tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34627537775477211742024-03-06T16:59:02.694+11:00Petits ElefantsDaniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11430055697918724733noreply@blogger.comBlogger95125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3462753777547721174.post-62730379266532389642015-08-23T20:13:00.000+10:002015-08-23T20:13:03.854+10:00My Small World - Part 5 finished!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Back again to finish the third and fourth components of part 5, the pieced arcs and the hexagons. I decided I would hand piece these, and I'm not going to lie, when I looked at the size of the templates in the pattern, especially the teeny tiny triangles, I did get a little bit scared. But I really want to say, there is nothing to fear, this honestly was a breeze. Yes it is a bit of a tedium to cut all those little pieces, but in the grand scheme of things, it didn't take that long (I reckon you could easily sit down to start the arc section and have it all finished in a few hours if you really wanted to). Another way to do this that a lot of people are choosing is to foundation piece, and <a href="http://verykerryberry.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Kerry</a> has shared some pics on how she went about this.</div>
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As with my other templates, I used freezer paper. I worked on one row at a time - don't go confusing yourself with a squillion tiny bits of fabric, things will only get lost and/or confused. I raided the ziplock bag of tiny scraps I'd been saving in the making of the quilt, and found plenty there to meet the needs of this part. I chose the right number of light coloured and medium coloured scraps, cut them into appropriate sizes, then one by one stood at the ironing board, pressing the template piece on, tracing round with a pencil and cutting out, leaving a 1/4 inch seam allowance (I eyeballed this and didn't draw it in, but if you like to be super careful or are new to hand piecing, it can be very helpful to draw the second line in). </div>
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Lay the pieces out in front of you, and starting from the left hand side, stitch two pieces together, add another, and another, and so on. You can see in the photo on the left below, I pinned at both ends of the stitching line, making sure that the pin went through exactly at the right spot on both pieces. Again use a tiny running stitch, taking a back stitch at the start of the line (I immediately remove the first pin before I start to stitch). Literally it will take ten or so seconds to stitch that tiny line! </div>
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You don't even need to stop and cut your thread to start the next piece - just pin the next piece on in the same way, take the needle through to the other side, and start stitching the next line (take a back stitch first). As long as you align your pieces correctly and start at the right end, you can sew the whole row of triangles in one go.<br />
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Once you've got all three arcs sewn, now comes the fun part of stitching the rows together. I used a lot of pins again, aligning the tip of the skinny triangle in the row below with the midpoint of the bottom of the triangle in the row above. Stitch in one line, taking a back stitch at the start and end of each drawn line, and taking the thread through to the next piece (that is, don't stitch the seam allowances down, just pass through the intersecting points and take a backstitch before you start again).<br />
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I didn't take a picture of the appliqué part of this step, but all I did was finger press the top edge of the rainbow over by 1/4 inch, paint the seam allowance with a little starch, and then press with the iron. Glue into place and stitch. I have to confess at this point I made a little error - I hadn't realised that the inner semi-circle left by the rainbow was not meant to be an extra piece appliquéd on, but was just the background fabric poking through from underneath, and therefore the bottom edge also needed to be turned under and appliquéd. When I realised this, I'd already attached the top edge, and so it was a bit awkward to press the bottom edge into place. As a result, it looks like a bit of a dog's breakfast. (You can see it in the picture at the top of this post). I might still go back and appliqué a piece over the top instead. Or I might just leave it.<br />
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Also a note about the number of pieces in the triangle arcs - look carefully at the pattern, some of this part gets covered up by the adjacent hexy rainbow, so remember that you don't have to do complete arcs (through to the right hand side, see above). Think about this when you place the piece on the background ready to appliqué, and also remember that you'll be losing the bottom of it in the seam allowance when part 5 is sewn to part 6, so you need to account for that too.<br />
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Apologies for the sideways pictures (?!) Next on to the hexagons. (If you don't fancy making this section out of hexagons, you could just cut a single fabric using the semi-circle template, perhaps one that is patterned in a hexy cheater pattern, or anything else that fits in with your project). I did these using the English Paper Piecing method, basting my fabrics onto 1/2 inch hexy papers and sewing them into rows. Remove all the papers and press. Then press the freezer paper semi-circle template onto the wrong side, taking care with the placement - you'll be turning the edge over by 1/4 inch so make sure you've left enough space. I found mine to be pretty tight in places, so I let the seam allowance of the hexies out in order to leave enough to turn over (see how they're a bit pulled out of shape in the pic below?)<br />
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Trim carefully! Then paint with starch and press over the edge of the freezer paper.<br />
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Glue onto the background, taking care with placement, and appliqué in place.<br />
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When you've finished, trim the background away, leaving an allowance behind, then remove the freezer paper.<br />
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All done!<br />
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Please let me know if you have any questions about any of these techniques, or share what you've done.Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11430055697918724733noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3462753777547721174.post-71473684644009546072015-08-16T21:09:00.002+10:002015-08-16T21:11:33.931+10:00My Small WorldWhen <a href="http://verykerryberry.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Kerry</a> emailed me to ask if I would like to be a co-host of the quilt-along she was planning for My Small World, I didn't hesitate to say yes! I had already purchased the Quiltmania Spring edition especially for Jen Kingwell's gorgeous pattern. At the time, I said to Kerry that I didn't think I'd be able to do much more than my allocated part (part 5), but to my surprise I've found this to be one of the most compelling projects I've worked on in a long time and I've nearly finished it! I don't like to gush, but I really have had so much fun working on this one and I'm really pleased with the way it's turned out.<br />
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So, onto part 5. This part contains four different versions of rainbows, each appliquéd onto the background - pieced arcs, a half Dresden, hexagons, and a New York Beauty variation. If you haven't tried any of these before, perhaps this part looks a little daunting. But I'm here to reassure you that it's really not, and you should give them all a go! As with many parts of this quilt though, if there's something that's not quite your thing, there's always an alternative way of making it, or swapping something else in that you feel happier making. I've been mainly machine piecing this quilt, apart from the appliqué parts, but for part 5, I've hand pieced three out of the four components.<br />
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First - the background. The one thing I did differently to the pattern was to substitute in bigger pieces where these would be covered by the rainbows. I didn't want to go to the effort of piecing tiny square only to cut them away later. It's very simple to work this out by looking at the diagram, simply by counting the number of squares in a row you want to cover in a bigger piece, and adding a half inch (quarter inch at either end). So if it's six squares to cover, cut your piece 6.5 inches by 1.5 inches (instead of six 1.5 inch squares). (Excuse my rather rubbish iPhone pics, by the way).<br />
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Next the pieced arcs.<br />
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I like to use freezer paper to make my templates. Trace the template onto the 'paper side', cut it out exactly on the line, and press onto the fabric, then trace around onto the fabric with a pencil. No shifting of the template, works beautifully.<br />
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Cut around the pencil line, leaving a 1/4 inch seam. You don't have to draw the 1/4 inch line in, but it is useful. Your first pencil line, around the template, is your sewing line, but it helps to keep things lined up if the seam is exactly cut at 1/4 inch, but this isn't super important. The main thing is to pin exactly on the sewing line, on both pieces that are being sewn. And by pin, I mean pin. A lot. Start by finger pressing the half way point on both pieces, matching the creases and pinning at that point. Then gently ease the curve around, placing a pin approximately every 1/2 inch or even closer, making sure that you're putting the pin through the pencil line on both sides.<br />
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Then sew with a tiny running stitch, securing with a back stitch at the start (as well as a knot!) I generally load 5 or 6 stitches onto my needle at a time, pull the needle through, then take a backstitch before stitching the next 5 or 6. Remove the pins and hold the edges of the piece taut as you go, easing as necessary.<br />
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As an alternative to this method, you could also appliqué semi circles - starting with the largest, then adding progressively smaller semi circles. Or you could cut the pieces as per the pattern, but just appliqué the top edge of the piece onto the background, add the next piece and appliqué the top edge down, and so on.<br />
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Next comes the half Dresden plate. Again, I used freezer paper for my templates, tracing ten templates and cutting out, then ironing onto my fabrics. This time I machine pieced them, simply stitching from the bottom corner straight up the line to the next corner and stopping. As with stitching all small pieces on the machine, a slightly smaller stitch length is useful. I left the freezer paper on for this step, using it as a guide for where to stitch, exactly next to the template.<br />
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When they're all stitched together, you can fold the top triangle edges over - it helps to trim them back slightly. I sprayed a little starch into a jar lid, and painted the edges of the fabric with starch before pressing them into place, which helps them hold their shape.<br />
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Then the piece is ready to be appliquéd on. To do this, I like to use Roxanne's basting glue - I just dab a little on the outer edge of the piece and press down onto the background. No need for pins!<br />
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I'll be back in a few days with some pictures of the next two rainbows. In the meantime, if you're on Instagram you can see a few pics of the tiny pieced triangles in progress. Find me at @petitselefants.<br />
