tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38291600085055964342024-03-13T22:52:19.747-04:00Stitch LiterateSome words and pictures about quiltingLeslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16704884943240371266noreply@blogger.comBlogger257125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3829160008505596434.post-1549105924068951422013-06-23T09:48:00.000-04:002013-06-23T09:48:48.874-04:00Preparations I am about to embark on a trip to the far side of the world. I'm not a particularly good traveler - I don't like to fly and I am by nature a homebody. I'm sure I'll enjoy myself once I get there, but as the flight time gets closer I get more and more anxious. What better way to manage anxiety than to do what I like most: sew! I wanted to use the quilt-as-you-go method for bag panels made popular by Elizabeth Hartmann, and I chose one of her <a href="http://www.ohfransson.bigcartel.com/product/perfect-quilted-totes-pdf-sewing-pattern" target="_blank">perfect quilted tote patterns</a> to try it out. Here's the final product:<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wadewoolley/9059328807/" title="upload by Stitchliterate, on Flickr"><img alt="upload" height="612" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7297/9059328807_3d64840594_o.jpg" width="612" /></a><br />
Here is the inside. I used directional fabric (this is from Amy Butler's Lark line, I believe), and I got one of the pieces going the wrong way around (not the only time I was directionally challenged), but it doesn't bother me. There's an internal zip pocket and a little slip pocket. If I were to do this again, I'd interface the slip pocket, as it is pretty limp and I don't know how useful it's going to be for actually holding things.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wadewoolley/9114537639/" title="Bag interior by Stitchliterate, on Flickr"><img alt="Bag interior" height="2448" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7440/9114537639_663d857888_o.jpg" width="3264" /></a><br />
I made an alteration to the pattern to increase functionality. I added a panel to the back that has a zipper at the bottom. This allows the bag to slip over the handle of a roller bag. When it is being used as a regular handbag, you can close the zip and it acts as a large outside pocket. I'm super proud of this feature, since I figured it out by myself (I didn't think of it myself - I have seen this on other travel bags in shops).<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wadewoolley/9060019543/" title="Back has pocket with zipper on the bottom to slide over roller bag handles by Stitchliterate, on Flickr"><img alt="Back has pocket with zipper on the bottom to slide over roller bag handles" height="612" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3736/9060019543_0d5f0f7628_o.jpg" width="612" /></a><br />
Here's a closer shot of the zipper on the bottom. You might also notice that the bird on the back panel is sideways - I didn't realize I had pieced this bit the wrong way around until the pocket panel was finished, but I wasn't bothered enough to make another one.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wadewoolley/9059345177/" title="Zipper on the bottom - close if using for non-roller bag travel and it makes an outside pocket by Stitchliterate, on Flickr"><img alt="Zipper on the bottom - close if using for non-roller bag travel and it makes an outside pocket" height="612" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7425/9059345177_80b7486d86_o.jpg" width="612" /></a><br />
Can't recommend the pattern highly enough. Many colour photos, very thorough text. I used cotton canvas as a base for the quilt as you go, with Soft and Stable as the batting, and I think this is a fantastic combination. The Soft and Stable simply knocked my socks off - it makes a great bag that really holds its shape so well. I think I'll never go back to fusible batting. Here's what the final product looks like in action.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wadewoolley/9061624186/" title="Tote bag completed! by Stitchliterate, on Flickr"><img alt="Tote bag completed!" height="612" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7430/9061624186_c61c7d5aeb_o.jpg" width="612" /></a><br />
I'll be going to Australia to do some work with a colleague at the University of Sydney, then to Hong Kong for a conference. I'll leave Hong Kong to go back to Australia to visit with another colleague at the Queensland University of Technology (Brisbane) for a few days and then I'll go to New Zealand (Wellington) to see my brother and sister-in-law. And then home. In all, I'll be on planes for over 70 hours during the month I'll be away. Any ideas about (1) how to survive the long flights, (2) must-read ebooks, or (3) things to do/see in Sydney, Brisbane, Hong Kong or Wellington NZ will be gratefully received!<br />
<br />Leslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16704884943240371266noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3829160008505596434.post-5561079866780982452013-06-17T06:23:00.000-04:002013-06-17T06:25:54.085-04:00EPP for the win! Now for the winner of <a href="http://lifeunderquilts.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">Jessica's</a> book <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Quilting-Go-English-Projects-Anywhere/dp/0770434126/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1363724203&sr=8-1&keywords=alexandrakis" target="_blank">Quilting On the Go</a>! I wish everyone could win, but the RNG picked #45. The winner is Deborah!<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Fy6tNtZa0GM/Ub7gXytbaNI/AAAAAAAAAac/aksMXxdvKVg/s1600/Deborah.tiff" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="129" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Fy6tNtZa0GM/Ub7gXytbaNI/AAAAAAAAAac/aksMXxdvKVg/s640/Deborah.tiff" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Deborah, I'll be sending you an email with details soon - congratulations! And if you didn't win my giveaway, you can have another chance by going to visit <a href="http://www.charmaboutyou.com/2013/06/quilting-on-go-blog-hop-and-giveaway.html" target="_blank">Lucy</a>. The blog tour for the book continues:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_494438148" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">June 17</span></span> Lucy at Charm About You <a href="http://www.charmaboutyou.com/" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 38, 16); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; color: #1155cc; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://www.charmaboutyou.com/</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_494438149" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">June 18</span></span> Katy at I'm A Ginger Monkey <a href="http://www.imagingermonkey.blogspot.com/" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 38, 16); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; color: #1155cc; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://www.imagingermonkey.<wbr></wbr>blogspot.com/</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_494438150" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">June 19</span></span> Ara Jane at What Ara Jane Loves <a href="http://whatarajaneloves.blogspot.com/" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 38, 16); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; color: #1155cc; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://whatarajaneloves.<wbr></wbr>blogspot.com/</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_494438151" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">June 20</span></span> Kathy at Pink Chalk Studio Blog <a href="http://www.pinkchalkstudio.com/blog/" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 38, 16); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; color: #1155cc; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://www.pinkchalkstudio.<wbr></wbr>com/blog/</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_494438152" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">June 21</span></span> Jessica at Life Under Quilts <a href="http://lifeunderquilts.blogspot.com/" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 38, 16); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; color: #1155cc; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://lifeunderquilts.<wbr></wbr>blogspot.com/</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I also wanted to show you another example of how EPP isn't restricted to hexagons or diamonds. <span style="background-color: transparent;">I've had this Camelot pattern by Trish Harper for ages; it sure makes a</span><span style="background-color: transparent;"> </span><a href="https://www.google.ca/search?q=camelot+quilt&client=safari&rls=en&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=i9y-UcysH9ey4AOJoIGIAg&ved=0CD0QsAQ&biw=1240&bih=582" style="background-color: transparent;" target="_blank">gorgeous quilt</a><span style="background-color: transparent;">. The blocks are made for hand piecing, but I thought I'd try them using EPP. Here's the first one; it's a bit wrinkly since I pressed it with the papers still in, but I wanted to set the seams before I removed the papers. It worked pretty well, so I am busy prepping a few more blocks to take with me on my travels at the end of the month. I will be spending over 60 hours in the air in the space of a month, so I'll need plenty to keep me busy!</span></span></div>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wadewoolley/9060057663/" title="#Camelot quilt block but done via #EPP by Stitchliterate, on Flickr"><img alt="#Camelot quilt block but done via #EPP" height="500" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5534/9060057663_c96f431318.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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P.S. Don't forget that <a href="http://www.paperpieces.com/" target="_blank">Paper Pieces</a> is offering 20% off your shopping cart for the duration of the blog tour!<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Iu8cXEVZFxQ/UbaWJS9w_FI/AAAAAAAAAZk/BpaJo8KXxiI/s1600/0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Iu8cXEVZFxQ/UbaWJS9w_FI/AAAAAAAAAZk/BpaJo8KXxiI/s1600/0.jpg" /></a></div>
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<br />Leslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16704884943240371266noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3829160008505596434.post-14493804130210117022013-06-11T05:55:00.001-04:002013-06-16T06:06:36.994-04:00Quilting On the Go blog tour and giveaway!I am thrilled to be the one to kick off the blog tour for Jessica Alexandrakis' s book <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Quilting-Go-English-Projects-Anywhere/dp/0770434126/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1363724203&sr=8-1&keywords=alexandrakis" target="_blank">Quilting On the Go</a>, published by Potter Craft in North America and Search Press elsewhere.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-47kQnN_22WM/UbaMZCjzX1I/AAAAAAAAAZA/DHIm6t8KRzw/s1600/Quilting+on+the+Go-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-47kQnN_22WM/UbaMZCjzX1I/AAAAAAAAAZA/DHIm6t8KRzw/s320/Quilting+on+the+Go-1.jpg" width="272" /></a></div>
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This blog tour runs until June 21 at the blogs listed below. There are two chances to win a copy of this great book. Leave a comment on this post until June 15, with the winner announced on June 16, or visit Lucy at <a href="http://www.charmaboutyou.com/" target="_blank">Charm About You</a> from June 17-21.<br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_494438142" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">June 11</span></span> Lesly at StitchLiterate <a href="http://pickledish.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">http://pickledish.blogspot.com</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_494438143" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">June 12</span></span> Clare at Selfsewn <a href="http://selfsewn.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">http://selfsewn.blogspot.com/</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_494438144" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">June 13</span></span> Christina at A Few Scraps <a href="http://afewscraps.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">http://afewscraps.blogspot.<wbr></wbr>com/</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_494438145" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">June 14</span></span> Victoria @ Bumblebeans <a href="http://bumblebeansinc.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">http://bumblebeansinc.<wbr></wbr>blogspot.com/</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_494438146" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">June 15</span></span> Amanda Jean at Crazymomquilts <a href="http://www.crazymomquilts.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">http://www.crazymomquilts.<wbr></wbr>blogspot.com/</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_494438147" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">June 16</span></span> Laura at Quokka Quilts <a href="http://quokkaquilts.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">http://quokkaquilts.blogspot.<wbr></wbr>com/</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_494438148" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">June 17</span></span> Lucy at Charm About You <a href="http://www.charmaboutyou.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">http://www.charmaboutyou.com/</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_494438149" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">June 18</span></span> Katy at I'm A Ginger Monkey <a href="http://www.imagingermonkey.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">http://www.imagingermonkey.<wbr></wbr>blogspot.com/</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_494438150" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">June 19</span></span> Ara Jane at What Ara Jane Loves <a href="http://whatarajaneloves.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">http://whatarajaneloves.<wbr></wbr>blogspot.com/</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_494438151" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">June 20</span></span> Kathy at Pink Chalk Studio Blog <a href="http://www.pinkchalkstudio.com/blog/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">http://www.pinkchalkstudio.<wbr></wbr>com/blog/</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_494438152" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">June 21</span></span> Jessica at Life Under Quilts <a href="http://lifeunderquilts.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">http://lifeunderquilts.<wbr></wbr>blogspot.com/</a></span></div>
