tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67264561446560963592024-03-25T08:42:24.644-04:00Winging It!See what's happening on the 'Hummingbird Highway!'
ScrapTherapy, Snap Sack kits, and more.
Joan Ford's sewing studio is always a-buzz with activity.Joan Fordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07147703923580700132noreply@blogger.comBlogger412125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6726456144656096359.post-70814039019944334342020-02-06T10:20:00.000-05:002020-02-06T10:20:27.216-05:00Something New!<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">No, I'm not changing my marital status! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">However, I am making a big change in how and where this blog will now be accessible.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">While archived content will continue to be accessible here on this page, all new posts will be posted on the "Winging It" blog attached to my website. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">You can access it <a href="https://hummingbird-highway.com/blog/" target="_blank">HERE</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Regretfully, I do not have an RSS feed set up at the new blog location. If you have been receiving notifications of these posts via RSS, I invite you to join the Hummingbird Highway <i>Good Migrations</i> newsletter list - you can sign up at the top of the sidebar right here on this page. Or visit the site each week for new content. It's free, and delivered by email.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">See ya on the 'Highway!'</span><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Happy Stitching!</span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><i>Joan</i></span><br />
<br />Joan Fordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07147703923580700132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6726456144656096359.post-55135563059800063982020-01-30T11:00:00.000-05:002020-01-30T11:00:07.211-05:00Feeling In Between<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">With as many projects I have started, I am a finisher by nature and if I'm progressing along on things and not finishing one or two from time to time, I can feel a bit out of sorts! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">All I have to do is look around my sewing space(s) and I can see why I feel so 'in between' lately.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">For starters, there's the Hawaii Cruise project. It's a secret so I can't show you much more than this. It's going to be really pretty project, but I am still waiting for delivery on some of the fabrics I need to finish it. And so I wait. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">If you're coming on the trip, are you getting excited to get your hands on these lovelies!?</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTWd5GWnffVT_ABANQ7v8-Un5T8LD4pgka_BQJxQsQv45VugGrbCyzCfCH3f6QL9QS9eQjMtOmAsFqmEPuVfd07_vcauqPMu7Rh7zTOq3kzHUgg2jSzt9tEqQQgz9rNaBTYYbC1OPnbcIr/s1600/InBtw1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTWd5GWnffVT_ABANQ7v8-Un5T8LD4pgka_BQJxQsQv45VugGrbCyzCfCH3f6QL9QS9eQjMtOmAsFqmEPuVfd07_vcauqPMu7Rh7zTOq3kzHUgg2jSzt9tEqQQgz9rNaBTYYbC1OPnbcIr/s320/InBtw1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">While I wait for that fabric to arrive, there is certainly plenty to do!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The stitched alphabet blocks I started a year ago are all done and trimmed to size. They feature my <a href="https://hummingbird-highway.com/stitcherycrossover/" target="_blank">Stitchery Crossover</a> technique. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I have decided on a speckled blue print for the sashing - the speckles will nicely pick up the block colors. I'll use scraps from the blocks to make a pieced border.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirkPoaAlj3fUcXhR8rvI1hxWaS09NDGTCsx_EWi5gJVA1p9UoN01nhX9O2iZufptn0MqAJlf3rSKN17zbICFz_l8ozSol1E2PUSy0AKZ3tVibLid2CpFx99e0rTpQAOocDe2kKgfI7IBxi/s1600/InBtw2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirkPoaAlj3fUcXhR8rvI1hxWaS09NDGTCsx_EWi5gJVA1p9UoN01nhX9O2iZufptn0MqAJlf3rSKN17zbICFz_l8ozSol1E2PUSy0AKZ3tVibLid2CpFx99e0rTpQAOocDe2kKgfI7IBxi/s320/InBtw2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">It's good to have a plan, now I just have to execute it!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">This lovely heart stitchery from a recent Cross Stitcher Magazine, is done. I think it's going to become a pillow. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The fabrics are selected, cut and ready for the next steps. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I have a plan (check!)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I need to execute it! (no check yet!)</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEuETbiznsVHLtzX10NxLxJ5wepFAIQqUSgtRIxaqpfPOVBa0-E1oQleeTaQVWTxUQ47og58XfDUaVqOjrvM3yhILOKjxLkSnDykZyYXpFJ04WiLf7eCCNVDB_xQt_2R6jXUmvRU2lcy4z/s1600/InBtw3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEuETbiznsVHLtzX10NxLxJ5wepFAIQqUSgtRIxaqpfPOVBa0-E1oQleeTaQVWTxUQ47og58XfDUaVqOjrvM3yhILOKjxLkSnDykZyYXpFJ04WiLf7eCCNVDB_xQt_2R6jXUmvRU2lcy4z/s320/InBtw3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">If you've been following along for a while, you know I've been trying my hand at a bunch of stitchery stuff. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">This is my first attempt at using a slate frame instead of hoops to hold the stitching fabric. I use the term 'first' very loosely. This may actually have been my third or fourth attempt to get the fabric on the frame just right and taught enough to stitch. I'm certain there is a trick (or two) I'm missing.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoiB1Paqnz6piDMtEGZ4B4TrAeItNyp4Yzq3nI0EXpbzRXlCh4cgkRGLSKi8mj2FZSrn_2CVHX9yo4ek01Ub1S17DNr0SGY82ZLnX51Vt6IFgQ7lOgPBxRtLyI7KJ9JL4U8f9xqvzbsVyY/s1600/InBtw4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoiB1Paqnz6piDMtEGZ4B4TrAeItNyp4Yzq3nI0EXpbzRXlCh4cgkRGLSKi8mj2FZSrn_2CVHX9yo4ek01Ub1S17DNr0SGY82ZLnX51Vt6IFgQ7lOgPBxRtLyI7KJ9JL4U8f9xqvzbsVyY/s320/InBtw4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The fabric preparation was quite an adventure. One I'm not sure yet that I would recommend with enthusiasm. It was a bit of a wrestling match that I'm not sure I won!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The project is going to be a stitch sampler which will, eventually, be turned into a notions holder. I think. Clear as mud, right? It's a guild thing, a little bit of a mystery at this stage. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Back at the sewing machine, the f<a href="http://scrap-therapy-quilts.blogspot.com/2019/10/the-die-hard-pin-cushion-project.html" target="_blank">our-patch pin cushions</a> just keep coming. I think I have fabrics cut (from ages ago) for about a half-dozen more. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The partially completed puffs are stacked in a sewing basket waiting for surface embroidery and beading to cute-ify them. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">One at a time. Or so I keep repeating to myself. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT0qfzvY6pO7VNLJ2YhM9Uufpzh9prcyRNqEGe0BQXKwRIVH9wDOAkBffWjbIGoItc9GWC2IR7ZIeJ0AEUFeAT2UlRy8Z4SKX2VlCF3sCVlp55D1zjGYr8ibi37hsYzVIv5V_O1decH7dn/s1600/InBtw5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT0qfzvY6pO7VNLJ2YhM9Uufpzh9prcyRNqEGe0BQXKwRIVH9wDOAkBffWjbIGoItc9GWC2IR7ZIeJ0AEUFeAT2UlRy8Z4SKX2VlCF3sCVlp55D1zjGYr8ibi37hsYzVIv5V_O1decH7dn/s320/InBtw5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I have been asked to provide more detailed instructions for these. . . coming soon, I promise!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">It would be grand if I could manage to finish one of these before the next <i>Good Migrations</i> issue. Perhaps the stitched heart pillow is the best horse in the race. I'll concentrate on that one. Even odds, I'd say. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Do you every feel <i>in between</i>, too?</span><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Happy Stitching!</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Joan</span></i><br />
<br />Joan Fordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07147703923580700132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6726456144656096359.post-75552479321840140322020-01-23T11:00:00.000-05:002020-01-23T11:00:01.338-05:00Sweet Hearts Redux<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">With Valentine's Day just around the corner, it's the perfect time to pull together some stash fabrics for a fast-finish mini-quilt to add some heart-felt cheer to your decor, don't you think? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Years ago, I created a monthly kit pattern series called Snap Sacks. Independent quilt shops purchased the patterns and supplies from me and make up kits for their customers. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The Snap Sacks are now out of print, but I got to thinking over the holiday season that it might be nice to bring back some of those patterns as downloadable pdfs.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxCTzTupDfhWKRjRg7D5SnXqgAGl9GUtk95L1RNuieiNm0i5Jpml3EGmE7xeg6Q7fXreqbUZxbXZ05raeWeWnluy0nVnywwgJqNZ2xC5HsREuDTmWqkf7x79WUFN2P7pKxaO3T0U_6L3sR/s1600/SweetHeartsSnapPic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxCTzTupDfhWKRjRg7D5SnXqgAGl9GUtk95L1RNuieiNm0i5Jpml3EGmE7xeg6Q7fXreqbUZxbXZ05raeWeWnluy0nVnywwgJqNZ2xC5HsREuDTmWqkf7x79WUFN2P7pKxaO3T0U_6L3sR/s320/SweetHeartsSnapPic.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I got the get-up-and-get-going bug to get started sometime yesterday morning. Well, by now, you probably know that I write this post on Wednesdays and put it up on Thursdays. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I *thought* I could quickly convert about a dozen of the Snap patterns to a presentable PDF format in an hour or so. Well, that didn't quite work out the way I planned. . .</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">BUT <a href="https://hummingbird-highway.com/patterns-and-notions/sweet-hearts-snap-quilt/" target="_blank">Sweet Hearts Snap</a>, IS available right now for download from my webstore.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">It's a start! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7o2a1Bug6CVflByI8lvuKMoojx43W1y8zYdUQjp9jFgSFrFXaDefYkmNAWMBt2Zdg7BgMO25G8s5a8vXnPwO61LjNSijWabWTQY01YvD1kp3rEbnBcBmlJv3dh8brdA-PWzZj8qCQ-5d1/s1600/SwHeartsRevPicLO.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="287" data-original-width="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7o2a1Bug6CVflByI8lvuKMoojx43W1y8zYdUQjp9jFgSFrFXaDefYkmNAWMBt2Zdg7BgMO25G8s5a8vXnPwO61LjNSijWabWTQY01YvD1kp3rEbnBcBmlJv3dh8brdA-PWzZj8qCQ-5d1/s1600/SwHeartsRevPicLO.jpg" title="" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">With any luck, I hope to have a few more small projects for you to download soon! Don't worry, I'll keep you informed! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I think the best part about projects like Sweet Hearts is that you really can start and finish them in one or two sewing sessions. Easy, fun stuff. And with about 1 to 2 yards of fabric needed (including backing and binding), it's pretty easy to find some fun stash fabrics to make it up without leaving the building. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">But if you're looking for an excuse to head to the quilt shop. . .by all means, I certainly won't hold you back!</span><br />
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<a href="https://hummingbird-highway.com/patterns-and-notions/sweet-hearts-snap-quilt/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><b>CLICK HERE</b> to get the Sweet Hearts Snap pattern</span></a><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Happy Stitching!</span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><i>Joan</i> </span><br />
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<br />Joan Fordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07147703923580700132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6726456144656096359.post-3593726116568247252020-01-16T11:00:00.000-05:002020-01-16T11:00:01.974-05:00Good Golly, Miss Molly!<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Sometimes, life just throws out a bunch of curve balls--unrelenting and rapid fire--picture the classic chocolate candy factory I Love Lucy! episode. That's kinda how it has felt for the last few weeks here on the Hummingbird Highway! Good Golly, Miss Molly, enough already!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">With some heavy-duty travel coming up in April and May, I've given myself a pretty strict schedule for the first part of the year so things run smoothly when I'm gone. And don't you know it, seems like something goes haywire just as soon as I settle in with my sleeves rolled up and get ready to get busy.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">No need to go into the gory details, suffice it to say, it's times like these you look for the little 'wins' in your life. . . This week, I found those, as one might expect, in the sewing studio. I can (almost) always count on my sewing machine to grant me a moment or two of balance.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif09VM7FY7dkzA0b12vT10rY1E8lE8awqeK4FDDDk-o53jbBMBnWZc7Shq8oLqlgCmHN3wL_NDFvXOf5-nypt_XmlAwj2f9q-V2MkjA38PjPQeIt_nrwoyswT1K2zGiO4y2YbNIDKxW7-C/s1600/SmProjects.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif09VM7FY7dkzA0b12vT10rY1E8lE8awqeK4FDDDk-o53jbBMBnWZc7Shq8oLqlgCmHN3wL_NDFvXOf5-nypt_XmlAwj2f9q-V2MkjA38PjPQeIt_nrwoyswT1K2zGiO4y2YbNIDKxW7-C/s320/SmProjects.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I'm in between deadline-y, secret stuff, so I didn't want to start anything big. Therefore, earlier this week these two little projects were perfect to get me back on track (at least temporarily) in a few short morning sewing sessions. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">These were both pre-cut kits, no brand name or anything, so I don't have links or designer names to share. They were a Christmas gift from my friend Gail. (Thanks, Gail)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The purple thingies are cord keepers. Wrap the fabric around electrical cords at the sewing machine or behind the computer. The velcro tabs hold the cords in check inside the fabric roll. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihfY63M4ONwcrJmHy69y4C7X-WQUGaUokN7GGBFJsQuOJhd_3SZDjo6-RidHR6LZEDS2smfJIzhFQzhjIw9OWw1Pommfj7PLnfclOW92Kx8MDdkLkC6-KaY-vtUqx7O2BmjA5q6YvcX8OI/s1600/SmProjects1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihfY63M4ONwcrJmHy69y4C7X-WQUGaUokN7GGBFJsQuOJhd_3SZDjo6-RidHR6LZEDS2smfJIzhFQzhjIw9OWw1Pommfj7PLnfclOW92Kx8MDdkLkC6-KaY-vtUqx7O2BmjA5q6YvcX8OI/s320/SmProjects1.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The second mini project kit is a pencil bag. A little more involved than the cord wraps, so I have to admit, I scratched my head a bit to follow the text-only directions, but got through it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">At about 4.5x8.5" finished size, it's a great little zipper pouch to hold marking tools or embroidery floss, or about a million other things! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA8w1LkE69fs36wh4IR0DJiLOSwk0vyvbqOlQZ5T03Tkp5jgGJEZMkR04vQXhm1OtXjkFcJXCco_7Wqyuirg7x4ZoMtJj21sbFapvD_nryCLhSNpx-kmkfUl36tO6bIpxSpVuGWHt9Z5BT/s1600/SmProjects2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA8w1LkE69fs36wh4IR0DJiLOSwk0vyvbqOlQZ5T03Tkp5jgGJEZMkR04vQXhm1OtXjkFcJXCco_7Wqyuirg7x4ZoMtJj21sbFapvD_nryCLhSNpx-kmkfUl36tO6bIpxSpVuGWHt9Z5BT/s320/SmProjects2.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Any time I can collect a WIN in a week full of insanity, I'll take it! In this case, I'll take TWO; THREE if you count each cord wrap as one. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Tell me, I'm not the only one who has had a week like this? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><i>Happy Stitching!</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><i>Joan</i></span><br />
Joan Fordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07147703923580700132noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6726456144656096359.post-4061975367883867102020-01-09T11:00:00.000-05:002020-01-09T11:00:15.034-05:00Coming Along!<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">About a year ago, I joined the local chapter of the Embroiderer's Guild of America. After years and years away from it, counted cross stitch and charted embroidery grabbed my attention again. Throw in new-to-me forms of charted embroidery like hardanger, blackwork, and needlepoint. . . </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I was kinda hooked, but I'm a quilter. I make QUILTS. While I appreciate them, framed hand work pieces to hang on the wall isn't my jam. So, I started playing and experimenting with turning stitchery into quilted projects. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">At the guild, a different project or technique is featured each month. For January 2019, we were introduced to a year-long 'sampler' of <a href="https://www.rainbowgallery.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/DDPScan_04_14_16002.pdf" target="_blank">alphabet charts</a>. Mostly-cross stitch, but this particular sampler featured a different stitch for each block, one to go with each letter of the alphabet. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHdNgdZ72Qlh2wqRDG6esotUCg4_jPl9eLrdbv0fwiK5UwXXdMuMZZAIw5B55wtAlGl3bgc7Ck7t3svApIAb8M6krVZDKIepba1Mm5l9oAoAcWb_Ieb6ERrzzY0IT8-6MhO2pBIqJPrFoC/s1600/MakeQuilt1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHdNgdZ72Qlh2wqRDG6esotUCg4_jPl9eLrdbv0fwiK5UwXXdMuMZZAIw5B55wtAlGl3bgc7Ck7t3svApIAb8M6krVZDKIepba1Mm5l9oAoAcWb_Ieb6ERrzzY0IT8-6MhO2pBIqJPrFoC/s320/MakeQuilt1.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">My first thought was - what a fun way to get familiar with different stitches. My second thought was - I'm going to make a quilt, and test my 'idea.'</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">This stitchy/quilty concept was something I had been twirling around in my head several months prior. I wanted to incorporate quilting techniques that I know like the back of my hand and newer-to-me stitchery techniques. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Nothing new, but. . .</span></span></h4>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Adding cross stitch to quilting isn't anything new. Cross stitch on cotton or linen, much like redwork, has been part of the quilting world for a very long time. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">However, adding continuous, counted stitched borders is, to my knowledge, a brand new technique that came from my brain. I've dubbed the technique <a href="https://hummingbird-highway.com/stitcherycrossover/" target="_blank">Stitchery Crossover</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm9y7yQtXI9GUiSH5o24BZd8pyn5-5CywhYqCOl4bovehDR7j5Bdv8sEyEfZjfl7RhUYDClOrY4cROcKD9dsxr-5J1BV19LmMN1AZqN27cwjeUiYNsYIfrchaiw_ighYwtFu1xeiUtCQu0/s1600/MakeQuilt2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm9y7yQtXI9GUiSH5o24BZd8pyn5-5CywhYqCOl4bovehDR7j5Bdv8sEyEfZjfl7RhUYDClOrY4cROcKD9dsxr-5J1BV19LmMN1AZqN27cwjeUiYNsYIfrchaiw_ighYwtFu1xeiUtCQu0/s320/MakeQuilt2.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">After testing the Stitchery Crossover technique on a few smaller projects, the alphabet blocks are my big test to see if this would really work in a quilt (or quilt-related projects). Each alphabet chart included a small border within the chart, I repeated that border in my blocks with a quilt fabric border in between (that's the key to this technique). Sounds easy enough, right? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Very quickly, I discovered to get this done right, it was not so fast, and not so easy. And I developed a system involving calculations, precision applique (incorporating a familiar applique technique from my quilting tool kit), and familiar, but slightly different, quilting construction processes and considerations.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">With 24 blocks - one for each letter of the alphabet (X,Y,Z are together in one block) - this was no small undertaking! Stitching and handwork are slower sports than machine piecing and quilting, but equally enjoyable, IMO.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">One year later, the blocks are almost done. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Just to satisfy my curiosity, I laid them out the other day on my work room floor to snap a picture. . .</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Lb2fZiraKnCC93LHfUL2AmKdED6OGdcsPaRzoN-yJXECKV8yNQv7qvm1MYcEIXTPoJ3cahPR5DftRXEGMLaMJ1GEumPlNyJ11OtTlvlw9UJ1QYeqL6MaVUJrtAvifzKPDxVh2fFYQvm_/s1600/MakeQuilt4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Lb2fZiraKnCC93LHfUL2AmKdED6OGdcsPaRzoN-yJXECKV8yNQv7qvm1MYcEIXTPoJ3cahPR5DftRXEGMLaMJ1GEumPlNyJ11OtTlvlw9UJ1QYeqL6MaVUJrtAvifzKPDxVh2fFYQvm_/s320/MakeQuilt4.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Not done yet. . .</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">While the end is in sight. There are still lots of decisions to make and steps to complete. . . What size to trim the blocks; sashing, no sashing; choose an overall focus print, or use the leftovers from the blocks in a border or backing treatment, quilting that highlights the various techniques involved. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNs5xVvXkMp3A4Kqhgm1_PEnbsCONWeDSWVqKTJEOfe5H3BnCbaAoTq3L8EBVJoE9UWYzbXGG-U1zJgBPQ6LzO1VLqQFK2cQEhp4Bo113D7FdfcIVk-7-GNWx4SHcDNj5ZRZKULy5_kPyt/s1600/MakeQuilt5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNs5xVvXkMp3A4Kqhgm1_PEnbsCONWeDSWVqKTJEOfe5H3BnCbaAoTq3L8EBVJoE9UWYzbXGG-U1zJgBPQ6LzO1VLqQFK2cQEhp4Bo113D7FdfcIVk-7-GNWx4SHcDNj5ZRZKULy5_kPyt/s320/MakeQuilt5.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">And of course, I have one last block to finish - the border is *almost* done. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">A few months ago, I invited you to join me on this continuing journey. Once the alphabet quilt is done, I'm excited to put <a href="https://hummingbird-highway.com/stitcherycrossover/" target="_blank">Stitchery Crossover</a> to the test, with some new projects already in the works. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR_cORTLlNZidURODw8mwc1y1C7Mzg1RFvum6WhP3cJ2C3ei0mqcCTaF3G26FGsDkWkOFO2SkCkDeZ44sKgT54zKVC3ZzPjqFZmnokI-zzdFQG912L489Webt3PpF8-zS6mZ8t6ru3DDnp/s1600/MakeQuilt6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR_cORTLlNZidURODw8mwc1y1C7Mzg1RFvum6WhP3cJ2C3ei0mqcCTaF3G26FGsDkWkOFO2SkCkDeZ44sKgT54zKVC3ZzPjqFZmnokI-zzdFQG912L489Webt3PpF8-zS6mZ8t6ru3DDnp/s320/MakeQuilt6.