tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79387111272411752242024-03-13T05:44:59.446-07:00MadeByMeaghanMadeByMeaghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07804645841628777259noreply@blogger.comBlogger64125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7938711127241175224.post-56584455026369551812012-03-25T17:28:00.005-07:002012-03-25T17:46:48.412-07:00Swoon!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDpEJMnFhpg9kNz_bI34tJUbqufKfmqneC7UgRujEhVyv5GxElG-7Mba5F2aIFbv61joe3rmxrBAwBM8Wlff7SXAR0FP17i8v-ZPkX8bzCcVJALRF74BBdbcBraCYQlzhGbHencxhWjvkR/s1600/IMG_1431.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDpEJMnFhpg9kNz_bI34tJUbqufKfmqneC7UgRujEhVyv5GxElG-7Mba5F2aIFbv61joe3rmxrBAwBM8Wlff7SXAR0FP17i8v-ZPkX8bzCcVJALRF74BBdbcBraCYQlzhGbHencxhWjvkR/s320/IMG_1431.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723997974124400098" border="0" /></a>When I heard that my cousin was diagnosed with Hodgkin Lymphoma I wanted to make her something super sunny, happy and warm that she can have while she's feeling like shit and also later on when she's eventually feeling better. This is what I came up with! I used the Swoon pattern, but made the block 16 inches instead of 24 inches. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6ITr3hPm5w3fxzuerxKzKcEqFu5EQHDQ__j2dIcaK9si1rfE-2_BsRnpIjNskF9Up6bX9X6ShN9oX7v45ynklrL66W7mujcDdvJG4XQiN8oI4wRploYq-m5sBaZaR3RvzioFqxFHYp84o/s1600/IMG_1378.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6ITr3hPm5w3fxzuerxKzKcEqFu5EQHDQ__j2dIcaK9si1rfE-2_BsRnpIjNskF9Up6bX9X6ShN9oX7v45ynklrL66W7mujcDdvJG4XQiN8oI4wRploYq-m5sBaZaR3RvzioFqxFHYp84o/s320/IMG_1378.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723997982697161314" border="0" /></a><br />I quilted it at on my friend Sandie's long-arm with an orange peel type pattern - so fun! I hope she loves it as much as I loved making it for her!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihaHcY3kKYmYC7QwOqATYCzzc1pDAqXddEhSAr59uac0K22FO38TOwRHv-_tHZWIYIu09gINIrnOnyp7Vqe1TOGCa6pvlT0PySlvGp04s-nNbpZw4V6FW-KF9dFXeNHRrI2Ih4YW76ImRg/s1600/IMG_1434.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihaHcY3kKYmYC7QwOqATYCzzc1pDAqXddEhSAr59uac0K22FO38TOwRHv-_tHZWIYIu09gINIrnOnyp7Vqe1TOGCa6pvlT0PySlvGp04s-nNbpZw4V6FW-KF9dFXeNHRrI2Ih4YW76ImRg/s320/IMG_1434.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723998322599722002" border="0" /></a>It was such a beautiful day in Seattle yesterday - this is Puget Sound with some snow-capped Olympic Mountains in the background.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmuFYioPOEKxZ-gco1tpD7W0LztV4PjZsK-nEps486Ay7KVNG3_eVbNnK3PvH8ksapzH7rXmBr7uCUDxS27pp1hq046HaDRW9vRZjo67AAPU3nI-8ocJVdVe-QpenNsMpmsJ0V-nfocTEd/s1600/IMG_1437.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmuFYioPOEKxZ-gco1tpD7W0LztV4PjZsK-nEps486Ay7KVNG3_eVbNnK3PvH8ksapzH7rXmBr7uCUDxS27pp1hq046HaDRW9vRZjo67AAPU3nI-8ocJVdVe-QpenNsMpmsJ0V-nfocTEd/s320/IMG_1437.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723997963413129170" border="0" /></a>Yum! :)MadeByMeaghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07804645841628777259noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7938711127241175224.post-83967161292395991462011-11-04T18:35:00.000-07:002011-11-04T19:01:48.171-07:00Blogger's Quilt Festival<span style="font-family: monospace;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span></span>I was so excited to see that it's time for another <a href="http://amyscreativeside.com/2011/10/28/bloggers-quilt-festival-fall-2011/">Blogger's Quilt Festival</a> over at Amy's Creative Side! Last time I was literally the last one to enter (procrastinate much?) but this time there are still a few hours left to enter! haha<br /><span style="display: block;" id="formatbar_Buttons"><span class="" style="display: block;" id="formatbar_CreateLink" title="Link" onmouseover="ButtonHoverOn(this);" onmouseout="ButtonHoverOff(this);" onmouseup="" onmousedown="CheckFormatting(event);FormatbarButton('richeditorframe', this, 8);ButtonMouseDown(this);"><img src="img/blank.gif" alt="Link" class="gl_link" border="0" /></span></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-ISdZuJAQtmbNNmJg2FTwDPOGgasRKQmLDs39OrCjFfl9mta6GHJLb7Ej_QOsQrxrjdDrbOSmjt7PkKjvrEN2pNQ-2PCc3XZ7bFAQNCDbqAK9Kj1G93q1XZApcvUrGhh-pLdMdd0l93zl/s1600/IMG_0880.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-ISdZuJAQtmbNNmJg2FTwDPOGgasRKQmLDs39OrCjFfl9mta6GHJLb7Ej_QOsQrxrjdDrbOSmjt7PkKjvrEN2pNQ-2PCc3XZ7bFAQNCDbqAK9Kj1G93q1XZApcvUrGhh-pLdMdd0l93zl/s320/IMG_0880.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671322713509646994" border="0" /></a>I finished this quilt just in time for my friend's wedding in October. One of my favorite parts of quilting is putting together a palette of prints. For this quilt I just wanted to use a pattern that would really feature the fabrics in a simple and classic way.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBjljNdDcZ6ZKnMxhPKdygonOJRRfHVtWHpsX0xZK28LAQICT1hCpO5qeePik0hZrR9tnJtcS1xm0Ei0ZpAFNDDqIoJ3lRUoOXPfVE0Vn70IIzUAxmrONxNnUdEkrTCkw6EJPpm6vVPOXl/s1600/IMG_0882.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBjljNdDcZ6ZKnMxhPKdygonOJRRfHVtWHpsX0xZK28LAQICT1hCpO5qeePik0hZrR9tnJtcS1xm0Ei0ZpAFNDDqIoJ3lRUoOXPfVE0Vn70IIzUAxmrONxNnUdEkrTCkw6EJPpm6vVPOXl/s320/IMG_0882.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671321978181324754" border="0" /></a>My friend's house is filled with a lot of earth tones and is very cozy. This is not my normal color scheme but I LOVE how it came out. What I did not love so much? Machine piecing hexagons! It was sooo time consuming, but so worth it in the end.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQboe055LZsIdBh3dxJbwgsQ0fSuTgW84HM5jqOWzIwsyVxSiFrkktWbPtQ3_0aakIoj9W4tEnG1Z-ZBq3aCrAXqx20BzvzEirYFX-2gwHcG1A_mqBh3XfeLhPZCKB8b-1-x0YDz1MfCwL/s1600/IMG_0884.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQboe055LZsIdBh3dxJbwgsQ0fSuTgW84HM5jqOWzIwsyVxSiFrkktWbPtQ3_0aakIoj9W4tEnG1Z-ZBq3aCrAXqx20BzvzEirYFX-2gwHcG1A_mqBh3XfeLhPZCKB8b-1-x0YDz1MfCwL/s320/IMG_0884.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671321984682341938" border="0" /></a>I also tried pebble quilting for the first time on a large quilt which was also very time consuming, but definitely the right choice for this quilt. This was a labor of love and I hope they love it forever!<br /><br />Thanks for looking!MadeByMeaghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07804645841628777259noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7938711127241175224.post-73359245170147242982011-07-11T21:53:00.000-07:002011-07-13T11:51:55.090-07:00Some people say quilting and alcohol don't mix...I disagree! First of all, people say you shouldn't use the "heavy machinery" of a sewing machine while drinking wine, but it's worked for me for years. :) Anyway, that's not what this post is about. 4th of July weekend I had a long drive back to Seattle from Spokane and did some research ahead of time about where to shop for fabric along the way. Awesomely, the tiny center of Ritzville, WA has a quilt shop/liquor store combo. I had no need for booze at that point, but it was kind of a funny and unique thing. And I was so happy to find fabric there that is tough to find for a great price to boot. So, here's to you, Wildflowers Quit Shop Liquor Store. Cheers! <br /><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhADSEJzsZzsnN7H1Rx3FoByCF_brnDpcNmmn5quwrzUDwIEWGOImr61X9p1pzYmHhNM8UvT71fAcu06PTp_9LaM8XsetINKpQUf_-xp0w49I95TKWmYAy8NTB0Y8-n-OQGHSoBRzayF9Zn/s1600/IMG_0635.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628325545343057970" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhADSEJzsZzsnN7H1Rx3FoByCF_brnDpcNmmn5quwrzUDwIEWGOImr61X9p1pzYmHhNM8UvT71fAcu06PTp_9LaM8XsetINKpQUf_-xp0w49I95TKWmYAy8NTB0Y8-n-OQGHSoBRzayF9Zn/s320/IMG_0635.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /></div>MadeByMeaghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07804645841628777259noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7938711127241175224.post-15166245716381904832011-07-11T21:36:00.000-07:002011-07-12T22:19:55.339-07:00Flying geese top done!<div>I felt really happy to get this top done in the last week. I have a little ritual about showing off finished quilt tops that I couldn't do, so showing it off in blogland will have to do. I don't typically love a flying geese block, but I think the scale and the prints themselves, on the white background, give it a more fun and fresh feel.</div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWNXYvQBObX9A96hqxJhyphenhyphen5XIHwsrQxqRlMCx5EwxplIdSqzOnYRibufFYH0LAI2536JrswbLLrJYc2Qcn7ZP0LAYlSxLf9JRQuNO_zor4XbEFxlR300KIbqHYICmu68dI2T2Rla0ZsN7tw/s1600/IMG_0640.