tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63182080081983072412024-03-13T06:50:52.011-07:00 Material Detachment
So much fabric. Sew many paths.Greta http://www.blogger.com/profile/04253301889379618401noreply@blogger.comBlogger93125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6318208008198307241.post-9179704797356496412016-09-20T03:50:00.001-07:002016-09-20T05:42:15.979-07:00Tater tot quiltI agonized when making a <a href="http://materialdetachment.blogspot.com/2015/07/swoon-agony.html" target="_blank">Swoon quilt</a> for my then-son-in-law and bride, the couple who are so terrifically conventional and unwilling to "step out," they had to invent a color between beige and gray to paint the interior of their brand new house. The finished wedding quilt is <a href="http://materialdetachment.blogspot.com/2015/07/long-arming-swoon-quilt.html" target="_blank">here</a> (but I can guarantee they're using some single-color Crate and Barrel comforter instead).<br />
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To make that quilt work, I had to remove four blocks with pink and orange in them (too flashy). Now those blocks have been put together in a baby quilt:<br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZTIrvFcJCpA/V-AnWX92dpI/AAAAAAAAC0M/cWN4Fl9ooycUVNa1dOOIC6atu44yyjPwQCLcB/s1600/Mooked.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="273" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZTIrvFcJCpA/V-AnWX92dpI/AAAAAAAAC0M/cWN4Fl9ooycUVNa1dOOIC6atu44yyjPwQCLcB/s400/Mooked.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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My favorite of the four blocks features some lotus-flower fabric from <a href="http://www.spoonflower.com/fabric/2671435-lotus-pattern-by-gleolite?src=g&gclid=CjwKEAjwmf6-BRDi9fSN7Ijt1wUSJAASawcjyP0c-1FVtLnePPWCCNKKC__ZdPiB_-4i_BN5sXgu7RoCervw_wcB" target="_blank">Spoonflower</a>:</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-V5f7ZcZvik0/V-AoIOIKdFI/AAAAAAAAC0U/M_bhI6BmBuYWH0gljvxr2nkjdpzlTqvxgCLcB/s1600/mook3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-V5f7ZcZvik0/V-AoIOIKdFI/AAAAAAAAC0U/M_bhI6BmBuYWH0gljvxr2nkjdpzlTqvxgCLcB/s320/mook3.jpg" width="294" /></a></div>
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Despite the flowers, and the pink, this quilt is for a baby boy. Hey, we're not gender-uptight here. The happy couple are two women, and they are sooo excited. Facebook has been abuzz since the peanut was born two weeks ago--five weeks early. Now is the grueling hospital time waiting for him to come home. So I thought this quilt might help sustain them.<br />
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I had no idea what backing I would use. I am packing my fabrics to move to my new house, this coming weekend! But, lo and behold, this Brandon Mably fabric caught my eye. So cheerful, a cheerful village...just the kind of place I want this baby boy to live in. After all, "it takes a village"! I had just enough to eke out the back.<br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6dFDYjEHlDo/V-AxAGWRnZI/AAAAAAAAC0o/bv-Q9Q8x5DIqjoenDqFt0Ta39hf0QrR1QCLcB/s1600/mookback.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="398" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6dFDYjEHlDo/V-AxAGWRnZI/AAAAAAAAC0o/bv-Q9Q8x5DIqjoenDqFt0Ta39hf0QrR1QCLcB/s400/mookback.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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It matches the front in an interesting kind of way:</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bE1Nhz4Qrmk/V-AxXXS6tpI/AAAAAAAAC0s/uwDf_vXtrRUOlb40ZMXTP936aJ16Mq_FgCLcB/s1600/Mook2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bE1Nhz4Qrmk/V-AxXXS6tpI/AAAAAAAAC0s/uwDf_vXtrRUOlb40ZMXTP936aJ16Mq_FgCLcB/s400/Mook2.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
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The boy is named Tatum, and the happy parents are calling him "Tater Tot", of course! I hope he grows up surrounded by beauty, as every child--male or female--deserves!</div>
Greta http://www.blogger.com/profile/04253301889379618401noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6318208008198307241.post-7288326137039944652016-09-19T10:32:00.000-07:002016-09-19T10:39:14.639-07:00Make quilts, not pipelinesI described the original inspiration of my last quilt, a crazy quilt, <a href="http://materialdetachment.blogspot.com/2016/09/bursts-are-best.html" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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Now I will describe the inspiration of its finishing, and its gifting. I was inspired by reading Kelly's <a href="http://myquiltinfatuation.blogspot.com/2016/08/sewing-comfort.html" target="_blank">blog post</a> about making a quilt for friends of her cousins who live in Louisiana and lost everything in the flood. That post made me finally reach out a producer at our <a href="http://khoifm.org/" target="_blank">community radio station</a>'s sister station, <a href="http://pacificanetwork.org/whyr/" target="_blank">WHYR</a> in Baton Rouge. It turns out that his family lost everything, too.<br />
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So I had planned to finish that quilt for them. After all, it was in the <a href="http://www.soulsgrowndeep.org/gees-bend-quiltmakers" target="_blank">Gee's Bend</a> kind of style. But as I quilted through the jeans fabric, it seemed too heavy for the Deep South.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x14EfDenmOE/V-AYFcGUdVI/AAAAAAAACzQ/LpofO7LtFacm2m0SLMaRNJ4RXUL6r0L6wCLcB/s1600/sign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x14EfDenmOE/V-AYFcGUdVI/AAAAAAAACzQ/LpofO7LtFacm2m0SLMaRNJ4RXUL6r0L6wCLcB/s320/sign.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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With the radio producer's blessing, I decided instead to give the quilt to a Pipeline Fighter who inspired me. Here in <a href="https://soundcloud.com/pacificanetwork/sprouts-dakota-access-pipeline" target="_blank">Iowa we are fighting the incursion of the same pipeline</a> they are fighting in South Dakota. The Iowa Utilities Board (put in place by our corporate-cozy Gov) is allowing the company to use <a href="http://www.democracynow.org/2016/9/7/iowa_landowners_sue_to_stop_dakota" target="_blank">"eminent domain"</a> to seize the land of farmers in its path. Some of those farmers have sued for damagees. That hasn't stopped the company from digging, digging, digging.<br />
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So, some of us Iowans have stood in front of pipeline building trucks, with the purpose of getting arrested.<br />
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The recipient of the quilt was one of those first 30. (There have been some 60 pipeline arrests since.)<br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y_olIW95lho/V-Ad414hz2I/AAAAAAAACzg/qG-jMFQT12YSIuL2KKuyRM99CBq0rWqDQCLcB/s1600/Julia%2BSlocum.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="252" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y_olIW95lho/V-Ad414hz2I/AAAAAAAACzg/qG-jMFQT12YSIuL2KKuyRM99CBq0rWqDQCLcB/s320/Julia%2BSlocum.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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And she had the graciousness to come onto <a href="http://www.khoifm.org/node/1456" target="_blank">my radio show</a> and cry about acting out of a place of love. And not just cry, but say something very profound. She said that from the moment she stepped up to the block the trucks' access, she reflected on her whiteness. How nice the sherriff's deputies were, and how different it might be if she and her co-horts were black.<br />
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So my African American quilt went to Julia.<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-R09ZJkGV3uc/V-AU6JHswxI/AAAAAAAACzM/WFIKETDGoUsr63a-2jrwtRyxkQV86511wCPcB/s1600/Pipeline%2Bquilt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-R09ZJkGV3uc/V-AU6JHswxI/AAAAAAAACzM/WFIKETDGoUsr63a-2jrwtRyxkQV86511wCPcB/s400/Pipeline%2Bquilt.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br />Greta http://www.blogger.com/profile/04253301889379618401noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6318208008198307241.post-49369145434427244352016-09-09T04:50:00.001-07:002016-09-09T04:50:40.535-07:00Bursts are best"Wild", "groovy".<br />
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Those are the words my Facebook friends have used for this quilt. And I'll take them!<br />
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I started it a year and a half ago when I came back from a <a href="http://materialdetachment.blogspot.com/2015/01/tokyo-great-international-quilt.html" target="_blank">Japan quilt trip</a>. Indigo is still the prevalent color in textiles there, and authentic indigo dyers still practice their art (it requires a carefully controlled fermentation process.) So, my foster daughter's cut-off jeans appealed to me immediately.<br />
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I paired them with the green fabric, which I had bought in Japan. It is a heavier weight fabric than calico. I had been searching for the "Tomato" fabric store, but there are four or five different outlets in the garment district of Tokyo, and the garment district of Tokyo is a bit seedy, and I was being guided by a man on a bicycle who first led me to an "afternoon delight" house!, SO--long story short--I took what I could get (and scolded the heck out of my "guide").<br />
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The orange butterfly batik fabric came from my friend Sally's daughter, Sophia, who had a fundraiser to sell fabric from Ghana. Hey, that's way better than magazine subscriptions! But however was I going to use it??<br />
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The inspiration came from the Silver Temple of Kyoto, a deliciously mossy, mind-emptying place. Just a couple of images:<br />
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But that special feeling I felt there couldn't sustain me through the frustration of composition (I got too ambitious), so I put it aside ... for 20 months.<br />
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Finally, after realizing I was going through severe sewing withdrawal, and as a reward for packing up a lot of my sewing room for the move, I dove in and finished the piece in 3 hours.<br />
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As my friend said, "bursts are best."<br />
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<br />Greta http://www.blogger.com/profile/04253301889379618401noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6318208008198307241.post-63335628499024290862016-08-28T17:58:00.002-07:002016-08-28T17:58:30.335-07:00Catching Up 3My most recent quilt is again for a high school graduate, my "ex"-nephew, who has decided to study pottery. <br />
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It was sad to be sewing this quilt after the divorce was set into motion.<br />
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It started with a basic windmill pattern. <br />
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I was not familiar with this pattern, but I had picked up some antique windmill blocks and noticed they made an interesting pattern side-by-side (pairs of light squares, alternating horizontal and vertical):<br />
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I jumped into a purple-and-brown quilt using this scheme, but I did not enjoy sewing so many bias seams together: <br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TcVVUiB_928/V8OHDy3CKCI/AAAAAAAACvw/lyx9OUCERr07mEe0Sn9XIHiwsHnN4T4FgCLcB/s1600/purple%2Bon%2Bwall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TcVVUiB_928/V8OHDy3CKCI/AAAAAAAACvw/lyx9OUCERr07mEe0Sn9XIHiwsHnN4T4FgCLcB/s320/purple%2Bon%2Bwall.jpg" width="311" /></a></div>