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The invitation is open, would you like to learn this brand new Stitchery Crossover technique for your quilty-crossover endeavors? Get ideas, learn the technique, and have fun as the detailed steps unfold. C'mon along!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="https://hummingbird-highway.com/stitcherycrossover/" target="_blank"><b>CLICK HERE</b></a> for more information and to join.</span><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Happy Stitching!</span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><i>Joan </i></span>Joan Fordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07147703923580700132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6726456144656096359.post-42999944152751065882020-01-02T11:00:00.000-05:002020-01-02T11:00:02.222-05:00No Words<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Every year, at New Years, I feel somewhat compelled to choose a 'word of the year' or make New Years resolutions. If that works for you, then great. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The word thing just doesn't do it for me. It feels too general. Eh. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">This year, I am sensing a slightly different trend. I picked up a magazine a couple of nights ago that had a list of healthy choices to make into the new year. Likewise, online I've seen a few similar types of lists as I scrolled through social media. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I think I can get into that a bit more, so I came up with a short list, in no particular quantity or order to consider into the New Year. So, here goes. . . .</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">In no particular order:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Wonder at Technology</span></h4>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I have to be honest, the last couple of days have been filled with frustration for me. I print all the patterns for <a href="https://hummingbird-highway.com/theflock/" target="_blank">The FLOCK</a> right here in my work room on these two laser printers. One of them has been giving me fits and starts since I purchased it months ago. Frustrating beyond words. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">However, if I stop and think about it, as frustrating as technology can be, it's pretty awesome that we can do so much stuff in a home office setting. There are many, many evils that come with technology, but there are lots of bonuses too. I like to say, technology and systems are great, until they're not. Mostly, it's pretty cool stuff</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4sIgengAT7TBBRn8QTyKVFPKKz_JKaq2ssXLKqQw4yn7ktnka2so0w_Syr6SuLyKzSXFP9Xn8oWg5AXmf877gRHF27bwMO9sM1yTS3RbuMGBpypW6piZ3VlnWo7kmbKlaIPWqnXXY2qNR/s1600/NoWords1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4sIgengAT7TBBRn8QTyKVFPKKz_JKaq2ssXLKqQw4yn7ktnka2so0w_Syr6SuLyKzSXFP9Xn8oWg5AXmf877gRHF27bwMO9sM1yTS3RbuMGBpypW6piZ3VlnWo7kmbKlaIPWqnXXY2qNR/s320/NoWords1.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Let it go</span></h4>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Speaking of technology, sometimes the best tech is low tech. And it's easy to forget that. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">It's wonderful to have the answers to all of the world's questions right at my fingertips, but is that really necessary? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The roar of Niagara Falls, the experience of a stroll along a country path, the intoxicating scent of spring blooms cannot be duplicated online.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I can't prove it, but it feels like I do my best and most creative thinking when the smart phone is out of reach and turned off. I need to do that more. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXtgZ7E8EGsq8KAFM5_n4UdYXZVBC8EWhfYMOUC_U14SXhk33Sj9WKl9IqohehktWxRN6Fko5-ullRPaaJwfNa5DoVaIe7kUWpIkVtx0KHkEMOZEpB_zVGiuwQ94cLR7oRNh42HVo7jJjt/s1600/NoWords2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXtgZ7E8EGsq8KAFM5_n4UdYXZVBC8EWhfYMOUC_U14SXhk33Sj9WKl9IqohehktWxRN6Fko5-ullRPaaJwfNa5DoVaIe7kUWpIkVtx0KHkEMOZEpB_zVGiuwQ94cLR7oRNh42HVo7jJjt/s320/NoWords2.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Little by little</span></h4>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">There are so many things that can overwhelm. That feeling of overwhelm kills joy. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">That stack of scraps or four-patches aren't going anywhere. <a href="http://scrap-therapy-quilts.blogspot.com/2019/10/the-die-hard-pin-cushion-project.html" target="_blank">One pin cushion</a> at a time, these will bring the joy of creativity and completion. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">One stitch, one pin cushion, one four-patch, one scrap at a time.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB9eTgYsNrIemCz11LBy2vwpUgZZZv9AMTPyvYJ7TvXuFtu8-rTO1jVyvuTtC9SsCkq8gSMgl6Etn14qwUvLcV-YoaoqUcQlSh0ACZxr9cC8z7yXhQSGvGkGSk_E8MW2IhTSIhr6ONDMN5/s1600/NoWords3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB9eTgYsNrIemCz11LBy2vwpUgZZZv9AMTPyvYJ7TvXuFtu8-rTO1jVyvuTtC9SsCkq8gSMgl6Etn14qwUvLcV-YoaoqUcQlSh0ACZxr9cC8z7yXhQSGvGkGSk_E8MW2IhTSIhr6ONDMN5/s320/NoWords3.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<h4>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Beauty can be hidden</span></h4>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Have you ever looked at the wrong side of a quilt or stitchery piece? There is rhythm, pattern, color, mystery, and chaos there. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Find knots or mistakes to be fixed (or not). I think there is as much joy in unstitching as in stitching - or there can be. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">It's all a means to an exquisite end. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR_ztRRbGjz8V6aQamMXUQ4WjIzARGUy7CwRhGVEN_-JkM6dOK3IbBNweRgbWgeZ1WBf8RdsFAQXSpyEKdmh9ogdtL9fXrie3NK1It7i90hsX6YWnRivDzlqykL1eUQtYN-kPpWSmLEep2/s1600/NoWords4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR_ztRRbGjz8V6aQamMXUQ4WjIzARGUy7CwRhGVEN_-JkM6dOK3IbBNweRgbWgeZ1WBf8RdsFAQXSpyEKdmh9ogdtL9fXrie3NK1It7i90hsX6YWnRivDzlqykL1eUQtYN-kPpWSmLEep2/s320/NoWords4.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<h4>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Embrace color</span></h4>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Colorful fabrics, interesting people, invigorating activities. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">It's really about joy, isn't it?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi75iRIkdHUY1XRFX5m95LcSjezuEdh1J1jal9c47IEfOIDvViSUsaYZMEGL58SUS2JT2DR6nuLWOXfR4-YL57vvurD4NeEBDbZFVgg87rbabINwzKcM1zDRaFsQYQvAU9mlBVLfp12La9c/s1600/NoWords5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi75iRIkdHUY1XRFX5m95LcSjezuEdh1J1jal9c47IEfOIDvViSUsaYZMEGL58SUS2JT2DR6nuLWOXfR4-YL57vvurD4NeEBDbZFVgg87rbabINwzKcM1zDRaFsQYQvAU9mlBVLfp12La9c/s320/NoWords5.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<h4>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Celebrate</span></h4>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">If you look for it, you'll find a lot of bad stuff 'out there' - but that's always been there in one form or another. There is a lot of good stuff, too! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Treat yourself to a manicure, breathe in the smell of rain, relax with a warm beverage and a cozy quilt when a storm rages outside. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_JbJD06Zz8lPdo9bF4FW6Ey2wdAtWzFS1B1Qm2-dGtrcRv9-WPKmRf1mflZvutovCHVL8QNCG7PkCwq1gZRV2wDcGRZ11PyHXGI62KhDAhOzYU7Rcvf0r-xNSBQnoI1YY17q9zifLiWre/s1600/NoWords6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_JbJD06Zz8lPdo9bF4FW6Ey2wdAtWzFS1B1Qm2-dGtrcRv9-WPKmRf1mflZvutovCHVL8QNCG7PkCwq1gZRV2wDcGRZ11PyHXGI62KhDAhOzYU7Rcvf0r-xNSBQnoI1YY17q9zifLiWre/s320/NoWords6.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<h4>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The best things in life. . .</span></h4>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">. . . aren't things. Family, feathers, fur. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">A couple of health issues in 2019 in my world reinforced that life and health is precious and not to be taken for granted. (Peaches, my blue-fronted Amazon parrot is going to be 37 years old this year!)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS-ybdQuLx9Hn50KWph2_05-8p38W9tv_cSBkxSxuSHhmOA7I8kAoyoVtPC9MOtQAGgjjkXoXTV0I78p2yAormfRLLjv5PBXeemg3WM7QMe0wYapvXB2wlN0uBXfsh8r99uTGEaRR5Fxn_/s1600/NoWords7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS-ybdQuLx9Hn50KWph2_05-8p38W9tv_cSBkxSxuSHhmOA7I8kAoyoVtPC9MOtQAGgjjkXoXTV0I78p2yAormfRLLjv5PBXeemg3WM7QMe0wYapvXB2wlN0uBXfsh8r99uTGEaRR5Fxn_/s320/NoWords7.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Happy New Year!</span><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Happy Stitching!</span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">joan</span></i>Joan Fordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07147703923580700132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6726456144656096359.post-41548205203707676862019-12-12T11:00:00.000-05:002019-12-12T11:00:06.276-05:00Every Year. . . <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Aside from wrapping up this month's FLOCK bird block shipment this week, I'm also wrapping-up a year-long project that I've hinted at here and there this year. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">If you are a long-standing Good Migrations subscriber, then you know that years and years ago, I started a <a href="http://scrap-therapy-quilts.blogspot.com/2018/12/twas-week-before.html" target="_blank">tradition to include a hand-made Christmas ornament</a> in my holiday greeting cards each year. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Last year, I had the foresight to start early and avoid the typical it's-Thanksgiving-and-I-don't-even-have-my-ornaments-started-yet brown-bag-breathing panic mode. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Since that early-start concept worked out pretty well to keep panic-mode at bay in 2018. I started the 2019 ornaments way back in January. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Since the 2019 version of my greeting-card stuffer ornaments are fairly labor-intensive, I made it a goal to complete one per week throughout the year, usually starting on Sunday, finishing the ornament that day or a day or two later.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The pattern involves some pretty traditional elements of Hardanger embroidery. Something I didn't even know existed until I saw it in Eastern Europe a couple years ago on vacation.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Like
most traditional Hardanger, the framework for the ornaments starts with a
series of kloster blocks (satin stitches grouped in fives). Around
that, I added blanket stitches encircling the entire ornament. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7MEAJpnvnOe78XU1U9INYCdHtRExT6xK2mBC70TF7PdPiP_oHRfPUwESRF2C_C94aOoYMekbfY46EsBus50WlTBy48EVol2XiIWh8JbB3lLBZVnrjGbpoP3MYXxXebRkGxVOSTp5ux-4w/s1600/Greeting2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7MEAJpnvnOe78XU1U9INYCdHtRExT6xK2mBC70TF7PdPiP_oHRfPUwESRF2C_C94aOoYMekbfY46EsBus50WlTBy48EVol2XiIWh8JbB3lLBZVnrjGbpoP3MYXxXebRkGxVOSTp5ux-4w/s320/Greeting2.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I did these two steps in traditional white thread, then experimented with some variegated threads in a couple shades and weights for the ornaments. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Next I added a diamond of cable stitching. I've also seen this stitch called faggoting. Then a variation of a diagonal eyelit - or four of them clustered in the center</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoIR0U18hy9itHXQVwH5mNrve4mDI52Gh1OGKu93JWLROe_655MOhCaXDdHY4STxHfbUPHfkNiprAukC4NGh1HT1_Eu_ow7f4inWkIOCEWOeaFxrXVlNFlQbORVeq2TQ0Zex7-ZuT7Lzo6/s1600/Greeting3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoIR0U18hy9itHXQVwH5mNrve4mDI52Gh1OGKu93JWLROe_655MOhCaXDdHY4STxHfbUPHfkNiprAukC4NGh1HT1_Eu_ow7f4inWkIOCEWOeaFxrXVlNFlQbORVeq2TQ0Zex7-ZuT7Lzo6/s320/Greeting3.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Then I added more eyelets in the square spaces created by the kloster blocks and blanket stitching. <br /><br />I used the same thread that I used for the eyelets in the center.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7yiTTUzq-zDs_Ytkq_IzsnAAf0z4Ihfj909BhZyUAnYJWS8wE8MCYraptoaxGw9Qc-oP-it4HAht6g5Kh0lfxQ9yxfH4KS-bgnqdb4ipgXqQzl7fLPE07WT5dn31crSMUnTCWfrjRiCjr/s1600/Greeting4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7yiTTUzq-zDs_Ytkq_IzsnAAf0z4Ihfj909BhZyUAnYJWS8wE8MCYraptoaxGw9Qc-oP-it4HAht6g5Kh0lfxQ9yxfH4KS-bgnqdb4ipgXqQzl7fLPE07WT5dn31crSMUnTCWfrjRiCjr/s320/Greeting4.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Next comes the hard part - at least it's the hardest part the first time you do it. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Because Hardanger stitching is pulled tightly, it creates gaps in the stitchery fabric at the stitch edge. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Trim away the excess fabric by nestling small, sharp fabric scissors right over that line of gaps in the fabric. Then cut.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb4hUIFZnSNahogM5GvMSX4KkExqaqvdzsym62m0cTXaKgYiKfRp-ZCfIutbVfGQIaqGsxSZcBUeO451pDcDTVEQSvg8zhJPEtMpU9OohKRlGFVZ_DhCubxz9e9sp5KWkw-AXaFyXMdGmZ/s1600/Greeting5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb4hUIFZnSNahogM5GvMSX4KkExqaqvdzsym62m0cTXaKgYiKfRp-ZCfIutbVfGQIaqGsxSZcBUeO451pDcDTVEQSvg8zhJPEtMpU9OohKRlGFVZ_DhCubxz9e9sp5KWkw-AXaFyXMdGmZ/s320/Greeting5.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I tried not to cry when I was doing this. It helps to have clear vision for this step. Visions of a pile of threads are hard to eradicate.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">And there you have it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Traditional Hardanger doesn't necessarily have a back. Although, since this is a tree ornament, I did pair up a few of them, and stitched all the way around the outside edge with fine thread, to join two one-sided ornaments back to back. Since that doubled the work, most of the ornaments are one-sided, and I simply tried to keep the back of each one tidy as I buried thread ends. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqiRGgZNecy1q6I-CsH2FGSSV3bsAlbes6donqc90OJ_YyXcV0Hz6FcCJ9Mmvf39iuQP7BQPnlsw4Et-fphFk9XiGsvdSdjCJ11OunY9b9yQsmqWCoZKswUEAcNJyJB-52HyxYNRNPjE8l/s1600/Greeting6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqiRGgZNecy1q6I-CsH2FGSSV3bsAlbes6donqc90OJ_YyXcV0Hz6FcCJ9Mmvf39iuQP7BQPnlsw4Et-fphFk9XiGsvdSdjCJ11OunY9b9yQsmqWCoZKswUEAcNJyJB-52HyxYNRNPjE8l/s320/Greeting6.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">From there, I added a hanging thread, and these are ready to stuff in my Christmas cards.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Wa la! (wink!) </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I just realized I'm out of postage stamps! Better get to the Post Office before they Holiday rush--I may have missed that window!-- So much for planning ahead!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3-HpPnXajFGB3CSlKYOETVKOhEguXAGA7T9XTuI8ox6JviFpMsgELHPmqJprcu-7nkKMxvmbJ_5sYeAkk2dOiWzzQuNHDGYwElrY6UBxpuDkfNbt-Elwa_ytdcz4OVN6YoLx_BieQTN9B/s1600/Greeting7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3-HpPnXajFGB3CSlKYOETVKOhEguXAGA7T9XTuI8ox6JviFpMsgELHPmqJprcu-7nkKMxvmbJ_5sYeAkk2dOiWzzQuNHDGYwElrY6UBxpuDkfNbt-Elwa_ytdcz4OVN6YoLx_BieQTN9B/s320/Greeting7.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I made a few variations of the ornament. Different color combinations; different sizes. The 'January' ornaments are larger than the 'November' ornaments. Somewhere along the way, I had a facepalm moment - these would take less time to make if they were smaller! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">There are about 40 ornaments ready to go in this basket.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjarNlYQty4OvpMtCn6QrMyYn735nYZIEgRRJ_rgy4ifp3B1rhknLGgW5cgZbCaihOn2oiT5QSHn7XaR55gHi_NMeJkfzAtkWJlm7bP2TlHWdEMqddiOJz2KKamD1yT1Amhg4IXFDHqDp-k/s1600/Greeting8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjarNlYQty4OvpMtCn6QrMyYn735nYZIEgRRJ_rgy4ifp3B1rhknLGgW5cgZbCaihOn2oiT5QSHn7XaR55gHi_NMeJkfzAtkWJlm7bP2TlHWdEMqddiOJz2KKamD1yT1Amhg4IXFDHqDp-k/s320/Greeting8.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I realize that I ran through those details pretty quickly. For those interested in a more in-depth close up of the step-by-step process I used to create my ornaments, I'll be adding a new module with much more detail to the <a href="https://hummingbird-highway.com/stitcherycrossover" target="_blank">Stitchery Crossover</a> group this week!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVc6AlIDytORy0C5bmyNX8VGe_NaXd3uP9TPEQHbiIx3gyrP6Z5lLYPOgXrN40UNUjiYjwVORsD7FIwPPY5Tp6Y9FwDrWt8WHu_IOyNKDSoziDzEWZtBnjE30FR6NjdSlV_LAuxtjWFVMt/s1600/Greeting9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVc6AlIDytORy0C5bmyNX8VGe_NaXd3uP9TPEQHbiIx3gyrP6Z5lLYPOgXrN40UNUjiYjwVORsD7FIwPPY5Tp6Y9FwDrWt8WHu_IOyNKDSoziDzEWZtBnjE30FR6NjdSlV_LAuxtjWFVMt/s320/Greeting9.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Not to mention this new little winter project inspired by a cross stitch chart from the current issue of <a href="https://pocketmags.com/us/crossstitcher-magazine" target="_blank">Cross Stitcher</a>. I want to try my crossover technique with something other than square blocks. This heart-shaped project will be a real test. You can join the fun over in the <a href="https://hummingbird-highway.com/stitcherycrossover/" target="_blank">Stitchery Crossover</a> group, if you like.</span><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Happy Stitching!</span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Joan</span></i><br />
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<br />Joan Fordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07147703923580700132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6726456144656096359.post-5728326408800579182019-12-05T11:00:00.000-05:002019-12-05T11:00:06.061-05:00After Turkey<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The holidays can be great fun, don't you think. Last Wednesday, after finishing up a few things at my desk, I got down to the real business of making pies for a family Thanksgiving get-together. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Each year, we head to my in-laws, usually Dave's brother's place about an hour's drive away. But this year, thanks to a little goof-up by the local power company, something went wrong with some repairs to the power lines leading to John's house, and while there was no catastrophic damage, nearly all his electronics were 'fried.' I suppose if you're a fan of football on Thanksgiving that *could* be considered catastrophic. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Anyway, the turkey venue was changed to Dave's sister's family home. A little further away, but no big deal. The weather was clear and good to drive. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Unfortunately, Harley (my brother-in-law's red-haired golden retriever) had restricted access to the house. As you can see, he's playing up the sympathy card from the porch with his pathetic glare. Don't worry, he got some frisbee play time.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikeygDS4vhyPATpMcnt_ot7FDiDigjKNscWtWzYovFCSdVdcslISaBwR3z1_5oLEr3ngwFtQOqn-a44YzuiFGJp8ic8L2KT7hLIQVkI-YHggGQemusTPEGZi4PmUTTWJfFCf2m4brUOyxu/s1600/Thx1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikeygDS4vhyPATpMcnt_ot7FDiDigjKNscWtWzYovFCSdVdcslISaBwR3z1_5oLEr3ngwFtQOqn-a44YzuiFGJp8ic8L2KT7hLIQVkI-YHggGQemusTPEGZi4PmUTTWJfFCf2m4brUOyxu/s320/Thx1.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">My job, was to bring desserts. I made the typical holiday fare - pumpkin and apple using my mom's recipes for pies and crusts. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">And also went a bit non-traditional with the chocolate thing you see up front. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh87hoVXYAKXa6UmX56W2hS3myF9ap3OsuHpqC6aT51qLw3bx2J6aSHcWnBNIK9oPeIo_ZQOC1a8-S_zJ1MT94fMd8RuqgJ3wQLjztoC9CdVRJ7Z05aXZftYmsLgIUXhj3sj9YhecWVBkD/s1600/Thx3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="455" data-original-width="600" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh87hoVXYAKXa6UmX56W2hS3myF9ap3OsuHpqC6aT51qLw3bx2J6aSHcWnBNIK9oPeIo_ZQOC1a8-S_zJ1MT94fMd8RuqgJ3wQLjztoC9CdVRJ7Z05aXZftYmsLgIUXhj3sj9YhecWVBkD/s320/Thx3.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I found the recipe for the Dutch roll cream pie in a foodie magazine. I hadn't made this one before, and it was a big hit! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Simple, too! Here's what I did:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Cut about 1 and 1/2 boxes of Ho-ho's into 1/2" slices and lined the sides and bottom of a 9" spring form pan. Made 3 packages of instant chocolate pudding and poured it onto the Ho-ho shell. Then topped with one container of defrosted whipped topping (cool whip). The chocolate bits that fell off the sliced Ho-ho's were reserved to sprinkle on the top. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Super easy, and a HUGE hit! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Thank thank you to Bob and Julia, our friends who made their way to their winter home in Florida before they could use their season tickets for the last home football game of the season. We were the lucky recipients of their tickets for the final home game on Saturday. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I'm sorry to say that the Syracuse Orangemen (my alma mater) football team has had a less-than-stellar season this year. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJEZN2W1KNjuEIBCfqjszgJk5yzvhR6S6ICgaW_GDZM3W0UbdDYaL064ZmItLzBLZ92uAMCV14-P43xioFdBM5vgzHwdNSg_nDa4GI1C-aN4B96TVduQWUWl_cdi7vOwV2TgO9kz9hAlq2/s1600/Thx4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJEZN2W1KNjuEIBCfqjszgJk5yzvhR6S6ICgaW_GDZM3W0UbdDYaL064ZmItLzBLZ92uAMCV14-P43xioFdBM5vgzHwdNSg_nDa4GI1C-aN4B96TVduQWUWl_cdi7vOwV2TgO9kz9hAlq2/s320/Thx4.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">However, this last game was one for the memory books! