tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28683620378777236872024-03-14T05:30:25.119+00:00First Quilting StepsTessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06015106721401518477noreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2868362037877723687.post-8642419992516547742013-04-12T18:51:00.001+01:002013-04-12T18:58:26.015+01:00My first Jelly Roll or as Pat says Jolly Roll It's been a long time away from the sewing machine. Great to be back!<br />
Like Pippa from Welsh Quilts I've been making a 'tube' quilt from a magazine and yes it has been quick. <br />
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At least the piecing was and the free motion quilting is going well. Just over half way<br />
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Lots of bits over to make practice quilt sandwiches have been helpful as a reminder of how to do it.My friend Babs fell in love with it. Working on it to order has shared some of the decision making<br />
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Once this is done I'll be finishing off the Lone Star. Honest! <br />
<br />Tessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06015106721401518477noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2868362037877723687.post-12419631986477977052012-06-26T12:15:00.001+01:002012-06-26T17:09:01.066+01:00<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<b>Reverse Applique finished, Lone Star progress, City and Guilds?</b></div>
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The reverse applique project from Jenny Lester's workshop for Gwent Quilters turned out to be a terrific match for my Dad's dining room so he now has a unique mat for the dining suite that he loves</div>
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and it matches his chairs a treat!</div>
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The lone star has been fun to do and rewarding so far. Choosing the colours was a challenge and I'm really pleased how they'e come together. I did the first Y seam perfectly - in the wrong place. This shows where I went wrong and is an impression of is how it will look eventually. </div>
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Next are decisions re the border, probably multi coloured strips. Inevitably there's not a lot of one colour, the green, left....Originally I did want to do flying geese as seen on an exhibit at Malvern, but don't want to detract from the impact of the stunning centre. </div>
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I was so inspired by the exhibiton of City and Guilds Patchwork students at Brynglas House in Newport, that I'm considering doing the course for the next 3/4 years, Fiona has been encouraging and reassuring me. Does anyone have any advice on this?</div>
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<br />Tessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06015106721401518477noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2868362037877723687.post-87382244470510202752012-06-08T21:46:00.001+01:002012-06-08T21:46:28.769+01:00An 'Owling SuccessFaced with the challenge of producing quick, easy, inexpensive items to be sold for next to nothing at the Jubilee fete, I used the Malvern Show workshop by Sadie Yeomans as inspiration to make soft owls.As well as being high on the aaah factor, being stuffed with sheepskin off-cuts they could do pincushion duty.<br />
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Friends all liked them, the punters did too and they all sold.<br />
So camera shy Rose and I made 2 more today, having had our nails done a suitably toning shade! Thank you very much Sadie<br />
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I really must try and hold onto one for me!Tessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06015106721401518477noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2868362037877723687.post-58646841387456578602012-06-05T18:02:00.000+01:002012-06-05T18:02:18.108+01:00Jenny Lester's Reverse Applique WorshopThis lovely workshop at Gwent Quilters was just right, it taught me a great new technique and wasn't too tricky or time consuming to finish.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two layers bonded and cut with a turquoise under layer, partly folded back</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The full pattern folded in position before stitching down the layers</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stitched and pinned into approximate shape - it will be round </td></tr>
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The colours are perfect in my Dad's dining room so it will end up as a round mat in the centre of his dining table. The stitching isn't perfect so don't enlarge it too far. After all the first time is only a practice!<br />
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Thanks Jenny <br />
<br />Tessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06015106721401518477noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2868362037877723687.post-45432915972765439202012-05-30T07:16:00.001+01:002012-05-30T07:16:45.912+01:00Job done - Dad's second quilt a sucessDespite the long silence I have been quilting as well as Toastmastering.<br />
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My Dad's second quilt is finished and he LOVES it I'm pleased too<br />
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As the design looks rather like floor tiles, perhaps it's appropriate I've taken the photo in my tiled hall. The best spot it seems because from up a few stairs I can get a good overview. <br />
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At last the size is right, at 53" square it seems to do the job, but he still prefers his rug and likes to look at it instead! As they say, there's no accounting for folk. <br />
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For the first time I 'mastered' the lettering function on my new Bernina
for the label. It took forever but was eventually effective if not
totally successful. Lots to learn when I finally manage to get on a course to learn the finer points of the Bernina Aurora 430<br />
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The first quilt was so much more work but "too small and stiff". I'm still very
pleased with it, have brought it home to think about making it larger and currently want to
leave as it is.Tessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06015106721401518477noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2868362037877723687.post-49583924482231415482012-02-25T19:50:00.002+00:002012-02-25T19:50:51.503+00:00Not quite Matisse<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Inspired by the great painter, who cut and stuck shapes out of paper
after he was unable to manage a brush, today was a Bondaweb Scrap Bash.
