illustrator). Once I had it in Inkscape, I traced some of the bottles, but realized it would take me a while. When I had 4 bottles done I decided to use them to make a little pillow: </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLb-3a8lLCtcYi5L_I_wn3GWv7SktPrtH0nP-7I5RnEpBjbFuxF89rdf7_jOIgbcyUbSS7D8bCGel75HH4q7Zose8beGFEJpsu-S9jTVmQVr-m_rj8atmO5Ecr0cDH7BDEWFTuF1TWYdrNMpyO1Ze6csW6aQQPAzdbjGbm7CzOX2PkZzZIGvuTeAjF/s3024/2A25D56D-2984-4A50-96EC-3AE25CDF2026.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLb-3a8lLCtcYi5L_I_wn3GWv7SktPrtH0nP-7I5RnEpBjbFuxF89rdf7_jOIgbcyUbSS7D8bCGel75HH4q7Zose8beGFEJpsu-S9jTVmQVr-m_rj8atmO5Ecr0cDH7BDEWFTuF1TWYdrNMpyO1Ze6csW6aQQPAzdbjGbm7CzOX2PkZzZIGvuTeAjF/w320-h320/2A25D56D-2984-4A50-96EC-3AE25CDF2026.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I loved the pillow - and so did my girls. (They all fought over who got to keep it on their bed...the oldest won). Since the pillow turned out so well, I wanted to keep going with the quilt. Over the next couple years I kept designing more bottles and labels. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3xNiznnLMqZOM7vD_WEWFAAXzc408nMbJ3Quzt08J83XJmSwzDGAb5jl4TfPyIc9UU4AuWAVwxK5Ydb-6gZdVpTldAda7rqJPATNUKchOOHJTAwOTtVenCZaE_-YhgJOeBsAGTLiZ1HB5zqiRlVQNRzkpW57HyBiWFEOwR2vl07up0UYWntk_7g_f/s4032/Witch's%20Cupboard%20Detail.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1968" data-original-width="4032" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3xNiznnLMqZOM7vD_WEWFAAXzc408nMbJ3Quzt08J83XJmSwzDGAb5jl4TfPyIc9UU4AuWAVwxK5Ydb-6gZdVpTldAda7rqJPATNUKchOOHJTAwOTtVenCZaE_-YhgJOeBsAGTLiZ1HB5zqiRlVQNRzkpW57HyBiWFEOwR2vl07up0UYWntk_7g_f/w400-h195/Witch's%20Cupboard%20Detail.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I had way too much fun coming up with all the labels - I wanted them to be fun, not too spooky and things a cute little witch might actually use... like Wasp Wax for waxing her broom handles (instead of Beeswax- get it?!) and Dragon's Breath perfume. I was feeling pretty clever by the end! ;) </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It took me a long time to actually start making the quilt- mostly because I was originally going to make the bottles in more of a rainbow of colors:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR2jrEmaoJ-E4x27qWLu4-tQv-jHlFVK2HP7IP4bMa3UYcUWhawUKDG9ufqAVM_ZBjXoQvEjf9aPWmv5DMim-0z2x9jD0W44US1ZTFaVFOEriT_mISFVAvS9M79aS6ebuk2Dwkg-he-3uFmTJQaWvrd8bczOhFN4W2tMErZSFWjO6Q-rg67FgJlloo/s2726/IMG_7307.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2726" data-original-width="2200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR2jrEmaoJ-E4x27qWLu4-tQv-jHlFVK2HP7IP4bMa3UYcUWhawUKDG9ufqAVM_ZBjXoQvEjf9aPWmv5DMim-0z2x9jD0W44US1ZTFaVFOEriT_mISFVAvS9M79aS6ebuk2Dwkg-he-3uFmTJQaWvrd8bczOhFN4W2tMErZSFWjO6Q-rg67FgJlloo/w323-h400/IMG_7307.JPG" width="323" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is one of my original mock-ups...this color scheme seemed like a good idea at the time, but when I laid the fabrics out...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-G6j_T23Mihnfy1HziAFYKywO5KGxn_K1vbA7zbtQu5dL8VcUEPCLg1a_y_9d3iaEEGUvt4bGhHSG7Pa0fOKPByQOBIQ9EK13h8nqJIQAdpc9R2F2UpnBiuvOBY5MQvCOWdCEvme88ZjzkQxakFZTqLqxUVzSipwnRebM-9bN1d88sBAqEp7H96jw/s1625/IMG_7696.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1625" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-G6j_T23Mihnfy1HziAFYKywO5KGxn_K1vbA7zbtQu5dL8VcUEPCLg1a_y_9d3iaEEGUvt4bGhHSG7Pa0fOKPByQOBIQ9EK13h8nqJIQAdpc9R2F2UpnBiuvOBY5MQvCOWdCEvme88ZjzkQxakFZTqLqxUVzSipwnRebM-9bN1d88sBAqEp7H96jw/s320/IMG_7696.jpg" width="298" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">...I did not love it. At all. When that happens, I stall out until I can come up with something I like...because I have learned through sad experience that if I don't love it laid out, I won't love it sewn together! So I let it sit on the floor for a few weeks until I came up with a different color scheme.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">During this part, some of the bottles got moved around to more evenly distribute the colors and sizes. I also changed up some of the corks - like adding the flame cork to the Dragon's Breath bottle.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ24fSeTqwLJAGHeH46bnpM93q-6x5YUp9ea2G0xvxqVjXOWrgtRf3J0ezFZ11YxW-I3l6H41k248KUTisC1xfRVP6dZCgZstYyq0eeQsoiwrR4rZxmUEg_KAGYVjICNoqd1ReVMKPhPbmckdHRXYw5d3SdFDmsdJsxLjrWfehDoY-Wieh9NpHJZsI/s2016/IMG_7743.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ24fSeTqwLJAGHeH46bnpM93q-6x5YUp9ea2G0xvxqVjXOWrgtRf3J0ezFZ11YxW-I3l6H41k248KUTisC1xfRVP6dZCgZstYyq0eeQsoiwrR4rZxmUEg_KAGYVjICNoqd1ReVMKPhPbmckdHRXYw5d3SdFDmsdJsxLjrWfehDoY-Wieh9NpHJZsI/w300-h400/IMG_7743.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Getting closer!! I liked this limited, more Halloween-y color scheme so much better. Adding the black and white prints just made this design for me...once I added those I knew I would love it!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNSxf8Z7d1D9tNLre2t3C8_3NX0NBs7PG_I9cbC2CmVUY5t8JxSE2nigJkUXv_7Lz7EyrGMLNg43rlnVG2IYYyW-s-WPFSjxuw488yKGy7fV58_noEANNNx9Rb_Yj3aMk8QOXe12Tb0JyWpqNvzHWf9slG1zZEYLXep2y00vBqE7J9WVJga79rb3gv/s1943/Witch's%20Cupboard%20Detail3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1457" data-original-width="1943" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNSxf8Z7d1D9tNLre2t3C8_3NX0NBs7PG_I9cbC2CmVUY5t8JxSE2nigJkUXv_7Lz7EyrGMLNg43rlnVG2IYYyW-s-WPFSjxuw488yKGy7fV58_noEANNNx9Rb_Yj3aMk8QOXe12Tb0JyWpqNvzHWf9slG1zZEYLXep2y00vBqE7J9WVJga79rb3gv/w400-h300/Witch's%20Cupboard%20Detail3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I finished the quilt top on Halloween and then ran out of steam. So I put it away for a while. Then I pulled it back out mid-April and quilted it. The background (in the black sections) was quilted with a pantograph called <a href="https://annebrightdesigns.com/product/charlottes-web/" target="_blank">Charlotte's Web by Anne Bright Designs</a>. Then I just quilted around all the shapes and labels and did a simple woodgrain design (just made it up) in the wood sections. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCxl47jA-GdrgVydqwF6Bw4qgSnBISqoGSlv9H-wx4VieSCbHxOIZIumFu_FSbXyUXAtUP5MrlmUW6-k0U_6TRHc9_UYH3O7TzZNOwAJbc7M1qUQOtE6ptgvfUppew4zbUMouZ-cOc6XXMu3cNIvRcF2oJX6oZQt3zkVSZSJH7Prx5vl_T5IhMGuYC/s2016/Witch's%20Cupboard%20Detail4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCxl47jA-GdrgVydqwF6Bw4qgSnBISqoGSlv9H-wx4VieSCbHxOIZIumFu_FSbXyUXAtUP5MrlmUW6-k0U_6TRHc9_UYH3O7TzZNOwAJbc7M1qUQOtE6ptgvfUppew4zbUMouZ-cOc6XXMu3cNIvRcF2oJX6oZQt3zkVSZSJH7Prx5vl_T5IhMGuYC/w400-h300/Witch's%20Cupboard%20Detail4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><span style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;">Once the quilt was all done, I got working on the pattern. In my opinion, the most exciting part about the pattern is that the label fabric is included! This makes it so much easier to complete the quilt! To make the labels for the pillow, I used the method I had been using forever: printing the label designs out on paper and tracing them onto fabric with a fabric pen. Effective, but super time consuming. So once I finished the design for the quilt, I decided to print the labels at Spoonflower. Best. Decision. Ever. They were perfect and so much easier!</div></span><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqu1DrtbnOpuObkz6Bfi2GxMLExGrAUEZSf-Xc-Odi6JjfaBv8ifsM08Xqr1Pph-HD4AX9JDc2e-tmM7BPANFV7yzLSnI6zFQ6niotxmaCycr46ULawXbHKfcEjhWKY67hnbV5f8Am2kXHb8d9BUwBMoG_ewXIqcNewhsZ7ztCqjCvTOuq0W_til2X/s3834/Witch's%20Cupboard%20Detail2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3834" data-original-width="2988" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqu1DrtbnOpuObkz6Bfi2GxMLExGrAUEZSf-Xc-Odi6JjfaBv8ifsM08Xqr1Pph-HD4AX9JDc2e-tmM7BPANFV7yzLSnI6zFQ6niotxmaCycr46ULawXbHKfcEjhWKY67hnbV5f8Am2kXHb8d9BUwBMoG_ewXIqcNewhsZ7ztCqjCvTOuq0W_til2X/w311-h400/Witch's%20Cupboard%20Detail2.jpg" width="311" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Thanks for reading! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">If you want to make your own Witch's Cupboard Quilt the paper pattern is available <a href="https://ahhh-quilting.myshopify.com/collections/printed-patterns/products/witchs-cupboard-quilt-pattern-paper" target="_blank">HERE</a>.</div></span><p></p></div>Cynthiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10445554271830722221noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4665831273695256570.post-9610538655538848912022-01-03T14:39:00.001-06:002022-01-03T14:39:09.415-06:00Valentine's Pillows<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgBxOl0ngBZlFBBxA860S1C1x8uJ6qAVxDESNtU5IzKCqvVZgkllr3_T5COSsf6cU2KIZIRYpNbDEsYqyuwejF-MCe9JtmY2xVZlA-zip7YJPLHZUL-3_lElYQTLUUfoW_earjoJ8tx5FsW8puyCiPuJK6zi7cZJImP-Y75EEh1DZ8TwGc157j_O2e7=s2016" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgBxOl0ngBZlFBBxA860S1C1x8uJ6qAVxDESNtU5IzKCqvVZgkllr3_T5COSsf6cU2KIZIRYpNbDEsYqyuwejF-MCe9JtmY2xVZlA-zip7YJPLHZUL-3_lElYQTLUUfoW_earjoJ8tx5FsW8puyCiPuJK6zi7cZJImP-Y75EEh1DZ8TwGc157j_O2e7=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><p>Last year I went on a bit of a Valentine's pillow making bender. Yes. It's true. I think I made like 5 pillows. They were just so fun...I couldn't stop. The ideas just kept flowing and I had to make them all! This morning, I decided I'd put them all in one post for some Valentine's decor inspiration! All of these pillows were made using raw edge applique which made them fast and easy! So without further ado, here they are:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjYYdEfdQHlFpDDR8cVkJtjEVaBjsU7lgogimeg_EJiJTjX0VT3zjmTRkekI6UIV-kQWIu1WYd393ygj_loPFnsDlk-B_DebeNUSHQtyR0kY9weH75h5fcCqqSKRunW5F8u4GT9GhWMyv-y36nFOUgphGQ3Tsl8p4RQ1Z6fctNY6XPnzzhVZ_MlLStC=s1512" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="1512" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjYYdEfdQHlFpDDR8cVkJtjEVaBjsU7lgogimeg_EJiJTjX0VT3zjmTRkekI6UIV-kQWIu1WYd393ygj_loPFnsDlk-B_DebeNUSHQtyR0kY9weH75h5fcCqqSKRunW5F8u4GT9GhWMyv-y36nFOUgphGQ3Tsl8p4RQ1Z6fctNY6XPnzzhVZ_MlLStC=w400-h400" title="Hearts & Swirls Pillow" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The first is the Hearts & Swirls Pillow. This one was patterned after my <a href="https://www.ahhhquilting.com/2016/01/valentines-table-runner-quilt.html" target="_blank">Valentine's Table Runner</a>. I decided to make it into a pillow because I am too chicken to actually use my table runner on the table. I'm afraid my adorable, but totally messy children will spill something on it. So far, the pillow is safe! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgzm0PQgSBA44-QHyLbVpGa_5EfoNQJt4D7JLxOgUFapHV2993i0OJxbNpS5rIdUfepzfiG2e4dFvyiwnPgPVJhKyQFLwuQLOD7n_Wnc6NH_gTCyt8Zp2mor9_jJx9N0tZCMzUDDjIQOT8dTX-ZTHri_41oNFJ8Uu27H27s3z13m1WrhimfOF5daelp=s1512" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="1512" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgzm0PQgSBA44-QHyLbVpGa_5EfoNQJt4D7JLxOgUFapHV2993i0OJxbNpS5rIdUfepzfiG2e4dFvyiwnPgPVJhKyQFLwuQLOD7n_Wnc6NH_gTCyt8Zp2mor9_jJx9N0tZCMzUDDjIQOT8dTX-ZTHri_41oNFJ8Uu27H27s3z13m1WrhimfOF5daelp=w400-h400" title="XOXO pillow" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The next is the XOXO pillow. Yes! Designed after this cute little decor item I made several years back- it was made with wood letters covered in fabric and hot glued to the base- but it kept breaking in the storage box, so every year I end up having to glue it back together. So last year while gluing it back together, I decided it would make a really cute pillow! (The text print in the XOXO is from the line "First Crush" by Sweetwater for Moda Fabrics).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhiUky-9tXKiuqYDe5t0p1jGKMmSueaImDHWZTZ530l1oGDeerORQm3aLu8Bm7S5afJ2Mn9d2wNctdy9u5r3tLq7qL_NR5qSOzcx1mYynsA8B7FGSZKIpYwIpHNKR62kXgJWra10LgU0Oz1L4X0sQxp5F8C4cWHDO9tfqLgsOt9NheKToaY5F3xYUp7=s750" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="733" data-original-width="750" height="391" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhiUky-9tXKiuqYDe5t0p1jGKMmSueaImDHWZTZ530l1oGDeerORQm3aLu8Bm7S5afJ2Mn9d2wNctdy9u5r3tLq7qL_NR5qSOzcx1mYynsA8B7FGSZKIpYwIpHNKR62kXgJWra10LgU0Oz1L4X0sQxp5F8C4cWHDO9tfqLgsOt9NheKToaY5F3xYUp7=w400-h391" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The decor item!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj8So-fkStrQAxVul6gwI10WrkB04nMUQeF1XDR4T7X-WNlRYpbu4LgZhwd1KrjRNgc7URQ-BVGQBoSuB-Od24QPYBUgbuvhH0bsibCKi83n8S003zdGHOrkyKNbzFkJGRT3IS0S868Vi1VZmtgpXhiFW5En-cvjLjbFi3Tk74swTrGoL1a3WqVcorm=s1664" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1664" data-original-width="1512" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj8So-fkStrQAxVul6gwI10WrkB04nMUQeF1XDR4T7X-WNlRYpbu4LgZhwd1KrjRNgc7URQ-BVGQBoSuB-Od24QPYBUgbuvhH0bsibCKi83n8S003zdGHOrkyKNbzFkJGRT3IS0S868Vi1VZmtgpXhiFW5En-cvjLjbFi3Tk74swTrGoL1a3WqVcorm=w364-h400" title="XOXO pillow" width="364" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Then I made another XOXO pillow because my girls were fighting over who got to keep it in their room. So now we have 2. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgX_iaZm9qKpFINpW1eHwkZ1yY3auW2CuDqmZkhqXq6zcAiKi_PtjZK9qKgdVDUfe2_KfnlP9l_aJG4znGbbmr3zd-3AyXK6Z4xIQI9VXPrfwv-WX8udBYrTUtYqpm-JUwWlUvap9TQ9PJ46FRV2I5g7UffspPzHYm0WpvEEqtC9eBFV80sOBem9vZF=s1364" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1364" data-original-width="1287" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgX_iaZm9qKpFINpW1eHwkZ1yY3auW2CuDqmZkhqXq6zcAiKi_PtjZK9qKgdVDUfe2_KfnlP9l_aJG4znGbbmr3zd-3AyXK6Z4xIQI9VXPrfwv-WX8udBYrTUtYqpm-JUwWlUvap9TQ9PJ46FRV2I5g7UffspPzHYm0WpvEEqtC9eBFV80sOBem9vZF=w378-h400" width="378" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is another redo of an older quilt- the first was this <a href="https://www.ahhhquilting.com/2016/01/valentines-mini-circle-quilt.html" target="_blank">Valentine's Mini Circle Quilt </a> - but I made it a bit smaller and in a square rather than a rectangle and turned it into a pillow. So fun. I gifted this one to my cute next-door neighbor for her birthday. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi9k49VUvIkzSb2NjEVSUOV7UJ2eqieSQ6UnOV9magp5rxntRVVikHqG86P4qyUj-NtUur5apvQ733KCW7pqt0TmJkMh0BW3WEhj1jhigoKrbVf3LcUKTeS3iY6YbaBY4H3Aq32curxMf5pY1E2QdIkNAnjEM-zwzPQ81IrKoQiqgfP2B9I9F8I_qHW=s1464" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1464" data-original-width="1464" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi9k49VUvIkzSb2NjEVSUOV7UJ2eqieSQ6UnOV9magp5rxntRVVikHqG86P4qyUj-NtUur5apvQ733KCW7pqt0TmJkMh0BW3WEhj1jhigoKrbVf3LcUKTeS3iY6YbaBY4H3Aq32curxMf5pY1E2QdIkNAnjEM-zwzPQ81IrKoQiqgfP2B9I9F8I_qHW=w400-h400" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I used the leftover charm pack from the front to make a little patchwork backing for the pillow. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(The fabric is "From the Heart" by Sandy Gervais for Riley Blake).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhvrLdefXJOPLax-n3i2wUHDXgSSybzqO8vWceiREUJd4VHCK8QkDuu-82CQN3RaJ7XFDVFPomSYMBI4gQq4bQ3SYynuZJIivjBZLIW2qlL9eito6akdbgbXanOBJRT_euL4QW6RGtZSy1bWtQvdRZTUGU1CNUHrlKPcRqxgZXFuQ7SLguePy0y2Otf=s2016" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhvrLdefXJOPLax-n3i2wUHDXgSSybzqO8vWceiREUJd4VHCK8QkDuu-82CQN3RaJ7XFDVFPomSYMBI4gQq4bQ3SYynuZJIivjBZLIW2qlL9eito6akdbgbXanOBJRT_euL4QW6RGtZSy1bWtQvdRZTUGU1CNUHrlKPcRqxgZXFuQ7SLguePy0y2Otf=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And this last one is just a fun one I had in my head - I love all things black and white with pops of color - this one is probably my favorite of the bunch. I quilted different patterns inside the different hearts- super fun! Hopefully this has inspired you to go make a Valentine's pillow or two! Mwah!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(Patterns for some of these pillows can be found in my <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/ahhhquilting" target="_blank">Etsy Shop</a> or my <a href="https://ahhh-quilting.myshopify.com/collections/all" target="_blank">Ahhh...Quilting Shop!</a>)</div>Cynthiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10445554271830722221noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4665831273695256570.post-38720035712475000712021-11-26T13:12:00.007-06:002022-05-30T21:28:48.826-05:00Santa in the Trees<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9WA3HmYd73A/YaGxOHZYCmI/AAAAAAAAVGc/236_3klfTBUsUw9JT5OAiWcJLmIhb6W7ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1414/SantaInTheTreesSlider1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1059" data-original-width="1414" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9WA3HmYd73A/YaGxOHZYCmI/AAAAAAAAVGc/236_3klfTBUsUw9JT5OAiWcJLmIhb6W7ACLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/SantaInTheTreesSlider1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here's a quilt I made several years ago, but is still one of my favorites!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bdF6ntx9Tzs/YaEosvQZTmI/AAAAAAAAVFU/jsH9-l7s6-koTfdT31ofCsaN_bzQEVN2gCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Santa_trees_quilt1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1654" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bdF6ntx9Tzs/YaEosvQZTmI/AAAAAAAAVFU/jsH9-l7s6-koTfdT31ofCsaN_bzQEVN2gCLcBGAsYHQ/w323-h400/Santa_trees_quilt1.jpg" width="323" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">Somehow this quilt never made it to the blog. Probably because I stopped blogging as much when I discovered Instagram (dang Instagram!). This makes me sad. Because, although I post a pretty picture and a little blurb on Insta, I don't give half as many details about the inspiration, design and construction process, or talk much about what was going on at the time I made the quilt. And I forget over time. I occasionally go back and read old blog posts and it's like a fun little walk down memory lane. So this is me, 5 years late, blogging about one of my favorite quilts, so I can read about it later. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-773IBFKoYbw/YaD5cFQ6bDI/AAAAAAAAVDU/G5Q4E7kYX1EmjMlmgRmKLhzzLFhtUS1MACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Santatrees.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-773IBFKoYbw/YaD5cFQ6bDI/AAAAAAAAVDU/G5Q4E7kYX1EmjMlmgRmKLhzzLFhtUS1MACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Santatrees.