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">By the end of the game, the score was tied. 30-30. In college ball, that means overtime - one possession for each team until one team scores more than their opponent. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">It wasn't looking good for our Orangemen! Wake Forrest (the opponent) was about to score a touchdown for the win!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdpSv8VXZL8T1iuyPYpFXKJ8lr7-pKvEqpH3EUVuRPGkHoRHlodtG2ieUKAxubWpA2mMkEgCL93TuZxf0yRnNHrLW0M9XUEihr4eZMb-cYKg3ocXCu3DMwVtfZ3y5rNyuIjgERE-BzKmAy/s1600/Thx5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdpSv8VXZL8T1iuyPYpFXKJ8lr7-pKvEqpH3EUVuRPGkHoRHlodtG2ieUKAxubWpA2mMkEgCL93TuZxf0yRnNHrLW0M9XUEihr4eZMb-cYKg3ocXCu3DMwVtfZ3y5rNyuIjgERE-BzKmAy/s320/Thx5.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">But an exciting, heart-stopping play leading to a 97 yard dash for a touchdown locked down the game and the season with a win! It's hard to read, but the final score in the picture above is Wake Forest 30, Syracuse 39. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Yay!! (Are you a WF fan? Sorry, not sorry! <i>*wink!*</i>)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Win or lose, the graduating seniors make a final lap around the field after the last home game to greet fans and receive a heart-felt send off. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">A nice tradition, made even more sweet with an unexpected WIN!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">That's probably more football than you wanted or needed, and more than I typically share. (Thanks for indulging me!)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZXkTBakFJQZYrL6OoQ6Z-KFumajSNcKm8X_1ekKRhAPcfGgVcOYAK55_vskTp4CuqMfr46Gsf6YcY9Ca9Cnk40S-3W0meR1cvStmHo8qz6s7tyBY9po8uFCIz8Ke2904uuraWNAIMt3OA/s1600/Thx6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZXkTBakFJQZYrL6OoQ6Z-KFumajSNcKm8X_1ekKRhAPcfGgVcOYAK55_vskTp4CuqMfr46Gsf6YcY9Ca9Cnk40S-3W0meR1cvStmHo8qz6s7tyBY9po8uFCIz8Ke2904uuraWNAIMt3OA/s320/Thx6.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">In other news, this week has been full of stuff I can't fully share. For example, I've been putting the final touches on the December FLOCK kits (the bird remains secret until it arrives in mail boxes) that will ship next week. Have you been considering joining <a href="https://hummingbird-highway.com/theflock/" target="_blank">The FLOCK</a>? If so, now would be an especially good time to start your collection. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwY0jOnXPWo2n9Fi0S92EEV0cbavlyCOFvwdDt_idMhwDW8fLaB29TY9SJgI7zEvstJdvvB2Z9OadnyhlVgJLWSnNv781jj1SZnyt3oHXWb-sb_fsT-aOiZ4f_BMa1hS1da-0OV2xYpLAj/s1600/FLOCKDecGuess.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwY0jOnXPWo2n9Fi0S92EEV0cbavlyCOFvwdDt_idMhwDW8fLaB29TY9SJgI7zEvstJdvvB2Z9OadnyhlVgJLWSnNv781jj1SZnyt3oHXWb-sb_fsT-aOiZ4f_BMa1hS1da-0OV2xYpLAj/s320/FLOCKDecGuess.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The photo above is a sneaky peek of the secret December bird, and just between you and me, this month's kit will include a special little giftie, just because. Are you in?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">In other stitchy news, things are moving right along inside the members-only Stitchery Crossover area of the Hummingbird Highway website. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Are you a member? <a href="https://hummingbird-highway.com/stitcherycrossover/" target="_blank">Check out the latest info</a>. (Log in required)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">If you're not a member and would like more info <a href="https://hummingbird-highway.com/stitcherycrossover/" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a> and scroll through for the deets!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI4kuZ_De1If3wRMwYJfqe4z_wDHaXk6lJMrnbvRXAgMdGBEWx6crtfl5AewOK-i6UgasNQrPkHO7jjGps0iXl1TMhWs5dJEWCQaaXmnxOMHhyphenhypheneHJo_ZBED3C7l7TYfaTdepQYccsyURZX/s1600/StSteps.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI4kuZ_De1If3wRMwYJfqe4z_wDHaXk6lJMrnbvRXAgMdGBEWx6crtfl5AewOK-i6UgasNQrPkHO7jjGps0iXl1TMhWs5dJEWCQaaXmnxOMHhyphenhypheneHJo_ZBED3C7l7TYfaTdepQYccsyURZX/s320/StSteps.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I know that for some of us, these few weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas can get a little crazy. My holiday season wish for you is that you take a moment to experience the magic of the season. Take in a holiday concert or movie, prepare something decadent for yourself or to share, enjoy the company of friends and family. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">And just breathe!</span><br />
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<i>Happy Stitching</i><br />
<i>Joan</i>Joan Fordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07147703923580700132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6726456144656096359.post-3023149477647786982019-11-21T11:00:00.000-05:002019-11-21T11:00:16.557-05:00Even More Cookies<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">This cookie 'thing' has been going on for several weeks now.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="http://scrap-therapy-quilts.blogspot.com/2019/10/the-die-hard-pin-cushion-project.html" target="_blank">Three weeks ago</a>, I took aim at a stack of scrappy four-patches. The <a href="http://scrap-therapy-quilts.blogspot.com/2019/11/the-magic-cookie-mat.html" target="_blank">following week</a>, an adorable cookie border stripe print inspired a holiday cookie mat. And <a href="http://scrap-therapy-quilts.blogspot.com/2019/11/more-cookies.html" target="_blank">last week</a>, a few more four-patches and one last bit of the border print sent me on a new journey with less-than-pleasing (to me, anyway) results. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">By the end of my sewing session, I had a light bulb moment and promised to share the results this week.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The problem was that green and white check seemed to 'need' something else. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2_H6_6mUix0MHQYikZncK4ZKeYTKzRH_ccmD7C9Xj8Oqhx0MFAOVZCFYm-KsQYjMVXw0PSqV3saueHuu-Tq4pcX-hJcvOZSPHk3n-BGz4VIr-rSV3Syv6hfkqGREXbAvJZUeLKuXP4zvg/s1600/FinalCookies1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2_H6_6mUix0MHQYikZncK4ZKeYTKzRH_ccmD7C9Xj8Oqhx0MFAOVZCFYm-KsQYjMVXw0PSqV3saueHuu-Tq4pcX-hJcvOZSPHk3n-BGz4VIr-rSV3Syv6hfkqGREXbAvJZUeLKuXP4zvg/s320/FinalCookies1.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">In the far reaches of my mind, I recall having a roll of printed fusible interfacing with holly leaves and berries - <a href="https://www.quiltsmart.com/shop/c/p/ZigZapps-Holly-Jolly-6-pack-x37082649.htm" target="_blank">Zig-Zapps by Quiltsmart</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Yet another stash-diving adventure turned up the very roll! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">One panel will do. . . </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYbO0oyirnBSnum4ePaqwtEq5fnElLTwPCUFLuBZ3kzDa69ba72p4Ir70g5jfHblWWe1yOl7na-XlHFAOdAxEa_A7xsV1LuW2jrQxa75guhqvnabTBQq29OEhigkaAhSprS1ovZ7SV7ddV/s1600/FinalCookies2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYbO0oyirnBSnum4ePaqwtEq5fnElLTwPCUFLuBZ3kzDa69ba72p4Ir70g5jfHblWWe1yOl7na-XlHFAOdAxEa_A7xsV1LuW2jrQxa75guhqvnabTBQq29OEhigkaAhSprS1ovZ7SV7ddV/s320/FinalCookies2.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I cut two 2" strips for the binding for this last installment of the Great Cookie Mat Caper . . and had just a skonch left for red berries. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Another stash-dive turned up a just-enough chunk of green. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpQRXR8CwJrNKDEC1f2c3Dn0uLLQ8TixzYup73y_vAbtyzW2Rnzzqk3CJ4-h-QY0LmyTZCKTMdRhR7GvcnsKWmYuYvm9LYjZSf9BitF8tqZvudrvg-9aq-JMG-61utJxg32TDHYspUuWo7/s1600/FinalCookies3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpQRXR8CwJrNKDEC1f2c3Dn0uLLQ8TixzYup73y_vAbtyzW2Rnzzqk3CJ4-h-QY0LmyTZCKTMdRhR7GvcnsKWmYuYvm9LYjZSf9BitF8tqZvudrvg-9aq-JMG-61utJxg32TDHYspUuWo7/s320/FinalCookies3.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I rough-cut the interfacing. . I'm opting for the larger of the two holly leaf shapes . .. and cut a slit in the middle of each interfacing shape to use for turning later. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBDFxvQuYgHSCs4Ju92mfT5L1S3Jnh92jrZ_fLmDOgzDfVmMfxOBxfPoAGeEUMdKVXEJkr-Ekdr6-_ls6eoKQXGLSPFjOIdcHlOuLHZsF6bKj5ajMbSsus6f5sdwQe3TXzCRUBW5XEvcmj/s1600/FinalCookies4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBDFxvQuYgHSCs4Ju92mfT5L1S3Jnh92jrZ_fLmDOgzDfVmMfxOBxfPoAGeEUMdKVXEJkr-Ekdr6-_ls6eoKQXGLSPFjOIdcHlOuLHZsF6bKj5ajMbSsus6f5sdwQe3TXzCRUBW5XEvcmj/s320/FinalCookies4.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Then placed the interfacing bumpy side facing right side of the fabric. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I fussy-placed the berry circles over the snowflake icing motifs.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd8NWPKcpXBpU-djcsngSn8EnBEMY5S8X0Zoi53ZBGkCsiusnf6qaos3_YP1eZUpkAKuWzEYzNcseo4sEpHOJqWGYvrn_e8lup0MidLgz0FEMIdB2v9Fq8lUCSl_rZtTISe2hgpJplCpOT/s1600/FinalCookies5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd8NWPKcpXBpU-djcsngSn8EnBEMY5S8X0Zoi53ZBGkCsiusnf6qaos3_YP1eZUpkAKuWzEYzNcseo4sEpHOJqWGYvrn_e8lup0MidLgz0FEMIdB2v9Fq8lUCSl_rZtTISe2hgpJplCpOT/s320/FinalCookies5.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Then sewed on the solid lines of the interfacing. . . </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrvqHb80s0oNAzuMcCKRtUeOsXiC4YVfxmq3y6wCM0JqU4vkpFZ5z8YvRnLja6lGsFIpK9cnHbYrrTHTT1Aiw965XOj8YxYvYZVjuynNRn2ssO5Gum2ganWSOuvU8WOCS33YeuxeYXOP1D/s1600/FinalCookies6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrvqHb80s0oNAzuMcCKRtUeOsXiC4YVfxmq3y6wCM0JqU4vkpFZ5z8YvRnLja6lGsFIpK9cnHbYrrTHTT1Aiw965XOj8YxYvYZVjuynNRn2ssO5Gum2ganWSOuvU8WOCS33YeuxeYXOP1D/s320/FinalCookies6.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">. . . .and trimmed on the dotted line.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFttYJCDhr5f7pojggyMrn6X03KMdHV2WlehU4sTLjIuUIJLfvGQ7-Gh7N8AY9VHbfPe9uaSAcJgWFqwac0YBFzlcIN_t3jyg66P3Kn_7AUMJCbMQFtLuisjIsCEygvdPu81HxKVRmzbpw/s1600/FinalCookies7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFttYJCDhr5f7pojggyMrn6X03KMdHV2WlehU4sTLjIuUIJLfvGQ7-Gh7N8AY9VHbfPe9uaSAcJgWFqwac0YBFzlcIN_t3jyg66P3Kn_7AUMJCbMQFtLuisjIsCEygvdPu81HxKVRmzbpw/s320/FinalCookies7.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Turned the fabric right side out (the bumpy fusible side is on the back.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkoO3GxD9_Qn8-Yr9g9rlPJjlwQ7mQd18T_jwWv-GdlDhDyhmN2_MeAe04-fGyLDH4T25T-0ycTcC-EvvlYDMp6ikcWCyipG5jsTA7WrqwtNKJungGivG0gYYL7T6AxcRbudvAifyy0bba/s1600/FinalCookies8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkoO3GxD9_Qn8-Yr9g9rlPJjlwQ7mQd18T_jwWv-GdlDhDyhmN2_MeAe04-fGyLDH4T25T-0ycTcC-EvvlYDMp6ikcWCyipG5jsTA7WrqwtNKJungGivG0gYYL7T6AxcRbudvAifyy0bba/s320/FinalCookies8.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Time to head to the ironing board with my in-the-ditch quilted cookie mat (second in the series).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Then arranged and fused the holly shapes. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguTFfAboDQZUQUHOLvGZMLMLeafwteH8IRwmLruB-5UE0OkonrRDkEmJYobcHctzV3-6B_g1shX6jA5Zm9uEjHWTirAq0E5sHo60zFFny-dVcWBnO_pKrbMkzkfDO0fsTtDcqjLqT94C1u/s1600/FinalCookies9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguTFfAboDQZUQUHOLvGZMLMLeafwteH8IRwmLruB-5UE0OkonrRDkEmJYobcHctzV3-6B_g1shX6jA5Zm9uEjHWTirAq0E5sHo60zFFny-dVcWBnO_pKrbMkzkfDO0fsTtDcqjLqT94C1u/s320/FinalCookies9.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Then blanket stitched around the edge with bright red fabric to off-set the green checkers.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">And added a bit of free motion swish for the holly leaf veins. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzZRJVszuxVKkAl8-82CASoC5nEhCULu1_rzD58-yLD8nYilhUJtkFLDW9DaQF2lGy-lCg4Xm-aKe8Svns8zx3YzLKnFsBH44eTR3z6WVOlYPYijGx_ZDbvseam2taibrUpY4b-dxA9bj_/s1600/FinalCookies10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzZRJVszuxVKkAl8-82CASoC5nEhCULu1_rzD58-yLD8nYilhUJtkFLDW9DaQF2lGy-lCg4Xm-aKe8Svns8zx3YzLKnFsBH44eTR3z6WVOlYPYijGx_ZDbvseam2taibrUpY4b-dxA9bj_/s320/FinalCookies10.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Wa-la!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Ready for cookies. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Or gifting!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6cUWcDkfMySEOOlNPsW6LvYGV2-O3u0b5sHbUmu1-TadCpSua_VzLgWemFffJJw7GYyT2ikoJ0pEJGBLrydrc_BZOpYFAk-Vy1XmEHccil4pLS9xOmz4EDT1q3QBkoay1rKDNvs4h2NrF/s1600/FinalCookies11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="604" data-original-width="604" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6cUWcDkfMySEOOlNPsW6LvYGV2-O3u0b5sHbUmu1-TadCpSua_VzLgWemFffJJw7GYyT2ikoJ0pEJGBLrydrc_BZOpYFAk-Vy1XmEHccil4pLS9xOmz4EDT1q3QBkoay1rKDNvs4h2NrF/s320/FinalCookies11.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I'll tell you one thing, I'm ready for a new project (or an old one) that doesn't involve four-patches!</span><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Happy Stitching!<br />Joan</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span></i>Joan Fordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07147703923580700132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6726456144656096359.post-89908985041162244062019-11-14T11:00:00.000-05:002019-11-14T11:00:08.266-05:00More Cookies!<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="http://scrap-therapy-quilts.blogspot.com/2019/11/the-magic-cookie-mat.html" target="_blank">Last week</a>, I started with the statement that 'some projects are meant to be.' This week, I hafta say, that sentiment continues. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">You may recall that <a href="http://scrap-therapy-quilts.blogspot.com/2019/10/the-die-hard-pin-cushion-project.html" target="_blank">two weeks ago</a>, I was lamenting the stack of scrappy four-patch blocks in hibernation on the small table next to my sewing cabinet. The four-patches were, for the most part, intended to be made into puffy, scrappy pin cushions.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Within the stack, also lived nine matching holiday-print four-patches.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="http://scrap-therapy-quilts.blogspot.com/2019/11/the-magic-cookie-mat.html" target="_blank">Last week</a>, I took notice of those, and made a small (maybe about 15" square) cookie mat from nine four-patches and some 'found' cookie-themed border stripe fabric in my stash.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9K_XfQVWDrSY3hh6NnnZj6ng9VFyJJ9Auo2KwzHlFtyANRe492bl-TOwNJTfrWk1U3N5hevCZUJLuUwpC6l6r1kVRwozxV1RE38y-KcBjbcZa2mFnUSoX9YZm6J9t9CFrbDR_PxktLbh9/s1600/Cookie9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9K_XfQVWDrSY3hh6NnnZj6ng9VFyJJ9Auo2KwzHlFtyANRe492bl-TOwNJTfrWk1U3N5hevCZUJLuUwpC6l6r1kVRwozxV1RE38y-KcBjbcZa2mFnUSoX9YZm6J9t9CFrbDR_PxktLbh9/s320/Cookie9.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">At the end of the article last week, I took aim at this short stack of 20 matching green and white four-patches.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1QUZyKx40u_-8gOwIiaiEQ8fWuO8rIfJWML2_wGS5twTrAk-HNnu3kyaOaI7EfL3FRPRflFxttr50ILSEhn7qFKQWcz07QWSCAEpDqQuCWeb7sGYolEcpKK1i2vIS-95JlOGnuwkfuRUD/s1600/Cookie11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1QUZyKx40u_-8gOwIiaiEQ8fWuO8rIfJWML2_wGS5twTrAk-HNnu3kyaOaI7EfL3FRPRflFxttr50ILSEhn7qFKQWcz07QWSCAEpDqQuCWeb7sGYolEcpKK1i2vIS-95JlOGnuwkfuRUD/s320/Cookie11.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I was away on business for the last part of last week, and I sat down at the sewing machine on Monday with a sideways glance to the green-and-white stack. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Plus, there was one last strip of cookie stripe leftover from last-weeks cookie mat. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I laid out the checkerboard four-patches at the top and bottom of the last bit of stripe . . .</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicTsq-WE4H3zPfK7WuR7HzF3fOjCCspCF6IKlmOz1ZL_RNi2mrgQ0STUWVJ9_o-OcI37lSf3XtsNiqF5TQoDIUtAa1ypTWL8GTTLk_kwfjcrIkglNx0dEEetYlF_VzU_p6CvdATcwpMeyL/s1600/MoreCookies1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicTsq-WE4H3zPfK7WuR7HzF3fOjCCspCF6IKlmOz1ZL_RNi2mrgQ0STUWVJ9_o-OcI37lSf3XtsNiqF5TQoDIUtAa1ypTWL8GTTLk_kwfjcrIkglNx0dEEetYlF_VzU_p6CvdATcwpMeyL/s320/MoreCookies1.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Sewed two rows of five four-patches into a panel, pressed, then added the trimmed stripe to the long edge of the piecing. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Then, I trimmed the edge of the stripe so I didn't have to guess where to place the second checkerboard panel. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9axephCgHr8GnLnwBk-_MjxaDSHX4pFrpmSXGAaUW9L8MzVWbgQcSVAKEQ9JOoRrPLsF1lvoRJfWTl2iNxyOqJNRiuIYedkaoJfAaQAIBU8oGVy8TgWRF8jEy-Xupu-A73k1Q929z4CCK/s1600/MoreCookies2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9axephCgHr8GnLnwBk-_MjxaDSHX4pFrpmSXGAaUW9L8MzVWbgQcSVAKEQ9JOoRrPLsF1lvoRJfWTl2iNxyOqJNRiuIYedkaoJfAaQAIBU8oGVy8TgWRF8jEy-Xupu-A73k1Q929z4CCK/s320/MoreCookies2.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">"Wa-la"!"</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Cookie Mat, Second in the Series, is nearly complete!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBMz4OQ8T6QsJEoKgo8JBQZ9tBIj2fu6N56kHWWZXaTGm9RKX4HvkDVbW2kFFA_aekWsyfF5W7YNgy9gZNNGWNuio6BSKflXz8Hs5lc4-ahzCvmdu7qzdcs3qUswtvzmTD8VyDlFlEiODR/s1600/MoreCookies4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBMz4OQ8T6QsJEoKgo8JBQZ9tBIj2fu6N56kHWWZXaTGm9RKX4HvkDVbW2kFFA_aekWsyfF5W7YNgy9gZNNGWNuio6BSKflXz8Hs5lc4-ahzCvmdu7qzdcs3qUswtvzmTD8VyDlFlEiODR/s320/MoreCookies4.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Back to stash-diving to unearth a couple chunks of holiday prints and one last itty-bitty strip of the stripe - you should try saying that. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Stripe strips! Strip stripe!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">It works both ways and it's kinda fun to say. . . </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">(Okay, I'm weird)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Moving on. . . .</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAroBTasbpIWj-_LENq0L6VHl2OW95dDGHhWSKQ1Ra7MhNyugHyROOf1QW3mi5EAXdGkSNWcwguzvD6k3J0Hj4bnYHkIxeyQRAfBeWnDZ8yHTCSy-u3dpBHqFt0X_n7_5HKJ6m1UEBUy9-/s1600/MoreCookies5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAroBTasbpIWj-_LENq0L6VHl2OW95dDGHhWSKQ1Ra7MhNyugHyROOf1QW3mi5EAXdGkSNWcwguzvD6k3J0Hj4bnYHkIxeyQRAfBeWnDZ8yHTCSy-u3dpBHqFt0X_n7_5HKJ6m1UEBUy9-/s320/MoreCookies5.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I layered with batting then ran out of sewing time for the day. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Only thing that bugs me is that the checkerboard is kinda plain against the stripe strip *a-hem*. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">It's a little stark and it needs something else. But what? . . . stitching? a fussy quilting pattern? hand quilting? . . . What?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV-nVLaCgBa41aTQxJKyvpAjhOLd7OhF6zbV89XCJXIXly8Kr038d46dJnmjdS5etgJhTNcPliPVCCxXdzc2tTnBKdso2Jsy0rlS689l7dMKUDQAxIRntIzJno_MeOltwATRst6NM3YvYd/s1600/MoreCookies6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV-nVLaCgBa41aTQxJKyvpAjhOLd7OhF6zbV89XCJXIXly8Kr038d46dJnmjdS5etgJhTNcPliPVCCxXdzc2tTnBKdso2Jsy0rlS689l7dMKUDQAxIRntIzJno_MeOltwATRst6NM3YvYd/s320/MoreCookies6.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">And then it dawned on me! I have it! But I'm outta sewing time! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">That means, you'll have to wait for next week's installment to see if my light-bulb moment worked. I think it's going to be sweet and very festive!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgemYPg2Sen_BY1wUeAgw3IXt7Kz3N9bXTxJ8GUzHKmHISUTP__pM1uA6YZSZwvhcNQX_A44dGVmyecvfrXlCJo3TAa5uAEK2tSz925XpVTuvjMYjD3mH-Z1NKbbL_LvDXN9Z0WcMt8W3Id/s1600/MoreCookies7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgemYPg2Sen_BY1wUeAgw3IXt7Kz3N9bXTxJ8GUzHKmHISUTP__pM1uA6YZSZwvhcNQX_A44dGVmyecvfrXlCJo3TAa5uAEK2tSz925XpVTuvjMYjD3mH-Z1NKbbL_LvDXN9Z0WcMt8W3Id/s320/MoreCookies7.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">And this added bonus . . . Look at my stack of scrappy four-patches!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Two weeks ago, the four-patches were flirting with the top edge of the storage box!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">With 29 four-patches re-purposed (or almost) into finished 'somethings,' my four-patch pin cushioning project is looking a lot lighter. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I'm on a roll. If you're a four-patch, watch out! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Happy Stitching!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Joan </span> Joan Fordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07147703923580700132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6726456144656096359.post-33662793342681841542019-11-07T11:00:00.000-05:002019-11-07T11:00:01.388-05:00The Magic Cookie Mat<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Some projects are just meant to be. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I mentioned this stack of four-patches sitting next to my sewing machine <a href="http://scrap-therapy-quilts.blogspot.com/2019/10/the-die-hard-pin-cushion-project.html" target="_blank">last week</a>. Most of the 3-1/2" four patch blocks are in wait-mode to become pin cushions. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Some, as it turned out this week, have a different destiny. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA48l3Eu7zAYT1GFlKG_ZKj_4hEG7L_SW3klWsok-8TNM2a1VewykReUQISLTkv38C4a0wPJKfiF_8Rh6i-dm8qShgm67lFNG73_gt-bCz6iIM86KkzDvA7id_eio83dhAocFXFrkrvvmT/s1600/Cookie1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA48l3Eu7zAYT1GFlKG_ZKj_4hEG7L_SW3klWsok-8TNM2a1VewykReUQISLTkv38C4a0wPJKfiF_8Rh6i-dm8qShgm67lFNG73_gt-bCz6iIM86KkzDvA7id_eio83dhAocFXFrkrvvmT/s320/Cookie1.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">As I thumbed through the stack selecting my next pin cushion target, I spotted exactly nine similar four-patches. Solid green, plus candy canes and boughs on cream. Holiday themed.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">They seemed to tell me they wanted to be one project, so I sewed them together. No idea where this was going.