tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74191410375574477512024-03-05T13:34:35.106-08:00Eye Candy QuiltsThe fabrics I Iove, the quilts I make and the road to getting there.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03033981298126491707noreply@blogger.comBlogger92125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7419141037557447751.post-52966052897194079432017-08-27T10:22:00.001-07:002017-08-27T10:22:14.486-07:00Rock StarLooking for my latest blog post? Check it out <a href="https://stashlabquilts.com/" target="_blank">here</a> on my new site, <a href="https://stashlabquilts.com/" target="_blank">StashLabQuilts.com</a>.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiZnrMduhyphenhyphen_B8KqmTR6xXD9iOljvybnzwsAkdgYSjEVzG5wTMckFUL4_RB51Txc2QEjSe4x5bgcrUunSbRtw0GlrdFQyFnMWPdpuiTJ7UANU0KYCAvZ07VaQ2oaS3NuEn68pYshVyG5WUd/s1600/RockStar_feature.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="813" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiZnrMduhyphenhyphen_B8KqmTR6xXD9iOljvybnzwsAkdgYSjEVzG5wTMckFUL4_RB51Txc2QEjSe4x5bgcrUunSbRtw0GlrdFQyFnMWPdpuiTJ7UANU0KYCAvZ07VaQ2oaS3NuEn68pYshVyG5WUd/s320/RockStar_feature.jpg" width="236" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Used with permission
from <i>American Patchwork & Quilting</i>® magazine. ©2017
Meredith Corporation. All rights reserved.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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Got scrap strips? Perfect! Sounds like it's time for a string quilt and I have just the project for you! This is "Rock Star" and it's currently featured in the new October 2017 issue of American Patchwork & Quilting. Check out the full blog post at <a href="https://stashlabquilts.com/" target="_blank">StashLabQuilts.com</a><br />
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Happy stash quilting,<br />
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Tonya</span></i>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03033981298126491707noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7419141037557447751.post-78071037073325245932017-07-21T15:53:00.000-07:002017-07-21T15:53:26.552-07:00Look Both WaysWohoo! Time for a trip down the magazine aisle to hunt up some more copies of the new issue of <a href="http://www.allpeoplequilt.com/magazines-more/quilts-and-more/quilts-and-more-fall-2017" target="_blank">Quilts and More magazine, Fall 2017</a>. It was just released and it features my project <b>"Look Both Ways"</b>. I'm super excited to share more about it with you. Do you have some low volume scrap strips laying around your sewing room? Perfect! Pull them out, this may be just the project.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Used with permission from
Quilts and More<b>™</b> magazine.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> ©2017 Meredith Corporation. All rights
reserved.</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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When you first look at this quilt do you see the white arrows or the gray arrows? Did you notice there were both at first? Our eyes play funny tricks on us. At first, I naturally see the white I think because they follow the direction of the orange arrows but once I focus on the gray ones going the opposite direction, that's all I can see!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Used with permission from
Quilts and More<b>™</b> magazine.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">©2017 Meredith Corporation. All rights
reserved.</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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This project features 1 1/2" wide scrap strips sewn into strip sets. To achieve the contrast between the white and gray arrows, it's important to be selective when sorting your scraps. I tried to be pretty strict about white backgrounds on all the fabrics in the white arrows. With the gray scraps I was more willing to include a wider variety of tones, as long as they were gray (but don't be afraid of little pops of color!) You can choose to mix your scraps up a bit more but your arrows may not be as prominent.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Used with permission from
Quilts and More<b>™</b> magazine.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> ©2017 Meredith Corporation. All rights
reserved.</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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The orange row was my favorite scrap dive into the bins. I had fun picking them all out and many friends contributed their scraps as well so I had a great selection. I highly recommend scrap sharing with friends! Once I had enough orange strips, I arranged them all lightest to darkest and made multiple strip sets to achieve the light to dark affect across the quilt. Not a fan of orange or making it for a special baby with a differently themed nursery? (It's a great size for that, by the way...) Pick your favorite. Any color will work well with the white and gray.<br />
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I had fun with the quilting on this one, borrowing a friend's long-arm machine and getting some great tips from my two favorite long-arm professionals, Nikki and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/traceydavenfish/" target="_blank">Tracey</a>. Squiggles in the gray arrows and a squared off meandering loop in the white and orange with matching thread.<br />
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and one more quilt-in-the-wild shot just for fun!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUmJWTJOc-atwlUCGHoY5rJodYFTUMBcEOyPYEA9nIDFeVt3DIjQZ0mo_FBiD_4hDJfWOZvcJHU4TBKgGvn_MzthHd9SrGy3zrFrkl3X2MKZZHoVD176TjjvCl2ZbHP6dO8P9ViU94VtPA/s1600/lbw_coffee+sign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUmJWTJOc-atwlUCGHoY5rJodYFTUMBcEOyPYEA9nIDFeVt3DIjQZ0mo_FBiD_4hDJfWOZvcJHU4TBKgGvn_MzthHd9SrGy3zrFrkl3X2MKZZHoVD176TjjvCl2ZbHP6dO8P9ViU94VtPA/s320/lbw_coffee+sign.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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So that's all for now. I have some more projects coming out soon so I'll be sure to share. That and a new website!!! It's my big summer project...stay tuned (and wish me luck!), it's quite a stretch for me :) Until then...<br />
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Happy string quilting!<br />
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<b><i><span style="font-size: large;">Tonya</span></i></b><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03033981298126491707noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7419141037557447751.post-66392625813397053672017-06-25T13:32:00.002-07:002017-06-25T13:32:52.840-07:00Sugar Shack<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So excited to have this beautiful book to share with you and thrilled to have my project "Sugar Shack" included in such a fun group of designs. If you love house blocks as much as I do, I'll think you'll love <a href="http://www.shopmartingale.com/blockbuster-quilts-i-love-house-blocks.html" target="_blank">Blockbuster Quilts: I Love House Blocks</a> now available from Martingale/That Patchwork Place and on the shelf at your favorite local quilt shop.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKbALqgN7u7BEGulTpTsNnf28Wt18yGAVgbxgF61RPjVIOIwRbQYwFNFremtCtz_qBsnpkCoDUPrHBWKXJnE9wHiPA9aR5W4sHIQkBm4uQskWjZRCo19_eek_ojl7o2KaGPgGq9n1Wagjl/s1600/I-Love-House-Blocks---cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1298" data-original-width="1000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKbALqgN7u7BEGulTpTsNnf28Wt18yGAVgbxgF61RPjVIOIwRbQYwFNFremtCtz_qBsnpkCoDUPrHBWKXJnE9wHiPA9aR5W4sHIQkBm4uQskWjZRCo19_eek_ojl7o2KaGPgGq9n1Wagjl/s320/I-Love-House-Blocks---cover.jpg" width="246" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">What <i>is </i>a sugar shack you may be wondering?</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "nimbus sans l" , "arial" , "liberation sans" , sans-serif;">A </span><span style="background-image: none; border: 0px; font-family: "helvetica neue", helvetica, "nimbus sans l", arial, "liberation sans", sans-serif; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">sugar shack</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "nimbus sans l" , "arial" , "liberation sans" , sans-serif;"> is </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "nimbus sans l" , "arial" , "liberation sans" , sans-serif;">also known as </span><span style="background-image: none; border: 0px; font-family: "helvetica neue", helvetica, "nimbus sans l", arial, "liberation sans", sans-serif; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">sap house</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "nimbus sans l" , "arial" , "liberation sans" , sans-serif;">, </span><span style="background-image: none; border: 0px; font-family: "helvetica neue", helvetica, "nimbus sans l", arial, "liberation sans", sans-serif; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">sugar house</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "nimbus sans l" , "arial" , "liberation sans" , sans-serif;">, or </span><span style="background-image: none; border: 0px; font-family: "helvetica neue", helvetica, "nimbus sans l", arial, "liberation sans", sans-serif; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">sugar shanty and </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "nimbus sans l" , "arial" , "liberation sans" , sans-serif;">is primarily found in Eastern Canada </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "nimbus sans l" , "arial" , "liberation sans" , sans-serif;">and the Northeast in the US.</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "nimbus sans l" , "arial" , "liberation sans" , sans-serif;"> Like the name suggests, sugar shacks are small cabins where sap</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "nimbus sans l" , "arial" , "liberation sans" , sans-serif;"> collected from sugar maple</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "nimbus sans l" , "arial" , "liberation sans" , sans-serif;"> trees is boiled into maple syrup.</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "nimbus sans l" , "arial" , "liberation sans" , sans-serif;"> </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy1uOlIKOqaewLggY9fJTEngtp8sR0dQujEKIMw9ar_sRLwz_mQXY8QFBPxRkZsdxeW2u3Dq1-C4V7UjyvI0JG2BTKp0bqpRJOhiQTJCFst8tBdghdRASKSlu0OwaS2mHEQOOqk4ipjbiu/s1600/250px-Sugar_house.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="162" data-original-width="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy1uOlIKOqaewLggY9fJTEngtp8sR0dQujEKIMw9ar_sRLwz_mQXY8QFBPxRkZsdxeW2u3Dq1-C4V7UjyvI0JG2BTKp0bqpRJOhiQTJCFst8tBdghdRASKSlu0OwaS2mHEQOOqk4ipjbiu/s1600/250px-Sugar_house.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">common sugar shack - image courtesy of Wikipedia</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "nimbus sans l" , "arial" , "liberation sans" , sans-serif;">My mom has fond memories of her uncle's sugar shack in western Pennsylvania growing up and making maple syrup "candy" or taffy by pouring hot syrup on snowballs. Yum! </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "nimbus sans l" , "arial" , "liberation sans" , sans-serif;">So the cabins and colors of my house blocks are a nod to those memories.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiCNkMDnlh7K3ED-34H78NH6H8NiXUI0itcg_gNiSmPNm23EDRMF5FUROAaq3OzepE8qWd4bQRyirY5ogmsM2XubirCZjpWrz6Vx6S611C-WHUPlwujcDXjsphPxOi9l2qpe2VN4GLdz63/s1600/Sugar-Shack-by-Tonya-Alexander.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1044" data-original-width="1000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiCNkMDnlh7K3ED-34H78NH6H8NiXUI0itcg_gNiSmPNm23EDRMF5FUROAaq3OzepE8qWd4bQRyirY5ogmsM2XubirCZjpWrz6Vx6S611C-WHUPlwujcDXjsphPxOi9l2qpe2VN4GLdz63/s320/Sugar-Shack-by-Tonya-Alexander.jpg" width="306" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Sugar Shack" by Tonya Alexander</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "helvetica neue", helvetica, "nimbus sans l", arial, "liberation sans", sans-serif;">The fabrics are a selection of <a href="https://storefront.unitednotions.com/storefrontCommerce/search.do;jsessionid=F408C77F0DC10BD0473E6D9890B3A807.storefront8080?searchType=keyword&keyword=grunge&emailAddress=" target="_blank">Moda Grunge</a> mixed with a variety of white/gray prints. Over sized 16" x 20" blocks with a simple graphic house design give this project a modern edge. Piecing is a breeze by featuring half square triangles for all of the roof lines.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "nimbus sans l" , "arial" , "liberation sans" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "nimbus sans l" , "arial" , "liberation sans" , sans-serif;">Along with "Sugar Shack", you'll find 13 other fun and colorful designs from some of my fellow Martingale designers. It's hard to pick a favorite but here's just a sneak peek at a few that I love....all images courtesy of Martingale/That Patchwork Place.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0HmCxpxCw4j4rme2nRpbhA0-ha4_dkvLoMQIT9-gLwja7B2-o7IqQVyaTzyCC3JjIxBt_6NeKWDzHPRputicFSGEVdw4L9N7lNoLbclnbc02iCjohUhw9ic0seJ5Wgac2HZKQMvikIAmg/s1600/Log-Cabin-Houses-by-Natalie-Barnes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="988" data-original-width="1000" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0HmCxpxCw4j4rme2nRpbhA0-ha4_dkvLoMQIT9-gLwja7B2-o7IqQVyaTzyCC3JjIxBt_6NeKWDzHPRputicFSGEVdw4L9N7lNoLbclnbc02iCjohUhw9ic0seJ5Wgac2HZKQMvikIAmg/s320/Log-Cabin-Houses-by-Natalie-Barnes.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Log Cabin Houses" by Natalie Barnes</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbC8gvuL-Od5xMlzfsJrQaV-1HWtnIA-_IFs9vwCljQLv_viT7OTREVlaB8lPfgRSXb4LeoDW5KWbFWlzptHII3qQvIzBoiX2RcTUHe5OA5lDuWaY8ufQpPUEx3pc36QtRpa92Y2hkg2NR/s1600/My-Hometown-by-Christa-Watson.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1104" data-original-width="1000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbC8gvuL-Od5xMlzfsJrQaV-1HWtnIA-_IFs9vwCljQLv_viT7OTREVlaB8lPfgRSXb4LeoDW5KWbFWlzptHII3qQvIzBoiX2RcTUHe5OA5lDuWaY8ufQpPUEx3pc36QtRpa92Y2hkg2NR/s320/My-Hometown-by-Christa-Watson.jpg" width="289" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"My Hometown" by Christa Watson</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqiwY9Qyuxjn_40LE-m1bNcim3lCLMCOeDvqejJ6PA2eFwVWNzTHhfxyadneuEUm3gAcd7cr2vFexKCaZnwwe9jrOFcZEkM4YeL8R8HJ9y8UjEFKlF3HfZO-SOBHDXO23Z3S7whEmg7wu5/s1600/Suburbia-by-Dana-Bolyard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1139" data-original-width="1000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqiwY9Qyuxjn_40LE-m1bNcim3lCLMCOeDvqejJ6PA2eFwVWNzTHhfxyadneuEUm3gAcd7cr2vFexKCaZnwwe9jrOFcZEkM4YeL8R8HJ9y8UjEFKlF3HfZO-SOBHDXO23Z3S7whEmg7wu5/s320/Suburbia-by-Dana-Bolyard.jpg" width="280" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Suburbia" by Dana Bolyard</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "helvetica neue", helvetica, "nimbus sans l", arial, "liberation sans", sans-serif;">So how about a giveaway to celebrate this fun new release?! Leave a comment - do you have sugar shack memories of your own? Have you made a house block quilt before or is there one in your future? Be sure to include your contact email if you are a no-reply blogger! I'll draw a winner for a free eBook version of I Love House Blocks on Friday, June 30th!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "nimbus sans l" , "arial" , "liberation sans" , sans-serif;">Happy Stash Quilting,</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "nimbus sans l" , "arial" , "liberation sans" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "nimbus sans l" , "arial" , "liberation sans" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>Tonya </i></b></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03033981298126491707noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7419141037557447751.post-62191559509512874202017-06-04T18:11:00.001-07:002017-06-04T18:11:31.276-07:00Sew much under construction...Yeah <strike>May</strike> , I mean June! Wow, time flies! Only so many hours in a day! After a pretty wet and soggy past few months, we're looking forward to some sunshine and beautiful spring/summer blooms around here. What's under construction these days in my sewing room? Well, lots actually!<br />