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Once I started changing my orientation to "on point", I noticed that [duh!] the pattern was simply an alternating one-square and four-square, but a four-square that had been given some more dimension using triangles:<br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XuTxxfoEfd0/V8OH7gTbY7I/AAAAAAAACv4/8soNZrosUU4l5lAuTBXU3k4KNpNzBCe6QCLcB/s1600/purple%2Bcloser2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="276" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XuTxxfoEfd0/V8OH7gTbY7I/AAAAAAAACv4/8soNZrosUU4l5lAuTBXU3k4KNpNzBCe6QCLcB/s320/purple%2Bcloser2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Despite all the extra effort, I like the end product:<br />
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And my nephew does, too! He wrote me the nicest note, how he hopes to become as proficient as pottery as I am at quilting. I was so honored. Greta http://www.blogger.com/profile/04253301889379618401noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6318208008198307241.post-72323260029641093942016-08-28T17:11:00.001-07:002016-08-29T18:53:50.295-07:00Catching Up 2I've told you about my Egyptian exchange daughter, Nadia. After such difficult foster children, she was a dream come true. She lit up our lives, she made our lives as happy and vibrant as could be. <br />
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Here is her beautiful face:<br />
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Here she is, in an Egyptian costume I sewed for her for Halloween:</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8WNE9CB6qk4/V8N6Cmmx2aI/AAAAAAAACu4/t5vDPjHQ_DIykCfcxfJ4OxK1FmR9vndLgCLcB/s1600/20151031_170111.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8WNE9CB6qk4/V8N6Cmmx2aI/AAAAAAAACu4/t5vDPjHQ_DIykCfcxfJ4OxK1FmR9vndLgCLcB/s320/20151031_170111.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Here is the quilt I made her:</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L5JTxsAaAKs/V8TnHACPZfI/AAAAAAAACwQ/MKOvWXSuksU4bLHQCAaqVdofHiziLwLwQCLcB/s1600/nadia%2Bquilt%2B%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L5JTxsAaAKs/V8TnHACPZfI/AAAAAAAACwQ/MKOvWXSuksU4bLHQCAaqVdofHiziLwLwQCLcB/s400/nadia%2Bquilt%2B%25282%2529.jpg" width="276" /></a></div>
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Here is the back of the quilt I made her.</div>
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The backing fabric worked out quite well. The blue figures almost look like Arabic calligraphy:</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Rr4C4oc_AyU/V8N8mX3SlNI/AAAAAAAACvQ/4LeUQ-YW8wYxGUoWYpWBNURjcmDXWtzGACLcB/s1600/backing%2Bfabric.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="217" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Rr4C4oc_AyU/V8N8mX3SlNI/AAAAAAAACvQ/4LeUQ-YW8wYxGUoWYpWBNURjcmDXWtzGACLcB/s320/backing%2Bfabric.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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She still writes me by Messenger, and last week I got my first phone call from her via Messenger! It was amazing to experience her sweetness again. It was almost too much to bear. </div>
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Greta http://www.blogger.com/profile/04253301889379618401noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6318208008198307241.post-7213670667388668252016-08-28T16:52:00.004-07:002016-08-28T18:02:15.836-07:00Catching Up 1It's been a while since I've been on here.<br />
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It's been a busy winter-spring. My husband and I loved everything about our Egyptian exchange daughter: her bright smile, her easy laughter, her optimistic view of life. <br />
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And then the week after she left us, in June, we commenced the paperwork for a divorce. It is final now, and I hope to move into my new house in 3 weeks. This quilt was made in May for a young graduate who volunteers at the radio station.<br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yxCDkAHuiZg/V8N4jiPT4JI/AAAAAAAACus/IepsniQSM0ES-dfkFLTkJrxVfUx-S78lgCLcB/s1600/Jonah.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yxCDkAHuiZg/V8N4jiPT4JI/AAAAAAAACus/IepsniQSM0ES-dfkFLTkJrxVfUx-S78lgCLcB/s400/Jonah.jpg" width="288" /></a></div>
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I was able to use some pieces of the young man's toddler and elementary-school clothes in the design. I also used some of my husband's old shirts (made by me).<br />
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I hope to make this pattern again. Greta http://www.blogger.com/profile/04253301889379618401noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6318208008198307241.post-60857278145895592932016-01-02T15:28:00.000-08:002016-01-02T15:42:32.979-08:002015 in quiltsI'm a little late with this, but here are some of the quilts I made in 2015:<br />
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The year started out with a trip to Japan. And here is the gift quilt I brought:<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C0dRLBAehhk/VKaxYr_NahI/AAAAAAAABjQ/rlIObH7_uaI/s1600/niigata%2Btraveler2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C0dRLBAehhk/VKaxYr_NahI/AAAAAAAABjQ/rlIObH7_uaI/s400/niigata%2Btraveler2.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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You can see the Japanese influence in this "grace quilt" I made for a homeless woman, on the birth of her 3rd child:<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fDl_PsTvAAI/VPcn2GOnosI/AAAAAAAAB0o/vRPHSx6ESwk/s1600/sunny%2Bbaby.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fDl_PsTvAAI/VPcn2GOnosI/AAAAAAAAB0o/vRPHSx6ESwk/s320/sunny%2Bbaby.jpg" width="306" /></a></div>
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I made this quilt for my Reading Buddy, who I meet every Wednesday at the library:<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VAhTRXUYGWs/VXUJQzTfOrI/AAAAAAAAB98/kYleQwmEuQw/s1600/Brayden.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VAhTRXUYGWs/VXUJQzTfOrI/AAAAAAAAB98/kYleQwmEuQw/s400/Brayden.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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And this for his nana, who is raising him and his brother:<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3VklRVIMreo/VWe7qVpBN_I/AAAAAAAAB80/OH-9Hy6PtOc/s1600/purple.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3VklRVIMreo/VWe7qVpBN_I/AAAAAAAAB80/OH-9Hy6PtOc/s400/purple.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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This quilt, with a border of appliques, was for my niece:</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OgftmDS_dLk/VXsgILGkK9I/AAAAAAAACDw/3mO9B7u3rlg/s1600/Edie%2527s%2Bquilt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OgftmDS_dLk/VXsgILGkK9I/AAAAAAAACDw/3mO9B7u3rlg/s400/Edie%2527s%2Bquilt.jpg" width="308" /></a></div>
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This Swoon Quilt for my stepson and daughter-in-law on their 1-year anniversary:</div>
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And this Pickle Dish quilt for my nephew and wife on their 1-month anniversary (ha ha, it was late to the wedding):</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GEVtfaw5T4Y/VkUHt4zzDSI/AAAAAAAACZA/qzUKacbbR98/s1600/leaves.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="321" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GEVtfaw5T4Y/VkUHt4zzDSI/AAAAAAAACZA/qzUKacbbR98/s400/leaves.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I made these two quilts for long-time friends (long-time friends are the best. Unfortunately, one lives across the state from me, the other across the continent.)</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xMUvKR42t50/VWez7wqyUEI/AAAAAAAAB8Y/91IEMq_PA64/s1600/squares.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xMUvKR42t50/VWez7wqyUEI/AAAAAAAAB8Y/91IEMq_PA64/s400/squares.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Stone Soup" quilt</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ba9jlMNZg8I/VgXdfc2zDdI/AAAAAAAACV8/G3ftX9WkA1w/s1600/PD2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="308" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ba9jlMNZg8I/VgXdfc2zDdI/AAAAAAAACV8/G3ftX9WkA1w/s320/PD2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Pressure Drop" quilt</td></tr>
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This one was for a college freshman who showed my exchange student daughter (a high school senior) extraordinary kindness:</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Fp6zY_34frM/VecUIlTlDdI/AAAAAAAACS0/S5nv4_hYtk4/s1600/sophia%2Boverview.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Fp6zY_34frM/VecUIlTlDdI/AAAAAAAACS0/S5nv4_hYtk4/s400/sophia%2Boverview.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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And this hospice quilt for my dear aunt, who passed away gracefully (but much too early) a few days after Christmas:</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KsHVGlOxtiY/VcDVbs98NDI/AAAAAAAACQA/L-liIbGkBlQ/s1600/monarch%2Bquilt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KsHVGlOxtiY/VcDVbs98NDI/AAAAAAAACQA/L-liIbGkBlQ/s400/monarch%2Bquilt.jpg" width="333" /></a></div>
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This is not exhaustive. I left out a couple of full-size quilts that highlight how shamelessly I do not have a particular style or palette but adapt to any new idea or recipient's preferences, as well as a couple of "charity" quilts.</div>
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What are your preferences? Which do you like best?</div>
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What do you hope to see on my blog in 2016?</div>
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<br />Greta http://www.blogger.com/profile/04253301889379618401noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6318208008198307241.post-52194009547123947102015-12-23T08:37:00.001-08:002015-12-23T08:37:40.938-08:00Happy MailA couple of weeks ago I received happy mail from Zenia over at <a href="http://aquiltedpassion.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">A Quilted Passion</a>. (Zenia by the way has started a new Saturday linkup party, <a href="http://aquiltedpassion.blogspot.com/2015/12/whoomp-there-it-is-12.html" target="_blank">check it out!</a>)<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qEdcQw1eM0g/VnrKT3WFsnI/AAAAAAAACck/iFVGuRnl_C4/s1600/Dresden.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qEdcQw1eM0g/VnrKT3WFsnI/AAAAAAAACck/iFVGuRnl_C4/s320/Dresden.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">vintage Dresden plates</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-14ASZpcgl4Q/VnrKLCQ7o6I/AAAAAAAACcc/lqVb9zhP33c/s1600/top.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-14ASZpcgl4Q/VnrKLCQ7o6I/AAAAAAAACcc/lqVb9zhP33c/s320/top.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a whole quilt top ready to long-arm!</td></tr>
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Plus loads of "Sunbonnet Sues" cut out, and her overalled male counterpart (name?)<br />
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I had bought this fabric for a radio nerd (he is our dedicated and kind community radio station engineer, who wears very colorful shirts)... but hadn't made the quilt yet.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PJxWDDAYu-o/VnrKujUpvPI/AAAAAAAACcs/k2IYt0_YU5A/s1600/geeky%2Bchic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="291" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PJxWDDAYu-o/VnrKujUpvPI/AAAAAAAACcs/k2IYt0_YU5A/s320/geeky%2Bchic.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Geeky Chic Cassette by Timeless Treasure</td></tr>