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Jessica blogs at <a href="http://lifeunderquilts.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Life Under Quilts</a>, and she is responsible for getting me hooked on English Paper Piecing. In 2010 I was looking for some kind of portable hand project to take with me on a trip to the US and Jess suggested I try EPP. I had never been such a big fan of the hexagons, but I did like the 60-degree diamonds. I was surprised at how quickly these little scraps of fabric and paper or plastic added up and transformed into something amazing! There are a couple of small photos of my first EPP project in Jess's book, and I blogged about it in <a href="http://pickledish.blogspot.ca/2013/03/some-things-are-worth-waiting-for.html" target="_blank">this post</a>, but here's another photo of it:<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wadewoolley/8573541310/" title="EPP 60 degree diamond star quilt by Stitchliterate, on Flickr"><img alt="EPP 60 degree diamond star quilt" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8385/8573541310_1070e8b18e.jpg" /></a><br />
The book is filled with many time-saving tips and great ideas for organizing fabric and supplies for travel. I learned so much from watching the video that Jess made, one handed (holding her baby with the other), a long time ago, and all those helpful suggestions are in the book. I used the plastic Quilt Patis templates for my diamond EPP projects, but another great option is the precut paper templates from <a href="http://www.paperpieces.com/" target="_blank">Paper Pieces</a>. If you want to try these, it's a good time to do so, because they are offering 20% off your entire shopping cart, no minimum purchase, with the code UNDER20, during the blog tour.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Iu8cXEVZFxQ/UbaWJS9w_FI/AAAAAAAAAZg/wSirUST1sFg/s1600/0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Iu8cXEVZFxQ/UbaWJS9w_FI/AAAAAAAAAZg/wSirUST1sFg/s1600/0.jpg" /></a></div>
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Jess asked me to show some photos of other EPP projects I've been working on, and it's good timing to show the finished quilt top of this rose star project that I started about a year and a half ago. I jumped on the <a href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/rosestarblockparty/" target="_blank">bandwagon</a> that Clare at <a href="http://selfsewn.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Selfsewn</a> was leading at the time, and I loved making every single block. </div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wadewoolley/8948033791/" title="Rose starlets all pieced. by Stitchliterate, on Flickr"><img alt="Rose starlets all pieced." height="612" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8560/8948033791_4c7d32dc3a_o.jpg" width="612" /></a></div>
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I'm not generally a fussy cutter, but this time I did fussy cut all the centre hexagons. This one with the Lizzie House fox is my very favourite.</div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wadewoolley/9011658671/" title="photo.JPG by Stitchliterate, on Flickr"><img alt="photo.JPG" height="1024" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7416/9011658671_0660b2c689_b.jpg" width="768" /></a></div>
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I just have to decide how to deal with the edges of this quilt. I could make a few half stars to even out the edges - it will either be that or applique the edges onto a wider border.</div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wadewoolley/9011647257/" title="photo.JPG by Stitchliterate, on Flickr"><img alt="photo.JPG" height="1024" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5326/9011647257_6aabb9a190_b.jpg" width="768" /></a></div>
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I wasn't entirely sure about that Ghastlies fabric as a background at first, but I do think it is a good choice - it has a bit of action, but not so much that it competes with the stars.</div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wadewoolley/9012047773/" title="photo.JPG by Stitchliterate, on Flickr"><img alt="photo.JPG" height="1024" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7359/9012047773_d9b97853b2_b.jpg" width="768" /></a></div>
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I can't recommend EPP highly enough if you are casting about for a portable project to take with you. I can't do any kind of sewing in the car because I get queasy, but I have certainly taken these projects with me on many a train or plane trip. I'm a very nervous flyer, and hand stitching keeps me calm on the plane. When I travel for work, I like to have an EPP project to do at night while I sit in my hotel room before bed. So I really find that having an on-the-go EPP project is a must, and even at home, most every night I have something in my hands while we watch television. Here is a photo of my most recent plane trip in May:</div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wadewoolley/9012811592/" title="photo.JPG by Stitchliterate, on Flickr"><img alt="photo.JPG" height="1024" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3738/9012811592_0e85c4a944_b.jpg" width="768" /></a></div>
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I've got the fabric cut diamonds for the whole project in the larger zip bag, and basted diamonds in the smaller bag. I have a larger pair of scissors in my checked bag, but these tiny Gingher snips meet TSA specs, although I have often had my carry-on gear inspected once they see them in the x-ray. I once posted about how I hated that Clover desktop threader, but I realized that I was using the wrong needles. If you use round eye needles, it works a treat, and I couldn't live without it. It's a bit bulky for traveling, but I do love it that much now. </div>
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Here's how that project looks now. It's only going to be a little mini - I wanted to try working with those Oakshott cottons. The depth and play of the colours don't show up so well in these photos - they are amazing to work with and to see in person.</div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wadewoolley/9011636087/" title="photo.JPG by Stitchliterate, on Flickr"><img alt="photo.JPG" height="1024" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3740/9011636087_7c3d79e174_b.jpg" width="768" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wadewoolley/9011630705/" title="photo.JPG by Stitchliterate, on Flickr"><img alt="photo.JPG" height="1024" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2839/9011630705_ce8953594d_b.jpg" width="768" /></a></div>
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Just one warning about flying with EPP: be careful during turbulence. As I mentioned, I don't like flying, but I do find that hand stitching gives me something besides crashing to think about and calms me down. One time we hit a patch of turbulence and as I was drawing the thread through, I poked myself in the cheek with the needle! So use caution!</div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wadewoolley/9011640873/" title="photo.JPG by Stitchliterate, on Flickr"><img alt="photo.JPG" height="1024" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7431/9011640873_1a5baa8b75_b.jpg" width="768" /></a></div>
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(Hmmm, it looks like I have been thoroughly over-served in this photo, but it was only the sunlight in my eyes.)</div>
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Quilting On the Go can be purchased at these outlets:</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j-CTSHLpIRM/UbaSZw76sdI/AAAAAAAAAZU/UVca3th4Igc/s1600/amazon-button-graphic.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j-CTSHLpIRM/UbaSZw76sdI/AAAAAAAAAZU/UVca3th4Igc/s1600/amazon-button-graphic.bmp" /></a><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Quilting-Go-English-Projects-Anywhere/dp/0770434126/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1363724203&sr=8-1&keywords=alexandrakis" style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; font-family: tahoma, 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 16px;" target="_blank">http://www.amazon.com/<wbr></wbr>Quilting-Go-English-Projects-<wbr></wbr>Anywhere/dp/0770434126/ref=sr_<wbr></wbr>1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1363724203&sr=<wbr></wbr>8-1&keywords=alexandrakis</a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OpizL7dy3Eg/UbalJx1x8II/AAAAAAAAAZw/QSD3UHm9yHo/s1600/bn-button-graphic.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OpizL7dy3Eg/UbalJx1x8II/AAAAAAAAAZw/QSD3UHm9yHo/s1600/bn-button-graphic.bmp" /></a><a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/quilting-on-the-go-jessica-alexandrakis/1113855077?ean=9780770434120" style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; font-family: tahoma, 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 16px;" target="_blank">http://www.barnesandnoble.com/<wbr></wbr>w/quilting-on-the-go-jessica-<wbr></wbr>alexandrakis/1113855077?ean=<wbr></wbr>9780770434120</a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QAumFzADaFw/UbamN24LDrI/AAAAAAAAAZ8/giSjj6_tlGI/s1600/indiebound-button-graphic.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QAumFzADaFw/UbamN24LDrI/AAAAAAAAAZ8/giSjj6_tlGI/s1600/indiebound-button-graphic.bmp" /></a><a href="http://www.indiebound.org/book/9780770434120" style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; font-family: tahoma, 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 16px;" target="_blank">http://www.indiebound.org/<wbr></wbr>book/9780770434120</a></div>
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Congratulations, Jess, on producing a great book, and thanks for allowing me to be part of it! To enter the giveaway, please leave a comment below telling me about your experience with EPP. The comment thread will be closed the evening of June 15, and I will select the winner on June 16. If you don't win, be sure to go visit <a href="http://www.charmaboutyou.com/" target="_blank">Lucy</a> June 17-21 for another chance! Edited to add: if you can't find the comment box, you may not be at the permalinked page for this post. Go <a href="http://pickledish.blogspot.com/2013/06/quilting-on-go-blog-tour-and-giveaway.html" target="_blank">here</a>, and it should be there for you. June 16 update: The giveaway is now closed and the winner will be announced shortly - good luck, everyone!</div>
Leslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16704884943240371266noreply@blogger.com155tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3829160008505596434.post-45880140914663451672013-04-21T13:17:00.000-04:002013-04-21T13:17:20.854-04:00Fab Little Quilt Swap completed<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wadewoolley/8658093040/" title="Finished! I hope you like it, partner! by Stitchliterate, on Flickr"><img alt="Finished! I hope you like it, partner!" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8114/8658093040_61cdedf5cc.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
I got quite a bit of feedback on the different possibilities for backgrounds on this little mini, and of course the opinions varied as much as they possibly could. I think this is a good sign that my instincts are generally good, since all of them could have led to nice results, albeit all quite different in their overall effect.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wadewoolley/8656988187/" title="upload by Stitchliterate, on Flickr"><img alt="upload" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8104/8656988187_d69b1d34a3.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
In the end, I went back to my partner's profile and tried to get a holistic sense of what she would like. She wasn't very involved in commenting on the photos or in the discussion threads, but from her description of her likes and dislikes, I finally went with the Nicey Jane yellow fabric. I used a narrowish zigzag to quilt the segments of the flower, and I think it looks nice.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wadewoolley/8668185325/" title="photo.JPG by Stitchliterate, on Flickr"><img alt="photo.JPG" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8395/8668185325_59753401bf.jpg" width="375" /></a><br />
