tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31193126891151121472024-03-13T13:51:21.532-05:00Kathy's CacheMy Creative JourneyKathy Crofoothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12531145192255431983noreply@blogger.comBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119312689115112147.post-21006860098959487092014-01-31T05:30:00.000-06:002015-07-18T05:32:01.405-05:00Conspicuously Absent<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlKcEMgxVWZDC-8oWrX2Uq9eWX5yX8cxGNphPyX_Ap__m-qKhsbb4u32ZYQhoIbCbjRr_sGzMxVCV70B6PKs5S4JeHaBoWFQutvBhyphenhyphenI8c85yldp_96-3QQZ84OyK0NVmtvQ_fRTT4_3-c/s1600/2014-01-31+07.20.05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlKcEMgxVWZDC-8oWrX2Uq9eWX5yX8cxGNphPyX_Ap__m-qKhsbb4u32ZYQhoIbCbjRr_sGzMxVCV70B6PKs5S4JeHaBoWFQutvBhyphenhyphenI8c85yldp_96-3QQZ84OyK0NVmtvQ_fRTT4_3-c/s1600/2014-01-31+07.20.05.jpg" width="134" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHLAWEwssURQ_gpI2vpy97bC5vNzspmK2GKU7W4_s_6GJNTdNBO0dXZdK5YlCjD7DIdE9gvdPwuOYaYi7lRiIzXKEu6VPx8MQ5TiIEgg3i7MujbmLM6frLDmXSkqkU_536k6WltdlFt60/s1600/2014-01-31+07.19.47.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHLAWEwssURQ_gpI2vpy97bC5vNzspmK2GKU7W4_s_6GJNTdNBO0dXZdK5YlCjD7DIdE9gvdPwuOYaYi7lRiIzXKEu6VPx8MQ5TiIEgg3i7MujbmLM6frLDmXSkqkU_536k6WltdlFt60/s1600/2014-01-31+07.19.47.jpg" width="150" /></a>January was a fun month for me. It was busy and hectic. Being a bookkeeper in my other life, you might imagine I was busy beyond belief with my client's work. Your imagination would be correct. The last big push this week nearly knocked me out. But I'm still on my feet, and still quilting. </div>
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I was able to FMQ 3 quilts this month. Two still need the bindings finished. The first two were Project Linus quilt tops given to me by Susan of Susan's Calico Creations. She said they needed to be finished. The first one was this cheery bowtie quilt that was all hand pieced! I put the borders on it and got it quilted in very little time.<br />
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The second one is a 3" charm quilt. Great colors in this one too. It's small enough for a baby quilt so I finished it off with a plaid backing and rich burgundy binding.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXhjU9eRCGHctdstWhypeew6m29yB71HfNvgcEbmmSzIxT8f_tAupOC63HMqRDsgYgBJ1N9c1D0cqfCHj7UozuKpJjkGH_S59giqjD6mQ-hdMpSAYZx0WonM_OHbFebexiC-NwUj6qHQA/s1600/2014-01-31+07.22.21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="269" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXhjU9eRCGHctdstWhypeew6m29yB71HfNvgcEbmmSzIxT8f_tAupOC63HMqRDsgYgBJ1N9c1D0cqfCHj7UozuKpJjkGH_S59giqjD6mQ-hdMpSAYZx0WonM_OHbFebexiC-NwUj6qHQA/s1600/2014-01-31+07.22.21.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The final one is a baby quilt for my friend Mary Ann's new grandson. He was born early in September, but is doing well now. I had a cute Debbie Mumm Noah's Ark print for the backing but wouldn't you know it was just a smidgen too narrow, so I artfully placed a stripe on the back to make it fit. <br />
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Kathy Crofoothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12531145192255431983noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119312689115112147.post-63409078376312316922014-01-06T18:00:00.002-06:002014-01-06T18:00:45.669-06:00The Mystery is Solved - Celtic Solstice <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhczpkUp9C-qXkOHUjnwIf0b6z1Az0QXOeYsBxYGJYqt0CWTvnEfhVN_QyTkqzi49Sqc02yImw2uHdxi2dMCPHU16KK2a6yft2oeUBXcpqT9TZGEoQ19-_A9fUl_60d__rMVSFz03MZYXg/s1600/2014-01-06+17.10.33.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhczpkUp9C-qXkOHUjnwIf0b6z1Az0QXOeYsBxYGJYqt0CWTvnEfhVN_QyTkqzi49Sqc02yImw2uHdxi2dMCPHU16KK2a6yft2oeUBXcpqT9TZGEoQ19-_A9fUl_60d__rMVSFz03MZYXg/s1600/2014-01-06+17.10.33.jpg" height="400" width="332" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh my goodness! I put in a block wrong! Can you spot it?</td></tr>
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Happy New Year! On New Year's Day, just after midnight EST, Bonnie Hunter revealed the final <a href="http://quiltville.blogspot.com/2014/01/happy-new-year-2014-surprise-reveal.html">Celtic Solstice clue</a> that revealed the beautiful Quilt she designed for us. I am loving the pattern, but the colors are a tad outside my comfort zone. <br />
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Since I was diligently working on Clue 5 still, I did not post last week's progress. I was able to complete all of steps 2, 3, and 4, with 1 and 5 cut out, but not completed. Now I have pieces and parts enough for a king-size quilt that will never be completed. <br />
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This is the quilt I am determined to make - a small-ish size quilt that I can snuggle under. Likely I will use the other parts for other smaller quilts for charity work. It's bound to make someone smile.<br />
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I have seen many color variations of this quilt on others' blogs and am dreaming about making a full or queen size quilt for our guest room or our room, but the orange and yellow? So not my thing.<br />
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I want to take a few minutes to thank Bonnie for all the lessons I learned making this quilt:<br />
<ul>
<li><strong>Embrace color</strong>. It gives a quilt a life of its own.</li>
<li><strong>Get that 1/4" seam exact.</strong> If the blocks are not the right size, do what needs to be done to get them to measure up. Ok, so some of them had to be trimmed a tiny little bit, but that's likely due to improper cutting.</li>
<li>Speaking of Cutting: <strong>Measure Twice - Cut once</strong> - I have a nice pile of mis-cut pieces to show for my efforts, but not too big.</li>
<li><strong>Break down complex jobs into bite-size chunks. </strong>Each of the clues was a piece to one of two different blocks. It was easy to make all the half square triangles and pinwheels, four patches or chevrons together. At the end when assembling the blocks, I only had to go to the right pile to pull the pieces together.</li>
<li><strong>Follow directions and diagrams</strong> to the letter, but feel free to experiment with colors and methods. The chevrons kicked my backside - those flippy corners were the pits. Until I saw on the Monday link-up from Karen in CA who showed us how to use strips to do the same thing. See her post <a href="http://www.stitchingcircle.com/?p=1876">here</a>. Thank you Karen! I was able to crank out the last half of those chevrons in only a couple of days.</li>
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This was my first-ever mystery quilt. I have been excited to be a part of it. Joining up with the final <a href="http://quiltville.blogspot.com/2014/01/mystery-monday-link-up-part-6.html">Mystery Monday Linkup</a> at QuiltVille. Thank you Bonnie for an exciting month! I'm going to let this project live on my design wall for a while as I clean up the extra parts and pieces, straighten up my Quilting Studio, and start working on some other projects I have coming up for this year. Stay tuned!Kathy Crofoothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12531145192255431983noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119312689115112147.post-30616703920668651272013-12-25T23:00:00.000-06:002013-12-26T08:42:29.183-06:00I am so blessed - Life is Good!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgigWFdNji9wkafRYtUN1yzaDII6EInw4V87MDC7yBuAWaw7UYGB79p4m4nFjIwh_C8rqFyFrtpOuQhqI5qPbg9BsXwb1G5K-fGIeby15VQi7D8RFYcKlx88dylbPjPce3RE-CWwxOvY_g/s1600/2013-12-25+14.13.19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgigWFdNji9wkafRYtUN1yzaDII6EInw4V87MDC7yBuAWaw7UYGB79p4m4nFjIwh_C8rqFyFrtpOuQhqI5qPbg9BsXwb1G5K-fGIeby15VQi7D8RFYcKlx88dylbPjPce3RE-CWwxOvY_g/s200/2013-12-25+14.13.19.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
My Husband is the greatest! After 29 1/2 years, I think he's getting the hang of giving gifts. Crazy man that he is, he went out yesterday afternoon to do his Christmas Shopping. Now mind you, he only has one person to buy for, but still he waits until the very last minute!<br />
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Hubby is so supportive of my quilting habit - he bought me a 5 pack of rotary cutter blades, and 10 yards of Red and blue fabrics. How cool is that? He knows I want to do more quilts for soldiers, and figured that red and blue would be safe. He picked it out all by himself from my favorite fabric stores.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCvhYab58P4j1V8UwMItTOeGr3pRBXJMcGpQKWedCwChREKP36UOP38QiAYc3o5Hm3fj-fCUDgz5ye2Z27-GtamSEyC3ixo2CIST8rQFjh-OW45-uj4psXeZezNsAGLlMnrYV0POilJ9A/s1600/2013-12-25+14.19.29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCvhYab58P4j1V8UwMItTOeGr3pRBXJMcGpQKWedCwChREKP36UOP38QiAYc3o5Hm3fj-fCUDgz5ye2Z27-GtamSEyC3ixo2CIST8rQFjh-OW45-uj4psXeZezNsAGLlMnrYV0POilJ9A/s200/2013-12-25+14.19.29.jpg" width="200" /></a>My Mom also got into the act with several fat quarters of red and blue and cute pirate cats, a rotary cutter blade, template and scissors. She was so cute - she wrapped all our gifts in these wonderful snack boxes. I asked her to save me a few from Dad's favorite snack. I use them to put parts of my quilts in to keep them organized.<br />
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Right now, I'm using several to keep my Celtic Solstice parts organized...<br />
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Speaking of Celtic Solstice - Check this out! I have to date made the following:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2jRRB5KLlTAC-REEDWV-K3ecP8Yx5KZITe8_6LoaiVenNDgaZQMxQ3TGjE8_u8BLz1Hr6VmOTQpjt9eoL6lxiCIwc5YzEQ0jHarpUmRkQ0d3ORS6wx59GFvVHNtbPyaNGD76jboUg8yc/s1600/2013-12-25+15.01.42.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2jRRB5KLlTAC-REEDWV-K3ecP8Yx5KZITe8_6LoaiVenNDgaZQMxQ3TGjE8_u8BLz1Hr6VmOTQpjt9eoL6lxiCIwc5YzEQ0jHarpUmRkQ0d3ORS6wx59GFvVHNtbPyaNGD76jboUg8yc/s200/2013-12-25+15.01.42.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clue 4 - 2 patch Segments for my 4 patches</td></tr>
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<u><a href="http://quiltville.blogspot.com/2013/11/celtic-solstice-mystery-part-1.html" target="_blank">Clue 1 - Tri-Recs Triangles</a></u>: 90 of 380 total. Long way to go yet<br />
<u><a href="http://quiltville.blogspot.com/2013/12/celtic-solstice-part-2.html" target="_blank">Clue 2 - Chevrons</a></u>: <strike>70</strike> 80 of 288. Long way to go here too<br />
<u><a href="http://quiltville.blogspot.com/2013/12/celtic-solstice-part-2.html" target="_blank">Clue 3 - Half Square Triangles</a></u>: <strike>420</strike> 440 of 488 - Almost there!<br />
<u><a href="http://quiltville.blogspot.com/2013/12/celtic-solstice-part-2.html" target="_blank">Clue 4 - 4 Patches</a></u>: I don't have any finished, but I'm almost finished sewing the 120 sets of 10" x 2"<br />
strips and cut them up into 2" segments of 2 patches.<br />
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Clue 1 Tri Recs have been put aside to work on the others. I'm about ready to get them out because I'm kind of bored with the Chevrons. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyzp4kqDLpGNS8WYvDcQ6YsWSLlSMZ8uxQtvN6B4nZjHNYmfX_I4XnFT21KFx4NWUIzZMhtN5WaENJTyR14yZbfCRyTKAS80f8NSUkOqfBqzaBJB4ZneVgoCZEMpkN-ZbdPuWbfls5ZzI/s1600/2013-12-25+15.00.04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyzp4kqDLpGNS8WYvDcQ6YsWSLlSMZ8uxQtvN6B4nZjHNYmfX_I4XnFT21KFx4NWUIzZMhtN5WaENJTyR14yZbfCRyTKAS80f8NSUkOqfBqzaBJB4ZneVgoCZEMpkN-ZbdPuWbfls5ZzI/s200/2013-12-25+15.00.04.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clue 2 Chevrons</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjviqzz9jKpQFagoDJQzywD0xGK-v-KCU7IA-WCptFFqcA7Vf98cA16bh4ODNS0UxGE9GMUFQLdA5cCZBpF8jfxBl_iV0mBgaCk81Y1vcmhJwM_ZcFr6ltn2ZCSlv1D5SHMP_aOB46sr-Y/s1600/2013-12-25+15.01.17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjviqzz9jKpQFagoDJQzywD0xGK-v-KCU7IA-WCptFFqcA7Vf98cA16bh4ODNS0UxGE9GMUFQLdA5cCZBpF8jfxBl_iV0mBgaCk81Y1vcmhJwM_ZcFr6ltn2ZCSlv1D5SHMP_aOB46sr-Y/s200/2013-12-25+15.01.17.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Neutral Squares for Chevrons</td></tr>
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Clue 2 Chevrons are coming together, and I'm getting the hang of getting the stitching lines to work out right so I have very little trimming to do. They are very intense though so I'm finding it hard to do more than 5 at a time. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkIeX0vpBLze-jNLXKZ5o4uYNppDwcdgvCGcsPCqwWXVTTmm9DLhDFybw55EgElmhHR4VaWRZr_0iijgPd_-kBpsGlGpS9U0i5htmLIkM1THRWh9ET1mYYPFFSxna06baJJWJ4q5jllSY/s1600/2013-12-25+15.00.18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkIeX0vpBLze-jNLXKZ5o4uYNppDwcdgvCGcsPCqwWXVTTmm9DLhDFybw55EgElmhHR4VaWRZr_0iijgPd_-kBpsGlGpS9U0i5htmLIkM1THRWh9ET1mYYPFFSxna06baJJWJ4q5jllSY/s200/2013-12-25+15.00.18.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">420 Half Square Triangles</td></tr>
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Clue 3 and 4 are all cut and I'm using them as leader/enders for the others. I find that I'm making steady progress.<br />
