tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-264283962024-03-06T23:23:03.643-05:00littleshikalife under quiltsJessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14124055364435672026noreply@blogger.comBlogger338125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26428396.post-30889350218107431932010-09-17T12:45:00.001-04:002010-09-17T12:48:19.407-04:00This blog has moved!After lots of thought, I decided I needed a change. After nearly 9 years of online journaling, "Littleshika" isn't really who I want to be anymore. So, if you're interested in keeping up with me, may I introduce you to my <a href="http://lifeunderquilts.blogspot.com/">new blog</a>:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="182" qx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRvfbsdPk2-6-148C9PMs3QpZQOWCJg_LHmSXgWWOqFVBCJiecAORuGphzoPc8Hm2rOFeub4Uck6zjMWIzROq9FDPnnjndlAqkHNS-YAuR84uXoQSaNq87H36zDfrGO9X0vbzQ/s400/smaller+under+quilts+header.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lifeunderquilts.blogspot.com/">http://lifeunderquilts.blogspot.com/</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table> I thought the change was timely, what with bloglines ending at the end of the month. I have also changed my email (jessunderquilts) address (at yahoo dot com) and I'm working on switching over some stuff to a new flickr account as well. Thanks for reading Littleshika, I hope you follow me to my new blog too!Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14124055364435672026noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26428396.post-46583059866353402822010-09-10T11:17:00.000-04:002010-09-10T11:17:23.893-04:00challengeAt the last meeting of the NYC MetroMod Quilters we had a scrap bag swap. Someone suggested we come to the next meeting with something made entirely from the bag of scraps we took home. intriguing...<br />
<br />
but I'm a scrap <em>hoarder</em> and when I do use them, I <strong>need</strong> to mix it up, a lot. I felt trapped by the challenge to use only what was in that baggie and to make something new, not just follow my usual routine of receive-wash-sort into current scrappy project piles... But that's what "challenge" is all about, right?<br />
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Here's what I came up with.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7aINgsk06i2v0QQ8VZ2ReUYM9JAEOk7b0M_ICBp71O8KXF5cZ4MIUSoG4SP8I8CEmsu_GG2FzfvxoNmVuGl8NrwxvgBvghskwzCfIDJ4-A5hluagOPddWVOQR7ZDkO0URkFGX/s1600/100_5993.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7aINgsk06i2v0QQ8VZ2ReUYM9JAEOk7b0M_ICBp71O8KXF5cZ4MIUSoG4SP8I8CEmsu_GG2FzfvxoNmVuGl8NrwxvgBvghskwzCfIDJ4-A5hluagOPddWVOQR7ZDkO0URkFGX/s640/100_5993.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br />
In the end, i couldn't stop myself from pulling fabrics out of my own scrap bin and using them too. I tried really hard not to, but sometimes my eyes tell my brain what the block needs and my hands just reach out and grab it, you know? So there are 5 or 6 additions to the scrap baggie I received... and now that it's all together, they really stick out! OMG. But anyway, if I don't tell you, will you be able to find them? hope not.<br />
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This piece is small, the blocks finish at 7.5", making it 22.5"x 30". I stopped sewing because I was kind of at an impasse as to where to go from here. Add a large plain border and make it a wheelchair quilt for donation? Add a more interesting scrappy strip to that large plain border and then feel more attached to it and not want to give it away? (At the moment I don't feel much attachment at all, so I thought it's a good one to finish up and pass on.) Bring it back to the Mod Quilt meeting next month and see if someone else wants to add borders and/or finish it off in some new and interesting way? Suggestions welcome.<br />
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I love these blocks though, and I think I really need to keep making them and then turn them into something big and wonderful like my original inspiration quilt,<a href="http://mamatquilts.blogspot.com/2010/08/its-been-while.html"> here</a>. This little piece would look good with a leafy appliqued border too, but then I'd <u>never</u> give it away...Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14124055364435672026noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26428396.post-91892727805469977662010-09-07T09:00:00.000-04:002010-09-07T09:00:38.723-04:00Status Update<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIbfR4q9V_Ixfrs8UjRN8ouuDqqDVwUTB08OSQMHa3HtI0yTmbkyfGQ1Qr6OzT9GZUMjXB85kXfqmp3YQ2StOIxIQibsbpN5OlMT6tAC57VgD0hHA1g8haOqDntw_MIuXZ9DvK/s1600/100_5986.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIbfR4q9V_Ixfrs8UjRN8ouuDqqDVwUTB08OSQMHa3HtI0yTmbkyfGQ1Qr6OzT9GZUMjXB85kXfqmp3YQ2StOIxIQibsbpN5OlMT6tAC57VgD0hHA1g8haOqDntw_MIuXZ9DvK/s640/100_5986.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>So Jake's quilt is quilted and the binding is partially on (this has become my new project to work on while George is in the bathtub. Don't worry, I'm not a neglectful mother, the bathroom is <strong>very</strong> small). I also basted the spiderweb quilt after struggling for what seemed like weeks over what to do about the backing. It feels good to have that all sandwiched and folded up out of the way. Quilting will start eventually, but i feel like a huge weight is off the design wall/sewing room floor now that both of those projects are at a more advanced stage before school starts (<strong>tomorrow!</strong>). But now that I'm "done" with those two (well, not done, but you know what I mean) my fingers have been itching to <em>piece something</em>. and I <em>really didn't want to start any new quilts</em>, heck, I'm taking a full course load this semester! But that's just how my creative mind works.. so 2 nights ago I was pouring over pineapple photos and block patterns on the internet, and last night it was bear's paw.. I felt up for some intricate piecing. Still not wanting to tackle a full sized quilt, this afternoon I found myself making a mug rug. And then tonight I made another. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgggTUowfjyYNFdETSpjWOvbBPat7z1Ub6LUbaymyxRGbNJUsWiH5HVfBiObBrJqsBHhb9muFaUft4QtPSCTfxyie8vJKmNwFdAw6lKyMuk1X2Z9SfN8BngXdd7Z4_D4-2CVG1k/s1600/100_5982.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgggTUowfjyYNFdETSpjWOvbBPat7z1Ub6LUbaymyxRGbNJUsWiH5HVfBiObBrJqsBHhb9muFaUft4QtPSCTfxyie8vJKmNwFdAw6lKyMuk1X2Z9SfN8BngXdd7Z4_D4-2CVG1k/s640/100_5982.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEzQI1IfrPzG8KnJTF8v5XBfNTAcK3K5qjWdREyqrnV_iKzq4LV7feXUbRrpmT-wjSzGmxBwPgk75A3VNjx_msWWYtiti3IosYNRMvpjizpXQobnmvfJw6qBgUBAfrU-40_zKz/s1600/100_5983.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEzQI1IfrPzG8KnJTF8v5XBfNTAcK3K5qjWdREyqrnV_iKzq4LV7feXUbRrpmT-wjSzGmxBwPgk75A3VNjx_msWWYtiti3IosYNRMvpjizpXQobnmvfJw6qBgUBAfrU-40_zKz/s640/100_5983.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>Cute. Satisfying. <br />