Many lessons learned about how not to manage this difficult stuff and I can't say I'm totally
thrilled with the outcome.I blame it partly on the age of the bondaweb. The newer stuff had totally disappeared.<br />
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Rainbow was the concept - I think a drawer will be the destination for a while but perhaps there is potential a long way down the line. Stitched over the joins and folded in half as a little bag? I don't suppose Matisse got it right first time!<br />
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New multicoloured sparkly buttons on my coat has been the other needle activity in the last 6 weeks - mostly sewn on by wonderful friends. Very pleased with the result - go to Claire Grove Buttons in Cardiff's Royal Arcade for the best ever selection, beads too.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-quiP4gYjZ7Y/T0k2WcXPf1I/AAAAAAAAAUk/MA8nvkXOdNA/s1600/new+sparkly+buttons+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-quiP4gYjZ7Y/T0k2WcXPf1I/AAAAAAAAAUk/MA8nvkXOdNA/s320/new+sparkly+buttons+001.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dDlgLdXP9j0/T0k2nTeRSjI/AAAAAAAAAUs/VlDhORxlbnM/s1600/new+sparkly+buttons+002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dDlgLdXP9j0/T0k2nTeRSjI/AAAAAAAAAUs/VlDhORxlbnM/s320/new+sparkly+buttons+002.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Close Up</td></tr>
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Am expecting to sew again relatively soon, plaster comes off on Tuesday so maybe in a couple of weeks. Getting behind the wheel of my car again will be equally wonderfulTessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06015106721401518477noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2868362037877723687.post-30218588228295014312012-02-09T08:40:00.001+00:002012-02-09T08:40:49.279+00:00Normal service will be resumed ...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Every picture tells a story and what is a blog without a picture?would you believe two quilters?<br />
Indeed what is a would be quilter without a right hand? a very slow typist, that's what. As my sewing machine collects dust, I am contemplating new projects such as a something totally abstract using already cut scraps and eventually a pouffe with hand sewn hexagons - one day! Hope to get going again in a month or so.<br />
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This is where I was with RJN Mark 2 before, looks good and masculine - for my Dad. 3 of 5 horizontal strips now joined. Matching the next level will be fun - one day ...<br />
<br />Tessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06015106721401518477noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2868362037877723687.post-21981954900731666302012-01-05T12:40:00.001+00:002012-01-05T12:41:25.409+00:00Pinwheels go two waysArghhhh ! Now I see why it's not good to go on piercing till all hours when concentration starts to fade, but it's so addictive and the points were coming together so well - once I learnt about trimming the half square triangles to make them all identical.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Right good, left bad</td></tr>
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Now I know there are left pinwheels and right<br />
pinwheels - yes I am a beginner.<br />
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Had made slightly more of the right hand type in photo so am going for them. <br />
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Fortunately I had changed colour plans in midstream so have spare half square triangles for the 3 'different' ones which will become something else one day. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Quarter layout</td></tr>
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This is a quarter of the overall layout - with correct pinwheels of course! Apart from the yellow, it's all from Carolina Row left over scraps so not bad recycling.<br />
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The yellow was left over from Calabash, spot the 'wrong' one.Tessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06015106721401518477noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2868362037877723687.post-14971379930240454942012-01-03T23:09:00.001+00:002012-01-03T23:13:39.000+00:00Have I invented a new block?Highly unlikely I know but while thinking of a centre for the Carolina Row follow up quilt which I call RJN (my Dad's initials) Mark 2, I came up with this. First drew it in rough, then made it work in fabric with two cutting size errors for the three pieces involved. Must try harder. Still pleased with the outcome though.<br />
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If it is new it will be the called the Newport block, his surname and where I live.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QOkYtBu4T7Y/TwOHVhU09gI/AAAAAAAAATo/dZG3UadJcew/s1600/Centre+block+3.1.12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QOkYtBu4T7Y/TwOHVhU09gI/AAAAAAAAATo/dZG3UadJcew/s320/Centre+block+3.1.12.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Is this the new Newport block?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Colours look foul as I always seem to photograph at night and my flash washes them out altogether. Suffice to say centre is soft yellow and brown, pale blue inner triangles and dark blue outers. It all works with the master plan. <br />
Rest of the quilt is going really well. Each 10" square will consist of four half triangle squares. 14 of the 20 10 inchers needed are at the four stage. Next I decide in which order to arrange those half triangle squares and there are a million possibilities. Need a design wall.<br />
Am really enjoying designing the quilt myself depending in materials available = left overs, rather than following a book pattern even if it does make my head hurt all too often.Progress is quite fast, less than a week so far, very satisfying. <br />
Off to Bath tomorrow look for brushed cotton backing, apparently known as flannel. Always wondered what that was. A Thermal Spa treat is on the agenda too.Tessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06015106721401518477noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2868362037877723687.post-5725569215442905282012-01-02T01:37:00.001+00:002012-01-02T01:38:50.390+00:00T's progress and a diversion to CarolinaBlack and white Tessellating T's going well now I've checked and adjusted seam allowances and cut the correct size large squares. Yes I know that I am a complete dumbo. 6 blocks are made and 4 more all ready to sew; also picked up a few more fabrics in that Hereford shop's sale so I definitely have enough for there to be plenty of variety<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MSytd1Rix1s/TwEFQdqiqNI/AAAAAAAAASk/RBQle-SjKis/s1600/First+set+of+blocks+30.12.11+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MSytd1Rix1s/TwEFQdqiqNI/AAAAAAAAASk/RBQle-SjKis/s320/First+set+of+blocks+30.12.11+001.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They are black and white but look yellow because of artificial light. Tessellations show up well </td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7Mqp_XmX2uA/TwEFxotma_I/AAAAAAAAAS4/0rGlJrs17Ps/s1600/Getting+started+1.1.12+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7Mqp_XmX2uA/TwEFxotma_I/AAAAAAAAAS4/0rGlJrs17Ps/s320/Getting+started+1.1.12+001.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