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The inspiration for this quilt came back in 2016. Over Thanksgiving weekend, I was wandering through Hobby Lobby (my mothership). On one of their beautifully arranged display shelves, I saw a tall pointy cone that was painted like a Santa. And I thought, "Oooh... cute! A cone shaped Santa!" I couldn't think of a good reason to buy it at the time, so I just stashed the image in my brain and kept browsing. A week or so earlier, I had been trying to decide what Christmas quilt I wanted to make (just like I do every year!) I had seen a few tree quilts online and I kept thinking about making one. And then my brain translated that cone shaped Santa into quilting format and it became a triangle shaped Santa. So over the next few days, those two ideas morphed into one and I started plotting a tree quilt with a triangle shaped Santa. The photo below is from my camera roll from a few days after my Hobby Lobby trip in 2016 - I didn't get a pic of the Santa at the store, so I googled and found these similar Santas.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0nmR-TFsvVI/YaD801n12SI/AAAAAAAAVD8/PVEfkQQEYnQIQJlb5S-rMmifouOPfWnrwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1334/IMG_1422.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1334" data-original-width="750" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0nmR-TFsvVI/YaD801n12SI/AAAAAAAAVD8/PVEfkQQEYnQIQJlb5S-rMmifouOPfWnrwCLcBGAsYHQ/w225-h400/IMG_1422.PNG" width="225" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">So, one thing led to another and by the end of 2016 I had a bunch of pieced trees and a Santa up on my design wall. I used EQ7 to design the trees and Inkscape for the Santa. I tried to use green fabrics I had in my stash, but ended up buying a few of course. I also decided that a mix of white on white prints would be fun for the white fabrics, so that's what I used for the white backgrounds.</div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t2muZjhv_iM/YaEJ3pz1SqI/AAAAAAAAVEM/h-IQTSVyFII9KtlgnM0K4BdcodMxLeSKgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_2361.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t2muZjhv_iM/YaEJ3pz1SqI/AAAAAAAAVEM/h-IQTSVyFII9KtlgnM0K4BdcodMxLeSKgCLcBGAsYHQ/w300-h400/IMG_2361.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p style="text-align: center;">The Santa was made using applique and I had to make that block a couple of times. The first time, it ended up not being tall enough to match the trees - and if I made it taller, the point on the hat would get cut off in the seam allowance. I finally figured out that I had to sew a blank block in with all the trees first and then applique it over the top. I used warm and white batting for the beard, hat and coat trim- although next time I will probably try using white fleece or flannel. (I'm not sure how well batting will hold up when it is on the outside of the quilt!) I also used a shimmery gold fabric for the belt buckle. Ohhh applique is my favorite!! </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RsOtgG-G7UI/YaEpcTOEHJI/AAAAAAAAVFg/t0iGsc558u0XdWQOQlqKSdVnjK7du1XcACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Santatrees1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1401" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RsOtgG-G7UI/YaEpcTOEHJI/AAAAAAAAVFg/t0iGsc558u0XdWQOQlqKSdVnjK7du1XcACLcBGAsYHQ/w274-h400/Santatrees1.jpg" width="274" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">I put all the blocks up on my design wall and tried to finish it by Christmas that year, but alas, I didn't get it done. I decided to just leave it up on the wall in our living room for my husbands work Christmas party (it made the cutest Christmas decoration) and then it stayed on that wall through March before I finally sewed it all together. On the bright side, I had plenty of time to rearrange the tree blocks until I liked the position of the fabrics!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uwGgo3HO82g/YaEjOqLTDPI/AAAAAAAAVEw/uYqFWQEWAFUymIbARpYz8YwFfdyp8GSxACLcBGAsYHQ/s2016/IMG_1817.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uwGgo3HO82g/YaEjOqLTDPI/AAAAAAAAVEw/uYqFWQEWAFUymIbARpYz8YwFfdyp8GSxACLcBGAsYHQ/w300-h400/IMG_1817.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">I quilted it with the pantograph "Snow Crystals" by Anne Bright Designs. I love all the little swirls and snowflakes - so perfect for this quilt! </span></div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ttqt2qzsdrU/YaEnRaud7HI/AAAAAAAAVFM/Z5AQTOttbj0RfJ3aOwrhvUYa4aBgV-o2wCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_2376.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1341" data-original-width="2048" height="263" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ttqt2qzsdrU/YaEnRaud7HI/AAAAAAAAVFM/Z5AQTOttbj0RfJ3aOwrhvUYa4aBgV-o2wCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h263/IMG_2376.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;">For the binding, I chose classic red and white stripes! Can't go wrong with stripes!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DND0HMGSYE8/YaEqPHAzWxI/AAAAAAAAVFs/g8FF39WrbOUmTGrDmA48z2-5iu5T6_eQwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2016/IMG_8043.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DND0HMGSYE8/YaEqPHAzWxI/AAAAAAAAVFs/g8FF39WrbOUmTGrDmA48z2-5iu5T6_eQwCLcBGAsYHQ/w300-h400/IMG_8043.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">Since then I have made a couple of table runners in the same style and one of these days I am going to make a pillow. Maybe today! It is such a fun one to make!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-apBcqT2DP8U/YaD5Rzrmc0I/AAAAAAAAVDM/oGzG3g5DiZsFQnS6W9tRB-c0q31Vx-mEwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1950/Santa%2BRunner%2BMktg%2Bpic.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1950" data-original-width="1500" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-apBcqT2DP8U/YaD5Rzrmc0I/AAAAAAAAVDM/oGzG3g5DiZsFQnS6W9tRB-c0q31Vx-mEwCLcBGAsYHQ/w308-h400/Santa%2BRunner%2BMktg%2Bpic.jpg" width="308" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Merry Christmas!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The pattern for the quilt is available <a href="https://ahhh-quilting.myshopify.com/products/santa-in-the-trees-quilt-pattern-paper">HERE</a>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Table Runner Pattern <a href="https://ahhh-quilting.myshopify.com/products/santa-in-the-trees-table-runner-pattern-pdf">HERE</a>.</div></div>Cynthiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10445554271830722221noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4665831273695256570.post-37135780591179094842021-03-06T11:25:00.000-06:002021-03-06T11:25:05.048-06:00Minimal Medallion Quilt<p style="text-align: center;"> I released a new quilt pattern this week! Hooray! It's called the Minimal Medallion Quilt. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This was a quilt I originally made and donated to my friend Teresa's charity Fish Fry. She puts it on every year to honor her late husband and raise money for a local high school. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vlKqStMNg3Y/YEOhsFNiPaI/AAAAAAAAUvc/bcmz8JAzxSM3FAwS1GSc2X_c3aygjLL5wCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Minimal%2BMedallion_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1638" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vlKqStMNg3Y/YEOhsFNiPaI/AAAAAAAAUvc/bcmz8JAzxSM3FAwS1GSc2X_c3aygjLL5wCLcBGAsYHQ/w320-h400/Minimal%2BMedallion_1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">When I designed this quilt last year, I was thinking that I had never made a medallion style quilt before. So I looked at lots of different medallion quilts to get ideas. You know, the kind with one large center block and then lots of different borders surrounding it? As I looked a the quilts, I realized that the reason I had never made a medallion quilt is that I don't really love the randomness of the borders- or the look of lots of borders in general. Not cohesive enough for me, haha. I decided to just use the concept- starting in the center of the quilt, and building the design out to the edges. So that's what I did. It ended up being one big main block with one big pieced border around it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Another consideration when designing it was that I had a coordinating charm pack and jelly roll that I wanted to use, so I made all the colored pieces from 2 1/2" wide strips or 5" squares. In the end I changed the color scheme and just used solid yardage from my stash, but I think it made it easier to come up with the design with those size parameters in mind. The way the pattern is written, it actually works best to use fat quarters and fat eighths or yardage, rather than the smaller precuts.</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Agx-EJPXcxc/YEOhregGzpI/AAAAAAAAUvQ/p1uJp-83HI4wPOpfBQ-MhbdoKEFc_fM1gCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Minimal%2BMedallion_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2028" data-original-width="2048" height="396" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Agx-EJPXcxc/YEOhregGzpI/AAAAAAAAUvQ/p1uJp-83HI4wPOpfBQ-MhbdoKEFc_fM1gCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h396/Minimal%2BMedallion_1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I backed the quilt with a medium gray solid, quilted it using the pantograph "Raindrops on Water" by Three Sisters Fabric, and bound it in a matching charcoal solid. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hPQTgJ3Snd4/YEOhsLeZzbI/AAAAAAAAUvY/byxESffbGUcrPyQvX5ojqJd-11z3kfWdACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Minimal%2BMedalion%2BQuilt%2Bcloseup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1495" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hPQTgJ3Snd4/YEOhsLeZzbI/AAAAAAAAUvY/byxESffbGUcrPyQvX5ojqJd-11z3kfWdACLcBGAsYHQ/w293-h400/Minimal%2BMedalion%2BQuilt%2Bcloseup.jpg" width="293" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It only took me one month to come up with the initial design, figure out all the piecing, and make the quilt. Somehow, it took almost a year to write the pattern. It was more complex than any pattern I have written before so it has a LOT of illustrations. But I think it was worth it in the end! I had some fabulous pattern testers and I've included a couple of their quilts below so you can see the many possibilities of fabric choices for this pattern!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uMoIvkm34Iw/YEOtEO7hdZI/AAAAAAAAUvw/2Wzu3aEouVUGUxDoqbcd_tEpmpdDgOPiwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1625/Becky%2527s%2BQuilt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1625" data-original-width="1477" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uMoIvkm34Iw/YEOtEO7hdZI/AAAAAAAAUvw/2Wzu3aEouVUGUxDoqbcd_tEpmpdDgOPiwCLcBGAsYHQ/w364-h400/Becky%2527s%2BQuilt.jpg" width="364" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is Becky's quilt (<a href="https://www.instagram.com/Beckys_handmades/" target="_blank">beckys_handmades on Instagram</a>).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">She used darling coordinating prints.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jXOfbljkNfo/YEOuFTTaCcI/AAAAAAAAUwI/dXtWaVZEIwQSx_UjPD4VjZ4-VaT9PCNPgCLcBGAsYHQ/s750/Chris%2527s%2BQuilt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="750" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jXOfbljkNfo/YEOuFTTaCcI/AAAAAAAAUwI/dXtWaVZEIwQSx_UjPD4VjZ4-VaT9PCNPgCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h400/Chris%2527s%2BQuilt.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This quilt was made by Chris (<a href="https://www.instagram.com/thecolorfulom/" target="_blank">thecolorfulom on Instagram</a>).</div><div style="text-align: center;">Absolutely fabulous use of color on this quilt. The purple background fabric is so great! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XFfZGa6T5Y0/YEOtIb6Rk5I/AAAAAAAAUv4/4VO8PZQrQB4CI_FMjbsFXkvx3bo08vaqgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2016/IMG_4761.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XFfZGa6T5Y0/YEOtIb6Rk5I/AAAAAAAAUv4/4VO8PZQrQB4CI_FMjbsFXkvx3bo08vaqgCLcBGAsYHQ/w300-h400/IMG_4761.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is Lynn's quilt (<a href="https://www.instagram.com/lynncycle/" target="_blank">lynncycle on Instagram</a>).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This darker background really makes the colored fabrics pop! Fabulous color scheme on this one too!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-21w8TXQ9fG4/YEOhrwE7BqI/AAAAAAAAUvU/1-ZT9ATvIpMJmS-YJewlotsQ-REcD9CngCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Minimal%2BMedallion%2BStyle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1954" data-original-width="2048" height="381" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-21w8TXQ9fG4/YEOhrwE7BqI/AAAAAAAAUvU/1-ZT9ATvIpMJmS-YJewlotsQ-REcD9CngCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h381/Minimal%2BMedallion%2BStyle.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here are a few other details about the pattern:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">•Finished size: 63" x 63"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">•Skill Level is Intermediate</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">•Includes full color illustrations and a coloring sheet</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">•It's Fat Quarter friendly</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">•It's available as a <a href="https://ahhh-quilting.myshopify.com/products/minimal-medallion-quilt-pattern-pdf" target="_blank">PDF</a> or a <a href="https://ahhh-quilting.myshopify.com/products/minimal-medallion-quilt-pattern-paper" target="_blank">Paper pattern</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">•It's a FUN quilt to make (according to my pattern testers)! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Want to make your own? It's available now in my shop!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Thanks for reading!❤</div><p><br /></p>Cynthiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10445554271830722221noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4665831273695256570.post-24502127617386241552019-09-13T21:14:00.002-05:002019-09-13T21:23:03.544-05:00The Curvy Ruler Quilt<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This post originally appeared on the Fat Quarterly Blog back in 2012. Sadly, Fat Quarterly is no longer in existence. I'm putting the post here so I don't lose the measurements for how to make this quilt! There is not a pattern for it yet, but I'm hoping one day there will be! </div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TWHyUqRJXsk/T42_fpRs1_I/AAAAAAAADfI/cVdfrp_p2swXxYFEAPUYeKtIDf83fcXqQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/Curvyrulerquilt1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1063" data-original-width="1600" height="424" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TWHyUqRJXsk/T42_fpRs1_I/AAAAAAAADfI/cVdfrp_p2swXxYFEAPUYeKtIDf83fcXqQCPcBGAYYCw/s640/Curvyrulerquilt1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Hi! I'm Cynthia from <a href="https://www.ahhhquilting.com/">Ahhh...Quilting</a> and here's my quilt for the "Quick Curve Ruler" challenge!</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v0IwSTcJkls/T42_tWkW6qI/AAAAAAAADfY/NmK0dlKgz2A7t23ckKCxnz8xFcJQdnOmACPcBGAYYCw/s1600/Curvyrulerquilt3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1063" data-original-width="1600" height="424" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v0IwSTcJkls/T42_tWkW6qI/AAAAAAAADfY/NmK0dlKgz2A7t23ckKCxnz8xFcJQdnOmACPcBGAYYCw/s640/Curvyrulerquilt3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I've been stalking <a href="http://sewkindofwonderful.blogspot.com/">Jenny's blog</a> for about a year, so I was a happy camper when she finally released her ruler! I had planned on trying a few different quilts with it...her <a href="https://sewkindofwonderful.com/collections/patterns/products/urban-abacus-paper-pattern?variant=805069495">Urban Abacus</a> quilt is totally cute--that was going to be the first one I made...I guess now it will have to be number 3 or 4! :) Jenny has designed so many darling curvy patterns, it took me a couple days to think up a quilt that didn't look suspiciously like one of hers--but finally inspiration struck and I plotted a little something of my own...here is what I came up with:</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_w7mo78Lj-c/T2zi9WVei7I/AAAAAAAADXY/yjpGvKytnVg/s1600/Curvyrulerquilt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_w7mo78Lj-c/T2zi9WVei7I/AAAAAAAADXY/yjpGvKytnVg/s640/Curvyrulerquilt.jpg" width="518" /></a></div>
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A couple years ago I saw a picture of a wavy quilt online. I thought it was very cool. I was wishing I new how to make it...but not enough to spend the time to do it. The one quilt I had ever pieced with curves required lots of time...but even more aggravating--it required lots of pinning--and that's not really my thing. So I steered clear of anything with pieced curves or I just faked it with applique (I know, I know...what a sissy!). Anyway, once I saw Jenny's quilts I decided to suck it up and piece something with curves. So for the challenge I decided to try a wavy quilt like the picture I saw online-- then I threw in some boxes to mix it up! I made the design in EQ6 so I could see how it would look. Then, once I had the ruler in my hands, I made a few test blocks to make sure it would work out. </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wQGkkd_R53c/T2zjizc8dyI/AAAAAAAADYI/a50LNmGxH70/s1600/outsidecurves.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="456" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wQGkkd_R53c/T2zjizc8dyI/AAAAAAAADYI/a50LNmGxH70/s640/outsidecurves.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The curve I needed for the block didn't require using the entire length of the curve cut-out on the ruler, so to conserve fabric, I just used part of the curve. I made 2 different paper templates that I taped to the back of the ruler to use as guides so I wouldn't have to re-figure out where to line it up with each cut. It worked like a charm! </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JepaKmctPpk/T2zjd40KJEI/AAAAAAAADYA/4S3MJVhsAbA/s1600/middlecurve.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="456" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JepaKmctPpk/T2zjd40KJEI/AAAAAAAADYA/4S3MJVhsAbA/s640/middlecurve.jpg" width="640" /></a> </div>