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My favorite tools right now are the little red wonder clips to hold my parts together in groups of 10, my Bloc Lock HST ruler which is getting quite the workout, and my shape cut ruler which is helping me cut multiple strips at the same time.<br />
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Linking up with <a href="http://quiltville.blogspot.com/2013/12/mystery-monday-link-up-part-4.html" target="_blank">Bonnie Hunter's Linky Party over at QuiltVille</a><u>. </u>Take a look at all the other's progress. Even a few guesses at what the block might look like!Kathy Crofoothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12531145192255431983noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119312689115112147.post-69358709415091911252013-12-19T20:20:00.000-06:002013-12-19T20:23:53.327-06:00Squeaking in under the Wire - Clue 3 Celtic Solstice<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMVDT4JBV2QqpDCErF_Kof2q2Rb_Bkw_Ujsgipjg0sYQqCFIRMjLXGrnWVLTtgXQrehGwXHONZrVHgGc-HHb85b3fm6J9ZJG3qWKC_-rsxv7uKbyOG0tugjReuOtoFxdUSZj0bXnwk72I/s1600/2013-12-19+09.04.50.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMVDT4JBV2QqpDCErF_Kof2q2Rb_Bkw_Ujsgipjg0sYQqCFIRMjLXGrnWVLTtgXQrehGwXHONZrVHgGc-HHb85b3fm6J9ZJG3qWKC_-rsxv7uKbyOG0tugjReuOtoFxdUSZj0bXnwk72I/s200/2013-12-19+09.04.50.jpg" width="200" /></a>I've been pretty sick this week - a miserable time to be sick really - just before the holidays. Darling Hubby's cold caught up to me and I've been laid low. He was laid up for a couple of days just before Thanksgiving - this has been going on a week for me - it settled in my chest, and I think I've pulled a couple of ribs from coughing. Ouch!<br />
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I was able to get the 2" strips cut for<u><a href="http://quiltville.blogspot.com/2013/12/celtic-solstice-mystery-monday-link-up_4572.html" target="_blank"> step #3 of Bonnie Hunter's Mystery - Celtic Solstice</a></u>, a few triangles cut and sewn (about 40). They're working out pretty good, with only about 1% having to be tossed in the slush pile for another quilt.<br />
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I also finished a few (about 20) chevrons from Step 2. All pieces are cut and marked, just need to feed them through the machine.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUxjwYJ7TH_4DMK3C47a5wBa37VpQdr1HLnIqAqhng3S-7szuCO-IhuUa9HaKerdanOJ-aI0oUo4SFQg3f40eNPlDITM-0-QIYK7p0P6rlkLdglBdUbDnkQiDYV5Nr0zO8P0ygNX1zXFc/s1600/2013-12-19+09.06.04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUxjwYJ7TH_4DMK3C47a5wBa37VpQdr1HLnIqAqhng3S-7szuCO-IhuUa9HaKerdanOJ-aI0oUo4SFQg3f40eNPlDITM-0-QIYK7p0P6rlkLdglBdUbDnkQiDYV5Nr0zO8P0ygNX1zXFc/s320/2013-12-19+09.06.04.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
I'm linking back to <u><a href="http://quiltville.blogspot.com/2013/12/celtic-solstice-mystery-monday-link-up_4572.html" target="_blank">Bonnie's Linky Party</a></u>. You should see what the others are doing. I'm hoping to be caught up by the end of next week<br />
<br />Kathy Crofoothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12531145192255431983noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119312689115112147.post-86029648062619846022013-12-15T10:59:00.001-06:002013-12-15T10:59:51.503-06:00Gatitude & Appreciation - Finished!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9f5BliSckjoD-1ry6k3sCNbAKC1lqEpnIlNjS8p9obrWkMkIk0Kc5WPATFx3l28SIJHRKvbr_MOlctpEvPKQEv3opaLM9fi-mZAGzoMfcwP3y3m0Fq82r4EQEbczg7LeXAGJ1Y_9qnhU/s1600/2013-12-08+14.51.38.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9f5BliSckjoD-1ry6k3sCNbAKC1lqEpnIlNjS8p9obrWkMkIk0Kc5WPATFx3l28SIJHRKvbr_MOlctpEvPKQEv3opaLM9fi-mZAGzoMfcwP3y3m0Fq82r4EQEbczg7LeXAGJ1Y_9qnhU/s200/2013-12-08+14.51.38.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDgJq3kXbpFWEMdjTr6sI4xXH-wTtmrB4UyXwNSUG4r9NG2bcjACEwPEU8wQgmOI7ds2GUIIMlGfoeD6EMEW_D2ytCOZ5TOAwJ47HoXuUDiyqx7uBNGjPo2eMQY8DXCYQ7-M5ZUSf0zGA/s1600/2013-12-08+14.52.02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDgJq3kXbpFWEMdjTr6sI4xXH-wTtmrB4UyXwNSUG4r9NG2bcjACEwPEU8wQgmOI7ds2GUIIMlGfoeD6EMEW_D2ytCOZ5TOAwJ47HoXuUDiyqx7uBNGjPo2eMQY8DXCYQ7-M5ZUSf0zGA/s200/2013-12-08+14.52.02.jpg" width="200" /></a> Last week I was able to finish the Red White & Blue quilt for my client's son. She commissioned me to make this back in July after their wedding. It was a real labor of love, since it turned out to be 69" x 79". Big enough for both of them to snuggle on the couch with. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJR43Gg2CQddztTUn6mjMXMl8c7pTavRBcZ3tS5Wev0ptLkc01wso0iG_44wmBu4ikBUGApJS2bTrkeiGitK8wpoQgEdKR_yQlPdeq_9EOn7KIDxRRyss3gIAT66Tt1rAi8FrtO628K8o/s1600/2013-12-12+15.03.53.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJR43Gg2CQddztTUn6mjMXMl8c7pTavRBcZ3tS5Wev0ptLkc01wso0iG_44wmBu4ikBUGApJS2bTrkeiGitK8wpoQgEdKR_yQlPdeq_9EOn7KIDxRRyss3gIAT66Tt1rAi8FrtO628K8o/s200/2013-12-12+15.03.53.jpg" width="200" /></a>I added words of encouragement in the inside border, love, family, freedom, peace, country, courage, grateful, etc. I hope they are as pleased with it as I was to have it finished. It is winging its way to Mom to be presented as a Christmas Gift this year.<br />
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I'm still working on the Bonnie Hunter Mystery Celtic Solstice. You can see my progress in Part 1 and Part 2. I have yet to start part 3 since I still have some Christmas stuff to do.<br />
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Linking up with Can I get a <u><a href="http://confessionsofafabricaddict.blogspot.com/2013/12/can-i-get-whoop-whoop-one-down.html" target="_blank">Whoop Whoop</a></u> from Confessions of a Fabric Addict.<br />
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Kathy Crofoothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12531145192255431983noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119312689115112147.post-51381459868616608212013-12-09T15:41:00.001-06:002013-12-09T15:41:19.984-06:00Well, It's still a Mystery - Celtic Solstice Part 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmJJtIE5fJPC5kFKMb4_hJSGiwjDMe7mPKFp2YsHobnDAvLszEv7UiQcts9WDXC8NRlRZ4n-I8tjWcpUnnk0HWMTQXGOIQeYyA7qeo-2uZFnM91qw8BqLfHDiS9oAPXZshZ0dZtTA8m1c/s1600/2013-12-07+09.36.09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmJJtIE5fJPC5kFKMb4_hJSGiwjDMe7mPKFp2YsHobnDAvLszEv7UiQcts9WDXC8NRlRZ4n-I8tjWcpUnnk0HWMTQXGOIQeYyA7qeo-2uZFnM91qw8BqLfHDiS9oAPXZshZ0dZtTA8m1c/s320/2013-12-07+09.36.09.jpg" title="" width="320" /></a>This week is <u><a href="http://quiltville.blogspot.com/2013/12/celtic-solstice-part-2.html" target="_blank">Part 2 of Bonnie Hunter's Celtic Solstice Mystery Quilt</a></u>. I was able to finish about 50 Neutral and 40 Orange triangle units from Part 1. This week it's Chevrons!!! So I am practicing smiling when I say this because 'flippy corners' are not my favorite thing to do.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYiR6zasL96UBVkb3PZ2MuN8VQs-wa3UJSNv2j8bw0FeThXAewUpt00utyG87eYHjXdsmLZJQjWOuhF0upznYj_rM_V7ZMa02diumPENgGixalO_vNbapEfC_IzvrrNM-3KUEk-bomfmA/s1600/2013-12-07+09.31.05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYiR6zasL96UBVkb3PZ2MuN8VQs-wa3UJSNv2j8bw0FeThXAewUpt00utyG87eYHjXdsmLZJQjWOuhF0upznYj_rM_V7ZMa02diumPENgGixalO_vNbapEfC_IzvrrNM-3KUEk-bomfmA/s200/2013-12-07+09.31.05.jpg" width="200" /></a>Since I'm using the scrappy look, I had many fabrics to cut into little 3 1/2 x 2 rectangles for the green part. I dusted off my previously unused ShapeCut ruler and went to town</div>
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See the purple painter's tape - that's so I only hit the correct slots for the 3 1/2" strips and the sub-cuts of 2". This made cutting these strips and rectangles super fast. <br />
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The Greens and Neutrals are all done</div>
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And Hubby was kind enough to help me with drawing the lines on the squares for the neutrals. Now I only have the yellows to do!<br />
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In other news, I finished quilting a quilt for a solder-son of a client. The binding is on, I only need to finish hand-stitching it down before I get it in the mail this week.<br />
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Join me at <u><a href="http://quiltville.blogspot.com/2013/12/celtic-solstice-mystery-monday-link-up.html" target="_blank">Bonnie's Linky Party</a></u> and see all the progress others are making on their quilts! I'm loving some of the alternate color combinations.Kathy Crofoothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12531145192255431983noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119312689115112147.post-14700922832475170812013-12-02T11:28:00.002-06:002013-12-02T11:32:21.880-06:00It's a Mystery! Celtic Solstice Part 1<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I'm excited to participate in my very first Bonnie Hunter Mystery quilt. When the colors were released back in <u><a href="http://quiltville.blogspot.com/2013/10/2013-mystery-time-introducing-celtic.html" target="_blank">October</a></u>, I started gathering up fabrics that I thought would work. It was fun choosing fabrics from my stash, but I had to do some shopping as well, since my colors tend to run towards the more muted country colors. Any excuse to shop right? I'm still lacking in the blues so I'll have to shop some more. Yaaa!</div>
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Last Friday, the <u><a href="http://quiltville.blogspot.com/2013/11/celtic-solstice-mystery-part-1.html" target="_blank">first clue</a></u> was released! If only my smart phone would have loaded the page, I would have been in heaven! We had to wait until we checked into the hotel before I could see it.</div>
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Since I was out of town until yesterday, I wasn't able to make as much progress as I would like. So far I've cut all the orange triangles, some of the blues and a few neutrals.</div>
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It's a good thing I have all week to work on this step because I have a long way to go!</div>
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Thank you Bonnie Hunter for being generous and sharing your creativity with the quilting world! I am excited to see how this is going to turn out.</div>
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Linking to <a href="http://quiltville.blogspot.com/2013/12/celtic-solstice-mystery-monday-link-up-1.html" target="_blank">Quiltville's Monday Linkup.</a><u> </u>It sure is great to see so many other quilter's progress, colors and styles.Kathy Crofoothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12531145192255431983noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119312689115112147.post-41779080561484281182013-11-11T14:35:00.002-06:002013-11-11T14:35:50.239-06:00Today is Veteran's Day - A day for reflection and gratitudeI have a soft spot in my heart for Veterans. My Papaw was a veteran of World War II, my Dad is a <br />
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veteran of Viet Nam, my husband is a veteran (though he wouldn't agree with me) of the Cold War and the first Gulf war; my Son is a veteran; my cousin is a veteran; and my nephew is a veteran. I am proud of these men, and honored to know them and call them family.<br />
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I used to think veterans were these old guys who would swap war stories and sometimes jump at loud noises. But I look around me and I see all these young guys and gals who are 18, 20, and 30 who are veterans! <br />
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I am honored that these fine young men and women volunteered to serve our country. When called to service they go willingly, sometimes excitedly. These sometimes nameless, faceless patriots face unspeakable conditions with grace and courage. Their service and sacrifice humbles me. I am profoundly grateful that they stand for the freedoms we all enjoy; stand up for the weakest among us and stand between us and the evil that lurks in this world. <br />
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Veterans past, present and future have seen and done things most of us cannot even imagine in our worst nightmares. They pledge their loyalty and service to our great country, sacrifice holidays, birthdays, and witnessing the births of their children to do their sworn duty. Their families miss them as much as they miss their families.<br />
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I once heard the term veteran described this way: A veteran writes a blank check payable to the United States of America, for all that they have up to and including their very life. It is a sobering and humbling reality. Too many of our service members have wounds we cannot see. Still others are undeniably and irreparably harmed. Far too many have paid the ultimate price.<br />
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So I'll leave you with these thoughts - where would we be without our veterans? Would our lives be better or worse? <br />
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If you know a veteran, thank them for me.Kathy Crofoothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12531145192255431983noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119312689115112147.post-28760529880349836582013-10-31T19:07:00.004-05:002013-10-31T19:07:45.598-05:00I never really thought about it before....What would it be like to Quilt in Space? In a weightless environment where your needles, pins, fabric, scissors will float off... Oh my goodness!<br />
