tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-108171352024-03-14T10:39:51.352-04:00Quilts With HeartThoughts on quilters, quilting, fabric collecting, and operating an e-commerce business. Oh...life, too!Kathy Nortonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15270083638838477361noreply@blogger.comBlogger63125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10817135.post-82380306070575212682009-08-10T18:57:00.001-04:002009-08-10T19:00:40.058-04:00One Step At A Time<span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);font-size:85%;" >As a blogger on the Design Style Guide Team, I was invited to write about my start in quilting, and how the process works for me. This is a copy of that article. </span><br /><br />In 1977, I ordered a "Grandmother's Flower Garden" quilt kit from a woman's magazine. I remember the color scheme was Harvest Gold and Avocado Green, like everything else those days! When the kit arrived I was completely overwhelmed by the sheer number of pre-cut hexagons. At the time I didn't know any quilters, had never heard of a quilt shop, and had never seen a quilting-how-to book. I put the kit in a drawer, thinking that "someday" I would make it. Well, that project was never finished (okay, it was never even started!) but the desire to learn quilting persisted.<br /><br />Then twelve years ago, during a particularly dark period in my life, I challenged myself to learn something new, something positive, something that might spark a little light in me. I saw a newspaper ad for a beginner's block-piecing class at a local quilt shop, and forced myself to register. That first day, when I walked into the shop, I felt immediately at home. Like many quilt shops I've visited since then, this one was located in the old part of town, in what we now call a "re-purposed" building. Whether in an old house, bank, inn or barn, these shops are invariably warm and cozy. Every nook and cranny is filled with fabric bolts, threads, patterns, and packets of "fat quarters." Sewing/quilting tools hang on pegboards, and sample quilts cover every inch of wall space. Shop owners and assistants never fail to welcome newcomers, and are happy to answer questions and offer advice. There is virtually no way to feel depressed in a quilt shop! I was instantly hooked. The photo below shows my small quilt from that first class, pieced and quilted entirely by hand. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjryS3i5I8BHhjuHOuYxpxQ2Yg32o8t-dNUIjV3TP9qxtijaIyLeY7lLR_DHBQJgDGTxuQ2_hikWov5Chyw0yBuDELWZyHlk56x1IjkQulW51Qkh8EjA9wWrVFF-2dD66IUcDOm7Q/s1600-h/katiesquilt.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 277px; height: 277px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjryS3i5I8BHhjuHOuYxpxQ2Yg32o8t-dNUIjV3TP9qxtijaIyLeY7lLR_DHBQJgDGTxuQ2_hikWov5Chyw0yBuDELWZyHlk56x1IjkQulW51Qkh8EjA9wWrVFF-2dD66IUcDOm7Q/s400/katiesquilt.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368439726300803026" border="0" /></a>The bonus was that in the process of creating an actual, physical item, I felt powerfully uplifted. Since then I've heard similar stories from many fellow quilters. For us, quilting is a form of therapy -- almost a meditation. You can witness this on a mass scale during times of acute crisis. If you ever get the chance, visit the 9/11 quilts, or the AIDS quilts, or Hurricane Katrina quilts. In all of these, many, many blocks are submitted from quilters around the world, and assembled together to honor those who have died. On a smaller scale, most quilters donate quilts to a local charity, like a childrens hospital or rescue service.<br /><br />My second class was hand-applique and hand-quilting, and resulted in the quilt below, which now hangs over a banister in my home.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg62XiOTd-HwpYSocdvqF6k97D5hjk8-mMaJNxzn6FEYWURsBZdRx4jprVg5ebgDMXoxvZwkoNdL5u0JGf5xhZNjsoAeBP38zqRRuC_rITbJeDc3MVfbRfIt18SaxgsuWFeFTzz1Q/s1600-h/appliquequilt.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 261px; height: 260px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg62XiOTd-HwpYSocdvqF6k97D5hjk8-mMaJNxzn6FEYWURsBZdRx4jprVg5ebgDMXoxvZwkoNdL5u0JGf5xhZNjsoAeBP38zqRRuC_rITbJeDc3MVfbRfIt18SaxgsuWFeFTzz1Q/s400/appliquequilt.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368445685716938338" border="0" /></a>I also made a few baby quilts during those early years, still all hand work. It was the next quilt that marked some huge changes for me: I was gaining confidence in my ability, I joined a large guild for quilters, I started collecting fabric. I had previously bought only enough fabric for the project at hand. I had heard quilters talking about their fabric "stashes," but I didn't even know what that meant. Then my daughter asked me to make a queen-sized quilt for her. The block pattern she chose was a fairly simple star, but she wanted it to be a "charm" quilt. In a charm, each individual piece must be a different fabric; a queen-size charm in the star she liked would need over <span style="font-weight: bold;">1600 </span>fabric pieces! I became a frequent visitor to every shop in a three state area. It took almost a year to collect enough to even begin piecing the first stars. Then I discovered online fabric sources, and became addicted to them. That sped the process up, but I was still piecing, quilting and binding entirely by hand, and Lisa's quilt took almost three years to complete. But I learned an important lesson with that quilt. In the beginning it seemed like an impossible task --- almost like the long ago hexagon kit that never got done. But this time around I realized this: I could only cut and piece one star block at a time. I did this regularly, and <span style="font-style: italic;">eventually</span> I had enough blocks to make a row. I kept going until I had enough rows to make the main part of the quilt. Then I added borders and basted the top, batting and backing together. Finally, stitch by stitch, I quilted the layers together. Approaching the project as a whole was overwhelming. But breaking it down into achievable goals led to a really special final result. (See photos below.) This has of become my mantra, in life as well as in quiltmaking.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmNlFaSHmnIosxQGveIF9pt8wKah2PW8mhBGuvR7Al0IiDPj50WlvdGQNCh5WVYlMkZOCpZ3YjtzRhStO4F23SvAYHNwWyXPXjCNgRRpqeOWKYPZMt9qvn5UhvvWVTB13fDuMkHA/s1600-h/block1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 72px; height: 72px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmNlFaSHmnIosxQGveIF9pt8wKah2PW8mhBGuvR7Al0IiDPj50WlvdGQNCh5WVYlMkZOCpZ3YjtzRhStO4F23SvAYHNwWyXPXjCNgRRpqeOWKYPZMt9qvn5UhvvWVTB13fDuMkHA/s400/block1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368454551730230338" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvVLdF6vLqY8167jvvuRlzxDR4KduxVScA4x6UTv7uvm2rZEBSlhh_p46fTAlxNiR2LLlE1g5aD3jt5bK9lhrVClCP4OSzvCHwkFyl2RdwJqtXMabKHeGcpBexk7kPd35vGpfUTw/s1600-h/halfwaythere.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 288px; height: 183px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvVLdF6vLqY8167jvvuRlzxDR4KduxVScA4x6UTv7uvm2rZEBSlhh_p46fTAlxNiR2LLlE1g5aD3jt5bK9lhrVClCP4OSzvCHwkFyl2RdwJqtXMabKHeGcpBexk7kPd35vGpfUTw/s400/halfwaythere.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368454546028178658" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl_EHKwBH1szB9mygEriLP5R-NoovrfKqPurYmaVMTaBwJ71WBaiqPdCqlaI7bwjgjoPZ6mbJtkQaDHQZEEsvJdEgF0FtjS4DNqmWCFklGO8upDZYTMGVVHK2QtlQgIkVb9GJupQ/s1600-h/Block-Magnets.