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I thought this fabric as backing and the multicolored front would hit it off. The top was so big I had to add a border of Irish green (Kona bluegrass) to extend it, The recipient has a good Irish last name:<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zAdcvgkJcCw/VnrK_XdVeBI/AAAAAAAACc4/HSLLOSwP69s/s1600/bACK%2BOF%2BRICK%2527S%2BQUILT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zAdcvgkJcCw/VnrK_XdVeBI/AAAAAAAACc4/HSLLOSwP69s/s400/bACK%2BOF%2BRICK%2527S%2BQUILT.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I know it's Christmas, but that green's got me thinking lucky, lucky, lucky! Lucky to get my happy mail, lucky to have a longarm quilt, lucky to have a photographer who took these pictures in our library (lucky to have a beautiful space anytime I want to photograph quilts).<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K_ftg82U_7k/VnrLe4yVbdI/AAAAAAAACc8/-SywuPasOW0/s1600/Rick%2527s%2Bquilt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K_ftg82U_7k/VnrLe4yVbdI/AAAAAAAACc8/-SywuPasOW0/s400/Rick%2527s%2Bquilt.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I folded the quilt up and presented it inside a pillowcase made of the Geeky Chic backing, but the recipient hasn't opened it up yet! He says he needs to clean up his apartment before he takes it home. Sheez. If the quilt inside its pillowcase is still in the studio when I get home from Christmas vacation, I'm going to roll up my sleeves and help with that apartment cleanup.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xsclcQfsxiw/VnrL01syZ0I/AAAAAAAACdE/-9wGcOCQenU/s1600/CLOSEUP%2BRICK.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xsclcQfsxiw/VnrL01syZ0I/AAAAAAAACdE/-9wGcOCQenU/s400/CLOSEUP%2BRICK.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rhZl7XOjKhI/VnrL7VRFkBI/AAAAAAAACdM/4Cn-b6k1JS0/s1600/VERYCLOSE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rhZl7XOjKhI/VnrL7VRFkBI/AAAAAAAACdM/4Cn-b6k1JS0/s400/VERYCLOSE.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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This is my new favorite meander vibe: angular, rather than rounded.<br />
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Anyway, I have to say it out loud. Zenia has been such a good quilting and quilt blog buddy. Go over to her blog <a href="http://aquiltedpassion.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">A Quilted Passion</a>! She's always got something going on over there. (And Zenia, expect some happy mail of your own, right after Christmas if not before!)<br />
<br />Greta http://www.blogger.com/profile/04253301889379618401noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6318208008198307241.post-59838725108699604932015-11-12T13:59:00.001-08:002015-11-12T13:59:24.221-08:00Pickle Dish Finish!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ExBDHsxmKeQ/VkUH04lQSFI/AAAAAAAACZE/07_lVIjYgxs/s1600/autumn%2Bquilt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ExBDHsxmKeQ/VkUH04lQSFI/AAAAAAAACZE/07_lVIjYgxs/s400/autumn%2Bquilt.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I had been planning and working away at this wedding quilt for months. Orange for the groom, green for the bride. Who knew that Nature would cooperate to make its delivery date so compatible? If I had finished it on time, mid-October, I would have missed this photo op:</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nR8kuJXUYYU/VkUHmSEermI/AAAAAAAACY0/ECdKvoW0QMA/s1600/autumn%2Bquilt%2Bin%2Btree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nR8kuJXUYYU/VkUHmSEermI/AAAAAAAACY0/ECdKvoW0QMA/s400/autumn%2Bquilt%2Bin%2Btree.jpg" width="390" /></a></div>
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The autumn light is truly pickle-y! And here is the quilt on crunchy leaves:</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GEVtfaw5T4Y/VkUHt4zzDSI/AAAAAAAACY8/lWRi_ikA790/s1600/leaves.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="321" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GEVtfaw5T4Y/VkUHt4zzDSI/AAAAAAAACY8/lWRi_ikA790/s400/leaves.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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And sitting in a patio chair:</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jar0l-SlacY/VkUImdnjpLI/AAAAAAAACZQ/yd7ukIs_MMk/s1600/Patio.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jar0l-SlacY/VkUImdnjpLI/AAAAAAAACZQ/yd7ukIs_MMk/s400/Patio.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The border, which my exchange student daughter helped me to pick, is Autumn Elegance: Pumpkin, by Jennifer Brinley of Studio E Fabrics. The pattern is from Kaffe Fassett's book, <i>Quilt Romance</i>.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GDXoGVbjvbY/VkUJCp4J8aI/AAAAAAAACZY/0IGO9tfYeO4/s1600/autumn%2Bcloseup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GDXoGVbjvbY/VkUJCp4J8aI/AAAAAAAACZY/0IGO9tfYeO4/s400/autumn%2Bcloseup.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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After attending the wedding, I knew I had to have dinosaurs on the back. The bride wore brontosaurus earrings (well, maybe that was just the morning after--but still!) Nothing commercially available would satisfy....<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9HlrTzqwBNQ/VkUJZ_1TKcI/AAAAAAAACZg/UDdL1QtRLq0/s1600/dinosaurs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9HlrTzqwBNQ/VkUJZ_1TKcI/AAAAAAAACZg/UDdL1QtRLq0/s400/dinosaurs.jpg" width="390" /></a></div>
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...especially after I saw Virginia O's "Dare the Dinotastic" on Spoonflower.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7wt-UYM0-VU/VkUKDDqS3eI/AAAAAAAACZs/CbDUhc9q69g/s1600/dinotastic.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="343" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7wt-UYM0-VU/VkUKDDqS3eI/AAAAAAAACZs/CbDUhc9q69g/s400/dinotastic.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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It was a bit expensive, but worth every penny (Virginia O's <a href="http://www.spoonflower.com/profiles/vo_aka_virginiao" target="_blank">other designs</a> are pretty nifty, too).<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-j9M5fi0RiNo/VkUKYzYiIOI/AAAAAAAACZ0/j1QcNJcExdY/s1600/mailing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-j9M5fi0RiNo/VkUKYzYiIOI/AAAAAAAACZ0/j1QcNJcExdY/s400/mailing.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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No feeling quite so great as addressing a special package....<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z_8-dbgeKs4/VkUKh5SLFpI/AAAAAAAACZ8/5lltpn05Src/s1600/sent.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z_8-dbgeKs4/VkUKh5SLFpI/AAAAAAAACZ8/5lltpn05Src/s400/sent.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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And getting it in the mail. Goodbye, Pickle Dish quilt. Have a great life reminding this couple every day how well their colors work together!<br />
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(special thanks to Sue Ellen Tuttle for her photography).Greta http://www.blogger.com/profile/04253301889379618401noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6318208008198307241.post-40315230355579041132015-09-25T17:00:00.000-07:002015-09-26T08:46:10.053-07:00Pressure Drop Finish!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I blogged <a href="http://materialdetachment.blogspot.com/2015/07/pressure-drop.html" target="_blank">more than two months ago</a> about starting a quilt I was calling Pressure Drop, based on a variation of the Drunkard's Path layout. After a few delays, I finally "finished it up"!</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hKMiwKRfqys/VgXdyt4TWUI/AAAAAAAACWA/K1kGSVGpkvM/s1600/PD1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="310" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hKMiwKRfqys/VgXdyt4TWUI/AAAAAAAACWA/K1kGSVGpkvM/s320/PD1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">(I had a lot of fun putting patterns and colors together... and using up a couple of "ugly" or just plain difficult fabrics)</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ba9jlMNZg8I/VgXdfc2zDdI/AAAAAAAACV4/kxZ8FkmoLHk/s1600/PD2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="385" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ba9jlMNZg8I/VgXdfc2zDdI/AAAAAAAACV4/kxZ8FkmoLHk/s400/PD2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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In a couple of places, I switched up the background and foreground:</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-T68bBdMeEKI/VgXeErbEHlI/AAAAAAAACWI/FK8KcvkaMJ0/s1600/PD3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-T68bBdMeEKI/VgXeErbEHlI/AAAAAAAACWI/FK8KcvkaMJ0/s400/PD3.jpg" width="333" /></a></div>
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For the back I used the <a href="http://materialdetachment.blogspot.com/2015/07/palette-builder.html" target="_blank">Palette Builder</a> to identify the Bella Solid that matched the best, "Mauve" (though it might be better called "Thistle"):</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7_QRJT4S7rc/VgXfJjxbugI/AAAAAAAACWU/5fEDGocdNFI/s1600/PDback.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7_QRJT4S7rc/VgXfJjxbugI/AAAAAAAACWU/5fEDGocdNFI/s400/PDback.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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I tried some fashion quilt photography (wheelbarrow, asters, quilt):</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qej7VU1oQRE/VgXfYt7UUmI/AAAAAAAACWc/gkpKXAm80Tk/s1600/PDfashion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qej7VU1oQRE/VgXfYt7UUmI/AAAAAAAACWc/gkpKXAm80Tk/s400/PDfashion.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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I like asters, bees, monarchs better:</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t8vr4d5B5E8/VgXfv0zVN1I/AAAAAAAACWk/l38M0SVgsfQ/s1600/asters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t8vr4d5B5E8/VgXfv0zVN1I/AAAAAAAACWk/l38M0SVgsfQ/s400/asters.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Greta http://www.blogger.com/profile/04253301889379618401noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6318208008198307241.post-88269244759029031182015-09-02T08:30:00.004-07:002015-09-26T16:12:55.342-07:00Sophia's quilt<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Fp6zY_34frM/VecUIlTlDdI/AAAAAAAACSw/HhLhHa9OzB0/s1600/sophia%2Boverview.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Fp6zY_34frM/VecUIlTlDdI/AAAAAAAACSw/HhLhHa9OzB0/s400/sophia%2Boverview.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
It's been a long time since I posted. My sewing room is under renovation (yes, I should have posted on my husband's heroic efforts there. But there have been bummer-ish complications, like a shoddy skylight installation by workmen who have no pride, and their ignominious return to our house...3 times! Sigh). Most important, I have been busy welcoming our foreign exchange student from Egypt, Nadia.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vGG7L92xMVM/VecUbUEIDbI/AAAAAAAACS4/0ogukBCobik/s1600/sophia%2Bcloseup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="192" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vGG7L92xMVM/VecUbUEIDbI/AAAAAAAACS4/0ogukBCobik/s320/sophia%2Bcloseup.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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This quilt is <i>not</i> for Nadia, but for Sophia, going off to college this week. Sophia (daughter of family friends) threw a party before school started to introduce Nadia to all the "cool kids" in the class below her (now seniors) at the high school: i.e., the smart ones, the ones that wouldn't make stupid remarks like "why aren't you wearing a towel on your head?" About 20 people showed up! As a result, Nadia's transition into her new school was a breeze. Yay, Sophia!<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Iqq4QN19Ia0/VecUwAYgXxI/AAAAAAAACTA/gKKzBFEahlA/s1600/sophia%2Bcloseup%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="192" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Iqq4QN19Ia0/VecUwAYgXxI/AAAAAAAACTA/gKKzBFEahlA/s320/sophia%2Bcloseup%2B1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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As the party was winding up, I casually asked Sophia's mom, "Just in case I have time to make a quilt in the next 10 days [before she goes to college], what are Sophia's colors? Her mom answered, "It's always been robin's egg blue, mostly, but now with a little gray, lavender, and gold thrown in." Sophia has a very well defined set of colors. And, marvel of marvels, scraps in these colors had recently been brought together in a laundry basket, and were queued up, waiting for an excuse to be made into a quilt! It was meant to be.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3L7uVnffatQ/VecU4ERHp7I/AAAAAAAACTI/O6RG5PwBY0o/s1600/sophia%2Bplant.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3L7uVnffatQ/VecU4ERHp7I/AAAAAAAACTI/O6RG5PwBY0o/s320/sophia%2Bplant.jpg" width="256" /></a></div>
