tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-69588938199229367872024-03-14T09:20:50.071+10:00The Lazy QuilterMy quilts come together slowly, but I'm definitely a quilter at heartErin Quinnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09733465690557189717noreply@blogger.comBlogger175125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6958893819922936787.post-47379695728246879152022-10-11T09:14:00.000+10:002022-10-11T09:14:16.064+10:00Bear Track #1The Insta algorithm led me to my happy place (because Mark Zuckerberg knows my truest desires) and showed me the cutest quilt, which had been made by a local Aussie quilt shop, who had put together a kit for the fabrics, and the pattern was a freebie. Does this not scream destiny!!!<div><br /></div><div>The<a href="https://www.scribblygumquiltco.com/collections/quilt-kits/products/penelope-handmade-s-bear-track-quilt-fabric-bundle-kit-throw-size" target="_blank"> fabric put itself into my cart. </a>It was not my fault. I tried to resist, but the checkout button was pushed by itself. (Scribbly Gum Quilt Co does beautiful kits and curated bundles -I highly recommend).</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiR1GJPu5520hWxev8s-K4fax2f8aXnvQkMOMWKoIC5RFc4S7JoqFxZDMu8MEEk4-VXH2OYbNWuQ_EV1sJ2oTdfBDiGVsOEHsS2V0om3PsMntCdagQ6OcxEixB-rtwCiGLlyQ3mTMj-NAzyOZXt-mMZkTpfjEfFodnu9BAz2V9NH9oFpAqJ_8upID3z" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1199" data-original-width="903" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiR1GJPu5520hWxev8s-K4fax2f8aXnvQkMOMWKoIC5RFc4S7JoqFxZDMu8MEEk4-VXH2OYbNWuQ_EV1sJ2oTdfBDiGVsOEHsS2V0om3PsMntCdagQ6OcxEixB-rtwCiGLlyQ3mTMj-NAzyOZXt-mMZkTpfjEfFodnu9BAz2V9NH9oFpAqJ_8upID3z" width="181" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.scribblygumquiltco.com/collections/quilt-kits/products/penelope-handmade-s-bear-track-quilt-fabric-bundle-kit-throw-size">Scribbly Gum Kit (and photo)</a></td></tr></tbody></table>The kit has been put together for <a href="https://www.penelopehandmade.com/blogs/news/scrappy-bear-tracks">this pattern</a> by Penelope Handmade, and it is super easy and simple. Although I have to confess that I have made an error in cutting and made it more difficult for myself than it needed to be. NEW RULE - no cutting when being social - I make silly errors that are way harder to rectify than piecing errors.</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Current state of play:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTHVtd0expWAat4-x74ROxBdanR9tef_vTmLkukBS5DF8d9auHZg0eYOxW7ys_r7XigiD1UdL1aHjXVdBb9a8j0xyxtEXrY-qNLvXsWgZmtiQtzsVdwl-Kror_cehONfkNzjgVED2x94pKOWeiF-bEzyfzNmOoeVD8Xbg5zvgEJ4ZjyhHiHhGKDrHG/s4624/20221007_070300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="4624" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTHVtd0expWAat4-x74ROxBdanR9tef_vTmLkukBS5DF8d9auHZg0eYOxW7ys_r7XigiD1UdL1aHjXVdBb9a8j0xyxtEXrY-qNLvXsWgZmtiQtzsVdwl-Kror_cehONfkNzjgVED2x94pKOWeiF-bEzyfzNmOoeVD8Xbg5zvgEJ4ZjyhHiHhGKDrHG/s320/20221007_070300.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I have all my squares cut and the HST's made but not yet ironed or trimmed. This might be a good project to take on retreat with me as it should be easy mindless sewing, but I'll see what mood I end up in over the coming days.</div><div><br /></div><div>E xx</div>Erin Quinnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09733465690557189717noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6958893819922936787.post-29956409378063777282022-10-07T09:28:00.001+10:002022-10-07T09:28:17.912+10:00Birthday Quilt<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5iI-NAQ1AidHSXXWiLuOmS731gvIhdXD_2_UMPMptDT5xWyuRVhkEbu3aNTr3zA2xgLL6bQRhimH57DiJrTPO65n5oIJhWivQ_9I3-frgxhmGxAThAaASbOu_YFwG1BtYD9SaHqXCjsk/s1600/20191107_173857.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5iI-NAQ1AidHSXXWiLuOmS731gvIhdXD_2_UMPMptDT5xWyuRVhkEbu3aNTr3zA2xgLL6bQRhimH57DiJrTPO65n5oIJhWivQ_9I3-frgxhmGxAThAaASbOu_YFwG1BtYD9SaHqXCjsk/s400/20191107_173857.jpg" width="300" /></a><div><i>** I'm thought I might try to post some long forgotten drafts. This guy is from 2020, but as it's my birthday month and this exact quilt is on my bed right now, it felt like a good one to share :-)</i></div><div><br /></div>OMG, so a (long) while ago I posted that I wanted to make a<a href="http://lazyquilts.blogspot.com.au/2018/05/a-calendar-of-quilts.html" target="_blank"> Calendar of Quilts</a> - a quilt to use on each of the important occasions/milestones in my year, and you would think from looking at my blog after that, that that idea was sent out into the universe and then dissolved, because I am *the*worst*blogger*ever*.<br />
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Actually, within 24 hours I found myself sitting in my sewing room looking around with despair because I had come to an impasse with my active WIP and needed to make *something* else. Something *fun*. And having just posted about the Calendar of Quilts, I thought I might make a start on some cushions - you know: ease myself into it with something small and simple.<br />
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On my list I had put down that I wanted Ashley and I each to have a "present" pillow for our respective birthdays - him in blue, me in purple so that we each have our own special pillow just for our birthday. I did a bit of a google for present patterns and the ones that I found looked simple enough so I decided to wing it.<br />
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I went to my stash and grabbed a bunch of charm squares that I had cut up <i>(intending to make something but not quite getting around to it... maybe one day)</i>, a bit of neutral I'd bought knowing it would go with my couch and some random grey yardage. Chop chop chop, before I knew it I had 3 good sized presents, and they were super cute. I really liked them. All blue, because I was tired and my brain hadn't clicked that I actually wanted different colours, but that was fine - 3 cushions on the couch is perfect.<br />
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And then I laid them out and I just wanted more. They were just so <i>right</i>.<br />
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So I dug through that bundle of charm squares and pulled out any that had 4 squares and whipped them up. And I *still* wanted more. I thought little presents might be cute, so I grabbed that bundle of charms and pulled out my favourites where I only had 1,2 or 3 of them (so hadn't been able to turn into big presents in the initial big present making frenzy) and sliced through the middle of each charm to make them into little presents. <b>#love</b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit64yvUx_wnfxmYcKV4WovwOepa8x1jZMWIwOkbre4Yv7dBxsAw1kAPb1L9W6TkcCrpYm_Z-SiV2YVgWTOlb-yvOF24nbF7s7W4odFdsHjJUlu1EtUZ-yOQx0K-IoL3ng-T2h47HvXi3g/s1600/20180501_074601.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit64yvUx_wnfxmYcKV4WovwOepa8x1jZMWIwOkbre4Yv7dBxsAw1kAPb1L9W6TkcCrpYm_Z-SiV2YVgWTOlb-yvOF24nbF7s7W4odFdsHjJUlu1EtUZ-yOQx0K-IoL3ng-T2h47HvXi3g/s640/20180501_074601.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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But I *still* wanted more. So then I dove into yardage and started chopping *that* into charms to make more big and little presents. My plan to make 2 pillows turned into a queen size quilt top!!<br />
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I made so many presents I ran out of background fabric. I could have kept going! Turned my entire stash into charm squares and still be making presents many months later. Fortunately I did have some restraint. They were just so fun and quick and I think effective.<br />
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The best part: Ashley likes the colour scheme so I know that it's perfect for <i>our </i>birthday quilt. Yes, At the moment I think we'll share this for both our birthdays. I might eventually make pillows too but for now, I'm calling this as sufficient.<br />
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A lovely guild mate did the quilting and we chose a lovely pointed loopy edge to edge pattern. It's backed in a floral paisley, in fairly neutral colours. Both these decisions being things I think are a nice compromise as this is a sharing quit. It's bound in a simple grey that I had in stash. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWevKvLToHaR5l10Ck53r-uVNPC3y1HPqDGv-Go0XVXtBCJ3oahmFsC5qLKbHS5tFwu9asHXFEoF7SGRdXsf6jrttoqhdQZiuS798Q0H1e15AkKGvdwkb7v786s0fQpTV3nff8UHnaxko/s1600/20191107_174236.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWevKvLToHaR5l10Ck53r-uVNPC3y1HPqDGv-Go0XVXtBCJ3oahmFsC5qLKbHS5tFwu9asHXFEoF7SGRdXsf6jrttoqhdQZiuS798Q0H1e15AkKGvdwkb7v786s0fQpTV3nff8UHnaxko/s640/20191107_174236.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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A little special addition: the top left present has a little pocket. Big enough to slip a card into <i>(or some cute earnings, hint hint)</i> on birthday morning. It's there because I had intended for it to be a pillow but I think it's just as cool on a quilt top (<i>although I had to apologise profusely to the quilter, for whom this stopped it from being quite as simple a quilt job</i>).<br />
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I really love this quilt. And while I made it prompted by the Calendar, I can see us using this throughout the year. It makes me happy, and that's the sign of a good quilt.<br />
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I have a few projects that I started because of this idea, and it's really fun. Every time I get stuck in the "what to make" rut, I have pulled up the calendar and there's usually something there that makes my eyes light up.<br />
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E xxErin Quinnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09733465690557189717noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6958893819922936787.post-76620447315368692452022-10-04T16:58:00.002+10:002022-10-04T16:58:15.957+10:00Talking into the void<p> Well it's been 2 years, and I'm going to start talking into the void again. Who knows if there's anyone still here to read this?</p><p>For a start lets check the state of play:</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhWbIzkWBTMA2a_6Lmbi-nJyP-FLZeasy_pOy646UGp4JCT_D6xtZWMivgO2_UMq6XE32T54odn2AqIMyE8wYNoYTQCkCqDnYEC7QGDg4kqV_W4OQktcWrdHUla2picfMJKn_DPdj_sbVZv9u_DoV1UZAg_CsygEoxJu5VlBKIWMMT6Z9hJtTDMCZUq" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="493" data-original-width="1398" height="113" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhWbIzkWBTMA2a_6Lmbi-nJyP-FLZeasy_pOy646UGp4JCT_D6xtZWMivgO2_UMq6XE32T54odn2AqIMyE8wYNoYTQCkCqDnYEC7QGDg4kqV_W4OQktcWrdHUla2picfMJKn_DPdj_sbVZv9u_DoV1UZAg_CsygEoxJu5VlBKIWMMT6Z9hJtTDMCZUq" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I currently have 53 WIPs in total. That is broken down as follows:</div><p></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p></p></blockquote><ul style="text-align: left;"><li> 5 Quilted ready to be bound</li><li>15 with my Long armer</li><li>6 finished tops needing backing</li><li>3 to be basted for me to quilt myself</li><li>10 with fabric cut and out for me to work on</li><li>7 with fabric cut but put aside for me to come back to</li><li>7 languishing in UFO land</li></ul><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p></p><p></p></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p></p><p></p></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p></p><p></p></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p></p><p></p></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p></p><p></p></blockquote><p style="text-align: left;"></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><p></p><div style="text-align: left;">I've definitely been in worse positions over the years, and interestingly the current bottleneck is the long armer! I have a fabulous long armer who I know through the guild and I tend to pile her up with quilts and tell her to work on them at her convenience, as I usually have no deadlines at all. I also give her lots of freedom to decide on the quilting pattern and density - sometimes I have specific requests, but that's for those special (and usually big) quilts. She does an amazing job and I am so very thankful for her.<br />As far as those that are being actively worked on I have 2 that I'm really truly working on: Shabby Chic Dresdens and Bear Paws Track. but I'll go into their deets in my next posts :-)<br />E</div>Erin Quinnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09733465690557189717noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6958893819922936787.post-46708275232761772922020-01-22T12:12:00.000+10:002020-01-22T12:12:04.722+10:00WIP WednesdayI have been diligently plugging away at my #makenine2020 but because they're epic, there's not a lot to show for it...<br />
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My #jellybeanquilt is the closest to finished, as I took the time to cut the extra fabric I needed and baste the pieces. I need to add 2 rows to the far edge and it'll be a complete top. No more getting a finished top and then deciding to make it *slightly* bigger. This is it. Foot down. It is a good single bed size and that is enough. i don't have enough fabric to make it bigger even if I wanted to.<br />
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My #subtletyplottwist is coming along. I basted all the pieces down and am lugging it from room to room to slowly needle turn all the pieces into place. I've never done needle turn applique before so there are parts that are a bit tricky (pointy points are still beyond me), but I'm persevering.<br />
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And I started the cutting for the #pemberleygrande! Literally have only cut one block out, but it's an intricate and fiddly quilt, so that's not unreasonable. I also have to make the decisions for all the colours and patterns in advance which stresses me out a bit, but again with the persevering!<br />
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So that's my plan for the next couple of weeks: to keep these 3 moving along. I should be able to knock off JellyBean this week, and I want to get as much of the cutting and basting as I can done on Pemberley in the next fortnight as I am taking a holiday and want this to take with me. The rest of the 9 remain in limbo, and I have had to talk myself out of "just starting a quick project" 3 times already. There are just so many things I want to make, and I want it now! It also doesn't help that the make nine means I'm working on things that are literally challenging so it's not as fun and creative-muscle flexing as starting a whirlwind new project. I'm still having fun though, and I've been doing a lot more evenings with my hand stitching than normal and I'm really enjoying that.<br />
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Anyway, time to get stuck back into it :-)<br />
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E xxErin Quinnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09733465690557189717noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6958893819922936787.post-7700554598226959142020-01-14T15:29:00.002+10:002020-01-14T15:29:58.112+10:00#makenine A 2020 challenge<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I shared the results of my 20before20 challenge, and I mentioned I
was having a think about the new year and what new challenge I wanted to set
for myself.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Having completed something that felt epic, and genuinely took all
year, I wanted to continue that theme, while also knowing that I did not want
to make for the sake of it, nor turn something that is my fun hobby into a
chore.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">With these thoughts swirling in my head, the annual <b>#bestnine</b>
instagram posts started coming through. Now despite my epic year of
finishes, I did a really lackluster job of sharing them <i>(also some of
them are not exciting or I'd fallen out of love with by the time they were
done)</i>. So I didn't really have a good summary of the best nine makes
from 2019.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">What occurred to me is that what I want is just 9 finishes for
2020: 9 photos of stand-out projects that reflect a whole year of work. <a href="https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/makenine/"><span style="background: white; border: 1pt none; padding: 0cm;">#makenine</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white; color: #262626;">And while that
seems simple enough, I knew I wanted to focus on the epics, so the wip box has
been opened and the big scaries are all laid out. I've picked 9 EPIC projects
for the year. And I'll share all the process, hopefully both here and on insta,
even though those are never the prettiest photos, because the finishes are
going to be AMAZING!!!</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white; color: #262626;">What have I
picked:</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="background: white; color: #674ea7;">#1 Harry
Potter and the Project of Doom </span></b><b><span style="background: white; color: #8e7cc3;">#erininhogwarts<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I started my Harry Potter in 2014… It’s wonderful, but I set it
aside to do hand embroidered titles on the spines of each book and it has sat
quietly in the cupboard under the stairs ever since. This year *<b>I will</b>*
be doing the embroidery. I am determined. Harry deserves better than under the
stairs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="background: white; color: #674ea7;">#2 Pemberley </span></b><b><span style="background: white; color: #8e7cc3;">#pemberleygrande<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">There is a beautiful epp doing the rounds on insta, the Pemberley. Each block is intricate and gorgeous, and I
want it. But because <b>#ilikebigquiltsandicannotlie</b> I decided
that I wanted to make it 3 times the size of the original. So I need to make a squillion blocks. I think I need to make 2 per week, and I have
yet to get pieces cut and basted. I can
already tell this one is going to be too ambitious, but it’s there!! We’re
shooting for the stars, people!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="background: white; color: #674ea7;">#3 Feathers on
Strings </span></b><b><span style="background: white; color: #8e7cc3;">#poetryinquilting<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">For my Calendar of Quilts I want to have something to pull out for
World Poetry Day. I have a concept in
mind, and while it’s very simple, I also want to make it king sized, which
suddenly ups the complexity quite a bit.
