tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90522428345639021202024-02-19T00:28:10.339-05:00These ThingsBarbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03713512754687594887noreply@blogger.comBlogger721125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9052242834563902120.post-14246756309093760072019-07-26T15:36:00.003-04:002019-08-24T11:00:57.413-04:00July Goal: Baby Quilt Finish<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIi9IRWMG1iMQU0zD9Ip9Efe1rsJ96h70c9cYEC9YNZjX5YODBTRKB_PtBlEivePZCjsbDnNEpC8MwjxANL_mvtdEluTXEeNvpWs0p2WFSOANjO-umJfPU_jRvopESV0Pm8Hok7HWOwCg/s400/OMG+2018+blog+logo+July.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="400" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIi9IRWMG1iMQU0zD9Ip9Efe1rsJ96h70c9cYEC9YNZjX5YODBTRKB_PtBlEivePZCjsbDnNEpC8MwjxANL_mvtdEluTXEeNvpWs0p2WFSOANjO-umJfPU_jRvopESV0Pm8Hok7HWOwCg/s320/OMG+2018+blog+logo+July.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I finished the baby quilt!</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/w67e5XsPU27LICn2iRK3DZkZL7Nw_v4S2CA0N2pO0opNJkstVWrcgk6oVwO8G3HVeTyRu6zlyXlx2w1o9J8wWkJqjOYlu7iVRXxuRdHg9IQEnzd0miZ9BEo60_A-DHj2BwZQ5JkYndjjU31ZR3W2R5B3rIzhtvl16N3hcuN3GHcHstDYFVKa_mdY-PRKXBdYGIarMap1AbiivGw-zWvNy8MTXUXRapNYbvPn9Eo20PwpZxyq4vNaZ-Kw2NFpctnmpEnnl0PDVxxoETrdhQ33MSkOw0D1tkIVNSuHl0Dee1lci7_Sbyz86D5e6-C1kFWxem2L-rTwduMRSYJXq0v9GPi7iKT767zkufl6uBZEHY-nbiuWFMaws7HPFVk9UPz9geA88J_TCWWH-TBQ-7pdQpQZ5ia26VvP44NSF3dKGgADfFBKVE_RP6lxXb0XRqZg0Jhep-7jTUXS82rbZ-3zTqY31Yoxf2ehh2RG94dViPYArAF2fLuEAQh6ADSl8ZGnIR4avxXkJD8Q5t6j8NdOH-SWM97U9WDvSb-afwgX0ZGtRN2IWlN85o3BxKl4gfX2mmohMKiezgxX1fvVuNbSqW-CAApSntU3wQPrczb84Zwtr2rCI_rxsYnNmUP1XazhYGn7tHC6LXoDSepR7MLU5zjgtSHbpIiSYWb6xmcHwouy79OEWR1i1RnSuhc5bfOlJclissewbGJjDjv2SnrUPe2D=w727-h969-no" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="969" data-original-width="727" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/w67e5XsPU27LICn2iRK3DZkZL7Nw_v4S2CA0N2pO0opNJkstVWrcgk6oVwO8G3HVeTyRu6zlyXlx2w1o9J8wWkJqjOYlu7iVRXxuRdHg9IQEnzd0miZ9BEo60_A-DHj2BwZQ5JkYndjjU31ZR3W2R5B3rIzhtvl16N3hcuN3GHcHstDYFVKa_mdY-PRKXBdYGIarMap1AbiivGw-zWvNy8MTXUXRapNYbvPn9Eo20PwpZxyq4vNaZ-Kw2NFpctnmpEnnl0PDVxxoETrdhQ33MSkOw0D1tkIVNSuHl0Dee1lci7_Sbyz86D5e6-C1kFWxem2L-rTwduMRSYJXq0v9GPi7iKT767zkufl6uBZEHY-nbiuWFMaws7HPFVk9UPz9geA88J_TCWWH-TBQ-7pdQpQZ5ia26VvP44NSF3dKGgADfFBKVE_RP6lxXb0XRqZg0Jhep-7jTUXS82rbZ-3zTqY31Yoxf2ehh2RG94dViPYArAF2fLuEAQh6ADSl8ZGnIR4avxXkJD8Q5t6j8NdOH-SWM97U9WDvSb-afwgX0ZGtRN2IWlN85o3BxKl4gfX2mmohMKiezgxX1fvVuNbSqW-CAApSntU3wQPrczb84Zwtr2rCI_rxsYnNmUP1XazhYGn7tHC6LXoDSepR7MLU5zjgtSHbpIiSYWb6xmcHwouy79OEWR1i1RnSuhc5bfOlJclissewbGJjDjv2SnrUPe2D=w727-h969-no" width="480" /></a></div>
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It's the second one from a jelly roll my friend gave me.</div>
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Both quilts will be donated to new moms in need.</div>
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The red butterfly binding is a great frame for the mostly pastel quilt.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/bpWBboLoYG1kayzB7hhAHiwyr6nVBrq-5Uvlqwf1P9ycBYidVnrOzFop8pUSuYk4Y_Ph7OF6qmRrvEQxnwgJVxLomtHcX1h0ZXLOkxO48e9Z6Tnr2QUB88AuTODNZZxwQV7lRA8rHBp_7q1OQ_EgvlmDgSdilWkvV6Hg6Uv5YN3IDtSS4ILcF1jtrR78gOmkZB2Irj-nLH_sASJ4m_t5w3ziOEC2Rdhw457VMaEb10qAaPs41HnqAEGTa9vjRG28ZkVNV-E3IqIMgzcExm8gKUQx9qzkq4In34gSafi4pfLLu_nd6RcuVPgUySDkMftt4kWJzB-GrO82mx-vCVWbRiu5FX3wnf1YoOUd_Hn14Ji7pB14inDjCyCDwzhSj0PPE3pMBfR_g7DHVHmyaNUGl65Fdj5G3u85X9Q0LbPtlmL-qQVoB1_ljGHJAocp4uEC6eIV_lrMllhEYIe57ANvYnI7F1fK_6AziEQZabtTkwkISls-NIGHGlVLCLmYVdQS3Fn9NS8zrDyAb4E-6UH7eQqDGdurI7vP_ZwprQMeQcqMWc_OuZIIaBpyfZuBIV8glwvaA1TTioTmAXHyJxLNWoTF1eUoXr15Lh8IY2PGNUcX7s5hz5P-RCknd8_nJBTBD0eGiVRF2QC8Vh004q8ItdNvPWkotIPsa5fTjelgk8YChSrrRgJy7LSaHs0v2vpsK80ULB1KpSj1QHWLxGdSSpcO=w1292-h969-no" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="969" data-original-width="1292" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/bpWBboLoYG1kayzB7hhAHiwyr6nVBrq-5Uvlqwf1P9ycBYidVnrOzFop8pUSuYk4Y_Ph7OF6qmRrvEQxnwgJVxLomtHcX1h0ZXLOkxO48e9Z6Tnr2QUB88AuTODNZZxwQV7lRA8rHBp_7q1OQ_EgvlmDgSdilWkvV6Hg6Uv5YN3IDtSS4ILcF1jtrR78gOmkZB2Irj-nLH_sASJ4m_t5w3ziOEC2Rdhw457VMaEb10qAaPs41HnqAEGTa9vjRG28ZkVNV-E3IqIMgzcExm8gKUQx9qzkq4In34gSafi4pfLLu_nd6RcuVPgUySDkMftt4kWJzB-GrO82mx-vCVWbRiu5FX3wnf1YoOUd_Hn14Ji7pB14inDjCyCDwzhSj0PPE3pMBfR_g7DHVHmyaNUGl65Fdj5G3u85X9Q0LbPtlmL-qQVoB1_ljGHJAocp4uEC6eIV_lrMllhEYIe57ANvYnI7F1fK_6AziEQZabtTkwkISls-NIGHGlVLCLmYVdQS3Fn9NS8zrDyAb4E-6UH7eQqDGdurI7vP_ZwprQMeQcqMWc_OuZIIaBpyfZuBIV8glwvaA1TTioTmAXHyJxLNWoTF1eUoXr15Lh8IY2PGNUcX7s5hz5P-RCknd8_nJBTBD0eGiVRF2QC8Vh004q8ItdNvPWkotIPsa5fTjelgk8YChSrrRgJy7LSaHs0v2vpsK80ULB1KpSj1QHWLxGdSSpcO=w1292-h969-no" width="640" /></a></div>
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I quilted a few twisting ribbons with my walking foot--nothing fancy.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/HOwXX80rJzIr_Fw9lIFUL5fFDlYpkhXR2qD0xCaw3SmoA-lvzypkrlPV_Dp9ItcJGNkWvxS_n1KwQoG8-xKWAfvHkQ4Go37qdQHgwtnpHeb4Uf7bJtjGOtYTit5yLZngF8R1c04ERiycKZqxHwfMsKv55IZKbCERw_oPWhFiscH7TsedqAGYmgaSaz8uxGFYvkpJba4apLacxWoFsJH6DiEDL1tfeqyZvuTgD3Epc4Yo5gEXA8OAr7q5iGf3m5GX-bJPJsjcU9BPu8SjHiY2iywhLA6RJJesAsxsXM4x6DNe-KZ3Ho05inYMDL_9rk6CYo_hZarvEX4IejIk4Q9fWYPZHYgqcRdDoafglGg2fKgniIMa01ZpGAkMaJsEK7yvfQe4oRT3iPRpclpiK-wL5RxSrMG_SimooFYVrnPA_xeknANEXcgZbTfHlUy-KXKhfX_Vl37Bn7dUxPB6DLKqrGZSX5OWURTBpJL86aQVry4JCbwlDp8Ui3KFbT36SkFDKk6d788kZVUVG5MUqNsi-b9Bj01hPjykba8IOqa0juJy0yd1RA1iz8uCXy60EKMfASmwR6UVP7LjuntQ3RaWl8mHN-ee_D5V6kYubRxuhCZB0I6WjuEwRIslI0uVi1YtKA0sJXiQasBHYwHD8kz004T6W4gG7A7fDfEDvUksJG6PzW1IMtFTDr-En-blOWMZ3_IUgZW9krq4sfwZuDixhprr=w727-h969-no" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="969" data-original-width="727" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/HOwXX80rJzIr_Fw9lIFUL5fFDlYpkhXR2qD0xCaw3SmoA-lvzypkrlPV_Dp9ItcJGNkWvxS_n1KwQoG8-xKWAfvHkQ4Go37qdQHgwtnpHeb4Uf7bJtjGOtYTit5yLZngF8R1c04ERiycKZqxHwfMsKv55IZKbCERw_oPWhFiscH7TsedqAGYmgaSaz8uxGFYvkpJba4apLacxWoFsJH6DiEDL1tfeqyZvuTgD3Epc4Yo5gEXA8OAr7q5iGf3m5GX-bJPJsjcU9BPu8SjHiY2iywhLA6RJJesAsxsXM4x6DNe-KZ3Ho05inYMDL_9rk6CYo_hZarvEX4IejIk4Q9fWYPZHYgqcRdDoafglGg2fKgniIMa01ZpGAkMaJsEK7yvfQe4oRT3iPRpclpiK-wL5RxSrMG_SimooFYVrnPA_xeknANEXcgZbTfHlUy-KXKhfX_Vl37Bn7dUxPB6DLKqrGZSX5OWURTBpJL86aQVry4JCbwlDp8Ui3KFbT36SkFDKk6d788kZVUVG5MUqNsi-b9Bj01hPjykba8IOqa0juJy0yd1RA1iz8uCXy60EKMfASmwR6UVP7LjuntQ3RaWl8mHN-ee_D5V6kYubRxuhCZB0I6WjuEwRIslI0uVi1YtKA0sJXiQasBHYwHD8kz004T6W4gG7A7fDfEDvUksJG6PzW1IMtFTDr-En-blOWMZ3_IUgZW9krq4sfwZuDixhprr=w727-h969-no" width="480" /></a></div>
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Visit <b><a href="https://www.elmstreetquilts.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: orange;">Patty</span></a> </b>and her guests at Elm Street Quilts</div>
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to enjoy some <b><span style="color: orange;"><a href="https://www.elmstreetquilts.com/2019/07/one-monthly-goal-july-finish-link-up.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: orange;">other finishes</span></a>.</span></b></div>
Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03713512754687594887noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9052242834563902120.post-54068380205337319942019-07-04T10:20:00.001-04:002019-07-04T10:20:22.394-04:00July Goal: Baby Charity Quilt<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIi9IRWMG1iMQU0zD9Ip9Efe1rsJ96h70c9cYEC9YNZjX5YODBTRKB_PtBlEivePZCjsbDnNEpC8MwjxANL_mvtdEluTXEeNvpWs0p2WFSOANjO-umJfPU_jRvopESV0Pm8Hok7HWOwCg/s400/OMG+2018+blog+logo+July.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="400" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIi9IRWMG1iMQU0zD9Ip9Efe1rsJ96h70c9cYEC9YNZjX5YODBTRKB_PtBlEivePZCjsbDnNEpC8MwjxANL_mvtdEluTXEeNvpWs0p2WFSOANjO-umJfPU_jRvopESV0Pm8Hok7HWOwCg/s320/OMG+2018+blog+logo+July.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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It's time to set a new monthly sewing goal!</div>
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A friend gave me a sweet jelly roll that I used to make two rail fence baby quilts.</div>
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The first used the strips with more red and brighter colors.</div>
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This pastel quilt needs to be finished and donated to my friend's charity!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF-0ETO5Yh0AynKgulmiNpmGLRVH7fbITmfg7pBixgWc-cM3cPi6nnnWw-iifuIJ7wR1k07gGluJOC-SkMDLewLkI5D5sVcIZyKfIWqC-WRE3ff8aT6scO0D_MeHznp4yTNfDh6TjxjZpO/s1600/2019+charity+baby.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF-0ETO5Yh0AynKgulmiNpmGLRVH7fbITmfg7pBixgWc-cM3cPi6nnnWw-iifuIJ7wR1k07gGluJOC-SkMDLewLkI5D5sVcIZyKfIWqC-WRE3ff8aT6scO0D_MeHznp4yTNfDh6TjxjZpO/s640/2019+charity+baby.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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My July goal is to sandwich, quilt, and bind this baby gift. I have the fabric--now to find the time!</div>
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Check out <a href="https://www.elmstreetquilts.com/2019/07/one-monthly-goal-july-link-up.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #e69138;"><b>other sewer's goals</b></span></a> at <a href="https://www.elmstreetquilts.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #e69138;">Elm Street Quilts</span></a>.</div>
Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03713512754687594887noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9052242834563902120.post-57816430766761980222019-06-30T20:27:00.002-04:002019-06-30T20:27:58.475-04:00June Goal--Success!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0fJs0NbRBR2SqhiuFUutRQNOFBt0jwj5HEUxbKv0YGbLBqs61Y-8iAkoftPpTMDLb4pwK4Em894yd7ppj1abXwqZxd7rxexIZQHJWaMyMvK5CCOxeJc9DPucfRy4gAYV_ieY39409QZY/s320/OMG+2018+blog+logo+June.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0fJs0NbRBR2SqhiuFUutRQNOFBt0jwj5HEUxbKv0YGbLBqs61Y-8iAkoftPpTMDLb4pwK4Em894yd7ppj1abXwqZxd7rxexIZQHJWaMyMvK5CCOxeJc9DPucfRy4gAYV_ieY39409QZY/s320/OMG+2018+blog+logo+June.jpg" /></a></div>
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It's time to check in to see who's accomplished the <a href="https://www.elmstreetquilts.com/2019/06/one-monthly-goal-june-finish-link-up.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #e69138;"><b>June One Monthly Goal</b></span></a>,</div>
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hosted by Patty at Elm Street Quilts.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4bioO_oAWMXhW0g0yhV71NtTGQyPTnXFmi-9KatHrsPgadr-cNd0F7CdDEAhPxuq8EkzHX888CjJ-ndMEaP9zfzwo-0a74C3R53zg4XPgJ3M1KtnkfOI9d9wYTQuCGHYHDDigtHajrU8G/s1600/2019+citrus+03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4bioO_oAWMXhW0g0yhV71NtTGQyPTnXFmi-9KatHrsPgadr-cNd0F7CdDEAhPxuq8EkzHX888CjJ-ndMEaP9zfzwo-0a74C3R53zg4XPgJ3M1KtnkfOI9d9wYTQuCGHYHDDigtHajrU8G/s640/2019+citrus+03.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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I did finish piecing the citrus quilt. Yes, it's very simple.</div>
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Now I'm working on the quilting plan. I want to quilt large citrus slices all over.</div>
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My sample has a 9" diameter. </div>
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I traced a circle onto freezer paper and ironed it onto a quilt sandwich.</div>
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Next I FMQ'd rings around the circle, then removed the paper and quilted the segments.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB7wjlhLAe8yMHavsQXYE6Yb7Cb1Z-sQ5IfyYA5g9eY-P0m8Z4UasSaTk3eZ0fsDtQeFisRWc9iXiUPlV-zcrf4Bi0vQb7o9mih5IbtIQGxmyv5ID6-l8FOgEdMBsRvnvHWtleSPhkcl1M/s1600/2019+citrus+04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB7wjlhLAe8yMHavsQXYE6Yb7Cb1Z-sQ5IfyYA5g9eY-P0m8Z4UasSaTk3eZ0fsDtQeFisRWc9iXiUPlV-zcrf4Bi0vQb7o9mih5IbtIQGxmyv5ID6-l8FOgEdMBsRvnvHWtleSPhkcl1M/s640/2019+citrus+04.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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It looks pretty bad, but I'm satisfied with it as practice #1.</div>