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Once I had it all figured out, I was able to cut out all the curves for this quilt in about 45 minutes...and I'm pretty sure the reason it even took that long was because I was dorking around taking pictures! ;) I love how fast this ruler makes cutting out curves!</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ke2k_JGbZ0E/T2zjZaVU6VI/AAAAAAAADX4/p1KllLyGHeU/s1600/cutcurves.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ke2k_JGbZ0E/T2zjZaVU6VI/AAAAAAAADX4/p1KllLyGHeU/s640/cutcurves.jpg" width="640" /></a> </div>
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To sew these...I'm not gonna lie...I might have cheated a little bit. I did try Jenny's method for sewing the curves together and it worked just exactly like she shows in her video...except that when <i>I</i> was sewing it was slower than cold tar. I'm sure I would have gotten faster...but before I could improve my speed, my sister sent me a special foot she bought specifically for sewing curves...and I maybe might have used it because it made it super easy for me and much faster.Win, win. Either way, there was no pinning involved-- Hallelujah!<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1mc-cZofF9w/T2zjPnc-_HI/AAAAAAAADXo/ZLTB1N1eDhA/s1600/Curvyrulerquilt2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1mc-cZofF9w/T2zjPnc-_HI/AAAAAAAADXo/ZLTB1N1eDhA/s640/Curvyrulerquilt2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I liked making this curvy quilt so much, I made a second one and have plans for at least 2 others...just look what you've done, Jenny! (Thanks!) </div>
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My original post about the quilt with more details and pictures can be found <a href="https://www.ahhhquilting.com/2012/04/curvy-ruler-quilt_17.html">HERE</a>.</div>
Cynthiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10445554271830722221noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4665831273695256570.post-16185104259852010242018-09-22T20:40:00.001-05:002018-09-22T23:23:47.662-05:00Vegas Sunrise Quilt<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IO6pvKl1rjQ/W6bKBhI6zAI/AAAAAAAAIBM/PJruq4BLBL8IrC1_6OPbbGONyPh8iwhvwCLcBGAs/s1600/Vegas_Quilt_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IO6pvKl1rjQ/W6bKBhI6zAI/AAAAAAAAIBM/PJruq4BLBL8IrC1_6OPbbGONyPh8iwhvwCLcBGAs/s400/Vegas_Quilt_2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">Hello! Thanks for visiting! It has been a while! Blogger's quilt festival was the catalyst for starting my blog 8 years ago, so it seems only fitting that it would be the push I needed to get me to post another quilt after so long not blogging about my quilts. Say hello to my most recent quilt finish...The Vegas Sunrise Quilt. This little gem finishes at 40" x 47" and is a mixture of piecing and applique.</span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c683MbJt59M/W6V8GO5IoTI/AAAAAAAAIAY/4z-csQmKhoIoowGRn_8ECNTrAfqm65jsgCLcBGAs/s1600/Vegas_Quilt_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1358" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c683MbJt59M/W6V8GO5IoTI/AAAAAAAAIAY/4z-csQmKhoIoowGRn_8ECNTrAfqm65jsgCLcBGAs/s640/Vegas_Quilt_.jpg" width="540" /></a></div>
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This quilt started last year, a week after the Mandalay Bay shooting. A good friend of mine from when I lived in Vegas called and asked if I'd be interested in making a memorial quilt for Sunrise hospital (where many of the victims were taken). She had been working with some volunteers at the hospital in the aftermath of the tragedy and one of them asked her if she knew anyone who made quilts. Did she know someone who made quilts?! (Yes, she did! Me!)</div>
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I told my friend I would totally do it and by the time we got off the phone I was envisioning myself having an amazing quilt finished in a week or two. But reality set in as I started trying to come up with the design- I wasn't thrilled with the first couple ideas I sketched out...this was the first memorial quilt I had ever made, so the process was a little different than usual-and I wanted it to be amazing! My friend (let's call her Maren, since that's her name) told me that they wanted the quilt to have some kind of representation of the victims, the love and support of the community and first responders; and the words #VegasStrong. I had been thinking about some kind of Vegas skyline and Maren suggested using sun rays because it was for Sunrise hospital...so in the end all of these things morphed together in to the design. Here is the Inkscape mockup I finally sent her after almost 2 months:</div>
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After the design was OK'd I started collecting fabric. I planned on using solids for the background and found a few ombre fabrics that I thought would make the grading of the background easier. I also started collecting red tone on tone prints. I had decided to make all of the hearts- 58 of them- from different fabrics- to represent the individuality of each person who had died. My quilt guild was nice enough to donate some of the reds. </div>
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Then, Christmas came, and we were building a house and moving and the quilt hit the back burner. Maren texted me a couple times to see how the quilt was going, and each time I assured her that I had not forgotten. Fast-forward to the middle of August. I realized that the anniversary of the shooting was approaching, and I hadn't even started constructing the quilt. Then we planned a trip to Las Vegas for the middle of September to visit my in-laws. I decided to make that trip my deadline for finishing the quilt and delivering it. Deadlines make the world go 'round...at least my world. So mid-August, I pulled out all the fabric i had collected, bought a few more fabrics and started working. </div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qUIMJOlmcHM/W6bbwbBJ8qI/AAAAAAAAIBc/1yyPouC5jKEdgdrZOiPwPf1V0j-8IQhkQCLcBGAs/s1600/Vegas_Quilt_Process.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qUIMJOlmcHM/W6bbwbBJ8qI/AAAAAAAAIBc/1yyPouC5jKEdgdrZOiPwPf1V0j-8IQhkQCLcBGAs/s640/Vegas_Quilt_Process.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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I was not really planning on making the background striped. I had just made it that way in the mock-up to give the idea of grading that would make up the sunrise. In the end, I couldn't think of a way to construct the background that did not involve improv piecing (my nemesis) or take me forever, so I just went with the stripes. And I originally wanted to add some pinks and purples to the background, but couldn't figure out a way to do that and make it look good, so out they went.</div>
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The sun shape, I took from the Sunrise Hospital logo and the Vegas skyline was an <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/455163392/las-vegas-skyline-silhouette-pdf-png-svg?ref=shop_home_active_74" target="_blank">svg cutfile that I bought on Etsy</a> for like 5 bucks! (Best 5 dollars I have ever spent!!) The beauty part about this is that I cut the most complicated part of the quilt out on my Silhouette Cameo in like 10 minutes. I had to do it in 3 parts because the whole thing was too big to fit the cutting mat, but it worked out well. I appliqued the skyline to background and stitched it all down with a really short straight stitch. Then I printed out the hearts and traced them onto the background with a water-soluble marking pen. </div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ujARRWhhIuY/W6V8GpEdzAI/AAAAAAAAIAg/z1NFMgm5yCwf_QY-BoO1rPPQKjTqLrT9ACLcBGAs/s1600/Vegas_Quilt_Detail2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ujARRWhhIuY/W6V8GpEdzAI/AAAAAAAAIAg/z1NFMgm5yCwf_QY-BoO1rPPQKjTqLrT9ACLcBGAs/s640/Vegas_Quilt_Detail2.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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Then it was time to quilt the background. My cute quilting friend Pati came over and kept me company while I loaded the quilt and she helped me choose threads that matched for each section. At that point I was still trying to figure out how to quilt it (story of my life). I really wanted the quilting to be awesome, and at one point I remembered seeing Karlee Porter's graffiti quilting. I thought it would be perfect for the background, but I'm not a super enthusiastic (or talented) free-motion quilter. I thought about buying one of Karlee's big all-over graffiti motifs, but the one I really liked went from corner to corner down the quilt and I needed straight rows. I briefly entertained the idea of designing my own digital graffiti design (oh hahaha) but then found <a href="https://www.karleeporter.com/?s=bliss+block&post_type=product" target="_blank">Karlee's Bliss blocks</a> and decided they would be perfect! So I bought my 10 favorite blocks and started quilting!</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4OfPTXpC4G8/W6bceXaVYQI/AAAAAAAAIBs/y-HkAXHLyeg2Sy2aWfRMEMU-qFaib3PXwCLcBGAs/s1600/Vegas_Quilt_Blue_Quilting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4OfPTXpC4G8/W6bceXaVYQI/AAAAAAAAIBs/y-HkAXHLyeg2Sy2aWfRMEMU-qFaib3PXwCLcBGAs/s640/Vegas_Quilt_Blue_Quilting.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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I absolutely LOVE this quilting!! It is so perfect for this quilt and it was really fun to watch each block stitch out! I did 5 blocks per row and moved them around and flipped some of them in the different rows so it looked more random.</div>
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When I first started quilting this, I thought would just put the graffiti blocks through the whole thing and just change thread colors. But by the time I got to the skyline, I had started imagining stitching detail into them that would make them look like buildings.</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Um8_uejs_uk/W6cHR0ksAAI/AAAAAAAAICY/AQdQJ9On4oMx2G2QV1pRZ3tHwtx376FMQCLcBGAs/s1600/Vegas_Quilting_Screen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1319" height="436" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Um8_uejs_uk/W6cHR0ksAAI/AAAAAAAAICY/AQdQJ9On4oMx2G2QV1pRZ3tHwtx376FMQCLcBGAs/s640/Vegas_Quilting_Screen.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Since my quilting machine is computerized, I can make pretty much any design and fit it in any space. So I designed most of the quilting inside the buildings in Inkscape, right over the top of my quilt design and then digitized the designs and quilted them out (See white lines in photo above). I looked at lots of pictures of the different hotels on the strip for inspiration and by the end I was quilting robes onto the Statue of Liberty! Below the buildings, I quilted different filler designs, like chevrons, swirls and ribbon candy. I had way too much fun with that section! For the very bottom of the quilt I went with a crosshatch design. I thought it made it look a little bit like a chain link fence when it was done. </div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K1Ethdq-iwA/W6V8FsuCEMI/AAAAAAAAIAQ/pee1RlNnUmAEwNjICNHgxI5LysKWCNz_ACLcBGAs/s1600/VegasLabel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K1Ethdq-iwA/W6V8FsuCEMI/AAAAAAAAIAQ/pee1RlNnUmAEwNjICNHgxI5LysKWCNz_ACLcBGAs/s640/VegasLabel.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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After the background was quilted, I added all the hearts. I put one layer of batting behind each so the quilting wouldn't show through and so they would puff out a bit. I used fusible web to stick them down and then stitched them down with a blanket stitch. Then I bound it and added a last minute label and headed to Las Vegas to deliver it.</div>
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We found a spot to photograph the quilt on Freemont street (because we were over that way visiting the Neon Museum -which was very cool-lots of old Vegas neon signs) and then I got to see Maren again and give her the quilt. She told me that when the hospital volunteers saw it, they decided they needed to put it behind glass! I hope all who get to see it in person will enjoy it as much as I enjoyed making it, and remember all those affected by the tragedy.<br />
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<a href="https://www.amyscreativeside.com/2018/09/17/bloggers-quilt-festival-fall-2018-edition/" target="_blank"><img alt="mail" height="200" src="https://cheriesquiltingjourneyblog.files.wordpress.com/2018/09/mail.jpg?w=268&h=268" width="200" /></a></div>
Cynthiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10445554271830722221noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4665831273695256570.post-74680712966877743652017-05-10T18:01:00.000-05:002018-05-12T00:00:14.573-05:00Why I Stopped Blogging<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
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There was a time when I really enjoyed blogging. I had been
quilting for several years before I discovered blogging, but only a handful of
people ever got to see the quilts I made. So it was pretty exciting for me to
be able to take pictures of a quilt, write a little something about it and post
it for the world to see. (And of course by "world" I mean the 5
people who knew about my blog back then). I thought every quilt I made was
amazing and beautiful, and I couldn't wait to show them off. Once I did, I
really enjoyed getting feedback from family and friends and a few random
strangers. I would read the comments they left, get a warm fuzzy feeling, shoot
them a thank you email, then get back to quilting. Oh, that it could have continued
like that forever. But it was not to be. </div>
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<o:p><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cxxOm049u9o/TOmlDATuN0I/AAAAAAAABxU/AmB5Tt0Cuv81wCcXuNMbgaXznrQmTol0gCPcB/s1600/binding.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cxxOm049u9o/TOmlDATuN0I/AAAAAAAABxU/AmB5Tt0Cuv81wCcXuNMbgaXznrQmTol0gCPcB/s400/binding.jpg" width="400" /></a> </o:p></div>
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I think the beginning of the end was the day I discovered
the "stats" tab, a few months in. Previous to blogging, I would judge
the worth of a quilt by how much I liked it, and the reaction of the person who
ended up receiving it. Upon discovering that I could tell how many people were
visiting my blog and looking at my quilts on any given day, that started to
change. I became more concerned with what I <i>thought</i> other people thought of my
quilts (and by extension, me.) Stats and comments became a measuring stick for
my success (or failure) as a quilter and it began affecting the way I felt
about myself. </div>
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The online quilting world then became this competitive place
where I felt I had to prove myself. I started comparing my stuff to everyone
else's. I began being judgmental, jealous, critical and withholding praise. I didn't allow myself to comment too much or get too involved - I
became less and less concerned with forming relationships and more concerned with gaining
followers. </div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N18VFYqRSAA/T8-fqeR8eZI/AAAAAAAADno/8N6SI1T4C9s4iaoem5mGtOAXq0ljlOS8wCPcB/s1600/PinkGreenStripeQuilt2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N18VFYqRSAA/T8-fqeR8eZI/AAAAAAAADno/8N6SI1T4C9s4iaoem5mGtOAXq0ljlOS8wCPcB/s400/PinkGreenStripeQuilt2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I started making rules. Lots of strict rules for myself to
follow. I couldn't make the same quilt twice or use the same fabric twice.
Every quilt had to be new and different and my own design. I couldn't use
patterns or make quilts that others had designed. I could only post finished
quilts. Publicly admitting I liked comments was a no no. Inviting people to
become followers, hosting giveaways, random blog buttons, advertising -- all
not allowed. Keep in mind, I wasn't writing these down...they were almost like
mental notes that I barely knew I was taking. Some of the rules were in
response to things I saw other bloggers doing. Others were a way to handle to insecurities or the
slightest hint of criticism. But most, I have no idea when or how or why I came
up with them. I just knew they must be followed. They were necessary to maintaining the illusion of perfection
I had created. I couldn't break the rules without being harshly critical of
myself so I followed most of them to a T. </div>
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And it all happened so gradually, I didn't even realize what was happening. I let something I really enjoyed turn into something I needed
to feel good about myself. And that turned into something I didn't love but
felt obligated to do, until it turned into something I could barely stand to
think about. I didn't stop making quilts, but there were times I thought, do I
even like quilting? So eventually I just stopped posting things on my blog. I told
myself it was because I was too busy. I had a bunch of kids now. I had a life. Nobody else was
blogging anymore- it was just the natural progression of things. Yeah...those were the
reasons I had stopped. But at that point, I really had no idea why.</div>
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The past couple of months I have been doing a lot of thinking. I have found a way of changing a lot of my thoughts that I didn't realize were affecting me so much. And as a result, I've been having a lot of success at changing old habits and beliefs and starting to fix things I thought couldn't be fixed. One of those things was my enjoyment of sharing myself and talents. So I have decided to start over. I'm getting a new website. I'm
changing the way I do things. And I will be throwing out every single one of my old
rules. And I will be making up for lost time...since I have about 20 quilts I have not yet shared! I am pretty excited!
More details coming...hope to see you again soon!</div>
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P.S. I don't share any of these things so you will excuse me or
try to make me feel better...I am ok...not proud of some of this stuff<span style="text-align: center;">...but I am really ok with it.