Now let's see if I can focus on school for a little while..Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14124055364435672026noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26428396.post-86310572464194282172010-08-27T15:08:00.002-04:002010-08-27T15:10:41.866-04:00I don't like cold babies<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Especially the babies of<a href="http://oh-makiba-ha-midori.blogspot.com/"> my dear friends</a>. In fact, if it were up to me, little babies would always sleep under lovingly made quilts. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Scratch that. <em>EVERYONE</em> would always sleep under lovingly made quilts. But until my favorite pastime catches on with the masses like a new iPhone, I guess those of us who quilt will just have to keep stitching away to warm up those we love.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH5RAhLRozKkOSTligAQaDv9dqWXBJbUeX5z9c8Y3VUaZgduQqXILGZfOIF7LI7A7hylNPoCZLn5y4beAQKRuzcbyDJ9xBGZGe_PSmWTG7OGkUjB7WUN6NU-dfwngzE0bbtGcm/s1600/jake100_5942.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: left; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="544" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH5RAhLRozKkOSTligAQaDv9dqWXBJbUeX5z9c8Y3VUaZgduQqXILGZfOIF7LI7A7hylNPoCZLn5y4beAQKRuzcbyDJ9xBGZGe_PSmWTG7OGkUjB7WUN6NU-dfwngzE0bbtGcm/s640/jake100_5942.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">This is the quilt that's been at the top of my to-do list and hanging on my design wall ALL SUMMER. I am definitely happy to have the top together, and I'd love for it to be quilted by next week.. cross your fingers for me?</div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">(many many thanks to </span><a href="http://thecalicocat.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Amy</span></a><span style="font-size: x-small;"> who sent all the colored squares!)</span></div>Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14124055364435672026noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26428396.post-69838724619696610542010-08-24T09:44:00.001-04:002010-08-24T13:00:33.347-04:00Three out of four ain't bad!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1qfMjfCHuov10XCHUYQ9jXdekfeSrZIZavqzB5fr1zLqrNjc8FP-R_rUFLQC4nmlpseVUb6M44gQ2vE82yUoC5o3gqDAAgB3gt4TbKJenTqJPTDGejqORdVAkJlYBQVDPZvlH/s1600/100_5925.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1qfMjfCHuov10XCHUYQ9jXdekfeSrZIZavqzB5fr1zLqrNjc8FP-R_rUFLQC4nmlpseVUb6M44gQ2vE82yUoC5o3gqDAAgB3gt4TbKJenTqJPTDGejqORdVAkJlYBQVDPZvlH/s640/100_5925.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://piecefulkwilter.blogspot.com/">She</a> called me up out of the blue last week and asked me for 3 colors. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">"blue, green & brown, that was easy"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">not so easy actually as we proceded to have a discussion of exactly which green and what type of blue, as only quilt friends are clearly able to do over the phone.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It was a well-timed phone call actually, George was asleep and I was finishing stitching the binding down on my latest wall hanging, made spur of the moment and over 2 days. Inspired by the generocity of a friend that is often too good to me. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So I asked what her 3 colors would be. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">"Lime green, magenta, orange & royal purple"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Totally glad she gave me 4 because I hadn't used lime green at all.. </div>And unlike her thoughtfulness, I hadn't thought to call ahead and ask what colors she wanted.. but that really wasn't something to get worried about. It's easy to make something she likes when I'm sewing from her scraps already..<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf2TY5Pr4plvn94J5kz6PU9VrDZuIvWQ0mZBBysvsqHqT35lPfQB-VWx6YhIWA1tJ0ZQ9P9M7BIbGzPaxzWG5gMS-tY_XlqwuX7rfRVzzmlDlpFfXO-0JmE4oNT7-oeZujUofv/s1600/100_5928.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf2TY5Pr4plvn94J5kz6PU9VrDZuIvWQ0mZBBysvsqHqT35lPfQB-VWx6YhIWA1tJ0ZQ9P9M7BIbGzPaxzWG5gMS-tY_XlqwuX7rfRVzzmlDlpFfXO-0JmE4oNT7-oeZujUofv/s640/100_5928.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> The star centers, most of the background (except for the purple above), the sashing and all but <em>one </em>of the star points came from the accumulated scrap stash of 3 or 4 huge envelopes she has been sending me since this time last year. The binding was left over from<a href="http://littleshika.blogspot.com/2010/03/warmth-youre-right-on-time.html"> this quilt</a>, with a bit of green thrown in. The backing (and i had to really dig in the stash for a magenta backing) is from waaaaay back in ATL in '02, from Joann's, I think. The quilting is my first attempt at freemotion meanders and while I'm not proud to show it off, I am proud to have overcome my fear of freemotion and actually <em>try</em> it. I hope my novice stitches don't stand out too bad among the other beauties on her Mini Quilt wall.. <br />
(btw, we need a pic of that mini quilt wall.)Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14124055364435672026noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26428396.post-88459608139276280932010-08-23T16:23:00.001-04:002010-08-24T13:00:16.132-04:00Hex Crazy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLLN560ZNpGJJP-kaHXvx1Nu7RW_TFHhaRzlQ6PBnMRhkVpxC_2HjI_uSN3DgYIiSqgeqsEK-EqiQ3mhXhFZMHymORm_sTj0KVcz-n3ivP_dkPRUUMhZK9Gp5ze50xjQAPKHoq/s1600/100_5933.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLLN560ZNpGJJP-kaHXvx1Nu7RW_TFHhaRzlQ6PBnMRhkVpxC_2HjI_uSN3DgYIiSqgeqsEK-EqiQ3mhXhFZMHymORm_sTj0KVcz-n3ivP_dkPRUUMhZK9Gp5ze50xjQAPKHoq/s640/100_5933.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>It's been years now that hexagons have been all the rage in quilt-blogland. There seem to be hundreds of tutorials, flickr groups, quilt-alongs. People are fussy cutting their fabric into swiss cheese! And all the while I was patiently stitching diamond to diamond, wondering what all the fuss was about.<br />
Until this spring, when i decided to give it a try...<br />
And you know what? I don't like it. <br />
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They go together quickly and in a short amount of time you can have a fairly large section pieced, but I don't like the actual piecing them together.. my diamonds always came together into little units of 3, 5, 8, or 12, and then fit together like puzzle pieces. This hex business is just -add one, -add one, -add one...<br />
I know it would be different if I were using paper templates that bend, or if I chose some type of pretty pattern, but you know me-- Scrappy, Using what I have -- and so this is how I feel.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipTpZdt3q1O91VV05JZiqCdYzXRt6RycdAfvdk90OnYgs_WBhpwMEBVkcbhRGGtSio8NhoPh3W-2OIQrbrXTxBXrNEI5cGGOo62TWSXdUFPP-ABunULpPbjT3f8m28f4w9n98v/s1600/100_5935.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipTpZdt3q1O91VV05JZiqCdYzXRt6RycdAfvdk90OnYgs_WBhpwMEBVkcbhRGGtSio8NhoPh3W-2OIQrbrXTxBXrNEI5cGGOo62TWSXdUFPP-ABunULpPbjT3f8m28f4w9n98v/s640/100_5935.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>I piece 6 petals onto a center hexagon before popping out the center one and folding to stitch the petals together. This is necessary because the Quilt Patis templates don't bend like paper and awkwardly holding the 2 petals and doing a less-than-perfect stab stitch got old back with <a href="http://littleshika.blogspot.com/2007/11/dental-woes.html">this project</a> (when i used to join 3 diamonds to make a hexagon). I love English paper piecing for its simple rhythmic motions and its ability to relax and calm me. I don't have much patience for awkward routines and so I try to adjust where I can to eliminate them. I think when I tire of diamonds I should buy some paper templates and make something like <a href="http://quiltville.blogspot.com/2010/08/monday-morning.html">this one</a> Bonnie is working on. Until then, I don't think I'll be calling myself a hex fan. If this project gets done it will sit to remind me of my short ride on the bandwagon and then how I jumped off, content to let the insanity go on without me. I'm not sure I want to party with all those hex crazy people anyway..Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14124055364435672026noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26428396.post-37359695001821514082010-08-22T11:36:00.000-04:002010-08-22T11:36:50.265-04:00Travel Quilt #2 has 276 stars!This is not the post I had in mind for today, but I just left a comment on <a href="http://www.jaybirdquilts.com/2010/08/hand-sewing-hexagons-part-2-quilting.html">Julie's blog</a> sharing my knowledge and love of<a href="http://quiltpati.tripod.com/"> Quilt Patis templates</a> and thought that it was about time to show the progress on <a href="http://littleshika.blogspot.com/search/label/travelquilt%232">Travel Quilt #2</a>.<br />
