tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54811032018232965492024-02-18T21:28:40.831-08:00Peace by PieceMy corner soapbox for showcasing fabric pieces sewn, quilted, or hand-stitched in the peaceful moments of a very blessed life.Climbing to the Higher Callinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04643410106870132376noreply@blogger.comBlogger75125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5481103201823296549.post-38038009500143587512014-01-02T13:53:00.000-08:002014-01-02T13:53:01.270-08:00Yummy...Mistake Calls for Creativity!<span style="font-size: large;">It didn't take too long into a new year for me to make a baking mistake!</span><br />
With a burst of energy, and some really ripe bananas, I began to bake before dawn this morning! I thought it would be delightful to offer warm BANANA BREAD for breakfast, so I began the task in earnest.<br />
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I pulled out my favorite recipe by <i>Thelma Warren</i> and started adding the ingredients:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8qAQP4vk0HyyVwnFspursrsEOTRfb0c_bHQ0i5wq-pC9ucHh-1JkTj1E0dvX02wAeMdBDLAK4jgN1BfbtJViZ9aZBQhQ4e6To-iQUGGCNVT7BqYFcvP9itmq_Ct1y7DKa18JJ2I6GJTyH/s1600/Fixing+Recipe.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/AVvXsEh8qAQP4vk0HyyVwnFspursrsEOTRfb0c_bHQ0i5wq-pC9ucHh-1JkTj1E0dvX02wAeMdBDLAK4jgN1BfbtJViZ9aZBQhQ4e6To-iQUGGCNVT7BqYFcvP9itmq_Ct1y7DKa18JJ2I6GJTyH/s320/Fixing+Recipe.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgItWeyorDb_R6XCHbAlXwnpKqgkRAAMJTQt7ri2NdViFpQdbhnJtDJ0XSNEwKckGHt1D3ijQ5P0Xpto4mkHZyAqopwbSR1rCnZBgDH1ozDeWOcFMsli2eQI_7EmbVjMKeB7SS1d8qtioKa/s1600/PBC+Recipe+Book.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/AVvXsEgItWeyorDb_R6XCHbAlXwnpKqgkRAAMJTQt7ri2NdViFpQdbhnJtDJ0XSNEwKckGHt1D3ijQ5P0Xpto4mkHZyAqopwbSR1rCnZBgDH1ozDeWOcFMsli2eQI_7EmbVjMKeB7SS1d8qtioKa/s200/PBC+Recipe+Book.jpg" width="150" /></a>1 c. sugar<br />
2 eggs<br />
2 c flour<br />
2 <span style="color: red;">T</span> Sour Milk<br />
(1 T vinegar in <span style="color: red;">1 c of milk</span>)<br />
1/2 c Nuts<br />
1/4 c Shortening<br />
3 med bananas (mashed)<br />
1 tsp Baking Soda<br />
1/2 tsp Salt<br />
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Mix together all ingredients. Bake at 350 until done.<br />
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Unfortunately, I didn't have sour milk, so I <u>read further</u> and added <i>1 T of vinegar to 1c of milk</i>. Then, I poured the CUP of sour milk into my bowl, read that the recipe called for 2, so did another cup and dumped that one in! I was surprised how runny the batter was, but shrugged. I must not remembering how running it was...but just in case,<i> I read the recipe AGAIN!</i><br />
2 <b>TABLESPOONS</b> of sour milk - not 2 CUPS!! <i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Bad reading!</span></i><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Oh, no! </span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtCsbEboCvUPUHKl5v3yumQHSTgV3fTaIuUhpv4Y7EJb0GtlCipYvfIK4Csn0IUYJEFAcMgHKnqG1eCgNnb9GdRBnmbCjNuO4vsO3A1VPgPrcYCXA251w4J4XjgE8KiszyMGgUbhl1gvyN/s1600/Oatmeal+Cranberry+Banana+Bread.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/AVvXsEjtCsbEboCvUPUHKl5v3yumQHSTgV3fTaIuUhpv4Y7EJb0GtlCipYvfIK4Csn0IUYJEFAcMgHKnqG1eCgNnb9GdRBnmbCjNuO4vsO3A1VPgPrcYCXA251w4J4XjgE8KiszyMGgUbhl1gvyN/s320/Oatmeal+Cranberry+Banana+Bread.jpg" width="320" /></a>Now, everyone who knows me or has ever done crafts with me knows I believe there are no mistakes when being creative, so I started thinking FAST.<br />
Hmmm...I meant it was for breakfast, and we usually eat cereal, so what about adding cereal rather than flour or worse, multiplying all the other ingredients until it all balanced out!<br />
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I chose to add 1 more cup of flour and then added 2 cups of OATMEAL and some dried CRANBERRIES. Put it all in pans - noticing I needed an extra pan to take on the excess.<br />
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Well <i>now</i>, the bread is done and wow!<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">It is delicious!!</span> I love my new recipe for the OATMEAL and Cranberry taste in my BREAD. My mistake has given me a chance to add a new recipe to my collection!!<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> OATMEAL CRANBERRY BANANA BREAD</span><br />
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Climbing to the Higher Callinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04643410106870132376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5481103201823296549.post-25116641565176209582013-10-15T19:27:00.003-07:002013-10-15T19:27:37.562-07:00"Butterflies in a Garden" Fenced In<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXp1_ZbiS_aqY57RdNEOh4o0RMW9s95AbouOYZhSIL3wVuIjpwEgLlQ5M5_N4tDsgkcrc2TZFoAzgTf8rA6vOgl3KQSYdODp2Uu5QTaBfpRhuKSrKSe9sUPV4rntNDkPUi6KL1T-z1PpbL/s1600/1+Finished+Picket+Fence.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/AVvXsEiXp1_ZbiS_aqY57RdNEOh4o0RMW9s95AbouOYZhSIL3wVuIjpwEgLlQ5M5_N4tDsgkcrc2TZFoAzgTf8rA6vOgl3KQSYdODp2Uu5QTaBfpRhuKSrKSe9sUPV4rntNDkPUi6KL1T-z1PpbL/s320/1+Finished+Picket+Fence.jpg" width="240" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">Wha-hoo! </span><br />
It may have taken me months to make the 184 fence posts and the 4 corners posts, but I bet you heard me <span style="font-size: large;">cheer</span> this afternoon when I finished pressing the final seam! <br />
I spread my <span style="font-size: large;">"Butterflies in the Garden"</span> Block Swap quilt top out to admire!<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwFOSuDiiLEKDze_vWzojrNcsG_x0qw0Eo_c5moXROBaRwGjW6l7UwE89roT3AqgPm0cogEafVhVjil5gr3iz-D1bztLIujxPVhUx1iflhBdnj6FV90HQUOMskv4h3We5GBQ74szwfxaQ5/s1600/2+Finished+Picket+Fence+Corner.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/AVvXsEjwFOSuDiiLEKDze_vWzojrNcsG_x0qw0Eo_c5moXROBaRwGjW6l7UwE89roT3AqgPm0cogEafVhVjil5gr3iz-D1bztLIujxPVhUx1iflhBdnj6FV90HQUOMskv4h3We5GBQ74szwfxaQ5/s320/2+Finished+Picket+Fence+Corner.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
<i>This newbie did it! </i><br />
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As you peeked into my sewing room this summer and watched the process develop in earlier posts, you saw that I drew a graph, figured the math, and planned for the white picket fence and soft blue sky, which will be finished with the blue binding.<br />
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It took time to figure out all the dimensions and sizes for what I would need. Careful shopping helped me find the chocolate brown dirt edge for the garden, followed by a grassy green border and finally the picket fence.<br />
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So, now my garden is ready for the next process of making a sandwich of fluffy batting and green grass backing and basting it all together!<br />
Stay in touch as I carefully work my way through quilting <span style="font-size: large;">flitting butterflies </span>and give dimension to this flat beauty!<br />
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<br />Climbing to the Higher Callinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04643410106870132376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5481103201823296549.post-89533477466462372742013-09-30T19:44:00.000-07:002013-09-30T19:44:29.133-07:00Coffee vapors <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjbF-VLN0W_O1EBz0ZuZP7CSc9h1PmvS9WeevjRsTPzQ37ft1UrLyhfBTwHweYdGvgZXFGjwVj0JW8kONhMZheUqJf9lNp7V28LI3tkekXiLUIKayt1cpytBSnCk46YvktqzVRquRRlK7h/s1600/2+Coffee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjbF-VLN0W_O1EBz0ZuZP7CSc9h1PmvS9WeevjRsTPzQ37ft1UrLyhfBTwHweYdGvgZXFGjwVj0JW8kONhMZheUqJf9lNp7V28LI3tkekXiLUIKayt1cpytBSnCk46YvktqzVRquRRlK7h/s320/2+Coffee.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
Autumn breezes chill the room as they gently shuffle the sheer curtains bordering the open windows and draw my attention to the vapor lifting off my steaming hot mug of comforting and aromatic coffee. The steam's disappearance causes me to compare how quickly September has evaporated from our lives.<br />
Tomorrow's journal page will begin another colorful month yet it also warns of colder days racing towards my snug little home. Cicadas' songs bombard my normally silent room yet I smile because I hear the laughter of neighborhood kids jumping off the school bus with happy feet running to spend some free time riding bikes or bouncing on a nearby trampoline.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSy4ysAXwBvJTHq5cypnjp9EN283kvm2Qh3ZJWE8yc6NZg-B7KXzVqn8Yrukb2zyWlx2heGfH640ectB5xyONvggmqOdKE8qAnaKNxEyzRdTCcQQmi18D9CdkmA8Foan0_Hc40S1VHdmpb/s1600/St+Louis+Arch.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/AVvXsEgSy4ysAXwBvJTHq5cypnjp9EN283kvm2Qh3ZJWE8yc6NZg-B7KXzVqn8Yrukb2zyWlx2heGfH640ectB5xyONvggmqOdKE8qAnaKNxEyzRdTCcQQmi18D9CdkmA8Foan0_Hc40S1VHdmpb/s320/St+Louis+Arch.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
Emptied suitcases huddle in the guest room reminding me of our final summer road trip. At the start of the month, we rushed toward a beloved southern home to enjoy the toddling of a little one while stealing some precious moments with her parents. Not only do the colors and cool air of September make it my favorite, but we celebrate the whole month for bringing our baby girl to us years ago. Now, treasured moments of repeatedly reading little cardboard books, hearing soft giggles and hearing a baby attempting to make words are carried into this new Autumn month.<br />
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On each of our road trips, I love crossing the Mississippi and expectantly look for the beautiful St Louis arch rising on our horizon. It shouts "come back soon" or "welcome back" into the sky as the car speeds cautiously through the annual ongoing construction lanes.<br />
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The pleasant voice from an audio book played out dramatic scenes for our imaginations and filled our quiet car hours as I sat in the passenger seat next to my favorite guy. We love these road trips when we're only reminded of the summer heat as we stepped out of the car to stretch.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzWSVOc9VTC4KSXMme_y0Ui5PhQ8YrTi-APLvvAgnNUeS5KhixJfvUSa0ou0LrRz3lo2A_odVntmuGAroIMgCYDyXpV6ffESMzKrKgpv9KOYAYcTTQMEhdknGtF8xTaWTxcCqv1QpSvLk5/s1600/3+Coffee.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/AVvXsEhzWSVOc9VTC4KSXMme_y0Ui5PhQ8YrTi-APLvvAgnNUeS5KhixJfvUSa0ou0LrRz3lo2A_odVntmuGAroIMgCYDyXpV6ffESMzKrKgpv9KOYAYcTTQMEhdknGtF8xTaWTxcCqv1QpSvLk5/s320/3+Coffee.jpg" width="320" /></a>I stitched away the travel hours with fun little hand embroidered coffee scenes. Not really sure what the finished project will be, I still found these little squares fun to stitch.<br />
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Then in a little quilting shop, I surprisingly found some coffee themed fabric to border these muslin squares. I'm thinking I'll be warmed in the coming wintery days when the breeze turns to harsh winds and the closed windows hold the sketches of Jack Frost. Climbing to the Higher Callinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04643410106870132376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5481103201823296549.post-60743222015783326582013-08-15T06:45:00.000-07:002013-08-15T06:45:46.590-07:00Connected by more than a thread?The luxury of hammock lounging on a free summer day in the most awesome breeze and unimaginable pleasant August temperatures came to a standstill this morning when my phone rang requesting a fill in at the front desk for the remainder of the week.<br />
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Abruptly our lives take sudden changes in which, if we're willing, we can learn a peace produced in flexibility. The quick decision to fill in for others teaches us how fragile our own control of circumstances, time, activities, and schedule really is. Those who are making unscheduled changes in their routine can also learn the value of <i>connection</i> with others. There is great blessing in allowing others to help fill in the gaps made by abrupt plan changes and possibly awaken a sense of our reliance on others. There is also the other side for those who enter an open door to serve another and find joy and receive blessings while filling in for someone's day and schedule.<br />
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So, each of my plans for this beautiful day screeched to a halt as my body raced into gear to prepare for my arrival at the office. As I gathered all I'd need for an office day, I mentally browsed my list for possible speedy cheats on personal wanted accomplishments, such as tossing a quick load of laundry in, and spot-cleaning the breakfast nook. Glad for the habit of advanced food prep, a couple of crock pots were filled and turned on for a supper to await our end of day return and packed containers for lunch were quickly grabbed to suffice a grumbling tummy.<br />