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NASA Astronaut Karen Nyberg talks about Quilting in space, what it's like, the challenges she's faced, and shows off her own hand pieced star block. I know this has happened to me, gone on a trip with a project and forgot a key piece of equipment. How easy is it to pop into a LQS or Wal-Mart for pins or a rotary cutter blade? There doesn't seem to be a plethora of Wal-Marts in space, however, and like our pioneer ancestors, she had to make do. <br />
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She's also inviting quilters to contribute a star block to bee included in a quilt that will be exhibited at the 40th International Quilt Festival in Houston. See more information at <a href="http://www.quilts.com/pressreleases/y2013/FQF13QuiltChallengeFlyer.pdf" target="_blank">Quilts.com</a> about this awesome opportunity. Deadline for entries is August 1, 2014. It will be here before you know it!<br />
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Her block is awesome. In my book it is a masterpiece.<br />
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You can read more about Karen Nyberg and her amazing journey <a href="http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/expeditions/expedition36/nyberg_profile.html" target="_blank">here</a>. <br />
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I'd love to hear your thoughts about this.<br />
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Kathy<br />
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Kathy Crofoothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12531145192255431983noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119312689115112147.post-74234900234766873612013-10-25T15:06:00.000-05:002013-10-25T15:06:15.350-05:00FMQ Friday - A great finish and other fun stuff<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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<span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="color: black;">It's been a busy week here at the family homestead.</span> </span><span style="color: black;">Our son and his lady friend were going to make an appearance with their two fur babies (very large dogs) so we needed to pick up and dog proof our home. To say Buffy and Sassy were not happy is an understatement. But the deal was he'd come to visit if he could bring his friend and the dogs. Since we haven't seen him since July - the joys of having adult children - we agreed. It's interesting how the dogs are attracted to me, and are at my side every time I'm in the same room. I'm a CAT person!</span><br />
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On the quilting front, I was able to find the fabric I wanted for the Quilt of Valor I'm working on for a client. I love how the flag fabric sets off the blocks. Now to make the time to piece the rows together and get the border on! Because of all the white in the top, I decided to pre-wash the border fabric. Good thing, because it took 3 washings with color catches to get the red to stop running!<br />
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I'm really excited to get this finished and given. I'm hoping they'll have many hours (years) of snuggling under the quilt.<br />
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My little quickie project this week is a fabric box. We've been talking about them a lot at the Missouri Star Quilters Forum. They are so quick and easy to make! Check out the <a href="http://seaside-stitches.blogspot.com/2013/03/fabric-box-tutorial.html" target="_blank">Tutorial from Seaside Stitches.</a> Tina Craig shows us how to make them. I have plans for many boxes in the future for gifts and giveaways. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Q4uNio44o1cOfwZAKNPK-WoyMEyh0Kypd3h1m9LbGtnf0kg5fOqkpRTuOU9KFvrSuXyliXXcD-6WirtKuYwGGtBBwlqflR2hOqNXqKq2Bl-aRg3g6AgBEmPqHslXwMRSKDGC-BvxzhU/s1600/2013-10-20+23.27.02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Q4uNio44o1cOfwZAKNPK-WoyMEyh0Kypd3h1m9LbGtnf0kg5fOqkpRTuOU9KFvrSuXyliXXcD-6WirtKuYwGGtBBwlqflR2hOqNXqKq2Bl-aRg3g6AgBEmPqHslXwMRSKDGC-BvxzhU/s200/2013-10-20+23.27.02.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
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This test box was made from a 10" piece of striped fabric with a great green piece from a layer cake. <br />
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But by far, my favorite and best finish yet is the Big Brother quilt I made to go with the Baby quilt I told you about a couple of weeks ago. I found the Tutorial at Wedding Dress Blue called<a href="http://weddingdressblue.wordpress.com/2012/07/07/tutorial-brotherly-love-quilt/" target="_blank"> Brotherly Love</a>.<br />
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There are many half square Triangles in this quilt! I scaled it down to use 4" and 2" finished Half Square Triangles. Buffy was right here to give her seal of approval.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD6b-zVaHUxwCRrll_pD2Gy-emOSTprJCcUoUPMjOCx81WxGHqP-f4yIBezHcg4mltjFk11ZpBJCUfatxSKCKfsHUveuifxqBj87A-sJRuNuDuXlHHO9aoNggRA0oqRcW31xf38bFrk-M/s1600/2013-10-25+08.37.08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD6b-zVaHUxwCRrll_pD2Gy-emOSTprJCcUoUPMjOCx81WxGHqP-f4yIBezHcg4mltjFk11ZpBJCUfatxSKCKfsHUveuifxqBj87A-sJRuNuDuXlHHO9aoNggRA0oqRcW31xf38bFrk-M/s200/2013-10-25+08.37.08.jpg" width="150" /></a>Quilting it was a bit of a trial with all the seams and intersections. My thread broke a lot! But its done and on its way to a special little boy with his baby brother's quilt tagging along.</div>
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I'm linking up with <a href="http://confessionsofafabricaddict.blogspot.com/2013/10/can-i-get-whoop-whoop-its-all-thanks-to.html" target="_blank">Sarah at Confessions of a Fabric Addict</a> <br />
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and <a href="http://freemotionquilting.blogspot.com/2013/10/fmq-friday_25.html" target="_blank">Leah Day's Free Motion Quilting Project.</a></div>
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Until Next Time ~ Happy Quilting!</div>
Kathy Crofoothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12531145192255431983noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119312689115112147.post-3650828489262840352013-10-22T14:59:00.001-05:002013-10-22T14:59:27.792-05:00 A Peek into My Creativity Zone<br />
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... Warning ... It's pretty messy!<br />
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This is the new ironing center that I picked up at Joann's a few weeks ago. It's nice and big - but following the flat surface rule - it's starting to get piled up too. Do you know the flat surface rule? Something about the project expanding to fill the surface area of the available space. I have a lot of surfaces that are covered like that...</div>
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See the calculator on the end of the ironing center?</div>
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Behind the center is a 4' x 4' design board covered with flannel, and test blocks of various shapes, and a multitude of other things. Between the ironing center and the wall is a TV tray to catch the fabric from going on the dirty floor. See all the clip-on lights hanging off the shelf? The light in the room is behind me when I stand at the ironing board. This illuminates my work surface, at least until I find an under-shelf light that works better. I love the "daylight" CFL (Compact Fluorescent Light) bulbs I picked up from Walmart for $.88 for a set of 4! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVsRV1O4eCIPwD4lBSbLI75TnZZaIBfpp4pmbmLTRAsTWuQsKbeK0A1h05ZMgwVUWhUs5N-TUV-q9H1Eg_y-3rAS8mFPGKqvAzsyj7MShhMrJs8H3Qv9tTpb9Q8kAm0OYuw7bk-wdTZdA/s1600/2013-09-13+11.04.41.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVsRV1O4eCIPwD4lBSbLI75TnZZaIBfpp4pmbmLTRAsTWuQsKbeK0A1h05ZMgwVUWhUs5N-TUV-q9H1Eg_y-3rAS8mFPGKqvAzsyj7MShhMrJs8H3Qv9tTpb9Q8kAm0OYuw7bk-wdTZdA/s320/2013-09-13+11.04.41.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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This is a project I'm working on. I love my bins and containers! The cardboard container on the left is from Hobby Lobby. It's helping me corral the pieces until they are ready to go up on the design wall. The little cup is an applesauce cup (that I washed) and now holds a few pins or whatever I need handy...<br />
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It's all sitting on top of my extension table next to my spare machine that I'm using for piecing while my lovely Elna is set up for FMQ. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiSnrcCy51gY1D-YERHXE7mFqMARMbo62ppvNi4WN7MRjSSi7Y-1BaWiMQeK8KnFwJxOPGNbpjUHUHzGG8T7RWLEQHHqz_Zr3CrDBoD039S5mtZ4ua1ZI_6gT_kpxHjUAzc0-2GmQmoJQ/s1600/2013-09-13+11.05.03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiSnrcCy51gY1D-YERHXE7mFqMARMbo62ppvNi4WN7MRjSSi7Y-1BaWiMQeK8KnFwJxOPGNbpjUHUHzGG8T7RWLEQHHqz_Zr3CrDBoD039S5mtZ4ua1ZI_6gT_kpxHjUAzc0-2GmQmoJQ/s200/2013-09-13+11.05.03.jpg" width="200" /></a>Here's another project I'm working on - it will be 1/4 square triangles, but first I need to mark them. One of those projects for when I get 'a few spare minutes'... Yeah, right. Hubby and I have a road trip coming up, so I thought I could do that while he's driving. </div>
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This is my cutting table. It's one of those big drop-leaf jobs from many years ago. There are little tubs and boxes all in and around the pile of 1 1/2" squares cut from scraps, 2 1/2" HST cut from scraps, Dresden plate blades to be sewn into Dresden plates, extra fabric for projects I'm working on, and well, just a pile of who knows what. One of these days I'll get it cleared off<br />
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There are days when I wonder how the heck I even function in this clutter. But I know, if I put everything away - I'll forget where I put it! :)<br />
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Until next time - Happy Quilting!<br />
Kathy Crofoothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12531145192255431983noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119312689115112147.post-84061467034742302782013-10-04T20:41:00.001-05:002013-10-06T08:04:57.715-05:00Not MIA - I've been Quilting!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It's been a busy couple of weeks here at Kathy's Cache. In my other life, I'm a bookkeeper, and with the late-filing tax season winding down, I had my head in someone's books for a good 2 or 3 weeks. I was still able to snatch a few 15 minute breaks for cutting, sewing, quilting, pressing and trimming, but mostly book work. I'm glad that's behind me until after the first of the year again. Now I can concentrate on my list of UFOs...<br />
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Last weekend I went on a <a href="http://www.susancalicocreations.com/" target="_blank">Quilting Retreat at Susan's Calico Creations</a> in Fulton IL. I had a blast! I sewed to my heart's content until late into the night, and was up bright and early the next morning to sew again. I made great progress on a number of different projects...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM6jIfP3MnSCz90SUTWwjZV9XW95bl3PT8Lzd6tw8bG3j6ibFiWBSNe9FYMTYOAbuMb7foHoVhCYKTnwFkpo1w9sBOq5h1h9mIDWR3fxxe4SJaMLI5QsspS5SIlGU-_i80jaFJRyiZa34/s1600/2013-09-30+10.41.01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM6jIfP3MnSCz90SUTWwjZV9XW95bl3PT8Lzd6tw8bG3j6ibFiWBSNe9FYMTYOAbuMb7foHoVhCYKTnwFkpo1w9sBOq5h1h9mIDWR3fxxe4SJaMLI5QsspS5SIlGU-_i80jaFJRyiZa34/s320/2013-09-30+10.41.01.jpg" width="240" /></a>First up is a Quilt of Valor I'm making for a client's son and his wife. Recently married, he's done his time in the sandbox (more than once). On my last business trip to visit with her, I showed her some Quilts of Valor blocks I was making for the national block drive for Quilts of Valor. She instantly fell in love with one of the blocks and claimed it as her own. She signed her name to the block, and I added it to the pile I dropped off at the local quilt shop to be added to the others from across the country.<br />
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I was able to pre-cut the pieces before the retreat, so all I had to do was sew the blocks together. I was able to finish 25 of the planned 30 blocks. I'm going to have to re-think the plan because, well the numbers aren't coming out right - so I'm thinking on it. I need to have it finished by November 7 when I plan to present it to her to give to her at a workshop we're both attending. She will have it in plenty of time to give to him for Christmas. A triple blessing. Stay tuned for pictures of the finished quilt.<br />