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 378px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl_EHKwBH1szB9mygEriLP5R-NoovrfKqPurYmaVMTaBwJ71WBaiqPdCqlaI7bwjgjoPZ6mbJtkQaDHQZEEsvJdEgF0FtjS4DNqmWCFklGO8upDZYTMGVVHK2QtlQgIkVb9GJupQ/s400/Block-Magnets.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368454542146902050" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3yIh8w_1UdpoWQIjVMhSupToiRwiFJGDQ_Jt7SdIDLXc5-DkbCUGl0cG-B8913iowKi4by-B6JH_aWFpG_kZMx4QswR_zBSdOWVWv4oDwzmWnQimVWwi2I_dtDano473Huj1hfw/s1600-h/Lisa.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 308px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3yIh8w_1UdpoWQIjVMhSupToiRwiFJGDQ_Jt7SdIDLXc5-DkbCUGl0cG-B8913iowKi4by-B6JH_aWFpG_kZMx4QswR_zBSdOWVWv4oDwzmWnQimVWwi2I_dtDano473Huj1hfw/s400/Lisa.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368454535588602578" border="0" /></a>Lisa's quilt was the last one I made entirely by hand. After hers, I had a fabric stash to die for, and dozens of new projects dancing around in my head! There was no way to get them all done unless I switched to working by machine. I really resisted this for awhile, stuck on the idea that "real" quilters work only by hand. That was true back on the prairie, but few quilters work that way today. In fact, many only sew the top of the quilt, then send it off to be quilted professionally. The pro usually has a huge, long-arm machine, often computer-guided. They do beautiful work. But I like my one-step-a-time = finished quilt approach. Luckily the quilt world is now big enough for all of us!<br /><br />I now have a sewing machine and a mid-arm machine on a 10 foot rack. No computers, but I can finish a large quilt in a week or two, rather than a year or two. Three years ago I started selling quilts locally, and then online. It's the best job in the world! I still can't live long enough to finish all of the projects I want to tackle, but hopefully <span style="font-style: italic;">most</span> of them. I'm still learning something with each project, and continue to take the occasional class to update techniques and network with other quilters. I get inspiration from other quilters, workshops, books, and magazines. Most often, though, it's fabric that initially excites me; I especially like using the same fabric design in different colorways. Looking for the perfect block and layout to dramatize particular fabrics is what drives me.<br /><br />You can find more of my work online at <a href="http://quiltswithheart.com/">Quilts With Heart</a>, or my <a href="http://quiltswithheart.etsy.com/">Etsy shop</a>.Kathy Nortonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15270083638838477361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10817135.post-64283440346873200922009-07-15T22:13:00.006-04:002009-08-04T16:05:23.284-04:00Mid-Summer UpdateIf you are a fellow quilter (or maker of other home decor items) you may want to consider joining the Design Style Guide to showcase your work. Read my post on the <a href="http://designstyleguide.blogspot.com/2009/07/create-easy-links-to-your-listings.html#links">DSG Blog</a> to learn more about our team.<br /><br />Also, my work was recently featured in Felicia Kramer's blog, "<a href="http://feliciakramer.blogspot.com/search/label/Michigan%20artists">Felicia Kramer Has Another Bright Idea.</a>" Thanks, Felicia!<br /><br />Finally, visit the DSG Team's main site to see a <a href="http://www.designstyleguide.net/treasuryDetails.php?ti=687">collection of quilts</a> by members of our team.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">I hope you're having a great summer of fun in the sun, but don't forget the sunblock! We just returned from a short vacation in Indian River, Michigan. My sister and brother-in-law have a cottage there, on Mullet Lake. The picture below is my daughter's dog, Ozzy, after his very first (voluntary!) swim in the lake. Last summer, as a puppy, he wanted no part of it. This year Lisa couldn't keep him dry!<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Hrf21mbsmJ_SdKNZo3hI3v0hrwaomIVFjPqVzf9r98Wn1iRaQJr3mJyZu2kHLlDhPv2n1uEWqkgfpeW7pjBrbzD9-whouW9WXmanPcqiB8WkxetE_mOuvmTmx4oTEPTD2xDY/s1600-h/oz.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Hrf21mbsmJ_SdKNZo3hI3v0hrwaomIVFjPqVzf9r98Wn1iRaQJr3mJyZu2kHLlDhPv2n1uEWqkgfpeW7pjBrbzD9-whouW9WXmanPcqiB8WkxetE_mOuvmTmx4oTEPTD2xDY/s400/oz.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366201009319264162" border="0" /></a>Ozzy Norton, Mullet Lake, 2009<br /></div>Kathy Nortonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15270083638838477361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10817135.post-41415553126962551612009-06-16T13:59:00.003-04:002009-06-16T14:25:20.833-04:00Discover "Mystic Silks"One of my favorite artists on <a href="http://www.etsy.com/">Etsy.com</a> is also a teammate on <a href="http://www.designstyleguide.net/index.php">Design Style Guide</a>. Her shop is "<a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5259527">Mystic Silks</a>," and I'm featuring it on my <a href="http://designstyleguide.blogspot.com/">DSG Blog</a> post this month. It will be published tomorrow, so be sure to check it out. I promise you will LOVE her work --- see samples below!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFhyphenhyphenTEeVxPzoKhk30m96sO08TPORuqtT-lIvpZYMNgkvYGF2m7EGf424kVMWcSaCK33vlp0Xn-tHUtA1SXdeW5dx65SEeqWUr0dn0MMTmKol-khvjCu77wx1dZg9TxcM2Zjtnb/s1600-h/Picture+2.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 276px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFhyphenhyphenTEeVxPzoKhk30m96sO08TPORuqtT-lIvpZYMNgkvYGF2m7EGf424kVMWcSaCK33vlp0Xn-tHUtA1SXdeW5dx65SEeqWUr0dn0MMTmKol-khvjCu77wx1dZg9TxcM2Zjtnb/s400/Picture+2.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347991667136817906" border="0" /></a><br /><br />On another note, for those who may be wondering, my recovery from back surgery is going veeeery slowly. I still can't spend an entire day at the machines without pain, and I tire much too easily. I'm done with physical therapy now, and I rarely take pain meds. The surgeon says I'm healing "as expected for your age," (which, unfortunately, is old as dirt!) Hopefully I will be able to get up to speed eventually.Kathy Nortonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15270083638838477361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10817135.post-67074022409628420182009-05-20T14:47:00.007-04:002009-05-20T15:55:44.738-04:00Supporting The Home Team!<div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQZYj3sMX2Fo9AOsbejEzsDe-m1_i6hf-o2Owu3Zonf6e9PRTkKf4xI6h0FfaQLLIdJskc4SkrY6FqD1gprkRY8pSdF0W3973hPd8RXoFYkh3fq2YsIqHutb3Z3nTyzXG1HNNZ/s1600-h/051909_CHI_DET_toews3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 238px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQZYj3sMX2Fo9AOsbejEzsDe-m1_i6hf-o2Owu3Zonf6e9PRTkKf4xI6h0FfaQLLIdJskc4SkrY6FqD1gprkRY8pSdF0W3973hPd8RXoFYkh3fq2YsIqHutb3Z3nTyzXG1HNNZ/s400/051909_CHI_DET_toews3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337992691769242626" border="0" /></a><br /></div>The <a href="http://redwings.nhl.com/index.html">Detroit Red Wings</a> are well on their way to another Stanley Cup. We could sure use some good news in this city.<span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" ><span> Besides, we <span style="font-style: italic;">are</span> Hockey Town<span style="font-weight: bold;">!