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWNXYvQBObX9A96hqxJhyphenhyphen5XIHwsrQxqRlMCx5EwxplIdSqzOnYRibufFYH0LAI2536JrswbLLrJYc2Qcn7ZP0LAYlSxLf9JRQuNO_zor4XbEFxlR300KIbqHYICmu68dI2T2Rla0ZsN7tw/s320/IMG_0640.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628321254653528162" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw7P-aPlldDMbZ9bF3g7adIm19ZTLlTboKGEVD4eVx0BRsoDg0LeQZuTStBSTcDqwNOO0Cbd15cZXHz9fWlYtDrDuoImMVpApVbKanBYJMu8lMQw0Y5JRqGm_rS5o4vKgzcSHKusGB2VZ_/s1600/IMG_0641.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw7P-aPlldDMbZ9bF3g7adIm19ZTLlTboKGEVD4eVx0BRsoDg0LeQZuTStBSTcDqwNOO0Cbd15cZXHz9fWlYtDrDuoImMVpApVbKanBYJMu8lMQw0Y5JRqGm_rS5o4vKgzcSHKusGB2VZ_/s320/IMG_0641.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628320981432181202" /></a>I also realized that it's a little too big for my full sized bed, but would be great for a queen! I'm still thinking about how I'll quilt it. I'd take suggestions.... :)<div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div>MadeByMeaghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07804645841628777259noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7938711127241175224.post-46201247964191415082011-07-11T20:53:00.000-07:002011-07-11T21:35:02.713-07:00I love to lay out<div>Awhile back we had a quiet night at the SMQG sew-in and I took advantage of the balcony to lay out some quilty stuff. Everyone said, wow you've been productive, but since then I have pieced these together and haven't done much else. It's been a tough month and I'm looking forward to some therapeutic blogging following some therapeutic quilting following all the therapeutic fabric shopping I have been doing. hah.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIFTJQuityWuv5NAqOKUgyxjjwAGhojXJvujovynejlgiQ8HB8hqUIOcQcWZgl8-JDaan74Ihwn9SIbVA9gKqTqJ0TbE-pAl4iesa-QvttaGvMq6wFgp7qvIfjyfkM6yKu1a7oN5HoeQy8/s1600/IMG_0509.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIFTJQuityWuv5NAqOKUgyxjjwAGhojXJvujovynejlgiQ8HB8hqUIOcQcWZgl8-JDaan74Ihwn9SIbVA9gKqTqJ0TbE-pAl4iesa-QvttaGvMq6wFgp7qvIfjyfkM6yKu1a7oN5HoeQy8/s320/IMG_0509.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628310638313637026" /></a>I love these big chunks of pips mixed in with some of my fave coordinating prints!<div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjctPvWfkO9eYw8Kb08jA46PvdaYcUf2taW44L9HnmdhlOYdG8bv0qlheCEVslkzZCdRYdUHkX_-CoogKqcrT0d-kjw9W9EG6OIkePnhDc4BegwiST6V1PE6UPCzhTLLhlebGktqHBybolv/s1600/IMG_0515.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjctPvWfkO9eYw8Kb08jA46PvdaYcUf2taW44L9HnmdhlOYdG8bv0qlheCEVslkzZCdRYdUHkX_-CoogKqcrT0d-kjw9W9EG6OIkePnhDc4BegwiST6V1PE6UPCzhTLLhlebGktqHBybolv/s320/IMG_0515.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628310632611342962" /></a>This strip of herringbone-esque blocks was kind of a headache. It was one of the few times where it didn't feel quite right and instead of giving up on it I ripped stuff out, redid it and came out with a much happier product. I'm having some doubts about my original intention for this, but for now I have a very colorful strip of fabric. :) Let me say, if I didn't love my solids collection so much I probably would have just scrapped this. haha.</div>MadeByMeaghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07804645841628777259noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7938711127241175224.post-75081902338730688442011-06-04T13:53:00.000-07:002011-06-04T14:06:01.309-07:00My WIPsI finished all my flying geese blocks and I'm loving how they came out. A year ago I never would have thought I would make this quilt or be so excited about it! I started squaring them up - just a teeny bit off each side, and then decided I would go insane trimming 128 blocks. So I'm just going to do my best and piece them together on the fly (no pun intended). Next challenge - the layout. This is going to be a big quilt!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAsYmn_OaZTJXzQQ43etC1YF2Sexgy9bpwy19GFgKlPoYYsNKq1mnEfCdFhKynsTXq76gpnlXOGW1SOILa-n9b9R5pM_PqZyXg1LkHysPjH4ODqkZMpKF3aJi5xHvq4grbgkPr7tS0Fa9F/s1600/IMG_0481%255B1%255D"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAsYmn_OaZTJXzQQ43etC1YF2Sexgy9bpwy19GFgKlPoYYsNKq1mnEfCdFhKynsTXq76gpnlXOGW1SOILa-n9b9R5pM_PqZyXg1LkHysPjH4ODqkZMpKF3aJi5xHvq4grbgkPr7tS0Fa9F/s320/IMG_0481%255B1%255D" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614471512534167298" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii0bXIDxLS14eDjP26eomcbujKetQhIsMC7pQKDNcdt3YQmPI79IyiH-TWP6Vq02u_9P80LTRQfz2-NO_KTDlhZh4jgzUueT5tbm7uEWetGPgRlUCXT0jXMwV9GemqQ_wHOAy87e085EG0/s1600/IMG_0479.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii0bXIDxLS14eDjP26eomcbujKetQhIsMC7pQKDNcdt3YQmPI79IyiH-TWP6Vq02u_9P80LTRQfz2-NO_KTDlhZh4jgzUueT5tbm7uEWetGPgRlUCXT0jXMwV9GemqQ_wHOAy87e085EG0/s320/IMG_0479.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614472041218330226" border="0" /></a><br />And these are my herringbone blocks. I'm having a hard time with the layout and just hit a point where I couldn't look at them any longer. So they are packed away for now until I hit that rare patient moment when I'll take them out and sew them all up. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil0Cu6r65VeQwsNSkWmBStLS4emKgNTyRm8HmMRp-idvGWB_Bf-7Qj-lOop0U4QDJODNSW-70KJmcMH_3WZlNCyz6JAOTAduII5no9rT4pUD2mUUxNo_uC8oO9Oh_Xe9FP2u6eo9SpUB42/s1600/IMG_0487%255B1%255D"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil0Cu6r65VeQwsNSkWmBStLS4emKgNTyRm8HmMRp-idvGWB_Bf-7Qj-lOop0U4QDJODNSW-70KJmcMH_3WZlNCyz6JAOTAduII5no9rT4pUD2mUUxNo_uC8oO9Oh_Xe9FP2u6eo9SpUB42/s320/IMG_0487%255B1%255D" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614471510708159026" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAsYmn_OaZTJXzQQ43etC1YF2Sexgy9bpwy19GFgKlPoYYsNKq1mnEfCdFhKynsTXq76gpnlXOGW1SOILa-n9b9R5pM_PqZyXg1LkHysPjH4ODqkZMpKF3aJi5xHvq4grbgkPr7tS0Fa9F/s1600/IMG_0481%255B1%255D"><br /></a>MadeByMeaghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07804645841628777259noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7938711127241175224.post-52594971372053710672011-05-23T19:53:00.000-07:002011-05-23T20:26:39.487-07:00Flying geese blocks<div style="text-align: left;">As I've probably said before, one of my favorite things to do is create stacks of fabric from my stash. I get a lot of joy out of it - for the 30 minutes before I start panicking about what to make with it. Sometimes I feel overwhelmed by all of the quilts out there in the blogosphere. It can seem like the line between "being inspired by" and "copying" is thin so when I see something I like, it sort of just feels like it's just another thing that I CAN'T make now. So anyway, I decided to make a traditional block with fabrics that I love. I started making these flying geese blocks using <a href="http://thelastpiece.typepad.com/the_last_piece/2009/05/flying-geese-tutorial-1.html">this tutorial</a> with a larger scale block. </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcgLR4TFu3-pPfu4QIY6tqCKcGtJT191NAgQpGJOl3kz_J7ipqiS1vMwiFJNq4_xzeK4qZZa0lkybCy5CY2Zb_lIB-FrAaOdMEF6DhLJCcRynyuFmTitzDH9Kbe-fjHqeOpJTxntg901n2/s320/IMG_0472.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610113698921148530" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">Here are a few, and I have many many more to go. The unfinished size is about 11.5X6. I found out (for once not the hard way) that directional prints don't really work with this method. Because the original square ends up being cut in quarters diagonally, none of the prints would end up going in the same direction. That kind of thing bothers me, so half my original stack is now out. Oh well. </span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "></span><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUiPf9qJYSTERhg3twB-KOd2YLnOq_uPPh22V-6E-WmwGfms1GzQ0XLWVh8AGU6w7mzWccEt8WJoOEA6Bq6IIgE3UkkTNn64JkhN8iE2uzBm3Si4K6kc0GRtK6iBFVVMcYxDJq5p6JaFkP/s1600/IMG_0474.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUiPf9qJYSTERhg3twB-KOd2YLnOq_uPPh22V-6E-WmwGfms1GzQ0XLWVh8AGU6w7mzWccEt8WJoOEA6Bq6IIgE3UkkTNn64JkhN8iE2uzBm3Si4K6kc0GRtK6iBFVVMcYxDJq5p6JaFkP/s320/IMG_0474.