tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4950237708080651322024-03-13T10:37:09.141-07:00Monsoon CalamityMonsoon Calamityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09252771795238100847noreply@blogger.comBlogger38125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-495023770808065132.post-5986438200540098612013-10-26T20:59:00.000-07:002013-10-26T21:27:45.928-07:002013 Christmas Cards<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPi4G8o1sNs4WZuai-dkQIp1I-OArICyvQu_ALXPwEaNHgmf5yNPpxOp1qH2NgeF8hKjB9UJ7zDhe7uySIgj1b43k1cu0DQXQ0krAuA-7sh3giXLeg8EVVVdztNTmzQTILsZkLal1xn7U/s1600/christmas2013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPi4G8o1sNs4WZuai-dkQIp1I-OArICyvQu_ALXPwEaNHgmf5yNPpxOp1qH2NgeF8hKjB9UJ7zDhe7uySIgj1b43k1cu0DQXQ0krAuA-7sh3giXLeg8EVVVdztNTmzQTILsZkLal1xn7U/s320/christmas2013.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;">Usually, I make my Christmas cards in the summer - kind of like Christmas in July! There is no pressure then. The chaos that is the holiday season has not started and I can just enjoy the crafting of the cards. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444;">This year, I'm not sure what happened. Maybe it was the beach, or cycling, or gardening, or just hanging out on my swing under the trees in the back yard reading a book</span>. <span style="color: #444444;">Whatever it was, the cards didn't happen. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444;">I'm sure I did other crafty things (really, I craft for several hours each day, unless I'm so sick I can't get out of bed, and that doesn't happen very often). I'm sure I crocheted and cross-stitched. Heck, I'm sure I even made other non-holiday-themed cards - yes, I am very sure of this. What happened to the Christmas-card-making?</span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444;">So, now, in October, 5 days away from Halloween (we haven't carved the pumpkin, my son doesn't really care what he is for Halloween so has yet to choose a costume), I have finally finished the drawing that will become our family's Christmas card this year. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444;">In an effort at full disclosure, this was not supposed to be our Christmas card. Last week sometime, I had an idea for a drawing - lots of limb-like things coming out from a pebbled centre, surrounded by nature-type things. I know, very specific. I started drawing and I partway finished when I realized that I had no plan whatsoever for the cards. The cards I should have already made, back in July.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444;">At that point in my drawing, I knew I had to inject some "Christmas" into this drawing, or I might have to buy some cards at WalMart this year (not that I haven't done that before). Up until this point, I had been drawing inspiration from a wonderful science textbook I have, that depicts patterns in nature. I love that book - I almost never read the text but the pictures make me want to draw.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444;">I decided that snowflakes and holly would do the trick. Luckily, I had already been working in a green/red colour scheme (luck, or the universe trying to remind me I needed cards? Who knows.). It was quite simple to add a little snowflake who looks like he's caught in a snowdrift and a string of holly.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444;">I guess I won't have to buy my cards this year (sorry, WalMart) as I've ordered several dozen photo prints of this drawing from Snapfish (www.snapfish.com - sign up for their newsletter and you will never pay full price for anything there) to mount onto cardstock and send out to our loved ones. Phew! Crisis averted for one more year.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444;">Happy holiday crafting, everyone! </span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444;">Current giveaway: like <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Monsoon-Calamity/273573932841" target="_blank">Monsoon Calamity on facebook</a> to be entered into a draw for one of my encaustic paintings (your choice from my <a href="http://www.monsooncalamity.etsy.com/" target="_blank">Etsy store</a>!). </span><br />
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<br />Monsoon Calamityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09252771795238100847noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-495023770808065132.post-91615574642125102932012-11-12T11:39:00.003-08:002012-11-12T12:25:53.934-08:00One more Christmas gift finished!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #444444;">I can't tell you how much fun I am having rediscovering collage! I mean, I know we did it in elementary school (it's just cut and paste, after all), and one of my favourite gifts to my Dad on Father's Day involves a piece of wood and some collaged wallpaper frogs (is anyone surprised I used frogs? And that I still own said piece of wood?), but I had no idea how beautiful grown-up collage could be!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444;">Lately, I've been spending time on Pinterest, pinning collages and art journal pages. Such gorgeous creations by such talented people. I can only hope, one day, to make the kind of interesting and amazing collages I find there.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444;">Here are a few of my favourite collage artists (found on Pinterest, of course!):</span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444;"><a href="http://lafiorevida.blogspot.ca/2011/09/new-art-journaling-post-be-mindful.html" target="_blank">Brenda Figueroa</a></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><a href="http://blackflipflops.blogspot.ca/2011/08/hello-lovely-friends-i-hope-youve-had.html" target="_blank">Virginia Tillery</a></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><a href="http://www.thekathrynwheel.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">The Kathryn Wheel</a></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444;">So, I have an ever-growing list of people I would like to make collages for. I'm doubtful that they will all be done in the next 6 weeks, in time for Christmas gift-giving, but I'm excited by the thought of spending lots of time trying to get them all done! I don't want it to turn into a job, however, so I'm just going to have fun and see how far I get. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444;">The one pictured above is finished, I think. When I compare it to other collages, it seems too simple. I know, I shouldn't compare myself to other people. I should do what my heart wants to do and be happy with it. But this is something I struggle with - am I good enough? is my art good enough? is it good enough to give as gifts to other people or will they make fun of it after I have left? </span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444;">Sigh. I guess I should read the verse on this collage again:</span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444;">The purpose of life is to discover your gift.</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;">The meaning of life is to give it away.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444;">And, I'm off to start a new collage........ </span><br />
<br />Monsoon Calamityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09252771795238100847noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-495023770808065132.post-52884603881329155492012-11-02T13:30:00.002-07:002012-11-02T14:00:54.090-07:0030% off your entire pattern purchase on Etsy or Ravelry!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMyW3-GqK2PXMT1XtosOnQbVL9lrwzgerVAol_96JzdnPxSOa68bc2x0X5NDZpfUU6idJWZ4frnd4NGjMAJwbe3tBUsT8K744PX7DMEwq5WV8ZXQ9HdFCuoVXJ9oAOZAm8t4p2DGP3Om8/s1600/IMG_0913+(2)+-+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMyW3-GqK2PXMT1XtosOnQbVL9lrwzgerVAol_96JzdnPxSOa68bc2x0X5NDZpfUU6idJWZ4frnd4NGjMAJwbe3tBUsT8K744PX7DMEwq5WV8ZXQ9HdFCuoVXJ9oAOZAm8t4p2DGP3Om8/s320/IMG_0913+(2)+-+copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;">With the holidays approaching, it's time to think about holiday gift making! </span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;">To
introduce my new monthly newsletter for Monsoon Calamity Patterns, I am
offering a coupon code for 30% off your entire purchase in my </span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.mcpatterns.etsy.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Etsy store</a></span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"> to anyone who signs up for the newsletter! The coupon code <span style="font-size: small;">can also be used on<span style="font-size: small;"> my patte<span style="font-size: small;">rns <span style="font-size: small;">(Monsoon Calamity) on <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/">Ravelry</a>!</span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;">How do you sign up? Just send an email to mcpatternsnewsletter@ymail.com,<span style="font-size: small;"> </span>let me know, and I'll send out your coupon code; if you don't respond, I'll take you off my list - it's that easy!</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;">There's
no need to worry that I will send too many emails - I promise that I'm
too busy to send out more than one a month (I homeschool my son who has Asperger's and <span style="font-size: small;">whom</span> I adore beyond words, and that takes up most of my
time). I was just looking for a way to say thanks to everyone who has
supported my little shop and also to let you know about upcoming pattern
releases<span style="font-size: small;"> and sa</span>les - </span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;">I have a few baby blanket patterns, including my first knit pattern, that are almost ready to be released!</span>. I promise I will never give your information to anyone else.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;">This offer is available to anyone - please pass this information on to anyone you know who might be interested!</span></span>
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<span style="color: #444444;"><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">I look forward to <span style="font-size: small;">hearing from you :) </span></span><span style="font-size: small;">H</span>appy Stitching!</span></span>
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Cindy</span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><br /><br />Note:
The monthly newsletter will be released from this email address:
mcpatternsnewsletter@ymail.com - please add this email address to your
contacts to make sure you don't miss the newsletter! Thanks!</span>Monsoon Calamityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09252771795238100847noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-495023770808065132.post-70079602099533780492012-08-26T20:07:00.001-07:002012-08-26T20:28:16.392-07:00Kite Flying<div style="color: #666666;">
This post will be a little out of the ordinary for me. It's about kite flying. </div>
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While crafting is my passion in life, kite flying is my son's. When we mention flying kites to people for the first time, I'm sure they have visions in their minds of small, diamond-shaped kites that you have to run with in order for them to fly. Not so for us. We learned to fly from a wonderful man named Blaize, otherwise known locally as The Kite Man. He takes kite flying seriously, but in a fun way :)</div>