I actually worked on it for a few minutes yesterday-- basting one edge so I could pop out the hexagon templates for <em>another</em> English paper piecing project, but the task of appliqueing the center to the border is still a little daunting (in how much time it will take, not it the actual sewing involved) and I haven't been ready to tackle that just yet.<br />
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<em>Anyway</em>, earlier this month I was invited to demonstrate my EPP technique at the local library's quilt group. Connie was nice enough to take pictures of me, but I wish I would have staged them a bit better to show more of the quilt.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK7zU5XlVgSaulUfkX-tS5aIoG9zNNeoR5UbbuIwKZLADjk3Ukg9sBXhWNtl-N9k70bHO1-Zndx2Ldz9Fecs5MbFmsh7R4CKHlRjflxFvRB65kJar1rQhQiHkUFz19_dYW7qkc/s1600/DSCN6106.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK7zU5XlVgSaulUfkX-tS5aIoG9zNNeoR5UbbuIwKZLADjk3Ukg9sBXhWNtl-N9k70bHO1-Zndx2Ldz9Fecs5MbFmsh7R4CKHlRjflxFvRB65kJar1rQhQiHkUFz19_dYW7qkc/s640/DSCN6106.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>I showed off Travel Quilts #2 & 3, and then had the ladies each take a template, 2 paper clips, and a piece of fabric and then taught them how to baste with just 5 backstitches. A lot of them had done EPP in the past and tried to do running stitches or looked puzzled that they couldn't stitch through the plastic. Connie nicely referred them to the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2nkCdciXDa8">video</a> on my blog sidebar, which I sent along to Julie this morning. It's not perfect, but it has helped some people, so why not share?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfQRx65NYqqzBxva2LLyltB_RAMfxDZPK42fkkdepXD0vZtfyedu21RoFwxIl-mAv4wQh8XYa8k9KuPlTZemVoxOrh5pWD_7TYY19Jr9NWWIan_jp_XxDXu2LosF1peaG4ypqf/s1600/DSCN6107.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfQRx65NYqqzBxva2LLyltB_RAMfxDZPK42fkkdepXD0vZtfyedu21RoFwxIl-mAv4wQh8XYa8k9KuPlTZemVoxOrh5pWD_7TYY19Jr9NWWIan_jp_XxDXu2LosF1peaG4ypqf/s640/DSCN6107.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>It was nice to get out for an evening of quilting, I hadn't done that it a long time. It seems my time as the president of the Silver City guild is such a loooong time in the past.. I think it would be nice to join a local guild again. Maybe I can try again now that George is a bit older... wish me luck~Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14124055364435672026noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26428396.post-90632723476760937412010-08-20T18:39:00.000-04:002010-08-20T18:39:05.076-04:00August 20thI made something, but it's not ready to go public just yet, so here's a sneak peek..<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmYLT2hX27KC1MuOXamS9hE-hs5_uxQ-LaFJgtHB7uk4seOl4gezU9hyixcCnvsUGriq7NKPryO1YOedbFL0PF5v7tooREG-oJ9v8x7yh24KlCvQc216oLVOgwL4qc38vcavJ-/s1600/100_5919.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmYLT2hX27KC1MuOXamS9hE-hs5_uxQ-LaFJgtHB7uk4seOl4gezU9hyixcCnvsUGriq7NKPryO1YOedbFL0PF5v7tooREG-oJ9v8x7yh24KlCvQc216oLVOgwL4qc38vcavJ-/s640/100_5919.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>more pics and the whole story next week, I promise!Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14124055364435672026noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26428396.post-19670866779355301612010-08-16T10:30:00.000-04:002010-08-16T10:30:46.485-04:00just the 3 of usI also did a little cutting for this project.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlLwb21ik5KGgm6R1Ewsq6tf_esM1Ynq-y_EJXx7oT4rqR4j17oEl-0YM7CjdZutgvFVpqlFjU0GSjqkwHSKSvntwg7rXFnvn_7rsMty4Xf3AX34nVm7t7M47Cvh8kJ5YR3D_W/s1600/100_5890.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlLwb21ik5KGgm6R1Ewsq6tf_esM1Ynq-y_EJXx7oT4rqR4j17oEl-0YM7CjdZutgvFVpqlFjU0GSjqkwHSKSvntwg7rXFnvn_7rsMty4Xf3AX34nVm7t7M47Cvh8kJ5YR3D_W/s640/100_5890.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>I bought this panel on <a href="http://littleshika.blogspot.com/2007/05/if-i-could-be-anywhere-id-want-to-be-in.html">my trip to Japan in 2007</a>. We didn't have kids then, but we were trying, hard. I thought I'd make this wall hanging for our old house once we succeeded. We did succeed eventually, but we combined "new baby" with "new house" and I even made a "<a href="http://littleshika.blogspot.com/2010/05/better-pictures-finally.html">new quilt</a>" for the house to keep myself busy in a stressful summer of pregnancy and house selling/buying. I read <a href="http://www.texasfreckles.com/2010/08/little-rambling-blog-break-and-giveaway.html">Texas Freckles' post</a> today about all the stuff she's going through and commented on how I try to enjoy the slow moments in preparation for the hectic ones. It seems like I've had a lot of hectic moments between finding this panel and deciding what to do with it. I hope I've got enough quiet ones to piece and quilt it before things get too hectic again.Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14124055364435672026noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26428396.post-38286313613562085512010-08-14T14:48:00.001-04:002010-08-15T10:46:25.836-04:00Sometimes you cut, and sometimes you sewAfter what's turning out to be a very productive month in my sewing room, I was quite content to spend today's naptime just cutting fabric.<br />
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This morning I sorted through a pile of scraps from Shannon and made little sub-piles to be cut down and put into 3 projects I've got in the works-- Travel Quilt #3, a leaders & enders with 2.5" squares, and then I set aside some bright centers and tiny triangles for my new obsession-- maverick stars.<br />
I have been so inspired by the creative energy on display over at <a href="http://www.15minutesplay.com/">15minutesplay</a> that the other night I handed Costas a small clock and asked him to tell me when 15 minutes had passed. It turned out that these stars take 20 minutes start to finish (including finding, pressing & cutting fabric), but once I started I just couldn't stop. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3ll1w0uLAbbhwsozwEhCnPgfDJ6VUbIv8WLFX15teZK5ma0Dm7E6j9ZnfQzVP8Lys5AzawnAqqtVwfo9Cj1_XEFo0Xvn2VvN2KsfMuHmqm2qK-c8bGUsm1hDQmrBD6nV0TZSN/s1600/100_5881.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3ll1w0uLAbbhwsozwEhCnPgfDJ6VUbIv8WLFX15teZK5ma0Dm7E6j9ZnfQzVP8Lys5AzawnAqqtVwfo9Cj1_XEFo0Xvn2VvN2KsfMuHmqm2qK-c8bGUsm1hDQmrBD6nV0TZSN/s640/100_5881.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>I don't have any plans for these right now, but it's so fun to use the teensy tiny scraps in my triangle box for the star points. I like having this project waiting on a corner of my cutting table so I can whip one up when i <strong>know</strong> I only have 20 minutes. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0q0SEvoleFrUcVa51PrfLjTHeaW2FwTgS3Z0xsiazFAnTRO6XU3QM93zvQGsgyJuZhIBos46pZ5IL9ZM7ggLqVUXmOZEMdF_KXcAqQslLUhqpm4aq8yaBNJNO9Fh2Yqj2-E3I/s1600/100_5884.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0q0SEvoleFrUcVa51PrfLjTHeaW2FwTgS3Z0xsiazFAnTRO6XU3QM93zvQGsgyJuZhIBos46pZ5IL9ZM7ggLqVUXmOZEMdF_KXcAqQslLUhqpm4aq8yaBNJNO9Fh2Yqj2-E3I/s640/100_5884.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14124055364435672026noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26428396.post-67037257336537583132010-08-12T20:09:00.000-04:002010-08-12T20:09:29.783-04:00Oldies but goodiesWhile I was at home in Chicago, I had the chance to take some better photos of the quilts I made for my dad and sister in 2007. I love going home at taking the time to pour over them again, studying, remembering, reliving the making of both quilts. It's different then seeing the quilts I have around my house that are just part of the backdrop of my daily life. I miss these quilts, but I'm happy they provide color for the backdrop of my parents' house.<br />