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I had a lot of fun with this design: 9 x 9" crazy blocks, plus 5.5 x 9" rectangular blocks. I love crazy, and it worked quite well in the "low-volume" colors of Sophia's palette.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V1oNd1uI7eE/VecV4rzGb7I/AAAAAAAACTU/JfvmPs6FAfk/s1600/sophia%2Bangle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V1oNd1uI7eE/VecV4rzGb7I/AAAAAAAACTU/JfvmPs6FAfk/s400/sophia%2Bangle.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I already had a couple-three yards of the robin's egg blue (called "spray green" at Joann's); in fact, this was the color for the back of a recent quilt (posted <a href="http://materialdetachment.blogspot.com/2015/08/rail-fence-quilt.html" target="_blank">here</a>). I just needed to buy 2 more yards to finish the quilt. All the rest was from my scrap bins.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dBDgLPUDNEE/VecWB3REG2I/AAAAAAAACTc/p66MOD5kWBY/s1600/sophia%2Bback.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dBDgLPUDNEE/VecWB3REG2I/AAAAAAAACTc/p66MOD5kWBY/s320/sophia%2Bback.jpg" width="256" /></a></div>
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I love a scrappy quilt. Thanks to my friend Sue Ellen for photographing this in the lovely, well-lit space of our local public library. Next up: Nadia's quilt!Greta http://www.blogger.com/profile/04253301889379618401noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6318208008198307241.post-65887940016379218872015-08-05T14:16:00.000-07:002015-08-06T16:53:54.437-07:00Softness and LightI mentioned in an earlier post that my aunt had entered respite care. We have known she was ill for a year or two, but now there are no more ways to improve her condition. She lives halfway across the country, and we've never visited much, just kept up on facebook, at the holidays, and through notecards. So a lap quilt, I felt, was in order.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KsHVGlOxtiY/VcDVbs98NDI/AAAAAAAACP8/nm3jrQ-Sxww/s1600/monarch%2Bquilt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KsHVGlOxtiY/VcDVbs98NDI/AAAAAAAACP8/nm3jrQ-Sxww/s400/monarch%2Bquilt.jpg" width="333" /></a></div>
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She has always loved pastels. I started by fishing out the pastels from my hundreds of pre-cut lozenges, which I made in a "productive" moment. From these I made a six-pointed star and then pieced together the pink background. You can see the ghost of tumbling blocks, as always with six-pointed stars, but I chose not to accentuate that.<br />
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Instead, I imported some of the goodness from my kitchen, where my husband has been nurturing monarch caterpillars into chrysalis and then butterfly form. He bought his first set of 65 tiny caterpillars from <a href="http://www.monarchwatch.org/" target="_blank">Monarch Watch</a> about 1 month ago, and another batch is in the mail...<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bn3yrbgkeFk/VcJ40lrkW1I/AAAAAAAACQY/rgY_HEiq_FI/s1600/20150726_092322.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bn3yrbgkeFk/VcJ40lrkW1I/AAAAAAAACQY/rgY_HEiq_FI/s400/20150726_092322.jpg" width="323" /></a></div>
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For a while there, all I could think about was the wonder of caterpillars gorging themselves on milkweed, forming a gold-crowned chrysalis, then emerging, as winged creatures...<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2z6i-lyYFRQ/VcJ6I1L_q4I/AAAAAAAACQk/1aDmNtzKFKU/s1600/monarch%2Bcloseup2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2z6i-lyYFRQ/VcJ6I1L_q4I/AAAAAAAACQk/1aDmNtzKFKU/s320/monarch%2Bcloseup2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I hoped to share that sense of wonder, poignancy, and even promise with my aunt.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SR0RVuRl22o/VcJ6v0DxX0I/AAAAAAAACQ0/Dj-4NA68UmQ/s1600/monarch%2Bquilt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="301" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SR0RVuRl22o/VcJ6v0DxX0I/AAAAAAAACQ0/Dj-4NA68UmQ/s320/monarch%2Bquilt.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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You may notice that the quilting is rather dense. It was a tight angular meander that produced the softest quilt I have ever produced! Is it true that tightly quilting results in a very soft and gentle hand?<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N1W5FB6yUzc/VcJ7lv2FNNI/AAAAAAAACQ8/INaQORflc-I/s1600/monarch%2Bback.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N1W5FB6yUzc/VcJ7lv2FNNI/AAAAAAAACQ8/INaQORflc-I/s400/monarch%2Bback.jpg" width="327" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">The back of the quilt: pure Kaffe </span><strike style="font-size: medium; text-align: start;">eye candy</strike><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;"> nectar!</span></td></tr>
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UPDATE: My mom was visiting my aunt when the quilt arrived in the mail; in fact it was Mom's birthday! I received a sweet phone call from my aunt, who (my mom reports) took a nap taken under it that afternoon!Greta http://www.blogger.com/profile/04253301889379618401noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6318208008198307241.post-77941150490624921052015-08-02T12:14:00.000-07:002015-08-04T07:31:43.551-07:00Rail Fence QuiltThe rail fence quilt described in <a href="http://materialdetachment.blogspot.com/2015/07/quilt-mania.html" target="_blank">my last post</a> is done, all but the binding! It's 66" x 84", about right for a twin size bed.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qy07GdVFW-o/Vb5ldv_FZ8I/AAAAAAAACO0/9tLFeTAtkKA/s1600/rail%2Bfence.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qy07GdVFW-o/Vb5ldv_FZ8I/AAAAAAAACO0/9tLFeTAtkKA/s320/rail%2Bfence.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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I honestly don't know where this came from. All of a sudden, it was Saturday night last weekend, and I was making 2" wide strips in threes, and cutting 5" squares (in hindsight, I think 2.5" wide strips and 6.5" squares might make for a quicker "scrap" quilt).<br />
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I do know that earlier in the week, I had looked at this photo on my Pinterest <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/gretagarten/patchwork/" target="_blank">patchwork board</a>, and mentally worked out some dimensions for blocks.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8F_HsNp0t04/Vb5oMEpVDyI/AAAAAAAACPA/sl8fmSRTsko/s1600/rail%2Bfence%2B%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8F_HsNp0t04/Vb5oMEpVDyI/AAAAAAAACPA/sl8fmSRTsko/s320/rail%2Bfence%2B%25282%2529.jpg" width="251" /></a></div>
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But, as for choosing colors, it was all a blur. I used up 3 old shirts of my husband's. This must have been a big impetus. Get those shirts out (they don't sit well on the shelves)! Can you see them? Blue-gray with Hawaiian flowers, light gray with charcoal and blue flowers, and blue plaid:<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7Y1ecQEJPm4/Vb5pFWqg4cI/AAAAAAAACPM/I34SwuliU5w/s1600/railfence%2Bcloseup2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7Y1ecQEJPm4/Vb5pFWqg4cI/AAAAAAAACPM/I34SwuliU5w/s320/railfence%2Bcloseup2.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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What made it exciting was the use of this upholstery fabric I got for like $2 a yard on ebay. From a distance, it is intimidating:</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RZJZjtLFrAk/VAtsH1XccBI/AAAAAAAABK0/ESDNjSa1gCE/s1600/painted%2Bfabric.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RZJZjtLFrAk/VAtsH1XccBI/AAAAAAAABK0/ESDNjSa1gCE/s320/painted%2Bfabric.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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But as I've heard it said, "no fabric is ugly; it just isn't cut into small-enough pieces." And those purply blues, sea greens, reds and greens (I avoided the yellow) made it a pleasure to arrange the blocks. On a closeup level, there's always something going on:</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-26peChp4udw/Vb5qKxUXvII/AAAAAAAACPY/xsImYDCrM-0/s1600/railfence%2Bcloseup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-26peChp4udw/Vb5qKxUXvII/AAAAAAAACPY/xsImYDCrM-0/s320/railfence%2Bcloseup.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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My only regret is that I didn't stand back enough. For some reason almost all of my "lights" aligned vertically (I was focusing on making sure the reds were okay).</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qy07GdVFW-o/Vb5ldv_FZ8I/AAAAAAAACO4/TT3Oacavrj4/s1600/rail%2Bfence.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qy07GdVFW-o/Vb5ldv_FZ8I/AAAAAAAACO4/TT3Oacavrj4/s320/rail%2Bfence.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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But it's okay. How often do we look at a quilt from a distance, anyway? I'm giving this to a young man who is institutionalized for schizophrenia. I think it is soothing, manly, and interesting to spend time looking at. He is a kind, gentle person. </div>
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I also think I'm going to crank out a few more rail fence quilts in the future!</div>
<br />Greta http://www.blogger.com/profile/04253301889379618401noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6318208008198307241.post-15615516649063647672015-07-27T08:54:00.001-07:002015-07-27T08:57:04.317-07:00Manic Monday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I am working on 4 projects at once. <b>One</b>, a green-and-orange pickle dish quilt for an October wedding. This one is under control. Paper piecing, bit by bit (sorry, no pic)<br />
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<b>Two</b>, the Pressure Drop quilt is growing. It is stalled out in my decision whether to change-up the backdrop to darks for more visual interest, or just keep it light (sorry about the picture quality). Please comment if you have an opinion.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pkT4rzjxVsU/VbZORAVWv6I/AAAAAAAACM4/HIKQT4n4AgY/s1600/without.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pkT4rzjxVsU/VbZORAVWv6I/AAAAAAAACM4/HIKQT4n4AgY/s320/without.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As-is</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lFRUoZTyMmU/VbZOfBi_HYI/AAAAAAAACNE/jo1PDby3X6E/s1600/with.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lFRUoZTyMmU/VbZOfBi_HYI/AAAAAAAACNE/jo1PDby3X6E/s320/with.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Changed-up</td></tr>