However, there has been a change of priorities. My Dad says his Carolina Houses lap quilt is a bit stiff and does not drape round him as well as a rug to keep his legs and knees warm. Well we can't have that so that's a lesson learnt and back to the drawing board. It still looks great on the sofa in his study. So far I've made 5 x 4 piece blocks that will be either a triangle in a square or a pin wheel. These are lovely and quick after the Tessellating T's.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GZpmm88NoOE/TwEF0Q3cFcI/AAAAAAAAATA/_1GDSwQk_Sw/s1600/Getting+started+1.1.12+002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GZpmm88NoOE/TwEF0Q3cFcI/AAAAAAAAATA/_1GDSwQk_Sw/s320/Getting+started+1.1.12+002.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Both have their merits; difficult choice </td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--o62V1T1uZg/TwEG7-eUouI/AAAAAAAAATc/LRynX1uaFvc/s1600/Getting+started+1.1.12+004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--o62V1T1uZg/TwEG7-eUouI/AAAAAAAAATc/LRynX1uaFvc/s320/Getting+started+1.1.12+004.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
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Not having any quilt design software, I had a lot of fun designing it on squared paper with coloured pencils very early on New Year's Day. So far it looks as if it will be a sort of medallion design with 5x5 10" blocks using all the spare Carolina fabric and a couple of others of similar shades. Possibly borders in between the different sections to link the colours bearing in mind I don't have enough of everything. I will try to resist, but may need to give in and get more. The challenge all the way through is that he is red green colour blind.Lots of blues and browns so far.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2SfrcC3Ys40/TwEFvM_DqVI/AAAAAAAAASw/FAVqw1CQ-3c/s1600/Getting+started+1.1.12+005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2SfrcC3Ys40/TwEFvM_DqVI/AAAAAAAAASw/FAVqw1CQ-3c/s320/Getting+started+1.1.12+005.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <br />
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This is where I am now, but it could all change.<br />
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The idea of a large proper medallion quilt as a long term project is really growing on me. I have someone in mind ...<br />
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Bought a lovely blue and gold backing fabric on Saturday but am now wondering if brushed cotton might make it more serviceable for his purposes = warm and drapey. Does anyone have any experience of using this? I was thinking it might be harder to machine quilt because it may slide less well. As he is 92 and not too well I don't intend to spend months hand quilting.<br />
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Dragged myself out today, despite not too much sleep and enjoyed a 9 mile walk from Monmouth which was mercifully dry, if dull, from above but very muddy underfoot. Lovely to see all my Rambler friends and a satisfying New Year's day effort. Best of all, the rain started just as I got in the car to drive home!Tessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06015106721401518477noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2868362037877723687.post-9971214905495387172011-12-27T10:52:00.001+00:002011-12-27T10:53:29.527+00:00Not the best start ...Yesterday I decided to get going on the Tessellating T's quilt in black and white that has been been planned for ages. Cut the first black and lots of white pieces which will be the background, checking the measurements 100 times. You guessed it, when I came to make the first block I'd cut the larger background squares 1/2" too small, so now I have masses of 5 3/8" squares to use up.Maybe there will be pillowcases too? I tried piecing to make it bigger - as below - but it doesn't look good so will re-cut, I think I have enough fabric. Hope this is not an omen!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WipQWR9pTL4/TvmhnYztJ1I/AAAAAAAAASY/Ha-_WhnToUE/s1600/First+block+26.12.11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WipQWR9pTL4/TvmhnYztJ1I/AAAAAAAAASY/Ha-_WhnToUE/s320/First+block+26.12.11.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>I really like the pattern and it is tricky enough to be a reasonable challenge for me. 54 blocks to go. Target finish date is the recipients birthday (not named in case she gets to see this) in March.Tessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06015106721401518477noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2868362037877723687.post-35296702404955310012011-12-24T17:31:00.001+00:002011-12-24T17:36:18.816+00:00Two cushions and a partridge in a pear treeYippee all my quilted Christmas presents are finished.<br />
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The first cushion was folded patchwork with a free motion, painted back. That was a combined present for Olivia's birthday and Christmas and was posted on Monday. She's called to say she loves it<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-31ypnLEEghw/TvUPqOebLRI/AAAAAAAAARI/LuzVpm27Gwg/s1600/Olivia%2527s+Cushion+002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-31ypnLEEghw/TvUPqOebLRI/AAAAAAAAARI/LuzVpm27Gwg/s320/Olivia%2527s+Cushion+002.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finished</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q4ztwg5dJvo/TvUPsjng1rI/AAAAAAAAARQ/sNf5B2xC-tw/s1600/Folded+Cushion+Cover+9.11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q4ztwg5dJvo/TvUPsjng1rI/AAAAAAAAARQ/sNf5B2xC-tw/s320/Folded+Cushion+Cover+9.11.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These colours are better</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o85KOmIxL74/TvUPu8HcjwI/AAAAAAAAARY/QxfDGuG2K_w/s1600/folded+cushion+painted+back+7.9.11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o85KOmIxL74/TvUPu8HcjwI/AAAAAAAAARY/QxfDGuG2K_w/s320/folded+cushion+painted+back+7.9.11.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First success with roller painting.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uyuWKG82wrM/TvUQKxPRyLI/AAAAAAAAARk/ZK6uGh7pVI4/s1600/Folded+cushion+back+before+paint+8.11+011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uyuWKG82wrM/TvUQKxPRyLI/AAAAAAAAARk/ZK6uGh7pVI4/s320/Folded+cushion+back+before+paint+8.11+011.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A huge improvement on before</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Many thanks to Linda and Laura Kemshall who inspired me to roller paint. I was marginally tempted to do the same with the whole quilt cushion below but courage failed when I had trouble deciding on the right colour and thought how long I had worked on it. Also I got the impression that Anthea didn't really liked the painted one and it will be under her tree on Sunday.<br />
I'm not too pleased with the whole quilt side because the thread was not enough contrast, that's a lesson learned. Nevertheless my first attempt at hand quilting was very enjoyable and portable; I did a bit on holiday in the Azores as well as a few other places.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1gBnSo_kOLA/TvYKgKpSWSI/AAAAAAAAARw/avxMD2Ni4-s/s1600/Finished+24.12.11+010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1gBnSo_kOLA/TvYKgKpSWSI/AAAAAAAAARw/avxMD2Ni4-s/s320/Finished+24.12.11+010.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Accurate colours</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ERah_OYjiKs/TvYKila7WaI/AAAAAAAAAR4/QCDiZsasDI4/s1600/Finished+24.12.11+011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ERah_OYjiKs/TvYKila7WaI/AAAAAAAAAR4/QCDiZsasDI4/s320/Finished+24.12.11+011.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shows the traditional Welsh pattern better?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>The concept is a 'normal' front and a Christmas back. The new machine is definitely better with metallic thread than the old and the free motion quilting seemed a bit easier than with Carolina Row so perhaps I'm getting the hang of it. Or was it the glass of red wine as recommended by Pippa? Still managed to stitch my finger - won't be doing that again!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1RbSCu8YRFI/TvYMAaTM2nI/AAAAAAAAASM/GtcLiOYqMBA/s1600/Finished+24.12.11+013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1RbSCu8YRFI/TvYMAaTM2nI/AAAAAAAAASM/GtcLiOYqMBA/s320/Finished+24.12.11+013.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