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Thanks for sewing along! It's so fun seeing everyone's versions of this special little quilt. :)<br />
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Danielle xDaniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11430055697918724733noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3462753777547721174.post-18912183941123928412013-12-29T10:12:00.002+11:002013-12-29T12:29:48.452+11:00That was 2013<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Another year almost over! Who can believe it? The last few months of the year have been particularly manic, and added to that has been my return to work a month ago (I took this year off on long service leave, it went by in a FLASH). Needless to say, I tried to squeeze in a bit of sewing, not anywhere near as successfully as I had hoped for, but nonetheless, I did my best.</div>
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I've taken on quite a few new projects this year, all big ones, and haven't really ticked much off my to-do list (including both the ones that were already in progress last year, and the ones I'd planned but not started). I did finally eke out a sleeping bag for each of my three kids - long-promised. Above is Elli's, pink of course! The pattern is by <a href="http://flossieteacakes.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Flossie Teacakes</a> and was very easy to follow. I often hesitate to sew little projects because I find them so fiddly, but this was not at all. I made all three in just a couple of hours.</div>
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The Marcelle is finished and currently in a state of half-quiltedness. Hopefully I will finish it in the not too distant future. This quilt did my head in a bit. I was glad to see the end of it!</div>
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I've made two Anna Maria Horner St Louis 16 patches this year, one of which is on our bed, the second still needs to be quilted. Such a great pattern (and quick!) and perfect for throwing together a huge bunch of your favourite fabrics.</div>
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I've been quilting along in the Amitie Bring Me Flowers block of the month. I'm only about two months behind, which is not too bad! Lots of applique in this one, my favourite!</div>
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I learnt to do paper pieced letters - and I love it! These ones are for <a href="http://catandvee.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Catherine</a>.</div>
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Another one awaiting quilting, a simple subway tile pattern made up in Floressence (by Art Gallery Fabrics), with a few others thrown in. I love this one so much. This will be going to live with my aunt.</div>
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Finally, you might notice in the sidebar (and if you follow me on Instagram you may already know this) that we now have a shop! <a href="http://goneaussiequilting.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Jeannette</a> and I started <a href="http://polkadottea.com/" target="_blank">Polka Dot Tea Fabrics</a> in October. We're running a little store on Etsy where you will find a selection of gorgeous Japanese texty, floral and geometric prints, and some other goodies. We're building up our stock of Michael Miller Cotton Couture solids (our absolute favourite solids - so lovely and soft and beautiful to sew with). If you're feeling the need for a little post-Christmas fabric shopping, pop on over and have a look. We have a sale on at the moment - just enter January at checkout for a discount of 20 per cent (minimum purchase is $24). Sale finishes on 5 January. We hope you'll come and have a look, and especially for my fellow Aussie readers, we'd really love to encourage you to shop locally! Particularly as the dollar is falling at the moment, it's going to become much better value to keep some of your fabric custom at home. Thanks to everyone who has supported us so far. </div>
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Happy New Year!</div>
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Danielle x</div>
Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11430055697918724733noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3462753777547721174.post-49551520664594719522013-09-09T22:11:00.001+10:002013-09-09T22:11:40.499+10:00A new project - and a quiltalong!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I've been quilting as much as I can (which some weeks is not very much, unfortunately) and not blogging, as per usual. One project I've just started is the Marcelle Medallion, which I've wanted to tackle ever since I first saw versions appearing around the start of the year. It was bumped to the top of my to-do list thanks to the intervention of <a href="http://www.pennypoppleton.com/" target="_blank">Penny</a> and <a href="http://goneaussiequilting.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Jeannette</a>. Penny is hosting a quiltalong on her blog - you can find the homepage for the quilt along <a href="http://pennypoppleton.com/mmqal/" target="_blank">here</a> - and Jeannette and I are going to help out a little along the way.<br />
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So my job here today is to help you out with the piecing of the centre medallion. Penny has already given us a couple of great and super-detailed tutorials for the medallion, using English Paper Piecing and foundation paper piecing. I thought I would try a slightly different paper-pieced method, namely freezer paper. This is a fairly new-to-me technique but one which I'm sure I will use a lot more of in the future. It's perfect for slightly odd-shaped blocks where there are points coming together at odd places. The medallion in the centre of this quilt is the perfect candidate. There are triangles, but they're not your usual-shaped triangles. And there are y-seams! But fear not, I forged ahead, and though I'm not quite finished (I've got three of the four segments done) I'm confident it's going to work out fine.<br />
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Freezer paper piecing is similar to other types of paper piecing insofar as you are really only dealing with the EXACT (finished) shapes. You sew only on the boundary of the shape, not within the seam allowance, point-to-point. You could, technically, do all of this without the freezer paper (and that is how the instructions in the book are presented), but the freezer paper just gives you some extra stability, and extra assurance that you are sewing in the exact spot that you need to.<br />
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So first thing you need to do, is trace all of your template pieces onto freezer paper - sewing lines only! Cut out carefully on the lines and label each piece (I found it useful to also write on the paper which fabric I was using with each piece, so as to avoid any mix-ups - there are several pieces which look similar and it would be easy to make a mistake). Also note you will need to make two copies of the AB template. (I made the medallion one quarter at a time, re-using the paper pieces each time). Press the piece onto the reverse of your fabric and then trim around it adding in a scant 1/4" seam allowance. You can see in the picture below that the 1/4" line on my ruler is just a tiny whisker inside the edge of the paper. That's what I mean by scant.<br />
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I might also point out here that with this method you will end up with pieces that appear to be the mirror image of the way the pieces look in the book. Don't worry about this, your medallion will look exactly the same in the end. Just take care to orient the pieces correctly when pairing up matching seam lines - if you are looking at the diagrams in the book, your pieces will be mirror images so take that into account.</div>
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Pair up your two AB pieces first and take them to the machine. Make sure the papers on each piece are exactly lined up. Line up your needle to start exactly at the point of the triangle (exactly next to the point of the paper). Sew carefully alongside the edge of the paper to the end point. You can take a couple of backstitches to secure if you like. Press seams (I mainly pressed the seams open, especially where there were many seams coming together). Pair up all the other pieces and sew in the same manner.<br />
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When you come to sew a pair to another pair, the principle is the same. Push or fold the seam allowance out of the way, and start with the needle exactly at the start of the sewing line (this should coincide with the end of another seam - if it's not exactly at the same point, you will end up with a little gap).<br />
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Sewing in the corner squares is where your y-seam comes in. Take it slowly, sewing one side at a time, from the centre out to the edge. Take care to line the pieces up under your machine's foot, so that the needle comes directly into that critical starting point.<br />
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A note about the papers - when I sewed the first quarter, I took the papers off after sewing each initial pair. With the second quarter, I decided to leave the papers on when sewing pairs to pairs and I think it gave a better result.<br />
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Any questions? Please leave your questions or comments and I'd be only too happy to help!<br />
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I can't wait to see how everyone's going with their centres! Good luck!<br />
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PS Don't forget to share your progress on Instagram with the hashtag #mmqal.Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11430055697918724733noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3462753777547721174.post-32782406962636029572013-08-18T15:04:00.002+10:002013-08-18T15:04:48.369+10:00A little blogging...Despite best intentions, I've once again fallen out of the blogging habit (not that I could really genuinely call it a habit, being as infrequent as it is!) That's due in part to the ubiquity of Instagram. I really love it for its quilting and crafting community, the ability to share things the minute you've finished them, or when you're in the middle of doing something and need some instant advice on what colour goes where, or how to do a certain technique - you can guarantee someone is lurking in the wings to offer their advice.<br />
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And so I've been resorting to Instagram for my 'microblogging' fix. But this weekend, Instagram decided to chuck a hissy fit and not work. Help! What to do? A little discussion on Twitter ensued, and a few of us decided to put up a blog post on our long-neglected blogs, in substitute for lack of Instagramming over the weekend!<br />
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So here's a little taste of what's been happening chez Petitselefants this weekend.<br />
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Binding a little baby quilt. So pleased to cross this one off my to-do list, it's been sitting around for a few weeks now and the baby it's heading to is nearly 8 weeks old.</div>
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I put this together from 5 inch squares cut from my stash, mainly Bonnie and Camille leftovers from other projects. Sixty-four squares in rows of eight make for a quick stash-busting quilt.<br />
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And this is a little sneak peek of a quilt I've been working on for a little while. It's all finished now and we've been trying to get some <strike>fancy</strike> half-decent shots of it as it's going to be published in a book! Very exciting, and I can't wait to show you the whole quilt!<br />