Glancing at the clock, I found moments to linger over a prepared breakfast fruit dish and catch the scope of the Fox Daily News Alerts. <br />
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It's odd how an event can make us aware of others and their reactions. The news made it apparent that sudden and immediate changes impacting others in tremendous ways were happening in all parts of the globe. My little rush to the office was minute when hearing the horrible news of a plane crash, and thoughts of families affected with morning phone calls took on a deeper meaning. Other news portrayed long-term changes that took health, the loss of children, weather-related damaged homes, and so on. The reality of tragedy awakening many this morning made my schedule change seem so small and unimportant. It also posed the question of how any of these people could have prepared for such sudden tragic change and the inevitable new path carved by the news. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLKk1utw_1bEio_O5Lejy9GGnJFD7MNYTuV2uYGRr8mCCZGo9PUIfut9dUZU7SdlQPfAzX0NIUj9nwBqQvYzKxbSQS6vHhBmba9mw0mTYL2MqNF7Z7jB_uw3R1QDx8HfspiG5o5Eb9siO9/s1600/Jessica+&+Sparkle.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/AVvXsEiLKk1utw_1bEio_O5Lejy9GGnJFD7MNYTuV2uYGRr8mCCZGo9PUIfut9dUZU7SdlQPfAzX0NIUj9nwBqQvYzKxbSQS6vHhBmba9mw0mTYL2MqNF7Z7jB_uw3R1QDx8HfspiG5o5Eb9siO9/s200/Jessica+&+Sparkle.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIbgiWirdepugQMujiVwlDea2s1a1_CdLmddFd3AkAZi4f2T7XFRAUMqNusDaMKjKZ3DXlXwQfLHBNrRDR7b-59LQOUVI3KXnM8Es_1etf0gqEXZOMz10N49BfTjBu67jeUDfLDGbUViN3/s1600/Keith+visits+Avant.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/AVvXsEjIbgiWirdepugQMujiVwlDea2s1a1_CdLmddFd3AkAZi4f2T7XFRAUMqNusDaMKjKZ3DXlXwQfLHBNrRDR7b-59LQOUVI3KXnM8Es_1etf0gqEXZOMz10N49BfTjBu67jeUDfLDGbUViN3/s200/Keith+visits+Avant.jpg" width="200" /></a>So, on this <a href="http://contentemeant.blogspot.com/2013/08/what-are-you-doing-wednesday-blog-hop-16.html" target="_blank">"What are you doing, Wednesday?" Blog Hop #16</a>, I find myself filling a vacated chair, browsing a strange computer while answering many phone lines to direct callers to correct department for problem solving. As I work, I pray for those who faced the challenges today, but it also reminded me of just how blessed I am by happy moments, pleasant greetings, office friendships, and opportunities to speak kindly to apprehensive voice connections on the other end of phones. To top off this wonderful day, I was honored by two extraordinary little visitors traveling through my city. They lingered in my office area to be with me while parents had meetings with other office staff. We had a great time catching up on the years we've been apart. There's not much more precious in my life than my little friends around the world.<br />
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My simple schedule change caused contemplation for the lives my voice will touch today. I wonder if their requests are being made to compensate for sudden changes announced into their schedules and lives. And what about beyond these office walls to those televised changes in lives struck by tragedy? .Are the structures of those lives solid and secure? Will they withstand the storm? Are those hurting people connected to others who have flexible schedules? Will they reach out and find help? Have connections been made to help them cope now with damaging changes brought by a morning phone call?<br />
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How important it is to be CONNECTED to others in this life!<br />
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When the course of our path changes, we need more than a face book of unknowns.<br />
We need each other.<br />
So, how are your connections? Are they real and personal and ready to weather storms in life? <br />
I'm praying I stay aware of abrupt changes happening around me, and in spite of my busyness, I intentionally connect with flexibility whenever the phone rings. <br />
<br />Climbing to the Higher Callinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04643410106870132376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5481103201823296549.post-42144556240690622392013-08-07T14:11:00.000-07:002013-08-07T14:11:52.228-07:00Wednesday's "What' cha doin?"Joining <a href="http://contentemeant.blogspot.com/search/label/WAYD%3F%20Wednesdays" target="_blank"><b>"What ya doin' Wednesday?"</b></a> from <a href="http://contentemeant.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><b>Content in the Meantime</b></a> again causes me to pause the humming of my sewing machine so I could click onto <i>my</i> <a href="http://debi-peacebypiece.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><b>Quilting Blog</b></a> design page and post my accomplishments.<br />
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This week my quiet moments found me in the sewing room trying to accomplish the challenge of "catch-up". Admittedly though, I planned ahead last week. I wanted to <i>actually sew</i> during my free time, so I set the instructions and their individual cut out pieces in piles, prepared to assemble at a minute's notice! <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Block #9</td></tr>
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My piles also helped me avoid frustration or waste more time than necessary in choosing the fabric per block. I spent one full day just choosing fabric and cutting the pieces out for each block.<br />
This week, I worked on #9 and #10.<br />
When I laid all finished blocks out together, I realized my objective needed to bring more individual color into a couple of my blocks by keeping the backgrounds of blue swirls at a minimum. On this <span style="color: blue;"><b>block</b></span> <span style="color: blue;"><b>#9</b></span>, red tone is emphasized. My hope is to contrast more with the stripes and dots of color by the blocks of individual color.<br />
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My next choices from the <a href="http://www.missouriquiltco.com/shop/detail/9906" target="_blank">Layer Cake</a> is a block that emphasizes its olive green.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkKot_1ye9S_ZzjAviOaQyEreO1AvmG2gfn1pyMQjMDDdrJAgWV278jpxvP5m4yRY7dMZIokMruLz9gzcmS1Okj3Li9shJSBQvK0oG0I8-r4VXLMkJW0XZvds0ibLhO0mgO7_vbAbLL_LT/s1600/20130802_Block+%2310.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkKot_1ye9S_ZzjAviOaQyEreO1AvmG2gfn1pyMQjMDDdrJAgWV278jpxvP5m4yRY7dMZIokMruLz9gzcmS1Okj3Li9shJSBQvK0oG0I8-r4VXLMkJW0XZvds0ibLhO0mgO7_vbAbLL_LT/s320/20130802_Block+%2310.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Block #10</td></tr>
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I didn't realize this <span style="color: blue;"><b>block #10</b></span> resembles an earlier block until it was assembled. When I chose its fabrics, the earlier blocks were in their storage box. I noticed the resemblance of pattern and colors while browsing through the photos of all the blocks. I like them both, but must make sure they're placed carefully when I finish all 16 blocks!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtdyXy5nMnkfndcPLFwMGvliUJ5sgDbyDT5h1FGiI7xuySykyVzp8CLq3cHaxeInSC4IcsfYOtk6XSjssy7OBA2jwOJKgX-mYESgx-qIGugbxk7q7Hc5mgmtqdXtiis3Tj0mutzPRTupVI/s1600/20130605+Block+2.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/AVvXsEhtdyXy5nMnkfndcPLFwMGvliUJ5sgDbyDT5h1FGiI7xuySykyVzp8CLq3cHaxeInSC4IcsfYOtk6XSjssy7OBA2jwOJKgX-mYESgx-qIGugbxk7q7Hc5mgmtqdXtiis3Tj0mutzPRTupVI/s200/20130605+Block+2.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Block #2</td></tr>
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So...<br />
I've enjoyed this Bee and keeping tabs on the progress of <a href="http://www.sassyquilter.com/" style="font-weight: bold;" target="_blank">The Sassy Quilter</a><b>. </b>I have one more block to complete before I've caught up and wait with her for the Bee's new instructions.<br />
I've posted my photos on Flickr with both groups.<br />
Hopefully, by the end of my week, I will finish #11 and be caught up to the original group and able to move through the rest of the blocks on their time schedule.<br />
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<br />Climbing to the Higher Callinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04643410106870132376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5481103201823296549.post-34209002783869291952013-07-31T14:33:00.004-07:002013-07-31T14:33:50.848-07:00Virtual Quilting Bee Progress<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2FTuQUR4nSG57MrjcpX29EzqdFME3M6CEzWozHAnV_BkdZ8q2_lqp0CryUz4QCFPBBvDQi41KfGv-Xl-vBCRpqZYTr2rTToggMEel8eRrT-cVjaiHCSCxmWPd1WwHOc2fO75mfl7g4OsK/s1600/100_3856.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/AVvXsEj2FTuQUR4nSG57MrjcpX29EzqdFME3M6CEzWozHAnV_BkdZ8q2_lqp0CryUz4QCFPBBvDQi41KfGv-Xl-vBCRpqZYTr2rTToggMEel8eRrT-cVjaiHCSCxmWPd1WwHOc2fO75mfl7g4OsK/s200/100_3856.JPG" width="200" /></a>No better excuse than just being weary of sitting behind a computer screen inside a beautiful home when I could be outside on the patio, at the edge of the pool, reading a book on the hammock, or even speeding along the highways to visit family. There just seems to be special times when one must leave all life's activities 'back home' and just have fun in the sun! That's about sums up my summer months!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQjambyZbQF8sdvN5e0qupM5MZRgXXkTek52tBSLEhGxAd91fv0TAsVPMTLynTUwBSig5x9sCLd2nTlAfUSfq0AGHXF8cBJvPoJ-Qjz1Ne2V8tSbIsf9Ooovp6z9b75mMS5VwHxaD6xV6t/s1600/20130730_191305.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/AVvXsEjQjambyZbQF8sdvN5e0qupM5MZRgXXkTek52tBSLEhGxAd91fv0TAsVPMTLynTUwBSig5x9sCLd2nTlAfUSfq0AGHXF8cBJvPoJ-Qjz1Ne2V8tSbIsf9Ooovp6z9b75mMS5VwHxaD6xV6t/s200/20130730_191305.jpg" width="200" /></a>So, In the evenings, my computer remained quiet after a cursory glance to update email messages. I've enjoyed the longer warm evenings with gentle breezes and peaceful neighborhood noises. While enjoying the patio, and time with my Don, I prepared many of the would-be project pieces and organized my piles so I would be ready when time with my dear sewing machine became available. I wanted to make my time really profitable when the sewing machine hummed.<br />
I made a list of things needing my attention and crossed out the little projects as they were prepared. I also enjoyed a class at a nearby <a href="http://mosewco.com/" target="_blank">Sewing Machine Shop</a> where they taught me little tidbits using the variety of machine stitches available with my Janome model.<br />
And finally, I was even free to mark off one full day to be busy as a bee in my sewing room.<br />
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With all the fabric cut, I was able to assemble three of the 5 blocks in my "to do" pile. I'm really trying to catch up to those in the <a href="http://www.diaryofaquilter.com/p/the-virtual-quilting-bee.html" target="_blank">Virtual Quilting Bee</a> and <a href="http://www.sassyquilter.com/block-10/" target="_blank">The Sassy Quilter</a>. I hope to finish my other two blocks by Friday!<br />
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I think I'm going to really like this finished project with the blue swirl as my main background fabric. As I lay the blocks out, I'm leaning on binding with the blue swirl, plus use it for the backing. I especially love the lacy look it gave block #7 and the soft look it added to block #6.<br />
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Using <a href="http://www.missouriquiltco.com/shop/detail/9906/windham-fabrics/jackie-shapiro/multidot-and-delight-layer-cake" target="_blank">Multidot & Delight Layer Cake</a> has challenged me a couple of times. Once or twice, the artist's instructions ask for larger than 10" strips, but in studying the great photos offered, I realized it would just prevent chain sewing now and then. It just took a little thinking to proceed with the 10" squares.<br />
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The greater challenge has been to choose one or two designs out of the pile of the wonderful selection of fabric in this Layer Cake. As I cut, I hope the designs I've chosen fit the cuts I'm asking of them. So far, I've been quite pleased at the final layout.<br />
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I'm still working on my Picket Fence border for the <a href="http://forum.missouriquiltco.com/groups/butterflies-garden.html" target="_blank">Butterflies in the Garden BLOCK SWAP</a> and several other projects are nicely coming together, but oh...they will have to be for another post or two! <br />