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If I use a walking foot for the circles they will look better, but I'll be doing a lot more maneuvering of the quilt. If I go that route I'll walk all the circles then go back to FMQ the segments.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhspfuJMqMZNu0UXvGTKwafTSNzKnoNsLMg1aB_5bTjSSrKpJ6vs8cqgBfXb66qSQa4XDRDMaCFPlMeTTJMckQPd79e0R8eB81qrFnlDs8cRU0Wtz1Hp_GNgomU0KwM9O9O7zMNXVjKe0B8/s1600/2019+citrus+05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhspfuJMqMZNu0UXvGTKwafTSNzKnoNsLMg1aB_5bTjSSrKpJ6vs8cqgBfXb66qSQa4XDRDMaCFPlMeTTJMckQPd79e0R8eB81qrFnlDs8cRU0Wtz1Hp_GNgomU0KwM9O9O7zMNXVjKe0B8/s640/2019+citrus+05.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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I will quilt with white thread which won't be as obvious as this red on white. </div>
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Thanks again, Patty, for the motivation!</div>
Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03713512754687594887noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9052242834563902120.post-48059304774411986692019-06-06T22:32:00.000-04:002019-06-06T22:33:56.983-04:00June Goal: Citrus Quilt<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0fJs0NbRBR2SqhiuFUutRQNOFBt0jwj5HEUxbKv0YGbLBqs61Y-8iAkoftPpTMDLb4pwK4Em894yd7ppj1abXwqZxd7rxexIZQHJWaMyMvK5CCOxeJc9DPucfRy4gAYV_ieY39409QZY/s400/OMG+2018+blog+logo+June.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="400" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0fJs0NbRBR2SqhiuFUutRQNOFBt0jwj5HEUxbKv0YGbLBqs61Y-8iAkoftPpTMDLb4pwK4Em894yd7ppj1abXwqZxd7rxexIZQHJWaMyMvK5CCOxeJc9DPucfRy4gAYV_ieY39409QZY/s320/OMG+2018+blog+logo+June.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Participating in <a href="https://www.elmstreetquilts.com/2019/06/one-monthly-goal-june-link-up.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: orange;">Patty's One Monthly Goal</span></a> has been a terrific motivator for me, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
helping me actually do the sewing I want to do. </div>
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I just missed my goal in May (finishing enough star blocks to make 20) </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
but have now completed it and then some--I'm up to 22 now.</div>
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This past weekend I attended my guild's annual <a href="https://quiltersunlimited.org/quilt-show/" target="_blank"><span style="color: orange;">quilt show</span></a>. </div>
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I have yet to contribute a quilt--hopefully next year.</div>
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I did find and purchase some gorgeous fat quarters. After seeing a flying geese quilt made of gigantic HST, I was inspired to make something similar. The citrus design is so large that it would be a shame to cut it into tiny pieces. I went back to the vendor for more fabric, but came up a little short, requiring an online search.<br />
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Meanwhile my college daughter fell in love with the fabric and we decided she deserves this (hopefully) quick quilt. I bought <a href="https://www.fabric.com/buy/0602280/qt-fabrics-barbarian-wild-fruity-citrus-blue" target="_blank"><span style="color: orange;">more citrus online</span></a> (not much left out there) and on Monday we drove to a <a href="https://www.webfabrics.net/index.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: orange;">local store</span></a> for coordinating solids. I washed, dried, and pressed everything and today managed a bit of cutting and sewing.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPGlOfReDDln-gYTT6HTUO2F_4xDjvxCpEJPSim3zDeCq8t-ZhGabnyao4Zupu8uVHsxcGxafN9K72k_lHx9G3D-6hWeAK8nr5K3G_s4LWHBJpeBSG68p3bx__gq0GkyoFpq07fUGyIdBd/s1600/2019+citrus+01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPGlOfReDDln-gYTT6HTUO2F_4xDjvxCpEJPSim3zDeCq8t-ZhGabnyao4Zupu8uVHsxcGxafN9K72k_lHx9G3D-6hWeAK8nr5K3G_s4LWHBJpeBSG68p3bx__gq0GkyoFpq07fUGyIdBd/s640/2019+citrus+01.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The HST are made with yellow and coral. </div>
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There will be a blue border and the binding will be more citrus fabric; </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
daughter and I both love the multi-colored vibe.</div>
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Tonight we played around with layouts and this chevron was the winner. I also liked the flying geese (3 yellow pointed one way and 3 coral pointed the other) but this is not my quilt!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidCiHTac7xkQVJPngmvgwiGu9FbvaotT3xpcHjMAtFvwT8_8i6yLJPZQrwASKrPUMvDDWv779qCl9UlD2sjBb0yqLVOwvz_uArc2qI3Uze-3gClAGyJ3PJmTBQ1gAa2atcBQVH6xVq4fuw/s1600/2019+citrus+02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidCiHTac7xkQVJPngmvgwiGu9FbvaotT3xpcHjMAtFvwT8_8i6yLJPZQrwASKrPUMvDDWv779qCl9UlD2sjBb0yqLVOwvz_uArc2qI3Uze-3gClAGyJ3PJmTBQ1gAa2atcBQVH6xVq4fuw/s640/2019+citrus+02.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">(The colors in the top photo are more accurate than the faded ones here.)</span></div>
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My goal for June is to finish this quilt top (chevrons plus border). I also want to plan and begin the quilting. I've only FMQ on small projects so far, and it typically looks pretty bad. What I'm hoping to have the guts to do is a combination of walking foot and FMQ. I want to mimic the citrus slices with large walking foot rings filled in with free motion segments. We'll see.<br />
<br />
To see the goals of Patty's other participants, visit <a href="https://www.elmstreetquilts.com/2019/06/one-monthly-goal-june-link-up.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: orange;">her link up</span></a> at <a href="https://www.elmstreetquilts.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: orange;">Elm Street Quilts</span></a>.Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03713512754687594887noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9052242834563902120.post-51819937665835175162019-05-31T17:40:00.004-04:002019-05-31T17:42:50.740-04:00May Goal--Another Near Miss<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwCaX4hVmLqI2iVtSjxrR9qnGR0KufmDoQON_ylASUF6Daaq0R3sTgBUVRtlpsMM6zqgO2Pr7_EFQhyBvNZxU1BtVE9sV9gqnoKg9mJP-bjMweM35QsAW2JL_7LLEhRnnIA4uQqvUXA-Y/s320/OMG+2018+Blog+logo+may.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwCaX4hVmLqI2iVtSjxrR9qnGR0KufmDoQON_ylASUF6Daaq0R3sTgBUVRtlpsMM6zqgO2Pr7_EFQhyBvNZxU1BtVE9sV9gqnoKg9mJP-bjMweM35QsAW2JL_7LLEhRnnIA4uQqvUXA-Y/s320/OMG+2018+Blog+logo+may.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
My sewing goal for May was to finish enough star blocks to bring my current collection to 20.</div>
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I've got 14 completely done and 8 nearly there. Soon I'll have 22.</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
You may not be able to tell by my incomplete success, but Patty's One Monthly Goal IS a motivator for me. I'm not typically a productive quilter and OMG gives me some focus.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Check out other sewers' stories at <a href="https://www.elmstreetquilts.com/2019/05/one-monthly-goal-may-finish-link-up.html" target="_blank">Elm Street Quilts</a>.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM8FeUHMT4F0Aaz8N9zp3xsNIEa_9prDIvtB56g19tGDJor9POGLIikkoYia7sNJ71R7TDwQ4GIW_H59WGI0gtu8T80wlHsTcT8mos1_KRaX8gB0D4g-XTDJMaGMUyaSMEbBi48GasLrK1/s1600/044.JPG" imageanchor="1" 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/AVvXsEjM8FeUHMT4F0Aaz8N9zp3xsNIEa_9prDIvtB56g19tGDJor9POGLIikkoYia7sNJ71R7TDwQ4GIW_H59WGI0gtu8T80wlHsTcT8mos1_KRaX8gB0D4g-XTDJMaGMUyaSMEbBi48GasLrK1/s640/044.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Here is one of my distractions this month. </div>
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I attended a workshop taught by <a href="http://www.quilted-lizard.com/" target="_blank">Karen Eckmeier</a>--Accidental Landscapes. </div>
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She is a terrific teacher--encouraging and creative. </div>
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I had a great time and my family is impressed with the progress on my project so far.</div>
Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03713512754687594887noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9052242834563902120.post-10697056278879799862019-05-06T20:26:00.002-04:002019-05-06T20:28:03.013-04:00May One Monthly Goal: 10 More Star Blocks<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwCaX4hVmLqI2iVtSjxrR9qnGR0KufmDoQON_ylASUF6Daaq0R3sTgBUVRtlpsMM6zqgO2Pr7_EFQhyBvNZxU1BtVE9sV9gqnoKg9mJP-bjMweM35QsAW2JL_7LLEhRnnIA4uQqvUXA-Y/s320/OMG+2018+Blog+logo+may.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwCaX4hVmLqI2iVtSjxrR9qnGR0KufmDoQON_ylASUF6Daaq0R3sTgBUVRtlpsMM6zqgO2Pr7_EFQhyBvNZxU1BtVE9sV9gqnoKg9mJP-bjMweM35QsAW2JL_7LLEhRnnIA4uQqvUXA-Y/s320/OMG+2018+Blog+logo+may.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ2PqnCPiMkKSWkW6BGi_Iea8o805CruInbOy8z1tQhQlXEJU_8ergvtf2iGTkKEqdhPiEk5nFZC5E0gkOzQt9xVGHqWdCkeq6OmSDdhFhO_OrLT4nmQfVvAr2TOslFSRMEh8Rr4M30f7s/s1600/2019+King+Quilt+12.JPG" imageanchor="1" 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/AVvXsEiJ2PqnCPiMkKSWkW6BGi_Iea8o805CruInbOy8z1tQhQlXEJU_8ergvtf2iGTkKEqdhPiEk5nFZC5E0gkOzQt9xVGHqWdCkeq6OmSDdhFhO_OrLT4nmQfVvAr2TOslFSRMEh8Rr4M30f7s/s640/2019+King+Quilt+12.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'm slowly, slowly progressing towards a king-size quilt for our bed. </div>
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I've resized the <a href="http://cluckclucksew.com/2017/12/no-point-stars-a-free-printable-pattern-in-5-sizes.html" target="_blank">no point stars</a> block from Allison at <a href="http://cluckclucksew.com/" target="_blank">Cluck Cluck Sew</a>.</div>
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The last time I did any sewing was at my quilting retreat weekend in March. I have cut more pieces (with only a few scraps left from each prewashed fat quarter) to make mini kits.<br />
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My goal for May is to finish sewing the half done March blocks plus my newly cut squares for a total of 20 completed blocks. I'll then be 28% done with the 72 blocks I need for this quilt! Honestly, if this is done by winter 2019 I'll be thrilled.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Thank you to Patty at <a href="https://www.elmstreetquilts.com/" target="_blank">Elm Street Quilts</a> for the monthly inspiration. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Check out her blog to see lots of other folks' <a href="https://www.elmstreetquilts.com/2019/05/one-monthly-goal-may-goal-setting-link.html" target="_blank">May goals</a>.</div>
Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03713512754687594887noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9052242834563902120.post-44790968424035013402019-03-31T22:36:00.002-04:002019-03-31T22:36:47.225-04:00March One Monthly Goal--No Point Stars<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpE48Z1OOvI_Qmulfn9-caikipU2bkTQ0wyIChqRzW8j88ZCIkH71SXnYREmR7viadioMiHf16vYAOhYqp1lRqqP66IMHddu417ceEZgqlrwg4Y8f4RMTSLYFUFr8eRG9xsTaQnTd78nw/s320/OMG+2018+Blog+logo+Mar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpE48Z1OOvI_Qmulfn9-caikipU2bkTQ0wyIChqRzW8j88ZCIkH71SXnYREmR7viadioMiHf16vYAOhYqp1lRqqP66IMHddu417ceEZgqlrwg4Y8f4RMTSLYFUFr8eRG9xsTaQnTd78nw/s320/OMG+2018+Blog+logo+Mar.jpg" /></a></div>
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My goal this month was to make a no-point-stars block (from Cluck Cluck Sew) </div>
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accurately enough to begin my king size quilt project and to make ten blocks.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW9x2gpchNpa-_v0Cln4iFWj2BbrJCNkTSWD24Y-EoBgHONvaSdAY9fTLhwOk31z8DlTNhNdqrzTjsHrPi2N8sQchtSidUB2WQ-fFglZmWFEYrDJn_bR84wuMAQ14kQZaSzZpJxFksK7G3/s1600/020.JPG" imageanchor="1" 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/AVvXsEiW9x2gpchNpa-_v0Cln4iFWj2BbrJCNkTSWD24Y-EoBgHONvaSdAY9fTLhwOk31z8DlTNhNdqrzTjsHrPi2N8sQchtSidUB2WQ-fFglZmWFEYrDJn_bR84wuMAQ14kQZaSzZpJxFksK7G3/s640/020.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
My sample block (made in the fall) was way too small (7/8"!) but this weekend </div>