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Between Blaize and my son, Cade, they likely own about 400 kites, and yes, half of those are at our house :) We have bins of kites, piles of kites, and 3-D kites hanging from the basement ceiling. We fly using kite crankers, hoop winders, and fishing rods. And we fly them high. My personal line goes 1000', and so does Cade's. But Blaize has a line that is 4000' - it's too heavy for me to even use! We often also fly more than one kite on a single line - a little risky, but so much fun.</div>
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This fall, we'd like to invite our fellow local homeschoolers out to fly kites with us. It's really fun, and you'll learn so much - you'll learn about wind speed and direction, wind layers, wind shadows, distances, knot tying, and we are even starting to make our own kites, which involves measuring, shapes, and angles. But first, you can just have fun flying, the learning will happen all by itself :)</div>
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We like to "dress up" a kite using ribbon streamers on the sides. The type and length of tail you use depends on many factors including wind speed and type of kite. This kite is almost a stunt kite and so needs lots of tail to keep it steady in the sky.</div>
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Have you ever seen a boat fly? This Go Fly a Kite pirate ship looks a little unreal up amongst the clouds.</div>
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Cade, with his largest box kite - it doesn't seem that long ago that he could stand inside it!</div>
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The rainbow duster bi-plane, with moving propeller.</div>
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The Solaris kite is one of my favourites, even though we almost always need to pull it up using a steady delta kite - unless we fly in the steadier winter winds but that gets a little cold for me :)</div>
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The Sunset Diamond is absolutely beautiful when the sun hits it from behind, causing it to glow.</div>
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And finally, our fabulous 9' Delta kite. If the wind was too strong, this kite would lift you off the ground! We only fly it in lighter winds, when other kites, with less wingspan, won't fly. It's wonderful to watch it climb high in the sky, and once, it even flew in the clouds :)<span style="color: #666666;"></span></div>
Monsoon Calamityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09252771795238100847noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-495023770808065132.post-49604326737939372092012-08-26T19:35:00.000-07:002012-08-27T00:01:33.623-07:00That terrible yellow quilt.<div style="color: #666666;">
Okay, so I decided to make a modern-looking quilt. You know, the kind with white in it. I don't normally use white. But this time, I thought I would make something that actually photographed well. You see, I like to make quilts with little contrast, scrappy style. This type of quilt, while looking gorgeous in real life, and being absolutely snuggly to live with, often doesn't photograph well. Okay, so it might photograph well if I would work on my photography skills, or get some better equipment, or take a photo when the moon and sun are out at the same time while squirrels dance around (or some other thing that needs to happen in order to get the perfect shot), but I have trouble getting a good picture sometimes.</div>
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I decide to make a yellow a white quilt. I love yellow and it's my son's favourite colour, always has been. When he was 2 he was angry because he wished the whole world were yellow! Moreover, yellow and white would make a beautiful, fresh-looking quilt that would photograph well.</div>
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Now, when you look at the photos, you will see that, indeed, it did photograph pretty well. Again, if I would take more time to set up the shot and stage it better, it would be better. But, hey, I'm pretty happy I actually got the quilt and the camera in the same spot to even take the pictures, so I'm happy enough.</div>
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But getting to these good photos was a long road. Suffice it to say that I made every mistake possible while making this quilt: I didn't measure the white strips so it turned out wonky and I didn't press the yellow strips inward (because that was more difficult and I got lazy) so the seams show a bit through the white (remember, I don't usually use white and so, I don't usually have this problem). </div>
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This quilt was hanging on my banister rail for months, quietly telling me that even though it wasn't perfect, it deserved to be quilted. I kept answering that I wasn't so sure. Maybe I shouldn't bother throwing good fabric after bad by adding batting and backing and all that time and effort to quilt it if it wasn't going to be presentable anyway.</div>
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But this past Thursday, my husband and son went to the movies and left me alone for the afternoon. (What? Alone time? What do I do with that? We homeschool and my husband works from home 2 days a week so I'm never alone.) My husband says, "You should do something fun with that time." Yes, he is good to me. I decided to quilt the terrible yellow quilt, as I had come to call it.</div>
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How could I have known it would turn out so well? I guess I have to chalk it up to using white.</div>
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Oh, and if you ever need an all-over free motion quilting pattern, this one is super easy, super fast, and super pretty! Just do a teardrop, echo it a few times, then do a wavy line around it, echo that a few times, and move on. If you ever quilt yourself in a corner (no, I *never* do that), put another teardrop there, echo it, and make your way out around the waves to a clear spot. Easy peasy :)</div>
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<br />Monsoon Calamityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09252771795238100847noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-495023770808065132.post-48758092087737208542012-08-26T19:15:00.003-07:002012-08-26T19:16:49.589-07:00Piles and Piles of Magazines<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Those who know me well know that I have been decluttering my house for over ten years now. When my son (now 11) was a baby, I joined Flylady (www.flylady.net) - I can honestly say that Flylady changed my life! All those things that naturally organized people know about how to keep a house clear of stuff, I don't. I am naturally a bit messy and I love collecting things that I know I can make into something else someday - I know I'm not alone ;)</div>
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So, as I was cleaning a bit in my sewing room, I glanced over at my bookshelf and saw stacks of magazines - magazines that I bought and looked at and then promptly put in with the others in the stacks. Granted, I occasionally take a few out, re-read a few articles, and I might even bookmark a quilt or two that I would like to make someday (again with that word!), but for the most part, they just sit on the shelves looking pretty (and they do look pretty!).</div>
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But, let's face it, I have been quilting for 22 years now (33 if you count the little doll quilt I made with my grandmother when I was 8), and I really don't need basic quilt-making directions anymore, and I can usually figure out the math on basic, geometric quilt patterns (I love making quilts with squares and rectangles mostly anyway). So, I don't need piles and piles of magazines laying around. Add Pinterst to the mix, and I don't often even look at magazines for inspiration anymore.</div>
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Oh, don't get me wrong, I will still buy magazines when they catch my eye. And a friend recently gave me the premiere issue of Quilty and I quite like it - and it's going in the keep pile :) I am actually keeping many of the more recent magazines. But that still left a pile of older magazines that I didn't want anymore. I really didn't want to recycle them - heck, they cost close to $10 each (and no, I refuse to do the math that would tell me exactly how much I have spent on magazines in the past 20 years!). I could freecycle them or donate them to the local seniors' centre and I know they would be enjoyed by others.</div>
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But they are my magazines and what I really felt like doing with them
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I discovered magazine reeds! And I'm completely, totally addicted. You see craft magazines (there were also some scrapbooking magazines in there) have wonderful colours in them that make great reeds. After having our flooring in the first floor done this spring, I was loathe to put back up the boring art I had on the walls before. I needed something new. I though, why couldn't I make something, for free, and hang it up?</div>
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So, I started rolling the pages. It actually took a long time. But,
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Arrange them in a pleasing order, add some ribbon, and, voila!, free wall art!</div>
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Of course, some of the pages aren't very exciting at all, with all that print - so I collaged. The background on this one is just columns of print from the magazines, and then I cut circles from some scrapbooking paper (yet another craft supply I have far too much of!) and collaged them on, too. Then I took a black permanent fine-liner and doodled a bit - super fun!</div>
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Really, what more can I ask of my magazines? I enjoyed them for what they were, then I enjoyed them again for what I could make with them, and now I can enjoy them on the wall. Life really doesn't get much better than cut and paste, does it? ;)</div>