</span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;font-size:180%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">GO WINGS!!!</span></span><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-gDRgxtT2J_EpbEK4hY7KIMCGBolrD43iSTGrd4w7-gD12iI-RW8aLN9xlDZQAsXn1ozltx6tHdygbbEq0Daf_pk6JxlT1FzdNiC7_LTSotqgmKGgCMNGlh0ApCZvZxxlKmfS/s1600-h/FunkyFourth.jpg.w300h303.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 303px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-gDRgxtT2J_EpbEK4hY7KIMCGBolrD43iSTGrd4w7-gD12iI-RW8aLN9xlDZQAsXn1ozltx6tHdygbbEq0Daf_pk6JxlT1FzdNiC7_LTSotqgmKGgCMNGlh0ApCZvZxxlKmfS/s320/FunkyFourth.jpg.w300h303.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337994675195922898" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Speaking of red, check out my post tomorrow ( 5/21/09) on the <a href="http://designstyleguide.blogspot.com/">Design Style Guide's blog.</a> DSG is a team of artisans who produce handmade home decor items. We've joined together to support and promote each other as we build <a href="http://www.designstyleguide.net/index.php">a catalog of home goods</a>. Eventually the catalog will be targeted mainly to Interior Designers. But you don't have to be a designer to visit us and/or make a purchase! New items and artists are added daily, so visit often. And while you're there, check out <a href="http://www.designstyleguide.net/sellerPortfolio.php?mi=151">my portfolio</a>.Kathy Nortonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15270083638838477361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10817135.post-6281814557835949732009-04-24T12:08:00.002-04:002009-04-24T12:27:46.166-04:00Baby Hero's Quilt<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqqY-a9YZUO-iXRlqDXCWpCv6KEr1YI3sg6Px6iSEIfCuHA4G8KEff6M16RkmR1d_j6umYpkqrWWBeWZspg6wqtH-1u3S4TqfnPNMHavs-xOsx5WRcEXSdh5fmJ8vw9pTaMoD3/s1600-h/photo-716900.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqqY-a9YZUO-iXRlqDXCWpCv6KEr1YI3sg6Px6iSEIfCuHA4G8KEff6M16RkmR1d_j6umYpkqrWWBeWZspg6wqtH-1u3S4TqfnPNMHavs-xOsx5WRcEXSdh5fmJ8vw9pTaMoD3/s320/photo-716900.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328290540647791890" /></a></p>It's always fun for me to see the little owners of my baby quilts, so I want to thank new mom Susan for sending this photo of her beautiful daughter, Hero. She could make any quilt look great. I hope this one will become her beloved "blankie," and that one day she will sneak a worn-out corner of it into her college luggage. Welcome to the world, pretty girl!Kathy Nortonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15270083638838477361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10817135.post-33942238576151199532009-03-16T14:35:00.005-04:002009-03-18T11:37:39.606-04:00Surgery Sells!!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdM99yQyC7tKwuKvfVqu4wjpHjwY6gQU86XQ70HK6isxOu0gdR8F5FAVSDsu5G7XmoCGzHQzDVDsNsgFfNyS2mgZV6UJK929TFIStwtFMLoC4DeYxiAQ0A7eTqtMmYEI9iA8g1/s1600-h/DSCF3657.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdM99yQyC7tKwuKvfVqu4wjpHjwY6gQU86XQ70HK6isxOu0gdR8F5FAVSDsu5G7XmoCGzHQzDVDsNsgFfNyS2mgZV6UJK929TFIStwtFMLoC4DeYxiAQ0A7eTqtMmYEI9iA8g1/s320/DSCF3657.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313861775652712338" border="0" /></a><br />I had back surgery on February 19, and I'm feeling almost like myself again. But that might not be such a good thing, because I sold three quilts while I was drugged mindless! The drugs were legal and all, and there is still plenty of pain and indignity involved when those wicked surgeons put their masks on. But still: <span style="font-style: italic;">THREE QUILTS!!!</span> I'm pretty attached to most of my organs, but there must be something rattling around in there I wouldn't miss....<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1aK39kS3EMOCmEsfdOVyxWUpyFSYCXSZbFJaTDW4awL3RFElYR-VW4u3bp2NX-lTal_VYbXzW5Kb7j5s0KbUgBmBMmQFHe-t0_QaPc2uBet163AWZ5jIvbinlQo_-isvxEKCS/s1600-h/nurses.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 308px; height: 210px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1aK39kS3EMOCmEsfdOVyxWUpyFSYCXSZbFJaTDW4awL3RFElYR-VW4u3bp2NX-lTal_VYbXzW5Kb7j5s0KbUgBmBMmQFHe-t0_QaPc2uBet163AWZ5jIvbinlQo_-isvxEKCS/s320/nurses.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314551645641449026" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;font-family:georgia;">Big Appendectomy Sale<br />Prices <span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">SLASHED!</span></span><br /></div>Kathy Nortonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15270083638838477361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10817135.post-57158503514898149542009-02-13T16:58:00.003-05:002009-02-13T18:34:34.155-05:00Therapy In Session<p style="text-align: center;" class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyz_pXbGqXVHxZfDx0Yx0HqLWwXFTaFg3PlWXj4w9-sJPz8quqdDzK5fR10kqh1XSKSUQvrQtC2LPAnBEvrSahiEmxR7Wl9Al9xw5AnvSI2FESU6HJVujPf3B1XQMDsbv5EMKC/s1600-h/photo-716163.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyz_pXbGqXVHxZfDx0Yx0HqLWwXFTaFg3PlWXj4w9-sJPz8quqdDzK5fR10kqh1XSKSUQvrQtC2LPAnBEvrSahiEmxR7Wl9Al9xw5AnvSI2FESU6HJVujPf3B1XQMDsbv5EMKC/s320/photo-716163.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5302404773885840034" border="0" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZbcpIJ5kSusLMR2pfiKugiLXuNjYtLS-yqC84T4iwqlhHRIg9menzZXWsgzugbEFgVsRusQaAI-QAWI-7Qp__3B5pH7FFTxbP7Dl1rNLujirCeiusUNpMILkuZa98d6p0r2D-/s1600-h/photo-752746.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZbcpIJ5kSusLMR2pfiKugiLXuNjYtLS-yqC84T4iwqlhHRIg9menzZXWsgzugbEFgVsRusQaAI-QAWI-7Qp__3B5pH7FFTxbP7Dl1rNLujirCeiusUNpMILkuZa98d6p0r2D-/s320/photo-752746.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5302409229311929650" border="0" /></a></p><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-style: italic;">Self-Portrait</span><br />(In case you've ever wondered what I look like.)<br /><br /></div>I have to close the shop next week because I'm having back surgery. I've been putting it off for years, but now the time has come. For some reason this has inspired a need to get my "affairs" in order. For most people this probably involves paperwork, but to me it felt absolutely <span style="font-style: italic;">imperative</span> that I sort and label my fabric stash. (It might take another quilter to appreciate that thinking!) I decided to empty a dresser and chest left behind when my grown kids moved out. You'd think they might have missed the clothes they left here, but it's been years and they haven't yet. Too late now! The Purple Heart will be well stocked in the very near future.<br /><br />I then emptied the overfilled-and-breaking-apart drawers on the old fabric storage unit. Out to the curb it went. I dragged the other empty chest and dresser into the quilt studio and started sorting fabric by color and/or theme. I put it all away, complete with drawer labels. I gave the room a thorough cleaning, and even hung some wall art --- including the self-portrait above. I feel so much better now! Well, except for the back pain...but hopefully that will soon become a thing of the past.