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At any rate, I used the Palette Builder (see <a href="http://materialdetachment.blogspot.com/2015/07/palette-builder.html" target="_blank">post</a>) and found a lovely mauve in Bella solids to use as the backing:<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iJcViDcARWU/VbZPXHzbRwI/AAAAAAAACNM/021Hj5UrOGE/s1600/mauve.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iJcViDcARWU/VbZPXHzbRwI/AAAAAAAACNM/021Hj5UrOGE/s1600/mauve.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b>Next</b>, a lap quilt for my aunt. This is sad: she has only a couple months to live. She loves pastels, so I whipped out this:</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xzRz_4CKh3U/VbZSE76q-gI/AAAAAAAACNc/nsZPwE9Ugpk/s1600/Helena.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xzRz_4CKh3U/VbZSE76q-gI/AAAAAAAACNc/nsZPwE9Ugpk/s320/Helena.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Obviously, this is my first priority, but I am waiting for a shipment of another yard of Kaffe Fassett's "Spray" in wine for the backing. I already have this yard of it (isn't it cheerful in a complex way?):<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jxlze_N5A-4/VbZSXX_hoZI/AAAAAAAACNk/zwhiniEXiOE/s1600/Kaffe%2Bspray.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jxlze_N5A-4/VbZSXX_hoZI/AAAAAAAACNk/zwhiniEXiOE/s320/Kaffe%2Bspray.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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My aunt is being so brave, so wonderful. Meanwhile, we are hatching monarch butterflies at our home. I hope she doesn't mind a few butterflies on her quilt. Maybe a little corny, but I'm confident she'll accept it in the right spirit. Applique butterflies, tonight!<br />
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And, waiting for all these decisions to hatch and packages to arrive, I got a wild hair on Saturday and started a split rail fence. I sewed all day Sunday and now I have enough squares for a 72 x 72 quilt (meanwhile exhausting a couple of old shirts of my husband's, and all the sage green in my possession!)<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dOW_6nvZAOw/VbZTQC_Z8qI/AAAAAAAACNw/Jpf2mN_tRik/s1600/split%2Brail2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="281" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dOW_6nvZAOw/VbZTQC_Z8qI/AAAAAAAACNw/Jpf2mN_tRik/s320/split%2Brail2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Speaking of old shirts, well I had to make him some new, and last week pulled out my handy pattern. Must have made a dozen shirts for him since we've married!<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FGQAnQ_WlDU/VbZTygFHpxI/AAAAAAAACN4/X35x08sfQK8/s1600/Mark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FGQAnQ_WlDU/VbZTygFHpxI/AAAAAAAACN4/X35x08sfQK8/s320/Mark.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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No wonder I keep complaining that I don't have enough time for my sewing!Greta http://www.blogger.com/profile/04253301889379618401noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6318208008198307241.post-51191993819676930952015-07-18T09:01:00.000-07:002015-07-18T15:55:14.473-07:00Palette BuilderThe other day I read an <a href="http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/07/15/the-error-in-theres-nothing-more-we-can-do/?_r=0" target="_blank">article on hospice care</a>, and how different people approach their final days. And it struck me that on my dying bed, I would like to be playing with swatches of fabrics and creating palettes for quilts, albeit ones I would never make (I do plenty of that at age 51!).<br />
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In short, I am a color freak and will be one til the day I die. So of course, I was thrilled to discover <a href="http://www.play-crafts.com/blog/palettebuilder2/" target="_blank">Palette Builder 2.1</a>.</div>
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I've used palette generators before. Plug in a photo, it spits out a palette. Unfortunately, the palette it usually spits out is paint colors or perhaps Pantone colors. Not very helpful to a quilter. We need one that spits out Kona cotton colors.</div>
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And guess what, they have made such a palette generator! ("they" being a company called Play Craft). Follow this <a href="http://www.play-crafts.com/blog/palettebuilder2/" target="_blank">link</a> and you'll come to this page:</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tLDF3qatrZU/VapvstxIeQI/AAAAAAAACLM/lEB7b5DjVdw/s1600/Palette%2BBuilder%2B2.1%2B%2B%2BPlay%2BCrafts.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="363" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tLDF3qatrZU/VapvstxIeQI/AAAAAAAACLM/lEB7b5DjVdw/s400/Palette%2BBuilder%2B2.1%2B%2B%2BPlay%2BCrafts.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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Pressing the button leads to your computer files. So, then you load your image. Just for fun, I loaded an image of the cover of Cream's album, <i>Disraeli Gears </i>("In a white room ... with black curtains ... near the station...")</div>
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At the top right, circled in red, is a drop-down menu. You can choose Kona Cottons, Bella Solids, "all solids", or Aurifil Threads. Here's the palette I got:</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-19rXzHYzt0s/Vap0slUoqaI/AAAAAAAACLk/5qpNICLflyY/s1600/Palette%2BBuilder%2Bcream%2B2.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="363" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-19rXzHYzt0s/Vap0slUoqaI/AAAAAAAACLk/5qpNICLflyY/s400/Palette%2BBuilder%2Bcream%2B2.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Now wait a minute! Where is the acid green?</i> I said. Well, that's what the circled + button is for. You can ask the palette generator to go back and get more colors. You can also hover over any color you don't like, and press the - button that appears, to remove it. (As it so happens, both buttons are roughly speaking, acid green). </div>
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Here is my <i>Disraeli Gears</i> palette, tweaked:</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Yq1ASV7D52o/Vap21Ws8d7I/AAAAAAAACLw/8IF0EbLpgcE/s1600/disraeli%2Btweak.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="308" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Yq1ASV7D52o/Vap21Ws8d7I/AAAAAAAACLw/8IF0EbLpgcE/s400/disraeli%2Btweak.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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I could write more, but I know you color freaks out there are dying to try this. Just go to <a href="http://www.play-crafts.com/blog/palettebuilder2/">http://www.play-crafts.com/blog/palettebuilder2/</a>. Have fun and as always, play safe!</div>
Greta http://www.blogger.com/profile/04253301889379618401noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6318208008198307241.post-18961395237827539202015-07-10T09:48:00.000-07:002015-07-10T09:52:36.809-07:00Pressure DropAfter the <a href="http://materialdetachment.blogspot.com/2015/07/swoon-agony.html" target="_blank">Swoon Quilt</a> and all the anxiety involved in its 1.5-year gestation, I am glad to do a quilt just for the sake of it. And what better fabrics and colors to use than ones I have no investment in? Calm colors, easy colors, fabrics just sitting around.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wIULldZsgNs/VZ_xkiZ5cVI/AAAAAAAACJQ/bErJoEqprMU/s1600/pressure%2Bdrop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wIULldZsgNs/VZ_xkiZ5cVI/AAAAAAAACJQ/bErJoEqprMU/s400/pressure%2Bdrop.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The seed of the idea comes from this "Kilim" fabric from Benartex Left Bank collection that hasn't found its way into anything for the last two years. The name suggests it's based on carpet motifs, but it reminds me of wallpaper, which is exactly the purpose it serves in my quilt:<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bMxIFjxBkfs/VZ_yWG7lDCI/AAAAAAAACJY/l5J3DKVED3U/s1600/background.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bMxIFjxBkfs/VZ_yWG7lDCI/AAAAAAAACJY/l5J3DKVED3U/s400/background.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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I only have 1 yard of it, so besides it and the stripes I've got these fabrics queued up to extend the idea (oh so casually), including my husband's old shirt:<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZuKGftHW2oU/VZ_y3ARCc-I/AAAAAAAACJg/_nxdQ_ZrFZM/s1600/other%2Bbackground.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZuKGftHW2oU/VZ_y3ARCc-I/AAAAAAAACJg/_nxdQ_ZrFZM/s320/other%2Bbackground.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Here are some of the highlight fabrics, including a beautiful Kaffe Fassett, a <a href="http://www.play-crafts.com/blog/2015-pantone-quilt-challenge-marsala-edition/" target="_blank">marsala</a> print, a mauve, and one of my old favorites, the quickly dwindling toad fabric:<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dDNZkwhvVHM/VZ_zLGBPOuI/AAAAAAAACJo/LnFWndUQthw/s1600/highlight.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dDNZkwhvVHM/VZ_zLGBPOuI/AAAAAAAACJo/LnFWndUQthw/s320/highlight.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Most of these have been untouched oddballs because of their "off" colors. But they coexist well in this lazy day quilt. I made one of templates myself out of cardboard. I have to be careful not to shave it down as I cut!<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d0xPDqlNdqA/VZ_zr1BPA4I/AAAAAAAACJ0/mmYcFqpJWhg/s1600/template.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d0xPDqlNdqA/VZ_zr1BPA4I/AAAAAAAACJ0/mmYcFqpJWhg/s320/template.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The block is 9.5" and the drunkard's path template I used to make it finishes at 6" square.<br />
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I got the idea for the block from this antique quilt, from Eli Leon's collection of vintage quilts:<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-i6PQuFzxjVY/VZ_2VafxKdI/AAAAAAAACKA/C5K6MYAXvWo/s1600/eli%2Bleon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-i6PQuFzxjVY/VZ_2VafxKdI/AAAAAAAACKA/C5K6MYAXvWo/s400/eli%2Bleon.jpg" width="316" /></a></div>
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Unfortunately, I am not motivated enough to attempt anything so beautiful; I just want to cut and piece, cut and piece....<br />
<br />Greta http://www.blogger.com/profile/04253301889379618401noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6318208008198307241.post-51385143287707414302015-07-06T11:43:00.001-07:002015-07-06T11:46:18.346-07:00Long-Arming the Swoon QuiltI spent the 4th of July weekend... you guessed it! Finishing up the Swoon quilt:<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-imwqJ5SxiF0/VZrJVLprTsI/AAAAAAAACIA/GBB4UyS-zV0/s1600/swoon%2Bfinal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-imwqJ5SxiF0/VZrJVLprTsI/AAAAAAAACIA/GBB4UyS-zV0/s400/swoon%2Bfinal.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Months ago, at my request, the couple had visited my <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/gretagarten/patchwork/" target="_blank">Pinterest patchwork page</a>, and kept commenting on spiral quilting, so I had to break out of my "Meander" comfort-zone and go for some custom quilting to complement the patchwork:<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NXlxuuPgiug/VZrJss_MNVI/AAAAAAAACII/qNPTk_uNdVk/s1600/20150705_111442.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NXlxuuPgiug/VZrJss_MNVI/AAAAAAAACII/qNPTk_uNdVk/s320/20150705_111442.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I especially enjoyed making leafy-viney borders. They are not your traditional leafy-viney borders, but I like that:</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wr4HKtC9r4g/VZrKA4UERHI/AAAAAAAACIQ/ol6LSjWD72A/s1600/20150704_180631.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wr4HKtC9r4g/VZrKA4UERHI/AAAAAAAACIQ/ol6LSjWD72A/s320/20150704_180631.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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To my horror, this is what the quilt back looked like as I was quilting. I was cursing my choice of a dark color ("potting soil"), of cheapish JoAnn fabric, etc.:</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-udVOPFiohTI/VZrKRxnUkcI/AAAAAAAACIY/hIToGmFv1PQ/s1600/20150704_152727.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-udVOPFiohTI/VZrKRxnUkcI/AAAAAAAACIY/hIToGmFv1PQ/s400/20150704_152727.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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But practically all the needle holes healed themselves in the wash!</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FhriHSfIPVw/VZrKodGqAII/AAAAAAAACIg/0mVEsRZsFR8/s1600/20150705_133316.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FhriHSfIPVw/VZrKodGqAII/AAAAAAAACIg/0mVEsRZsFR8/s320/20150705_133316.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The couple loved the color of the back, which matches their walnut-finish floor. And I think they like the quilt itself! It's on facebook now, getting "likes" from their friends. All's well that ends well!</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IBbtM_UAqr8/VZrLDczfwaI/AAAAAAAACIo/i0SBO46j2rE/s1600/justus%2Bkelli%2Bquilt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IBbtM_UAqr8/VZrLDczfwaI/AAAAAAAACIo/i0SBO46j2rE/s400/justus%2Bkelli%2Bquilt.jpg" width="377" /></a></div>