Monsoon Calamityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09252771795238100847noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-495023770808065132.post-53375222979469148402012-01-03T10:13:00.000-08:002012-01-03T10:24:09.041-08:00New Scrappy Baby Quilt<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWo_mcC_zGe0xxRRAMgRuKrchQWHde4UjKmfpbj4r13uppfBWB9aiI60eqAIs1dCtR079Oj9UVm8sJsTGIrK3qqud4vFI7VeQvBEJ7f27XkzmD2rV0OOy_e6fh3ANq6EUHRoqdZzxLHQ8/s1600/Eleanor%2527s+quilt+013.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWo_mcC_zGe0xxRRAMgRuKrchQWHde4UjKmfpbj4r13uppfBWB9aiI60eqAIs1dCtR079Oj9UVm8sJsTGIrK3qqud4vFI7VeQvBEJ7f27XkzmD2rV0OOy_e6fh3ANq6EUHRoqdZzxLHQ8/s320/Eleanor%2527s+quilt+013.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693470991627101858" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">I made these blocks awhile ago, using squares from my scrap bins. I really had intended to make many more of them and then sew them all together without sashing. I don't usually sash or border my quilts but this time I decided that I just wanted to get the top done so I could move on to the quilting part! </span><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGwC0ZA1M6qURWs7NY3Jz8d21OUgbDpag4M6kaeyq3281MoT1QlsIaMPTH50xBmEJmqaWEJcC9W9vqAIS2-_5UkXrTxPNYZPBWvOcvk3PZf1aBRIbDsNmRAORoEAD4N5QjevrlVEmh3p0/s1600/Eleanor%2527s+quilt+014.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGwC0ZA1M6qURWs7NY3Jz8d21OUgbDpag4M6kaeyq3281MoT1QlsIaMPTH50xBmEJmqaWEJcC9W9vqAIS2-_5UkXrTxPNYZPBWvOcvk3PZf1aBRIbDsNmRAORoEAD4N5QjevrlVEmh3p0/s320/Eleanor%2527s+quilt+014.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693470972087758370" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">I am still trying to fix my longarm, sigh. It's been a lemon from the start but last year I had two machinists that I know (two different people) take a look at my machine and they both said the same thing. They said my machine was a bad design and it was inevitable that it would become damaged in the way that it has. But, one of them managed to fix the primary problem so I could at least quilt a few things. yay!</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBq9pMpubcgT_OvYQe3jsg8QcJdWKkOlnqU4-2Y0wKuD5opB-Lsg7-F0JosOldNP3kzbVfcDSP58Mrj2dxmzQVdfLZWfxOdo4cqZEAhKudOZ-SfoLIwMYa9wpnVrQlJRsn7PlDLJzvuLk/s1600/Eleanor%2527s+quilt+015.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBq9pMpubcgT_OvYQe3jsg8QcJdWKkOlnqU4-2Y0wKuD5opB-Lsg7-F0JosOldNP3kzbVfcDSP58Mrj2dxmzQVdfLZWfxOdo4cqZEAhKudOZ-SfoLIwMYa9wpnVrQlJRsn7PlDLJzvuLk/s320/Eleanor%2527s+quilt+015.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693470970535455842" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">I was, however, still getting alot of thread breakage. So, I went through all the thread guides to check for burrs, and sure enough, there was a burr on one of the final thread guides. So, I tried skipping this particular guide, and voila! I was able to quilt the rest of this quilt without any breakage! I am so happy I could throw a party!</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiepbvBF_dD_qriGljMu6CGcKjHjn-5Ln7b9LInPx0GKbKHBlHuuSxP9XekR5j_M4IkHaNU1akUNAvmYH6fJEflYyqIc4vFvXbb9uitZyr5CRmXv_Q90DDdNzk0fGRyeDaIAP0CZM8fSMU/s1600/Eleanor%2527s+quilt+017.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiepbvBF_dD_qriGljMu6CGcKjHjn-5Ln7b9LInPx0GKbKHBlHuuSxP9XekR5j_M4IkHaNU1akUNAvmYH6fJEflYyqIc4vFvXbb9uitZyr5CRmXv_Q90DDdNzk0fGRyeDaIAP0CZM8fSMU/s320/Eleanor%2527s+quilt+017.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693470948035141138" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">So, this is the final quilt. It still feels like cheating when I take a few blocks and sash and border them into a larger quilt - it feels like I was lazy and just didn't feel like making more blocks (and this is true, in this case :) ). But the result is good and it will make a sweet little gift for a baby who is on her way!</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjofRPOlz2qjvLoeFhdnDQ8CFRd0hK5YPFT5bzCSuTfwUdcsCv5HILRxv9ZU6UzUh3a33rnsFN89ly1XyPkSxk5tBxQhHv5QThnWL1Kap4BoDx4VOndsG3aqoQooUPcDSvovPCnnq9oJ1I/s1600/Eleanor%2527s+quilt+010.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 276px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjofRPOlz2qjvLoeFhdnDQ8CFRd0hK5YPFT5bzCSuTfwUdcsCv5HILRxv9ZU6UzUh3a33rnsFN89ly1XyPkSxk5tBxQhHv5QThnWL1Kap4BoDx4VOndsG3aqoQooUPcDSvovPCnnq9oJ1I/s320/Eleanor%2527s+quilt+010.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693470996793381570" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">And now that my longarm seems to be working for the moment, I can't wait to finish up another top and quilt it up! I think I see more sashing and borders in my future ;)</span>Monsoon Calamityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09252771795238100847noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-495023770808065132.post-19014793958519058812011-10-15T15:29:00.000-07:002011-10-15T20:10:46.781-07:00Leanne's Quilt<span style="color:#333333;">Our family has had a bit of a rough 2011. In the spring my Mum fought breast cancer and kicked its butt! Her latest tests showed her to be cancer free!! We are so grateful for that, that she will be with us for a long time to come - we love her so.<br /><br />But, just as my Mum was finishing up her treatments, my sister was diagnosed with a pituitary tumour. I am ever thankful to live in Canada, with universal health care, or our family would be bankrupt by now for sure. My sister saw her specialist within a few months and was scheduled for her surgery within a month of that. Her surgery went well and she is now spending time at home recovering. We always joke that we are twins, only five years apart so I'm not kidding when I say I don't know what I'd do without her. I can only thank the universe for allowing her to still be with us.<br /><br />When I found out Leanne would be having neurosurgery, I kind of lost it for awhile. You see, our Dad fought a brave battle against his brain tumour and finally succumbed to it in 1994. So, needless to say, our family doesn't like the "C" word, and we couldn't believe we were dealing with another brain tumour, especially. I couldn't stand the thought of my beautiful baby sister undergoing brain surgery.<br /><br />And even though she already has quilts made by me, I just had to make her another one. Not because *she* needed another one, but because I needed to make her one.<br /><br />I started making her one with coordinating fabrics in yellow, brown, and cream, thinking it would match her decor. Just as I was prepping the fabrics, I was talking to her on the phone and she said, "You know, I hate that all my stuff is brown!" I thought, oh no, now what? I didn't want to buy more fabric, and anyway, scrappy quilts are my favourite so I made this:<br /><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6idETMR5mNLB6DqbItjG5Ds3mlZn57-VbGfNRGcLL-0z116b74-ICmJM_HNZMYoaD12Rq3_c618UygysQuc2YZKfhJyNBzBKyFtl1Q2qa1jH516baTnItPEyWxPigQkn0F9HFgmru1vs/s1600/Leanne%2527s+%2526+Cade%2527s+quilts+012.JPG"><span style="color:#333333;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5663849969735554354" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6idETMR5mNLB6DqbItjG5Ds3mlZn57-VbGfNRGcLL-0z116b74-ICmJM_HNZMYoaD12Rq3_c618UygysQuc2YZKfhJyNBzBKyFtl1Q2qa1jH516baTnItPEyWxPigQkn0F9HFgmru1vs/s320/Leanne%2527s+%2526+Cade%2527s+quilts+012.JPG" /></span></a><span style="color:#333333;"><br />Every quilter has fabrics that they love so much, they don't want to cut into them. This quilt is full of those fabrics! I pulled out all my beloved prints and a few sort-of neutrals to balance them out and started cutting.<br /><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZt_Dzah0lnQhGXd0bquMZ5FsXeWtWG6H1xdum1ruop1Na1S0MJyz-Sug6R5IGjO9-PwH9QfOQwEDYsC93sJFuv2PiCanYgvI9NRKusB-dx5AW0Dz3UJFi5TtZD4u0aGWxNnRKLH0iwRQ/s1600/Leanne%2527s+%2526+Cade%2527s+quilts+003.JPG"><span style="color:#333333;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5663849963185811122" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZt_Dzah0lnQhGXd0bquMZ5FsXeWtWG6H1xdum1ruop1Na1S0MJyz-Sug6R5IGjO9-PwH9QfOQwEDYsC93sJFuv2PiCanYgvI9NRKusB-dx5AW0Dz3UJFi5TtZD4u0aGWxNnRKLH0iwRQ/s320/Leanne%2527s+%2526+Cade%2527s+quilts+003.JPG" /></span></a><span style="color:#333333;">I've wanted to make this quilt pattern for awhile so I'm happy I finally did :) And who better to make it for than my sister!<br /></span><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzbmhTvevDGF3C2cvIpL3uBkdOkSvwfZRugS5qv5PlFttwNYuTxXtg43yG3_NrTQ11UyHdDjatJVreJcl1vGkaj4mWyzBLgsh76l9Fo5oPXu6fTGxKTKaS_gj-sNXj7icBuemBSidvJGE/s1600/Leanne%2527s+%2526+Cade%2527s+quilts+009.JPG"><span style="color:#333333;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5663849960692663538" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzbmhTvevDGF3C2cvIpL3uBkdOkSvwfZRugS5qv5PlFttwNYuTxXtg43yG3_NrTQ11UyHdDjatJVreJcl1vGkaj4mWyzBLgsh76l9Fo5oPXu6fTGxKTKaS_gj-sNXj7icBuemBSidvJGE/s320/Leanne%2527s+%2526+Cade%2527s+quilts+009.JPG" /></span></a><span style="color:#333333;"> Of course, we wish her full and speedy recovery and want her to know how much we love her!<br /></span><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGW7gA0hWGXcJtwKJhCXxeeQADdooz6QXdMs4uzCnEfH0f4f01RnFgwM8_wL5bXCGx_VM0oFOz2kyPVz9i2LyXHWcUA7GZ5bK-hjTuA58eOQKmXL8d22t1-WEs04tdT2kK4DSdU6Crw8s/s1600/Leanne%2527s+%2526+Cade%2527s+quilts+008.JPG"><span style="color:#333333;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5663849959299200114" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGW7gA0hWGXcJtwKJhCXxeeQADdooz6QXdMs4uzCnEfH0f4f01RnFgwM8_wL5bXCGx_VM0oFOz2kyPVz9i2LyXHWcUA7GZ5bK-hjTuA58eOQKmXL8d22t1-WEs04tdT2kK4DSdU6Crw8s/s320/Leanne%2527s+%2526+Cade%2527s+quilts+008.JPG" /></span></a><span style="color:#333333;"> I love you forever, Leannabelle. </span></div></div>Monsoon Calamityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09252771795238100847noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-495023770808065132.post-79659382494777470482011-07-23T13:45:00.000-07:002011-07-23T13:58:55.923-07:00<span style="color:#333333;">My very thoughtful husband decided to take our son to the movies today and give me a little quilting time - over 4 hours of quilting time, actually! Although I completely love having Cade home for the summer and spending so much fun time with him at the beach, kite flying, and bike riding, about mid-summer I start to wish for time to myself. I am definitely a person who requires some "me time" :)</span><br /><span style="color:#333333;"></span><br /><span style="color:#333333;">The other day, I was commisioned by a friend to make a doll quilt for a mutual friend. I knew this would be a quick and easy project so I said yes. The person asking me to do this wasn't fussy about colour but said the recipient might like pink so I went into my stash and found all this coordinating fabric in pinks and greens. </span><br /><span style="color:#333333;"></span><br /><span style="color:#333333;">I thought it would be perfect as the quilt is for a recently refinished antique doll cradle and I felt these muted colours would suit it perfectly. And so, here are the photos of the finished quilt. I have a red patio umbrella over my table so it distorts the colours a bit, making all the fabric</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQElZnCuGJjhtJFF7sI_ie6SZr9VTebA04qZ-v9zsebcxGJny0KQUyC4LnVD5MmWs2-PXZLPEmFvoMspE9f7G_KqdEu5Di26S2KWQF5EojyH6BOHywRAkw9-mmiw4LfSFhEfOXp7W-3gk/s1600/Yvette%2527s+Doll+Quilt+%25281%2529.JPG"><span style="color:#333333;"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 307px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5632652351577997730" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQElZnCuGJjhtJFF7sI_ie6SZr9VTebA04qZ-v9zsebcxGJny0KQUyC4LnVD5MmWs2-PXZLPEmFvoMspE9f7G_KqdEu5Di26S2KWQF5EojyH6BOHywRAkw9-mmiw4LfSFhEfOXp7W-3gk/s320/Yvette%2527s+Doll+Quilt+%25281%2529.JPG" /></span></a><span style="color:#333333;"> look a little more pink that it actually looks in real life :)</span><br /><span style="color:#333333;"></span><br /><span style="color:#333333;"><br /></span><br /><span style="color:#333333;"></span><br /><span style="color:#333333;"></span><br /><span style="color:#333333;"></span><br /><span style="color:#333333;"></span><br /><span style="color:#333333;"></span><br /><span style="color:#333333;"></span><br /><span style="color:#333333;">(oops! lens cap snuck into the photo!)