<br /><br />There's still a lot of house cleaning I need to get done before Thursday, especially since they tell me it will be six months before I'll be allowed to vacuum again. (Boo-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">hoo</span>, huh?) On the plus side, the surgeon said I can start quilting again in two weeks, gradually working up to a full day by six to eight weeks post-op. Quilting really is therapy, for every quilter I know, so the sooner the better. In the meantime, I can fantasize about quilting in my completely organized studio!!!Kathy Nortonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15270083638838477361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10817135.post-49427425194799390352009-02-08T17:10:00.007-05:002009-02-08T18:02:42.806-05:00Treasures From The DSG Team<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibPZuulhE3onvtZPRyJvdGxMhCW7HXY_FZqbwwROYzDVICvEqjbxc1rIjd40FhllksyhAhNI5SZE5Uh5rekpia81xUxACbo6_57CaxGbSMTM3Ge8AUwipPd7ImF9T-146AACyD/s1600-h/Picture+2.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 332px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibPZuulhE3onvtZPRyJvdGxMhCW7HXY_FZqbwwROYzDVICvEqjbxc1rIjd40FhllksyhAhNI5SZE5Uh5rekpia81xUxACbo6_57CaxGbSMTM3Ge8AUwipPd7ImF9T-146AACyD/s400/Picture+2.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5300553298725117362" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Those of us who sell our creations online have found that networking with other artists is a good way to promote and market our work. Many of us link to each others' blogs and web sites, feature each other in our blogs, and often join ranks to advertise sales and specials. The <a href="http://www.designstyleguide.net/byDepartment.php?dp=6">paintings</a> in the "<a href="http://www.designstyleguide.net/treasuryList.php">Treasury</a>" above are an example of one way we highlight our fellow artists. In this case, all of the artists are members of The <a href="http://www.designstyleguide.net/">Design Style Guide</a> Team. There you will find more of their work, as well as that of many other artists. In addition to paintings, the DSG offers all manner of <a href="http://www.designstyleguide.net/byDepartment.php?dp=3">handmade home decor items</a>. (Even, can you believe it, <a href="http://www.designstyleguide.net/sellerPortfolio.php?mi=151">QUILTS!</a>) <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://designstyleguide.net/"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 125px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDAo9RRR_bkBuHNAdPdoh5Dja6Duh63HcD9Ge0Az5YF_udVSTefz9dry89QQH8dbnzxXfbsfzDskEiJXRikLKy95QfHYksJd64OSHeW8lJqGjAJWCros_XSmsSBcC58T6ADD3K/s320/Picture+3.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5300561510408178674" border="0" /></a>Kathy Nortonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15270083638838477361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10817135.post-9897003442179599672009-01-28T12:20:00.006-05:002009-01-30T17:32:04.143-05:00FINAL Logo!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxU5atZO9fIm6UlAhmWbsVsJoQePaW8ZnCXiKSlzOYn4qSrbgMTnCuG7pmG2sWAfzKJsWsDN30Bu_bJzzFS1CcoFXmSRG38LZ3rSkcVpjW7SzNFiEthVT0l0dc1zNRFicwnwfK/s1600-h/FINALlogo-copy.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxU5atZO9fIm6UlAhmWbsVsJoQePaW8ZnCXiKSlzOYn4qSrbgMTnCuG7pmG2sWAfzKJsWsDN30Bu_bJzzFS1CcoFXmSRG38LZ3rSkcVpjW7SzNFiEthVT0l0dc1zNRFicwnwfK/s320/FINALlogo-copy.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5297218115000507362" /></a><br /><br />I should be quilting, but I've been hooked on updating my web presence for a week now. Yesterday I finished uploading my new logo to all the sites I use. But this morning I discovered a way to tweak the lettering, which led to the new logo becoming an old logo. The one shown here is now the newest, the best, and the <span style="font-weight: bold;">final</span> logo. Honestly.<br />That means I have to update all of the sites, so another quilting day will be lost. But, hey, there's more than "manufacturing" involved in running a web-based business, and designing logos and business cards and web sites is a part of that.Kathy Nortonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15270083638838477361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10817135.post-29103219690937137362009-01-24T19:03:00.006-05:002009-01-26T10:05:59.670-05:00New Logo and New Legislation<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0z2lNrctNTGtWj8LJARgJGbmEwcURHpwa_URZchzXbUsfDCvme33reDExqMrCF_T-jsR9YD8dAywZkRXRwV5sCVboyY_pNIalVLoIY4K8NFlP1lM7UNNxpV-BCg1ebLRcLtgI/s1600-h/newlogo.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0z2lNrctNTGtWj8LJARgJGbmEwcURHpwa_URZchzXbUsfDCvme33reDExqMrCF_T-jsR9YD8dAywZkRXRwV5sCVboyY_pNIalVLoIY4K8NFlP1lM7UNNxpV-BCg1ebLRcLtgI/s320/newlogo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295015551962286914" border="0" /></a><br />I spent today on the computer, updating my various sites and memberships. Mainly I needed to get my new logo posted everywhere I maintain a presence. You can find links to these sites in the column on the right, if you want to visit.<br /><br />So, that's the good news. The bad news is that I may have to stop selling baby quilts. In mid-February new standards go into effect for testing lead levels in all baby products. The law is meant to protect consumers from the lax testing standards in some of the countries the U.S. imports from. I'm all in favor of that! But the way the law is written, every part in every product must be tested for lead, or it cannot be sold in the U.S. <br /><br />Independent small businesses, including makers of handmade articles, will almost certainly be unable to afford the required testing. I've joined other quilters in researching the new requirements. If you have ever tried to read a legal document you will understand when I say: "Huh?" But we will do what we can. My understanding is that U.S. fabric manufacturers have not used lead dyes for years now, so I'm hoping that as long as we use U.S. fabric we will be exempt from testing. I'll let you know what we find out.Kathy Nortonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15270083638838477361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10817135.post-88665029248110096122009-01-10T10:12:00.002-05:002009-01-10T11:33:41.050-05:00First Quilt of 2009<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyF5hPXB8EGaAxUaykh6sGWxkbit_WSUOZdEGGZ8G33XtAwWdlwBvnlNmgFg7h0X5NLfWEzyt1tgiU75FCu-vv2xEkyfUo46RMZwoE7Ojg1pivoXJgVrSop8j9UwS6F-SKHdfc/s1600-h/photo-765651.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyF5hPXB8EGaAxUaykh6sGWxkbit_WSUOZdEGGZ8G33XtAwWdlwBvnlNmgFg7h0X5NLfWEzyt1tgiU75FCu-vv2xEkyfUo46RMZwoE7Ojg1pivoXJgVrSop8j9UwS6F-SKHdfc/s320/photo-765651.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289683291809460370" /></a></p>This is a special order baby quilt, and one of my all-time favorites. <br>My husband says I say that about every quilt, but this time I REALLY <br>mean it!Kathy Nortonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15270083638838477361noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10817135.post-38603677017793072802008-12-12T10:05:00.002-05:002008-12-12T10:54:03.269-05:00Baltimore Album, Block 2<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI4FA4giI29wXQIii4ao6NzTINJjlsiYTOn6DgeRcxYEmotht0VSOvK0ix7CPExhNlluh93KHvISOyBlvMg4OevDJPTZAwvnj_J6FMde1HqAR-Agd25ztZH0u9b_5Iv7nE7iY0/s1600-h/photo-718341.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI4FA4giI29wXQIii4ao6NzTINJjlsiYTOn6DgeRcxYEmotht0VSOvK0ix7CPExhNlluh93KHvISOyBlvMg4OevDJPTZAwvnj_J6FMde1HqAR-Agd25ztZH0u9b_5Iv7nE7iY0/s320/photo-718341.