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Greta http://www.blogger.com/profile/04253301889379618401noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6318208008198307241.post-5873993854073321382015-07-03T07:43:00.003-07:002015-07-06T11:45:04.963-07:00Swoon * Agony<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Following friend Doris's example (<a href="http://madebyabrunnette.com/2015/05/13/swoon-worthy/" target="_blank">see post</a>), I finally settled on a [modified] Swoon quilt as the first-year anniversary quilt for my stepson and bride. I have struggled with this gift since they first announced the wedding, kind of shadow-dancing with "their colors" (which were never clear), hoping the construction of their new house would give me some clues. Tan? Gray? Each seemed to have its advocate, and their final solution was: both? </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MtO0GW_2WRg/VZaf7Mhs4xI/AAAAAAAACHY/DI0n47VyHZk/s1600/85d17fb7a430aa4c3bc9635b304f21aa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MtO0GW_2WRg/VZaf7Mhs4xI/AAAAAAAACHY/DI0n47VyHZk/s320/85d17fb7a430aa4c3bc9635b304f21aa.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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As a background, I finally found Peppered Cotton (these solids have different warps and wefts, like oxford cloth) in <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/259027416043855521/" target="_blank">tobacco brown</a>: rich fawn-brown warp, greenish-gray weft. This seemed to solve the tan vs. gray perplex in a fabric I could enjoy spending time with. </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cCWBrv71GCs/VYnififex2I/AAAAAAAACF8/dy1gtPdp2bg/s1600/20150623_133818%25280%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cCWBrv71GCs/VYnififex2I/AAAAAAAACF8/dy1gtPdp2bg/s320/20150623_133818%25280%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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However, I was not happy with the collection of the first nine blocks. Individual prints from my scrap stash had inspired me to import accents of pink and orange. These clashed. I wished I had chosen bigger, bolder patterns. Finally, I weeded out the four that seemed to disturb harmony the most. These will become a baby quilt some day:</div>
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I was left with the blocks that adhered firmly to a gold-and-blue regimen, from aqua to true blue, honey to tan. Back to the store to buy more of those colors, again more "blenders" rather than big, bold prints. The sales lady was shocked that I was combining batiks with printed patterns. But I felt hemmed in by what I'd already chosen.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yAj-N0M-bcc/VYnj0BD3h6I/AAAAAAAACGc/C1GU6ZqMgqg/s1600/20150623_134051.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yAj-N0M-bcc/VYnj0BD3h6I/AAAAAAAACGc/C1GU6ZqMgqg/s320/20150623_134051.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Two weeks later, the quilt top is done (except for 3 inches of tobacco brown needed around the edge. I like the negative space of the brown. We are seeing them this Sunday, when I will present the finished product.<br />
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It is what it is. I hope it provides some "Mediterranean" sunshine (they honeymooned on the French Riviera) into a subdued (gray and tan, now I'm hearing "greens"--?) setting. I have not yet been to their house. They moved in two weeks ago while I was in Ohio. I hear that their bedroom carpet has a touch of blue. I've got my fingers crossed.<br />
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Update <a href="http://materialdetachment.blogspot.com/2015/07/long-arming-swoon-quilt.html" target="_blank">here</a>Greta http://www.blogger.com/profile/04253301889379618401noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6318208008198307241.post-35778758199460044122015-06-11T19:39:00.000-07:002015-07-11T08:19:00.470-07:00Quilt for EdieWhat kind of quilt do you make a special 8-year-old girl who loves her dog (a terrier mutt)?<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Qb0uHfnPVqQ/VXo92aqnlTI/AAAAAAAACAg/YQS5KcyPRHM/s1600/dog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="287" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Qb0uHfnPVqQ/VXo92aqnlTI/AAAAAAAACAg/YQS5KcyPRHM/s320/dog.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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who looooves to swim ...<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QvMbEIywv6c/VXo-DpMZcbI/AAAAAAAACAo/C7q9y5F5wN4/s1600/bathing%2Bsuit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="210" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QvMbEIywv6c/VXo-DpMZcbI/AAAAAAAACAo/C7q9y5F5wN4/s320/bathing%2Bsuit.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
and read ...<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VVdMAoJr_98/VXpLXgpgFKI/AAAAAAAACDI/7ilCtwK8dq8/s1600/books.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="275" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VVdMAoJr_98/VXpLXgpgFKI/AAAAAAAACDI/7ilCtwK8dq8/s320/books.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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...and color,<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yB101Tn57N4/VXpH9RpX3YI/AAAAAAAACCw/tBC7hU_yAA4/s1600/crayola.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="292" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yB101Tn57N4/VXpH9RpX3YI/AAAAAAAACCw/tBC7hU_yAA4/s320/crayola.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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who loves Mary Poppins ...<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kD35Y_qzC2M/VXo9Xa6ZgII/AAAAAAAACAE/4wkKMVozYWA/s1600/Mary%2BPoppins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kD35Y_qzC2M/VXo9Xa6ZgII/AAAAAAAACAE/4wkKMVozYWA/s320/Mary%2BPoppins.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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... and the Beatles (the <em>early </em>Beatles)<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r5Ls7MZ9-wI/VXo9Zys4bpI/AAAAAAAACAU/UuTtGTi1zEs/s1600/Beatles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="312" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r5Ls7MZ9-wI/VXo9Zys4bpI/AAAAAAAACAU/UuTtGTi1zEs/s320/Beatles.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(song titles: "Love Me Do"; "Twist and Shout")</td></tr>
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lives in L.A. ...<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7Plmar4kYx0/VXpCMMQelhI/AAAAAAAACBk/lnifA7QkM-I/s1600/California.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7Plmar4kYx0/VXpCMMQelhI/AAAAAAAACBk/lnifA7QkM-I/s320/California.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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... with a cactus garden out front; who likes to dress up,<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GwkeolPdk1A/VXpDwVEv6JI/AAAAAAAACB4/4QkdUgRjXDY/s1600/cactus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="194" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GwkeolPdk1A/VXpDwVEv6JI/AAAAAAAACB4/4QkdUgRjXDY/s320/cactus.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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take baths, play with her <a href="http://pixgood.com/american-girl-doll-bathtub.html" target="_blank"><b>American Girl bathtub</b></a> (complete with pink plastic bubbles),<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a8J2kGKvYhI/VXpCl6RnEwI/AAAAAAAACBs/H6Lrq5NIw8A/s1600/bathtubw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a8J2kGKvYhI/VXpCl6RnEwI/AAAAAAAACBs/H6Lrq5NIw8A/s320/bathtubw.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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and go to ballet class;</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-H17qeH6B95w/VXpEAKxwAOI/AAAAAAAACCA/jF9Qvl9k89Y/s1600/balletshoes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-H17qeH6B95w/VXpEAKxwAOI/AAAAAAAACCA/jF9Qvl9k89Y/s320/balletshoes.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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who takes vacations on a lake in New Hampshire;</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-emvs9n_ZE3s/VXpIW3r9ZLI/AAAAAAAACC4/tJdFCSehWMM/s1600/canoe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="220" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-emvs9n_ZE3s/VXpIW3r9ZLI/AAAAAAAACC4/tJdFCSehWMM/s320/canoe.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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who has a good sense of humor</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-saNHnlLZI-M/VXpFM_70qFI/AAAAAAAACCc/-Q-CwQGPTbc/s1600/dinosaur.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="134" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-saNHnlLZI-M/VXpFM_70qFI/AAAAAAAACCc/-Q-CwQGPTbc/s320/dinosaur.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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and who has never, ever had a turtle?</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Yu0zshrTkao/VXsf8KGVXkI/AAAAAAAACDk/BKVaiWPHNDU/s1600/turtlej.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Yu0zshrTkao/VXsf8KGVXkI/AAAAAAAACDk/BKVaiWPHNDU/s320/turtlej.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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What kind of quilt do you make such a girl? Why, it's obvious, isn't it?<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OgftmDS_dLk/VXsgILGkK9I/AAAAAAAACDs/d8p8m9H_iMg/s1600/Edie%2527s%2Bquilt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OgftmDS_dLk/VXsgILGkK9I/AAAAAAAACDs/d8p8m9H_iMg/s400/Edie%2527s%2Bquilt.jpg" width="308" /></a></div>
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P.S. Center of quilt was patterned after "Amy's Creative Side" new pattern, <a href="http://amyscreativeside.com/2014/05/12/new-quilt-patterns/" target="_blank">"Soiree"</a>.<br />
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P.P.S. Edie chose the colors herself! (Kona lapis, watermelon, parrot green, stratosphere, peach, sprout). Aren't they wonderful!<br />
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UPDATE: A girl and her quilt:<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t6ReoFZT9Ag/VYG1Gyb5EoI/AAAAAAAACE4/0CabxV7N2A0/s1600/Edie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t6ReoFZT9Ag/VYG1Gyb5EoI/AAAAAAAACE4/0CabxV7N2A0/s320/Edie.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