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Climbing to the Higher Callinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04643410106870132376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5481103201823296549.post-46460566336571511402013-06-19T18:39:00.002-07:002013-06-19T18:39:38.744-07:00Picket Gate Corners<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-size: large;">I did it! </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnWQ1u2SQOWP3JwThxowzo2Buc9K4znTwTDrl-g4SqI11a6nyttdfOEpiUDf1wEbRH5DyGC0uDsqnIYI0T1CpwfEAPnPGD6Z1C7Gpcq2rPyURPil0KJAGHZOBvy2NjWZbdt-cZOaDCukth/s1600/20130614_092301.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnWQ1u2SQOWP3JwThxowzo2Buc9K4znTwTDrl-g4SqI11a6nyttdfOEpiUDf1wEbRH5DyGC0uDsqnIYI0T1CpwfEAPnPGD6Z1C7Gpcq2rPyURPil0KJAGHZOBvy2NjWZbdt-cZOaDCukth/s320/20130614_092301.jpg" width="320" /></a>Even though worn out erasers reminded of my old persistent math teacher, I dutifully bent once again over the fractions and geometrical shapes scratched on my graph paper. He had never quite convinced me of math talent, but through his many practice sheets, at least he gave some knowledge on how to figure out a new block for my quilt! <br />
So, today...I finally have my picket fence corner blocks!</div>
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My concern was to square off my "Butterflies in a Garden" quilt border just like a garden fence!</div>
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I drew what I was picturing in my head with the desire to have easy geometrical shapes fit together nicely, finishing with an 8" block for each corner. It was the corner post that challenged me because I wanted the picket fence to meet in the corner, turn sharply and finish with the sky still above the fence.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc7KEPGACovHzawrx-UNDcXFYwhCJoLzYbTfeFS3JVkLRowS2YUiYIrdq59ObsWxtzuoldOCLshMKugCfsOLdEZBpDtt4nEy-XbZbebc2RaGfzuS6Nsd1Zz-z1UYUrz7ZAWsADZX_8hqPo/s1600/20130613_Corner+post+pieces.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/AVvXsEjc7KEPGACovHzawrx-UNDcXFYwhCJoLzYbTfeFS3JVkLRowS2YUiYIrdq59ObsWxtzuoldOCLshMKugCfsOLdEZBpDtt4nEy-XbZbebc2RaGfzuS6Nsd1Zz-z1UYUrz7ZAWsADZX_8hqPo/s320/20130613_Corner+post+pieces.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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As I worked, I wrote a list of needed measurements, and cut them out for a sample. </div>
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2 blue rectangles....1 1/2 x 2 1/2 inch each<br />
1 blue square...1 inch sq<br />
1 white square...1 inch sq<br />
1 white square....2 1/2 inch sq<br />
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These pieces gave me a 3 1/2 x 3 1/2 inch square.<br />
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Then I attached this square to a block made of 3 fence posts trimmed to 3 1/2"tall. This gave me<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi10DblCIJfZHDHrrtgEX9OtF1I8aIWADxpAw2zf4DGLptuBh2EFShlLHUa5w0efVUOIt39iqkDKQATnUZg6nzMlKXXWKylx5pBfU0CG5Ao23niR3nE0WHB5mjPCpdkH8u5ndNKE9rSbWs/s1600/20130613_Corner+post.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi10DblCIJfZHDHrrtgEX9OtF1I8aIWADxpAw2zf4DGLptuBh2EFShlLHUa5w0efVUOIt39iqkDKQATnUZg6nzMlKXXWKylx5pBfU0CG5Ao23niR3nE0WHB5mjPCpdkH8u5ndNKE9rSbWs/s320/20130613_Corner+post.jpg" width="320" /></a>half of my finished block. I then attached this half to 3 full length fence posts going in the new direction for the continuing look of a fence border.<br />
This little HST made an interesting little post on top of the corner post, and left sky on the outer rim of my border.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH_zYuQOut2oAdYvZDU4pwylNn1BEs8muNfSYRExbdxcG8zhK5_m8wkM_txxUg83-wLFxANpZaUkNBBl4MxIPNOxqMpVhavG-32euJtkrJnqqYZooUM3jI6a9iei0ItOc9MSqs6QovL_eT/s1600/20130613_three+3in+fence+posts.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/AVvXsEgH_zYuQOut2oAdYvZDU4pwylNn1BEs8muNfSYRExbdxcG8zhK5_m8wkM_txxUg83-wLFxANpZaUkNBBl4MxIPNOxqMpVhavG-32euJtkrJnqqYZooUM3jI6a9iei0ItOc9MSqs6QovL_eT/s200/20130613_three+3in+fence+posts.jpg" width="200" /></a>I didn't need to change my measurements for fence posts. I found I could just cut my prepared fence posts in half, using the bottom half for another corner's 3 1/2" tall fence posts.<br />
Making fence posts can be found at this site:<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlu87dcewmQfcnbIzP90LfGrRIZ-XAPFR4Y0agP_AaTRMdoK6B_ZCSEzfPfravq1n7yu1MdcJ5mFaWGTJVtgFktayYiqQILTO6Uj9jcyxIIOpn7gQEwCFGRFv6wyYlJjL_g4YIARIbQHbh/s1600/20130614_left+or+right.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/AVvXsEjlu87dcewmQfcnbIzP90LfGrRIZ-XAPFR4Y0agP_AaTRMdoK6B_ZCSEzfPfravq1n7yu1MdcJ5mFaWGTJVtgFktayYiqQILTO6Uj9jcyxIIOpn7gQEwCFGRFv6wyYlJjL_g4YIARIbQHbh/s200/20130614_left+or+right.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="http://debi-peacebypiece.blogspot.com/2013/05/making-my-picket-fence.html">http://debi-peacebypiece.blogspot.com/2013/05/making-my-picket-fence.html</a><br />
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Because of the fabric I purchased, I needed to constantly be alert of the NAP. <span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>The skylines can best be seen in the above small square, where they turn the corner with the post. Please notice also the look of wood splinters in the white. This changed direction for me along with the seam.</i></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiWXqFMdvp2aC5jU7_brv2MgLjDgGym-MAburo-gvkYZhsm3ejQR4t0CZ0yfO52n4ovGGCxjmUZHpGwBpT4k2xRbq26rotpRI7vPBI-nZCSln8NyhmdGWOJGCuxh7YPl7YVKQ96kGx3LwT/s1600/20130613_sq+plus+fenceposts.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/AVvXsEiiWXqFMdvp2aC5jU7_brv2MgLjDgGym-MAburo-gvkYZhsm3ejQR4t0CZ0yfO52n4ovGGCxjmUZHpGwBpT4k2xRbq26rotpRI7vPBI-nZCSln8NyhmdGWOJGCuxh7YPl7YVKQ96kGx3LwT/s320/20130613_sq+plus+fenceposts.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a>This may be a tad bit <i>OCD</i> for a quilter, but it mattered! So, to keep me from making many mistakes, I ironed each blue square in half, then put them in dishes for RIGHT or LEFT.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-QjYVKhCbxXTbGcBid5hXVt9Ua_T_Cj2iyWW_7WKWQUYmLThOQ3Kb1EPxN_zMT_WoeVK5-es8eirA73IU7ujppUaolTo7H-ZWNJBMujemNrHU4aaIL45tEV2DiuLFmy-39tTZnbF7nhXD/s1600/1-20130614_Corner+block.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-QjYVKhCbxXTbGcBid5hXVt9Ua_T_Cj2iyWW_7WKWQUYmLThOQ3Kb1EPxN_zMT_WoeVK5-es8eirA73IU7ujppUaolTo7H-ZWNJBMujemNrHU4aaIL45tEV2DiuLFmy-39tTZnbF7nhXD/s1600/1-20130614_Corner+block.jpg" /></a>I like the result of seeing little wisps of clouds floating horizontally as you would see on a summer day.<br />
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I cut, measured over and over, ripping out a seam here or there, and squaring over and over...but finally, with a big sigh, I have a perfectly squared 8" block, with a little bit of flare for a corner post!<br />
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I assembled all corner blocks, liking how nicely they came together. So as I leave my sewing center...<br />
all four CORNER blocks sit waiting for the rest of the picket fence!<br />
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">PS. I think this photo best shows all the lines in the nap and how I turned the fabric to match the horizon lines of the sky! I also like the splintered wood look of the white posts. </span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">This hasn't been squared yet. :) (no quilting police allowed)</span></i></div>
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Climbing to the Higher Callinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04643410106870132376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5481103201823296549.post-63529197545097952352013-06-07T14:25:00.000-07:002013-06-14T05:16:37.823-07:00VIrtual Bee Quilt Block #3<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE7UwmhLdgk1rNDnBWemNFbtQLWFuaHFhkbyuokoVDsjCDGYM-3kNiJXA7t0M6YGFBPe90ScAlJCqsnJS2c3EshEDZC8e7-C0I3UVKbiNKGBJB7lHMSEySgT_5mAUxjXGTJWFdTKk8IuQ1/s1600/20130606+Block+3.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/AVvXsEhE7UwmhLdgk1rNDnBWemNFbtQLWFuaHFhkbyuokoVDsjCDGYM-3kNiJXA7t0M6YGFBPe90ScAlJCqsnJS2c3EshEDZC8e7-C0I3UVKbiNKGBJB7lHMSEySgT_5mAUxjXGTJWFdTKk8IuQ1/s320/20130606+Block+3.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
Adding this post to <b><span style="color: magenta;"><a href="http://www.freshlypieced.com/2013/06/wip-wednesday-heres-some-stuff.html" target="_blank">WIP Wednesday</a></span></b> and <b><span style="color: orange;"><a href="http://contentemeant.blogspot.com/search/label/WAYD%3F%20Wednesdays" target="_blank">"What are you doing?" Block Hop</a></span> </b>(click on links in right column), because TODAY...I'm busy in my sewing room.<br />
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I am cutting out the pieces for Block 4.<br />
Thought you'd like to see that the colors are working together (photo of 3) with the soft blue swirls for a background...<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Wa-hoo!</span><br />
It's FRIDAY, and I've finished another block for the <b><a href="http://www.diaryofaquilter.com/p/the-virtual-quilting-bee.html" target="_blank">Virtual Quilting Bee</a> </b>and <a href="http://www.sassyquilter.com/" target="_blank"><b>Sassy Quilter's</b></a> challenge.<br />
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This one went together very easily and was so fun!<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPnBTYTYztNqm1dLykti1e_n6Joxoi-k-uCPxKcA2qWD98IM7vd_d1RShZBqRGb0hTjRRWH1hXudz2OlADY9tosHv7rKZpBs8pnbT8q9B8bbxKKi0MaSzDh3h8zwvc1yFuA3cT5oGgCgDG/s1600/delight_and_multidot_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="120" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPnBTYTYztNqm1dLykti1e_n6Joxoi-k-uCPxKcA2qWD98IM7vd_d1RShZBqRGb0hTjRRWH1hXudz2OlADY9tosHv7rKZpBs8pnbT8q9B8bbxKKi0MaSzDh3h8zwvc1yFuA3cT5oGgCgDG/s200/delight_and_multidot_3.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="200" /></a><br />
My greatest challenge seems to be choosing the fabric for each particular block.<br />
<br />
My stash is the <b><a href="http://www.missouriquiltco.com/shop/detail/9906" target="_blank">Multidot & Delight Layer Cake</a>.</b><br />
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I spend a considerable amount of time placing fabric here and there before I settle on the pieces.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioGHS1qukMvOCkBTQv6jCPqeNnjWBrIcah0o4yAqryI4fxMorV8rHFuqyFtw40oqa_Ofvl8mG2N0tpBIjRP54gnnX4SaZY0yGJAm7bp76bztdQBbWwWR0e40MkFdmBFEECb0rmjxN0exBN/s1600/20130606+Block+1-3.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/AVvXsEioGHS1qukMvOCkBTQv6jCPqeNnjWBrIcah0o4yAqryI4fxMorV8rHFuqyFtw40oqa_Ofvl8mG2N0tpBIjRP54gnnX4SaZY0yGJAm7bp76bztdQBbWwWR0e40MkFdmBFEECb0rmjxN0exBN/s320/20130606+Block+1-3.jpg" width="240" /></a>To make things less confusing for me in this decision process, I begin each block with a background from the "soft blue swirls" fabric.<br />
The instructions are awesome!<br />
I don't know what the final result will be yet, but so far, these fabrics seem to be making a pleasing array of design.<br />
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I'm so glad I chose to join this <b>Virtual Bee </b>and<b> Challenge</b>!<br />
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If any reader still desires to jump in and join us, click on one of the links above and start cutting and assembling your blocks. Make sure to connect with us so we can see your blocks and join you in this fabulous group's<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><i> "oooh</i></span> and <span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>ahhhh"!</i></span>Climbing to the Higher Callinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04643410106870132376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5481103201823296549.post-32840076798986368022013-06-05T18:01:00.000-07:002013-06-05T18:01:04.862-07:00Virtual Bee Block #1 and #2<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibtB94IWIq_JXQDmZCddQPr0v1m3tJPCDxiDYT9YC5zPclqrTYZFwqRm7Yx4792WiF2rSq0ELZnoNuGqt3QLz-ZUZlvzedd4Pi6-98jpCmPWh6yHxUZjYWqQg1LKvFLhY_hiHNrhc2jcKY/s1600/20130605_103353.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibtB94IWIq_JXQDmZCddQPr0v1m3tJPCDxiDYT9YC5zPclqrTYZFwqRm7Yx4792WiF2rSq0ELZnoNuGqt3QLz-ZUZlvzedd4Pi6-98jpCmPWh6yHxUZjYWqQg1LKvFLhY_hiHNrhc2jcKY/s320/20130605_103353.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
Along with <a href="http://www.sassyquilter.com/" target="_blank">the Sassy Quilter</a>, I joined the <a href="http://www.diaryofaquilter.com/p/the-virtual-quilting-bee.html" target="_blank">Virtual Quilting Bee</a>, hosted by Amy at <a href="http://www.diaryofaquilter.com/p/the-virtual-quilting-bee.html" target="_blank">Diary of a Quilter</a>.<br />
The goal is to do a block every Friday until we've caught up to the original group.<br />