</span><br /><span style="color:#333333;"></span><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA7hMfd8ouFIEs1JfZVeJX9lT2L3sCASa1x76M_3qJTRxtfJoLxIcINyK5XJALoPigWhMpGWpx_GODwqkKJ58JwRGTnrGFGhSA7WOeJ8NQl5RG9oafokBYnD9UQZkemwZywjw5XOMShwk/s1600/Yvette%2527s+Doll+Quilt+%25282%2529.JPG"><span style="color:#333333;"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5632652346020506210" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA7hMfd8ouFIEs1JfZVeJX9lT2L3sCASa1x76M_3qJTRxtfJoLxIcINyK5XJALoPigWhMpGWpx_GODwqkKJ58JwRGTnrGFGhSA7WOeJ8NQl5RG9oafokBYnD9UQZkemwZywjw5XOMShwk/s320/Yvette%2527s+Doll+Quilt+%25282%2529.JPG" /></span></a><span style="color:#333333;"><br /><br /></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="color:#333333;"></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="color:#333333;"></span><br /><span style="color:#333333;">(closeup of the fabrics)</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="color:#333333;"></span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Zek7s7w6Qndo6eSGU08RAzRWW1pAp5IPiSs0XYsFUXqnUtmQgXMMSvRfh0RfYGe4Qs0icnqm4INCVawKUw6nc0-KJN0t7ivwez6qEcGveawxcY_LE9Fpw2q1riOgz5tRvBgJFmAUXr0/s1600/Yvette%2527s+Doll+Quilt+%25283%2529.JPG"><span style="color:#333333;"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5632652340919830370" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Zek7s7w6Qndo6eSGU08RAzRWW1pAp5IPiSs0XYsFUXqnUtmQgXMMSvRfh0RfYGe4Qs0icnqm4INCVawKUw6nc0-KJN0t7ivwez6qEcGveawxcY_LE9Fpw2q1riOgz5tRvBgJFmAUXr0/s320/Yvette%2527s+Doll+Quilt+%25283%2529.JPG" /></span></a><span style="color:#333333;"><br /><br /><br /><br /></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="color:#333333;"></span><br /><br /><span style="color:#333333;">(closeup of the quilting)</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="color:#333333;"></span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpl3VUCohiioJxzZv_GU7tYMoOtY26QwkGa_vdWAdJNZHY6KWuNq3ANHcfvCTMDtgRosQbNnE0n0FxR6I0Otini_xw1lqxJBv_UyXEwr5GEaEG0wTlk6SB7Mqee4CGVtB1_9qWqENd_RA/s1600/Yvette%2527s+Doll+Quilt+%25284%2529.JPG"><span style="color:#333333;"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5632652332841330770" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpl3VUCohiioJxzZv_GU7tYMoOtY26QwkGa_vdWAdJNZHY6KWuNq3ANHcfvCTMDtgRosQbNnE0n0FxR6I0Otini_xw1lqxJBv_UyXEwr5GEaEG0wTlk6SB7Mqee4CGVtB1_9qWqENd_RA/s320/Yvette%2527s+Doll+Quilt+%25284%2529.JPG" /></span></a><span style="color:#333333;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></span><br /><span style="color:#333333;">(closeup of the backing)</span>Monsoon Calamityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09252771795238100847noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-495023770808065132.post-81757452798072271292011-07-05T17:58:00.000-07:002011-07-08T19:00:14.948-07:00New Pattern - The story behind the hats.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxRSzzs6eUKW_aN3IAoCi12TVHrgLjysxu1MIVG-vbxuqaCWqtVFWCp4SauMY8m_oz1CcBYZ_6vedjsg94N2fzK7TkZ7kFXfx5RsjmsGYRdbHoiwHd6IC-rf7ZGCmDEA6l8o2WAHWrt0Q/s1600/Charity+Hat+Trio+%25231+-+pinkcream+%25283%2529.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 175px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 236px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626042773667117970" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxRSzzs6eUKW_aN3IAoCi12TVHrgLjysxu1MIVG-vbxuqaCWqtVFWCp4SauMY8m_oz1CcBYZ_6vedjsg94N2fzK7TkZ7kFXfx5RsjmsGYRdbHoiwHd6IC-rf7ZGCmDEA6l8o2WAHWrt0Q/s320/Charity+Hat+Trio+%25231+-+pinkcream+%25283%2529.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBfaXyU0lGIk-u9Fd7-aqT1goko9fM64zfru9a-GG7kab7YUJhEXcUNhdzQ5Xg0VfbCDnkK6kL_qemqbGQrIycTeHI-jujKDtvWPt3zlSCkqAhKjnzCQ293ABkrK-AU7aoqmBmNwtU0aM/s1600/Charity+Hat+Trio+%25231+-+greenpink+%25284%2529.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626042778355853282" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBfaXyU0lGIk-u9Fd7-aqT1goko9fM64zfru9a-GG7kab7YUJhEXcUNhdzQ5Xg0VfbCDnkK6kL_qemqbGQrIycTeHI-jujKDtvWPt3zlSCkqAhKjnzCQ293ABkrK-AU7aoqmBmNwtU0aM/s320/Charity+Hat+Trio+%25231+-+greenpink+%25284%2529.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuRbX8-s-UxGl8SD232rvrP9F-WaQ9GiMKTdw4KONU89ZXovQXikcfFOYngqcNlGs_H_eWUyGo_N6_erNvT3wvlnyILQdS9C6uG62bgWtz8a6CWvsXZstgXCJQ2r81uQ8HBQ0w5oEIkZs/s1600/Charity+Hat+Trio+%25231+-+greygreen+%25283%2529.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 202px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 261px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626042792460983154" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuRbX8-s-UxGl8SD232rvrP9F-WaQ9GiMKTdw4KONU89ZXovQXikcfFOYngqcNlGs_H_eWUyGo_N6_erNvT3wvlnyILQdS9C6uG62bgWtz8a6CWvsXZstgXCJQ2r81uQ8HBQ0w5oEIkZs/s320/Charity+Hat+Trio+%25231+-+greygreen+%25283%2529.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuRbX8-s-UxGl8SD232rvrP9F-WaQ9GiMKTdw4KONU89ZXovQXikcfFOYngqcNlGs_H_eWUyGo_N6_erNvT3wvlnyILQdS9C6uG62bgWtz8a6CWvsXZstgXCJQ2r81uQ8HBQ0w5oEIkZs/s1600/Charity+Hat+Trio+%25231+-+greygreen+%25283%2529.JPG"></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBfaXyU0lGIk-u9Fd7-aqT1goko9fM64zfru9a-GG7kab7YUJhEXcUNhdzQ5Xg0VfbCDnkK6kL_qemqbGQrIycTeHI-jujKDtvWPt3zlSCkqAhKjnzCQ293ABkrK-AU7aoqmBmNwtU0aM/s1600/Charity+Hat+Trio+%25231+-+greenpink+%25284%2529.JPG"></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuRbX8-s-UxGl8SD232rvrP9F-WaQ9GiMKTdw4KONU89ZXovQXikcfFOYngqcNlGs_H_eWUyGo_N6_erNvT3wvlnyILQdS9C6uG62bgWtz8a6CWvsXZstgXCJQ2r81uQ8HBQ0w5oEIkZs/s1600/Charity+Hat+Trio+%25231+-+greygreen+%25283%2529.JPG"></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuRbX8-s-UxGl8SD232rvrP9F-WaQ9GiMKTdw4KONU89ZXovQXikcfFOYngqcNlGs_H_eWUyGo_N6_erNvT3wvlnyILQdS9C6uG62bgWtz8a6CWvsXZstgXCJQ2r81uQ8HBQ0w5oEIkZs/s1600/Charity+Hat+Trio+%25231+-+greygreen+%25283%2529.JPG"></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuRbX8-s-UxGl8SD232rvrP9F-WaQ9GiMKTdw4KONU89ZXovQXikcfFOYngqcNlGs_H_eWUyGo_N6_erNvT3wvlnyILQdS9C6uG62bgWtz8a6CWvsXZstgXCJQ2r81uQ8HBQ0w5oEIkZs/s1600/Charity+Hat+Trio+%25231+-+greygreen+%25283%2529.JPG"></a><br /><span style="color:#333333;">If you're anything like me, you like to start on winter projects in the summer. That way, they're finished by the time you actually need them.<br /></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><span style="color:#333333;"></span></div><br /><br /><div><span style="color:#333333;">Each fall, my quilt and craft club donates hats, scarves, slippers, and mittens to the local food bank, to be distributed to families in the Christmas hampers that are given out in December. We usually end up making about 100 items to donate, which I think is pretty good as normally there are only 3 of us who actively make things for this particular charity (we're a small crafting group of 8-10 women).</span></div><br /><br /><br /><div><span style="color:#333333;"></span></div><br /><br /><div><span style="color:#333333;">This year, I designed, and now have published, the hat patterns I used for the hats I donated to the food bank and also for the chemo unit in the hospital where my Mum underwent treatment. </span></div><br /><br /><br /><div><span style="color:#333333;"></span></div><br /><br /><div><span style="color:#333333;">In September 2010, my Mum was diagnosed with breast cancer and was in need of hats when she lost her hair. I designed these three hats for her. I also made many for donation to the chemo unit at the hospital where my Mum was receiving treatment. My Mum is now finished her treatment and is doing well - I'm so proud of her! In June 2011, after my Mum finished her treatments, my sister was diagnosed with a pituitary tumour, and is now about to begin treatment. Please join me in sending positive energy her way, in whatever form you like, to help her on her journey to health.</span></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><span style="color:#333333;"></span></div><br /><br /><div><span style="color:#333333;">About the hats:</span></div><br /><br /><br /><div><span style="color:#333333;"></span></div><br /><br /><div><span style="color:#333333;"><strong>The Barbara Hat</strong>: a very thick and warm rib for our cold Canadian winters, with a tweed look; named after my dear, brave Mum, as this one was her favourite.</span></div><br /><br /><br /><div><span style="color:#333333;"></span></div><br /><br /><div><span style="color:#333333;"><strong>The Cindy Hat</strong>: a more delicate rib of medium warmth.</span></div><br /><br /><br /><div><span style="color:#333333;"></span></div><br /><br /><div><span style="color:#333333;"><strong>The Leanne Hat</strong>: the most lightweight of the three hats, with a ribbed contrast-colour band; named after my dear, sweet sister, who is now fighting her own brave battle.</span></div><br /><br /><br /><div><span style="color:#333333;"></span></div><br /><br /><div><span style="color:#333333;">I hope you enjoy making these hats for yourself, your family, a friend, or for donation!</span></div>Monsoon Calamityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09252771795238100847noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-495023770808065132.post-61941097479963523472011-04-12T05:58:00.000-07:002011-04-12T06:13:42.055-07:00One Last Project Linus Quilt<span style="color:#333333;">Since tonight is our local quilt & craft club night's annual Project Linus blanket collection, I thought I would finish up this little baby quilt that I've had the top finished for awhile. So easy and fun to make and I'm happy to say that Lucy (my longarm) cooperated for this one, for the most part :) The bird fabric is my favourite fabric in the whole quilt, and really, it was the reason I made this quilt. I've been wanting to make a pink/yellow/orange quilt for some time now and when I saw that bird fabric, I had to use it! I bought a lovely 1/4 yard bundle from </span><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/downshadowlane"><span style="color:#333333;">Down Shadow Lane </span></a><span style="color:#333333;">on Etsy - the service was great and the fabric fantastic so I know I will be ordering from them again. </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGbbAn8e04K_ozF_3Ubrpu1z2NiAwJxtOn7OSSc_YZVXNUMunhDs8OiTjx5T47uRLScwogZ6K3KPV3oRJ00jieLYhpz82v8tUH07khLQBeH8xLyk7ydEs3FNkyL3nWU870DqInf4OPGgs/s1600/Project+Linus+Quilt+001.JPG"><span style="color:#333333;"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594681110456840482" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGbbAn8e04K_ozF_3Ubrpu1z2NiAwJxtOn7OSSc_YZVXNUMunhDs8OiTjx5T47uRLScwogZ6K3KPV3oRJ00jieLYhpz82v8tUH07khLQBeH8xLyk7ydEs3FNkyL3nWU870DqInf4OPGgs/s320/Project+Linus+Quilt+001.JPG" /></span></a><span style="color:#333333;"> </span><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_iO9aDeSQeAG2wGDqoFiFrTxBHruv5pfiCKA8chqspzpgfH0efgfyRrt4VUB_7E7BB5RiQbuqfGNmVs91L6UBiX3Ibmk3KbsbnjJKLoA-mXanpkvBFY3X_0K2zuB3TJvRRUidPIlcnKw/s1600/Project+Linus+Quilt+005.JPG"><span style="color:#333333;"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594681097591760706" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_iO9aDeSQeAG2wGDqoFiFrTxBHruv5pfiCKA8chqspzpgfH0efgfyRrt4VUB_7E7BB5RiQbuqfGNmVs91L6UBiX3Ibmk3KbsbnjJKLoA-mXanpkvBFY3X_0K2zuB3TJvRRUidPIlcnKw/s320/Project+Linus+Quilt+005.JPG" /></span></a><span style="color:#333333;"> </span><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwg61aO1F-UIRfn-rUhP-ti6jjTV9r4v3zsX8saY5mIQXAS3xqKUAO9a29mKxKKd3Oy7AJ1044cUAFfks6269BovyvotLfFdJjGT5VGdC9WL7vU1hOE26wFosiNJEt8KX-r2z788ShLJk/s1600/Project+Linus+Quilt+007.JPG"><span style="color:#333333;"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594681085150100962" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwg61aO1F-UIRfn-rUhP-ti6jjTV9r4v3zsX8saY5mIQXAS3xqKUAO9a29mKxKKd3Oy7AJ1044cUAFfks6269BovyvotLfFdJjGT5VGdC9WL7vU1hOE26wFosiNJEt8KX-r2z788ShLJk/s320/Project+Linus+Quilt+007.JPG" /></span></a><span