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I succeeded in an accurate block (above).</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGEPWAoKfXLlNHbkApvvktDirn2nY05tP5dl_XnOmg-ljMMDs-54_UFOiR4jddAKQB4wXPOFZfT1kdLqWnXLJPe3UgMoxf8Am1ZpGvZBmmXH-QtPjBgnXvFsYm8bhU-w0l9AX9D2MbUsyI/s1600/024.JPG" imageanchor="1" 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/AVvXsEiGEPWAoKfXLlNHbkApvvktDirn2nY05tP5dl_XnOmg-ljMMDs-54_UFOiR4jddAKQB4wXPOFZfT1kdLqWnXLJPe3UgMoxf8Am1ZpGvZBmmXH-QtPjBgnXvFsYm8bhU-w0l9AX9D2MbUsyI/s640/024.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I use two fat quarters to make two 12" blocks.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjciN4PSIacaL7LBBi5hpIhfVkHmEMrOJA061rCcvldkt39bnBe30OIn9XTFwuj0j31BQ8YqqPSIka-Q19x215XoKJZDfNtSDd8N13NclFw6UJ7R9aruijtaSrhGA6nYF8mazKLok-_6LMf/s1600/022.JPG" imageanchor="1" 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/AVvXsEjciN4PSIacaL7LBBi5hpIhfVkHmEMrOJA061rCcvldkt39bnBe30OIn9XTFwuj0j31BQ8YqqPSIka-Q19x215XoKJZDfNtSDd8N13NclFw6UJ7R9aruijtaSrhGA6nYF8mazKLok-_6LMf/s640/022.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I needed to take great care on the ones with stripes and directional rows of flowers.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9m-rsSr5uNX9S4nmDcw_ykuVbn9m-KpI-FhkZT_2J8yC0KzsG_F7sFA-RmZx7FNLiXOiIy3vDzZmiB7ahZsyxzbedlFcBSr2guu0eZ6wxhXFiYLhW5bufqVEMfXsJtDDKZFidNeXhkIAk/s1600/025.JPG" imageanchor="1" 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/AVvXsEi9m-rsSr5uNX9S4nmDcw_ykuVbn9m-KpI-FhkZT_2J8yC0KzsG_F7sFA-RmZx7FNLiXOiIy3vDzZmiB7ahZsyxzbedlFcBSr2guu0eZ6wxhXFiYLhW5bufqVEMfXsJtDDKZFidNeXhkIAk/s640/025.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It was slow going, with precise sewing and sometimes finicky trimming.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEK_YHWoHCKsYxeQQoYln0y9A0Aj5e9WUB26xz55dbWEYcC7Z_1KOCJNLJ6MrgH-6PD7BWZXyGIY4JdNRun2USNZaAwCzEmdkOQswsfTm8gfip9Qq7cgifR6ZWsSAIq0n3Q9hyJcP0g7UD/s1600/014.JPG" imageanchor="1" 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/AVvXsEgEK_YHWoHCKsYxeQQoYln0y9A0Aj5e9WUB26xz55dbWEYcC7Z_1KOCJNLJ6MrgH-6PD7BWZXyGIY4JdNRun2USNZaAwCzEmdkOQswsfTm8gfip9Qq7cgifR6ZWsSAIq0n3Q9hyJcP0g7UD/s640/014.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I've completed six blocks. Once I sew eight more seams I'll have the four blocks below DONE.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
These will be the last of the flowered stripes until I start on the next FQ set.</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Check out everyone else's finishes at <a href="https://www.elmstreetquilts.com/2019/03/one-monthly-goal-march-finish-link-up.html" target="_blank">Elm Street Quilts</a>.</div>
Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03713512754687594887noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9052242834563902120.post-87909673138795250982019-03-05T17:08:00.003-05:002019-03-05T17:11:42.536-05:00March Goal--King Quilt plan and sample blocks<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpE48Z1OOvI_Qmulfn9-caikipU2bkTQ0wyIChqRzW8j88ZCIkH71SXnYREmR7viadioMiHf16vYAOhYqp1lRqqP66IMHddu417ceEZgqlrwg4Y8f4RMTSLYFUFr8eRG9xsTaQnTd78nw/s320/OMG+2018+Blog+logo+Mar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpE48Z1OOvI_Qmulfn9-caikipU2bkTQ0wyIChqRzW8j88ZCIkH71SXnYREmR7viadioMiHf16vYAOhYqp1lRqqP66IMHddu417ceEZgqlrwg4Y8f4RMTSLYFUFr8eRG9xsTaQnTd78nw/s320/OMG+2018+Blog+logo+Mar.jpg" /></a></div>
A few years ago my wonderful husband updated our 20+ year old bedroom. Does anyone remember sponge painted walls? Ours were sea green and pink! He created a soothing, B & B look of warm browns, including a chair rail and painted baseboard. It looks terrific!<br />
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When I saw the collection of <a href="http://www.unitednotions.com/fcc_elizasindigo.pdf" target="_blank">Eliza's Indigo fabric</a> I knew it would be perfect for our quilt. I bought a fat quarter set (40!) but after some calculating (we have a king size bed) hunted down a second set. The fabric sat. And sat.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkq6xzlNEG6T28qZSmLnODLQulyAcUelb85NEcM9qxU_ol_cm754js0QfMJz7V_UJKHSMopOuL08lo7xCHQdKFHCJ7h91cNoe2VMzCjGsywrBoXPOWXAfBAhLZFfaVYhuWmKVEpzh58oO7/s1600/2019+King+quilt+03.JPG" imageanchor="1" 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/AVvXsEgkq6xzlNEG6T28qZSmLnODLQulyAcUelb85NEcM9qxU_ol_cm754js0QfMJz7V_UJKHSMopOuL08lo7xCHQdKFHCJ7h91cNoe2VMzCjGsywrBoXPOWXAfBAhLZFfaVYhuWmKVEpzh58oO7/s640/2019+King+quilt+03.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
I've dithered about, trying to find a pattern that will show off the fabric, will not need more than 80 fat quarters, and that I'm able to sew well. Len and I have settled on Allison's <a href="http://cluckclucksew.com/2017/12/no-point-stars-a-free-printable-pattern-in-5-sizes.html" target="_blank">No Point Stars</a> pattern from <a href="http://cluckclucksew.com/" target="_blank">Cluck Cluck Sew</a>. I like that more background fabric shows in each block (vs. a classic sawtooth star block) and that the star points don't need to be matched.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq904C7wlZRoNEW1vNw3XU3U1_n4fly0CdkVh-d5XoEXQEc25N9dkmWqZy4YfYgquGNbjCoXP8EhQAYzc1-UfCj9enkFS91m71RNTWnozmBjXs9WHKHQ1VwXy_G3VL2qknjBzvaoRIpepZ/s1600/2019+King+quilt+01.JPG" imageanchor="1" 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/AVvXsEgq904C7wlZRoNEW1vNw3XU3U1_n4fly0CdkVh-d5XoEXQEc25N9dkmWqZy4YfYgquGNbjCoXP8EhQAYzc1-UfCj9enkFS91m71RNTWnozmBjXs9WHKHQ1VwXy_G3VL2qknjBzvaoRIpepZ/s640/2019+King+quilt+01.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
Here's where <a href="https://www.elmstreetquilts.com/" target="_blank">Patty's</a> One Monthly Goal comes in. I have to tweak Allison's pattern to change my block size. When I sewed my first sample (above) it turned out much smaller (almost an inch!) than I had calculated. I need to improve my seam accuracy and use bigger fabric pieces to allow for more trimming.<br />
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My goal for this month is to cut and sew until I make a block that is the correct size for my king size quilt. I also need to do all the math--quilt dimensions, block dimensions, size of all the bits and pieces. I intend to take enough fabric pairs to sew ten blocks while on my quilt guild retreat at the end of the month. It may not look like much, but this will take me a while!<br />
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Follow <a href="https://www.elmstreetquilts.com/2019/03/one-monthly-goal-march-link-up.html" target="_blank">this link</a> to Elm Street Quilts to see what needle art goals others are striving for. Happy March!Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03713512754687594887noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9052242834563902120.post-22539707604677712332019-02-28T20:29:00.000-05:002019-02-28T20:29:09.500-05:00February Goal--So Close!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7ITQAgdjR4Ddz9Bq2LBxVKmX8-Ilxz-SPjr6tR25p_uDq9LzFPadQV-3I8A_MoPc4SGnKS9uyQkJDpIZQqemvLhQrW3oRRY75qLGtG8Bgt2CizbDDVVO958PgjjPKgDLHEx4XAHRo5ZA/s400/OMG+2018+Blog+logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="400" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7ITQAgdjR4Ddz9Bq2LBxVKmX8-Ilxz-SPjr6tR25p_uDq9LzFPadQV-3I8A_MoPc4SGnKS9uyQkJDpIZQqemvLhQrW3oRRY75qLGtG8Bgt2CizbDDVVO958PgjjPKgDLHEx4XAHRo5ZA/s320/OMG+2018+Blog+logo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Finishing my granddaughter's "I Spy" quilt was my February goal, and I am so close!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9ZTkJ8_eF29gQPUPncjSk65tSKDcIpltpqz-6P8B5R8xsE3xFAWJKDa1RidHGXQ2oCipXBJ3OGOsn_Dae0XtRTMEsNcn1Jyf4n1gEyC7vOsuHCcAOfib5VHS7RMldzui-pSO8WrwE3KtD/s1600/2019+Lydia+24.JPG" imageanchor="1" 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/AVvXsEi9ZTkJ8_eF29gQPUPncjSk65tSKDcIpltpqz-6P8B5R8xsE3xFAWJKDa1RidHGXQ2oCipXBJ3OGOsn_Dae0XtRTMEsNcn1Jyf4n1gEyC7vOsuHCcAOfib5VHS7RMldzui-pSO8WrwE3KtD/s640/2019+Lydia+24.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">It is backed, quilted, squared, and mostly bound.</span></div>
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The binding has been machine stitched to the front; </div>
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I am almost halfway through handstitching it to the back.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGvBV17kBdfjcDbOuAX1THf5PZhilN6B11cPOyTB8QLjmybzMhBAMToL9iYScZlkBhaMMbEbmRbxKh1ZppBiwGNE2ZhCmI5O5LiUGj7FQ8tWP8n1TPdkZZ75DLlLZI8tHKQuVD_uk5_D6D/s1600/2019+Lydia+25.JPG" imageanchor="1" 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/AVvXsEjGvBV17kBdfjcDbOuAX1THf5PZhilN6B11cPOyTB8QLjmybzMhBAMToL9iYScZlkBhaMMbEbmRbxKh1ZppBiwGNE2ZhCmI5O5LiUGj7FQ8tWP8n1TPdkZZ75DLlLZI8tHKQuVD_uk5_D6D/s640/2019+Lydia+25.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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I used my walking foot to make a simple quilted grid. </div>
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For me, fabric is the star of an "I Spy," so I am happy to keep the quilting low key.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHznTaw2CgMWomwovEd_nehmwDEvvUsLI4d7fWohnKq-CCwK8zopKFJXVBIBVd_j8eMMwoPxP9CcOwipoZ5RayOAI_AVT8s_rTVNvxuR6B71eDNfd09Qp_15_HSRSaa6jqdMBKOpSWlWeI/s1600/2019+Lydia+26.JPG" imageanchor="1" 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/AVvXsEiHznTaw2CgMWomwovEd_nehmwDEvvUsLI4d7fWohnKq-CCwK8zopKFJXVBIBVd_j8eMMwoPxP9CcOwipoZ5RayOAI_AVT8s_rTVNvxuR6B71eDNfd09Qp_15_HSRSaa6jqdMBKOpSWlWeI/s640/2019+Lydia+26.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
I made my own bias binding (it's more durable than straight-of-grain) for the first time. I mostly followed <a href="https://www.getasquiltingstudio.com/2018/04/continuous-bias-binding.html" target="_blank">this tutorial</a> for continuous bias binding. It doesn't waste fabric like the traditional method does, but in some areas (see below) the seams are very close together.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcbaxHTdNCxAe-0QWi2SK2FcFNU1nnZ-IJUvzZ_ZRiiplmlnd2w_RTd6-Pqy8jYLI2kdH_nkW-Npy-spL4CWKGXAu1756iiZkxgWruAc0Ut7BlQ3yUjLJ5JzUEWsvhsRBehK-dCnUxpC4Q/s1600/2019+Lydia+22.JPG" imageanchor="1" 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/AVvXsEhcbaxHTdNCxAe-0QWi2SK2FcFNU1nnZ-IJUvzZ_ZRiiplmlnd2w_RTd6-Pqy8jYLI2kdH_nkW-Npy-spL4CWKGXAu1756iiZkxgWruAc0Ut7BlQ3yUjLJ5JzUEWsvhsRBehK-dCnUxpC4Q/s640/2019+Lydia+22.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
I am dutiful about labeling my quilts. I write on a piece of fabric and turn two edges under. The two raw edges are sewn into a quilt corner by machine as the binding is added to the top. The turned down edges are hand stitched.<br />
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This time instead of using a micron pen I wrote with a <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Pentel-Roller-Fabric-Permanent-BN15BP2A/dp/B00AQ23VUI/ref=sr_1_2?hvadid=241889406927&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9007576&hvnetw=g&hvpos=1t1&hvqmt=e&hvrand=8239581327078927350&hvtargid=kwd-328018711184&keywords=pentel+gel+roller+fabric&qid=1551402488&s=gateway&sr=8-2&tag=googhydr-20" target="_blank">Pentel fabric gel roller</a>. It is awesome! It writes so much more easily and made a beautiful, dark line. The package doesn't suggest it, but after being disappointed by other markers, I heat set the ink with a hot, dry iron. I washed my sample--no smudging!<br />
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Check out <a href="https://www.elmstreetquilts.com/2019/02/one-monthly-goal-february-finish-link-up.html" target="_blank">the link up at Elm Street Quilts</a> to see how well others have accomplished their One Monthly Goals!Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03713512754687594887noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9052242834563902120.post-69483769771161525422019-02-05T08:36:00.000-05:002019-02-05T08:59:32.471-05:00February Goal: I Spy Quilt<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjknCnEKxYN20vr2UMnpC_4p30lMaomAAH7ILjsWlTZTNBnTK501uwzLoWcjnXN8WVpN19mhidA1257flF1KLY4jrNRWzgD6ZfhsWcH7MuRvX05F-syKukqE_nMPFBXR8DYxM0igLsonD4/s320/OMG+2018+Blog+logo+Feb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="320" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjknCnEKxYN20vr2UMnpC_4p30lMaomAAH7ILjsWlTZTNBnTK501uwzLoWcjnXN8WVpN19mhidA1257flF1KLY4jrNRWzgD6ZfhsWcH7MuRvX05F-syKukqE_nMPFBXR8DYxM0igLsonD4/s320/OMG+2018+Blog+logo+Feb.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I gave my granddaughter an "I Spy" quilt for her birthday last month--sort of.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs-Y4POGeZaODJS3CiU8iWAJ3WCjtNvKRgouekXStZ24pYu8oRSop9BubmqqDp3mTLBO7cZ-hjtK-DZ_plLuFYr_r4gKf9rBmOw_2NqJpdzUtpenQGQ1eBuvDuUZPpXZzyPakMkgA_XQue/s1600/2019+Lydia+17.JPG" imageanchor="1" 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/AVvXsEhs-Y4POGeZaODJS3CiU8iWAJ3WCjtNvKRgouekXStZ24pYu8oRSop9BubmqqDp3mTLBO7cZ-hjtK-DZ_plLuFYr_r4gKf9rBmOw_2NqJpdzUtpenQGQ1eBuvDuUZPpXZzyPakMkgA_XQue/s640/2019+Lydia+17.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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I actually presented several large pieces of the top. </div>