Today, I proudly display 2 of my blocks. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrs9VAyTxDMg5CvLPq01TfaN7Q1sF9wLBdH34WrNTRM1RhSl41-nLZNHRRcHYPdtiZ1If5Hvmdvv5b9kzvKvswILfBBywSKiNPy4Q-KLfIaZasG_kgaehwr9Nn9_CSMtO-b-Tye7UEh3xK/s1600/20130605_103410.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/AVvXsEgrs9VAyTxDMg5CvLPq01TfaN7Q1sF9wLBdH34WrNTRM1RhSl41-nLZNHRRcHYPdtiZ1If5Hvmdvv5b9kzvKvswILfBBywSKiNPy4Q-KLfIaZasG_kgaehwr9Nn9_CSMtO-b-Tye7UEh3xK/s320/20130605_103410.jpg" width="320" /></a>Sherri at <a href="http://block%20tutorial%20/#1 by Sherri of A Quilting Life" target="_blank">A Quilting Life</a> gave us the pattern for <span style="font-size: large;">Block #1</span>. <br />
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And <span style="font-size: large;">Block #2</span> was designed by Amy at<br />
<a href="http://block%20tutorial%20/#2 by Amy Newbold of Sukie Don't Ya Know" target="_blank">Sukie Don't Ya Know</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgczIQW7DhNNSpkwXw4N9ujEyQCZwkaSwJqboKwB3__it_prCfQaad4ZzJZ8xWR3Mv_JU1lEtxgcld6cp6rq6PqjdYX9BTVKXUnMgMkScc83uIJxATp2RTqJ7yV07iP05lY0Map5fsXlEFE/s1600/multidot-and-delight-layer-cake-by-french-bull-for-windham-fabrics-sku_-cp10-38.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgczIQW7DhNNSpkwXw4N9ujEyQCZwkaSwJqboKwB3__it_prCfQaad4ZzJZ8xWR3Mv_JU1lEtxgcld6cp6rq6PqjdYX9BTVKXUnMgMkScc83uIJxATp2RTqJ7yV07iP05lY0Map5fsXlEFE/s1600/multidot-and-delight-layer-cake-by-french-bull-for-windham-fabrics-sku_-cp10-38.jpg" /></a><br />
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For this project, I've chosen Multidot by Windham Fabrics through <a href="http://www.missouriquiltco.com/" target="_blank">MSQC</a>, ordering a Layer Cake and then, a yard of soft blue twirls for the background and their dark plaid for contrast. <br />
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This Virtual Quilting Bee is so fun!<br />
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<b><i>Thank you</i></b>, "Sassy" and Amy, for inviting others to join you! I'm really having fun as I hop from one designer's blog to another.<br />
<b><i>Thank you also, dear designers</i></b>! I'm learning from your great instructions and photos.<br />
The best gift of blogging is I'm finding more and more friends in this wonderful corner of the quilting world.<br />
If you're interested, the Virtual Quilting Bee button is in this blog's right column. Click...and come, join us.Climbing to the Higher Callinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04643410106870132376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5481103201823296549.post-73865321025048961822013-06-05T10:31:00.000-07:002013-06-05T18:08:55.490-07:00Wednesday Workings<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4DcMB7iPvK2Uzb-1Ddzog8Os5h6n5OyidiAVK7xEM5caBrXCzDjy7iz-lrFF8Mpra6jW-TJx3qT0LYWEacLGY1CS_Uo96V0hWYpv9uu2bm8cr8vOLfMzhxKCe9peXBwuN1AhlFViwgbjy/s1600/Center+20130531.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/AVvXsEg4DcMB7iPvK2Uzb-1Ddzog8Os5h6n5OyidiAVK7xEM5caBrXCzDjy7iz-lrFF8Mpra6jW-TJx3qT0LYWEacLGY1CS_Uo96V0hWYpv9uu2bm8cr8vOLfMzhxKCe9peXBwuN1AhlFViwgbjy/s320/Center+20130531.jpg" width="240" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">Good morning, Wednesday! </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's the middle of my week where I can announce what project is near my sewing machine, and what I hope to accomplish by Friday. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have assembled my set from the</span><br />
<span style="clear: right; float: right; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjueDvQfVtIRR5wv_ORjP1LShXQ_SGqLZ-VxEkLzxSrLT4HaV_INxJMJA8C9n3l_4wsFEzmxLGAgs1arXxbJX6iWwEVxJ2WeYT2OHYMJVXJQxPZhJaeQDqGJnk-Y-5UvGAXGboCJOUZWz_C/s200/Border+progress+20130531.jpg" width="200" /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> <a href="http://forum.missouriquiltco.com/group.php" target="_blank">SWAP BLOCK </a><br />"Butterflies in the Garden" and I'm quite pleased with the outcome.<br /><br />My goal was to have rows of the same color varying in shades of color and as close to how it would naturally look in a landscaped garden. </span><br />
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<span style="clear: right; float: right; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2ZCIUDzv_3agz45kxI4_4CYDbHtS9vR6rey5Ue5SdBogFGHlz4VTHR5y0G-E0EMFDknYXWJ1x0JFZTYMIbKVxY73IaUyBZ2POeiXdSIzMPBHIGnUUE1xcNo1FfJGPU1LiS0-Lk4tA0vnB/s200/Growing+piles+20130605.jpg" width="150" /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Next, I added the 1" chocolate tone-on-tone "dirt" border around my garden. Today, I will add the 2" green grass tone-on-tone border. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It will be ready to add the picket fence, I hope next week, when I finish my pile of <a href="http://debi-peacebypiece.blogspot.com/2013/05/making-my-picket-fence.html" target="_blank">Picket Fence Blocks</a>! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So, one of my projects this Wednesday - Friday is to add to this pile of picket fence posts!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm also working on my <a href="http://www.diaryofaquilter.com/p/the-virtual-quilting-bee.html" target="_blank">Virtual Bee</a> blocks, but that's another blog post. So, hop on over to the next entry and see my just finished blocks! </span>Climbing to the Higher Callinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04643410106870132376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5481103201823296549.post-46756260629141511732013-05-29T14:27:00.000-07:002013-05-29T14:27:43.693-07:00Making My Picket Fence<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZwAgiuvuSi_g29uUNLBJmJ8v8SOy9QgXutM8K6p-nj-XO1-H7C8FaVLt0MU9ImDji-CyTlqGXRlWINM0cT-ms8SJDv8-lDk4zVvl0lIQpogQ2m_q4FYfeqxQ8D6fS1I0TdMH6ltF4KwgM/s1600/14-FP+Blocks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZwAgiuvuSi_g29uUNLBJmJ8v8SOy9QgXutM8K6p-nj-XO1-H7C8FaVLt0MU9ImDji-CyTlqGXRlWINM0cT-ms8SJDv8-lDk4zVvl0lIQpogQ2m_q4FYfeqxQ8D6fS1I0TdMH6ltF4KwgM/s200/14-FP+Blocks.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRZjOjNNJLYYgRDGk6T2u2auBODWiWxXS5PBVyuFq4V6KH80pMSGcIyD7YkzQkX2rVyoxPHoI3iYJ7uyrXzTREB3iDKBLsgba-rD68Bv8zV5xUA4yi-a9pSioAccVj1qSo9a87jSDigd65/s1600/01-FP1+Logs+and+sky+cuts.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/AVvXsEiRZjOjNNJLYYgRDGk6T2u2auBODWiWxXS5PBVyuFq4V6KH80pMSGcIyD7YkzQkX2rVyoxPHoI3iYJ7uyrXzTREB3iDKBLsgba-rD68Bv8zV5xUA4yi-a9pSioAccVj1qSo9a87jSDigd65/s200/01-FP1+Logs+and+sky+cuts.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheN5cu1riQWyD5fxveFeSIz13PrrcqxY_t4a4azjLAlcAXLHO3lHxVFTyHprkdF5cM3sLUqPPeqztGA-2MF5ExzoIPsrwDzkswhQyJy4XYN8j9FfmzG_KPc18UuA6c_q1fl2_2cP1sUAVC/s1600/02-FP2+IRON+into+Triangles.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/AVvXsEheN5cu1riQWyD5fxveFeSIz13PrrcqxY_t4a4azjLAlcAXLHO3lHxVFTyHprkdF5cM3sLUqPPeqztGA-2MF5ExzoIPsrwDzkswhQyJy4XYN8j9FfmzG_KPc18UuA6c_q1fl2_2cP1sUAVC/s200/02-FP2+IRON+into+Triangles.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">1. </span>I cut white logs...2" x 8"<br />
<i> Cut strips of WOF 8" first, then</i><br />
<i> Cut 2" logs from strips </i><br />
I cut blue squares 1.5" x 1.5"<br />
<i> Cut WOF 1.5" strips, then </i><br />
<i> Cut 1.5" from strips </i><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">2. </span>Press squares on diagonal.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHjw6mkB0dgTugd6Kygq0PJx-RZexHZmoPpGC-oAh_SDp3zMJSnRHzVDM3XWgfi6GAExUjReZvX9P7G6bjbLrAQYndXwqEHbB3lM_QnvYBzDtjkkRJ_Gc3gVm4gUtsnb6IqvimlIB9pdYe/s1600/07-FP4+Trim+seam.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/AVvXsEhHjw6mkB0dgTugd6Kygq0PJx-RZexHZmoPpGC-oAh_SDp3zMJSnRHzVDM3XWgfi6GAExUjReZvX9P7G6bjbLrAQYndXwqEHbB3lM_QnvYBzDtjkkRJ_Gc3gVm4gUtsnb6IqvimlIB9pdYe/s200/07-FP4+Trim+seam.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBLZQs5tStq0lJnnTfZjqq1z5rUEPbeTTqkioZpHqqEczlxvogIVVuza73KmMuZHdl4YeGbV7WcqwS70fEfAgx4yhW9_LQfRKVTAYy_Z_B1SP1hDNbrtULYAd7CnKdQzfjxRsLTvGopGU9/s1600/06-FP3+Sew+on+pressed+diagonal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBLZQs5tStq0lJnnTfZjqq1z5rUEPbeTTqkioZpHqqEczlxvogIVVuza73KmMuZHdl4YeGbV7WcqwS70fEfAgx4yhW9_LQfRKVTAYy_Z_B1SP1hDNbrtULYAd7CnKdQzfjxRsLTvGopGU9/s200/06-FP3+Sew+on+pressed+diagonal.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">3. </span>Put 1 square on a log<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">4. </span>Sew along diagonal.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">5.</span>Trim Seam to 1/4"<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUax6RGioT-GM0UE94RtcQ7Jax-ekVp4pirfLmNko_JsINHHy7r6879FSq_9hDgikL9Bm-_AodUI4_2oSmh0VKZIOJTbG1PPiRynuf4kf12f8H2V5HMA9quHCpl0MXo5C9JRdOU3GNELb_/s1600/04-FP6+Add+2nd+sq.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/AVvXsEiUax6RGioT-GM0UE94RtcQ7Jax-ekVp4pirfLmNko_JsINHHy7r6879FSq_9hDgikL9Bm-_AodUI4_2oSmh0VKZIOJTbG1PPiRynuf4kf12f8H2V5HMA9quHCpl0MXo5C9JRdOU3GNELb_/s200/04-FP6+Add+2nd+sq.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8FXyJAV4_9brSOXsoGjj9GyIKfyHOQ5aNjEP7R8NXBNRW3uNpaAVH50RSs_6OANVjruXPdgHQfcMOSdWO1w3jesJ74z41aADsgm8ROQesDJfWvnmggSodcycLNe2ihUNUZMS3hL-0ATFG/s1600/FP5+Press+new+corner.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/AVvXsEi8FXyJAV4_9brSOXsoGjj9GyIKfyHOQ5aNjEP7R8NXBNRW3uNpaAVH50RSs_6OANVjruXPdgHQfcMOSdWO1w3jesJ74z41aADsgm8ROQesDJfWvnmggSodcycLNe2ihUNUZMS3hL-0ATFG/s200/FP5+Press+new+corner.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">6. </span>Press new corner open<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">7. </span>Place 2nd sq on the log,<br />
covering opposite corner<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJKBqFXbBV1hOv8rMkYFXjh4HNzCauCyE-S9SWH8kbIfQ-VHrN5lkYBR1KGq2Mix9pT8ut-Tq9i9ZcgeY-uXguilFyPn1nheMAc5KzO1ZIhRXvQy2DNdPFOzyYaP_o3i2ViRiOn1wF0-Fw/s1600/10-FP7+Sew+2nd+diagonal.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/AVvXsEjJKBqFXbBV1hOv8rMkYFXjh4HNzCauCyE-S9SWH8kbIfQ-VHrN5lkYBR1KGq2Mix9pT8ut-Tq9i9ZcgeY-uXguilFyPn1nheMAc5KzO1ZIhRXvQy2DNdPFOzyYaP_o3i2ViRiOn1wF0-Fw/s200/10-FP7+Sew+2nd+diagonal.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxwa5qYbV1-JFjNtWJVn6h0Y59EkH7YsczOj8NXdPDusrSx-FvdFnIj-8FMyzH9yWumPF822WBmYYciEz4kbEuN819QG3g_Dy6cyE4vHdMhns6eE2Um1yX006OxP4dsv-22DlBAMihn6qn/s1600/05-FP9+Trim+seam.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/AVvXsEhxwa5qYbV1-JFjNtWJVn6h0Y59EkH7YsczOj8NXdPDusrSx-FvdFnIj-8FMyzH9yWumPF822WBmYYciEz4kbEuN819QG3g_Dy6cyE4vHdMhns6eE2Um1yX006OxP4dsv-22DlBAMihn6qn/s200/05-FP9+Trim+seam.jpg" width="150" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO0GGLHTQgxymos4FmZCjwzYlYkF2lASoX5WOTyAzMmHA01AY6t47ztkNIZiF25Qdps1zBW_l8lTyptc4sppIbzLK1IAKoFpSoCY7-7iQ-c9TGy32pz8C1CzB5_eDKEgGB7CvOnVU-isY4/s1600/FP10+Press+2nd+Corner.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/AVvXsEgO0GGLHTQgxymos4FmZCjwzYlYkF2lASoX5WOTyAzMmHA01AY6t47ztkNIZiF25Qdps1zBW_l8lTyptc4sppIbzLK1IAKoFpSoCY7-7iQ-c9TGy32pz8C1CzB5_eDKEgGB7CvOnVU-isY4/s200/FP10+Press+2nd+Corner.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">8. </span>Sew 2nd sq on the diagonal,<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">9. </span>Trim seam <br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">10. </span>Press open<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSLNjM5MIgyOZpepFqGn9mvEFE7zGBdbJER11X2tGJTLabIw_7WvqiWGoQyZNty40rJQnXGiaA6MbPFRACPYCsdX8IixbDuLAD83deJuE5hvM48E7V-1_hMPGuqqYDvoRS5PyoYWOEQ7Wo/s1600/FP11+Make+5+Posts.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/AVvXsEhSLNjM5MIgyOZpepFqGn9mvEFE7zGBdbJER11X2tGJTLabIw_7WvqiWGoQyZNty40rJQnXGiaA6MbPFRACPYCsdX8IixbDuLAD83deJuE5hvM48E7V-1_hMPGuqqYDvoRS5PyoYWOEQ7Wo/s200/FP11+Make+5+Posts.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">11. </span>Finish assembling 5 posts<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi38UnBH-T0kTU8gttlCTd3GC-zVIGQHo8riZ0gn32ReB08FSS-u8q30UE0EA1kB3UX_u60IlZmf3X1HDpO8n82wbKDgpCN1CTajCks_5pN9pnk_Z1ID5ppQXrdWI_sqVXvUiwy7rusMPI7/s1600/13-FP12+Assemble+Posts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi38UnBH-T0kTU8gttlCTd3GC-zVIGQHo8riZ0gn32ReB08FSS-u8q30UE0EA1kB3UX_u60IlZmf3X1HDpO8n82wbKDgpCN1CTajCks_5pN9pnk_Z1ID5ppQXrdWI_sqVXvUiwy7rusMPI7/s200/13-FP12+Assemble+Posts.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">12. </span>Assemble 5 posts for finished BLOCK!<br />
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<i><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> And there you have it.</span></i>Climbing to the Higher Callinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04643410106870132376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5481103201823296549.post-25561131050593909912013-05-17T15:29:00.003-07:002013-05-17T15:29:26.322-07:00"Butterflies in the Garden" Fence Post Block<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidFNxzXIYWgzv-KVqdavQC10Jn6vKkvJITLXdnYRAv_x2T3P2PaetXj5LnKVIOlK-oyGHCiewtCXcAO0Z6I0xUoL_8BtsuoDacHCoXh-6KZz6_JN3WUj8UfR-TjjvRJiKlww3up6uvqUlW/s1600/20130517_171737.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidFNxzXIYWgzv-KVqdavQC10Jn6vKkvJITLXdnYRAv_x2T3P2PaetXj5LnKVIOlK-oyGHCiewtCXcAO0Z6I0xUoL_8BtsuoDacHCoXh-6KZz6_JN3WUj8UfR-TjjvRJiKlww3up6uvqUlW/s320/20130517_171737.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">SAMPLE border for garden</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