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610113683934080194" /></a>I also think I'm going to limit the color palette to blues and greens, but I could change my mind... :)</div></div>MadeByMeaghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07804645841628777259noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7938711127241175224.post-86635886067954004142011-05-20T22:04:00.000-07:002011-05-20T23:25:59.431-07:00Blogger's Quilt FestivalThis mini quilt is one that I had no special thoughts or feelings about when I started. I was just playing around with some paper piecing and tried this "lattice" type square with some Amy Butler Lotus scraps I had on hand. I didn't even really like the fabrics all together that much when I started out. In the end, this is hanging in my living room and is probably one of my most complimented pieces of work. I thought it would be a good entry for Amy's <a href="http://amyscreativeside.com/2011/05/13/bloggers-quilt-festival-spring-2011/">Blogger's Quilt Festival</a>!<span style="font-family: monospace;"><br /><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWw6CyhE-TqMXq3pysfHd9gvkT2YJiYmK-Y4tcQ3qsG_4-GcLIKV6AHusM3mTL6q7tuuJihLlh24Z5D43RCb6rrf0gk3ArBO6_INhKBCB4A_iyNJlDxBsy8QratNsy7y1e57olNyJEOKTY/s1600/030.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWw6CyhE-TqMXq3pysfHd9gvkT2YJiYmK-Y4tcQ3qsG_4-GcLIKV6AHusM3mTL6q7tuuJihLlh24Z5D43RCb6rrf0gk3ArBO6_INhKBCB4A_iyNJlDxBsy8QratNsy7y1e57olNyJEOKTY/s320/030.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609048829374905970" border="0" /></a>I love how the quilting came out - concentric squares, done with my walking foot. Some squares aren't perfect, but in the end, I like it that way.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJRkW-qtpwVhCJ0sfo2dmig0nusmgYRubToqGwRa3H62f1V0iN5bNcZdl_A1-2DAN70tEU2aW_ziOzow3LYmOwAa5AIkIbVrfm0HaO7ACDtPcMEZkSS8JbmI-9KrXrL-Fmc69bRdP3VpdR/s1600/031.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJRkW-qtpwVhCJ0sfo2dmig0nusmgYRubToqGwRa3H62f1V0iN5bNcZdl_A1-2DAN70tEU2aW_ziOzow3LYmOwAa5AIkIbVrfm0HaO7ACDtPcMEZkSS8JbmI-9KrXrL-Fmc69bRdP3VpdR/s320/031.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609048841117564098" border="0" /></a>It's funny how you can start off with low expectations and end up very pleasantly surprised - I guess the opposite has been true before too!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWw6CyhE-TqMXq3pysfHd9gvkT2YJiYmK-Y4tcQ3qsG_4-GcLIKV6AHusM3mTL6q7tuuJihLlh24Z5D43RCb6rrf0gk3ArBO6_INhKBCB4A_iyNJlDxBsy8QratNsy7y1e57olNyJEOKTY/s1600/030.JPG"><br /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNusGG_DjrYwyS3sCoQ34DZdh4C5n6q4V5HPq4CGVCnv2cut0FfNR-Ktc1NdgmxI1JgFebOS-9eYYZnldS2ksOXd2pY67FcfUzhysTHyAzt7LY2f17YgcjAxCqEtLqUCOiqQnLvXdy-Mpt/s1600/035.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNusGG_DjrYwyS3sCoQ34DZdh4C5n6q4V5HPq4CGVCnv2cut0FfNR-Ktc1NdgmxI1JgFebOS-9eYYZnldS2ksOXd2pY67FcfUzhysTHyAzt7LY2f17YgcjAxCqEtLqUCOiqQnLvXdy-Mpt/s320/035.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609048845025546786" border="0" /></a>MadeByMeaghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07804645841628777259noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7938711127241175224.post-51524361720345241742011-05-14T13:41:00.001-07:002011-05-15T09:58:29.649-07:00(Still) feeling thankfulSometimes I wonder how different my life would be if I didn't sew. As solitary as it can be - good thing to keep you busy and creative when you're lonely - it has also allowed me to connect with so many new people in both cities I have lived in. Last week was my birthday and I was pretty homesick, but later in the week I had some friends over for food and drinks and I got totally spoiled! As much as I miss home, I am thankful to have these people in my life (and others who couldn't make it too!) They treated me with some fabric goodies too - such a nice surprise!<br /><div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMkab7SdlU5zS0Z_39B5lbTR2x6X1G9AzzZIvN8TXspyiVv7YKeZuipBKtHdiUIPR76bxoLGzF3TX1kakloBXCFjNSTYHPaOQj-JmCQzQze-N61ELc_MdrNBNSKRJRjWfCNr1VCm2v4RnE/s1600/IMG_0470.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMkab7SdlU5zS0Z_39B5lbTR2x6X1G9AzzZIvN8TXspyiVv7YKeZuipBKtHdiUIPR76bxoLGzF3TX1kakloBXCFjNSTYHPaOQj-JmCQzQze-N61ELc_MdrNBNSKRJRjWfCNr1VCm2v4RnE/s320/IMG_0470.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606985826216707906" border="0" /></a>I was seriously not expecting gifts, but how nice! <a href="http://sewkatiedid.wordpress.com/">Katie</a> made me a <a href="http://sewkatiedid.wordpress.com/2011/05/12/cracked-ovals/">zip pouch</a> and gave me hexie papers, <a href="http://www.bellaandjake.wordpress.com/">Noelle</a> gave me a pattern, fabric and hardware to make a curvy pouch, Season gave me this cute poster (perfect for my sewing area), and <a href="http://www.rendytuckerphotography.com/blog/">Rendy</a> did some fabric shopping so we now have matching sets of fat quarters! All really thoughtful and creative gifts for a quilter!<br /><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Bkn_X7TZB-jToa8JPHbpwv0eYAyDCA8bWqVvvmP-IhYyyteK52B1dEcKiWKCG9JsalaYz4CANMwd6Ahp7s8Ak4iZZOwoxu3i16bgeqhHs7-AR-eHyZTM8C4stk9IblDr5DUrRq4pUt5L/s1600/IMG_0462.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Bkn_X7TZB-jToa8JPHbpwv0eYAyDCA8bWqVvvmP-IhYyyteK52B1dEcKiWKCG9JsalaYz4CANMwd6Ahp7s8Ak4iZZOwoxu3i16bgeqhHs7-AR-eHyZTM8C4stk9IblDr5DUrRq4pUt5L/s320/IMG_0462.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606678155406382626" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" /></a>My table NEVER looks this pretty! I have such generous friends!</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3jF6T-zWwPQXJlOYnmjxLYpcTYVx5dR1Qj1QAov8nY8TvTsLgHC_oF1ypcdh-0Ch1XZXVAodRtd2ac5IV3GkWY5iWe4LYQLnoNoCA2uDn_TsrJ1nKagnaUd4Ch-mQfIj13mqD0GCTDDeM/s1600/IMG_0464.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3jF6T-zWwPQXJlOYnmjxLYpcTYVx5dR1Qj1QAov8nY8TvTsLgHC_oF1ypcdh-0Ch1XZXVAodRtd2ac5IV3GkWY5iWe4LYQLnoNoCA2uDn_TsrJ1nKagnaUd4Ch-mQfIj13mqD0GCTDDeM/s320/IMG_0464.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606678149067937298" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" /></a></div></div></div><div>Here's Season, Katie, me, Rendy and Noelle. What a good looking group! Thanks for helping to make my birthday special ladies! </div>MadeByMeaghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07804645841628777259noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7938711127241175224.post-82394341285641969532011-05-14T11:55:00.001-07:002011-05-14T13:36:49.058-07:00Boston Modern Quilt Guild retreat<div style="text-align: left;">So, yes, I live in Seattle now, but I came to love my old quilt guild so much that when I moved I decided to stay connected. The guild retreat seemed like the perfect time to make a trip home. We had a blast together - sewing, eating, drinking, and buying way too much fabric. I came home with over 10 yards of new fabric (including a backing, so I don't feel that bad about it!) By the end I got so sick of fabric shopping - I never thought that would be possible!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div>Here's what I was working on while I was there. I wasn't feeling very inspired, but this was a fun block to make. Saturday we stayed up until 3am sewing. It took me days to recover from the lack of sleep. </div><div><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcqVYEDp-A_zMrN3P2zHrYJY7xfqJu-VJPWWjQTsyBWfx0nr7hlUZAnlE6ol5xSjcU7K1Run8pBREoGBcKZE26B_nPu2gRjS_3P2bdpxGuW6q9W5jMj7RHAFcg830IrE3bAxktVfxenMxu/s320/IMG_0435.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606667005016637570" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "></span><div>Here are some other pictures from our girls' weekend (to non-quilters that sounds a lot more normal and fun than a quilting retreat. haha):</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX7qArz1hI8XQK4jJYEnzAS86BSQSWo_VtgMgpe8_lEqWNFobqTK4oLObXOD-_pELUFhnaEE0Mt5Tt8rmwKHKPE36_iJN8puPQNsh3Zgkn_VktlZlsUV7dWvFogeXI28bHlIjv58AicfLN/s320/IMG_0436.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606667013569610578" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><a href="http://www.dodgebutterfly.blogspot.com/">Laurie's</a> giant dresden plate quilt she made from fabrics she got in Uganda a few years back.</span></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJiQMK5QP5vb1EE06Dn5nvgZx4op4npHXdr8Wmzb7kDmS2tcawcRoWJtPu86mumAvXDGffbRdW7Z5GT4Ocz-92T8LUfwtoUI05LAFDXO5RY9LSgDUqa8PSZ3I0QNt814__K59myUlgRAM5/s320/IMG_0401.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606670178233464994" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span></span></span></div><div>It was the royal wedding weekend, so playing royal wedding with the 11 yards of batting Monet bought (for the imprecise measurement and charge of 5 yards) seemed appropriate.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjityOicIZfmHRScbQ21WHxtPWilpXaJqhSPW_nVbeWcC-aJ1ClkQI-kXve8dvUEHwUA1ZMFi90dLfB4O0NWJQh6eloX_Bb_19piwwJb-BpFsz0wkYig08-7jfBpgrXjGivDeiFxHwBR3WG/s320/IMG_0404.