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278919903104434530" /></a></p>I feel like such a slacker --- I haven't posted to the blog in such a long time that I forgot my password! More importantly, one of the reasons I didn't post is that I hadn't finished another Album block, which means I'm now officially behind schedule for the 2010 Ann Arbor quilt show. So much for my resolution to stop procrastinating. The good news is that I'm so happy with the new block that I might use it to design a new logo. Also, I'm about half- finished with block three, which is the same pattern, in shades of purple. Who knows, I might even make a Valentine throw using variations of this pattern!Kathy Nortonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15270083638838477361noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10817135.post-30930439247718947412008-11-17T16:29:00.003-05:002008-11-17T17:37:48.684-05:00Simplicity<p style="text-align: center;" class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8aidllEZlW6P59ydvQwbap5MyzAJsBYVdvVJ8yllj_TPd8Zss4LHJqEQaTAKP7A8I-uyOY7BsrMDY_d8lHiC-ZuhfB5YRNSkAUyQB55-MnHPOU1E7pP9IyLSCJTuxfW_amagW/s1600-h/photo-766356.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8aidllEZlW6P59ydvQwbap5MyzAJsBYVdvVJ8yllj_TPd8Zss4LHJqEQaTAKP7A8I-uyOY7BsrMDY_d8lHiC-ZuhfB5YRNSkAUyQB55-MnHPOU1E7pP9IyLSCJTuxfW_amagW/s320/photo-766356.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269741764750834450" border="0" /></a></p>This special order baby quilt is about as simple as they come, per the Mom-to-be's request. The baby's gender is not yet known, and the nursery is being prepared in various pastels. I lobbied unsuccessfully for a more complex block pattern, something more "special," but in the end I dove into my pastel polka dot fabric collection and made this simple one-patch. I used a pastel plaid flannel for the backing, and the result is extra soft and cuddly --- made even more cuddly with the added stuffed koala and matching mini quilt. I guess simplicity can be special, too!Kathy Nortonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15270083638838477361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10817135.post-51364606410316264242008-11-01T18:48:00.004-04:002008-11-01T20:16:21.865-04:00Super-sized Ozzy<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCZi1jy241XncbYuKUQ0FO0VF98AztjTI-ZzYTg-ocQKOvNyeNXKrAnm0SKjglb_oLim1ZzD6AseTWBZ2F0hx23qkqOLeS0VO_c1o9_3Eu9N9th_Qsk4_vUbtrSS_MCDyqlt0U/s1600-h/photo-713372.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCZi1jy241XncbYuKUQ0FO0VF98AztjTI-ZzYTg-ocQKOvNyeNXKrAnm0SKjglb_oLim1ZzD6AseTWBZ2F0hx23qkqOLeS0VO_c1o9_3Eu9N9th_Qsk4_vUbtrSS_MCDyqlt0U/s320/photo-713372.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263824787341930626" /></a></p><br />I got to puppysit again last night, and if you've seen my previous posts about "Grandpup" Ozzy you'll note right off that he's grown just a tad! When Lisa got him in mid-August he was about 9 weeks old and weighed 12 pounds; now he weighs almost 45 and is still growing. He loves his new back yard, with all it's mature shrubs and trees --- and all the squirrels who live in them. Well, maybe he doesn't love the squirrels, but he sure loves chasing them! The squirrels, for their part, tease and taunt him unmercifully, using the utility wires to travel from tree to tree. And there's poor Oz, literally barking up the wrong tree. He's going to Puppy School now, so hopefully he'll learn more productive ways to expend his energy!Kathy Nortonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15270083638838477361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10817135.post-33717281479077110762008-10-21T10:58:00.012-04:002008-10-24T23:04:50.017-04:00Aqua and Brown???<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIj712T_32uQrz2IddynYaXsPzWcPULfK_kJlYDGRRmL-AMUYboRE-NXF3cOJsfrYrcwjNGffbNxfBQn2vbuVQtJcD9u415idbgBAlKUS7daSk8CpdUChaNAjGc-lxw3q71N8j/s1600-h/brown.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIj712T_32uQrz2IddynYaXsPzWcPULfK_kJlYDGRRmL-AMUYboRE-NXF3cOJsfrYrcwjNGffbNxfBQn2vbuVQtJcD9u415idbgBAlKUS7daSk8CpdUChaNAjGc-lxw3q71N8j/s320/brown.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5259628354072352850" border="0" /></a><br />This is another special order quilt that stretched my comfort zone, color-wise. I was told that the baby's nursery was going to be aqua, with brown accents. I liked the color combination well enough, but it didn't say "baby" to me. My era (late Stone Age) favored the standard pink for girls and blue for boys, but it's a new world out there, people!<br /><br />Fortunately, I was also told that the Mom-To-Be liked polka dots and stripes. I love polka dots, so we shared common ground there. And though I find striped fabric difficult to work with (because the stripes are often at odds with the grain of the fabric) it's easy to create a striped look by choosing the right block pattern. So now I had a plan. <br /><br />After piecing the top I thought it looked too "boxy," so I quilted freehand spirals in the center of each block. This softened the squares and added a kind of funky look that seemed, to me, to compliment the color scheme. Anyway, I love the final product, and hope the baby will too! I like to think each baby quilt will become a child's beloved "blankee," a tiny scrap of which eventually goes off to college with it's owner.Kathy Nortonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15270083638838477361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10817135.post-55613797812641923362008-10-19T09:17:00.003-04:002008-10-21T11:58:46.918-04:00Orange & Purple???<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHCG7xgOkQpH7yE_FWh_xH632R2kMhxoAA8eyVJqAQ3ptIBTel_yJbEheDHVXySNmHsjsJ-Owrv-5poXTp69DV7PQ-txGE0hkrEEDs5XXyc4QJF561DsGqmFXjP0fFJYjTUsL6/s1600-h/Halloween.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHCG7xgOkQpH7yE_FWh_xH632R2kMhxoAA8eyVJqAQ3ptIBTel_yJbEheDHVXySNmHsjsJ-Owrv-5poXTp69DV7PQ-txGE0hkrEEDs5XXyc4QJF561DsGqmFXjP0fFJYjTUsL6/s320/Halloween.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5259621116415139634" border="0" /></a><br /><br />A few months ago, Customer Brenda sent me fabric she wanted me to use in a Halloween throw for her. Individually, each fabric was cute. But they didn't add up to a color combination pleasing to my eye, and I dragged my feet for several weeks, waiting for a visit from the Quilting Muse. (Yes, we have our own Muse, and she's extremely helpful in cases of quilter's block. Pun intended!)<br /><br />Eventually I settled on a design, and went fabric shopping in my stash (which you may recall is one of my favorite things to do!) I needed some medium values of orange and purple, to coordinate with the intense colors Brenda had sent. I also needed to just jump in and START the project ----- overthinking ideas is not at all productive. At some point you have pick up the rotary cutter, take a deep breath, and make that first slice. The neat thing about quilting is that there really are no mistakes; there are only design modifications!<br /><br />The other neat thing: sometimes you get to surprise yourself by stretching your comfort zone. I ended up really liking Brenda's Halloween quilt, despite the fabric choice I would not have made on my own. Happy Halloween, Brenda!Kathy Nortonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15270083638838477361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10817135.post-64894358856212441162008-10-13T20:29:00.005-04:002008-10-16T11:14:56.256-04:00Fall in Vermont<p class="mobile-photo" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHz_q8IoEeWlPrCv073yQ9cqM2cn3B46vuD0zf0yzUj5pyb6LryFUEg6utQ48TuudBaLKj_9EDfu4Chtb8v3ust8V407gcgraFxNLjCPEtOQcyy62WyQYTvmPrc6I5Xe-fgOiW/s1600-h/photo-793071.