I haven’t fully worked out how this will work. All I know is that there
are foundation paper pieced feathers and that I want a feeling of floating and
that the quilting should be a poem… I’m hoping I can con one of my friends who
long arms, into designing the quilting pattern lol.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="background: white; color: #674ea7;">#4 Anthologie </span></b><b><span style="background: white; color: #8e7cc3;">#anthologiequilt<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">You’ve seen this in the works.
I love it. I love it so much, I started a second one in different
colours (ps, that’s stalled as well, oops).
It’s got so much personality and special bits that I knew it needed hand
quilting, and so it sits next to my tv chair and I quilt a little here and
there in the hopes that one day I’ll turn around and it’ll be done. It’s too big to really be a transportable
project, but it’s lovely sitting quietly in a comfy chair handwork.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="background: white; color: #674ea7;">#5 Sewing Room </span></b><b><span style="background: white; color: #8e7cc3;">#stashgoals2020</span></b><b><span style="background: white; color: #674ea7;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I don’t think I’ve mentioned it, but one of the things I did in
2019 was destroy my sewing room. lol. But seriously, in early February we
ripped out a large bar that took up half the room and spent the rest of the
year trying to put the space back together again. It looks amazing, but it
still has quite a bit of organisation that needs to happen. In particular, I
need to iron and fold *<b>all</b>* my fabric… I’m making cute little mini bolts
using comic book boards and it’s going to look amazing, but it feel like I’ve
been ironing for weeks and am no closer than when I started. I will have an Instagram
worthy sewing room before the year is ended.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="background: white; color: #674ea7;">#6 Plot Twist </span></b><b><span style="background: white; color: #8e7cc3;">#subteltyplottwist</span></b><b><span style="background: white; color: #674ea7;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I keep drafting a post about this, and haven’t gotten around to hitting
publish, but this is a giant needle turn applique project, that I started in
2018 and stuffed in a cupboard for months because it was too hard. I've pulled it and and started stitching. I'm starting on the bottom corners so that with luck by the time I get to the middle/top it'll be slightly better quality, as this is a whole new skill for me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="background: white; color: #674ea7;">#7 Blue
Butterflies </span></b><b><span style="background: white; color: #8e7cc3;">#rivercityroundrobin</span></b><b><span style="background: white; color: #674ea7;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The butterflies I started in 2015, as part of the round robin, came
back to me <i>(ages ago, but that besides
the point)</i> and they’re beautiful, but they, and their accompanying friends,
have been on my design wall since April… They need to be a top and it needs to
happen now. It’s a bit of a jigsaw but I
love that, and I have ideas for what I want to do in the gaps. Just need to
start sewing.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgynpYWundua_tP_KOfKWNOzcsl_zylePSenO68mp6pgRm-UGox4b7fnqpifS_hIHWi8KpAwFZAuDwOwBi1rcX_EHU8fE1OVrZBEuyPdqyTLhASyZ8m6mC8b-1Re2VkhzQVq6dFSmrnNJM/s1600/Untitled+design.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="486" data-original-width="792" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgynpYWundua_tP_KOfKWNOzcsl_zylePSenO68mp6pgRm-UGox4b7fnqpifS_hIHWi8KpAwFZAuDwOwBi1rcX_EHU8fE1OVrZBEuyPdqyTLhASyZ8m6mC8b-1Re2VkhzQVq6dFSmrnNJM/s640/Untitled+design.png" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="background: white; color: #674ea7;">#8 Medallion </span></b><b><span style="background: white; color: #8e7cc3;">#LQimprovmedallion</span></b><b><span style="background: white; color: #674ea7;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I started this in Dublin when I wanted something a bit more
structured to play with, and it has grown sporadically. I’m not normally a medallion girl, but this
has a cool asymmetry to it, and the colours make me happy. I want this to grow and be a full finished
top before the year is done.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0smq2KcvRdQdz4swICk0iSySZYQIXjVj9HBfygEzF23MGzymMP5DknIjodjXkDEIW2W-5NS0BfXmUH_-Zz3AMhZ-oZ4eBTCUulFwlxu_xFWFoOYVX3qubtoN9GwHS3ww4__D-5jQjx1s/s1600/20170722_113800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0smq2KcvRdQdz4swICk0iSySZYQIXjVj9HBfygEzF23MGzymMP5DknIjodjXkDEIW2W-5NS0BfXmUH_-Zz3AMhZ-oZ4eBTCUulFwlxu_xFWFoOYVX3qubtoN9GwHS3ww4__D-5jQjx1s/s640/20170722_113800.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="background: white; color: #674ea7;">#9 Jelly Bean
EEP </span></b><b><span style="background: white; color: #8e7cc3;">#jellybeanquilt</span></b><b><span style="background: white; color: #674ea7;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I started this during our secondment to Dublin, but did a lot of
the initial work while in our staging hotel in Amsterdam, so this quilt is very
linked in my mind with The Netherlands and Ireland and time spent in planes
(hello laying it out on the floor of the Singapore airport at 2am as I waited
for my flight to board). I love this. I love
the bright happy colours. I love the feeling of whimsy it gives me. But like always,
I decided it need to be *<b>just a bit</b>* bigger, and so I needed to cut more
fabric and prep more pieces and so it sits, and waits. There’s actually not
that much to do, maybe another 6 rows, and they go together quick. It’s the
cutting that has made me set it aside. I can absolutely do this!! I can.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">There we go. Nine projects. And I even made myself a fancy little info grid with al of the projects in there ready for me to swap in the finishes...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiinjm2GOoOBE-rrdDFhM5z-cpzt721YKyLFOsSGtKM6b7eAGege0WXC-DflNRaBr5ru5tEWviYExtFIrMgkVfWUFEW7_VmBwsvkCQm2JdgOAhGGvPCqQb-BB7HvpnkWuH9O4g4UunjOr8/s1600/Screenshot_20200102-180146_Gmail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1078" data-original-width="1080" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiinjm2GOoOBE-rrdDFhM5z-cpzt721YKyLFOsSGtKM6b7eAGege0WXC-DflNRaBr5ru5tEWviYExtFIrMgkVfWUFEW7_VmBwsvkCQm2JdgOAhGGvPCqQb-BB7HvpnkWuH9O4g4UunjOr8/s400/Screenshot_20200102-180146_Gmail.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Now, something that is apparent when it’s all listed like this is
the ridiculous amount of handwork going on here:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Pemberley, Anthologie, Harry Potter, Plot Twist and Jelly Bean</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">all of these require me to sit and stitch by hand. That’s more than half the list :-/… It seemed
like a good idea at the time, and they are all things that I want to have
finished. And, with the exception of
Anthologie, I have permission <i>(from
myself)</i> to send these to a long armer: it’s just the assembly that *<b>I</b>*
need to make.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">So that's my mission for 2020. Wish me luck! I'm going to need it...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">E xx</span></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
Erin Quinnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09733465690557189717noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6958893819922936787.post-73105033181155464552020-01-06T16:13:00.003+10:002020-01-06T16:13:42.076+10:0020 before 20So 2020 is upon us! It crept closer and closer and suddenly BOOM here we are. And it looks like I did nothing all year, but I did!! I actually worked my butt off this year.<br />
<br />
Because you see, I made myself a secret challenge: to finish 20 quilts before 2020.<br />
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Wowsers! That's more quilts than I've finished in my entire quilting life. <i>(For the record on 1/1/19 I had finished 21 quilts over my quilting "career")</i><br />
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Of course, in taking on this challenge I had a slight advantage, in that I have been making quilt tops for a long time and then setting them aside (so I didn't have to do the scary *quilting* part). So coming into 2019, I had about 46 WIPs, including 24 tops ready to get quilted and 5 quilts ready for binding.<br />
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I enlisted the expert help of Fiona (@quiltingbyfiona) to wrangle my quilts through her long arm, to help me get past that bottle neck. I did quilt a couple myself, but they were the exceptions, and it is truly because of Fiona that this was in any way possible.<br />
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It probably doesn't need to be said, but I can't help but start the things that catch my eye, so I added 12 new things to the WIP list over the year, and so the overall size of the WIP list hasn't reduced too much, but I did finish.....<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">22 QUILTS</span></b></div>
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Unheard of!! Remember that 2018 was a banner year with 8 finishes!!! How I managed 22 is a unfathomable.<br />
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In that pile are tops dating back 4 or 5 years that sat in limbo, waiting for me to get past my fear of quilting. Of course, once they were quilted I still had to bind them all, and I prefer hand binding so that's how I spent a good portion of my time this past year.<br />
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Most of the quilts are between single bed and double, although there are outliers that are smaller and larger. There are a range of colours and styles, from novelty fabrics and stylised blocks (hello giant bunny) through to improv and precision piecing. Some are intricate, some are simple. There are some that lean traditional and some that are more modern. It's a hodge podge of quilts that just makes me so very happy.<br />
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And the real question: What do you do with 20 quilts?<br />
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They're tucked in a cupboard for now but are earmarked for donation to foster children. Hopefully there is a good range of styles that there will be something to suit each child that is offered one. The purpose of a quilt is to wrap someone up in love and sending these out into the world will hopefully help a child to know that they are loved.<br />
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I have big dreams for 2020, but another 20 quilts is not part of that plan :-)<br />
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E xxErin Quinnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09733465690557189717noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6958893819922936787.post-36966525353195203692019-03-12T16:01:00.003+10:002019-03-12T16:01:30.104+10:00This week's WIPSIn an attempt to be better at keeping the blog up to date with what I'm making in real time (rather than when I get around to taking the pretty finished photos), I'm going to <u>try </u>to do a weekly WIP. All photos from my phone as I work, so the lighting will almost certainly be off, and if I got zero sewing done, then there will be zero post. trying to make the rules for myself as relaxed as possible ;-)<br />
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So this week:<br />
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I have sat with my Christmas Penny on my lap... I might have added 3 stitches... It's a pain to hand quilt this because it's really stiff, but I just want it done! And I think I have conned myself into doing it with a cross hatch, which means even when I finish, I have to turn around and do the same again!! Who's idea was this?? ...That's right, mine :-/<br />
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I started cutting out a new quilt, because I am an addict. Pink and flowers and linen (look)... oh my! This will either be glorious or completely over rated!<br />
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I worked a little on the latest Round Robin project.<br />
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I did some EPP hexies. Originally started to be part of the Kingfischer sew-along, now I'm just making flowers as the mood strikes me (and as I attend conferences/meetings that involve a lot of sitting and listening).<br />
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And I started winding embroidery floss. Despite a lot of embroiders I follow recently saying they were going to stop doing this I decided to start. It's just so much prettier and neater and easier to see what colours I actually have, rather than constantly buying double ups. It's already clear to me that I need more yellow and true red and less blues <i>(there are so many blues)</i>.<br />
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So that's what the last week looked like in my house. Nothing exciting enough to justify an actual post, but some genuine sewing got done, I swear!<br />
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E xx<br />
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Erin Quinnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09733465690557189717noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6958893819922936787.post-39259789806577969292019-02-04T17:30:00.000+10:002019-02-04T17:30:01.098+10:00Goblins and ghosties and things that go bump in the nightAs an Aussie, Halloween is not really something we do. My Mum spent many years railing against the Americanisation of our country when Halloween started to become more of a thing here. But now, as an adult, I am finding it hard not to be sucked in.<br />
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In my local neighbourhood all the little children are now old enough to get into trick or treating and it has made me nostalgic for the sense of wonder that events like these inspire in little children. So I determined last year that I was going to go all out and decorate the house and find a costume.. all the jazz! <i>(PS I totally did and it totally rocked. Now I need to up my game for this year... what have I gotten myself into!!)</i><br />
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It so happened that a cute quilt pattern had came out which fit with both my desire to decorate for Halloween, and my Calendar of Quilts project.</div>
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The Ghost Quilt by <a href="https://thencamejune.com/blogs/blog" target="_blank">Then Came June</a> (in collaboration with Pen & Paper Patterns) was released in April (along with some other very cute patterns that you might see pop up on the blog in the coming months... and by might, I mean, I am onto my 4th of these modern holiday quilts). At the time, I earmarked it as something I might, very possibly want to make.</div>
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A quilt-a-long got underway, but I wasn't quite in the headspace to join in so I happily stalked the hashtag, until one day I decided, bugger it, I'm in. Before I knew what was happening I'd hit purchase on the pattern and was off to Spotlight, credit card in hand.</div>
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The block is simple, but a little fiddly. If I did it again, I'd try to find ways to do more strip piecing rather than cutting in advance and then having to line up up my little pieces properly to make them fit. I'm lazy, I don't measure properly and my 1/4 seam is clearly all over the place, but it is what is is, yo <b>#noapologies #nojudgementzone</b> </div>
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And, of course, I made this pattern more difficult for myself by using a sparkly metallic fabric for the face details. You can't even really tell unless it's in certain lights, so I'm not sure the effort was worth it. It frayed like all get out. By the time my piecing was done I was a little bit over this quilt. </div>
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But then I put it all together and have little ghosties swooping around, and I love it again.</div>