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On the cutting mat:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4DORkeRuj0sDg6YqL9ShCoV1QsPMy14si2a1HcYpHkrIqXsL5l-5yWpkaas2cFJq7pbyQ8OVP6B_pL_QjgPLkUiAU-jLiIGdYXNVacpqUi7a-P-_I2ObqjkHag5AWsgaCwrM8IEYHzvaP/s1600/20170520_115057.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4DORkeRuj0sDg6YqL9ShCoV1QsPMy14si2a1HcYpHkrIqXsL5l-5yWpkaas2cFJq7pbyQ8OVP6B_pL_QjgPLkUiAU-jLiIGdYXNVacpqUi7a-P-_I2ObqjkHag5AWsgaCwrM8IEYHzvaP/s200/20170520_115057.jpg" width="200" /></a>
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Blue Dahlia (take 2!) - this time it's actually a gift for someone else. It's very rare that I make any of my quilts more than once, but I love this pattern. And so does the person I'm making it for, even though it's a surprise!<br />
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Blue Dahlia ( the mini RED version) - this one I'm planning to keep for myself! I'm scaling it down in size to use low volume 5" charm squares and I've changed out the color to red to match my kitchen. Also, I'm going for speed and ease this time and using fusible appliqué. The original pattern for the 60"x60" version can be found in Quiltmania's <a href="http://www.quiltmania.com/shop/en/home/1050-simply-moderne-8.html" target="_blank">Simply Moderne issue no. 8</a> and a new individual pattern with size options is in the works!<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKhglareHjqJtaTCVRLHU21JstsxbrpE1ZkVNTA7luvzdw5XcYS1_SX0mK9cPOJxdfpFLy3TwwKepEQm_4v6qPH2amCRIPevKMK5w_tNRDqiZEeQBIDpAdDqMQUykgLYRTiwpHfTYXP2bd/s1600/20170603_080543.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKhglareHjqJtaTCVRLHU21JstsxbrpE1ZkVNTA7luvzdw5XcYS1_SX0mK9cPOJxdfpFLy3TwwKepEQm_4v6qPH2amCRIPevKMK5w_tNRDqiZEeQBIDpAdDqMQUykgLYRTiwpHfTYXP2bd/s320/20170603_080543.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
Last month I had a fun visit with <a href="https://www.kitsapquilters.com/" target="_blank">Kitsap Quilters</a> in Poulsbo, WA. Such a warm, vibrant quilting community. I shared my Stash Lab trunk show at their meeting and we had a string workshop the following day which was fun. Later in May, I got a chance to be the student and treated myself to a workshop with the amazing <a href="http://annshawquilting.com/" target="_blank">Ann Shaw</a>. Her patterns and techniques are so different than my usual that it was great to step outside my box, challenge myself, and learn something new. A real treat. Here's a glimpse of my work-in-progress from that class, her Boxer pattern.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnzt51Ff2VqB5Aw6_7Q2aWJY1IEZn9qRpIb2_-Frbg44NP5wmdqMyVmFC3H0s5tbPw8VSDMLrncaYK9RsGw67zu7s3AuEu3u-i3zT7q07uocpF9XDE31nTcQJh_teoohh4GuS3fXiEDJmZ/s1600/20170529_103504.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnzt51Ff2VqB5Aw6_7Q2aWJY1IEZn9qRpIb2_-Frbg44NP5wmdqMyVmFC3H0s5tbPw8VSDMLrncaYK9RsGw67zu7s3AuEu3u-i3zT7q07uocpF9XDE31nTcQJh_teoohh4GuS3fXiEDJmZ/s320/20170529_103504.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
On the publishing front:<br />
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...soon to be released from Martingale, <a href="http://www.shopmartingale.com/blockbuster-quilts-i-love-house-blocks.html" target="_blank">Block Buster Quilts: I Love House Blocks</a> and features my project, "Sugar Shack". It's due out later this month and I promise to share more about my project. Here's a shot of the cover, a close up of Sugar Shack is pictured in the lower right-hand corner.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0OCcE5GfzsTkmOV9sEFgMrmKUkcjvOKQm6asLaY04acodVvewH6kpOlKR8xt8bVYa0CpoSamEAkPzIDZYrlb44oqK3Nfbp8B5GVObEnUs9tN4EySsQf6LbAplFN4mm4gl98BWxMuApJ_m/s1600/Pg00_FrontCover_B1414_ILoveHouseBlocks.tif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1233" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0OCcE5GfzsTkmOV9sEFgMrmKUkcjvOKQm6asLaY04acodVvewH6kpOlKR8xt8bVYa0CpoSamEAkPzIDZYrlb44oqK3Nfbp8B5GVObEnUs9tN4EySsQf6LbAplFN4mm4gl98BWxMuApJ_m/s320/Pg00_FrontCover_B1414_ILoveHouseBlocks.tif" width="246" /></a></div>
Upcoming guild visits:<br />
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Next up as we head into summer I have guild visits to Vashon Island Quilters in the Seattle area, Westsound Quilters in Issaquah, WA and then an August trip out to Lincoln Quilters Guild in Lincoln, Nebraska! Summer in the Pacific Northwest is pretty hard to beat and I'm looking forward to these trips and meeting and sharing with my fellow quilters.</div>
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Happy Stash Quilting,</div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Tonya</b></span></i></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03033981298126491707noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7419141037557447751.post-65030241061456342032017-02-26T18:53:00.000-08:002017-02-26T18:53:21.213-08:00Behind the Blue DahliaParlez vous francais? Unfortunately, I don't much either short of what I can remember from high school, but luckily I think the language of quilts translates. This is my project "Blue Dahlia" which appears in the current issue of Simply Moderne No. 8. Fortunately for me, they also publish an English version!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW0FNEExlC2P6Us5SaubMCgzTcvEHX9QK-PWDoPqrTaDyyLBCYHxKB9vc89n7b6Oh8JLpjr64jiI9YJNOCHFmbqXKYc68IBU9b9qOhHYTymFMCAj_S6jS9SvZkFdNmaAVDaPB7yp87TbGw/s1600/blue+dahlia+amb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW0FNEExlC2P6Us5SaubMCgzTcvEHX9QK-PWDoPqrTaDyyLBCYHxKB9vc89n7b6Oh8JLpjr64jiI9YJNOCHFmbqXKYc68IBU9b9qOhHYTymFMCAj_S6jS9SvZkFdNmaAVDaPB7yp87TbGw/s320/blue+dahlia+amb.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blue Dahlia featured in Simply Moderne No. 8, Photo courtesy of Quiltmania</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMQwP4712APguVZ4vDBJAAHzYIwkTMVAMMQwZlC0gHU0Kd2U0Uu86OPEXMoO9HRePPY14MhU3iOqtLXIAEz1imKvgRsP2GAqP8uuUyprniDTyaXzvR5z9nZqChsnCQmmddnWiJ9WItC9CH/s1600/bd6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMQwP4712APguVZ4vDBJAAHzYIwkTMVAMMQwZlC0gHU0Kd2U0Uu86OPEXMoO9HRePPY14MhU3iOqtLXIAEz1imKvgRsP2GAqP8uuUyprniDTyaXzvR5z9nZqChsnCQmmddnWiJ9WItC9CH/s200/bd6.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dahlia inspiration</td></tr>
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Dahlias grow better than dandelions here in the Pacific Northwest, so you can probably see where the inspiration for this project came from. They come in so many varieties, shapes and colors, it's hard to pick a favorite. (There's also a film noir movie from 1946 called <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Blue_Dahlia" target="_blank">The Blue Dahlia</a> starring Veronica Lake and Alan Ladd, but the plot is kind of creepy and that's <i>not</i> where I drew my inspiration!)<br />
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This is my first time working with the folks at Quiltmania and I have to say, it is a beautiful publication. If magazines are your thing, you will find lots of lovely projects in this issue including a new one from Liza Prior Lucy and Kaffe Fassett, Rana Heredia for <a href="http://sewnintothefabric.com/index.html" target="_blank">Sewn Into the Fabric</a>, Pam Goecke Dinndorf for <a href="https://aardvarkquilts.com/" target="_blank">Aardvark Quilts</a>, as well as a great technical lesson article series by <a href="http://www.materialobsession.typepad.com/" target="_blank">Kathy Doughty</a> and many more. I am so excited to have the opportunity to share the pages with these wonderful designers. Be sure to look for it at your favorite local quilt shop.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPmsrEml1VAx72CVO6SKkHmIKAzwQ2AzZU5MTkCSjvvo1n3tnSJ2_DoswuLCAYhCbPgOC7GApLkIHBKP0vX58tfOS7CZf2mwUoUv-lxhFygxzCZU_xdAkhR50LO2Yohbwhgn2ZoTOO8l0H/s1600/Couv+SM8-gb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPmsrEml1VAx72CVO6SKkHmIKAzwQ2AzZU5MTkCSjvvo1n3tnSJ2_DoswuLCAYhCbPgOC7GApLkIHBKP0vX58tfOS7CZf2mwUoUv-lxhFygxzCZU_xdAkhR50LO2Yohbwhgn2ZoTOO8l0H/s320/Couv+SM8-gb.jpg" width="246" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Simply Moderne No. 8, Photo courtesy of Quiltmania</td></tr>
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While this is an applique project, I designed it specifically to be a to-go project. It may look like it's all one big applique, but it's actually not. The multi-directional print of the background fabric (which is Modern Background Paper collection by Zen Chic for Moda) allows it to be divided up and when pieced back together, the block lines blend right in. The petals are appliqued on individual squares so you can prep them and take them with you in smaller project pieces. Most of the fabric for the applique petals are from Cotton + Steel's Bluebird Collection. The scrappy binding is also from Bluebird.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV6eto-M5DpFW_icR5sDoR0tIFOxGqkKyNKv5AKhQtEWcOnbh_HSVtR007LOJjdVaMRFEimkR4Z0G3kd_GB71RSaH4J-yTrVUFQKvgjfFr9pAUd5gzIuK0bu1JNo36FhAPkZG3m0Ju-XDo/s1600/blue+dahlia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV6eto-M5DpFW_icR5sDoR0tIFOxGqkKyNKv5AKhQtEWcOnbh_HSVtR007LOJjdVaMRFEimkR4Z0G3kd_GB71RSaH4J-yTrVUFQKvgjfFr9pAUd5gzIuK0bu1JNo36FhAPkZG3m0Ju-XDo/s320/blue+dahlia.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blue Dahlia, 60" x 60"</td></tr>
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As for the three magenta petals, there is no deep meaning, just that they remind me of the random beauty of nature and how occasionally a few petals don't get the memo and decide to do their own thing! The amazing quilting on this was done by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/search/top/?q=longarm%20custom%20quilting%20by%20tracey%20fisher" target="_blank">Tracey</a>...it was such a joy to even stitch on the binding and enjoy the beautiful detail of the quilting...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdA4Wo4RHcHGtlW79BQwdDTE99_mytSoAsF32AQBPCth7q7GvDT89r5jRvB-u62JriPIRRRPtaQrsqftbvAkydJc3LFgAdq9zEawNN2-1hmkAhYuBJpN_RNbEulRFMdlckGkjhuXWinWnD/s1600/bd4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdA4Wo4RHcHGtlW79BQwdDTE99_mytSoAsF32AQBPCth7q7GvDT89r5jRvB-u62JriPIRRRPtaQrsqftbvAkydJc3LFgAdq9zEawNN2-1hmkAhYuBJpN_RNbEulRFMdlckGkjhuXWinWnD/s200/bd4.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">up close and personal with Tracey's beautiful quilting detail...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7P5fzvZk9NDPdCxNg7fNBb9huwI_hnxlUCW5ALja8oVlgEkAECqvICoihHpsv_c0cAdt_cA_hQulxMjO3L-9o8BurrnMQCf7lpAP96stFmXti9WFwaeleZ5DYYv_ZvkssOZEn9pOlPd-X/s1600/bd2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7P5fzvZk9NDPdCxNg7fNBb9huwI_hnxlUCW5ALja8oVlgEkAECqvICoihHpsv_c0cAdt_cA_hQulxMjO3L-9o8BurrnMQCf7lpAP96stFmXti9WFwaeleZ5DYYv_ZvkssOZEn9pOlPd-X/s200/bd2.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">front quilting all crinkly and cozy after it's first wash...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMljx6Rpd8LOYWm7YFtGiL9sskB_3FumVZMKhn7FzmuURIkaTNPFHdeTee_-pDSfAAn-HFxn9U7bgU_cHF1MUhoQjKKflvQGvYXU08J8PHfkPp6vBarAVlKZBJ8b7rCsQAr9wNONE9gshc/s1600/bd1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMljx6Rpd8LOYWm7YFtGiL9sskB_3FumVZMKhn7FzmuURIkaTNPFHdeTee_-pDSfAAn-HFxn9U7bgU_cHF1MUhoQjKKflvQGvYXU08J8PHfkPp6vBarAVlKZBJ8b7rCsQAr9wNONE9gshc/s200/bd1.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">backing fabric after the wash, Tula Pink <a href="http://www.tulapink.com/free-fall/" target="_blank">Free Fall</a> 108" wide - I LOVE this fabric for backing.</td></tr>
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Since this post is already a little picture-heavy, I'll wait until next time to share a tutorial with you on the applique method I used on this project. Until then...au revoir!<br />
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Happy stash quilting,<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Tonya</i></span></b><br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03033981298126491707noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7419141037557447751.post-10572029401889812092017-02-09T15:12:00.000-08:002017-02-09T19:25:17.633-08:00Got LVF?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Don't worry, it's not a disease. Well, maybe an addiction. We're talking quilt code for low volume fabrics (LVF's). Call them quiet, call them light, but never call them boring! With lots of white stuff on the ground outside at my house today, I thought this a timely topic!<br />
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I love them. Low volume fabrics, the more the better: creams, whites, grays, peaches, doesn't matter. They're the fabrics that are the contrast to your medium and dark fabrics. It's the contrast in your blocks that do the work to pull your eyes across a geometric design. I use them so much I'm always shopping for more to replenish my stash. Here's a sample of a recent haul, both whites and grays.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig5xoFuuu3IG2GtvgC5CEEI_sA59nCNl430VII6J0GHwpOOpSaLul5un3HCFWXCzLfezwQLBbuHiikMMznDRq3_cuK9UXdFXBlf-Q2dZWM3qN8zicA_vBL9JNLnSRO8JPdgNvw_S8Yt8WB/s1600/lowvolume1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig5xoFuuu3IG2GtvgC5CEEI_sA59nCNl430VII6J0GHwpOOpSaLul5un3HCFWXCzLfezwQLBbuHiikMMznDRq3_cuK9UXdFXBlf-Q2dZWM3qN8zicA_vBL9JNLnSRO8JPdgNvw_S8Yt8WB/s200/lowvolume1.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjko6O2vP5GKTs5FMGZFaG-YV_zh773_heJLwKJCAwQS78PFMsnD1QY3ZCOj9bRqz6GBBwFIGOO1Il5k7WjZSI8fuksn769cnlecI2eRv1C3vV8ulJL4avHNiy7wb98cfpqlqWSpqZyf5n6/s1600/lowvolume3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjko6O2vP5GKTs5FMGZFaG-YV_zh773_heJLwKJCAwQS78PFMsnD1QY3ZCOj9bRqz6GBBwFIGOO1Il5k7WjZSI8fuksn769cnlecI2eRv1C3vV8ulJL4avHNiy7wb98cfpqlqWSpqZyf5n6/s200/lowvolume3.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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I tend to use LVF's in a couple of different ways. Option #1, and the favorite of my scrappy-loving heart: use a lot and mix them all together. Like this...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghdumIr8J3xlAPg19K1_WZihvQQKRuDYZLogk1nE0gp4ww6PIigaENbgA_9UwS2b3Hk2xv26een5P8iGExeJ8eqsbYUEAftbOYoLGE-wph3ZcCBr6pV7xg4g25YNeLe8XtWfHwH8Fe_wRZ/s1600/DITR_flat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghdumIr8J3xlAPg19K1_WZihvQQKRuDYZLogk1nE0gp4ww6PIigaENbgA_9UwS2b3Hk2xv26een5P8iGExeJ8eqsbYUEAftbOYoLGE-wph3ZcCBr6pV7xg4g25YNeLe8XtWfHwH8Fe_wRZ/s320/DITR_flat.jpg" width="242" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"The Perfect Setting", featured in American Patchwork & Quilting, December 2015. Image courtesy of AP&Q.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu0w36xFA6sxcgS1-x1FqD9XbqkixXD0G1gcm5ISmllQ_WRau3yEq1rrMqDlDyu-sfVanIMs458UJ4qlskCBRcUH4KvProPP4fpFZ-5h34eyDFPqdDBCaGoqlQzZb2BJw3sAFBuc3pm6l6/s1600/lowvolume2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu0w36xFA6sxcgS1-x1FqD9XbqkixXD0G1gcm5ISmllQ_WRau3yEq1rrMqDlDyu-sfVanIMs458UJ4qlskCBRcUH4KvProPP4fpFZ-5h34eyDFPqdDBCaGoqlQzZb2BJw3sAFBuc3pm6l6/s320/lowvolume2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Close up on the LVF 60 degree triangles.</td></tr>