Just to recap, I used <a href="http://jonaetlili.blogspot.de/2013/03/hello.html" target="_blank">Johanna's Royal Bloom tutorial</a> for this flower, but instead of English paper piecing, I used raw edge applique and added a couple of die-cut flowers for the centre motif. It was relatively quick and easy, and the impact is all bang for the buck. I think I'll have to try this one again, for myself this time!<br />
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<br />Leslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16704884943240371266noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3829160008505596434.post-73751863015363235572013-04-14T18:08:00.000-04:002013-04-14T18:08:07.027-04:00Fab little quilt<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wadewoolley/8645301691/" title="Auditioning backgrounds, please opine: yellow Nicey Jane by Stitchliterate, on Flickr"><img alt="Auditioning backgrounds, please opine: yellow Nicey Jane" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8406/8645301691_a0a956a27e.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
I've never made a mini quilt for myself, although I've been involved in quite a few swaps. It's a fun format to work in, it doesn't take too long and you get to do things that would be prohibitive in a larger quilt. Currently, I'm completing one for the <a href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/1678548@N23/" target="_blank">Fab Little Quilt Swap</a> on Flickr. I used the pattern pieces that <a href="http://jonaetlili.blogspot.de/2013/03/hello.html" target="_blank">Joanna kindly made available</a>, but while she used hers for EPP (in a gorgeous pillow that I have to make for myself one of these days), I chose to fuse them to use for raw edge applique. I fused the petals to a fat quarter of pale pink Art Gallery oval elements, and then trimmed off the excess and left an edging of the pink.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wadewoolley/8645914896/" title="For fab little quilt swap. What do you think, partner? by Stitchliterate, on Flickr"><img alt="For fab little quilt swap. What do you think, partner?" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8118/8645914896_bd25a3b636.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
The aqua petals didn't come together perfectly in the middle, so I used my Sizzix dies to make a couple of flowers to place over the centre.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wadewoolley/8645876385/" title="upload by Stitchliterate, on Flickr"><img alt="upload" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8379/8645876385_ba060fddc7.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
I set my machine to a narrow zigzag to applique the pieces down. It was fairly tedious!<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wadewoolley/8646924518/" title="Raw edge appliqué by Stitchliterate, on Flickr"><img alt="Raw edge appliqué" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8542/8646924518_88a40b2295.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
I auditioned a number of different backgrounds, and it was interesting to see how the effect of the central motif altered as a function of background colour.<br />
I really liked this red one.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wadewoolley/8645306755/" title="Auditioning backgrounds, please opine: red Brandon Mably print by Stitchliterate, on Flickr"><img alt="Auditioning backgrounds, please opine: red Brandon Mably print" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8533/8645306755_78ec4196f8.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
And I also liked this blue one - although my husband hated it.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wadewoolley/8645315103/" title="Auditioning backgrounds, please opine: blue Innocent Crush by Stitchliterate, on Flickr"><img alt="Auditioning backgrounds, please opine: blue Innocent Crush" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8260/8645315103_25a4de57ce.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
I liked the idea of this print with the pale aqua text, but I felt like I lost the pale pink border entirely.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wadewoolley/8646411870/" title="Auditioning backgrounds, please opine: Aqua text print by Stitchliterate, on Flickr"><img alt="Auditioning backgrounds, please opine: Aqua text print" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8255/8646411870_9b030ff062.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
Then there was this gold one, which is from Tula Pink's Parisville line, but I ended up going for the one at the top of the post. It's a Nicey Jane print, and the little purple dots just make it perfect, I feel.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wadewoolley/8646404172/" title="Auditioning backgrounds, please opine: gold Parisville by Stitchliterate, on Flickr"><img alt="Auditioning backgrounds, please opine: gold Parisville" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8259/8646404172_f857af6e96.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
Again, I have a partner that is pretty silent on the discussion boards and doesn't make comments on the photos, so all I have to go on is the few words about her likes and dislikes that she wrote when she signed up. She likes purple and bright colours, so I hope she likes this!<br />
<br />Leslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16704884943240371266noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3829160008505596434.post-54929367495094246872013-03-21T05:37:00.001-04:002013-03-21T10:53:18.253-04:00Some things are worth waiting for<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wadewoolley/8573665838/" title="EPQ_STAR_QUILT_FULL by Stitchliterate, on Flickr"><img alt="EPQ_STAR_QUILT_FULL" height="333" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8107/8573665838_f3c6ea5a57.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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In the summer of 2010 (if I recall correctly), I was looking for a hand piecing project. I had never done any significant hand sewing but I wanted something I could work on while watching television in the evenings. <a href="http://lifeunderquilts.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Jessica</a> suggested I try English paper piecing, and on her blog I saw some of her spectacular quilts made with this technique. I decided to try it - I was particularly happy with the way it could use up some of my tiniest scraps. Here's what I produced the first month.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wadewoolley/5019946275/" title="one month's worth of diamonds by Stitchliterate, on Flickr"><img alt="one month's worth of diamonds" height="332" src="http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4085/5019946275_e80cafb356.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
Several people have said that EPP is addictive. It certainly was in my case! I was surprised at how quickly the little stars went together. I assembled them the way Jessica showed in a little video that was on her blog, and like her, I used the plastic <a href="http://quiltpati.tripod.com/id12.html" target="_blank">Quilt Patis</a> templates. I made every star out of the same print, but used many different light diamonds for the background. I really like how I was able to use some of the oldest fabrics from the early '90s in my stash. Here are a few progress shots over the course of the 14 months it took me to make the quilt. A couple of the photos of the completed quilt top have been widely Pinned; if only they could see it now!<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wadewoolley/5019949859/" title="Looking up at the stars by Stitchliterate, on Flickr"><img alt="Looking up at the stars" height="332" src="http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4087/5019949859_e5990e7deb.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wadewoolley/5019953713/" title="Backlit diamonds by Stitchliterate, on Flickr"><img alt="Backlit diamonds" height="332" src="http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4154/5019953713_1f08c43c5f.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wadewoolley/5168940805/" title="Untitled by Stitchliterate, on Flickr"><img alt="Untitled" height="332" src="http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4058/5168940805_82cbb1869e.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wadewoolley/6493363911/" title="DSC_0925 by Stitchliterate, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0925" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7168/6493363911_39beb13271.jpg" width="332" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wadewoolley/6493389497/" title="DSC_0932 by Stitchliterate, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0932" height="332" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7005/6493389497_a8c259afae.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://lifeunderquilts.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Jessica</a> is such an EPP maven who has made so many beautiful quilts that it's no surprise that she was asked to write a book on EPP for Quarto Press. What was a surprise was that she asked me to share my quilt in the book, as well. After I finished piecing the top, it had been sitting around for several months. This gave me the impetus to get it finally sewn up. This was also the first quilt I had professionally quilted; it was done by the so-talented <a href="http://piecefulkwilter.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Shannon Baker</a>. When it came home, I nearly fell over. I couldn't stop touching it! I took some photos, but I knew it had to keep a low profile. I do get annoyed when people say "I've been working on something top secret that I can't tell you about". I put one picture up on Flickr but didn't say much about it. Jess has made the announcement about the book so I can now show off my quilt! I admit it's been hard to keep quiet about it! These are some of my photos.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wadewoolley/8572433185/" title="Untitled by Stitchliterate, on Flickr"><img alt="Untitled" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8521/8572433185_179d977233.jpg" width="374" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wadewoolley/8572434087/" title="Untitled by Stitchliterate, on Flickr"><img alt="Untitled" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8085/8572434087_0e558c0163.jpg" width="374" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wadewoolley/8573527230/" title="Untitled by Stitchliterate, on Flickr"><img alt="Untitled" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8110/8573527230_f5c4f82be0.jpg" width="374" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wadewoolley/8572434849/" title="Untitled by Stitchliterate, on Flickr"><img alt="Untitled" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8375/8572434849_0434853038.jpg" width="374" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wadewoolley/8572434607/" title="Untitled by Stitchliterate, on Flickr"><img alt="Untitled" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8234/8572434607_8eda330497.jpg" width="374" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wadewoolley/8572435233/" title="Untitled by Stitchliterate, on Flickr"><img alt="Untitled" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8234/8572435233_09ac81cb96.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wadewoolley/8572435875/" title="Untitled by Stitchliterate, on Flickr"><img alt="Untitled" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8095/8572435875_d582baa2b4.jpg" width="374" /></a><br />
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It was agonizing to send the quilt off to London to be photographed for the book! So far away and so many possibilities for going astray! They kept it for ages, but when they sent it back, they included some high res photos on a CD for me. I had made a little label using the alphabet letters on my machine, and they seemed to like this a lot. There must have been six or seven shots of the label alone. It wasn't even well done - my machine didn't seem to like the word "Ontario". Never mind. I'm including it here so you can see the Kaffe Fassett fabric I chose for the back. These are the photos taken by Quarto's photographer (I'm sorry, I don't know his or her name); the photo at the top of the post is theirs, too.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wadewoolley/8573664092/" title="EPQ_QUILT-09 by Stitchliterate, on Flickr"><img alt="EPQ_QUILT-09" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8373/8573664092_84a68cc6c5.jpg" width="333" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wadewoolley/8572571589/" title="EPQ_QUILT-08 by Stitchliterate, on Flickr"><img alt="EPQ_QUILT-08" height="333" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8529/8572571589_8817186f0c.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wadewoolley/8572572227/" title="EPQ_QUILT-06 by Stitchliterate, on Flickr"><img alt="EPQ_QUILT-06" height="333" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8526/8572572227_307da6146f.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wadewoolley/8572572589/" title="EPQ_QUILT-05 by Stitchliterate, on Flickr"><img alt="EPQ_QUILT-05" height="333" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8522/8572572589_5a20e9eac0.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wadewoolley/8573666164/" title="EPQ_QUILT_OPENERS 3 by Stitchliterate, on Flickr"><img alt="EPQ_QUILT_OPENERS 3" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8088/8573666164_00c564f803.jpg" width="333" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wadewoolley/8573589074/" title="Untitled by Stitchliterate, on Flickr"><img alt="Untitled" height="333" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8367/8573589074_d0f648a75f.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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Edited to add: Sharp-eyed Jess noticed this little purple bit on the lower left corner in the photo above and wondered about it. When I was straightening up the edges before binding the quilt, the edges on the left and right had to be trimmed (e.g., whole hexagons cut in half), but the top and bottom had a more or less straight edge right from the paper piecing. However, I had forgotten to add the last little light triangle on that side, so I just used some of the binding fabric to cover the bit of batting that was peeking through.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wadewoolley/8573541310/" title="30366 by Stitchliterate, on Flickr"><img alt="30366" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8385/8573541310_1070e8b18e.jpg" width="375" /></a><br />