style="color:#333333;"> </span><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8RtEuoshG2k7dEb4l1ov8Oy2Q9gB0uQGH5hHyQTS8ROzcGIvlf1OTpMJDhytCTYzSf2YFcuD2_aaSEYyJbLvRBXUx5fcQ024TS6Tm19L8SxUsDtZM5sV68Gkvhcsq8gQiR5e2sNj0AEs/s1600/Project+Linus+Quilt+008.JPG"></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisJVd2LO_QTJtyoQCDoe38U5btxOcxrk04r49lSb36aAsle0ES3p5RMPuyajXjcD3oy_Tn716PHDlBhXPTKIi3qXiIayTwjTbD5rGNWwAliVLVnytMm8z_8SnE4IMhPIURr7DxVYfystk/s1600/Project+Linus+Quilt+013.JPG"><span style="color:#333333;"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594681071847986738" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisJVd2LO_QTJtyoQCDoe38U5btxOcxrk04r49lSb36aAsle0ES3p5RMPuyajXjcD3oy_Tn716PHDlBhXPTKIi3qXiIayTwjTbD5rGNWwAliVLVnytMm8z_8SnE4IMhPIURr7DxVYfystk/s320/Project+Linus+Quilt+013.JPG" /></span></a><span style="color:#333333;"> </span><br /><div></div><br /><div><span style="color:#333333;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#333333;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#333333;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#333333;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#333333;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#333333;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#333333;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#333333;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#333333;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#333333;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#333333;">I think I have 5 or 6 blankets to donate this time to Project Linus. I'm hoping for more this next year, now that Lucy is working again. I am also hoping to make more boy blankets this year as I'm sure most of my donations are for girls this time. I really try hard to make them even, but, my being a girl means I tend to gravitate toward flowers and stuff ;) </span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#333333;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#333333;">But, I have a wonderful boy of my own and I know firsthand how difficult it is to get nice boyish things, and I am promising myself right now that I will make some really great boyish blankets this year!</span></div></div></div></div></div>Monsoon Calamityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09252771795238100847noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-495023770808065132.post-69930246400333330002011-02-10T19:50:00.000-08:002011-02-11T06:14:54.622-08:00And the Winners Are ......!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbwmKhoexbrJ2CngtyJd7zy_tIKy6z3CjNEcstLIouFodhtJiboG9WH1Pk8kZKmZKAYZh38MqPcSDRESnzToHukbio78pLi3PLe2iqwrxjXpkJsBd-3DfM2TNIw9REJ9va2SgUJTMUPGc/s1600/Logan+Baby+Blanket+1.JPG"><span style="color:#000000;"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 242px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572274658570626770" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbwmKhoexbrJ2CngtyJd7zy_tIKy6z3CjNEcstLIouFodhtJiboG9WH1Pk8kZKmZKAYZh38MqPcSDRESnzToHukbio78pLi3PLe2iqwrxjXpkJsBd-3DfM2TNIw9REJ9va2SgUJTMUPGc/s320/Logan+Baby+Blanket+1.JPG" /></span></a><span style="color:#000000;"> This Free Pattern Giveaway contest has been so fun and, as promised, I have a new pattern available (pictured here): the Logan Baby Blanket! </span><br /><span style="color:#000000;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000000;">Welcome to the new facebook fans - I've enjoyed chatting with a few of you! And, most exciting, is that now I get to give away some patterns and look forward to, hopefully, seeing the finished items :)</span><br /><span style="color:#000000;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000000;">I am going to list the winners first (determined by the handy-dandy random number generator on the right) and then those winners can look below the list to see how they can receive their free pattern!</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#000000;">And the winners are:</span><br /><span style="color:#000000;">1. Fern Brownlocks</span><br /><span style="color:#000000;">2. Megan Pike</span><br /><span style="color:#000000;">3. Jamie Spero-Toner</span><br /><span style="color:#000000;">4. Catherine Burnside</span><br /><span style="color:#000000;">5. Jen DebutantDesigns Landry</span><br /><span style="color:#000000;">6. Sooz E. Cue</span><br /><span style="color:#000000;">7. Mandy Silver-Marko</span><br /><span style="color:#000000;">8. Saritha Shenoy</span><br /><span style="color:#000000;">9. Rebecca Smith (could you please contact me via facebook, etsy, or ravelry - I couldn't send your coupon via facebook - thanks!)<br /></span><span style="color:#000000;">10. Janet McLachlan Slater</span><br /><span style="color:#000000;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000000;">There you have it! The 10 lucky facebook fan winners! Look for your coupon codes through facebook tomorrow (February 11) - there might still be time to make something in time for Valentine's Day!</span><br /><span style="color:#000000;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000000;">There are 2 ways you can receive your free pattern:</span><br /><span style="color:#000000;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000000;">1. Unfortunately, Etsy will not allow me to issue a coupon for 100% off (I hope they change this). However, I have still issued coupons to each winner for 99% off. If you choose this option, please go to </span><a href="http://www.mcpatterns.etsy.com/"><span style="color:#000000;">www.mcpatterns.etsy.com</span></a><span style="color:#000000;"> and put one pattern in your cart. Proceed to the checkout where you will prompted for your coupon code. After entering the code, you will be left with a balance of 2 cents (!) which you will have to pay for either by credit card or paypal (still very easy and your part is now done!). </span><br /><span style="color:#000000;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000000;">After your transaction goes through, I will email your pattern to you and refund your 2 cents! Although this seems like alot to go through, if you choose this option, I would appreciate positive feedback when you are finished (unless something is making you unhappy in which case, I would love to hear from you so we can fix it) :) Phew! A long explanation for something so easy!</span><br /><span style="color:#000000;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000000;">2. If you would rather send me your email address through facebook along with your pattern selection, I will email your pattern to you. I completely understand that this option is easier and I will also understand if you choose to use it. If in the future, you visit my store again (and I hope you will!) and purchase another pattern, I hope you will leave positive feedback then :)</span><br /><span style="color:#000000;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000000;">So, that's it - another contest finished - if you have any questions please convo me through Etsy. When you make up your pattern, I would love to see the finished item - my Ravelry ID is MonsoonCalamity and I would especially love it if you put up a project page there (</span><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/"><span style="color:#000000;">www.ravelry.com</span></a><span style="color:#000000;"> - it's free!).</span><br /><span style="color:#000000;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000000;">Thanks, everyone! Now, off to think of what to do for March........</span>Monsoon Calamityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09252771795238100847noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-495023770808065132.post-15593751768553061622011-02-10T11:55:00.000-08:002011-02-10T12:11:17.430-08:00Lucy is Finally Working Again!<span style="color:#000000;">Don't forget! Today is the last day to enter my February Pattern Giveaway draw! Details in the previous post!<br /><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8WsDRuyHyNdVFQ1n4rVCicRv0JRnLh1QvyianfEtfEe_YSRu5bnzAWVT-yPhVxbPXWYPQJSuMTfF0GrXaYlxJS7-lXi-dCshBAGn52L4XpZjm1mcVUKRCGRKcITxxS85kAgFq6FCbmtk/s1600/baby+quilt+%25281%2529.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572153638610145426" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8WsDRuyHyNdVFQ1n4rVCicRv0JRnLh1QvyianfEtfEe_YSRu5bnzAWVT-yPhVxbPXWYPQJSuMTfF0GrXaYlxJS7-lXi-dCshBAGn52L4XpZjm1mcVUKRCGRKcITxxS85kAgFq6FCbmtk/s320/baby+quilt+%25281%2529.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLDhG9u4cUCLDPJMarm7nQNrTxe2UqYA7jwm5SPTEgzhRYFIQWHlu0CHSPTl_uX4uZd7zQoKW8zUpc9l8m8sh9_GKZvTwwNbarhlrBiyTbuGWTopN8ONEWRD_i7CXf_h5xcxpk35-nlyc/s1600/baby+quilt+%25282%2529.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572153630298514754" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLDhG9u4cUCLDPJMarm7nQNrTxe2UqYA7jwm5SPTEgzhRYFIQWHlu0CHSPTl_uX4uZd7zQoKW8zUpc9l8m8sh9_GKZvTwwNbarhlrBiyTbuGWTopN8ONEWRD_i7CXf_h5xcxpk35-nlyc/s320/baby+quilt+%25282%2529.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitFwacvvJQ4JH8mATB5XbTNnekvxCXDIy3L9qPg5Vq9jsk67AIBwrSK4kCt9RUGtggD0W0cR3kZtESq79zbFDayYpRcAYX6VJXLUOIIZgQsd0K2dZszE78pT7rJVtLfZ47mGapu9C2phc/s1600/baby+quilt+%25283%2529.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572153628998318466" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitFwacvvJQ4JH8mATB5XbTNnekvxCXDIy3L9qPg5Vq9jsk67AIBwrSK4kCt9RUGtggD0W0cR3kZtESq79zbFDayYpRcAYX6VJXLUOIIZgQsd0K2dZszE78pT7rJVtLfZ47mGapu9C2phc/s320/baby+quilt+%25283%2529.JPG" /></a><br /><span style="color:#000000;">After not being able to use my longarm since early last fall, I have finally managed to make her work again! I replaced the rotary hook assembly and, as mentioned before, our good family friend, Blaize, fixed the issue with the motor shaft by drilling into it and putting a screw in so it wouldn't slip anymore.<br /><br /></span><div><div><div><span style="color:#000000;">Now, the longarm is still not perfect. In order to make it work, I have to turn it on, needle down, needle up, turn it off, walk around to the back of the machine, finish the stitch by turning the hand wheel a little bit more, turn it back on, walk around to the front, needle up, draw up the thread, and then I can start. I need to do this each time I have to start a new area of stitching or change threads or if the thread breaks or runs out. Like I said, it's not perfect, but at least it's working! </span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;"><br /></div></span><div><span style="color:#000000;">And, so, the quilt pictured above is one that I have finished this week to donate to Project Linus! Yay! Makes me want to piece again :)</span></div></div></div>Monsoon Calamityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09252771795238100847noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-495023770808065132.post-10459674771951139052011-01-21T18:40:00.000-08:002011-02-03T19:22:17.081-08:00February Pattern Giveaway!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhblqrTQsfXmcQbFLx9wgIMmThZuHgkYKmQLaHgoVv8SwBw9qVUZ3PMSeajyzlNNODR1kngrEgXo5XQH4lC6XvKMrf974XFW8kDQxBDBxFW51Xoolu1RMKhNMpRN_VFdDNrPMZJuN5UFoE/s1600/Lily+Hat+Photos+-+1-copy.