While waiting for the butterflies to fly north to my garden, I gathered supplies for my border. I decided to keep the same theme of tone-on-tone, yet keep the floral fabrics within the garden.<br />
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Off I went to shop for fence posts fabric.<br />
I found white-on-white in a splintered wood look.<br />
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Then, I found a soft blue that looks like a summer sky with soft wisps of clouds floating lazily.<br />
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I already had the grassy green, but after some thought, I wanted to trim my quilted garden as I do my flower gardens. I love the intense outline of dark brown chips along the border, so I browsed the store for a dark tone on tone. I found a piece that actually looks like the shades of browns cast by the chips!<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQYuJaTUPVhnxGXndMLNSUDn5fjjlaWL3DTVTAfv3gBUWjaRrEY4sOhwYNGrwTXKQpPpznABxQXnyMyv5UQbStCz5hjgeLXqoLnHvJz3RhwYozuB68LS2K81LATvepbTt0zBEF31kdLdZ4/s1600/20130517_172033.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/AVvXsEjQYuJaTUPVhnxGXndMLNSUDn5fjjlaWL3DTVTAfv3gBUWjaRrEY4sOhwYNGrwTXKQpPpznABxQXnyMyv5UQbStCz5hjgeLXqoLnHvJz3RhwYozuB68LS2K81LATvepbTt0zBEF31kdLdZ4/s320/20130517_172033.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
With all the fabrics in hand, I began to design the border and fence posts for my butterfly garden. I'm so excited to work on these blocks.<br />
The actual blocks will be five fence posts with blue sky, measuring a 7.5" block. I will first border my garden blocks with 1" strips of brown, then of 2" strips of green and finally, add my "white picket fence outlined by a sky blue" block rows.<br />
My binding will be also made in the soft blue.<br />
My quilting plan is to stitch crossbars along the posts and then use grassy green thread to make strands of grass along the fence in FMM designs.<br />
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So, thank you "Block Swappers"! Your blocks are vivid and beautiful! I've squared and arranged my rows of floral fabric blocks.<br />
My <b>Butterfly Garden</b> awaits my diligent work on the <b>fence</b>.Climbing to the Higher Callinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04643410106870132376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5481103201823296549.post-91938890655129087222013-05-02T18:44:00.001-07:002013-05-02T18:46:33.033-07:00Small projectsAs I wait for the Butterflies to wing their way north to my floral garden, <span style="font-size: xx-small;">(previous post)</span> I decided to put quilting aside for a week or two and focus on some cute little sewing projects. After all, why would I be given the precious gifts of grand daughters and ignore the possibilities of sewing adorable little outfits?<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisU0eJR7i7sop57JDxY7Gxc64KZm6xuVjYqHFuI6e4LA9so2jwW7OyjhqxA9KfF3IuVa4bT2LxS2UK8Qs9wZd-8m_X8DzILgSXbbbA_5a5ulXk04-6jWkv0sl_XyN0qQfRRvqVB5nDfSV1/s1600/Jumpsuit+1+yr+old.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/AVvXsEisU0eJR7i7sop57JDxY7Gxc64KZm6xuVjYqHFuI6e4LA9so2jwW7OyjhqxA9KfF3IuVa4bT2LxS2UK8Qs9wZd-8m_X8DzILgSXbbbA_5a5ulXk04-6jWkv0sl_XyN0qQfRRvqVB5nDfSV1/s200/Jumpsuit+1+yr+old.jpg" width="150" /></a><br />
I wanted to make a jumpsuit for the birthday of our sweet 1 year old grand daughter. The blue of this fabric reminds me of her beautiful eyes and I know her mommy loves blue! I began my sewing projects with this little outfit. I'm quite proud of the changes I made in the pattern. I put cuffs on the legs to keep it fitted over her shoes. I also left the collar off and made a ruffle of the short sleeves. The fabric makes it dressy, but it's no frills for play.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCBDp_9ejkFzDrF8Lcvm27weCVJcWsoTVpeCmMqmW6pELfsTtnF_sQgcO9eQfkV9fB7BA_NaoVoxGVVmT1CDq5MYWwQ1Y8zOE2rVdz8OQFXHun9O5mZroBTAolUOW7MMnltOGZb-6pPWLE/s1600/Bibs+for+baby.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/AVvXsEjCBDp_9ejkFzDrF8Lcvm27weCVJcWsoTVpeCmMqmW6pELfsTtnF_sQgcO9eQfkV9fB7BA_NaoVoxGVVmT1CDq5MYWwQ1Y8zOE2rVdz8OQFXHun9O5mZroBTAolUOW7MMnltOGZb-6pPWLE/s200/Bibs+for+baby.jpg" width="200" /></a>Her mommy made some bibs from terry cloth and scrap fabric which just needed my sewing machine to add a little touch of Velcro as fasteners. The little one finds sleepy comfort rubbing terry cloth with two fingers in her mouth. Using terry cloth backing makes great washcloth cleanups when the meals are done.<br />
Here are 2 of the little bibs!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwPWi5vD9Bz4MoXOrkvpO11D7xuU9nO6nIs4brWqdBUlQr3wZBPLBx-jSQ0oDME9PkT6Vh4kSC1TqfP1pQVBUEmCGnbilPT5ULxE6sDiVMybeagbM5BEkIJ88w-BfhZ8nc_gb4Q1FMRA_x/s1600/Dora+&+Blue+Fabric.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/AVvXsEgwPWi5vD9Bz4MoXOrkvpO11D7xuU9nO6nIs4brWqdBUlQr3wZBPLBx-jSQ0oDME9PkT6Vh4kSC1TqfP1pQVBUEmCGnbilPT5ULxE6sDiVMybeagbM5BEkIJ88w-BfhZ8nc_gb4Q1FMRA_x/s200/Dora+&+Blue+Fabric.jpg" width="150" /></a>I found adorable fabric to replace a favorite outfit that had long since become too small for our third little overseas princess. It was her favorite Grandma-made outfit, but sadly had to be passed on. To dry the cascading tears, I promised to replace her Dora dress as soon as I could. I searched in several stores before I found any Dora fabric, and was thrilled with this vivid dark shade of burgundy with blue butterflies. It is a reversible outfit, so I found some matching blue for its backing.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7RZkyZzlFF8TTtKIwxWu2UaeEg9-mkHs8b6gpxjUpOWRoTa6d0dSHmWGws4mPxzqLI0kRfYo2PnOt7mUohUkx-pLVJhEiE5dhTG_0TfVLXy2vtR1LrQzPVwV75_h5uX37lxCzIS1hOsjf/s1600/Azalea+bush+&+pansies.png" 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/AVvXsEh7RZkyZzlFF8TTtKIwxWu2UaeEg9-mkHs8b6gpxjUpOWRoTa6d0dSHmWGws4mPxzqLI0kRfYo2PnOt7mUohUkx-pLVJhEiE5dhTG_0TfVLXy2vtR1LrQzPVwV75_h5uX37lxCzIS1hOsjf/s200/Azalea+bush+&+pansies.png" width="135" /></a>The calendar page turned over to May while we visited the little one in a southern state. It was wonderful to see the azaleas and dogwood in full bloom and enjoy the southern sun and hospitality. We returned home on the first of May only to be met with spring rains and the predictions of SNOW (?) brought by very cold winds.<br />
My Butterfly Garden blocks hadn't arrived yet, and it's too cold to plant the transplanted day lilies, so the rest of this week, I hope to finish the Dora dress and get it in the mail.<br />
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I love being a grandmother with a sewing machine! The joy of sewing somehow brings the little ones with their conversational questions and contagious giggles right into my sewing room while I dream of them receiving and wearing these adorable creations!<br />
<br />Climbing to the Higher Callinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04643410106870132376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5481103201823296549.post-84286577816963024792013-04-29T13:44:00.002-07:002013-04-29T13:44:53.363-07:00Extra Flowers and Butterflies<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1GusJ5LXwVCy0yeCA30d5PESUG2c2vO9L01DiGPwCqUtuNIB_TdZJ-EUcNl-hv28g2-MxJgKu0vfO_C_XV-3zZIttr-9Ls1wdWnyYHx9ghEX-P5MidLxBtWY_n9dT8x9uiRBnG8gYTwH1/s1600/Process+3+Green+Blocks.png" 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/AVvXsEg1GusJ5LXwVCy0yeCA30d5PESUG2c2vO9L01DiGPwCqUtuNIB_TdZJ-EUcNl-hv28g2-MxJgKu0vfO_C_XV-3zZIttr-9Ls1wdWnyYHx9ghEX-P5MidLxBtWY_n9dT8x9uiRBnG8gYTwH1/s200/Process+3+Green+Blocks.png" width="181" /></a></div>
Shopping for tone-on-tone floral fabrics was immensely fun, but as usual, I was torn between the colors! How do you walk away with just two colors? Each bolt was so vivid and gorgeously printed. Decision was impossible, so, along with the vivid red and blue, I came home to the cutting board with delightful cottons in green, yellow, pink, and violet.<br />
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Assembly line sewing was very easy for this block. I made a continual chain of sewn pieces, then cut them apart to press, making a new pile to connect the next pieces. Each step created a new pile, making the whole process simple and organized.<br />
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Within just a few hours, my cutting board held 44 blocks totally finished, pressed, and set aside. My red and blues were finished.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4IvbFn-i6XV4PwsZUtZ0LB3AZO1tJh0JfLMUQz73ZVen9RNRm1GmP02mxLKzCEw_FxmxWSa4qOB89dIkmURg3c1ol9TDbZXL5jSqgxOpFqnutmmAMVhucRVcDYX-IiocgpPsrZ2PnuAdI/s1600/Process+Green+blocks.png" 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/AVvXsEi4IvbFn-i6XV4PwsZUtZ0LB3AZO1tJh0JfLMUQz73ZVen9RNRm1GmP02mxLKzCEw_FxmxWSa4qOB89dIkmURg3c1ol9TDbZXL5jSqgxOpFqnutmmAMVhucRVcDYX-IiocgpPsrZ2PnuAdI/s200/Process+Green+blocks.png" width="200" /></a></div>
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Next, I made 44 more green &violet blocks just for fun. They are vivid tones with smaller floral prints. I'm not sure where I'll use my extra colors, but maybe I'll have enough blocks for some extra room decor to match the Butterfly Garden quilt when it is finished. I'm considering making some pillowcase sets that include quilted borders, some shams, or even some throw pillows.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgSRB1HxUEPAwpPomJj8H16IX-1MMQHmzxeASwm92cxwSH39AGezt1huC1d1BKW5eTAv_IFBaIbplr9nWke1qKNoVVYGphO-pRXnDGauuuxDqmtfpHs7Bee2ZZrw0S1we0UpcU93Vdd_EH/s1600/Pink+&+Yellow+Tones+cut.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/AVvXsEhgSRB1HxUEPAwpPomJj8H16IX-1MMQHmzxeASwm92cxwSH39AGezt1huC1d1BKW5eTAv_IFBaIbplr9nWke1qKNoVVYGphO-pRXnDGauuuxDqmtfpHs7Bee2ZZrw0S1we0UpcU93Vdd_EH/s200/Pink+&+Yellow+Tones+cut.jpg" width="200" /></a>I've decided to leave the pink and yellow fabrics as optional colors to add if I need more blocks for shading and finishing the landscape of my dream garden plans.<br />
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For the "landscape" of my garden, I'm dreaming of bunched shades of color. I want to create a natural display in a progressive rainbow as I would find in my actual flower garden. Hopefully, this garden will all be fenced in with a white tone on tone picket blocks trimmed with tone on tone green symbolizing grass. I've tried to draw my idea of a block design on graph paper. Now I'm assembling one sample block before I decide if I like the look surrounding my garden. My final step hopes to be a soft blue binding representing a summer sky.</div>
Climbing to the Higher Callinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04643410106870132376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5481103201823296549.post-70212949364454657152013-04-11T12:18:00.000-07:002013-04-11T12:18:43.374-07:00Cultivating My Dream Butterfly GardenAs the birds singing fills the air, the smells of Spring rift toward my nostrils, and the breeze becomes warmer, my garden plants are sprouting through the soil and the buds are bursting into bright colors!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTPlbQpfGz6W9fZv9tZn1V2rtqO2rXJijyTVWtFERvJctkhlpnaH2i2qf-hchRPGc7Oct-KSwMMvBNFDGA28wh4x40PW5-XEwJsr-mrbbCfC7E2X7S32JTy8gNc16r1MnoSueGqiF2mw0v/s1600/Cuts+Red+Sets.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/AVvXsEiTPlbQpfGz6W9fZv9tZn1V2rtqO2rXJijyTVWtFERvJctkhlpnaH2i2qf-hchRPGc7Oct-KSwMMvBNFDGA28wh4x40PW5-XEwJsr-mrbbCfC7E2X7S32JTy8gNc16r1MnoSueGqiF2mw0v/s200/Cuts+Red+Sets.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0QXqQ19Q1l6py9fUMYsFThwqV-sXs_OHi7F5kpEy5whgOOqo3wLBoDxrut1Mp1Ize9U8EcuXp46_Pfht7-Q174RtXGpR5qgO3cHT-1cbhzgGB0afr7G0njyiFplC6wt_Wpwfebdogd91G/s1600/Cuts+Blue+with+Halves.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/AVvXsEi0QXqQ19Q1l6py9fUMYsFThwqV-sXs_OHi7F5kpEy5whgOOqo3wLBoDxrut1Mp1Ize9U8EcuXp46_Pfht7-Q174RtXGpR5qgO3cHT-1cbhzgGB0afr7G0njyiFplC6wt_Wpwfebdogd91G/s200/Cuts+Blue+with+Halves.jpg" width="200" /></a>From the open window, my sewing machine can be heard joyfully buzzes through straight quarter inch seams as 7.5" squares are assembled in my cheerful hobby room.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdfIrnqy3XCUlGON2dQh_ASlPzo_R3mXsr7BRWaSNpFLqmsWkLaclK2BohJXIh1WqkHMSyg9gzWguH7_NheFe0PRBgI1DuyhMl9TgZITQo1ygMd0WnNdcFHgb-eBmcsWFQvGB_6SI0eZgQ/s1600/Cuts+Red+with+Halves.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/AVvXsEjdfIrnqy3XCUlGON2dQh_ASlPzo_R3mXsr7BRWaSNpFLqmsWkLaclK2BohJXIh1WqkHMSyg9gzWguH7_NheFe0PRBgI1DuyhMl9TgZITQo1ygMd0WnNdcFHgb-eBmcsWFQvGB_6SI0eZgQ/s200/Cuts+Red+with+Halves.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