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Big Brother quilt is assembled. This one is made up of something like 300 half square triangles. Did I mention I spent a lot of 15 minute work breaks pressing and trimming? This one is from one of my favorite designers at Wedding Dress Blue - a take off of her <a href="http://weddingdressblue.wordpress.com/2012/07/07/tutorial-brotherly-love-quilt/" target="_blank">Brotherly Love</a> quilt. I scaled it down to 4 1/2 inch and 2 1/2 inch half square triangles, and made a toddler-size quilt for the big brother of the baby whose quilt I wrote about <a href="http://kathyscache.blogspot.com/2013/09/fmq-friday-lots-of-quilting-going-on.html" target="_blank">last time</a>. The pieces were also pre-cut and the triangles were made, so this one went together in a snap once I got the pattern figured out! Wouldn't you know, I left the directions at home! Thank goodness for Wi-Fi, and a very generous hostess who let me tap into her internet.<br />
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I also made 7 pillowcases for gifts 21 split nine patch blocks, and a big batch of chili (sorry no pictures it was all gone!)<br />
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I really enjoyed my time away from home, pushing the fabric through the machine and visiting with all my new friends. I'm planning on doing this again in the future.<br />
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So a big old Whoop Whoop for getting so much done in one weekend! Linking up with Sarah at Confessions of a Fabric Addict!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Linking up with <a href="http://www.freemotionquilting.blogspot.com/2013/10/fmq-friday-stitching-something-different.html" target="_blank">Leah Day's FMQ Friday</a></td></tr>
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<br />Kathy Crofoothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12531145192255431983noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119312689115112147.post-39600936787336332962013-09-15T09:22:00.002-05:002013-09-15T09:22:49.889-05:00So what else have I been up to?<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvMrjkIH_VPSqPhkhbjYevhvYo4eo2lOcnzAA9PCb3V94b6vfw_cNF2-m2fjAaBwYB6ctL-N_b3ZPtzOGW8IHJN81neqmzYnF3U3gJmCn7tmiQGAUI2SEuPEWaI6XkuhohllkuZ189p4w/s1600/2013-09-09+13.48.31.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvMrjkIH_VPSqPhkhbjYevhvYo4eo2lOcnzAA9PCb3V94b6vfw_cNF2-m2fjAaBwYB6ctL-N_b3ZPtzOGW8IHJN81neqmzYnF3U3gJmCn7tmiQGAUI2SEuPEWaI6XkuhohllkuZ189p4w/s320/2013-09-09+13.48.31.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bin dumped out on the cutting table</td></tr>
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While my machine was set up and being used for FMQ this week, there were times I wanted to play with my fabric, but not necessarily quilt. Do you get that way too? <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pile of strips on the ironing board</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_5-uWYhv-uFaako1Dgswj1OzZZ_QX3wAtTJqd6ZtWdKRsPXR94TEyvtX4b9ZiWAMfibJch2kYHXdkXxRXwm9rYGhygauMr7TSOR9NC4Id60i-GoKqqBws-bBRfF20Ca1xKEfudR1mN_o/s1600/2013-09-09+13.48.55.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_5-uWYhv-uFaako1Dgswj1OzZZ_QX3wAtTJqd6ZtWdKRsPXR94TEyvtX4b9ZiWAMfibJch2kYHXdkXxRXwm9rYGhygauMr7TSOR9NC4Id60i-GoKqqBws-bBRfF20Ca1xKEfudR1mN_o/s200/2013-09-09+13.48.55.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pressed and hanging on a drying rack</td></tr>
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I finished up cutting strips for a swap, and got a good look at my 2 1/2" bin of strips. I knew I would have to do something sooner or later with this mess, so in my 15-30 min of fabric play at a time, I pressed and sorted out my strips by color. And pressed, and sorted, and pressed and sorted....<br />
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This is what I ended up with by the end of the week. Strips of fabric sorted by color, just waiting for me to do something with them. And an empty 2 1/2" strip bin. <br />
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For now, I'm going to enjoy looking at them, I think. Except, that monstrosity is in the way of the cutting table. Maybe I'll put them in Ziploc bags by color family and put them back in the bin. What would you do?<br />
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My next challenge will be my 1 1/2" strip bin. I wonder how many of those I have?<br />
<br />Kathy Crofoothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12531145192255431983noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119312689115112147.post-61566489589909129362013-09-13T11:21:00.001-05:002013-09-13T16:56:12.119-05:00FMQ Friday - Lots of Quilting Going On Here<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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First up: <strong>Welcome Home</strong> is completed, with the binding finished and everything! We're hoping to be able to present to our Soldier friend very soon.</div>
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Next up: <strong>Bella's Beauties</strong> is done but for the binding (see all the clips?)<br />
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Just waiting for a few hours of quiet time to stitch down the binding. Chief Inspector Buffy is checking the workmanship.<br />
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I love the bright pink binding. It makes me smile every time I see it. I'm thinking I'll have to use the rest of that fabric for a pillow case for Miss Bella... Maybe for Christmas. The quilt is for her birthday next week. Nothing like a deadline to push a project along!<br />
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I used a Lollipop Chain for the pieced border</div>
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Next: <strong>100 Hugs a Day - Blue</strong><br />
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The binding needs to be finished on this one too. Notice how neither of the cats wanted to get too close? I wonder if they know it's not all the way done yet... Nothing fancy in the quilting here, just an all over loop and circles design.<br />
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On the machine now: <span style="color: #444444;"><strong>The Grinch Won't Steal This Christmas!</strong></span><br />
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This was a kit from <a href="http://www.quiltsforkids.org/" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">Quilts for Kids</span></a>. Not sure I would have chosen the white backing for a child in the hospital, but this is what they sent, so this is what I used. I'm on the last corner for quilting, then I can get it bound, washed and on its way back to the organization to be given to a child in need. This will be my first foray into machine binding (I usually do mine by hand).<br />
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Quilts for Kids is (are?) asking for volunteers to make quilts and donate quilts. With so many projects on my plate through the end of the year, I would be hard pressed to squeeze out another quilt this year. Maybe you can help? <br />
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I'm linking up with <a href="http://www.freemotionquilting.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Leah Day's FMQ Friday</a>, and <a href="http://www.confessionsofafabricaddict.blogspot.com/2013/09/can-i-get-whoop-whoop-amazing.html" target="_blank">Confessions of a Fabric Addict</a><br />
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Check back later this weekend for what else I've been up to this week. It sure has been a busy one! Until next time - Happy Quilting!<br />
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Kathy Crofoothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12531145192255431983noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119312689115112147.post-44570647624896450952013-09-05T12:10:00.001-05:002013-09-05T12:10:41.258-05:00Something of a QuandryI'm working on Bella's Beauties this week. I want to have it finished in time to send it to her birthday later this month. I may not make it, and that's ok, there's always Christmas.<br />
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I started with an idea and a pattern. The idea was to gather up fabrics of things she likes, pink and purple, music, puzzles, ladybugs, butterflies and all that princess and fairy stuff. The pattern is <a href="http://quiltingtutorials.com/all/falling-charms-quilt-tutorial-quilting-charm-packs/" target="_blank">Falling Charms from the Missouri Star Quilt company</a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWqAFU2xBFDE0z2tQHZEJgIyZAZyJir5zWOFGqpVNxPqaGtFL2_CXcM9F4i9CUPx1J8-FXqVJ-KPFUJyCb3KEyoXYvHr-3ww3UQ1fXFoxn8eMwI9s_t6fEJbSAnMjb7UJ_m1aWFzIGQq8/s1600/2013-06-14+13.24.02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWqAFU2xBFDE0z2tQHZEJgIyZAZyJir5zWOFGqpVNxPqaGtFL2_CXcM9F4i9CUPx1J8-FXqVJ-KPFUJyCb3KEyoXYvHr-3ww3UQ1fXFoxn8eMwI9s_t6fEJbSAnMjb7UJ_m1aWFzIGQq8/s200/2013-06-14+13.24.02.jpg" width="200" /></a> I started auditioning background fabric back in May, and had a really hard time deciding. Did I want the lavender with butterflies and flowers?<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrkq0gBF8nZYDdHTIC8eg8SzPLniGV7gd3e_MnCW-IX2N6_1O84H6GhsMj6jIt3fn6yfOtnbsK8eoxLO1gfRa1YaT8qk_-FV02st0SQSV0LyUTchyphenhyphenAGbcMKX5P24KdQ_nvXTgfiE8MHDk/s1600/2013-06-14+13.35.25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrkq0gBF8nZYDdHTIC8eg8SzPLniGV7gd3e_MnCW-IX2N6_1O84H6GhsMj6jIt3fn6yfOtnbsK8eoxLO1gfRa1YaT8qk_-FV02st0SQSV0LyUTchyphenhyphenAGbcMKX5P24KdQ_nvXTgfiE8MHDk/s200/2013-06-14+13.35.25.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
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Or lavender with Stars <br />
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Or Deep purple batik? <br />
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Ok, so the deep purple didn't work so well, and I chose the lavender with butterflies and flowers.<br />
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I put it together on the design wall and realized I had the pattern wonky - try again.<br />
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And the inside of the top is done. Now I'm looking at borders...<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkFvha3vYVfv1Bj2_qqYd4s4OV5-PFo51RNcLMPqQnls19sXNMQtHH6Xh0whkvmbBg0TD4nCIugfBiF2oKw4f2lu0mP7d0evwAetT2cPcVakqZT4c1EafRr8OIdWihOBQcV7xSSjMR4Wc/s1600/2013-09-02+10.32.38.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkFvha3vYVfv1Bj2_qqYd4s4OV5-PFo51RNcLMPqQnls19sXNMQtHH6Xh0whkvmbBg0TD4nCIugfBiF2oKw4f2lu0mP7d0evwAetT2cPcVakqZT4c1EafRr8OIdWihOBQcV7xSSjMR4Wc/s200/2013-09-02+10.32.38.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBfQ_LX6DfVH_5_6hc53qEbwqYvtLpQqKUOzR02QVlVUJBF879NHHpbb3oeFEbtfemVF9bv5yKAm0nhak_kjiwCpMdCgnkplRUMcn7CGfvlxlYxtA8yWfGdcKezUyeyEnv1BemOhuQi-Y/s1600/2013-09-02+10.33.28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBfQ_LX6DfVH_5_6hc53qEbwqYvtLpQqKUOzR02QVlVUJBF879NHHpbb3oeFEbtfemVF9bv5yKAm0nhak_kjiwCpMdCgnkplRUMcn7CGfvlxlYxtA8yWfGdcKezUyeyEnv1BemOhuQi-Y/s200/2013-09-02+10.33.28.jpg" width="200" /></a>I know the deep purple has to go in, But do I want the bright pink with flowers, or the marbled light pink?<br />
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Ick - neither one! How about a pieced border? Piano key sounds good and fairly quick and easy... But do I want...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-493Qn4dLG4XkZJrtLClGU4gEuhkCO3pbDRIljg_atwcs3laSKtykSAb8jPFdgVVg4xZ6Pjn_KujOeWDDfbOaCy_tFdKUGjJg_lGRYZxIqotaDMlHS9b0QHVTDAvdaOmrykDXCSLTPCc/s1600/2013-09-03+18.08.07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-493Qn4dLG4XkZJrtLClGU4gEuhkCO3pbDRIljg_atwcs3laSKtykSAb8jPFdgVVg4xZ6Pjn_KujOeWDDfbOaCy_tFdKUGjJg_lGRYZxIqotaDMlHS9b0QHVTDAvdaOmrykDXCSLTPCc/s1600/2013-09-03+18.08.07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-493Qn4dLG4XkZJrtLClGU4gEuhkCO3pbDRIljg_atwcs3laSKtykSAb8jPFdgVVg4xZ6Pjn_KujOeWDDfbOaCy_tFdKUGjJg_lGRYZxIqotaDMlHS9b0QHVTDAvdaOmrykDXCSLTPCc/s200/2013-09-03+18.08.07.jpg" width="150" /></a><br />
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With the background mixed in? <br />
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or not?</div>
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Here's where I ended up last night - with the piano key gone and 2 3/8" squares - like a Chinese coin. (ignore the pink, it's left over from the audition process, I haven't put it away yet.) But still I need it longer - so maybe a 2nd row with the border fabric repeated on both sides? I'm still trying to decide. Before Borders it was 44 x 50. Add first border it's now 47 x 53. I want to get it up to at least 60" long so that she has room to grow with it. Did I mention she's going to be 7 this month? According to my son and her mother she's between 4' and 4'6"...<br />
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I'm not sure why this one is such a struggle. Maybe its because her grandmother was also a quilter who painstakingly made a quilt for her as a baby that was 'put away for good' and she doesn't get to use it. Maybe because I want her to love and cherish it AND <em>use it! for a good long time</em>.<br />
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I am open to suggestions.<br />