Greta http://www.blogger.com/profile/04253301889379618401noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6318208008198307241.post-13542368430344882692015-06-07T20:26:00.000-07:002015-06-11T08:54:45.031-07:00Cute as a bugI don't know where that expression comes from. But my 7-year-old Reading Buddy is just that. A little rough around the edges? Yes, that too. But cute and sweet and a pleasure to get to know. I tutored him all last school year and hope to continue.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VAhTRXUYGWs/VXUJQzTfOrI/AAAAAAAAB94/9VTpL0LL4Zc/s1600/Brayden.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VAhTRXUYGWs/VXUJQzTfOrI/AAAAAAAAB94/9VTpL0LL4Zc/s400/Brayden.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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I almost didn't get to tutor him. He came to the first day of tutoring, shy as a bunny and stubborn as a mule. He wasn't having any of it. His grandma apologized: changes in medication, try again next week, etc. But I said, "Wait!" And I said to my soon-to-be-buddy, "We're in a library. As long as you're here you might as well check out a book. What topic interests you?"<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-w_9ysZ36aIk/VXUJYrWyB_I/AAAAAAAAB-A/nSoff_HOoo0/s1600/brayden%2Bdetail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-w_9ysZ36aIk/VXUJYrWyB_I/AAAAAAAAB-A/nSoff_HOoo0/s320/brayden%2Bdetail.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Eyes wide as pennies. "Insects!" We never looked back. This kid really doesn't need to read the "Learning-to-Read" books on insects. He can already look at a picture of an insect and tell you its name, its host plants, its prey and its defenses.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9LOsFGi3q3M/VXUK46pSI-I/AAAAAAAAB-o/2xSUwqIdlLM/s1600/greenback%2B-%2BCopy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9LOsFGi3q3M/VXUK46pSI-I/AAAAAAAAB-o/2xSUwqIdlLM/s320/greenback%2B-%2BCopy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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But that's okay, It makes reading all that much less intimidating. Plus, we can read up on other subjects, like the difference between frogs and toads. (And of course, you know what <i>they</i> like to eat!)<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZZ1C_36mDUI/VXULJIohflI/AAAAAAAAB-w/sRB_PfuekZs/s1600/toad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="280" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZZ1C_36mDUI/VXULJIohflI/AAAAAAAAB-w/sRB_PfuekZs/s320/toad.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Happy Birthday, Brayden!<br />
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<br />Greta http://www.blogger.com/profile/04253301889379618401noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6318208008198307241.post-2475306770733154002015-05-28T18:24:00.000-07:002015-06-15T06:43:48.537-07:00Two "Just Because" quiltsI have two more <a href="http://materialdetachment.blogspot.com/2015/03/grace-quilts.html" target="_blank"><b>Grace quilts</b> (see post)</a> to report. But, since the gifts were not anonymous, perhaps I should call them something else. I made them "just because," so I'll call them "Just Because" quilts.<br />
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One, for a 6th grader for whom we provided one week of respite. This brave young man was soon to be moving out of state to join his father. He was leaving friends and half-siblings and a mother whose rights had been terminated for an unknown future. And he was cool, really cool. Part-Sudanese with an interesting British accent, and obviously well liked by the kids in the after-school program where I picked him up each day.<br />
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During his week at our house he spent a lot of time under a quilt watching TV. He noticed that I made quilts, and asked me about it. When I asked him what his favorite colors were and would he like a quilt, he was so <i>enthusiastic</i>. Not your average 12-year-old.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ijASp9Wsb0k/VWe52Tir4iI/AAAAAAAAB8k/hDGWi7TioXE/s1600/Matts%2Bquilt%2B%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ijASp9Wsb0k/VWe52Tir4iI/AAAAAAAAB8k/hDGWi7TioXE/s400/Matts%2Bquilt%2B%25282%2529.jpg" width="336" /></a></div>
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One darling thing he said. "Be sure to sign it. In fact, I would like to take it to school and have all my friends sign it." So I included some white lozenges to use as signature patches on the back, and sent him off with an indelible pen from the fabric store. Good luck in life, Matt! In my book, you are a winner!</div>
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I have befriended the grandmother of my 7-year-old Reading Buddy, who is about my age. She can use a friendly ear when it comes to her duties as guardian of two grandchildren, and "worrier-about" two others. Her daughter, mother of all four, went to jail for a 3-month sentence last week (leaving her 2-month-old baby and 2-year-old terror with a questionable Dad). On top of that, my friend's son, in his 20s, is institutionalized for schizophrenia, and blames his mom for his limitations. </div>
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Yet she is the nicest person, very "soft" in character (I am always coaching her to bulldog her way to better results from the professionals who are supposed to be helping her and her grandkids). As purple is her favorite color, I selected the softest of purples, and stitched this up just as the romantic smell of lilac wafted onto the scene, here in the Midwest:</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3VklRVIMreo/VWe7qVpBN_I/AAAAAAAAB8w/beEkMdcH15Y/s1600/purple.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3VklRVIMreo/VWe7qVpBN_I/AAAAAAAAB8w/beEkMdcH15Y/s400/purple.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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The light blocks are crazy compilations from my scrap bin. I got the idea from <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/222998619025304062/" target="_blank">this quilt</a>.<br />
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My friend squealed with excitement~! This is why making quilts gives me such joy: 2 easy quilts for 2 good people. Now, on to making a quilt for my Reading Buddy, her grandson, who turns 8 in June.Greta http://www.blogger.com/profile/04253301889379618401noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6318208008198307241.post-85987485655417795752015-05-28T17:36:00.001-07:002015-05-30T10:39:49.625-07:00Stone Soup Do you know the European folktale called "Stone Soup"? Some hungry strangers come to a village and propose they make stone soup for supper. They'll contribute the stone. Everyone else can just contribute whatever they have on hand: carrots, onions, an old chicken carcass, whatever. Soon they are all feasting on stone soup. Yum.<br />
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I feel I just made a stone soup quilt.<br />
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It all began with this stone:<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PVtHbCvkYgo/VWewClkpFmI/AAAAAAAAB78/HmNIyCUb_5Q/s1600/stone%2Bsoup%2Bspiral.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="309" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PVtHbCvkYgo/VWewClkpFmI/AAAAAAAAB78/HmNIyCUb_5Q/s320/stone%2Bsoup%2Bspiral.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I found this applique project from a few years ago, and set out to make a <a href="http://materialdetachment.blogspot.com/2015/03/grace-quilts.html" target="_blank"><b>grace quilt</b> (see post)</a> with it at the center as a medallion. I found an old decorator fabric sample I thought would match, and quickly gathered other fabrics from my "B" stash: periwinkle, brown, raspberry, and started cutting biggish blocks and surrounding the medallion.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Sv9FdHuw9f8/VWeya6tcJXI/AAAAAAAAB8I/8dxaYbpAZ_s/s1600/color%2Bpanel.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="100" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Sv9FdHuw9f8/VWeya6tcJXI/AAAAAAAAB8I/8dxaYbpAZ_s/s400/color%2Bpanel.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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After a while, I noticed that the spiral "stone" wasn't working well as a medallion. A medallion element has to be strong. It wasn't really holding up.<br />
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But then, I noticed the greeny blue in the print in the medallion. I noticed the 3 or so yards of "verdigris" on my shelf. And I remembered that verdigris, or sea green, just happened to be my old friend's new favorite color... The same friend who had said the last quilt I had given her (about 8 years ago) was worn out from everyday use. Those kinds of friends get priority.<br />
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I replaced the medallion with a solid-color medallion. Continued to add blocks, including verdigris blocks. And Voila! A tasty quilt for my friend.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xMUvKR42t50/VWez7wqyUEI/AAAAAAAAB8U/IwaAUrXnBN4/s1600/squares.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xMUvKR42t50/VWez7wqyUEI/AAAAAAAAB8U/IwaAUrXnBN4/s400/squares.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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I'll hang on to the stone, just in case,<br />
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<br />Greta http://www.blogger.com/profile/04253301889379618401noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6318208008198307241.post-61663907177790742362015-03-04T07:55:00.000-08:002015-06-11T08:52:07.926-07:00"Grace" quiltsI have long bristled at the concept of "charity". It's lopsided, hierarchical; it fails to acknowledge that very often those who "receive" also have much to give, and that those who give "material" items may have deficits that drive our giving. Often, this is a need for connection and meaning; when it comes to quilting, it may be a kind of freedom from criticality, a kind of "grace" to ourselves (and to our fabrics!) as designers and makers.<br />
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That's why I propose calling them "grace quilts" instead. <br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fDl_PsTvAAI/VPcn2GOnosI/AAAAAAAAB0k/38m8dJJ2La8/s1600/sunny%2Bbaby.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fDl_PsTvAAI/VPcn2GOnosI/AAAAAAAAB0k/38m8dJJ2La8/s1600/sunny%2Bbaby.jpg" width="382" /></a></div>
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Here's one "grace quilt" I made for a woman in poverty who is about to give birth by C-section. It was a surprise how easily this came together. Just cut and stitch, hardly any labor at all (ha!)<br />
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All winter, our religious fellowship has been making <strike>charity</strike> grace quilts for a local mission that indicated bedding was in high demand. Winter is a motivating reality here in Iowa! I whipped up this grace quilt out of upholstery fabric samples. Quilting it on my longarm gave me so much pleasure! I really love the central panel's generous view of nature:<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IPb53gIaxOs/VPcoXyjZ2HI/AAAAAAAAB0s/_N7OaGNey_Q/s1600/floral%2Bcharity.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IPb53gIaxOs/VPcoXyjZ2HI/AAAAAAAAB0s/_N7OaGNey_Q/s1600/floral%2Bcharity.jpg" width="332" /></a></div>
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I whipped up this grace quilt<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ex9zVrbZdTU/VPcopHqq2bI/AAAAAAAAB00/UZEeGoTfp70/s1600/flannel%2Bmittens.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ex9zVrbZdTU/VPcopHqq2bI/AAAAAAAAB00/UZEeGoTfp70/s1600/flannel%2Bmittens.jpg" width="337" /></a></div>
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because I had this adorable fabric for backing (a gift).<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GktVhv_6wjk/VPcoz_yg_HI/AAAAAAAAB08/3tOaLPY_Xfg/s1600/closeup%2Bflannel%2Bmitten%2Bfabric.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GktVhv_6wjk/VPcoz_yg_HI/AAAAAAAAB08/3tOaLPY_Xfg/s1600/closeup%2Bflannel%2Bmitten%2Bfabric.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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(after discovering that I didn't have enough solid flannel to finish the top, and that Jo-Ann's had entirely changed their color lines in solid flannel, I realized I had no choice but to surrender to "what is"!)<br />