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Half of the 4" squares of tone on tone have been cornered with 3 inch squares of black on white, or white on black. These smaller squares were pressed diagonally in half, and then sewn across a corner of the 4" colored squares. I stitched the diagonal, then stitched 1/4" from that seam. I cut between the two seams, leaving excess triangles in one pile and new 4" squares to press open and connect to another 4" unchanged floral. The change of one corner made one side of the butterfly wings.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMFP5x4FiVgpli65D-B6zQzqIR-lh_wtOlgRxdbsHpqJd_cfm4UHsEHBhL7uLdVo99tsnIzvifEry_Pk5xWENwNBq678noBRvntIoVUj9cMZln67eI5ufME5Rv0hN06_fRs4EovFGRjmeV/s1600/Cuts+Extras.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/AVvXsEiMFP5x4FiVgpli65D-B6zQzqIR-lh_wtOlgRxdbsHpqJd_cfm4UHsEHBhL7uLdVo99tsnIzvifEry_Pk5xWENwNBq678noBRvntIoVUj9cMZln67eI5ufME5Rv0hN06_fRs4EovFGRjmeV/s200/Cuts+Extras.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
The block swap organizer requested the favor of sending these excess triangles along with our blocks. She has high hopes of a "traveling project" with these little triangles. I imagined all sorts of projects, so it will be fun to see the purpose she decided for these.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCH5uGBDCwv_ZgdcQd-JVAxpsTc5n92fUnw_W2pqrb89JDY-ASfYQIMtS60fmR9cbx18DbNzQ2Lz7UQPcdkzHK2bWcciM-H2CJTowsg2IHAmW_VAXlghVjFJSsWRhmt41Bmpm0U4y5f0kt/s1600/Butterfly+Blocks.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/AVvXsEjCH5uGBDCwv_ZgdcQd-JVAxpsTc5n92fUnw_W2pqrb89JDY-ASfYQIMtS60fmR9cbx18DbNzQ2Lz7UQPcdkzHK2bWcciM-H2CJTowsg2IHAmW_VAXlghVjFJSsWRhmt41Bmpm0U4y5f0kt/s200/Butterfly+Blocks.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
My assembled 7.5 blocks give the appearance of fluttering butterfly wings among the flowers. All 44 gorgeous blocks have been assembled, pressed, packaged, and ready to migrate to the big Garden Butterflies Swap.<br />
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While waiting for warmer weather to return a variety of floral tones to my home, my sewing skills will be challenged with plans to construct the picket fence, trimmed with grassy green border to encompass my new Garden of Butterflies in full bloom.<br />
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Climbing to the Higher Callinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04643410106870132376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5481103201823296549.post-23715424254295034382013-04-01T07:41:00.000-07:002013-04-01T07:41:13.058-07:00"Dreams of a Garden"I love the smells and sights of Spring and dreams of warm Summer days!<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCHyJp87AWTT9_ciYH8HA_YUf8q_9wwLTYBh6PK55mFqfM-qdayJlO1hQjOQpn1mqNfphyjhXFoVXRGXHsIPpADOlPdkxV5YecE1K9wjK35bvItSfJDn58YoETHCSWKbqG7BA3ZqUSwTWV/s1600/3-Blue+Tone+on+Tone.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/AVvXsEhCHyJp87AWTT9_ciYH8HA_YUf8q_9wwLTYBh6PK55mFqfM-qdayJlO1hQjOQpn1mqNfphyjhXFoVXRGXHsIPpADOlPdkxV5YecE1K9wjK35bvItSfJDn58YoETHCSWKbqG7BA3ZqUSwTWV/s200/3-Blue+Tone+on+Tone.JPG" width="150" /></a><br />
I was recently inspired to make Butterfly blocks for SWAP in a group on <a href="http://www.missouriquiltco.com/" target="_blank">MSQC</a> forum. These swaps cause extraordinary visions of finished projects to pop into my head!<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-PclFp3LRUSpDa4cOSOLnuoDNAyFfwUo7S-9FgYECCB07G1WbJIh7OH8gG1Vla0GCDgv9G5VFwxKJDZNB7GRJ4dQ7zivKFoDotMNzN2Uo4yZc2UDuFNj9uP_h-ke0QSjC0aMLhv8mqnFt/s1600/1-RED+Tones.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/AVvXsEj-PclFp3LRUSpDa4cOSOLnuoDNAyFfwUo7S-9FgYECCB07G1WbJIh7OH8gG1Vla0GCDgv9G5VFwxKJDZNB7GRJ4dQ7zivKFoDotMNzN2Uo4yZc2UDuFNj9uP_h-ke0QSjC0aMLhv8mqnFt/s200/1-RED+Tones.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
So, I shop with great care for my dreamy choice fabric and purchase enough to make not only the swap blocks, but the envisioned quilt!<br />
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I've titled this new vision "Dreams of a Garden". <div>
I'm using tone-on-tone floral prints. </div>
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I chose two vivid prints of red daisies and cloudy blue violets. <div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4rf92JPbmrliXHdh4mg8abwhDqjjyvaDSaCkMyM-PqglgRA_axDI3HOYZRelG8HtVsoMghk4c_quif8zPBj9EAVw50O_qahCJWzhK5EavjfOojbn8WeT_DSOxYnGQmExMps5eghQfZ2kT/s1600/Choices+of+Fabrics.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/AVvXsEj4rf92JPbmrliXHdh4mg8abwhDqjjyvaDSaCkMyM-PqglgRA_axDI3HOYZRelG8HtVsoMghk4c_quif8zPBj9EAVw50O_qahCJWzhK5EavjfOojbn8WeT_DSOxYnGQmExMps5eghQfZ2kT/s200/Choices+of+Fabrics.jpg" width="200" /></a>My butterflies will center each block using alternate black on white and white on black fabrics.<br />
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Today will be spent at the cutting table, making a variety of squares to be pieced together to complete 7.5 inch blocks. I'm told the blocks are easily assembled, so I may even get time to spend at my sewing machine. </div>
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The swap promises 22 other colored blocks to add, if I choose, but I won't see those until later in April. I may end up with two quilts, or one huge garden!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdtpQYzruhhCfJIPpwcGMLcY3y5p-exc5HxaZbuPDa5Svkw-xKdvZXgcEVHG0-7iQebkDsT2uWJ-8tbgpTemMQJ730qaneoKAwyqWQynFwmmy60_uonIXxzCv3Ta_yaJ984PIlIXRhEtNG/s1600/2013-04-01+10.14.34.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/AVvXsEhdtpQYzruhhCfJIPpwcGMLcY3y5p-exc5HxaZbuPDa5Svkw-xKdvZXgcEVHG0-7iQebkDsT2uWJ-8tbgpTemMQJ730qaneoKAwyqWQynFwmmy60_uonIXxzCv3Ta_yaJ984PIlIXRhEtNG/s200/2013-04-01+10.14.34.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
For the big finish, I also purchased tone-on-tone striped greens and tone-on-tone whites for the border. I know the green will give the impression of grass borders and I'm hoping with the white, I can create a picket fence for my garden.<br />
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Climbing to the Higher Callinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04643410106870132376noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5481103201823296549.post-22839333804472882422013-02-04T03:14:00.002-08:002013-02-04T03:14:51.350-08:00Looking for a Good Novel?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxdX2zk9P-cvS3-4cfOfOI72oGnfSwHeR3JRpDU19MbttdZdqTRurOIDgGQq7c4gGSsl05u_e_lqG26LlQ_EOOkI6AXM7jc2gJlZcS7Uk0nxkWoCYPWXCvyihzyGWB49CVdPPh7rMY3S3U/s1600/Book+of+Tina's+Site.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxdX2zk9P-cvS3-4cfOfOI72oGnfSwHeR3JRpDU19MbttdZdqTRurOIDgGQq7c4gGSsl05u_e_lqG26LlQ_EOOkI6AXM7jc2gJlZcS7Uk0nxkWoCYPWXCvyihzyGWB49CVdPPh7rMY3S3U/s1600/Book+of+Tina's+Site.jpg" /></a>Here's one my daughter just read. I think some of you might like to find this author.<br />
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Our families are avid readers, and for years have held the novels by Francine Rivers in high esteem. Here is a new book that has been mentioned many times in our conversations while I'm here visiting my family.<br />
Now, I see my daughter put a review on her blog. <br />
I think this author's work will be put up on our favorite shelf next to Francine Rivers!<br />
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Anyway, I'll be checking it out, and thought some of you might be looking for a good book, so please click on this link to find her review:<br />
<a href="http://mommynificent.com/2013/02/04/book-review-harvest-of-rubies-by-tessa-afshar/#comment-268" target="_blank">http://mommynificent.com</a><br />
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<br />Climbing to the Higher Callinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04643410106870132376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5481103201823296549.post-24559677379411766972013-02-02T04:40:00.001-08:002013-04-13T14:52:53.847-07:00What was that Word again?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifIMNfLbT7FQviJ8kRtTUwx8sZLLTMo05BNTCMHH6jIdL9VenfsouMZmCdADL5uBQLI75HFT5mSFicBoziXRFIlh4qY9rpAE-Jk3NfGRTHSwkTGpqM4NcJ3X1Re6RTpVpjH09Jee7Ng4Pp/s1600/Strait+of+Malaka.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/AVvXsEifIMNfLbT7FQviJ8kRtTUwx8sZLLTMo05BNTCMHH6jIdL9VenfsouMZmCdADL5uBQLI75HFT5mSFicBoziXRFIlh4qY9rpAE-Jk3NfGRTHSwkTGpqM4NcJ3X1Re6RTpVpjH09Jee7Ng4Pp/s320/Strait+of+Malaka.JPG" width="320" /></a>For me, visiting my precious family, means traveling to an island where everyone is speaking a foreign language around me. For this visit, I'm hearing mostly Bahasa Malayu. I've always loved languages, and while I'm here visiting, I would love to pick up a few simple phrases, at least.<br />
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So, on this visit I have opportunity to accompany my grand daughters to their Bahasa Malayu classes. It is the very basic elementary listening class, as vocabulary is introduced to the beginner. Using objects and pictures, the instructor says the word in Bahasa Malayu and the children point to the correct objects. She patiently repeats the words over and over, hoping to increase their listening skills as they recall words she has taught previously.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdgaLACpjmNvCVGueo2bmeb1z2wsDOHC1Tzlg5KUUPsQ0fRLJItsSf-u9sEoqenbh5MDpvL6ACxXU3LIfSR11L5nPKNZ-6Pq1-B4FUs0Ey1YNNyc33sbZwp-ucHFlRJQ9dXl_X-PZQcUYs/s1600/Bahasa+Malayu+Class.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/AVvXsEgdgaLACpjmNvCVGueo2bmeb1z2wsDOHC1Tzlg5KUUPsQ0fRLJItsSf-u9sEoqenbh5MDpvL6ACxXU3LIfSR11L5nPKNZ-6Pq1-B4FUs0Ey1YNNyc33sbZwp-ucHFlRJQ9dXl_X-PZQcUYs/s200/Bahasa+Malayu+Class.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">used by permission: </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I sit in the back of the room, and have a notebook of pictures. I watch her pronounce the words, then carefully watch what the little ones point to as they recognize the word she has said. This past lesson she took vocabulary and added phases to them, giving direction of what to do with the items to which they pointed.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Tx9g59mWNz-AMEJ_wF_vYFC1qb5UjFEDaWGMSlNpf2Ln2UB43z2wPDiTwTFdQ3GMd-TyP8MmO6dS3dViJ_qMg_UqkhjRod7BzO8Gu8U_SDlvN07C-n1ycqGh_VRxED7Q40WdAIX0mSSM/s1600/2013-03-07+01.11.09-1.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/AVvXsEj1Tx9g59mWNz-AMEJ_wF_vYFC1qb5UjFEDaWGMSlNpf2Ln2UB43z2wPDiTwTFdQ3GMd-TyP8MmO6dS3dViJ_qMg_UqkhjRod7BzO8Gu8U_SDlvN07C-n1ycqGh_VRxED7Q40WdAIX0mSSM/s200/2013-03-07+01.11.09-1.jpg" width="200" /></a>Being a visual learner, it is also helpful for me to see the word written out, so my daughter writes out the vocabulary for me.<br />
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These photos are borrowed from the family's web page <a href="http://livinginpenang.com/" target="_blank">Living in Penang </a>showing one class time. This site gives more details about the class and how my family found it. Please <b>click</b> the link to learn about this beautiful island and some of its interesting features. The web traffic would encourage my family and you'll read about some new adventures of every day life here on the island.<br />
The creation of Living in Penang has hopes of making a more meaningful stay on this wonderful island for tourists, visitors, ex-pats, and just visitors, like me.<br />
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So, while I'm basking in tropical sunshine, curl up with your cup of tea and let your curiosity read a little bit about an island in the Archipelago!<br />
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<br />Climbing to the Higher Callinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04643410106870132376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5481103201823296549.post-67385712299358308482013-01-31T21:40:00.000-08:002013-01-31T21:40:21.668-08:00Surprises for the Little Ones...OK...I am with my family on the most beautiful tropical island! The breezes from the Indian Ocean cool the home while the dense foliage of a rain forest behind the house soaks in the sunshine of another day. The temperatures right now range from 70-90, and sitting in the shade, I enjoy all the beauty of blues and greens in God's creation.<br />
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As soon as I walked out the airport doors, with luggage and visa in hand, I heard familiar voices guessing if they would find me quickly or have to wait. I called out and 3 jubilant little girls ran toward me with the best hugs ever! After a long 37 hours, I was once again with loved ones!<br />
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The city was bustling around me, but I could only concentrate on the chatter that filled the mini van. The girls' anticipation of my arrival stored up all sorts of things they had to tell me and show me! I tried to exclaim over every little story, while trying to take in my surroundings, but have to admit that days without sleep and the warmth of the sun also was claiming my tired head. To overcome jet lag, I hoped to stay awake the entire day and only let sleep overtake me 12 hours later, when the island's darkness would envelope my surroundings.<br />