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 282px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564835201563411058" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhblqrTQsfXmcQbFLx9wgIMmThZuHgkYKmQLaHgoVv8SwBw9qVUZ3PMSeajyzlNNODR1kngrEgXo5XQH4lC6XvKMrf974XFW8kDQxBDBxFW51Xoolu1RMKhNMpRN_VFdDNrPMZJuN5UFoE/s320/Lily+Hat+Photos+-+1-copy.jpg" /></a><br /><span style="color:#000000;">For February's giveaway, 10 lucky people will receive a free pattern (of their choice) from my Monsoon Calamity pattern store </span><a href="http://www.mcpatterns.etsy.com/"><span style="color:#000000;">http://www.mcpatterns.etsy.com/</span></a><span style="color:#000000;">! Free patterns will be given in the form of an Etsy coupon!<br /><br />It's really easy to enter - just become a fan of Monsoon Calamity on facebook (</span><a href="http://tinyurl.com/4htvz3a"><span style="color:#000000;">http://tinyurl.com/4htvz3a</span></a><span style="color:#000000;">) - on February 10th, 10 winners will be chosen from the list of fans!<br /><br />By February 10th, there should even be a brand new pattern available in the patterns you can choose from!<br /><br /></span><a href="http://www.monsooncalamity.etsy.com/"><span style="color:#000000;">http://www.monsooncalamity.etsy.com/</span></a><span style="color:#000000;"><br /></span><a href="http://www.mcpatterns.etsy.com/"><span style="color:#000000;">http://www.mcpatterns.etsy.com/</span></a>Monsoon Calamityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09252771795238100847noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-495023770808065132.post-85531789895489756102011-01-12T18:34:00.000-08:002011-01-12T18:50:29.333-08:00Coupon Winners!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0CRHJfb4Ix9kz72fwmsWJGGa1rIPWdo_T_zhDWzAZkTJ6fSLDB2J3Sr0m3sfw4ksFQCMR9twc1eSzqSGTdO4uOgIC_LgFGuBLm4ML0YYLwhBgSl5u-O0tCF-3Sl6Hr_lIjEs0_udv3v0/s1600/photos+for+Leanne+023.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561494859005827586" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0CRHJfb4Ix9kz72fwmsWJGGa1rIPWdo_T_zhDWzAZkTJ6fSLDB2J3Sr0m3sfw4ksFQCMR9twc1eSzqSGTdO4uOgIC_LgFGuBLm4ML0YYLwhBgSl5u-O0tCF-3Sl6Hr_lIjEs0_udv3v0/s320/photos+for+Leanne+023.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color:#333333;">I'm so excited to announce the 10 lucky coupon winners from my January draw! The coupons are good for 20% off your entire order (not including shipping) in my Etsy store, Monsoon Calamity! So, here goes:</span> </span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><span style="color:#333333;"></span><br /><span style="color:#333333;">1. Alba Patchwork</span><br /><span style="color:#333333;">2. Ellen Silver</span><br /><span style="color:#333333;">3. Colleen Hachey Montgomery</span><br /><span style="color:#333333;">4. Julia Vassileva</span><br /><span style="color:#333333;">5. Logan Gennings</span><br /><span style="color:#333333;">6. Mindi Calverly</span><br /><span style="color:#333333;">7. Anthony Cornelio</span><br /><span style="color:#333333;">8. Sarah Phillips Walmsley</span><br /><span style="color:#333333;">9. Crisan Amarillas</span><br /><span style="color:#333333;">10. Anne Dalgarno</span><br /><span style="color:#333333;"></span><br /><span style="color:#333333;">Congratulations to the winners!! Look for your coupon codes and instructions on how to use them tomorrow - they will be sent out by pm through facebook! You will have until the end of 2011 to use them and I will be adding lots of new things this year to my store so check back often!</span><br /><span style="color:#333333;"></span><br /></span><a href="http://www.monsooncalamity.etsy.com/"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#333333;">www.MonsoonCalamity.etsy.com</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><a href="http://www.mcpatterns.etsy.com/"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#333333;">www.mcpatterns.etsy.com</span></a>Monsoon Calamityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09252771795238100847noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-495023770808065132.post-77400329780461367392011-01-10T05:40:00.000-08:002011-01-10T13:57:42.100-08:00You Could Win!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4DUUuc4IRrPo3dJIBrV6UVyagHeH3lBtIB5yUlA0WszKrL_mgA2cbc7Y_UH_q3qr_ez2qPO9GGISePa-L3K92VMWM0etGXU0067ohtqQ0lJ5kyJwb01qGirwdRjQG9cBqhWbk54TiNK4/s1600/Jungle+Vine+PC+02.JPG"><span style="color:#333333;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560552016242770706" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4DUUuc4IRrPo3dJIBrV6UVyagHeH3lBtIB5yUlA0WszKrL_mgA2cbc7Y_UH_q3qr_ez2qPO9GGISePa-L3K92VMWM0etGXU0067ohtqQ0lJ5kyJwb01qGirwdRjQG9cBqhWbk54TiNK4/s320/Jungle+Vine+PC+02.JPG" /></span></a><span style="color:#333333;"><br />You could win one of 10 20% off coupons!!! If you win, your coupon will be good off your entire order from Monsoon Calamity and you will have until the end of 2011 to use it!<br /><br />To enter, become a follower of this blog or become a fan of Monsoon Calamity on facebook! Share this offer with your friends!<br /><br />Draw will take place on Wednesday, January 12 - become a fan now!<br /><br /></span><a href="http://www.monsooncalamity.etsy.com/"><span style="color:#333333;">www.MonsoonCalamity.etsy.com</span></a><span style="color:#333333;"><br /></span><a href="http://www.mcpatterns.etsy.com/"><span style="color:#333333;">www.mcpatterns.etsy.com</span></a>Monsoon Calamityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09252771795238100847noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-495023770808065132.post-81895782547595658372011-01-05T16:04:00.000-08:002011-01-10T14:06:58.846-08:00New Item and New Draw for Prizes!<span style="color:#333333;">First, let me say Happy New Year!! I hope your year is off to a good start!<br /><br />At our house, the new year has started well - lots of relaxing, playing in the snow, some quilting (photos to follow another day), school starting (yay! more quilting time again), and a feeling of gratefulness for my family and friends and those who have supported this endeavor of mine with Etsy. Thank you all for everything!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558858337782516850" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPFkeQwuG8VFg34cEte5eoyXU6wncHT9b9xGsyjkFlJexRflnh2ARlrkkeMuWETPIK_RFEaznUKrcQq0bsMAFoye6ezLMHADMDaMWQU48NikKr-TYf1Jv2sQDF_zCE7VVVUO3gZ4kRgM4/s320/cushion+016.JPG" /><br /></span><div></div><div><span style="color:#333333;">Next, I would like introduce the start to my new product line: decorative cushion covers! The photo above is the first 16" cushion cover, a gorgeous wavy stripe in blue/green/brown/cream. I have enough fabric for 8 of these and I've made 2 so far; I have to admit, I love them so much that I may have to keep a couple for myself :)</span></div><div><span style="color:#333333;"></span></div><div><span style="color:#333333;"></span></div><div><span style="color:#333333;"></span></div><div><span style="color:#333333;"></span></div><div><span style="color:#333333;">Finally, I have a confession to make - or rather, I feel guilty about something I promised to do and then didn't. Last summer, I promised to draw a name each month out of the followers of Monsoon Calamity. Sadly, life got in the way, and it didn't always happen. A few lucky ones received a set of handmade gift cards, but I have fallen behind in my name drawings, sigh.</span></div><div><span style="color:#333333;"></span></div><div><span style="color:#333333;"></span></div><div><span style="color:#333333;"></span></div><div><span style="color:#333333;"></span></div><div><span style="color:#333333;">To correct this situation, and to move forward, I will draw 10 names on January 12, one week from today! Ten lucky people will win coupon codes, good for 20% your entire purchase in my Etsy store (discount is not applied to shipping)!!! Your coupon will be good until December 31, 2011 - that's almost a full year to use the coupon for yourself or gift-giving!</span></div><div><span style="color:#333333;"></span></div><div><span style="color:#333333;"></span></div><div><span style="color:#333333;"></span></div><div><span style="color:#333333;"></span></div><div><span style="color:#333333;">To enter this contest, become a follower of this blog or a fan on facebook!</span></div><div><span style="color:#333333;"></span></div><div><span style="color:#333333;"></span></div><div><span style="color:#333333;"></span></div><div><span style="color:#333333;"></span></div><div><span style="color:#333333;">It's that simple!!</span></div><div><span style="color:#333333;"></span></div><div><span style="color:#333333;"></span></div><div><span style="color:#333333;"></span></div><div><span style="color:#333333;"></span></div><div><span style="color:#333333;">Why wait until January 12, you ask? This gives you plenty of time to spread the word about this great offer - share it with your friends and family, heck, share it with strangers ;)</span></div><div><span style="color:#333333;"></span></div><div><span style="color:#333333;"></span></div><div><span style="color:#333333;"></span></div><div><span style="color:#333333;"></span></div><div><span style="color:#333333;">Whether you decide to enter this contest or if you would rather quietly follow along in my sewing and quilting pursuits, I wish the best for you this year. May everyone you love be happy and healthy, and may this be the best year yet!</span></div><div><span style="color:#333333;"></span></div><div><span style="color:#333333;"></span></div><div><span style="color:#333333;"></span></div><div><span style="color:#333333;"></span></div><div><span style="color:#333333;">Join the Monsoon Calamity facebook fan page on facebook for new product information and future contest information!</span></div>Monsoon Calamityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09252771795238100847noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-495023770808065132.post-65175689796560631822010-11-10T07:47:00.000-08:002011-01-10T15:59:52.594-08:00Lucy not working - gift bags instead!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ8PWGrLwfcDY7L_Ls8uJ26NIzGFlj8iKC8JCyRRjy39gTP-yMXNiav3eif4DMHog4SnESkg0h6rbDtBlK2EwzqptT2u3BboRPnnedmcAT6zUqfqNf5P1RDsha3Q2o_leOX2ud9soKN34/s1600/halloween+2010+020.JPG"><span style="color:#333333;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537953167088703474" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ8PWGrLwfcDY7L_Ls8uJ26NIzGFlj8iKC8JCyRRjy39gTP-yMXNiav3eif4DMHog4SnESkg0h6rbDtBlK2EwzqptT2u3BboRPnnedmcAT6zUqfqNf5P1RDsha3Q2o_leOX2ud9soKN34/s320/halloween+2010+020.JPG" /></span></a><span style="color:#333333;"><br /><br /></span><div><span style="color:#333333;">Lucy, my longarm, is not working.....again. Sigh. My husband has been commenting that I haven't been myself lately and I think this happens when Lucy is not working. It puts me in a huge funk, knowing that I have these quilt tops that won't be finished, at least not for now. </span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#333333;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#333333;">Now, I get that other people don't understand why I get so upset. After all, most people go through life not being upset that they can't make quilts ;) But just imagine that you've bought a new car, and you've now had it for 3 years, but for most of that time, you couldn't drive it. And you can't really afford to buy another one to replace it. That's how I feel about my longarm not working. </span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#333333;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#333333;">I have this fantastic machine that alot of quilters dream about owning, which was me 3 years ago. We finally made the plunge and bought one. Unfortunately, it's never really worked right and I am at my wits end to fix it. I have quilted 30 or 40 quilts on it, when others are quilting hundreds on theirs, making a living off of them even. I will be calling a repair person to let me know, for once and for all, if this machine is fixable or if I should just forget it! Honestly, I just want to know.