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Kathy Crofoothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12531145192255431983noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119312689115112147.post-17497139121819799662013-09-02T09:41:00.001-05:002013-09-02T13:09:24.476-05:00Labor Day Yard SaleOn Friday, Bonnie Hunter over at <a href="http://quiltville.blogspot.com/2013/09/labor-day-yard-sale.html" target="_blank">Quiltville</a> announced she was going to do a linky party for the Labor Day Yard Sale. I started looking around and found a bunch of fabric I know I won't ever use again.<br />
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Long story short - in a former life, I was a crafter who made crafts and gifts to sell at craft shows. I stopped doing that back in 2006, and I have all these unfinished projects and fabric for projects that is taking up space. So I took a few pictures and will link up with Quiltville's Labor Day Yard sale and see if I can find a new home for them.<br />
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I've tried to price everything to move. I'll use the proceeds to make charity quilts for Quilts of Valor and Quilts for Kids, and other various charitable organizations next year.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWG_dKM11VxA_PR4zpZOq7KMEEY4z1kUlkDBHjP7Zo5z0NqFcKco_QTQgX622b8Qw2LmQGoty8gTEFfu3dU5sghH9BprCyPPJ5qk-3Po9Ly-KiaqdVbXQGYzrVudqc_vvAMtEjsT7hDcc/s1600/County+Christmas+Squares.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Country Christmas Squares" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWG_dKM11VxA_PR4zpZOq7KMEEY4z1kUlkDBHjP7Zo5z0NqFcKco_QTQgX622b8Qw2LmQGoty8gTEFfu3dU5sghH9BprCyPPJ5qk-3Po9Ly-KiaqdVbXQGYzrVudqc_vvAMtEjsT7hDcc/s320/County+Christmas+Squares.jpg" title="Country Christmas Squares" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Country Christmas Squares<br />
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Up first I have <strike>7 </strike>6 sets of 4 strips of this fabric I'll call <strong>Country Christmas Squares</strong>. I have <u><strike>7</strike> 6 sets of 4 strips (sorry they're already cut into strips) for sale.</u> The strips measure approximately 8 1/2" by width of fabric (WOF). 100% Cotton design by Leslie Beck.<br />
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I used this fabric to make hotpads, combining it with a solid green or red backing, thermal ironing board fabric and batting. I sold the hotpads for $2.50 each finished. <u><span style="background-color: #f4cccc;">Price is $5.00 per set of 4 strips.</span></u><br />
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<strike>Up next <strong>Birds!</strong> I have a single piece of 47" long by Width of fabric of various birds. This screen printed fabric. I'm not sure of the fabric content. It could be a blend. This has been around since the 1980s at least! The background is off white, with mauve and blue in the birds.</strike> </div>
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<u><span style="background-color: #f4cccc;"><strike>The price is $7.00 for the full piece.</strike></span></u><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: red;"><strong>SOLD</strong></span><br />
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<strike><strong> Cats -</strong>These playful kitties were also made into hotpads... hundreds of them... and also have been around since the 1980s. <u><span style="background-color: #fce5cd;">This piece of fabric is approximately 2 1/2 yards by 44" wide.</span></u> The patches measure approximately 7 3/4" square. </strike><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSvQkxKPWIBH0MeK8jABgbhvezUUHQMzPxijk-Px2vjjM6KQ7djkySoTbeARnPeeDZ60nX_fWtZ2rNkSKoUrR6Ux5Wz6hihZG9Zas_C5VDhgLb7rq-mf9YZDL-fX_R2YgGzfG4vi9fUQs/s1600/cats-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><strike> </strike><span style="color: red;"><strong>CATS are SOLD</strong></span></a><br />
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<strike>The two rows repeat all the way down the length of the fabric. The colors are neutral brown to tan and black.</strike><br />
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<span style="background-color: #f4cccc;"><strike>Price for this full length of fabric is $12.00</strike></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKjO6LhAjeqx9vyfFvyChJCONJk9eLpf_IpMGhEqMCU7Y25ILR_Nhh8PFULFWvBIpdGBZCCZYT3dpDd3Blblsy_xp9ntiBU92JnJgcZBSew8Q8pp_KXff4f1V6Ua-tsfPT7FeqkWQ9czM/s1600/Santas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKjO6LhAjeqx9vyfFvyChJCONJk9eLpf_IpMGhEqMCU7Y25ILR_Nhh8PFULFWvBIpdGBZCCZYT3dpDd3Blblsy_xp9ntiBU92JnJgcZBSew8Q8pp_KXff4f1V6Ua-tsfPT7FeqkWQ9czM/s320/Santas.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: #f4cccc;"></span> <strong>Santa's!</strong> These primitive Santa are printed on 100% cotton neutral background 10 across the row. The patch is 4" x 4 5/8". <u>There are 4 yards in this piece</u>. I made coasters with this fabric and sold in sets of 6 for $12. <span style="background-color: #f4cccc;">Price for the full piece of fabric (uncut) is $20. </span><br />
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The picture shows half the width of the fabric (fold to selvedge).<br />
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<strike>Lastly I have <span style="background-color: #fce5cd;">2 pieces</span> of <strong>Debbie Mumm Teapot fabric</strong>. Each piece measures <span style="background-color: #fce5cd;">35" X width of fabric.</span></strike><br />
<strike>The squares measure approximately 4 x 4 3/4" with 9 squares across x 9 rows for each piece. I made coasters with this fabric too.</strike> <br />
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<span style="background-color: #fce5cd;"><strike>Cost per piece of fabric - $5.00.</strike></span><br />
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<span style="color: red;"><strong>SOLD</strong></span><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #674ea7;">JUST ADDED</span></strong><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoDzJmMkHKkvgG3wkxnQmpKf8EYuNyQnN0c0SQR7ZGhU5vAG9mouKnL6aD6V7ApMggMIuIzPMhLb7pPFRRqRxJ6pxYoAY4Zn7SMjL-FtcwH54l0rTsV6vgWUN5lG1EyrcThxrWB8bAv6g/s1600/2013-08-30+16.33.02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoDzJmMkHKkvgG3wkxnQmpKf8EYuNyQnN0c0SQR7ZGhU5vAG9mouKnL6aD6V7ApMggMIuIzPMhLb7pPFRRqRxJ6pxYoAY4Zn7SMjL-FtcwH54l0rTsV6vgWUN5lG1EyrcThxrWB8bAv6g/s320/2013-08-30+16.33.02.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I have several hot pad kits made up of this adorable Snowman fabric by Diana Markam fabric. Each kit contains the makings for 5 hotpatds, 5 ea. front fabric, coordinating backing fabric, ironing board fabric all cut to size, 5 loops <br />
for hanging and a strip of 8 oz polyester batting. Yes I know poly is not all that heat resistant, but I've used these hotpads many times over several years before they needed to be replaced.<br />
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Each kit is complete for 5 hotpads, all you need is thread! <span style="background-color: #fce5cd;"><u><strong>Kits are $5.00 each. Designs vary, but all are in the same fabric line.</strong></u></span><br />
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I'm sure I have more fabric to purge, and depending on the response, I'll take more pictures and post them here on my blog. I also have dozens of books and patterns that I've never used. <br />
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The picky details: I'll ship anywhere in the world US Priority Mail, Flat rate if it makes sense, and the buyer pays shipping and insurance if requested. I'll accept payment by PayPal or money order. Leave me a comment or email me at <a href="mailto:kathycrofoot@gmail.com">kathycrofoot@gmail.com</a> and I'll get back to you by email with a total and shipping cost. <u>Payment in USD only.</u><br />
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<span style="background-color: #f4cccc;"></span> Be sure to check out the other offerings at <a href="http://quiltville.blogspot.com/2013/09/labor-day-yard-sale.html" target="_blank">Quiltville's Labor Day Yard Sale Linky party</a><br />
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<img height="96" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiym2OXbUlBBVnOb3_RU3AmHFfqFRMScEvpVOMk-FPwxSIe5o4zIV0ZJUgcgv2JmOUbc2ZIOktkGiSEwYPY0N1lEwBcidsfzQhPst1C26598jzBeHs2WcVg7jGEsl-EComKGF255HkjYS4/s320/Cats.jpg" style="left: 631px; opacity: 0.3; position: absolute; top: 1080px;" width="94" />Kathy Crofoothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12531145192255431983noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119312689115112147.post-25928371710175462702013-09-01T12:42:00.000-05:002013-09-01T12:43:10.109-05:00Only 168 hours in a week?!?I don't know where last week went! I certainly didn't rack up that many billable hours at my 'job'. So what the heck did I do all week?<br />
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I quilted! I've been like an out-of-control kid in a toy store, wanting to try out everything! I have so many works in progress it's overwhelming, and I don't know what to work on next.<br />
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I was working on quilting a comfort quit for my friend Mary who is battling cancer. I have an overwhelming need to finish it, but want it to be beautiful and unique. My thought is to give her a place to focus when times are tough, to lose herself in the patterns and movement of the quilting. The idea was to put a different design in each piece of this <a href="http://www.cloverandviolet.com/2011/11/pinwheel-toss-tutorial.html" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: yellow;">Tossed Pinwheel quilt</span></a>.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnmOwuC83ezHJqq2G0eHRHZ6sICIGrGNKzgvccYXuUqApAzQA7wS4lBlOz4ojdSjMHIvNOg77b5IeseHGYaKHRFqUrQqx-3BIHDs5duceRIVmqKsSZN4WE1tn2f-VDAoTgDsyrY1pRx0E/s1600/2013-05-27+22.04.06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnmOwuC83ezHJqq2G0eHRHZ6sICIGrGNKzgvccYXuUqApAzQA7wS4lBlOz4ojdSjMHIvNOg77b5IeseHGYaKHRFqUrQqx-3BIHDs5duceRIVmqKsSZN4WE1tn2f-VDAoTgDsyrY1pRx0E/s320/2013-05-27+22.04.06.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Big ideas, right? Hooo boy - I didn't know what I was getting myself into when I started quilting on this.<br />
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I started here <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTiSPmlsEe8hd3YYaqWfFUjDY6TWcGHK3UN1jOjVJH5GWT2160xI3UMO99VFU3f38TgRAtOL96BpBJjjFgm6RoAmxRFoZzAdlgGJjp-hpG9JW1bf6pu7pDwMjDOmhXJfLuowdUgCWqP9c/s1600/2013-09-01+09.25.12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTiSPmlsEe8hd3YYaqWfFUjDY6TWcGHK3UN1jOjVJH5GWT2160xI3UMO99VFU3f38TgRAtOL96BpBJjjFgm6RoAmxRFoZzAdlgGJjp-hpG9JW1bf6pu7pDwMjDOmhXJfLuowdUgCWqP9c/s320/2013-09-01+09.25.12.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The pattern is a variation of a Disappearing 9 patch, and I started with 12 9 patches split into 4s - suffice it to say there are a LOT of different blocks here. The pebbles took a bit of time to fill this 4 1/2 in square. That was the first indication that this would not be a quick process. The confused spiral in the 2 x 4 1/2 went fairly quickly, but still took some time.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4m6Wh9SL36Yw8vxJAF4A0-GGMS_KMZFK0EYm_DcDTkczeKFY8ep6ygsMRNRkQWeYarQFh8-lIhrLvy7FJ4dx-ZmaNLWua8NnWUmn1-DFIjtgQDomIuThZvlr9NwwJkHDgumma4o6L4Pk/s1600/2013-09-01+09.25.56.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4m6Wh9SL36Yw8vxJAF4A0-GGMS_KMZFK0EYm_DcDTkczeKFY8ep6ygsMRNRkQWeYarQFh8-lIhrLvy7FJ4dx-ZmaNLWua8NnWUmn1-DFIjtgQDomIuThZvlr9NwwJkHDgumma4o6L4Pk/s320/2013-09-01+09.25.56.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I filled in a few more squares - the little ones are the easiest... the pearled feather came out ok.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXF1tRbzz4DM3mfrWUoGZQV_LU_WTR6x_A13jmdmd2xkCsiFt4x7PT_jiy_Qn9bcdmt5W_8MZSRbbjSXhMzUToO5IYcKiXvHWdXajfWBfSVsx-56r_kQFKjCjWF-phg8VTAkk4eXulHow/s1600/2013-09-01+09.26.06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXF1tRbzz4DM3mfrWUoGZQV_LU_WTR6x_A13jmdmd2xkCsiFt4x7PT_jiy_Qn9bcdmt5W_8MZSRbbjSXhMzUToO5IYcKiXvHWdXajfWBfSVsx-56r_kQFKjCjWF-phg8VTAkk4eXulHow/s320/2013-09-01+09.26.06.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I like the peppermint candy - to me it looks like a pan of cinnamon rolls. Then I got the idea to write words of encouragement on this quilt in the 2 x 4 1/2 inch blocks. Hope, peace, faith, love, trust, healing, prayer. If you have any others - please leave me a comment - I have LOTS of 2 x 4 1/2 blocks to fill in yet.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUk2BY-RsKQaq42xxlQN2-eC2omMtdfWqGrCanokp3pTsk8Vf5fMm-BLEt_NDBgJU5hR3dOj0b-7aYSNdXlOJ92mUYwJsOxZ9g8GH74fdJOqEi9IJIBaupKf-zvtwUUzg-Ali_RJh9IB0/s1600/2013-09-01+09.26.23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUk2BY-RsKQaq42xxlQN2-eC2omMtdfWqGrCanokp3pTsk8Vf5fMm-BLEt_NDBgJU5hR3dOj0b-7aYSNdXlOJ92mUYwJsOxZ9g8GH74fdJOqEi9IJIBaupKf-zvtwUUzg-Ali_RJh9IB0/s320/2013-09-01+09.26.23.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPMZ2jLyzJbFCedzfRJbCsjpEpfgwnBnuLFRAmmagp3zee8HXlveQNEC9n6hcCuHyyQLjmu17ZtEVjhgOnW6dR_E-0NoMykTtavcHIn2tmjVK7t2Tj6j3MR7bVeKs3L2Eu3PliyLnJx1Y/s1600/2013-09-01+09.26.34.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPMZ2jLyzJbFCedzfRJbCsjpEpfgwnBnuLFRAmmagp3zee8HXlveQNEC9n6hcCuHyyQLjmu17ZtEVjhgOnW6dR_E-0NoMykTtavcHIn2tmjVK7t2Tj6j3MR7bVeKs3L2Eu3PliyLnJx1Y/s320/2013-09-01+09.26.34.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjRnMCiZK66Rph47iD7_zD5gly-wWqVlDw7IrlA945LNvV7F2PVuLzPxmnJ1FdSQJqEX0jlwn3AyTZVQAHsPKgamK5qk9-xYfQrbg9GnwV_Fv7YWIOn2tGwtf88CBjRJ6vPObf1cRSLrk/s1600/2013-09-01+09.26.47.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjRnMCiZK66Rph47iD7_zD5gly-wWqVlDw7IrlA945LNvV7F2PVuLzPxmnJ1FdSQJqEX0jlwn3AyTZVQAHsPKgamK5qk9-xYfQrbg9GnwV_Fv7YWIOn2tGwtf88CBjRJ6vPObf1cRSLrk/s320/2013-09-01+09.26.47.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkrKjnD2t9MpIWRwSHrOBPPWoAgvjXeGcf_ud7YSAdjOBStvhijD107duIq0XnJoeGdPCyuARrqesNCqcYs3uCbKMCCTa-dS-dQqflOLsqMHlF9UnuYX6EBuIBK03llyH828e02mkRLv0/s1600/2013-09-01+09.25.35.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkrKjnD2t9MpIWRwSHrOBPPWoAgvjXeGcf_ud7YSAdjOBStvhijD107duIq0XnJoeGdPCyuARrqesNCqcYs3uCbKMCCTa-dS-dQqflOLsqMHlF9UnuYX6EBuIBK03llyH828e02mkRLv0/s320/2013-09-01+09.25.35.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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And some other designs, knotted spiral, a feather looking thing, one that looks like a ruler, cobblestones, and I don't remember all the others. Thanks to Leah Day and the Free Motion Quilting Project for all the great filler patterns! I'm linking up to her <a href="http://www.freemotionquilting.blogspot.com/2013/08/fmq-friday-more-time-to-quilt-needed.html" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: yellow;">FMQ Friday linky party</span></a><span style="background-color: yellow;">.</span><br />