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So there you go, my non-Instagram blog post. Hope you're all having a lovely, quilty weekend.<br />
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xoDaniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11430055697918724733noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3462753777547721174.post-13058613001206688432013-05-23T17:02:00.002+10:002013-06-24T12:26:22.959+10:00A little knitting<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Many moons ago, I used to knit cardigans and jumpers, for myself and my family. Big projects that took a lot of time and concentration. Nowadays I'm all about mindless knitting. Enter the scarf, the shawl and the cowl. Repetitive knitting that can be done in front of the TV, at soccer practice, any place where it is likely that one will be interrupted by a small child.<br />
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I'm already on to my third version of this scarf. It's an easy four-row repeat that is simple to remember - no chance of getting muddled up with where you are in the repeat. And just a little bit of a twist in the pattern to keep things interesting. Regardless of how mind-numbing you want your knitting to be, we don't need the endless monotony of acres of stocking stitch or 2x2 rib, do we?<br />
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I picked up this lovely squishy Blue Sky Alpaca/Silk yarn on my visit to Purl Soho in New York in January, and now have gifted the resulting scarf to my lovely aunt who recently celebrated a significant birthday.</div>
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I knitted this in fingering weight (4 ply), but the first version was lace weight (2 ply). Version 3 is also fingering weight. It gives a nice skinny, long scarf. Just the way I like them!</div>
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If you'd like to try making your own - here you go! The pattern came with the original skein of lace weight yarn, purchased by my Mum somewhere in deepest, darkest Canada. I'm afraid I've misplaced the info about the shop. If anyone recognises this stitch pattern please let me know so I can provide the credit!</div>
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Cast on a multiple of 4 + 2 stitches (I cast on 34 stitches). EDIT: I used 3.75mm needles to give a nice open gauge - but use whatever you feel comfortable with. It's a scarf, the gauge is not hugely important.</div>
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First row: K2, P2 - repeat to last 2 stitches, K2 (wrong side)</div>
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Second row: K2, *K1, yo, K1, P2 - repeat from * to last 2 stitches, K2</div>
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Third row: K2, P3 - repeat to last 2 stitches, K2</div>
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Fourth row: K2, *sl1, K2, psso over both stitches, P2 - repeat from * to last 2 stitches, K2</div>
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Repeat until it reaches your desired length (I think the rule of thumb for a scarf is knit it the length of your body!) Two skeins of Blue Sky Alpaca (total 100g) yielded the perfect scarf.</div>
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Basically, you're making an extra stitch in the second row, and an eyelet, and in the fourth row, getting rid of this extra stitch and in the process giving it a little cable effect. Clever!</div>
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Next up I'm planning on something a little more challenging - a lace-edge shawl, knitted up in Swans Island fingering weight from <a href="http://www.suzyhausfrau.com.au/" target="_blank">Suzy Hausfrau</a>. I'm itching to get started on it! </div>
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What knitting projects are on your sticks at the moment?</div>
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<br />Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11430055697918724733noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3462753777547721174.post-20582184722102873782013-05-10T01:00:00.000+10:002013-05-10T01:00:07.211+10:00Hand Quilted with Love by Sarah Fielke<br />
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Like many of you, I waited patiently for this lovely book to materialise, having been tempted with a few sneak peeks here and there by Sarah over Instagram and Twitter. Just those few little snippets were enough to know that this book would be amazing, and it certainly is! </div>
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Material Obsession books one and two have been staples on many quilters' bookshelves for ages. Who hasn't spent a good hour or two re-reading and flicking through, soaking up the colour? Sarah's first solo book Quilting from Little Things was just as beautiful and full of inspiration. And now we have Hand Quilted with Love, which is (to the relief of some) not just about hand quilting, although this is Sarah's preferred method of finishing her quilts, but more about Sarah's making of the quilts she's always wanted to make. Her passion for her craft shines through in the way she describes the inspiration for each quilt, and in the luscious photography.</div>
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I was lucky enough to be given a head start on one of the quilts from the book and being a big fan of appliqué I was quick to choose Millefiori. This quilt was a huge challenge for me in terms of colour selection, and this is not the kind of quilt where you want to play it safe - better to go bold or go home! And I'm happy to say I'm so proud of how this has turned out. Big thanks to Sarah for giving me the push I needed to test my colour boundaries and try some new things.<br />
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This is a bit of an epic quilt to make, being as it is almost 100 per cent hand-sewn (appliqued and quilted). But in the scheme of things, it hasn't really taken me all that long to make - working mostly in the evenings, I started this around three months ago and it's almost finished. Even the hand quilting (using Perle 8 thread) has been quick - I'm nearly done and started less than two weeks ago. I really do encourage anyone who's been put off by the idea of hand quilting to think again - using Perle 8 thread makes everything go much faster and it's really satisfying to see the quilt come alive with each shape being outlined in a different colour thread. The book provides lots of tips and tricks on both hand quilting and needleturn applique, and you can see Sarah's hand quilting technique in action (and how to make perfect applique circles) thanks to the wonders of YouTube on her <a href="http://thelastpiece.net/" target="_blank">blog</a>.<br />
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Incidentally, I also made a version of the fabulous <a href="http://mespetitselefants.blogspot.com.au/2012/05/bloggers-quilt-festival.html" target="_blank">Whirligig</a> from Sarah's previous book, and it is still awaiting its hand quilting moment in the sun. After this experience with Millefiori, I'm well and truly inspired to take it out of the cupboard and finish it!<br />
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But back to the book! I'm already daydreaming about what other projects I'll make. While the Made to Measure medallion quilt from the book's cover is definitely a contender (I love <a href="http://lilysquilts.blogspot.com.au/2013/05/hand-quilted-with-love-by-sarah-fielke.html" target="_blank">Lynne's</a> version, and there are quite a few others popping up now), I think I'll tackle this fabulous checkerboard design with its applique border. I have been hoarding stacks of Kaffe Fassett and Keiko Goke colours which would be perfect for it.<br />
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And this teapot and cup one takes my fancy too! Just to name a few!<br />
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Be sure to visit the other stops on Sarah's bloggy book tour and see what other beauties have already been whipped up. You can pick up a copy of the book from <a href="http://www.bookdepository.co.uk/Hand-Quilted-with-Love-Sarah-Fielke/9781908862594" target="_blank">Book Depository</a> or direct from Sarah's <a href="http://sarahfielke.com/" target="_blank">website</a>.</div>
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<a href="http://sewtakeahike.typepad.com/" style="color: #53e100;" target="_self">SewTake a Hike</a> - 4th May</div>
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<a href="http://belindastitches.blogspot.com.au/" style="color: #53e100;" target="_self">Belinda Stitches</a> – 5th May</div>
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<a href="http://www.trueup.net/" style="color: #53e100;" target="_self">True Up </a>- 6th May</div>
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<a href="http://lilysquilts.blogspot.com/" style="color: #53e100;" target="_self">LilysQuilts</a> (UK) - 7th May</div>
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<a href="http://www.creativedabbling.blogspot.com.au/" style="color: #53e100;" target="_blank">Creative Dabbling</a> (Australia) 8th May</div>
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<a href="http://mrsschmenkmanquilts.wordpress.com/" style="color: #53e100;" target="_self">Mrs Schmenkman Quilts</a> (USA)9th May </div>
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<a href="http://imagingermonkey.blogspot.com/" style="color: #53e100;" target="_self">I'm A Ginger Monkey</a> (UK) - 10th May </div>
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<a href="http://mespetitselefants.blogspot.com.au/" style="color: #53e100;" target="_blank">Petits Elefants</a> -(Australia) 10th May</div>
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<a href="http://www.printscharming.typepad.com/" style="color: #53e100;" target="_self">Prints Charming</a> (Australia) - 11th May</div>
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<a href="http://www.redpepperquilts.com/" style="color: #53e100;" target="_self">RedPepper Quilts </a>(Australia) - 12th May</div>
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<a href="http://www.handmadebyalissa.com/" style="color: #53e100;" target="_self">HandMade by Alissa</a> (USA) - 13th May</div>
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<a href="http://meetmeatmikes.com/" style="color: #53e100;" target="_self">Meet Me at Mikes </a>(Australia) - 14th May</div>
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<a href="http://sewmamasew.com/blog2/" style="color: #53e100;" target="_blank">Sew Mama Sew</a> (USA) - 15thMay</div>
Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11430055697918724733noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3462753777547721174.post-50287611433903990492013-05-01T14:36:00.000+10:002013-05-02T14:31:31.348+10:00Adventures in hand quilting<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7r1cV6xtuGUOHfT_e8aDdQiX2gxC7qfzLCRhW8sUNVJpxQ1j4BY8whfa6bIWWmBw9wmi84E7cSbl-HACy7gR1PSJB1fhfQs7Dx12i9__1ZUqdURnqOUnTRujXCGPQTHb1oV5f4YNjvF8/s1600/IMG_0299.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7r1cV6xtuGUOHfT_e8aDdQiX2gxC7qfzLCRhW8sUNVJpxQ1j4BY8whfa6bIWWmBw9wmi84E7cSbl-HACy7gR1PSJB1fhfQs7Dx12i9__1ZUqdURnqOUnTRujXCGPQTHb1oV5f4YNjvF8/s320/IMG_0299.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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One thing I've noticed about the projects I'm taking on now is my determination to just get. them. done. I have so many quilts on my 'bucket list' that if I don't get wriggling, I'm going to be 98 before I've made half of them. In my mind (I'm too scared to write too much of this down) there's a list of the quilts I can do this year, and next year. And a list of the quilts that I'll think about at some point. Most of the quilts on the first list I have the fabric for, give or take. I suppose technically this should mean no more shopping, then hey!<br />