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHz_q8IoEeWlPrCv073yQ9cqM2cn3B46vuD0zf0yzUj5pyb6LryFUEg6utQ48TuudBaLKj_9EDfu4Chtb8v3ust8V407gcgraFxNLjCPEtOQcyy62WyQYTvmPrc6I5Xe-fgOiW/s320/photo-793071.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256800281332637922" /></a></p><br /><br />We just returned from a train trip to New York, Vermont, and New Hampshire, to see the Fall colors. The colors were gorgeous, the weather was sunny and cool, and our sleeper compartment was teeny-tiny-tight! I'd like to meet the person who designed it. I can just imagine him/her getting the assignment: "Into this 6'6"x3'6" space you must install two seats that convert to a bottom berth, a folding table, a suitcase rack, a pull-down upper berth, a toilet and fold-up sink that double as steps to the upper berth, a covered trash bin that doubles as a side table." The entire roomette was dual purpose!<br /><br />I was able to visit only one quilt exhibit, but I made up for it at numerous Ben & Jerry's! We also visited a castle, the Von Trapp Lodge, and rode a cog train to the top Mt. Washington, where it was snowing. I loved the ride back down; it was so neat being in the snow and seeing the red and orange and yellow trees spread out below. <br /><br />It was a great vacation, but it's good to get home, too. So, tomorrow I start cutting a new baby quilt, and real life resumes.Kathy Nortonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15270083638838477361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10817135.post-48954494773833983522008-09-17T00:02:00.000-04:002008-09-17T00:02:00.944-04:00Design Style Guide Team BlogToday is my day to post to the <a href="http://designstyleguide.blogspot.com">Design Style Guide</a> team blog, so be sure to check it out!Kathy Nortonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15270083638838477361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10817135.post-59085016093887882412008-09-08T17:23:00.005-04:002008-09-08T18:08:10.192-04:00Scrap Quilts<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSTajlIs6GqhbMzFwVgXsnT9N4SzYO6UqJPRHEJP0K4Xgv19BPok0asdlH9BSECH03ghMcRCzUULqF97CSlovDbeGkgKrj_L95Q_w1vqiGC4YIT-YHb7ReAE4pYuuv0W0lt3jX/s1600-h/scraps.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSTajlIs6GqhbMzFwVgXsnT9N4SzYO6UqJPRHEJP0K4Xgv19BPok0asdlH9BSECH03ghMcRCzUULqF97CSlovDbeGkgKrj_L95Q_w1vqiGC4YIT-YHb7ReAE4pYuuv0W0lt3jX/s200/scraps.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243764932550043954" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLjcjcu3N1WqaxkajNDY9eH2Mrwsiy9IlpNRw233aypzAaj0q89s8tEsKXiTiLNIGEXjiR9xSfRJwG6godjI3ESKlXeLkgkZYM5sWUQ6mnTtb23gxOaR-fDTwe5N4FjuqZnPGx/s1600-h/strips.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLjcjcu3N1WqaxkajNDY9eH2Mrwsiy9IlpNRw233aypzAaj0q89s8tEsKXiTiLNIGEXjiR9xSfRJwG6godjI3ESKlXeLkgkZYM5sWUQ6mnTtb23gxOaR-fDTwe5N4FjuqZnPGx/s200/strips.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243765900830810146" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq8E-AZh-MSMF5qNwFUTM0PdkIhDf9Ia7pvWDl9ot11ECP4yNSWVQnfAE2-gQA1_UGcAp_tjyxEusYXfr3-bJyPkr1cxwXm6KwLpxZu83UNsmhqhBGACqMbkVZSc7B_dnlXLFl/s1600-h/blocks.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq8E-AZh-MSMF5qNwFUTM0PdkIhDf9Ia7pvWDl9ot11ECP4yNSWVQnfAE2-gQA1_UGcAp_tjyxEusYXfr3-bJyPkr1cxwXm6KwLpxZu83UNsmhqhBGACqMbkVZSc7B_dnlXLFl/s200/blocks.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243765324326174658" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />I keep a basket on my sewing table, to collect scraps as I sew. I consider anything less than 1/4 yard to be a "scrap," and will save pieces as small as 2 inches square. When my basket is full, I organize the scraps by cutting the larger pieces into 12, 8, 6, and 4-inch long strips; I cut the longer strips first, and then finish up with the smaller strips. Width doesn't really matter to me, but it has to be at least one inch wide to be worth cutting. Depending on the size of the scrap, it may lend itself to being cut into squares rather than strips. Again, I cut the largest square I can, which is most often 6 inches, and work my way down to the smaller ones. I keep all the strips and squares sorted by size as I cut. This is the sort of task I do in the evening, as I'm watching TV or chatting with my husband, so it doesn't cut into my work time. (We quilters love to play with our fabric, so this is not considered "work!")<br /><br />Once I cut all of the scraps in the basket, I have to decide what to do with them. Most often I put them in baggies, labeled by size, and keep them in the wire baskets in my quilt studio's closet. When I get a nice selection of strips and squares, they beg to be made into blocks. When I have enough blocks, <span style="font-style: italic;">Presto</span>: I have a quilt! How painless is that?! Quilt teachers say that a "true" scrap quilt should be totally random --- just put your hand into the baggie and pull out the next scrap to sew to the previous scrap. As you may be able to tell, such total randomness is not in my nature. I <span style="font-style: italic;">have to</span> arrange my strips and squares in a way that is pleasing to my eye. No clashing allowed!Kathy Nortonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15270083638838477361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10817135.post-70651692952542981222008-09-08T16:20:00.003-04:002008-09-10T22:21:05.182-04:00Baltimore Album, Block One<p style="text-align: center;" class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiInLPeONmtBKErPcpepEalrUd3bacDmmm4U82D8RQj6srnIiIXHtn9zf8v1juNgPzlL42UjblmeDHyTMwvID6NqrQyUCj0ojTDu1i-ArUwsNL5VZdMxC-fjGvAcSkKRpch8DA2/s1600-h/photo-749532.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiInLPeONmtBKErPcpepEalrUd3bacDmmm4U82D8RQj6srnIiIXHtn9zf8v1juNgPzlL42UjblmeDHyTMwvID6NqrQyUCj0ojTDu1i-ArUwsNL5VZdMxC-fjGvAcSkKRpch8DA2/s320/photo-749532.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243748120105830114" border="0" /></a></p><br />I finally finished a block that I like for my album quilt. This one is done in the traditional reds and greens, but I plan to use a lot of different colors in other blocks. I have three special orders waiting, but when I get those done I'll start my next applique block. I'll keep you posted!Kathy Nortonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15270083638838477361noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10817135.post-42445556978040654802008-08-20T15:42:00.005-04:002008-08-20T16:35:31.645-04:00Pseudo Grandma<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKjgCTkcV3wRK586-p4ofZLkR7DJJoqr-0t8Cj9TJaCwBfJucyleFmvYHB5LhoRcl38J8anW516upV62EAIhWJKXkn3r8Hx1WoYO0uZLiJdhD7vIdMmQs97nyXMOFRXyJf6EEY/s1600-h/lisaandozzy.