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Option #2...pick one and use it more exclusively to give each block a more defined identity. Like this...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimzIe1-UvPu4wyK7P855rIVBOsifEqhVx4i4H25MSRbJtoKlUrMSM6FgB2VSJAxegVLUDYHB5vqM1FRzK19Vh9Qf910A1yVbqq_0V3DqrMZlIQmOchCYDA2FkbqK3qcVwrMWePQwPyJK5j/s1600/lowvolumeblock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimzIe1-UvPu4wyK7P855rIVBOsifEqhVx4i4H25MSRbJtoKlUrMSM6FgB2VSJAxegVLUDYHB5vqM1FRzK19Vh9Qf910A1yVbqq_0V3DqrMZlIQmOchCYDA2FkbqK3qcVwrMWePQwPyJK5j/s320/lowvolumeblock.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's one block out of my project "Cavanaugh Crossroads".</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeg8WTkkxtv22e2FBuolg9TR7hhBH4xbpGZ0U6qlbnxG0RaA8cYab_QG52ZiojOMJKyc1cdrMi6a80oI2ZJq6J0kqkWtyMvXhb5Iroj4Lmx5gUCOAVp2IBxjbXOX4gy9yBtOymJl6_2Cyg/s1600/Best_CC.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="313" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeg8WTkkxtv22e2FBuolg9TR7hhBH4xbpGZ0U6qlbnxG0RaA8cYab_QG52ZiojOMJKyc1cdrMi6a80oI2ZJq6J0kqkWtyMvXhb5Iroj4Lmx5gUCOAVp2IBxjbXOX4gy9yBtOymJl6_2Cyg/s320/Best_CC.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here are 9 blocks all together in Cavanaugh Crossroads. Each block uses a different LVF. (I'm sure some of you may be stressing because I mixed true whites and creams together in this project, but I'm not! Do what you love!)</td></tr>
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Option #3 is to pick one LVF and use it in the whole project like this...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYVPpgLcUZwEczUzptpoQeRiscpi-vjr9frA7KHMcUIdV4_ZoVrhbfu0-H0h2k8coSyh2B1xmSl1cLPsUghVpcQAsbE2KOMLIzExXf5kRo5fmrsekvA2IJWy4L5o3u5yqwaAER19LMudtJ/s1600/IMG_0169.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYVPpgLcUZwEczUzptpoQeRiscpi-vjr9frA7KHMcUIdV4_ZoVrhbfu0-H0h2k8coSyh2B1xmSl1cLPsUghVpcQAsbE2KOMLIzExXf5kRo5fmrsekvA2IJWy4L5o3u5yqwaAER19LMudtJ/s320/IMG_0169.JPG" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Pressed Leaves"</td></tr>
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More often than not, I mix them all together, the more the better. For me, the best part about LVF's is that you can pull a whole bunch of them out of your stash and mix with abandon and get great results.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNr8P1xKr9p3KP83n2LzYyekRQu4W0Xu1fnxvNY6PfgxMwluDSEQKLnEVCumNw2WBtsbgj2CC3QCBacR29C3pUyV_dxgq4Xbm1zdsLnhxzC1Nlo_htaQ9SkjG54BQAdiIsjgETQa_MZ1Mm/s1600/Pg46_TheBigSpin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNr8P1xKr9p3KP83n2LzYyekRQu4W0Xu1fnxvNY6PfgxMwluDSEQKLnEVCumNw2WBtsbgj2CC3QCBacR29C3pUyV_dxgq4Xbm1zdsLnhxzC1Nlo_htaQ9SkjG54BQAdiIsjgETQa_MZ1Mm/s320/Pg46_TheBigSpin.jpg" width="258" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"The Big Spin" from Stash Lab. </td></tr>
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No matter which way you choose to use them, one thing is certain: You can never have enough or too many! I'm always on the lookout for great LVF's when I'm in my favorite local quilt shops.They are so versatile and work beautifully with a variety of scraps. Leave a comment and share your favorite way to use them. It would be reassuring to know I have good company in my love of LVF!<br />
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Want to see more and more often? Follow me on Instagram <a href="https://www.instagram.com/tonyaalexanderquilts/?hl=en" target="_blank">@tonyaalexanderquilts</a> or on Facebook at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100009629173825" target="_blank">Tonya Alexander Quilts</a>.<br />
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Happy LVF stash quilting,<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Tonya</i></span></b>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03033981298126491707noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7419141037557447751.post-80559419951651892302017-01-22T18:20:00.001-08:002017-01-22T18:27:25.742-08:00I Love Churn Dashes!<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjguBimCbDx_eSienJVeld_02oy4ryc638X_v9tfNMt2vgILSXV4phm4L2EjL2exahWRW6B7GJSyLxYwj5QkdwUJviJVdQyvkCkYp48ZFkS3U5tyg07JjYxqroP9cwIWtJGFfly1sP5I5mj/s1600/ILoveChurnDash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjguBimCbDx_eSienJVeld_02oy4ryc638X_v9tfNMt2vgILSXV4phm4L2EjL2exahWRW6B7GJSyLxYwj5QkdwUJviJVdQyvkCkYp48ZFkS3U5tyg07JjYxqroP9cwIWtJGFfly1sP5I5mj/s320/ILoveChurnDash.jpg" width="246" /></a></div>
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For my first post in the new year, I am very happy to share my first collaborative project with you today with Martingale, <a href="http://www.shopmartingale.com/block-buster-quilts-i-love-churn-dashes.html" target="_blank">Block Buster Series: I Love Churn Dashes</a>. It was fun to be a part of this and I really enjoyed seeing how my fellow 14 designers started with the same traditional Churn Dash block and made such uniquely personal projects. In case you were wondering, we don't see each other's ideas or work before the book comes out either! It's amazing to me that it comes out the way it does, each project so individual and re-imagined by each designer.<br />
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Here's my project, "Little Boy Blue", 48 1/2" x 48 1/2"<br />
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I know, I know...not my usual color-palette, and it's even flannel! Sometimes you have to go outside your box and learn something new and boy, did I ever have learning opportunities on this one!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5PsfEh6wi_-za53OCV3raKYbxfxoFsYIHKevJU5zZno290RW8IMSyX9ZChuLPWLW_Z5oV7EiZoMkLV8-lu1JfJKT9H3WsN6mOJ297cpaa9Oq_fz_o0Y0hd3mvuoKzna9Kq7WmEvd5wL3V/s1600/Little-Boy-Blue-by-Tonya-Alexander.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5PsfEh6wi_-za53OCV3raKYbxfxoFsYIHKevJU5zZno290RW8IMSyX9ZChuLPWLW_Z5oV7EiZoMkLV8-lu1JfJKT9H3WsN6mOJ297cpaa9Oq_fz_o0Y0hd3mvuoKzna9Kq7WmEvd5wL3V/s320/Little-Boy-Blue-by-Tonya-Alexander.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Little Boy Blue" by Tonya Alexander<br />
Quilted by Tracey Fisher</td></tr>
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At first, I thought I would just share this project with you like any other, add some pretty pictures, some commentary, etc. etc. I have been dragging my heels on this post because there is so much more behind what started out to be just a simple little baby quilt. Make no mistake, I love how my project turned out and I really love the book. I can also honestly say at this time last year I had just completed this project in the late night hours before the publisher deadline and truly thought it may be one of my biggest oops!<br />
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The design was good, the piecing was no problem. It's a nice weekend-sized baby quilt project and would be great in many colorways. I even loved my idea, but along the way, I had so many opportunities to learn from my own process mistakes. Humbling, yes. Discouraging, a little bit along the way. Satisfying in the end, absolutely!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfVQUFZly-vWkehw6twUQ3PfwLUYT-c54LlP39kCUBgKaX74thmUWtpUAoWOkedf-HaAy0MLWuj_Q6E5JTHynf-zTqL5jeohNl9D8BZqMI0emPgQc758BdKJcsNQfI6FWKX_1om3kc_tV4/s1600/20170121_120410.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfVQUFZly-vWkehw6twUQ3PfwLUYT-c54LlP39kCUBgKaX74thmUWtpUAoWOkedf-HaAy0MLWuj_Q6E5JTHynf-zTqL5jeohNl9D8BZqMI0emPgQc758BdKJcsNQfI6FWKX_1om3kc_tV4/s320/20170121_120410.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Quilt testing in progress. This is the official quilt-tester in my house, Seamus.</td></tr>
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Things I learned on the way to the finish line:<br />
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<b>1. Pre-wash flannel in hot water and dry on high heat</b><br />
This part I at least got right. I had the fabric colors/prints in mind before I actually found them and they turned out to be flannels. I hadn't really worked with flannel a lot before this project so I did some homework. The best advice I found, flannel can shrink a lot and at different rates. Working with flannel is not the time to forego the pre-washing step. You will save yourself a good amount of shrinkage in the end.<br />
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<b>2. Baste, baste, and baste some more</b><br />
Initially, I planned to quilt this with my walking foot on my domestic machine. I was going to do three large spirals that intersected and overlapped. Well, the first one was no problem. The second one started to bunch up and pleat as the circles came together. I pin-basted but not as much as I should have. I didn't take into consideration the give of the flannel under my walking foot and the amount of shifting and distorting the flannel was capable of. An let me tell you, it's capable of a lot, even with high-quality flannel fabric. Lesson here, don't take short cuts in basting. Whether you pin, spray or thread baste, take the time to be thorough and do it right.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho3WUdWXz_d0L2E89SY3bVbIBSxGUDA_l7MrwHczcnghwco9-B3yIOHwEyHh8x78GQXhn5HBXBIxplNtDnfhmxQURH3YhoIy7HzOFQkKPG6s60t3Na4dsuApgdKMLPrfrediyW0zHZNLil/s1600/20151205_104250.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho3WUdWXz_d0L2E89SY3bVbIBSxGUDA_l7MrwHczcnghwco9-B3yIOHwEyHh8x78GQXhn5HBXBIxplNtDnfhmxQURH3YhoIy7HzOFQkKPG6s60t3Na4dsuApgdKMLPrfrediyW0zHZNLil/s320/20151205_104250.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b>3. When something isn't going right - STOP!</b><br />
Or should I say, stop, re-evaluate and adjust. The quilting was turning into a hot mess on this and I just kept pushing along, thinking is would somehow work itself out. You can see even in the early picture above, the problem was already beginning. See that bunching up at the top? Yeah, well, that got a whole lot worse before I had the good sense to finally stop. I was so discouraged by my own stubbornness in not stopping when I should have, I didn't even take any pictures. You'll have to take my word on this one!<br />
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<b>4. When the going gets tough, call in reinforcements</b><br />
Your quilting peeps are one of your best assets and can serve you up equal parts of advice and encouragement. I called my good friend and long-arm quilter, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/traceydavenfish/?hc_ref=NEWSFEED" target="_blank">Tracey</a>. I told her my tale of woe and that I was going to give up and start over, considering my looming deadline, could she quilt it in like 10 minutes? She calmly talked me off the ledge. She said, "No, bring it over and let's see what we can do."<br />
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She finally convinced me we could pick out the quilting with a seam ripper and recover. I've known her a long time and she's an amazing quilter, but I did not believe her. Shows you what I know. We spent about an hour together "un-sewing" and then she took it into her capable hands and turned the quilting into something great - this time on the long arm. (So I will only take about 1/8 of the credit for quilting on this project. Let's just say there is more un-quilting to my credit on this one that actual quilting by me in the end!)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIdPR2UDYZmgtSQUj0JOMnxHF314BFFDg_BqyHT1jGWILx1z2EUCbNvqoYlIl1UyBPVZTfSog4jgVvjf_B44xZ4VjJ_juuLnv-NJ0TG_skSkndOZEgzhDeiPZR3BQvkhWAfLli7Mbt9BVG/s1600/20170121_122850.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIdPR2UDYZmgtSQUj0JOMnxHF314BFFDg_BqyHT1jGWILx1z2EUCbNvqoYlIl1UyBPVZTfSog4jgVvjf_B44xZ4VjJ_juuLnv-NJ0TG_skSkndOZEgzhDeiPZR3BQvkhWAfLli7Mbt9BVG/s320/20170121_122850.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tracey's final touch, beautiful all-over spiral quilting.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgJU23wP4wJKYaT5hWyh1RCk0UM4NcHowqbv_fs5IeTboNuYrqajqtd2fLnkg4Vai-YAHe4ght801VJ_3N6FyuXhOMMN4hTkVsibPgfieYssdobJ1m5i49z_W1K4rc4IBDsc18P3KPmdAg/s1600/LBB1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgJU23wP4wJKYaT5hWyh1RCk0UM4NcHowqbv_fs5IeTboNuYrqajqtd2fLnkg4Vai-YAHe4ght801VJ_3N6FyuXhOMMN4hTkVsibPgfieYssdobJ1m5i49z_W1K4rc4IBDsc18P3KPmdAg/s320/LBB1.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The best laid plans...</td></tr>
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<b>5. Be flexible and be o.k. with change</b></div>
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Even the final version didn't finish exactly as planned. Originally, I had designed it to be square but was forced into another design decision when it came time to square it up. Because of the shifting during the quilting, there was no way those corners were going to be square no matter how I trimmed them. Tracey suggested lopping off the corners. It solved the corner problem and added to the final design element of the corners mimicking the corners of the Churn Dash block. In this case the outer border is actually the largest Churn Dash and the angled corners made sense! Win-win! </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNL5n1MZ-lKOY9UWnsJMroxvJuStrwkTyciViP1vPie53jV6aMG2ccQA1EpjBs49-vVupgOUjGztho58jAmNtOxs0EK88QUcjPGT-OS2v_ucOWUQZunuSFC_sDvfk4GyX8xlEZpqM28o_q/s1600/LBB4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNL5n1MZ-lKOY9UWnsJMroxvJuStrwkTyciViP1vPie53jV6aMG2ccQA1EpjBs49-vVupgOUjGztho58jAmNtOxs0EK88QUcjPGT-OS2v_ucOWUQZunuSFC_sDvfk4GyX8xlEZpqM28o_q/s320/LBB4.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Quilt-tester comment: "It's o.k. Mom, I still love you..."</td></tr>
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Presto, a year later, and I can now say I learned so much on this project and I am happy to share it with you. I share this with you in hopes to encourage you not to give up when things aren't quite going right. The project wasn't the problem - I was! But if you're willing to step back, accept some help, and be flexible and willing to change your plan, it's possible to have a happy ending. I hope you'll check out <a href="http://www.shopmartingale.com/block-buster-quilts-i-love-churn-dashes.html" target="_blank">Block Buster Series: I Love Churn Dashes</a> on the book shelf at your favorite local quilt shop or retailer and enjoy all the great designs.</div>
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Happy <i>flannel </i>quilting,</div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">Tonya</span></i></b></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03033981298126491707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7419141037557447751.post-39436159355233815072016-12-23T11:05:00.000-08:002016-12-23T11:05:00.216-08:00It's been a wonderful year...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8UOaYQrg3cazx5ci2dTYBcbtGPovUX1Nu2ybllaq8BPsByBHuQ3gG7ntcfE9DbU6uSmFuLPx-sxJYJB7dQ5BXybZF-AnTdphL1kf5ntSiFmRxJ8P1F7tUVsTw3yk2b4OrjrcjB-Mc4yqH/s1600/xmas2016post.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8UOaYQrg3cazx5ci2dTYBcbtGPovUX1Nu2ybllaq8BPsByBHuQ3gG7ntcfE9DbU6uSmFuLPx-sxJYJB7dQ5BXybZF-AnTdphL1kf5ntSiFmRxJ8P1F7tUVsTw3yk2b4OrjrcjB-Mc4yqH/s400/xmas2016post.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03033981298126491707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7419141037557447751.post-82538284972369208502016-10-28T20:48:00.001-07:002016-10-28T20:48:27.739-07:00PlaygroundMaybe I'm a teensy bit behind on posts this year - what can I say? But I do have stuff to share today and a few minutes committed to actually getting something written and posted so let's do this!<br />
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I have a fun little project being featured in the new <a href="http://www.allpeoplequilt.com/magazines-more/quilts-and-more/quilts-and-more-winter-2016?page=0" target="_blank">Quilts and More</a> magazine, Winter 2016, available in your favorite quilt shop and on newsstands now. This is "Playground "...</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPpFze1VcM8_vrmfZT9LykCK6Tb13aXldLH4ibndNm3048AOkEnOi4kPVYAQwnXktW8hXYDMVj3vqKFaPaZlcOJJSHP012fGa8DYEexHkBRpXEjTZIKXMmv3B8J60pwY8gMy146yU2skCJ/s1600/102763153_600w.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPpFze1VcM8_vrmfZT9LykCK6Tb13aXldLH4ibndNm3048AOkEnOi4kPVYAQwnXktW8hXYDMVj3vqKFaPaZlcOJJSHP012fGa8DYEexHkBRpXEjTZIKXMmv3B8J60pwY8gMy146yU2skCJ/s320/102763153_600w.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Playground", by Tonya Alexander, Images used with permission by Meredith Corporation and Quilts and More magazine, copyright 2016.</td></tr>