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Now to wrap a few presents.......Tessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06015106721401518477noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2868362037877723687.post-29765842064153839662011-12-21T21:30:00.000+00:002011-12-21T21:30:16.176+00:00Carolina Row All DoneThe sweet glow of satisfaction reigns. My Dad's Christmas present is now sitting underneath his tree all wrapped and labelled.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kIo-oik_4gg/TvJL4A_hx0I/AAAAAAAAAP0/TTKIu3Zzh1c/s1600/Pieced%252C+bound+and+quilted+003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kIo-oik_4gg/TvJL4A_hx0I/AAAAAAAAAP0/TTKIu3Zzh1c/s400/Pieced%252C+bound+and+quilted+003.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>The parallel quilting for the roofs and sky worked out really well. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Wyhy9IEpww0/TvJM-yai_AI/AAAAAAAAAQc/4x_hSu6MBJQ/s1600/Finished+20.12.12+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Wyhy9IEpww0/TvJM-yai_AI/AAAAAAAAAQc/4x_hSu6MBJQ/s320/Finished+20.12.12+001.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div> The in the ditch for the houses and freehand border not quite so good, blame it on the new machine <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZhYAW8vX2j0/TvJNTLg5TZI/AAAAAAAAAQk/wv_r1C-ChGY/s1600/Finished+20.12.12+002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZhYAW8vX2j0/TvJNTLg5TZI/AAAAAAAAAQk/wv_r1C-ChGY/s320/Finished+20.12.12+002.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
The label was my first and I really made a meal of it with six tries before it was half acceptable for my perfectionist father. Isn't the border a great match? It was a St David's Foundation shop man's shirt bargain for £1. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--q90vPrDKT8/TvJN20Mnd7I/AAAAAAAAAQs/Yal7yVNiRJE/s1600/Lablelled+20.12.12+006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--q90vPrDKT8/TvJN20Mnd7I/AAAAAAAAAQs/Yal7yVNiRJE/s320/Lablelled+20.12.12+006.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>I do hope he likes it. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GvIEiXnnY7M/TvJOxzwTXpI/AAAAAAAAAQ0/g8jbVUezinI/s1600/Lablelled+20.12.12+002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GvIEiXnnY7M/TvJOxzwTXpI/AAAAAAAAAQ0/g8jbVUezinI/s320/Lablelled+20.12.12+002.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Am more than a bit worried it's not big enough for a lap quilt for him and plan to add an extra 'stack of coins' border all round if needed. <br />
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The final product is pretty male and looks good in situ.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TEaA39SUYKA/TvJPD5VbieI/AAAAAAAAAQ8/33BFbUyRF2Q/s1600/Finished+in+situ+20.12.12+005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TEaA39SUYKA/TvJPD5VbieI/AAAAAAAAAQ8/33BFbUyRF2Q/s320/Finished+in+situ+20.12.12+005.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Sigh of relief! Now there's just one more Christmas present to make - the backing for the wholecloth cushion.Tessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06015106721401518477noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2868362037877723687.post-1179785399780983392011-12-07T21:02:00.000+00:002011-12-07T21:02:59.292+00:00Carolina Row progress and Bargello revealedAm getting on well with the quilting, the new Bernina is easier than the old one and the learning curve is easing off slightly. I find machine quilting quite tiring so want to take it slowly to avoid too much undoing but must crack on. Christmas is getting closer and I'm away for a week or so before without access to the machine. <br />
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I have ordered a waterproof pen highly recommended for the label. Nothing I've done has been labelled yet, though I have signed one in free motion so need to try harder to be a 'proper' quilter.<br />
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This post needs a picture so here is one I prepared earlier - the quilt that was signed. My first ever made for Harriet to have at uni.Got a bit carried away with the Kaffe Fassett style photos in my garden but I did use some of his fabrics.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-S0OhOzJjJW4/Tt_SE9AtQGI/AAAAAAAAAPY/bwnsohgGnSE/s1600/Bargello+completed+Mar11+021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-S0OhOzJjJW4/Tt_SE9AtQGI/AAAAAAAAAPY/bwnsohgGnSE/s320/Bargello+completed+Mar11+021.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bargello Quilt and Lining </td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-03yc3EMXMl4/Tt_Sg51Zx4I/AAAAAAAAAPg/HthYd9zxQ7s/s1600/Bargello+completed+Mar11+029.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-03yc3EMXMl4/Tt_Sg51Zx4I/AAAAAAAAAPg/HthYd9zxQ7s/s320/Bargello+completed+Mar11+029.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vD5a0FqGGHs/Tt_TUOZ2vYI/AAAAAAAAAPo/SjEIvybvA-o/s1600/Bargello+Bag+with+Harriet+31.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vD5a0FqGGHs/Tt_TUOZ2vYI/AAAAAAAAAPo/SjEIvybvA-o/s320/Bargello+Bag+with+Harriet+31.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Harriet liked the bag too</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td></tr>
</tbody></table>Tessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06015106721401518477noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2868362037877723687.post-19275290023654290662011-12-02T19:35:00.000+00:002011-12-02T19:35:19.123+00:00It's been a long time ...<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I have been busy doing lots of things and didn't meet many (any?) of the October goals then but a new surge of sewing energy hit me in November. Could it be the imminence of Christmas?</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Japanese bag is done and in use: </span></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-R0ddx4JNj2Q/TtkaEGf-9sI/AAAAAAAAAOg/90ef6i4Mx6k/s1600/Finished+2.12.11+002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-R0ddx4JNj2Q/TtkaEGf-9sI/AAAAAAAAAOg/90ef6i4Mx6k/s320/Finished+2.12.11+002.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Japanese Bag best side</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-57mbmSTJMWg/TtkaGdCvyWI/AAAAAAAAAOo/aouCr7Ifi-M/s1600/Finished+2.12.11+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-57mbmSTJMWg/TtkaGdCvyWI/AAAAAAAAAOo/aouCr7Ifi-M/s320/Finished+2.12.11+001.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Japanese Bag side 2</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-size: small;"> <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It has been admired and one person even wanted to buy it but suddenly wasn't interested when I quoted a price not even realistic to the work. It holds lots so the bottom gets very floppy but 2 pieces of plastic canvas in the base seem to be working well. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Now I've got the hang of the pattern, I might make a slightly smaller one with 4" or 4.5" blocks instead of 5" </span></span><br />