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg270ZJQy20ckCyWI5Rtbr5lFQdyAzfQ3Obbw0PTy_W6EDyxU4UxSNSZOxNWh44th2XuuGLK76aCIPPz8WQClilANRouZX1vbHaTVNkhmb9vYwLw_IjBfxSsy_IiCNsnnn8R1Fl04Rnd8uo/s1600/Cookie2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg270ZJQy20ckCyWI5Rtbr5lFQdyAzfQ3Obbw0PTy_W6EDyxU4UxSNSZOxNWh44th2XuuGLK76aCIPPz8WQClilANRouZX1vbHaTVNkhmb9vYwLw_IjBfxSsy_IiCNsnnn8R1Fl04Rnd8uo/s320/Cookie2.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The four-patch seams were already furled (or rotated) on the wrong side of the block. . . .</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxypTZb1ZF26C9x0f98obwo9s1KUWyx4u3sDDcoQnrJPCQbHU7PWdUFk3Lpy5knBZgaNcTR75NQBlOQoanD_WrXu2DeZYL6FmJaE3GmnRSJkR6-ITxdpeUOjKwrG1VeuC7Rk2ZY-IHC1Um/s1600/Cookie3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxypTZb1ZF26C9x0f98obwo9s1KUWyx4u3sDDcoQnrJPCQbHU7PWdUFk3Lpy5knBZgaNcTR75NQBlOQoanD_WrXu2DeZYL6FmJaE3GmnRSJkR6-ITxdpeUOjKwrG1VeuC7Rk2ZY-IHC1Um/s320/Cookie3.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I simply continued the furling as the blocks were sewn into rows.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Makes for a flat, lump-less checkerboard center. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Now what? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The search was on for coordinates.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZyqDvfJoA0qqkoMdwDHpYCARLPVKVLwU57qsBz_MihMKnB81u_aE83cGN0mGDu1lIk_XAJyAzZrvOzhwpmRVpRJRfVICtZvkIqoxOm6kTF7g2Huny8qfpuvJcwuMRS_oXZiyjNJYYBLm8/s1600/Cookie4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZyqDvfJoA0qqkoMdwDHpYCARLPVKVLwU57qsBz_MihMKnB81u_aE83cGN0mGDu1lIk_XAJyAzZrvOzhwpmRVpRJRfVICtZvkIqoxOm6kTF7g2Huny8qfpuvJcwuMRS_oXZiyjNJYYBLm8/s320/Cookie4.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Down to the fabric storage in the basement (AKA the Ford Underground). I was hoping for some solid reds and greens, but what I found was an adorable Christmas cookie border stripe fabric illustrated by <a href="https://joystudio.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Janet Wecker-Frisch</a>. Several years old. I had 1/2 yard of the border stripe, and 1/2 yard of the deep red with white cookie icing.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1rawJEZLerP7EPW5L42bEeo0kS_4mVcXS8DSAxYLwbB0Q5BV-gi2QK1rmN1gDv70z_7XSjaq3Uaou2RX0UbAQt6LVWcfvVZPyXS90smSLKxgc4BDPKGuoSiC0a42tBD0UqJhwT8hm1hcC/s1600/Cookie5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1rawJEZLerP7EPW5L42bEeo0kS_4mVcXS8DSAxYLwbB0Q5BV-gi2QK1rmN1gDv70z_7XSjaq3Uaou2RX0UbAQt6LVWcfvVZPyXS90smSLKxgc4BDPKGuoSiC0a42tBD0UqJhwT8hm1hcC/s320/Cookie5.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Once I found the fabric (buried in a box full of larger, set aside pieces) it was clear what this was going to be . . . a holiday cookie tray mat! Perfect!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Cutting carefully, I had just enough fabric for a small border of red, then the lightly iced row of cookies from the border print. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I mitered the corners on the top and had just enough of the border fabric to make the backing.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkbuZbLT7Hdh4OgZ3XFemSZnqKXyLKfvUI_-f_9iHl-EGZwBwUzHGIggY8NQt9bWOVY8Yi5pUYu2sBOHxzGO9FzzfpxLoi3WSRexJQv2VH9G9Zahk8mlbCRRuU6qVEgxxD4qVee0hxyXnp/s1600/Cookie6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkbuZbLT7Hdh4OgZ3XFemSZnqKXyLKfvUI_-f_9iHl-EGZwBwUzHGIggY8NQt9bWOVY8Yi5pUYu2sBOHxzGO9FzzfpxLoi3WSRexJQv2VH9G9Zahk8mlbCRRuU6qVEgxxD4qVee0hxyXnp/s320/Cookie6.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">You know how the rest of this goes. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Prep for quilting. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I layered backing, batting, and the cookie mat top, and pin basted.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWDevb799IQ9RDluRyuxBKuYmU_ftzmro4fUpzo7GJHY95zxymOneLJW-LCjdBHSz_IDhyRWRvM0ebfzIxg0Z0ywRDE77gKzeD-WCVwXZKRg4yvQd1MNJgdNNAegfCTJhtFo2KulLfU9lQ/s1600/Cookie7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWDevb799IQ9RDluRyuxBKuYmU_ftzmro4fUpzo7GJHY95zxymOneLJW-LCjdBHSz_IDhyRWRvM0ebfzIxg0Z0ywRDE77gKzeD-WCVwXZKRg4yvQd1MNJgdNNAegfCTJhtFo2KulLfU9lQ/s320/Cookie7.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Quilting.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Binding.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHUq5syICrs3s5yaHbXfe27AvhPdMRSs-pt9SwKdZLADXZcWBQwX9IhHV6wkBD5R1zLeub7wTKjeoSwtMKHzsDiD-qkdEotNlPA9OGguPs9XtqwlUo9gvzIco-HSDo0nzQXE-RlXpEWl16/s1600/Cookie8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHUq5syICrs3s5yaHbXfe27AvhPdMRSs-pt9SwKdZLADXZcWBQwX9IhHV6wkBD5R1zLeub7wTKjeoSwtMKHzsDiD-qkdEotNlPA9OGguPs9XtqwlUo9gvzIco-HSDo0nzQXE-RlXpEWl16/s320/Cookie8.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">DONE!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Ready for a quick photo (along with a couple elf models I made from a <a href="http://heidiboyd.com/pdf-patterns-shop/knee-hugger-elves" target="_blank">Heidi Boyd</a> pattern). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">And, of course, a holiday cookie tray. But that'll have to wait a little while longer. Thanksgiving, first, then cookies!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7LBiu88ZHuEBYmj8f2agRkvV0nPIj2lOZwnpV8GyGdsKndGKzzpBNI2x6PMnP0RA0lm_Gwan4AwQNXibx7v2gXsAqCPzZindWmELUwNNFjkdXftngcVqRvJYfxK1JeVZliCGXAds0lqXf/s1600/Cookie9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7LBiu88ZHuEBYmj8f2agRkvV0nPIj2lOZwnpV8GyGdsKndGKzzpBNI2x6PMnP0RA0lm_Gwan4AwQNXibx7v2gXsAqCPzZindWmELUwNNFjkdXftngcVqRvJYfxK1JeVZliCGXAds0lqXf/s320/Cookie9.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Nonetheless, I'm ready when the cookies are. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Even the back is cute with the red/icing fabric in between three of the alternate stripes.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">This little project took a grand total of about 2 hours of sewing time - start to finish, including quilting and binding. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">And a lot of luck. I'd bet that the right fabric is always right there in your stash, the luck comes when you put your hands on the right fabric at just the right moment. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Now . . .</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">These 20 green and cream four-patches could use a little Christmas magic, too!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitf-86STWOfJ0XkFY0Zn2pNYFB19_NRfebE2SluKWMrD1nxUKLDTPlO9UDfRQk5BnahdY2426yASloV_Y-iDruF4l9hyHSakmDcfy6oWn_wr5i9AhUt4FuAtopQYLgpt9B7P443tRoqRu3/s1600/Cookie11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitf-86STWOfJ0XkFY0Zn2pNYFB19_NRfebE2SluKWMrD1nxUKLDTPlO9UDfRQk5BnahdY2426yASloV_Y-iDruF4l9hyHSakmDcfy6oWn_wr5i9AhUt4FuAtopQYLgpt9B7P443tRoqRu3/s320/Cookie11.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Alternatively, I'd settle for some Thanksgiving magic. Jus' sayn!</span><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Happy Stitching!</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Joan</span></i> Joan Fordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07147703923580700132noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6726456144656096359.post-83528774575256963482019-10-31T11:00:00.000-04:002019-10-31T11:00:10.067-04:00The Die-hard Pin Cushion Project<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Sometimes it's just time to move things out. Or on to the next step. Or to the 'done' pile. Or to give up. . . Give UP?? No-no-no-no-no!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">This particular project seemed like a good idea at the time. . . years and YEARS ago . . . when I started it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I have this stack of 4-patches, some of them scrappy, some of them matchy, some of them just squares-waiting-to-be 4-patches, some of them onesy-twosey leftovers from a bigger four-patch project (you know those last couple cuts when you strip-piece) . . . .</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw7v_NvgE8JwpAExIPgPOKoNWI9f-sTSR2XgPziGtz2SGYQquD5Igwo0deooUaUdtHkV8JCJGT-VFW7FUpjrantCQVghNM8emeIZXzemrlX7pGK7HCl7-yprtS1Nh4RtdEIamcKfznxoko/s1600/Treat1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw7v_NvgE8JwpAExIPgPOKoNWI9f-sTSR2XgPziGtz2SGYQquD5Igwo0deooUaUdtHkV8JCJGT-VFW7FUpjrantCQVghNM8emeIZXzemrlX7pGK7HCl7-yprtS1Nh4RtdEIamcKfznxoko/s320/Treat1.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">None of the four-patch blocks are any larger than 4 or 5" square. Eventually, they get trimmed to 3-1/2" square if they aren't already that size. Once upon a time, as I created the four-patch stack, I paired each set with four 1-1/2x3-1/2" strips. And they're all in a semi-neat stack in a small storage box on the 'staging' table next to my sewing machine. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Every time I finish a seam on whatever I'm *actually* working on, I grab from the box and sew a seam. Instead of a scrap piece of fabric to catch the thread ends between seams, I make one step of progress on the 'four-patch project'</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">This has been going on forEVER! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Once I create two 'matching four-patches, I attach a strip to each side of one of the four-patches, like four little ears flopping around. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The paired four-patch and it's fraternal twin with ears are stacked in a soft-sided basket - a different one from the box on the staging table - for the next step.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS2KXWC-4quuMSqZWiO35WG7VsQjJyRrBWUmtPVLYytSd_qmX0y0wzG_eAaGkgvAUpHfrtjVKQWQRCYlADFbAHJDartmK1WgUpS5ylc3nIcKxkWMaW7GZPY7ebTg4FPPywvPt-W1srWdsl/s1600/Treat2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS2KXWC-4quuMSqZWiO35WG7VsQjJyRrBWUmtPVLYytSd_qmX0y0wzG_eAaGkgvAUpHfrtjVKQWQRCYlADFbAHJDartmK1WgUpS5ylc3nIcKxkWMaW7GZPY7ebTg4FPPywvPt-W1srWdsl/s320/Treat2.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Each 'twin' set looks something like this. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The next step is to add surface embroidery and maybe some beads to the 'eared' twin, then after that's done, the twins come back to the sewing machine to sew them into a squashed cube.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6iVIIm5wv9iFI5OHJ8C0y49wAIqpP5jorNpViJRU-VGMNTLrazHFDDsRmsHBCopKoE0tgw4ufW5NNoGyraOxxKoEs_bbTPHfqvGKdktVdDNM8ILPyd2Zh_TwM7eOdR53xbF7Idj7owTBO/s1600/Treat3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6iVIIm5wv9iFI5OHJ8C0y49wAIqpP5jorNpViJRU-VGMNTLrazHFDDsRmsHBCopKoE0tgw4ufW5NNoGyraOxxKoEs_bbTPHfqvGKdktVdDNM8ILPyd2Zh_TwM7eOdR53xbF7Idj7owTBO/s320/Treat3.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">. . . Like this. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Kinda pathetic looking, right? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">It'll get stuffed with scrap batting (there is a 1 to 1-1/2" opening on one of the longer seams) then closed and tufted with a button. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg933ia8dO_y0FPTs5hHyYrlp8Zx3ywXIBt-ClhTiGuvPvG663ulhM06tqQYicJO1x6uLRBnZgj9sqjyUAMyxdjd3hPc8LFky6og38d0illdF4kaTX8Hd5eUhhqRwPl1iI6Rrgtw2va7xO/s1600/Treat4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg933ia8dO_y0FPTs5hHyYrlp8Zx3ywXIBt-ClhTiGuvPvG663ulhM06tqQYicJO1x6uLRBnZgj9sqjyUAMyxdjd3hPc8LFky6og38d0illdF4kaTX8Hd5eUhhqRwPl1iI6Rrgtw2va7xO/s320/Treat4.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> . . To make fun puffy pin cushions. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The trouble is, there are about a million of these things in process between the two stacks - the one by the sewing machine and in the soft-basket. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">(Okay, I'm exaggerating a little - maybe not a MILLION, but truly there must be about 50 or so, easily). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj92LBG8-NHNT928FY-XPkkcAbtatHI9g5bbo8ycZQBx7Xaf-xW2s794mm7Px5RlNSag2k15fjVp654PvjEiflZAO_1JMbnADeGVvmqMt402ZyVsKAeJPMysmFtXpw2O04a2CfMIut9xoB2/s1600/Treat5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj92LBG8-NHNT928FY-XPkkcAbtatHI9g5bbo8ycZQBx7Xaf-xW2s794mm7Px5RlNSag2k15fjVp654PvjEiflZAO_1JMbnADeGVvmqMt402ZyVsKAeJPMysmFtXpw2O04a2CfMIut9xoB2/s320/Treat5.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The log jam is the embellishment. I just have to be in the right frame of mind to add the stitching and beading creatively. It has to be fun or it just doesn't come out.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">On the plus side, it's a great way to practice surface embroidery stitches and play with my fabulous thread collection on a small, fast-finish project. And little by little, scrap batting disappears into these little pillows of cute.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">On the down side, aside from having so many (does anyone *really* need 50 pin cushions?), I'm not as excited about finishing all these little guys as I once was when I started collecting them. I mean, I am and I'm not.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Why didn't I just throw away those last bits of strip piecing way back when? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">You know the answer to that, and so do I . . . I just couldn't.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">So now I'm pacing myself. One at a time, I pull one pin cushion set of the basket for embellishing. A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. . . or 50 of them. *wink!*</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><i>Happy Stitching!<br />Joan</i></span>Joan Fordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07147703923580700132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6726456144656096359.post-70826439928459569442019-10-24T11:00:00.000-04:002019-10-24T11:00:01.281-04:00Out and About<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">It has been kinda crazy around here, so I took advantage of a tiny break in the action to run away on the annual sisters trip to <a href="https://www.flycreekcidermill.com/" target="_blank">Fly Creek Cider Mill</a> in Fly Creek, New York. (Kinda near Cooperstown, home of the Baseball Hall of Fame)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">My two sisters and I head there every fall for a fun day of shopping and sister-stuff. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">It's about a 90-minute drive with the opportunity to see lovely fall color along the hilly-twisty back roads. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8sTWWaNP4Uvjc0WO9lLu0hEuJfQNiAtakAlwXJ4_eEWsRfVc5M1Km-wjuPSnBchGtYw0jmoIz-LYAola7waMmqJtyeHJGUejAup11fCWn7P03VhN64rh99gqqq_k976wOD1kp0NV3FDvG/s1600/HereThere1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8sTWWaNP4Uvjc0WO9lLu0hEuJfQNiAtakAlwXJ4_eEWsRfVc5M1Km-wjuPSnBchGtYw0jmoIz-LYAola7waMmqJtyeHJGUejAup11fCWn7P03VhN64rh99gqqq_k976wOD1kp0NV3FDvG/s320/HereThere1.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">For several years in a row, feels like we've missed the color and managed to drive through snowy, gray weather for the annual trip. This year, we got a little of the color, but had a damp weather day, despite the prediction of sunshine.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">No matter, it was still fun to guess the weight of the giant pumpkin (my guess, I'm afraid, was way low), feed the fluffy-headed ducks . . .</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl_t0ALPVDmthosTDebzk0qKcCVzOv_VFj45KJON7BHnTzk2bASglFQVbWsIZzOKF5iGxWpbGHjEP_4mvYsDAss50Anz4DnOsQdTD_KUKda9V62beyQHZ9rh_sGtVZr4ugUzeIrtR0gvxp/s1600/HereThere2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl_t0ALPVDmthosTDebzk0qKcCVzOv_VFj45KJON7BHnTzk2bASglFQVbWsIZzOKF5iGxWpbGHjEP_4mvYsDAss50Anz4DnOsQdTD_KUKda9V62beyQHZ9rh_sGtVZr4ugUzeIrtR0gvxp/s320/HereThere2.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> . . . And, of course, get some apples (the selection is much better in October than November) and fresh apple cider.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">And stop for a yummy lunch in Herkimer on the way back home. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">It's a fun once-a-year day! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV5N-K4sLtcqjJrxDJW0F3pXPRJxTT4lmB7IeyF3IGd0AqYGrRYgku9bcC4SgrVcfKc-VbrK4lrzUI40KrF2Rdthpu_afMD8eWBAA4iJiAQnqdsJ9T4iABwblyi4DJZTX1ARkuttWqh6as/s1600/HereThere3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV5N-K4sLtcqjJrxDJW0F3pXPRJxTT4lmB7IeyF3IGd0AqYGrRYgku9bcC4SgrVcfKc-VbrK4lrzUI40KrF2Rdthpu_afMD8eWBAA4iJiAQnqdsJ9T4iABwblyi4DJZTX1ARkuttWqh6as/s320/HereThere3.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Back at home, on Tuesday, Dave had a routine medical test (everything's fine) that required that I drive him there and back again. The doctor's office is located near the Syracuse University campus, so I took advantage of the short walk to grab some early-morning breakfast at the coffee bar. Marshall Street (the main shopping and eating street located in the heart of university hill) hasn't changed much since I went to school at SU way back when.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkUcDjJ8afnKVJCWRr4iZrhyz87tMqMvFL9pGHfZKJCtWdeZsaUEoX3N3pqNeSLQZBXmDgfmUaA2_A21UEnu0PkIBt3A_xI2gG2l3Rlm_exTH9o5QtccOROfMW02_VU_IL8Q75h32auZDY/s1600/HereThere4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkUcDjJ8afnKVJCWRr4iZrhyz87tMqMvFL9pGHfZKJCtWdeZsaUEoX3N3pqNeSLQZBXmDgfmUaA2_A21UEnu0PkIBt3A_xI2gG2l3Rlm_exTH9o5QtccOROfMW02_VU_IL8Q75h32auZDY/s320/HereThere4.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Back at home, I've only just started a quick little project that I hope to share with you soon. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The fabric is cut and the sewing is just getting underway. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRR-XJcpGC3-nRICwbYcRG9MYf8x91iHUb_cfc2WgvA4Vp4ODHquEA19UHZRZ15RqPJ7VdJyZ1UvPxwe_pHnGR-Bo-tzF1a8wy_WupyRRmEqivbQOTBnobL_yy5jk6nZGEcUgI1393p2tq/s1600/HereThere5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRR-XJcpGC3-nRICwbYcRG9MYf8x91iHUb_cfc2WgvA4Vp4ODHquEA19UHZRZ15RqPJ7VdJyZ1UvPxwe_pHnGR-Bo-tzF1a8wy_WupyRRmEqivbQOTBnobL_yy5jk6nZGEcUgI1393p2tq/s320/HereThere5.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<br /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><i>Happy Stitching!</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><i>Joan</i></span> Joan Fordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07147703923580700132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6726456144656096359.post-27516516733629895512019-10-17T11:00:00.000-04:002019-10-17T11:00:10.336-04:00Old Friends, New Friends<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Over the weekend, the Thomas J. Corcoran High School Class of 1979 (my alma mater and class year) celebrated 40 years of life after high school with a reunion event at <a href="https://palaceonjames.com/" target="_blank">The Palace on James</a>, a local historic theater. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">We were also treated to amazing decoration from <a href="http://www.syracuseballoons.com/" target="_blank">Balloons Over Syracuse</a>! The Palace was completely converted to a party atmosphere with Maroon and White balloons everywhere! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">My friend and classmate, Kathy Eastman, and I were in charge of organizing the event. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">No small task to gather class mates from 40 years ago for an evening of delicious food, adult beverages, and lots and lots of laughs and smiles. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD9rNFI4BaBt-PtC90CIosm46rHb7dErTxAirPYLrptLdpUWDerJH-ppCWQSiRP__rWdIiHd2Zv984dRN_sQJr6q7PZV-vSIxth5MG2rOdhyphenhyphen9I6ylvXqCk9vklCcIymryQ575azlWpBCJk/s1600/OldNew1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="454" data-original-width="600" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD9rNFI4BaBt-PtC90CIosm46rHb7dErTxAirPYLrptLdpUWDerJH-ppCWQSiRP__rWdIiHd2Zv984dRN_sQJr6q7PZV-vSIxth5MG2rOdhyphenhyphen9I6ylvXqCk9vklCcIymryQ575azlWpBCJk/s320/OldNew1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">As you can see from the picture below, we barely managed to pull the crowd together in one place for the group photo. Looking at the correct camera in unison was another challenge entirely. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitfgMA6tIJkYrcQZ60luLO4vh_5F-RWpKXpRBp2hRILtum1QfA8tKaFJwvT9MPn1K5nipzup_zdPEjMtbd9qqmfvX3n05ezR7UzlmHU-25CUhdhho8PxIrssnw4AI3CPFNxqc1rBf90lS9/s1600/OldNew2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="633" data-original-width="960" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitfgMA6tIJkYrcQZ60luLO4vh_5F-RWpKXpRBp2hRILtum1QfA8tKaFJwvT9MPn1K5nipzup_zdPEjMtbd9qqmfvX3n05ezR7UzlmHU-25CUhdhho8PxIrssnw4AI3CPFNxqc1rBf90lS9/s320/OldNew2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The party was a HUGE success, lotsa laughs, hugs, and remembrances. Some folks are already strategizing about the next meet-up. It's nice to have some good old friends who know you 'once upon a time.'</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">This week, I also spent some time with my new 'friend' the <a href="http://lindawarrendesigns.com/tlc.html" target="_blank">Learning Curve Ruler</a>. I mentioned this in-between project a few weeks ago, <a href="http://scrap-therapy-quilts.blogspot.com/2019/09/a-curvy-treat.html" target="_blank">here</a> and <a href="http://scrap-therapy-quilts.blogspot.com/2019/09/more-sewing-around.html" target="_blank">here</a>. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I have finished all the units I need for a longish scrappy table runner. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Almost. . .</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoRSA_L8FnAJcQOfUvwinZ5CA-0xgybYCWlw09lN5CcBtkNYjAT5LYGtBEz6IXUaxMnrZo0xNSaQzWK5i7Na_yoOZo-IyCGkOFEknB7renU1gqPfJwwk2THU1N2qDF6nsI1vclJnaicMnw/s1600/OldNew3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoRSA_L8FnAJcQOfUvwinZ5CA-0xgybYCWlw09lN5CcBtkNYjAT5LYGtBEz6IXUaxMnrZo0xNSaQzWK5i7Na_yoOZo-IyCGkOFEknB7renU1gqPfJwwk2THU1N2qDF6nsI1vclJnaicMnw/s320/OldNew3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I started sewing the rows together, but planned out the pressing configuration for the two units or 'methods' I'm using - method 3 and method 6 as per the instructions that come with the tool. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">With the curved elements coming together near the seam intersections, the seams stack up and get bulky. As shown in the photo below, I rotated or 'furled' the four-patch seams (circular arrows) while pressing the Method 6 blocks (in different rotational directions) on each end of each row. Then pressed the middle seam on the Method 3 unit (in the center of the row) so it opposed the two four patch seams on each end (mini straight arrows). That way, the seams that join the 3/6/3 units nested nicely and distributed the bulk evenly across the intersection (squiggly arrows).</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWdCEpVRU4TTusJSWMpL1LQ60tao4zx0C-tVouqRxRyzgVj01Eh-uGgffKimJS5HxG4s2NLEfXRHW6Kf8itYys-EEW9IaF9HZpOJQnQu7GQRI221gW0W6LiUhKPFH91coaztr6U3knaHZt/s1600/OldNew4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWdCEpVRU4TTusJSWMpL1LQ60tao4zx0C-tVouqRxRyzgVj01Eh-uGgffKimJS5HxG4s2NLEfXRHW6Kf8itYys-EEW9IaF9HZpOJQnQu7GQRI221gW0W6LiUhKPFH91coaztr6U3knaHZt/s320/OldNew4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">There is a lot going on in this photo, and I know it's a little confusing. Basically, I planned ahead and used common pressing techniques as I constructed the elements to accommodate bulky seams. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Did you notice? The blocks aren't complete! Each one is missing its center. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I have the scraps picked out, and I've cut the blue dots from the yardage for the 'background' centers </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Why not sew them into place!?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Why not, indeed!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFQynHmZObmXHDzOAL4by-vZ4ifxpSQJ_yEmuqoZbuVXwleizXYkzskZhHGs0DDFc3PiyK-gKbpZgNHc50RL24CKwy8Fj9SkdIoYL0A_s_G_wQwv4Na4COz0ty1ccZEULqc7nrPCAGVdfE/s1600/OldNew5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFQynHmZObmXHDzOAL4by-vZ4ifxpSQJ_yEmuqoZbuVXwleizXYkzskZhHGs0DDFc3PiyK-gKbpZgNHc50RL24CKwy8Fj9SkdIoYL0A_s_G_wQwv4Na4COz0ty1ccZEULqc7nrPCAGVdfE/s320/OldNew5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The secret to the next step on this project is lurking somewhere inside the new <a href="https://hummingbird-highway.com/stitcherycrossover/" target="_blank">Stitchery Crossover</a> membership group. <a href="https://hummingbird-highway.com/stitcherycrossover/" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a> to learn more! And to be honest, I'm not exactly sure what that next step is. BUT, <i>I have an idea</i>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Perhaps, we can find the answer together.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Jus' sayn.</span><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Happy Stitching!</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Joan</span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span>Joan Fordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07147703923580700132noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6726456144656096359.post-71527095542403724512019-10-10T11:00:00.000-04:002019-10-10T11:00:02.964-04:00Wooly, Wooly<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Feels a little early to be thinking and creating 'holidays,' doesn't it?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Eh, maybe not. I bet you can find holiday decorations for sale without too much difficulty in most retail outlets at this very moment. And, I must confess that I started working on my holiday gift card ornaments back in January. (I had an idea early on, and I'm pacing myself comfortably this year, for a change!)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">On Saturday, my embroidery guild hosted a workshop to make a crafty wooly tree. It was actually quite a treat to work on something "Christmas" without a clock ticking away the seconds as often happens as the holidays get closer!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Darlene, our workshop instructor prepared kits with everything needed to make the project - wool (ready to rip into strips), a dowel for the trunk, two kinds of tape and pre-cut floral wire for the tree branches.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2n8aBYe8mFW3k3zGkstSxOpop5TlEy0asE07QMFxFSxZvh1qCJJSYFByUOUHaaMuAC5kziKKFawIedB-1GiZ0ZWWrLBmc_Ja5sMlv1eRTRQww188xi876EkERYqgwivOntENwllfeV5Lh/s1600/WooTree1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2n8aBYe8mFW3k3zGkstSxOpop5TlEy0asE07QMFxFSxZvh1qCJJSYFByUOUHaaMuAC5kziKKFawIedB-1GiZ0ZWWrLBmc_Ja5sMlv1eRTRQww188xi876EkERYqgwivOntENwllfeV5Lh/s320/WooTree1.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">After a bit of instruction, we set about to making our trees.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Once you cut the wool strips, and cross-snip the strips to resemble needles, you wrap them around the branches/wires one at a time. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">It's messy business as the branch is treated with a line of tacky glue before twisting the snipped wool around the 'branch.' </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYKXiM7IO61mzxOgq_A6E7KvXyrzaJaFgU4C7-6KpexxhkXiMcH3V9CJAJ7_9tO0Np5B4CUYHF1nI3F-uSvyvu9kX3rv9153q1kew4E4gJTqUp0UYW1-XbHICRwRL-5STSp-ja6Xb2xSUt/s1600/WooTree2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYKXiM7IO61mzxOgq_A6E7KvXyrzaJaFgU4C7-6KpexxhkXiMcH3V9CJAJ7_9tO0Np5B4CUYHF1nI3F-uSvyvu9kX3rv9153q1kew4E4gJTqUp0UYW1-XbHICRwRL-5STSp-ja6Xb2xSUt/s320/WooTree2.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Don't look too closely at my finger nails . . . the gel manicure on my thumb experienced a bit of a mishap just before class time!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">You need a lot of branches! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The clothes pin holds the glued wool to the bottom of the branch for a few minutes while it dries.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Once you have a few branches, you can start adding them to the trunk using vinyl floral tape to secure them. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRhHQvd4b9FbloQ1X35giqhzRIgVAv2MagAbBTM9TR3EE3nKB6XNPRNIjTBL7CMFtiQNvzR5G-e756uGfyhBSNBPQi5cpxOBdYRvU1DNQwxgYAoTlJhE9TckoQ7sLSXWbyAhMN8rzvEyVu/s1600/WooTree3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="447" data-original-width="600" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRhHQvd4b9FbloQ1X35giqhzRIgVAv2MagAbBTM9TR3EE3nKB6XNPRNIjTBL7CMFtiQNvzR5G-e756uGfyhBSNBPQi5cpxOBdYRvU1DNQwxgYAoTlJhE9TckoQ7sLSXWbyAhMN8rzvEyVu/s320/WooTree3.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">As I looked around the room, it looked like we each had a fuzzy buggy whip standing upright at each place after the first few branches are attached to the top of the 'trunk.'</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn9hkin85xjuI1kCKK0sT_BlpFtVw0U35HiRvoWGCXcYSZbAH6ANvBmGisW8q_SGssRkvMMgOcQsAojG9YCta3nRjp5vO-QdA0hbHk07f74jGoo_wbzvVkurx8nhObE7OZY8fqiYHEiKbq/s1600/WooTree4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="387" data-original-width="600" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn9hkin85xjuI1kCKK0sT_BlpFtVw0U35HiRvoWGCXcYSZbAH6ANvBmGisW8q_SGssRkvMMgOcQsAojG9YCta3nRjp5vO-QdA0hbHk07f74jGoo_wbzvVkurx8nhObE7OZY8fqiYHEiKbq/s320/WooTree4.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Once all the branches are attached to the trunk (the trunk is maybe 15" tall), the tree looks a lot like a 'real' tree that is wrapped and ready to tie to the top of the car for the drive home. Only smaller. Lots smaller. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">One more step to cover the shiny vinyl tape securing the branches to the trunk with brown floral tape for a more realistic look.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbNahchL6rw-vHPXoBBYyPuhvYHfr3bvjVuq-EaVV-7If7eaVFG2CcSudgnb3iMCebqE86H140ZifhDo6E4hAv51vhXqlGWe08adyJIaLdQCI8gfOSZvJBap7kCaiy39nYQ1tunrwEg39P/s1600/WooTree5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbNahchL6rw-vHPXoBBYyPuhvYHfr3bvjVuq-EaVV-7If7eaVFG2CcSudgnb3iMCebqE86H140ZifhDo6E4hAv51vhXqlGWe08adyJIaLdQCI8gfOSZvJBap7kCaiy39nYQ1tunrwEg39P/s320/WooTree5.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">With the second wrap on the trunk complete, after a little branch fluffing, it's ready for some handmade ornaments. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">And maybe a small string of fairy lights. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">And maybe a step back to enjoy!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">. . . with a festive beverage! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyRyDGZk06u277vEc7qgKIxJKVyVqut2DD_KHr-IYpG6htxD_4ZqLyL-aEc83pBqTCBCFJ8PnJ0XpT__qJkPbB5_ulHqkzRGq-SxPlANSIzDLSyskC1FhXBBys6POoosEPtiPOobKVFoDy/s1600/WooTree6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyRyDGZk06u277vEc7qgKIxJKVyVqut2DD_KHr-IYpG6htxD_4ZqLyL-aEc83pBqTCBCFJ8PnJ0XpT__qJkPbB5_ulHqkzRGq-SxPlANSIzDLSyskC1FhXBBys6POoosEPtiPOobKVFoDy/s320/WooTree6.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Here's the finished tree against a more 'calm' background.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Pretty cute, if you ask me. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheKbf6_BWPeMyj9E8UboCbil_MQXqeeke4HinAZgYzug2Viuj2MaKLWdMzklG9C9w3V0WI-EQWQvkSXgL4q2_VTWqPtotkZiYwyyJth4wRvrTVU6FZlO5Rda_aORloCV84mUZ_1gbFQMyJ/s1600/WooTree7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheKbf6_BWPeMyj9E8UboCbil_MQXqeeke4HinAZgYzug2Viuj2MaKLWdMzklG9C9w3V0WI-EQWQvkSXgL4q2_VTWqPtotkZiYwyyJth4wRvrTVU6FZlO5Rda_aORloCV84mUZ_1gbFQMyJ/s320/WooTree7.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">If you're wondering about making a tree of your own, I don't really have a pattern to share, just some assembly notes from the workshop. However, I did a quick check online, and if you google "Wool Christmas Tree" you'd find some kits and videos online. I'd also add that having the kit with everything pre-cut and marked was really helpful!</span><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Happy Stitching</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Joan </span></i><br />
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<br />Joan Fordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07147703923580700132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6726456144656096359.post-1178648241594089812019-10-03T11:00:00.000-04:002019-10-03T11:00:07.944-04:00It's Fall Y'all<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">This has been a crazy week with lots going on. Last Friday night, Dave and I were guides for the annual neighborhood ghost walk. Not what you might think. . . . There are two ghost walks each year, one in the Spring through Syracuse's oldest cemetery and another in the Fall through a historic Syracuse neighborhood. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvY82y_p52-jXn6mVDa4Tp83BDPmyvI4HIVTqgVAhPaPBkxY51zzRBdpmRkxcIo3vAvUvgoEIzfbQOkvDaNQfufzRLK276MRUR2d0Blat51_AYKOcMzcMMbAJgICbe9VJ2mlOvCQqnqtlu/s1600/MixedWeek1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvY82y_p52-jXn6mVDa4Tp83BDPmyvI4HIVTqgVAhPaPBkxY51zzRBdpmRkxcIo3vAvUvgoEIzfbQOkvDaNQfufzRLK276MRUR2d0Blat51_AYKOcMzcMMbAJgICbe9VJ2mlOvCQqnqtlu/s320/MixedWeek1.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">If the 'spirits' favor us, we encounter historical figures from local history along our short route. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">They are actually actors portraying their historical counter part. Always interesting! Always informative. Always a lot of fun!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Above, the 'ghost' of educator Edward Smith who made his contribution to the local area in the late 19th and early 10th century tells his story in front of the school that bears his name.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">As darkness falls, Mary Salisbury, just stepping off 'her' porch in the foreground, tells of her life as the wife of the world-famous <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syracuse_China" target="_blank">Syracuse China Factory</a> owner. Once upon a time, you could flip over a plate in almost any fine dining establishment in any part the world and you'd find the Syracuse China stamp on the bottom of the plate or saucer. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7xWVqSTCZLIXS5_sl1qWvBrlGPzR_JgEaAzx4uYSLdRFc0YEBPY0Vi4x7MFkJEbYMfNBUYwDI7BfB2O4KDFcwZK3CM5uc6iKbvHu73Qdc8Pe3AJjeTYrLTR577TVt8kfNsswypdSMFtoh/s1600/MixedWeek2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7xWVqSTCZLIXS5_sl1qWvBrlGPzR_JgEaAzx4uYSLdRFc0YEBPY0Vi4x7MFkJEbYMfNBUYwDI7BfB2O4KDFcwZK3CM5uc6iKbvHu73Qdc8Pe3AJjeTYrLTR577TVt8kfNsswypdSMFtoh/s320/MixedWeek2.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The Ghost Walk through the Berkeley Park neighborhood continues this weekend. Local folks can make a reservation to meet these an other interesting ethereal characters at the <a href="https://www.cnyhistory.org/" target="_blank">Onondaga Historical Association</a>. Call them to reserve your spot. It's really fun!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">There goes Dave again with another yard project. He found an untouched patch of grass on the side of the house that 'needs' to be a flower bed. He's had this seed of an idea germinating all summer, and finally got motivated (his garden has had a few surgical set-backs this year) to start digging. Truth be known, I think he prefers weeding flower beds to mowing. If it means more flowers, I'm all for it!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTcpmQosMtKuuZhx_MCvLBm8mDIoywdUNUqcjvtOYnjS0-9EtCXFoUlzwyGyb381uG7dJCtRHx8iMIEDicwsER-NcJOWnWmyXDHaOGhevcSC9sn49Ma0kJyNs8DRwCudQAsrvkgJKYjZqx/s1600/MixedWeek3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTcpmQosMtKuuZhx_MCvLBm8mDIoywdUNUqcjvtOYnjS0-9EtCXFoUlzwyGyb381uG7dJCtRHx8iMIEDicwsER-NcJOWnWmyXDHaOGhevcSC9sn49Ma0kJyNs8DRwCudQAsrvkgJKYjZqx/s320/MixedWeek3.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">And Monday was our wedding anniversary! We celebrated 19 years of wedded bliss with a nice dinner in the lakeside town of Skaneateles, about 20 minutes from our home. Do you know how hard it is to find a nice restaurant open for business on Monday evenings?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Uy712zEt6CS4PrNIkXmDLMYb3oF3nk5dP6NWBztZxlP5udiJba_SH1N35mdcUJbuywzv2QaKJSbBnBzBL1RgoG78CHD3769iCnrsn74vmMRb4rVsYzytDaSxkFjJUpXiHZ7PCxpSPVKt/s1600/MixedWeek4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Uy712zEt6CS4PrNIkXmDLMYb3oF3nk5dP6NWBztZxlP5udiJba_SH1N35mdcUJbuywzv2QaKJSbBnBzBL1RgoG78CHD3769iCnrsn74vmMRb4rVsYzytDaSxkFjJUpXiHZ7PCxpSPVKt/s320/MixedWeek4.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Back at home, my needles continue to progress along with these alphabet blocks. Once I finish T (for Tulip and Tent stitch), I have four more blocks to stitch (X, Y, and Z are together in one block), then the fun part of making something quilty out of all these blocks begin. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Oh my, dare I say, I can see the light?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWN6Rpu4j2UWtuavMdp4Is7N92HaABQpACFlmbQxu4_tPvgAL-mkdu7OaPVq-Zdpq-tTGooW7JoqTP9S4IriWKfQgUosjJntFK0p1yq7QG9b_d1LzqviCX2EdXlURHiKlopIwnOlhhJIrA/s1600/MixedWeek5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWN6Rpu4j2UWtuavMdp4Is7N92HaABQpACFlmbQxu4_tPvgAL-mkdu7OaPVq-Zdpq-tTGooW7JoqTP9S4IriWKfQgUosjJntFK0p1yq7QG9b_d1LzqviCX2EdXlURHiKlopIwnOlhhJIrA/s320/MixedWeek5.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Phew! Seems like a busy week around here. Lazy summer days are certainly receding quickly into the past!</span><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Happy Stitching!</span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Joan</span></i><br />
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<br />Joan Fordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07147703923580700132noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6726456144656096359.post-39803808991245244152019-09-26T11:00:00.000-04:002019-09-26T11:00:02.860-04:00More Sewing Around<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">With my BERNINA back in place after a long over-due servicing, I was back at my curvy project from a <a href="http://scrap-therapy-quilts.blogspot.com/2019/09/so-so-no-sew.html" target="_blank">couple weeks ago</a> using <a href="http://lindawarrendesigns.com/products.html" target="_blank">The Learning Curve trimming tool</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Last time I played with "Method 6" from Linda's instructions. This time I'm playing with "Method 3."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpp7DFFxJHQMjcUF2TaoWXy4BWhOnZcjWeXWIjqHdCXveHApG6pN2EcPT9swkDEY9ULBdGowkFPD3Dd62GB4KXD652Icsk7fvf5puV5EdyKWapP6tIHkkmKJ0dWne8g5e7xswQARnPJvAK/s1600/LCurve21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpp7DFFxJHQMjcUF2TaoWXy4BWhOnZcjWeXWIjqHdCXveHApG6pN2EcPT9swkDEY9ULBdGowkFPD3Dd62GB4KXD652Icsk7fvf5puV5EdyKWapP6tIHkkmKJ0dWne8g5e7xswQARnPJvAK/s320/LCurve21.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Whenever I can, I like to use scraps for a project like this plus a bit of yardage. However, the fabric size i need is 5-1/2" long. My ScrapTherapy scraps are cut 5" square. Most days, I can't get 5-1/2" out of a 5" fabric square.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSu4XI9PC5imqLe2K5wBV9UMmMqsiXZogfL9JS5cXzmEjzt3ClrRYulfXTRsCAjMEf-vywq-on_gkfWc3j0K2n_OC-GJnucl6_hQgKXmScOypr4-Rs_fKV-sHCObOQoDZ-Yw8uV5TT8pgW/s1600/LCurve22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSu4XI9PC5imqLe2K5wBV9UMmMqsiXZogfL9JS5cXzmEjzt3ClrRYulfXTRsCAjMEf-vywq-on_gkfWc3j0K2n_OC-GJnucl6_hQgKXmScOypr4-Rs_fKV-sHCObOQoDZ-Yw8uV5TT8pgW/s320/LCurve22.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">So, I decided to do a little experiment. . . .</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">For my first attempt, I decided to cut the light blue dot (yardage) according to the instructions. The 5" scrap square is cut into two pieces, but is 1/2" narrower than recommended.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbPoDnUCwPgy5jpDu-b6xx6JvTUstpD9IA02dXFwScw6p2ZWfxk05jlOgjezAP3X4KrOn6ysfizRL6Z1vR48moJ6YuweFdJJ6Ofh5yW3uOTgnlplkZ-fkY-FSuvgIrWSav2Aum1ir6Qi_p/s1600/LCurve23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbPoDnUCwPgy5jpDu-b6xx6JvTUstpD9IA02dXFwScw6p2ZWfxk05jlOgjezAP3X4KrOn6ysfizRL6Z1vR48moJ6YuweFdJJ6Ofh5yW3uOTgnlplkZ-fkY-FSuvgIrWSav2Aum1ir6Qi_p/s320/LCurve23.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">So when I lined the pieces up, I centered them on each other, then used the tool to make the cuts as directed.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMRod-2SYQGxrF_MP4SZ_jWdfmS2zo0X-nDChYLCRBygfVUJ0GdUiJofFYL41pSCuHzygNQvHhUqf6Dqp2jDPct-_kZI_qUwwd7d2tp4D_mNsDJy33ke_B_bPojL-Xv3B8rrSHwAlrh2yH/s1600/LCurve24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMRod-2SYQGxrF_MP4SZ_jWdfmS2zo0X-nDChYLCRBygfVUJ0GdUiJofFYL41pSCuHzygNQvHhUqf6Dqp2jDPct-_kZI_qUwwd7d2tp4D_mNsDJy33ke_B_bPojL-Xv3B8rrSHwAlrh2yH/s320/LCurve24.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I followed the same process as with the smaller Method 6 pieces to find the center with a quick crease.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Then match the creases, pin, sew . . . </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeFIVaiP06I5wZikRRELZkVkQ5LgtW1CF5fi8_qbpmQ_Xg1VHYjUrPlmq159DcvvXq4jEqzei6InRtCrL_GmpOdrRKf8cdrDCbsEAE3YFbRZhmYUw4PbkxqdHcq2uiCJxxsMeV86kZ6JWg/s1600/LCurve25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeFIVaiP06I5wZikRRELZkVkQ5LgtW1CF5fi8_qbpmQ_Xg1VHYjUrPlmq159DcvvXq4jEqzei6InRtCrL_GmpOdrRKf8cdrDCbsEAE3YFbRZhmYUw4PbkxqdHcq2uiCJxxsMeV86kZ6JWg/s320/LCurve25.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> . . . and then press, toward the scrap fabric in each case. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR6j4qwCiDnjU337cabH4L_Zy8IPsHQwrQJuz2XK2Mn3qdeeFl1C6C78_3lI-9Rv9LkgAoJOhcbGOoaOk9Dwa-lpXCBbTNHhWQqKp5hDkO6xL1oAvKJxWw-mPDYFbDWL0McLKIFgr2huyr/s1600/LCurve26.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR6j4qwCiDnjU337cabH4L_Zy8IPsHQwrQJuz2XK2Mn3qdeeFl1C6C78_3lI-9Rv9LkgAoJOhcbGOoaOk9Dwa-lpXCBbTNHhWQqKp5hDkO6xL1oAvKJxWw-mPDYFbDWL0McLKIFgr2huyr/s320/LCurve26.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">. . . Then I used the tool again to trim down to size. Plenty of room to make a good cut, even if my scrap was smaller than the called-for size.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLnaaCpCBAMRdRoo5QOZEUSvDrX_oWz1ezn5WTucSS_rARsr2VxKl_byVTP73xMFNE2o1D44HOhOrsLEu8w4Enayt07b63igiXNGsifxASDEM-NUD6o2gKCmtbY3A8ZDCdvMRXHXAcBOkx/s1600/LCurve27.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLnaaCpCBAMRdRoo5QOZEUSvDrX_oWz1ezn5WTucSS_rARsr2VxKl_byVTP73xMFNE2o1D44HOhOrsLEu8w4Enayt07b63igiXNGsifxASDEM-NUD6o2gKCmtbY3A8ZDCdvMRXHXAcBOkx/s320/LCurve27.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Linda recommends using a 1/8" seam allowance rather than the usual 1/4". If I follow the inside edge of the quarter inch foot, I'm coming pretty close to that 1/8" </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo7OF9JKd8ShzQIQYBGtspCcEFwj-KqrwQxYMOMt4vLkGgH_M9fz2Et4ebHjZQcvlTbuyXwnuEqcqmVTdhcyG6h4UpuyPet4V1SH1gR5y2mafMNTvYJindJWtql-FkoaQVjhhAXvTTmiLz/s1600/LCurve28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo7OF9JKd8ShzQIQYBGtspCcEFwj-KqrwQxYMOMt4vLkGgH_M9fz2Et4ebHjZQcvlTbuyXwnuEqcqmVTdhcyG6h4UpuyPet4V1SH1gR5y2mafMNTvYJindJWtql-FkoaQVjhhAXvTTmiLz/s320/LCurve28.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">There are lots of lines and dots on the tool to make sure you stay on track.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT312wzNYiZQsXe_lHFrzF6HVbSsu-aL42Di_QCCv7RpOmt0Azpu69-k_Q2DSmyy1ZjqWMLSGlDNttZLY_dkrc2yw5WDqaGFRWr1VX6NZ-_1c72vuv9CYaOW-pT9y_2fK0_xNwXuk5kYP3/s1600/LCurve29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT312wzNYiZQsXe_lHFrzF6HVbSsu-aL42Di_QCCv7RpOmt0Azpu69-k_Q2DSmyy1ZjqWMLSGlDNttZLY_dkrc2yw5WDqaGFRWr1VX6NZ-_1c72vuv9CYaOW-pT9y_2fK0_xNwXuk5kYP3/s320/LCurve29.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Next, I sewed two halves together to make the Method 6 unit. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">They're a little wonky, but not bad. When the experiment with the 5" scrap square went well, I decided to cut both pieces - the scrap (already cut to 5" squares) and the light blue dot fabric. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijZZEmGynLAR_FZGvDyINiPqmpUYqysx5NevrdlBS73bR4aBo_Ynh0TEeW0Iw8DWP3NDTya7eVryFC5NuejUV1-p9tuRua6WLKqcIGIqlv0lpgQeyGa8XASPSt_VRW1BbdTuR6l0CjiO0D/s1600/LCurve210.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijZZEmGynLAR_FZGvDyINiPqmpUYqysx5NevrdlBS73bR4aBo_Ynh0TEeW0Iw8DWP3NDTya7eVryFC5NuejUV1-p9tuRua6WLKqcIGIqlv0lpgQeyGa8XASPSt_VRW1BbdTuR6l0CjiO0D/s320/LCurve210.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Without that extra quarter-inch on either side, I may be losing a little bit of the stability along the curved seam. If that's true, it's a trade off I can live with.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I need to make a few more of each unit to have enough for a table runner, then I have another idea to complete all the pieces I need. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Stay tuned! I might be a while!</span><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Happy Stitching!</span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><i>Joan</i> </span><br />