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Crosses - front:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEXE66WZMXQ-8Dn9qEcMu-B_8zTaqV25IwDrTSjCnpgCQcH29JZlFVxfx7xssh1Ga3fRhVAnXWwrhITpS8vtCUffdepb9LYCoMWmDyuo_dcvAGisZEKhS9o-ovaShI63sq8JoC/s1600/DSCN6018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEXE66WZMXQ-8Dn9qEcMu-B_8zTaqV25IwDrTSjCnpgCQcH29JZlFVxfx7xssh1Ga3fRhVAnXWwrhITpS8vtCUffdepb9LYCoMWmDyuo_dcvAGisZEKhS9o-ovaShI63sq8JoC/s400/DSCN6018.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Crosses - back:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq8lgwz2nYueBXVSA2Alo0RsV45rzpuFbaYog1FUhA1eivoJeHY2_tnvnNQO3HW5p2PdRbeVAkxKoakFDAmgV9Fg1-yuT4Qn0jMtM1pjiWpoSwAFRPg3U69bsNjgJjn4tCslM4/s1600/DSCN6019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq8lgwz2nYueBXVSA2Alo0RsV45rzpuFbaYog1FUhA1eivoJeHY2_tnvnNQO3HW5p2PdRbeVAkxKoakFDAmgV9Fg1-yuT4Qn0jMtM1pjiWpoSwAFRPg3U69bsNjgJjn4tCslM4/s400/DSCN6019.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">I loved this fabric and I'm so glad I used it here because if not, it would probably still be in the stash..</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifw7lHRh88NT6zsWu-HGle5bB34dmOVBOzlFdeT4JE6vPzNIO4YsTxojS5UeuOgHlupnJKSbStTw-FMWa9xR1zwkt-tsFnXVhfJoNfxbz8fXT0pZopiD-vHrXd4kEs3Yu4fYNa/s1600/DSCN6020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifw7lHRh88NT6zsWu-HGle5bB34dmOVBOzlFdeT4JE6vPzNIO4YsTxojS5UeuOgHlupnJKSbStTw-FMWa9xR1zwkt-tsFnXVhfJoNfxbz8fXT0pZopiD-vHrXd4kEs3Yu4fYNa/s400/DSCN6020.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Comfort Star for Lori:</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDbQXCKj9690UQduw8g72mmL8Z5tdwhRgcGdMzE7nr27IWFlmRRB79JAGmgipvvN25PoHbVnmQxFdK4X_dZjFFYSv4oGmA64xbfrebKCErMyD0XLHc0dTXpJzpZDCjh9dZKAdi/s1600/DSCN6021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDbQXCKj9690UQduw8g72mmL8Z5tdwhRgcGdMzE7nr27IWFlmRRB79JAGmgipvvN25PoHbVnmQxFdK4X_dZjFFYSv4oGmA64xbfrebKCErMyD0XLHc0dTXpJzpZDCjh9dZKAdi/s400/DSCN6021.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">This was my first attempt at crumb blocks, and "making" fabric for the 9 patch center:</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSXITNnc7cBIFe_tiSxBNcPOMPv6RRuJDMcF-8sqSHgnckqwhihJfNEeAri1xb2EkGNy3GpWlwYNfTUwB-uECs-pipmCIa544wnCPiM7S3SAoqWd_ZDFJPwz2vyeXAZ7lW9lSH/s1600/DSCN6022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSXITNnc7cBIFe_tiSxBNcPOMPv6RRuJDMcF-8sqSHgnckqwhihJfNEeAri1xb2EkGNy3GpWlwYNfTUwB-uECs-pipmCIa544wnCPiM7S3SAoqWd_ZDFJPwz2vyeXAZ7lW9lSH/s400/DSCN6022.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">a close up. I could stare at this quilt for hours:</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCxHPUZhhHLbPJsc-gbLFzRJDm4-d0q4blUEHPc-sqieSWwghEl1KcA6iNieVmsk4IiDoZAr6ebCyxAZxaAczj1ny3WWpsV27zRwBe7nck1TNbepGuqNBMSJ5AGQR9dHCMLGkc/s1600/DSCN6023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCxHPUZhhHLbPJsc-gbLFzRJDm4-d0q4blUEHPc-sqieSWwghEl1KcA6iNieVmsk4IiDoZAr6ebCyxAZxaAczj1ny3WWpsV27zRwBe7nck1TNbepGuqNBMSJ5AGQR9dHCMLGkc/s400/DSCN6023.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Whenever I go home my sister patiently listens as I retell her about every patch in her quilt. Where it came from, how long I had it, if I used it anywhere else. She is so patient with me. I guess she has the patience of a quilter, but she has the gift to spend it on people instead of fabric and stitches. </div>Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14124055364435672026noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26428396.post-87659687698417626262010-08-11T15:16:00.000-04:002010-08-11T15:16:41.528-04:00the tedious partWith a toddler in the house (or is he a preschooler now? he sure does talk a lot..), aside from when he's asleep, we pretty much do everything together. I try to split the day between stuff he wants to do and stuff I want to do. <br />
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thankfully he was patient with me yesterday, and I definitely appreciated his meticulous nature and attention to detail.<br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;">I think I'll do the rest on my own though because he has gotten a lot stronger since <a href="http://littleshika.blogspot.com/2010/02/need-help-with-that-quilt.html">the last time</a> we did this. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3BQQIyPHwfXdO4-puMKOSXHDIRZhN8reX2c1Md8r0lLTLGhoRRDtE86NqdhgFGn_172fGvaaAekHi0g8LOi-njGJ67S6HVRFo923gwV361pYmIQ9oOTHDV6ic3E9dluaF9JZN/s1600/100_5879.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3BQQIyPHwfXdO4-puMKOSXHDIRZhN8reX2c1Md8r0lLTLGhoRRDtE86NqdhgFGn_172fGvaaAekHi0g8LOi-njGJ67S6HVRFo923gwV361pYmIQ9oOTHDV6ic3E9dluaF9JZN/s400/100_5879.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I'll throw the backing fabric in the wash today and buy batting by the end of the week. So, basting this weekend? I can hope..</div>Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14124055364435672026noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26428396.post-57880524706030891552010-08-10T08:57:00.000-04:002010-08-10T08:57:13.767-04:00Random quilt of Kindness<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Sometimes friends can surprise you with overly generous random quilts of kindness. This came from <a href="http://piecefulkwilter.blogspot.com/">Shannon</a> earlier in the summer (and I'm sorry I didn't post it until now!). Aren't I lucky?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo-fUq9IL-UwZYUbcRMH6oli9xtsMruhFL9aBtHKIlEahYamw74sOm8S9pJj3C8sQgYSX9SdcPMazyvE9h5aX5pD6SfhDjXUGUTs9kwmxul6BWjAICSgantZLw-Rq5f_BnQRRe/s1600/100_5848.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" mx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo-fUq9IL-UwZYUbcRMH6oli9xtsMruhFL9aBtHKIlEahYamw74sOm8S9pJj3C8sQgYSX9SdcPMazyvE9h5aX5pD6SfhDjXUGUTs9kwmxul6BWjAICSgantZLw-Rq5f_BnQRRe/s640/100_5848.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The magenta quilting shows up really nicely on the soft salmon pink of the back. I currently have it hanging with this side showing to gear myself up for upcoming freemotion quilting..</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRopml_ALT5hbdjRlo7cMAfk1KO_9ksOVR58Da_sXtfe_odDHIB_mf8jWkKo1QKeGutDyn0hnlFmfvS4k1E1eIEEsmgEmhTB0zBWOcJQoY8oBQZMjhQice7mESB1G903w7Jkqk/s1600/100_5856.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRopml_ALT5hbdjRlo7cMAfk1KO_9ksOVR58Da_sXtfe_odDHIB_mf8jWkKo1QKeGutDyn0hnlFmfvS4k1E1eIEEsmgEmhTB0zBWOcJQoY8oBQZMjhQice7mESB1G903w7Jkqk/s400/100_5856.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXmul0Ki-V3TECku0MkCMk78kMmRSS0NtRRu1yZTeUtEkOBLcPNYxGxP5URmlIR69TpDaT1JGPELGDuUpymI2fVK30vqT_Hyr2-ZvyUPU5RZAx8pM09llDdGVhdvNFNQ9cs8oc/s1600/100_5858.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXmul0Ki-V3TECku0MkCMk78kMmRSS0NtRRu1yZTeUtEkOBLcPNYxGxP5URmlIR69TpDaT1JGPELGDuUpymI2fVK30vqT_Hyr2-ZvyUPU5RZAx8pM09llDdGVhdvNFNQ9cs8oc/s400/100_5858.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The munchkin and I have been working towards finishing another quilt, one for George this time. It's adorable when he walks into the sewing room and says, "It's a quilt, for ME!"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14124055364435672026noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26428396.post-45685409499332736692010-06-21T16:02:00.001-04:002010-06-21T16:03:33.509-04:00The end is in sightThe end of our Greek summer, and of piecing the stars of Travel Quilt #2. <br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Today I basted the last of the star patches onto the plastic templates. I have 7 stars to piece, and then a bunch of light blue background pieces to work in. It won't be done before we leave Wednesday, but I'm really happy with the progress I've made. I thought I'd take the time to upload a few pictures taken over the life of this quilt..</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">This was the beginning-- fall 2007. Ahh, the good old days, when Costas would play his guitar while I sewed. (this was his facebook profile picture for a long time.. until we had George, i think.)