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Anyway, I digress. I started Millefiori around the time school went back this year in early February, and have been working on it fairly solidly most evenings. Now the top is finished. And rather than let it languish in the pile of unquilted tops, this time I'm going to finish it! And it deserves the full hand-quilting shebang, don't you agree?<br />
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This process may look like it's not for the faint-hearted, but it's really not that bad! The basting is a bit of a palaver, taking place as it does hunched on the floor for several hours. But it was finished well before I thought it might be. You take long stitches, working from a gridline at the centre out (use a new piece of thread each time, starting on one of the centre lines and working out to the edge). Secure the end of the thread in the batting with a couple of little stitches. The rows are around 6 inches apart.<br />
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Working flat on the floor, it can be a little hard on your hands and wrist. You can use a little teaspoon to help 'lift' the needle up as it comes through. I used this technique on and off throughout the process and it worked quite well but I found I didn't need it all the time. Perhaps that had something to do with how tired my hand was feeling! Speaking of which, don't expect to get this done in one go! This quilt is around 60 inches square and I estimate that it took around three hours to baste, in sessions of half an hour or so.<br />
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And since Sunday I've been quilting merrily away, using Perle 8 thread. This is also going faster than I had imagined and so far I'm loving the process! Once again, a little hard on the hands, and I need to remember to take some breaks (including all of today)!<br />
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So there you have it, I'll be back with some more progress pics soon! And I'd love to hear about your hand quilting adventures, please leave me a comment! Do you love it, hate it, haven't tried it but want to?<br />
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This doesn't happen too often (but maybe it'll happen more often from now on), but my blogging actually coincides with Lily's Quilts Fresh Sewing Day, so I can link up for once. Hurrah! If you've come over from Lynne's, thanks for popping in!<br />
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Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11430055697918724733noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3462753777547721174.post-30839018249644195652013-04-27T12:19:00.002+10:002013-04-27T12:19:24.400+10:00Anyone still here?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Well hello there! It has been an insane number of months since I last checked in. If you happen to follow me on Twitter or Instagram (I'm @petitselefants on both), you will vouch for the fact, however, that I haven't been sitting around on my behind idly twiddling my thumbs!</div>
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First reason for the rather lengthy hiatus has been the six month house extension/renovation project. We moved out on September 28 last year, and moved back in exactly six months later on March 28. </div>
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Herewith a few photos to prove it. I really need to get my act in to gear and take some better photos and assemble a few before and afters. The house is totally transformed, it feels like a new house! Above is the new living/dining space, and through the window on the right of the picture is a glimpse of my new studio (still awaiting furniture and unpacking of fabric).<br />
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There are still a few things left to finish off (including a balustrade on this staircase - happily the kids have actually listened to us for once and don't play silly horses on the stairs. They do that elsewhere - ha!).<br />
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My kitchen. I LOVE the kitchen. It's about trebled in size from what we previously had. And behind those red doors is a butler's pantry. I have yet to work out when the butler is arriving though.... It's so hard to find good help these days!<br />
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On to things quilty. When I haven't been organising house-y things or chasing after kidlets, I've been busy for the past three months working on this little quilt. It's called Millefiori and you'll find it in Sarah Fielke's beautiful new book <a href="http://sarahfielke.com/" target="_blank">Hand Quilted with Love</a>, recently released. If you don't have it yet, please consider purchasing it for your quilt library - it's absolutely gorgeous. My version of Millefiori will be popping up again soon when Sarah runs a blog tour of her book in coming weeks!<br />
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Just one more thing before I go - have you heard of <a href="http://craftsy.com/" target="_blank">Craftsy</a>? They have a library filled with online video classes in all things crafty, not just quilting but pretty much anything you could think of. You purchase the class of your choice and have access to it forever more. I've downloaded a few and I have to say they're really fabulous! So far I've tried Angela Walters' machine quilting class, Sarah's 'Big Techniques from Small Scraps' class and Camille Roskelley's 'Pre-Cuts Made Simple' class. It's so fun being able to watch these ladies do their thing - the next best thing to taking a class with them in person!<br />
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Speaking of Angela Walters, in my next post (no, not in six months), I'll show you my quilt that she quilted for me! It's just a little bit awesome. Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11430055697918724733noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3462753777547721174.post-18842353737800975452012-11-01T14:46:00.002+11:002012-11-01T14:46:20.917+11:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Well hello there friends!<br />
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It has been an embarassingly long time since I've blogged. That's not because I've not being doing anything worth showing, ohhhhh no! If you happen to follow me on Twitter or Instagram you'll know there's quite a bit happening chez Petitselefants.<br />
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But today I'm posting to tell you:<br />
1. I admit I'm a hopeless blogger.<br />
2. I will try harder. I promise.<br />
3. I really appreciate the fact that hundreds of visitors are still reading my blog, even though it hasn't been updated in 3 months. Thank you.<br />
4. I'm so excited about everything that's happening at the moment, I can barely begin to think of where to start. And that's just the sewing stuff.<br />
5. So I'll just start by telling you I have another quilt in <a href="http://fatquarterly.com/" target="_blank">Fat Quarterly</a>, just out today. It's full of Christmas projects. Including this little one here which was great fun to sew and I hope that somebody out there will make one! How excellent would that be?<br />
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My absence from the blogosphere is in part due to stuff happening here:<br />
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We've been rearranging the furniture, a little.<br />
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(Yes we have moved out, don't worry).<br />
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In six months time this little spot here will be my NEW SEWING STUDIO. And we will have half a brand spanking new house. I'm excited about both of these points. But at the moment it feels like a hard slog. Even though we're not doing any of the actual building, there's a lot of brain power going into choosing fixtures and fittings, paint colours, layouts, etc etc. I won't show you my list, it's scary.<br />
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2013 is going to be a great year. I can't wait.<br />
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If you've made it this far along, please leave me a comment and tell me what you've been up to! There might be a little something in it for you. I've been storing it up.Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11430055697918724733noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3462753777547721174.post-58697387709205864172012-07-31T22:01:00.002+10:002012-07-31T22:31:20.743+10:00Off to London<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Perhaps it's a total coincidence, but there's a bit of a sporting shebang going off in London at the moment and in case you hadn't noticed, everything Brit-themed is big news. And <a href="http://fatquarterly.com/" target="_blank">Fat Quarterly</a> is in on the act this quarter with their new Sew Britannia issue, full of Brit-themed projects, including this one! My very first quilt pattern!!!! (Please forgive excessive use of exclamation points in this post, I am a little excited).<br />
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It's no secret I have a bit of (well, OK a big) soft spot for Britain, England and London! I'm married to a proud Englishman (who's lived here in Australia for way longer than he lived in England) and I love visiting London (and I can't wait until December when we'll be back there again!)<br />
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I was sent a pack of Laurie Wisbrun's new London range by Robert Kaufman to play with. The line is just four prints, two each in two colourways. As you can see I've done a little take on the Union Jack theme, but these are big, chunky blocks that are very quick to put together. If you're looking for a true Union Jack, look no further than <a href="http://www.lilysquilts.blogspot.com.au/2012/07/jumping-jacks-fat-quarterly-sneak-peek.html" target="_blank">Lily's Quilts Jumping Jacks quilt</a> which also features in Fat Quarterly.<br />
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(<i>Fun fact</i>: I was in a Flickr bee with Lynne and contributed to the Jumping Jacks quilt! Sadly, I found the paper piecing all a bit much and earned a few grey hairs in the process. Happily, that was a couple of years ago and I have advanced beyond that point...)<br />
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Anyway, the purpose of today's post is to show you how to cut squares on the bias! Why would I ever want to do that, you ask? Well, if you want to feature motifs from your fabric running on the diagonal, as they do in the corners of each of the Union Jack blocks above, then you'll need to fussy-cut on the bias. Otherwise, you'd end up with a decapitated Big Ben or London Bridge, and that just would never do.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsZmaYZoJZTnpHa1APeNyt-P4Yu60ze7zJeOsZ8DbZveZmQAHrTthJilA0zEtAWt3dcXh_shu4o3EtXOQnjPxl_izX8M_g74rwv4Kck_-OCfHnWxLQC1La1z1_5BLWRFGfmpagROIRLBk/s1600/DSCF2786.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsZmaYZoJZTnpHa1APeNyt-P4Yu60ze7zJeOsZ8DbZveZmQAHrTthJilA0zEtAWt3dcXh_shu4o3EtXOQnjPxl_izX8M_g74rwv4Kck_-OCfHnWxLQC1La1z1_5BLWRFGfmpagROIRLBk/s320/DSCF2786.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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This block is based on a 6 inch square. To work out how much fabric you'll need for your fussy-cut squares, just take a regular 6 inch square, and measure the diagonal. This distance is 8.5 inches. (If you're working off a different-sized square, just do the same thing - measure the diagonal and cut your fabric to that width).</div>
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Cut a strip of fabric 8.5 inches wide, across the width of the fabric. Line one edge of the fabric strip up against the bias line on your cutting mat. (Never noticed it before? It's the diagonal line running across your mat - if there are multiple diagonal lines, use the longest one available).</div>