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Now that I've started this every block thing, I need to continue that way. Oh My that's a lot of hours at the machine! I finally had to put this away because I had some other things to work on too - and the cats kept eating my <a href="http://www.pinmoors.com/" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: yellow;">Pinmoors</span></a> right off the quilt! <br />
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So I pulled out a project that needs to be done in a couple of weeks for my almost-granddaughter's birthday.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhevTmxVchCKNpafOzh7ABBDHqjD53p3ikJv_wyK2_A85TDp6uQnpRugNF7tTLScX7DVm8fXJPMF71cWpOEJPjQSiLwQhyphenhyphensL1J-3vRl2XC71-2vzR2yEDMv0zWhv2ukVc7ZwhiFf7NFUMQ/s1600/Bellas+Beauties.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhevTmxVchCKNpafOzh7ABBDHqjD53p3ikJv_wyK2_A85TDp6uQnpRugNF7tTLScX7DVm8fXJPMF71cWpOEJPjQSiLwQhyphenhyphensL1J-3vRl2XC71-2vzR2yEDMv0zWhv2ukVc7ZwhiFf7NFUMQ/s320/Bellas+Beauties.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Bella's Beauties is made in the Falling charm pattern from <a href="http://quiltingtutorials.com/all/falling-charms-quilt-tutorial-quilting-charm-packs/" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: yellow;">Missouri Star Quilt Company</span></a>. I still have to put borders on it then get it ready for quilting. I'm thinking a narrow dark purple batik then either a piano key border from left over pieces or a scrappy 4 patch and another 2 1/2" of the purple butterflies with a hot pink binding. But we'll see when the spirit moves me again.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcbboSYy_YVQiANB3CB0njX5k1XJrqTD8scakIrR99LTTcqXqtnBvsqOqyKfaACYYJMZykzaoURdKWD1nK34vLy2ovmh5XCc71XQT6H1lPtoizx9OWiSJv7g6i2jA_gVZfYkzDYMk0_-s/s1600/100+Hugs+a+Day+for+Connor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcbboSYy_YVQiANB3CB0njX5k1XJrqTD8scakIrR99LTTcqXqtnBvsqOqyKfaACYYJMZykzaoURdKWD1nK34vLy2ovmh5XCc71XQT6H1lPtoizx9OWiSJv7g6i2jA_gVZfYkzDYMk0_-s/s320/100+Hugs+a+Day+for+Connor.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://weddingdressblue.wordpress.com/2012/04/20/tutorial-hundred-hugs-quilt/" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: yellow;">100 Hugs a day</span></a> for Connor, who was born last month, is finished and needs to be quilted. Plus, Connor has an older brother Christopher who hasn't had a quilt from me yet - so his is in the works too.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrUKi-A6zLV0VrD0RfBKDTn8QwGvONK4HlevQji0QUxSRmKAWxP0OwGkyV-EFT5wR0f76vXfnVIvUB4uFY85o0R8-_a8RK5AYa7asEG_vyg11GY-sDCVmlI99-979JPiZvIvohqShY4GY/s1600/Grinch+Wont+Steal+This+Christmas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrUKi-A6zLV0VrD0RfBKDTn8QwGvONK4HlevQji0QUxSRmKAWxP0OwGkyV-EFT5wR0f76vXfnVIvUB4uFY85o0R8-_a8RK5AYa7asEG_vyg11GY-sDCVmlI99-979JPiZvIvohqShY4GY/s320/Grinch+Wont+Steal+This+Christmas.jpg" width="274" /></a></div>
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The Grinch won't Steal This Christmas - a Quilt for Kids kit project that needs to be finished this month. I also want to send along something else, but not sure if it is going to happen this month.<br />
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So when Leah Day posted <a href="http://www.freemotionquilting.blogspot.com/2013/08/fmq-friday-more-time-to-quilt-needed.html" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: yellow;">FMQ Friday - More Time to Quilt Needed!</span></a> I feel her pain. I want to spend all my time quilting, but know that if I don't work - as a freelancer - I don't get paid! I need to get paid to support the quilting habit. <br />
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Other things on my work in process list: Big Brother quilt for Christopher (72 4 1/2" half square triangles and 288 2 1/2" half square triangles - OMG! what was I thinking?); Jacob's Ladder for the first grandson of my dear friend Mary Ann; Pop-Pop's Pass-times for my father-in-law for Christmas; Quilt of Valor for a very special young man and his new bride commissioned by his Mom, Irish Chain for mother-in-law for Mother's Day, if I can hold out that long; unspecified quilts for my Mom, Sister, brother-in-law, nephew; a Mystery quilt I started back in July; and dozens upon dozens of ideas running through my head. Plus quilts for charities like Quilts for Kids and Quilts of Valor.<br />
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Balance is a skill I desperately need to practice! I've been learning and practicing balance, having fun and setting boundaries with my coach Teresa Romain at <a href="http://www.accessabundance.com/" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: yellow;">Access Abundance</span></a><span style="background-color: yellow;">.</span> This month I will be taking a one day workshop that you might be interested in (if you're within driving distance of Egan MN) called <a href="http://www.accessabundance.com/programs-products/unblocked-thriving-live/" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: yellow;">Unblocked and Thriving</span></a><span style="background-color: yellow;">.<span style="background-color: yellow;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: white;"> I believe she has a few seats left at the early bird price that ends this week. Take a look. Teresa has helped me in so many ways. It seems like she has a 'webcam' into my soul and her messages are always what I need at that time.</span><br />
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So back to today I'm going to have some fun quilting - basting the two finished quilts and finishing up Bella's Beauties so it too can be basted. This week is my busy week at work. I will weave some quilting in amongst the work. Until next time - Happy Quilting!<br />
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Kathy Crofoothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12531145192255431983noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119312689115112147.post-75744468153840234042013-08-23T20:12:00.001-05:002013-08-23T20:17:57.636-05:00Two finishes this week<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What do you mean it's not MINE? Buffy thinks <br />
all quilts belong to her</td></tr>
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Actually, it's been a couple of weeks since I've posted about a finish...<br />
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<strong>Welcome Home</strong><br />
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This quilt was made to honor and bring comfort to a recently-returned veteran from our town. <br />
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The pattern is called <a href="http://quiltville.blogspot.com/2005/07/fourth-of-july.html" target="_blank">Fourth of July by Bonnie Hunter at Quiltville</a>. I used Red and blue homespun along with an off-white background fabric. </div>
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It is quilted with Stars and loops in the center .<br />
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<img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNRxB_Bk2Mue52Z9rZry6IUmZke-UjQ08vgwNrPwzrE2wMuio8ToGD811-TfaI_mkMrC6eV2iiRq6fl8g7EovOxJkDFXK5o7rA149YPfUyUvC8I0q50hsASFlLpDctOxqy1ErC5XyiaBA/s320/2013-08-14+14.53.51.jpg" width="320" /> ... and words honoring his service all around the inside border. I finished it off with feathers in the outside border and a red and white ticking for the binding. I hope to be able to present this next week sometime (after I finish the binding and wash it a few hundred times with some color catchers!).</div>
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<strong>100 Hugs a Day</strong><br />
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My next finish was a baby quilt I whipped up for one of my husband's co-workers.. <br />
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The pattern is from <a href="http://weddingdressblue.wordpress.com/2012/04/20/tutorial-hundred-hugs-quilt/" target="_blank">Deanna at Wedding Dress Blue called 100 Hugs Quilt</a><br />
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I couldn't believe how fast this came together. A 100 patch in the middle made from 2 1/2" squares from a jelly roll from <a href="http://www.jellyrollfabric.net/Mixed-Bright-Pastel-Odds-and-Ends-Jelly-Roll--At-Least-5-Fabrics-20-Strips-Total--CLEARANCE_p_526.html" target="_blank">Jelly Roll Fabrics</a> (20 strips made the whole quilt with some squares left over for my scrap bin) and a nice white on white for the borders and triangles. <br />
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I pretty much had fun doodling with circles, balloon shapes, hearts, flowers and loops with swirls in the border area. I finished it off with a multi-colored stripe in pink and purple, yellow and green for the binding. It is so cute!<br />
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All in all, I'm having a good time with my FMQ - thanks to the excellent tutorials by <a href="http://www.freemotionquilting.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Leah Day at the Free Motion Quilting Project.</a> Her guidance and inspiration have given me the courage to set my imagination loose and have fun with quilting.<br />
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I only have one obstacle. <br />
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I'm not sure I'll ever get these <a href="http://www.leahday.com/shop/product/machingers-quilting-gloves/" target="_blank">Machingers</a> clean again! (from the Welcome Home quilt, not the baby quilt!) OH yeah, and the cats keep pulling the <a href="http://www.leahday.com/shop/product/pinmoors/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Pinmoors</a> off my basted quilts. I know they're supposed to be non-toxic, but have you ever seen one that a cat has yakked up? I have to put my basted quilts in the closet when I'm not actively working on them, and fold them in on themselves when I need to walk away for even 30 seconds! <br />
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Until next time... Happy Quilting!<br />
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<br />Kathy Crofoothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12531145192255431983noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119312689115112147.post-27881608558081952302013-08-19T16:26:00.000-05:002013-08-25T11:25:34.450-05:00Why do I quiltFirst let's explore what is a quilt... In technical terms a quilt is 3 layers of textiles joined together by stitching. A woven top and bottom layer with a layer of additional material like batting for warmth and loft. In simplistic terms it is a blanket or bed covering.<br />
To me a quilt is much more. <br />
<strong>A quilt is:</strong><br />
<ul>
<li>A warm hug when the world is cold</li>
<li>Comfort for one in need</li>
<li>A place to rest your body when you are weary</li>
<li>A fort for children at play</li>
<li>A place to have an impromptu picnic</li>
<li>A colorful addition to a room</li>
<li>Memories of loved-ones long past</li>
<li>A piece of art to adorn the world</li>
<li>A work of heart pieced with love and prayers for one who I may never know or know very well</li>
<li>A labor of love </li>
<li>The smile on the face of a loved one.</li>
</ul>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dad and Me with his Quilt<br />
Picture by Mom - used with permission</td></tr>
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So why do I quilt? To feed my creativity, and to share my love. I quilt to wrap someone in love and comfort, to bring a smile to their faces. I quilt to thank our service members, to let them know I appreciate the freedoms their service provides. I quilt for the love of creating something beautiful and meaningful from a pile of fabric. I quilt because I must.</div>