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The background is a grungy black and the white is just simple Kona Snow. I'm a traditionalist at heart so white ghosts on a black base was the only thing that worked. If I made it again, I could possibly be talked into doing different colours. Over on insta there are some gorgeous combinations. Ah well, be true to you, I say.<br />
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I had the amazing Fiona (@quiltedbyfiona) throw it on her long arm and she covered it in spiderwebs, which I just adore.<br />
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In typical Erin fashion it was not finished in time for the quilt-a-long, but that's ok with me, because it's finished now! That's right! My <i>Bump in the night</i> quilt was one of my 2018 finishes. Huzzah for me :-D</div>
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Also: how cute is that backing fabric!!! It makes me think of an old haunted mansion - perfect!! It's also super comfy to snuggle up against, so double win.<br />
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It's bound in the same purple as my Swarm quilt, just because that's what I was in the mood for!! And I also did a proper label, so that's 3 in a row that are actually finished properly, as they should be. look at me being a grown up <i>*pats self on the back</i><br />
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And, as a bonus, this is another quilt to add to my Calendar of Quilts so I'm super duper happy about that :-D I'm ticking away at the Calendar and inching closer to having an around the year quilt extravaganza!</div>
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Spooktaculalry yours,<br />
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E xx<br />
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Erin Quinnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09733465690557189717noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6958893819922936787.post-36160621659287252722019-01-13T17:00:00.000+10:002019-01-13T17:00:08.084+10:00Linen BricksDo you ever see a fabric, and just know that it belongs with you?<br />
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I was wandering through the local Spotlight, and I saw these lovely linens. All grey and textured and yummy. And I don't know, maybe I was going through a neutral phase, but I couldn't resist. They weren't even on sale!!! <em>(Horrors!!!)</em><br />
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I knew that I wanted something simple to really keep that calm feeling that had drawn me in to start with. I initially thought to do a trip around the world, but I was worried that the necessary unpicking would destroy the linen, so I shelved that idea. Then I though I might do alternating rail fences, but when I started laying it out it wasn't speaking to me - it looked messy rather than inviting. I think I ended up somewhere in the middle. Is it a coin quilt?? Let's say it is!<br />
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I have previously read about quilting with linen, so I made sure to sew a generous seam, and in fact did a 1/4" AND a 1/2" seam on every piece. This added to the time it took to piece this simple top, but I thought that given linen's proclivity to unravel it was worth the extra effort.<br />
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I had intended for this to live in my living room, but the more I worked on it, the more it seemed to say it belonged to my Father-in-Law. Harrumph! I wanted those linens for me!! But the thing I truly believe in quilting is that you have to listen to the quilt, and this quilt belongs with Ed.<br />
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He's ridiculously tall (at least compared to my midget sized self) so I made sure to add a smidge extra to the top and bottom to give him extra length. That meant it ended up super long, but <b>#ilikebigquiltsandicannotlie</b> so I'm happy. <i> (fun story, I gave my mother in law a quilt last Christmas and she is tiny little thing so her quilt is itsy bitsy. she told me she keeps it in the tv room and often goes in and finds Ed in there tucked under it. I love the mental picture of this giant of a man under her tiny pink floral blankie. but it's part of why I knew he needed one of his own)</i><br />
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I found this yummy backing on sale, which, while not originally what I had in mind, I feel will work really well for him. In fact, I almost wish I'd bought more because I think it's a lovely calm backing that would work for lots of different tops.<br />
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Once I got to the point that I was ready to look at quilting this beauty, I discovered a couple of things I skimmed over in the whole I-know-what-to-do-with-linen arrogance I had going a the start <em>(ie I was working from memory rather than actually checking what I should be doing in advance). </em>I'm supposed to pre-wash linen. Now I never prewash any of my fabric. My theory is that this way everything shrinks at the same rate ;-), but apparently, linen is not like that and I should have washed it first. I also probably needed to zigzag the edges (or use an overlocker) but it's too late now. And there was no way I was going back to try to do it to a finished top.<br />
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Given what I <strong>now</strong> know about quilting with linen <i>(<a href="https://www.stitchedincolor.com/blog//2014/05/quilting-with-linen.html?rq=linen" target="_blank">this</a> is a really good overview if you are thinking of doing it yourself)</i>, I decided this baby needed some dense quilting. Which is a little bit of a shame, as part of what is so lovely about this fabric is how soft and light it is. Nevertheless it needs to be held together somehow. I gave it to the wonderful Leanne (@loveitquilitng) and she worked her magic. We picked a pattern that had a lot of swirl to it to keep that waterfall effect. It was still dense enough to hold it all together, and not so swirly that it became girly. I absolutely love it.<br />
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I've bound it in a solid navy, that I think plays really well with all the colours in the top. I even added a hand embroidered tag! I'm bad at labelling my quilts. I really like to do it, but I never *quite* seem to get there, so this makes me happy.<br />
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Anyway, after several nights handstitching the binding down, I popped it under the Christmas tree for Ed to open up on Christmas morning. Now I'm waiting to hear if he's actually using it!!<br />
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E xx<br />
<br />Erin Quinnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09733465690557189717noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6958893819922936787.post-75450900564902633532019-01-10T17:30:00.000+10:002019-01-10T17:30:03.961+10:00Swarm - a quilt finishI totes did it! Finished a quilt in time with the rest of the quilt-a-long. I mean, not really, because I delayed getting it quilted and bound and posting about it, but the top was totally done in time! I know you don't believe me, because the quilt-a-long finished months ago, but I swear on all the things I really truly did it in time.<br />
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I have terrible habit of joining these things and then getting lost along the way. But the pattern was super followable, and the blocks are big, so all I was left to do was get cracking.<br />
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I made my bees with the traditional black and yellow colouring. After buying my fabric I realised that all the bees in our yard are actually more orange than yellow... I don't know if Aussie bees are more orange than other bees, but I saw some very yellow bumble bees in my travels so I said bugger it, and just went with this colour scheme and I'm really happy with it.<br />
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I love the heathered grey background I chose. It has such a warm vibe. When I compare to every other version of this quilt, it seems that I am more muted than many of the others sewing along. It seems to be my curse. I do love the super bright vibrant quilts other people make, but they just don't work in my house and they're never the colours I pick instinctively, so I have to just be me and stick with the neutrals.<br />
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It's very cool how much love this quilt got too. I put a progress shot or 2 on my <a href="https://www.instagram.com/thelazyquilter/?hl=en" target="_blank">insta </a>and it quickly became one of my most liked photos. I had people who wanted to buy the quilt or begging for me to make one too. I had DM's to say this was their favourite of all the quilts I've ever made... Now I like it, but I didn't expect that by a long shot. But the best feedback: My Grumpy husband asked me if this one was for us because he liked it and thinks it should definitely live at our house <3 That's the highest praise possible in his world.<br />
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Because Grumpy liked it I let him have input on backing. I had my heart set on a wildflower meadow of some kind and he came part way to that vision.<br />
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For quilting I cheated and gave it to one of the guild's longarmers. She added big fat hexagons all over it, and Grumpy is thrilled. He wanted it to go straight on the bed and was very disappointed when I had to tell him it still needed binding before he was allowed to use it.<br />
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I added a nice dark purple for binding and this baby is *finished*. I toyed with sticking with a grey, but I loved how the purple popped against both the front and the back so I decided to just go with it.<br />
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And now look!! A fully finished, actual-finished, useable quilt!!!! Insert happy Erin here. Final finish outside the quilt-a-long deadline, but I am 100% ok with that, because it's the closest I've ever been to completing within a quilt-a-long and I'm just so darn happy to be able to add another quilt into my rotation.<br />
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And my plan is to pull this quilt out on May 20 every year and celebrate World Bee Day, so this fits perfectly into my Calendar of Quilts.<br />
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Got to love these moments.</div>
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E xx</div>
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Erin Quinnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09733465690557189717noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6958893819922936787.post-50600880993945011242019-01-07T10:59:00.004+10:002019-01-07T10:59:49.569+10:002018 in reviewI should probably have posted this a week or 2 ago, but I'm getting to it now, so points for trying, right!!<br />
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2018 was pretty epic. on both a personal and quilting front (not to mention actual work). I am entering 2019 quite exhausted. But quilting wise, this past year has been dynamite. Perhaps it is the flow on of having limited options when we were in Ireland that this year, I wanted to sew all the things!! And I did. I think this was my most productive year ever.<br />
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I made about 9 small projects, including some cushions and an armchair caddy for my hand sewing.<br />
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I finished <b>*8*</b> quilts. Seriously. <b>EIGHT</b>. That is unheard of. It's my most productive year ever.<br />
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5 of those I gave away as gifts, but I have 3 quilts that now live in my house that didn't in 2017.<br />
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I posted about my<a href="https://lazyquilts.blogspot.com/2018/04/jewelled-swoon-2.html" target="_blank"> Jewelled Swoon</a>, early in year. Since finishing this has been on high rotation on my bed. I still love the colours and it's a wonderful size.<br />
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The only other finish I actually blogged was the<a href="https://lazyquilts.blogspot.com/2018/07/fastest-finish-ever-bogan-quilt.html" target="_blank"> Bogan Quilt</a> for my brother. Simple but so yummy.<br />
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I've been very quiet on the blog, but I'll share the other finishes this month so you can see all the goodies... Except that 3 of the ones I've gifted I neglected the photo taking part. Oops. Just trust me that they were really pretty ;-)<br />
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I did start a lot of new quilts that haven't quite made it to the finish line yet. 13 new WIPs waiting for me to get my butt in gear.<br />
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Some of them are closer to finished than others. The <a href="https://lazyquilts.blogspot.com/2018/08/the-escargot-quilt.html" target="_blank">Escargot Quilt</a> and the <a href="https://lazyquilts.blogspot.com/2018/08/the-camping-quilt-and-long-winded-story.html" target="_blank">Camping Quilt</a> are still waiting to be quilted, and the <a href="https://lazyquilts.blogspot.com/2018/08/the-bfq-big-friendly-quilt-inspired-by.html" target="_blank">BFQ </a>is still waiting for binding. And I've spent large portions of 2018 hand quilting the <a href="https://lazyquilts.blogspot.com/2018/02/anthologie-quilt.html" target="_blank">Anthologie Quilt</a>, so it's edging forward. I started 3 new Christmas quilts, all of which are now tucked away for the November/December madness next year when I kick myself for not working on them now.<br />
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I'm starting 2019 with about 46 WIPs, including 24 tops ready to get quilted and 5 quilts ready for binding. I have high hopes that this year will be epic for doing the final finish on a lot of these.<br />
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One of the things I did that gave me great pleasure this year was to sort the WIPs into some sort of order. All the tops without backing are in 1 box, the unbasted tops and their backings are in a big pile, where all 3 layers are basted but unquilted they are in another pile, and quilted and unbound are in still another. And while that sounds like a crazy system it is hopefully allowing for better processing.<br />
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I love me some WIP organisation. I've also kept <a href="https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1CcSnqdF3rhuJk-X2YKy1CrK96nPqN_RBfwL5y9U_g4w/edit#gid=1402623751" target="_blank">my spreadsheet</a> up to date, and I love it!!! i love know straight away what's what. It's a bit of a rip off of the Quilter s Planner, but I prefer to think of it as being inspired by the Planner, and that's totally ok.<br /><br />
So wish me luck in 2019. And I wish you many, many finishes for the New Year. May your bobbin never run empty, my friends.<br />
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E xx<br />
<style type="text/css"><!--td {border: 1px solid #ccc;}br {mso-data-placement:same-cell;}--></style>Erin Quinnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09733465690557189717noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6958893819922936787.post-22825504478496146462019-01-02T14:35:00.000+10:002019-02-27T14:37:48.315+10:00FAL Q4 2018 - results<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 16px;">
<span style="font-family: "lora" , serif;"><i>For whatever reason, this didn't post when it was supposed to, but to keep my records working, let's see how I did with FAL Q4...</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "lora" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "lora" , serif;">I had a pretty successful fourth quarter I think! I definitely feel like I worked my tail off. And I worked on things that weren't actually part of my plan, but I'm super dooper happy with them.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "lora" , serif;">let's check out the list - </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "lora" , serif;"><b>Q4 plan</b></span></div>