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It helps to have your mat positioned on the corner of a table as you'll be cutting from both sides of the mat for this exercise.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHpspJ0CensckGH0TRZACFwUDZOCtblXCgym9wO9Td8Vuh_k7Oj7ERnPiaC4gZs-GrNpPT8tj0cIkSwXSMss8eWxeheZXOvGjnomlx3wxlt_AWJkvyYYJkL_9rM2lPA2w3kOsBUSbA0ck/s1600/DSCF2789.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHpspJ0CensckGH0TRZACFwUDZOCtblXCgym9wO9Td8Vuh_k7Oj7ERnPiaC4gZs-GrNpPT8tj0cIkSwXSMss8eWxeheZXOvGjnomlx3wxlt_AWJkvyYYJkL_9rM2lPA2w3kOsBUSbA0ck/s320/DSCF2789.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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With the fabric lined up on the bias line, take your ruler and line it up carefully so that your first cut will be exactly 6 inches across the fabric, as in the photo above.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjegTLtsiM9GPD-Xs28ZRF9qumQkyGwJqDMXPRiip6GV5vBaskiCDoy5Uhayf0zxIM-t40YJOrVHi8YMAgSZDkhYlHy-mNfEEExJiI8842lZ3g8roPb28ZodSma8YIqbYhpORO4xgDbI9M/s1600/DSCF2790.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjegTLtsiM9GPD-Xs28ZRF9qumQkyGwJqDMXPRiip6GV5vBaskiCDoy5Uhayf0zxIM-t40YJOrVHi8YMAgSZDkhYlHy-mNfEEExJiI8842lZ3g8roPb28ZodSma8YIqbYhpORO4xgDbI9M/s320/DSCF2790.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Now go around the corner of your mat, and make another cut of 6 inches. You'll see now you've got the first two edges of your 6 inch square!</div>
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Go back to the other side of the mat, line up the ruler at the corner of the bottom edge of the 'square' and cut - this time it will be 12 inches - made up of the 6 inches from the square you're currently working on, and 6 inches of the next square.<br />
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Go around the corner again and make another 12 inch cut. Now you've got one whole square cut, as well as two edges of your next square.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw7SOULxtewBL_KFKUiJMdi5hjIZ06a4gpqRH6a2fKbOWd5W4cCFF0Lt5rnvGwf6ZwhogDJOpN0xKEOgilggDc0R6XogpxuKdC-wd8GO4ek_F6vPNMSInyXYVk007sQvfSYOY0Nn5WLQE/s1600/DSCF2794.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw7SOULxtewBL_KFKUiJMdi5hjIZ06a4gpqRH6a2fKbOWd5W4cCFF0Lt5rnvGwf6ZwhogDJOpN0xKEOgilggDc0R6XogpxuKdC-wd8GO4ek_F6vPNMSInyXYVk007sQvfSYOY0Nn5WLQE/s320/DSCF2794.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I've separated out the pieces in the photo above to show you what's going on. Clever, innit?<br />
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Keep cutting in alternating directions all the way along your strip (you will need to move the strip back down the mat to give yourself room to cut).<br />
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And there you have it, perfectly positioned buses and taxis ready for their Union Jack treatment.<br />
As you will notice, there is a bit of fabric 'wastage' doing this, but you end up with triangles large enough to be used for another project, or pieced for the back, or whatever you like!<br />
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I'll be back in a few days with a little announcement! In the meantime, I'd love to hear your feedback on this method of bias-cutting squares, or on what you think of my pattern! Or on any of the other patterns in the Fat Quarterly Rule Britannia issue. If you haven't got your issue yet, head on over now!<br />
<br />Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11430055697918724733noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3462753777547721174.post-8268651409222648232012-07-30T21:18:00.003+10:002012-07-30T21:23:26.190+10:00Serenading<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Even though I'm not hanging out on my blog as much as I would like these days, I am working harder at getting more sewing (and knitting! and crocheting!) done, and even finishing some projects! (Shock, horror!) And although I'm not 'here' very much, you can often find me on Twitter, having a little natter about all things fabric, quilts and a lot of other stuff too. I really love Twitter (my husband would even say I'm addicted. No comment). And best of all, I'm amazed at how many lovely people I've met through Twitter, and some of whom I've been able to meet in person too!</div>
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One of those lovely people is <a href="http://quiltjane.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Jane</a>. Jane lives in Brisbane, is a prolific quilter and quilts for others too, as well as running a fabulous online <a href="http://wantitneeditquilt.com.au/" target="_blank">shop</a> selling Moda pre cuts (amongst other goodies).</div>
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Jane had admired my little leafy appliqué escapades and very kindly sent me a jelly roll of Serenade by <a href="http://katespaindesigns.blogspot.com.au/" target="_blank">Kate Spain</a> to have a play with. If you've had a wander around my blog or have been reading here for a while (thank you!) you'll know I have a thing for appliquéd leaves....<br />
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I soon got to work, cutting out lots of leaves with the gorgeous Serenade fabrics. I love the colour palette in this range, beautiful autumnal oranges and browns through to greys, purples and blues. I love the marbled effect prints which show a graduation through the whole palette.<br />
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The leaves are hand stitched onto a background of Essex natural linen - beautiful to sew on to, lovely and soft! And then I attached a piece of batting and machine quilted around each of the leaves to make them standout.<br />
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The final touch, a pillow back made with the jelly roll strips, echoing the colour graduation effect of the leaves layout. This is a pretty big pillow - 20 inches. I didn't even have a pillow form to fit it, so sadly it's looking a little baggy at the moment!<br />
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Thanks again Jane, for these beautiful fabrics to play with!Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11430055697918724733noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3462753777547721174.post-76594905362814432872012-06-20T11:21:00.002+10:002012-06-20T11:21:41.828+10:00What's happening round here?Well the truth is, I hardly seem able to come up for air these days. I know I'm not alone - the constant daily, weekly grind of school, homework, activities, work, housework, kids not sleeping, kids being sick, me being sick, husband being sick. Arrgghh!<br />
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There is light at the end of the tunnel though. I'm planning on finishing work around the middle of November, and having at least all of next year off. Time to breathe. Time to spend with the kids without being in a rush and thinking of what task needs to be done next. Time to enjoy the things we enjoy doing together.<br />
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So enough of my life philosophy for now! A few things to share with you today. I recently received three quilts back from Jeannette, an online friend who I've now met in person a couple of times and she's lovely! And she's also a long-arm quilter! Many of you will know her from her wonderful blog <a href="http://goneaussiequilting.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Gone Aussie Quilting</a>. I set about binding them straight away. I was never a big fan of the hand-sewing part of binding, but I tell you, I think I'm converted! Loved it! What a lovely way to spend the evening, snuggled on the couch, under a quilt that you're sewing the binding down on. Perfect :)<br />
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First up is Swoon - if you follow me on Twitter (I'm @petitselefants) you will have seen these pics multiple times by now. I do apologise. I'm bloody proud of this quilt. It's a monster at 80 inches square. That was fun laying it all out on the lounge room floor, let me tell you!! It's so big I've realised you only really get to see two stars in full, the rest are squished over the sides of the bed.<br />
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Unless you have been living under a rock, you'd know that Swoon has pretty much taken over the online quilting world, spurred along by a Quiltalong started by Katy on Flickr. You can see all the amazing variations of the quilt in the group <a href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/1904864@N22/" target="_blank">here</a>. The pattern is by one of my favourite designers, <a href="http://camilleroskelley.typepad.com/simplify" target="_blank">Camille Roskelley</a>. And I did actually buy the kit from Fat Quarter Shop in Bonnie and Camille's Ruby line. And I did have it quilted with baptist fans. So, yes, my Swoon is almost identical to Camille's original. What can I say? I love it!<br />
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The other two quilts I still need to take some photos of so I will save them for a later post.<br />
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Meanwhile, this little birdie has gone to its new home in England. You can read all about it <a href="http://lilysquilts.blogspot.com.au/2012/06/lol-perv-quilt.html" target="_blank">here</a>. I'll be going to visit it (and its new owner) later in the year!<br />
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And in other news, a couple of weeks ago I was lucky enough to attend the Sew It Together bloggers conference here in Canberra! A fun-filled day of chatting and crafting with fellow bloggers, including meeting some lovely girls who I'd been chatting to online but hadn't yet met. It was fabulous to put faces to lots of names. Unfortunately, I was completely useless when it came to taking photos, and it seems, even more useless in trying to upload other people's photos of the event onto my blog. One day I will actually get it together. But in the meantime, please go and visit Bron's lovely <a href="http://whippetgoodwhippet.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">blog</a> where you will see the name tag I made for her and the one she made for me (it's so cute!) as well as a number of other pics of the day. Oh, and the other exciting part of the day was that I learnt to crochet, thanks to my lovely friend <a href="http://suzyhausfrau.com.au/" target="_blank">Suzyhausfrau</a>! More on that another time.<br />
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My little one has just learnt the thumbs up sign and is proud to show it off at any opportune moment. Just thought I'd throw that in because I can't resist a cute photo.<br />
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<br />Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11430055697918724733noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3462753777547721174.post-16840592694662392402012-05-24T14:55:00.000+10:002012-05-24T15:00:03.965+10:00My creative space...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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...today is all about scissors and glue for a little appliqué project I'm putting together to demo my appliqué technique at <a href="http://brownowls-members.blogspot.com.au/2012/05/canberra-brown-owls-applique-may.html" target="_blank">Brown Owls</a> this Sunday! My first 'teaching' foray, if you will. I'm excited!<br />
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I'm also experimenting a bit with the background - normally I appliqué onto a solid background. This time I thought I'd try something a little different. So far I'm pretty happy with it. What do you think?<br />
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And yes, perhaps I should think about appliquéing something other than <a href="http://mespetitselefants.blogspot.com.au/2012/02/whirligigging.html" target="_blank">leaves</a>, <a href="http://mespetitselefants.blogspot.com.au/2011/11/oh-my-goodness-i-forgot-to-blog.html" target="_blank">leaves</a> and more <a href="http://mespetitselefants.blogspot.com.au/2011/03/put-bird-on-it.html" target="_blank">leaves</a>....<br />
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I wouldn't want to get typecast or anything.<br />