I have learned a lot from these experiences and I now feel like there is value
in sharing some of my struggles along with the pretty things I make. Maybe it will help someone to be more wise than I have been. :) </span></div>
Cynthiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10445554271830722221noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4665831273695256570.post-21392078007043106002016-01-29T19:56:00.004-06:002022-01-03T14:41:26.063-06:00Valentine's Mini Circle Quilt<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Here is another Valentine's Day quilt! This was another fun and fast one to make! I am loving these smaller quilts! They come together so quickly it's hard to get distracted by other projects before I get them finished!</div>
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When I designed this one I was thinking that it's been a little while since I made a circle quilt. Too long, in fact! And in my quilt inspiration search I noticed that lots of Valentine's quilts have hearts set in a square...so I decided to put them in circles. I added a couple of rings and the stars just to break it up a bit. My husband tried to talk me out of the stars...probably because I keep trying to put them in quilts...but I just love them so much! I can't help myself! I think they give this quilt a funky and fun little twist!</div>
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I always have such fun picking out the fabrics for quilts...especially when I can find what I have in mind! The black grid fabric is from an older line - Spin by Whistler Studios for Windham Fabrics - it is exactly what I wanted for the black so I was thrilled to find it on Etsy. I used almost all I bought and now I am thinking I should probably buy a bunch more and stash it! </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JjMt8U8WSxU/VqvzzlkJW2I/AAAAAAAAHlc/sMeeMbsS-k8/s1600/Valentine%2527s%2BMini%2BCircle%2BQuilt%2B5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JjMt8U8WSxU/VqvzzlkJW2I/AAAAAAAAHlc/sMeeMbsS-k8/s400/Valentine%2527s%2BMini%2BCircle%2BQuilt%2B5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I wasn't sure exactly what fabrics I wanted to use for the hearts. I had originally mocked this up using dark, medium and light pinks. I bought a couple of different Valentine themed charm packs and some random pinks and reds and black/white prints so I would have lots of choices. In the end, First Crush by Sweetwater for Moda won out. I like pink better than red, but since I just made a <a href="http://ahhhquilting.blogspot.com/2016/01/valentines-table-runner-quilt.html" target="_blank">Valentine's quilt using pink</a>, I figured I'd mix it up and go with reds. Also, I really loved the text prints it the First Crush line...so that clinched it. There were some really great grays in the line that I thought would be cute too, but no matter how I rearranged them, I couldn't make it work. So I went with all reds and whites instead. I am pretty happy with how it turned out! </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DSVelK-5w5g/Vqv8pbrQyuI/AAAAAAAAHm8/nki4IfadxdU/s1600/Valentine%2527s%2BMini%2BCircle%2BQuilt%2B7.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DSVelK-5w5g/Vqv8pbrQyuI/AAAAAAAAHm8/nki4IfadxdU/s400/Valentine%2527s%2BMini%2BCircle%2BQuilt%2B7.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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And...the quilting. I had different plans for this than how it turned out. I really wanted to put some kind of crazy grid or crosshatching in the back ground, but of course I wanted to do it using the automatic mode on the quilting machine (for precision and to save my back some pain...it's getting harder to quilt being this pregnant, so that automatic quilting mode is saving me!) But unfortunately, I don't know enough yet to make it work how I wanted. So instead I chose this pretty frilly pattern that fit nicely between the circles and then I just stitched around all the rest of the shapes. </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oVjojKJ9s6s/Vqv8oX9V7EI/AAAAAAAAHmw/A6kGauLCmjk/s1600/Valentine%2527s%2BMini%2BCircle%2BQuilt%2B6.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oVjojKJ9s6s/Vqv8oX9V7EI/AAAAAAAAHmw/A6kGauLCmjk/s400/Valentine%2527s%2BMini%2BCircle%2BQuilt%2B6.jpg" width="273" /></a></div>
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I used the same black grid fabric for the binding - I had some of the black and white text print from the First Crush line that I was planning on using, but it didn't match the other black in the quilt well enough, so I couldn't do it.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zy0yMDPV5Gg/Vqv8qFy3ovI/AAAAAAAAHnU/570F8MiKulk/s1600/Valentine%2527s%2BMini%2BQuilt2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="270" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zy0yMDPV5Gg/Vqv8qFy3ovI/AAAAAAAAHnU/570F8MiKulk/s400/Valentine%2527s%2BMini%2BQuilt2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I took my cute little two-year-old with me out in the crazy, threatening to rain, windy weather this morning to snap a few pictures. She is such a good little side-kick - she brought her baby in her stroller and she helped me hold the quilt so it wouldn't blow away! Gotta train 'em young! ;) Now I'm going to find a nice little spot in my house to hang this little gem! Then I'm going to finish a few other little Valentine's decor projects I've got planned - you can see some of those on instagram if you like - you can find me <a href="https://www.instagram.com/ahhhquilting/?ref=badge" target="_blank">here (@ahhhquilting)</a>. </div>
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And...once again, I have performed a miraculous feat and made a pattern for this little quilt. You can find it in my <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/266167736/valentines-mini-circle-quilt-pattern?ref=pr_shop" target="_blank">Etsy shop</a>! Happy Valentine's quilting and decorating! </div>
Cynthiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10445554271830722221noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4665831273695256570.post-24914273367971801502016-01-23T19:43:00.001-06:002022-01-03T13:50:25.265-06:00Valentine's Table Runner Quilt<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BcPsiXOnjOc/VqQHMzyHi6I/AAAAAAAAHjg/4hfk5MUsWJc/s1600/Valentines%2BTable%2BRunner3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BcPsiXOnjOc/VqQHMzyHi6I/AAAAAAAAHjg/4hfk5MUsWJc/s400/Valentines%2BTable%2BRunner3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Here's the quilt I've been working on this week. After months of not feeling like doing much of anything, I am now back to quilting with a vengeance! It feels good! Quilting is such a good distraction for the end of pregnancy! And boy am I gonna need a good distraction or two (or five) in the next few weeks!<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kRQpwaDAefM/VqQvDSfQ_wI/AAAAAAAAHlE/ZJ0eL7Vi9Zk/s1600/Valentine%2527s%2BTable%2BRunner%2BVertical.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kRQpwaDAefM/VqQvDSfQ_wI/AAAAAAAAHlE/ZJ0eL7Vi9Zk/s640/Valentine%2527s%2BTable%2BRunner%2BVertical.jpg" width="185" /></a></div>
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I have never been much of a seasonal decorator so my house usually looks kinda bare. Lately though, I keep wanting to buy all this stuff to decorate for the different holidays! Let's blame it on my craft group. Yes, I have craft group...it's a group of girls that get together once a month and make some kind of decorative craft. It costs 10 bucks and we take turns hosting and coming up with the craft and getting all the supplies for it. Super fun! Here is this months little gem:<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ee1iiYujnX0/VqQaSRVpAuI/AAAAAAAAHk0/IDyCX56JLfc/s1600/Valentines%2BGlitter%2BHeart%2BWood%2BSign%2BCraft.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ee1iiYujnX0/VqQaSRVpAuI/AAAAAAAAHk0/IDyCX56JLfc/s400/Valentines%2BGlitter%2BHeart%2BWood%2BSign%2BCraft.jpg" width="297" /></a></div>
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Ok, so usually my finished product looks different than everyone elses...it was supposed to be a dark wood stained background with a plain glitter heart...but I couldn't stay to work on it this month-I accidentally booked a Drs. appointment at the same time-so I just brought it home to make it. And then I got a little crazy with the paint and the silhouette cutter...yeah...I can't help it. Anyway...back to the quilt. So while on this little decorating spree, I realized that I didn't have any Valentine's quilts! So last weekend I spent some time designing a few quilts. I came up with two that I really liked, so I decided to make them both (just got the fabric for the 2nd one yesterday)!<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HYcbvi_ttcY/VqQHMpEA_bI/AAAAAAAAHjU/EmeXghXQ0QI/s1600/Valentines%2BTable%2BRunner2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HYcbvi_ttcY/VqQHMpEA_bI/AAAAAAAAHjU/EmeXghXQ0QI/s400/Valentines%2BTable%2BRunner2.jpg" width="281" /></a></div>
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If you're thinking you have seen something similar to this quilt, you are right! It is close to <a href="http://ahhhquilting.blogspot.com/2014/03/radiant-orchid-quilt-challenge.html" target="_blank">this quilt</a> I made a couple years ago:<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZMbnp3Js7KU/Uy0SANKZoTI/AAAAAAAAGfg/bzhxUsia3Ws/s1600/CirclesRingsStarsMini.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZMbnp3Js7KU/Uy0SANKZoTI/AAAAAAAAGfg/bzhxUsia3Ws/s320/CirclesRingsStarsMini.jpg" width="255" /></a></div>
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This is still one of my favorite quilts, so I decided to make this new quilt similar, but a table runner with hearts and swirls instead of circles and rings, and I changed the star a bit too. I couldn't resist using the same black and white polka dot for the stars and binding...I love it so much! I am going to cry when I finally run out of that Alexander Henry June Dot! All of the fabrics for the hearts came from my stash or scrap bags...good reminder of why I keep those scrap bags!<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LqDJLbI2WoQ/VqQHMUNpubI/AAAAAAAAHjM/TqtjX-Nog04/s1600/Valentines%2BTable%2BRunner0.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="271" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LqDJLbI2WoQ/VqQHMUNpubI/AAAAAAAAHjM/TqtjX-Nog04/s400/Valentines%2BTable%2BRunner0.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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This quilt is completely raw edge appliqued...my favorite! The quilt top took me just a few hours to make...pretty fast! The quilting on the other hand...well it took me 3 days! And I am talking quilting-all-day days. No, I have not gotten slower...but I did get a new quilting machine a couple months ago, and let's just say there is a learning curve! The thing quilts all by itself (which I totally love) but if you don't know exactly how to make it do what you want, then it definitely takes forever. So I just kept reminding myself that this was a "learning quilt." And I am happy to report that by the end, I finally figured out how I could have made it take a few hours instead of a few days! And even though it took me forever...it was a really fun quilt to work on. I had way too much fun picking patterns to put inside the hearts! Here are a few close ups:<br />
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And I also whipped up a quick pattern in case anyone else needs some quilty and fast (if you don't take forever to quilt it) Valentine's Day decor! The PDF is available in my <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/265292132/valentines-table-runner-quilt-pattern?ref=shop_home_active_1" target="_blank">etsy shop</a> or I have paper versions in my <a href="https://ahhh-quilting.myshopify.com/collections/printed-patterns/products/valentines-table-runner-pattern-paper" target="_blank">Ahhh...quilting Shop</a>! Happy seasonal quilting!<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--GwXP_qCgDI/VqQHNwb35wI/AAAAAAAAHj4/H1YCI4jcYCE/s1600/Valentines%2BTable%2BRunner5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="255" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--GwXP_qCgDI/VqQHNwb35wI/AAAAAAAAHj4/H1YCI4jcYCE/s400/Valentines%2BTable%2BRunner5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Cynthiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10445554271830722221noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4665831273695256570.post-37746579629951204862016-01-12T07:02:00.000-06:002018-05-12T01:26:56.865-05:00Geometric Bliss Quilt<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Here's another quilt finally! I know it has been a while...this poor, neglected blog! You may as well know that it's because I am pregnant (with girl #4), and I get weird when I'm pregnant. I go thru phases of fabric aversion, idea drought, quilt neglect and this time...blog apathy. Like I said, weird. I have somehow managed to still finish several quilts, but have had no desire to blog about them. So here we are...with about 7 weeks to go and I finally feel like getting caught up! On to the quilt!</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FHNusjuBht4/VpSiPFeWyRI/AAAAAAAAHic/n1YOwKIqgkw/s1600/Geometric%2BBliss%2BQuilt%2BBlog1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FHNusjuBht4/VpSiPFeWyRI/AAAAAAAAHic/n1YOwKIqgkw/s400/Geometric%2BBliss%2BQuilt%2BBlog1.jpg" width="341" /></a></div>
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I made this quilt for my friend Maren. I hardly need an excuse to make quilts for my friends so pretty much any occasion will do. This was for her 35th birthday. It was one of those last minute quilts that I planned and executed in a week or so...have I mentioned that I love deadlines? Yes! Deadlines make the world go round! </div>
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The fabric for this one is mostly Geometric Bliss by Jeni Baker for Art Gallery - plus a couple of other fabrics I had that matched. I love the blue-greens and purples in this line- and they're such fun prints! I bought this with no specific purpose in mind, but decided it would be perfect once I decided on the design. </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UGTCTAw1Vgo/VpSHx9Z5pgI/AAAAAAAAHgc/6plFHiU4n-8/s1600/Geometric%2BBliss%2BQuilt4%2Bblog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UGTCTAw1Vgo/VpSHx9Z5pgI/AAAAAAAAHgc/6plFHiU4n-8/s400/Geometric%2BBliss%2BQuilt4%2Bblog.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The design came from an art piece I saw while walking through a model home last year. Model homes are full of quilty inspiration, so on this particular day I was snapping away at shower walls and ceilings...and when I saw this piece I knew it would become a quilt. Sadly I have no idea what the art piece is called or who the artist is- all I have is this quick snap shot:</div>
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This type of design is perfect for my favorite type of quilt lately: applique on a single piece of fabric. A design like this could probably be pieced...but the lazy girl in me just can't be bothered to figure out how. So this is all fusible web applique, finished with a blanket stitch in matching thread. I made the shape in Inkscape, traced onto fusible web, ironed to the fabric and cut it all out. Then I figured out all the spacing and marked it on the fabric with a water-soluble marking pen. </div>
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I quilted it with a quick and swirly pantograph called Heraldry. Wish you could see it better!</div>
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I had originally bought a different backing for this quilt, but at the last minute decided to get this great black and white print from the Geometric Bliss line and I am so happy I did! I love it so much!</div>
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I bound it in the smaller black and white print from the line...</div>
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And then I thought it would be fun to make a label...</div>
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To make the label I used the same method as usual: made the design in Inkscape, printed it, traced it with a fine point sharpie marker onto fabric backed with fusible web, added fabric embellishments, etc. Sometimes I have a little too much fun with the labels. :) </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ASjhIx9UejI/VpSIsPly18I/AAAAAAAAHg8/PsXzJ76EgbQ/s1600/Geometric%2BBliss%2BQuilt%2BRoll%2Bblog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="316" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ASjhIx9UejI/VpSIsPly18I/AAAAAAAAHg8/PsXzJ76EgbQ/s400/Geometric%2BBliss%2BQuilt%2BRoll%2Bblog.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I rolled it up and tied it with a bow and gifted it to Maren...and I'm pretty sure she liked it. </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Bl8vEC2FVB4/VpSLxMe8KrI/AAAAAAAAHhc/pweWpDv71gs/s1600/Geometric%2BBliss%2BQuilt1%2Bblog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Bl8vEC2FVB4/VpSLxMe8KrI/AAAAAAAAHhc/pweWpDv71gs/s400/Geometric%2BBliss%2BQuilt1%2Bblog.jpg" width="285" /></a></div>
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I'll be back real soon! Hopefully. :) </div>
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Cynthiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10445554271830722221noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4665831273695256570.post-16832743897777788542015-09-09T18:39:00.000-05:002015-09-09T18:53:23.857-05:00Beach Huts Wall Hanging<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kwOM0BEkYl4/VfC4Zaot2OI/AAAAAAAAHb4/WsBvZG8iFEA/s1600/Beach%2BHuts%2BWall%2BHanging3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kwOM0BEkYl4/VfC4Zaot2OI/AAAAAAAAHb4/WsBvZG8iFEA/s400/Beach%2BHuts%2BWall%2BHanging3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Back in June my little sister Kaeli came to town for a visit. She's such a fun sidekick. And she's good at decorating too. Since I had just moved into a new house with no decor to speak of, that's what we decided to do...decorate the kids rooms and their bathroom. We planned projects galore. We shopped a LOT. I seriously think the cashiers at TJMaxx were like, "You're here <i>again</i>???" Anyway...we decided on a beach theme for the kids bathroom and we scored lots of great stuff. We found cute coral and white polka dot towels, darling coral and white geo rugs, and some great stuff for this random shelf on one side of the mirror:</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6PQ-RI5pWG8/VfC2RGBGDEI/AAAAAAAAHbk/PLvEnJTVIVg/s1600/Beach%2BHuts%2BWall%2BHanging6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6PQ-RI5pWG8/VfC2RGBGDEI/AAAAAAAAHbk/PLvEnJTVIVg/s400/Beach%2BHuts%2BWall%2BHanging6.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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Kaeli and I were so proud of this shelf. (The clock is from Hobby Lobby, glass jars from Michael's and the shells and sign from TJ). But after putting everything in its place, we still had one bare wall. So I looked around online a bunch for a cool beach themed sign -- I was actually thinking beach huts, but I couldn't find anything in the right colors. So, that's about the time when I remembered that I was a quilter, and I could just whip up a cute quilted wall hanging. I know, why didn't it occur to me sooner? So I pulled some fabric from the stash and whipped up this little wall hanging! </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uDIcZlp0WDY/VfC2O7FKQKI/AAAAAAAAHa8/2jK8JRtuAP0/s1600/Beach%2BHuts%2BWall%2BHanging.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="282" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uDIcZlp0WDY/VfC2O7FKQKI/AAAAAAAAHa8/2jK8JRtuAP0/s400/Beach%2BHuts%2BWall%2BHanging.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I looked at a lot of beach hut themed fabric and art for ideas and then mocked these up in Inkscape. </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BVDtzaKHwfs/VfC2O-HbzSI/AAAAAAAAHa4/Flog9Dwccgk/s1600/Beach%2BHuts%2BWall%2BHanging2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BVDtzaKHwfs/VfC2O-HbzSI/AAAAAAAAHa4/Flog9Dwccgk/s400/Beach%2BHuts%2BWall%2BHanging2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I decided on solids for the huts and random prints for the doors and embellishments. That made it fun to give the huts some texture with thread. <span style="text-align: right;">I made all the huts first and then attached them to the quilted background. I used lots of zig-zag stitches rather than my usual blanket stitch because I wanted it to feel a tiny bit more shabby. Not sure that I accomplished that. </span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rOjTY8PFnLA/VfC2OiLwbJI/AAAAAAAAHa0/NwC9bHBqTEY/s1600/Beach%2BHuts%2BWall%2BHanging1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="286" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rOjTY8PFnLA/VfC2OiLwbJI/AAAAAAAAHa0/NwC9bHBqTEY/s400/Beach%2BHuts%2BWall%2BHanging1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">This is the second background I made for the quilt. The first had a solid blue for the sky and the same for the sand, but once I quilted it, I was not in love with the quilting I had chosen. So, I scrapped the first one and tried again. The clouds were made from a pantograph, and the grid was drawn on first with a water soluble marker and then quilted using a ruler. Luckily the second attempt was better. </span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_kzmCYS0rc0/VfC2QRi8ikI/AAAAAAAAHbM/LDCo6bkZPQU/s1600/Beach%2BHuts%2BWall%2BHanging4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="280" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_kzmCYS0rc0/VfC2QRi8ikI/AAAAAAAAHbM/LDCo6bkZPQU/s400/Beach%2BHuts%2BWall%2BHanging4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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For the second one, I also decided to add this little sand castle and shells. I kind of love it. I thought about adding a bucket and shovel too, but I didn't want to get too crazy :) I found a picture online that I liked, printed it the right size, and traced it onto the fabric with a water-soluble marker. Quilting it was interesting because those little shells are tiny and I had to go over almost everything twice so it would show up! </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m3IuiNoFN2c/VfDAiyO6V9I/AAAAAAAAHcI/Bd_m1T7kkBc/s1600/Beach%2BHuts%2BWall%2BHanging8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m3IuiNoFN2c/VfDAiyO6V9I/AAAAAAAAHcI/Bd_m1T7kkBc/s400/Beach%2BHuts%2BWall%2BHanging8.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Also added some seagulls. I think I did that lower one like 3 times and I kept messing it up, so finally I just left it. ;)</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kIwRh7hx_7g/VfC2Rl5BEVI/AAAAAAAAHbo/96raa63fNiI/s1600/Beach%2BHuts%2BWall%2BHanging7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kIwRh7hx_7g/VfC2Rl5BEVI/AAAAAAAAHbo/96raa63fNiI/s400/Beach%2BHuts%2BWall%2BHanging7.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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And here it is in it's place of honor in the girls bathroom! Kinda fun! And the girls like it. :) I may eventually get a cute hanger for it, but I think it's good for now.</div>
Cynthiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10445554271830722221noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4665831273695256570.post-4556102796621660822015-06-28T10:23:00.001-05:002015-06-28T10:23:16.551-05:00Leopard Print Quilt<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kFrSVI_TXC4/VY8k37n9CFI/AAAAAAAAHYA/aT9vxasOQk8/s1600/Leopard_Quilt1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="276" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kFrSVI_TXC4/VY8k37n9CFI/AAAAAAAAHYA/aT9vxasOQk8/s400/Leopard_Quilt1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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We left Las Vegas at the end of March. My initial plan was to stay until the end of the school year so my daughter didn't have to switch schools in the middle of the year, but it just didn't make sense financially. So we put our house on the market, packed up our stuff, and as soon as school let out for Spring Break, we left. Of course this messed up my time-table for making a quilt for my daughter's 1st grade teacher. I should have had 2 more months! Her teacher was fabulous --so sweet to the kids. She would hug them every morning in the line and called them "her little love bugs." I loved her. My daughter loved her. She had to have a quilt! So here it is:</div>
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Her teacher loves animal prints and the color pink. The original plan was to use lots of animal print fabrics in black and white and pink and put it into some sort of amazing design. So I bought a boat-load of different animal print fabrics. However, on my truncated time-table, I couldn't make them work. I just wasn't loving anything I came up with. This happens to me all the time, but usually I'm not on a crazy deadline so I just let it marinate until the right idea pops up. Unfortunately, I did not have that luxury this time. So I had to scrap it and come up with a new idea, that sadly, did not end up using any of the fabric I bought! But don't worry, those animal prints are now residing comfortably in my stash, waiting for their turn. :)</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T4bPC-11aBQ/VY8k49Xx-HI/AAAAAAAAHYM/NbkZzeDraIg/s1600/Leopard_Quilt3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="281" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T4bPC-11aBQ/VY8k49Xx-HI/AAAAAAAAHYM/NbkZzeDraIg/s400/Leopard_Quilt3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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So somehow, after staring at a gazillion leopard print fabric swatches online, it finally occurred to me to just make a giant leopard print quilt. YES! My daughter had also told me she wanted hearts on it somewhere, so I made one of the spots look like a heart. And then I realized how much some of the spots look like hearts anyway, so I threw in a few more. And I didn't reinvent the wheel on this design...I just found a picture of a leopard print that I liked online, pasted the picture into Inkscape (of course) and used the paint bucket to fill in the shapes so I could edit them and move them around until I liked it.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Uo-M_KT5RRc/VY8k4pBq5zI/AAAAAAAAHYE/EwrLsjnJfo4/s1600/Leopard_Quilt2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Uo-M_KT5RRc/VY8k4pBq5zI/AAAAAAAAHYE/EwrLsjnJfo4/s400/Leopard_Quilt2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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This quilt is appliqued (using fusible web and a blanket stitch) on a big piece of white fabric- it's 58" x 72" finished. All the spots were cut out on a Silhouette Cameo - this made it so fast and much easier than my usual applique method of printing and tracing and ironing and cutting. And since I design it all on the computer first anyway, it is easy to set up the cuts. I am loving that little machine! The fabrics I ended up using were Crosshatch Sketch in charcoal and lipstick by Timeless Treasures. I almost used solids, but decided a little bit of texture couldn't hurt. </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WDkNiEjHEVI/VY8k5ZWxQ8I/AAAAAAAAHYU/8fRpggiBhPE/s1600/Leopard_Quilt4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="276" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WDkNiEjHEVI/VY8k5ZWxQ8I/AAAAAAAAHYU/8fRpggiBhPE/s400/Leopard_Quilt4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I backed it in matching pink minky at the request of my daughter and quilted it using a great pantograph called Zebra Stripes. I was worried about mixing the leopard print quilt design with the zebra quilting, but I think it turned out ok. I love the way the quilting looks on the back!</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-btURkz6s0Bw/VY8k5YBcoLI/AAAAAAAAHYY/VNrS6fh4ydI/s1600/Leopard_Quilt5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-btURkz6s0Bw/VY8k5YBcoLI/AAAAAAAAHYY/VNrS6fh4ydI/s400/Leopard_Quilt5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I made a label for this one...nothing too great, but I did get to use some of those animal print fabrics after all! I asked my daughter what she wanted me to put on the label and she told me she thought it should say "you are a gem!" So that was added. I used the pink sketch fabric from the front for the binding. Then I took it downtown to the Smith Center with my cute friend Christine for a little photo shoot! The colored backdrop is a fantastic outdoor sculpture called "<a href="http://www.thesmithcenter.com/explore/outdoor-sculptures/" target="_blank">Pipe Dream</a>". Love it! It looks so cool at night too! </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yGFti30Zoao/VY8k3m1-d9I/AAAAAAAAHX4/jQGY7VWsEVk/s1600/Leopard_Print_Quilt6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="280" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yGFti30Zoao/VY8k3m1-d9I/AAAAAAAAHX4/jQGY7VWsEVk/s400/Leopard_Print_Quilt6.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Oh, and last but not least, some BIG news...I have finally gotten myself an <a href="https://instagram.com/ahhhquilting/" target="_blank">instagram account</a>! I know, I am so slow on the technological trends! Anyway, feel free to follow along if you like (the name is <a href="https://instagram.com/ahhhquilting/" target="_blank">ahhhquilting</a>). Now you may be able to see some quilts in progress, fabric I'm loving---whatever! I am planning to post there in between posting finished quilts here-- and a bit more frequently than I post here ...which shouldn't be hard! Hope everyone is having a quilty summer! :-)</div>
<br />Cynthiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10445554271830722221noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4665831273695256570.post-6294733368846205692015-05-19T00:20:00.000-05:002018-05-12T01:25:59.621-05:00Rainbow Doodles Quilt<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Mmnz83JUy1k/VVpMDU-sZ0I/AAAAAAAAHUo/M2r5n24o1Zs/s1600/Rainbow%2BLoops%2BQuilt1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="277" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Mmnz83JUy1k/VVpMDU-sZ0I/AAAAAAAAHUo/M2r5n24o1Zs/s400/Rainbow%2BLoops%2BQuilt1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Here's a quilt. A fun quilt. A rainbow quilt. I started making this one to go on my daughter's bed over a year ago. It was supposed to be part of the <a href="http://ahhhquilting.blogspot.com/2014/03/the-rainbow-dress.html" target="_blank">Rainbow Birthday</a>, but things got away from me and I didn't get it finished in time. So I put it on hold for a while but then pulled it back out and got it done. And wouldn't you know - on the day I finished the top I had a brilliant stroke of genius that made this quilt...unnecessary? Extra? Superfluous? What I am trying to say is that I had a better idea for a very similar quilt that I just had to make for my daughter instead. So although I had finished the top, I knew this quilt would not be living on her bed. And it's totally OK because the other idea is WAY better. You'll see. Eventually...</div>
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So bright, fun, random loops seemed like a good idea at the time. And looking at it now, it's sort of a nod to the fact that I can't quilt uniform loops (hehehe). I was really trying to make a different design work...but I just couldn't wait long enough for the right inspiration to strike 'cause I was on a birthday deadline. So I just whipped this design out lickety-split. I got out my bamboo tablet and pen and started doodling! Soooo much fun! Of course I used inkscape to design this. Should I just stop saying that and we'll all assume that every quilt I make is designed in inkscape unless otherwise noted? Hmmm...that would be a good idea...except those new to the blog are going to be so confused. OK. I'll just keep saying it. I love inkscape! :)</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-k7p8Sz9Z4Bk/VVpJAJsxCeI/AAAAAAAAHUI/1Pr6yLILoX4/s1600/Rainbow%2BLoops%2BQuilt2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-k7p8Sz9Z4Bk/VVpJAJsxCeI/AAAAAAAAHUI/1Pr6yLILoX4/s400/Rainbow%2BLoops%2BQuilt2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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What I didn't love were the 50+ pages of loop sections I had to print out and tape together so I could trace each row of loops onto fusible web. Oh, the sacrifices I make for quilting. :) Anyway, once I had all the loops traced on the fusible web, I ironed them to the fabric and cut them out. After all that was done, I laid the loops on the white background fabric, positioned them and ironed them on. At one point while doing this I found a baby bark scorpion (and when I say baby, I mean the size of my pinky fingernail) crawling amongst the loops. Yikes. Luckily, no one was killed. Oh, except for the scorpion. I made my husband catch and dispose of it because those little buggers give me the heebie-jeebies! And once all the scorpion drama was over, I stitched all around the edges of the loops with a blanket stitch in matching thread. :)</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JjzGo1tfAYQ/VVrQk2ayXsI/AAAAAAAAHVQ/LI3joVbiWDg/s1600/Rainbow%2BLoops%2BQuilt%2B4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="268" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JjzGo1tfAYQ/VVrQk2ayXsI/AAAAAAAAHVQ/LI3joVbiWDg/s400/Rainbow%2BLoops%2BQuilt%2B4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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For the quilting, I decided to do straight lines in the background. I contemplated stitching right over the top of the loops but I knew it would make the loops pop more if I left them un-quilted, so it would be worth it in the end! I had to keep reminding myself of that fact because of course this took FOR-EV-ER since I had to stop and start every time I hit a loop. Quilting like this is so simple and repetitive though... I can totally watch/listen to tv shows while I do it...so this quilt will forever remind me of Veronica Mars...love love love that show!</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uhxhhb05Sc0/VVpJAbIjHBI/AAAAAAAAHUQ/hLEkG835Y-U/s1600/Rainbow%2BLoops%2BQuilt3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="275" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uhxhhb05Sc0/VVpJAbIjHBI/AAAAAAAAHUQ/hLEkG835Y-U/s400/Rainbow%2BLoops%2BQuilt3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I bound this in white and backed it with bright pink minky as requested by my daughter. This quilt will most likely end up at a raffle. It's rare that I make a quilt with no purpose in mind, or that doesn't somehow get given away shortly after its creation. But when I do...raffles eventually happen to them. I briefly considered selling it, but it is kind of a weird size...I made it specifically to fit on my daughter's captain's bed without covering the drawers so it is not a twin size - it's more like 55" x 82". </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TCWyumMsU7Y/VVpJA0vIHsI/AAAAAAAAHUY/dDdZTYQL0Ik/s1600/Rainbow%2BLoops%2BQuilt6-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TCWyumMsU7Y/VVpJA0vIHsI/AAAAAAAAHUY/dDdZTYQL0Ik/s400/Rainbow%2BLoops%2BQuilt6-1.jpg" width="282" /></a></div>
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My cute friend Christine went with me to take some quilt pictures at this sweet building in downtown Las Vegas 2 days before I moved. Nothing like an impromptu quilt picture adventure when you should be packing and cleaning! :) Yeah, the quilt is so small you can hardly see it...but this building is so cool...I couldn't resist! So fun! </div>
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And this is totally not a home decorating blog so this is kind of random, but I just decorated my mantel a couple days ago and I love it so much I had to post some pictures! </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UCNXb3C_c7U/VVq85IUVr3I/AAAAAAAAHU4/NTBwcrqVUOg/s1600/Teal%2BBlack%2BWhite%2Bmantel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UCNXb3C_c7U/VVq85IUVr3I/AAAAAAAAHU4/NTBwcrqVUOg/s400/Teal%2BBlack%2BWhite%2Bmantel.jpg" width="281" /></a></div>
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My mother-in-law was in town for a few days and we shopped like crazy...you know the kind...where you scope it all out the first day and make a big list. Then you go back the next day and buy one or two of everything, bring it all home...arrange it on the mantel...rearrange it...rearrange it again...then take most of it back. Then you buy more stuff, take it home and tweak it all 'til you like it. So so fun! And I'm sure the mantel decorating experts will have a thing or two to say about visual weight and grouping and all that stuff but I so don't care...it is amazing in person and so fun to look at! </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--68jalmvQA0/VVq85OxFTQI/AAAAAAAAHU0/IN2jBqGuRtk/s1600/Jade%2BBlack%2BWhite%2Bmantel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--68jalmvQA0/VVq85OxFTQI/AAAAAAAAHU0/IN2jBqGuRtk/s400/Jade%2BBlack%2BWhite%2Bmantel.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The straight on picture doesn't show the depth very well so here is another shot. I got most of the stuff from Hobby Lobby, TJ Maxx and Ross. And let's just say my husband was not on board with this little venture...luckily I had his mom in my corner! He vetoed lots of the stuff we brought home the first time and hated the color of green...but now that it's all done, his protests have ceased...I think he secretly likes it. :) Yay for decorating! Now all I need is a matching throw quilt to drape over the back of the couch... </div>
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Oh...and I almost forgot...this is my Blogger's Quilt Festival entry! :)</div>
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Cynthiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10445554271830722221noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4665831273695256570.post-4030279726837894562015-04-22T23:41:00.002-05:002015-06-27T18:37:35.776-05:00Marsala Quilt Challenge<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AAuLBtuyWwk/VTcqzBukUFI/AAAAAAAAHOo/9zf_PEU74vQ/s1600/Marsala_Quilt_Challenge1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AAuLBtuyWwk/VTcqzBukUFI/AAAAAAAAHOo/9zf_PEU74vQ/s1600/Marsala_Quilt_Challenge1.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
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Here's my quilt for the Marsala Quilt Challenge! Wasn't sure I would be able to get this done! I've been crazy busy the last couple months selling a house and moving to a new city...but I was motivated...I had already bought the fabric and I knew I would never use it for anything else! I must admit, this quilt was definitely a challenge. Let's have a show of hands, who else thought this color was completely awful? Wow...that many. :) Well I was pretty sure that whatever I made would be...um...unattractive. I really was not expecting much. But I must say, I am pleasantly surprised by the finished quilt. Guess that's what happens when you set the bar so low you can step over it! :)</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mWg3SdBOFZU/VTcoBeZA2AI/AAAAAAAAHOM/kyNIpDKIZ1E/s1600/Marsala_Quilt_Challenge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mWg3SdBOFZU/VTcoBeZA2AI/AAAAAAAAHOM/kyNIpDKIZ1E/s1600/Marsala_Quilt_Challenge.jpg" height="400" width="312" /></a></div>
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The first challenge I had when making this quilt was obtaining the proper fabric color. For <a href="http://ahhhquilting.blogspot.com/2014/03/radiant-orchid-quilt-challenge.html" target="_blank">last year's challenge</a>, I sauntered into Lowes, picked up the Radiant Orchid Pantone paint chip and then had no trouble finding the perfect matching fabric. This year, Lowes totally dropped the ball. By March, they still did not have the Marsala paint chip. Color of the year, people. Color of the <i>year</i>! Maybe they hadn't stocked the chip because they were busy questioning Pantone's color authority after seeing this year's color choice? Who knows...but they didn't have it all five times I checked. And I was not about to drop $10 to buy a swatch online. Yep, I'm cheap. So instead, I bought a few solids I thought looked close and just went with it. But now, being the selective perfectionist that I am, I'm a little bit bothered by the fact that I still don't know exactly what color Marsala really is. It looks a little different on every screen. I guess it's fitting that my camera seems to want to make every picture I take of this quilt look much brighter red than the fabric actually is in person. ((resigned sigh)) Next time, I'll just buy the dang swatch! Anyway, I debated for a while between black and navy as the accent color, and decided on navy at the last minute. At least I'm happy with that decision. :)</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IMiLE4SSipw/VTgIVX9Qp4I/AAAAAAAAHPY/hAr5j2NXD6Q/s1600/Marsala_Quilt_Challenge5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IMiLE4SSipw/VTgIVX9Qp4I/AAAAAAAAHPY/hAr5j2NXD6Q/s1600/Marsala_Quilt_Challenge5.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
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The next challenge...the design. Ah, the design. My process for designing quilts is kind of weird sometimes. I rarely just sit down and design a quilt. It usually takes weeks (sometimes months) for my ideas to evolve into a final design. This quilt, for example, started with me deciding that an Aztec style quilt was an acceptable use of the color Marsala. (Seen any authentic Aztec rugs lately? Quite a few of them use this color!) So I perused the internet- screen shotting pictures of Aztec bedding, shower curtains and rugs. I mocked up several strip type quilts in this style, but there was one small problem...I am not particularly drawn to the angularity of Aztec motifs, so I never came up with anything that thrilled me. But I kept hanging on to the idea because I had nothing else. Then, I saw a woman in church wearing what I found out was a Polynesian Tapa print (yes, I chased her down after the meeting and asked her if I could take a picture of her dress-and yes, I know I'm kooky).</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Gyd4SM4bGHY/VTc46PKRNlI/AAAAAAAAHO4/Wf52xPFv7bU/s1600/Tapa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Gyd4SM4bGHY/VTc46PKRNlI/AAAAAAAAHO4/Wf52xPFv7bU/s1600/Tapa.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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Here's the dress...I liked the curves and repeating shapes in this design- so I looked at a bunch more Tapa prints online and tried to come up with something good. But it just wasn't working for me. So I thought about it more and finally decided to try making an Aztec style quilt with the shapes in a radiating circular layout, rather than straight strips. The idea just wasn't coming together because I was still trying to use a lot of triangles and other Aztec-y shapes. Finally, I got smart and just made the design using letters and symbols from different fonts, which I put on circular paths. One thing led to another, and I ended up with the final design. We can all thank Inkscape for this, of course. Oh, the fun there is to be had with <a href="https://inkscape.org/en/download/" target="_blank">Inkscape</a>!! Have I mentioned that it is FREE?</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Z3kN0Esya7I/VTgM2cbQQfI/AAAAAAAAHPk/jtBljXXEk_E/s1600/Marsala_Quilt_Challenge3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Z3kN0Esya7I/VTgM2cbQQfI/AAAAAAAAHPk/jtBljXXEk_E/s1600/Marsala_Quilt_Challenge3.jpg" height="297" width="400" /></a></div>
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Of course this little gem is completely appliqued using fusible web. I cut most of the shapes out using a <a href="http://www.silhouetteamerica.com/" target="_blank">Silhouette Cameo</a> (I'm in love with that machine)! I cut this whole quilt out in a little over an hour -this is awesome because there are like 100 little pieces. Oh, and did I mention that this quilt is 30 x 39"? Yeah. So in order to place these shapes perfectly, I printed the quilt out in its actual size (it took 16 pages) and taped it all together. I laid the background fabric over the printed quilt so I had a guide for where to put the shapes. Then I ironed them on. Worked like a charm! Anyway, I finished with my usual method - blanket stitch around the shapes in matching thread.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-u22HFkxT0Ow/VTcoBYrLFCI/AAAAAAAAHOI/KQCqwuEh6iI/s1600/Marsala_Quilt_Challenge4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-u22HFkxT0Ow/VTcoBYrLFCI/AAAAAAAAHOI/KQCqwuEh6iI/s1600/Marsala_Quilt_Challenge4.jpg" height="271" width="400" /></a></div>
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I quilted stitch in the ditch around all the shapes and filled in the white space with different designs. When I was done I showed it to my husband and he said he thought it needed more cowbell...er...quilting. (SNL fans? Anyone?) :) So I threw it back on the frame and added a bit more. No picture, but I backed it in all the leftover reddish-brownish fabrics pieced together (because seriously, I will never use them for anything else) and bound it in the matching navy.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SnNu3paNExc/VTcqE6KJNTI/AAAAAAAAHOg/wPkRlp-vnoo/s1600/Marsala_Quilt_Challenge2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SnNu3paNExc/VTcqE6KJNTI/AAAAAAAAHOg/wPkRlp-vnoo/s1600/Marsala_Quilt_Challenge2.jpg" height="313" width="400" /></a></div>
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When it was all done, I took this little quilt out and photographed it in my new surroundings (which I totally LOVE, by the way). Now that it's done, the real question is, what the heck am I going to do with it? :) If it was in different colors it would be on my wall in two seconds flat because it really is fun to look at...hmmm...maybe I'll have to make another one. :) </div>