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If you want to learn EPP and how to make a quilt like this and many other things using this portable and addictive technique, be on the lookout for Jess's book <i>Quilting on the Go</i>. Published by Potter Craft, it will be available in June (if you are in the UK/Europe, look for it earlier and published by Search Press)!<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3i8TxPIvLD0/UUkKh_U5OwI/AAAAAAAAAYg/h6Dl5ceB9Dw/s1600/Quilting+on+the+Go.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3i8TxPIvLD0/UUkKh_U5OwI/AAAAAAAAAYg/h6Dl5ceB9Dw/s320/Quilting+on+the+Go.jpg" width="272" /></a></div>
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<br />Leslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16704884943240371266noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3829160008505596434.post-23700685367686000692013-03-20T06:21:00.002-04:002013-03-20T06:21:55.485-04:00Best prize<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/2178794/?claim=xz3ss5ghzuu">Follow my blog with Bloglovin</a><br />
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Just received this wonderful book as a giveaway prize by Krista at <a href="http://poppyprintcreates.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Poppyprint</a>. It's a knockout! And look! It's autographed! I want to make just about every quilt in here. Thanks, Krista!<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wadewoolley/8572741580/" title="I want to make every quilt in this (super amazing autographed) book! Thanks for setting up the giveaway, @poppyprint ! by Stitchliterate, on Flickr"><img alt="I want to make every quilt in this (super amazing autographed) book! Thanks for setting up the giveaway, @poppyprint !" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8100/8572741580_9e0867b592.jpg" width="500" /></a>Leslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16704884943240371266noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3829160008505596434.post-70218288729000346212013-03-19T10:11:00.000-04:002013-03-19T10:11:03.057-04:00Bloglovin' bandwagon!What about Google Reader, eh? Like many of you, I was gobsmacked to hear it was going to disappear. It seems like many people are moving over to Bloglovin', so I've added a button the the sidebar of my blog. I have a lot of chutzpah, jumping on the Bloglovin' bandwagon, since I've not had a blog post this long age. I've been trying to limit my sewing in order to accomplish some of the necessary things to do with Real Job. I feel guilty if I give into my "want tos" at the expense of my "need tos" too often. I've not been totally idle, though. I cut a big whack of purple and blue FQs, and this fantastic <a href="https://www.threadbias.com/fabrics/inkwell-30520-10" target="_blank">Inkwell</a> background, to make a Winding Ways quilt. I used the Accuquilt die on my Sizzix BigShot Pro.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wadewoolley/8572094228/" title="photo.JPG by Stitchliterate, on Flickr"><img alt="photo.JPG" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8244/8572094228_b4cce40005.jpg" width="374" /></a><br />
I sewed a few blocks together just to get a look at how they are going to shape up. I think I'm in love! I started this for someone else, but after I had everything cut out I found out this person doesn't like purple for home decor. So I will keep it. You mustn't think I planned it that way - sometimes fortune favours us when we are trying to do a good deed for someone else. Never mind, I have started cutting for a different project for the would-be recipient.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wadewoolley/8572126870/" title="Progress shot! by Stitchliterate, on Flickr"><img alt="Progress shot!" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8529/8572126870_4520b067fa.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
My main activity has been working on this Rose Star EPP project. I wasn't sure how many of the star blocks I would need to make to make the quilt a reasonable size. When I got to 31 stars, I began to piece them together, and it looked like I would need another five blocks to make it complete. I'm using a print from the Ghastlies line for the 5" equilateral background triangles. Here's the current status of this project: the 31 stars are pieced together and I have made three of the remaining five stars. So I am really very, very close to the end of this project! I'll probably sew a border on it in order to even up the edges. It's going to look great, I think. As for my next hand project, I am just about ready to take the plunge into applique. That will be a whole 'nother kettle of fish!Leslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16704884943240371266noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3829160008505596434.post-80603659269888071922012-12-11T11:40:00.000-05:002012-12-17T06:31:25.065-05:00The one where I broke up with AMH (A Monstrous Headache)I present to you, dear readers, the most difficult thing I have ever made. It is a quilt with velveteen hexagons on the front, bamboo batting, and flannel on the back. It looks pretty, I grant, but it is a monster. It took me nearly the entire weekend to quilt it, and I am still feeling it in my shoulder blades!<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wadewoolley/8263600437/" title="Velveteen monster completed by Shadrach Meshach & Abednego, on Flickr"><img alt="Velveteen monster completed" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8203/8263600437_1457302486.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
The top wasn't too bad to put together.The velveteen frays like mad, and I should probably have gone with a 1/3" or even a 1/2" seam allowance. But I went ahead with the quilter's quarter inch.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wadewoolley/8264712434/" title="photo.JPG by Shadrach Meshach & Abednego, on Flickr"><img alt="photo.JPG" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8065/8264712434_afb514fa0d.jpg" width="374" /></a><br />
Afterwards, I seemed to remember that I had read a blogpost by Anna Maria Horner that warned of this - where are these insights when you really need them?<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wadewoolley/8264701290/" title="photo.JPG by Shadrach Meshach & Abednego, on Flickr"><img alt="photo.JPG" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8074/8264701290_84b352f197.jpg" width="374" /></a><br />
To ensure that the seams held secure during the normal usage of a quilt, I decided to stitch in the ditch using a wide zigzag. I was particularly concerned about the joins of the y-seams. I used a yellow Aurifil 28 wt thread for this. Upon scrutiny post-wash and dry, the seams seem to have held up well.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wadewoolley/8255786906/" title="Zigzagging in the ditch because I don't trust the anti-fraying properties of this velveteen, especially with y-seams by Shadrach Meshach & Abednego, on Flickr"><img alt="Zigzagging in the ditch because I don't trust the anti-fraying properties of this velveteen, especially with y-seams" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8348/8255786906_9d2e1d40c2.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
I do like the way the zigzags show up outlining the hexagons on the back.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wadewoolley/8263636087/" title="photo.JPG by Shadrach Meshach & Abednego, on Flickr"><img alt="photo.JPG" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8219/8263636087_8da0c8bdd2.jpg" width="374" /></a><br />
Oh my word! Muscling this through the quilting on my little Pfaff was something else! Hercules and his labours had nothing on what I went through. I really thought it was going to send me back to physio - my shoulders and back were on fire with the weight of it. I took a break after each row to stand upright and swing my arms.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wadewoolley/8263631003/" title="photo.JPG by Shadrach Meshach & Abednego, on Flickr"><img alt="photo.JPG" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8080/8263631003_2ce11b5b26.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
The hexagons are 9" across (I used the Marti Michel template to cut them) so I needed something to secure the centres. I thought about tying them, but decided to go with a decorative machine stitch. You can see if it you look closely in the centre of this hex.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wadewoolley/8264709918/" title="photo.JPG by Shadrach Meshach & Abednego, on Flickr"><img alt="photo.JPG" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8500/8264709918_97eb2979d4.jpg" width="374" /></a><br />
This quilting makes a nice and loose quilt, kind of floppy. It is a very strange shape, though. It's about 80" long and 50-odd inches wide (I have hung it sideways on the line in these photos). <br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wadewoolley/8264696334/" title="photo.JPG by Shadrach Meshach & Abednego, on Flickr"><img alt="photo.JPG" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8483/8264696334_890852190d.jpg" width="374" /></a><br />
The velveteen, flannel and cotton binding are all from Anna Maria Horner, who happens to share the monogram of this quilt, A Monstrous Headache! <br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wadewoolley/8263623511/" title="photo.JPG by Shadrach Meshach & Abednego, on Flickr"><img alt="photo.JPG" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8348/8263623511_1d25f1a6f9.jpg" width="374" /></a><br />
Truly, by the end of the weekend, I was ready to divorce this quilt. I had mentally projected all my ill will onto it and even once it was finally washed and dried, all fluffed up, I was still feeling hard done by.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wadewoolley/8263646741/" title="photo.JPG by Shadrach Meshach & Abednego, on Flickr"><img alt="photo.JPG" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8496/8263646741_c1cc0b5443.jpg" width="374" /></a><br />
I was cranky about its odd shape and wondering what in the world had possessed a woman who is experiencing her own personal summer in the depths of Canadian winter to construct a quilt that weighs about 20 lbs. and heats up like a blast furnace!<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wadewoolley/8264717968/" title="photo.JPG by Shadrach Meshach & Abednego, on Flickr"><img alt="photo.JPG" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8218/8264717968_fc7aedfa31.jpg" width="374" /></a><br />
However, I am starting to come around. Even though I swore that we broke up on the weekend, I am beginning to feel that we were only "on a break". I think we might have a chance to be happy together, after all!<br />
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<br />Leslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16704884943240371266noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3829160008505596434.post-53926125364239360162012-12-03T20:39:00.000-05:002012-12-03T20:39:13.467-05:00Pinqua star finished<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wadewoolley/8242545098/" title="photo.JPG by Shadrach Meshach & Abednego, on Flickr"><img alt="photo.JPG" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8490/8242545098_da5a2fe16b.jpg" width="374" /></a><br />
What is "pinqua", you ask? Clearly, it is pink + aqua! I'm so happy to have this baby quilt finished - it's 48" square, which is pretty big for a baby quilt, I guess. I quilted it with Aurifil 50 wt in big looping swirls so that it would be soft and floppy.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wadewoolley/8242557520/" title="photo.JPG by Shadrach Meshach & Abednego, on Flickr"><img alt="photo.JPG" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8070/8242557520_afb03c0d68.jpg" width="374" /></a><br />
And I backed it with pink minky, so it is very luxe! I'd never used minky before, but it was fine. The best part was that it comes in 60" width, so I didn't have to piece the back at all. I found it a bit heavy to maneuver through the quilting process, but overall, no problem.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wadewoolley/8241470919/" title="Baby quilt finished by Shadrach Meshach & Abednego, on Flickr"><img alt="Baby quilt finished" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8059/8241470919_94e90bc44b.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