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More creative spaces over <a href="http://blogs.kidspot.com.au/villagevoices/my-creative-space-for-those-who-make-create-and-share-2/" target="_blank">here</a>, and works-in-progress over at <a href="http://freshlypieced.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Lee's</a>.<br />
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<br />Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11430055697918724733noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3462753777547721174.post-67720929601236510792012-05-21T22:08:00.002+10:002012-05-21T22:08:58.904+10:00Bloggers Quilt Festival<br />
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A running-late entry to the <a href="http://amyscreativeside.com/2012/05/18/bloggers-quilt-festival-spring-2012/" target="_blank">2012 Blogger's Quilt Festival</a>. </div>
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I'm afraid this one remains unfinished as I'm trying to gather up the stamina required to (a) hand baste it ready for (b) hand quilting it to within an inch of its life. Eek! But it must happen soon because I had planned that this would be my winter sofa project!</div>
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I had a huge amount of fun making this quilt top. The scrappy leaves medallion is like a walk-through my fabric stash. I was worried when I embarked on this that I didn't have enough fabric to achieve a scrappy look. But even though some of the fabrics appear multiple times, I think it still looks scrappy, yet unified.</div>
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Likewise the tab border. Somehow I managed to scrape together around 200 squares of fabric to make the tabs (I can't remember the exact number now!) </div>
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And finally, let me recommend this quilt to you - it was a delight to make! And surprisingly fast!</div>
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The details:</div>
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Pattern - Whirligig from Sarah Fielke's Quilting </div>
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Background fabric - American Jane Pindot in taupe</div>
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Setting triangles - from Loulouthi by Anna Maria Horner</div>
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Borders - Green stripe from Sunkissed by Sweetwater</div>
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Now off to continue browsing more fabulous quilts in the quilt festival!</div>
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</div>Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11430055697918724733noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3462753777547721174.post-6656053913073818342012-05-16T17:49:00.002+10:002012-05-16T17:49:58.774+10:00WIP Wednesday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hello!!!<br />
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It's been a whole month since my last blog post. Nothing new there, but today I thought I'd pick a random selection of photos to demonstrate my little problem of craft ADHD. I haven't tallied up my projects that are in progress at the moment, because I think it would be scary, and also my husband may read this and use it to once again ask what's happening with the 5 year old's baby quilt... Hmm, yes.<br />
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So first random pic off the ranks is block 1 of the <a href="http://www.amitie.com.au/">Amitie </a>Block of the Month Gypsy's Wife quilt. Please note I now have the fabrics for blocks 2 and 3, and they remain untouched in my cupboard....<br />
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Second is another new quilt in progress, this pattern is On a Whim by <a href="http://camilleroskelley.typepad.com/simplify">Camille</a>, and I've chosen to dig into my Bliss stash for this. Although I'm now rethinking the solid grey for the triangle corners and have just ordered a grey print from Camille's new line Vintage Modern, yardage of which just arrived at Fat Quarter Shop yesterday, and I ordered it pronto! So only one block of that so far.<br />
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Third random photo is a layer cake of <a href="http://sweetwater.typepad.com/">Sweetwater</a>'s forthcoming line Mama Said Sew, which I mentioned recently, and is my current fabric lust object. Still procrastinating over what to make with this. It must be PERFECT. (Joke) Still, it is indicative of my creativity-paralysed-by-indecision predicament.<br />
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And final random photo today is a little knitting shot. I've taken up the needles again with gusto after a couple of years off. And I've been enjoying it immensely. I especially love knitting on winter evenings. It's very cosy. Cup of tea and my knitting and I'm as happy as a pig in mud (cake). Embarrassing as it is to admit, however, the top scarf in that pic is one that I completed TWO YEARS AGO, and had simply failed to finish weaving in the yarn ends. There were literally only three ends left to do. It is my least favourite part of knitting, but really, that was ridiculous. Anyway, now they are done and the scarf is ready, although it does need blocking (which I've never done before). On the bottom is my just completed Honey Cowl. Yarn ends not yet sewn in, but that will happen imminently, not in two years, because it fits perfectly and will be beautiful to wear this winter!<br />
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So that was rather a long post although I had not intended it to be. Lots more to tell, but I will save for another time. In the meantime, please tell me about any projects you've just started (even if you probably shouldn't have because you have a hundred other things on the go!), or ones that have been going for a ridiculously long time. I'd love to hear I'm not alone in my craft-ADHD!!<br />
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Linking up today to Lee's <a href="http://freshlypieced.blogspot.com/">WIP Wednesday Linky Party</a>.<br />
<br />Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11430055697918724733noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3462753777547721174.post-89423215706555414082012-04-14T08:00:00.000+10:002012-04-14T08:00:00.323+10:00A slice is nice<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1yI3KPB_caQ0RalRBp-3Cnlob_33CkyuHAMZUJrndnjR2W51UBd3uW87RqizareTrqHBqLnBV1PMYLNwLnTf94A2B83Y9G-ggQtRH1DFF6iUZEdWV_9-dKklU4pZ42XgRiJLmfD2KsCg/s1600/DSCF1933.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSR5Cq0U9pxH84pE4Oe-dpc6B2d-pyiGW7N7sRlziKCOJGUVZh5Iuxusr2_ZdERECk5np1I0WiCfFj4sTRUoKN90Udo4laNH8_v4vUpz65eTj5D509D1NpL205y06z_a9JgvdE1OzlpEQ/s1600/DSCF1827.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><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/AVvXsEgSR5Cq0U9pxH84pE4Oe-dpc6B2d-pyiGW7N7sRlziKCOJGUVZh5Iuxusr2_ZdERECk5np1I0WiCfFj4sTRUoKN90Udo4laNH8_v4vUpz65eTj5D509D1NpL205y06z_a9JgvdE1OzlpEQ/s320/DSCF1827.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730488921510655474" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVNq4cU-huOSGRMxJ57VwdGrbAW1MoQ-GiNn8IxJ5RS7UsgZfeH4W8X7iaouL6B3_-9iwT4M-F8cQvma2BtQ-akzJflg84AzU-WdpQMoQjcJRlFZhF-Do9kjj67wl2BmXE1bhzOG9u7lM/s1600/DSCF1930.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><br /></a></div>I've made this slice around about 100 times. It's my go-to recipe when the kids say "can we cook something?" or I feel the urge for something sweet and homemade that can be thrown into lunch boxes for the kids' morning tea (or mine, for that matter). <div><br /></div><div>I've also taken it to a few afternoon tea gatherings and am often asked for the recipe. So here it is, super easy - even if you have less than an hour, you can easily whip this into the oven and go and paint your nails, if you're into that kind of thing. I'm not. I'm more likely to go and hang out a load of washing. Or pet some fabric while I wait for the oven to beep.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Jam Slice (the coconutty kind)</b></div><div><br /></div><div>For the base:</div><div>1 cup plain flour</div><div>1/2 cup rolled oats (<i>I like to use oats when I bake because it makes me feel like what I'm baking is full of healthy goodness</i>).</div><div>1/3 cup caster sugar</div><div>125g butter, melted</div><div><br /></div><div>Mix everything together in a bowl, then press into a lined or greased slice tin (not too big, mine is around 18 by 28 cm). Into a 180C oven for about 10-12 minutes or until it is just starting to go golden-brown.</div><div><br /></div><div>For the topping:</div><div>1 cup coconut (shredded or desiccated - shredded gives a nice, chewy texture - or you can use a mix of both)</div><div>1/3 cup caster sugar</div><div>1 egg</div><div>your favourite jam or whatever is in the fridge (for us it's always strawberry or raspberry, nothing too fancy)</div><div><br /></div><div>Once you've taken the slice base out of the oven, let it cool just for a few minutes. Then spread it all over with jam, about the same thickness as you would spread on a piece of toast. This probably uses 3-4 tablespoons of jam.</div><div><br /></div><div>Mix the coconut, sugar and egg together in a bowl with a fork. Then use your fingers to drop it all over the jammy slice. Aim for even coverage, but leave a few holes here and there for the jam to peek through.</div><div><br /></div><div>Back into the oven, this time for around 12-15 minutes. Once it goes nice and golden-brown on top, that's enough. Allow to cool then cut into squares and watch it disappear.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVNq4cU-huOSGRMxJ57VwdGrbAW1MoQ-GiNn8IxJ5RS7UsgZfeH4W8X7iaouL6B3_-9iwT4M-F8cQvma2BtQ-akzJflg84AzU-WdpQMoQjcJRlFZhF-Do9kjj67wl2BmXE1bhzOG9u7lM/s320/DSCF1930.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730488915589218930" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">And then you can go and bake something with this!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1yI3KPB_caQ0RalRBp-3Cnlob_33CkyuHAMZUJrndnjR2W51UBd3uW87RqizareTrqHBqLnBV1PMYLNwLnTf94A2B83Y9G-ggQtRH1DFF6iUZEdWV_9-dKklU4pZ42XgRiJLmfD2KsCg/s320/DSCF1933.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730488932448946850" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">Yummy, isn't it?</span></span></div>Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11430055697918724733noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3462753777547721174.post-52175334948534821662012-04-12T19:22:00.005+10:002012-04-12T19:38:35.126+10:00This is why it's called Swoon<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifiDn17EuJkpxWdsHXiK88jayo-Nj1eVNQZ9eEJ0gMjL4uifOb3IJNJTTJ642E1ZZRbLEOzn_s63y01OrcPI6ZyTk9L8WyAHl83BZLIxuWbX-gCV52jm-pmUgYAWNcW0jtVDQkFWNlB3A/s1600/DSCF2386.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5IUQm1YMvgIo1t5b-yoYcl5ktKXlmXmxTDXSuxFdsJ0T5Q9x6M8E5Rhe5wtcDCLWVs_1iBVMXF_JSyAjtfHeUcLIsF0k8QrZYw8Jiy9fzUaHScQblEzCi9Zws1jQa0hiaEZrBopuIwBI/s1600/DSCF2384.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><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/AVvXsEg5IUQm1YMvgIo1t5b-yoYcl5ktKXlmXmxTDXSuxFdsJ0T5Q9x6M8E5Rhe5wtcDCLWVs_1iBVMXF_JSyAjtfHeUcLIsF0k8QrZYw8Jiy9fzUaHScQblEzCi9Zws1jQa0hiaEZrBopuIwBI/s320/DSCF2384.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730443717181077426" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY006zrMQayNLkzun4nkR0v-E4vhrcrrX8KQAAUQKkzFkIFFvo0AxVclLxxAZbclP86Dj1JgH_OnHnjgWXDg3gphMvP2NfRtAVDGG1-VaJm2AwZtiwRVTUpsseorOpH5J66aP3wCa2kDY/s1600/DSCF1898.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a>If you've been paying attention, you'll know that I'm a <a href="http://mespetitselefants.blogspot.com.au/2011/11/ruby-dear.html">big fan</a> of Ruby (and it seems that a lot of others are <a href="http://www.fatquarterly.com/congratulations-ruby-our-2012-modern-madness-champion.html">too</a>!)