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKjgCTkcV3wRK586-p4ofZLkR7DJJoqr-0t8Cj9TJaCwBfJucyleFmvYHB5LhoRcl38J8anW516upV62EAIhWJKXkn3r8Hx1WoYO0uZLiJdhD7vIdMmQs97nyXMOFRXyJf6EEY/s400/lisaandozzy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5236688041428127842" border="0" /></a>Every once in a while real life interferes with quilting, for better or worse. This time it's a good interruption! I know you probably have <span style="font-style: italic;">actual</span> grandchildren, but so far the closest I can get to that dream are my daughter Lisa's two cats and, now, her 10 week old puppy. Is he cute, or what? His name is Ozzy, and so far he is the best pup in the world: Friendly, quiet, calm, playful, affectionate, smart and (almost!) housebroken. I say this as a completely neutral observer, just like a "real" grandma! We're going to my sister's cottage this weekend, and I can't wait to see the little fellow there. It will be interesting to see how he'll react to the other dogs, and especially if he'll follow them into the lake. He's supposedly an Australian Shepherd/Border Collie mix, though he has no papers to prove it. He shows no inclination to herd the cats (as if it were possible) but he did a perfect point when a flock of birds flew over! So, we think perhaps his heritage is more complex than advertised. It doesn't matter --- he's definitely a keeper.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0snXZtEPyu9IdWcDdvBTyuNJT0Tmd5fII_UIyS6I7ehaXEcXEGQ1_VwZlRJXUZWOcGJgQ1IS4Cg9u5SrFVjN7N6XOXsQkIioBJYeRy85GJKUdCdVHIYXqkbFTp1okPvk_JTBC/s1600-h/Ozzy.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0snXZtEPyu9IdWcDdvBTyuNJT0Tmd5fII_UIyS6I7ehaXEcXEGQ1_VwZlRJXUZWOcGJgQ1IS4Cg9u5SrFVjN7N6XOXsQkIioBJYeRy85GJKUdCdVHIYXqkbFTp1okPvk_JTBC/s320/Ozzy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5236696744068286674" border="0" /></a>Lisa just bought her first house, complete with a huge fenced-in backyard. I can't prove it, but sometimes I suspect she bought the house for the dog. (Not that there's anything <span style="font-style: italic;">wrong</span> with that!) She can't move in until October 1st, but getting the puppy couldn't wait. So, for now, they are stuffed into her small apartment. The cats are not totally sold on either the move or the pup, but they'll adjust eventually. Maybe.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCggU_YGy1z6_zgTjuLHuBWxPC4hEKrk2zHhmed_le9ZI9VHnZ7WaQjrULTIyXrh7-16E97LinQCwN7kmT10grjBqTlnfI28yqnszZeuTWGspWSPoHTszBCrVBGQdgRqdPz3Js/s1600-h/P7190031.JPG"><br /></a></div>Kathy Nortonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15270083638838477361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10817135.post-60902198500154925292008-08-20T13:33:00.003-04:002008-08-20T13:40:08.823-04:00Design Style Guide Team BlogOn the third Wednesday of every month, I'm the designated blogger for the official Design Style Guide Team Blog. Check out <a href="http://designstyleguide.blogspot.com/2008/08/quilt-as-focal-point.html#links">today's entry</a>!Kathy Nortonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15270083638838477361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10817135.post-33105427310903486552008-08-13T10:26:00.004-04:002008-08-13T11:59:10.559-04:00First Block Failure<p style="text-align: center;" class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrePRy2Opco6kQ06zfDCpJRhTXB3S7lCBz4ZHimqY_XFA0XdhmpJzLK2vCo5F1A466daf8Ozatobgpxxtn5sH5Ytp92-2qx0XYawu3xT00WQzMsWAhWLWcAnwGWxACz-GkmLRd/s1600-h/photo-784206.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrePRy2Opco6kQ06zfDCpJRhTXB3S7lCBz4ZHimqY_XFA0XdhmpJzLK2vCo5F1A466daf8Ozatobgpxxtn5sH5Ytp92-2qx0XYawu3xT00WQzMsWAhWLWcAnwGWxACz-GkmLRd/s320/photo-784206.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234008573250657506" border="0" /></a></p> I had to buy a light box to trace the patterns for my Baltimore Album quilt. It's not a "professional" model (those were really pricey!) but for my purposes it's perfect. As I wrote in the last post, I wanted to start with an easy block. I'm working from books by one of America's best applique artists, <a href="http://www.ellysienkiewicz.com/index.html">Elly Sienkiewicz</a>. Elly's favorite method, and the one she considers easiest, is called cutwork applique. (Or, in the case of the block below, reverse cutwork.) The first step is to trace half of a block pattern on freezer paper, then fold the paper and cut along the traced lines, sort of like making paper snowflakes, like we all did as kids. (Come to think of it, I wasn't very good at that, either!) The freezer paper cutout is then ironed shiny side down onto a fabric square, which is then pin-basted on top of another fabric. You cut the top fabric away on the traced lines, fold each edge under as you go, and sew this folded edge to the bottom fabric. Easy??? Elly, if you ever read this: <span style="font-weight: bold;">I love your quilts, but you lied to me!</span> Good grief, I found cutwork applique to be the most frustrating thing I've done since I started quilting. After the first few leaves I almost threw the block away and started over, but then I thought perhaps I should finish it as an practice exercise. I made it a little more than halfway around before I decided that I didn't even want to <span style="font-style: italic;">practice</span> this technique, because I wouldn't make a quilt this way if you held a gun to my head. <p style="text-align: center;" class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUBmPdGJhWvJzmW5I8v0ZVdIqj2gVV_g5h_0dreWNaGyCbuEP0ZXjTD4pshqebpPNdaj8iVibVTo0uZPRcENPZHedlt1qMAsMzW3mcOmql5Bs6Hsznkdhla9KWElzdfzkZsPFn/s1600-h/photo-730454.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUBmPdGJhWvJzmW5I8v0ZVdIqj2gVV_g5h_0dreWNaGyCbuEP0ZXjTD4pshqebpPNdaj8iVibVTo0uZPRcENPZHedlt1qMAsMzW3mcOmql5Bs6Hsznkdhla9KWElzdfzkZsPFn/s320/photo-730454.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234009626865224770" border="0" /></a></p>The block actually looks kind of pretty in this picture. Trust me, it's not! It's full of frayed edges, visible stiches, and curves that don't properly curve. And it took <span style="font-style:italic;">way</span> too long for something this poorly done. As my son used to say after I made him taste a new food, "I can't like it!" So, yesterday I cut pieces for a new "first" block, which I'll attach to the background fabric in the "normal" way. I'll have to rethink about half of the other 24 blocks I chose; if I can convert the patterns to attach in the old way I'll still use them. Otherwise, I'll either choose other patterns or make doubles of 12 blocks, using different colors.Kathy Nortonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15270083638838477361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10817135.post-43233740830034149472008-08-07T09:31:00.020-04:002008-08-09T09:26:16.284-04:00One (Difficult!) Block At A Time<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnEUDUBtV7FLbPDty6QYF77V4X25G0zixOnuSZ5gJrtWR4jcSdpTIQxY9zsx42FoAPLxA4z5chdpKzAI43JrEWNvdqathSD6kXRgkv-WtkPuHT7YJFhRHKzTcJBzCeOjAYKfXb/s1600-h/Melody+Of+Memories+%231.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnEUDUBtV7FLbPDty6QYF77V4X25G0zixOnuSZ5gJrtWR4jcSdpTIQxY9zsx42FoAPLxA4z5chdpKzAI43JrEWNvdqathSD6kXRgkv-WtkPuHT7YJFhRHKzTcJBzCeOjAYKfXb/s400/Melody+Of+Memories+%231.