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Carolina Houses quilt is well on the way, all pieced and borders attached. Have bought the threads to quilt and selected the backing so it's 'just' a matter of doing it.</span></span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q0FUkKUbAbQ/Ttka3_9OCsI/AAAAAAAAAOw/e_yngnI6MN8/s1600/Carolina+Row+for+RJN+with+border+1.12.11+002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q0FUkKUbAbQ/Ttka3_9OCsI/AAAAAAAAAOw/e_yngnI6MN8/s320/Carolina+Row+for+RJN+with+border+1.12.11+002.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carolina Row lap quilt</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I'm very pleased with this. Lots of work (260 pieces), fiddly, made my head hurt sometimes, endless undoing, and still far from perfect on close examination, but not bad! Also quite challenging to meet the no red/green criteria for my colour blind 92 year old ex civil engineer Dad. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Yes I know it has the dark red but think/hope that's OK without green. The colours will go well in his sitting room and the backing is his favourite combination of dark and light blues. The coup de grace (hopefully) will be the charity shop shirting binding combining colours from both sides. Thank you St David's Foundation Pontypool</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--4ZYY2rib-o/TtkiDe6vBdI/AAAAAAAAAO4/PmmARmTrea4/s1600/Carolina+Row+backing+and+binding+003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--4ZYY2rib-o/TtkiDe6vBdI/AAAAAAAAAO4/PmmARmTrea4/s320/Carolina+Row+backing+and+binding+003.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carolina Row Backing and Binding </td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">My big news is that I have a new sewing machine. About 2 years old, a Bernina Aurora 430 and already using my my 31 year old 801 is becoming a dim memory. Still learning lots and am thinking of doing the Bernina training course in London. I did that last time and it helped a great deal. This one has so may tools and tricks that I need help to master them all and get the full benefit.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CIOecGra6I4/TtkjC9yYvLI/AAAAAAAAAPI/2n-FSL8YSQU/s1600/New+Bernina+Old+Bernina+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CIOecGra6I4/TtkjC9yYvLI/AAAAAAAAAPI/2n-FSL8YSQU/s320/New+Bernina+Old+Bernina+001.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New Aurora 430 2009</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-O_o0mGYmTpk/TtkklStPOdI/AAAAAAAAAPQ/ywQQ7iW7T9Y/s1600/New+Bernina+Old+Bernina+002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-O_o0mGYmTpk/TtkklStPOdI/AAAAAAAAAPQ/ywQQ7iW7T9Y/s320/New+Bernina+Old+Bernina+002.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Old 801 c 1980</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-size: small;"></span><br />
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Quilting Carolina Row will be the first quilting project on the Aurora, will do a mix of fixed lines and free motion. Really looking forward to it and hoping the tension will be easier than before</span></div>Tessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06015106721401518477noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2868362037877723687.post-4339396141510459202011-12-02T19:26:00.001+00:002011-12-02T19:26:18.515+00:00Tessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06015106721401518477noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2868362037877723687.post-5304856470830097302011-10-09T19:12:00.001+01:002011-10-09T19:13:11.685+01:00Toastmasters International Area 22 Humourous and Table Topics ContestThis post is a bit of a departure from quilting. I do have another life and this seems an easy good place to record a marvellous afternoon in Newton Abbot. Well done to all who took part and performed roles especially the winners:<br />
<br />
Photos show Charlotte Hitchings Area Governor, Area 22 presenting the awards <br />
<br />
Table Topics<br />
1st Jo Haskins<br />
2nd Gareth McHale<br />
3rd Sue Haswell<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6kZIJTuM0qY/TpHd8fCOLjI/AAAAAAAAAIE/1ZByJgRmHdo/s1600/Area+22+Contest+Newton+Abbot+9.10.11+007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6kZIJTuM0qY/TpHd8fCOLjI/AAAAAAAAAIE/1ZByJgRmHdo/s320/Area+22+Contest+Newton+Abbot+9.10.11+007.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">3rd Sue Haswell</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6aYNw2Y_qow/TpHd-pXuSoI/AAAAAAAAAII/zSHW0iGSxRg/s1600/Area+22+Contest+Newton+Abbot+9.10.11+008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6aYNw2Y_qow/TpHd-pXuSoI/AAAAAAAAAII/zSHW0iGSxRg/s320/Area+22+Contest+Newton+Abbot+9.10.11+008.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2nd Gareth McHale</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MyNbd6mmbzc/TpHeBONt-8I/AAAAAAAAAIM/KUrpem3Nnzg/s1600/Area+22+Contest+Newton+Abbot+9.10.11+009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MyNbd6mmbzc/TpHeBONt-8I/AAAAAAAAAIM/KUrpem3Nnzg/s320/Area+22+Contest+Newton+Abbot+9.10.11+009.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1st Jo Haskins</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Humourous<br />
1st Gareth McHale<br />
2nd Jo Haskins<br />
3rd John Down<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FO-syXaXmP0/TpHeDTWwQmI/AAAAAAAAAIQ/UTvUpHKijdI/s1600/Area+22+Contest+Newton+Abbot+9.10.11+010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FO-syXaXmP0/TpHeDTWwQmI/AAAAAAAAAIQ/UTvUpHKijdI/s320/Area+22+Contest+Newton+Abbot+9.10.11+010.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">3rd John Down</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Tp3sMQ61ny0/TpHeFlRnxVI/AAAAAAAAAIU/vTNnhKMfui4/s1600/Area+22+Contest+Newton+Abbot+9.10.11+011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Tp3sMQ61ny0/TpHeFlRnxVI/AAAAAAAAAIU/vTNnhKMfui4/s320/Area+22+Contest+Newton+Abbot+9.10.11+011.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
2nd Jo Haskins</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ca0vdDhC6tQ/TpHd3r05krI/AAAAAAAAAH8/yEs9PrE9v2A/s1600/Area+22+Contest+Newton+Abbot+9.10.11+012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ca0vdDhC6tQ/TpHd3r05krI/AAAAAAAAAH8/yEs9PrE9v2A/s320/Area+22+Contest+Newton+Abbot+9.10.11+012.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1st Gareth McHale</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Now we're all looking forward to the Division Contest in Newbury on October 22nd. <b>Good luck to Jo and Gareth</b>. If today is anything to go by, it will be really terrific. Lots of great workshops too, details follow: <br />
<br />
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="postbody;gen"><tbody>
<tr><td align="left" height="60" nowrap="nowrap" valign="top" width="45%"><span class="gen"><b>Division J</b> <b>Humourous Speech and Table Topics Competition</b><br />
<br />
Venue: <b><a class="gen" href="http://d71.org/tm_location.php?loc=587&sid=5fda4f3f2f9e97b5f3d0159cc9335b07" target="_minilocation">St Georges Centre Newbury</a></b> <span class="nav"><a class="gensmall" href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=RG14+6NU&hl=en&ll=51.379214,-1.343508&spn=0.007326,0.006899&sll=51.3">(Click here for a map)</a></span></span></td> <td align="center" valign="top" width="10"></td> <td align="right" nowrap="nowrap" valign="top" width="45%"><i><br />
</i></td> </tr>
<tr> <td colspan="3"><b><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Workshops, Contests, Lunch and Info - what more could you want! </span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Come along to the first ever Division J Humorous Speech & Table Topics Competition! </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">We will have great sessions & workshops;</span><br />
<br />