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<ol>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJGmTyiSr-h6TFjSbIQRkFlNlmxSJrkYdfnXDeAzdkW9KV80LZA9JXACyTrheAtZz9_7lIsfrLLCAeXYtHgG4J6i64BTV8tkDks0QesF1cV8BzZdyphsIPtmobfjDQkbBYb2KWBvIw5yA/s1600/20180225_205416.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="725" data-original-width="1600" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJGmTyiSr-h6TFjSbIQRkFlNlmxSJrkYdfnXDeAzdkW9KV80LZA9JXACyTrheAtZz9_7lIsfrLLCAeXYtHgG4J6i64BTV8tkDks0QesF1cV8BzZdyphsIPtmobfjDQkbBYb2KWBvIw5yA/s640/20180225_205416.jpg" width="640" /></a>
<li><b><strike>Bind Linen Bricks</strike></b> - Done!! And gifted for Christmas</li>
<li><b>Hand quilt and bind Penny Christmas</b> - ha ha ha ha ha ha. Nope. I have been trying to do the hand quilting, but the needle is not working for me, so it's slow going. I am also tempted to do cross hatch, which means I've just doubled the amount of quilting I need to do. I'll get there eventually.</li>
<li><b>Finish 3 Christmas cushions</b></li>
<ul>
<li><b><strike>Ba Hum Bug</strike></b> - DONE!! It's not an exciting </li>
<li><b><strike>Have yourself a Merry little Christmas</strike></b>... I purchased one that has this saying on it, so not done, but I'm crossing it off the list. i'll make more cushions in the future, but this phrase is no longer needed.</li>
<li><b>Merry and Bright</b> - No. But I did make an alternate cushion cover, so I technically do have 3 Christmas cushions. I also managed to buy one that has this printed on it, so the chances I'll ever make this are now slim to none ;-)</li>
</ul>
<li><b>Quilt and bind Grinch Quilt</b> - No. I laid it out on the floor and looked at it, but just stuck with what to do with it. I think it's at the point where I need to pack it up and send it to the long armer and just have it done.</li>
<li><span style="font-family: "lora" , serif;"><b><strike>Bind Swarm</strike></b> - DONE</span></li>
<li><b>Bind Glimma Jelly Roll</b> - still sitting and waiting for me. I'll get to it soon, I promise!</li>
<li><b><strike>Bind Ghosts</strike></b> - DONE</li>
<li><b>P</b><strike style="font-weight: bold;">iece Holly Berries (then buy backing)</strike> - DONE. And I have set this top aside to donate to charity, because the finish doesn't speak to me anymore. Embracing the let it go philosophy.</li>
<li><b>Piece Texting Love (then buy backing)</b> - It's cut out and ready to go. Hopefully over the Christmas holidays this will get completed.</li>
<li><b><strike>Quilt </strike>and bind Not-A-Jell-Roll-Race</b> - Did the quilting, haven't gotten to the binding yet</li>
<li><b>Quilt and bind Pink Bubbles</b></li>
<li><b>Quilt and bind Rainclouds 2 (littlest Ball )</b></li>
<li><b>Finish hand quilting and bind Anthologie Quilt</b></li>
<li><b><strike>Baste, quilt</strike> and bind Irish Fields</b> - I got it quilted, but I still have to get it bound. I love this top so I am prioritising it for 2019.</li>
</ol>
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<span style="font-family: "lora" , serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="font-family: "lora" , serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent;">I did absolutely nothing on any of my slow burn projects.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "lora" , serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent;">I also made Christmas pillowcases for our bed (2 each - I feel very fancy), and started and finished a quilt to give as a gift for a very good friend.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "lora" , serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent;">E xx</span></span></div>
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Erin Quinnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09733465690557189717noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6958893819922936787.post-83932507747225065722018-10-26T05:30:00.000+10:002018-10-26T16:33:21.349+10:00FAL Q3 2018 - results<b style="background-color: white; font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></b>
<b style="background-color: white; font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 16px;">Wouldn't you know it! I actually finished something on my list this time round!!</b><br />
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<b style="background-color: white; font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 16px;">My <a href="https://lazyquilts.blogspot.com/2018/07/fal-q3-2018.html" target="_blank">original Q3 list</a> is:</b><br />
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<ol>
<li style="font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 16px;">Piece the top of my Round Robin 1</li>
<li style="font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 16px;">Finish hand quilting and bind Anthologie Quilt</li>
<li style="font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 16px;">Baste, quilt and bind Irish Fields</li>
<li style="font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 16px;">Baste, quilt and bind Linen</li>
<li style="font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 16px;">Quilt and bind the BFG quilt - <b><a href="https://lazyquilts.blogspot.com/2018/08/the-bfq-big-friendly-quilt-inspired-by.html" target="_blank">I totally did this!!!!!!!!!</a> </b><i>(or at least... I did the quilting part)</i></li>
<li style="font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 16px;">Quilt and bind Not-A-Jell-Roll-Race</li>
<li style="font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 16px;">Quilt and bind Pink Bubbles</li>
<li style="font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 16px;">Quilt and bind Rainclouds 2 (littlest Ball )</li>
<li><span style="font-family: "lora" , serif;">Piece, baste and quilt Bees -</span><b style="font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 16px;"> Pieced, backing </b><span style="font-family: "lora" , serif;"><b>purchased</b></span><b style="font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 16px;"> and </b><b style="font-family: lora, serif;">sent off to</b><b style="font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 16px;"> the long armer</b></li>
</ol>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "lora" , serif; font-size: 16px;">My slow burn projects for the quarter are that I want to:</span><br />
<ol style="background-color: white; font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 16px;">
<li>Finish designing the AMH Plot Twist and have all pieces basted to background</li>
<li>Kingfisher - baste shapes and stitch flowers</li>
<li>Add to the pink and yellow medallion</li>
<li>Finish Bec & Deb's rounds for the Round Robin 2 and potentially start adding to my own top as well.</li>
</ol>
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<span style="font-family: "lora" , serif;">So 2 from 13... not exactly a win, but still: I've done worse.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "lora" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "lora" , serif;">Since Q4 includes Christmas, the order of my list is changing up a little. </span></div>
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<ol>
<li style="font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 16px;">Bind Linen Bricks</li>
<li style="font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 16px;">Hand quilt and bind Penny Christmas</li>
<li style="font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 16px;">Finish 3 Christmas cushions</li>
<ul>
<li style="font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 16px;">Ba Hum Bug</li>
<li style="font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 16px;">Have yourself a Merry little Christmas</li>
<li style="font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 16px;">Merry and Bright</li>
</ul>
<li style="font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 16px;">Quilt and bind Grinch Quilt</li>
<li><span style="font-family: "lora" , serif;">Bind Swarm</span></li>
<li style="font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 16px;">Bind Glimma Jelly Roll</li>
<li style="font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 16px;">Bind Ghosts</li>
<li style="font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 16px;">Piece Holly Berries (then buy backing)</li>
<li style="font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 16px;">Piece Texting Love (then buy backing)</li>
<li style="font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 16px;">Quilt and bind Not-A-Jell-Roll-Race</li>
<li style="font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 16px;">Quilt and bind Pink Bubbles</li>
<li style="font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 16px;">Quilt and bind Rainclouds 2 (littlest Ball )</li>
<li style="font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 16px;">Finish hand quilting and bind Anthologie Quilt</li>
<li style="font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 16px;">Baste, quilt and bind Irish Fields</li>
</ol>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "lora" , serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="background-color: transparent;">I have a quilt I'd like to gift this year, and I'd like to up my decor game, so the first 3 are all </span><i style="background-color: transparent;">due by Christmas </i><span style="background-color: transparent;">and if I can squeeze item 4 in there too, I totally want to. 5, 6 and 7 are simple binding and would actually give me some proper finishes for the year. The rest of the list are bonus's.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "lora" , serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "lora" , serif; font-size: 16px;">My slow burn projects for the quarter are that I want to:</span><br />
<ol style="background-color: white; font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 16px;">
<li>Finish designing the AMH Plot Twist and have all pieces basted to background</li>
<li>Piece the top of my Round Robin 1</li>
<li>Kingfisher - baste shapes and stitch flowers</li>
<li>Add to the pink and yellow medallion</li>
<li>Finish Bec & Deb's rounds for the Round Robin 2 and potentially start adding to my own top as well.</li>
</ol>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "lora" , serif;">These slow burns are kicking my butt. Plot Twist is taking up my entire design wall, so the layout is my number 1 priority, even though it's on the alternate list. I just need to finalise the design and I'll be free to work on other things.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "lora" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "lora" , serif;">And of course, I've missed the link up deadlines, but this quarter is already kicking my butt, so so be it. Wish me luck!!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "lora" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "lora" , serif;">E xx</span></div>
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Erin Quinnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09733465690557189717noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6958893819922936787.post-47763497791497802172018-08-26T10:00:00.000+10:002018-08-26T10:00:00.748+10:00Sharing the Calendar of Quilts loveA few months ago I mentioned that I had made up a <a href="http://lazyquilts.blogspot.com/2018/05/a-calendar-of-quilts.html" target="_blank">Calendar of Quilts</a>, and was going to embark on a mission to make quilts, for me to keep, that tied in with events throughout the year. A way for me to decorate seasonally, without actually decorating seasonally. And also a fun way to make an interesting quilty bucket list and provide a prompt for those times when I just don't know what I want to make.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZd9lTekSx2REq2F7qYaElXaBV1bMuGkspNIgZcM6PHCx9CJZTdCuSBdlJ_kcp241uc2QIeorTj6loQDzvLDhmdmJh3icWcFdI7rSRTv9dSDu3c7AzJ-FVYNIePQYCWy4gbcjp_ilOJxQ/s1600/for+%25281%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZd9lTekSx2REq2F7qYaElXaBV1bMuGkspNIgZcM6PHCx9CJZTdCuSBdlJ_kcp241uc2QIeorTj6loQDzvLDhmdmJh3icWcFdI7rSRTv9dSDu3c7AzJ-FVYNIePQYCWy4gbcjp_ilOJxQ/s320/for+%25281%2529.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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Now while I've been silent on the blog about it, in my sewing room I've actually been loving it!! I have to take pictures but that's the only thing in my way of sharing my first top for my calendar.<br />
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And I certainly haven't been silent about it with my quilty friends. A few people have mentioned to me that they also seem to make a lot of quilts, but don't have many in their homes, and at times get stuck in that "what to make" bubble, and to them I've relayed my fabulous idea for the Calendar of Quilts. And they're on board!! I told them I'd share a working list of events for them to make their own. And if I'm going to share with them, I'm of course going to share with you.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixLJ19X3StRaRyHB-Pcu9JkJV325ZYsI84AiyrzKSwMnPLlv_GnTsu_weR_sOojgn9_HIkhyT1BZHlTK942Z4xiJq8FKNwMf1ZieXhTRZX5yGVmC9GNJH1HvAeYatTKzLfUOrL7sCkIIU/s1600/calendar.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixLJ19X3StRaRyHB-Pcu9JkJV325ZYsI84AiyrzKSwMnPLlv_GnTsu_weR_sOojgn9_HIkhyT1BZHlTK942Z4xiJq8FKNwMf1ZieXhTRZX5yGVmC9GNJH1HvAeYatTKzLfUOrL7sCkIIU/s640/calendar.png" width="345" /></a>If you want to make your own Calendar of Quilts, I've put together a <a href="https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1SLLGc0vZiTe5Zme6CkrANDKWYZ8uGWq-ePmB0VAZCMA/edit?usp=sharing" target="_blank">bigger master list</a> for you to use. <br />
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I would suggest copying it to your own google drive or Excel and then adding to it and deleting things as you feel would suit you. I know on mine I added mine and Ashley's birthday and our anniversary because I want something for those days in particular, but I don't really need to celebrate Bastille Day or Independence Day or Autistic Pride Day (but some people might). <br />
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On this "Master List" I have included a few random "food" days - like National Donut Day or Ice Cream for Breakfast Day. I just think these are cool concepts and would have cool quilts (because there are some very fun patterns for donuts and ice cream) but, like International Tiger Day or World Toilet Day, they're obviously they're not events you would normally decorate for.<br />
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I have included some random religious days, some events that are Australia specific (or US, UK or other - I'm trying to make sure all my peeps are covered), some random nerd fandom days and some annual charity events.<br />
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I guess the idea is to think about what events during the year that you'd like to include in your home. Whether that's because they're important and special or fun and whimsical - what speaks to *you* and your family and home.<br />
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If you have days that you think I should add to the Calendar that other people might enjoy, or if you have a genius way of reformatting this so it's more user friendly please let me know so I can update it and make it the best it can be.<br />
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Let me know if you decide to join in!! I'd love to see what you make, and what events you decide to celebrate.<br />
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E xxErin Quinnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09733465690557189717noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6958893819922936787.post-8477183731782575642018-08-24T14:44:00.004+10:002018-08-24T14:44:53.045+10:00Accidental purchases..<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMvnxsL4c4CmONI5QktDzTMu51RcsCy2xTmgbKQOl0_SXkt1WsYRBM1OqPwCc1_GYDfzag1L8mYl42EYXhQq7t9Rc3k4LSW73mAZ08Hqx5FH3bUgH16R_llgO-nDBt5xWlUUpZrwZtJUI/s1600/Capture.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="826" data-original-width="253" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMvnxsL4c4CmONI5QktDzTMu51RcsCy2xTmgbKQOl0_SXkt1WsYRBM1OqPwCc1_GYDfzag1L8mYl42EYXhQq7t9Rc3k4LSW73mAZ08Hqx5FH3bUgH16R_llgO-nDBt5xWlUUpZrwZtJUI/s640/Capture.PNG" width="194" /></a>I should not be left alone with a computer and a credit card.<br />
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I have had my eye on a couple of quilt books for ages, but have put off purchasing them because I don't really *need* them, and I don't really have the space for them, and will I even make anything out of them anyway... But today I was looking at some of the summaries of the recent UK Festival of Quilts and the 1718 quilt on display. It is an interesting quilt and it has some things which appeal to me (it has somethings which don't but no one has to like *everything*) and it looks like perhaps there was some kind of challenge to recreate it... I started following links and I fell down a rabbit hole and before I knew it the book of patterns to make a 1718 was in my cart.<br />