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I unpacked my suitcases with 3 bouncing, enthusiastic girls sitting on my bed. They were very curious over what I would pull out, and what surprises I brought from the states.<br />
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In a past post, I mentioned some homemade surprises, so let me show them to you now.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU7D1P98SXm4Xunz2BCQb-HygIldemBWfgqZ32SfCmyqpA0H91XY9G19ZcDh0Di0mwQIDjQj99j4k1Wilsb33yogLXA-qzy-SeLKXk9pk4LG-m5yky7SghR6rk-XoHD0PLgOMRXQTf-LFk/s1600/Teddy+Bear+Place+Mat.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/AVvXsEiU7D1P98SXm4Xunz2BCQb-HygIldemBWfgqZ32SfCmyqpA0H91XY9G19ZcDh0Di0mwQIDjQj99j4k1Wilsb33yogLXA-qzy-SeLKXk9pk4LG-m5yky7SghR6rk-XoHD0PLgOMRXQTf-LFk/s200/Teddy+Bear+Place+Mat.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
First, I made each of the girls a Teddy Bear Place Mat for their dining table. Each bear held a yellow napkin, matching the linen napkin set I made for their mom, and wore a different bow.<br />
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They immediately placed these bear faces at their dinner places, and enjoyed them for several meals before they needed to be laundered.<br />
These were a great hit.<br />
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Next, the littlest one received a plastic bag of finger puppet animals. I found these awesome animal felt prints and just had to make something cute with them.<br />
There are giraffes, tigers, cows, monkeys, pigs, hippos, zebras, and lions.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP8ZdUN5rwfw6418X15IVfbWZRsmdYkk7zp_yDaW4Gj7K8l3ts_kF6en4RRdZkg8UhRr0Y84tabjrfpxvZCNJ-I4_iYeS1-di-s60z7A6IbnT5t2iF3rFsMLKVdg1Y0_P4tFtdh6bQou58/s1600/Noah's+Animals+2.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/AVvXsEgP8ZdUN5rwfw6418X15IVfbWZRsmdYkk7zp_yDaW4Gj7K8l3ts_kF6en4RRdZkg8UhRr0Y84tabjrfpxvZCNJ-I4_iYeS1-di-s60z7A6IbnT5t2iF3rFsMLKVdg1Y0_P4tFtdh6bQou58/s200/Noah's+Animals+2.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Ahr0jWsq4Yy8xBR_7QjSPlUyR89u5znLaO7lTFEuGFCAn2EuNbrwEABE1Hkm-PtDmZGAmg5E7FVi7MwSNvoDaYC4OU81QbVW7mD-dTDCnIJwkvfbuAA6QtskpHoKky17iUiu_6wmLg_9/s1600/Noah's+Animals.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/AVvXsEi7Ahr0jWsq4Yy8xBR_7QjSPlUyR89u5znLaO7lTFEuGFCAn2EuNbrwEABE1Hkm-PtDmZGAmg5E7FVi7MwSNvoDaYC4OU81QbVW7mD-dTDCnIJwkvfbuAA6QtskpHoKky17iUiu_6wmLg_9/s200/Noah's+Animals.JPG" width="200" /></a>More than enough for her fingers, or to share with others who want to join her in play.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ1SyBzYpQoRZQKQsiN-jHn2-qQKeQrxcFG4QAX4xQUGutlFcs49zBkjSlrpDjEU1r01yZlN8zEKJQZ4jLRjjiE8gjx4ujQwcID3EesZAlgS2sWzkqlm9MwbVg9UJ5gP17-djkrlxoIXZl/s1600/Noah's+Friends.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/AVvXsEhZ1SyBzYpQoRZQKQsiN-jHn2-qQKeQrxcFG4QAX4xQUGutlFcs49zBkjSlrpDjEU1r01yZlN8zEKJQZ4jLRjjiE8gjx4ujQwcID3EesZAlgS2sWzkqlm9MwbVg9UJ5gP17-djkrlxoIXZl/s200/Noah's+Friends.JPG" width="200" /></a>I made the background on blue flannel, placing an ark with a deep pocket to hold all the animals.<br />
They can also stick anywhere on the flannel to entertain our littlest one as she pretends they are swimming, flying, or being collected for the pocket. She loves walking around with all her fingers carrying the assortment.<br />
The finished background rolls very small and be tied tightly, keeping the animals snugly tucked in the ark. So, for the littlest one and her friends, I hope these finger puppets fill many hours of play, and maybe some acting out this story by the older ones, giving them some enjoyment, too.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJD-duRo9Oa7cPLgLaYw_PHYKJXBOaiqJHirPY9Df41fJpyspljY_IaCufgtvM4dkjDbXhF2fM9-ftqSfGX_kE8mSOcI5sAUsbqM6zU3K_gUdtOmdJAKTE6foyrkXlcyrE8U-BZzXLKtyf/s1600/Purple+set.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/AVvXsEjJD-duRo9Oa7cPLgLaYw_PHYKJXBOaiqJHirPY9Df41fJpyspljY_IaCufgtvM4dkjDbXhF2fM9-ftqSfGX_kE8mSOcI5sAUsbqM6zU3K_gUdtOmdJAKTE6foyrkXlcyrE8U-BZzXLKtyf/s200/Purple+set.JPG" width="200" /></a>The 2 older girls tried on all the finger puppets, and loved the idea of a Noah's Ark Roll-Up, but their anticipation of what other cool things Grandma could pull out of her big suitcase made them struggle to settle on just playing with littlest one.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbtC-hdFsKo6tv567gPGlhpwkR7TLiP3rvQFGvxZSUHUFuQBeblzZPAQuKy31s9rufeQGlNSGIrWhV_oXEqt3l_qw8DKQgdvF8wg4saTv_GVrylPW7G2CSj8CEz73QRHfCzQWBtBx24tAV/s1600/100_4848.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/AVvXsEhbtC-hdFsKo6tv567gPGlhpwkR7TLiP3rvQFGvxZSUHUFuQBeblzZPAQuKy31s9rufeQGlNSGIrWhV_oXEqt3l_qw8DKQgdvF8wg4saTv_GVrylPW7G2CSj8CEz73QRHfCzQWBtBx24tAV/s200/100_4848.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj12rnQKfKxHyRm_E9J0M_mCummkkGRTEJxKCOe1JAXmtm5JKa6ROclp_O0_NvpmQugH_6bT_ORN-XDxqeBlDn1PmnLCYyaDANF-Pob5XjygorVwAUH1KkgBM9845FADRvHpHh8P0emvyZy/s1600/Pink+Set.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/AVvXsEj12rnQKfKxHyRm_E9J0M_mCummkkGRTEJxKCOe1JAXmtm5JKa6ROclp_O0_NvpmQugH_6bT_ORN-XDxqeBlDn1PmnLCYyaDANF-Pob5XjygorVwAUH1KkgBM9845FADRvHpHh8P0emvyZy/s200/Pink+Set.JPG" width="200" /></a>So, I pulled out 2 home-made NOTION KEEPERS which I had filled with sewing tools. We often talked on Skype of how much fun it would be to sew together, so I tried to think of age-aware projects these keepers could hold. I filled the pockets with the beginnings of a project and the tools they might need. For one, I chose things made with purple, and for the other, I chose pink tools.<br />
As soon as the treasures of each pocket were found, the projects needed to be started immediately. A sigh escaped each girl when their mom reminded them that the long flight had probably made Grandma a little tired.<br />
Reluctantly, the projects were tucked back in their pockets for an hour or two so that I could get my bearings and unpack my clothes.<br />
<br />Climbing to the Higher Callinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04643410106870132376noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5481103201823296549.post-34065358465139154442013-01-29T15:01:00.001-08:002013-01-29T15:01:04.725-08:00OH! I am so very busy with the coolest little projects, but I can't post any photos just yet because I'm making them as gift surprises to pack away in my suitcase for the upcoming trip to Southeast Asia!<br />
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I'm so excited as the departure day approaches! I'm just crazy about the 3 little girls waiting for my arrival and I cannot wait to wrap my arms around my beloved older daughter!<br />
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Of course, before I arrive, I have some drastically long days of flights!<br />
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So, until I land on a tropical island and unpack my suitcases, I'll just have to leave you on edge for what I've completed this month! Climbing to the Higher Callinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04643410106870132376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5481103201823296549.post-75767034490273352042012-12-09T20:02:00.000-08:002012-12-09T20:02:05.401-08:00Honoring My Dad's Life<span class="obit_name" style="color: #4b5838; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 24px; font-weight: bold;">Rev. Richard Leonard Brown</span><span style="color: #663300; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px;"> </span><strong style="color: #663300; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">(November 16, 2012)</strong><br />
<div align="justify" style="color: #663300; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">
<img align="right" class="img_border" src="http://www.hixson-kleinfuneralhome.com/obit_pictures/1095.jpg" style="border: 6px solid rgb(75, 88, 56); margin: 5px;" /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: small;"></span></span></div>
<div style="color: #663300; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-size: small;">Reverend Richard Leonard Brown, 90, of Kansas City, MO, went to meet his Lord and Savior on November 16<sup>th</sup>, 2012. </span></div>
<div style="color: #663300; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-size: small;">He was born on December 24, 1921 to Clyde and Gertrude (Graham) Brown in Waltham, Massachusetts, he spent his childhood in the West Newberry area where he graduated from Melrose High School. He attended a year of business classes from the University of MA before joining the U.S. Army after the attack on Pearl Harbor. He served his country as a 1<sup>st</sup> Lieutenant and Infantry Unit Commander, Company A, 307 Infantry, 77<sup>th</sup> Division. He fought in the Pacific, Guam, Philippines, Okinawa, and Occupation of Japan. He was recognized with the following military honors: Asiatic Pacific Medal with the Bronze Arrowhead, the WWII Victory Medal, The American Service Medal, 2 Purple Hearts, Bronze Star with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster, and the Philippine Liberation Medal.</span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="color: #663300; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">He was honorably discharged after</span><span style="color: #222222; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: small;"> V-J Day 1945. On December 27 1942, taking a leave of absence, following Officer Training, he was united in marriage to Adalene (“Ann”) Ruscilla Cook of Stoneham, MA.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="color: #663300; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: small;"></span></span><span style="font-size: small;">On release from active duty he settled with wife and first three children in Newton, Massachusetts where in 1950, he accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior. He worked for the Salvation Army, taught Accounting classes while attending Providence Bible College, earning his BA degree. He responded to God’s call to become a Baptist Minister. He became Pastor and was ordained at Curtis Corner Baptist Church, Peace Dale, RI. He later served as Pastor of West Roxbury Baptist Church in Roxbury, MA, Rushford Baptist Church in Rushford, NY, Christian Fellowship Baptist Church in Amherst, NY, and Dennison Corners Community Church, in Mohawk, NY. Following these years, he became Chaplain to the Syracuse Rescue Mission, Syracuse, NY and also served as Associate Pastor to DeWitt Community Church in Dewitt, NY. Upon retirement in 1992, he moved to Smithville, Missouri, where he and his wife continued in ministry to local churches, to the Independent Baptist Association, and as volunteers with Source of Light Mission. His wife Ann passed away on February 6, 2006.</span></span></div>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Those that knew him best also knew that he was proud to have served his country, humbled and changed by the Grace of God, honored to be called into Christian Ministry, blessed with a loving wife and family, excited and enthused any time he could be together in fellowship with his loving family of Christian Saints, and a dedicated disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ, anxious to witness that <b>“Jesus Paid It All – All To Him I Owe”!</b></i></span><span style="color: #222222; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: small;">"Dick” is survived by his eight children, twenty-seven grandchildren, and 3</span></span><span style="font-size: small;">1 </span><span style="color: #222222; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: small;">great-grandchildren. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: small;"></span></span><span style="font-size: small;">Private family services, Hixson-Klein Funeral Home, Gower</span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: small;">In lieu of flowers, donations to Gideon’s International PO BOX 140800 Nashville, TN 37212-0800</span></span></span>Climbing to the Higher Callinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04643410106870132376noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5481103201823296549.post-62136835109759613352012-10-27T06:41:00.000-07:002012-10-27T06:41:01.071-07:00FNSI Accomplishment<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdqWrDdwOfcMq8vETXkRctF-Tu6A_GtSP83gJklblj4emWgZVvlC6sPNYK3vyK8DMy8OZksfUv526cPEFkGdyq-u326fqi0hOqh804a8AdFtXy52TltAW7QANArLWDm9BJN2dO5JVKeBBz/s1600/thread+&+thimble.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="172" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdqWrDdwOfcMq8vETXkRctF-Tu6A_GtSP83gJklblj4emWgZVvlC6sPNYK3vyK8DMy8OZksfUv526cPEFkGdyq-u326fqi0hOqh804a8AdFtXy52TltAW7QANArLWDm9BJN2dO5JVKeBBz/s200/thread+&+thimble.png" width="200" /></a>The evening was full of "Dad activity" because he seems to need more and more attention as the sun descends the horizon, but I was able to simply pick up my needle between calls from his bed and accomplish more than I expected.<br />