<li><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Malachi Talabi - 2011 D71 International Speech Contest Winner, 3rd Place SemiFinalist in the World Championship of Public Speaking in Vegas. Malachi will be telling us about his journey to the US, and about his championship speech.</span></li><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<li><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Chris Boden - 2011 D71 Evaluation Contest Winner - with a brand new workshop on evaluation, just for us</span></li><br />
<br />
<br />
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<li><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Martin Limburn - President of Armada Speakers - with ideas on how to rebuild clubs successfully</span></li><br />
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<br />
<div><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">In addition, we will have an update from Teresa Dukes on the proposed reformation of the District.</span></div><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">We will have stands on a range of subjects from speechcraft to promoting clubs.</span><br />
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<b><i><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">And we will of course have the most successful humorous speakers and table topics speakers in the Division battling it out to be the first ever winners of the Division J trophies, and for a place in the District Final in November</span></i></b><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">The cost is £8, payable at the door. It would be nice to know if you are coming, but feel free to turn up on the day.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Tessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06015106721401518477noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2868362037877723687.post-65606128269279994052011-10-08T22:00:00.001+01:002011-10-08T22:01:17.711+01:00Bag project is still goingNot quite finished but good progress. Slight crisis of confidence with handles - are they the right fabric I ask myself. Not enough of the binding for the handles but enough for the side ties - just. Also have thought of another fabric from my Calabash quilt, for some crazy reason not in my new beautifully organised sewing room but filed under the spare room duve.That will teach me not to be messy with fabrics all over the place <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bSLe6kwNiUY/TpC1iKkqqVI/AAAAAAAAAHs/BFBodEsl7_M/s1600/Japanese+Progress+7.10.11+007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bSLe6kwNiUY/TpC1iKkqqVI/AAAAAAAAAHs/BFBodEsl7_M/s320/Japanese+Progress+7.10.11+007.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bucket?</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PBNObOAwNWk/TpC1fkIAExI/AAAAAAAAAHo/sVN7S2KzwiI/s1600/Japanese+Progress+7.10.11+005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PBNObOAwNWk/TpC1fkIAExI/AAAAAAAAAHo/sVN7S2KzwiI/s320/Japanese+Progress+7.10.11+005.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Plenty of room for a whole litter of kittens in here </td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gv48TgELesQ/TpC1dNxytCI/AAAAAAAAAHk/YTRcboc7BLs/s1600/Japanese+Progress+7.10.11+003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gv48TgELesQ/TpC1dNxytCI/AAAAAAAAAHk/YTRcboc7BLs/s320/Japanese+Progress+7.10.11+003.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is how it will looks when folded up with the ties pulling in the sides</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
Went to the Herbert Museum in Coventry today to see 'Patchwork through the Ages' and was lucky to meet the owner of the collection. He says it is just a quarter of the collection on show, so I encouraged them to hold another show with some more in my visitors book entry.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GHZGDRKvzD0/TpC2C0zcnFI/AAAAAAAAAH0/cyiA59Mxtn8/s1600/Herbert+Museum+8.10.11+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GHZGDRKvzD0/TpC2C0zcnFI/AAAAAAAAAH0/cyiA59Mxtn8/s320/Herbert+Museum+8.10.11+001.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This one is made from semi/half mourning materials </td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jdIARj4j8Ow/TpC2FKg0PrI/AAAAAAAAAH4/u3DIpLLenHU/s1600/Herbert+Museum+8.10.11+002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jdIARj4j8Ow/TpC2FKg0PrI/AAAAAAAAAH4/u3DIpLLenHU/s320/Herbert+Museum+8.10.11+002.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> This one from ribbons </td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-smF9yth3SLk/TpC2AWMX2TI/AAAAAAAAAHw/_UGLUzA19Ys/s1600/Herbert+Museum+8.10.11+003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-smF9yth3SLk/TpC2AWMX2TI/AAAAAAAAAHw/_UGLUzA19Ys/s320/Herbert+Museum+8.10.11+003.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> And this one is 12,000 minute hexagons and made by a 9 year old boy! He may have been convalescing </td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
Sadly the dress, bonnet and quilt made from feed sacks didn't come out. They were great, I has no idea that feed sacks were such gorgeous patterns.Tessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06015106721401518477noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2868362037877723687.post-81521592269527263462011-10-06T22:51:00.000+01:002011-10-06T22:51:52.049+01:00Lightbulb momentI think I've got it Professor Higgins - how could I have been so stupid before. Now to seam where pinned, line, bind, do handles, ties etc etc. Not even sure I like it at this stage, not that's anything new.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FOmbSwm5nLc/To4hrzLnpwI/AAAAAAAAAHY/bnoYZZ1vSYY/s1600/Japanese+Progress+6.10.11+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FOmbSwm5nLc/To4hrzLnpwI/AAAAAAAAAHY/bnoYZZ1vSYY/s320/Japanese+Progress+6.10.11+001.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lWUNcupkkFo/To4huVqjgAI/AAAAAAAAAHc/WzkQDBbINNU/s1600/Japanese+Progress+6.10.11+002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lWUNcupkkFo/To4huVqjgAI/AAAAAAAAAHc/WzkQDBbINNU/s320/Japanese+Progress+6.10.11+002.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-quI066ENyaY/To4iD_CAAqI/AAAAAAAAAHg/YwLilHk_Hdk/s1600/Japanese+Progress+6.10.11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-quI066ENyaY/To4iD_CAAqI/AAAAAAAAAHg/YwLilHk_Hdk/s320/Japanese+Progress+6.10.11.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<br />
Will it be ready to take to the Herbert Museum in Coventry on Saturday? Ever the optimist ............Tessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06015106721401518477noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2868362037877723687.post-13594883214035461292011-10-06T17:29:00.002+01:002011-10-06T17:31:33.572+01:00Anne Smith quilts exhibition and Japanese Bag<b></b><b><a href="http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=201370623263609" target="">An Exhibition of Quilts - Anne Smith</a></b><br />
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<b>We are so lucky here in South Wales, not only did we have a wonderful exhibition of Linda and Laura Kemshall's marvellous painted quilts at the Cynon Valley Museum until September but now there are Anne Smith's to follow. I can't wait to see them, a trip to Aberdare is on the agenda, after Saturday's visit to the Herbert Museum in Coventry.</b><br />
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<b>It started well, but now I'm battling with assembling the Japanese Bag - got so stuck that I had to ring the designers for help. I had some pieces the wrong way round, now corrected so about to have another go at assembling it. It will be worth it, mine has African fabrics as you might be able to see.</b><br />