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Perhaps you can see the gaps below where seams have not yet been sewn.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_qgW88cnVWFhOgaWV-l6-iXd7N8FAAZae7w-zOaDQOclna_DiojAMeq-s3TWTiRt8gE1XLR5bU97YgiUQo3SJseQNaD5vT50mP9GiUVf5idqPI9eb5NIYgur8M8_uUIKf9zn2wdUgHhp7/s1600/2019+Lydia+13.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_qgW88cnVWFhOgaWV-l6-iXd7N8FAAZae7w-zOaDQOclna_DiojAMeq-s3TWTiRt8gE1XLR5bU97YgiUQo3SJseQNaD5vT50mP9GiUVf5idqPI9eb5NIYgur8M8_uUIKf9zn2wdUgHhp7/s640/2019+Lydia+13.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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I love the "I Spy" concept, and this quilt has 160 unique blocks!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinOLqLLGmf8bLHjfCdoCkZFgLgnw-nDlWznBLq0c2CEpDR3I7u9z-wn64Sc4D0gBUI94oDC6iAE0bqdeHkz92lRA4jCAWEhoA20BtzgiReS3ybRJvyCCVsxh_fKt0myHOn2TtD5axUyrLn/s1600/2019+Lydia+19.JPG" imageanchor="1" 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/AVvXsEinOLqLLGmf8bLHjfCdoCkZFgLgnw-nDlWznBLq0c2CEpDR3I7u9z-wn64Sc4D0gBUI94oDC6iAE0bqdeHkz92lRA4jCAWEhoA20BtzgiReS3ybRJvyCCVsxh_fKt0myHOn2TtD5axUyrLn/s640/2019+Lydia+19.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Border, binding, and backing fabrics have already been selected. </div>
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My goal for February is to complete this quilt--borders, backing, quilting, and binding.</div>
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I'm joining Patty and many others at Elm Street Quilts in setting sewing goals for the month.</div>
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Follow <a href="https://www.elmstreetquilts.com/2019/02/one-monthly-goal-february-goal-setting.html" target="_blank">the link</a> to see what everyone else is up to.</div>
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Happy stitching!</div>
Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03713512754687594887noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9052242834563902120.post-84902982309923502222019-01-30T10:29:00.003-05:002019-01-30T10:29:25.069-05:00January Finish--Weighted Blanket<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I've now participated in my first One Monthly Goal event--success!</div>
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I started and finished a weighted blanket for my grandson.</div>
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Inspired by <a href="https://ilovemykidsblog.net/2017/01/weighted-blanket.html" target="_blank">a tutorial</a> from CJ of the I Love My Kids blog as well as size and weight ideas from <a href="https://www.mosaicweightedblankets.com/" target="_blank">Mosaic Weighted Blankets</a>, I tweaked the procedure to use batting instead of polyfil stuffing.</div>
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The fabrics his parents chose are a bit simple but they coordinate with his "I Spy" quilt.</div>
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Filling the columns and sewing around the pellets was challenging at first, but I got the hang of it by the end of this project. I've written <a href="https://thinkaboutthesethings.blogspot.com/2019/01/weighted-blanket-tutorial.html" target="_blank">a tutorial</a> for my version in case you're interested.<br />
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Thanks to Patty of Elm Street Quilts for inspiring this finish! Visit <a href="https://www.elmstreetquilts.com/2019/01/one-monthly-goal-january-finish-link-up.html" target="_blank">her link up</a> to see what other folks have accomplished.Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03713512754687594887noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9052242834563902120.post-1592088184741217632019-01-30T10:27:00.001-05:002020-04-02T21:15:00.215-04:00Weighted Blanket Tutorial<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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A couple of years ago I read online that weighted blankets can help people relax and sleep better, especially those with anxiety or sensory issues. I thought about making one for my young grandson but did nothing. Recently an occupational therapist friend strongly recommended trying one. She mentioned <a href="https://www.mosaicweightedblankets.com/" target="_blank">Mosaic Weighted Blankets</a> as a source of high quality blankets, but I had seen DIY tutorials and decided to make one myself.<br />
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While I read or watched several tutorials, </div>
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the most helpful for me was by CJ of the I Love My Kids blog. Find it <a href="https://ilovemykidsblog.net/2017/01/weighted-blanket.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</div>
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The instructions I found used non-toxic, washable plastic pellets and polyester fiber stuffing. I bought the pellets using a coupon at JoAnn's, although better prices can be found online if you buy a larger quantity.</div>
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I decided I wanted to use cotton quilt batting instead of stuffing. I prefer cotton in general, and I liked the idea that with batting one side of the blanket would be smooth and the other pebbly. I suspect that with stuffing the pellets would always fall to the down side, taking away the choice of textures.</div>
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Using batting meant I had to tweak CJ's tutorial. Here are my notes in case you'd like to try your own DIY.</div>
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The guidelines I've seen recommend that for a child a blanket should weigh 10% of his body weight plus one or two pounds so I decided on 5.5 # for this one. The smallest size (and weight) on the Mosaic site is 38 x 42", so that was my goal. I cut my fabric 40 x 44" to allow for seams and shrinking from quilting. (I prewash my fabric and so don't worry about major shrinkage.)</div>
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I turned the top edges down 1/2" and pressed.</div>
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Then I layered my fabric and batting: backing (green) fabric right side up on the bottom, then top fabric right side down, then the batting right side down. Yes, most batting has a top and bottom! With my warm and white cotton batting, the slightly pilly side is the top and the dimpled side is the bottom. It's easier to quilt from the top since that's the same way the needle-punched batting was produced. (Updated 4/2020: I had this info reversed until recently--The Warm Company's <a href="https://warmcompany.com/frequently-asked-questions" target="_blank">FAQ page</a> set me straight.)<br />
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I don't know if you can see it, but my batting is pushed all the way into the ironed crease of the top fabric. When the final seams are stitched the batting will be secured inside.<br />
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I clipped the top folded edges together to make sure that side stayed as even as possible. Then I sewed around the other three sides in one continuous line, pivoting at the corners. Sew from the very top--don't leave a loose edge at the corner. I used a small stitch length (1.8?) to make the blanket sturdy and prevent migration of the plastic pellets.<br />
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Trim the batting close to the line of stitching and clip the bottom corners of the fabric to make turning easier and neater. Turn the blanket right side out and press the edges. Top stitch around three sides. I made two rows of stitching for extra security. I used a walking foot for this project since I was sewing three layers.<br />
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Now it's time to calculate how many pockets the blanket will have. I decided I preferred multiple small squares and settled on a grid of 8 columns and 8 rows--64 pockets.<br />
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The next step is to mark and sew the columns. These are the lines going from the bottom to the open top of the blanket. I used a pencil to make tiny marks evenly spaced across the bottom. Then I used a hera marker and a quilting ruler to make creases for sewing guides. I'd rather not use ink, chalk, etc.--the creases show up well on light fabric, are easy to follow, can't damage the fabric, and won't last long.<br />
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Anyway, after marking your columns however you like, sew along the lines. As before, I made two rows of stitching and used a small stitch length for extra security. I sewed from bottom to top because I didn't want any bunchiness at the bottom. Next time I'll start stitching at the top so those folded edges stay perfectly even. Once the pellets are sewn in all the pockets are a little puffy, so I believe any unevenness at the bottom won't be noticed.<br />
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The photos above and below show the blanket with the vertical seams sewn and the rows across marked with creases.<br />
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Now it's time for filling! My goal was a 5.5 # blanket and I made the mistake of adding 5.5 # of pellets. With fabric and batting the final product weighed a bit more than 6.5#! The blanket is big enough that the whole thing isn't on my grandson at once, but you may want to factor that into your calculations.<br />
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I'm fortunate enough to have a digital kitchen scale, so I was able to portion my pellets in grams instead of ounces for greater accuracy. It was easy to find a conversion tool online--5.5 # equals about 2495 grams. 2495 divided by 64 pockets equals 39 grams of pellets per pocket.<br />
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Weigh and pour the first batch of plastic pellets into each column. Caution! When I simply poured from the top, tons of pellets stuck to the batting on the way instead of falling to the bottom. I don't know if it was friction or static, but trying to move them down (I ended up scraping with a yardstick) was a pain! For the remaining rows I inserted a wrapping paper tube into the blanket and poured the pellets through it all the way to the bottom. So much better!<br />
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Once each column has one batch of pellets (39 grams for mine) it's time to sew along the first crease to form the first set of pockets. I found that it's helpful to use a row of pins to try to keep the pellets on the far side of the pocket, away from the needle. Without pins the pellets roam all over, including into the path of the needle--not fun, believe me!<br />
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Once again I sewed two seams.</div>
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As you fill more pockets and the blanket gets heavier, folding it onto your extension table (if you have one) makes it easier to move everything along.<br />
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Last row!</div>
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It was easy to drop in the final pellets.</div>
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Pin the pellets back as usual and clip or pin the top closed. Sew as close to the top edge as possible (twice, of course) to catch the folded edge in your line of stitching.<br />
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Since I had sewn my columns from the bottom up, the folded edges were no longer even along the whole length. I had to fiddle pocket by pocket to secure the top edge neatly. Learn from my error!<br />
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Done!</div>
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My grandson likes his blanket, often giggling when he's under it. ☺❤</div>
Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03713512754687594887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9052242834563902120.post-42547064457003206472019-01-07T09:38:00.000-05:002019-01-07T09:44:33.407-05:00<div align="center">