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This project was inspired by a couple of things - first, trying to use a couple of charm packs in a single project. The fabrics used here are from a line called "Radient Girl" by <a href="http://www.lecien.co.jp/en/hobby/RadiantGirl/index2016.html" target="_blank">Lecien Fabrics</a>. The fabrics were playful and fun and I was pretty sure a kids quilt was going to be the result.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS8JlP_9edZk_LgoXWhMhan1bDwtrXRo_YPxjmr9qOjaOJkQH7yXdKqlFRS6LhpxZ9_lw2Ztv3nZtrPmg0bxbB5V087GlA01uiDSad7yxFtB0jdadWOsLLS62d5A_JnR-Ci4tsNwZw9-Xu/s1600/102723247_600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="313" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS8JlP_9edZk_LgoXWhMhan1bDwtrXRo_YPxjmr9qOjaOJkQH7yXdKqlFRS6LhpxZ9_lw2Ztv3nZtrPmg0bxbB5V087GlA01uiDSad7yxFtB0jdadWOsLLS62d5A_JnR-Ci4tsNwZw9-Xu/s320/102723247_600.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Playground", by Tonya Alexander, Images used with permission by Meredith Corporation and Quilts and More magazine, copyright 2016.</td></tr>
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Second, my inspiration came from here...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4xVus40V-T2P8qVrCZxZRPsRFlHkUrccCDjJ6O7e7mh-ECbfr_MLHLYGQjFk4HzWnXDBdOPWcXSb4RHhSNPbwZDXY1nxBNUgWRGDrBfX2D7fDy19FNrtUNnb1IuPB6gQGuwxH9yst-DJC/s1600/499390629.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4xVus40V-T2P8qVrCZxZRPsRFlHkUrccCDjJ6O7e7mh-ECbfr_MLHLYGQjFk4HzWnXDBdOPWcXSb4RHhSNPbwZDXY1nxBNUgWRGDrBfX2D7fDy19FNrtUNnb1IuPB6gQGuwxH9yst-DJC/s320/499390629.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
Have you seen these? (not the sewing machine, but the little metal etched silhouette!) Maybe your grandma had something similar. Mine did and I remember it being on her wall my whole life. It was mounted on a plaque along with all my cousins', with our names etched on each one. When she passed away, my mom and aunt split the big one up and framed them individually so all of my cousins and I got our own silhouette. It's so special to me. It kind of makes me sad because I miss my grandma, but it also makes me happy because it reminds me that I am actually just one small part of a big, wonderful family. </div>
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Other quilty details, this project took two packs of charm squares and about a yard of solid white. Fusible appliqué was my method of choice on this project and each silhouette was cut from a charm square. The nine patches in the center were also made from cut up charm squares. I quilted it on my domestic machine, stitched in the ditch through the center and echo quilted around the silhouettes.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoQ-lQDqjaLeyZOYx4r8e1WjInIlhbaYDBqSowk1Vhw4imER7DNvsY4Cw27zyvxYmTHhyphenhyphenp0T8m7yM9qkIQP_dY1qH8I0YjnUIWFo00TGHUpGODiLPMUu2VuV1c1tIkjHsH6IanWuFq8k6P/s1600/Q%2526M-Winter-16-Digital-Cover_600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoQ-lQDqjaLeyZOYx4r8e1WjInIlhbaYDBqSowk1Vhw4imER7DNvsY4Cw27zyvxYmTHhyphenhyphenp0T8m7yM9qkIQP_dY1qH8I0YjnUIWFo00TGHUpGODiLPMUu2VuV1c1tIkjHsH6IanWuFq8k6P/s320/Q%2526M-Winter-16-Digital-Cover_600.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Quilts and More, Winter 2016</td></tr>
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So, if you have some spare charm squares hanging around your stash and need a quick and easy baby quilt or child's wall hanging, "Playground" may be just the thing!</div>
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Happy Stash Quilting,</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>Tonya</b></i></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03033981298126491707noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7419141037557447751.post-78548725061585788182016-07-17T15:30:00.001-07:002016-07-17T17:52:39.718-07:00Tri-monthly blog post update!?Wow. Don't blink! Three months just flashed by since my last blog post! Lest you think I have been completely slacking off or fallen off the face of the earth, let me give the short list version of what's been going on and then some pics:<br />
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In a nutshell:<br />
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<li>Celebrated our 20th wedding anniversary with my super supportive and fabric-tolerant husband</li>
<li>#1 son graduated from high school</li>
<li>Hosted the out of town family for mini reunion (for said graduation)</li>
<li>#1 daughter wrapped up her freshman year of high school</li>
<li>Year end dance weekend performances (for said daughter)</li>
<li>Broke down and bought a new car (the week before graduation, because you know, I had lots of free time)</li>
<li>Murphy's law, washer and dryer broke down a week after the car purchase so ended up buying those too (the Friday of graduation)</li>
<li>Fiscal year end at my day job, always fun and exciting</li>
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In my quilt world:</div>
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<li>My Stash My Style giveaway completed</li>
<li>Cleaned out and rearranged my sewing room</li>
<li>Had one project published in a magazine</li>
<li>Shipped two projects off for publication</li>
<li>Shipped another project off to France (super excited about this one, more to come!)</li>
<li>Went on annual retreat at the lake with great quilting buddies </li>
<li>Two guild presentations and workshops</li>
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Here are some quick pics I'll offer up as evidence for my blogging absence:</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYuRHcF-XWOKMu4UjklMGgrbHQr5xbvNOb1tQUlaXeHzykudu2f5HJ_AQdHSzWDSR3EocoutgbH7JkoWi09kdEt3mgRZF4NTvB-XbHg1xgyywBBK_Os0kI1OJzzmqNHGzAGnwSBWL1gHbo/s1600/graduation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYuRHcF-XWOKMu4UjklMGgrbHQr5xbvNOb1tQUlaXeHzykudu2f5HJ_AQdHSzWDSR3EocoutgbH7JkoWi09kdEt3mgRZF4NTvB-XbHg1xgyywBBK_Os0kI1OJzzmqNHGzAGnwSBWL1gHbo/s320/graduation.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fuzzy focus, but proof positive it happened!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxdOkIds5t30d_dP8JZHdruqnjtJIcaJhlqhNCzFZPU1qe3L3TVOB-2SI6fjGhlEEV9cF1nr9Chc5wcgZjqlWMqq-2bFcq1gR5Hwesr-EyG7_5BWrchNT6i5tYTav8mVhDhI5BaO6O8C1b/s1600/me+and+david.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxdOkIds5t30d_dP8JZHdruqnjtJIcaJhlqhNCzFZPU1qe3L3TVOB-2SI6fjGhlEEV9cF1nr9Chc5wcgZjqlWMqq-2bFcq1gR5Hwesr-EyG7_5BWrchNT6i5tYTav8mVhDhI5BaO6O8C1b/s320/me+and+david.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(I don't think he'll read this so I think I can sneak this pic of me and the graduate!)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEVJTKeFNEdd9B_fthyphenhyphensDPA_PhFdi_2A9Cb7pt4FlHwKjswZfgAB3t06uftaLnj4h0A_uVAZIABMlA9zDuO41XhyphenhyphenDDGh40Pb7gRZnbv2hyqDCS7YebaqrfcptmVnYSucnHVI3ZRENQYpvY/s1600/me+and+john.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEVJTKeFNEdd9B_fthyphenhyphensDPA_PhFdi_2A9Cb7pt4FlHwKjswZfgAB3t06uftaLnj4h0A_uVAZIABMlA9zDuO41XhyphenhyphenDDGh40Pb7gRZnbv2hyqDCS7YebaqrfcptmVnYSucnHVI3ZRENQYpvY/s320/me+and+john.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and hubby selfie at graduation - being unknowingly photo-bombed by my #1 nephew.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"The mess" in progress - maybe a future post with more before, during and after pics.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7GwV6GZ_Sw4G2NaLGVAGDoWoM05zDd66WDmFFgVe92zktsnpChjGv4mkCaJUXFSHUPSqVj6iP2TwqifftkbapndrNtINl0Bk3rSj6TbjMBGq-HgDWg3N8lbqLk6KgfR0ADnHQRP6K28rq/s1600/string+workshop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7GwV6GZ_Sw4G2NaLGVAGDoWoM05zDd66WDmFFgVe92zktsnpChjGv4mkCaJUXFSHUPSqVj6iP2TwqifftkbapndrNtINl0Bk3rSj6TbjMBGq-HgDWg3N8lbqLk6KgfR0ADnHQRP6K28rq/s320/string+workshop.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Student work from a recent string workshop - super fun!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWPN87LEmhYocYUW2_R-1pi2iWlpCSyqCqMruV5Jmyk1VBuPa2wooSffVDEJ7EpPa3p2SY7mLPeWGfWGQESCy2qbHv-5WW-MsO0gyi_szs653jaaroDNsBrF24vT3GHzFDdQ4MZwO2L4Rh/s1600/kites+table+runner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWPN87LEmhYocYUW2_R-1pi2iWlpCSyqCqMruV5Jmyk1VBuPa2wooSffVDEJ7EpPa3p2SY7mLPeWGfWGQESCy2qbHv-5WW-MsO0gyi_szs653jaaroDNsBrF24vT3GHzFDdQ4MZwO2L4Rh/s320/kites+table+runner.jpg" width="233" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My "So Charming" table runner, featured in <a href="http://www.allpeoplequilt.com/magazines-more/quilts-and-more/quilts-and-more-summer-2016?page=9" target="_blank">Quilts and More</a> - made with a pack of charm squares (I used Hello Darling by Bonnie and Camille for Moda plus a solid) quick and easy summer project.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's where you can find it - <a href="http://www.allpeoplequilt.com/magazines-more/quilts-and-more/quilts-and-more-summer-2016" target="_blank">Quilts and More</a>, Summer 2016</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK4XTNzbeo5Hxg-Z4y-xILLA5RBaEz02525Nv_sMt5OidS_cVjxF9-GA3_F38319DiLOhzAwYV_1bZg2NrvqlRIDYZNCaItqKrCPF1W-TlLShbkZX9QFkFwCAVTsrpAIZDsx6WmhBkMSbv/s1600/Blue+Dahlia+back.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK4XTNzbeo5Hxg-Z4y-xILLA5RBaEz02525Nv_sMt5OidS_cVjxF9-GA3_F38319DiLOhzAwYV_1bZg2NrvqlRIDYZNCaItqKrCPF1W-TlLShbkZX9QFkFwCAVTsrpAIZDsx6WmhBkMSbv/s320/Blue+Dahlia+back.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The only shot I can show you of the project off to France. LOVE the Tula Pink wide back and amazing quilting by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/traceydavenfish/?fref=ts" target="_blank">Tracey</a>. I can't wait to share more of this one with you.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv9jega89sSbZrX4ikCEXcl2vbkHkTYA1KF3T_oB9Zi0ZjwAEzyX0po9vwFxZF_wIg5b_iDRIs6aqXghZ_5HyYH1yPcfbPIUbEiy6zKiAlHn6vKVucUowA88600-fYYFIdxxxHu1ipTxYY/s1600/My-Stash-My-Style-contest-image.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv9jega89sSbZrX4ikCEXcl2vbkHkTYA1KF3T_oB9Zi0ZjwAEzyX0po9vwFxZF_wIg5b_iDRIs6aqXghZ_5HyYH1yPcfbPIUbEiy6zKiAlHn6vKVucUowA88600-fYYFIdxxxHu1ipTxYY/s200/My-Stash-My-Style-contest-image.jpeg" width="107" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Stash My Style with <a href="http://jenifromthewillow.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Jeni Gaston</a> finished up. </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRXLvg8_zeMfnyKD_dMqQhl_7lFkiGr9jsA6KM6DDNYISiwkpzMWUuNRwgFzoek_FUjth_iXPWClVi1D1xh_2FnPxZiC39b2T3enpU8T0mdnhen3KcEoiEPXeQhuC1HifiprfLVmRL5EEB/s1600/life+of+pi+project.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRXLvg8_zeMfnyKD_dMqQhl_7lFkiGr9jsA6KM6DDNYISiwkpzMWUuNRwgFzoek_FUjth_iXPWClVi1D1xh_2FnPxZiC39b2T3enpU8T0mdnhen3KcEoiEPXeQhuC1HifiprfLVmRL5EEB/s200/life+of+pi+project.jpg" width="141" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Congrats to our drawing winner Laura of </span><a href="http://sliceofpiquilts.blogspot.com/" style="font-size: 12.8px;" target="_blank">Slice of Pi</a><span style="font-size: 12.8px;"> and her wonderful project.</span></td></tr>
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Well, at least I feel a little caught up now and cleansed by my confessions :) While I'd like to promise more regular blog posts, I know I may not live up to that. I can only say I will try. BUT you can always find me and my happenings more regularly on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/tonyaalexanderquilts/?hl=en" target="_blank">Instagram</a> and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100009629173825" target="_blank">Facebook</a>. Now I'm ready for some new projects! I do have some ideas in mind and I've been having fun adding to my stash to make them happen.</div>
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Happy summer stash quilting!</div>
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<i><b><span style="font-size: large;">Tonya</span></b></i></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03033981298126491707noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7419141037557447751.post-64844219883591253562016-04-05T10:08:00.000-07:002016-04-05T10:08:10.626-07:00Making it my own #mystashmystyle - round 2!I've been having so much fun with the #mystashmystyle contest with <a href="http://jenifromthewillow.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Jeni Gaston</a>. Have you started yet? Well, don't hesitate because the process is fun and the results may surprise you!<br />
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Today I'd like to share my second re-envisioned project from Jeni's book <a href="http://www.shopmartingale.com/primitive-style.html" target="_blank">Primitive Style</a>. Don't worry, you only have to do one to enter the <a href="http://eyecandyquilts.blogspot.com/2016/03/my-stash-my-style-contest-and-giveaway.html" target="_blank">contest</a>, either from Primitive Style or my book, <a href="http://www.shopmartingale.com/stash-lab.html" target="_blank">Stash Lab</a>, but you will be tempted to try more!<br />
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So for this project, I started with Jeni's original project called "Cozy Home".<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh677V5CiDSxrO5Yl5DHn6Izld37E5YtkxmiaRp4flkYw8gJwAVifPaMF7ikV2NqtEPBwbr7wlVLEJheM-OmSo4ahSz7yS_NmJ5wUvAx-bCCwQGnfC1pwIX6mH0NF5j7dysOe23UeL-EZ94/s1600/Pg10_CozyHome.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh677V5CiDSxrO5Yl5DHn6Izld37E5YtkxmiaRp4flkYw8gJwAVifPaMF7ikV2NqtEPBwbr7wlVLEJheM-OmSo4ahSz7yS_NmJ5wUvAx-bCCwQGnfC1pwIX6mH0NF5j7dysOe23UeL-EZ94/s320/Pg10_CozyHome.jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Cozy Home" by Jenifer Gaston, image courtesy of Martingale.</td></tr>
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The original is designed as a journal cover and that's what I started out to make. But as I was pulling fabric from my stash closet, I came across some flea market frames and had a light bulb moment! I decided to keep the design the same but trim down the size to be a framed project instead. Eureka!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLJGvna78UD4OQH3CDBHgZroFOSdWxtzjKNS5UrohwZA6p8mvcaVH6FqxmaF-EmXELQxiQfmRXEmDZ2idQ49LO_03ZO-HndKKK7bEcgMGiZMSmb-qjT9HzijKQeyE8JALxM0WvHxBnlORy/s1600/birdframe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLJGvna78UD4OQH3CDBHgZroFOSdWxtzjKNS5UrohwZA6p8mvcaVH6FqxmaF-EmXELQxiQfmRXEmDZ2idQ49LO_03ZO-HndKKK7bEcgMGiZMSmb-qjT9HzijKQeyE8JALxM0WvHxBnlORy/s320/birdframe.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Here are the changes I made to this project:<br />
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<li> like "<a href="http://eyecandyquilts.blogspot.com/2016/03/making-it-my-own-mystashmystyle.html" target="_blank">Resting Place</a>", I used cotton fabric instead of wool. </li>
<li>Switched to fusible applique with top-stitching on my machine. </li>
<li> I trimmed it down and framed it instead of completing it as a journal cover. I used a standard 8x10 frame and it fit perfectly.</li>
<li> This time I skipped the quilting step (so no batting) though because I thought it would be fine framed without.</li>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW_ArjYnANUJLNifrMWy2hcQWgVVE23ApOl2l6PCMCsXi8L84dTJHSTGjmxLDFOTHyFKU6-ztGn9IJE48QXLByVFlqc74Vzs8KWUM50-2nzTmqBrqAnqmtit9hli3dOEcJxEtPjaSnrENw/s1600/birdtopstitching.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW_ArjYnANUJLNifrMWy2hcQWgVVE23ApOl2l6PCMCsXi8L84dTJHSTGjmxLDFOTHyFKU6-ztGn9IJE48QXLByVFlqc74Vzs8KWUM50-2nzTmqBrqAnqmtit9hli3dOEcJxEtPjaSnrENw/s320/birdtopstitching.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Top-stitching in process...</td></tr>