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<b>The pattern comes from the book Easy Japanese Quilt Style by Julia Davies and Anne Muxworthy from Step by Step Patchwork in South Molton Devon. When it got desperate they were very patient and helpful and have offered to put it together for me but of course I want to do it myself. They'll be at Malvern if I haven't cracked it (or shot myself) by then.</b>Tessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06015106721401518477noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2868362037877723687.post-19938420947411866682011-10-03T23:20:00.003+01:002011-10-03T23:23:39.802+01:00Calabash RevealedMy quilt history is working backwards. This is my second full size quilt and so far the last. Gwent Quilters' library provided the inspiration with the appropriately named Quilting Inspirations from Africa by Kaye England and Mary Elizabeth Johnson. A fabulous book, everyone who has seen it has been knocked out by the gorgeous interpretations using fabulous African fabrics. It went back to the library after 10 months but only after I'd bought my own copy!<br />
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Kalahari Calabash was chosen because I loved it.Also it was a simple large log cabin 14" block and only needed 12 so seemed achievable. I had fallen for the batik fabrics at last October's Malvern show without anything in mind and as you can see they were an instant success teamed with the brown.<br />
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Adding the vine part was fun and friends who popped round helped with the arrangement. It was good to use some scraps from Harriet's quilt, my first, for the leaves<br />
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Of course a few extras were needed for the border and an inner frame. All from the same shop (am I allowed to say that one in Hereford?) who were hugely helpful <br />
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As a beginner I found the shadow quilting of the blocks not at all easy and there was a fair bit of undoing before I was satisfied. <br />
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Michelle our teacher at evening class suggested big stitch quilting in a thick variegated thread (Stef Francis ?5) to highlight the leaves of the calabash vine which really made all the difference.<br />
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Compared to the straight line quilting, the last minute vermicelli free motion infill on the brown was a breeze.<br />
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It's on my bed now and I sleep under it every night and love it every day. Technically it's not finished as I still have to make a label, something else new to learn....<br />
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</a></div>Tessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06015106721401518477noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2868362037877723687.post-66591569216143199402011-10-02T00:24:00.000+01:002011-10-02T00:26:02.035+01:00Free Motion Bag is DoneThis project has been sitting around for far too long, so in the spirit of a tidier sewing room I decided to finish it before I allowed myself to start anything else.<br />
The background is that I went on a free motion course in June (this year). We practised free motion quilting on squares for making up into a raggy bag. Afterwards I was really disappointed with how my efforts turned out, didn't like the fabrics and was inclined to abandon it.<br />
Then I needed some free motion practice before completing Beach Huts, managed to finish all 27 squares and by the time I got to the side and bottom gussets was really enjoying it and quite pleased with the results.This was due in no small part to the guidance in Christine Maraccini's 'Machine Quilting Solutions' as recommended by the course teacher.<br />
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Later still I looked at putting them together into a bag and decided only 18 were useable. I started along the *raggy bag lines but soon realised I hated the look with the fabrics and *sewed all the seams to the inside and neatened them by hand.<br />
The final stage was to *decide on a binding and apply it. (*Pictures previously posted). Applying it was very awkward as there is a gusset on three sides so had to bind a box shape. Of course it worked better at the bottom than the top and I had to try to conceal a certain amount of rather crummy hand sewing, but I'm so relieved it's finished. <b>I even like it now.</b><br />
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I was a bit stumped on how to create a tough strengthener for the base
until I came across a reference to pelmet vilene. A curtain shop sold me
some iron on buckram that I thought would be stiffer when ironed. It
worked beautifully because it was self adhesive on both sides so I could
iron all the raw edges in, once I'd cleaned off the iron and board.
That's definitely a technique for future use, not that I need an excuse
to make more bags. <br />
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The different colours of panels on each side are total serendipity - the result of using the only decent free motion samples but they're proving quite useful. If anyone asks, I'll say it was a cunning plan! Yesterday I wore a red jacket and today an orange shirt so could just wear the best side out. Of course the binding had to work with the panels and provide a good contrast, so I went for yellow against red and turquoise and orange against brown and blue. The binding fabrics are batik scraps from my Calabash Quilt, more on that coming soon. Modelled pictures show the sewing room is back in use again<br />
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Brown and blues </div>
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Red and turquoise</div>
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Just in time to beat the minimum 5p charge on plastic bags that started in Wales yesterday, yippee!Tessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06015106721401518477noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2868362037877723687.post-54870196454306301442011-09-23T17:09:00.000+01:002011-09-23T17:09:03.530+01:00Better Pics of New Sewing Room<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o2E5PFvvjlo/TnysVeM9NcI/AAAAAAAAAFg/XqxmJW2A7bw/s1600/TP+1a+Before.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o2E5PFvvjlo/TnysVeM9NcI/AAAAAAAAAFg/XqxmJW2A7bw/s320/TP+1a+Before.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZUa3jQ1i2O8/TnysXk1iEQI/AAAAAAAAAFk/7Cu7ZBrLesM/s1600/TP+1b+After.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZUa3jQ1i2O8/TnysXk1iEQI/AAAAAAAAAFk/7Cu7ZBrLesM/s320/TP+1b+After.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>These do it far more justice, of course I left it especially messy to give the best impression of the revamp!<br />
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And looking the other way:<br />
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And in the cupboards - bought to sort out my stuff<br />
only 5 years ago<br />
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Too scared to mess it up right now but I need to get some stuff together to take to Gwent Quilters tomorrow so it won't be long<br />
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I'd love to put 2 photos side by side but haven't worked out how to do that yet, any tips?Tessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06015106721401518477noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2868362037877723687.post-73255339879100386012011-09-22T22:58:00.000+01:002011-09-22T22:58:02.463+01:00New Sewing Room<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ABCFmbeRbkM/TnuskDXO35I/AAAAAAAAAFQ/kNJUneVxhwM/s1600/Sewing+Room+Declutter+21.9.11+009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jaow-YYOTvE/TnusIefYR9I/AAAAAAAAAFI/UmTrlC92wAs/s1600/Sewing+Room+Declutter+21.9.11+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jaow-YYOTvE/TnusIefYR9I/AAAAAAAAAFI/UmTrlC92wAs/s320/Sewing+Room+Declutter+21.9.11+001.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Having got to the stage where my sewing room was hindering my productivity, I called in expert help in the form of Kay Julian <a href="http://www.welcomespace.co.uk./">http://www.welcomespace.co.uk.</a>to help me declutter and 24 hours later I'm still delighted<br />