</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhttZmLgcPezEfGkfgGf47FBK0ShYZxwqEZ8YKtEADZPpQa7Ed2eIN9PDW6Nf545YVnTKS3cJlG3b5gCMt9aFHTLowb_6U24EyHfCcMbJz8NljgRW6zPV2FqAThGrI8ggaxVQHb/s1600/jessica+summer+2010+010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhttZmLgcPezEfGkfgGf47FBK0ShYZxwqEZ8YKtEADZPpQa7Ed2eIN9PDW6Nf545YVnTKS3cJlG3b5gCMt9aFHTLowb_6U24EyHfCcMbJz8NljgRW6zPV2FqAThGrI8ggaxVQHb/s640/jessica+summer+2010+010.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Even though I had a lot of random fabrics from the beginning, my hopes were for this quilt to be mostly blues and greens.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvJ6RjrT-27ISjyaLaz2sefoUv0hNhHa_mKH9jfbO3lk67qa4k442R4DHzkqMBKXKbTjSOC1zjycGR0KwW1OioU7Ht_mT1D59goq484LS-1YdQsyeh1_FbdJ1fm21htdOsj9DE/s1600/jessica+summer+2010+019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: right; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvJ6RjrT-27ISjyaLaz2sefoUv0hNhHa_mKH9jfbO3lk67qa4k442R4DHzkqMBKXKbTjSOC1zjycGR0KwW1OioU7Ht_mT1D59goq484LS-1YdQsyeh1_FbdJ1fm21htdOsj9DE/s640/jessica+summer+2010+019.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>That didn't exactly happen. Looks like I'm a more "use what you have" type girl than I realized. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi36E2DeaaMUuraM3BTNa7JgCaLrov6DVYX-o9dxyjT6aEW4LoagqKbnnp41OMrUFRznyMHQvlm8E4mNNS36veJa5DP3xX9WCmxs83tJkUYX8NYlYbElLzqNLcnAcxqpMhtsuEe/s1600/jessica+summer+2010+027.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: right; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi36E2DeaaMUuraM3BTNa7JgCaLrov6DVYX-o9dxyjT6aEW4LoagqKbnnp41OMrUFRznyMHQvlm8E4mNNS36veJa5DP3xX9WCmxs83tJkUYX8NYlYbElLzqNLcnAcxqpMhtsuEe/s640/jessica+summer+2010+027.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>I keep these two photos in my sewing kit-- the one above shows the part that's finished already-- what I left in NY just before we came to Athens. The one below shows the color placement of what needed to be done. I had never laid out an entire section like this before-- I always just pieced stars and then arranged them as I liked once I had 4 or 6 ready. But now that I was so close to the end, I wanted to take exactly what I needed with me on this trip because I had hoped to finish it. It was kind of strange working from this photo-pattern. I kept having to look at it and lay it out so I wouldn't mess it up. Very unlike me... usually I leave room for a little "fate" in my block placement :) <br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMfCbsJBbpwM3reiSi_wo67mdtr7BtaVwfoZtDtXlOsPaBny2kCpVK_cbHzraG1-J_R470w2wbIlH_s4e2gcCWZGjYaXVLoPZMqKH5Axzz7vVlBx2bB7lTDyl0gyYf50bxSBlZ/s1600/jessica+summer+2010+026.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: right; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMfCbsJBbpwM3reiSi_wo67mdtr7BtaVwfoZtDtXlOsPaBny2kCpVK_cbHzraG1-J_R470w2wbIlH_s4e2gcCWZGjYaXVLoPZMqKH5Axzz7vVlBx2bB7lTDyl0gyYf50bxSBlZ/s640/jessica+summer+2010+026.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>And the last pic is a close up of how I started burying my knot at the start of piecing-- I take 2 or 3 teensy stitches and end at the corner I want to start sewing. I have also started backstitching a few times at the end of my thread. I really hope this quilt holds together for a long time...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIuKrTn-Y9r-xnRQIU1r6IYaWbYDFRpnwN37B5ftszkzbnbAsSi2UI8oeJ00dlPc0mcDWT1ZTEwUW91CeJC5XASJTjIaEYt8nYERraqXTpv_qlG3TVbZgFVa1qNeeWnM-kOx01/s1600/jessica+summer+2010+028.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: right; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIuKrTn-Y9r-xnRQIU1r6IYaWbYDFRpnwN37B5ftszkzbnbAsSi2UI8oeJ00dlPc0mcDWT1ZTEwUW91CeJC5XASJTjIaEYt8nYERraqXTpv_qlG3TVbZgFVa1qNeeWnM-kOx01/s640/jessica+summer+2010+028.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>It's already 11 p.m. so I should probably skip stitching tonight and just head to bed. Tomorrow will be full of packing, sorting, and laundry. I think we have a million people to say good-bye to as well. But it was a good trip, <em>such</em> a good trip. I'm actually leaving this time thinking it might not be so bad if we came to live here someday.. (mom, don't cry..)Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14124055364435672026noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26428396.post-38689642734432946202010-06-19T11:31:00.001-04:002010-06-19T11:32:45.467-04:00Pictures of Greece, part 2<div class="" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Last weekend we spent 3 days in Kymi, on the island of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Euboea">Evoia</a>. People, I swear, this has got to be one of the most beautiful places I have seen in my life. Costas commented to one friend about how beautiful it was, and the friend said, "it's not beautiful, it's paradise."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We stayed at a really nice hotel overlooking the Aegean sea, you know, the kind where the pool kind of melts into the sea? (in appearance only, there's actually a 2 story drop and a road, but those aren't in my picture..)</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLIgyK6y9Um8nOi50uuIHQqsfMk0SknNoFoaZyQAvSdGjCFA5rNHGkwICl-srqXB112d0_Ie9P7Bse5e6G5Nu9ySfkVyH_N3382cWK1EA8S8SxjI2ukBOjuQgaVXV0zfIgG8HY/s1600/George+summer+2010+342.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" qu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLIgyK6y9Um8nOi50uuIHQqsfMk0SknNoFoaZyQAvSdGjCFA5rNHGkwICl-srqXB112d0_Ie9P7Bse5e6G5Nu9ySfkVyH_N3382cWK1EA8S8SxjI2ukBOjuQgaVXV0zfIgG8HY/s640/George+summer+2010+342.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1eRBr17zT5JBA3Y2YWpGQRqiAsb2Kav1EPPMUjVx4rFGKjKEamNhyVyNR4v5UrdV8gcAeyDAvnl2ar984R_AK93aI1cerLBkDu18rgAD3Zj6FDzDirVE4eJTCH61eOGAILam3/s1600/George+summer+2010+353.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" qu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1eRBr17zT5JBA3Y2YWpGQRqiAsb2Kav1EPPMUjVx4rFGKjKEamNhyVyNR4v5UrdV8gcAeyDAvnl2ar984R_AK93aI1cerLBkDu18rgAD3Zj6FDzDirVE4eJTCH61eOGAILam3/s640/George+summer+2010+353.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>And what did I do at the pool? Quilt, of course.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiGQvpn22Fuh8eMYI9tsd8SZorqGTbTbdVfhlqLZd4XT8NCmHQo3cqIlnRfE_fdkJv5QMz5JFfCqtTouo1j8-QgslZBjeiUvIUKm3dr-1ImRV5B2utpjckF-h00lyt2QLjB-w9/s1600/George+summer+2010+348.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" qu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiGQvpn22Fuh8eMYI9tsd8SZorqGTbTbdVfhlqLZd4XT8NCmHQo3cqIlnRfE_fdkJv5QMz5JFfCqtTouo1j8-QgslZBjeiUvIUKm3dr-1ImRV5B2utpjckF-h00lyt2QLjB-w9/s640/George+summer+2010+348.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">This is a shot from the restaurant's terrace, you can see the road (which doesn't have a guard rail in some parts..)</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivEO53KoRu3pZUsELt_XanA2LiGfIP4NVbeOgl1_wv5qt5GDaLkMuW3VS3jVUXfHepLCwa8Ffudt13Uqan36ZKvY7NryeV8I2PK22jUs_9GDtatb7BDPDZltnc71vmTQqcGZPl/s1600/George+summer+2010+376.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: right; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" qu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivEO53KoRu3pZUsELt_XanA2LiGfIP4NVbeOgl1_wv5qt5GDaLkMuW3VS3jVUXfHepLCwa8Ffudt13Uqan36ZKvY7NryeV8I2PK22jUs_9GDtatb7BDPDZltnc71vmTQqcGZPl/s640/George+summer+2010+376.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>I wanted to take so many other photos of this place, but the car was moving too fast. I was also preoccupied with George's potential carsickness. I hope I only have to hand wash the carseat cover once this summer.. <br />