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">One Monthly Goal: Weighted Blanket</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">January 2019</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.elmstreetquilts.com/p/omg-one-monthly-goal.html" target="_blank"><img alt="Elm Street Quilts" border="0" src="https://tinyurl.com/ydywgo89 " width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I enjoy my newish craft of sewing and quilting but still struggle to make time for it. I'm hoping that participating in <a href="https://www.elmstreetquilts.com/" target="_blank">Patty's</a> One Monthly Goal <a href="https://www.elmstreetquilts.com/2019/01/one-monthly-goal-january-goal-setting.html" target="_blank">link up</a> will motivate me to keep moving forward.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">From the <a href="https://www.mosaicweightedblankets.com/" target="_blank">Mosaic Weighted Blankets website</a>: "A weighted blanket is like a firm hug that can help you relax and sleep better. Weighted blankets lower stress and create a calm feeling by raising serotonin levels in the brain."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I hope my young grandson will sleep better with a blanket like this. An occupational therapist friend strongly recommended these blankets in general and this company in particular. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">MWB offers many fabric, size, and weight choices as well as DIY kits, but I decided to go my own way. Without the benefit of buying in bulk or having a giant stash I'm not saving much money over the kit price, but this should be fun and the fabrics are more customizeable.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I showed my daughter and her husband some novelty fabrics (construction related) but they chose these simpler patterns. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I'm planning to tweak <a href="https://ilovemykidsblog.net/2017/01/weighted-blanket.html" target="_blank">a tutorial</a> I found online at the <a href="https://ilovemykidsblog.net/" target="_blank">"I Love My Kids" blog</a>. Wish me luck and check out others' goals at <a href="https://www.elmstreetquilts.com/2019/01/one-monthly-goal-january-goal-setting.html" target="_blank">January's OMG link up</a>!</span></div>
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Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03713512754687594887noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9052242834563902120.post-55925714363903262352014-09-26T20:27:00.001-04:002014-09-26T20:48:33.452-04:00My First Quilt<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: start;">I've always loved textiles: fabric, yarn, quilts, weaving, colors, textures. </span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">The melody and harmony of quilt designs especially call to and inspire me. </span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">Through the years, convinced that I hated sewing, all I could do was gaze and admire.</span></div>
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A few years ago I dipped my toes in the sewing sea, working through some <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Stitch-Learning-Sew-Project-Time/dp/1440211612" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: blue;">Stitch by Stitch</span></b></a> lessons with the girls. Then last fall Len asked if he could give me a quilting class for my birthday. I think we were both surprised when I said yes!<br />
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That class series turned out to be one of my best gifts EVER. <a href="http://www.fairfaxtimes.com/article/20140206/NEWS/140209632/1076/Underground-Railroad-quilts-on-display-at-NVCC&template=fairfaxTimes" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: blue;">My teacher</span></b></a> was wonderful--calm, generous with her time, highly skilled, and encouraging. Once I picked a pattern she helped me select the fabric. I knew I wanted to use batiks; the movement and washed quality of the colors are exhilarating. The problem is that it's hard to narrow my choices down when there are so many gorgeous options! Sharon has a great eye for color and patiently walked me through the fabric selection process.<br />
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Once we had narrowed it down to one light, one medium, and two dark fabrics, it was time to map out the blocks. The pattern I chose used many small pieces. The original version called for multiple shades of four different colors. I kept it simpler with only blues, but that meant I couldn't directly follow the written pattern. I needed to make my own decisions about fabric placement.<br />
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Sharon teased me about over-planning, but I did find out that there were some arrangements I actively disliked. I needed to draw and see the work on paper--I can't visualize all the options in my head yet.<br />
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After the color mapping came the cutting guides. </div>
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Time consuming, yes, but I agree with the carpenter's refrain of "measure twice, cut once."</div>
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The class ran for about eight weeks, with homework in between each session. </div>
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This got pretty stressful some weeks, as I was neither a quick nor confident sewer.</div>
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As the blocks came together, though, I got more and more excited. Amazed, really, that I could do this!</div>
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My instructor taught me a pinning technique that makes it easier to join corner seams accurately. If you look at the multiple corners in these blocks, you'll see that most of them match up beautifully. Thank you, Sharon!<br />
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The main body of my quilt was supposed to have 16 blocks--eight in the style you see above, and eight of a different style (see the bottom of my diagram page, above). After cutting and sewing the first set of blocks, I decided to work like an assembly line, cutting all the remaining fabric, arranging it by block, and then putting it together.<br />
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Unfortunately, I ran into a huge problem. </div>
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Quilting seams are supposed to be 1/4". Exactly. I thought the edge of my sewing machine's presser foot was 1/4" away from the needle; I measured it, and my seams too. As it turned out, my seams were just a tiny bit wider than 1/4".<br />
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Because of the style of the first blocks, the only problem this caused was that the blocks were smaller than they should have been. Okay. The way the second set was built, however, left no tolerance for too-wide seams. It's a long story, but with seams that weren't exactly 1/4", the little pieces could not fit together properly. They couldn't match up! And even if I found a way to make my seams the correct size, the new blocks would be bigger than the first ones, meaning they couldn't be joined properly. Aargh!<br />
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I ended up making all sixteen blocks in style "A". I was able to salvage some of my already cut fabric, but did need to buy some more. Thank goodness it was still available! There was, of course, no way to get back all the time I spent cutting the blocks that were not to be.<br />
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As you can imagine, this was my biggest set-back. Everything worked out in the end, and I am thrilled that I was able to create something as beautiful as my first quilt. It took a lot of hand-holding and coaching, but that's fine. More pictures and the rest of the story coming soon!Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03713512754687594887noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9052242834563902120.post-84596411839061857582014-09-23T21:02:00.001-04:002014-09-23T21:07:19.434-04:00September Science<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
To culminate their study of cells, Marianna and her classmates created detailed models, many of them edible. ;-) Marianna considered making a pizza, but I persuaded her that gingerbread would be simpler and sturdier.</div>
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Surprise! We had all the fixings already in the house, including some candy left from last Halloween.</div>
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Charming, isn't it? And so educational!</div>
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Can you identify the flagella, Golgi apparatus, mitochondria, or lysosomes?</div>
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How about the rough and smooth endoplasmic reticulum?</div>
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At least the nucleus and cilia???</div>
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Rebecca and I have been reading a biography of Antoni van Leeuwenhoek, a Dutch cloth merchant from the 1600's. Although he didn't invent them, Leeuwenhoek was fascinated by microscopes. He studied microbes, blood, insects, and more, recording detailed information and building many of the best microscopes of his day.<br />
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We own a stereoscope (3-D) that magnifies up to 40 X, but soon Len will bring home a real microscope (400 X) for a weekend. Becca and I are preparing for this with a project suggested by our library book. Each week we're filling four containers: one with tap water, another with tap water and pepper (as Leeuwenhoek did), and the others with creek water and tap water plus dry grass. By the time the microscope arrives,we should have fresh as well as one-, two-, and three-week jars to scrutinize.<br />
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We have woods, a tiny meadow, and a creek behind our house, </div>
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so finding some "natural" water was simple enough.</div>
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We were surprised, though, to find a beaver dam!</div>
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It did explain why our trek through the grass was so . . . squishy.</div>
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I don't have much of a science plan for this year, but we're holding our own for now.</div>
Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03713512754687594887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9052242834563902120.post-27311221049852304712014-08-29T23:22:00.001-04:002014-08-30T06:57:44.100-04:00A Tale of Two Wedding Cakes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I enjoy baking and over the decades have made a few wedding cakes for family and friends.</div>
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Two years ago I baked Lauren and Adam's wedding cake. Since I knew life would get crazy as the big day approached, I assembled, iced, and froze the entire cake a week before the wedding. Transporting something that tall (and heavy!) was scary but so worth it.<br />
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This year I heard God calling me to offer wedding cakes to two brides. One is Lauren's dear friend, bridesmaid, and college roommate. The other began her homeschooling journey when our family did, with a preschool co-op organized by her mom.<br />
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Both brides accepted my offer and both were married August 2nd! The shared date certainly complicated my planning. I prefer to transport a four-tier cake in two parts, assembling and finishing the decorating at the reception venue. Knowing I wouldn't be able to manage that for both celebrations, I asked MK if a three-tier cake for display and photo ops with extra cake behind the scenes would be okay. She graciously consented and my planning continued.<br />
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Lauren's friend met her husband while they were both studying in Spain. M is from Mexico, so his heritage and homeland informed the wedding theme. A found <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/435019645227859005/" target="_blank">a cake online</a> with ruffly fans that she wanted in coral, white, and aqua. I breathed deeply and began researching how to recreate the design. After spending hours looking for similar designs or tutorials, I emailed to ask some <a href="http://www.deerfieldsbakery.com/item?item=3762" target="_blank">far away bakers</a> what decorating tip they used. It turns out the ruffles are made with a standard petal tip (#104). Yay! <br />