I used the leftovers from the FQs to make a pieced binding. Each strip averaged about a foot long - what are the odds that at least one of those joins would end up on a corner? But the binding gods were smiling, and I dodged the bullet.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wadewoolley/8242547452/" title="photo.JPG by Shadrach Meshach & Abednego, on Flickr"><img alt="photo.JPG" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8342/8242547452_0734f413cc.jpg" width="374" /></a><br />
I do love the soft, washed effect of these HSTs. It is far from a colour combo that I would choose, but I think it's lovely for a new baby girl. My doc student and I made this quilt for another doc student in our program. Her baby is lovely - I get all broody for grandchildren when I hold her. Fortunately it doesn't last long after I return the little one to her mother, since my daughter is only 19 and a second year student at uni. I think I'm going to have to wait awhile. (I love this last shot, with my able assistant peeking out - it reminds me of that old cartoon <a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=kilroy+was+here&hl=en&client=safari&tbo=d&rls=en&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=ClO9UKy1K4-MyAH1qIHICg&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAA&biw=1402&bih=732" target="_blank">"Kilroy was here"</a>.)<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wadewoolley/8242561372/" title="quilt ninja by Shadrach Meshach & Abednego, on Flickr"><img alt="quilt ninja" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8058/8242561372_bd357f121b.jpg" width="374" /></a><br />
<br />Leslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16704884943240371266noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3829160008505596434.post-66883229967096993352012-11-27T17:14:00.001-05:002012-11-27T17:14:52.723-05:00On to the next thingThe next thing is this: a quilt top for a new baby. One of our graduate students had a baby girl recently. The student was supposed to be a guest lecturer in my class two weeks before she was due, and - cue Murphy's Law - she came early. Anyway, my doc student and I thought it would be a nice thing to make a quilt for the new baby.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wadewoolley/8217212717/" title="Baby quilt made by me and @lheggie by Shadrach Meshach & Abednego, on Flickr"><img alt="Baby quilt made by me and @lheggie" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8346/8217212717_88719cb169.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
We used the Big Shot Pro, a 3 1/2" HST die, and a bunch of fat quarters to make this sweet little quilt top. It's based on the Miss Rosie quilt pattern <a href="http://www.missrosiesquiltco.bigcartel.com/product/chip-little-bites-pdf" target="_blank">Chip</a>, but we made our blocks a larger size and we didn't use a border. It's 48" square. In this photo, the greys look a bit brown, but they are really grey. I'm thinking some pink minky on the back.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wadewoolley/8217212717/" title="Baby quilt made by me and @lheggie by Shadrach Meshach & Abednego, on Flickr"><img alt="Baby quilt made by me and @lheggie" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8346/8217212717_88719cb169.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
Also, I was fairly restrained on the fabric front during the Thanksgiving commercial frenzy, but I did indulge in some heavy lifting on the Sizzix front. Joann's was having a 50% off sale on Sizzix products. They were mostly dies for paper crafting, but I did get some flower dies and cutting pads. Then the Canadian retailer Stitch in the Ditch had a massive clearout of Sizzix dies for 35% off, including some of the strip dies, HST dies, etc. I bought a LOT of dies. And although it was not on sale, I bought this Rose Dream die, as well. Can't wait to try this beauty out! I'll take pictures!<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wadewoolley/8223690579/" title="Black Friday indulgence by Shadrach Meshach & Abednego, on Flickr"><img alt="Black Friday indulgence" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8062/8223690579_2e3bf1f3f8.jpg" width="500" /></a>Leslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16704884943240371266noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3829160008505596434.post-82105327910676402162012-11-06T08:50:00.000-05:002012-11-06T08:50:41.710-05:00Zip It!I couldn't touch my sewing machine during September and the first half of October since I was writing a grant proposal. But as soon as I was finished I had the urge to sit down and make some quick finishes. I made four cute zippy pouches - different from the ones I have done before. This one is my favourite - I love this Martha Negley feather print. It is a perfect size for storing my EPP pieces.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wadewoolley/8160972201/" title="See-thru zippy pouch 3 by Shadrach Meshach & Abednego, on Flickr"><img alt="See-thru zippy pouch 3" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7110/8160972201_d0bce6c60f.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
I didn't use a pattern for these, but I was inspired by something I saw on the internet ages ago that stuck in my head. Alas, I don't remember where I first saw the inspiration, so if it rings a bell for anyone, let me know and I'll put up a link.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wadewoolley/8160995884/" title="See-thru zippy pouch 2 by Shadrach Meshach & Abednego, on Flickr"><img alt="See-thru zippy pouch 2" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8483/8160995884_64ced3d902.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
I gave this last one to my daughter - I took a quickie photo with my watch in to show her the clear front, but the watch stayed on my arm.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wadewoolley/8160996879/" title="photo.JPG by Shadrach Meshach & Abednego, on Flickr"><img alt="photo.JPG" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8344/8160996879_c03f90515b.jpg" width="374" /></a><br />
These are lined with batting, which I attached with spray baste. I used a 6- or 10-gauge plastic vinyl that I bought at the local chain fabric store. The backs don't show in these photos, but they are the same print that you see through the front. Super easy, super fast.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wadewoolley/8161041314/" title="See-thru zippy pouch 1 by Shadrach Meshach & Abednego, on Flickr"><img alt="See-thru zippy pouch 1" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8209/8161041314_044e2612b7.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 17px; text-align: left;">P.S. It's election day today and I would appreciate your vote! I was nominated in the best quilt photography section of the Bloggers' Quilt Festival. <a href="http://amyscreativeside.com/2012/11/05/bloggers-quilt-festival-vote-now-2/" target="_blank">Go here</a>, and scroll down to the Quilt Photography section; vote for Stitchliterate - if you click on the thumbnail you can see the original post and more photos of the quilt. Thanks to all who nominated me!</span></span><br />
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Leslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16704884943240371266noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3829160008505596434.post-46387473382062606142012-11-05T19:47:00.002-05:002012-11-05T19:50:12.343-05:00Everybody's Doing It!Voting, that is! Tomorrow is Election Day in the US, and won't we all be glad when that is over! Even the Canadian news is awash with polls and pundits weighing in on the presidential election. Well, here's another election you can vote in, and this one is for everyone around the world!<br />
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My quilt, Summer Wedding, was nominated for best quilt photography in the recent <a href="http://amyscreativeside.com/2012/10/26/bloggers-quilt-festival-fall-2012/" target="_blank">Bloggers' Quilt Festival</a>. My BQF post where the quilt is featured in full can be found <a href="http://pickledish.blogspot.ca/2012/10/a-summer-wedding-in-october.html" target="_blank">here</a>. I am tickled pink! So if you care to vote for it, please go to <a href="http://amyscreativeside.com/2012/11/05/bloggers-quilt-festival-vote-now-2/" target="_blank">this link</a> and scroll down to the section dedicated to quilt photography; you'll see this photo above my blog name, Stitchliterate. Give us some clicky love! I would be grateful for your vote!Leslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16704884943240371266noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3829160008505596434.post-76085551626701672692012-10-25T23:07:00.000-04:002012-11-05T17:12:14.060-05:00A Summer Wedding in OctoberThis quilt, Summer Wedding, is my entry for the <a href="http://amyscreativeside.com/2012/10/26/bloggers-quilt-festival-fall-2012/" target="_blank">Bloggers' Quilt Festival</a>. It's not the first time I've blogged about it, but I have a couple of new photos of the recipients to show which make it really very special. I made this quilt for the wedding of a young couple who met when they were my students at Queen's. They worked in my lab on my research project six years ago and I supervised their Honours theses.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SPz0V7DXDu0/UIVBFuKumUI/AAAAAAAAAX0/TV8D3JY2Rjo/s1600/8064594655_e513bb965a_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SPz0V7DXDu0/UIVBFuKumUI/AAAAAAAAAX0/TV8D3JY2Rjo/s640/8064594655_e513bb965a_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I had to keep this project under wraps while I was making it since the bride reads my blog, so there are no progress photos to speak of.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wadewoolley/7382037254/" title="Summer Wedding by Shadrach Meshach & Abednego, on Flickr"><img alt="Summer Wedding" height="332" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8011/7382037254_59c54af371.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
I knew the wedding colours were blue and yellow, and I used the invitation as a benchmark, throwing in some black and grey for a bit of gravitas (married life isn't all sunshine and daisies, you know!).<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wadewoolley/7404657826/" title="Untitled by Shadrach Meshach & Abednego, on Flickr"><img alt="Untitled" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8155/7404657826_925d037cb5.jpg" width="374" /></a><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wadewoolley/7382052620/" title="Summer Wedding by Shadrach Meshach & Abednego, on Flickr"><img alt="Summer Wedding" height="332" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7222/7382052620_335274beaf.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
It was a real endurance test! There nearly 1000 HST units in this quilt, and I cut more than half of them by hand using the Marti Michell templates. It took ages! Finally, I succumbed and bought a Sizzix BigShot Pro and cut the rest of them in 20 minutes.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wadewoolley/7145496967/" title="500 triangle units cut with the BigShot Pro in 20 minutes by Shadrach Meshach & Abednego, on Flickr"><img alt="500 triangle units cut with the BigShot Pro in 20 minutes" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7060/7145496967_1fe5e37cfd.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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The quilt pattern is based on the traditional block Ocean Waves, machine quilted by me on my home machine. The background is an ivory Essex linen/cotton blend. It finishes 64" x 70".<br />
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In her speech at dinner, the mother of the bride, a midwife, thanked me for giving the newlyweds the "babymaker". I hope I'll be making a baby quilt before too long! Thanks for dropping by - enjoy the rest of the entries in the <a href="http://amyscreativeside.com/2012/10/26/bloggers-quilt-festival-fall-2012/" target="_blank">Bloggers' Quilt Festival</a>!<br />
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Quilt name: Summer WEdding</div>
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Traditional quilt block Ocean Waves</div>
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Pieced and free motion quilted by me</div>
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Size: 64" x 70"<br />
Best Category: Scrap Quilt; Home Machine Quilted; Bed<br />
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NB: Wedding photography by Ray and Soo Kang; post-processing by Eric Akaoka</div>
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Leslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16704884943240371266noreply@blogger.com55tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3829160008505596434.post-41371975699425986422012-10-21T19:32:00.000-04:002012-10-21T19:32:38.679-04:00Which?I've been working like a demon on a research grant which was submitted on the 15th. And of course all the things I was pushing off until after my deadline caught up with me this past week. But this weekend I devoted myself to pure enjoyment. I stayed in my pajamas all day today and sewed. I worked on a WIP that I had to put aside when I ran out of background fabric. Once the replacement fabric came in, I was too snowed under to do any work on it. This block uses the Chinese Gongs pattern by Nancy Cabot. I used this block for my <a href="http://pickledish.blogspot.ca/2012/03/gong-show.html" target="_blank">Gong Show</a> quilt and I really like it. The blocks are fast and easy to put together and the only downside is using the plastic template and cutting by hand. So in this version, I am using the Curious Nature line, with Essex linen in Carrot as the background. The blocks are 14" finished. Back in April, when I only had four blocks made, I asked for feedback about potential layouts. Now that I have 16 blocks, I'm asking the question again. Which do you like best? (The photos aren't the best, but I think they give a general idea).<br />