Joan Fordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07147703923580700132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6726456144656096359.post-29983111904440828702019-09-19T11:00:00.000-04:002019-09-19T11:00:08.004-04:00So-So No-Sew<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">My BERNINA went to rehab last Friday. It was long overdue for it's not-so-regular freshen-up. I've been without a sewing machine for my daily hour or two sewing sessions to start my morning for about a week now. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfYdLLDiJlhRiQG78Mf-8sL2-GT1fqlB-JuwVd3RC5wPErKIrVZp3AqSQPPxviIrN5KTg1GXCYJSvfRjGuXrzjzbo4-D40ilmL4qSv1FF9NEeBXaq-n-xMW-rOMztDJP5tSIiMXnC6-o8G/s1600/NoSewA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfYdLLDiJlhRiQG78Mf-8sL2-GT1fqlB-JuwVd3RC5wPErKIrVZp3AqSQPPxviIrN5KTg1GXCYJSvfRjGuXrzjzbo4-D40ilmL4qSv1FF9NEeBXaq-n-xMW-rOMztDJP5tSIiMXnC6-o8G/s320/NoSewA.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Simple enough, I grabbed my year-long alphabet stitchery project. I would have enjoyed relaxing in my comfy chair in the living room rather than my sewing cabinet chair. . . </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5NhaYidouKEZaK1yXinoNBSWomuGSnkLZF-A51jqYSClraMZdS_fmv-CzSUnc2FO1NBzV2Q0XWFcN8oUc8ugf46zxZfgBYvUmSNV13BeUg0fI14X_OTGFFBamGjCYyOm7EdgULLZqXfnw/s1600/NoSew3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5NhaYidouKEZaK1yXinoNBSWomuGSnkLZF-A51jqYSClraMZdS_fmv-CzSUnc2FO1NBzV2Q0XWFcN8oUc8ugf46zxZfgBYvUmSNV13BeUg0fI14X_OTGFFBamGjCYyOm7EdgULLZqXfnw/s320/NoSew3.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">However, Doodle and Woodstock (the two conures) like the morning routine AS IS. And they like to spend the daily morning sewing time in their cage in the sewing room. To change<i> their </i>routine would subject me to noisy squawks as they made their annoyance with a change to their itinerary known.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I know, it's crazy, but it's just easier this way. Some days, I'm grateful that THEY let US continue occupying the house with them. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">As for the stitchery project. I'm on the letter S for Sheep and spiderweb stitch which is giving an added fluffy dimension to the sheep. As I've been discussing in this newsletter from time to time, I've taken a departure from the execution of this pattern to add quilty elements to the project. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">If you're interested you can grab the original charts <a href="https://www.rainbowgallery.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/DDPScan_04_14_16002.pdf" target="_blank">here</a>. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge1tmmw81W2MTNuH2HkmP457CYYsI3izx5jIKTyoPKIfbdXylLhGBrqqcbe55VsFvAGUsSkkO6fpg4xvgSS75n1KI2iRYJsll9vKcCShhOqcNTz_FZ4U7SMjXrjFCDtBZqEltZikhqOMO2/s1600/NoSew4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge1tmmw81W2MTNuH2HkmP457CYYsI3izx5jIKTyoPKIfbdXylLhGBrqqcbe55VsFvAGUsSkkO6fpg4xvgSS75n1KI2iRYJsll9vKcCShhOqcNTz_FZ4U7SMjXrjFCDtBZqEltZikhqOMO2/s320/NoSew4.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">With just a few letters left, I am looking forward to sharing more on the final stages of this project soon.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">To keep things interesting this week, I switched things up a bit to add some beading to the stitchery routine. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I think I shared a similar starfish project a couple weeks ago. My embroidery guild is making some for a holiday tree charity event at the local art museum. Unfortunately, I don't have permission to share those pattern notes here. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixaVu4zwoqUM5EjurunliGOfT2QTq7D-GnKiwogaGRuddOir6kaIB3b5RjnrjSZsi98cJFYIKmbkWjmCbI_g-aEaSKQUkd0eBSoqYtQp_kS3ZFfq-T-cOJCfRhzAoZQw5vKFbPrvPwWYfi/s1600/NoSew5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixaVu4zwoqUM5EjurunliGOfT2QTq7D-GnKiwogaGRuddOir6kaIB3b5RjnrjSZsi98cJFYIKmbkWjmCbI_g-aEaSKQUkd0eBSoqYtQp_kS3ZFfq-T-cOJCfRhzAoZQw5vKFbPrvPwWYfi/s320/NoSew5.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">However, even better (I think), I am happy to share this <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D07fmQzbw3k" target="_blank">YouTube video</a> that walks you through all the steps to create this two-sided version of the starfish. I like this version even better because the starfish are finished on both sides.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Now, if you're not familiar with beading, these instructions may not make much sense. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEPMW1k8VDR4gFTuOtPrZgz2xbzLYbWcoeiaASDsfnwcNmNtW4_u0G2wlytOFNSkM7L-Me6j01vLj0gXqdD-KNxFrYIYRi-RtHIwpcm1beatUkQ7cQJZM4p8PJK5qBoGwBAx_sfc3QEoaS/s1600/NoSew6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEPMW1k8VDR4gFTuOtPrZgz2xbzLYbWcoeiaASDsfnwcNmNtW4_u0G2wlytOFNSkM7L-Me6j01vLj0gXqdD-KNxFrYIYRi-RtHIwpcm1beatUkQ7cQJZM4p8PJK5qBoGwBAx_sfc3QEoaS/s320/NoSew6.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The two-sided starfish feel a bit more 'stable' than the one-sided version making them a bit more versatile for things like zipper or key chain fobs. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Here is one I attached to my purse zipper with a jewelry ring.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWQ2E-R99tTwWQgOw0wbJV11jlkBQRAW7uHzH6iC0Olga7m4N7uaGdnaZ6Bv388ymP0ESSRKYC99jWqySfGqRLjzHvp9uebyFEATdaCvpIpqMwRZyDQVWXbHqNoJnoK6kZvV-8uKO0RxFi/s1600/NoSew7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWQ2E-R99tTwWQgOw0wbJV11jlkBQRAW7uHzH6iC0Olga7m4N7uaGdnaZ6Bv388ymP0ESSRKYC99jWqySfGqRLjzHvp9uebyFEATdaCvpIpqMwRZyDQVWXbHqNoJnoK6kZvV-8uKO0RxFi/s320/NoSew7.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Next week, maybe I'll have a few more sewing machine things to share. . . or not! You never know what will turn up around here.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><i>Happy Stitching!</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><i>Joan</i></span> Joan Fordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07147703923580700132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6726456144656096359.post-90052419590955842622019-09-12T11:00:00.000-04:002019-09-12T11:00:06.227-04:00A Curvy Treat<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Once the kits for <a href="https://hummingbird-highway.com/theflock/" target="_blank">The FLOCK</a> ship around the 12th of each month. I sometimes find myself with a little bit of extra time in the sewing room. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">With the September FLOCK shipment running smoothly and slightly ahead of schedule, I was able to pull out a cool tool I purchased earlier this summer at a quilt show from Linda Warren Designs. The tool is called <a href="http://lindawarrendesigns.com/products.html" target="_blank">The Learning Curve</a>. (By the way, not an affiliate, just a fan.)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTyBPvTPlouU5EhqUMVPzpMINyl1IgFOoSVOVBrk6mWAhrZnfnsn0fvXHb0p9e_SG0GYreb_atbRU_I3iXM20qrRA5mQ4MTrmt7DLrYAttx4nBIww9hOtAGyiywv36ZKsyd4asTC2aaDNB/s1600/LCurve1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="learning curve ruler" border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTyBPvTPlouU5EhqUMVPzpMINyl1IgFOoSVOVBrk6mWAhrZnfnsn0fvXHb0p9e_SG0GYreb_atbRU_I3iXM20qrRA5mQ4MTrmt7DLrYAttx4nBIww9hOtAGyiywv36ZKsyd4asTC2aaDNB/s320/LCurve1.jpg" title="" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I've been aching to play with this nifty trimming tool for a while now. A couple of projects seemed to override my curiosity. So this week, I grabbed a bit of my morning sewing routine to give it a go.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">You know I like scraps! So I started with my <a href="https://hummingbird-highway.com/product-category/books/" target="_blank">ScrapTherapy bin</a> full of 2" and 3-1/2" square pre-cut scraps, and grabbed about a half-yard (for now, just to get started) of a light aqua polky dotty print (not shown here). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLwqDCY1geH1ikuTc50Nkv1BmeKAoq0HTsNvopR1fVjrCgbM9oy-V4yVooAuLK0AsngkLmNNN6bjuTAgsanidWg3xcC0DEvp55CVaP3aTqxfv6VZHnloDn2WOZ6uMHqCxkeqXygNOgvKp2/s1600/LCurve2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLwqDCY1geH1ikuTc50Nkv1BmeKAoq0HTsNvopR1fVjrCgbM9oy-V4yVooAuLK0AsngkLmNNN6bjuTAgsanidWg3xcC0DEvp55CVaP3aTqxfv6VZHnloDn2WOZ6uMHqCxkeqXygNOgvKp2/s320/LCurve2.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The tool comes with real basic instructions. More pictures than words, and that's okay. The tool is pretty intuitive. You make the block elements in pairs; they are oversized, and you use the tool to cut the curves and trim them after sewing. I started with a pair of 3-1/2" squares, one scrap and one polky dot. Stacked them, then trimmed for "Method 6" on the instruction sheet.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivq5R8A57zSWQ1UO9HCWgHGzc3pK6GOrJ9HDEvznw1f7K4tfpaMMX6880BHh9urnxDtGoD8Lnea_FNyNwfao4aP9LcnXbsurRHDCjCx0sDSSJ7_W2ndyWBMpEswuuLCEoI_iQrCD2Q0AVz/s1600/LCurve4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivq5R8A57zSWQ1UO9HCWgHGzc3pK6GOrJ9HDEvznw1f7K4tfpaMMX6880BHh9urnxDtGoD8Lnea_FNyNwfao4aP9LcnXbsurRHDCjCx0sDSSJ7_W2ndyWBMpEswuuLCEoI_iQrCD2Q0AVz/s320/LCurve4.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">There are a bunch of different block options this tool can do, identified by 'method' number. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Okay, so, yeah. This is curved piecing. But Linda makes the whole curved thing very easy and forgiving. She doesn't necessarily advocate aligning things or using pins, but this 'old dog' likes the comfort of a few pins in the set up so the sewing is mindless--the pins aren't necessary , but they are just my preference . . . I started with the two curved pieces (the 'pie' and the 'crust'), then made a pinched crease on the curved edge in the middle of each.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4niIGGXCqLxc-ZRF17A0huTHneei-ECdK-kop8JVqrCVtUznYLWZyQf7pFwadLQTw7Fjb9QDePqrK-LglQak2fc8xhFOuXQj653fq099UZjlN8c7QpaG7vLn47567em04b8uT6kh7iOMV/s1600/LCurve6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4niIGGXCqLxc-ZRF17A0huTHneei-ECdK-kop8JVqrCVtUznYLWZyQf7pFwadLQTw7Fjb9QDePqrK-LglQak2fc8xhFOuXQj653fq099UZjlN8c7QpaG7vLn47567em04b8uT6kh7iOMV/s320/LCurve6.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I placed the two pieces right sides together (yes I switched fabric colors on you for my photos), pie-shape on the top, crust on the bottom, and one pin to line up the middle. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTyf3hxn7jUdwBY8UV1wgZSbytaGWwprpfAeel7VNv-4kuyZqh79bVrCqHQJIkqGVVJXpyfLfkOw-YPgrv5X-3mA2HQGQnaahgTIeu5gwEeThYozrJGKkfeZBuP6VBEP9kY7b6_bGEbCBs/s1600/LCurve8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTyf3hxn7jUdwBY8UV1wgZSbytaGWwprpfAeel7VNv-4kuyZqh79bVrCqHQJIkqGVVJXpyfLfkOw-YPgrv5X-3mA2HQGQnaahgTIeu5gwEeThYozrJGKkfeZBuP6VBEP9kY7b6_bGEbCBs/s320/LCurve8.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I then added two more pins on each side of the curve, easing the fabric edges around and securing them.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Notice that the pin points 'point' to the location of the soon-to-be seam. But they are far enough away from the fabric edge so I won't be running over the pins when I sew. That way, I can leave them be and take them out after the sewing.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI23YPWvTVYHHUqUEHqjsjio8KZu4kvo-gA-GRF-RIPhilRFVxNIbBThSZNeW0noC2c0v0MavFiR-eqa2IX46x0PGCnZfZ-rQpoivHSi5toPo7ToK4eSCmOGKJaIilFCVO5Xgp_zSPhCRq/s1600/LCurve9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI23YPWvTVYHHUqUEHqjsjio8KZu4kvo-gA-GRF-RIPhilRFVxNIbBThSZNeW0noC2c0v0MavFiR-eqa2IX46x0PGCnZfZ-rQpoivHSi5toPo7ToK4eSCmOGKJaIilFCVO5Xgp_zSPhCRq/s320/LCurve9.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Next I sew along the curve. Linda recommends an 1/8" seam and a short stitch length. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I ease in any edges that get a mind of their own as I go along. But as previously stated, the curve is gentle and forgiving, so you can be a little off and you'll be fine.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5BO9iY7TFNkKLUJLMGfBa_xGolednlTSjDUPGKw88sagrg1hNzzeZ40hvH2wFqD0TuQDY-IgkJjG_ynW_t2UiXHEFKjOpO8W8-RVz-C3staVpKjLAmFl_H-KQXsJgO3HbB8o5MV2dFLpC/s1600/LCurve10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5BO9iY7TFNkKLUJLMGfBa_xGolednlTSjDUPGKw88sagrg1hNzzeZ40hvH2wFqD0TuQDY-IgkJjG_ynW_t2UiXHEFKjOpO8W8-RVz-C3staVpKjLAmFl_H-KQXsJgO3HbB8o5MV2dFLpC/s320/LCurve10.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Now, after pressing the seams to one side (either side will do, but I pressed toward the scrap and away from the dotty yardage fabric) I have what looks like a hot mess. ends don't match, but the curve looks pretty good. . .</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVT5NaKkuLSec1vpAok4DOi5totmdtel-XMRWcuZFFaqoyU2Ww1POO8yNdXBTfJOL4VxKCM4vf2W68AdQvWB3mvUwsbd8rc0tgLhZYrficcSjSKPLOM-8GhgM0hpwclF0lSCr9XEJwuCi_/s1600/LCurve11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVT5NaKkuLSec1vpAok4DOi5totmdtel-XMRWcuZFFaqoyU2Ww1POO8yNdXBTfJOL4VxKCM4vf2W68AdQvWB3mvUwsbd8rc0tgLhZYrficcSjSKPLOM-8GhgM0hpwclF0lSCr9XEJwuCi_/s320/LCurve11.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Enter the trimming tool (the well-marked dots on the tool (red arrows) are the key to success!) to turn the hot mess into a nicely trimmed. . .</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqbsddRZ7IXlrohWxOQiO4uqrr8iBN3HPViIuHj9n2HHHiBrXEIQgqP7cCTQj8JR017ja7ThSVFVDff6hiO08mgrYm7Ey-jniN0UzUm2R04z61ztes07dvmfh1kHLFItxEKv_U0jn0Galp/s1600/LCurve12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqbsddRZ7IXlrohWxOQiO4uqrr8iBN3HPViIuHj9n2HHHiBrXEIQgqP7cCTQj8JR017ja7ThSVFVDff6hiO08mgrYm7Ey-jniN0UzUm2R04z61ztes07dvmfh1kHLFItxEKv_U0jn0Galp/s320/LCurve12.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> . . . 2-1/2" square (for 'method 6'). With curved-pieced center. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5BRbrGCm2Lwc_NWxY9tRxJap4KFRCQH14OKoZjkf5JkNLVLtCcbAr6x3y5G5PhJlS0-OaatMJn84ZmHNF7HHgWx1Fww64B45EAPSZC3gF1nLb0eTAeO3PHsUWmCiGk43LFOJSfb5J7Mav/s1600/LCurve13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5BRbrGCm2Lwc_NWxY9tRxJap4KFRCQH14OKoZjkf5JkNLVLtCcbAr6x3y5G5PhJlS0-OaatMJn84ZmHNF7HHgWx1Fww64B45EAPSZC3gF1nLb0eTAeO3PHsUWmCiGk43LFOJSfb5J7Mav/s320/LCurve13.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">You make the units in pairs, and pretty quickly, there are enough to start to see bigger units coming together. As you can imagine, rotating a couple of these units changes everything. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">However, my sewing time for the day was over. So I'll have to continue on with this project when I find another sewing/playing window, hopefully soon!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvg4coD-U9uAsjwV9Yk6EEo09c11WUzvXz1vw9C7JSPtQIfmM5dqp4kAkbCadfDvjpuf945mQuvov8CSTZ-xbIFwV4gGPA_0gOqatxMm_pSi6-nrfnKMni0r9nvzeQb7AA_3tjwogKkfp_/s1600/LCurve14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvg4coD-U9uAsjwV9Yk6EEo09c11WUzvXz1vw9C7JSPtQIfmM5dqp4kAkbCadfDvjpuf945mQuvov8CSTZ-xbIFwV4gGPA_0gOqatxMm_pSi6-nrfnKMni0r9nvzeQb7AA_3tjwogKkfp_/s320/LCurve14.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Overall, I really enjoyed playing with The Learning Curve, and I can see an interesting project emerging. . . slowly and gradually as I can fit it in. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The tool is certainly good for curved piecers at any level, even beginners! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">About the only setback I saw was some pretty size-able trimming scraps. But since I started with scraps, I'm good with using them up! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbfBDPluLjh7-Oqc-fioR42Uqtrt1pob3UBb3fGKDyiFgSpIzwYT8_ZFFPzCr8dzyyqLSZXNrSnpulMdSsLtq86lxxJPnNYqbpHGhcnaN1rR1ZfzXho6LE-oow3-j-6Aa7MPG9GQ830eVa/s1600/LCurve15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbfBDPluLjh7-Oqc-fioR42Uqtrt1pob3UBb3fGKDyiFgSpIzwYT8_ZFFPzCr8dzyyqLSZXNrSnpulMdSsLtq86lxxJPnNYqbpHGhcnaN1rR1ZfzXho6LE-oow3-j-6Aa7MPG9GQ830eVa/s320/LCurve15.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">There would be similar fabric usage - or worse - using other curved trimming tools, so the ease of use and the impact here is certainly worth the extra bits of fabric, in my mind. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">More on this project soon! I'm kinda itchin' to get back to it to see what's going to come next . . .!</span><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Happy Stitiching!</span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><i>Joan </i></span>Joan Fordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07147703923580700132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6726456144656096359.post-75429939500132583292019-09-05T11:00:00.000-04:002019-09-05T11:00:04.039-04:00Fair-ly State-d<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Around here, it's kinda tradition. Syracuse is pretty much the geographic center of the Empire State, so the <a href="https://nysfair.ny.gov/" target="_blank">New York State Fair </a>is just a stone's throw from my home. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Since I was a kid, an annual trip to the fair at some point during the last couple weeks before and including Labor Day weekend is almost expected from central New Yorkers!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2DTZImia_KIEamPp3qg4st-v9Z2ELMsxpVb19qkRJwiTfF3uhEzIHMuM7w3Op6p7oC7-i_1NeQieMSa1GhwPdR88BvI9TZ3Pvtn_sqF_YnyjR4JM02PloxYGRl-e9DxgPXPXvIrGp0McZ/s1600/FairlyStated1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2DTZImia_KIEamPp3qg4st-v9Z2ELMsxpVb19qkRJwiTfF3uhEzIHMuM7w3Op6p7oC7-i_1NeQieMSa1GhwPdR88BvI9TZ3Pvtn_sqF_YnyjR4JM02PloxYGRl-e9DxgPXPXvIrGp0McZ/s320/FairlyStated1.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Usually State Fair week (it's actually 13 days long) starts the thermometer on an upward trajectory along with high humidity. This year, the weather was a bit milder than usual. So my sister and I set out on Labor Day Monday after a few morning showers cleared away.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Weather or no, one of our favorite stops is the arts and crafts displays. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Everything from quilts to woodworking, all hand made by individuals who live all over the state is on display and in contention for ribbons in a variety of categories. . .</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6XQmmQmYuqpPBH5pTHiPKOpoH-Sk9fenu5hyphenhyphenYb68Gm1iyx9lpq421IVtEotsVN3hlaCMxd7JWSb4DLbaqaCZcNIHSLFHOGhedeDnMNUY_rZ0G2rSoe2gFJW5n2UBeMikonitw4lKZvJdr/s1600/FairlyStated2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6XQmmQmYuqpPBH5pTHiPKOpoH-Sk9fenu5hyphenhyphenYb68Gm1iyx9lpq421IVtEotsVN3hlaCMxd7JWSb4DLbaqaCZcNIHSLFHOGhedeDnMNUY_rZ0G2rSoe2gFJW5n2UBeMikonitw4lKZvJdr/s320/FairlyStated2.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">This caged bird was a unique entry. . . and of course its A BIRD! So I had to take a closer look!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlhM9NaoE_T6p3jsIjnOgJZHYAeGMXP_G2lUpLox7JfXVDHjR1G5tu6dmdYBoSJvt275RuD42Jk_k2KdxnOyaQWlSXwWYIuMlpRfDvAbw-hP5jsAp35Sp1tsHKH80b7mJ-6DEfTm8kqkSl/s1600/FairlyStated3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlhM9NaoE_T6p3jsIjnOgJZHYAeGMXP_G2lUpLox7JfXVDHjR1G5tu6dmdYBoSJvt275RuD42Jk_k2KdxnOyaQWlSXwWYIuMlpRfDvAbw-hP5jsAp35Sp1tsHKH80b7mJ-6DEfTm8kqkSl/s320/FairlyStated3.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Always nice to see items made by someone I know personally. . . . Congrats to all the ribbon winners!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkwLyLptnoeWteqGgWI5zFlBIuEu9ilrURmMTwUpMXGbABTizDvnBf_HcpjRFEibLPo8PcY5W5xFSof9FQBTmDb7_7CF8rIi7Z53fn21jUxuHFQhFGrsrTY1WFkYgBiCLTQ5N6QE8BMc9C/s1600/FairlyStated4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkwLyLptnoeWteqGgWI5zFlBIuEu9ilrURmMTwUpMXGbABTizDvnBf_HcpjRFEibLPo8PcY5W5xFSof9FQBTmDb7_7CF8rIi7Z53fn21jUxuHFQhFGrsrTY1WFkYgBiCLTQ5N6QE8BMc9C/s320/FairlyStated4.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The local news gets into the action too, making this building and display one of the hot spots of the 13-day fair run.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Just outside the building where the quilts and other goodies are, there is a raptor area. Most of the large predatory birds in this exhibit have been injured and can't be returned to their natural habitat.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">This bird (below) seems to be jones-ing for an extra mouse with his/her handler. The spotted owl below, below shows off his beautiful feathers and human-like facial features</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYhnMVlXP4bCKo2a2QUYt4-e17bUSUl_E8KwhLAo6fanPb-PkRJf0UCrIOFbN4dMfbAiVKfZ-MDriM7HPqjukXYoIIDE8fa1c_5KEamSHB8r3JiVu1ddQ6cmuSxM8XUyzO7zVjwcN0s0wZ/s1600/FairlyStated7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYhnMVlXP4bCKo2a2QUYt4-e17bUSUl_E8KwhLAo6fanPb-PkRJf0UCrIOFbN4dMfbAiVKfZ-MDriM7HPqjukXYoIIDE8fa1c_5KEamSHB8r3JiVu1ddQ6cmuSxM8XUyzO7zVjwcN0s0wZ/s320/FairlyStated7.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">What State Fair visit is complete without a visit to the animal competitions? By Labor Day, the larger farm animals have already left the grounds, leaving the smaller domestics like poultry and rabbits on display . . . </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYQQ0X64GHu_CFHvcCD97HrQCck7d_RPbvDksH1MLbEZBN_ey4eci5Oi6tlnqeIpBm1QJkU8feKoAODURtzy-y4lkdmioxG4fONIODQtU-lFJ0pGaplYfDRah7xv_ue_4rr3i-ZIbBdL7B/s1600/FairlyStated8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYQQ0X64GHu_CFHvcCD97HrQCck7d_RPbvDksH1MLbEZBN_ey4eci5Oi6tlnqeIpBm1QJkU8feKoAODURtzy-y4lkdmioxG4fONIODQtU-lFJ0pGaplYfDRah7xv_ue_4rr3i-ZIbBdL7B/s320/FairlyStated8.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">And of course, the Fair food. I splurged on this delicious rib platter from the <a href="https://www.dinosaurbarbque.com/syracuse/" target="_blank">Dinosaur Bar-B-Que</a> stand. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Need I say: YUM!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Following the main course, you've gotta have dessert. Off to the dairy building (don't you love the cow print on the picnic tables?) for a peek at the butter sculpture while debating which ice cream flavor to have!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH7yjJLpK3pcwujlNEge6l1FS5S6INtyKbIUPVFkrTxy3-VHRYz_A9Qe4RjDNlnsa7RegJgnHzmrQPWaTluhQ1Oxv1l-HcbG_4uVPtnph3YjBN-WLtlBm0nTtD_fHgzjkejj_E3wFCEDQu/s1600/FairlyStated12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH7yjJLpK3pcwujlNEge6l1FS5S6INtyKbIUPVFkrTxy3-VHRYz_A9Qe4RjDNlnsa7RegJgnHzmrQPWaTluhQ1Oxv1l-HcbG_4uVPtnph3YjBN-WLtlBm0nTtD_fHgzjkejj_E3wFCEDQu/s320/FairlyStated12.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Almost every day, the main entertainment stage offers free entertainment. On Labor Day, my sister and I joined a couple thousand of our 'closest' friends to see <a href="https://www.syracuse.com/statefair/2019/09/gavin-degraws-homecoming-a-spirited-finale-to-the-2019-nys-fair-chevy-court-review.html" target="_blank">Gavin DeGraw </a>in concert. He's one of my favorites - blue-eyed soul/pop. The concert was excellent, if you're into that kinda thing. . . </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The rainy-day start turned into an absolutely lovely day and evening. As we walked back across the bridge to where the car was parked, the sliver of a moon could be spotted in a colorful evening sky. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">A fitting end to a wonderful summer weekend! And so the sun sets on the Fair and the 'official' summer season all at once. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Time to get down to FALL stitchin'!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><i>Happy Stitching!</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><i>Joan</i></span><br />