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<a href="http://www.onthewindyside.co.nz/p/2015-pantone-quilt-challenge-marsala.html" title="2015 Pantone Quilt Challenge: Marsala"><img alt="2015 Pantone Quilt Challenge: Marsala" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Vg5qyOT3Zjc/VMdZdHTVlII/AAAAAAAAEjw/9ZbzH_Ws38U/s1600/Marsala%2Bbutton.png" style="border: none;" /></a></div>
Cynthiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10445554271830722221noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4665831273695256570.post-27002123078638284372015-02-09T14:27:00.001-06:002022-01-03T14:55:32.000-06:00Horizon Charm Quilt<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LWIz08wddsc/VNfX9mtBHbI/AAAAAAAAHGs/vy5NyeWQbFw/s1600/Horizon%2BCharm%2BQuilt%2B3%2Bblog.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LWIz08wddsc/VNfX9mtBHbI/AAAAAAAAHGs/vy5NyeWQbFw/s1600/Horizon%2BCharm%2BQuilt%2B3%2Bblog.jpg" width="281" /></a></div>
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Here's a quilt. If I tell you how it came to be, promise you won't judge me. Promise? Ok. I'll tell you. Last year there was an unfortunate series of events that led to one of my favorite people in the family being removed from said family. It's a long story, but here, I'll spell out the short version for you: D-I-V-O-R-C-E. It was the first one I had witnessed up close. It was not pretty...the scandal...the he said-she said...the rumors...the negativity...it was hard to watch. It was hard not to be drawn into it. The whole thing made me really angry and resentful. I'll admit, I did my share of schmack-talking. Ok, probably more than my share. I discussed it with most of my friends...all of my family...some random strangers...I couldn't stop talking about it. Enter: the other woman. This was the awkward part where everybody tried to pretend it wasn't weird. Lots of fake smiles...lots of Oscar worthy acting. Welcome to the family...</div>
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I swore I would not be going to the wedding. But I couldn't not go. I am the most passive aggressive person on the planet...it's one of my many flaws. :) So when they told us the wedding would be in California, I decided I needed a reason to be happy about going to California. And then it hit me. Yes. I would make a quilt and find a pretty spot on a beach to take its picture. Paradigm shift! I probably shouldn't have brought quilting into it, but quilting had <a href="http://ahhhquilting.blogspot.com/2012/07/bohemian-festival-quilt.html" target="_blank">gotten me out of a rough situation before</a>...why not this time too? I secretly wish my motives for making this quilt were more pure, but truth be told I made it so I could take a picture of it on a beach in California. I made this quilt so I could look forward to the trip rather than dread it. So there you have it. Remember you promised you wouldn't judge? Ok, good. On to the quilt!</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IHRc7W3Tzao/VNfrIKMooUI/AAAAAAAAHHo/CTVMDr5oYtY/s1600/Horizon%2BCharm%2BQuilt1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IHRc7W3Tzao/VNfrIKMooUI/AAAAAAAAHHo/CTVMDr5oYtY/s1600/Horizon%2BCharm%2BQuilt1.jpg" width="343" /></a></div>
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Oooh, ahhh...I'm loving this scrappy but organized style of quilts. I seem to be making a lot of them lately. This one uses 5" charm packs cut in half or a jelly roll--quite similar to the <a href="http://ahhhquilting.blogspot.com/2013/11/pb-and-j-charm-quilt.html" target="_blank">PB&J quilt</a> and the <a href="http://ahhhquilting.blogspot.com/2014/06/scrappy-hearts-quilt.html" target="_blank">Scrappy Hearts quilt</a>. For this type of quilt I like to use a design wall to lay out all the fabrics to make sure the prints are evenly distributed. This makes it a tiny bit more time consuming, but it's worth it!</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5SvhFxmnwDo/VNfX_hZSSEI/AAAAAAAAHG4/dg-1dBKRhGg/s1600/Horizon%2BCharm%2BQuilt%2B5%2Bblog.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5SvhFxmnwDo/VNfX_hZSSEI/AAAAAAAAHG4/dg-1dBKRhGg/s1600/Horizon%2BCharm%2BQuilt%2B5%2Bblog.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>
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The fun beachy fabric I used for this quilt is Horizon by Kate Spain for Moda fabrics. I absolutely love it. Blues and greens are always my favorites, and these prints are just fun! There was a nasty rumor going around that these are "old-lady" prints, but if they are, I'm thinkin' she must be a really cool old lady! ;)</div>
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For the quilting on this I used a swirly and fast pantograph called Harbor Wave. It reminds me of rolling waves...totally perfect for this quilt.</div>
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For the backing...I finally got to use this beautiful blue Nature's Palette leaves fabric that I had in my stash...oh yes...this is stuff I got in a clearance score years ago. And this, friends, is the reason we must all have a stash. You think you will never use a fabric, but then lo and behold, right when you need it...a perfect little gem peeks out from your massive fabric pile and says, "here I am and I match perfectly!" :) <span style="text-align: center;">And of course, matching blue binding. This has to be my favorite color of blue EVER.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SeSVEjvyzrw/VNfYBLS7m8I/AAAAAAAAHHA/zzj6Q5IdPvo/s1600/Horizon%2BCharm%2BQuilt%2B6.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="290" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SeSVEjvyzrw/VNfYBLS7m8I/AAAAAAAAHHA/zzj6Q5IdPvo/s1600/Horizon%2BCharm%2BQuilt%2B6.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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And of course, on the rare occasion that I must add a quilt label, I can't help myself-I have to make it cute. I used the same method as always: Made the layout of the whole thing in Inkscape, printed it out on paper and traced it onto fabric backed with fusible web using a fine point Sharpie marker. And then yes, I cut all those tiny little pieces of fabric, ironed and sewed them on. And why did this quilt need a label you ask? Well...</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--DqJh4jD9qM/VNfYC1A8T_I/AAAAAAAAHHI/bSRUs0Zc4vY/s1600/Horizon%2BCharm%2BQuilt%2B7.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="273" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--DqJh4jD9qM/VNfYC1A8T_I/AAAAAAAAHHI/bSRUs0Zc4vY/s1600/Horizon%2BCharm%2BQuilt%2B7.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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...because it is featured in the Winter 2015 edition of Modern Quilts Unlimited magazine! (And they make you put a label on it!) That's right! So if you were thinking you might like to make this quilt, you don't even have to wait the 2 years it usually takes me to make a pattern! There's one in the magazine! ;)<br />
So shortly after I returned from California-and the day before I was planning on posting this quilt here on the blog, I got an email from MQU's editor asking if I had any quilts I wanted to submit for publication. Since I had this one already done I submitted it and they took it. I have been waiting patiently ever since then (August) to finally post on it!<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ziyuy_Ce6Ug/VNfX8MTbgAI/AAAAAAAAHGg/1qMPJKgs_0o/s1600/Horizon%2BCharm%2BQuilt%2B4%2Bblog.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ziyuy_Ce6Ug/VNfX8MTbgAI/AAAAAAAAHGg/1qMPJKgs_0o/s1600/Horizon%2BCharm%2BQuilt%2B4%2Bblog.jpg" width="307" /></a></div>
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The fate of this quilt has now been decided...it is going to be raffled off at my cute friend Teresa's annual charity Fish Fry...as soon as I am done using it to stage my house to sell...</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R0Z6V7oX31Y/VNlYjHlG-vI/AAAAAAAAHIY/YKw00aGozPE/s1600/Babys_Room_Horizon_Quilt.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R0Z6V7oX31Y/VNlYjHlG-vI/AAAAAAAAHIY/YKw00aGozPE/s1600/Babys_Room_Horizon_Quilt.jpg" width="306" /></a></div>
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...yes we are moving again! :) And because I know someone will ask, yes I made the wall hanging too. I copied <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/96196222/modern-circle-art-quilt-wall-hanging-or" target="_blank">this SUPER cute quilted wall hanging</a> I saw on etsy a while ago (it sold, but you can still see the pictures-click on the close-ups because the quilting is awesome too!) Anyway, to make my wall hanging, I used a Silhouette Cameo to cut out all the circles in solid fabric and then I liquid starched them onto a white canvas (just like <a href="http://ahhhquilting.blogspot.com/2011/05/alphabet-wall-poster.html" target="_blank">this alphabet wall hanging</a> I made a couple years ago). It took me about 4 hours plus drying time. </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-h6ah_Sgbn9E/VNfX-OWU63I/AAAAAAAAHGw/a00fWhb8IEM/s1600/Horizon%2BCharm%2BQuilt%2B2%2Bblog.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-h6ah_Sgbn9E/VNfX-OWU63I/AAAAAAAAHGw/a00fWhb8IEM/s1600/Horizon%2BCharm%2BQuilt%2B2%2Bblog.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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And...the aforementioned beachy quilt picture taken at beautiful Carmel beach. Thank you, quilting, for once again making my life a little easier. :) </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Pattern for this quilt is <a href="https://ahhh-quilting.myshopify.com/products/horizon-charm-quilt-pattern-paper" target="_blank">HERE</a>.</div>
Cynthiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10445554271830722221noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4665831273695256570.post-25948290366423999722015-01-01T10:33:00.000-06:002015-01-02T00:44:04.628-06:00Gold + White Baby Quilt<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vJfk0ZlfXO4/VKW-UK-vxXI/AAAAAAAAHFA/7ghpJObquLM/s1600/Gold_White_Baby_Quilt_4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vJfk0ZlfXO4/VKW-UK-vxXI/AAAAAAAAHFA/7ghpJObquLM/s1600/Gold_White_Baby_Quilt_4.jpg" height="400" width="288" /></a></div>
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The first time I tried sushi I hated it. I hated the smell, the taste, and don't even get me started on the textures. Ick. The second time I tried it, I hated it too. There are lots of people who LOVE sushi. And a few of those people, upon discovering that I am not a fan, have told me that it is an "acquired taste." Every time I hear that phrase, I can't help asking--Why on earth would you keep eating something you don't like to the point that you finally acquire a taste for it? I totally don't get it. Needless to say, I probably won't be acquiring the taste for sushi...no one has been able to talk me into a third time. ;) </div>
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So what does this have to do with quilting, you ask? Maybe nothing. It's just that, lately I've realized that my taste in colors has changed in a way I never thought it would. Apparently if you eat something enough times, even if it is revolting, eventually you can come to love it. I guess appreciation of a color can be similarly "acquired." Who knew? Not by eating it of course, but by trying it out...by giving it a chance (or two or twenty). Gold has never been my favorite color. I have always thought of it as kind of gaudy...I don't wear gold jewelry and I never, ever thought I would use it in a quilt. But here we are...</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VIEj82ENNnU/VKYmkMcsCZI/AAAAAAAAHFw/3loMQKwVfpc/s1600/Gold_White_Frilly_Baby_Quilt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VIEj82ENNnU/VKYmkMcsCZI/AAAAAAAAHFw/3loMQKwVfpc/s1600/Gold_White_Frilly_Baby_Quilt.jpg" height="400" width="337" /></a></div>
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Last month, my cute friend Abbey had a sweet baby girl. I wanted to make her a quilt, but I knew it had to be one I could finish fast (sound familiar?). I decided to use the same concept as this easy as pie <a href="http://ahhhquilting.blogspot.com/2012/05/zigzag-baby-quilt.html" target="_blank">zigzag baby quilt</a> - but with a different design. I was going to surprise Abbey, but I wanted her to love the quilt, so I asked what colors she was doing for the nursery to get an idea of what she liked. Gold and white, she said. Gold and white? Gold? Eh, I thought. Gold must be trendy right now. I was slightly resistant to the idea at first--remember--gold has never been my fave. But then Abbey started texting me pictures of some of the stuff she liked, including this darling white and gold polka dot quilt from Pottery Barn...</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QqVjsc4GEWU/VKW-YPKRNvI/AAAAAAAAHFY/W9BPzrXPmR0/s1600/Pottery%2BBarn%2BGold%2BDot%2BCrib%2BBedding.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QqVjsc4GEWU/VKW-YPKRNvI/AAAAAAAAHFY/W9BPzrXPmR0/s1600/Pottery%2BBarn%2BGold%2BDot%2BCrib%2BBedding.jpg" height="282" width="320" /></a></div>
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(image from <a href="http://www.potterybarnkids.com/products/cassandra-nursery-bedding-gold/?pkey=cgirls-nursery-bedding&" target="_blank">Pottery Barn Kids</a>)</div>
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Once I saw Abbey's vision for the room, I knew I could easily make a gold quilt. After all, I wanted to make something she would love, right? And gold is what she would love. So I spilled the beans and told Abbey I was going to make her a quilt (so she wouldn't buy one). I used the PB quilt and crib bumper as inspiration and got to work. I mocked up 6 or 7 different designs and we both liked this one the best.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-X4tShyJONlo/VKW-VRKdIdI/AAAAAAAAHFI/J4zdbuB7JCA/s1600/Gold_White_Baby_Quilt_5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-X4tShyJONlo/VKW-VRKdIdI/AAAAAAAAHFI/J4zdbuB7JCA/s1600/Gold_White_Baby_Quilt_5.jpg" height="277" width="400" /></a></div>
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The applique on the front was designed in Inkscape. I've got loops on the brain right now, so this design fit right in with my current personal quilting trend. The gold metallic fabric is from the collection "Hope and Love" by Whistler studios for Windham fabrics. I found it at <a href="http://www.hawthornethreads.com/fabric/designer/whistler_studios/hope_and_love/hope_solid_in_gold" target="_blank">Hawthorne Threads</a> and it was exactly what I had hoped-it's metallic, but not so much that it's tacky. I used fusible web to attach the shape to the background and then stitched around it in metallic gold thread. It really sparkles, sadly you can't really see that in the pictures. </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xfqE_KbVbho/VKW-WF4nWpI/AAAAAAAAHFM/Hz40vvFz2kc/s1600/Gold_White_Baby_Quilt_6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xfqE_KbVbho/VKW-WF4nWpI/AAAAAAAAHFM/Hz40vvFz2kc/s1600/Gold_White_Baby_Quilt_6.jpg" height="400" width="301" /></a></div>
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For the quilting, I was trying to echo the applique design and the feel of the inspiration crib bumpers. I thought this lovely panto fit nicely- it is called Chantilly Lace. I added the small circles in as well using a groovy board. I was pleased with how it turned out, but as as usual, there was a lesson to be learned. When I planned to use the panto, I neglected to take into account that I would run into the applique design, and it doesn't line up perfectly. Thus, it looks a little goofy in a few places, but overall it works.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dJ3Scjyih-o/VKW-StIZmQI/AAAAAAAAHEw/r3_Yk36gaAU/s1600/Gold_Polka_Dot_Quilt_Back.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dJ3Scjyih-o/VKW-StIZmQI/AAAAAAAAHEw/r3_Yk36gaAU/s1600/Gold_Polka_Dot_Quilt_Back.jpg" height="290" width="400" /></a></div>
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Of course the backing had to be gold polka dots! The fabric is Spot On Metallic in Blanc by Robert Kaufman. It matches the gold on the front perfectly. The tiny dot binding is from the same line and is also metallic. I love it!</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4MIk0MC5bk8/VKW-S8ksezI/AAAAAAAAHE0/W3DVrAOKTxg/s1600/Gold_White_Baby_Quilt_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4MIk0MC5bk8/VKW-S8ksezI/AAAAAAAAHE0/W3DVrAOKTxg/s1600/Gold_White_Baby_Quilt_2.jpg" height="313" width="400" /></a></div>
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I really love the way this quilt turned out. I think the gold makes it look dainty and perfect for a new baby girl. Abbey loves it too! So I guess the moral of this story is...just because you dislike something right now, doesn't mean you always will. Under the right circumstances, your tastes may change! Maybe I'll give sushi another try...maybe. :) Happy New Year! </div>
Cynthiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10445554271830722221noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4665831273695256570.post-43679452859562947552014-12-23T18:15:00.000-06:002015-02-09T20:52:43.772-06:00Chalkboard Christmas Wall Hangings<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cXy-WEj36Vo/VNlsBVsW8FI/AAAAAAAAHIo/Hb4enzmQuzk/s1600/Chalkboard_Christmas_Wall_Hangings%2Bblog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cXy-WEj36Vo/VNlsBVsW8FI/AAAAAAAAHIo/Hb4enzmQuzk/s1600/Chalkboard_Christmas_Wall_Hangings%2Bblog.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
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Here are some little wall hangings I made as Christmas gifts for some friends. I had seen lots of adorable (real) chalkboard signs online and thought I could make a cute quilt that looked like a chalkboard. I was right. :) In the beginning I was going to make just one bigger quilt (and probably still will next year!), but then I decided to make a bunch of smaller ones. Lines from Christmas songs seemed a festive and simple choice, so I asked a few of my good friends to tell me their favorite Christmas song. It was fun to hear all their different favorites and I thought it would be so easy to just make a little design for each one. Boy was I wrong! I downloaded a bunch of fonts but then realized I was way out of my league. So I called my amazing design goddess sister-in-law Michelle and begged her to have mercy on my poor chalkboard-art-challenged soul. So she did the layout of all of these for me. (Thank you, Michelle!) I thought I would applique all the letters on-until I saw how small some of the letters were...holy cow. So on to plan B...I printed them on fabric at Spoonflower instead. Love love love spoonflower! Didn't love the rush fee I had to pay to get it done quick, but that's what I get for not figuring all this stuff out sooner. Live and learn. </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PPu7qsZZci8/VNlxGrQYvsI/AAAAAAAAHI4/Ai3ASgy_4wc/s1600/Chalkboard_Christmas_Angels_we_have_heard%2Bblog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PPu7qsZZci8/VNlxGrQYvsI/AAAAAAAAHI4/Ai3ASgy_4wc/s1600/Chalkboard_Christmas_Angels_we_have_heard%2Bblog.jpg" height="400" width="290" /></a></div>
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The dimensions of each is 12 x 15 inches. I made them this size to match the size of the quilt hangers I had my eye on. I ordered them from <a href="http://www.nancysnotions.com/category/supplies/quilt+hangers+stands.do" target="_blank">Nancy's Notions</a>, and they were pretty reasonably priced and super cute. Yay! They had lots of other styles and sizes too. Anyway, this quilt was for my sweet and calm friend Christy. For the quilting...this is the one where I pretended I knew how to McTavish. He he he--I don't. ;) My brain doesn't think very far in advance so I either stop every 3 seconds to figure out where to go next, or I don't stop and then make it look goofy. Luckily, I don't aspire to be a free motion quilting superstar, so my self-esteem is still intact. </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_bWAZ0TIcbk/VNlxG-l4i7I/AAAAAAAAHJE/dgT0vaiMapA/s1600/Chalkboard_Christmas_Did_you_know%2Bblog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_bWAZ0TIcbk/VNlxG-l4i7I/AAAAAAAAHJE/dgT0vaiMapA/s1600/Chalkboard_Christmas_Did_you_know%2Bblog.jpg" height="400" width="290" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">These were so easy and fast since all I had to do was quilt and bind them and attach a hanging sleeve. This one was for my fun lawyer friend, Maren. Her favorite song is </span><span style="text-align: right;">a beautiful one titled, "Were you there on that Christmas night?" </span><span style="text-align: left;">It took me a bit to figure out which line of this song to use-I wanted a meaningful line that didn't require a lot of explanation. The first draft of this one was missing a couple of words</span><span style="text-align: right;"> </span><span style="text-align: left;">...so a second draft was made. Unfortunately, I accidentally used the first draft and didn't even notice until after the fabric was printed (dang it!). For the quilting on this one I just did simple 1/2 inch straight lines and echo quilted around most of the letters. </span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QlBSdQkMmcg/VNlxHNBPD2I/AAAAAAAAHI8/xW6HmohXv5U/s1600/Chalkboard_Christmas_Have_yourself_a_Merry%2Bblog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QlBSdQkMmcg/VNlxHNBPD2I/AAAAAAAAHI8/xW6HmohXv5U/s1600/Chalkboard_Christmas_Have_yourself_a_Merry%2Bblog.jpg" height="400" width="290" /></a></div>
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This next one was for my always well put together and highly amusing friend Valerie. I was glad she chose this song--it is one of my favorites as well! So classic! I quilted this one with a simple feathery design-which I was not awesome at, but it was so much more forgiving than the McTavishing!</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iXYO6S3ZcLU/VNlxKhA8_yI/AAAAAAAAHJg/aTjc1SGDyzQ/s1600/Chalkboard_Christmas_the_Child%2Bblog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iXYO6S3ZcLU/VNlxKhA8_yI/AAAAAAAAHJg/aTjc1SGDyzQ/s1600/Chalkboard_Christmas_the_Child%2Bblog.jpg" height="400" width="290" /></a></div>
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This one comes from the song, "Do you hear what I hear?" It was for my cute friend Tessa. This was another one I had to think a bit about to choose a good line to use. For the quilting, I did a random tight crosshatch that I made by zig-zaging diagonally in both directions. I loved the way this design turned out so much I used it twice!</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hhZLJYDQKFc/VNlxIbyPYDI/AAAAAAAAHJQ/5ZjOWhfLf6M/s1600/Chalkboard_Christmas_Most_Wonderful_Time%2Bblog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hhZLJYDQKFc/VNlxIbyPYDI/AAAAAAAAHJQ/5ZjOWhfLf6M/s1600/Chalkboard_Christmas_Most_Wonderful_Time%2Bblog.jpg" height="400" width="290" /></a></div>