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Inspired and energised by this wonderful new space, I will be getting going on new projects and finishing the free motion bag as soon as the rest of my life lets me. If I hadn't left my camera behind when I was out earlier this evening, I could have added a progress so far photo.Tessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06015106721401518477noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2868362037877723687.post-71072451029365718662011-09-15T17:58:00.001+01:002011-09-15T22:00:27.423+01:00Days for girlsI've lifted the following wholesale from the Free Motion Quilting Project's blog as it seems such a good cause, I'm sure they won't mind. Please circulate and help if you can<br />
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<a href="http://freemotionquilting.blogspot.com/">http://freemotionquilting.blogspot.com/</a> <br />
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<h3 class="post-title entry-title"><a href="http://freemotionquilting.blogspot.com/2011/09/empowering-women-days-for-girls.html">Empowering Women - Days for Girls</a> </h3><div class="post-header"></div>Have you ever felt, after finding something, that you were looking for it all along?<br />
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<a href="http://www.daysforgirls.org/#%21" style="color: #3333ff;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5650371423151864578" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ecO2_IwNMc0/Tmom31X8OwI/AAAAAAAADdA/CjIptqC4s5Q/s200/DFGI-Button-220x220.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 200px; margin: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 200px;" /></a>I feel this way about <a href="http://www.daysforgirls.org/#%21" style="color: #3333ff;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Days for Girls</span></a>, a program a fellow quilter introduced me to a few months ago. Only after finding out about this wonderful organization did I realize that I'd been searching for a way to help and empower other women.<br />
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Basically this is an organization set up to help girls in impoverished countries stay in school. What is stopping these girls from attending? Simple - their cycle.<br />
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While it may seem difficult to wrap our Walmart warped minds around it, in other countries they don't have grocery store isles full of hygiene products. When girls come of age, you can imagine what happens: every woman's nightmare, a public display of their cycle all over their pants, in front of their classmates.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Here's a first hand account from the director of Days for Girls, :</span><br />
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<blockquote><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: 100%;">"What we see at DFG is tremendous need. There is the email from a young girl whose family could not spare the money to purchase feminine hygiene products.<br />
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She tried using newspaper, which gave her a rash, and toilet paper, which promptly soaked through her school uniform. After being taunted by the boys at school when she got blood on her skirt, she complained of headaches during her periods to stay home from school. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px;"><br />
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These girls are often skipped over for Secondary education because of their "handicap" of menstruation absenteeism. The desire to stay in school is so strong that many (not a few) are sexually exploited in exchange for feminine hygiene. Several women hearing our presentations said they had not thought of menstruation being a good thing until our presentations. Our presentations are also a unique time to discuss hygiene, health and the value of women."</span></span></span></blockquote>So that's what this program does - it gives girls back their days. Instead of hiding at home, too embarrassed to attend school, too afraid of another accident, girls are able to stay in school confident of their ability to stay clean.<br />
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What I love the most is there are many ways to help! If you'd like to contribute to Days for Girls you can:<br />
<ul><li><a href="http://www.daysforgirls.org/#%21donate-dfg" style="color: #3333ff; font-weight: bold;">Donate money</a> - 100% of everything donated to this organization actually reaches the people it's intended to help. You can see the many ways you can help <a href="http://www.daysforgirls.org/#%21donate-dfg" style="color: #3333ff;">right here</a>.<br />
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<li><a href="http://www.daysforgirls.org/#%21learn-more/vstc1=sewing-info" style="color: #3333ff;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Sew pads, shields, or drawstring bags</span></a> - Sewing these items is essential for the program. Each girl is given a drawstring bag of sewn hygiene items that can be washed and reused year after year. Excellent videos on creating pads and shields can be found <a href="http://www.daysforgirls.org/#%21learn-more/vstc1=sewing-resources" style="color: #3333ff;">right here.</a><br />
<a href="http://www.daysforgirls.org/#%21learn-more/vstc1=whats-in-a-kit" style="color: #3333ff; font-weight: bold;"><br />
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<li><a href="http://www.daysforgirls.org/#%21dfgi-necklace" style="color: #3333ff;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5650370812203146898" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L5IeWbv8FkU/TmomURaanpI/AAAAAAAADc4/kKNM4cCmQvo/s200/days%2Bfor%2Bgirls.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; float: right; height: 200px; margin: 0 0 10px 10px; width: 135px;" /></a><a href="http://www.daysforgirls.org/#%21learn-more/vstc1=whats-in-a-kit" style="color: #3333ff; font-weight: bold;">Donate supplies</a> - Washcloths, soap, and sturdy ziplock bags help to create kits to be given to each girl Days for Girls reaches.<br />
<a href="http://www.daysforgirls.org/#%21dfgi-necklace" style="color: #3333ff; font-weight: bold;"><br />
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<li><a href="http://www.daysforgirls.org/#%21dfgi-necklace" style="color: #3333ff; font-weight: bold;">Buy a necklace</a> - this beautiful necklace symbolizes all that Days for Girls does for the young women it reaches and the sale of 1 necklace funds 1 kit to be created.</li>
</ul><span style="font-weight: bold;">What I love about this organization is that 100% of the money and supplies donated actually gets to the people in need.</span><br />
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I'm pretty tired of my charity donations just padding the pockets or paying the "administration fees" of the people in charge. With Days for Girls, everything donated is actually used by the women who need our help.<br />
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I can think of nothing more empowering - giving girls back the days they would normally spend alone, embarrassed, hating the very thing that makes them a woman. It's time we gave these girls their days back to study, learn, grow, and prosper.Tessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06015106721401518477noreply@blogger.com1