</span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#333333;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#333333;">Anyway, so I didn't really feel like working on a quilt top today, knowing my longarm is broken and I wouldn't be able to quilt it up. Yes, I could quilt it on my domestic machine, but that has come to really bother my hands and my shoulders and my back (no, really, I'm *not* getting old!), which is why we decided to buy the longarm in the first place.</span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#333333;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#333333;">A few days ago, I was organizing my scrap stack. When I cut pieces for a quilt, I cut the scraps into usable-sized squares for future scrappy quilts. I just pile them on a side table until the pile threatens to topple, at which point, I sort them into piles and file them away into bins. Sounds organized, right? I'm not really a terribly organized person by nature, but I am with my craft supplies!! It doesn't really matter to me if I can't find the duster, but I can get very upset if I can't find the right tool to craft with :)</span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#333333;"></span></div><div><span style="color:#333333;">So, today, I'm looking at my piles of squares and all of a sudden, I thought "gift bags!" I took my pile of 6" squares and within half an hour, I had 25 little gift bags, all ready for the holiday season. </span></div><div><span style="color:#333333;"></span></div><div><span style="color:#333333;"></span></div><div><span style="color:#333333;"></span></div><div><span style="color:#333333;">The one at the top of this post is my favourite, and I'm definitely keeping her for myself! It has rain, of course, like all good things do. And sweet vintage girls holding gifts and umbrellas. I am just going to use this little bag for decoration. It holds a bar of soap perfectly, and that also helps it stand up. </span></div><div><span style="color:#333333;"></span></div><div><span style="color:#333333;"></span></div><div><span style="color:#333333;"></span></div><div><span style="color:#333333;"></span></div><div><span style="color:#333333;">I'm also thinking of having a few of these around the house at Christmas, with something little in them, maybe soap or chocolates, in case someone comes over with a gift for me and I don't have one for them. You know that always happens, and this way I can just grab a little bag and give it to them! And if they're still there after the holidays, I can eat the chocolates myself ;)</span></div><div><span style="color:#333333;"></span></div><div><span style="color:#333333;"></span></div><div><span style="color:#333333;"></span></div><div><span style="color:#333333;"></span></div><div><span style="color:#333333;">These are so much fun to make, I'm thinking they may be making an appearance in my Etsy store so be sure to watch for them!</span></div><div><span style="color:#333333;"></span></div><div><span style="color:#333333;"></span></div><div><span style="color:#333333;"></span></div><div><span style="color:#333333;"></span></div><div><a href="http://www.monsooncalamity.etsy.com/"><span style="color:#333333;">http://www.monsooncalamity.etsy.com/</span></a></div><div><a href="http://www.mcpatterns.etsy.com/"><span style="color:#333333;">http://www.mcpatterns.etsy.com/</span></a></div><div><span style="color:#333333;"></span></div><div><span style="color:#333333;"></span></div><div><span style="color:#333333;"></span></div><div><span style="color:#333333;"></span></div><div><span style="color:#333333;">Don't forget to follow my blog so you don't miss any of my fun little projects!</span></div>Monsoon Calamityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09252771795238100847noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-495023770808065132.post-41537846513924301932010-10-31T20:28:00.000-07:002011-01-10T16:00:58.973-08:00Beanie on the USM!<span style="color:#333333;">This past July, for my birthday, my Mum gave me money to finally buy a garter bar for my Ultimate Sweater Machine. Now, in case you're wondering, I don't actually make sweaters with my USM. Okay, so I have made a couple of tiny baby sweaters, but never an adult-sized one. I usually make hats and scarves, lots of hats and scarves!<br /><br />You see, I really love, love, love, to buy yarn! (And fabric, but that's a different post!). So, basically, I have piles and boxes, and bags of yarn in my basement (not to worry, my basement is very dry and the yarn is quite safe there), that is just begging to be made into something.<br /><br />I also love making things to give away. I often make things for the local food bank. They have a bin where they put the donated hats, scarves, mittens, and slippers, and the children can pick something from the bin when they visit. This thought makes me happy, that children are wearing the things I make.<br /><br />So, to make a long story short, my USM helps me make lots of things faster. Do I know how to knit and crochet? YES! And I love making things by hand, too. But sometimes I just want to make a bunch of things quickly with all that yarn I have laying around. At times like that, I turn to my trusty USM. And now, I have the garter bar my Mum so nicely paid for, because she knew I really wanted it and would not likely buy it for myself. I'm embarassed to say that it has taken me months to take the garter bar out of the tube it came in and use it!<br /><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl5iMj1-___W-wvMfyKTRvvabiGu52jtB1L6KSoUUqcXwz1bczv0Xee_VJvG0ERFpBW37Y-0H4rf5yvNWN4njl55zAA2csNTMLIUP2bsCo8jDkQTvjvEc2MsTT9C5g5NWPzgbeGlih0Uo/s1600/folklorica+again+024.JPG"><span style="color:#333333;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534419333173075490" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl5iMj1-___W-wvMfyKTRvvabiGu52jtB1L6KSoUUqcXwz1bczv0Xee_VJvG0ERFpBW37Y-0H4rf5yvNWN4njl55zAA2csNTMLIUP2bsCo8jDkQTvjvEc2MsTT9C5g5NWPzgbeGlih0Uo/s320/folklorica+again+024.JPG" /></span></a><span style="color:#333333;"> The above photo shows a few things. At the top, the top rows of a hat hang off the needles. The top row is my decrease row for the gathering at the top. After that come the 35 or so rows of straight knitting which go very quickly! The bottom 6 rows were done with the garter bar. The garter bar allows me to remove the knitting from the needles, turn it around, put it all back on the needles, and knit a purl row. If you do this a few times (or 6, like I've done), it makes a nice edge that won't curl, as just straight knitting would do.<br /><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2mSjhxP06bO0YPi3lfp_tTLogI5q0cHj9wlBmAWFsc8CbSKS8dY_bmGy9L8GZ8z5AtdRmyabNzNKKaBQDEqUkfv50i6x9mj-zHS9ZzTUS-bt_GjLcWF6h1ffavLg7mhD1ynCeh3BvGKA/s1600/folklorica+again+027.JPG"><span style="color:#333333;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534419324077987618" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2mSjhxP06bO0YPi3lfp_tTLogI5q0cHj9wlBmAWFsc8CbSKS8dY_bmGy9L8GZ8z5AtdRmyabNzNKKaBQDEqUkfv50i6x9mj-zHS9ZzTUS-bt_GjLcWF6h1ffavLg7mhD1ynCeh3BvGKA/s320/folklorica+again+027.JPG" /></span></a><span style="color:#333333;"> This photo (above) shows the process to remove the knitting from the black plastic hem that holds the weights at the bottom of the knitting. I could start with a different type of cast-on that would allow me to remove the knitting without having to stitch by hand, but I don't like doing it that way.<br /><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir5_ZgP-8EFiFfqTb_6Kw7ufD9kpFMv4Z7QRuhMLzZVyIVSml2t178No8Ez9n7kKLqpbRu6dfgOeNog_TSZMXBfxKnvw1CKFlM08r6q70s2BhYfONbA-K_-PBEP-L-3BsJKXdNSk7pb-s/s1600/folklorica+again+021.JPG"><span style="color:#333333;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534419316788053794" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir5_ZgP-8EFiFfqTb_6Kw7ufD9kpFMv4Z7QRuhMLzZVyIVSml2t178No8Ez9n7kKLqpbRu6dfgOeNog_TSZMXBfxKnvw1CKFlM08r6q70s2BhYfONbA-K_-PBEP-L-3BsJKXdNSk7pb-s/s320/folklorica+again+021.JPG" /></span></a><span style="color:#333333;"> And, finally, the finished beanie. I love how the top looks and this style looks perfectly sweet on little heads! Next, I will experiment with how to use the garter bar to do decreases that will allow the hat to lie flat against the head, and not be gathered like this.<br /><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8f2jXjKwzbjb0MdLW5zl4tTgT6PyyoFTqurWvPuBHfrAju0UnVZvPHnsWqkv0yWdpUXo-VYPuT-PhomXd4iA9z2inajxQBDw43nUxDxgrPaYvHpsKHDKMfkM13O9zoLJ3cLGDLtgmlcE/s1600/folklorica+again+020.JPG"><span style="color:#333333;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534419307875049794" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8f2jXjKwzbjb0MdLW5zl4tTgT6PyyoFTqurWvPuBHfrAju0UnVZvPHnsWqkv0yWdpUXo-VYPuT-PhomXd4iA9z2inajxQBDw43nUxDxgrPaYvHpsKHDKMfkM13O9zoLJ3cLGDLtgmlcE/s320/folklorica+again+020.JPG" /></span></a><span style="color:#333333;"> This is the back seam of the hat - and my huge error! I was too busy learning to use the garter bar to notice that I had skipped 4 stitches at the beginning of a row. Oh well, the hat will still be warm, even with the mistake.<br /><br /></span><div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu3lg7F4ldVWTJbwY0CAd5BCx8AdPjSoCpRlsRLJETGFYDiSgx8-EqHiVV28uJkly2BqdSBTMAMpEIBxcIiJHs9EH_jjzrW-SZpLGQg1Ju67PEmd7sE5kwMm4kU-3nN_SVYjW2xNMAtGs/s1600/folklorica+again+019.JPG"><span style="color:#333333;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534419298157890178" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu3lg7F4ldVWTJbwY0CAd5BCx8AdPjSoCpRlsRLJETGFYDiSgx8-EqHiVV28uJkly2BqdSBTMAMpEIBxcIiJHs9EH_jjzrW-SZpLGQg1Ju67PEmd7sE5kwMm4kU-3nN_SVYjW2xNMAtGs/s320/folklorica+again+019.JPG" /></span></a><span style="color:#333333;"><br />This project is also great for using up scraps from other projects - you can make great stripey patterns! I know I'm weird for thinking this, but I really can't wait for the snow, when I will find more time to hole up in my sewing room and make sure the USM gets used lots more!!</span></div></div></div>Monsoon Calamityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09252771795238100847noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-495023770808065132.post-3497690991184508182010-10-11T18:59:00.000-07:002011-01-10T16:01:28.008-08:00Super Serger Cushions!<span style="color:#333333;">A few weeks ago, while browsing around my local quilt shop, I came across a brochure for a serger that was for sale. Well, I already have a serger but the brochure looked kind of cute so I peeked inside and found the sweetest little cushions!! They are super quick as they are made entirely with the serger.