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Kathy Crofoothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12531145192255431983noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119312689115112147.post-5508689866966036472013-08-05T13:18:00.000-05:002013-08-09T15:34:07.688-05:00Practice makes (Almost) PerfectI am happy to report that my machine is back in working condition - the bobbin winder works as smoothly as it ever did! She just needed a little drop of oil. The repair company didn't even charge me!<br />
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There have been a lot of projects in the works in my basement workshop. <br />
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Maybe last week, you'll remember I was working on the Prayer Shawl for my sister, practicing with feathers. Just when I was happy with the practice, my machine decided to stop winding bobbins.<br />
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This week I was able to finish the quilting! I started out with the feather wreath in the center using a color that matched the backing - oh mistake #1...<br />
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The picture doesn't show it, so hopefully nobody will notice all the little green dots here and there.<br />
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I wanted to carry the feathers throughout the piece, but I didn't like the way it was turning out - so out came the seam ripper. After 2 days of ripping out feathers, I thought I'd never want to do them again...<br />
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I decided on an all-over loopy flower-stippling design for the braids.... <br />
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and back to feathers in the border.</div>
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I'm loving the way it turned out.</div>
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Now all that is left is the binding, and slip it in the mail for a quiet surprise.<br />
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The flying geese are for a quilt I'm making for my father-in-law. <br />
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For him, I wanted to do something fun! My original thought was some kind of I-Spy design and gathered up fat quarters for many of his favorite pass-times, camping, cars, snowmobiling, fire department, fixing things, and collecting yardsticks. There are many stories of various things shown here, like the ice cream cones. When our son was little, they'd let him have "a thousand scoops" ice cream cones, "but who says we know how to count". <br />
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The flying geese come from a story he tells about how he'd watch the geese every year and as he tells it, geese mate for life. One day on the road he passed a goose sitting on the side of the road next to a goose that had been hit by a car. The rest of the flock had gone on their way. The next day he passed the same spot, and the goose was still there, sitting next to his fallen mate. Every day for about a week, he'd pass the same spot, and see the same sight. On the last day, both geese were down. The second goose had died of a broken heart.<br />
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My in-laws have been married for 55 years, and have one of the strongest marriages I've ever seen. I hope in 25 years, our son will say the same thing about us.<br />
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Linking to Leah Day's <a href="http://www.freemotionquilting.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">FMQ Friday Linkup</a>. I wish my work looked half as good as her 'mistakes'...<br />
<br />Kathy Crofoothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12531145192255431983noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119312689115112147.post-56175194794536387102013-07-27T07:07:00.000-05:002013-07-27T07:07:48.169-05:00FMQ Friday - Practice, Practice, Practice<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSXBs8CvyYPXZ3k8YR6BzfC2GGhmKcydNkdGz5dK7DgCUNHaWRB9ZWK64gkm2g-MPtMWmkPuacezc7qS7F3x___q6grhCfjKrfypIu9hCG1FxPHQAE0uIjls-09izIg4vdbbghH-W-Dm8/s1600/2013-06-03+11.58.50.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSXBs8CvyYPXZ3k8YR6BzfC2GGhmKcydNkdGz5dK7DgCUNHaWRB9ZWK64gkm2g-MPtMWmkPuacezc7qS7F3x___q6grhCfjKrfypIu9hCG1FxPHQAE0uIjls-09izIg4vdbbghH-W-Dm8/s200/2013-06-03+11.58.50.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Friendship Braid Prayer Shawl</td></tr>
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This week started out like any other week - a full week of work - with a little quilting thrown in. As I got started on the week working on the backlog of work from being gone the better part of two weeks, I filled in some time teaching myself a new FMQ skill - feathers. I really want to use it on my sister's gift. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVABjJ1HQO4LqWyppu0lI74W9Ot2KdVf5eYCnNAuwOLBnQpXYrGUcc1weillNoch23SXu1ZeRPALMSOCeEimXdDGMw6A5RdES-3NP0hI59HiNpkYqiALLawvnHwWoNEEE-rTkUhgYmHu4/s1600/FMQ_Feather_Sketching.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVABjJ1HQO4LqWyppu0lI74W9Ot2KdVf5eYCnNAuwOLBnQpXYrGUcc1weillNoch23SXu1ZeRPALMSOCeEimXdDGMw6A5RdES-3NP0hI59HiNpkYqiALLawvnHwWoNEEE-rTkUhgYmHu4/s320/FMQ_Feather_Sketching.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmmLa1ulAbVYXpIUL6OU31AiRKCxvKhxEctOAm22CEyYNBqbrPGfMrVIkT8Z83FqN_mk4_eQ95FGsiwIZ4bZ7X_t7ygjR-RBaQCF7AhcSKRqvaLJthCIelhm_vevwXHSAwa13T8ys0qt8/s1600/2013-07-27+05.51.24+-+Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmmLa1ulAbVYXpIUL6OU31AiRKCxvKhxEctOAm22CEyYNBqbrPGfMrVIkT8Z83FqN_mk4_eQ95FGsiwIZ4bZ7X_t7ygjR-RBaQCF7AhcSKRqvaLJthCIelhm_vevwXHSAwa13T8ys0qt8/s1600/2013-07-27+05.51.24+-+Copy.jpg" /></a>I took little bits of time - while waiting on hold, or while puzzling out some great bookkeeping mystery - to sketch out what I was trying to do.<br />
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I've never done feathers before and really wanted something special for the large center square on the braided shawl. When I finally felt like I had the motions down, as time allowed I started to practice on the machine.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsKneklMqvXDvukMXg89UiAxZO_1H0z_GaCyXPyEZWrsVTmRD9l80Ovfc8zcW0sOh72ehBZbMRIlC_4q_fyddejEt7wnhX-frv2vHL4-PhLHEcyF_3Oi95T7y8qSbhAajKfbrvrTWxfCU/s1600/FMq_Feather_Wreath_Practice-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsKneklMqvXDvukMXg89UiAxZO_1H0z_GaCyXPyEZWrsVTmRD9l80Ovfc8zcW0sOh72ehBZbMRIlC_4q_fyddejEt7wnhX-frv2vHL4-PhLHEcyF_3Oi95T7y8qSbhAajKfbrvrTWxfCU/s200/FMq_Feather_Wreath_Practice-1.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Practice #1</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Practice #2</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkYrYh6enEoWQA0EJNPCVacjP2AIAN6SNhi29h2hm-u2yrkhuv4i4C-5DIL8ij2mVcKP0_9SMKH6vScVN-Q159rUJJ2eeonmI760B_aix5-B3kYbVHUFIA11f3EbbhjP78wuMisMcK_ys/s1600/FMQ_Feather_Wreath_Practice-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkYrYh6enEoWQA0EJNPCVacjP2AIAN6SNhi29h2hm-u2yrkhuv4i4C-5DIL8ij2mVcKP0_9SMKH6vScVN-Q159rUJJ2eeonmI760B_aix5-B3kYbVHUFIA11f3EbbhjP78wuMisMcK_ys/s320/FMQ_Feather_Wreath_Practice-3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Practice #3</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWvErHlY6akavNicsQ89kdZVJxoS4FDqjHULZxpWGQXIIq3XcXMyfAr283hCgABbA65Hx1FxxIR8MlN2ORpNvDYiQYvzQAgyBqTiKtqWnjTWRukFqOcEYPDOA9skwm8yFsf_3QYqaULa0/s1600/FMQ_Feather_Wreath_Practice-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWvErHlY6akavNicsQ89kdZVJxoS4FDqjHULZxpWGQXIIq3XcXMyfAr283hCgABbA65Hx1FxxIR8MlN2ORpNvDYiQYvzQAgyBqTiKtqWnjTWRukFqOcEYPDOA9skwm8yFsf_3QYqaULa0/s320/FMQ_Feather_Wreath_Practice-4.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Practice #4<br />
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I figured I was getting pretty good at this - the feathers are almost the same size, the travel stitching is fairly consistent, and I was feeling pretty good about my efforts. Just when I thought - by Jove She's Got it - my machine decided it didn't want to wind bobbins any more! YIKES! I can't wind bobbins? What is going on here? What the heck am I going to do?<br />
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I put Sis's present aside for now. I guess I wasn't ready for this challenge just yet. <br />
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Because I had a number of white bobbins already wound up, I picked up the Christmas stockings I'm making for deploying soldiers as part of a group over at Missouri Star and started quilting on the outside pieces. Basically doodling around. Because the stockings are going to be fully lined, I quilted on the top and batting only.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh64AZP1gJjPKQijLiMe9plpNPm08qKv7e-MPOWtdyY3DahzRJJEEXyjzgYzK8tK_K5ImLT4mVPVKnwi2kVQR-jbdHHFndSC350xpps6mI2_EXoBqmmDXoFe0JY9CHq0wWeCi9qDJEhq4/s1600/2013-07-27+05.06.49.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh64AZP1gJjPKQijLiMe9plpNPm08qKv7e-MPOWtdyY3DahzRJJEEXyjzgYzK8tK_K5ImLT4mVPVKnwi2kVQR-jbdHHFndSC350xpps6mI2_EXoBqmmDXoFe0JY9CHq0wWeCi9qDJEhq4/s400/2013-07-27+05.06.49.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX-aohEAyqWUQWa27q0vHtIDfeqiifFJpaT8sBZjfUutZwgaTsJSIOZ8EdtrZSQxPN0peF1Z1Lz8GEJNBzvCdVKi7jyL25qbicK1PPcdxV1HQrMbIupKNcI1CBlUefbwSqlpwjGyQ_9Vg/s1600/2013-07-27+05.07.37.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX-aohEAyqWUQWa27q0vHtIDfeqiifFJpaT8sBZjfUutZwgaTsJSIOZ8EdtrZSQxPN0peF1Z1Lz8GEJNBzvCdVKi7jyL25qbicK1PPcdxV1HQrMbIupKNcI1CBlUefbwSqlpwjGyQ_9Vg/s320/2013-07-27+05.07.37.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On set is swirls and loops</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7W1jJN2QClPafqItQYvwKTCZcUo9XwP1MWeOLk6Iy_E0Y0-Cjar2dIaXlUPv8w20tAzauL4eJZGrcoxXqXQQD0rTM-aoU2_3Mt3Spe2eLSi1ir5toaBqacmGQDIRmZJJ71fQDOAIlwo8/s1600/2013-07-27+05.07.52.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7W1jJN2QClPafqItQYvwKTCZcUo9XwP1MWeOLk6Iy_E0Y0-Cjar2dIaXlUPv8w20tAzauL4eJZGrcoxXqXQQD0rTM-aoU2_3Mt3Spe2eLSi1ir5toaBqacmGQDIRmZJJ71fQDOAIlwo8/s320/2013-07-27+05.07.52.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The other set is outlined and loops</td></tr>
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As I was quilting the second set with the outlined stars the machine was jamming and breaking thread. I used every trick in the book I knew to power through the last half of the last one. <br />
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My trusty Elna is now at the machine hospital for diagnostics. I sure hope it can be fixed!<br />
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Linking to <a href="http://www.freemotionquilting.blogspot.com/2013/07/fmq-friday-something-to-listen-to-while.html" target="_blank">Leah Day's FMQ Project</a><br />
Kathy Crofoothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12531145192255431983noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119312689115112147.post-5344032798481973722013-07-20T22:18:00.000-05:002013-07-20T22:18:59.826-05:00Oklahoma Quilts finished and sentI have been away from home and my computer for a couple of weeks. When I returned last week, Southwestern Wisconsin was under heat advisories for much of the week. <br />
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While I was away, I was able to present my Dad with his quilt: <a href="http://kathyscache.blogspot.com/2013/06/an-open-letter-to-my-dad.html" target="_blank">Bowtie Hugs & Kisses</a>. He was thrilled with the letter, telling me he was saving it in his treasure box. I also finished up the two quilts I was working on for Oklahoma.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ0Jy7v2XGDvAz88Ml8nepT-4HUO-lr_z5RJ4BUXh9m_d1P9rzsdIBuumWTCM1JjZ7p6vr-2HylUWjLpWVl3MGaWtkv22zuxS9fHrQEjw3-Pvieu_ZqBi-OUpftVdZAmr-VbOA5N4ey5Y/s1600/2013-07-11+10.39.10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ0Jy7v2XGDvAz88Ml8nepT-4HUO-lr_z5RJ4BUXh9m_d1P9rzsdIBuumWTCM1JjZ7p6vr-2HylUWjLpWVl3MGaWtkv22zuxS9fHrQEjw3-Pvieu_ZqBi-OUpftVdZAmr-VbOA5N4ey5Y/s320/2013-07-11+10.39.10.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bright Days and Smiles<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKLpHCvXU9mDIwMIio5iilIv3quTOMfF2A85KdA3OxR1_B41DL1vfdO3Aft4QrCl5pHhROq5i2Qd9WpfXOoWieWi6hyiKs5AzOK2DvKNAQ58tXYb7UuhXdRBA0Bouomakw_ROOZCs9sig/s1600/2013-07-11+10.40.02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKLpHCvXU9mDIwMIio5iilIv3quTOMfF2A85KdA3OxR1_B41DL1vfdO3Aft4QrCl5pHhROq5i2Qd9WpfXOoWieWi6hyiKs5AzOK2DvKNAQ58tXYb7UuhXdRBA0Bouomakw_ROOZCs9sig/s320/2013-07-11+10.40.02.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlWVCy2afVOd7i87QPaXI6tM0ufy549AdGgkVXUAXaQRV7xs0OLEAS_xkiPbGSh4qrPPURFFwD0sW-bpqpg_1rDpZvlMt0fBwmtkyJ_yiwhvzTzdJQ9HtQaMzeN4qEt8qSuUSlTOCfojo/s1600/2013-07-11+10.32.54.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlWVCy2afVOd7i87QPaXI6tM0ufy549AdGgkVXUAXaQRV7xs0OLEAS_xkiPbGSh4qrPPURFFwD0sW-bpqpg_1rDpZvlMt0fBwmtkyJ_yiwhvzTzdJQ9HtQaMzeN4qEt8qSuUSlTOCfojo/s320/2013-07-11+10.32.54.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bricks of Love</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1l7daWX8una63JCbKVFbSR3mGlQtUh0-YunyX1o_gaxO2yuD3Mb3nGI9PH8EsX3DyrqL45K6t9dg9tjx9KSFxmqZa0RrmD-9xtLen8wlGo0-X6yGd8uHuGBzzrKpsbZSfH0tgKZ3UiCo/s1600/2013-07-11+10.33.33.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1l7daWX8una63JCbKVFbSR3mGlQtUh0-YunyX1o_gaxO2yuD3Mb3nGI9PH8EsX3DyrqL45K6t9dg9tjx9KSFxmqZa0RrmD-9xtLen8wlGo0-X6yGd8uHuGBzzrKpsbZSfH0tgKZ3UiCo/s320/2013-07-11+10.33.33.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bricks of Love Label</td></tr>