<br />
This first one looks like sparkplugs, I think.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wadewoolley/8110376434/" title="photo.JPG by Shadrach Meshach & Abednego, on Flickr"><img alt="photo.JPG" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8186/8110376434_7c624a43db.jpg" width="374" /></a><br />
These next two are more similar, but still different.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wadewoolley/8110373117/" title="photo.JPG by Shadrach Meshach & Abednego, on Flickr"><img alt="photo.JPG" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8463/8110373117_c17fe10993.jpg" width="374" /></a><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wadewoolley/8110365901/" title="photo.JPG by Shadrach Meshach & Abednego, on Flickr"><img alt="photo.JPG" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8193/8110365901_c98eda2f10.jpg" width="374" /></a><br />
I don't know - I'm leaning towards number one. What do you think?<br />
<br />
One more quilty story. Yesterday was the wedding of my doctoral student, who has been working with me in one capacity or another for more than seven years and of whom I am very fond. She was married at the Crystal Palace (which sounds very grand but is really a big barn with windows) at the fairgrounds in Prince Edward County. It was a lovely DIY wedding that was full of happiness and charm. The bride was radiant and I cried, of course - I can't help crying at a wedding! I was honoured to be asked, with my husband, to do a reading, and also to loan a quilt for the backdrop. My quilt <a href="http://pickledish.blogspot.ca/2011/04/im-too-sexy-for-my-quilt.html" target="_blank">Miss March</a> had colours that were in the ballpark, so they strung it up on wires hanging from the ceiling. They stood in front of it when they exchanged vows. I wouldn't show photos of the happy couple in front of the quilt without their permission, but here's one my husband took of me before the ceremony. <br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wadewoolley/8106539828/" title="Me and my quilt at @lheggie wedding by Shadrach Meshach & Abednego, on Flickr"><img alt="Me and my quilt at @lheggie wedding" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8185/8106539828_7236a7c5f8.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
Huh. That's before the ceremony - I hadn't even had any wine yet.<br />
<br />Leslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16704884943240371266noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3829160008505596434.post-88413093451271760442012-09-23T11:32:00.000-04:002012-09-23T11:32:08.065-04:00Growing the garden of rose starsOr should that be galaxy of rose stars? I'll have to sort out what metaphor is best - still working away at these so I think there's plenty of time. Alison showed <a href="http://littleislandquilting.blogspot.ca/2012/09/what-would-you-do.html" target="_blank">her amazing near-finish</a> and asked to see mine. So here they are so far. There are 18 made so far.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wadewoolley/8015720316/" title="Growing a garden of EPP rose stars by Shadrach Meshach & Abednego, on Flickr"><img alt="Growing a garden of EPP rose stars" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8172/8015720316_37f59a33bc.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
They are time consuming, since each one has 31 pieces, but the stack grows slowly but surely. I never sit down to watch television without one in my hand. And since my husband and I are currently obsessed with the going through the back catalog of Battlestar Galactica, I am making fair progress. If you want to see the stars individually, go here to <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wadewoolley/sets/72157629129197143/with/8015720316/" target="_blank">my Flickr set</a>.Leslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16704884943240371266noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3829160008505596434.post-65954633009728716642012-09-01T11:54:00.001-04:002012-09-01T11:54:02.921-04:00Quilt your dreams<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wadewoolley/7900962218/" title="Quilt your dreams by Shadrach Meshach & Abednego, on Flickr"><img alt="Quilt your dreams" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8295/7900962218_df9bdf3203.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
I have always wanted to send a quilt top out to a long-arm quilter, but I never felt like any of my quilts were worthy of such an honour. I do an okay job quilting on my domestic sewing machine. A quilt would have to be pretty dang special to get the LA treatment! The day has come. I sent out my EPP stars quilt to <a href="http://piecefulkwilter.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Shannon</a>, and she did a tremendous job on it. Truly, it just sings. I could hardly stop petting it enough to put the binding on it. I never thought I could be one of those annoying women who says "I wish I could show you the photos", but apparently I am, at least for now. But I couldn't resist sharing this sneak peek, with the exhortation to <i>quilt your dreams</i>.Leslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16704884943240371266noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3829160008505596434.post-89022022072787338902012-07-24T09:40:00.002-04:002012-07-24T09:40:59.812-04:00Not deadAlthough you may be excused for wondering, I am not dead. I am, regrettably, largely absent from my blog these days because I am working on two new course preps for the fall, plus doing a systematic review of the relationship between music and reading. I have hardly touched my machine since finishing the wedding quilt I showed <a href="http://pickledish.blogspot.ca/2012/06/summer-wedding.html" target="_blank">last time</a>. But on the weekend, I did make a couple of pouches that I was pleased with. My daughter works as a server in a local resto and she carries her float and notepad in a laminated cotton pouch I made for her. She's had a couple of requests from the other servers that I make one for them. Pouches are so quick and satisfying to make up - I couldn't say no. One was for her friend Montana, for whom I made <a href="http://pickledish.blogspot.ca/2011/08/laptop-sleeves-final-chapter.html" target="_blank">this laptop case</a>. She came over and picked out the laminated cotton she wanted. I used a light purple Parisville scroll print for the lining.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wadewoolley/7636758684/" title="Laminated cotton pouch by Shadrach Meshach & Abednego, on Flickr"><img alt="Laminated cotton pouch" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8165/7636758684_550b403dc5.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
The other was for a young man server, who said his favourite colours were orange, yellow and brown. I didn't have anything in my stash with those colours that wasn't girly, so I strayed a bit from the colourway, thinking that manliness was more important than colour. I used a random brown patterned home dec fabric from my stash and stitched a Ruby Star Rising transistor radio to the front.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wadewoolley/7636646806/" title="AM Radio Pouch No. 1 by Shadrach Meshach & Abednego, on Flickr"><img alt="AM Radio Pouch No. 1" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8153/7636646806_c95349c205.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
Actually, I made two of these, since I quite fancied the prototype in my imagination and knew I would be sad to let it go if I made only one. Not sure yet which one I'll keep and which one will go to James.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wadewoolley/7636650120/" title="AM Radio Pouch No. 2 by Shadrach Meshach & Abednego, on Flickr"><img alt="AM Radio Pouch No. 2" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8281/7636650120_0cff9db856.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
These pouches are lined with an orange print. My husband opines that they border on purses and therefore, by definition, fail at being manly. All I can say is if the young man feels that it impugns his manhood to carry such a thing, I'll gladly repatriate it!Leslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16704884943240371266noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3829160008505596434.post-79480246683393246842012-06-28T08:18:00.001-04:002012-06-28T08:18:55.557-04:00Country Mouse<div style="text-align: left; padding: 3px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wadewoolley/7460078272/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7106/7460078272_ec181bb9e1.jpg" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" alt="" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wadewoolley/7460078272/">My first trip ever to Joann's Fabrics and what I scored</a>, originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wadewoolley/">Shadrach Meshach & Abednego</a>.</span></div><p>Last night I experienced something new: I went to Joann's Fabrics. We don't have it in Canada, but every American blogger I read talks about Joann's (usually disparagingly), so I was interested to see what we have been missing. I'm in Munster, Indiana at a training course this week, and I saw it on the way back from dinner last night. We got there at 8:40 and it closes at 9, so I knew I couldn't get in too much trouble. I did check on my phone to see if I could find a coupon on the internet for 40% off, but no such luck. But here is my haul: I'm very happy with it. I thought I'd never get any of this DS fabric since it's the Joann's-only line, and this book has been on my must-buy list. Goodness, it's a huge place, isn't it? I certainly did feel like the Country Mouse, looking around at everything there. I can see how the 40% coupon would be a huge enticement to stock up on staples. And how nice it would be to be able to just drive out and pick up the tools and notions you need instead of having to order absolutely everything online, like I generally have to do. The fabric itself, however, was of limited appeal, which is what I expected, given what everyone seems to say. Nevertheless, I am happy that I had the chance to see how the other half lives, and to score a few goodies!</p>Leslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16704884943240371266noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3829160008505596434.post-10674895280624667172012-06-19T20:53:00.000-04:002012-06-19T21:43:46.538-04:00Summer Wedding<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wadewoolley/7382052620/" title="Summer Wedding by Shadrach Meshach & Abednego, on Flickr"><img alt="Summer Wedding" height="332" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7222/7382052620_335274beaf.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
In my last post I explained that my radio silence over the last month or so has been mainly due to the fact that I've been working like a dog on a special quilt for a couple who are getting married this weekend. <br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wadewoolley/7382097044/" title="Summer Wedding by Shadrach Meshach & Abednego, on Flickr"><img alt="Summer Wedding" height="332" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7092/7382097044_0ea8bdf952.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
This couple met at university, and in fact, they met in my lab, where they volunteered for a couple of years and did their Honours thesis research. I have been lucky to come to know some very special young men and women in my role as a professor, and it's a wonderful blessing for me to see these two take this step together. As I wrote in the card I included with the quilt, I feel a bit like the mother of both the bride and the groom, if that is possible in a way that isn't too weird! <br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wadewoolley/7382042624/" title="Summer Wedding by Shadrach Meshach & Abednego, on Flickr"><img alt="Summer Wedding" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7097/7382042624_de939f79c5.jpg" width="332" /></a><br />
I chose the colours for the quilt from the wedding invitation: blues and yellows, and I threw in some gray and black for a bit of added sophistication. <br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wadewoolley/7404657826/" title="Photo1 by Shadrach Meshach & Abednego, on Flickr"><img alt="Photo1" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8155/7404657826_925d037cb5.jpg" width="374" /></a><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wadewoolley/7382121554/" title="Summer Wedding by Shadrach Meshach & Abednego, on Flickr"><img alt="Summer Wedding" height="332" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7220/7382121554_285ebdc531.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
The background is Essex linen/cotton blend in ivory. The pattern is a traditional one called Ocean Waves and it's made from 8" blocks, and it finishes about 64" x 70".<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wadewoolley/7382066854/" title="Summer Wedding by Shadrach Meshach & Abednego, on Flickr"><img alt="Summer Wedding" height="332" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7232/7382066854_f2553a785a.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