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A and M had asked for a hazelnut cake (like Lauren and Adam's) so I made a sample. It gave me a chance to practice the fans and try out an assortment of filling options: chocolate ganache, ganache with raspberry jam, and <a href="http://thinkaboutthesethings.blogspot.com/2014/02/fair-trade-nutella.html" target="_blank">homemade nutella</a>. The bride and groom came over to taste and see. They chose nutella for the filling and A and I critiqued and tweaked the petal variations.<br />
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Note the toothpicks on top--marking the filling locations. </div>
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We decided more ruffles were better and that the bottom beading was a no-go.</div>
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I volunteered for these weddings months in advance, but there is only so much that can be done ahead. One long term project was emptying my upright freezer. I'm a stocker-upper so we had a lot of food to consume. My family ate some interesting combinations, especially once July rolled around. Spinach squares anyone?</div>
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For a long time it felt too early to bake. I didn't want cake layers sitting in my freezer forever, so I waited to start. April--too early. May--too early. June--maybe it was time, but it didn't happen. (I tried to be that mom who takes her kids to the pool.) July--at last! But I piddled away the first week of July. Then we had a week of Vacation Bible School followed by a family vacation in the Adirondacks. Suddenly the weddings were two weeks away and no baking had begun. Yikes!</div>
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I started with MK's cakes. She had asked for both chocolate and lemon tiers. I tweaked a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Cake-Bible-Rose-Levy-Beranbaum/dp/0688044026" target="_blank">Cake Bible</a> recipe for yellow cake to create the lemon. It was reliable, with a solid structure (great for assembly) but also a tender, fine crumb. The chocolate cake turned out to be trickier.<br />
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My sisters had recommended a <a href="http://smittenkitchen.com/blog/2007/07/you-are-owed-chocolate-cake/" target="_blank">Smitten Kitchen recipe</a> (originally from <a href="http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Double-Chocolate-Layer-Cake-101275" target="_blank">Gourmet magazine</a>). It is intensely chocolatey with a super moist, fragile crumb (dangerous to stack). I seem to be one of the few people in the world, based on hundreds of comments, this cake doesn't rise properly for. I was skeptical of the recipe's baking temperature of 300 degrees. After the disaster you see below--a 6" diameter cake that should have been fine--</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqWaMEgQGm00JQKDjQd3QUfs35hZIorGPyH1M5mPj_L3467k4HXc9QvIOxI8wZodcybKSg3Uoq2tQlo3pO21axLAJH7NnMeTshrlnq9BkfKyHHxShT89ZtTIOGBxmJDOsY3tY5zH-hAQGM/s1600/170.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqWaMEgQGm00JQKDjQd3QUfs35hZIorGPyH1M5mPj_L3467k4HXc9QvIOxI8wZodcybKSg3Uoq2tQlo3pO21axLAJH7NnMeTshrlnq9BkfKyHHxShT89ZtTIOGBxmJDOsY3tY5zH-hAQGM/s1600/170.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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--I raised the temperature for future batches to 325 with somewhat better results.</div>
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I spent a week or more slowly baking MK's ten layers, then a marathon day baking A's eight hazelnut. </div>
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Here they are, wrapped and waiting.</div>
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So, yes, there was a lot of cake happening towards the end of July! I was planning or cooking or shopping almost every day. The day after buying a 10# bag of sugar I had to go out for more! My family was wonderfully patient with my preoccupation. The toughest day for all of us was probably Thursday, when I took a few hours to clean the kitchen and prepare a nice dinner before getting back to cakeness. I'm not proud of how grumpy I became once those hours were gone and a long night stretched before me. Always room for improvement . . .<br />
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Eventually it was time to starting putting the tiers together. I tried to work with cold cake (a sturdier state), especially the fragile chocolate. Extra batter had been baked and was used to patch the hollows.<br />
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A thin layer of ganache was spread between the cake layers before adding the icing--a flavor boosting idea I borrowed from my sister.<br />
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Do you use a crumb coat? It's a thin layer of icing that, when chilled, keeps the crumbs contained so the rest of the icing can later be applied easily and neatly. The delicate and dark chocolate cakes needed their crumb coats more than anything I've ever baked!</div>
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Below are MK's cakes. The biggest round tier is lemon, as is one of the double layer rectangles. The other rounds and rectangle are chocolate. One of the things I enjoy most about this picture is seeing how well we emptied that big freezer. As I said, it took months, but there was plenty of room for cake!<br />
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I could have assembled, iced, decorated, and frozen MK's cakes a few weeks before her wedding, but as it turned out they weren't all done until the night before. They were fresher than Lauren and Adam's!<br />
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Friday night I also finished icing the four tiers of A's cake. Her wedding was late enough that I decided to decorate it on Saturday.<br />
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When I began trying to figure out how to make petal arches that were a consistent size and would meet without overlapping, I called my <a href="http://www.franscakeandcandysupplies.com/" target="_blank">local cake supply store</a> to see if there was a tool available to make it happen. The generous woman on the other end of the phone knew exactly what I needed--her advice.<br />
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She told me to get some adding machine tape, wrap a strip around each tier, and cut it to fit. Then fold the tape in half and half and maybe half or thirds until it looked right. Draw or trace a curve that looked nice, cut it out, wrap the tape back around the cake, and trace the curve with a toothpick. Guidelines done! <br />
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Len and I worked together for a while and then I "allowed" him to finish that technical, vital task. I think I was coloring icing or something . . .<br />
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The next day, MK's brothers came to pick up her cakes. It was quite a sight--one not large car, three tall young men, and a cake on a seat, a lap, and a floor. I'm told they all made it safe and sound.<br />
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Meanwhile it was time to start piping petals. It had been about six weeks since my sample attempt, so I wanted to practice a bit (ya think?) before committing coral to the actual cake.<br />
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First I traced the design onto waxed paper</div>
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then attached it</div>
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to a faux cake.</div>
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and got to work with some extra icing.</div>
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Time for the real deal . . .</div>
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My photography skills are not the greatest; this kitchen shot gives the best approximation of the coral icing.</div>
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It looks too dark and too orange in all the other photos.</div>
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Cake in the back of the van on our way to the wedding.</div>
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I put a "wedding cake on board" sign in the window to explain our careful turns to other drivers.</div>
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The bottom tiers (12" and 16" diameter) were so heavy! </div>
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I think Adam made some sort of remark about Olympic lifting . . . </div>
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When he wasn't commenting on how many pounds consisted of butter (he's a healthy guy) . . .</div>
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I thought I was fairly calm that day, but once the top two tiers were in place, a knot in my stomach uncurled. Even though there was still work to finish, there was no more chance of a transportation disaster. Alleluia! I finally relaxed.<br />
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I brought a few bags of goodies with me to the wedding venue: <br />
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<ul>
<li>spatulas for setting the cake in place</li>
<li>a bag of white icing</li>
<li>extra icing and a spatula</li>
<li>toothpicks and a scraper</li>
<li>a pitcher of ice water to keep my decorating hand cool</li>
<li>scissors for the flowers</li>
<li>my good shoes (I started out in sneakers.)</li>
<li>paper towels</li>
<li>wipes</li>
<li>etc.</li>
</ul>
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That last layer of white petals had to be piped on site. If those fans had been put on in advance they would have been smushed when we put the cake together at the wedding. (Needing time for final assembly and decoration of a huge cake is why MK's needed to be a more manageable three tiers.)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIOtFFBJN8zd0sajHi7OUdRGsnwoLFHiMs4dDVd8d1Dh9GKPQbQhRkCD4lXJTdrCGajMVsPRJFifnICROAIAdjaJSOidsg8-OgVfBr-cpiFVyobiEtolcnZ3gYVXrCaOwiwTdPKgQbR0Dv/s1600/016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIOtFFBJN8zd0sajHi7OUdRGsnwoLFHiMs4dDVd8d1Dh9GKPQbQhRkCD4lXJTdrCGajMVsPRJFifnICROAIAdjaJSOidsg8-OgVfBr-cpiFVyobiEtolcnZ3gYVXrCaOwiwTdPKgQbR0Dv/s1600/016.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
When you look at individual petals and fans it's obvious that there is a lot of variation. You could also call it inconsistency. This is the type of thing that usually really bugs me, but the joy of this design is that the overall look and ruffly feel is so much more important than the up close details. It's exuberant!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbKfzKRTUBGH8xCN3njS3w339HiH7_qL5YQkH7Qd3fJDevX8ElzyzjLu4pSVTLDAnjRDK0fWgxSafiopKjZt4rnqrr4U0ABkA8wdY6N-GraIvVrSKBJQXgdkjT4txOSifvNoDQSVPDbKEV/s1600/017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbKfzKRTUBGH8xCN3njS3w339HiH7_qL5YQkH7Qd3fJDevX8ElzyzjLu4pSVTLDAnjRDK0fWgxSafiopKjZt4rnqrr4U0ABkA8wdY6N-GraIvVrSKBJQXgdkjT4txOSifvNoDQSVPDbKEV/s1600/017.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
When the florist told me that the bride had chosen roses for her cake, I was surprised. I assumed they'd be too formal for the lively fans, but no. She chose "free spirit" roses, and they were GORGEOUS! Big, blousy, warmly coral. The picture below does not do them justice.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3b-gSWqsWiBgJ_BDti2EDuKSO6cyw34phK-qtfcsnkkfd-0wDn9Qs2jrDNpJb4lnxm4sYbXoewj3HY4UDiRLkqeB4jZS9_nxQKh_glY9Oa5ZhklZ6oykaRB5hXE6fY-f4QIvlQL1987Go/s1600/022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3b-gSWqsWiBgJ_BDti2EDuKSO6cyw34phK-qtfcsnkkfd-0wDn9Qs2jrDNpJb4lnxm4sYbXoewj3HY4UDiRLkqeB4jZS9_nxQKh_glY9Oa5ZhklZ6oykaRB5hXE6fY-f4QIvlQL1987Go/s1600/022.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
Len, Lauren, and Adam also helped with transportation, assembly, and flower arranging. Thanks, guys! Seriously--no one enjoys helping move or put together such an important package. The consequences of a mistake are too nerve-wracking.<br />