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606670172664405682" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><a href="http://stripesandsolidssewing.blogspot.com/">Monet</a> gave Rebecca a bath in the scrap pile.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Fj79YyVVG94dSTprSe9E3kcwgxEHH4bT8RWP4PkSzb7fR3_OLvGmji22w2chJfHY2G5gu5eo4nK5E_D0DTCYkF-heafrQ52rGBupHFP1ie3ybXkMBnV0xpMPiT489S_dIMx1Qi1CzpVc/s320/IMG_0427.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606672692203331026" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span></span></span></span></div><div>Rachel finished up this awesome quilt she made. I love her style and fabric selections.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG1VHTs1Sbd7pB2yRpK7-Hxo0AKDkIsHka-v7qn_qTirQXJYr7XtVApIBYo9nAHEKAZ0eMTpxmANZ6Fo5SXn3xZVT1EjdVHA2Mg2rcGUOW-mIG9fiQtC3ekZ1fQPJuwmtoeBqVW4JcK9Gy/s320/IMG_0410.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606672687707660754" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span></span></span></span></div><div>This quilt is so simple yet packs a big punch. </div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqLueS78MmgkvL2urhpWljzFlp9P1X_VcNWE3YhSjviUlddzmG4AsagUrl-wTSOKyDwWzwa8hZ3AmUTquKPaTfT8k2ZvpbOWgfJV8pybOnfWAqkYWQ3C9GGF3EvKaJaHDvPncTomNajMhC/s320/IMG_0440.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606667009619910146" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></div><div>A few of us at the beach in Kennebunkport, ME. I was so happy to reunite with my old friends (and see the sun again!)</div><div><br /></div>MadeByMeaghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07804645841628777259noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7938711127241175224.post-65880203693052942662011-04-16T18:32:00.001-07:002011-04-16T19:07:54.640-07:00New Denyse Schmidt fabric<div style="text-align: left;">After seeing other posts pop up about Denyse Schmidt's line for Joann's, I thought I'd go check it out for myself. The store near me only had a few of the prints, but I fell in love with this one and bought a yard to make a tote. I used <a href="http://www.bijoulovelydesigns.com/2010/05/market-tote-tutorial.html">this tutorial</a>, but adjusted it to be a bit smaller. It's still pretty big for a shoulder bag, which I love.</div><div> <div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbr_8diijfHihtns6cgMJrGQlGxU8nniKmkWwDd57gKWX23jDd09OX84YWF3vmMRwjRKujUmymzYjtXnrv2JU_JD_8I25-2tF4NczwTQVsnkxeB88IZRHlw4qOUyuT98-fvBBUSqYWELcy/s320/IMG_0340.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596363773253420978" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div>I have had this red print in my stash for awhile and have been waiting for the perfect project. I love how they go together!</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiidUfCP6lnp45udhQKUQ9ArUrnH_dE-oDImWmOBTO5QzEXC9ejmn23Q3-yIiR1cah-T1lk_zySzq99bqwAf5suwnYSPXDTI4NmWJpaHclK-6mFvpBqs78cgy4lx67i_GdRBKTFmQvIea1/s320/IMG_0342.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596363781813556370" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5paSD0VRwIJLHB14xxwXVIWK5VL-HM1R_bmWyyXMOvFhtsWHdpCE9Nv8vCbgRwYvgPiwy87YBNXCVKG-_XShdZ27u2fYLBIyM4aYqdmc3pbVBVwbulleeqbkUIh2DtpAzlz9YiYJa5OZn/s1600/IMG_0341.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5paSD0VRwIJLHB14xxwXVIWK5VL-HM1R_bmWyyXMOvFhtsWHdpCE9Nv8vCbgRwYvgPiwy87YBNXCVKG-_XShdZ27u2fYLBIyM4aYqdmc3pbVBVwbulleeqbkUIh2DtpAzlz9YiYJa5OZn/s320/IMG_0341.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596363779455416322" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a>Sometimes it just feels so good to start and finish a project in the same day!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></span></div>MadeByMeaghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07804645841628777259noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7938711127241175224.post-8584626153918954272011-04-10T20:58:00.000-07:002011-04-10T21:30:46.398-07:00Mini Quilt SundayI'm not sure I've ever posted twice in one day, but I made this mini quilt today and had to share. In a book of graphic patterns I took out from the library I saw a painting that inspired this quilt. I was planning to make a pillow out of this, but decided in the end that it will hold up better being up on the wall. Plus it goes really well next to my green couch. :)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_eJeba4Awlu58oGWCPs8o5BsNJhjtP9aLs7akTcoQFONkKE3q7I-GxtipbA-EtY18cWUJqKqkXcm5bMjehHysBmlbM9pssWpKnnZ6HTDo0-ZzjTXZjmlcF0lDb_OkRTdixk4AX2JvwGM3/s1600/IMG_0330.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_eJeba4Awlu58oGWCPs8o5BsNJhjtP9aLs7akTcoQFONkKE3q7I-GxtipbA-EtY18cWUJqKqkXcm5bMjehHysBmlbM9pssWpKnnZ6HTDo0-ZzjTXZjmlcF0lDb_OkRTdixk4AX2JvwGM3/s320/IMG_0330.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594172584417297410" border="0" /></a>I have also been thinking about doing something similar and experimenting with fabric paint/stencils. The background is osnaburg, which was the main neutral in <a href="http://madebymeaghan.blogspot.com/2011/01/feeling-thankful.html">this quilt</a>. I love the texture of it.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNHup_SIKEadRLvoZSnQZ53KkyfUH6HjcPH9OwWTxKaHHBh1-7aSiROyE1EErHHdeFyXhAPeG20Z1cBEqsyPiT-l23MY4rlKt28pr769o3DQXzSqwa77IF2tjzLMsRR9xBrwPVWKddgqH3/s1600/IMG_0332.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNHup_SIKEadRLvoZSnQZ53KkyfUH6HjcPH9OwWTxKaHHBh1-7aSiROyE1EErHHdeFyXhAPeG20Z1cBEqsyPiT-l23MY4rlKt28pr769o3DQXzSqwa77IF2tjzLMsRR9xBrwPVWKddgqH3/s320/IMG_0332.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594172587941830146" border="0" /></a>This was my first time doing free motion on my new machine and it didn't come out that great. Apparently Janome sells another foot that's better for this, but it's sold separately. After today I think that will be well worth it.<br /><br />I bound it with one of the herringbone prints from the Modern Meadow line and LOVE how that looks as a binding! Uh oh... :)MadeByMeaghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07804645841628777259noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7938711127241175224.post-85307828534249354992011-04-10T13:09:00.000-07:002011-04-10T13:41:48.573-07:00Fabric influxWow. The fabric diet is OVER. I came home to two packages on my door step - Pips have arrived from <a href="http://www.fatquartershop.com">Fat Quarter Shop</a> and I got some great goodies from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/sewfreshfabrics">Sew Fresh Fabrics</a> too!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEind__K-9N5JGJvt90dpIfI9U7QzCKjhXh1H_FhcI5BiGwWTORZgePBdP6B_RE36FDPG95uzhgEjN08aAHbqzl6LvTc8C-tlDeERyhmHoBwXZAoBE-dQr_Bfm4REYial_V1df087mTYryEv/s1600/IMG_0315.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEind__K-9N5JGJvt90dpIfI9U7QzCKjhXh1H_FhcI5BiGwWTORZgePBdP6B_RE36FDPG95uzhgEjN08aAHbqzl6LvTc8C-tlDeERyhmHoBwXZAoBE-dQr_Bfm4REYial_V1df087mTYryEv/s320/IMG_0315.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594052287289599842" border="0" /></a>Yesterday a few friends from my guild and I hopped on the ferry to Bainbridge Island for a trip to <a href="http://www.pinkchalkfabrics.com">Pink Chalk Fabrics</a>!!! They don't have a store front, but we were able to visit, do some shopping, see Kathy's FABULOUS space and dig through some amazing scraps! I was in solids heaven - I wish I got a picture, but I just stared endlessly at a wall of konas and free spirit designer solids. YUM! <br /><br />I love to support a local shop - so I did what I had to do... :) This yellow print from Aviary 2 is gorgeous, and I got some kona stone, buttercup, charcoal, cerise, berry and slate to go with.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM3T_nfo3ObwICE_tvzu3ycv01Q9Ypv7Fbr7dhyp57jbNpAvCf2gKr4Fz1jyGvoseH_wdf8ALiYykcdRtzPV1X5SAZDMM79_vAhRS9goxU_ceZgHmef5_rmwIdIvrftqCIOJwJdhJnVpg9/s1600/IMG_0326.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM3T_nfo3ObwICE_tvzu3ycv01Q9Ypv7Fbr7dhyp57jbNpAvCf2gKr4Fz1jyGvoseH_wdf8ALiYykcdRtzPV1X5SAZDMM79_vAhRS9goxU_ceZgHmef5_rmwIdIvrftqCIOJwJdhJnVpg9/s320/IMG_0326.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594052264896859138" border="0" /></a>And I got to take home these scraps I got from the solids pile.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaWcsd1rzjcVC5O25bSYKh1qpz4gRfl-3ADqdHg_KKV2A63yNBsfEZOaKXj-s3DrW8bYKoeEllw8YVPfcByUHlZycK7LSvb7d6lK5JsqiFaeWBobICGyUHVns8hr3gixYN_FJtsNxrLy44/s1600/IMG_0321.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaWcsd1rzjcVC5O25bSYKh1qpz4gRfl-3ADqdHg_KKV2A63yNBsfEZOaKXj-s3DrW8bYKoeEllw8YVPfcByUHlZycK7LSvb7d6lK5JsqiFaeWBobICGyUHVns8hr3gixYN_FJtsNxrLy44/s320/IMG_0321.