I made a little label for the back, with their names and my name and the date of the the wedding. The binding was scrappy, made from some of the 2 1/2" strips that I had leftover from using those Marti Michell templates.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wadewoolley/7382130678/" title="Summer Wedding by Shadrach Meshach & Abednego, on Flickr"><img alt="Summer Wedding" height="332" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7092/7382130678_d199fc52de.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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Because the bride-to-be told me straight up that she can't resist surprise busting and she already knew that I was making her a quilt of some description, I had to maintain some element of surprise by limiting any progress shots and keeping the quilt off the blog. But <strike>Purolator's online tracking showed me that the quilt has been delivered to her family home, </strike>the bride just phoned me to say how much she loved it so I think it's safe to share it now. </div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wadewoolley/7382077352/" title="Summer Wedding by Shadrach Meshach & Abednego, on Flickr"><img alt="Summer Wedding" height="332" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7097/7382077352_a3d00ddf10.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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I cannot tell a lie - this quilt really put me through the wringer. It called for 888 HST units. I started out using Marti Michell's templates because I didn't want to make the HST units and then trim to size, but that meant cutting 2 1/2" strips and then using that template to cut each triangle. And if you layer too many strips, you start to lose precision. Cut, cut, cut for hours on end. And the template had those blunted corners so that you could match everything up, so those little tiny cuts had to be made, too. It practically killed me. <br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wadewoolley/7145496967/" title="500 triangle units cut with the BigShot Pro in 20 minutes by Shadrach Meshach & Abednego, on Flickr"><img alt="500 triangle units cut with the BigShot Pro in 20 minutes" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7060/7145496967_1fe5e37cfd.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wadewoolley/7382037254/" title="Summer Wedding by Shadrach Meshach & Abednego, on Flickr"><img alt="Summer Wedding" height="332" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8011/7382037254_59c54af371.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wadewoolley/7382088726/" title="Summer Wedding by Shadrach Meshach & Abednego, on Flickr"><img alt="Summer Wedding" height="332" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7221/7382088726_0e16d0fccb.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
I am well acquainted with the phenomenon of falling out of love with a quilt during the process of construction. It happens with just about every quilt I make. Somewhere in the middle of it, I start wondering what I had been thinking, and inevitably I begin to feel dissatisfaction with the colour scheme or block choice creeping in. I am experienced enough to know, however, that this misery vanishes like a puff of smoke once the finished quilt comes out of the washer/dryer. Surprisingly, though, I never wanted to break up with this quilt, and by the time it was finished I was nearly heartbroken that I had to send it off to a new home. <br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wadewoolley/7382082960/" title="Summer Wedding by Shadrach Meshach & Abednego, on Flickr"><img alt="Summer Wedding" height="332" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7240/7382082960_664e632161.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wadewoolley/7382073452/" title="Summer Wedding by Shadrach Meshach & Abednego, on Flickr"><img alt="Summer Wedding" height="332" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7214/7382073452_3ff8b2f72b.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wadewoolley/7382060380/" title="Summer Wedding by Shadrach Meshach & Abednego, on Flickr"><img alt="Summer Wedding" height="332" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8147/7382060380_9d7bdc7d5e.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
In fact, this quilt was single-handedly responsible for me busting the bank and buying a Sizzix Big Shot Pro. I had made about half the units I needed and could see carpal tunnel syndrome on the horizon. After I ordered the BSP online, I had serious buyer's remorse until about ten seconds after I unpacked it. I cut the rest of the triangles I needed in 20 minutes. Woo hoo! I also ordered the Accuquilt Winding Ways die, since Accuquilt dies are compatible with Sizzix products (but not the reverse) and I'd always wanted to make that block. Here's a photo of my test blocks - can't wait to make a proper project using that die!<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wadewoolley/7145501889/" title="Trying out the Winding Ways using the accuquilt die by Shadrach Meshach & Abednego, on Flickr"><img alt="Trying out the Winding Ways using the accuquilt die" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7054/7145501889_3cf5244190.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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<br />Leslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16704884943240371266noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3829160008505596434.post-46507826619142483522012-06-16T18:55:00.001-04:002012-06-16T18:55:03.612-04:00Back in businessI have been as silent as the tomb, haven't I? My apologies! I have been very, very busy on a number of fronts and have had fairly little worth reporting. For example, I recently attended the convocation exercises for our university. Here's a view from the stage:<div>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wadewoolley/7366129100/" title="Convocation by Shadrach Meshach & Abednego, on Flickr"><img alt="Convocation" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7103/7366129100_055eb7dd57.jpg" width="500" /></a><br /><div>
A couple of more exciting things do stand out: Our local guilds had their <a href="http://quiltskingston.org/" target="_blank">quilt show</a> last week, where I entered three of the quilts that you have seen previously on this blog: <a href="http://pickledish.blogspot.ca/2011/03/i-dream-of-ogeenie.html" target="_blank">I Dream of Ogeenie</a>, <a href="http://pickledish.blogspot.ca/2011/10/paprika.html" target="_blank">Paprika</a>, and Gong Show (below). I was a White Glove lady and reminded people to wear the plastic gloves they were given when they paid their $6 admission if they wanted to touch the quilts or look at the backs. I wasn't able to volunteer as much as I wanted to, but the show committee and other guild members, like <a href="http://arianescrafts.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">Ariane</a> and <a href="http://dresdenquilter.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">Michelle</a>, invested hours and hours to make the show a success. It was my first time entering in a show, and it was great to see the extent of the talent that was represented. The aesthetic was far and away a traditional one, with only a few art quilts and the occasional modern or improv piece. I was blown away by the perfect piecing on some of the entries. My own quilting ethic is "get 'er done", but that level of skill is definitely something to aspire to!<div>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wadewoolley/7354341036/" title="Mine at the quilt show! by Shadrach Meshach & Abednego, on Flickr"><img alt="Mine at the quilt show!" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7076/7354341036_9288635337.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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Also, I was recently in Copenhagen for a conference! It was my first time there; what a beautiful city! My doc student and I were sadly underdressed, since we foolishly packed according to the weather network, which predicted sunny skies and warm temperatures. It was so cold and it rained every day. One night I went to dinner wearing my pajama top since it was the only long-sleeved top I had brought with me, and I needed it underneath the two cotton jackets I was wearing. </div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wadewoolley/7311013046/" title="Tivoli Gardens, Copenhagen by Shadrach Meshach & Abednego, on Flickr"><img alt="Tivoli Gardens, Copenhagen" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7233/7311013046_db19ab5a8f.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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We especially liked the Tivoli Gardens, which is the second oldest amusement park in the world, and is filled with restaurants and beautiful gardens. It also has roller coasters, etc., but it is not a tacky midway. Hillary Clinton was in Copenhagen at the same time, and in fact she was eating her dinner in the Tivoli Gardens at the same time as we were, at the restaurant next door to ours.</div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wadewoolley/7311081682/" title="Tivoli Gardens, Copenhagen by Shadrach Meshach & Abednego, on Flickr"><img alt="Tivoli Gardens, Copenhagen" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7213/7311081682_b647629a62.jpg" width="373" /></a> </div>
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The photo below is Nimb, which is a hotel and several restaurants. We ate there one night and there was a peacock on the terrace right outside our window.</div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wadewoolley/7311024576/" title="Nimb in Tivoli Gardens, Copenhagen by Shadrach Meshach & Abednego, on Flickr"><img alt="Nimb in Tivoli Gardens, Copenhagen" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7243/7311024576_5ed65cbfaf.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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This is what I had for dinner there: the best lemon sole ever! In fact, I had fish for dinner for every single lunch and dinner for the five days I was there. </div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wadewoolley/7382404468/" title="lemon sole by Shadrach Meshach & Abednego, on Flickr"><img alt="lemon sole" height="500" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5446/7382404468_9c18d4ba82.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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I saw lots of quilty inspiration on my trip: how's this for a colour palette? Inspired by the seats in the auditorium at the conference!</div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wadewoolley/7301107748/" title="Colour palette inspired by chairs at conference by Shadrach Meshach & Abednego, on Flickr"><img alt="Colour palette inspired by chairs at conference" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7085/7301107748_d82fe6c614.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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And what about this as a crazy kind of drunkard's path? It's a sign outside a bar in the Tivoli Gardens.</div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wadewoolley/7311004354/" title="Quilty Inspiration Tivoli Gardens by Shadrach Meshach & Abednego, on Flickr"><img alt="Quilty Inspiration Tivoli Gardens" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7231/7311004354_41b2996b2c.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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But not everything was wonderful. Apparently, the Danes are like the Dutch in their fondness for licorice. In our conference bags, they had given us some candy. Can you imagine anything like this?</div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wadewoolley/7294452128/" title="Nasty Danish candy #nothanks by Shadrach Meshach & Abednego, on Flickr"><img alt="Nasty Danish candy #nothanks" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7234/7294452128_e6c30c3ba0.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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I have one more thing to report. I have been working long and hard on a quilt destined to be a wedding present for two of my former students who met in my lab five years ago. Just this morning, I sent the quilt off to the bride's family home, so it will be a few more days before I can show the photos. There have been no progress shots because the bride to be is an inveterate surprise buster and knows where to find my blog photos and Flickr photostream. This is one reason I have been AWOL - it has been a lot of work and I have been unable to say anything about it. How do those famous bloggers who are always working on a book manage to keep an online presence and still keep everything under wraps? Suffice it to say for now that the quilt is one of the nicest I have ever made - it was very hard to box it up and say goodbye to it. I can't wait to show you the glamour shots - just a couple more days and all will be revealed!</div>
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</div>Leslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16704884943240371266noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3829160008505596434.post-63455233760814466112012-05-09T08:26:00.000-04:002012-05-09T08:26:00.537-04:00A new arrival at Mottl and Tzeitel's!Who remembers Fiddler on the Roof, where there is a big ruckus in the square with all kinds of excited chatter about the "new arrival" at the home of young Mottl the tailor and his new bride? Watch the first few minutes of this clip to refresh your memory:<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/cn2og_PDsVA" width="420"></iframe><br />