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And if I'm going to shop, I'm going to really shop. So I added Vintage Quilt Revival and the Quilt Block Cookbook which I have been lusting after <i>forever</i>. And I also slipped in Wabi-Sabi Sewing by Karen Lewis who's aesthetic I just love and hope to bring into more of my life. And I've only heard good thing (fabulous things in fact) about Flossie Teacakes Guide to EPP and I want to really amp up my EPP game so it snuck in too and hopefully will really assist with that.<br />
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And I hit the button that charged my account and got my confirmation email, and then remembered that it's off pay week and now I can't eat :-P lol. No I can, but this was an impulse purchase and a half. Hopefully these books all live up to my expectations. i'll be sure to share.<br />
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Have you got any must read's that I should have added? I should start to create a Christmas wishlist for the things I'm really missing and make Grumpy get them for me.<br />
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E xx<br />
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<br />Erin Quinnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09733465690557189717noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6958893819922936787.post-43330304007460699672018-08-23T17:00:00.000+10:002018-08-23T17:00:00.535+10:00The Escargot Quilt<a href="http://lazyquilts.blogspot.com/2017/02/january-snails.html" target="_blank">January 2017</a> is when I started this baby, and here we are in August 2018 and I finally have a top.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8wMRb4xT8ZN0EN8a21zzOdaQPv_F8erDelFxwdtG5nKrWrYj7_eMK5uwkzocyIJtJOTvmbElaaZ76c174IGk__GNln8uNwwhfMpayStdKVW3PE1Uj9OdG47dMmI_z9LkRqDgzc5ECk_A/s1600/20180819_143856.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8wMRb4xT8ZN0EN8a21zzOdaQPv_F8erDelFxwdtG5nKrWrYj7_eMK5uwkzocyIJtJOTvmbElaaZ76c174IGk__GNln8uNwwhfMpayStdKVW3PE1Uj9OdG47dMmI_z9LkRqDgzc5ECk_A/s640/20180819_143856.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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To be fair part of the reason it got delayed is because we went jetsetting, and I couldn't take this with me, but still, we've been home for 10 months so this should very much have been done a long time ago.<br />
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The real reason I didn't work on it for so long is because that break away from it meant that when I got home and pulled out the box, I had fallen out of love. It just felt very *brown* and bland and what the hell do I want snails for anyway?? And so it sat and made me feel bad while I avoided it. I actually toyed with giving it away or just throwing it out.<br />
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Throwing it out goes against the hoarding I have in my nature so instead I tucked it into my stash of projects to take to Quilt Retreat and about halfway through the second day I decided to pull it out and just see.<br />
<br />
Well, there were enough snails to turn it into a top, and I had 2 more cut and ready to go, so I whipped them out and that was all it took for me to fall back in love. The snails are fun, guys! They have a couple of small pieces but they're easy and bright and effective.<br />
<br />
I only had one piece of the cream background, so with a little help from my quilty friends we laid the blocks out and tried to work out the best way to really utilise my fabric.<br />
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I really liked the off set, gappy layout, so needed to use some of my yardage for that, and then I was left with *just* enough to put a 1" strip along the top of each row. Just to give a little space to the snails.<br />
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I was then laying the rows back down on the floor and we all agreed that the dark carpet they were laying on really added something, so to the stash I went to hunt down something I could add for my snails to crawl along. I came up with a piece of rusty brown that felt right so cut strips and added them to my snails bottoms. I then laid the rows back down on the floor to keep them in order.<br />
<br />
And once again that dark carpet showed throw and felt so right. It added a little shadow and turned the "floor" into "shelves". So then I had to cut 3/4" strips of a dark navy to add just that hint of shadow to the top. I love the effect, but boy was it a lot of work. I recommend doing all three strips at once and then adding it to the snails, because my way was a wavy nightmare.<br />
<br />
Still. I ended up with a finish that I really like. I have no idea what I'm going to do with a snail quilt, but for right now, I'm on the hunt for a cute backing to get this moved on to the next stage.<br />
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Huzzah for a finish!! (well, a finished top is practically a finish ;-) )<br />
<br />
E xx<br />
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<br />Erin Quinnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09733465690557189717noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6958893819922936787.post-12587508289119478862018-08-20T16:00:00.000+10:002018-08-20T16:00:15.564+10:00The BFQ - The Big Friendly Quilt inspired by the BFGSince becoming a quilter, I have become a person who notices quilts in tv shows and movies and advertisements. I find myself rewinding to get a better look at the double wedding ring, or to work out if it's a hst quilt, or if it's stars, and my heart stops when I see lone star quilts or dresdens on screen... And in movies it seems as if every quilt is scrappy and antique-y feeling, and of course it's because they're there to make a place feel lived in and cozy and warm, and scrappy does that so well. And even though that's not really my style, it makes me happy and slightly envious of these quilts and their lived in comfy glory.<br />
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After recognising my eagle eye while binge watching recently I had to confess it to some of my quilty friends and turns out: they do the same too. Which leads me to state that I now feel confident that I wasn't the only quilter who watched the BFG and spent half the movie trying to get a better peak at Sophie's quilt. The idea of this lonely, misfit orphan who had her special quilt, which she dragged around the orphanage (and on to a great adventure) really struck a nerve with me. I wanted every Sophie in the world to have their own quilt. But I also wanted Sophie's quilt.<br />
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It's vintage and loved and clearly brings her comfort. and I just loved it. All that to say, when I was recently watching the BFG, the longing to have a Sophie Quilt overcame me and before I knew it, I had done a deep (deep, deep, deep) dive into my stash and started pulling fabrics that I felt had that vintage vibe going, with the intention to make my own BFG quilt.<br />
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And that is where to story really starts, You see, unfortunately, it's actually really hard to see Sophie's quilt in the movie. There doesn't ever seem to be a shot of the whole front, nor a shot in proper full light, so you have to puzzle it together.<br />
<br />
Clearly it's a medallion, and there are lots of triangles (or are they flying geese??), and the colour scheme is red, pink and like a minty teal. It's got lots of florals going on. Very vintage. Screams - <em>I'm a donation</em>, and yet also makes you want to snuggle up in it. I've gone off track...<br />
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I did some googling to see if maybe the movie had released the pattern as part of their promo... no. They should have, it would have been great marketing. Oh well... Have any other quilters tried to make it? Yes!!! 2!!! Piccolo Studios did an "inspired by" version (found <a href="http://piccolostudio.com.au/2016/10/28/sophies-quilt-hotel-frederiksted/" target="_blank">here</a>), and Catrina Manel did a version, and made a pattern on her blog <a href="https://catrinmanel.wordpress.com/2016/08/02/bfg-inspired-sophies-quilt-ii/" target="_blank">I'd rather sew</a>. Catrina's version was close to what I wanted but I felt like the ratio's were a little off for what I envisaged. I decided to wing it!! I'm a rebel, what can I say.<br />
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I grabbed all the florals and weird greens and stuff that has been lurking in my stash for a thousand years: things that I bought before I knew quite what kind of quilter I wanted to be. Things that I hadn't found, and was unlikely to ever find, a home for in my normal day to day quilting.<br />
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And I cut it!! Just sliced right in. I made hsts, willy-nilly, knowing that they'd be needed, but not quite sure how many or what their actual purpose would be. I barely even measured! Of course I did measure, because I wanted them all to be the same size, but the point is - I refused to contemplate quilt maths. I just dove in. HST's out the wazoo!<br />
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And while my quilt is not an <em>exact</em> match to the one in the movie, it is close enough for me. It retains <em>the vibe</em>. And while it's absolutely not my style in any way shape or form, I kind of love it. It's quilting in big messy loop de loops which are... variable in size shape and execution. But they will bring a lovely softness as it gets washed and used.<br />
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I have no idea what I'm going to do with it.. perhaps just hold onto it until a little orphan calls its name. As one of my guild mates said: it's just a friendly quilt. And that is how it got it's name: The Big Friendly Quilt, or the BFQ for short.<br />
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It was a fun quick make and I am really happy with the outcome and that I have a new full size quilt to add to my cupboard.<br />
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E xxErin Quinnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09733465690557189717noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6958893819922936787.post-39802816457595480262018-08-10T11:00:00.000+10:002018-08-10T11:00:10.564+10:00Quilt vs Quilter<div class="MsoNormal">
A little while ago, over on Instagram, there was a rash of <b>#quiltvsquilter</b> – where people compiled a 9 grid of images of their makes that they think reflect who they think they
are as a quilter. I tried to make one myself, but then I felt like it was too
much jumping on the band wagon, so I never posted it.</div>
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And then the New Bloggers Hop happened in blog
world, and I was watching all the new, excited bloggies introducing themselves,
and the best intros *also* had a bit of a summary about what makes really
reflected their style and it has bumped my butt into gear. I *want* to answer the question and try to define me as maker - a little bit at least.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b> So who am I as a
quilter???<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b>I love my low volume.</b> I think that’s really clear. Both from
my makes and from my fabric stash – it’s really hard for me to pass by low
volume bolts without getting *just a little* to take home with me. My low volume stash takes over more space in my sewing room than any other category. And if I decided to split it and separate out the text fabric that could probably have a cubby of it's own. Low volume has my heart <b>#lowvolumelove</b></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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1XmIIWA8mqw62-1onJa0jxDWNFssbAIhOdiKG_RpYn22DLTzrtUOALB7lJwEccf37bWfXTMn55ONijPd05GH_bFucRs98lKCjsSfiRclQF_4RWCGD0hdkLqpN07R86os-qsfNoO_WV-w/s1600/FB_IMG_1489730744188.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1117" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1XmIIWA8mqw62-1onJa0jxDWNFssbAIhOdiKG_RpYn22DLTzrtUOALB7lJwEccf37bWfXTMn55ONijPd05GH_bFucRs98lKCjsSfiRclQF_4RWCGD0hdkLqpN07R86os-qsfNoO_WV-w/s640/FB_IMG_1489730744188.jpg" width="444" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Arboretum Quilt made with the Brisbane Modern Quilt Guild </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<b>I also love colour.</b> Big, bold, bright colour. Amongst all the low vol love there are broad
brushstrokes of colour. More blue than I thought I would be, as I never thought of myself as a *blue* person. When I took the time to actually *look* at my makes what pops out at me is green and pink and blue and hints of purple. There is very little in the oranges, yellows or reds... I'm not sure if the challenge in this is to push myself to make/buy more red, yellow and orange or to accept that they're not where my heart lies... I'll have to sit on this for a while I think. No matter what, there will continue to be lots of colour in my life and my quilts.<br />
**As an aside, I think it's hard to know why we pick the colours we pick. Is it because I'm making baby quilts and therefore of course there's lots of blue and pink, or is it fabric availability? I feel like I read someone where once that there are more different shades of blue fabric printed than any other... I can’t remember where I read that, but my stash bears it out. Or is it emotional - being drawn to certain colour combinations based on an underlying (perhaps not even acknowledged) mood..<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYqeZUHsaco9se6p2wC44EVY5RbB3cds38uIb6cXwPBfF0aO0cGw9MZsNQ-esrzvAMgFTu5O6yawXsYRbXMnMA7p8PsaHhj_57N7L7jHZa5fxwT9cghmjp53kU3EqwhVRuFA6-fJiCUG0/s1600/20180330_120755.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYqeZUHsaco9se6p2wC44EVY5RbB3cds38uIb6cXwPBfF0aO0cGw9MZsNQ-esrzvAMgFTu5O6yawXsYRbXMnMA7p8PsaHhj_57N7L7jHZa5fxwT9cghmjp53kU3EqwhVRuFA6-fJiCUG0/s640/20180330_120755.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jewelled Swoon</td></tr>
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<b>I like scrappy!! </b>Who would have thought!! Certainly not me! I thought I liked classic elegant planned... turns out, that, while, yes, I do like a plan, that plan includes an element of "scrappy" I'm not into a full <i>scrappy</i>-scrappy but a curated scrappy, where each scrap is chosen with care. I don't know if I'll ever make a proper scrap vomit quilt, because for me, that might be taking it too far, but I like a good mix of fabrics in a top and I don't want them to all be one designer or one line. I want variety. I think I worked out that I aim for around 13 different fabrics per top…
That’s insane. But as someone really
smart once said – matching one specific red is really hard, matching a group of
different reds is much easier.<br />
<o:p></o:p><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqzAfDfkc5RX98Tp2jL3aIiTDXte8j7k3fCQpSMVhmspIVIfME5KAeT1h026R-3W5XLwXaL4CmG7uRVprvMJe3yHjYLAb6qdifbAVAQSTOtzOfX2pkJ4GIqsDBNa7L44JgiUHDMBnNAxU/s1600/20170728_150748.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqzAfDfkc5RX98Tp2jL3aIiTDXte8j7k3fCQpSMVhmspIVIfME5KAeT1h026R-3W5XLwXaL4CmG7uRVprvMJe3yHjYLAb6qdifbAVAQSTOtzOfX2pkJ4GIqsDBNa7L44JgiUHDMBnNAxU/s640/20170728_150748.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Irish Fields</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<b>I avoid solids. </b>This I wouldn’t have picked when I first
started quilting, because I was very much “find a pretty fabric and then the
coordinating solids”. Now I find the pretty fabric and the coordinating <b>prints</b>, which might not <b>seem</b> like a big difference, but it
really is. My solid stash is minuscule and I while they slip in here or there, I really only dive into the pile when hunting for backgrounds.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHQE81-ToPaAUtHIReyHwWUtjvy_3l6Oj_plaDxwcC3GXLPdmHUxR98IArohCeSbIcCWJsg0DG3MIAzL2Yi56vZ_LgNjoPseLQnXMiFFV0sSWA48E4SY_A-Z3dio_t4H-h8ZP1vH_Tv8Q/s1600/20170122_173225.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHQE81-ToPaAUtHIReyHwWUtjvy_3l6Oj_plaDxwcC3GXLPdmHUxR98IArohCeSbIcCWJsg0DG3MIAzL2Yi56vZ_LgNjoPseLQnXMiFFV0sSWA48E4SY_A-Z3dio_t4H-h8ZP1vH_Tv8Q/s640/20170122_173225.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>I like details</b>… I know that I’m too lazy to really do this properly, so