It was sooo beautiful though and that weekend, we all relaxed. The perfect getaway to recharge your batteries.Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14124055364435672026noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26428396.post-55842470015448196852010-06-18T14:16:00.000-04:002010-06-18T14:16:10.513-04:00Vay-Cay<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Dee said she wanted to see some pics from our "vacation" (funny to call it that, 5 weeks is a long time to be on vacation), and I was caught a little off guard, I hadn't been planning to post any. I guess in my head I'm so wrapped up in quilty thoughts that it didn't occur to me to share the scenery from this corner of the world. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">But, I guess it wouldn't hurt..</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><em>George at the beach in Nea Makris</em></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTpywsFnt8cHFUbZj2zAGRLA5XCgd3Ww0S9yLl_y0PsHAiUTZA6AjF3FtM0c8JElwcOR9_uNFGt0ZGAOWfI3s9NGE5XlxAFaHxGIRLlKeFU6iVvXFn4zGFAz9nPHich1qwo2se/s1600/George+summer+2010+239.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" qu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTpywsFnt8cHFUbZj2zAGRLA5XCgd3Ww0S9yLl_y0PsHAiUTZA6AjF3FtM0c8JElwcOR9_uNFGt0ZGAOWfI3s9NGE5XlxAFaHxGIRLlKeFU6iVvXFn4zGFAz9nPHich1qwo2se/s640/George+summer+2010+239.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><em>An evening stroll</em></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixCmE1UmAmBk1NXFXoJ-jFDaLWaBGfiUn1aEtNL8yAAavJ6WceQZ6a3I8_PkTE5PdjMbW-c7bsjeub8Czdbh3KLIOq76P_W8tVK0QYrK5_vJ__OjboD380cTjGm6fqNaK6-8hv/s1600/George+summer+2010+249.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" qu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixCmE1UmAmBk1NXFXoJ-jFDaLWaBGfiUn1aEtNL8yAAavJ6WceQZ6a3I8_PkTE5PdjMbW-c7bsjeub8Czdbh3KLIOq76P_W8tVK0QYrK5_vJ__OjboD380cTjGm6fqNaK6-8hv/s640/George+summer+2010+249.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><em>The view from the car as we drive from the house to the beach (little winding mountain roads; this year we discovered that George gets carsick..)</em></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv7rBQfZg6Uk_WbIncyhPdzmhvcvrkt7baTSO5r4fwOHbRcAMjmYRMFiDGew8da41TEh0ZCpERpFvfKqsSTaGmW0Yz4J8hBCvEabHqmeimpOr8_5k8fNX_Cw-WZq5-MQTimNvk/s1600/George+summer+2010+196.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" qu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv7rBQfZg6Uk_WbIncyhPdzmhvcvrkt7baTSO5r4fwOHbRcAMjmYRMFiDGew8da41TEh0ZCpERpFvfKqsSTaGmW0Yz4J8hBCvEabHqmeimpOr8_5k8fNX_Cw-WZq5-MQTimNvk/s640/George+summer+2010+196.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><em>Is he too young to appreciate the sunset? That's why I take pictures..</em></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIwbRBCXu0bX8FW1C2Pn4SHVLEiM7j7ahIYlp_MyU7tSai5XAFvoPSFmAR_p-YBMcNAVWZ2QmcwJbESxJaIruZTK33g4ISJxQ7cZpD595-aZQs7tAbt5B7pqH5KCJCvpvwgpOU/s1600/George+summer+2010+300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" qu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIwbRBCXu0bX8FW1C2Pn4SHVLEiM7j7ahIYlp_MyU7tSai5XAFvoPSFmAR_p-YBMcNAVWZ2QmcwJbESxJaIruZTK33g4ISJxQ7cZpD595-aZQs7tAbt5B7pqH5KCJCvpvwgpOU/s640/George+summer+2010+300.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">ok, that's all for the first installment. I'd love to promise I'll post them all on flickr, but honestly, I don't think I'll have the time. All free time must be spent sewing to preserve sanity. Sometimes 5 weeks with the inlaws can really focus a girl on her quilting...</div>Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14124055364435672026noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26428396.post-46736581032889811102010-06-16T04:04:00.000-04:002010-06-16T04:04:37.744-04:00heat<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2xQ2CcXwbOjNpoEjEtpox1-5-i8y0YRg378iufBKwcT030-apfkQV4UcpOmBhDNRh-p3jgV75ctrxCBvR_LKykPdwCjwkagDOCUfFrBUgsKTbZRiEepU7S6sjzz-ZcIFcBn8q/s1600/George+summer+2010+336.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" qu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2xQ2CcXwbOjNpoEjEtpox1-5-i8y0YRg378iufBKwcT030-apfkQV4UcpOmBhDNRh-p3jgV75ctrxCBvR_LKykPdwCjwkagDOCUfFrBUgsKTbZRiEepU7S6sjzz-ZcIFcBn8q/s640/George+summer+2010+336.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>I said to Costas in the car on the way back from Kymi, this has probably been my best trip to Greece. And it has, until this week when we're stuck in the house with a 38 degree + heatwave. The heat is my only real complaint though. Surprizingly, I'm stitching right through it. I have made tremendous progress on Travel Quilt #2 and I really thought I might finish the piecing before we go home next week, but I probably have 20 more stars to piece, and that's just not going to happen without a babysitter, hehe.<br />
So we're hot, but happy. I would like to update more, but real life needs me more than the internet does. I'll try to check in again soon..Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14124055364435672026noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26428396.post-38705814071391125522010-05-29T15:45:00.000-04:002010-05-29T15:45:00.348-04:00midnight snackit's 10:45p.m. but I'm seriously considering baking <a href="http://www.verybestbaking.com/recipes/specialty/nth-detail-occc.aspx">these</a> tonight...<br />
don't worry, they're not for me. we've got an invitation for a luncheon tomorrow and I thought I'd bring something American..Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14124055364435672026noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26428396.post-55616754024246692222010-05-27T15:17:00.000-04:002010-05-27T15:17:06.744-04:00public crafting<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">years ago, <a href="http://whipup.net/">Whip up</a> (does anyone still read whip up?) had <a href="http://whipup.net/2007/11/">a month of posts</a> on public crafting.. and well, i'm still at it.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHhoXdugDMk2VLUYkBtM7sjsoq-EbJ4cXfN2lbxONlOouUS4vzwPydjTBDzGt59pXPfELG3Cuw0l4KxIMGUR-jRFP1cbEB4vr81te2SshO9VT347NcnrbaT8ARxM1ZhGsDLgtT/s1600/jessica+summer+2010+031.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHhoXdugDMk2VLUYkBtM7sjsoq-EbJ4cXfN2lbxONlOouUS4vzwPydjTBDzGt59pXPfELG3Cuw0l4KxIMGUR-jRFP1cbEB4vr81te2SshO9VT347NcnrbaT8ARxM1ZhGsDLgtT/s400/jessica+summer+2010+031.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Today I put George down for a nap and scurried off to the salon down the street for one of the best pedicures I've ever had. I swear, Greek pedicures have Long Island pedicures beat, hands down! First of all, they take about an hour, compared to the 20 minute Korean-American version. And my feet are soooo soft afterwords! but back to my story...</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">George was asleep, I needed to quilt. But, I also needed a pedicure. Obvious solution, quilt at the salon. I haven't ever done this in the States, but I've quilted in loads of other public places (starbucks, airports, you get the idea) so I figured I'd give it a shot. Thankfully, the salon employees were too stylish to show their shock too openly, but the owner's husband who lead me to the waiting area and offered me a coffee looked a little confused when I pulled out my stars... I just smiled and said I was fine. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbx14edINVrNQfm2s3v0eZ-Jk6DW4KgurbsJ5KoCzeyAW4lfpEhCQSMXeQGXwxo3W5yMfxdfWVvNHBcy4oWl96H_DwlbLd4KAKbDANwmuLV7dxmMBNazu6x2BWAeCKAHT-bWvM/s1600/jessica+summer+2010+033.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbx14edINVrNQfm2s3v0eZ-Jk6DW4KgurbsJ5KoCzeyAW4lfpEhCQSMXeQGXwxo3W5yMfxdfWVvNHBcy4oWl96H_DwlbLd4KAKbDANwmuLV7dxmMBNazu6x2BWAeCKAHT-bWvM/s400/jessica+summer+2010+033.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The girl who did my pedicure was polite about the quilting, but no one here ever shows any real interest. No matter, I pieced a bunch of stars together and this section is growing pretty fast, which makes me happy. <br />