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594052271928777842" border="0" /></a>No this pile is not all the new fabric I bought this week (although that does take up a considerable portion of it) but this is what I'm calling the "overstock" (i.e. fabric that will not fit in my drawers. Better get sewing! :)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX7G49XpOK4JgGuptvzs6z63q47jVh7kLhueeThx96Vo33rjX2m2MVA2S-AFXc-NRp5HWjUsVWlLMlFIHIlrMJGgZQfaIt83kehtKlWroc9UG3JzGNntzcJC5NaePXJyjlN3-bzVisDHQH/s1600/IMG_0329.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX7G49XpOK4JgGuptvzs6z63q47jVh7kLhueeThx96Vo33rjX2m2MVA2S-AFXc-NRp5HWjUsVWlLMlFIHIlrMJGgZQfaIt83kehtKlWroc9UG3JzGNntzcJC5NaePXJyjlN3-bzVisDHQH/s320/IMG_0329.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594052290097144402" border="0" /></a>And lastly a BIG thanks to Kathy for hosting our group. We all had a great time!MadeByMeaghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07804645841628777259noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7938711127241175224.post-80101451691253113652011-04-03T11:38:00.000-07:002011-04-03T12:09:05.808-07:00My bee month has arrived!After months of agony, I decided to follow this <a href="http://tingtongandthings.blogspot.com/2011/03/saras-squares-rectangles-improv-block.html">block</a> as inspiration for my bee month. Some may have noticed I love solids and I wanted to use the blue Erin McMorris fabric in the middle as my starting point. It is one of my favorite prints of all time and I have hardly ever even used a bit of it! I gathered some coordinating prints and a bunch of solids, cut it all up and sent it out.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGSR5Sn9xbgKwryTGgxm1pCYKkx5gn2gfeffTkMWv5lb-DPWXQJkke364OlN6CmH23GTqFx7uD8AdNXYBXp4Wumg-Q0wI21Ne3qwUkEl3l6DcnuujVVoLxpiRjIfkfW-9yAWoDR0ui_BwF/s1600/IMG_0301.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGSR5Sn9xbgKwryTGgxm1pCYKkx5gn2gfeffTkMWv5lb-DPWXQJkke364OlN6CmH23GTqFx7uD8AdNXYBXp4Wumg-Q0wI21Ne3qwUkEl3l6DcnuujVVoLxpiRjIfkfW-9yAWoDR0ui_BwF/s320/IMG_0301.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591434500580512194" border="0" /></a><br />Maybe this was backwards order, but I felt rushed to get the fabric out and didn't make my own version of the block until afterward. I don't LOVE my first attempt but I really like this free way of piecing. As I went along, I decided some things didn't look right, so I just sliced it apart, tested out different arrangements and kept on.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvPY8YMZpGRmrXIgRSBWt2ET_ocItvca9CpAVb0x78npM0gNIzkrWHlDqKsBZwI2rVvz_S4Gu8vcpKccPv0J0z5kWsabM1OZn_-6eANYniJxlvV08QsRjxYdtlQ-Dy86H6IgQvVSgeBnAc/s1600/IMG_0303.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvPY8YMZpGRmrXIgRSBWt2ET_ocItvca9CpAVb0x78npM0gNIzkrWHlDqKsBZwI2rVvz_S4Gu8vcpKccPv0J0z5kWsabM1OZn_-6eANYniJxlvV08QsRjxYdtlQ-Dy86H6IgQvVSgeBnAc/s320/IMG_0303.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591432930784989730" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpZO5A3WiOYsQC010GG3znosTM79XkmG6G7ltdSRBGqnELteeG-q6EZWFgYmUVm_YGVxiNPTNz2tECemms4kARsw-5kXaZBuz-JtcB54xWkMJALc3CMyL9FxHKFoXsF7xdmctzPR7RRH4x/s1600/IMG_0304.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpZO5A3WiOYsQC010GG3znosTM79XkmG6G7ltdSRBGqnELteeG-q6EZWFgYmUVm_YGVxiNPTNz2tECemms4kARsw-5kXaZBuz-JtcB54xWkMJALc3CMyL9FxHKFoXsF7xdmctzPR7RRH4x/s320/IMG_0304.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591432934553008066" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGBUalXTI_cvtGQgqu0J86YKoCvFunEWBD5ld-rG1BboDkUxzQtte-9JJhC8K3aqgQKNYqyRq2PC8qz977UVnLTgzXeoSTGxnyOr4dFexuvKcHqs1YpFx621FpksBE47IVur6jfiOF2FMY/s1600/IMG_0307.JPG"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDszOAc20Ezkw1wqKyQErLNsPcxiWiNE90tzCRO6LCIQPkAEnIxWU0HeUgHDqL21cjTM__uOnNl6vo-wnVa-MCaG3yd2Z2_o3RlIxFYBROC-_uzdm2lTBT3w0IFWOj_V4YSd0Ts6cUvVKx/s1600/IMG_0310.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDszOAc20Ezkw1wqKyQErLNsPcxiWiNE90tzCRO6LCIQPkAEnIxWU0HeUgHDqL21cjTM__uOnNl6vo-wnVa-MCaG3yd2Z2_o3RlIxFYBROC-_uzdm2lTBT3w0IFWOj_V4YSd0Ts6cUvVKx/s320/IMG_0310.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591435442981517986" border="0" /></a><br />It's as pretty fun way to do it and also takes out the need to piece teeny tiny squares and get the same effect. I cannot get this last picture to upload right side up - bah! I hope my fellow bee-ers enjoy making it too!<br /><br />Thanks for looking!MadeByMeaghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07804645841628777259noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7938711127241175224.post-32635317941263611932011-03-31T21:45:00.000-07:002011-03-31T22:01:59.118-07:00Project Modern challenge<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuKghKTSPv0w1emJhLi3W6A6kPEhE9wB2ZPM2xL12f4d2eqL-kwDbCoJQKla4qHcOOFbGKVBnrAZIyvbVGAOeWtlIe87WrS1LKbY_OvHQlcO8A8H1zthyVN_bLeV1KZhzU7Fc2CDkF77zl/s1600/IMG_0286.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 311px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuKghKTSPv0w1emJhLi3W6A6kPEhE9wB2ZPM2xL12f4d2eqL-kwDbCoJQKla4qHcOOFbGKVBnrAZIyvbVGAOeWtlIe87WrS1LKbY_OvHQlcO8A8H1zthyVN_bLeV1KZhzU7Fc2CDkF77zl/s320/IMG_0286.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590473383663684626" border="0" /></a><br />Nothing like the last minute, I finished my Project Modern challenge quilt, got some rainy day pictures (what a shock) and submitted it! This round's challenge was to make a monochromatic quilt. I'm pretty happy with how this came out, and can't wait to wash and dry it. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgETV1QIejMW_-jVVmgWaSW4v89g8S5MD-d6fHyqnnCwv4eNxnnP2OTBd4_WPRCVoJyHReAvKq5megqoaM06wlQAQ1E5UuYKY6cFwfPzKW4X4os7XGmiMSzOmrUU94QCXVh7b8cfFzTEUf5/s1600/IMG_0283.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgETV1QIejMW_-jVVmgWaSW4v89g8S5MD-d6fHyqnnCwv4eNxnnP2OTBd4_WPRCVoJyHReAvKq5megqoaM06wlQAQ1E5UuYKY6cFwfPzKW4X4os7XGmiMSzOmrUU94QCXVh7b8cfFzTEUf5/s320/IMG_0283.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590473399508642850" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilSs8Q_7FpxBdQj2Cp1VPQCUUYV0u-uHGRkne1u-ifR89a7PSWRgpknU58hLIogZj9nVXCWriaCYDhcFbTeNTHeFPoghS8nYbt485gQLapRCMMxThRATAmHPy_3rohuxKSMdRcvH8kJMyq/s1600/IMG_0291.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilSs8Q_7FpxBdQj2Cp1VPQCUUYV0u-uHGRkne1u-ifR89a7PSWRgpknU58hLIogZj9nVXCWriaCYDhcFbTeNTHeFPoghS8nYbt485gQLapRCMMxThRATAmHPy_3rohuxKSMdRcvH8kJMyq/s320/IMG_0291.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590473390240438402" border="0" /></a><br />I used a Kona fat quarter bundle I got for Christmas and added in pops of an Anna Maria Horner print from the Innocent Crush line. I also used Innocent Crush for the binding. I did my binding a little differently this time and machine stitched it on. I have mixed feelings about machine binding, but I did love how quickly it worked up! I quilted it with diagonal lines in alternating light and dark purple thread and did some hand stitching around one diamond to balance out the placement of the printed diamonds. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjBTtCPts92R5ZsJTkkAbzJRRNTe5Tta8l9s2dN7ffG4PHcp4r_epWMR3V8uF7wDw-cy361ApAWwHhWrBUSqYbS0boZqqiegwYNCV5G9XUTWYHSB9YrryDZsOq4w_ijH7GTN0CXY3j4NwX/s1600/054.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjBTtCPts92R5ZsJTkkAbzJRRNTe5Tta8l9s2dN7ffG4PHcp4r_epWMR3V8uF7wDw-cy361ApAWwHhWrBUSqYbS0boZqqiegwYNCV5G9XUTWYHSB9YrryDZsOq4w_ijH7GTN0CXY3j4NwX/s320/054.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590473392658639778" border="0" /></a><br />Thanks for looking!MadeByMeaghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07804645841628777259noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7938711127241175224.post-3096559841976162822011-03-30T23:07:00.000-07:002011-03-30T23:22:53.972-07:00Spiderweb Bee Block<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7A5b2ekq33Bko_k5t34x0qHjyxthoKap9AYWixIn4AHdq-5KSd1rRYhWbXGRdWvABHxqcoAkUrEYOSYwYrXrPSrTv9oeKI0GG5cdwI8c3xvNiOc5jYXwxNVDfYBdlWwN2iWB4nXQnkhTc/s1600/IMG_0259%255B1%255D" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7A5b2ekq33Bko_k5t34x0qHjyxthoKap9AYWixIn4AHdq-5KSd1rRYhWbXGRdWvABHxqcoAkUrEYOSYwYrXrPSrTv9oeKI0GG5cdwI8c3xvNiOc5jYXwxNVDfYBdlWwN2iWB4nXQnkhTc/s320/IMG_0259%255B1%255D" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590124025090674018" /></a><br />I have been working on April's block for the Boston Modern Quilt Guild bee (I just need to sew these triangles together now). Next month is the last month - and is also MY month, so I'm a little stressed about getting that sorted out and sent out. I never knew how much pressure this could be, but maybe it gets better as you do more of them. <div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOAdN0wHs3cTceK8BiyX3pVK17P0kBLK6mWhZBg8WQ31mg72qc24Tgwu3MgctieqbOEF8uMgF-N72khed8VqldFawOVk2UZGL0SVvPASrx35zpMIlWxfvRxqiwzJsTxWKqC6iyZJUM919l/s320/IMG_0260%255B1%255D" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590124033894435250" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div>I always thought the spiderweb block was intimidating skill-wise, but Monet has an awesome <a href="http://stripesandsolidssewing.blogspot.com/2011/02/because-world-needed-another-spiderweb.html">tutorial on her blog</a> that is really straightforward and her fabric choices are impeccable. They really bring this block to life! I added a few prints from my stash in and I hope she likes them! She supplied much of the fabric - including the Kona Cerise for the background - YUM!