my detail blocks are often small and are not repeated, although they can be
surrounded by other detail blocks, into a glorious busy-ness (but not too busy
because I *don’t* like that. I still want my quilts to exude a sense of calm or
quiet or welcome, which too much busy gets in the way of). But I like little intricacies and oddments.<o:p></o:p><br />
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<b>I love a jigsaw puzzle quilt</b>, where the blocks are various
sizes and having to find the right homes for things to go together and flow. I
like being able to slip snippets of colour or favourite low volume pieces into
gaps to bring things up to a useable size or to make something I might have mis-cut or mis-sewed fit. Those little surprises make me so happy. I think this is part of the love of little details that I put above, and yet it's also it's own specific love that I think reflects <b><i>*my style*</i></b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLN5NEOJM3JXNhMnyghLbqdTSF0miYAkXDQh88F3Zz2m2o-WQFGS7B8pZjqaux7em7oX8BvDW_AL9U1WR5gpbE3dYZ_D9Y9YXM02iqzr8DprtAFde8wgBQwVLnmiF9SyzDOGrrC460vcs/s1600/IMG_20170128_113612.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLN5NEOJM3JXNhMnyghLbqdTSF0miYAkXDQh88F3Zz2m2o-WQFGS7B8pZjqaux7em7oX8BvDW_AL9U1WR5gpbE3dYZ_D9Y9YXM02iqzr8DprtAFde8wgBQwVLnmiF9SyzDOGrrC460vcs/s640/IMG_20170128_113612.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sneak peek of some secret sewing</td></tr>
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<b>I also like simplicity</b> - which feels like it goes against the last two points, but let me try to explain. I don't mean "simple" like super modern quilts with clean lines and crisp edges and block colours and stripped back to essential elements... They can be cool, but they're not me. <br />
I want my quilts to feel like all of it's pieces belong together: like the fabrics and the patterns/blocks/pieces somehow organically merged together - like they belonged together from the beginning and I just facilitated it. I don't want my quilts to be "contemporary" and be all angles and points. I don't like my quilts to be confronting. I don't want to make statement art (although I do love it when other people do it). I want my quilts to have a sense of calm and peace (even when making the crazy chaos of jigsaw quilts). I guess I'm trying to articulate <i>the vibe</i>... always a difficult proposition.<br />
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One thing that is not reflected in my photos, and that I
hadn’t really realised until I was typing this up, is that <b>I love my hand
quilted quilts</b>. I talk myself out of doing it a lot because: it’s time
consuming; it's labour intensive; I have too many tops and don’t have time to hand
quilt them all; fancy long-arm quitting is so much more complex and detailed; and sometimes it seems hand quilting will be overlooked so it's not worth it…
but actually I think I love my hand quilted ones the
most. And even though the stitches aren't fancy or "<i>designed"</i>, they are the ones I reach for to snuggle up into, and that evoke memories of making. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiKZe21RIvdchuNrehAUpE-XlaGcL6Mqxl-haETYK4DdEYYvCfy2hYjS3FZrP2LlvJ2oMeIInNh7ggHvC0KErqTDBnnlnPhgxWVq33-tRgVO-szt8Ws-4kfMSd8ufq8i8i3Cu2amsCH0I/s1600/20161103_195743.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiKZe21RIvdchuNrehAUpE-XlaGcL6Mqxl-haETYK4DdEYYvCfy2hYjS3FZrP2LlvJ2oMeIInNh7ggHvC0KErqTDBnnlnPhgxWVq33-tRgVO-szt8Ws-4kfMSd8ufq8i8i3Cu2amsCH0I/s640/20161103_195743.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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--ooOoo--</div>
<br />
Well that was a big ramble but it has in fact caused a few epiphanies for me.<br />
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First and most important: <b>I need to embrace the hand quilting</b>. Recognising that those are the quilts I love the most is a good prompt for me to try to prioritise the hand quilting I have going and make it <b>necessary </b>rather than thinking of it as a time filler or a time suck. Also, I am hopeful that this give me permission to think of hand quilting as an option before I go to my default of sending it to a longarmer. Yes: I said give myself <b>*permission*</b> because I know I often berate myself for even <i>considering</i> hand quilting when actually I should embrace it.<br />
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The second thing I'm taking away is to <b>embrace the scrappy vibe</b>. I do it with low volume and I am moving toward it with my colours. I'd love to look back on this and see that element of my quilting bloom.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeK4fb53yVqHVm24wQcOUnZID4xSq3yKIa4tiL8DSjHDr9NUAQfhyphenhypheneJ5SclLMW65x94r3CTe9kYRx3H_C73ACnHVB6Yfd1sjedmxF3TUQrLiGP1EqQ0fuvz3RsaBZ4Dawx465-o83lR4A/s1600/My+Creative+%25281%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="260" data-original-width="554" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeK4fb53yVqHVm24wQcOUnZID4xSq3yKIa4tiL8DSjHDr9NUAQfhyphenhypheneJ5SclLMW65x94r3CTe9kYRx3H_C73ACnHVB6Yfd1sjedmxF3TUQrLiGP1EqQ0fuvz3RsaBZ4Dawx465-o83lR4A/s320/My+Creative+%25281%2529.png" width="320" /></a>And the third thing is that <b>I love what I make</b>. That may sound obvious, but there are things I have made that I haven't loved. Or things I put on the list because of other people (let's be honest: it's usually gifts), but that I don't like. When I follow my heart, I almost always end up with something I love. And I need to remember to honour that.<br />
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How about you? How do you see yourself as a quilter? When you step back and think about your favourite makes is there something that stands out to you?<br />
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E xx</div>
Erin Quinnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09733465690557189717noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6958893819922936787.post-71094057151393668732018-08-01T16:00:00.000+10:002018-08-01T16:00:02.331+10:00The Camping Quilt (and the long winded story of how it came to be)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Before I go into my long ramble, I'm going to show you the top I'm talking about. It's one of the struggles when i talk about finished tops, that the finish photo is last, so it's not the pretty thing you get to see when you first click over! Well, I'm breaking the rules this time and showing you a hint of the "pretty" first.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYxuAQNd7D5nVsf5e2Zyk0b82bxfGOXVujLsJHztVhYM55BUqvala5bkknhJ0WGwxPhNI18Sv4guONxFLm0QYNiRsxA6uuHV7XpiOdO25pBpj7a2GXa63h6YjYa9igVRFe1KAPPqgZxu0/s1600/20180708_123502.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="872" data-original-width="1600" height="348" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYxuAQNd7D5nVsf5e2Zyk0b82bxfGOXVujLsJHztVhYM55BUqvala5bkknhJ0WGwxPhNI18Sv4guONxFLm0QYNiRsxA6uuHV7XpiOdO25pBpj7a2GXa63h6YjYa9igVRFe1KAPPqgZxu0/s640/20180708_123502.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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And now to the process...</div>
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If you remember back to when I shared my full WIP list (<a href="https://lazyquilts.blogspot.com.au/2018/01/2018-planning-stages.html" target="_blank">here</a>) I had a couple of things that I had greyed out... They were potentially being turfed because I had fallen out of love/inspiration/they weren't what I thought they'd be.</div>
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One of those projects was called "Improv (green & cream)". This name, while theoretically quite descriptive, was actually very deceptive, because it's not "green and cream", it's brown and beige (and orange, green & blue).<br />
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But why on earth would I ever make a quilt that's brown and beige (and orange, green & blue)?... Let me tell you...<br />
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Way back when, we were planning to do a road trip through the Aussie desert (which we did in 2016 and was awesome, but that's another story for another time), I had the brilliant idea that we should have a camping quilt. If you know anything about the Australian outback, you'll know we have red dirt... lots and lots of red dirt. And we were planning to get pretty stuck into it.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTCvr4HGXG0E0A_GuJQl2QsLwHhjF7p5X0gdyx1CcG3KaRIBRlDKkQG25HOPEkUGbpewNyLXW2btMWJQ0xFeRfUU6li3MhgNKNxHeUbj6bYP5QPhh9CiGbmLRj6KZgWo5G9yC1_cQ9LCs/s1600/Simpson+desert+trip.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="397" data-original-width="560" height="451" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTCvr4HGXG0E0A_GuJQl2QsLwHhjF7p5X0gdyx1CcG3KaRIBRlDKkQG25HOPEkUGbpewNyLXW2btMWJQ0xFeRfUU6li3MhgNKNxHeUbj6bYP5QPhh9CiGbmLRj6KZgWo5G9yC1_cQ9LCs/s640/Simpson+desert+trip.png" width="640" /></a><br />
With this in mind, I knew any "camping quilt" needed to be able to hide dirt (so not the place for my low volume love). It needed to be able to be dragged into and out of our muddy 4WD and into a tent. It might be co-opted for a picnic blanket... the goal was sturdy, utilitarian, not precious.</div>
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I aimed for the scrap bins. Because nothing says "sturdy, utilitarian, and not </div>
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precious" like scrap quilts <em>(although there are scrap quilts that are not any of those things)</em>.</div>
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At some point <em>(who knows when or why)</em> I seem to have acquired some brown scraps. Perfect! They will blend in with the dirt in the mountains. Orange, to blend in with the red dirt in the desert. Green, to reflect all the bush and trees etc and so I can get grass stains on it and not worry. And then a bit of blue just to add a hint of freshness. I pulled a random creamy/beige paisley from stash (that I bought for who knows what reason) and cut 10.5" squares and then chopped them into triangles and started adding strings.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUYbS9-Fv4_X5s-pjjulRymm9UGSWQC-uBo_YD6SA_rR_Qc9-6EAuHF-M8Q_wSFvnRgYXkQwNRO0NBbCC0Q48xv377rh_PM5Oywe5ql2Y6-Ckjx1PvzTDMJTADDw6G_lkTm6B4lU0k2gw/s1600/20180417_080614.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUYbS9-Fv4_X5s-pjjulRymm9UGSWQC-uBo_YD6SA_rR_Qc9-6EAuHF-M8Q_wSFvnRgYXkQwNRO0NBbCC0Q48xv377rh_PM5Oywe5ql2Y6-Ckjx1PvzTDMJTADDw6G_lkTm6B4lU0k2gw/s640/20180417_080614.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I made about 10 squares before it came time to go to the desert, so clearly I wasn't taking this with us.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWGWELctWWKid-PFEJGfm_idq45tG9_EMXxgqGPJXOcpu-G9QHH3lZUrSnQU9ZNCpjvV6Hks-9PZuD4VbY_9BsuOnU2954piVptnbfsl1Uyn_AYKXIMWLGjPpnPVp97loPMByDXwP2oTI/s1600/20160908_090810-COLLAGE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWGWELctWWKid-PFEJGfm_idq45tG9_EMXxgqGPJXOcpu-G9QHH3lZUrSnQU9ZNCpjvV6Hks-9PZuD4VbY_9BsuOnU2954piVptnbfsl1Uyn_AYKXIMWLGjPpnPVp97loPMByDXwP2oTI/s400/20160908_090810-COLLAGE.jpg" width="400" /></a>We had an amazing trip and saw huge swathes of the country, the boys got gloriously muddy on dirt roads, and we went through the tiny little 2 man towns that are urban legend, and we got stranded at a pub for three days, and I touched Uluru, and we saw emus up close, and all good things (sorry this is turning into a holiday slideshow... I'll get back to the quilt). <br />
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The end result of the epic trip was that when we got home and I had zero desire to have a camping quilt. After 6 weeks in a tent, there was nothing I wanted less than a reminder of camping. Not only that... it was kind of ugly. And while ugly quilts were necessary for a desert quilt, it's not actually my goal for real life.</div>
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And so the pieces got shoved in a shoebox and shuffled off to the side of my sewing space. Not put away away, because they were "in progress" and the rules of my sewing room mean that they have to stay in sight until the top at least is finished or else they get forgotten... but it does mean that there is an unacceptable amount of clutter going on on my sewing table that adds to my stress sometimes.<br />
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Flash forward a year and half (and we've been away for 7-8 months of that) I'm cleaning up my sewing room and I decide enough is enough. This quilt has either got to get pieced or get donated to an orphan block drive or get thrown out or something, because it is taking up valuable real estate.</div>
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I have a strong policy on not sewing if you don't love it, which is part of why this has been put off over and over again. I don't love it. But it will have a purpose when it's done. I would actually love to have a camping quilt. And I'm never going to be able to take one of my "good" low volume quilts camping. So while it might not be pretty, I will love <strong>*using*</strong> it. And that is why it hadn't actually been thrown out up to this point.<br />
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I laid out what had already been pieced... I had a cot sized quilt, if I wanted to call it done. Ideally for that size, I'd make another 2 blocks which I was prepared to do. But then I thought "well how many blocks would I need to have it full sized? And how much of this ugly background fabric, that I'll never use for anything else, do I have?"<br />
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Turns out I had enough background fabric to bring it up to 30 blocks. And 30 blocks is a good size top (around throw size). So I pulled out the scrap jars again (having just tidied them up and put them away) and set myself up a production line.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFLMFHlPP6A6gugIV2JDk6KqnpfCYspNq0uUbZTuKgeBfG88r3vrKKQ5bqR0UZ3qPkO6SQ5PtS7uUjlcH-xxxcBF1ST58L58IPKJfQe5BIqmbSMVBLu4IVSrhdZN9H8PNov2GE-blrjs0/s1600/20180410_073953.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFLMFHlPP6A6gugIV2JDk6KqnpfCYspNq0uUbZTuKgeBfG88r3vrKKQ5bqR0UZ3qPkO6SQ5PtS7uUjlcH-xxxcBF1ST58L58IPKJfQe5BIqmbSMVBLu4IVSrhdZN9H8PNov2GE-blrjs0/s640/20180410_073953.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sewing table mid construction is not exactly an "attractive" site lol</td></tr>
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It was not pretty. It was not fun. But I sewed each night until I was done with it (which sometimes was 15 minutes and sometimes was a couple of hours). Two weeks later and I had all the blocks made and ready to go.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha5s8UmJv0OUTkshgidLy96chHdoWwDy0nXfBKk8wtYJnY_XX7p-KbS8FlLz9Qmc_MtYh-ne648HA8-6UqtJpaA1uBa-6_UmkYgOxsNwK9x_RXU1aSC2n-IqYRvIzMuCmzn8QipZlfmp8/s1600/20180708_123456.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1527" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha5s8UmJv0OUTkshgidLy96chHdoWwDy0nXfBKk8wtYJnY_XX7p-KbS8FlLz9Qmc_MtYh-ne648HA8-6UqtJpaA1uBa-6_UmkYgOxsNwK9x_RXU1aSC2n-IqYRvIzMuCmzn8QipZlfmp8/s640/20180708_123456.jpg" width="610" /></a></div>
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And because this is a scrap quilt, there are actually some really nice fancy fabrics in there. And there are pieces of past quilts, which is actually really nice and makes this feel like it belongs to me. And while I know my logic for this colour scheme was solid, and while there are cute fabrics included in the mix, I have to acknowledge that this is an ugly quilt. Practical, yes. But not sexy in any way.<br />
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There were a couple of options for combining these blocks <i>(some really fancy cross cutting could have been cool, but would mean more work... how about no)</i> and I ended up going with simple diamonds off-set from each other.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMXbkfTlf6tLTF2Sk9lmLI1FfzPLHxV510pOSfBdPGLy6N6xyW_Upj1Y5CsfkeUZGFxCZgjISyvoc9vKzxjzZr2VaC1-WF_cLOak6XHj0ZhrKxFSEKafCZjfpF2YeHE_EKyvkaaZT4_tM/s1600/20180708_123507.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="742" data-original-width="1600" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMXbkfTlf6tLTF2Sk9lmLI1FfzPLHxV510pOSfBdPGLy6N6xyW_Upj1Y5CsfkeUZGFxCZgjISyvoc9vKzxjzZr2VaC1-WF_cLOak6XHj0ZhrKxFSEKafCZjfpF2YeHE_EKyvkaaZT4_tM/s640/20180708_123507.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Sewing together these improv triangles with the seams going every which way and no possibility of nesting was fun... the price you pay for improv/not making a proper plan before you start I guess!!<br />