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I whipped up this grace quilt out of what was left in my flannel collection. I literally had only one 10" x 10" square of flannel in my house when I was done. Grace just happened as the pieces came together, and this top is now quilted and keeping someone warm. <br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1_XyS03abD0/VPcpU1ysh0I/AAAAAAAAB1E/Z5N4m4luBt4/s1600/pink%2Bgrace%2Bquilt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1_XyS03abD0/VPcpU1ysh0I/AAAAAAAAB1E/Z5N4m4luBt4/s1600/pink%2Bgrace%2Bquilt.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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I love the thought of introducing beauty and the surprise of being gifted into people's lives. I hope my quilts communicate the joy in making and connecting with "someone-out-there" who may appreciate these scraps of beauty on several layers. <br />
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Halfway through my latest grace quilt, I realized it was suited for a dear friend. More soon!<br />
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Thank you for reading my post(s), another form of grace. Greta http://www.blogger.com/profile/04253301889379618401noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6318208008198307241.post-21598857246968225322015-02-18T16:58:00.001-08:002015-02-19T07:25:50.179-08:00Japanese sashiko<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xark7mUwLFI/VOU181zF69I/AAAAAAAABzo/LQnAW9zvn7Y/s1600/sashiko%2Bcloseup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xark7mUwLFI/VOU181zF69I/AAAAAAAABzo/LQnAW9zvn7Y/s1600/sashiko%2Bcloseup.jpg" height="320" width="259" /></a></div>
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My dear friend Joanna was in town last week. Over the phone she said, "my jacket really needs some more patches." Joanna is such a free spirit (and an anti-capitalist one, at that!) that she proudly sports the jackets she's been wearing for decades. She tells me she cherishes the patches I've sewn, but is definitely sensitive about any new holes. This is my third or fourth round of patching her jackets, which of course, has been my honor and pleasure.<br />
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Here's Joanna (in a relatively new jacket--no patches!) in the health food coop of Ann Arbor, with a random stranger she invited to be part of the photo. (I thought this pic was quilt-blog-worthy!)<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZnoYJi1bBu8/VOUu0reGPGI/AAAAAAAABzE/f8AQQskcHaU/s1600/joanna%2Bat%2Bcoop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZnoYJi1bBu8/VOUu0reGPGI/AAAAAAAABzE/f8AQQskcHaU/s1600/joanna%2Bat%2Bcoop.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
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For this round of patchwork, I had a new skill to apply: Japanese sashiko. Last month, a <a href="http://qejapan.com/tour_overview.php" target="_blank">textile tour</a> in Japan had taken me to the small but very memorable <a href="http://www.amusemuseum.com/boro/index.html" target="_blank">Amuse Museum in Tokyo</a>, where Chuzaburo Tanaka's collection of "boro" (historical, patched Japanese textiles) is on permanent display. Tanaka was the first to recognize the artistic--spiritual?--value of the patched-over robes, blankets and pants worn by impoverished Japanese villagers of the last century. These textiles have texture!<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sFUsA_9FVyE/VOUxFtMkK3I/AAAAAAAABzQ/z3tWpusxIgw/s1600/boro%2Bpants%2B(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sFUsA_9FVyE/VOUxFtMkK3I/AAAAAAAABzQ/z3tWpusxIgw/s1600/boro%2Bpants%2B(2).jpg" height="400" width="248" /></a></div>
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Above is an example of pants in Tanaka's collection. The way the item is displayed helps convey the lived-in quality that makes them so beautiful, as the haiku-like signage suggests:<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gTOTIkRBrdM/VOUuNM2fCkI/AAAAAAAABy8/22pZkxRlrbQ/s1600/20150127_144438.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gTOTIkRBrdM/VOUuNM2fCkI/AAAAAAAABy8/22pZkxRlrbQ/s1600/20150127_144438.jpg" height="191" width="200" /></a></div>
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I think the same principle applies to the Gees' Bend quilts from Alabama that use old jeans material(photo from <a href="https://obif.wordpress.com/2010/09/04/pretty-things-quilts-of-gees-bend/" target="_blank">object [if] ied</a> blog, which has a nice article about them).<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-807DOUPWjY4/VOUyOT5rRkI/AAAAAAAABzc/iP7dD8JTZ2U/s1600/gees%2Bbend.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-807DOUPWjY4/VOUyOT5rRkI/AAAAAAAABzc/iP7dD8JTZ2U/s1600/gees%2Bbend.jpg" height="400" width="277" /></a></div>
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Anyway, in boro, these patches are applied to the garments (both inside and out) using sashiko stitching, a running stitch, in rows, to stabilize the layers. Again, the trace of the human activity of stitching is seen and felt. People now employ sashiko for decoration, using a thick cotton embroidery thread, but my use on Joanna's jacket went back to its functional roots, and I simply used a double strand of sewing thread:<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I76ZkfjBXZ0/VOUo2zmQ4AI/AAAAAAAAByE/M59PbSEY4RA/s1600/sashiko%2Bon%2BJoanna's%2Bpocket.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I76ZkfjBXZ0/VOUo2zmQ4AI/AAAAAAAAByE/M59PbSEY4RA/s1600/sashiko%2Bon%2BJoanna's%2Bpocket.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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Truly, sashiko makes so much sense. Where it now has interesting texture, the jacket was once rumpled, with the bulk of an unruly placket lining causing much of the wearing-down points. Stapling down the flap with the running stitch made it behave:<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-swhHe5wF9jg/VOUpDajr8_I/AAAAAAAAByM/Ob_vRYTnfkI/s1600/back%2Bof%2Bsashiko.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-swhHe5wF9jg/VOUpDajr8_I/AAAAAAAAByM/Ob_vRYTnfkI/s1600/back%2Bof%2Bsashiko.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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I also added patches of silk with sashiko to the frayed parts on the collar<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VeJKJWfyjdc/VOUpeJ_li2I/AAAAAAAAByU/f3tDELOTRjE/s1600/neck.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VeJKJWfyjdc/VOUpeJ_li2I/AAAAAAAAByU/f3tDELOTRjE/s1600/neck.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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and sleeve (pictured here from the elbow down).<br />
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I love this beautiful technique and am so thrilled to employ it in an authentic context, so soon after my return from Japan, for such a sweet and appreciative recipient.<br />
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Linking up with <a href="http://www.freshlypieced.com/2015/02/wip-wednesday-off-to-austin.html" target="_blank">Work in Progress Wednesday</a> and <a href="http://www.myquiltinfatuation.blogspot.com/2015/02/ice-storm-sewing.html" target="_blank">Needle and Thread Thursday</a>.<br />
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<br />Greta http://www.blogger.com/profile/04253301889379618401noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6318208008198307241.post-37646181313611217752015-01-27T04:24:00.000-08:002015-02-07T18:06:04.474-08:00Joyful Japanese Quilts<b>Tokyo Great International Quilt Festival, Part 2</b><br />
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In my <a href="http://materialdetachment.blogspot.com/2015/01/tokyo-great-international-quilt.html" target="_blank">last post</a>, I showed some of the quilts that struck a deeper spiritual chord at the Tokyo Quilt Festival. In this one, I share quilts expressing the light-hearted, happy part of the Japanese spirit that we had found in our happy hosts in Niigata, with their ready laughter and sense of fun.<br />
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What better place to start than the winner of the "Friendship Quilt Award" for the quilt "that best conveys the joyful feeling of making a quilt" (or something like that)? This quilt is by Reiko Hatakeyama:<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-r2bpIgJccDA/VMdbsetHjUI/AAAAAAAABsA/EvtcIksMQnE/s1600/20150126_131029_resized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-r2bpIgJccDA/VMdbsetHjUI/AAAAAAAABsA/EvtcIksMQnE/s1600/20150126_131029_resized.jpg" height="400" width="342" /></a></div>
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Here's a detail from another joyful quilt.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ss67lM49JMI/VMdcWAlHJII/AAAAAAAABsI/A3lo6NRobbA/s1600/20150126_100423_resized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ss67lM49JMI/VMdcWAlHJII/AAAAAAAABsI/A3lo6NRobbA/s1600/20150126_100423_resized.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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All of those flowers are appliquéd, of course. Amazing dedication! It seems a shame, then, that the appearance of her quilt was marred by the fold line down the middle (note to quilters who send their works to shows: roll them up, don't fold. It may cost a little extra but it is worth the effort!)</div>
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Another adorable quilt, even without knowledge of the text:</div>
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The Japanese, evidently, love their cats. Here's a guy, maybe homeless, who we saw the first day, setting up his spot in the park, with his cat on a stack of towels, like a empress:</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xs6KEr7-3Gk/VMd42eWdbqI/AAAAAAAABtA/YEABEggryTk/s1600/20150123_093522_resized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xs6KEr7-3Gk/VMd42eWdbqI/AAAAAAAABtA/YEABEggryTk/s1600/20150123_093522_resized.jpg" height="400" width="377" /></a></div>
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I loved this playful patchwork using stripes:</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vryaHAdsejQ/VMd518EsylI/AAAAAAAABtM/7cWCRdN06PE/s1600/20150126_100126_resized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vryaHAdsejQ/VMd518EsylI/AAAAAAAABtM/7cWCRdN06PE/s1600/20150126_100126_resized.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ni-tn_ZUfoI/VMd8YWyqCuI/AAAAAAAABtg/JTIu0yIMr9c/s1600/20150126_100032_resized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ni-tn_ZUfoI/VMd8YWyqCuI/AAAAAAAABtg/JTIu0yIMr9c/s1600/20150126_100032_resized.jpg" height="56" width="200" /></a></div>
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Circles, balls, or dots seem to convey the happy, almost magical side of life, the simple joys of childhood, of bubbles, baubles, fruit hanging from trees, and lights on the street, or snow: </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jDdMqWiHW-s/VMd_qKgI1vI/AAAAAAAABuE/pZUmtXay-aw/s1600/20150126_100930.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jDdMqWiHW-s/VMd_qKgI1vI/AAAAAAAABuE/pZUmtXay-aw/s1600/20150126_100930.jpg" height="400" width="356" /></a></div>
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There was much more to see, and much more convey, but of course I had to get some shopping in with the vendors at the show! You can't have your cake and eat it too. Or can you?</div>
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At least a couple dozen of quilts like this, featuring cake or tea cups, lined the perimeter of the arena floor. Each block is made by a different international quilter. How impressive is that? How fun!!</div>
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Greta http://www.blogger.com/profile/04253301889379618401noreply@blogger.com2