</div><div><br /></div><div>Thanks for looking!</div>MadeByMeaghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07804645841628777259noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7938711127241175224.post-73700699060047737722011-03-17T20:22:00.000-07:002011-03-17T20:37:22.539-07:00Butterfly bee blockI sketched this block out quite awhile ago, then realized I did the math wrong and the block was going to be too small (after cutting a bunch of the fabric out). Yesterday I went back to it after being pretty discourage, realized I had actually done the math RIGHT (ugh!), and finished it up. The finished block is 12.5" square. As I was working on this I realized I tend to do bee blocks with lots and lots of seams and little pieces!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh52nKzL3WasueZlzYQ5IY_M1vJrxFCRAgr_wcpAfcYCsBXY_TUCbPCwKzi3qSt5TCZIraNZ3I7kDfaNeseRxYLJW-PMzaHgxYVad7r_a3Q4omPhtsseemzhem2i4SVtpPx0-spwzn6y4sE/s1600/IMG_0221%255B1%255D"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh52nKzL3WasueZlzYQ5IY_M1vJrxFCRAgr_wcpAfcYCsBXY_TUCbPCwKzi3qSt5TCZIraNZ3I7kDfaNeseRxYLJW-PMzaHgxYVad7r_a3Q4omPhtsseemzhem2i4SVtpPx0-spwzn6y4sE/s320/IMG_0221%255B1%255D" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585256870575895170" border="0" /></a>The background is an off-white muslin.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvGrTdQjxJr3kmAgATWRqUXQ0rs1pead_CklWtEcQTtgHi7qULnfirI2TGifYA4vS4IOTbQpY5l-f10e8e0kJxFKCEZuaetnk3ffj5HW9Exw2H_Kkj_rKxKOdYdhmiza8JVruhs6v-EdWm/s1600/IMG_0223%255B1%255D"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvGrTdQjxJr3kmAgATWRqUXQ0rs1pead_CklWtEcQTtgHi7qULnfirI2TGifYA4vS4IOTbQpY5l-f10e8e0kJxFKCEZuaetnk3ffj5HW9Exw2H_Kkj_rKxKOdYdhmiza8JVruhs6v-EdWm/s320/IMG_0223%255B1%255D" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585256879257288962" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://saltmarshdesigns.blogspot.com/">Aimee</a> sent really nice Art Gallery fabric for this month's bee and just requested that it be a butterfly block that is not appliqued. I hope she likes it - someone I showed this to took awhile to see the butterfly... Maybe different fabric choices, values, etc. would have been better. Next time!<br /><br />Thanks for looking!MadeByMeaghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07804645841628777259noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7938711127241175224.post-72931184667511141642011-03-12T22:19:00.001-08:002011-03-12T22:39:08.068-08:00Finally - diamond quilt top done!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibMQ6A24DNNoAowhPGHWF1X72dIm9o_gSnpbG1VyjkUwBtR5h8qIEh0mGyedGUs7_TbCPZlY5a3rFzr8Z5wSlJTtX5FG_7P3HX1STB5DSG7zTVfT1ryiwMmJzZ6H5WVF_PP2z51EG1d0Wn/s1600/185.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibMQ6A24DNNoAowhPGHWF1X72dIm9o_gSnpbG1VyjkUwBtR5h8qIEh0mGyedGUs7_TbCPZlY5a3rFzr8Z5wSlJTtX5FG_7P3HX1STB5DSG7zTVfT1ryiwMmJzZ6H5WVF_PP2z51EG1d0Wn/s320/185.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583448089118802130" border="0" /></a>I was so happy to finish up my diamonds quilt top today at the Seattle Modern Quilt Guild sew-in! It's always nice to see those ladies and catch up on the past few weeks, but this time I was also pretty productive! A few other women finished up tops today too, so that was exciting!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRO9Pgfw1fSeg0TexKtibvEpRTgUBI3pB4InyhIx2MVcm_B-_42ifcEyVXyVU7GhfrEAobR9NVngmzLQMcxItbtBtRvsGokNzUUPnsYTBHLHwoa4P_fPtTttkIWwPBVtiuz1J9Kagq87Uo/s1600/183.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRO9Pgfw1fSeg0TexKtibvEpRTgUBI3pB4InyhIx2MVcm_B-_42ifcEyVXyVU7GhfrEAobR9NVngmzLQMcxItbtBtRvsGokNzUUPnsYTBHLHwoa4P_fPtTttkIWwPBVtiuz1J9Kagq87Uo/s320/183.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583448083516882738" border="0" /></a>I was trying to figure out where to trim off the tips of the diamonds on the border and it was suggested to me to leave some extra until after it's all quilted. Smart women! It measures about 46X53 and will make a great lap quilt. I still haven't decided on how I'm going to quilt it... I'll take suggestions! :)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjatwgY8tv2itmtgFtdteqDE6yITVclSJpjrNN64WRS48MlWrmzKnJljk-FsE8IUPwYLD6rRjsCOhaKhPxlR7j0lZqxDHOnaPN9MWUhqRG2As3j_9puS-sEVKNdUkyGe-NOpYf77_6zWXCm/s1600/187.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjatwgY8tv2itmtgFtdteqDE6yITVclSJpjrNN64WRS48MlWrmzKnJljk-FsE8IUPwYLD6rRjsCOhaKhPxlR7j0lZqxDHOnaPN9MWUhqRG2As3j_9puS-sEVKNdUkyGe-NOpYf77_6zWXCm/s320/187.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583448098188626898" border="0" /></a><a href="http://whatarajaneloves.blogspot.com/">Ara Jane</a> finished this quilt top for her baby! I love her color choices and her random approach for piecing these half square triangles. It turned out great!<br /><br />Thanks for looking!MadeByMeaghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07804645841628777259noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7938711127241175224.post-28953514535077939322011-03-02T21:46:00.000-08:002011-09-04T17:38:01.980-07:00Plus sign quilt tutorial<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKPK8lFQu8Cbhdw1BFM0fYXk36Xfcp-rhCiNL3mSS7TRgCfHXatciXzCMzv0y9zDdQG4uGhnkgoyvitn-rz_KFF3DFHcWWqE_5geQn7sxoxjxnYUNtVHZa20HS4YB6w9AZRzQsKrvvebAe/s1600/IMG_0645.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKPK8lFQu8Cbhdw1BFM0fYXk36Xfcp-rhCiNL3mSS7TRgCfHXatciXzCMzv0y9zDdQG4uGhnkgoyvitn-rz_KFF3DFHcWWqE_5geQn7sxoxjxnYUNtVHZa20HS4YB6w9AZRzQsKrvvebAe/s320/IMG_0645.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5648591336412157442" /></a>
<br /><div style="text-align: left;">I made this quilt a few months back combining some of my favorite prints in a fun, large scale design. I saw a lot of tutorials/patterns for plus-sign quilts that called for cutting all the fabric into squares and sewing them back together, but I didn't want to break up these prints more than I needed to so I made the plus signs with 2 squares and a rectangle.</div><div>
<br /></div><div>I would suggest sketching the quilt blocks ahead of time so that you can figure out how many different fabrics you need to use, but I put together this brief tutorial to make it easier to figure out how to cut the squares and rectangles to make whatever size plus-sign you want with every plus-sign lining up just right. You shouldn't need a pattern to make this style of quilt.
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXKtCGiG2pD1vvAlSj2Vhyphenhyphenmg5sJz-auLTow8sfQ6iNoEz-tm_cvFOFXkHPpk-9wCxEHcYTWmolepBbSdMBNLaYfMA9uInPUfkpC5NbBd8ytzLaEbLM6PtH30MCEWTJVdG0YsEoYxTsyoQc/s1600/IMG_0171%255B1%255D"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXKtCGiG2pD1vvAlSj2Vhyphenhyphenmg5sJz-auLTow8sfQ6iNoEz-tm_cvFOFXkHPpk-9wCxEHcYTWmolepBbSdMBNLaYfMA9uInPUfkpC5NbBd8ytzLaEbLM6PtH30MCEWTJVdG0YsEoYxTsyoQc/s320/IMG_0171%255B1%255D" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579729580754095730" border="0" /></a>
<br />The first step is to determine how big you want the plus signs to be. If you think about the plus sign as comprised of 5 squares (1 on top, 3 in the middle layer, 1 on the bottom) decide how big you want each of those squares to be. I made mine 6.5 inches, unfinished.
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<br />To determine the length of your (middle layer) rectangle, multiply the size of your unfinished square by 3 and then subtract 1. To be nerdy and algebraic... The long side of the rectangle = 3N - 1 where N = size of unfinished square. So, 3(6.5) = 19.5; 19.5 - 1 = 18.5 My rectangles were 6.5 X 18.5.
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<br />If you want a smaller plus sign, made up of squares that are 4 inches unfinished, for example, then it would be 3(4) - 1 = 11 inches. Your rectangle would be 4 X 11.