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And voila! Here's my version of "Cozy Home"...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTKQF59iaZh4k0xB9H4rC-xjnjJt0QhxLkHR4kLVv0N68SwZajdl6M4mCrhot86AAFSrQT1sUEHrQxerhJtuw5Z4UZ168RX5-MWHoTph9y6_Y-Z_Q5KafXppkvGaqTmrgfcYjCgxpzPzmU/s1600/cozyfinal2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTKQF59iaZh4k0xB9H4rC-xjnjJt0QhxLkHR4kLVv0N68SwZajdl6M4mCrhot86AAFSrQT1sUEHrQxerhJtuw5Z4UZ168RX5-MWHoTph9y6_Y-Z_Q5KafXppkvGaqTmrgfcYjCgxpzPzmU/s400/cozyfinal2.jpg" width="366" /></a></div>
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I love how this turned out. Wouldn't this make a thoughtful house-warming gift? Hmmm...<br />
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And just for fun and because it's spring, here's a sneak peak at the fabric bundles that will be included as part of the prize pack for <a href="http://eyecandyquilts.blogspot.com/2016/03/my-stash-my-style-contest-and-giveaway.html" target="_blank">#mystashmystyle</a> - straight out of <i>my</i> stash...will you get a chance to win?! I hope so!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpl1EO6OFEIQ6V25WPkiWSZDvInVU0CJbl41Yo2x3H3DAtZbOzjuKmhSP-gS05pQ6AceJAooDGvzqT7aIhat7qdOhBPta5B09B2_fNHBS3tkRa5nKHb6_2En-wn4a90xdHEuIijzMBta6Y/s1600/fabricbundles2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpl1EO6OFEIQ6V25WPkiWSZDvInVU0CJbl41Yo2x3H3DAtZbOzjuKmhSP-gS05pQ6AceJAooDGvzqT7aIhat7qdOhBPta5B09B2_fNHBS3tkRa5nKHb6_2En-wn4a90xdHEuIijzMBta6Y/s400/fabricbundles2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Happy stash stitching,<br />
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<b><i><span style="font-size: large;">Tonya</span></i></b><br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03033981298126491707noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7419141037557447751.post-77519075367827850432016-03-29T15:17:00.000-07:002016-03-29T15:23:17.848-07:00Making it my own #mystashmystyleI'm so excited to share this project with you today - it's part of the #mystashmystyle contest I'm co-hosting with my fellow Martingale author, Jenifer Gaston. We're using each other's projects to re-imagine and re-style with our own stashes.<br />
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My inspiration project came from Jeni's book, <a href="http://www.shopmartingale.com/primitive-style.html" target="_blank">Primitive Style</a>. On the book cover, the pillow on the left of the bench is her project called "Resting Place". Isn't that sweet?! So perfect for Spring. I loved it and decided to make it over in my style.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6UbCAN37UsFWKSOe5r2H8hKsQwXFQ7YKHZ-MX1i-9S_OTbKw9gw-5ewY0eODfYeusNUKvmop2-iDDWhqEcO3ms6pcfYWBxcc99tTve_-lFDYxZNb5-5IXsrXqfC6nnXaBNzanojEZcI4T/s1600/00_FrontCover_B1334_PrimitiveStyle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6UbCAN37UsFWKSOe5r2H8hKsQwXFQ7YKHZ-MX1i-9S_OTbKw9gw-5ewY0eODfYeusNUKvmop2-iDDWhqEcO3ms6pcfYWBxcc99tTve_-lFDYxZNb5-5IXsrXqfC6nnXaBNzanojEZcI4T/s320/00_FrontCover_B1334_PrimitiveStyle.jpg" width="245" /></a></div>
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My helpful hint for changing up fabric selection on a project: pay attention to value as you make your substitutions. So for example, my background fabric is grey - not beige as in the original - but the value (in this case, lightness) of the fabric is about the same. I did the same when picking the alternate fabrics for the leaves, bird, flowers, etc. This way you'll still end up with the same effect... but in your own color-way.</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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMTM8Z4FkC3_bj2YER-ZcMwY_f-V_mxPd3m3PFL2VhlxuZT1fZ0gH5hw9iOHO2yr6wbulCHA3rYvlCxpK1r8Qrkdr-iWRRf3zV_o4-AncKtJsnWqB92HwT1ua0vgIw5uBcrGEUnz5g1yEu/s1600/pillowfabricpull.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMTM8Z4FkC3_bj2YER-ZcMwY_f-V_mxPd3m3PFL2VhlxuZT1fZ0gH5hw9iOHO2yr6wbulCHA3rYvlCxpK1r8Qrkdr-iWRRf3zV_o4-AncKtJsnWqB92HwT1ua0vgIw5uBcrGEUnz5g1yEu/s320/pillowfabricpull.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My fabric pull for my project...of course I have my seam ripper out, just in case!</td></tr>
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Since I wasn't using wool like the Primitive Style project, I made three major changes to make the project work for me - yes! you really can do that!:<br />
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First, I decided to use fusible applique and top-stitch on my machine.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPvbuQsw5_oTXfT-J8rktxPQyEHbpJGr7c2igYwukCXS2UaGzrc2uuY47FzSAusFkpnPQa6BcyDBURoe_Sr4CkX4MGo3ptCRsX6yQrGIXYerhcrIzdma1lF33_0rD09grhZ97kJHdosppp/s1600/pillow+stitching.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPvbuQsw5_oTXfT-J8rktxPQyEHbpJGr7c2igYwukCXS2UaGzrc2uuY47FzSAusFkpnPQa6BcyDBURoe_Sr4CkX4MGo3ptCRsX6yQrGIXYerhcrIzdma1lF33_0rD09grhZ97kJHdosppp/s320/pillow+stitching.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fusible applique with top stitching in progress...</td></tr>
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Second, because I was using cotton and I wanted to include batting for a nice finish on my pillow, I layered the batting behind my appliqued pillow top and quilted the two layers together before finishing the construction of my pillow. Here's what the quilting looked like from the back side - you can see it a little better than on the finished project.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj33nOFTmu05AcIVORivtmAwsbyZ9QqxhxRqncLraZKyFgQ4k5AlzK5FqscEe4Cn6OBFfpe683UNJ2ykbCM6Ul4xy6FGAljTXQ2bUoVCRxxgBeH1eqaWG0hyphenhyphenC_olFlNoOKsQRVqoWW3EsyB/s1600/pillow+quilting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj33nOFTmu05AcIVORivtmAwsbyZ9QqxhxRqncLraZKyFgQ4k5AlzK5FqscEe4Cn6OBFfpe683UNJ2ykbCM6Ul4xy6FGAljTXQ2bUoVCRxxgBeH1eqaWG0hyphenhyphenC_olFlNoOKsQRVqoWW3EsyB/s320/pillow+quilting.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Quilting shown from the back...</td></tr>
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And third, I decided to change out the penny rug curved edges on the original project with nested prairie points so I would still have a similar design element with a nice finished edge. Prairie points let me do that. They are super easy, here's a <a href="http://www.mccallsquilting.com/mccallsquilting/articles/prairie_points_edging" target="_blank">link to tutorial</a> on prairie points. And just fyi - for my pillow, I kept all of Jeni's original cutting and instruction sizes, I just started my nested prairie points with 5" squares.<br />
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And here's my finished project in <i>my</i> style!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv_5m3VrFpGVZYB3-EntWe2hNwA3RFGxaVmLYnfxXUXEa4iOdGzL7SyolDmSoURZ1rPmfV5CAwvj9aI-Jdtfgjj5Q__FEz1clT86e4DT5dRwIMbpiusuo0SuAJbgItDSJ1kUxbh4Qd0elH/s1600/pillowfinish_tonya.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv_5m3VrFpGVZYB3-EntWe2hNwA3RFGxaVmLYnfxXUXEa4iOdGzL7SyolDmSoURZ1rPmfV5CAwvj9aI-Jdtfgjj5Q__FEz1clT86e4DT5dRwIMbpiusuo0SuAJbgItDSJ1kUxbh4Qd0elH/s320/pillowfinish_tonya.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Front</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiBarrpUhFkvN8qZy55GCxIn7OX0cP_DWjsv5w7rkOh7Nk9S25lPjdcmEVTLaC1zEtN7B4GOUzwGaw57LA9M3OnvF67n8vLbAZFxbos2xUiwWFrs-KF0BebrtOkCNFFKXkfwTzYYxbIyV3/s1600/pillowfinishback_tonya.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiBarrpUhFkvN8qZy55GCxIn7OX0cP_DWjsv5w7rkOh7Nk9S25lPjdcmEVTLaC1zEtN7B4GOUzwGaw57LA9M3OnvF67n8vLbAZFxbos2xUiwWFrs-KF0BebrtOkCNFFKXkfwTzYYxbIyV3/s320/pillowfinishback_tonya.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Envelope-fold back</td></tr>
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I have to share these last pics because I thought it was pretty funny. I didn't realize I was even re-creating the photo from the book until I was all done!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9rzk0sjgTA_6asIezN5ItvAknceWLeLTX672MAA15I44cVOrdiYmwMzEOHioYR_4Wr387WwEfqMWB-7RZqaMv2puN763PBtrN6kOMTiw5vS9I0JgqqVMytf9MO5jSkiRxQqPd4fpDFs4h/s1600/b1334_08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9rzk0sjgTA_6asIezN5ItvAknceWLeLTX672MAA15I44cVOrdiYmwMzEOHioYR_4Wr387WwEfqMWB-7RZqaMv2puN763PBtrN6kOMTiw5vS9I0JgqqVMytf9MO5jSkiRxQqPd4fpDFs4h/s320/b1334_08.jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Original book image from Primitive Style...courtesy of Martingale.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKYFUXMVcaeRVet8_WTIrcHmG4Esql9BcFmDsubptFthn3QRSm2ExEmqkPxcz6on0uygHZ9kL-8i-DPPSK-E4XIy75EVqCT422ZjpRNny3XpaiQE-EbsDKTXLKqME698BtKh4DSmuGjj_x/s1600/pillowinchair.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKYFUXMVcaeRVet8_WTIrcHmG4Esql9BcFmDsubptFthn3QRSm2ExEmqkPxcz6on0uygHZ9kL-8i-DPPSK-E4XIy75EVqCT422ZjpRNny3XpaiQE-EbsDKTXLKqME698BtKh4DSmuGjj_x/s320/pillowinchair.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My amateur photo shoot image of my project...:)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Well, I hope that gives you some ideas and gets your stash mo-jo rolling about how you can take a project and change it up to make it #mystashmystyle ! This project was so much fun!<br />
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It's not too late to jump in on the contest - we're just getting started. Here's the link to the <a href="http://eyecandyquilts.blogspot.com/2016/03/my-stash-my-style-contest-and-giveaway.html" target="_blank">original post</a> with all of the details. You can also follow along on Instagram or Facebook with #mystashmystyle.<br />
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Also, be sure to check out <a href="http://jenifromthewillow.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Jeni's blog post</a> about her first #mystashmystyle project that she re-made from my book, <a href="http://www.shopmartingale.com/stash-lab.html" target="_blank">Stash Lab</a>. I <i>love</i> how her's turned out. It's beautiful. We look forward to seeing yours!<br />
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Happy stash quilting,<br />
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<b><i><span style="font-size: large;">Tonya</span></i></b><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03033981298126491707noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7419141037557447751.post-40898255636987541282016-03-23T19:04:00.000-07:002016-03-23T19:04:35.584-07:00#mystashmystyle giveaway winner!Congrats to...<b><span style="color: magenta;">Karen</span></b>! You're the kick-off giveaway winner of the <a href="https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/mystashmystyle/?hl=en" target="_blank">#mystashmystyle</a> contest/challenge!<br />
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Wohoo! Now it's time to dive into the stashes and let's get sewing! See <a href="http://eyecandyquilts.blogspot.com/2016/03/my-stash-my-style-contest-and-giveaway.html" target="_blank">Monday's post</a> for all of the contest details and great prizes up for grabs. Hope you'll join us!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWWw8kb26wyB-3cvtM9IYNxM169__ZHMAHK-FcogpGxSuYTfpIiAwTQ6l8EIlV1P4m1jGJ8Jjj8Hg7Uqv1gwCbjJBWSysSaftjiiwj8x_rdrI0h0HbqCgqtmhFqjMMJlnviSfZUjyvVMt2/s1600/My-Stash-My-Style-contest-image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWWw8kb26wyB-3cvtM9IYNxM169__ZHMAHK-FcogpGxSuYTfpIiAwTQ6l8EIlV1P4m1jGJ8Jjj8Hg7Uqv1gwCbjJBWSysSaftjiiwj8x_rdrI0h0HbqCgqtmhFqjMMJlnviSfZUjyvVMt2/s400/My-Stash-My-Style-contest-image.jpg" width="215" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6UbCAN37UsFWKSOe5r2H8hKsQwXFQ7YKHZ-MX1i-9S_OTbKw9gw-5ewY0eODfYeusNUKvmop2-iDDWhqEcO3ms6pcfYWBxcc99tTve_-lFDYxZNb5-5IXsrXqfC6nnXaBNzanojEZcI4T/s1600/00_FrontCover_B1334_PrimitiveStyle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6UbCAN37UsFWKSOe5r2H8hKsQwXFQ7YKHZ-MX1i-9S_OTbKw9gw-5ewY0eODfYeusNUKvmop2-iDDWhqEcO3ms6pcfYWBxcc99tTve_-lFDYxZNb5-5IXsrXqfC6nnXaBNzanojEZcI4T/s200/00_FrontCover_B1334_PrimitiveStyle.jpg" width="153" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMem0ocV0691Y2zpL5Zrvg_u2cVbrE30ohrujOimoH2EbdlVAaPEyNeCvQaDisPNnIkFCIKHvDXN5oTzc1EEWcOpU7XUy2uTeRt_RhGLygwq5X6Y5Lqcsk3xZMQwct0jsZCEKJpE7isooa/s1600/00_FrontCover_B1335_StashLab.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMem0ocV0691Y2zpL5Zrvg_u2cVbrE30ohrujOimoH2EbdlVAaPEyNeCvQaDisPNnIkFCIKHvDXN5oTzc1EEWcOpU7XUy2uTeRt_RhGLygwq5X6Y5Lqcsk3xZMQwct0jsZCEKJpE7isooa/s200/00_FrontCover_B1335_StashLab.jpg" width="153" /></a></div>
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You can post your pics using #mystashmystyle, or email them to me at tonyaalexanderdesigns@gmail.com and I'll post them for you. Can't wait to see <i>your</i> style shine through!<br />
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Happy stash quilting,<br />
TonyaAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03033981298126491707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7419141037557447751.post-63894472252444087342016-03-21T10:21:00.000-07:002016-03-21T10:28:47.867-07:00My Stash, My Style contest and giveaway!Have you ever looked at a project in a book or in a magazine and passed it over because you thought, it's just not your style? If you're anything like me, probably about a thousand times! How about changing it and making it your own?<br />
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I recently had the pleasure of meeting the lovely and talented Jenifer Gaston, author of Primitive Style. And while you would think at first glance, our styles are from opposite ends of the spectrum, think again! The truth is, you can take any project and change it up as much as you want to make it uniquely your own. So we set out to make some of each other's projects to reflect our own styles and see what we came up with. The opportunities were endless - and the results were great!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi42ZnpvzWz4lqvVUvASHfzOKVbERMeM4URCn_LHRIJykmAz2E1bIPLP9plN8GBLUIU-ezHJmFXvOC_n_Uf6sAMjX7NhiP6EU8sU6DSUs2ZcdGmICBfL6PpzaB_Uf3QEONOShHxr-9-7JVd/s1600/00_FrontCover_B1335_StashLab.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi42ZnpvzWz4lqvVUvASHfzOKVbERMeM4URCn_LHRIJykmAz2E1bIPLP9plN8GBLUIU-ezHJmFXvOC_n_Uf6sAMjX7NhiP6EU8sU6DSUs2ZcdGmICBfL6PpzaB_Uf3QEONOShHxr-9-7JVd/s320/00_FrontCover_B1335_StashLab.jpg" width="246" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7_kB8_cTCzCUrp-VlLo1ghPhWiITRpdr9cVPtbLIK7BjQDGbO7KevFq_MqFbyf0QNiY1rzikheSBtlktL3Vdxpkb-Zp_Tdnsgz9s_ME32y9qHIvZL-0XrvjXEdR9RdPNZ2h8xfMZe5WNZ/s1600/00_FrontCover_B1334_PrimitiveStyle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7_kB8_cTCzCUrp-VlLo1ghPhWiITRpdr9cVPtbLIK7BjQDGbO7KevFq_MqFbyf0QNiY1rzikheSBtlktL3Vdxpkb-Zp_Tdnsgz9s_ME32y9qHIvZL-0XrvjXEdR9RdPNZ2h8xfMZe5WNZ/s320/00_FrontCover_B1334_PrimitiveStyle.jpg" width="244" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">We had so much fun playing, we're hosting the <b><span style="font-size: large;">My Stash My Style</span></b> contest and giveaway along with <a href="http://blog.shopmartingale.com/" target="_blank">Martingale/That Patchwork Place</a> to give you a chance to stretch <i>your</i> creative muscles, share your projects, and have a chance to win some awesome prizes to boot! Jeni and I will be sharing our own projects in the next few weeks on our blogs and on Facebook and Instagram.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Iq8qHT9BOwqu4_3AnZzvSIruVfjfx8RSXleybsUHcRgxlBfs92zocb2MUGh6YszWFV-oYaj7WgSjiz_LbNWInmNKreEqzsjK_2CRSnrmyFHPnIkCVSJ3l2i_qWhLabiLYgbLzjym0QZw/s1600/My-Stash-My-Style-contest-image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Iq8qHT9BOwqu4_3AnZzvSIruVfjfx8RSXleybsUHcRgxlBfs92zocb2MUGh6YszWFV-oYaj7WgSjiz_LbNWInmNKreEqzsjK_2CRSnrmyFHPnIkCVSJ3l2i_qWhLabiLYgbLzjym0QZw/s640/My-Stash-My-Style-contest-image.jpg" width="344" /></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">Here's the skinny:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>1.</b> Choose a project from the book <i>Stash Lab</i> by Tonya Alexander OR the book <i>Primitive Style</i> by Jenifer Gaston. (The further a project is from