I am so glad I chose a relaxing project for my FNSI.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl27fCsicSZqI-yz81Y6L2WpS2RkyUAN5wcW2hHx05PQ0euK8HQcviyDCqd3ypaYtbtClyaOR-RNav3yVxF1NrZWqnnKn-1rtkRZVgbQ7HrDjAtIjOwdEmsH2Z3G_SZF-29Am0w1gVdxDC/s1600/Finished+REDWORK+1.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/AVvXsEhl27fCsicSZqI-yz81Y6L2WpS2RkyUAN5wcW2hHx05PQ0euK8HQcviyDCqd3ypaYtbtClyaOR-RNav3yVxF1NrZWqnnKn-1rtkRZVgbQ7HrDjAtIjOwdEmsH2Z3G_SZF-29Am0w1gVdxDC/s200/Finished+REDWORK+1.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">10 in square completed!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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I completed my 10" square REDWORK of wild daisies and began the 5"square of four-petaled flowers.<br />
Not bad for an evening, I think!<br />
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I absolutely love the contrast of garnet embroidery thread against white cotton in REDWORK! I am anxious to assemble my Notions Keeper and tuck it away for a gift!Climbing to the Higher Callinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04643410106870132376noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5481103201823296549.post-47332022967900115322012-10-26T14:06:00.002-07:002012-10-26T17:51:41.672-07:00My Plans for my FRIDAY NIGHT SEW IN<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHv-6IQCg6nMEnNntYvj360Fw0cohH3wOqm9MsLtTNixAyMSsFYO9ZZbnkdTeIwgsMuiYyJIJkzZq15aMzXj5bUUerQBp38cTyNBuFBTXw_DqoShAI15ZOOqX70NmOXD_hvDoVxdr-tsYp/s1600/REDWORK+2.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/AVvXsEhHv-6IQCg6nMEnNntYvj360Fw0cohH3wOqm9MsLtTNixAyMSsFYO9ZZbnkdTeIwgsMuiYyJIJkzZq15aMzXj5bUUerQBp38cTyNBuFBTXw_DqoShAI15ZOOqX70NmOXD_hvDoVxdr-tsYp/s200/REDWORK+2.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Drawn pattern for REDWORK</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Encouraged by a fellow-blogger, the last Friday night of each month is dedicated to a SEW-IN. I have hopes tonight to accomplish the <b>REDWORD</b> for a Quilted Notions Keeper I am making. Although the photo is light, I think you can see my pattern is daisies and will all be sewn with the embroidery back-stitch. (<span style="font-size: xx-small;">check back later for a finished look)</span><br />
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My evening hopefully will find me relaxing in my living room recliner, while my weary body rests from my ambitious Fall cleaning. Yup, I've already begun to prepare for the Holidays. A smile is pasted on my face because my oven is cleaned, the cabinets dusted, the cans organized, and even the main walls are dusted down from cobwebs and summer dust.<br />
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<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/AVvXsEjvrnlSnm6FuhgFm61KDu8TtOQokVlxaDqeZHBdcpfV2oRFXUk8eaKeVs7IliyoHzNxmKvEtpcFMxoofpLkUySd5W9Zn0xCwgD9TNKvPBwD2ql0hldvQ50gSPiduUwBfNEi-0FTEBukbIOA/s1600/Fabric+Choices.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvrnlSnm6FuhgFm61KDu8TtOQokVlxaDqeZHBdcpfV2oRFXUk8eaKeVs7IliyoHzNxmKvEtpcFMxoofpLkUySd5W9Zn0xCwgD9TNKvPBwD2ql0hldvQ50gSPiduUwBfNEi-0FTEBukbIOA/s200/Fabric+Choices.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fabric Choices</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWbUnUJKYOrM-RqADyrYPGCwhHrMJlbmXLtbQ-lzQ6h2D_R5W-X5_XoO9jXHfOhCgJ6icHwM1NWg9MSgotONKVWU3Xq96vFu-mDRqICxNuHEJ-LZeGSvictZ9OkiStr-jfTiRk_p0dXvVj/s1600/Book+Photo.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/AVvXsEjWbUnUJKYOrM-RqADyrYPGCwhHrMJlbmXLtbQ-lzQ6h2D_R5W-X5_XoO9jXHfOhCgJ6icHwM1NWg9MSgotONKVWU3Xq96vFu-mDRqICxNuHEJ-LZeGSvictZ9OkiStr-jfTiRk_p0dXvVj/s200/Book+Photo.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Book Photo of Inner Keeper</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It's also been a wearily stressful week in my efforts to care for my elderly Dad. He collapsed over the weekend, and by Monday morning, he was so weak he was taken to Hospice House for symptom management. Although, nurses and technicians took over the heavy work, I stayed at the House with him and emotionally worked through all that would be required now for his care. I happily announce that he is resting in his own bed now, and we've had a couple of more peaceful days. Thank you for all your prayers on his behalf and for my concerns.<br />
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So, my friends, please join me <i><span style="color: red;">tonight</span></i> in <b><span style="font-size: large;">FNSI</span></b> (<a href="http://www.handmadebyheidi.blogspot.com/#">http://www.handmadebyheidi.blogspot.com/#</a>)!<br />
Have fun...and let me know what you accomplished on this wonderful nippy Autumn evening!<br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>Credit for my inspiration of a Notion Keeper was found in the book REDWORK with a TWIST by Pat Sloan. My camera captured a photo in my purchased book for your pleasure. </i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>Pat's blog site is: </i></span><a href="http://patsloan.typepad.com/quiltershome/contactq.html">http://patsloan.typepad.com/quiltershome/contactq.html</a>Climbing to the Higher Callinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04643410106870132376noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5481103201823296549.post-34995124422213109142012-10-02T18:47:00.001-07:002012-10-02T18:47:57.228-07:00Wow! I did it!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjamggvs-amvaVQl86lVbXWi1MJoS7lnNvJN_WcG4rCUxdKwraXLaRmOLvJeIv4vYcxw5YJtTf_bpND64_Nng5h9XaO1VkVXcujva8zjv2-3YbMtquRUvWnuUEIYT_H1ieDsFm9pjo2H9t/s1600/2-Drawn+Lines.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/AVvXsEgjamggvs-amvaVQl86lVbXWi1MJoS7lnNvJN_WcG4rCUxdKwraXLaRmOLvJeIv4vYcxw5YJtTf_bpND64_Nng5h9XaO1VkVXcujva8zjv2-3YbMtquRUvWnuUEIYT_H1ieDsFm9pjo2H9t/s200/2-Drawn+Lines.JPG" width="200" /></a>Well, the sandwich was ready, the feed dog down, the darning foot attached, the lines drawn on each 4.5" square, and the machine's tension checked.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJAs4Abo_hkvk_t0p_zZEGHeWdums1IwUvOuk_3wP6v6M2-6xf8OcP3u9yTPAKHGZdfW1HFxeETQyXyrlcgMd4lS4AzY0RzGQfM7vPQCYX0Z_RKDDq7CnFedZ_bffvd5u8l71XC2aTtIul/s1600/4-Quilted+LOOP.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/AVvXsEiJAs4Abo_hkvk_t0p_zZEGHeWdums1IwUvOuk_3wP6v6M2-6xf8OcP3u9yTPAKHGZdfW1HFxeETQyXyrlcgMd4lS4AzY0RzGQfM7vPQCYX0Z_RKDDq7CnFedZ_bffvd5u8l71XC2aTtIul/s200/4-Quilted+LOOP.JPG" width="150" /></a>Now it was time to make the first LOOP!<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG94X9nTwO-ID-gCH_jWOwm_vEq4sDoMSBHbljKzB3dT_WqrPwxf82Sn9Ft1VakukXGPpiOQUnNpzH6_eSN7iY-nws9_PL2eGlarHH9YdaQ8chUObdZFqPUz3-9khY78Nq-SbAn59l1HJT/s1600/3-Quilted+LOOP+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG94X9nTwO-ID-gCH_jWOwm_vEq4sDoMSBHbljKzB3dT_WqrPwxf82Sn9Ft1VakukXGPpiOQUnNpzH6_eSN7iY-nws9_PL2eGlarHH9YdaQ8chUObdZFqPUz3-9khY78Nq-SbAn59l1HJT/s200/3-Quilted+LOOP+%25282%2529.JPG" width="150" /></a>Practice showed me that I could do it, but this was the real thing...a quilt I wanted my sister to have!<br />
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With bated breath, I stepped on my foot control and moved my hands in a steady rate, like I had practiced over and over! One figure 8, turn the quilt and finish the loop with another figure 8!<br />
It was done...and it really looked like it was supposed to look! Wow!<br />
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I did it! I really can <i>free motion</i> quilt...and it looks cute!<br />
Oh, <i>thank you</i>, Eva Larkin, for your wonderful book and your encouragement to newbies like me! <br />
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<br />Climbing to the Higher Callinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04643410106870132376noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5481103201823296549.post-35227856490314031912012-10-02T13:15:00.002-07:002012-10-02T13:15:38.559-07:00Dreams Become a Gift of LoveSince my last post, I've been wearing out the pages of <u>Free-Motion Quilting Made Easy</u>! I read, re-read the techniques <i>Eva Larkin</i> suggests. Then, I draw them in a journal or practice on 12" squares, which I've divided into 4.5" sewing areas! These activities have convinced me that practice does indeed make machine quilting easier. I won't hesitate to put many 12" squares under my needle before I feel comfortable with most of the book's free motion quilting designs. It has really helped me to think and quilt one <i>small</i> space at a time. My hands are beginning to move in a habitual sway now, which is so encouraging.<br />
I have many more white practice squares, but my projects are need some attention, too!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7YoJtHwXXOBaPPMIaba6g99hDiMdj9ikuNRRRUb3WFDJJOM4w_dE4jYWG8Nt8r1Bj5sq9khx4A08oaKxP6QI8KUKvKqh0iIEtwiD31ZZe2W8LPMASnzxjCUe74xV_8mPw5NHugaq7GyUv/s1600/Moisture+free+pads.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/AVvXsEh7YoJtHwXXOBaPPMIaba6g99hDiMdj9ikuNRRRUb3WFDJJOM4w_dE4jYWG8Nt8r1Bj5sq9khx4A08oaKxP6QI8KUKvKqh0iIEtwiD31ZZe2W8LPMASnzxjCUe74xV_8mPw5NHugaq7GyUv/s200/Moisture+free+pads.JPG" width="200" /></a>As I care for my elderly Dad with my Hospice team, my heavy heart waits for updates on a very sick older sister. Knowing how hard it must be to only look at hospital colors and feel their stiffness, I fill my head with dreams which someday, hopefully, surrounds this queen of a lady with beauty and softness. Earlier this summer, I heard of a simple need she had, so I made several moisture proof mats for her hospital bed and couch. Just as I finished and had them ready to package, I was asked to hold on to them. She had fallen several times, alerting medical, and causing a period of observation in the hospital.<br />
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It seems she is struggling again with the symptoms of her 27 year old battle with brain cancer.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKNQqs-LxU_GVPxDDV-jeBWQfVPObXYml4phNeyTuY8xJlR6jCfnK51q9v75UOSVWGAZenosfFB75HaatTetnX3fR3hUrCN8In2IGWQ4VkfJH_pU53bxc_0dR3rnVdbhKVSyG8z3Q5ALtl/s1600/3-Finished+top.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKNQqs-LxU_GVPxDDV-jeBWQfVPObXYml4phNeyTuY8xJlR6jCfnK51q9v75UOSVWGAZenosfFB75HaatTetnX3fR3hUrCN8In2IGWQ4VkfJH_pU53bxc_0dR3rnVdbhKVSyG8z3Q5ALtl/s200/3-Finished+top.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="200" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhegB5HgFVlxoVtL45Hu1xS9CXz4j5G4mJxPxGcd7wIb1f3OYigqfDc_TMvRr48hvC1cOeXPbmHQg_CRVYOCJ2TY4R_BjvrXIY10Xw2J0rd2QqbS93VE4022oWTzDRnTEA_K1BJzl4vW-62/s1600/Ready+for+assembly.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/AVvXsEhegB5HgFVlxoVtL45Hu1xS9CXz4j5G4mJxPxGcd7wIb1f3OYigqfDc_TMvRr48hvC1cOeXPbmHQg_CRVYOCJ2TY4R_BjvrXIY10Xw2J0rd2QqbS93VE4022oWTzDRnTEA_K1BJzl4vW-62/s200/Ready+for+assembly.JPG" width="200" /></a>So, while I wait for the mats to be summoned, I've filled more spare time to add another dream to the package. With the leftover stash of pastel colored flannel fabrics, I cut 5 inch squares and assembled them. My hope is to use the techniques I've learned from the Free Motion Quilting book to quilt a soft feminine <i>throw</i> for the times she sits in her wheelchair or recliner.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgrPXPXkFFMQc5bQ9yE_u2ol9rjaBXKxltm2VMB0Y0sfuVxg46VC_y98vXonDwdv5k5S4OkzesY4jOs2qx9K-e-XmhhbXVzxE7FCynX9aoM4I_63ZQ_RS_ae_ZIh75ZrBhEyk1Zt4ZpUoP/s1600/sewing+the+squares.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgrPXPXkFFMQc5bQ9yE_u2ol9rjaBXKxltm2VMB0Y0sfuVxg46VC_y98vXonDwdv5k5S4OkzesY4jOs2qx9K-e-XmhhbXVzxE7FCynX9aoM4I_63ZQ_RS_ae_ZIh75ZrBhEyk1Zt4ZpUoP/s200/sewing+the+squares.JPG" width="200" /></a>Today, I finished the top of this little throw. I used 505 to baste and sandwich it. This morning, I drew the horizontal and vertical lines in each block as Eva did. This quilting will remain quite simple, but hopefully, I've practiced some easy curves of the LOOP well enough to apply them to these squares.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJou3Rvcy-1iruvmABpzqvF6JnJ4o_HL0mgQKPL0oHNrzKE9TgG0y2WQAckolGic4z5MlbdElzxg94AgbB2LL_Ken8Me60Twg3nMxqu9KfmW4piy-IusAH0n2VFXFhLiux7qs0BT7InVM1/s1600/Finished+top.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/AVvXsEjJou3Rvcy-1iruvmABpzqvF6JnJ4o_HL0mgQKPL0oHNrzKE9TgG0y2WQAckolGic4z5MlbdElzxg94AgbB2LL_Ken8Me60Twg3nMxqu9KfmW4piy-IusAH0n2VFXFhLiux7qs0BT7InVM1/s200/Finished+top.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
Dear readers, please pray for my sweet older sister who now needs wisdom and endurance for the very basic necessities of life. Pray that she conquers the spirit of fear and allows her heart to rest in her Heavenly Father's Everlasting Arms as He upholds her and gives her the strength for the days ahead.<br />
Thank you.Climbing to the Higher Callinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04643410106870132376noreply@blogger.com0