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<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHXjLhcX-_kCy3E9Ar7fwmgLyEvKqWlRXAPygUu-cBraelCqYBucavSEb_De0SnGVT-F2M_jsuZ16yZKmp9ZuxKwfQ8WW9hMP6rIKmY8iQIq0oQ2fc5DN-gFhhNYYEBIoPIzwHwWOLzt6w/s320/IMG_0646.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5648591349029935778" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">
<br /></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkvg1QfvF8b9guBzf08XqB_JT3XMHny0NXOU3f5UXkvZm16J-5qxednF-7wfRrj0pXLusyeJ2NibeOoO-ATP_GE4SJRCxof05gC-6PNzQsrAFYRsHBvEduugGWWuXB3FS9IfL6qnvHCyL7/s1600/IMG_0199%255B1%255D"></a>Once you figure out all the math and have your pieces cut, lay out the blocks to form tessellating plus signs and then sew all your rows together! It works up really fast - especially when you use larger scale blocks like I did! </div><div>
<br /></div><div>I even had a few extra for the back. </div><div>
<br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2gVSbpDXmIdyv4GHQA0ErGA5JFe9RpO-WQBGJ2kVlVCShAh0GR8gst_s0iX2ZGKo1KF9aoTRResGbpqVvfqma7v5qo5-iqgqb9XKU_bgw2tkhlEYATUMDokd5Tk_QfdvAmZAKlrMUQ2R8/s320/IMG_0647.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5648591360190310418" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >
<br /></span></div>MadeByMeaghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07804645841628777259noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7938711127241175224.post-24688019145961872432011-02-28T19:29:00.001-08:002011-03-01T20:53:01.092-08:00A fun sewing-filled weekend<div>This past weekend we had some friends stay with us with their 3 little ones. There was quilting goodness all around. My friend and I got to go to a sew-in with the Seattle Modern Quilt Guild and I laid out blocks for a new project, we got to enjoy the anniversary sale at the Quilting Loft and the girls loved snuggling up with their "uncle" Buddy under a quilt I made a few years ago. I mean, how cute is that?</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0GATWbagLeiWI7PQNFvz1XqQkR2Jce4fVgeistnqPPXgufZ8IcydtuA1-ucAtx35IP39ACiuJSvWNVH4sKPa-sfISnEe3-ueRj9tPc8wT0zeP5UdnYBGltCCqKdMWaOZwcbCZqhsv4CjM/s1600/IMG_0177%255B1%255D"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0GATWbagLeiWI7PQNFvz1XqQkR2Jce4fVgeistnqPPXgufZ8IcydtuA1-ucAtx35IP39ACiuJSvWNVH4sKPa-sfISnEe3-ueRj9tPc8wT0zeP5UdnYBGltCCqKdMWaOZwcbCZqhsv4CjM/s320/IMG_0177%255B1%255D" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578950203550839330" /></a>I made a tree block for the quilt our guild is making for Amber, who was scheduled to have her baby today! <div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJqJ_YYx7-4fChJPSbXDHkR3Du4V-JTn2_7Cne7B2NJXqyB7nGOCC4Hq2wDGE-TIxN10JHnw07nVphD_EQlRI7WeeBbkUmWKt9k9SRNl0GWa_bdYbNgIYHFksjF7ylqyPjfCL1M8YxPu5W/s1600/IMG_0197%255B1%255D"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJqJ_YYx7-4fChJPSbXDHkR3Du4V-JTn2_7Cne7B2NJXqyB7nGOCC4Hq2wDGE-TIxN10JHnw07nVphD_EQlRI7WeeBbkUmWKt9k9SRNl0GWa_bdYbNgIYHFksjF7ylqyPjfCL1M8YxPu5W/s320/IMG_0197%255B1%255D" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578950189950843042" /></a>And I picked the fabric for a very special upcoming project! Choosing the fabric is one of my favorite parts of making a quilt, and I'm really excited about the palette I put together!</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHJyX5nYMYjVUEV-UCprGSBNIUfpxJEj8rg5VZ9jCbn7UyYE3EoqHLOnfV8xO_3LyMOrubK8mjmP6S106PS0_y0KIacQNGqrAysVqSp-jV2fGzhvpGvOb3okuxf2fjo7DBv1soeHRd3rJ1/s1600/IMG_0195%255B1%255D"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHJyX5nYMYjVUEV-UCprGSBNIUfpxJEj8rg5VZ9jCbn7UyYE3EoqHLOnfV8xO_3LyMOrubK8mjmP6S106PS0_y0KIacQNGqrAysVqSp-jV2fGzhvpGvOb3okuxf2fjo7DBv1soeHRd3rJ1/s320/IMG_0195%255B1%255D" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578950184747244338" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYcKnyA1Jfed6C71WpB8gsGVfN4bW-UExZcdj3h1xVpoYwnnSvQGrl_rX8ggQPdRQqkbIxcu9tuzv2hqPpK9kEQq6CHjIHNnpAys_etCs7BRHWYhhlhhzqKhDdeXtp9SQvxxNcoVjtZqqR/s1600/IMG_0194%255B1%255D"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYcKnyA1Jfed6C71WpB8gsGVfN4bW-UExZcdj3h1xVpoYwnnSvQGrl_rX8ggQPdRQqkbIxcu9tuzv2hqPpK9kEQq6CHjIHNnpAys_etCs7BRHWYhhlhhzqKhDdeXtp9SQvxxNcoVjtZqqR/s320/IMG_0194%255B1%255D" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578950182771662226" /></a>In the back here you can see the "quilt" that our 4 year old friend made on my design wall from a Fandango charm pack. She's very talented already! :)</div><div><br /></div><div>Thanks for looking!</div>MadeByMeaghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07804645841628777259noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7938711127241175224.post-68421118459286172382011-02-21T21:42:00.000-08:002011-02-21T22:15:53.819-08:00A break from the diamonds<div style="text-align: left;">Okay, enough of the diamonds. Let's wrap it up - two things:</div><div>1. If you're using a template, don't assume that it will be the same exact shape and size right side up and upside down, no matter how symmetrical it looks. I'm embarrassed to say that this was most definitely the cause of most of my problems. When you're using solids it's that much harder since you can't tell front and back side... I suggest writing your name or something on the template so you can at least make sure the template is right side up. Then you can mark the fabric in some other way I guess.</div><div>2. When you are piecing your strips of diamonds together you can stretch them and make them line up pretty well. Even if they don't line up perfectly, just make it work. It's amazing how sewing at that angle can hide a lot! </div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic1fpN0GHCgl75shXoTq49U49d4xAUVn-72uVHiachG-RntolWBdDGR4EUuCMfyv06KYwf9vt4ro3oydDNEd10-vJ_FCEoO2_SlWZvS5E26RbwEU4KmqRHQk5IiOUqf4Pnrm2s9giPRRAr/s320/IMG_0130%255B1%255D" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576388212748342674" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWPEAVg2cLZjP8feAKhT_RiNtLlug4na6q2A7w_oClQH8sPxStSZjXXX2CxUy_W4iGqIRgd3xsrEw0KG8YbtMH2lvKO9DcFAW9mMvaYIwz1wpszyL-wlh1kBkOpiPpY-DlW34fFgHZqayp/s320/IMG_0131%255B1%255D" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576388213632029282" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div>I actually want to try a diamond quilt again (even though I'm not done with this one yet) because I love the look of it and learned so many things along the way! I guess I aired my dirty sewing laundry out here exposing all of my mistakes and "fudges," but if it helps someone else out then that's worth it. </div><div><br /></div><div>IN BETTER NEWS:</div><div>I have a new addition to my family! Me and my new sewing machine spent a lot of time this weekend getting to know each other. The difference between my old machine and my new machine is huge and I'm really happy that I finally made the leap. For something that I use every day, it's probably a good idea for it to be a machine that works really well. </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtHzUYLU3jTZBxYLiEOSLAhYMy9obz5p-QlegHO-UhVb4-rg4hgXOZtorV8_1SNV1MuntuIk05jQU1gc0dX5nW7rlVUxWOywWySH9vd2RjomoLiZMiK1nda6a1uLMaOomOO3aDqMuG7rEt/s320/IMG_0158%255B1%255D" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576388221205596818" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div>This is the project I was working on - and oh man did the quilting go a lot faster than it would have on my old machine!</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6LdexRV_Dsd73SvSXR1-43ZWrzhEF7pJkg7oRAbmTumV5KWQCW4qPrc_mxZRzH0o1Tmxu9pwNf89K1urvRMYVVcpMUy_TYSTUzCe4K6Fb7hRzNE8c8w3YYZ5uFqb8XV7HldLVhQJ9ByJe/s320/IMG_0163%255B1%255D" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576388228949775042" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">Thanks for looking!</span></span></div>MadeByMeaghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07804645841628777259noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7938711127241175224.post-33389933703218632722011-02-13T17:51:00.000-08:002011-02-13T19:04:02.820-08:00Diamond quilt - the first steps1. Cutting<br /><br />Some patterns call for cutting long strips of fabric and then slicing them on the diagonal. Brilliant! Well, if you only want/need a few diamonds of each color from a fat quarter bundle, this might not be the best method. Plus, a lot of books include diamond templates, making you believe that using template will be just as good...<br />The problem: cutting around a template is not that accurate, you can actually cut the template which makes it smaller and dulls the hell out of your blade, it takes forever, and seems to produce a lot of annoying-sized scraps. Also, since you are cutting at angles, you are never cutting along the grain so there is a lot of room for stretching which can distort the shape (this stretching is your BEST FRIEND in later steps though!)<br /><br />Aargh!! I thought I was cutting accurately, but apparently they are not all the same size...<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNXSaeUU_TU_teOAAJotu-OQ388IV_zZnqC2ebwH0XfrS0cfG2TCta8agaCyivcW7kiL7KP2aNPsF59k2AmxDBxP1Gl9DCmcFHgLrKPKGJ-EeqjqtJY9FexFqo2CzFm4D6jpYsBlLe7Kpo/s1600/IMG_0096.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNXSaeUU_TU_teOAAJotu-OQ388IV_zZnqC2ebwH0XfrS0cfG2TCta8agaCyivcW7kiL7KP2aNPsF59k2AmxDBxP1Gl9DCmcFHgLrKPKGJ-EeqjqtJY9FexFqo2CzFm4D6jpYsBlLe7Kpo/s320/IMG_0096.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573367462407842674" border="0" /></a><br />2. Piecing the diamonds<br /><br />The diamonds need to overlap each other in such a way that when you sew them together with a 1/4 inch seam they press out to have even edges. Because of the stretching that can take place, and any inaccuracy during the cutting stage, this may be difficult to do. (No tutorial or pattern I have seen has ever mentioned this - for them it all lines up and comes out perfect!) The most important thing is that you stitch them together from from the valley that forms at one end of the seam to the valley at the other end. I think that even if the seam is not a PERFECT 1/4 inch the whole way across, that the diamonds will line up well when piecing the strips together if the stitching goes from "valley to valley." This is where the stretching comes in handy in later steps!<br /><br />This is a good overlap and example of the stitching (hard to see) going right into the valley formed between "peaks":<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjauorJ2BoUarwEz0lqPh5m-sa6gv7lhRUE1-3iwP10RcKm1Dg9_TmSHaQiEfOWtbKGcYRr3Iac2eD9DJRwN5aWzKWusrG5HkJatMg3jV06QhBS-cHkiQM737sBfkgs_U36ZvXqsmaIJlGS/s1600/IMG_0099.