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And I had some shot cotton left over from working on Kim's quilt which is why I added the green borders, which helped to grow this a smidge. I mean it might be a camping quilt, but I still love to snuggle in so size is important to me ;-) It's still only throw size, but it covers my whole body and that's sufficient for this quilt.<br />
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I plan to back it with some yardage I had in stash - a snuggly flannel just because cozy is a win, and I wasn't worried about it being pretty so I could use something without worrying that Ashley will like/dislike it <i>(fyi: he totally hates this backing, but I think it's cute!)</i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy06msTPtXQPxLIibseYps2ap3xB0MB96BZvxw7b-r7fj6S1A19nlRzhiYC1NY47PcyLRK8hIJcRss9ISq9n5gfyRCE20cmVYI0PoSaBKkNfihvDCOQgNGd52J5M2uEyXMv0v4mmjFlbg/s1600/20180708_123451.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1293" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy06msTPtXQPxLIibseYps2ap3xB0MB96BZvxw7b-r7fj6S1A19nlRzhiYC1NY47PcyLRK8hIJcRss9ISq9n5gfyRCE20cmVYI0PoSaBKkNfihvDCOQgNGd52J5M2uEyXMv0v4mmjFlbg/s640/20180708_123451.jpg" width="516" /></a></div>
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And now I will quilt it and you will never see it again. Because this quilt is not for pretty pictures, but for hard labour - that's why it was sent to the colonies ;-)</div>
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E xx</div>
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Erin Quinnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09733465690557189717noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6958893819922936787.post-90183991536126918262018-07-19T16:00:00.000+10:002018-07-19T16:00:02.686+10:00RCRRv2 - Vic's QuiltVic is a returning member from round 1 of the round robin and she has asked for something that is making my heart very happy. A cream/neutral quilt with garden elements.<br />
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You might remember <a href="https://lazyquilts.blogspot.com.au/2017/02/community-quilting-forest.html" target="_blank">Arboretum</a>, a quilt I made as part of the <a href="https://brisbanemqg.com/" target="_blank">Brisbane Modern Quilt Guild</a>. Well ever since it was finished, Vic and I have begged the guild to let us buy it (proceeds to go to the community quilting kitty) and have good naturedly argued about who would get it keep it forever. This is her answer to that - make her own.<br />
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She started with this incredible Boab tree<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3T8tdU77-svwdxBIloSqP3aD9YYrWWe1bpw4LFUNz2p2w12Lvjei-cjQ0AqRJka5w81SOxp4-j2KGx9lv4DBLQCzbEh3wMyO6ON17j3MDU6cV8pcQtDSGr2CnxtSwLe8LUlAAqshUDdg/s1600/Vic+starter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="572" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3T8tdU77-svwdxBIloSqP3aD9YYrWWe1bpw4LFUNz2p2w12Lvjei-cjQ0AqRJka5w81SOxp4-j2KGx9lv4DBLQCzbEh3wMyO6ON17j3MDU6cV8pcQtDSGr2CnxtSwLe8LUlAAqshUDdg/s640/Vic+starter.jpg" width="380" /></a></div>
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Everything about that makes my heart go yum.<br />
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It has gone through the hands of the very talented Kim, Deb and Kathryn before it landed on my doorstep, and by the time it got to me it had grown amazingly. As with all the round robin quilts, once I pulled it out of it's box I sat and looked at it and got stuck. I pulled out my notebook and started brainstorming: birds, trees, bugs... what could I add that would *add* to this top.<br />
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I won't make you go through the whole rigmarole the way I did with Kim's. Suffice to say that I decided mushrooms would be my contribution.<br />
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BTW. Do you wanna hear a joke (it's my only joke, so get ready)<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b><span style="color: #8e7cc3;">A mushroom walks into a bar, and he says to the bartender "I'll have a beer thanks mate" and the bar tender looks him up and down and says "nah, we don't serve your type in here" and the mushroom says "why not??? I'm a fun guy!!" </span></b></i></div>
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ha ha ha ha ha ha... Oh, that makes me happy. Because he's a *fun-guy*.. I make my own fun.<br />
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So mushrooms!! It turns out there aren't a lot of mushroom patterns out there, and those that are out there are a little.. blocky. I like details!!! So I attempted to draw up my own mushroom pattern. Oh, and you remember my vow to do no more paper piecing on these quilts... yeah, that's gone lol<br />
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This is my first ever attempt at making a pattern. Oi, are there some things I learnt!<i> (also, please ignore the work documents spread across my desk - I did this in my lunch break so I could take advantage of the office photocopiers).</i><br />
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I learnt some good lessons - like include seam allowances and draw the full size block<i> (unlike the mushrooms on the bottom left, where the base/stem is only a portion of the size... that came to haunt me</i>). I also have to acknowledge that the reason why all the other mushrooms out on the interwebs are blocky is because trying to make these more rounded was a nightmare of tiny piecing that you can't necessarily see in the completed block.<br />
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Nevertheless, I persisted and I'm very happy with the outcome.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPZmvTwBM3E8P07cddsVj3mpBayTny3fDhvrXH7TEcLBqWvjy3-QXo9JZzVfOahDpx79PM4PacsnnGl3jszBPTvL99i9iM5syF2I3su-Zcv7zHxv3ZN0jz99i7uDgCZTl5Cjj-JmG2qvE/s1600/20180708_124008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="701" data-original-width="1600" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPZmvTwBM3E8P07cddsVj3mpBayTny3fDhvrXH7TEcLBqWvjy3-QXo9JZzVfOahDpx79PM4PacsnnGl3jszBPTvL99i9iM5syF2I3su-Zcv7zHxv3ZN0jz99i7uDgCZTl5Cjj-JmG2qvE/s640/20180708_124008.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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A little cluster of mushrooms ready to be added to the quilt. I will confess at this point that I originally had grand plans to make lots of mushrooms and fill the whole bottom with them, but that just wasn't going to happen. Instead I made a couple of clusters and just floated them across the bottom.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin7ywvBSa74pXrEq1GQBPJSskeXbmCiwUysO0XTfBnwbBR7AvelkFJmkn5nHiLIGrqJzG1IdV6OjEy1Q7IxqyGd0Au030b9qxy6ekqERjS9tZOds1k0HgjWqlL4td_1D-olwe9Hj5ySzQ/s1600/20180708_123550.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1244" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin7ywvBSa74pXrEq1GQBPJSskeXbmCiwUysO0XTfBnwbBR7AvelkFJmkn5nHiLIGrqJzG1IdV6OjEy1Q7IxqyGd0Au030b9qxy6ekqERjS9tZOds1k0HgjWqlL4td_1D-olwe9Hj5ySzQ/s640/20180708_123550.jpg" width="496" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">I don't know that it looks that impressive, but it took *forever* and there was just no way I was making more mushrooms. Also, I promised I ironed this top and it looked lovely, but then I folded it up until I had the chance to take photos and then the sun was out and I had someone to hold it and i just grabbed the opportunity, and now have wrinkley photos to show for it :-/ Consider the lesson learnt for next time.</span><br />
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This has one more stop before it's finished! And mine is due to come back after that... So much excitement!! I love our Round Robin. Is it wrong that I'm almost ready for another round?? lol<br />
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E xx<br />
<br />Erin Quinnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09733465690557189717noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6958893819922936787.post-515130419252346692018-07-14T10:00:00.001+10:002018-07-14T10:00:06.990+10:00FAL Q3 2018<div>
Another quarter has come and gone, and I achieved.... <b>NOTHING</b>. Not a single thing on my list. I felt like I was sewing away, and I actually started and FINISHED *TWO* quilts this quarter, but neither were even twinkles in my eye at the start of the quarter so they don't count.<br />
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<strong>My original Q2 list was:</strong><br />
<strong></strong><br />
<ol><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge_ACS7F2u8RR4Rb595od4Eu6g_D8UYfrMHOmqJAY-ku1VtQyLjfPV8wdzAs5B4_pwGh5qyfnD8g1asOR_v8b0EnwYXnyX4t3AuUMDNvdNy2wvQGM6Eufxvm7UTSm6oES9fJT5anKhBzg/s1600/20180519_125015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge_ACS7F2u8RR4Rb595od4Eu6g_D8UYfrMHOmqJAY-ku1VtQyLjfPV8wdzAs5B4_pwGh5qyfnD8g1asOR_v8b0EnwYXnyX4t3AuUMDNvdNy2wvQGM6Eufxvm7UTSm6oES9fJT5anKhBzg/s640/20180519_125015.jpg" width="360" /></a>
<li><span style="color: black;"><i>Baste, quilt and bind Anthologie Quilt</i></span></li>
<li><span style="color: black;"><i>Baste, quilt and bind Irish Fields</i></span></li>
<li><span style="color: black;"><i>Baste, quilt and bind Linen</i></span></li>
<li><span style="color: black;"><i>Quilt and bind the BFG quilt</i></span></li>
<li><i>Quilt and bind Not-A-Jell-Roll-Race</i></li>
<li><span style="color: black;"><i>Quilt and bind Pink Bubbles</i></span></li>
<li><i>Quilt and bind Rainclouds 2 (littlest Ball )</i></li>
</ol>
</div>
<i>I also want to have some progress with my Round Robin 1 & Round Robin 2, and my pink and yellow medallion.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
I did none of it!! I happily sewed away and felt like I was moving forward but it turns out I wasn't! I was off in my own little dream world. Oi vey!<br />
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Do I dare even create a list for Q3?? Of course I will!! Why let failure stop you!!<br />
<br />
<br />
So for <b>Q3 the plan is:</b><br />
<div>
<ol>
<li><span style="color: black;">Piece the top of my Round Robin 1</span></li>
<li><span style="color: black;">Finish hand quilting and bind Anthologie Quilt</span></li>
<li><span style="color: black;">Baste, quilt and bind Irish Fields</span></li>
<li><span style="color: black;">Baste, quilt and bind Linen</span></li>
<li><span style="color: black;">Quilt and bind the BFG quilt</span></li>
<li>Quilt and bind Not-A-Jell-Roll-Race</li>
<li><span style="color: black;">Quilt and bind Pink Bubbles</span></li>
<li>Quilt and bind Rainclouds 2 (littlest Ball )</li>
<li>Piece, baste and quilt Bees</li>
</ol>
</div>
My slow burn projects for the quarter are that I want to:<br />
<ol>
<li>Finish designing the AMH Plot Twist and have all pieces basted to background</li>
<li>Kingfisher - baste shapes and stitch flowers</li>
<li>Add to the pink and yellow medallion</li>
<li>Finish Bec & Deb's rounds for the Round Robin 2 and potentially start adding to my own top as well.</li>
</ol>
<div>
I've added 2 new projects to the list *and* 2 new projects to the slow burn list, so I clearly haven't learnt my lesson, but the new things are things I really *want* to work on so they actually stand a chance of being done, lol.<br />
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Wish me luck!<br />
<br />
E xx</div>
Erin Quinnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09733465690557189717noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6958893819922936787.post-61300157991496526712018-07-12T16:00:00.000+10:002018-07-12T16:00:06.272+10:00Bzzzzzing beesI'm sure you've heard about the <a href="http://penandpaperpatterns.blogspot.com/2018/06/firefly-or-bees-sewalong.html" target="_blank">Firefly Quilt-A-Long being run by Pattern Drop</a>. It's super cool. This pattern is part of the reason why I signed up for this pattern service. But it's not because I have a thing for firefly's. I don't even think we have them in Australia. No. I have a thing for bees. Bees are the coolest.<br />
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I read a book about 3 years ago about bees and wildflowers and the impact of insects on the health of our environment, and I have been fascinated ever since. I even did a beekeeping course in the hopes I can one day get my own hive!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUSEa1l2ZjvG3NNIM0T6psOjED351ZM9uT2Y4KB-9AGdERmzYue0qPP7uXMFh8VW0f3iC5VtRjVuQyUstoueed4zzWUvXhU7VB8PHVFgspOXl1s4nsr9o8TG6G9ZrVWEgOcUxl0qWIea4/s1600/20160319_103621.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1343" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUSEa1l2ZjvG3NNIM0T6psOjED351ZM9uT2Y4KB-9AGdERmzYue0qPP7uXMFh8VW0f3iC5VtRjVuQyUstoueed4zzWUvXhU7VB8PHVFgspOXl1s4nsr9o8TG6G9ZrVWEgOcUxl0qWIea4/s640/20160319_103621.jpg" width="536" /></a></div>
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So the fact that the Firefly quilt pattern has a bee variation meant I was all in.<br />
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I bought my fabric a couple of weeks ago (I admit, as soon as the fabric requirements were emailed out).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg83OLKQQvqwpLZ9kenVVe21TEnNIiU3zTWgrBKZ43AiGFCX7VMCg-x9XIpF_PTqeI9jHQL8FFUuVGSeeblt-rVW9Q4aKkm_brZCoeDK0TJgABnrmTgJ39z7Z79mgcfPyTVhg52y0ayJYQ/s1600/20180708_124314.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="639" data-original-width="1600" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg83OLKQQvqwpLZ9kenVVe21TEnNIiU3zTWgrBKZ43AiGFCX7VMCg-x9XIpF_PTqeI9jHQL8FFUuVGSeeblt-rVW9Q4aKkm_brZCoeDK0TJgABnrmTgJ39z7Z79mgcfPyTVhg52y0ayJYQ/s640/20180708_124314.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I am using traditional bee colours... perhaps a little too yellow and not quite orange enough, but it's classic, so that's what I'm sticking with. I have the soft grey for the background and the textured white for wings. I'm hoping it gives the illusion of transparency.<br />
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Wish me luck! If I stick to the official schedule I should have a fully finished top by the end of August.<br />
<br />
E xx<br />
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<br />Erin Quinnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09733465690557189717noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6958893819922936787.post-67967742576835929562018-07-03T10:13:00.000+10:002018-07-03T10:13:03.694+10:00Fastest Finish Ever!! The Bogan QuiltThis week I had my fastest finish ever!! I started a top on Tuesday, was finished quilting by Saturday and had it bound and ready to be gifted before the day was out. Today it has gone to it's new home. And hence the urgency! I need deadlines apparently, and when I have them (and they matter enough) I can power through.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBR0nXMP3Mlo7nxAMbCiQIDBFFu1uwdhbh_A0biUjLhBzi5i9XQYG4AcYEjkugKyq8-n5Uni3kRkkw5pyfitZ3W90iM2M87tgyqLe0gOGFQcqtPTC0dB_T45tXw58f59bKmJnQMFeJYwo/s1600/20180701_143910.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="942" data-original-width="1600" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBR0nXMP3Mlo7nxAMbCiQIDBFFu1uwdhbh_A0biUjLhBzi5i9XQYG4AcYEjkugKyq8-n5Uni3kRkkw5pyfitZ3W90iM2M87tgyqLe0gOGFQcqtPTC0dB_T45tXw58f59bKmJnQMFeJYwo/s640/20180701_143910.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Someone I love is going through a hard time at the moment, and the only way I know to show that I love them is to make a quilt. Quilts, for me, are a way to wrap someone up in love, and provide a tangible proof of that love when real cuddles are too far away.<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE7aEDmpbvJSB4fRPdDkt6cLz54HB-AOexAnYnIqraHF6FYQ_Fej8ufBKBYhdB2bxxvv0A71AcThnOewludO3mGtL2d4ofxXsKIiMyCX3vL25PhJXCmY40uVIKZSTBLEn033QFRwhm-WM/s1600/IMG_20180630_214932.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1387" data-original-width="1361" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE7aEDmpbvJSB4fRPdDkt6cLz54HB-AOexAnYnIqraHF6FYQ_Fej8ufBKBYhdB2bxxvv0A71AcThnOewludO3mGtL2d4ofxXsKIiMyCX3vL25PhJXCmY40uVIKZSTBLEn033QFRwhm-WM/s640/IMG_20180630_214932.jpg" width="628" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rain, hail or shine, you are loved xxx</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I needed something simple. Both for time and because it's going to a man who is very much about simple utilitarian things. He's a tradie and when I think of him, I think flannel and plaid and utes and camping... He's a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bogan" target="_blank">bogan </a>and I love him.<br />