I left the salon with cute toes and tons of self confidence, feeling refreshed and pampered. It was fun, let me know if you try it too.</div>Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14124055364435672026noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26428396.post-75996202966299214062010-05-25T09:51:00.001-04:002010-05-25T09:55:57.398-04:00The unofficial Quilt Guild of Greater AthensI had started a post a few weeks ago, planning to finish it and post from Athens once we got here, but alas, I totally forgot to upload the coordinating photos (which are stored on our home computer) so that post will have to wait til the next cross-atlantic trip. Instead, I bring to you news from the second spring meeting of the Unofficial Quilt Guild of Greater Athens. Pictured below are the two founding members (read: the two <em>only</em> members): <br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpLmVj-7j0J2mWBUUUOBwhBrdI5Yr8iaioVshn-OHPQAEsmmEID1EsUGDWJfAOu_0bJDEEdw0x398dfC-38nIv5oWIa6BYTBJg4dAjv_hqjNbyjc23r777KGgk_-wfwA5Bo_ky/s1600/jessica+summer+2010+005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpLmVj-7j0J2mWBUUUOBwhBrdI5Yr8iaioVshn-OHPQAEsmmEID1EsUGDWJfAOu_0bJDEEdw0x398dfC-38nIv5oWIa6BYTBJg4dAjv_hqjNbyjc23r777KGgk_-wfwA5Bo_ky/s400/jessica+summer+2010+005.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>What do you think, Constantina? Can we call ourselves a guild yet? hehehe. We meet twice a year if we're lucky, usually in coffee shops, but we've been know to meet in <a href="http://littleshika.blogspot.com/2009/08/seek-and-you-shall-find.html">bowling alleys</a> as well. Show and tell involves new pieces of the same quilt I've been working on for the last 3 years, and any new notions I've been able to stash in my suitcase for Constantina. Lots of good deep, quilty conversation though. The stuff blog posts should be written about, if I ever find the time. We discuss quilt-blogland, online quilting trends, taking time for ourselves, finding meaning in fabrics, why it seems greeks don't love quilting as much as we do, quiltstories, and I try to explain about real life (as compared to online) quilting in the States. It's difficult to explain though, so we're tentatively planning our first fieldtrip to New York (hehehe).<br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTAv4q5cO5dCbeonrO6km68rcSjm2BfJpoPNUP1TPwdBtkhKza_3_WkJdqP468K1dYGjTlbFAwmr3y6Ussj3jFjkEZuoSwBIC_N8bDD7VbPoK9RvPMkkDa8dDBPdrEWmtaU03D/s1600/jessica+summer+2010+003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTAv4q5cO5dCbeonrO6km68rcSjm2BfJpoPNUP1TPwdBtkhKza_3_WkJdqP468K1dYGjTlbFAwmr3y6Ussj3jFjkEZuoSwBIC_N8bDD7VbPoK9RvPMkkDa8dDBPdrEWmtaU03D/s400/jessica+summer+2010+003.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">At our next meeting we may try to get in some actual sewing time, (which should be fun since we're both working on Eng. paper pieced diamonds) wish us luck, and if you're in the neighborhood and would like to come sew with us, <strong>please</strong> let us know~</div>Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14124055364435672026noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26428396.post-18032914114138937032010-05-24T11:46:00.000-04:002010-05-24T11:46:38.316-04:00Bloggers' Quilt Festival~Yay, the bloggers quilt festival is here!<br />
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<center><a href="http://www.amyscreativeside.com/2010/05/bloggers-quilt-festival-spring-2010.html"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1071/4600291840_c54e78a6a8_o.gif" /></a></center><br />
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I'll tell ya, I've been waiting for this round. I finished this quilt at the beginning of May and it's been hard to keep it a secret since then..<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYc50rloeKGDA72JrgXbFd-dY4MAFH82aoTSs9y0WgrrXOKY6jU6B15eq0QILnz6cI2vtFQns_eS06Z52Dt1YaA7boaelQYMTRn5ZJnJfUi4Ac7Mz-qMRJRqTQKxZKc7YZxSZj/s1600/100_5755.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYc50rloeKGDA72JrgXbFd-dY4MAFH82aoTSs9y0WgrrXOKY6jU6B15eq0QILnz6cI2vtFQns_eS06Z52Dt1YaA7boaelQYMTRn5ZJnJfUi4Ac7Mz-qMRJRqTQKxZKc7YZxSZj/s400/100_5755.JPG" tt="true" width="400" /></a></div>This is my T-shirt quilt, <a href="http://littleshika.blogspot.com/2007/01/memories.html">started</a> in January of 2007, mostly <a href="http://littleshika.blogspot.com/2008/02/retreat-recap.html">assembled</a> at the 2008 Silver City Guild retreat, quilted last fall, and I finally finished the binding a few weeks ago. Like most of my quilts, the process was long, I learned a lot, and enjoyed just about every minute.<br />
There are t-shirts from 1990-2005, 15 years of my life! Most are shirts I wore in college, and I included one that Costas was wearing when we first started dating. I used fusible interfacing on the backs of the shirts and then just stitched them to strips of my favorite fabrics, sometimes working in log cabin fashion, sometimes just putting pieces together as they fit until I had blocks big enough. I made 5 or 6 complete patchwork blocks (no t-shirt fabric) from the crumbs left from the other blocks. I used up a lot of my favorite fabrics in this quilt, and for the years that it sat as a UFO I sometimes found myself saying "dude, where <strong>is</strong> that ____?!" and searching the stash for it, only to find it later <em>in this quilt</em>. Yeah, that's how it goes around my sewing room sometimes...<br />
We've been using it on our bed since I finished it and George loves it.<br />
<em><span style="font-size: x-small;">(He pays attention to each detail..)</span></em><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP1RQ0SsmbHqu2eSSxV5WyOdfHBuwixQ0m46obWMLKAMUurV7fY6FI1LWMds1IFNNC0GhyphenhyphenlCSlvGYF-uQMz3_R2TcLjrms2BI0hqkQpSKmDBGg2WuDlcf0SMXkBGDRk5nNnYSN/s1600/100_5764.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP1RQ0SsmbHqu2eSSxV5WyOdfHBuwixQ0m46obWMLKAMUurV7fY6FI1LWMds1IFNNC0GhyphenhyphenlCSlvGYF-uQMz3_R2TcLjrms2BI0hqkQpSKmDBGg2WuDlcf0SMXkBGDRk5nNnYSN/s400/100_5764.JPG" tt="true" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">He wakes up in the morning and tells me what's in each picture. There's one <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypercolor">hypercolor</a> shirt with animals that he is particularly fond of and it keeps him busy for a long time... and the Mr. Bubble on the bottom, dad got me that shirt in high school when I hadn't used Mr. Bubble for years.. and now George just started using it so he gets excited about that one too.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">These were the T-shirts I just couldn't throw away, even when they got worn and stretched out. I mean, check out this Engrish:</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiLBqmOkBCeJzWtGmiG7PoiuM9ll4fDNj6sGRtwwNem6lt1DkVpN60g1PJjwSem6cvlG2sOPY5i-cPdbrq76BsVRUk7UXPi1bz6lb9-Fl8f0QIkgvRn4VF6yvgAbINZoZfAyOR/s1600/100_5760.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiLBqmOkBCeJzWtGmiG7PoiuM9ll4fDNj6sGRtwwNem6lt1DkVpN60g1PJjwSem6cvlG2sOPY5i-cPdbrq76BsVRUk7UXPi1bz6lb9-Fl8f0QIkgvRn4VF6yvgAbINZoZfAyOR/s400/100_5760.JPG" tt="true" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This shirt was in my apartment in Hokkaido when I moved in. LOVED it!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This came from a Japanese thrift store. Never fit very well, but I needed to have it, you know?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr0LeF0budzfAkDtzVvtCbyftlFa4KvkhUpMP-DMdG4vmMlHEVwVivS1TI8HN1f-LMWGeTtq4CMzpqnSjHeoosyo-FQvh7zbiBc73QJM4lYBft3ddLmvggGPvi0n73THpG0YEe/s1600/100_5753.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr0LeF0budzfAkDtzVvtCbyftlFa4KvkhUpMP-DMdG4vmMlHEVwVivS1TI8HN1f-LMWGeTtq4CMzpqnSjHeoosyo-FQvh7zbiBc73QJM4lYBft3ddLmvggGPvi0n73THpG0YEe/s400/100_5753.JPG" tt="true" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">From my time in the traveling drama troupe (it says "Hokkaido Players" "Let's Musical"):</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjss4YhJ9_eYdNPQ6ICnAnojrQzt7x6yqBP4EQnzfxR2gC3_9C6E6k-R1lw4E6ZF5ypHNjEX9s7HgFgNOz74bM7QiCfb5xJ6k8CsjeUMMkmQrfYDOtwIiQPP9uRgVaNtLdf8R51/s1600/100_5757.