<br />Joan Fordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07147703923580700132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6726456144656096359.post-33902915871241214032019-08-29T11:00:00.000-04:002019-08-29T11:00:07.104-04:00There, There!<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Off I went to the retreat last weekend. What a great time and fun bunch of crafters!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">We arrived at <a href="http://whiteagle.com/" target="_blank">White Eagle Conference Center</a> (The Grove) in Hamilton, NY - near Colgate University.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The area is quite remote and the scenery and grounds, just stunning. The perfect place to run away for some peace and quiet and to do some stitching!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfQ1te-3L1hGNDyH2zsY65qpeuAXEaVT7RIWiMco10pzVG1kOwkcKo5dTEGTbrVK4RSmELfgoEj89-RgfoYeKCepKtO64qoq_gyHPnJfaDJs9PG9iQFFpIpei9u4V1d6aQTvGDRbQi5jp5/s1600/WhiteEagle1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfQ1te-3L1hGNDyH2zsY65qpeuAXEaVT7RIWiMco10pzVG1kOwkcKo5dTEGTbrVK4RSmELfgoEj89-RgfoYeKCepKtO64qoq_gyHPnJfaDJs9PG9iQFFpIpei9u4V1d6aQTvGDRbQi5jp5/s320/WhiteEagle1.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The main lodge in the Grove area of the complex houses the dining room. Our sleeping quarters were rustic little cabins. The sewing took place in a separate building.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">This photo is looking up toward the lodge (where we ate) from the edge of Lake Moraine.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHSqPDwFO6tKP3CgkVxYZgUwtazsSZ2A_S03__j0LoeUq6hQPIqMw21V4Uuao8c9r3yGU_55WxtpDNuiDrqWJbA50FLZcH9DU0hxauGesGXpbO9OoWTmEiUKRGrS8jsGnL5kLylVwIgI_C/s1600/WhiteEagle2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHSqPDwFO6tKP3CgkVxYZgUwtazsSZ2A_S03__j0LoeUq6hQPIqMw21V4Uuao8c9r3yGU_55WxtpDNuiDrqWJbA50FLZcH9DU0hxauGesGXpbO9OoWTmEiUKRGrS8jsGnL5kLylVwIgI_C/s320/WhiteEagle2.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">If I turn around in that exact same spot, the lake is now in front of me. This photo is early in the morning, as the mist was rising from the water.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwXzalsw5UNxh1A5KPMLSH8bTw9kwtfJGmReooM3o30UzWPPPVdr24M6ZjCfH38q3octk9Yx8Fd4pvQT7KrwiZfnfmDfPNwmUFTJYx5LzPhJNxYUYlkYApe0xtkI3HZHAX8TxbCWUIufqM/s1600/WhiteEagle3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwXzalsw5UNxh1A5KPMLSH8bTw9kwtfJGmReooM3o30UzWPPPVdr24M6ZjCfH38q3octk9Yx8Fd4pvQT7KrwiZfnfmDfPNwmUFTJYx5LzPhJNxYUYlkYApe0xtkI3HZHAX8TxbCWUIufqM/s320/WhiteEagle3.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Late summer flowers are in full bloom everywhere. Someone really cares for these garden spaces!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTk6N-vkAocCZyMGsBuGSaHFGSAR_xZraNeiT9iDza_Z68WruspZVzDzhH7u3Byjjjp7IIuiI2WQf7DJRd7YvVASgUxdoF18BNdstuvjSNhSFM9vPuKoE56T90yWpw3XtNJBkVULqW2gMl/s1600/WhiteEagle4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTk6N-vkAocCZyMGsBuGSaHFGSAR_xZraNeiT9iDza_Z68WruspZVzDzhH7u3Byjjjp7IIuiI2WQf7DJRd7YvVASgUxdoF18BNdstuvjSNhSFM9vPuKoE56T90yWpw3XtNJBkVULqW2gMl/s320/WhiteEagle4.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Not sure, but this might be a beech tree.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Fuzzy-coated nuts have spent the summer getting to this stage.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7w-exD7Z6nuTdWqjtEoseHYzZSTW6P16nhsP1IAPaulvoy1JMIQm75pNAUuKwSJRe3VkhtiNELEpoCpmpJARxYA4axUx-p_QMgZ2ZjL43OEb7ddtb6pqZVy4chaObaBR6vCcxPu1HWHSj/s1600/WhiteEagle5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7w-exD7Z6nuTdWqjtEoseHYzZSTW6P16nhsP1IAPaulvoy1JMIQm75pNAUuKwSJRe3VkhtiNELEpoCpmpJARxYA4axUx-p_QMgZ2ZjL43OEb7ddtb6pqZVy4chaObaBR6vCcxPu1HWHSj/s320/WhiteEagle5.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">For a moment, I thought I might have been transported to a different place and time. This classic Thunderbird convertible belongs to the the part-time bartender for events at the conference center facility.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Don Brown is a New York Yankees superfan! (D'ya think?!) Upon retirement, he decided to treat himself to this classic car, and decked it out in pin stripes and Yankees logos. A Mickey Mantle look-alike, he takes the car to events to raise awareness for <a href="https://www.donatelife.net/" target="_blank">Organ Donation</a> in Mickey Mantle's name. You might say he's pretty passionate about the cause (and Yankees baseball!) The car is signed by two of Mickey Mantle's sons as well as Goose Gossage, Hall of Fame pitcher. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSw-5C4v7_CFxsfjSJZ3dHnrEMsBy4u-BEQHP0AnuyWZuM38hB0zC9Tg5JYZgvhcIUgUmg8pMLiv4W6DPFXYNYB_5lKGbSO4ANZBth2OQNR7s27LjC3c3BGuGQ8V7DAtaSsST4e2gUHuSF/s1600/WhiteEagle6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSw-5C4v7_CFxsfjSJZ3dHnrEMsBy4u-BEQHP0AnuyWZuM38hB0zC9Tg5JYZgvhcIUgUmg8pMLiv4W6DPFXYNYB_5lKGbSO4ANZBth2OQNR7s27LjC3c3BGuGQ8V7DAtaSsST4e2gUHuSF/s320/WhiteEagle6.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYPNsFtLGOcIbOZ6YJiLVfHOz6X6rmkHDaThUpBF64hLhTaqNDpquu-oK8jIkLvl0UzLUuiYyQc1eJNY0wMqcyuXl7ISyTN4qJliKcCB3ajx5ZCsKQmb2d58YhKfC3cUHo3LEWLD_b0SWs/s1600/WhiteEagle7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYPNsFtLGOcIbOZ6YJiLVfHOz6X6rmkHDaThUpBF64hLhTaqNDpquu-oK8jIkLvl0UzLUuiYyQc1eJNY0wMqcyuXl7ISyTN4qJliKcCB3ajx5ZCsKQmb2d58YhKfC3cUHo3LEWLD_b0SWs/s320/WhiteEagle7.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Back inside, a girl has to keep her strength up to support all the creativity going on.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Fortunately, there were a few snacks on hand. . . </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFCg5z6SjopWkNAqAMUm6jK2K6jtstlCKm_4SsTcT2JyOwjNFfozJ5J8SjvimaLWzBpAzUTPqW5HTNUs_5e6TqYPlF_qI5SCgBBHC3Fa69Ef1N6vpU1JXklUIcvy413NmFkxbQ9EBxVonN/s1600/WhiteEagle8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFCg5z6SjopWkNAqAMUm6jK2K6jtstlCKm_4SsTcT2JyOwjNFfozJ5J8SjvimaLWzBpAzUTPqW5HTNUs_5e6TqYPlF_qI5SCgBBHC3Fa69Ef1N6vpU1JXklUIcvy413NmFkxbQ9EBxVonN/s320/WhiteEagle8.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Around the room, lots of different creations were coming to life.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">We had quilters. . .</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKiKgZLgBFNiYvKhJg4y1CPwx-E1Y9fuzrhBezc720KkbHpzf774HsvghpKX_cvnzpTe-nWraD1KirmdEEY723BsF4n8uauUeMnKJUEt8gk8Rq8-5luaI6LITi2AWsTQ_C-sE_TPvAffga/s1600/WhiteEagle9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKiKgZLgBFNiYvKhJg4y1CPwx-E1Y9fuzrhBezc720KkbHpzf774HsvghpKX_cvnzpTe-nWraD1KirmdEEY723BsF4n8uauUeMnKJUEt8gk8Rq8-5luaI6LITi2AWsTQ_C-sE_TPvAffga/s320/WhiteEagle9.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> . . Embroiderers and needle pointers. . .</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Several ladies were working on intricate stitching on hand-painted canvas like this one featuring silk ribbons and other unique fibers.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRWIjQc5KmXi9IfNjuYPQwHfH4nps7soRUMUiUKhWoJxbtGJGNxLdbH3N5qTa5zad3ZCXuciOogY0ethhXTirdXe3u1Ufnk3Vlw23D6YXhzC0ThZkoG7mWY5AiNE9HJ1n6DEA5qHKbfS3I/s1600/WhiteEagle10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRWIjQc5KmXi9IfNjuYPQwHfH4nps7soRUMUiUKhWoJxbtGJGNxLdbH3N5qTa5zad3ZCXuciOogY0ethhXTirdXe3u1Ufnk3Vlw23D6YXhzC0ThZkoG7mWY5AiNE9HJ1n6DEA5qHKbfS3I/s320/WhiteEagle10.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I managed to finish a couple of beading projects. And I completed the stitching on the peacock - formerly a bookmark, now soon-to-be -- I'm not quite sure -- either a pillow or a wall-hanging. It needs some fabric borders. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGSvr_lTIhUc-qwCBw2lZj5f53pW02KGPOoCNfAA3NyGooFLQh1cdxoYaINMRmhf0WihyMWoeInjlKeIoXK0hjrvxqYzwFqSQwYUn7237XY8Ku0qAGmRylKEAgO1wKCeha19kauCY3sEuj/s1600/WhiteEagle11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGSvr_lTIhUc-qwCBw2lZj5f53pW02KGPOoCNfAA3NyGooFLQh1cdxoYaINMRmhf0WihyMWoeInjlKeIoXK0hjrvxqYzwFqSQwYUn7237XY8Ku0qAGmRylKEAgO1wKCeha19kauCY3sEuj/s320/WhiteEagle11.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Plus a new little blackwork project found its way into the 'projects underway' pile!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-oA6UjMcHzX2Agu35rTd2_3cc3RKaq-tjNL0JY_STPLG8WiPauv2OwMhxlWHAGdBAWt27MdFRYgTGzAiKFiByRl6VyBL6RsMdgTe4KZpvKUwvIp9fjf0iBdVBFzK1cvjhLjJIbtJxL8Mo/s1600/WhiteEagle12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-oA6UjMcHzX2Agu35rTd2_3cc3RKaq-tjNL0JY_STPLG8WiPauv2OwMhxlWHAGdBAWt27MdFRYgTGzAiKFiByRl6VyBL6RsMdgTe4KZpvKUwvIp9fjf0iBdVBFzK1cvjhLjJIbtJxL8Mo/s320/WhiteEagle12.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">My biggest observation from my chair near the snack table was that all of these projects were coming together in their own good time. No one seemed pressed for time, and deadlines seemingly disappeared into our surroundings, laughter, and good gab going on around the room. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHvQ7zANcoCqTa-Y_m5GZhCW8Afg3h8QNCHerDG0IZxrUkdpexj1AJxmlXs98l0khHRBU2eqU2TdmlHYIdpIQe2MCn13lwASDK9f1Ht1GnVyVf2McsXVpRuJiR9Ip6MkhtSLvaUeCw_Abe/s1600/WhiteEagle13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHvQ7zANcoCqTa-Y_m5GZhCW8Afg3h8QNCHerDG0IZxrUkdpexj1AJxmlXs98l0khHRBU2eqU2TdmlHYIdpIQe2MCn13lwASDK9f1Ht1GnVyVf2McsXVpRuJiR9Ip6MkhtSLvaUeCw_Abe/s320/WhiteEagle13.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Sometimes, it takes getting away from the usual day-to-day activity to be reminded of what's important. We do this stuff because the journey is enjoyable and satisfying. The people you meet are more important than ticking off the stuff on your list. . . </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I'm already looking forward to the next retreat!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><i>Happy Stitching!</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><i>Joan</i></span> Joan Fordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07147703923580700132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6726456144656096359.post-65406078834460648712019-08-22T11:00:00.000-04:002019-08-22T11:00:00.952-04:00Time Out!<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I'm a bit distracted today. It has been a while since I've gone on a sewing retreat, just for me. I love them. It's kinda why I got into the whole quilting thing to start with. Quilting is a social sport, after all. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">This time I'm headed to a stitchery retreat a bit later this morning, and I'm really excited to work on the stuff I'm bringing, excited to meet new people and see what they're working on, and excited for a short change in routine, just for the weekend. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Do you know the feeling? Are you a retreat person, or a sew-alone person? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Of course, there are the decisions . . . what to bring. . . </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Couple evenings ago at my embroidery guild meeting, I learned how to make these little starfish. Mine (shown) isn't done yet, it's about the size of a quarter and still has a few rounds left. Don't look too closely, I'm rusty with the beading, and this isn't perfect. . .</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYB8u3MHMGGsLMELRPgLkV6B7J3OkkJv_eiqZa7VSCIRkaPr_he3ZuBtMZsmMHpF3E6EpDGX2D_vFZFO1I_Qcfd1IB3ivnf47xWkbQZ0ggGEF4OGVBjO5ZAX7MLXxE3OsnCGTaiPtLLsMP/s1600/EmbRetreat1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYB8u3MHMGGsLMELRPgLkV6B7J3OkkJv_eiqZa7VSCIRkaPr_he3ZuBtMZsmMHpF3E6EpDGX2D_vFZFO1I_Qcfd1IB3ivnf47xWkbQZ0ggGEF4OGVBjO5ZAX7MLXxE3OsnCGTaiPtLLsMP/s320/EmbRetreat1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">This starfish, when it's done will be part of a nautical-themed holiday tree at the <a href="https://everson.org/connect/events/festival-trees" target="_blank">Festival of Trees at the Everson Museum</a> in Syracuse later this year. The guild is sponsoring a tree and all the decorations are going to be hand made. From what I've seen of the decorations being completed, it's shaping up quite nicely!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I might have to make an extra starfish or two for myself after this one is finished! . . . They are a little like potato chips . . . .</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">But it made me dig out the beading stuff and pack it up to take with me to the retreat. . . . because you can always add one more project to the list, right? I have already packed enough stuff to keep me busy for three WEEKS, unfortunately, the getaway is three DAYS. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqbZajo6SzmwAOwW6ts2JewrmQtJLoV9jF65SFOlkVsU7nQi8VB7qxB53_eE5003frCKNv_4teiTEa0afuXib1HBp8_5zIM7GqdMHrFDcv9kDMGzZJzzovujQMnOL9RjAUqfmWMdTMzhWK/s1600/EmbRetreat2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqbZajo6SzmwAOwW6ts2JewrmQtJLoV9jF65SFOlkVsU7nQi8VB7qxB53_eE5003frCKNv_4teiTEa0afuXib1HBp8_5zIM7GqdMHrFDcv9kDMGzZJzzovujQMnOL9RjAUqfmWMdTMzhWK/s320/EmbRetreat2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I'm also taking along this peacock book mark that is morphing into a peacock wall-hanging. I am modifying the pattern from one that appeared in a <a href="https://amzn.to/31RGJVR" target="_blank">single issue magazine</a> (aff.) at a news stand about a year ago.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">It's moving right along and I'm almost ready to start the fabric borders. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGFcAAudaic1AJUvrAXnwhYlqbMpSqBapM7j-SwnuzkOS0MhsO7Xots0Tmdkspw76_3Keq4F1GZVC_WLXGlqa-Gjwxjz5Aeht3Suy0g_0epL0d-m5iDBs3XRdr6_1JjYSqpZ3k8zUMNEBw/s1600/EmbRetreat3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGFcAAudaic1AJUvrAXnwhYlqbMpSqBapM7j-SwnuzkOS0MhsO7Xots0Tmdkspw76_3Keq4F1GZVC_WLXGlqa-Gjwxjz5Aeht3Suy0g_0epL0d-m5iDBs3XRdr6_1JjYSqpZ3k8zUMNEBw/s320/EmbRetreat3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">More news coming soon about a new quilty-stitchery group with the Hummingbird Highway!! So slow, on my end, right? I know, I sound like a broken record. Just gotta DO it! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">And, the letter blocks are still on the project list - I'm up to 'P'. This will be a quilt. . . eventually!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Some have asked where to get these alphabet pattern charts by Erica Michaels. You can get the charts HERE. Each letter features a different stitch, along with cross stitch, so it's a really interesting sampler. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGgSRNyAJ01PcxwcLUXs-dJ9_ZqSX4gwZG8Bv4SW96_CsoGY5ySR2ecuH9UdjL9IRXnDCJ3R_SAySEITOwQxuI7DFlNFMC7lN3Vj21VN8ImKn8gyP8kOMdim-v1vLXFf7M_UXusvJtw12g/s1600/EmbRetreat4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGgSRNyAJ01PcxwcLUXs-dJ9_ZqSX4gwZG8Bv4SW96_CsoGY5ySR2ecuH9UdjL9IRXnDCJ3R_SAySEITOwQxuI7DFlNFMC7lN3Vj21VN8ImKn8gyP8kOMdim-v1vLXFf7M_UXusvJtw12g/s320/EmbRetreat4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The charts feature Rainbow Gallery threads, but I've been substituting from my thread stash, and changing colors to match the fabrics I 'm working with.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">And maybe a new project or two . . . or three. . . or ??</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">This collection of threads/floss in my handy-dandy pencil case from the school supply bins at Staples is a Christmas stitchery project. Honestly, it's probably low on new project start list. Gotta, gotta, gotta finish some stuff first! </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7LJlW8Y5OKF-eRJYnrcFuDmGJhfQITzx2jKeNnwZO2Bud15yy75-Z0TBuuScWFz69sUh62Z1VbkIOk3sy_zADlIFs-fKxpZw3VCixrEIu4m-NF2bBhq0xsNhyphenhyphenAExUb1I1PmseOlUVl0Ke/s1600/EmbRetreat5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7LJlW8Y5OKF-eRJYnrcFuDmGJhfQITzx2jKeNnwZO2Bud15yy75-Z0TBuuScWFz69sUh62Z1VbkIOk3sy_zADlIFs-fKxpZw3VCixrEIu4m-NF2bBhq0xsNhyphenhyphenAExUb1I1PmseOlUVl0Ke/s320/EmbRetreat5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">And, of course, I'm taking my sewing machine, just in case! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I hope I have enough room in the car for a change of clothes!</span><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Happy Stitching!</span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><i>Joan</i> </span>Joan Fordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07147703923580700132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6726456144656096359.post-15128176989855374372019-08-15T11:00:00.000-04:002019-08-15T11:00:04.106-04:00The Ides of August<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Okay, so technically, that was August 13th . . .but here we are somewhere in the middle of August . . . already.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Being in the middle feels frustratingly, oddly half way from and to . . . Plus, after a week or two of successful medical procedures and preparations around here, and as last weekend approached, I was having a stare-down with some of the projects stuck in mid-needle. I needed to START and, more importantly, FINISH something. QUICK!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I needed the satisfaction that only a finished project would bring, and nothing I had started was close enough for a finish. <i>Weird, huh?</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">So-o-o. On Friday, I pulled out my stash of floss and selected a variegated thread, and two coordinates (I ended up needing a third coordinate), a small piece of 32-count lugana cloth for cross-stiching (maybe about 6x12"), and a new book full of biscornus that I've had for a few months now (a birthday gift to myself back in May), had drooled over, but hadn't used yet. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuTXgzoHlas52jnhPs5GFbs3aLMYTyGrpxX-hYR2vU_9z7DSX9n232_JptJhM4aBR6UPbXDi-jyRm9GPHq9FVvc31qA3-_t9makBlJNV3Lq579hxgfdO30yOhn4sbB5xlmTFT09loB1zCY/s1600/WeekendFloss.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuTXgzoHlas52jnhPs5GFbs3aLMYTyGrpxX-hYR2vU_9z7DSX9n232_JptJhM4aBR6UPbXDi-jyRm9GPHq9FVvc31qA3-_t9makBlJNV3Lq579hxgfdO30yOhn4sbB5xlmTFT09loB1zCY/s320/WeekendFloss.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I followed the chart, and by Saturday afternoon, I had the stitching part done. BUT there was enough room on the cloth for a second chart, but not if I cut the first one off - my small hoop wouldn't fit on the fabric that was left. Not wanting to waste the fabric, I selected a few more threads. This time only three, not four were used. . . . And a second panel was completed.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnLlZFOOb-h4vvv397WwUEGSHzKVyUxM_NJ8mCeRc3BzxEIUvqXQZnmYsvqdk_saedTyvp6XfduKAR6cXfY0BlYqdUmDv0gAl-u3ha8ruLDk0WC9s6gpLLs98PYk8_51od4iqJuTpTpiME/s1600/WeekendFloss2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnLlZFOOb-h4vvv397WwUEGSHzKVyUxM_NJ8mCeRc3BzxEIUvqXQZnmYsvqdk_saedTyvp6XfduKAR6cXfY0BlYqdUmDv0gAl-u3ha8ruLDk0WC9s6gpLLs98PYk8_51od4iqJuTpTpiME/s320/WeekendFloss2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Cut apart. Leave an allowance around each stitchery. And start the final assembly. This was sometime on Sunday evening. I love working with 32-count fabric - over two stitches the panel is about 16 stitches per inch - but that also makes the backstitching very VERY small, so the work is tedious, but satisfying. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJdU2cnexIFbxTz8LHfJkdWHAnMUQI-Jim3XQ-k5w3dRNk47GsqCe7b5KHBHnlleCDMQaW08Al27409rwbd9xiyrBVs4a0Rp7FrviLL61HfSqHzhlR1KVVIyV69R-F4Mrywvj2E0n1ccEM/s1600/WeekendFloss3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJdU2cnexIFbxTz8LHfJkdWHAnMUQI-Jim3XQ-k5w3dRNk47GsqCe7b5KHBHnlleCDMQaW08Al27409rwbd9xiyrBVs4a0Rp7FrviLL61HfSqHzhlR1KVVIyV69R-F4Mrywvj2E0n1ccEM/s320/WeekendFloss3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The weekend slipped way without the desired 'finish,' however, the finish was in sight. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Another Monday evening session, a movie, and lots more tiny stitches and stuffing. And two more biscornus are complete! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">VERY satisfying! And quite fun. I may make one or both of these into a key fob or zipper pull. . . . Or not!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPkSnqCEC7r2Q1of6JvqNHrK9VGX4G4kWiDAliTbHp-1uk1Z62hG4sjArA_bOFhXc1qIZZVTdNUkDoq6Guthl5lkKuvuokNw6cSUPZ4aVpRwqnP5yBnsm82ZKujsA0rKvt8FAS7bFO0wzx/s1600/WeekendFloss4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPkSnqCEC7r2Q1of6JvqNHrK9VGX4G4kWiDAliTbHp-1uk1Z62hG4sjArA_bOFhXc1qIZZVTdNUkDoq6Guthl5lkKuvuokNw6cSUPZ4aVpRwqnP5yBnsm82ZKujsA0rKvt8FAS7bFO0wzx/s320/WeekendFloss4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Oh, and the juicy birthday biscornu book, from which this pattern came? <a href="https://amzn.to/2Z7DCau" target="_blank"><i>La Passion des Biscornus</i></a> (aff.). It's written entirely in FRENCH! Completely appropriate since Biscornus are said to have originated in France. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgNABoLfFLpZSyPdGFriTTtdcTXRdCfX-yNHOon9XTB_DaXg0CXHPkDN8TnupbKTDd_talDqMx5jGTnEvKxXZf4e4iQDzLptyQdWXqISN-jxx6elbt6Uf0CuUh9ih4oN3rnlE6FoadOrRC/s1600/WeekendFloss5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgNABoLfFLpZSyPdGFriTTtdcTXRdCfX-yNHOon9XTB_DaXg0CXHPkDN8TnupbKTDd_talDqMx5jGTnEvKxXZf4e4iQDzLptyQdWXqISN-jxx6elbt6Uf0CuUh9ih4oN3rnlE6FoadOrRC/s320/WeekendFloss5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">My French is VERY rusty (I took 5-6 years of French classes way back in my high school days). But this book is pretty special, filled with unique biscornu offerings in all kinds of shapes and sizes. Fortunately with a little help from my translation app, I can decipher enough of the written language to follow along. Technically, if you already understand biscornu basics (I highly recommend <a href="https://amzn.to/2KzQ7Yv" target="_blank">this book</a> (aff.), if you're just getting interested in making odd-shaped puffs of stitchy fun), the charts are really what you need and those are written in universally understood 'language.'</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I sorta have a 'thing' about biscornu lately . . . more on stitchy stuff from me soon! I promise!</span><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Happy Stitching!</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Joan</span></i><br />