your typical style and stash, the better!)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>2.</b> Reimagine, redefine, and remake that project in your own style,
using <i>your </i>stash, <i>your</i> point of view, and <i>your</i> creativity. Change the colors,
change the dimensions—even change the purpose of the project. It’s entirely up
to you!</span><br />
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<b style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">3.</span></b><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt;"> Post your finished project to Facebook or
Instagram with the hashtag <b>#mystashmystyle </b>and share how you changed it up. We can’t wait to see what you come up with! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Complete steps 1-3 by May 2nd and you’ll be officially entered into the
<b><span style="text-transform: uppercase;">My Stash, My Style</span></b>
contest! So, what prizes are up for grabs?</span><br />
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Prize pack includes:<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;">A free one-year subscription to <a href="http://primitivequiltsandprojects.com/" target="_blank">Primitive Quilts and Projects</a></span><span style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;"> magazine,
co-owned by Jeni Gaston, author of </span><i style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;">Primitive
Style</i><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;">A specially curated bundle of fabrics from Tonya
Alexander, author of </span><i style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;">Stash Lab</i></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;">A beautiful bundle of wool from <a href="http://woolenwillowdesigns.com/" target="_blank">The Woolen Willow</a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;">A $50 gift certificate from publisher Martingale
to spend at their website, <a href="http://www.shopmartingale.com/" target="_blank">ShopMartingale.com</a></span></li>
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Ready to play? <b>We'll kick off the contest with a giveaway this week of an electronic copy of<span style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;"> Jeni Gaston’s book </span><i style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;">Primitive Style </i><span style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;">and one of</span><span style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;"> my book</span><span style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><i style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;">Stash Lab. </i></b><span style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;"><b>To be entered for the giveaway, leave a comment below about your stash style or a style you would like to try. We'll draw a winner on Wednesday, March 23rd so you can get started on your projects right away. </b>A winner will also be drawn over on <a href="http://jenifromthewillow.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Jeni's blog</a>, so be sure to stop there for a visit for two chances to win!</span><br />
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Follow along anytime on Instagram #mystashmystyle <a href="https://www.instagram.com/tonyaalexanderquilts/" target="_blank">@tonyaalexanderquilts</a> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/jenifergaston/" target="_blank">@jenifergaston</a><br />
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We hope you'll join us in <b>MY STASH, MY STYLE!</b> We can't wait to see what you come up with!<br />
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Happy Stash quilting,<br />
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<i><b><span style="font-size: large;">Tonya</span></b></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: "garamond" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03033981298126491707noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7419141037557447751.post-72983271895184048942016-03-05T18:32:00.000-08:002016-03-05T18:39:45.252-08:00Splash of Color Giveaway Winner!Thanks everyone for the great comments on Jackie's book, Splash of Color and entering to win the giveaway. I hope you've been inspired to pull out some brights, blacks and whites from your stash and dive in!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxG4k91ckUTXRORMW-lf011SSjtfGO4J2LLqi80dBWHQuB2qaD0eyvRTwhvckPDWu4YxJhM3LKJVK3JZ8TlX4KA1VG6-Kwz6ko2AhZ1MmhQ4lWTgBfiVtEVrq08ZeiX-8GqlOCHeCOBmNQ/s1600/00_COVER_B1319_SlashColor+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxG4k91ckUTXRORMW-lf011SSjtfGO4J2LLqi80dBWHQuB2qaD0eyvRTwhvckPDWu4YxJhM3LKJVK3JZ8TlX4KA1VG6-Kwz6ko2AhZ1MmhQ4lWTgBfiVtEVrq08ZeiX-8GqlOCHeCOBmNQ/s320/00_COVER_B1319_SlashColor+%25281%2529.jpg" width="246" /></a></div>
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Congrats to <b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;">MsAdventure</span>!</span></b>...., our giveaway winner! Please email me at eyecandyquiltco@gmail.com with your mailing address so we can send you your copy of Splash of Color signed by Jackie!<br />
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If you didn't win this time around, be sure to ask for Jackie's book at your favorite local quilt shop or you can get it from Jackie at <a href="http://cvquiltworks.com/collections/books/products/splash-of-color-a-rainbow-of-brilliant-black-and-white-quilts#" target="_blank">Canton Village Quiltworks</a>!<br />
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Happy stash quilting,<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>Tonya</i></b></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03033981298126491707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7419141037557447751.post-51144655843590362862016-02-26T20:02:00.003-08:002016-02-26T20:02:52.697-08:00Book Review and a Giveaway - Splash of ColorOne of the best things to come out of my first time author experience has been the chance to meet some really fun folks in my quilting world this past year and today I'm happy to share one of those and her book with you...<a href="http://cvquiltworks.com/collections/books/products/splash-of-color-a-rainbow-of-brilliant-black-and-white-quilts" target="_blank">Splash of Color</a>: A Rainbow of Brilliant Black and White Quilts by the awesome Jackie Kunkel. <br />
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You may know of Jackie through <a href="http://cvquiltworks.com/" target="_blank">Canton Village Quilt Works</a> or through <a href="http://cvquiltworks.com/pages/workshops" target="_blank">Quiltworx</a> as a <a href="http://www.quiltworx.com/instructors/jackie-kunkel/" target="_blank">Judy Niemeyer certified instructor</a> - she's a really busy gal! I had the pleasure of meeting her at Fall Quilt Market and quickly found we are two peas in a pod when it comes to our love of color and bright, bold fabric. I was thrilled she shared a copy with me :)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVyr8lZaWAnLNmzd1e3kOr3uY1gc3xZZVCFWjbdDSVSirJPybfWtZ8zDVabgMIJ6qDaIMqROjDF1Zifc7lU-CM6uB4j5kp9-EUIz5b0CBTKLmZp6KaxjmszWnXkCuoeJNW0EHu3-lyFXz_/s1600/00_COVER_B1319_SlashColor+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVyr8lZaWAnLNmzd1e3kOr3uY1gc3xZZVCFWjbdDSVSirJPybfWtZ8zDVabgMIJ6qDaIMqROjDF1Zifc7lU-CM6uB4j5kp9-EUIz5b0CBTKLmZp6KaxjmszWnXkCuoeJNW0EHu3-lyFXz_/s400/00_COVER_B1319_SlashColor+%25281%2529.jpg" width="307" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All images courtesy of <a href="http://www.shopmartingale.com/?utm_source=martingale-pub&utm_medium=redirect&utm_campaign=MP-SM%20redirect" target="_blank">Martingale/That Patchwork Place</a>.</td></tr>
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Her book Splash of Color is beautiful! It has 13 different projects that focus on the use of brights with black and white fabrics as the neutral...right up my alley! Here are some of my favorites...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX_vkMguHJnIFoj6la0AjIPT61VsuLwRMWl2f-n-CE1kF4hhB0-PxA9ngP5GaS2WVHDeWRE68QlEzhCF3ZtSyB9IbyO7G-abe46kb0cfVKgq2y2gUzWQ6O6Mk_RO7unGXukhsdKpR9bK1b/s1600/SlashColorPg40_StarBright.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX_vkMguHJnIFoj6la0AjIPT61VsuLwRMWl2f-n-CE1kF4hhB0-PxA9ngP5GaS2WVHDeWRE68QlEzhCF3ZtSyB9IbyO7G-abe46kb0cfVKgq2y2gUzWQ6O6Mk_RO7unGXukhsdKpR9bK1b/s400/SlashColorPg40_StarBright.jpg" width="398" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Star Bright, by Jackie Kunkel</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Proud Mary, by Jackie Kunkel</td></tr>
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Jackie had many of her quilting buddies contribute to the book and do their version of her quilts in different colorways and with their own twist as well. The ideas just keep coming. I love that.<br />
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One thing that I really wanted to try was Jackie's technique for curved piecing, something I really haven't done a lot of. A little scary - but not when Jackie shows you how easy it is. She has this great <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=77e39T8bK80" target="_blank">youtube video</a> to show you how.<br />
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<strong>Let's celebrate that successful curved piecing with a giveaway, shall we? Just share a comment below about Splash of Color, curved piecing, or anything colorful to be entered to win your very own signed copy of Splash of Color. I'll draw a winner on March 5th.</strong> <br />
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And if that weren't enough, you can hop over to <a href="http://cvquiltworks.com/blogs/blog" target="_blank">Jackie's blog</a> where she's reviewing my own <a href="http://www.shopmartingale.com/stash-lab.html" target="_blank">Stash Lab</a>: Simple Solutions for Scrap Quilts this week for a chance to win a signed copy of that one as well!<br />
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So two thumbs up! Thanks Jackie for a great addition to my bookshelf and my sewing room.<br />
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Happy <i>Splash</i> Quilting,<br />
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<b><i><span style="font-size: large;">Tonya</span></i></b><br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03033981298126491707noreply@blogger.com70tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7419141037557447751.post-61146497705446515842016-02-16T13:55:00.001-08:002016-02-16T14:00:26.632-08:00Book Review - Machine Quilting With StyleWhat do you do when you love quilting but don't actually like to do the quilting part? I have to admit it's not the part of the process I enjoy the most and I'm often stumped on what to do with my completed tops. I like the fabric, design, piecing and even binding! The quilting itself can be a challenge for me and definitely an area with room to grow. So I was very happy to get my hands on fellow-<a href="http://www.martingalewholesale.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=2684" target="_blank">Martingale</a> author <a href="http://www.christaquilts.com/" target="_blank">Christa Watson</a>'s book <a href="http://christaquilts.bigcartel.com/product/machine-quilting-with-style-signed-copy" target="_blank">Machine Quilting With Style</a>: From Walking-Foot Wonders to Free-Motion Favorites.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmDkILaCqm1Ihv3kmJ7Jp9ahns8AsO2oKvI_XaQ5E0UMn_F0APPtCGX2D3sjs2QTkL_vPtXdg0wn_KIyl5ZhA7845CQ87eZJNcY7QpfU7zn_PRTL1RrOZaMvqbzmYhgrsNUi-hk-oU_xfl/s1600/00_FrontCover_B1324_MachineQuiltingwithStyle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmDkILaCqm1Ihv3kmJ7Jp9ahns8AsO2oKvI_XaQ5E0UMn_F0APPtCGX2D3sjs2QTkL_vPtXdg0wn_KIyl5ZhA7845CQ87eZJNcY7QpfU7zn_PRTL1RrOZaMvqbzmYhgrsNUi-hk-oU_xfl/s320/00_FrontCover_B1324_MachineQuiltingwithStyle.jpg" width="246" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All photos courtesy of Martingale/That Patchwork Place.</td></tr>
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You may know her from on-line as <a href="http://christaquilts.com/" target="_blank">Christa Quilts</a> or the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s?me=AO8Y6QISWGJ7M&merchant=AO8Y6QISWGJ7M&redirect=true&tag=chriquil-20" target="_blank">Precut Store</a>. She has so many great ideas for quilting with both the walking foot as well as free motion.<br />
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The book includes 12 complete projects that provide not only beautiful projects themselves, but great ideas for some very do-able quilting ideas that you can do on your own domestic machine.<br />
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I really appreciated all of the info Christa shares about batting types and thread. Hints for successful basting (often another challenge altogether) as well as some really beautiful designs.<br />
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I love this scrappy project called Facets. The best part - she's even doing a <a href="http://christaquilts.com/quilt-alongs/" target="_blank">quilt-along</a> on this pattern as we speak!<br />
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So I was happily inspired to drag out a project I had been procrastinating on and give some of her tips a try. I pulled out my completed top for Cavanaugh Crossroads and decided to give the serpentine stitch on my machine a go for some nice, overall texture.<br />
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And success! Super happy with it. The quilt measures 54" x 54" and took me about 7 hours (split into two days.)<br />
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The best news yet is that Christa has another book coming out later this Spring with Angela Waters that I can't wait for - <a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/1604687274/?tag=chriquil-20" target="_blank">The Ultimate Guide to Machine Quilting</a>....to be continued! Christa is super involved with the <a href="http://themodernquiltguild.com/" target="_blank">Modern Quilt Guild</a> and you can also find her on Instagram <a href="https://www.instagram.com/christaquilts/" target="_blank">@christaquilts</a> .<br />
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And guess what? You can find me there too! <a href="https://www.instagram.com/tonyaalexanderquilts/" target="_blank">@tonyaalexanderquilts</a>.<br />
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Happy stash quilting,<br />
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<em><strong><span style="font-size: large;">Tonya</span></strong></em>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03033981298126491707noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7419141037557447751.post-36010777488414874932016-02-12T11:39:00.000-08:002016-02-12T11:39:08.225-08:00Behind the quilt - Sunny Side UpO.k., on to our next project, with a little peek behind this crazy little creative brain of mine! We may be no closer to figuring out how it works, but we'll take a look anyway...<br />
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Also from <a href="http://www.shopmartingale.com/stash-lab.html" target="_blank">Stash Lab</a>, this quilt is called Sunny Side Up...<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunny Side Up</td></tr>
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I love geometric patterns and I see them everywhere! Hotel carpets, upholstery, tile, a brick walkway - pattern is everywhere! This quilt literally jumped off a bathroom wall! Here's a magazine ad for some hotel that I ripped out of a magazine (I'm sure it was mine!) It was begging me to be made into a quilt. Really, a traditional quarter log cabin block, just made bigger and brighter!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inspiration on my bulletin board in my sewing room...</td></tr>