<div><br /></div><div>When <a href="http://camilleroskelley.typepad.com/simplify">Camille's</a> beautiful Swoon pattern came out in May last year, I might well have been one of the first people to buy it. But I wanted to wait for Ruby to come out, because I just absolutely adored her version of it (you can see it <a href="http://www.fatquarterly.com/congratulations-ruby-our-2012-modern-madness-champion.html">here</a>). As luck would have it, the clever people at <a href="http://www.fatquartershop.com/">Fat Quarter Shop</a> put together a kit for Swoon in Ruby, and I snapped it up late last year and got to work.</div><div><br /></div><div>Individually, the blocks are beautiful. I've enjoyed every single one of them.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY006zrMQayNLkzun4nkR0v-E4vhrcrrX8KQAAUQKkzFkIFFvo0AxVclLxxAZbclP86Dj1JgH_OnHnjgWXDg3gphMvP2NfRtAVDGG1-VaJm2AwZtiwRVTUpsseorOpH5J66aP3wCa2kDY/s320/DSCF1898.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730443711487237714" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div>But together, they're something else again. This is why this quilt is called Swoon, because that is what you can't help doing when you see it. (By the way, it's a mahusive quilt - around 80 inches square, requiring furniture to be moved...)</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifiDn17EuJkpxWdsHXiK88jayo-Nj1eVNQZ9eEJ0gMjL4uifOb3IJNJTTJ642E1ZZRbLEOzn_s63y01OrcPI6ZyTk9L8WyAHl83BZLIxuWbX-gCV52jm-pmUgYAWNcW0jtVDQkFWNlB3A/s320/DSCF2386.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730443727354775442" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div>Thanks Camille, for an awesome pattern, and beautiful fabrics. This is a very special quilt I'll treasure forever.</div><div><br /></div><div>Linking up today to Lee's <a href="http://freshlypieced.blogspot.com/">Work-in-progress Wednesday</a> and <a href="http://ourcreativespaces.blogspot.com/">Our Creative Spaces</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11430055697918724733noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3462753777547721174.post-34017969236513271582012-04-11T22:29:00.002+10:002012-04-11T22:33:38.628+10:00Fat Quarterly<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIuRx56DcjUZFcGDKK_NRRNClXm6G2ClZ3H8mv6AYRHg-oa01fItsBD9ao727KXgia0j1XW_78MOPaY-sD23qq53HcEdWfp_S8DbguOMenTMD0CYO4AJJJO2utLrNV8Bd-rq0flsWj1IE/s1600/IMGP6793.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIuRx56DcjUZFcGDKK_NRRNClXm6G2ClZ3H8mv6AYRHg-oa01fItsBD9ao727KXgia0j1XW_78MOPaY-sD23qq53HcEdWfp_S8DbguOMenTMD0CYO4AJJJO2utLrNV8Bd-rq0flsWj1IE/s320/IMGP6793.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730120148206340034" /></a><br />Have you seen me? I'm on the Fat Quarterly <a href="http://www.fatquarterly.com/designer-challenge-quick-curve-ruler-3.html">blog</a> with my curvy cushion. Please pop in and say hi and check out some of the other curvy projects too.<div><br /></div><div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11430055697918724733noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3462753777547721174.post-78381938181660629252012-04-05T16:22:00.003+10:002012-04-05T16:54:53.004+10:00Here's something new!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbageOIw7I7NcIXto8kUuYdVyjKN49fDYlBrfAjZdxWrSRQsHn0R9op33_3ZvnlQ_N7eYDecu8YKPJtFvh9Ghi188a2ImRT5NRbCRIc5JXtoDMJX8TfzqBKNMQlTM7O77eQOWOg3yCaFM/s320/DSCF1923.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5727799105523365362" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span>It's about time this quilt saw the light of day - it's been complete for quite a while now and just waiting for its moment with the long arm quilter! Only the other day I realised with a slight sense of horror that it's almost a year since I started it - in May 2011 to be exact. Sherbet Pips was one of those fabric lines that I waited on with great anticipation and chopped into almost as soon as it arrived in my letterbox.<div><br /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5VYXbm8DfEiq-N6V2om-UAzUSs3VEneEB0HGTMHLVFf3tAL_ed56O4CmOMScty1BhiHzh8tloaQXSDRdCfAwc7y5uV0uDkJiK3IniXUJtWraNY6jXHoc5sNwLk7Ku4QBk1PdANF30A3E/s320/DSCF1926.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5727799124851161362" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">The pattern is one I came up with myself, and I even went the whole hog with the pieced back (which took pretty close to forever, by the way), and which I think makes the quilt as close to a double-sided quilt as you're ever going to get!</span></div><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwEajZ0Ui2IdLLigung0tk1nL1HMVMUYkS6f4bEnozq-AuqQq8ZUS-JPvhHIS2YCYjwGUGFODdznuj2KVs_ySFYZVY-9mj-ZIPjU_TiPNW3T1cQ2tVperQ4aoZKZXIhLL5x1OlZhwAGGs/s1600/DSCF1927.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwEajZ0Ui2IdLLigung0tk1nL1HMVMUYkS6f4bEnozq-AuqQq8ZUS-JPvhHIS2YCYjwGUGFODdznuj2KVs_ySFYZVY-9mj-ZIPjU_TiPNW3T1cQ2tVperQ4aoZKZXIhLL5x1OlZhwAGGs/s320/DSCF1927.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5727799126826258594" /></a><div style="text-align: left;">It's destined for my little girl's bed, just as soon as the long arm has done its work - which will hopefully be within the next couple of week! I'm really not sure why, but this quilt makes me think of a box of chocolates... Or maybe that's just because it's Easter this weekend. Anyhoo.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5VYXbm8DfEiq-N6V2om-UAzUSs3VEneEB0HGTMHLVFf3tAL_ed56O4CmOMScty1BhiHzh8tloaQXSDRdCfAwc7y5uV0uDkJiK3IniXUJtWraNY6jXHoc5sNwLk7Ku4QBk1PdANF30A3E/s1600/DSCF1926.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><br /></a></div><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/AVvXsEinxPMvLJ84bEQZG9tKnYK6b11hWnXafBmT0q8ib3pvSZPyhrSwVuOZaOFWW9Qu_mVV3MMynWnbPmk5NHN-Nhf4xCNKNabvso9wLxk9HP1BtOoqjecYh9paxC9kQmCNxj67xxbLrKNs38Q/s320/DSCF1924.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5727799114593427042" /><br /></div><div>If anyone is interested in a tutorial for this pattern, please let me know! It's really quite a simple pattern and very quick to throw together.</div><div><br /></div><div>In other news... I've been busy Swooning. This is block number 6 and could be my favourite so far. Block number 7 is nearly finished and then we're a cool two blocks away from completion. Hoping to finish up pretty soon so that this can go to the longarmity place together with Miss Pips up there.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbageOIw7I7NcIXto8kUuYdVyjKN49fDYlBrfAjZdxWrSRQsHn0R9op33_3ZvnlQ_N7eYDecu8YKPJtFvh9Ghi188a2ImRT5NRbCRIc5JXtoDMJX8TfzqBKNMQlTM7O77eQOWOg3yCaFM/s1600/DSCF1923.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA8DutlpH5gKhyphenhyphenELo5RUFQPa0ChNwhNo7MnS9OAtO48RKCvD9L4CGleWqnIQwOVKhuU76cgmzOGP6K9PAsTqldTOMLvton_X6sdBMdxx1O7patYIWvUZOqNPny_XLbXSJezmEt_JucVMM/s1600/DSCF1898.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA8DutlpH5gKhyphenhyphenELo5RUFQPa0ChNwhNo7MnS9OAtO48RKCvD9L4CGleWqnIQwOVKhuU76cgmzOGP6K9PAsTqldTOMLvton_X6sdBMdxx1O7patYIWvUZOqNPny_XLbXSJezmEt_JucVMM/s320/DSCF1898.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5727799102188786770" /></a>Linking up today to <a href="http://ourcreativespaces.blogspot.com/">Our Creative Spaces</a> and <a href="http://freshlypieced.blogspot.com/">Work-in-Progress Wednesdays</a>.</div></div><div><br /></div><div>Happy Easter everybody if you're celebrating. Don't eat too much chocolate :)</div><div><br /></div><div>PS Have you seen <a href="http://sweetwater.typepad.com/makelifesweet/2012/03/mama-said.html">this</a>? I love fabric, but this one has got my heart racing. Very excited - only another 6 months to wait...</div></div>Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11430055697918724733noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3462753777547721174.post-24496125964321020462012-04-01T22:18:00.002+10:002012-04-01T22:21:03.185+10:00Curvy<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUSRbdk5SYhyphenhyphenP90tFsaANYYzCNe5l_x6IYEFuBSX1c43rkZHumIavh8dbZYK1o7J8C-A6j56Zpvt8mlpeeggTC9A5Kx7G6-FPQAvEtiMERm6rAmivbg7gnMK6Xst_awX4TLId24aAd4KY/s1600/IMGP6792.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUSRbdk5SYhyphenhyphenP90tFsaANYYzCNe5l_x6IYEFuBSX1c43rkZHumIavh8dbZYK1o7J8C-A6j56Zpvt8mlpeeggTC9A5Kx7G6-FPQAvEtiMERm6rAmivbg7gnMK6Xst_awX4TLId24aAd4KY/s320/IMGP6792.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5726405684361334498" /></a>A little teaser - I was lucky enough to try out the 'Quick Curves' Ruler for <a href="http://www.fatquarterly.com">Fat Quarterly</a> magazine, and this is the result. It will be featured on the Fat Quarterly <a href="http://www.fatquarterly.com/blog">blog</a> in the next little while - I'll be sure to let you know when it's up!<div><br /></div>Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11430055697918724733noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3462753777547721174.post-24835772605435476642012-02-28T20:20:00.009+11:002012-03-02T07:25:20.978+11:00Whirligigging<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRXvnXtJUiz90rubgEqcfBcqAn1DmqxSGkxpzb12Fw7vJrRSs7Wp3QIFzKTBM-07zIxidD1hI0OylxSNiYlUk0DIxzJJ7nYXCnygugWiy4NWaExmUk3JT5vAbLyjyPBdveV-t4Nlm8UR0/s1600/DSCF1345.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRXvnXtJUiz90rubgEqcfBcqAn1DmqxSGkxpzb12Fw7vJrRSs7Wp3QIFzKTBM-07zIxidD1hI0OylxSNiYlUk0DIxzJJ7nYXCnygugWiy4NWaExmUk3JT5vAbLyjyPBdveV-t4Nlm8UR0/s320/DSCF1345.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5714124578331848210" style="text-align: left; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "></span></div><div><br /></div><div>Please forgive me my little hiatus (again). I've been a little distracted, as you can see.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfIhNc1xU2NoasqUpQUPDGiaLNed_tcUusEcCGBrHT1eqMWAlNNs-timFFhz5iEp2qNiYSdO_7QVM6DvmRD0RFgKa_Tu74V7h9SqBz42jVTtjj3h02AVjN1OCmX341R3wnY9bo9VmJxXc/s1600/DSCF0349.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><br /></a></div><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/AVvXsEhJZttAfD18w_72GHqDgSu2J4MlCfUEKFjyZhNHsp1zgAkMiQyZTfbKOSdZwNDkHZDsDc-f3LmbDTqrz9rZdO7CmnDR4rBRxoMvVYAuNdQLAd0HK6rMU8Z7nxSGVFE5ZKlNSRyxSN_71Rg/s320/DSCF1350.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5714124599672547426" /><br /><div>Lots of gorgeous details in this quilt which have kept me wanting to press on to the next stage. I thought I'd be far too bored cutting out 240 squares of scraps and sewing them into random tab shapes. But no! It was a bundle of fun. And that's said without the slightest sense of sarcasm. </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtxvuGgT2IJq4sT-FH7pk-8EKGYKoz1-xROLiChDAePJtM9qmDF1-r-O9veC5_1jeFpM6KkkWhZSJSOFh26b_gmMfEnManutFoLbHqNGE3YJw1tMiMizP909aYkgo4wwExPY2qziaQBOM/s320/DSCF1358.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5714124586851957202" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><div>I mean, look at them - eep!!<br /><div><br /></div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSftGD9XSEU965mM1smFrAcNgsfYtEIHY3mv31-QMSDThK-lFUUsxxwy9bYOwP8UI9UmO9fsLjFz_s1J5WMApdnyoEj4LXYOwJ7UgNSGNDR0gqCjORRFjrsci27Vpmi6syX8FJTlhl6ss/s1600/DSCF1342.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><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/AVvXsEhSftGD9XSEU965mM1smFrAcNgsfYtEIHY3mv31-QMSDThK-lFUUsxxwy9bYOwP8UI9UmO9fsLjFz_s1J5WMApdnyoEj4LXYOwJ7UgNSGNDR0gqCjORRFjrsci27Vpmi6syX8FJTlhl6ss/s320/DSCF1342.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5714124589638218162" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;">This is undoubtedly the biggest, scrappiest (in terms of delving into the scrap bags - there are a few of those. Come on, I know you've got some too!) quilt I've ever done. Such a dent has it made in my scraps that I would have trouble starting another scrappy quilt in a hurry. OK that may be an exaggeration. But the problem would be, the scraps would look very familiar and that might get boring... </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The only hiccup in the whole process was the doubt that set in once I'd pieced the large setting triangles. I just wasn't sure the fabric (Loulouthi by Anna Maria Horner) was right and that it might detract from the centre. I was persuaded otherwise by a bevy of Twitter friends and pressed on and am happily in love again.