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This one was for my friend Christine. She is my quilting buddy and knew what I was up to, so it wasn't really a surprise for her. Can you spot the typo? Another one I didn't catch until after the fact! Let's just hope that most people don't really know how to spell! :) This one was quilted with simple echoing wavy lines.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-J9zPBxFmqQ0/VNlxJs9EbQI/AAAAAAAAHJY/FcFVeXwcLGU/s1600/Chalkboard_Christmas_oh_Holy_night%2Bcopy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-J9zPBxFmqQ0/VNlxJs9EbQI/AAAAAAAAHJY/FcFVeXwcLGU/s1600/Chalkboard_Christmas_oh_Holy_night%2Bcopy.jpg" height="400" width="265" /></a></div>
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And the last one was for my friend Kellie, who I am trying very hard to turn into a quilting buddy! :) She loved hers so much, and I was glad! I did the cross-hatch quilting on this one too. </div>
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Merry Christmas everyone!!</div>
Cynthiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10445554271830722221noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4665831273695256570.post-51620343137743089272014-11-10T10:51:00.001-06:002016-01-23T19:51:27.141-06:00Olive + Eggplant Wedding Quilt<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U9WhPfQzaZ0/VF_DJSy9LjI/AAAAAAAAHA8/t4W8t5zC930/s1600/Olive_Eggplant_Weddding_Quilt_5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U9WhPfQzaZ0/VF_DJSy9LjI/AAAAAAAAHA8/t4W8t5zC930/s1600/Olive_Eggplant_Weddding_Quilt_5.jpg" height="400" width="280" /></a></div>
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Holy cow, I forgot I had a blog! Ok, that's a lie...I am fully aware that I have a blog and that I haven't posted anything for months. True confession: I have a love hate relationship with blogging. It takes me HOURS to choose and edit pictures and prep a post. I'm just slow like that. So if too much time passes between posts, it starts to feel like housework...the longer I wait to do it, the less I want to do it. The nice thing about housework is that the piles of dishes and laundry just keep getting higher until you finally have to force yourself to do them. Not so with blogging! :) And sad to say, after all this time slacking, I don't exactly have a huge stack of quilts waiting to be featured. I have just been playing the last few months and doing a lot of quilt <i>planning</i>, but not a lot of finishing. And so of course now I have like 5 quilts I want to make in the next six weeks (we all know that won't really be happening). Oh well. On to the most recent quilt!</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ORs3juqTd4I/VGGgxIvJCnI/AAAAAAAAHBs/PbWGRRGSfPU/s1600/Olive_Eggplant_Quilt6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ORs3juqTd4I/VGGgxIvJCnI/AAAAAAAAHBs/PbWGRRGSfPU/s1600/Olive_Eggplant_Quilt6.jpg" height="400" width="310" /></a></div>
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This quilt started as many of my quilts do, with an email from a friend or family member about a wedding or baby shower. This one was for my cousin Natalie, who is getting married in a couple months. I knew I wouldn't be attending the shower since I live in another state, but with wedding colors and a deadline, I impulse bought fabric the same day I got the email. I have been wanting to make a purple and green quilt forever, so I definitely had fun shopping! :)</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I6Ag-xIoUeg/VF_DFCXz9sI/AAAAAAAAHA0/VvCDdY4Ul88/s1600/Olive_Eggplant_Weddding_Quilt_4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I6Ag-xIoUeg/VF_DFCXz9sI/AAAAAAAAHA0/VvCDdY4Ul88/s1600/Olive_Eggplant_Weddding_Quilt_4.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
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The wedding colors were eggplant, lavender, olive and charcoal. Several of the eggplant fabrics are from lines by V and Co. - Simply Color and Simply Style. The green dot print is an Amy Butler and the rest is stuff I had in my stash. I couldn't find charcoal fabrics I loved, so I decided to use a white text print (never done that before) and this adorable bird cage fabric that I bought at Joann years ago. I must say that one of the fabrics in the quilt was new to me...I had never bought the brand before. I won't call it out by name (it was NOT the one from Joann), but it was awful to work with. It was very tightly woven so it was unforgiving! Every time I had to sew it to the other pieces, I couldn't get it to match up as well. Guess I won't be buying anymore of that! </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eMQq94MwLJU/VF_IQFGLX3I/AAAAAAAAHBY/hQxIU6FxJj8/s1600/Olive_Eggplant_Weddding_Quilt_bird_house_fabric.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eMQq94MwLJU/VF_IQFGLX3I/AAAAAAAAHBY/hQxIU6FxJj8/s1600/Olive_Eggplant_Weddding_Quilt_bird_house_fabric.jpg" height="308" width="400" /></a></div>
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The adorable bird cage fabric...by Heidi Grace</div>
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I used my <a href="http://www.craftsy.com/pattern/quilting/home-decor/alexs-wedding-quilt-pattern/104123" target="_blank">Alex's Wedding Quilt Pattern</a> for this one...'cause it's super fast. But funny enough, I can't seem to follow a pattern...I always end up changing something! On this one I swapped the spots of a couple of the pieces for aesthetic reasons, and had to make a couple of the blocks out of two fabrics instead of one because I didn't have enough fabric. I cut and pieced this whole thing in about 4 hours total...not bad considering I made a couple of mistakes I had to fix (measure TWICE, cut once).</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Fpz1sE89hao/VF_DKKFoaEI/AAAAAAAAHBE/WsrdDAh_Oe4/s1600/Olive_Eggplant_Weddding_Quilt_Back.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Fpz1sE89hao/VF_DKKFoaEI/AAAAAAAAHBE/WsrdDAh_Oe4/s1600/Olive_Eggplant_Weddding_Quilt_Back.jpg" height="400" width="316" /></a></div>
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For the back, I decided to piece it using some solids I had with a bit of the leftover fabric from the front. I really love the way this one turned out. And I just barely had enough fabric for it!</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IVvJ9GRCWSs/VF_IPn8FybI/AAAAAAAAHBU/XjId5PuWJtk/s1600/Olive_Eggplant_Weddding_Quilt_6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IVvJ9GRCWSs/VF_IPn8FybI/AAAAAAAAHBU/XjId5PuWJtk/s1600/Olive_Eggplant_Weddding_Quilt_6.jpg" height="296" width="400" /></a></div>
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For the quilting, I went with a fast, fun pantograph. This one is by the talented Anne Bright. It's called wonderland. I bound it in the matching purple solid. </div>
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I sent the quilt to my sister to take to the shower last weekend and my cousin loved it! :) So glad! More quilts to come soon hopefully! Also going to make a 2015 calendar today since Zazzle is having a 60% sale through tomorrow (11/11/14). I didn't even come close to making enough quilts to fill a whole calendar this year, so I think I'm going to use a few pictures from this year and the rest from last year...nobody got last year's calendar but me and 2 other people. They don't have a lot of sales on calendars in January-March and I was too cheap to buy them full price! :)</div>
Cynthiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10445554271830722221noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4665831273695256570.post-9368163389564534192014-07-18T01:24:00.000-05:002014-07-18T01:25:42.989-05:00Coral + Navy Herringbone Quilt<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5-XutdEcGh0/U8NwcUVXt8I/AAAAAAAAG8A/Me9tVxw5u3c/s1600/Herringbone-Quilt4blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5-XutdEcGh0/U8NwcUVXt8I/AAAAAAAAG8A/Me9tVxw5u3c/s1600/Herringbone-Quilt4blog.jpg" height="307" width="400" /></a></div>
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My quilt collaboration skills could use improvement. LOTS of improvement. I came to this unfortunate realization during the planning phase of my latest quilt. Originally, there was a team effort to make this quilt but then I did what I do best (irritated the crap out of my older sister) and the team was reduced to ME. Let's blame it on the fact that I almost always make quilts by myself. Yep, that's it. That's my excuse. Usually when I make a quilt, I choose the pattern, the fabric, the quilting design, the thread--I make all the decisions. Occasionally I ask for outside opinions, but in the end I have complete creative control. I like it that way. Who doesn't like to be in charge? And of course I generally think everything I make is wonderful and brilliant...so there's that. (Did I mention I am conceited too?!) :) With all that said, it should come as no surprise that while working on this quilt, I hit a couple of snags in the collaboration department.<br />
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This quilt was made for my little sister Juli...luckiest girl in the family because this is her second quilt in less than a year (first one is <a href="http://ahhhquilting.blogspot.com/2014/01/petals-and-stars-quilt.html">here</a>). Normally I like to spread the quilty love out a little bit but Juli got married last month so she NEEDED another one! Yay for weddings! It was lovely, and Juli was a beautiful bride!<br />
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(Photo courtesy of sister-in-law Samantha!)</div>
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When we found out about the upcoming wedding, my older sister Allison (who also quilts) suggested making Juli's quilt together. I had been planning on just making one myself, but I was a busy girl, so I thought a little teamwork would be a faster, smarter way to get it done. Allison and I have made quilts together a couple times before: once with a quilt from a kit, and once when Allison chose the fabric and pattern, pieced the top and then I quilted it. We'd never done one quite like this before...you know, one where we had to agree on the fabric and pattern. In hindsight, I probably should have just told Allison in the beginning that I wanted to do my own thing, because I think that was my real problem. Though I didn't have anything in mind, I knew I wanted it to be something Juli would like, and I wanted it to be awesome (read: I wanted it to be my idea).<br />
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After tossing a few ideas around, (ok, it was more like me just shooting down every idea that Allison suggested) I finally just quizzed Juli about what kind of quilt she would like. She told me she liked the style of <a href="http://ahhhquilting.blogspot.com/2012/06/pink-and-green-stripey-quilt.html">this stripey quilt</a> and <a href="http://ahhhquilting.blogspot.com/2010/11/loris-quilt.html">this other quilt</a> I made a few years back. She also told me she wanted it to be mostly coral but a little bit of navy blue too. Yikes. The color combo sounded a little daunting, but luckily those colors are both trendy right now so fabric wasn't hard to find. A stripey quilt would have been super easy, but I wanted to do something I'd never done before. I thought a herringbone pattern would work well because it would have the look that Juli liked and make the color scheme doable. So I mocked it up in inkscape (I know...I'm so predictable!) and showed it to Allison. She thought it was ok, so we started talking fabric.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g_q_x2y7i64/U8g-1-ODZVI/AAAAAAAAG88/canzmAmSYqY/s1600/coral-navy-herringbone-quilt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g_q_x2y7i64/U8g-1-ODZVI/AAAAAAAAG88/canzmAmSYqY/s1600/coral-navy-herringbone-quilt.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
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To make a long story short (too late) about 3 weeks before the wedding we decided that Allison would buy the fabric, piece the top and then send it to me so I could quilt it. Brilliant plan, right? Wrong. It would have been brilliant if I hadn't been trying to micromanage the entire process. Anyway, Allison went to 8 or 9 different fabric shops (lucky girl lives in the Salt Lake valley so she has the luxury of being able to hit several amazing shops in one day). She sent me pictures of what she was finding and I gave her my opinion on most of the fabrics. In then end we had a wide array of print styles and shades of coral and a few navy blues. Some of the fabrics I really liked. Some...not so much. I suggested we not use a couple of them. Then we decided to get Juli's opinion...and Juli didn't like a couple more of them. Understandably, this totally frustrated Allison, because after all her time spent shopping, there went half the fabric. Of the fabrics that were left, there were 2 I liked more than the others and they happened to be from the same line. It was called Iconic by Camelot Fabrics. So I looked it up online and saw that there were a whole bunch more coral and navy fabrics that were coordinating. So I offered to just buy a bunch and have it sent to Allison so we would have more choices. But by that point, she was done. She said, "Why don't I just send you the stuff I have and you can just do it yourself." I don't blame her. I'm sure she was probably envisioning me telling her where to place every single piece of fabric in the quilt, which is, no doubt, exactly what I would have done.<br />
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So Allison sent me all the fabric she had, I ordered the Camelot stuff and it all arrived one week before the wedding. I ended up using mostly the Iconic fabrics with a few others thrown in. I lived in front of my design wall for the next few days and got it done. By the time I was finished, I never wanted to see the color coral again! I kept saying "It looks like a flamingo threw up in here!" (Beaches...such a good movie). Seriously though, it was a lot of coral. Good thing Juli likes it so much! And thankfully, Allison has forgiven me for being a quilt Nazi. We've decided to try another collaboration in the future, but with a better time-table and more compromise from yours truly. I think we can do it! :)<br />
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For the quilting, I just needed a fast, all over design. I chose to use an Aztec groovy board--gives it a crazy zig-zag look. But the best part of course, is that it was done in a couple of hours. I went with a solid navy blue binding and the back is a coral stripe that I found on clearance.</div>
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I took it to Utah with me for the wedding! I had hoped to find a good spot for a quilt picture, and believe it or not, I was actually looking for a wagon wheel to use as a photo prop. I hit the jackpot with this one right around the corner from my sister-in-law's house! Old wood, piles of junk, a no trespassing sign and...an old rusty wheel! Perfect for a quilt photo. Love it when that happens!</div>
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Cynthiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10445554271830722221noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4665831273695256570.post-80562881801939713572014-06-18T16:39:00.002-05:002022-05-17T11:55:16.194-05:00Scrappy Hearts Quilt<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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My daughter attended her last day of kindergarten a couple of weeks ago. It was a sad day. Most kids are probably so excited for summer to start that they aren't that sad when the school year is over. But my daughter loved her teacher so much, she never wanted it to end. I am usually not super sentimental, but even I teared up a bit as we got in the car to go home on the last day. And 2 weeks later she is still talking about her teacher...making up songs about her and writing her notes. It is amazing the difference a great teacher can make in the life of a child! And I couldn't think of a better way to let a fabulous teacher know how much she is appreciated than by making her a quilt!</div>
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The idea for this quilt actually came from a picture of a rug I saw on a facebook swap group! It was black and white, but I thought the design would look cool as a scrappy quilt. I don't know why but I have been loving this type of quilt lately. It is a lot like <a href="http://ahhhquilting.blogspot.com/2013/11/pb-and-j-charm-quilt.html" target="_blank">this quilt</a> I made last year. Since I have a slightly one track mind, I'm plotting a couple more that are similar. :) </div>
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Since this quilt was for my daughter's teacher, I let her help as much as she would. I consulted her on the design ("Looks great, mom"--that is almost always what she says when I ask her what she thinks of a quilt) and then once I had most of it laid out on the design wall, she came in and said, "I really want some hearts on it!" Well luckily there were already hearts! I like that they are kind of broken so they are not super obvious! :) </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qj9B-2jeHew/U6Ew3a3IUII/AAAAAAAAG2o/eUatC9xfUOc/s1600/Scrappy-Hearts-Quilt3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qj9B-2jeHew/U6Ew3a3IUII/AAAAAAAAG2o/eUatC9xfUOc/s1600/Scrappy-Hearts-Quilt3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The fabrics for this quilt are Lottie Da and True Colors by Heather Bailey for Free Spirit. I love all of it! I love the colors and the prints are just fun. Plus, I think busy, multicolored but coordinating fabrics make great scrappy quilts, so this line was perfect. And I found a sweet deal on a fat eighth pack of Lottie Da so fabric selection was a no-brainer. I threw in the True Colors because they matched and because the more fabrics you have, the easier it is to make it random! The solid is Bella Apron strings Ivory. It looks a little yellow on it's own but was the perfect color to match!</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hVVLfjx9Tps/U6Ew8lTp3vI/AAAAAAAAG24/Yxhlkczmtjo/s1600/Scrappy-Hearts-Quilt5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="293" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hVVLfjx9Tps/U6Ew8lTp3vI/AAAAAAAAG24/Yxhlkczmtjo/s1600/Scrappy-Hearts-Quilt5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Piecing this quilt took a little longer than I thought it would! It is made up of 4 different blocks, but to make sure the fabrics were evenly dispersed I had to lay everything out first and then sew each block individually. Thank goodness for design walls...that made it a little easier! I thought I might be able to strip piece some of it, but that didn't really work since the print fabrics were 3 different lengths and I had no idea which size I would need where and whether it would need a white piece sewn to it or not. I ended up just unpicking all the strips I sewed together. I had originally planned to make this a rectangle, but due to time constraints (and sheer laziness) I decided to cut off the last row and make it closer to a square. It ended up about 60 x 63"--still a good sized throw!<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Qr6u1Wefgt0/U6ExAYkH1OI/AAAAAAAAG3I/-fHl8FoBCcU/s1600/Scrappy-Hearts-Quilt7.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Qr6u1Wefgt0/U6ExAYkH1OI/AAAAAAAAG3I/-fHl8FoBCcU/s1600/Scrappy-Hearts-Quilt7.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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For the quilting I chose a fast feathery swirly pantograph. It is called "Oh my Feathers" by Lisa Calle. I think it was perfect for this quilt! </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1VXuz_wqr1g/U6ExCe0oyQI/AAAAAAAAG3Q/eRFNhZIi7ug/s1600/Scrappy-Hearts-Quilt8.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="271" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1VXuz_wqr1g/U6ExCe0oyQI/AAAAAAAAG3Q/eRFNhZIi7ug/s1600/Scrappy-Hearts-Quilt8.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I ended up piecing the back...I don't usually love pieced backings that much, but I wanted it to match and was trying to clearance shop for the fabric, and let my daughter pick it out, etc. etc. so I just had to take what I could get! I didn't have enough of each fabric to do what I had originally planned so I decided to put a heart on the back to fill some space! My daughter helped pick and arrange the fabrics for the heart!</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k7l-RB7u0eg/U6Ew9v8P_BI/AAAAAAAAG3A/yg6xlwRcykE/s1600/Scrappy-Hearts-Quilt6.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k7l-RB7u0eg/U6Ew9v8P_BI/AAAAAAAAG3A/yg6xlwRcykE/s1600/Scrappy-Hearts-Quilt6.jpg" width="306" /></a></div>
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I photographed this quilt at my father-in-law's swanky new condo. I was excited when he moved in because the place is a quilt picture goldmine! The pool area had this great iron gazebo--so fun!</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN2i2kc808R9jslxq4wroWcRqSoCL0DT2WXl2AHwQEeVJZN9uJjrCkRmwRqtP4lvDQjl4ab9hEXPwpm83a9gL5xOatnTZaXKoII6_NV4aUxzlH9Ktq4UuPEfpdlF7qwM3vQJ4h7w_vhVMA5LrmUFDr3apfcIKeIdoca5-vHnsnQ6-ILnxmAYjkOCeL/s4288/Scrappy-Hearts-Quilt9blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2848" data-original-width="4288" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN2i2kc808R9jslxq4wroWcRqSoCL0DT2WXl2AHwQEeVJZN9uJjrCkRmwRqtP4lvDQjl4ab9hEXPwpm83a9gL5xOatnTZaXKoII6_NV4aUxzlH9Ktq4UuPEfpdlF7qwM3vQJ4h7w_vhVMA5LrmUFDr3apfcIKeIdoca5-vHnsnQ6-ILnxmAYjkOCeL/w400-h266/Scrappy-Hearts-Quilt9blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I bound the quilt in green since green is the teacher's favorite color. And I don't usually label the quilts I make, but this one had to have one! I made the design in Inkscape, printed it out and traced it with a fine-point sharpie marker onto fabric backed with fusible web. I had my daughter write her name on a piece of paper and then traced it onto the label. Sharpie markers bleed super easy, so I didn't want to risk ruining it with big black bleed marks! The little hearts are appliqued on and I stitched the whole thing down by hand once it was ironed on. Kinda fun.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Hk52UKon5Y0/U6Ewy-d8wyI/AAAAAAAAG2Q/8fmaENnguRk/s1600/Scrappy-Hearts-Quilt1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="306" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Hk52UKon5Y0/U6Ewy-d8wyI/AAAAAAAAG2Q/8fmaENnguRk/s1600/Scrappy-Hearts-Quilt1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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My daughter took the quilt with her to school on the last day. Her teacher loved it and said she would keep it forever! Good! We will love her forever!! :)</div>
Cynthiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10445554271830722221noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4665831273695256570.post-53639994697536681132014-05-18T00:24:00.000-05:002016-01-23T19:51:27.145-06:00Firework Quilt<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vh1qIiiAsdc/U3gyyFnqxfI/AAAAAAAAG1I/2-kNKEU3m-w/s1600/Firework-Quilt1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vh1qIiiAsdc/U3gyyFnqxfI/AAAAAAAAG1I/2-kNKEU3m-w/s1600/Firework-Quilt1.jpg" height="293" width="400" /></a></div>