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That torn out picture lingered on my idea bulletin board for at least a year or so before I got the urge to go shop-hopping while on vacation through sunny California searching high and low for all things yellow. Before this project, my stash had virtually no yellow to speak of so this was a fun fabric hunt. It was addictive!<br />
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I have to admit, before I decided to go with the yellow, I considered making it in a bunch of different colorways (red and white, blue and white, etc.) because there was this old quilt color "rule" I had heard someone say that a quilt should <i>never</i> have more than say, 5% yellow or it will be ruined. Well, that was like throwing down the gauntlet for me - it had to be yellow now!<br />
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I didn't actually even draw this one out because I really figured on replicating the tile pattern pretty closely. Everything got cut down to 2 1/2" strips and this is what it looked like mid-way through up on my design wall.<br />
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/Longarm-Custom-Quilting-by-Tracey-Fisher-238237523027488/?fref=ts" target="_blank">Tracey</a> added the most beautiful, modern quilting to it - way too big for me to tackle on my home machine with a deadline. This one is so cuddly and soft, it just begs you to curl up in it for an afternoon nap. I love it, one of my favorites for sure. Simplicity itself.<br />
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Happy stash quilting,<br />
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<i><b>Tonya</b></i>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03033981298126491707noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7419141037557447751.post-63668444925632200982016-01-31T16:23:00.000-08:002016-01-31T16:47:20.459-08:00Behind the quilt - Pixie SticksI thought I would share a little backstory on some of my quilt projects. I always find it interesting to find out where others get their inspiration for their creations and more about their process. It can just as often be very similar to mine - or completely the opposite.<br />
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I'll start with one of the projects from my book, <a href="http://www.shopmartingale.com/stash-lab.html" target="_blank">Stash Lab</a> - first up, Pixie Sticks, which is the smallest project in the book, a table runner. I have one drawer in my sewing room that has leftovers or orphan blocks from other projects. It also had leftover strip sets from other projects that I just couldn't bear to toss. I just needed to find them a new home. Cut down and paired with a simple steel gray solid with a linen texture, I came up with this...<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pixie Sticks table runner</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Quilted straight lines with the walking foot</td></tr>
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This one was so fun and easy that I decided to make it a second time - something I almost <i>never</i> do!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pixie Sticks #2</td></tr>
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<span style="text-align: left;">I started with some beautiful scrap strip sets gifted to me by my friend Tracey - I love her scraps :) These were actually from another project of hers using Sew Kind of Wonderful's <a href="http://sewkindofwonderful.com/" target="_blank">Quick Curver Ruler</a>. I decided to work around the curves because the fabrics were just too beautiful to go to waste. Double score - the backing fabric was from her too! Here's where it started...gifted curved strip sets on the left.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihpcEag3VPu2zb8M4OcDb44wylZDTDmi_4IKiIRTn0KY-DE-wIoe8skTLApSLrdgj18P8WovbuJ_Wu0g2qwE_gj0ANkOYIbrJrIpzmgELHpWh1yI1vqigmnhR6TXRVmxV-V6GfNiOdUqtZ/s1600/pixiesticks_making4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihpcEag3VPu2zb8M4OcDb44wylZDTDmi_4IKiIRTn0KY-DE-wIoe8skTLApSLrdgj18P8WovbuJ_Wu0g2qwE_gj0ANkOYIbrJrIpzmgELHpWh1yI1vqigmnhR6TXRVmxV-V6GfNiOdUqtZ/s320/pixiesticks_making4.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cutting down the curved scraps</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2jN89rrr8WYTy8RZ87hVkoGX1LXvzFA6PZk0GV5zrGlvCB6KsSv522iKm85UZB26xfyCgClJLfmko8GMiCXrIH5P8WWnP6WONOaM9-d_c96PRIFOV1kQ8Yhu5WlzXE4XFfuaRvg-wdZM8/s1600/pixiesticks_making3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2jN89rrr8WYTy8RZ87hVkoGX1LXvzFA6PZk0GV5zrGlvCB6KsSv522iKm85UZB26xfyCgClJLfmko8GMiCXrIH5P8WWnP6WONOaM9-d_c96PRIFOV1kQ8Yhu5WlzXE4XFfuaRvg-wdZM8/s320/pixiesticks_making3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1" wide scrap strips needed for the project</td></tr>
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These scraps were more coordinated than in the original. The first time, I used leftover strips sets from several different projects to make the "sticks". This time, I paired the sticks with some plain unbleached osnaburg fabric. Have you tried osnaburg? I love it. It gives a nice, simple contrast to bright scraps with a beautiful woven texture. Ask for it at your favorite LQS, they probably have it. It can be a little stretchy because of the looser weave, so starch away!</div>
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A little big stitch hand quilting added the perfect touch to this project. Simple, modern <i>and</i> scrappy!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8czweCC2D5x3glC1gcyXrJsCcNvTgVY5gwUEaKoRH9JRkLEODmn2tYJeJ2AQYCPqEXZoTKNOQJCITjxslB3VvNC_8-sNtvTnq8zevsws4H_r6BYXd10xM0OPnlqN2tYyo8ets3T68jq80/s1600/pixie+sticks+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8czweCC2D5x3glC1gcyXrJsCcNvTgVY5gwUEaKoRH9JRkLEODmn2tYJeJ2AQYCPqEXZoTKNOQJCITjxslB3VvNC_8-sNtvTnq8zevsws4H_r6BYXd10xM0OPnlqN2tYyo8ets3T68jq80/s400/pixie+sticks+2.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Big stitch hand quilting done with #8 perle cotton thread</td></tr>
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Happy scrap quilting,</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>Tonya</i></b></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03033981298126491707noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7419141037557447751.post-88923058687203429222016-01-02T17:34:00.000-08:002016-01-02T17:34:03.909-08:00New Year, New Opportunities!<div style="text-align: center;">
"Time waits for no one, but fabric stash hangs around a little longer...."</div>
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<i> anonymous</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRBHNmfms5xtBvIGZBKNEywEWJ0mzeWznyOHI_JcO_QsLDPOggU97LLVz4c_XY6d6mSc-kS1PQH0x8UDelaOxTCGrgxDjczA3RLb-tY1V9XuGZOu_s2JSfz8LKNDytv1iIZBHJBD-FuBO2/s1600/IMG_1190.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRBHNmfms5xtBvIGZBKNEywEWJ0mzeWznyOHI_JcO_QsLDPOggU97LLVz4c_XY6d6mSc-kS1PQH0x8UDelaOxTCGrgxDjczA3RLb-tY1V9XuGZOu_s2JSfz8LKNDytv1iIZBHJBD-FuBO2/s320/IMG_1190.JPG" width="179" /></a></div>
Happy New Year! I love January for the simple reason that I find it is the absolute best month to dive into some fun scrap sewing with no deadlines, no agenda, just good <i>cleaning</i> fun! There is actually some method to my madness. It's a great time to dig into my scrap bins and re-sort, clean out, make new discoveries and just have some fun in my sewing room after the craziness of the holidays.<br />
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With storage and organization in mind, I'm sharing <a href="http://eyecandyquilts.blogspot.com/search/label/selvages" target="_blank">this post</a> again - not so coincidentally, from January 2014! - in case you are looking for some fun new storage ideas for your sewing space. I jazzed up some old hat boxes with selvages for a simple storage solution. And also because it's very timely...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://patsloan.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341c976153ef01543212db62970c-800wi" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://patsloan.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341c976153ef01543212db62970c-800wi" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.allpeoplequilt.com/magazines-more/quilting-podcast" target="_blank">You can listen here</a></td></tr>
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Save the date! I'll be a guest on <a href="http://www.allpeoplequilt.com/magazines-more/quilting-podcast" target="_blank">American Patchwork & Quilting Radio</a> hosted by <a href="http://www.patsloan.com/" target="_blank">Pat Sloan</a> - LIVE on <b>Monday, January 11th</b>!<br />
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<span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Live Show time is</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">4pm - 5pm Eastern</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">3pm - 4pm Central</span></div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: #fdfdfd; font-size: 16px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">2pm - 3pm Mountain</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">1pm - 2pm Pacific</span></div>
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I'm excited but a little daunted by the live part...can't there be some lag time for editing in case I blow it?! No such luck. If you miss the live airing, it will linger on in the archives for posterity....forever!<br />
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Pat's topic for January and February is <i>BIG IDEA: Solving storage and workspace woes! Every journey begins with a single step.</i> We'll be talking all things <a href="http://www.shopmartingale.com/stash-lab.html" target="_blank">Stash Lab</a>, scrap quilts and anything else she throws at me. You can also enjoy all of Pat's past shows at <a href="http://www.creativetalknetwork.com/" target="_blank">creativetalknetwork.com/</a> available to download any time. They are great listening, especially while the scraps are flying under your presser foot. Hope you can join us.<br />
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Happy stash quilting,<br />
<i><b><span style="font-size: large;">Tonya</span></b></i>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03033981298126491707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7419141037557447751.post-59586286425223110752015-12-22T09:47:00.000-08:002015-12-22T09:47:41.398-08:00Season's greetingsAmid all of the hustle and bustle of the season, I just wanted to take a moment to send you my warmest wishes and many thanks for your support and encouragement throughout the year. As this year winds to a close, I look back on all that has happened, places I've been and folks I have met, projects I have finished, and new ones just begun. It's also bittersweet. I miss loved ones we have had to say goodbye to as well and cherish my memories of them even more.<br />
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I have so much to be thankful for this year: projects in print, Stash Lab having its publishing date, good friends, support and love of my family, and new things to come in 2016 to share with you. So my wish for you all is that you have peace, health and happiness in abundance - and if not those, then people around you that you love and care for to help you through.<br />
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<b><i><span style="font-size: large;">Merry Christmas and Happy New Year,</span></i></b><br />
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<i><b><span style="font-size: large;">Tonya</span></b></i>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03033981298126491707noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7419141037557447751.post-8748180945184645952015-11-13T12:02:00.000-08:002015-11-13T12:03:39.659-08:00Star Shuffle giveaway winners!O.k....random number generator spit out #2 and #6...<br />
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so<b> Bunny and Dena</b>.... congrats! You are the winners of a copy of the Winter 2015 Quilts and More and mini-bundle of flannels from my stash! Please email me at tonyaalexanderdesigns@gmail.com with your mailing address for your goodies.<br />
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And thanks to all of you who played along and shared your recent recipients of your quilt gifts. It's great to see where you are all sharing your love and talent.<br />
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Happy stash quilting,<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Tonya</i></span></b>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03033981298126491707noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7419141037557447751.post-14434387394097788162015-11-07T12:08:00.001-08:002015-11-07T12:08:43.437-08:00Star Shuffle and a Giveaway!My quilting cup runneth over at the moment! So many good things to share with you and be thankful for and one of those this month is my quilt "Star Shuffle" that is currently featured on the cover of <a href="http://www.allpeoplequilt.com/magazines-more/quilts-and-more/quilts-and-more-winter-2015" target="_blank">Quilts and More</a>, Winter 2015. My ever-supportive and patient hubby was due for a quilt just for him. This was my attempt at a "guy quilt", if there is such a thing. No flowers, no fru-fru. Just some very manly grey/black/red combos in flannel, just in time for the fall/winter season.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE37y3nLwNdXMuXTdAQXlMrYysK0iThvxkLenESK3zRLhE06UmFUxwIKdAuh48I1I09Q5WHmIlfSxs0d54xCn_Ln0QMJBE3ZPjwvXcXM55RgYJsUu7L7wGwfoY7sl5wqLZqNuI6r5FEWX0/s1600/QM_stars+beauty+shot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE37y3nLwNdXMuXTdAQXlMrYysK0iThvxkLenESK3zRLhE06UmFUxwIKdAuh48I1I09Q5WHmIlfSxs0d54xCn_Ln0QMJBE3ZPjwvXcXM55RgYJsUu7L7wGwfoY7sl5wqLZqNuI6r5FEWX0/s320/QM_stars+beauty+shot.jpg" width="247" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Images used with permission from Quilts and More</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> magazine and Meredith
Corporation. Copyright 2015</span></td></tr>
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If you click on the images, they should expand and you can see the detail on the quilting.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-HflieWzs38moBAxkE883n8i8kWyOC23z_DKzJWzZWfmsCG2x90cHj_AKDsPj0vqrX7POZ0IXOrGEUTzSDOFXrRehJQMyfkQEt_-2L_qlbqOKqrzO_lM79aKGtmltTGlg-uEYw33bJjNm/s1600/QM_Cover_Stars600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-HflieWzs38moBAxkE883n8i8kWyOC23z_DKzJWzZWfmsCG2x90cHj_AKDsPj0vqrX7POZ0IXOrGEUTzSDOFXrRehJQMyfkQEt_-2L_qlbqOKqrzO_lM79aKGtmltTGlg-uEYw33bJjNm/s200/QM_Cover_Stars600.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Images used with permission from Quilts and More</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> magazine and Meredith
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Here's the flat shot of the whole quilt. I often like to vary the scale of a single block within the design. It just adds a little somethin' somethin' that I tend to like. The big star in the lower right is pieced in five segments and then appliqued on as a one piece. Very easy to do. Same shape, just bigger.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxaZjaCt5DRRUJR7sYP40MIdgdqhUdZRmDBz1-ytKrLmrYG0uAPiwoMPciePlPcPdaOPQtuw2OnfuTnNmEUq2sizOX5_pxx0i7YhY6zj19-K1PRDeGspIRXLkM-hlciiGegvAEZCYprVBv/s1600/QM_stars+flat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxaZjaCt5DRRUJR7sYP40MIdgdqhUdZRmDBz1-ytKrLmrYG0uAPiwoMPciePlPcPdaOPQtuw2OnfuTnNmEUq2sizOX5_pxx0i7YhY6zj19-K1PRDeGspIRXLkM-hlciiGegvAEZCYprVBv/s200/QM_stars+flat.jpg" width="151" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Images used with permission from Quilts and More</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> magazine and Meredith