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231812022686085666" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Is this a gorgeous quilt or what?! I ceated only one block, second from the right in the bottom row (close up photo below.) This <a href="http://www.mdhs.org/QuiltPrj/quilthom.html"><span style="font-style: italic;">Baltimore Album</span></a> style quilt was a 2005 charity project sponsored by the <a href="http://www.ellysienkiewicz.com/index.html">Elly Sienkiewicz Applique Academy</a>, to raise money for cancer research. The Academy requested applique blocks made from a pattern in any of <a href="http://www.ellysienkiewicz.com/ellybooks.htm">Elly's books</a>, using a specific background fabric and to include somewhere in the block a specific pink fabric, both of which they provided. Each block was to be dedicated to a friend or relative who died of cancer. Mine was in memory of my cousin, Pam, who died at age 40. Quilters are empathetic and generous people, I've found, and enough blocks were collected to make <span style="font-style: italic;">five</span> quilts! These were auctioned on eBay, and if I remember correctly, this particular quilt was sold for about $5,000.00.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><br />I've been wanting to make myself a Baltimore Album quilt ever since. It's a huge undertaking, and I kept telling myself I needed to improve my skills before I could attempt it. I had purchased most of Elly's books, and I guess I'd hoped to absorb the art of applique via osmosis. (As <a href="http://www.drphil.com/">Dr. Phil</a> would say, "How's that workin' for ya?") Who was I kidding? There's only one way to improve a skill, and that is to <span style="font-style: italic;">practice</span> it, over and over (aka: <span style="font-style: italic;">the hard way</span>!)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;">Now that I've finished <a href="http://quiltswithheart.blogspot.com/2008/07/ann-arbor-quilt-show-2008.html">Brenda's applique quilt</a>, I find that I miss having an evening project to work on while I watch TV or chat with my husband. I'm on the machines or at the computer for most of the day, but something about handwork is very soothing and relaxing for me. So... it's time to make the leap from wishing to doing. I spent the last few days choosing patterns for my 25 blocks. I'm going to alternate baskets of flowers with floral wreaths, except for the center block, which will be a peacock. The wide borders will also be appliqued, which is a first for me. If I can manage to complete one and one-half blocks per month, I can show it in the 2010 Ann Arbor Quilt Show. (How's that for not procrastinating?!) Yesterday I auditioned fabrics from my stash, and washed the ones I plan to use. Antique Baltimore Album quilts were usually done in red and green on a white background, often with accents of yellow. I prefer the more modern style, which allows the use of many colors, which is what I plan to do. I've cut out the first pattern, which is a heart shaped, reverse-applique wreath, and have basted it to the first block. I <span style="font-style: italic;">think</span> I understand the next directions, and I'll start stitching as soon as I'm done blogging. I plan to post each block as I finish it, so you can follow my progress. I'm starting with the less complicated blocks and will work my way to the most difficult.Hopefully by the time I get to those I'll know what I'm doing!<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5qsPzPOFOeJ4DFiJygKeKsx2zmYPBLXnvFWXdER2RDmawOSDdKKC5i4Q7zrV2cVZ_54h4WgK3kLkcvxuBwNMNL4QUgm3h23PLaNT0_1TMjsapzN1IfGBSzML-wAZP2r9AH_Bq/s1600-h/Melody96.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 196px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5qsPzPOFOeJ4DFiJygKeKsx2zmYPBLXnvFWXdER2RDmawOSDdKKC5i4Q7zrV2cVZ_54h4WgK3kLkcvxuBwNMNL4QUgm3h23PLaNT0_1TMjsapzN1IfGBSzML-wAZP2r9AH_Bq/s200/Melody96.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231801998119110178" border="0" /></a></div></div>Kathy Nortonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15270083638838477361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10817135.post-72369559623457566742008-07-26T20:34:00.003-04:002008-07-27T19:25:05.597-04:00Ann Arbor Quilt Show 2008<p style="text-align: center;" class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfY5CzcXMwhYQKbbFm7dLIQ6R0SplvmkGYxyR3Tpg1lYFV3N67k2OK8rwhcaqza3A3RjZ5fHiVaAxQJP4Bjtj975UD2G_2Wn6MwR-OFJKLGanvrYHLizuLQWrOzdScHhCmO80A/s1600-h/photo-715520.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfY5CzcXMwhYQKbbFm7dLIQ6R0SplvmkGYxyR3Tpg1lYFV3N67k2OK8rwhcaqza3A3RjZ5fHiVaAxQJP4Bjtj975UD2G_2Wn6MwR-OFJKLGanvrYHLizuLQWrOzdScHhCmO80A/s320/photo-715520.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5227485936302974690" border="0" /></a></p><br />My two show entries, shown above, were hung side by side in the first row -- a really great location. I was surprised and pretty pleased! Mostly, I was just glad to get them both done in time, after the fiasco with my sewing machine. By the way, that "Next Day Air" service that I paid $50.00 for was a bust. The part didn't arrive until the day after, and my sewing schedule was thrown for a loop. But somehow the quilts were finished in time.<br /><p style="text-align: center;" class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtKDFZU9LhOCCEylKpu22NxjGFDMfV2qWTS7RhmveB6FLwkYS9_JVi4c6C6lUiyj5jyMC37PhNsYEI8tOoJq8njJIcIzCd3zLjc7mixcEq80bx6am7WnS0-DzcuOnfN1T9Fenu/s1600-h/photo-796188.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtKDFZU9LhOCCEylKpu22NxjGFDMfV2qWTS7RhmveB6FLwkYS9_JVi4c6C6lUiyj5jyMC37PhNsYEI8tOoJq8njJIcIzCd3zLjc7mixcEq80bx6am7WnS0-DzcuOnfN1T9Fenu/s320/photo-796188.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5227486285970655762" border="0" /></a></p><br />Brenda's quilt got a lot of attention and favorable comments, and may stand a chance of winning the "Viewers' Choice" award. (I'll let you know!) The lighting was perfect for it, really making the circles pop out as you approached it. I've grown quite attached to this quilt during the long months of hand applique, and will be sorry to see it go. But it's rightfully Brenda's, and she has been patient enough. <span style="font-style: italic;">You should have it by the weekend, Brenda!</span><br /><p style="text-align: center;" class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCTicW2xK72opmmYlsav1iYLFKyN29bUXtLRjSjBQU_8_-Dn8q9-aOwW7KQbkosIkDwmjgjUlO07w0bpORrboitaYAAcDYFp1ts7iWc911JkmvO62hyphenhyphen7_7r7vrtkRjOHkmQRGe/s1600-h/photo-747445.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCTicW2xK72opmmYlsav1iYLFKyN29bUXtLRjSjBQU_8_-Dn8q9-aOwW7KQbkosIkDwmjgjUlO07w0bpORrboitaYAAcDYFp1ts7iWc911JkmvO62hyphenhyphen7_7r7vrtkRjOHkmQRGe/s320/photo-747445.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5227485646188120194" border="0" /></a></p><br />The quilt I made for myself (finally!) came out well, too, but it's more traditional and less eye-catching then Brenda's. My favorite part of my quilt is the fabric, which is a tiny rosebud print in several colorways. I've been collecting this for years, and have finally made the quilt. From a distance the print reads like a solid, so I like it best up close, where the tiny vines and buds are visible (see below.) The beige background fabric, as well as the backing of the quilt, is also a vine and flower print.<p style="text-align: center;" class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidLbfYkDodNZvBeiCp8c4zakwaMWWBbdrSCL7_4rsfsz3VdyIDdjMcX1Qaffq7ZZ6Pb4BzjGgm2t4531neKm5VPQNCEdgK422Et-vGWF6ROiQD5yCx1VzOdt2Uaw9LWwDyDJ9H/s1600-h/photo-726597.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidLbfYkDodNZvBeiCp8c4zakwaMWWBbdrSCL7_4rsfsz3VdyIDdjMcX1Qaffq7ZZ6Pb4BzjGgm2t4531neKm5VPQNCEdgK422Et-vGWF6ROiQD5yCx1VzOdt2Uaw9LWwDyDJ9H/s320/photo-726597.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5227837314584636834" border="0" /></a></p>Kathy Nortonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15270083638838477361noreply@blogger.com0