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Here's another quilt! This little guy is my Blogger's Quilt Festival Entry...I had planned to finish that rainbow quilt I've been meaning to make for my daughter...but no, instead I'm indulging this weeks obsession with wedges. Just go with it...sometimes I get an idea for a quilt and I just make it 'cause it's in my head...even when I have other quilts that should probably be done first! Remember I had this problem with circles? Yeah. But it all worked out in the end! :) </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZjV0RZ7tZz0/U3gyx81woSI/AAAAAAAAG1U/uN4gUTzIc-Q/s1600/Firework-Quilt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZjV0RZ7tZz0/U3gyx81woSI/AAAAAAAAG1U/uN4gUTzIc-Q/s1600/Firework-Quilt.jpg" height="393" width="400" /></a></div>
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So here's my firework! When I was a kid my dad used to take us to see the fireworks every 4th of July. We would park right next to the field where they shot the fireworks off so we would be right underneath them. They were LOUD and they were HUGE and I loved them! Good memories! So a few months back I was talking to one of my friends about summer quilts and she suggested I make a 4th of July quilt...I happened to be looking right at my <a href="http://ahhhquilting.blogspot.com/2013/05/watermelon-wedge-quilt.html" target="_blank">Watermelon Wedge quilt</a> while we were talking and I started picturing those wedges in red, white and blue and a firework popped in my head! So one thing led to another, and here we are! I mocked it up in Inkscape (as usual). I have decided I like seasonal and themed quilts in a table topper or wall hanging size so this quilt is 36" x 36". It is completely appliqued, so it was fast and easy! Have I mentioned how much I love applique? :) </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jxzgTvuiw3g/U3gyy6ssFLI/AAAAAAAAG1M/mUq7l1dGL-k/s1600/Firework-Quilt2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jxzgTvuiw3g/U3gyy6ssFLI/AAAAAAAAG1M/mUq7l1dGL-k/s1600/Firework-Quilt2.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
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In my mind, I had pictured this in completely different fabrics. I really wanted some sparkly fabric. Or some super cute blue polka dots and red stripes or...something. But I couldn't find what I was picturing anywhere I looked. This is a struggle I often encounter when planning a quilt--I have a certain fabric in mind...but nobody sells it. I thought about just designing my own and printing it on Spoonflower, but I just don't have time for that right now! But I still wanted to make the quilt...so I settled for these fabrics I found at Hawthorne Threads-- they are from the "Dreaming in Pearle" line by Timeless Treasures. They aren't fabrics I would have normally chosen, but they are kind of shimmery, so I went with it. </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1I5DvsIVggk/U3gy12D-ExI/AAAAAAAAG1g/_Lgv3yoXZ_8/s1600/Firework-Quilt3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1I5DvsIVggk/U3gy12D-ExI/AAAAAAAAG1g/_Lgv3yoXZ_8/s1600/Firework-Quilt3.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
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I won't lie...when I finished the top, I wasn't in love. But then I quilted it...and it is true what they say...the quilting makes the quilt!! I used 2 layers of batting so the design would really pop and I quilted tiny pebbles with random swirls thrown in here and there. I thought of adding the stars right before I started quilting and they are my favorite part! I quilted straight lines in the wedges using glittery silver thread and though it is hard to see in the pictures, it looks pretty cool! I want the quilt to really sparkle, so I have plans to bedazzle this thing within an inch of its life! I bought some hot-fix crystals but decided to take a few pictures before adding them since I've heard the crystals don't photograph well.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z_vPGu76XCk/U3gy412GoFI/AAAAAAAAG1o/ERRqmt2SNn8/s1600/Firework-Quilt4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z_vPGu76XCk/U3gy412GoFI/AAAAAAAAG1o/ERRqmt2SNn8/s1600/Firework-Quilt4.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
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I bound it in blue and now I can't wait to put it on my wall in a few weeks! :) </div>
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Enjoy the Blogger's Quilt Festival!</div>
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Cynthiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10445554271830722221noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4665831273695256570.post-60305126236930415602014-05-09T08:54:00.001-05:002014-05-09T08:57:39.388-05:00Screamin' deal on batting!Warm and White batting TWIN size for $10.51!<br />
I love a good deal and this one is too good not to share! I shop online a lot...it's easier. And often, it's cheaper too. Sorry, but my inner thrifty girl (and my bank account) can't afford a sense of loyalty to any store...so this killer deal is at my favorite big box retailer that everyone loves to hate...Walmart.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lX_4vdXdy8k/U2zaPfOnG_I/AAAAAAAAG0E/CXFk9SBprBY/s1600/Warm-and-white-batting.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lX_4vdXdy8k/U2zaPfOnG_I/AAAAAAAAG0E/CXFk9SBprBY/s1600/Warm-and-white-batting.png" height="211" width="400" /></a></div>
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It would never have occurred to me to buy batting here...but I came across it and did a double take on the price of the TWIN batting--I'm not sure how great the price is on the other sizes--twin is usually the size I buy and I have never seen it this cheap! And bonus...if you spend $50 the shipping is free too! And at this price, it's easy to buy 5! Or 10. Or...a year supply! So if your conscience allows you to take advantage of this kind of deal...hop on over to <a href="http://www.walmart.com/ip/Warm-White-Cotton-Batting-Twin-Size-72-X90/15407487" target="_blank">walmart.com</a> and get some before they change their minds and roll the price back up! Happy Friday! :)Cynthiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10445554271830722221noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4665831273695256570.post-87765284546834221382014-05-02T17:35:00.001-05:002020-09-10T16:41:15.741-05:00Little Watermelon Quilt<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AcJF06ALWiI/U2HY_xjroiI/AAAAAAAAGyw/NUd3FGA53lk/s1600/Little-Watermelon-Quilt2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="281" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AcJF06ALWiI/U2HY_xjroiI/AAAAAAAAGyw/NUd3FGA53lk/s1600/Little-Watermelon-Quilt2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Watermelon quilts are fun...so here is another one! After I made the original <a href="http://ahhhquilting.blogspot.com/2013/05/watermelon-wedge-quilt.html" target="_blank">Watermelon Wedge Quilt</a>, I had no plans to EVER make the quilt again. Several people asked if I would make them one or if I was going to write a pattern for it...and I told them all the same thing: NOPE! (I hope you are all hearing Olaf's voice when I say NOPE!--we are a bit obsessed with the movie Frozen right now!) Anyway, the original quilt was a kind of a nightmare to piece--and it took way more time than I usually like to spend on one quilt! Of course it was worth it in the end...but I had no desire to ever make another one and could not imagine how I would make a pattern for such an obstinate quilt. But then one day a couple months ago I started really trying to think about how I could pattern it...and it finally occurred to me to just make it smaller! :) The larger size is fun, but seriously, I haven't been daring enough to use it as a picnic blanket yet, and it is hard to display the whole thing. The smaller one will be more useful for me I think!</div>
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So this little quilt is the same design as the original...just half the size and about three thousand times faster to make! And I figured as long as I was making it smaller, I might as well make it easier too...the angles on this make it very easy to mess up, so rather than pieced, this one is entirely appliqued using fusible web. I'm sure it could be made using other applique methods, but since fusible web is my go-to method, that's what I did. And while normally I might be concerned about the stiffness of the quilt using fusible web, with this one I don't think it is a big deal--since the size is perfect for decor. It makes a great table topper or wall hanging--and stiffness on those types of quilts isn't necessarily a bad thing!</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-s36mrqKAawc/U2HY_b8pgSI/AAAAAAAAGys/ZI9lSJJDWAk/s1600/Little-Watermelon-Quilt3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-s36mrqKAawc/U2HY_b8pgSI/AAAAAAAAGys/ZI9lSJJDWAk/s1600/Little-Watermelon-Quilt3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I made this using fabric I had in my stash...since I collected fabrics for a watermelon quilt for almost 5 years, I had several to choose from! :) And I just can't help myself...that black Alexander Henry dot fabric is my favorite! I seem to use it every time I need a black accent! </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DNuC9m_elHU/U2PdvuTCq_I/AAAAAAAAGzo/1RJvaYK-Eaw/s1600/Little-Watermelon-Quilt-Back.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="301" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DNuC9m_elHU/U2PdvuTCq_I/AAAAAAAAGzo/1RJvaYK-Eaw/s1600/Little-Watermelon-Quilt-Back.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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And for the back I finally got to use that Timeless Treasures watermelon rind fabric!! Haha! It's perfect!</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fT3RBURJ498/U2HZCf_yHCI/AAAAAAAAGzE/0FscSJU5QCQ/s1600/Little-Watermelon-Quilt4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fT3RBURJ498/U2HZCf_yHCI/AAAAAAAAGzE/0FscSJU5QCQ/s1600/Little-Watermelon-Quilt4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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And for the quilting...I agonized for days. I don't know why I make this so hard every time. I'm just too picky I guess! :) So I had planned to do something entirely different. I had the whole thing loaded on the quilting frame, had just put the baby down for a nap and was on my way downstairs to start quilting it when I passed the neglected pile of clean laundry. I stopped for a minute to fold some of it and in the process, came across one of my kitchen towels that had a raised square pattern. Inspiration! I guess there is a good reason to work before play sometimes! :) These spaced squares were easy too since I had already drawn a 2" grid on the quilt--I just stitched inside each grid square, 1/4 inch away from the lines. I love it!</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bXsVaTms0mY/U2Hfn8tgYNI/AAAAAAAAGzQ/5ny3ZR_yrsU/s1600/Little-Watermelon-Quilt1-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="293" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bXsVaTms0mY/U2Hfn8tgYNI/AAAAAAAAGzQ/5ny3ZR_yrsU/s1600/Little-Watermelon-Quilt1-2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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And of course the good news is that finally everyone can have their own summery watermelon quilt because the pattern is done! You can get it <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/238481248/watermelon-quilted-table-topper-pattern?ref=shop_home_active_8&crt=1" target="_blank">HERE</a>! </div>
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Cynthiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10445554271830722221noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4665831273695256570.post-76799591665068513222014-04-23T16:25:00.000-05:002014-04-23T16:53:09.292-05:00Dish Towel Dash Quilt<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ww1nvPRPPks/U1gCvCWtDNI/AAAAAAAAGxU/if9i_JjsV-U/s1600/Dish-Towel-Dash-Quilt4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ww1nvPRPPks/U1gCvCWtDNI/AAAAAAAAGxU/if9i_JjsV-U/s1600/Dish-Towel-Dash-Quilt4.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
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Here's one more quilt from last year! Whew! Almost forgot about this one! </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YBtZ6_QdD-g/U1gCnhgbBmI/AAAAAAAAGxA/qO97I4MVBUg/s1600/Dish-Towel-Dash-Quilt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YBtZ6_QdD-g/U1gCnhgbBmI/AAAAAAAAGxA/qO97I4MVBUg/s1600/Dish-Towel-Dash-Quilt.jpg" height="400" width="308" /></a></div>
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I made this one for Kezia, a friend of my sister-in-law...I guess now she's my friend too...what can I say...it's easy to make friends when you're a quilter! ;) Anyway, Kezia called me during the summer of 2012 to chat about a quilt she wanted to make for her husband. She discovered I was a quilter after I helped my sister-in-law make a couple quilts (<a href="http://ahhhquilting.blogspot.com/2012/03/michelles-freebird-squares-quilt.html" target="_blank">this quilt</a> and <a href="http://ahhhquilting.blogspot.com/2012/07/bohemian-festival-quilt.html" target="_blank">this quilt</a>). So we talked a bit and she explained that she wanted to make a quilt for her husband using some old embroidered dish towels that had been his grandmothers. I gave her a few ideas for using the dish towels and suggested some manly fabric lines. At one point she asked me if I would just make the quilt for her but of course I told her NO! (I was trying to practice just saying no). At that point I really had no time or desire to make a quilt for someone I barely knew. </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-buRM8MAM-uI/U1gCuVBguiI/AAAAAAAAGxQ/rMIci1DILS4/s1600/Dish-Towel-Dash-Quilt3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-buRM8MAM-uI/U1gCuVBguiI/AAAAAAAAGxQ/rMIci1DILS4/s1600/Dish-Towel-Dash-Quilt3.jpg" height="275" width="400" /></a> </div>
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So then last summer, we went up to Utah to visit my sister-in-law. Of course while were there, I met Kezia. She is the funniest girl...and one night we ended up at her house, rifling through her fabric stash and looking through the bag of grandmas old dish towels. Initially, I thought of making some kind of circle quilt that showcased the different towels. However, once I saw them all, I decided that less was definitely more. There were so many different embroidery designs: clowns, cats holding spoons, salt and pepper shakers with faces...honestly some of them were a little scary! And they were all different color themes too...pastels, brights, etc. I just didn't think there was any way they would all look good together. So in the end, we picked out 2 similar towels that matched well with a stack of fat quarters from Kezia's stash. And somehow, I left Kezia's house with the fabric and towels in a bag, and another item on my long list of quilts to make. :)</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TTXBYvb_Y0s/U1gCqAP1q0I/AAAAAAAAGxI/NFFJTkCfvfA/s1600/Dish-Towel-Dash-Quilt2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TTXBYvb_Y0s/U1gCqAP1q0I/AAAAAAAAGxI/NFFJTkCfvfA/s1600/Dish-Towel-Dash-Quilt2.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
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I didn't really have a design in mind for this, so I stashed the fabric for several months and waited for it to come to me. Eventually it did. :) I decided to use a lot of white with just a bit of color--to mimic the idea of a dish towel. And I thought the colored dashes would be reminiscent of hand stitching, with the solid lines drawing attention to the embroidery designs. I was kind of excited about it. I asked Kezia if she wanted to see the design before I made the quilt--just to be sure she liked it, but she said she wanted to be surprised. People are way too trusting! :) </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d89EAqsZGQE/U1gCviy52NI/AAAAAAAAGxg/0OBRWjP3-o8/s1600/Dish-Towel-Dash-Quilt5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d89EAqsZGQE/U1gCviy52NI/AAAAAAAAGxg/0OBRWjP3-o8/s1600/Dish-Towel-Dash-Quilt5.jpg" height="281" width="400" /></a></div>
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I had told Kezia that I would try to get it done in time for Christmas, but no promises. Of course I waited until the last minute. I think it took me 3 days from start to finish, which was a good surprise. Since every quilt I make is usually new and different, I never know how long a particular quilt will take to make. Luckily this one was pretty fast to piece, and I only hit one snag...I tried to use the fabrics we had chosen, but the prints were a little too big to use for the dashes...so I ended up using all different fabrics--fortunately, I had perfect tone on tone fabrics in the same colors that read more solid! I was a little scared to cut the towels apart--didn't want to mess them up--so I measured them several times and put some lightweight fusible interfacing on the back to give them a little more stability before I cut the embroidery designs out. It worked out well. </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mz7goRWL7xw/U1gCnFxp0yI/AAAAAAAAGww/AvCKssgJqM8/s1600/Dish-Towel-Dash-Quilt-Back.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mz7goRWL7xw/U1gCnFxp0yI/AAAAAAAAGww/AvCKssgJqM8/s1600/Dish-Towel-Dash-Quilt-Back.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
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The back is blue minky, as requested by Kezia, and the quilting is a pantograph called Pipeline. I was worried it wouldn't look very good since I am not the steadiest quilter...but the lines turned out surprisingly straighter than I thought they would, so...expectations exceeded! </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oGqghEkAJTo/U1gCn_Ec1YI/AAAAAAAAGw0/ajCez3YDCKc/s1600/Dish-Towel-Dash-Quilt1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oGqghEkAJTo/U1gCn_Ec1YI/AAAAAAAAGw0/ajCez3YDCKc/s1600/Dish-Towel-Dash-Quilt1.jpg" height="308" width="400" /></a></div>
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I heard there might have been a few tears when it was opened on Christmas...hopefully they were happy tears because they liked the quilt...and not tears because the towels had been cut up! :) </div>
Cynthiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10445554271830722221noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4665831273695256570.post-17419533444411405872014-04-02T13:38:00.001-05:002014-04-02T14:00:43.143-05:00Dear Loyal Readers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fhU1ZF00Lq8/UzxUDGPvtSI/AAAAAAAAGrk/qvMnE8u3Fls/s1600/SaltAirCharmQuilt1blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fhU1ZF00Lq8/UzxUDGPvtSI/AAAAAAAAGrk/qvMnE8u3Fls/s1600/SaltAirCharmQuilt1blog.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.800000190734863px;">Or should I say loyal quilting buddies? ;) I'm going to stray from my usual blogging format today because I have a fun announcement! I meant to do this sooner (like yesterday...I was going to April fool everyone that I had decided to quit quilting...hahaha) but sadly it didn't happen. So first of all, I am happy to report that the Radiant Orchid Quilt won 2nd place in the Mini category AND Viewers Choice Award in the</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.333333969116211px;"> </span><a href="http://thewindyside.blogspot.co.nz/2014/03/2014-pantone-quilt-challenge-winners.html" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.333333969116211px;" target="_blank">Pantone Quilt Challenge</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.800000190734863px;">! Yay!! So exciting!</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bmYb-QKuFxw/Uy4gT0FZpXI/AAAAAAAAGgI/dnLOSVgssAQ/s1600/CirclesRingsStarsMini3blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.333333969116211px; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bmYb-QKuFxw/Uy4gT0FZpXI/AAAAAAAAGgI/dnLOSVgssAQ/s1600/CirclesRingsStarsMini3blog.jpg" height="296" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.800000190734863px;">In other news, I have finally decided that Quilt Design and I were meant to be together. There isn't going to be a wedding or anything (I'm already married!) but I thought everyone should know that I've decided to take our relationship to the next level by selling some of my patterns! Frankly, I have been resistant to being in the pattern making business, mostly because I didn't want the pressure of having to market patterns and get them printed and ship them, and talk about it all the time on my blog. I didn't want to be disappointed if nobody wanted to buy them. I didn't want it to become my whole life. So I didn't do it.</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vUpB3bIRsfQ/UzxUAuADhAI/AAAAAAAAGrc/5GqOM0ZP-w0/s1600/Curvyrulerquilt2blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vUpB3bIRsfQ/UzxUAuADhAI/AAAAAAAAGrc/5GqOM0ZP-w0/s1600/Curvyrulerquilt2blog.jpg" height="277" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.800000190734863px;">But then, in January, I discovered Craftsy! I promise I do not live in a cave...I don't know why I didn't find it sooner. :) I had actually seen ads for it here and there online, but I thought they just had online classes. Then, I bought the pattern for <a href="http://ahhhquilting.blogspot.com/2014/03/the-rainbow-dress.html" target="_blank">my daughters birthday dress</a> on Craftsy and I went, "Wait a minute! PDF download only? Perfect!" And a couple months later, here we are. I have myself a sweet little <a href="http://www.craftsy.com/user/2857646/pattern-store" target="_blank">Craftsy shop</a> with one pattern in it (well actually 3--but two of them are free) and I have all the benefits of being in business and none of the stress of actually being in business! It's really kind of fun! And you know who is the most excited? My husband. That's right...he is thrilled at the possibility of me subsidizing my quilting habit and therefore NOT spending the family fortune on fabric every month. :) </span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mFjkm6Un03A/UzxUASUeG1I/AAAAAAAAGrQ/uOk6fKZUtYM/s1600/RainbowStripesQuilt1blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mFjkm6Un03A/UzxUASUeG1I/AAAAAAAAGrQ/uOk6fKZUtYM/s1600/RainbowStripesQuilt1blog.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.800000190734863px;">So...there you have it! :) Also, just a heads up--there are going to be some changes to the free pattern page. I'm just letting you know so if there is anything on it that you would like but have not yet downloaded, do it now!</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.800000190734863px;">Also, If you have suggestions, requests or would like to possibly test a pattern for me, please let me know!!</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D346nSZR2Ng/UzxUGX76kRI/AAAAAAAAGrs/OVbembQ4y8A/s1600/ZerosBabyQuilt5blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D346nSZR2Ng/UzxUGX76kRI/AAAAAAAAGrs/OVbembQ4y8A/s1600/ZerosBabyQuilt5blog.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.800000190734863px;">Ok, back to quilting! ;) </span></div>
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</span>Cynthiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10445554271830722221noreply@blogger.com