Corporation. Copyright 2015</span></td></tr>
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<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The fabric shopping for this one was fun. I love a fabric hunt! Once I decided the direction I wanted to go and had a handful of fabrics from my stash, it was time to hit the shops to find some more to make the project complete. Many of them were Woolies Flannels by </span><a href="http://maywoodstudio.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Maywood Studio</span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">, but not all. The background squares are all flannel, not something I usually work with but this quilt was going to be made to cuddle up on the couch in the winter with my honey so it was the go-to option. The applique stars are done with regular cotton fabrics.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiipahEI4y7OusdBg3zEA6iRoEcoOHWc-RlGET7HeWAmWS2HY7QzpRRw8kRtXxfIZl7PIJFFuXswlM2M6waW8zsNgNzQtRpV6aliwcukjY1Tud-hCOP2mlYv-k7IxtqLOfOfmHMXYYNxOLN/s1600/star+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiipahEI4y7OusdBg3zEA6iRoEcoOHWc-RlGET7HeWAmWS2HY7QzpRRw8kRtXxfIZl7PIJFFuXswlM2M6waW8zsNgNzQtRpV6aliwcukjY1Tud-hCOP2mlYv-k7IxtqLOfOfmHMXYYNxOLN/s200/star+1.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of the flannels for the background squares.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlz06CxJQr6VG5-GAvyB5NY0TU66N_UV7KxTCkFPntTUfAof2pMhh7VwC59RKpjftIo3IZjFBvYrRI7hdcdXB04PIDnUuxqbTJK53LDLW95EzFx5THA5CIFOEX7ynPmgbbNBWUzBtRnO83/s1600/star+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlz06CxJQr6VG5-GAvyB5NY0TU66N_UV7KxTCkFPntTUfAof2pMhh7VwC59RKpjftIo3IZjFBvYrRI7hdcdXB04PIDnUuxqbTJK53LDLW95EzFx5THA5CIFOEX7ynPmgbbNBWUzBtRnO83/s200/star+2.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of the cottons for the stars.</td></tr>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"></span><br />
So a couple of things about working with flannels if you haven't before. First of all, I definitely recommend that you pre-wash your fabrics and dry on high heat. Flannels shrink like crazy at very different rates and you don't want that to happen <em>after</em> you have your project all sewn together. Also, flannel is super-linty (not sure that's really a word :) so prewashing helps cut down on the lint a bit. Even so, after you sew a flannel project together your machine is going to beg for a lint cleaning in the bobbin casing and a new needle! <br />
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I would also suggest using a generous 1/4" seam allowance. Some people even choose to use a 1/2". Whichever you choose, just be consistent throughout your project so all of your seams will match. And remember, if you use a wider seam allowance, your finished project will finish a bit smaller, too. I almost always press seams to one side and still did with the flannel, but some people find it preferable to press the seams open. Again, take your pick.<br />
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As for the applique, I used cotton fabric for the applique star shapes themselves. I chose to do needle-turn applique because I was toting these blocks around with me at the time and posted about that method previously <a href="http://eyecandyquilts.blogspot.com/2014/11/seasonal-stitching.html" target="_blank">here</a>. You could also use fusible web and the directions in Quilts and More include directions for both methods. So do what you enjoy!<br />
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Many kudos go to <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Longarm-Custom-Quilting-by-Tracey-Fisher-238237523027488/?fref=ts" target="_blank">Tracey</a> who did a lovely job of quilting this one and made the stars really shine with the straight line echo quilting around each one. She carried those lines out into the borders as well and I think it fits the design perfectly! Thank you Tracey :)<br />
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So let's share some goodies, shall we? I have a couple of copies of the magazine to give away and I'll even throw in a mini-bundle of flannels from my stash to share with you for <em>your</em> project, how's that? If you'd like to win, just enter a comment below and share with us who the lucky recipient of your last quilt gift was. Easy enough? I'll draw two names next Friday, lucky November 13th! It will be lucky for a couple of people :)<br />
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And with that, happy quilting!<br />
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<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">Tonya</span></em></strong>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03033981298126491707noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7419141037557447751.post-35707252277612776712015-10-29T19:59:00.000-07:002015-10-29T19:59:14.422-07:00Quilt Market decompression in 3, 2, 1,....Ohhhhh my! It's so good to be home. I just returned from my first trip to International Quilt Market (held the week before Quilt <i>Festival</i>) in Houston after 6 days of fun, fabric, and everything <a href="http://www.shopmartingale.com/stash-lab.html" target="_blank">Stash Lab</a>! Wow, what an experience.<br />
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My weekend started with a bang with a Schoolhouse presentation on Friday- Schoolhouse is for shop owners and retailers to see and hear about new products, fabric, books, etc. that are coming on the market for their shops. It was the fastest 20 minutes ever! Basically, my book in a nutshell, share the quilts and why shops should be interested in offering it to their customers. No small amount of stress for yours truly, but it went well, the feedback I got afterwards was very positive and it was a great start to a very busy 4 days.<br />
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I also did some demo time in the Martingale booth, chatting with shop owners and talking all things quilty. Also, very fun. Much of the rest of the time was spent just getting to walk around and meet and talk to some of the quilting world's most creative and awesome people. I'm such a fan! I tried to not be too much of a crazy quilt groupie - but it was hard! I can honestly say every person I met was friendly beyond belief and a thrill to meet and chat with. I would do it all again just for the chance to meet these wonderfully creative people.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhskIMbm3LGrOdsvW3qP4pztRXagVp1jQSd2miZnVgTtKYew-ql-aJKm8UWPO3L2wZfiYJ2s0IqDAUt-XaJ79Gex_pW_E7PoLQsIp4A-TAytfK5KF49dhfAzN29w0t7D-L8pw-9OwUy07SQ/s1600/001+collage+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhskIMbm3LGrOdsvW3qP4pztRXagVp1jQSd2miZnVgTtKYew-ql-aJKm8UWPO3L2wZfiYJ2s0IqDAUt-XaJ79Gex_pW_E7PoLQsIp4A-TAytfK5KF49dhfAzN29w0t7D-L8pw-9OwUy07SQ/s400/001+collage+%25281%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clockwise from top left: Tula Pink and Tracey, Jo Packham (Where Women Create), Lisa and Bethany from APQ, the Master himself - Kaffe!, Valerie Wells, Katja Marek, Sandy Klop (American Jane), Jackie Kunkel, Laurie Simpson and Polly Minick (Minick & Simpson), and Kathy Doughty.</td></tr>
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Another highlight was the <a href="http://storefront.unitednotions.com/storefrontCommerce/" target="_blank">Moda</a> 40th Anniversary dinner on Saturday night. I was a lucky guest of <a href="http://www.twothimbles.com/" target="_blank">Two Thimbles Quilt Shop</a> (thank you Lee!). I am sorry to report my phone battery was completely dead by that time of night so I have not a single picture of the event, but believe me, it was a treat. More about this in a future post I think. Met some wonderful people there.<br />
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I tried to post a bit on Instagram <a href="https://instagram.com/tonyaalexanderquilts/" target="_blank">@tonyaalexanderquilts</a> while I was there but it was a challenge. Or, I should say, <em>I was technically challenged</em>! Wi-Fi was not my friend but that's o.k. Inspiration is everywhere you look and it's impossible not to be completely overwhelmed. Here are just a few peeks at things that I loved...<br />
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So, a few things I learned while at my first market...<br />
1. Drink water.<br />
2. Inspiration is everywhere and creativity is endless.<br />
3. You can never pay too much for comfortable shoes.<br />
4. Quilters are awesome people (I already knew this but it was happily confirmed!)<br />
5. Drink more water!<br />
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In a nutshell, QuiltMarket 2015 was an awesome experience, Texas was lovely (even with the humidity, heat, and passing hurricane :) My special thanks to the crew at my publisher <a href="http://www.martingale-pub.com/" target="_blank">Martingale</a>, Lee at <a href="http://www.twothimbles.com/" target="_blank">Two Thimbles</a>, my awesome travel partner-in-crime <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Longarm-Custom-Quilting-by-Tracey-Fisher-238237523027488/" target="_blank">Tracey</a> and to my friends and family who sent me packing with more love and support than my luggage could hold. I really, really hope I get the chance to go again. I would do it in a heartbeat.<br />
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Happy quilting,<br />
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<em><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>Tonya</strong></span></em>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03033981298126491707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7419141037557447751.post-9502204195497132742015-10-17T13:18:00.000-07:002015-10-17T13:30:41.526-07:00A Perfect Setting<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We interrupt the <a href="http://www.shopmartingale.com/stash-lab.html" target="_blank">Stash Lab</a> frenzy for a moment to bring you...<a href="http://www.allpeoplequilt.com/magazines-more/american-patchwork-quilting/american-patchwork-quilting-december-2015?page=12" target="_blank">A Perfect Setting</a>...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQV3H8K85Y9vF2nQo3ByNrbWPZ4p9UOWLOHlB5EdVjjNwgT58MqsEfaNbMWU_hVAdVQavKYllKtI3wSMVxq6HHra9vZ0KPFoN6xdrLRK9_-VzdqUeIqtk3o7HfOEcwFz9OP_C6vxv2IyRw/s1600/DITR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQV3H8K85Y9vF2nQo3ByNrbWPZ4p9UOWLOHlB5EdVjjNwgT58MqsEfaNbMWU_hVAdVQavKYllKtI3wSMVxq6HHra9vZ0KPFoN6xdrLRK9_-VzdqUeIqtk3o7HfOEcwFz9OP_C6vxv2IyRw/s320/DITR.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; font-family: 'Galaxie Polaris'; font-size: 11px; text-align: start;">“Used with permission from American Patchwork & Quilting® magazine. ©2015 Meredith Corporation. All rights reserved.”</span></td></tr>
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While I've been caught up in the excitement of Stash Lab finally hitting the store shelves this past week, another beautiful project got it's moment in the sun. This is my project "A Perfect Setting" and it's featured in the current Dec. 2015 issue of <a href="http://www.allpeoplequilt.com/magazines-more/american-patchwork-quilting/american-patchwork-quilting-december-2015" target="_blank">American Patchwork & Quilting</a>. I'm also super excited to share that it will be hanging in the APQ booth next week at Houston International Quilt Market! The beautiful long-arm quilting on this one was done by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Longarm-Custom-Quilting-by-Tracey-Fisher-238237523027488/" target="_blank">Tracey Fisher</a>. Cannot wait to see it again - it's been awhile since I shipped it off into the quilting universe.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyt28t-HAFR6nfkjB-Igkm-TO_ieUDJGHpENWgGm4KQoWKBPLoG58_bo8aK9wt-yyDfRj2Q8KnbpoWBGwGq__41r6W7DPIkcLpX367nFCS78HpTW-ltziiAu7yhngMawnDCBMp2QBPkinF/s1600/DITR_flat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyt28t-HAFR6nfkjB-Igkm-TO_ieUDJGHpENWgGm4KQoWKBPLoG58_bo8aK9wt-yyDfRj2Q8KnbpoWBGwGq__41r6W7DPIkcLpX367nFCS78HpTW-ltziiAu7yhngMawnDCBMp2QBPkinF/s320/DITR_flat.jpg" width="241" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; font-family: 'Galaxie Polaris'; font-size: 11px; text-align: start;">“Used with permission from American Patchwork & Quilting® magazine. ©2015 Meredith Corporation. All rights reserved.”</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMhcLgvN_YEmmOyNNJvHJHHZlsUxY7RPAqLW1ALaV1lyWsn8eyUgq7I4sjd4f4hJaF-M1zgzeePUv8wJSIkvbmpj47iQPALcxzfYZIBU-ss32tHjiAFsaDaxEX1b1wREgmhvIO6_kNe0Jd/s1600/DITRAPQ-Dec-%252715-Cover_600+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMhcLgvN_YEmmOyNNJvHJHHZlsUxY7RPAqLW1ALaV1lyWsn8eyUgq7I4sjd4f4hJaF-M1zgzeePUv8wJSIkvbmpj47iQPALcxzfYZIBU-ss32tHjiAFsaDaxEX1b1wREgmhvIO6_kNe0Jd/s200/DITRAPQ-Dec-%252715-Cover_600+%25281%2529.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.allpeoplequilt.com/magazines-more/american-patchwork-quilting/american-patchwork-quilting-december-2015?page=12" target="_blank">APQ, December 2015 issue</a></td></tr>
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One of the things I love about quilting and the creative process is how a single geometric shape can lead you to new places. This quilt is made completely with 60-degree equilateral triangles - traditionally known as a "Thousand Pyramids" quilt. Of course, before it looked like the finished project, it looked more like this on my design wall...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf85XfRQDWLsVw41NBTWe_7suM_K09fjB3wG0ia55mulvqSxGvnx6lZBMJl0Xfe36gFNhU21z2zixM4tt5tQHFmabFPZ3hOa4uldJCnDHt1uXHU46YYzxVu11mOhqNRvnw8jLr9JTc0Wvw/s1600/ditr_wall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf85XfRQDWLsVw41NBTWe_7suM_K09fjB3wG0ia55mulvqSxGvnx6lZBMJl0Xfe36gFNhU21z2zixM4tt5tQHFmabFPZ3hOa4uldJCnDHt1uXHU46YYzxVu11mOhqNRvnw8jLr9JTc0Wvw/s200/ditr_wall.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzJ59DfJecXUKc8yZdJiEoxRWd8WG45jV5prMIc51XGCPeAzSZ9iMKkyQDKAl4pi1ETIaqP_uXUi2tsC9BZR3vExfVD7mdiEfDQfZHJkc8_ZUUlna7Epl5SF1YwBLly9ixyXm__6QjaKhk/s1600/ditr_wall3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzJ59DfJecXUKc8yZdJiEoxRWd8WG45jV5prMIc51XGCPeAzSZ9iMKkyQDKAl4pi1ETIaqP_uXUi2tsC9BZR3vExfVD7mdiEfDQfZHJkc8_ZUUlna7Epl5SF1YwBLly9ixyXm__6QjaKhk/s200/ditr_wall3.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
Definitely one of those projects that a design wall or surface is a must to help you keep organized in your piecing. This could have absolutely been a great addition to be included in <a href="http://www.shopmartingale.com/stash-lab.html" target="_blank">Stash Lab</a>, but this one wasn't under the presser foot until long into the book process. But it certainly follows the Stash Lab equations! Here's a sample of my collection of background fabrics that I used in this quilt...<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Selection of background neutrals - a fun focus for a shop hop trip!</td></tr>
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Most were collected on a single shop hop trip through Washington and Oregon a couple of summers ago. This is one of my go-to fabric shopping tips: pick a focus and let the hunt begin! I focused specifically on low-volume, light background neutrals. White, cream, beige backgrounds were all fair game. I mix them all the time. The brights in the floating diamonds were all scraps from my stash. A great example of old and new coming together to create something special. Hope you are inspired to dive into your own stash and see what you come up with!<br />
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Happy stash quilting,<br />
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<i><b><span style="font-size: large;">Tonya</span></b></i>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03033981298126491707noreply@blogger.com2