<br /><br />I asked if I could take the brochure so I could make my own version of the cushions and the owner of the quilt shop asked if I would make her some samples. Of course, I didn't mind (it's not like I don't have the fabric!) and so these are my two, very different, samples:<br /><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaFDUTYitjXF3qAbjR2M-SCZht8ZC6DFD2811tCw5jXgVplu77btLtqnpig8vpwo-6G0mZ4Oz0TbK6Rb9HzOETxYTjXMH8GxRKwJUJCI0cbgWZy_NB4-0DE0w0bvPjMwgDnRAynhV_OCM/s1600/cushion+%26+runner+006.JPG"><span style="color:#333333;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5526973986336114274" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaFDUTYitjXF3qAbjR2M-SCZht8ZC6DFD2811tCw5jXgVplu77btLtqnpig8vpwo-6G0mZ4Oz0TbK6Rb9HzOETxYTjXMH8GxRKwJUJCI0cbgWZy_NB4-0DE0w0bvPjMwgDnRAynhV_OCM/s320/cushion+%26+runner+006.JPG" /></span></a><span style="color:#333333;"><br /></span><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZi-5t_CR-1zeHy9x0kIFUYJoPkI-dKB9KJFnODFpdnkbOzRIfUqvDL3GyRAOZ0_xuoR_y3cJDb_WG_d6TNJFMnpEmebN3mI-QPydS-fBa9VctP-ICzo32yKQJhMVKKa2Pv9ZAK5zWayg/s1600/cushion+%26+runner+004.JPG"><span style="color:#333333;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5526973981068115858" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZi-5t_CR-1zeHy9x0kIFUYJoPkI-dKB9KJFnODFpdnkbOzRIfUqvDL3GyRAOZ0_xuoR_y3cJDb_WG_d6TNJFMnpEmebN3mI-QPydS-fBa9VctP-ICzo32yKQJhMVKKa2Pv9ZAK5zWayg/s320/cushion+%26+runner+004.JPG" /></span></a><span style="color:#333333;"><br />These are so fun to make, I think I'll make lots more to scatter around, maybe even change them seasonally. I'm thinking my scrap pile of random squares is about to get a little smaller!</span></div><br /><br /><a href="http://www.monsooncalamity.etsy.com/"><span style="color:#333333;">http://www.monsooncalamity.etsy.com/</span></a><span style="color:#333333;"><br /></span><a href="http://www.mcpatterns.etsy.com/"><span style="color:#333333;">http://www.mcpatterns.etsy.com/</span></a>Monsoon Calamityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09252771795238100847noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-495023770808065132.post-35679763797714448722010-10-10T19:30:00.000-07:002011-01-10T16:01:49.775-08:00To Quilt or Not to Quilt<span style="color:#333333;">Today, I took some of my favourite fabrics out of the fabric cupboards and pieced them together, whether they matched or not, and got this:<br /><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcqwA15BaacJDPiZDubalaq1sgPc9sQQHl2E28D2yMPOyGUCFOOep-d00qsiPYAFdjuVYXkVdxjOjf_MeOgjksOhqzXi8cxnbdhscQEO0H8z-IZwsaQ0o9a3mxLevwLv0iLx6695OGq2Q/s1600/cushion+%26+runner+013.JPG"><span style="color:#333333;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5526611054535142146" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcqwA15BaacJDPiZDubalaq1sgPc9sQQHl2E28D2yMPOyGUCFOOep-d00qsiPYAFdjuVYXkVdxjOjf_MeOgjksOhqzXi8cxnbdhscQEO0H8z-IZwsaQ0o9a3mxLevwLv0iLx6695OGq2Q/s320/cushion+%26+runner+013.JPG" /></span></a><span style="color:#333333;"><br /></span><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfel6sFOxIyDvjs2ixLg49uO6eOapeWfAK5OgqGi4KYcAymJmrDl9wKmdSeZ3_KwnuUK_2RXskfjk2TO8lS2urqMYoZrbIsWl86eWTrnqOFs2OMdi0RYeHU9MNDVvjPXM5DecEIMfaWEE/s1600/cushion+%26+runner+007.JPG"><span style="color:#333333;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 221px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5526611049578869522" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfel6sFOxIyDvjs2ixLg49uO6eOapeWfAK5OgqGi4KYcAymJmrDl9wKmdSeZ3_KwnuUK_2RXskfjk2TO8lS2urqMYoZrbIsWl86eWTrnqOFs2OMdi0RYeHU9MNDVvjPXM5DecEIMfaWEE/s320/cushion+%26+runner+007.JPG" /></span></a><span style="color:#333333;"> A runner that I am in love with!!! It looks fantastic on the long table in my centre hall and makes me smile every time I pass it. I may even feel motivated to dust the table every once in awhile to make the runner look better :)</span></div><div><span style="color:#333333;"></span></div><div><span style="color:#333333;">The question is: Should I make it a quilted runner or should I just back the way it is? I'm thinking I may just back it so that it lays really flat. I have a few photo frames on it as well as my Baby Brother sewing machine (my Mum used to sew on it when she was a little girl), and my 1906 Singer sewing machine. So, really, I think it will be better if it lays flat, so the frames will stay standing up.</span></div><div><span style="color:#333333;"></span></div><div><span style="color:#333333;">Opinions?</span></div><div><span style="color:#333333;"></span></div><div><a href="http://www.monsooncalamity.etsy.com/"><span style="color:#333333;">www.MonsoonCalamity.etsy.com</span></a></div><div><a href="http://www.mcpatterns.etsy.com/"><span style="color:#333333;">www.mcpatterns.etsy.com</span></a></div>Monsoon Calamityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09252771795238100847noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-495023770808065132.post-45217860005507157772010-10-07T18:20:00.000-07:002011-01-10T16:02:38.546-08:00Who Knew Litter Could Be So Cute?<span style="color:#333333;">I know, I promised to post this last week but I've been having trouble with my camera and so I am finally showing it to you now! I went on a little "small project" binge last week. You already saw the sweet beanie helper and now I present: The Car Litter Bag :)<br /><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Oz3EJL-v8padPfOGaLQpJzAz8pf1c407trHXbySPI7BVwF4Dt0TSFgS111vp2sgHKEdoE5SkNEPGlQtJm8_km1bY1UodT8IAp-n6WY0s2owbGiRbtMuyQgjPRLote7EFkxln3V_Owlw/s1600/IMG_0867.JPG"><span style="color:#333333;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525479420449502322" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Oz3EJL-v8padPfOGaLQpJzAz8pf1c407trHXbySPI7BVwF4Dt0TSFgS111vp2sgHKEdoE5SkNEPGlQtJm8_km1bY1UodT8IAp-n6WY0s2owbGiRbtMuyQgjPRLote7EFkxln3V_Owlw/s320/IMG_0867.JPG" /></span></a><span style="color:#333333;"><br /></span><div><span style="color:#333333;">I found this little guy in a book called "One Yard Wonders", the premise being that all the projects in the book can be made with one yard of fabric. Since I'm a quilter, and often buy fabric in 1/2 metre to 1 metre cuts, this book is perfect for me. </span></div><div><span style="color:#333333;"></span></div><div><span style="color:#333333;">Truly, I have to give a big thank you to my friend, Shana, who was sent this book by accident after joining a book club. The lovely people at the book club told her to keep it and she gave it me!! I can always use another craft book ;)</span></div><div><span style="color:#333333;"></span></div><div><span style="color:#333333;">Now that I have the "small project" bug out of my system for the time being, I am feeling like working on my larger projects again. It's true: Sometimes a change is as good as a rest.</span></div>Monsoon Calamityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09252771795238100847noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-495023770808065132.post-63019101553981582752010-09-30T17:12:00.000-07:002011-01-10T16:02:56.884-08:00Beanie Helper<span style="color:#333333;">As promised, I made a little beanie helper to act as a sweet bookend for my recipe books above the pantry in the kitchen. I am in love with this little guy! He is filled with great northern beans and, even though he is small, he is a great little worker!<br /><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxh-U753K5x5vUneN1YIPDfXZCUDnhFYw0teL-vp54VN0t0L7P6h8FvmmeTOwnnywROg_JEC56NKExTfAboD9i9t_dP5iniO4h6sTgyuXh4B4v4oZ0kcXxqsWAwmh12IC8w4SzwHCy-Zg/s1600/012.JPG"><span style="color:#333333;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522882156632196322" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxh-U753K5x5vUneN1YIPDfXZCUDnhFYw0teL-vp54VN0t0L7P6h8FvmmeTOwnnywROg_JEC56NKExTfAboD9i9t_dP5iniO4h6sTgyuXh4B4v4oZ0kcXxqsWAwmh12IC8w4SzwHCy-Zg/s320/012.JPG" /></span></a><span style="color:#333333;"> With a ribbon on the back to hold him together, he is functional and beautiful! This is a great project to use up your scraps from larger projects.<br /><br /></span><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwnUxwXd-8eOQolmwiW58bBVeLxkF04nIRnRpWaWS2NS55DSTLZKPPhtmO6ilveot-cnomoJgc40teCviJRa9v0ZPQDn0L9CkdKlnOhOcqpyCpIZx9Z2cQa77SkRNOUEIoklsMmtwH28k/s1600/011.JPG"><span style="color:#333333;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522881762463566130" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwnUxwXd-8eOQolmwiW58bBVeLxkF04nIRnRpWaWS2NS55DSTLZKPPhtmO6ilveot-cnomoJgc40teCviJRa9v0ZPQDn0L9CkdKlnOhOcqpyCpIZx9Z2cQa77SkRNOUEIoklsMmtwH28k/s320/011.JPG" /></span></a><span style="color:#333333;"> I also made a fabric litter bag for the car today - pictures coming tomorrow! It was lots of fun to do a couple of small projects that are done very quickly. I am so used to making quilts, that to finish a project in under an hour seems like a miracle! </span></div>Monsoon Calamityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09252771795238100847noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-495023770808065132.post-10632686057140331032010-09-29T23:05:00.000-07:002011-01-10T16:03:11.164-08:00My Home<span style="color:#333333;">I was looking around my house today and I suddenly realized that I don't have much of my work on display. Sure, there are quilts and such hanging in my sewing studio, but there aren't even any hanging in the quilting room, the place where I actually quilt the quilts!<br /><br />So, I spent some time today rearranging the furniture in my living room, putting the couches on an angle so they look a little more interesting. And I've decided to make a new quilt for me, or rather, for my living room, to add a little creativity into the space.<br /><br />I have a friend in my local quilt club who just adores the colour teal. I have to admit that I really don't like teal as a rule and I doubt I own more than 2 pieces of fabric in that colour. I love purple and green. My friend never uses purple. Today, however, I put a cute teal lamp in my living room to add a punch of a new colour and guess what? I love it! I guess I'll have to add to my fabric stash and buy some teal so I can make a quilt that will be friends with the little teal lampshade :)<br /><br />I also found a new home for my recipe books on top of the pantry. They keep falling over and they are just begging for a new bookend to keep them standing up. I think tomorrow I will make a sweet fabric bookend, filled with rice. I am so excited to add some fabric touches my rooms, bringing more of myself into them.<br /><br />Because, when all is said and done, it's simple. Fabric makes me happy.</span>Monsoon Calamityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09252771795238100847noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-495023770808065132.post-12400680078916309352010-09-24T20:53:00.001-07:002011-01-10T16:03:22.713-08:00So Many Ideas!<span style="font-family:verdana;color:#333333;">Once again, a day has gone by and I didn't find time to design anything. I truly love designing crochet patterns and I think next I will start designing quilt patterns next. Quilt patterns will be so fun, and I will get to play with all that fabric stacked on the shelves of my sewing room :)<br /><br />So, what do I do with the simple fact that I don't have very much time right now to design? Make more time? But then, what doesn't get done - dishes, laundry? No, we really need that stuff! Hmm, I could console myself with the thought that winter is coming and that inevitably leads to more quilting time (and possibly more designing time) - what else are you going to do when it's 30 below??!!<br /><br />Okay, so I'll just breathe, relax, and tell myself that tomorrow is another day. And, while I have promised the monkey that I will play *whatever* he wants to play tomorrow, I will also promise myself that I will find time to sew something.<br /><br />What will you make time to do tomorrow?</span>Monsoon Calamityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09252771795238100847noreply@blogger.com0