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjauorJ2BoUarwEz0lqPh5m-sa6gv7lhRUE1-3iwP10RcKm1Dg9_TmSHaQiEfOWtbKGcYRr3Iac2eD9DJRwN5aWzKWusrG5HkJatMg3jV06QhBS-cHkiQM737sBfkgs_U36ZvXqsmaIJlGS/s320/IMG_0099.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573361549557272306" border="0" /></a>This is quite obviously a bad overlap (because the diamonds were not cut very accurately), but as long as the stitching goes right into the "valley" and that part is about 1/4 inch from one edge it comes out okay. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9TmB9SPVRReJvQFGnzODU0t-GU3HTvXcqF1PqhoqH16RfLIjQUUJaW7Hp9lGU_N2mj6bcnmZRYqSi6c5xrh3ZwkkB0ascwjtBmNAZaZ4b5jBtRtMVHtPaHN4QQXBsVLiGiMNQebLFJ5qP/s1600/IMG_0098.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9TmB9SPVRReJvQFGnzODU0t-GU3HTvXcqF1PqhoqH16RfLIjQUUJaW7Hp9lGU_N2mj6bcnmZRYqSi6c5xrh3ZwkkB0ascwjtBmNAZaZ4b5jBtRtMVHtPaHN4QQXBsVLiGiMNQebLFJ5qP/s320/IMG_0098.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573361552660294162" border="0" /></a><br />aahhh....much better. See how the edges are straight now?<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd8pb2QnX-MhJUYF7sihgjwD4s1CHRoHD8J3G65BV_emE-C3nFlNE8xachlMzfYSBFwJDV5WbTSuHw4er_Dpf2dF5b7k3CYUzYBrp03Mw4Ra0dpxH6l1UhhKT50ACcqf8v0Cteh7PcbWxa/s1600/IMG_0101.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd8pb2QnX-MhJUYF7sihgjwD4s1CHRoHD8J3G65BV_emE-C3nFlNE8xachlMzfYSBFwJDV5WbTSuHw4er_Dpf2dF5b7k3CYUzYBrp03Mw4Ra0dpxH6l1UhhKT50ACcqf8v0Cteh7PcbWxa/s320/IMG_0101.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573361554751133794" border="0" /></a>Again, this is not to say that anyone should aim for imperfection, but once I had all these diamonds cut I was determined to make them work!<br /><br />Thanks for looking - and I apologize to followers like my sister who find the technical quilting stuff less than exhilarating... :)MadeByMeaghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07804645841628777259noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7938711127241175224.post-85643852632187313382011-02-08T23:08:00.001-08:002011-02-08T23:39:23.971-08:00Piecing diamonds tutorial - the true hollywood storyI have shown a few peeks of a project I am currently working on that involves piecing diamonds. I have run into several issues while working on this and I haven't been able to find any tutorials to help me fix them! This made me realize that most patterns/tutorials/techniques show everything going great, and at the end of it you have a perfect product! Well, how often does THAT actually happen?? There don't seem to be any that are like, "Well, you sure messed that up, but here's how you can fudge it and make it work." I'm not aiming for mediocrity here, just admitting publicly that it's okay for projects to not be PERFECT - they are made by humans after all, right?<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4kK8yewVFFTxgfWHBu6RKd6hHPNWNcAQbD9xGDPgpZwMLo6jG4x9NOlQIae3t_g815wJY3pxphlGoueG27y4wXvZzVnb_X27NmC13SnQHrKcW5SCcSyU4fz26b3RUhTXYTmDNFurEpUbC/s1600/IMG_0085.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4kK8yewVFFTxgfWHBu6RKd6hHPNWNcAQbD9xGDPgpZwMLo6jG4x9NOlQIae3t_g815wJY3pxphlGoueG27y4wXvZzVnb_X27NmC13SnQHrKcW5SCcSyU4fz26b3RUhTXYTmDNFurEpUbC/s320/IMG_0085.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571588869743281474" border="0" /></a>So I decided I'm going to show what happened to me, and hopefully it will help someone else to avoid similar problems. I think this will be a 2-3-part post since there are issues at every freaking step of the way!<br /><br />I wish I could say that I know the outcome will be perfect, but since this is a work in progress (as all of quilting - and life I suppose - is) we'll just have to see. The whole point of this anyway, is about how to make something that's not perfect into something that will be loved for years to come. You know how I am about the relationships I develop with quilts. I'm committed to making it through this rough patch. I hope this will help someone else's quilt-love troubles too!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Ad2QCzwU7ksFtgvv4SWyVfmR4MvDtS8djuGaRiAwWhUbox3U1K76N3dVbTxDQtAg1-Omnmdv0ar01Q_6MxKOYaToTvHoHHeCGNz5Ag_I6riwzzss15XsJSZd9L2qi2b7mX50gmEbqqlg/s1600/IMG_0100.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Ad2QCzwU7ksFtgvv4SWyVfmR4MvDtS8djuGaRiAwWhUbox3U1K76N3dVbTxDQtAg1-Omnmdv0ar01Q_6MxKOYaToTvHoHHeCGNz5Ag_I6riwzzss15XsJSZd9L2qi2b7mX50gmEbqqlg/s320/IMG_0100.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571588873768460210" border="0" /></a>Thanks for looking!MadeByMeaghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07804645841628777259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7938711127241175224.post-67793929725579976152011-02-06T19:27:00.000-08:002011-02-06T19:43:57.246-08:00super sunday!As many people are vegged out in front of the tv watching the Superbowl, I'm painstakingly re-piecing these diamonds. The first time I stitched them all together I didn't think that perfection was necessary (when piecing squares you can always trim them!) but diamonds are a different story. Anyway, a glass of wine and Whip It on dvd is making this much more tolerable. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9aqs5Lg7-QYKNLIwdY1EAAX0CVkzpijX5QaO7cPp605VhdLfcpHc-esul7AeYVN63m2VGD9_siErd4iQ-1C8D32u-aun37dALPCtUXGxPa9FCaE5Ieq5gYAeFw8PRlIn5mwac6N2ToXzM/s1600/IMG_0084%255B1%255D"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9aqs5Lg7-QYKNLIwdY1EAAX0CVkzpijX5QaO7cPp605VhdLfcpHc-esul7AeYVN63m2VGD9_siErd4iQ-1C8D32u-aun37dALPCtUXGxPa9FCaE5Ieq5gYAeFw8PRlIn5mwac6N2ToXzM/s320/IMG_0084%255B1%255D" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570785576972537122" border="0" /></a><br />On my design wall. I've had this Fandango charm pack and I seriously love this line. The colors are just so warm and the prints really complement each other perfectly. I don't know what to do with it yet, but I like looking at the squares all together on my wall!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXcRru8dfjsUQ0v5V7fkFV1l931Qsd0M7WsGg9aP-1WmZoQQ1eDosNOJ-zLFIvRztOPYqNm6WaEurJ6Q3LDDI4lkbeUMvVX4NtupQmm8UntPmSgfN40DAWoM-HaKjA6dmCYXqt_-1j_zuM/s1600/IMG_0067%255B1%255D"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXcRru8dfjsUQ0v5V7fkFV1l931Qsd0M7WsGg9aP-1WmZoQQ1eDosNOJ-zLFIvRztOPYqNm6WaEurJ6Q3LDDI4lkbeUMvVX4NtupQmm8UntPmSgfN40DAWoM-HaKjA6dmCYXqt_-1j_zuM/s320/IMG_0067%255B1%255D" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570785589938610754" border="0" /></a>This is my block for the Sew Fresh Fabrics scrap bee. They sent scraps in the mail and we could make whatever block we wanted. We send them back and they're put together and donated to Project Linus. I just started sewing strips together, cut them apart, turned them around, played some more and voila. It's not my favorite block I ever made, but it was kind of a fun process to just piece and cut and see what happens!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSwIJTiiyVJxQ7_GxUhaTiZiocDKzST8yprARUv-rnOR6ONvjjr2EvlKjresZ4PxjAtMQ2h-aJVix_EvVMcZPvWGPIejRx1BkdG49qeAuxM5tbluX5X1a33GcKYyORQYpmVQ1kvlsx-VqF/s1600/IMG_0063%255B1%255D"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSwIJTiiyVJxQ7_GxUhaTiZiocDKzST8yprARUv-rnOR6ONvjjr2EvlKjresZ4PxjAtMQ2h-aJVix_EvVMcZPvWGPIejRx1BkdG49qeAuxM5tbluX5X1a33GcKYyORQYpmVQ1kvlsx-VqF/s320/IMG_0063%255B1%255D" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570785585600798994" border="0" /></a>This is one of two final fabric shipments - for awhile. I'm happy to add all of these to my stash, but I don't have plans for them yet. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjArV6C1F39ZWCLoeWfdd28djVSCxB0VqCIB1CcEKSV3VHI-EJ2pYN8_F_HfZlWiws5uejKlKCffsjvdjIe9n2ufiKwY587NavRJ5KrhoQLxCj1NPOjBNN4mwxo0nxLNAS-BmIYEZonZr-j/s1600/IMG_0064%255B1%255D"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjArV6C1F39ZWCLoeWfdd28djVSCxB0VqCIB1CcEKSV3VHI-EJ2pYN8_F_HfZlWiws5uejKlKCffsjvdjIe9n2ufiKwY587NavRJ5KrhoQLxCj1NPOjBNN4mwxo0nxLNAS-BmIYEZonZr-j/s320/IMG_0064%255B1%255D" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570785595413828162" border="0" /></a>p.s. even though I PROMISED on this very blog that I wouldn't buy any unessential fabric until Sherbet Pips comes out in April, I had to support the local shop where we went for our anniversary getaway. Any fabric with red in it was 25% off so it was kind of a sin not to buy a little something - only 1/2 yard of a gorgeous Tanya Whelan red polka dot! :)<br /><br />Thanks for looking!MadeByMeaghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07804645841628777259noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7938711127241175224.post-76161179252736804022011-01-31T21:16:00.001-08:002011-01-31T21:25:36.262-08:00Mini Amy Butler Quilt<div style="text-align: left;">Tonight I enjoyed some hand-sewing for the binding on this mini quilt. I have been enjoying this more lately, which surprises me, but once I slow down a bit and stop thinking about my next project, the one after that and all the ones I need to finish up in the mean time, I can actually relax and just stitch away.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD4B5BVnJiHgEr9m2nq9d0Ew3CJsJ-spxYjKA6UqFBmKyey5zJ9CsCg2Woxif9x0T9ZTrMkO0kV8wn1EM3U6xcd51su2GKZtCvwEQG8WgXbAvnFZS14IA1cfu4PeUqZNv2bd2z6uBH9tw0/s1600/IMG_0053.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD4B5BVnJiHgEr9m2nq9d0Ew3CJsJ-spxYjKA6UqFBmKyey5zJ9CsCg2Woxif9x0T9ZTrMkO0kV8wn1EM3U6xcd51su2GKZtCvwEQG8WgXbAvnFZS14IA1cfu4PeUqZNv2bd2z6uBH9tw0/s320/IMG_0053.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568586325322893538" /></a>I made these using some Amy Butler scraps I inherited and Kona Bone for the background. I quilted it with straight lines using either side of my walking foot, which made it go quickly! <div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgplvmGiCP_zX0qQGscuTyFqGozip_dr5oSys7GGoEGKLGmleJDyb8-EWQ78JL4cAKnCCRGBsHNUs_uaNHXvyLGrvLs57EDZMFhon-uNuZWRX7eLPQDJqP3GeGy_EgwqMsTO7iM758bDRHI/s320/IMG_0054.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568586332578887266" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div>It's bound in Kona Coal and now I just have to figure out what to do with it! Man it feels good to start and finish small projects!</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></div><div>Thanks for looking!</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div>MadeByMeaghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07804645841628777259noreply@blogger.com4