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjss4YhJ9_eYdNPQ6ICnAnojrQzt7x6yqBP4EQnzfxR2gC3_9C6E6k-R1lw4E6ZF5ypHNjEX9s7HgFgNOz74bM7QiCfb5xJ6k8CsjeUMMkmQrfYDOtwIiQPP9uRgVaNtLdf8R51/s400/100_5757.JPG" tt="true" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And one of the crumb pieced blocks:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWpwQc5idqFGVPducJeTR3ODvs7b4KnaWnGz3dQohsSFVr5cGKGc0vkGiCrvvKe66qPhexcRHiVG5X0LCrjjQVCiAMCAhyJATfRJ_cyAu_yzzeMRWLqlGRmSNmgH8UVsJiGUnM/s1600/100_5758.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWpwQc5idqFGVPducJeTR3ODvs7b4KnaWnGz3dQohsSFVr5cGKGc0vkGiCrvvKe66qPhexcRHiVG5X0LCrjjQVCiAMCAhyJATfRJ_cyAu_yzzeMRWLqlGRmSNmgH8UVsJiGUnM/s400/100_5758.JPG" tt="true" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I like this quilt because it captures so much of my life in one nice 104"x104" frame. I think it'll have to be our winter bed quilt though because the polyester interfacing makes it really warm. If you're thinking about making this type of t-shirt quilt I'm happy to answer any questions, but if you think I'm still saving t-shirts for the next one, you're nuts. It was a labor of love, and one is enough. </div>Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14124055364435672026noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26428396.post-58725068808175342062010-05-11T14:45:00.001-04:002010-05-11T14:51:17.782-04:00Better pictures, finally~I finished the paper, and I finished a quilt last week. I'm saving it for the Blogger's Quilt Festival though so you'll have to wait 10 days to see it. <br />
Trying to get a good photo (using <a href="http://quiltville.com/leadersenders.shtml">Bonnie's pics</a> as an example) before we pack up and go to Greece, I threw these two on the fence as well because I didn't have enough pics of them (yeah, because not only do I need fabric, and need to make quilts, but i also need countless photos of the process and finished textile. Sometimes I really do love what quilt-blogland has done to me..)<br />
<br />
This is my SR quilt, an adaptation of Kaffe Fassett's Bird Boxes:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCiKBf4sDxkD1gU53bxzwjRhnUTxSKbFhM0aN5rUJ1kXn9QJqMxIjLvIgaDLFC5okveIlAIx2Ok1w9s1Ql44nY96qCJyTcGuyrwm7t8SAhxdjDwjypjvvbgFqHVJxK6MDb0Lum/s1600/100_5749.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCiKBf4sDxkD1gU53bxzwjRhnUTxSKbFhM0aN5rUJ1kXn9QJqMxIjLvIgaDLFC5okveIlAIx2Ok1w9s1Ql44nY96qCJyTcGuyrwm7t8SAhxdjDwjypjvvbgFqHVJxK6MDb0Lum/s400/100_5749.JPG" tt="true" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I made this quilt for our new house and it has been on our bed since Sept. 2008. I loved waking up to it every morning but recently I was itching for a change, so I finally stitched the binding on to my T-shirt quilt which I will reveal (and tell the whole story, of course) for the festival...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">(ETA: <em>terrible confession</em>-- this morning i changed my rotary cutter blade.. <a href="http://littleshika.blogspot.com/2008/08/what-difference-blade-makes.html">the last time I put in a new blade</a> was when I was making this top..)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And then I took some more clear shots of the 1994 scrap quilt:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLh2hcE86POVpbRrDslwvQp3xh66cHhbegOm_RxoVIc2jEhYW4P5rVBaH7QKuLXPuF0ISlv40BgBHBwo79dY3i4cQfMkHhad5bEzkkpYBqDbyky2EIwtyNJV8FdkRGnQL17v4Y/s1600/100_5768.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLh2hcE86POVpbRrDslwvQp3xh66cHhbegOm_RxoVIc2jEhYW4P5rVBaH7QKuLXPuF0ISlv40BgBHBwo79dY3i4cQfMkHhad5bEzkkpYBqDbyky2EIwtyNJV8FdkRGnQL17v4Y/s400/100_5768.JPG" tt="true" width="300" /></a></div>It is still kind of windy outside so I had to act fast before it blew off the fence. This quilt has lived on our living room couch since I finished it in December. It's long and narrow (66x90") and perfect for Costas to curl up with while watching TV. It's also the quilt George naps under, because most of the time he still naps on the couch (on the couch or in the car. I take what I can get..). More detailed shots will be over at <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/littleshika/">flickr</a> shortly.Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14124055364435672026noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26428396.post-46353094021889441972010-05-04T00:10:00.000-04:002010-05-04T00:10:04.640-04:00ProgressThe paper is coming along. I am all set for the presentation portion on Wednesday and the last 3rd (the analysis section) is nearly complete (or, well, i only have 3 more pages on that part!). Tonight I'm treating myself with some wasted time spent reading my old blogposts, you know, clicking the little links at the bottom of the post there...<br />
reading stuff I forgot I had written. You know I've had this blog now for 4 years. FOUR YEARS. And I didn't celebrate my blog-versary with a giveaway or anything trendy like that. Sometimes I really miss how blogging used to be back in 2006. So so much different than it is now. Less etsy. Less designer fabrics. More photos of people's kitchens... And on my own humble little blog here, more <em>words</em>. I used to write really long deep posts. Sometimes about quilting but a lot of times about life. I was still growing (I am still growing), still sorting things out. I've got a much better handle on a lot of those things now (for one thing, I found quilters in Athens!) but now I've got new stuff to sort out-- grad school and family, housework and guilt. Some of it I'm not so sure I want out here and open on the internet.. (I should mention that this is the subject of the paper I'm writing= the hell that insues when stuff you write online comes back to bite you in real life..) But I do miss pouring my heart into thoughtful blogposts. I like looking back and reading myself, revisiting how I saw the world at that particular time. <br />
Ok, enough melancholy non-quilt-related posting for the moment. I should get to bed before the kid wakes up for his midnight snack. But wait, first I want your opinions...<br />
<br />
1) List 3 blogs you really love these days and why.<br />
2) What's your favorite aspect of the quiltblogland community at the moment?<br />
3) How long is too long to keep breastfeeding? (Loaded question, I know. I have my own opinion on this, but i'm curious to know how YOU feel about it..<br />
<br />
ok, thanks.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFOHyKo4qQHvvE2MFm_i-cpGswzxEnftHN89UfGdSfLsotWDv0TDSnzcUy5__l8NoObqjo_bEHjRf5il2Kc65unN_XZV4LAyaFAPt-tsy6w3NZH_ZSa7ETKDqu4X-apWE7MMLx/s1600/100_5737.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFOHyKo4qQHvvE2MFm_i-cpGswzxEnftHN89UfGdSfLsotWDv0TDSnzcUy5__l8NoObqjo_bEHjRf5il2Kc65unN_XZV4LAyaFAPt-tsy6w3NZH_ZSa7ETKDqu4X-apWE7MMLx/s400/100_5737.JPG" tt="true" width="400" /></a></div>Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14124055364435672026noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26428396.post-58434346871927465312010-04-30T15:33:00.000-04:002010-04-30T15:33:53.442-04:00April 30<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUMqX7DzbNX9jgW2eXzsFTqO6qIyPOArB-A7UKzUNbVlSXt1LjM_L3uzpB2XvxKOALm2G5KR0g5B3jkGbBFPPdvTAiypknf87mCuXlSaB7OxXtcZkasK3hAClVgM8Blq94cJr7/s1600/100_5725.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUMqX7DzbNX9jgW2eXzsFTqO6qIyPOArB-A7UKzUNbVlSXt1LjM_L3uzpB2XvxKOALm2G5KR0g5B3jkGbBFPPdvTAiypknf87mCuXlSaB7OxXtcZkasK3hAClVgM8Blq94cJr7/s400/100_5725.JPG" tt="true" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Stitch, stitch. If I keep going one stitch at a time I know the binding will be finished eventually.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Why can't writing the paper be so simple? Sure, it goes one word at a time, but I have to <em>think</em> about them..</div>Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14124055364435672026noreply@blogger.com1