<br />
I have recently started following <a href="http://www.kitchentablequilting.com/" target="_blank">Kitchen Table Quilting </a>because she is making up <a href="http://www.kitchentablequilting.com/search/label/Giant%20Block%20Tutorials?&max-results=20" target="_blank">free patterns</a> for oversize traditional blocks, and they are just gorgeous. Quilt maths is my weakest point and so I super appreciate having someone else do that work for me. The <a href="http://www.kitchentablequilting.com/2018/03/march-giant-block-tutorial.html" target="_blank">March Giant Block</a> is what drew me in initially I think. Erica puts together some suggested layouts for using the blocks in her post, which is such a great help for those us of who have difficulty imagining layouts. But when she posted her block on point and made in Carolyn Friedlander oranges, blues and greys I was sold. I've had it on my mind ever since.<br />
<br />
So when I was looking for something to put together this week, I knew that was my starting point.<br />
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I decided recently that I wanted to make a denim quilt so I've started hoarding various denims, so the top was able to be pieced from stash.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvDCnfwpdB9LUmpIbuGbUqk-4toCwTMRcVjoiTpF6XPsP2HtR9F4TyCTyXJEvzMlxpAkZj0xpjwtZYerG8j1vz9khdkJ4TYsG5Ju_H-FDoRkqgGVcWSGzyPPzvvZWChzaDuBF2I9Lp1K0/s1600/20180701_143901.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1073" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvDCnfwpdB9LUmpIbuGbUqk-4toCwTMRcVjoiTpF6XPsP2HtR9F4TyCTyXJEvzMlxpAkZj0xpjwtZYerG8j1vz9khdkJ4TYsG5Ju_H-FDoRkqgGVcWSGzyPPzvvZWChzaDuBF2I9Lp1K0/s640/20180701_143901.jpg" width="428" /></a></div>
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I backed it with a plaid flannel. Both the denim and the flannel are so soft - I think this is going to just yummy to wrap up in, and I am hoping the denim ages well - like comfy jeans ;-)<br />
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I quilted it very simply - Straight vertical lines on the denim and in the ditch for the centre block. The goal was not to be fancy but to be right for the recipient. It's also better not to try to test my quilting skills if I'm trying to be speedy. If I had more time I think hand quilting or tying could have looked amazing, but I was not willing to risk blowing out my deadline.<br />
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I used the same grey to bind it, and even attempted home made bias binding - I feel very fancy.<br />
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And now it's on it's way to it's new home. To wrap my boy up with love until I see him again and can give him real cuddles.<br />
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So that's my fastest finish. Woo to go in less than a week. I'm actually pretty proud of that. Now back to the long term WIP pile..<br />
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E xxErin Quinnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09733465690557189717noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6958893819922936787.post-22138991739152152942018-05-02T16:30:00.000+10:002018-05-02T16:30:02.235+10:00A Calendar of QuiltsI am a person who experiences the worst FOMO (fear of missing out). And one of the ways this manifests in is watching all the cool quilty people I follow, through blogs or insta or wherever, who have amazing quilty seasonal decor. It turns my eyes green with envy watching all the pretty placemats, and wall hangings and table runners come out to mark the special events of the year. And yet I am not a person who uses placemats, or wall hangings or table runners, so my FOMO exists enough to make me feel envious but not enough to make me want to *decorate* my house for every <i>thing</i> that happens.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwjx4qnF9Db5ZjSHEE1eAY1T2wzJEOfz7Eh675RiJf1sVgI5wel3WUdWAqZujAgEJ_SZRsA3CYT1Og2TWQi3sZ8LPfsfZtziji0onYxigkaLUShZjoA_GkQEIvYs-QlA9Ml2BKWGcGQ2U/s1600/for+%25281%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwjx4qnF9Db5ZjSHEE1eAY1T2wzJEOfz7Eh675RiJf1sVgI5wel3WUdWAqZujAgEJ_SZRsA3CYT1Og2TWQi3sZ8LPfsfZtziji0onYxigkaLUShZjoA_GkQEIvYs-QlA9Ml2BKWGcGQ2U/s400/for+%25281%2529.png" width="400" /></a></div>
And yet, I have been toying with an idea. To have a Calendar of Quilts. A big bundle of quilts which come out specifically for moments throughout the year. This would mean I'm not *redecorating* I'd just be adding a little something something to our bed or lounge. Easy rotation! No *decorating* required (the exception being Christmas, where I love to go all out).<br />
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While this idea was brewing, I made myself a little run sheet. A list of all the events in the year that I think might be worthy of being marked by a quilt (or a pillow - just to keep it reasonable). Some are obvious - Christmas, Valentines, St Patricks. Some are a little more *unusual* - World Bee Day, International Day of Friendship, Labour Day.<br />
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I essentially trawled through the list of of what had a designated "international day" and picked things that spoke to me. Then if I had an idea of what I associated with that theme I made a note.. And now I have a new quilty bucket list:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaTpvFAzpQoMkSnXOhAES_lh2g2FJ7hoUipLb14aXCMisJlFagBbuAbAc1ejdxEu6xuiL3TU23i4AqX4sZiyH2M3x1ZMWNt73nynEJ_ILO2FNWyNA4ctAnEmATotxsmN5QBi3GzlLsDv4/s1600/Calendar+of+Quilts.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="671" data-original-width="768" height="556" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaTpvFAzpQoMkSnXOhAES_lh2g2FJ7hoUipLb14aXCMisJlFagBbuAbAc1ejdxEu6xuiL3TU23i4AqX4sZiyH2M3x1ZMWNt73nynEJ_ILO2FNWyNA4ctAnEmATotxsmN5QBi3GzlLsDv4/s640/Calendar+of+Quilts.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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There are some that I already have - The Irish Chain I made for Ashley for our anniversary last year I can cross off the list as complete for something to use every year on that date. I've got 2 Christmas quilts on the go (close enough to finished to count) so that's easy. I have my 2 favourites written in there for my birthday and expect that to suffice (for now at least).</div>
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The list may change - I might add or remove events <i>(if anyone knows any cool "November" event, let me know because the "International Day of" for November was not enticing) </i>and I might change what quilt design I decide to do. And I might change between quilt or cushion as my whims dictate. This is just for my own fun.</div>
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But I think I am decided. This is my new plan: to make a <i>Calendar of Quilts</i>. I have no timeframe, just an idea that when I have a gap in the quilting line up one of these might jump at me. And they need to big enough for either a proper couch quilt or the master bed, or enough cushions covers to make them look like they belong.</div>
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I wonder </div>
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a) How long this desire lasts, and</div>
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b) How many quilts I'll actually end up with :-P</div>
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If anyone has any great patterns or tutorials that you think would suit any of these days, please put it in the comments, as I am still definitely in the brainstorm phase of this plan.</div>
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E xx</div>
Erin Quinnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09733465690557189717noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6958893819922936787.post-36039726030487335562018-04-30T10:45:00.002+10:002018-04-30T10:45:52.985+10:00RCRRv2 - Kim's QuiltKim's quilt was epic before it even started. Kim's "starter" was this:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWT5EemLYnJR_Q-_YxE7EUW59BrNcxRz_pXCXFFCIMN-QIVi0xozpOwngIhwaD51R4QtMCeGqcIqwqMum3yXp-GXV3gN5y8-Yt1FhXUsYYJ0sRLWavLGqyDYtCmHj4tHQOpYhISJYcJjk/s1600/Kim+starter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="948" data-original-width="960" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWT5EemLYnJR_Q-_YxE7EUW59BrNcxRz_pXCXFFCIMN-QIVi0xozpOwngIhwaD51R4QtMCeGqcIqwqMum3yXp-GXV3gN5y8-Yt1FhXUsYYJ0sRLWavLGqyDYtCmHj4tHQOpYhISJYcJjk/s320/Kim+starter.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Eek! And the piecing is perfect!! Tiny itty bitty points and detail... Way to set the bar ridiculously high, Kim!! That could be 3 rounds, and it hadn't even left your house yet!!!<br />
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By the time is got to me, it had been worked on by a pair of over achievers and had grown astronomically. Kelly had added Bongo Drums (so Kim could march to the beat of her own drum) and friendship stars. Bec had added circles, drawing from the Alison Glass Compass print Kim used behind her arrow.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQc2dQKX0vTjkPMZiwnTCFIPJXTBAIFp_rUBu-Wf5Gcyn-w3qCq0MA_Jdc-ug838Vcoi5woPT_egsku2dASWOV_kcWMoKZrdAeCwJJbIPgO6UEKBHqTwnONklhMK8Fhweb5Kubcgguoks/s1600/Kim+%252B+Kelly+%252B+Bec.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQc2dQKX0vTjkPMZiwnTCFIPJXTBAIFp_rUBu-Wf5Gcyn-w3qCq0MA_Jdc-ug838Vcoi5woPT_egsku2dASWOV_kcWMoKZrdAeCwJJbIPgO6UEKBHqTwnONklhMK8Fhweb5Kubcgguoks/s400/Kim+%252B+Kelly+%252B+Bec.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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And then it was my turn to add to this... somehow.<br />
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The first thing I did was go fabric shopping. Bec has used this lovely shot cotton teal on the top and bottom, and I don't own shot cottons, so I hightailed it to my local shop and bought a yummy paprika-y shot orange and a nice dark green shot cotton.<br />
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I liked the idea of adding a compass - tying in to the "direction" element and the inspiration print is *called* "compass", and I like the idea that if you are searching for your "true north" a compass helps provide guidance... so I think it works in a couple of ways. <br />
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I struggled with how to incorporate that idea though. I could do 4 and use them as cornerstones... But that's a lot of work and you don't really use 4 compass's. I could do 2 and balance the circles, maybe... but part of me wanted to add an asymmetrical element... but the quilt has so much symmetry that I *should* comply with that. Honestly I just wanted to make 1. That was what my gut was telling me, but I was stressing trying to fit what I thought I should do.<br />
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I laid it out on my sewing room floor <i>(literally - it's too big for my design wall so it's been on my floor) </i>and stared at it... and stared at it... and stared at it.<br />
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I was struggling with those rich teal borders - if I added white against them, then they stuck out... a lot. But no matter how I thought of the compass, it needed to be on white... So I started pulling fabrics. Big hunks of fabric. There was a nice long piece of the compass print that a laid out next to the teal and I liked it. I wanted to make sure it wasn't a "teal border", so I grabbed that green shot cotton and spread that out too. I knew I wanted that orange somewhere up the top to balance that bright orange star in the bottom row so I laid it across the top and I felt like I was getting closer. I put the fabric I intended to use in the bottom corner and it felt... ok. Close to what I think I wanted.<br />
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As far as the compass itself, I knew the centre should be blue, and I wanted the orange to pop, and that left the green/lime for the next 2 rounds. (here's the <a href="https://www.craftsy.com/quilting/patterns/kaleidoscope-mariner-s-compass-block/133788" target="_blank">link to the free pattern</a> if you want to make on) I am still struggling with whether the contrast is enough, or if it's subtle and just right. Sometimes you just can't tell.<br />
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I do love it. It took *hours*. And then once all the paper piecing was done I had to figure out the curves. Now if you have a wander back through my archives you may realise that I have never sewn a quilt with curves. That is because curves scare the bejezus out of me. But I forgot that when I decided to make a compass, and that compass's are, by definition, circles. So I pulled on my big girl panties and got stuck in. <br />
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The first quarter I did I tired to keep the papers on, because I was paper piecing and that's how I know to do that, but it was atrocious. It had puckers and bubbles all over the shop. I'm exaggerating. It had 3 puckers. But after spending 8 hours making the star 3 puckers feels like the end of the world.<br />
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Then I remembered a great little tutorial I had watched earlier this week by the <a href="http://the-littlest-thistle.com/blog" target="_blank">Littlest Thistle</a> about sewing <a href="http://the-littlest-thistle.com/2018/04/how-to-sew-pinless-curves-quilt-making-basics-video.html" target="_blank">pinless curves</a>. I was very nervous to go pinless with suck precision piecing, but I trust Katy <i>(and had already made a hash of it on my own)</i> so I thought I should give it a go. And it worked beautifully!! The next 3 corners came out perfectly. I then joined them all together, realised I couldn't live with the puckers after all, unpicked that section and fixed it and by bedtime I had a completed compass.<br />
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But the next quandry is how to attach it. After spending all day making 1, I knew I was not doing cornerstones (ha!) so 1 was going to need to work. This actually suited me as I knew I wanted to do an asymmetric addition originally.<br />
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I thought the compass floated on a white strip, with some scattered colour would look pretty cool, and Kelly's stars meant that an easy way to add that scattered effect would be to add more stars. And that works with the compass! Navigating by the stars, etc.<br />
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So I made a million HSTS.<br />
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I turned these babies into stars. Then I laid them all out and moved them around until I was happy with the flow of colour and then jigsawed them together. I only had to do 1 partial seam to get them all together, which I was pretty happy about. I miss-measured and my stars are *slightly* smaller than Kelly's but I don't think it's noticeable unelss you're looking for it.<br />
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After adding the white border, I knew I wanted to finish it off with another broad brush of colour, and so that orange shot cotton went right across the top. I cut it at 7", but I think it should be cut back a bit... But I'm handing it on and if the next person wants to trim that, I'm totally cool with that.<br />
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So there you have it, another round of our Round Robin on to the next person, and I'm already mulling over what to do with the next person's quilt. And I am trying to commit myself no more paper piecing and no more HSTs... Let's see how that turns out!!<br />
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E xxErin Quinnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09733465690557189717noreply@blogger.com1