<br />Joan Fordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07147703923580700132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6726456144656096359.post-59146292324085377302019-08-08T12:40:00.000-04:002019-08-08T12:40:39.515-04:00Surger-y<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Nope, not talking about sergers or sewing machines, but the hospital and doctor kind of surgery - I just kinda liked the play on words. </span><br />
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<b><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Some background</span></span></span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Back in April, Dave (the hubby) was experiencing some health issues. Nothing too serious - at first. Went and had a few tests and learned he had a large gall stone that was so big that the whole gallbladder had to be removed. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">No big deal right? A lot of people have this, the whole process is done laparoscopically, it's relatively easy, and involves a quick recovery. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Dave's situation is a little special - one of the tests he had back in April landed him in the hospital for a full week with pancreatitis. Bad stuff. For the last few months we've both been on a low-fat diet waiting for his guts to settle down for best conditions to have the gallbladder surgery. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">That day finally arrived yesterday. No gory details, I promise. Bottom line, a long day in the hospital waiting room for me, and excellent surgery results for Dave. He's already home (as of this morning) and on the road to recovery. For the next couple weeks, I'll be doing all the heavy lifting around here, but that should be the worst of it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Dave needs a good story</span></b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">So, here's the fun part. I started speculating with a friend how Dave might have to play this up in his cocktail party conversations (no, we really don't do a lot of cocktail parities, but . . . you know the drill).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">What will his story be? He's got to explain these scars on his abdomen. 'Gallbladder surgery' just isn't very exciting. He needs a better story. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><b>This is not without precedent </b></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Some years ago, Dave and I went to the Cayman Islands and dove with the the sting rays - a popular tourist-y nature experience. Our guide left some squid (a favorite food for the sting rays) on Dave's arm, and Dave ended up with a stingray bruise. Stingrays don't have teeth, but they are kinda like a high-powered vacuum cleaner, so their 'bite' is more like a hickey than an actual 'bite.' Since stingrays are members of the shark family, the vacation story became "I was bitten by a powerful shark on a diving excursion." (We were in no more than 15' of water, btw).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">And this is where the speculation began in a series of texts with my friend this morning. . . Here is a starter list for Dave's 'gallbladder' surgery story:</span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Want to see where I was attacked by a shark? (of course with the prior story, this is where the conversation started!)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I got this scar wrestling a mutant iguana . . .</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I was injured while saving a child from the jaws of a wild tiger . . .</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I escaped an alien abduction . . .</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I went sky diving without a parachute . . .</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I thwarted a rabid squirrel assault . . .</span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The list could go on and on. . . </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Do you have any additions? </span></b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">In fact, let's hear them! Comment below with a good opening line for Dave's gallbladder surgery scars! Let's lighten things up a little after a long recovery journey that has a happy ending. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">As for myself. Yesterday was one long day of waiting. I was really grateful that things went well, of course, but also grateful that I had a bunch of grab-able packets of stitchy travel goodies I could throw in a sack. At first, I thought I brought too much stuff with me. But I worked on most of what I brought at various stages of the waiting exercise.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-IpOIqOzEXNFcHMoEmRBLw2wTJbJHKi2Wepw2u6-6Dsh7dKW1Tvc0BjG5WIk35QZQ9Kch_V-dg-oDGBZsyiwGWFLfPNzbXX55ChS-2u4pz1fz7e6Ox9LZq6Urd9TgkbPTNbF5XJx9E7My/s1600/Hospital.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-IpOIqOzEXNFcHMoEmRBLw2wTJbJHKi2Wepw2u6-6Dsh7dKW1Tvc0BjG5WIk35QZQ9Kch_V-dg-oDGBZsyiwGWFLfPNzbXX55ChS-2u4pz1fz7e6Ox9LZq6Urd9TgkbPTNbF5XJx9E7My/s320/Hospital.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Happy Stitching!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Joan</span>Joan Fordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07147703923580700132noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6726456144656096359.post-58300485074590207792019-08-01T11:00:00.000-04:002019-08-01T11:00:03.564-04:00Summer Cleaning<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Earlier this year, Dave and I set a goal to spruce up our master bedroom. I don't have a traditional matched bedroom set - more of a smattering of pieces from different collections. Which I like! Mostly.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We've been trying to replace the bed and 25+ year-old mattress and actually purchased both back in April, and have run into one snag after another with the delivery. Long story, not interesting, and pretty frustrating. Yes, it's now August, and this really shouldn't be a monumental task but the new stuff hasn't been delivered yet . . . I won't bore you with those details. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">As a diversion, this weekend my attention turned to this piece of furniture tucked between two windows (temporarily) when we first moved into the house (20 years ago).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Yes, this is a Bakers Rack, normally a piece of furniture you'd find in the kitchen. Since that space between those two windows is only about 40" wide, it's difficult to find something that is functional and fits nicely in that space - most pieces are either too wide or too narrow. So the bakers rack was placed there *temporarily* 20 years ago. <i>Yeah. I know. That doesn't sound temporary to me, either!</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEzCF_81sEuYWonDn12FC55yLSF_1iKdp1AjBkOCaHyA72gsGhTDkTIihViyt7R4XOkWSVWO-lwY6GqELMrksOTc5MyCpqFSIDflUTp9afLTkhzrMAbDFxLXNk9us0TwpQZpmIXQm-ZhUN/s1600/SummerCleaning1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Bakers rack fix" border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" data-pin-description="Bedroom shelf organizing tips" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEzCF_81sEuYWonDn12FC55yLSF_1iKdp1AjBkOCaHyA72gsGhTDkTIihViyt7R4XOkWSVWO-lwY6GqELMrksOTc5MyCpqFSIDflUTp9afLTkhzrMAbDFxLXNk9us0TwpQZpmIXQm-ZhUN/s320/SummerCleaning1.jpg" title="" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I really wish I had a 'before' picture of this shelf - particularly the top half - but I'm also really glad I don't have a before picture. Take my word, it was a MESS!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Because we're running into so many issues replacing the bed and mattress (again, not going into those details), I decided to make do with the bakers rack a bit longer. But the mess had to go. Keep in mind this is the 'after' picture. You'll just have to imagine the disgusting layers of dust and stacks of odd jewelry boxes and extra button packages and what-not that accumulated here.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi234mb0Pv_xBiG5eaRd86nZuLsTshEVFvoqSTNTYDc5RT7DlbCqeSmG-IB-QVqFOIIYLuqe2FV5XwnnqH0yG9mESRDK0T4KvN1v7GN75ruY8fqkyaiBrQMKQrQ_daiibgLIez4MGYY7oQ1/s1600/SummerCleaning2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="organize with boxes" border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" data-pin-description="Bedroom shelf organizing tips" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi234mb0Pv_xBiG5eaRd86nZuLsTshEVFvoqSTNTYDc5RT7DlbCqeSmG-IB-QVqFOIIYLuqe2FV5XwnnqH0yG9mESRDK0T4KvN1v7GN75ruY8fqkyaiBrQMKQrQ_daiibgLIez4MGYY7oQ1/s320/SummerCleaning2.jpg" title="" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Before the clean up started, this cheapo piece of furniture needed a little TLC. The whole thing leaned forward just a bit and wasn't stable. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The more top-heavy it got, the more the tilt, and the less stable it became. A righty-tighty turn or two of the octo-wrench on each of the support screws was all that was needed for a short-term fix.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiELFp98RgMNBipfx6DTEE9rtOB5AvHTq7TWkyZP0cfLt5ZSUHdpV5biPOcR9eegTqmrP8W9mkfUUggFC4jaULjnAYKQ0rgs9m9cNF2t4hdK49-0o3juzIt49Mr90q7LFmgcnIo51NJnfEi/s1600/SummerCleaning3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Octogonal screw" border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" data-pin-description="Bedroom shelf organizing tips" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiELFp98RgMNBipfx6DTEE9rtOB5AvHTq7TWkyZP0cfLt5ZSUHdpV5biPOcR9eegTqmrP8W9mkfUUggFC4jaULjnAYKQ0rgs9m9cNF2t4hdK49-0o3juzIt49Mr90q7LFmgcnIo51NJnfEi/s320/SummerCleaning3.jpg" title="" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Only problem is where is the correct octo-wrench? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Now, before you start laughing at me again, this is my original tool box. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Years ago (years AND years), one of the smartest things I received as a gift from my parents was a few common tools presented in this not-as-sturdy-as-it-used-to-be-but-sturdy-enough cardboard fruit basket. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5gk4zJp1jyCjyGC3a5FfYlPQA9wPdZf1l9o3VWh9minG8ep0-3xxqcMM1NwqJuobo2zDlU5j8slCish9-3ZSEkitKVoGxswbmsnZPxbGb4xGr2hkI1KvqLfMvAiUj_qmaSEHjCeLn4FeS/s1600/SummerCleaning4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="tool box" border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" data-pin-description="Bedroom shelf organizing tips" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5gk4zJp1jyCjyGC3a5FfYlPQA9wPdZf1l9o3VWh9minG8ep0-3xxqcMM1NwqJuobo2zDlU5j8slCish9-3ZSEkitKVoGxswbmsnZPxbGb4xGr2hkI1KvqLfMvAiUj_qmaSEHjCeLn4FeS/s320/SummerCleaning4.jpg" title="" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I got the tools as a house warming gift when I moved into my very first apartment. And I must say, it has been one of the most lasting gifts I've ever received. If you're looking for ideas for that college-bound co-ed, newly-wed, or first-time renter, this is a fantastic gift. It's not sexy in the least, but the first time I had to fix a toilet urgently, I thanked all that is holy because I had the proper tools. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Granted, I've added to the box over the years, and not always very efficiently - it could also use a good purging, but not on this day. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I was on the hunt for the right octo-wrench (I'm certain that's not the right term). I have, of course saved all the octo-wrenches that came with every cheapo assemble-yourself piece of furniture I've purchased over the years. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxboi4eIkjpYDQU30IHjlG80E9FHkY-S_JUfFakUOa4KA7ATcPZ2RdIreQxQGv3gjmyL1cZqrdFj7jiHXo2Yck4qXNFTSqz2U3e8e-SQ2YTJLNQv2LUD9Vm0cGzvnl6nyCh7GbxT0eucBv/s1600/SummerCleaning5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Octogonal wrench" border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" data-pin-description="Bedroom shelf organizing tips" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxboi4eIkjpYDQU30IHjlG80E9FHkY-S_JUfFakUOa4KA7ATcPZ2RdIreQxQGv3gjmyL1cZqrdFj7jiHXo2Yck4qXNFTSqz2U3e8e-SQ2YTJLNQv2LUD9Vm0cGzvnl6nyCh7GbxT0eucBv/s320/SummerCleaning5.jpg" title="" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">After a bit of trial and error, the match was made and the leaning tower leans a bit less now. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Back to the task at hand. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">On Saturday, I wandered into Michael's on task to purchase a pillow form. Got the pillow form, and a 70% off sign caught my eye (as these signs do!). All the summer storage box supply was on sale. <b><i>70% off! SQUIRREL!</i></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Couldn't resist. I purchased one for some thread storage. Then I got a 'think' going. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">On Sunday, I went back to Michael's and spent a whopping $26 on 4 or 5 boxes, came home, and set upon my target - those top two shelves on the leaning tower of bakers rack. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Granted the boxes are covered cardboard. Definitely temporary. But then so is the baker's rack. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Let the purging begin!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">You can see that this little unit is really an office paper tray. In my world, it's collecting small decorative boxes with pins and jewelry items. The two side drawers are perfect to stow more small items. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4LpGdtaQbawcqMsazeuptuu7WoHRtDsowdprPlTFNoFpWLm3zVCSFNTWKEXQ7aI8TGcx2TTzPPxFCNmnYI0UUKZhqnbyvel2QYS_G_xg3vTjfMooqD7zLTO8BTgzh9OlMya6l1KBhvioO/s1600/SummerCleaning6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="organized boxes" border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" data-pin-description="Bedroom shelf organizing tips" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4LpGdtaQbawcqMsazeuptuu7WoHRtDsowdprPlTFNoFpWLm3zVCSFNTWKEXQ7aI8TGcx2TTzPPxFCNmnYI0UUKZhqnbyvel2QYS_G_xg3vTjfMooqD7zLTO8BTgzh9OlMya6l1KBhvioO/s320/SummerCleaning6.jpg" title="" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgctyio9QhPgMVxegiov3Gv3YmJDhKoPkIjQF9p6cw75g_d2VTI0L1QKhqDB0v4mkyHFg1ZArRGJUj6P99_X6fAaH7IKom9VYK7YBTSGyOY1DW0NfYfWqwcF7LLXelGQyx6P_VmDzvG8GTY/s1600/SummerCleaning7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="drawers contain more stuff" border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" data-pin-description="Bedroom shelf organizing tips" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgctyio9QhPgMVxegiov3Gv3YmJDhKoPkIjQF9p6cw75g_d2VTI0L1QKhqDB0v4mkyHFg1ZArRGJUj6P99_X6fAaH7IKom9VYK7YBTSGyOY1DW0NfYfWqwcF7LLXelGQyx6P_VmDzvG8GTY/s320/SummerCleaning7.jpg" title="" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">My husband will tell you that I have an 'issue' with Swatch watches! It's not an 'issue' it's a happy obsession! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">One of the new long, skinny boxes is dedicated to my Swatch collection. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Did you know that Swatch means 'wear more than one watch?' Um. I actually think that means "Swatch has a brilliant marketing department." I still gotta have my little party on my arm. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdyxaJQTvTb48ycIxQlzq3UnxgphrS9-dG3MuIuuo9DaTQuvRst5_xpHSBwbWsvhfs0mkLqYD6VBC_PiBkinTE8OYx3Jfl7QUz5OH_U0ie3f4P1z_OE5uFn_6fIboxog0eDUkfoW_JIsGC/s1600/SummerCleaning8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="swatch wrist watch storage" border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" data-pin-description="Bedroom shelf organizing tips" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdyxaJQTvTb48ycIxQlzq3UnxgphrS9-dG3MuIuuo9DaTQuvRst5_xpHSBwbWsvhfs0mkLqYD6VBC_PiBkinTE8OYx3Jfl7QUz5OH_U0ie3f4P1z_OE5uFn_6fIboxog0eDUkfoW_JIsGC/s320/SummerCleaning8.jpg" title="" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">With the collection of old empty jewelry boxes and various accumulated junk sorted and gone, there is now space for a dish full of Christmas pins, and a second one for Halloween pins - that Halloween stack needs some work! The ghost pin is pretty cute, right? <i>I don't even remember when I got it! It was lost in the former leaning tower of bakers rack!</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij4CMlQDRbVOr4BVG-32u3sVoIvQhAD8iWPB8kOiuEebyhvsC6EdgsMCd3QPPLkAZvLNHAQjrObi8vQ-uhFs81C3sA4D6kvx3m9VQjfVMBDkjqT_ZR7zngKfUaMJzkSIwY70SYE5cIfLij/s1600/SummerCleaning9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Dish of christmas pins" border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" data-pin-description="Bedroom shelf organizing tips" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij4CMlQDRbVOr4BVG-32u3sVoIvQhAD8iWPB8kOiuEebyhvsC6EdgsMCd3QPPLkAZvLNHAQjrObi8vQ-uhFs81C3sA4D6kvx3m9VQjfVMBDkjqT_ZR7zngKfUaMJzkSIwY70SYE5cIfLij/s320/SummerCleaning9.jpg" title="" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLkBeMYz2fzJJveObU7eCue2t8t-pMcjLsxSYv4V13-JzMhtLzGmFiarIXxRxcwtrUzZyDeMKML-Pdft7TKRIGWVlv7wNcmiNTLRy0sBhr39CS-81gsKhMkKaf3ashM0KDB7lV5VnBotos/s1600/SummerCleaning10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="dish of halloween pins" border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" data-pin-description="Bedroom shelf organizing tips" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLkBeMYz2fzJJveObU7eCue2t8t-pMcjLsxSYv4V13-JzMhtLzGmFiarIXxRxcwtrUzZyDeMKML-Pdft7TKRIGWVlv7wNcmiNTLRy0sBhr39CS-81gsKhMkKaf3ashM0KDB7lV5VnBotos/s320/SummerCleaning10.jpg" title="" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">And that shoebox hides a bunch of worn boxes with pieces that I couldn't part with. But they are now inside a box. Accessible, but not eye-scorching.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjProUc8aOayFa6aGRh9jLGLOxUGRynFBy-lRgh7Bu66Ol399soerF0E8wAihjnRHojxZtTCSTHfukd80fHIYOYY1UiqArDa4kh2rm-aUd4UxSlnwbQTdXssYAv5rCVUucTQjxsRAROAgk9/s1600/SummerCleaning11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="shoe box organizer" border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" data-pin-description="Bedroom shelf organizing tips" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjProUc8aOayFa6aGRh9jLGLOxUGRynFBy-lRgh7Bu66Ol399soerF0E8wAihjnRHojxZtTCSTHfukd80fHIYOYY1UiqArDa4kh2rm-aUd4UxSlnwbQTdXssYAv5rCVUucTQjxsRAROAgk9/s320/SummerCleaning11.jpg" title="" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglmupjqsSHXNPDx3to9lWSkdNgXNzPw9lv_hLDufBcF_d1vHxwdya2aQZ3n2ncY8Ek3DQg0WLowLhofQwVr8W5RtMj7owIxfO7VagO4Yd1gaNPvGpeD9t5ncY8PMAYaB1iqWhZcJ_PVe18/s1600/SummerCleaning12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="what's inside shoebox organizer" border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" data-pin-description="Bedroom shelf organizing tips" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglmupjqsSHXNPDx3to9lWSkdNgXNzPw9lv_hLDufBcF_d1vHxwdya2aQZ3n2ncY8Ek3DQg0WLowLhofQwVr8W5RtMj7owIxfO7VagO4Yd1gaNPvGpeD9t5ncY8PMAYaB1iqWhZcJ_PVe18/s320/SummerCleaning12.jpg" title="" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Such a relief! So much dirt and accumulated yuck, gone. With all the boxes holding their respective treasures, I can now actually dust around things easily!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Wait! What?! Did I actually say the D-word as a <i><b>VERB</b></i>? Don't tell Dave - I don't want to elevate his expectations!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Next up, the bottom two shelves. But not this week. Much too hot to be sorting through wool sweaters. This can wait. After all, it's only temporary! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">By the way, I have a 'Swatch' affliction for slippers. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">One never knows when you need to make the toesies cozy!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsyGXjWx0fQH27Yo4QmIDH0mF4D0dPTMpQk1BwVulxfyNpD9kjrl2uh0dPmWzCC-gwkgsTnSFAPaTDN4fbeYmSPMUITs6Bw6Bw5LgqNPmCU2ZIg_z4csT-vOhGdlPB8__lVLhoQW0sdkrZ/s1600/SummerCleaning13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="bottom part of shelf, still needs work." border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" data-pin-description="Bedroom shelf organizing tips" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsyGXjWx0fQH27Yo4QmIDH0mF4D0dPTMpQk1BwVulxfyNpD9kjrl2uh0dPmWzCC-gwkgsTnSFAPaTDN4fbeYmSPMUITs6Bw6Bw5LgqNPmCU2ZIg_z4csT-vOhGdlPB8__lVLhoQW0sdkrZ/s320/SummerCleaning13.jpg" title="" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I feel much better now. How about you? Do you have a 'temporary' space that needs an update, temporarily?</span><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Happy Stitching!</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Joan</span></i><br />
<br />Joan Fordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07147703923580700132noreply@blogger.com3