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This was an exciting summer project. I spent plenty of time and energy (much of it mental!), but it was gratifying to offer something special to two beautiful brides (and their grooms). I also enjoyed the chance to stretch my baking and decorating skills. Apparently I'm not too old to learn something new. ;-)<br />
<br />Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03713512754687594887noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9052242834563902120.post-65986291283097805882014-06-27T13:16:00.000-04:002014-08-04T20:27:14.558-04:00It's Been Too Long . . .<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
. . . since I've grilled.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAptLp0V0MneliaW1XmAXDD-yjDwYR6Xo1C_cFm3Mkq_DjEKYv0Po4xFmhJ9l3Vhb6ZEzrPon7m6-U8ke-f9OL1hYkBj6BzfmlMxnbjndEvYb-_MJacCdFI3SzcUnDdbqVuSP1ihqEfTUB/s1600/097.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAptLp0V0MneliaW1XmAXDD-yjDwYR6Xo1C_cFm3Mkq_DjEKYv0Po4xFmhJ9l3Vhb6ZEzrPon7m6-U8ke-f9OL1hYkBj6BzfmlMxnbjndEvYb-_MJacCdFI3SzcUnDdbqVuSP1ihqEfTUB/s1600/097.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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How do I know? Perhaps the mouse nest in the corner is a clue . . .</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaNsv7acHl5Ib0IdMqiqoJpXZdn3viyI-m3V7vXZMDE5fV_PxSGQ5jchxt3QVAkALD571dckpBgrlE3B1zH2D7spBjCKUvCKPoE_kiHupNgvRlz-YykOordf8dwNkIa62w3-rJMUzApgZQ/s1600/100.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaNsv7acHl5Ib0IdMqiqoJpXZdn3viyI-m3V7vXZMDE5fV_PxSGQ5jchxt3QVAkALD571dckpBgrlE3B1zH2D7spBjCKUvCKPoE_kiHupNgvRlz-YykOordf8dwNkIa62w3-rJMUzApgZQ/s1600/100.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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It appeared to be mostly grass clippings for structure<br />
with fur (from Dusty's outdoor grooming sessions) added for comfort.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHrHrxoJKety10pvjo44e_0JtwgMLltwia6NT2Yw2W0_3XZDVXQ3zWWzDNPQpmPGlBoTM_9pGTYUQD-4yap3zbC8HLzbalBT4mBxyEkBxhAs_Trka3sgRwO7UAlJvdl-Y9M07tGOpH32HA/s1600/099.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHrHrxoJKety10pvjo44e_0JtwgMLltwia6NT2Yw2W0_3XZDVXQ3zWWzDNPQpmPGlBoTM_9pGTYUQD-4yap3zbC8HLzbalBT4mBxyEkBxhAs_Trka3sgRwO7UAlJvdl-Y9M07tGOpH32HA/s1600/099.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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Note the cherry pits on the left. There was a much bigger pile deep inside the grill.</div>
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The holes were gnawed in order to get to the tasty kernels.</div>
Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03713512754687594887noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9052242834563902120.post-59881144606976058082014-03-28T17:20:00.000-04:002014-03-28T17:20:12.718-04:00Small Successes: Once Again<div style="text-align: center;">
<img height="192" src="http://catholicmom.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Small-Success-Thursday.png" width="320" /></div>
<br />
Although I always enjoyed the format, it's been almost three years since I've posted any small successes. The host site changed a few times and I lost track (and maybe focus). Last night I stumbled on Small Success Thursdays at <a href="http://catholicmom.com/"><b><span style="color: blue;">CatholicMom.Com</span></b></a>, so I'm ready to begin again.<br />
<br />
Listing a few small successes is meant to encourage me (and you, dear reader) to recognize that all is not inefficiency and craziness. Appreciating even bits of progress or brightness is a gift to myself and those around me.<br />
<br />
Enough intro . . . here's my list for this week:<br />
<br />
<ol>
<li>I made it to Confession. This was like hitting "refresh" on my Lent. Time to move forward . . .</li>
<li>Examining my conscience prior to Confession made me realize that I must stop watching (halfway through 34 episodes) a culinary series full of cursing--lots and lots of cursing. Maybe the fact that I wouldn't let anyone else in my family watch with me was the first clue??? The withdrawal hasn't been as difficult as I expected given how much I enjoyed the show.</li>
<li>Rebecca and I have spent time on her <a href="http://www.iewwritingteacher.com/" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: blue;">writing homework</span></b></a> every day this week. Breaking it up into bits makes the process so much easier, with no last minute panic or hours spent the night before it's due. </li>
</ol>
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I hope you're inspired to discover your successes. Feel free to share or read about other moms <a href="http://catholicmom.com/2014/03/27/small-success-thursday-the-offered-warmth/" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: blue;">here</span></b></a>.Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03713512754687594887noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9052242834563902120.post-14506584359594259892014-02-01T00:00:00.001-05:002014-02-28T21:30:00.405-05:00Fair Trade Nutella<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKU06KGKv_3Artm6k3F6_70mFLtekppJa0S7hh2xilgjji44jav_i3fWf6dEdPr-8PVDzFE9AzjolMv_n9YH9NWt3F3kyRyuW8SuslaE20zUHOZVkT86dI_qCYTaCrBaUWxWAonIO5AOtV/s1600/023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKU06KGKv_3Artm6k3F6_70mFLtekppJa0S7hh2xilgjji44jav_i3fWf6dEdPr-8PVDzFE9AzjolMv_n9YH9NWt3F3kyRyuW8SuslaE20zUHOZVkT86dI_qCYTaCrBaUWxWAonIO5AOtV/s1600/023.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
The idea of buying fair trade products always made sense to me, but not enough to actually make me do it. I had heard that purchasing certified foods ensured fair treatment and living wages for farmers, as well as better land-use practices.<br />
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Picture me with eyes closed, hands over my ears, chanting, "La la la la la la la . . ."<br />
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Then one night as I clicked around the web, I came across references to child slave labor being used to process chocolate in Africa. I had finally reached my tipping point.<br />
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It's been over a year since I resolved to buy only fair trade chocolate. I admit it's a lot more expensive than my supermarket baking bars and warehouse-store bags of chips (and harder to find, too). I'm generally a price conscious shopper, but once I made up my mind that it was the moral choice, I didn't have to fight my frugality any more.<br />
<br />
For one thing, it makes sense that it costs more to give the farmers a just income. But the clearest point for me is that--hello--CHOCOLATE IS A LUXURY!-- and I live quite comfortably in one of the wealthiest countries in the world.<br />
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My family has not complained about Mom's new plan, but they did miss Nutella. I say DID because I finally followed through and made a batch from scratch. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidswrYqQtySgzhuTFtIcdE6I71PI90BMa_OqV5roz9RNVvyaiMpvWfm7O-j_RhddHqAE176ulshUY-AM2OlF5swf2TmgvCxvAW5cpamEpDsyS46NpCNeWg1CC7vNp2U_DZSk27cILQcbG3/s1600/016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidswrYqQtySgzhuTFtIcdE6I71PI90BMa_OqV5roz9RNVvyaiMpvWfm7O-j_RhddHqAE176ulshUY-AM2OlF5swf2TmgvCxvAW5cpamEpDsyS46NpCNeWg1CC7vNp2U_DZSk27cILQcbG3/s1600/016.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
There are quite a few recipes online; I chose the <a href="http://www.boston.com/lifestyle/blogs/diyboston/2013/03/easy_homemade_nutella_from_americas_test_kitchens_diy_cookbook.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;"><b>ATK version</b></span></a>.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXTM_AyaD6sReeZ38E6YX7puZLaL5uJl-W28SQ40Ggy8YaVQmG_MZNVMDx5nqLOieGW3fKBsBiuudnUSbf_Ow_-pypfZPpJvdDqfoXzEUxHVuf-Qof3LDkqGh3YjEBUyXQniWRFX1Bpfp4/s1600/019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXTM_AyaD6sReeZ38E6YX7puZLaL5uJl-W28SQ40Ggy8YaVQmG_MZNVMDx5nqLOieGW3fKBsBiuudnUSbf_Ow_-pypfZPpJvdDqfoXzEUxHVuf-Qof3LDkqGh3YjEBUyXQniWRFX1Bpfp4/s1600/019.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
Their method of removing hazelnut skins is brilliantly simple.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHH_x3EzTDf_D5_mIzosRggrh2GfWn0pgDcRavJj4EOOYLudO-LC2KPWo6xWfLoZGHQA4crHw9TU7KPre3exSfp32mahBUGLeXhMU92lftqM2arKOPE8kLEmfCVDNpAMihZ8J9zHjhnhiS/s1600/020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHH_x3EzTDf_D5_mIzosRggrh2GfWn0pgDcRavJj4EOOYLudO-LC2KPWo6xWfLoZGHQA4crHw9TU7KPre3exSfp32mahBUGLeXhMU92lftqM2arKOPE8kLEmfCVDNpAMihZ8J9zHjhnhiS/s1600/020.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
Here's <a href="http://www.browneyedbaker.com/2013/02/21/homemade-nutella-recipe/" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: blue;">another link</span></b></a> to the recipe with more chatting and better pictures. Next time (oh, yes, there will definitely be a next time!) I'll try using 25-50% less sugar (1/2-3/4 cup instead of 1), but this Nutella is delightful.<br />
Update: My Nutella is runnier than what I see online, so I'll try decreasing or omitting the extra oil too.<br />
UPDATE #2: The first link (to the newspaper article) uses 8 times as much salt as the brown eyed baker's version! I didn't notice and my latest batch is much too salty. Use the lower amount (1/8 teaspoon) for starters. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFnwZ508-o92JytT4uH8ZVHn9fEDZZysay-gKLk5sNsdHDi1zfKUv3v1UGTLdVn1T6fQ_Pxd21yPIsTood9ZEikLzaWDTf6z75tYsjanVj-AcsF2R0orzI2CZFWCU7kfNEBU7ykm8CJMNp/s1600/021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFnwZ508-o92JytT4uH8ZVHn9fEDZZysay-gKLk5sNsdHDi1zfKUv3v1UGTLdVn1T6fQ_Pxd21yPIsTood9ZEikLzaWDTf6z75tYsjanVj-AcsF2R0orzI2CZFWCU7kfNEBU7ykm8CJMNp/s1600/021.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
Are you ready to switch to fair trade?<br />
<br />
BTW, we now buy only fair trade coffee, too. It's easy to find and tastes better than what I used to purchase--a simple way to start, perhaps?Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03713512754687594887noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9052242834563902120.post-53994768861989335282014-01-24T14:48:00.000-05:002014-01-24T14:48:00.391-05:00Project Week<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Every year, our "at school" children have two weeks of Christmas vacation followed by Project Week, time spent working at home. The high schoolers write research papers, 7th graders report on an endangered animal, and 8th graders like Marianna construct a medieval town, castle, or cathedral. </div>
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The students are supposed to spend at least thirty hours on their projects, and our 8th graders always do! Usually the last few hours are late, late, late the night before returning to school. Marianna worked hard and Len assisted with management coaching, so the final Sunday was not too painful this year (our family's fifth medieval project).</div>
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Here is Marianna's town:<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaElnH-V1tqFdCJ-LSsVbHs-oDejllc5S810GqKjPgLjZ5mQRlWOiMTEruRFBvl9-R8ByPXrGRw412ptJswjHfxeq4D2ZwFI3en1vaT9ZUqU-dWHPVMjM0sPELBYg8KYBmqCla4xRKA62n/s1600/P1300427.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaElnH-V1tqFdCJ-LSsVbHs-oDejllc5S810GqKjPgLjZ5mQRlWOiMTEruRFBvl9-R8ByPXrGRw412ptJswjHfxeq4D2ZwFI3en1vaT9ZUqU-dWHPVMjM0sPELBYg8KYBmqCla4xRKA62n/s1600/P1300427.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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Some materials decisions: plaster walls, paint mixed with sawdust for grass, dried grass for thatch, and glycerin soap to fill the well.</div>
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After searching the archives, I found Joe's castle from January 2012:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3s6a86_aUyXMsBOcHNSgMfc9lDJCfKkKEUXZl1uPbT_OMy_AWevRBfkqyh5mVNxLfw6qi0AyFQygukgccEdiveozLO4MLp4D5Qm79N25qfWQzoOg-7_DvQwbpTguPQ0AtjA0UnOEtAVLf/s1600/017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3s6a86_aUyXMsBOcHNSgMfc9lDJCfKkKEUXZl1uPbT_OMy_AWevRBfkqyh5mVNxLfw6qi0AyFQygukgccEdiveozLO4MLp4D5Qm79N25qfWQzoOg-7_DvQwbpTguPQ0AtjA0UnOEtAVLf/s1600/017.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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And Daniel's from January 2009:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggrMZ_mz7hcpjysuZMlHHYMcAkKyJ1Uu_B_-UrJS9PSMJjZYn7AZAIWtiSxaWWEKiUAUursCJonrFWn0osL7mDOB_kSWqHQkcfxJmGzBYsrRzqmONACI0BbLTmncgJdfaBIrtBlK_1s5QX/s1600/P1140805.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggrMZ_mz7hcpjysuZMlHHYMcAkKyJ1Uu_B_-UrJS9PSMJjZYn7AZAIWtiSxaWWEKiUAUursCJonrFWn0osL7mDOB_kSWqHQkcfxJmGzBYsrRzqmONACI0BbLTmncgJdfaBIrtBlK_1s5QX/s1600/P1140805.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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Unfortunately, I have not been able to find photos of David and Lauren's castles. I'm sure they are disappointed! ;-)Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03713512754687594887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9052242834563902120.post-89173022459403383082014-01-22T17:30:00.000-05:002014-01-22T17:30:01.224-05:00A Secret Family Recipe<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