So you won't be surprised when I show you my new arrival - a 1939 Featherweight! She's in prime condition - the gold decals around the edges are intact, hardly any scratches, beautiful scrollwork engraving on the face plate and chrome wheel. The serial number begins with AF, which signals a 1939 date of manufacture. She came in her original case (that doesn't smell, which I gather is a problem with some of them), with bobbins, a handful of feet that look like medieval instruments of torture, the original instruction manual, and a zipper foot attachment with cams and an "automatic zigzagger". <br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wadewoolley/7153816581/" title="Mine, all mine! 1939 Featherweight! by Shadrach Meshach & Abednego, on Flickr"><img alt="Mine, all mine! 1939 Featherweight!" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7253/7153816581_95d55b0cb5.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
I had to take a trip to Toronto for a meeting, and on a whim I checked Toronto Kijiji listings to see if there were any Featherweights on offer. I saw three listed, but this one was the only one I went to see. It was reasonably priced, easily accessible by public transit, and was being sold by a retired lady who was "decluttering" and reported that the machine had been in her family since its purchase. It had clearly been well taken care of. And now she's mine! I am beyond thrilled and very happy to be able to give this little darling a good home!Leslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16704884943240371266noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3829160008505596434.post-55082479427807442492012-04-28T06:49:00.002-04:002012-04-28T06:49:56.041-04:00Merit badges<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wadewoolley/6973594012/" title="DSC_1090 by Shadrach Meshach & Abednego, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_1090" height="332" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8149/6973594012_207a8fd418.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
The 2011-2012 academic year is coming to a close. I always find it a slightly bittersweet time of year; I am certainly thrilled that the preparation for teaching and marking has ended, but it is always sad to say goodbye to my best students. This year I had a wonderful mix of warm, bright, and funny young women working in my lab. Two of them are finishing their undergraduate degrees and the rest are graduate students in our program. Last night they all came over for Thai takeout and we played a version of Jeopardy based on the things that had happened in our lab over the past year. I made them each a giant merit badge to mark their contributions to our research project.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wadewoolley/6974805376/" title="DSC_1132 by Shadrach Meshach & Abednego, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_1132" height="332" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7198/6974805376_86e4df445b.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
I had a great time making these merit badges. I was on a strict deadline so I didn't have time to take progress photos, but I plan on making a couple more of them, so I'll do a tutorial if there is interest. You can see in the photo above that these are monster sized merit badges! Here are some glamour shots of three of them.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wadewoolley/7119695013/" title="DSC_1110 by Shadrach Meshach & Abednego, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_1110" height="332" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7211/7119695013_24e1e378c4.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wadewoolley/7119689999/" title="DSC_1107 by Shadrach Meshach & Abednego, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_1107" height="332" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7056/7119689999_42c1e00231.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wadewoolley/7119684863/" title="DSC_1096 by Shadrach Meshach & Abednego, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_1096" height="332" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8016/7119684863_21a986bc46.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
Somehow I didn't get single shots of the owl and the skull, but you can see them here:<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wadewoolley/6973589250/" title="DSC_1088 by Shadrach Meshach & Abednego, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_1088" height="332" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8024/6973589250_3ac5831512.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
Not quite Girl Guide badges, but everyone felt very proud of their accomplishments with these huge things pinned onto their bosoms! Speaking of Girl Guides, I just finished an hugely entertaining and informative social history book, <a href="http://www.amazon.ca/How-Girl-Guides-Won-War/dp/0007356315/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1335609721&sr=8-1" target="_blank">How the Girl Guides Won the War</a>, about the way Girl Guides played a role in supporting the outcome of World War II. From the back of the book: "Using interviews, diaries, and log-books, former Guide [and author Jane] Hampton describes the work that these brave young women undertook -- digging bomb shelters, feeding prisoners of concentration camps in secret, constructing kitchens from bombed-out houses during the Blitz, as well as raising huge sums of money. Their determination and good work simply knew no bounds." Wonderful!<br />
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<br />Leslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16704884943240371266noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3829160008505596434.post-27989062472058009002012-04-21T19:57:00.005-04:002012-04-21T19:57:56.020-04:00Gonging alongI am in the middle of a wedding quilt that I can't show, because the bride to be has admitted that she is the kind of person who can't resist surprise busting. She knows she is getting a quilt from me, and although I have banned her from my blog, I don't quite trust her, so I won't be showing any progress shots. Suffice it to say that it has many small pieces and it's taking a long time. Whenever it stops being fun, I look around for something else to do. Today I started another project: more gongs! I'm using Curious Nature by Parson Gray and Essex linen/cotton blend in Carrot for the background. I'm playing around with two different layouts. The colour isn't really true on these photos, but which layout do you like best?<br />
This one?<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wadewoolley/7099853413/" title="More gongs - Layout 2 by Shadrach Meshach & Abednego, on Flickr"><img alt="More gongs - Layout 2" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7198/7099853413_1c4dc7a766.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
Or this one?<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wadewoolley/7099844239/" title="More gongs - layout 1 by Shadrach Meshach & Abednego, on Flickr"><img alt="More gongs - layout 1" height="500" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5338/7099844239_79e714e5c9.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
On another topic, I recently saw <a href="http://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2012/04/confirmed-he-who-sits-the-most-dies-the-soonest/256101/" target="_blank">this article about the perils of too much sitting</a>. It says that even frequent exercising is not enough to completely offset the effect of too much sitting. I was thinking about how much we sit when sewing. Does anyone stand up when they sew? I had a discussion about this with another quilter who did stand while sewing but I have forgotten all the details. I wonder what it would be like to rig a stand-up sewing situation. I'm pretty sure I would like it for FMQ, because I have a hard time at my table feeling like I am high enough above my work. I'd be interested in giving a try to a standing situation for regular piecing.Leslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16704884943240371266noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3829160008505596434.post-64799852538979382412012-04-12T20:44:00.001-04:002012-04-12T20:44:35.787-04:00Reduce and rewardSome of you know that I am perpetually waging a battle with avoirdupois, to put it fancily. As fancy as you can get, it doesn't change the fact that I'm carrying around too much weight, and I'm getting to the age where it is beyond difficult to get it off. I have come to the point where I feel it is my last chance to proact and take control of the situation myself, and if I don't, it will end in tears. I have been working diligently at this challenge since Boxing Day, and I've been doing it the old fashioned way: physical activity and keeping my caloric intake under 1500 calories per day. I've been using two main motivational tools to help me along the way. The first is a <a href="http://www.fitbit.com/" target="_blank">Fitbit</a>. It's a fancy-pants pedometer that measures steps, of course, but also distance traveled, calories and, through the use of the internal accelerometer, flights of stairs. It uploads data to a website where you can track your progress in a variety of ways. For example, here is my record for today:<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ocR6ueV7AUQ/T4du5wsPVxI/AAAAAAAAAXM/3xvvV5hEns8/s1600/fitbit+screen.tiff" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ocR6ueV7AUQ/T4du5wsPVxI/AAAAAAAAAXM/3xvvV5hEns8/s400/fitbit+screen.tiff" width="326" /></a></div>
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It also does some neat tracking of your sleep - yes, sleep! - you can read about that on their website. I aim to reach 10,000 steps per day, and I have been largely successful. 10,000 steps is approximately five miles! It has been enlightening to see how much of an effort it takes to reach that goal on a daily basis. I wore the Fitbit for about a week at my regular pace just to take a baseline, and found that I was mainly hitting around 3500 steps on a normal day. I don't pay attention much to the calorie information on the Fitbit because I use another tool for monitoring what I eat: <a href="http://myfitnesspal.com/">myfitnesspal.com</a>. There are many, many online nutrition monitoring tools, but I like this one for three reasons. First, it has a very big existing database of food, including Canadian brands. Second, it has excellent mobile apps for the iPhone and iPad, which allow for use of the built-in cameras to scan the barcode on the nutrition labels of food items and imports the information directly into daily food record, or into the overall database. So if I have a piece of bread or a glass of milk, I just point my phone at the bar code, scan it, and the calorie and other nutritional information is instantly added to my daily record. Third, it syncs with my Fitbit, so it knows that I have walked five miles, or however far it is for the day. My calorie limit is 1500 for the day, but I get an adjustment of a few hundred calories based on my activity level. I walked over 15,000 steps today, so my adjustment is actually about 550 calories. In effect, it means that I can eat 1500 + 550 calories and still be on track. Today I did not "eat my adjustment" - but I need to watch that I don't dip too far into deficit or I will trigger "starvation mode", which is counterproductive for weight loss. (Everything I am saying here represents my best understanding, but I am not a doctor - well, not that kind of doctor - or a nutritionist, so you should listen to what I say from that perspective.)<br />
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If you are still here, you are probably wondering why on earth am I telling you all this! Partly, putting it out in public helps keep me accountable, but there is another reason, too. It is to explain why I have this in my hot little hands:<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wadewoolley/7070765525/" title="My reward for losing 20 lbs: Oakshott Colour Box by Shadrach Meshach & Abednego, on Flickr"><img alt="My reward for losing 20 lbs: Oakshott Colour Box" height="500" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5079/7070765525_48fed3068e.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
I have been working on this healthy living project since Boxing Day (December 26 for you non-Canadians or -British) and a couple of weeks ago I hit the milestone of 20 pounds lost. I was casting about for something to reward myself with, and by chance Oakshott Cottons was having a free shipping promotion. Add to this the 20% discount on the listed price for not having to pay VAT, and it was too good a deal to pass up. Plus, I felt that I completely deserved this reward - don't you agree? (If only I could say that I can stop at these 20 lb! Alas, I must keep going!) Many people have raved about this product, and let me tell you, one cannot overpraise this box of goodness. I do not yet have a project in mind, but one will come, I promise. If you are looking for a reward, for reducing or any other virtuous behaviour, you could do worse than treating yourself to an Oakshott Colour Box! <br />
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<br />Leslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16704884943240371266noreply@blogger.com16