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Each of these quilts included notes to the recipients telling them why I made the quilts, and closed with the following words: "As the pieces were being stitched together, I prayed for peace and comfort for you and your loved ones. Please find comfort in its folds and know that you are loved."<br />
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The process was somewhat cathartic for me. I've always wanted to help people and didn't know what to do or where to start. I was put into contact with Janice Grimes of <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Quilts-of-Compassion/336600644288?ref=stream" target="_blank">Quilts of Compassion</a>, who told me of her ministry to people affected by the Tornadoes of Joplin Missouri and Moore Oklahoma and surrounding areas. These two quilts were shipped out on July 15, 2013.<br />
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I will continue to make quilts for others because it feeds my soul.<br />
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Kathy Crofoothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12531145192255431983noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119312689115112147.post-85657062490195900322013-06-16T10:06:00.000-05:002013-06-16T11:31:31.109-05:00Does it need a name?I guess there are two schools of thought about naming a quilt. One is that you give it a name, and the other is that you don't. <br />
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I adapted this quilt from a picture I saw on <a href="http://christaquiltsblog.com/" target="_blank">Christa Quilts</a>. She called her pattern the <a href="http://christaquiltsblog.com/2012/07/19/diy-quilts-1-the-jolly-jellyroll-quilt-supply-list/" target="_blank">Jolly Jelly Roll Quilt</a>. Since I didn't use Jelly Rolls but 5" charms, I don't want to call it a Jelly Roll quilt - right? Usually when I create a qulit, it is for a specific person, for a specific event or milestone. This one was created specifically as a way to give love and comfort to someone who was affected by the tornados in Oklahoma after reading a blog post over at <a href="http://quiltville.blogspot.com/2013/05/quilts-for-oklahoma.html" target="_blank">Quiltville</a>.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6VP0p9XoCKgdXcfro25pr5k60qaKHYstJXGw0ZNBr8AYWC9_vVnpTpPhW6Wb0DRn5MUihs-7CK5cKLNnv51x1qKL7T848qTkrC8KuJ1Jxl9bUx-LfLycDHQOxlSaLaqaV8eNIBuvbYls/s1600/2013-06-15+08.34.01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" cya="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6VP0p9XoCKgdXcfro25pr5k60qaKHYstJXGw0ZNBr8AYWC9_vVnpTpPhW6Wb0DRn5MUihs-7CK5cKLNnv51x1qKL7T848qTkrC8KuJ1Jxl9bUx-LfLycDHQOxlSaLaqaV8eNIBuvbYls/s320/2013-06-15+08.34.01.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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I dove right in to my 5" charms and starting sewing them together. I sorted out the brights from the more sedate colors and came up with this cherry little quilt. My hope is to bring a smile and some comfort to a child.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMWCvWmIz6vQjIjqz1qRM1BWh_N5Ym3Cf9jOetSfQfaZBI5sE7m5vTMpk9z3IXIj5tC-tgQ5Fx84DAajMdUBRbp6buTxzlhhjCot7LEFtXvb6ZjwOO3Drn9a_9Gja-0b59bNJPzb5JoAU/s1600/2013-06-15+08.35.10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" cya="true" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMWCvWmIz6vQjIjqz1qRM1BWh_N5Ym3Cf9jOetSfQfaZBI5sE7m5vTMpk9z3IXIj5tC-tgQ5Fx84DAajMdUBRbp6buTxzlhhjCot7LEFtXvb6ZjwOO3Drn9a_9Gja-0b59bNJPzb5JoAU/s200/2013-06-15+08.35.10.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho_ET_NbPP9PIfGeJI30h2F_6kCrhJNsFdBe64VFiqCEDnUEP2RIFAyNVqzH2AlYZUDoG0CAfKc0xmbcCpBRph43MQzk2kK58rg6I-PQisqL3JBioZsFpaLuYXNj4l1fINxVwi6AWAh8E/s1600/2013-06-15+08.34.46.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" cya="true" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho_ET_NbPP9PIfGeJI30h2F_6kCrhJNsFdBe64VFiqCEDnUEP2RIFAyNVqzH2AlYZUDoG0CAfKc0xmbcCpBRph43MQzk2kK58rg6I-PQisqL3JBioZsFpaLuYXNj4l1fINxVwi6AWAh8E/s200/2013-06-15+08.34.46.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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I quilted it fairly densely in an all over loopy pattern with spirals in the first border and attached a bright binding. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoSAZPoeFgIml8aQFn2xG6JDojg-Bdp7diVBJwajFD6YgsB7CYAYR5uvOVS3e2F6ktxl3DxSD3a6OUT2PuRsnlN0x_cYftqdhIELRsv5zqj9FO-xFBg7UqnSTkY5tI1a9KctSVjIKnQwU/s1600/2013-06-15+08.35.30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" cya="true" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoSAZPoeFgIml8aQFn2xG6JDojg-Bdp7diVBJwajFD6YgsB7CYAYR5uvOVS3e2F6ktxl3DxSD3a6OUT2PuRsnlN0x_cYftqdhIELRsv5zqj9FO-xFBg7UqnSTkY5tI1a9KctSVjIKnQwU/s200/2013-06-15+08.35.30.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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So I'm back to my original question: Does it need a name? What would you call it?</div>
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Linking to <a href="http://www.freemotionquilting.blogspot.com/2013/06/fmq-friday-is-this-illogical.html" target="_blank">Leah Day's Free Motion Quilting Project FMQ Friday</a></div>
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Kathy Crofoothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12531145192255431983noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119312689115112147.post-76671833273293431772013-06-14T22:19:00.000-05:002013-06-14T22:24:00.472-05:00An Open Letter to My DadIn a previous post, I showed a quilt I was making for my Dad. He will be 78 years old this December, and is in failing health. I'm grateful to have him in my life. Even though we live so far apart, he is never far from my mind. I have the opportunity to present this to him in person over the 4th of July weekend. A fitting time to spend together, with Mom, our son and his family.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6t1P-Q_oQUMz1z1qzDiOqDodHXzTehQa6FygVU7RWaBBOpXIbECsMTojHfgDmcrA4eA0Fh6Ub4KZV4Q9JhTDs2_I6nNhEjt3KZYsqAxMQTgN3ouWjXk-xSX3tqiPG8AyANllQFdDvzLk/s1600/2013-06-01+08.25.27.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Bowtie Hugs and Kisses" border="0" cya="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6t1P-Q_oQUMz1z1qzDiOqDodHXzTehQa6FygVU7RWaBBOpXIbECsMTojHfgDmcrA4eA0Fh6Ub4KZV4Q9JhTDs2_I6nNhEjt3KZYsqAxMQTgN3ouWjXk-xSX3tqiPG8AyANllQFdDvzLk/s320/2013-06-01+08.25.27.jpg" title="Bowtie Hugs and Kisses" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bowtie Hugs and Kisses</td></tr>
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June 2013<br />
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Dear Dad,<br />
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I remember the first time I met you. It was 1972, and I was just a little girl when I answered the door that day at Nana and Papaw’s house. There you were in your Dress Blues with a bow tie. How handsome you looked! Later, the story goes, you were taking Mom to the Ball. <br />
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We had our ups and downs as all Dads and Daughters do and through it all, some part of me always knew that I was loved. <br />
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How can I ever begin to remember all the lessons you taught me? Do you remember teaching me to drive that very first time “keep it between the ditches, kid”? Or how about “don’t panic on the first enlistment” when I’d get my feathers ruffled? Or “I’ll always be proud of you. If you want to be a ditch digger, be the best d*mn ditch digger you can be”? <br />
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I grew up strong on the lessons I learned from you. I was able to choose a husband who is the love of my life and raise a son who is also proud and strong like you; all from the lessons I learned from you. He will make a good husband and father one day, just like you.<br />
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The lesson that sticks with me to this day is, “You have to look at yourself in the mirror”. <br />
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Today when I look in the mirror, I see a loving daughter, wife, and mother; a warrior and worrier; and a strong, proud woman who is creative, courageous, caring and grateful to have you in my life.<br />
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I regret that we live so very far away from you that we don’t get to see you very often. I created this quilt for you as a reminder of how much I love you. The pattern is made from Bow tie blocks, and it is set in an X and O pattern. I hope that when you wrap it around yourself it will feel like being wrapped in hugs and kisses from us. <br />
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I love you Dad.</div>
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Kathy Crofoothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12531145192255431983noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119312689115112147.post-89968869250437115952013-05-28T13:15:00.001-05:002013-05-28T13:15:56.842-05:00Moving right along!Bowtie Hugs and Kisses is finished (almost)! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRuoPdsPHwVW6rw9vw5Hwx-JdeAPF_a2Ql30O21h3h-sEPEV0OZU_jIoMR30nv6ilhqQRfj26cmwlPivd5iHpGrG1qMNzSaTOOIZIy1uwyE78NcXpCGhzDsyL1_G7PiURihRzipPL18HI/s1600/2013-05-27+09.52.05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRuoPdsPHwVW6rw9vw5Hwx-JdeAPF_a2Ql30O21h3h-sEPEV0OZU_jIoMR30nv6ilhqQRfj26cmwlPivd5iHpGrG1qMNzSaTOOIZIy1uwyE78NcXpCGhzDsyL1_G7PiURihRzipPL18HI/s320/2013-05-27+09.52.05.jpg" width="240" yya="true" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLUPOVNDRIaYEfL0RYwVkGj7xHkQTrAlqRQmtxL-V12Jz0eDhy4ATTFUO7Ohs4gF_TDHd_Y_etZuUGpI32lZTNOCz-jOWp4a7xBb8_WSJZE-o0nQ6IHhKJ6JBJ36K91VixWru4tFp_p6c/s1600/2013-05-27+09.53.30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLUPOVNDRIaYEfL0RYwVkGj7xHkQTrAlqRQmtxL-V12Jz0eDhy4ATTFUO7Ohs4gF_TDHd_Y_etZuUGpI32lZTNOCz-jOWp4a7xBb8_WSJZE-o0nQ6IHhKJ6JBJ36K91VixWru4tFp_p6c/s320/2013-05-27+09.53.30.jpg" width="240" yya="true" /></a></div>
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The binding and label are on, so all that is left is the handwork. I'm very pleased with how it came out. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsToRc64JzuhmXHh9Xfmvf7yOTIGi_9ftdJqEPGo8OFRVLE4LZ4dApekRySBE0my7K14qEbNvkJYySzbCrxhyphenhyphenpzsZhBOTLznYRZjfJ4bWFLhv9qXqNq8Xo9t0lSnPsdRi1XdlKs2ZO1SQ/s1600/IMAG0038.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="158" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsToRc64JzuhmXHh9Xfmvf7yOTIGi_9ftdJqEPGo8OFRVLE4LZ4dApekRySBE0my7K14qEbNvkJYySzbCrxhyphenhyphenpzsZhBOTLznYRZjfJ4bWFLhv9qXqNq8Xo9t0lSnPsdRi1XdlKs2ZO1SQ/s320/IMAG0038.jpg" width="320" yya="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And it got the "Sassy Seal of Approval!"</td></tr>
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Next up my list is the Tossed Pinwheel quilt. She's all ready to be basted and quilted.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzmepSAOgA2e7QIIMp-EKDQ5bHJsESQbb39FscsxX3P4KjWMPukyb5vY3T7NMUTGBrNgCZAV04KwJyKBvYVHzzIJgHrZNfL60pelBniNHbzEwB1Fs5L1rj-4iP-ChjcMH1YxjNDWd87uU/s1600/2013-05-27+22.04.06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzmepSAOgA2e7QIIMp-EKDQ5bHJsESQbb39FscsxX3P4KjWMPukyb5vY3T7NMUTGBrNgCZAV04KwJyKBvYVHzzIJgHrZNfL60pelBniNHbzEwB1Fs5L1rj-4iP-ChjcMH1YxjNDWd87uU/s320/2013-05-27+22.04.06.jpg" width="320" yya="true" /></a></div>
But, wouldn't you know... the backing is not wide enough for the the width of the quilt. I worked out a plan to use up some of the remaining charm pack to piece the back together. I'm hoping my friend will be pleased with this gift.<br />
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Also on the design wall is a quickie that will be for a special child in Oklahoma.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_LmJSoIpTkkvAkYHfrr2551uyP-0QqFHXRE_NNodFLt2N3L4qdSNog7_HlIu10nonLbBPJqgXT5zHyQHclWxNvr0UhoN-nDhi4etHqDy-v1WpZEqNBgQRJl7hg-jkRRwEm76P3kcOs5o/s1600/2013-05-26+13.23.55.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_LmJSoIpTkkvAkYHfrr2551uyP-0QqFHXRE_NNodFLt2N3L4qdSNog7_HlIu10nonLbBPJqgXT5zHyQHclWxNvr0UhoN-nDhi4etHqDy-v1WpZEqNBgQRJl7hg-jkRRwEm76P3kcOs5o/s320/2013-05-26+13.23.55.jpg" width="320" yya="true" /></a></div>
<br />The bright and cheery colors make me smile. I had a whole box of 5" charm squares, and this is what I did with quite a big stack of them. Of course there was a lot of sliver trimming to be done.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmKbehk54vku4huWC7le5gOiV_PN702lUEHG1u6IXEBC_RdE6bO2yBNcYxO8tZHdVGYgJ5ifxE2JmoqFoeg9HUhYyYhm58E4uW4Ss7rKahAfOdmXpgVRLNzsyxt-1ANY2cA_edtqVGmNs/s1600/2013-05-20+12.46.02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmKbehk54vku4huWC7le5gOiV_PN702lUEHG1u6IXEBC_RdE6bO2yBNcYxO8tZHdVGYgJ5ifxE2JmoqFoeg9HUhYyYhm58E4uW4Ss7rKahAfOdmXpgVRLNzsyxt-1ANY2cA_edtqVGmNs/s320/2013-05-20+12.46.02.jpg" width="320" yya="true" /></a></div>
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I wonder what I can do with all these teeny tiny pieces... Ideas anyone?
Kathy Crofoothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12531145192255431983noreply@blogger.com0