My sister invited a new family to <a href="http://thinkaboutthesethings.blogspot.com/2009/07/pack-for-saranac.html" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: blue;">our Saranac Lake week</span></b></a> this year, and they fit right in--a great match! When J mentioned a special family recipe for an upside down apple pie, I begged her for it. I'm not sure I'm at liberty to reveal the details, but here are some hints:<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZQ0OWEDhFXB5u3DnNgPFuKDf_RSlYT4dddj4JhzcapLq-pZ3SGh1FpjIaplcyD1Cz4MKy9pvw-IkLpzr1ibi6c6OPwlr4c0mTFkBazSNPi6JSbWcozeMd86rMGHyzULfg7II_nz7BrSF5/s1600/002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZQ0OWEDhFXB5u3DnNgPFuKDf_RSlYT4dddj4JhzcapLq-pZ3SGh1FpjIaplcyD1Cz4MKy9pvw-IkLpzr1ibi6c6OPwlr4c0mTFkBazSNPi6JSbWcozeMd86rMGHyzULfg7II_nz7BrSF5/s640/002.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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Butter and brown sugar in a deep dish pie pan</div>
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Pecans--this was supposed to look like a spiral.</div>
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Place a regular, two-crust apple pie on top. Bake. </div>
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Turn it out. Patch if necessary.</div>
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Tasty!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjadOWjSwmSV7aqhiERJmtLYOnIMM5E_j_dCo2MlthDTkLYPTL_jlR29grlo7S751dXanB0iPGD5uThco9txNAd00xPtyHpUJHhzpvesMVNjWQJYQAWf2lbmZ_AdgoeypGWGgPrZuQq1lKp/s1600/013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjadOWjSwmSV7aqhiERJmtLYOnIMM5E_j_dCo2MlthDTkLYPTL_jlR29grlo7S751dXanB0iPGD5uThco9txNAd00xPtyHpUJHhzpvesMVNjWQJYQAWf2lbmZ_AdgoeypGWGgPrZuQq1lKp/s640/013.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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Even tastier with ice cream and <a href="http://smittenkitchen.com/blog/2008/10/paris-a-deep-dark-salted-butter-caramel-sauce/" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: blue;">salted butter caramel sauce</span></b></a> . . .</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfChH5ORAt_7fO_ezjPeiJtpLI56nuiokmF4zD1Sbr95NNZSSniiPFz5nf_JARXS6Tl0w6edLll5yImGa4puNtSjUtnoS6I3V2pUi6lAGI7VitiBN3lSY3jQGe6ik3dqkoczWVwMwUfKvE/s1600/004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfChH5ORAt_7fO_ezjPeiJtpLI56nuiokmF4zD1Sbr95NNZSSniiPFz5nf_JARXS6Tl0w6edLll5yImGa4puNtSjUtnoS6I3V2pUi6lAGI7VitiBN3lSY3jQGe6ik3dqkoczWVwMwUfKvE/s400/004.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
There was so much spill over (butter, sugar, apple juice?) that I had to pull out the foil and use a 2nd piece.<br />
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Baking side note: I favor the flakiness and decreased fragility of a shortening crust, but so many friends recommend the flavor of a butter crust that I've been trying a combination of both fats lately. I wasn't too impressed with the results until today when I tested a technique from <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Crazy-About-Pies-Recipes-Occasion/dp/1402798830" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: blue;">Crazy About Pies</span></b></a>. I softened shortening and unsalted butter, mixed them into a mostly homogeneous mass, then chilled the resulting glob. It made a great crust, not as flat and tough as the all-butter versions I've made. I'll be using this technique again.Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03713512754687594887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9052242834563902120.post-65254080083390077892014-01-21T14:03:00.001-05:002014-01-21T14:10:07.250-05:00Yes, My Boys are Crazy!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSHou8zh7k9kWnGI9SL-fgY5vSIEUqyDlfgErRYqKLv_PE7fCogcHom9_0tURTKP3DUm5s_Yun3t_g_1K-WNITDP1Ent0etuulz4JdJzMw0mX4pXqclx8UM2Ks7snjzU9bgb93rX0o3Mu1/s1600/P1300445.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSHou8zh7k9kWnGI9SL-fgY5vSIEUqyDlfgErRYqKLv_PE7fCogcHom9_0tURTKP3DUm5s_Yun3t_g_1K-WNITDP1Ent0etuulz4JdJzMw0mX4pXqclx8UM2Ks7snjzU9bgb93rX0o3Mu1/s1600/P1300445.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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One ran to the mailbox, one took the dog out . . .</div>
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<br />Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03713512754687594887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9052242834563902120.post-86362073151354585562013-12-10T00:39:00.000-05:002013-12-10T00:43:38.769-05:00Walking in a Winter Wonderland<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Cheesy title? Maybe, but it fits the day and recalls a song from the all-time-<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W62xhGdJVTo" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">BEST Christmas album</span></b></a> ever. </div>
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I joke about our school system's wimpy response to inclement weather, but this truly was not a morning to have buses on the roads. Here's what "no school" looked like today:</div>
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In anticipation of the light snow, wintry mix, and freezing rain, I filled the bird feeder yesterday.</div>
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The crape myrtle</div>
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My coolest (ha ha) sighting today: a strand of spider webbing coated with ice!</div>
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The bare trees stood straighter than bushes and anything with needles. This small tree is bent nearly double.<br />
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Just after taking these pictures, I heard a branch fall from on high and decided it was not the best of ideas to traipse through the woods after all.<br />
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By the time Dusty and I went out, the ice on the pavement was melting from below, creating this version of a puddle.<br />
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By afternoon, ice was dropping from trees, roofs, and power lines, and the roads were mostly clear. School is already cancelled tomorrow though, as we are expecting snow, sleet, and more snow just a few hours from now. I'm looking forward to more family time...Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03713512754687594887noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9052242834563902120.post-27876795214389141532013-12-05T11:33:00.000-05:002013-12-05T11:33:17.880-05:00Prayers for Grandpop<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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My father-in-law has been suffering from MS for over 30 years. When I met him he used a cane. Next came the walker, then the wheelchair. For many years he has spent most of his time in bed or the special chair in the living room, leaving home only rarely. My mother-in-law is his primary caregiver, working hard to keep him in the best shape possible.<br />
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He has been a constant, quiet presence in our lives and the lives of our children. Our 7-12 graders traditionally stay over at Grammy and Granpop's house one school night each week, keeping them in contact.<br />
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Lately the colonel has had difficulty swallowing (leading to the placement of a feeding tube) and breathing (a special oxygen mask is at home now). We don't know how much time we have left, but your prayers for all of us are greatly appreciated. Thank you.Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03713512754687594887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9052242834563902120.post-14074878836403118722013-09-23T14:02:00.000-04:002013-09-23T14:02:20.228-04:00Pumpkin Power<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Len refashioned the compost bin this summer. Now, in addition to an earlier remodel that made it possible to dump produce directly from the deck, the bin has two sections with removable sides. Isn't it lovely?</div>
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Our garden did not do well this year. It could be due to too much rain or not enough tending (I'm a big-time gardening slacker); we may never know.</div>
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Our most successful crops are our "volunteers"--pumpkins and butternut squash that grew from the compost!</div>
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My science program this year is inspired by Barb McCoy's <a href="http://handbookofnaturestudy.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">nature study blog</span></b></a>. It's filled with an overwhelming number of lessons and outdoor challenges based on Anna Botsford Comstock's classic Handbook of Nature Study. (free download<a href="http://archive.org/details/handbookofnature002506mbp" target="_blank"> <b><span style="color: #38761d;">here</span></b></a>) The book has a lesson on pumpkins, so we started our fall session in our own backyard.</div>
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The remaining comments will be from Rebecca (age 8).</div>
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The tendrils are searching for something to grab onto so they can help the plant climb.</div>
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Here is a tendril that's long and thin, and it's grabbing on to the fence. It looks like it would feel squishy, but it actually feels like thin, metal wire. In the background is a ripe butternut squash that we picked. It had grown into the compost bin! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMYZhkIUwYxfcq47C2WDVQeeZU6oHOYnQOFNPDIejFpUxxE-eE80uq3V9tN8UIM-0LIgsBJaCr8IhjloYJ0ftZIJ7GF1VrkN1hWMDqHdioycDN9_3FApakGA5JDjdTIpuIMx1ZflcOPK4T/s1600/064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMYZhkIUwYxfcq47C2WDVQeeZU6oHOYnQOFNPDIejFpUxxE-eE80uq3V9tN8UIM-0LIgsBJaCr8IhjloYJ0ftZIJ7GF1VrkN1hWMDqHdioycDN9_3FApakGA5JDjdTIpuIMx1ZflcOPK4T/s640/064.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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This is a female flower, and the big bulb below the closed bud will turn into a pumpkin.<span style="text-align: center;"> </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6OPPwGJ8wwHaRdZWQbxmGeXsjkGzhvuQb3mcqusofXVTtwvJbMq2YYEEmtw1LghcbEbCty0nbxzDTMkJvsgkbhkF5GqLfasxnfVs6PcExChld5oWkry2EQzacTuhfojdDSt6y6QFVsP4O/s1600/043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6OPPwGJ8wwHaRdZWQbxmGeXsjkGzhvuQb3mcqusofXVTtwvJbMq2YYEEmtw1LghcbEbCty0nbxzDTMkJvsgkbhkF5GqLfasxnfVs6PcExChld5oWkry2EQzacTuhfojdDSt6y6QFVsP4O/s640/043.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
The one above is also a female flower, but it is open. Below is the same flower at a different angle where you can see the stigmas, which receive the pollen.<br />
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Here are two pictures of male flowers which make the pollen and do not produce any pumpkins.</div>
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The stems look fuzzy but are actually kind of spiky. They're usually thick and strong enough to let the pumpkins hang without touching the ground.<br />
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The leaves are big and usually have five lobes.</div>
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Here are two unripe pumpkins. They start out green but then turn orange.</div>
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This pumpkin is pretty big and it's almost ripe. It's growing in between the fence of the garden and the fence of the compost.<br />
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<br />Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03713512754687594887noreply@blogger.com1