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">So - I've thoroughly enjoyed this little journey - and a rather quick one it's been too, I only started this at Christmas. I know there's a huge hand quilting palooza ahead of me (more on that another time), but it is so fabulous to get this far. I hope I've done <a href="http://www.thelastpiece.net/">Sarah Fielke's</a> amazing pattern justice.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">If you'd like to make your own Whirligig, you can find the pattern in Sarah's gorgeous book 'Quilting from little things'. I highly recommend this fabulous book, if only for the amazing quilt eye candy. But also for the Whirligig. I love it.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">PS Sarah was lovely enough to feature a progress pic of my quilt on her blog - see if you can spot it!</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtxvuGgT2IJq4sT-FH7pk-8EKGYKoz1-xROLiChDAePJtM9qmDF1-r-O9veC5_1jeFpM6KkkWhZSJSOFh26b_gmMfEnManutFoLbHqNGE3YJw1tMiMizP909aYkgo4wwExPY2qziaQBOM/s1600/DSCF1358.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><div><br /></div>PPS And because it's been such a long time since my little petal featured here, a couple of pics of real live peeps, not quilts.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRXvnXtJUiz90rubgEqcfBcqAn1DmqxSGkxpzb12Fw7vJrRSs7Wp3QIFzKTBM-07zIxidD1hI0OylxSNiYlUk0DIxzJJ7nYXCnygugWiy4NWaExmUk3JT5vAbLyjyPBdveV-t4Nlm8UR0/s1600/DSCF1345.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-composition-fill- -webkit-composition-frame- color:rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469);">Linking up to Lee's <a href="http://freshlypieced.blogspot.com/">Work in Progress Wednesday</a> today, and to <a href="http://ourcreativespaces.blogspot.com/">Our Creative Spaces</a>.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-composition-fill- -webkit-composition-frame- color:rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469);"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-composition-fill- -webkit-composition-frame- color:rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469);">And this being virtually the only thing I've worked on in the past month, I'm linking up to Lily's Quilts <a href="http://LilysQuilts.blogspot.com">Fresh Sewing Day</a> too! So if you're coming from there - hello!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame- color:rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469);"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color:rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469);"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJBz2pV_1vhFTeb2uoG8PzS2hCSYcHPinCly4N2jzfN04qCRuVwDzwYVA9-ToQ_2ImqyDr-CzEBkkLRfgiiBTQIjbTFrUCooYHC6UMXBQUiZxFqAfz1OLCxw30FN4B34wnmKi7c4BzA90/s320/DSCF0394.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5714124605965848258" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000ee;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfIhNc1xU2NoasqUpQUPDGiaLNed_tcUusEcCGBrHT1eqMWAlNNs-timFFhz5iEp2qNiYSdO_7QVM6DvmRD0RFgKa_Tu74V7h9SqBz42jVTtjj3h02AVjN1OCmX341R3wnY9bo9VmJxXc/s320/DSCF0349.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5714125462391895442" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; ">Butter wouldn't melt in her mouth. Seriously.</span></span></div><div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div></div></div></div></div>Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11430055697918724733noreply@blogger.com34tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3462753777547721174.post-33951196824677144452012-01-26T05:30:00.002+11:002012-01-26T05:30:02.866+11:00Desperate Housewife's Quiltalong: Round the Twist<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5wFkZZ7WdlncHWx9lI2P5HXQ9FkvjBpMwxnFbIROhC7xRnWF9sdiI3qdq9PqghyphenhyphenLVAU9_apNagOP4QhZookcHLjVTLIEp8uJRQW6zBs6v_N7RfYdVF_sfFhwZsfQl1KGs6qm8485yMBw/s320/DSCF0166.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700794298607299890" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000ee;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">I'm so excited that my first ever block tutorial is for the very fun Desperate Housewife's Quiltalong, hosted by the lovely <a href="http://quiltjane.blogspot.com/">Jane</a>. If you haven't seen the amazing range of blocks on offer, one a week from Jane, and one a week by guest bloggers, then pop on over once you've had a look at my tutorial! </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">This little block of mine is called "Round the Twist", because I'm sure any desperate housewife worth her salt has been driven round the twist once or twice. I know I have. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I based this block on the flying geese unit, which I'm currently obsessed with. And we're going to make it using the magic method, which I'm currently obsessed with. If you love to chain piece then you're going to love this. And if you've been scared of making flying geese, be scared no longer! This really is magic. And you will save yourself some fabric, too! That's got to be a good thing, yes? My flying geese obsession has led me to <a href="http://mespetitselefants.blogspot.com/2011/11/ruby-dear.html">this Ruby quilt</a>. And of course the <a href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/1904864@N22/">Swoon</a> quilt.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">(note: there are numerous tutorials around the web teaching this method. <a href="http://http//www.connectingthreads.com/tutorials/Flying_Geese-Make_em_fast-two_methods__D15.html">This one</a> at Connecting Threads gives measurements for flying geese in whatever size you like - handy!)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000ee;"><br /></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_NpsatsTpUo1bWdweomgAvutYeKjx3eeaWfbq7lCsjrHVWPiXfEVVwH94S16W20aOy1ayqlhPmZ7OQG_0Kuon6sq6cqAGQqF56uTzPlIiEhwjH2F0PltcY1erDsBW1ya3afMQcPi56gs/s1600/DSCF0168.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_NpsatsTpUo1bWdweomgAvutYeKjx3eeaWfbq7lCsjrHVWPiXfEVVwH94S16W20aOy1ayqlhPmZ7OQG_0Kuon6sq6cqAGQqF56uTzPlIiEhwjH2F0PltcY1erDsBW1ya3afMQcPi56gs/s320/DSCF0168.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700794302211657666" /></a><div style="text-align: left;">So, choose some fabrics from your stash. You'll need two contrasting colours for the twist, and a light or neutral for the background. My print fabrics are from the Loulouthi collection by Anna Maria Horner, which I'm, well, maybe just a little bit obsessed with. The neutral is actually also a print - a text print from the Make Life collection by Sweetwater. I'm currently experimenting with using less solids and more prints in their place, and also text fabrics. I need some more. Anyway. Back to the block.</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5wFkZZ7WdlncHWx9lI2P5HXQ9FkvjBpMwxnFbIROhC7xRnWF9sdiI3qdq9PqghyphenhyphenLVAU9_apNagOP4QhZookcHLjVTLIEp8uJRQW6zBs6v_N7RfYdVF_sfFhwZsfQl1KGs6qm8485yMBw/s1600/DSCF0166.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaZ1xxM1pBhXUKYH5MgNwbo4aWE-wGJWIEg5nWFPmtMEigrxQdMQJXceucj1OvbfdHtqM4Eaiz87CcbAgXm8G0D-TGp0H4HS_rfKVthL1I3HblsOZL6pAc4X5k-mF72Etm3I5fO9cuT1w/s1600/DSCF0140.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivV-DdN_lakiSP9LSBrUQFPrusGOgnbsHe7jIpM_4V7dIlKKbVoEJdvJfXPkso11-s4hrd9BcTey-W14HttECmpjTWjWtrH2Txu9v8GGlo8BKPdKWg70_6dKiCA6qqtpkW8uhdRLpX4qs/s1600/DSCF0136.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivV-DdN_lakiSP9LSBrUQFPrusGOgnbsHe7jIpM_4V7dIlKKbVoEJdvJfXPkso11-s4hrd9BcTey-W14HttECmpjTWjWtrH2Txu9v8GGlo8BKPdKWg70_6dKiCA6qqtpkW8uhdRLpX4qs/s320/DSCF0136.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700786609987138354" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "></span></div><div>You'll need the following pieces for your block:</div><div>One square of print fabric a - 5 3/4 inch.</div><div>Two squares of print fabric b - 3 1/8 inch.</div><div>Two squares of neutral fabric - 3 1/8 inch.</div><div>Four rectangles of neutral fabric - 4.5 by 2.5 inch.</div><div><br /></div><div>(And apologies for the big shadow in some of these photos. Sewing at night is a necessity in this household and doesn't make for good camera work!)</div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwa1m5MeesCayP3PyyqSrOum7yP1eROigzlPuC49E9C_47zlqw3Lg2WNljO8_Xj6tNX4xAwzeB4ao5BCHd3rAxdA82m72X4aiIAWxwK8_ywqQ4gYCi7HmMC_ZxGnHSYJG2ZhIH-_X9irk/s1600/DSCF0153.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv9f8yO6Yy9Os77BTaVmMgXpleurm3Lwe0-NtidXHu3ApKAu970a5DBcD8ZBWxO8eAUn2aOS2DU5iZm5afe6ttQ5Jf6i6uFpNsP-uTBBZwurKIWFRGAdx4WKkWOC3jKYLPh3B8nNJm2bg/s320/DSCF0137.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700781599313384994" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000ee;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">Layout your big square and then the two neutral squares in opposite corners. They will overlap slightly in the middle to form a little square. Make sure this overlapping part is really square, and not a rectangle. Now draw a line from corner to corner.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000ee;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000ee;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaZ1xxM1pBhXUKYH5MgNwbo4aWE-wGJWIEg5nWFPmtMEigrxQdMQJXceucj1OvbfdHtqM4Eaiz87CcbAgXm8G0D-TGp0H4HS_rfKVthL1I3HblsOZL6pAc4X5k-mF72Etm3I5fO9cuT1w/s320/DSCF0140.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700792004854156754" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000ee;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">Now stitch a line 1/4 inch both sides of the drawn line. Here's where the chain piecing part comes in handy. If you are making a lot of flying geese blocks, you can simply prepare the above units, stack them up and whiz away. They'll be done in no time. At the very least I like to make two blocks at a time, because it's more time efficient and you're not cutting the thread at the end of each and every seam.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">Another important tip when sewing is to use a *scant* 1/4 inch seam. This means just a thread or two shy of a full 1/4 inch. Trust me - if you haven't tried it, you must - it makes for much more accurate piecing. Get out your ruler and measure your seams and you will see what I mean. If your foot is travelling outside the line, your seam is actually a bit bigger than 1/4 inch, and over multiple blocks or several pieces to a block, that adds up to a lot. But I digress!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000ee;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixrTgdgcyptIVr65adooVZuYqdwGJ4M2GAZ1aN4U0eisDB43uvUlbh-HZDkQYqfLaq7fRqSGmvK8Datcnm-5cb8c9-nqgASMeliwyO-8K_ltuD0vsTuQxPx9y4bqLY1hSPOKhj_kK4_FI/s320/DSCF0142.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700787042333560562" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">Once you've sewn down both sides of the line, cut the piece in half, right on the drawn line. Then flip the little triangles over and press (I find it easier to press towards the small triangles). </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ2tPefum4-nAFov0KrOOaX_soPu8R2xZ-8OnPGixkwQhSHee2xqHpmSbnDcVHzGhfEhvzubEPxlR4949eC4U5FmZRx60x2sSGhWFIyU5PMJR14n1nLiR6Rj_q-RbV2Tx2aQSIDaTI9Vs/s1600/DSCF0144.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ2tPefum4-nAFov0KrOOaX_soPu8R2xZ-8OnPGixkwQhSHee2xqHpmSbnDcVHzGhfEhvzubEPxlR4949eC4U5FmZRx60x2sSGhWFIyU5PMJR14n1nLiR6Rj_q-RbV2Tx2aQSIDaTI9Vs/s320/DSCF0144.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700787692385170002" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">Now take your other small squares and place them in the remaining corners of the two (now separated) units, again, it should overlap the two flappy triangles with a tiny square in the middle. Feel free to wiggle it into place to make sure it's lined up properly. Then sew either side of the line as before and cut the unit into two pieces. Flip those triangles over and press, repeat with the other unit and ta-da! You have made FOUR flying geese in just a few simple steps.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKLMf8GgX32n47SYdBvpgLVsLXpVD8Lpb7SINYdT8F-h7c1b8ONEjmUDd0ndlXZDabc2xBs7lPQma3Qzhr5Zn-4Lc6yiWBwG4OpmfGDB9AMzCmuvAh8Yvq1fActqWyH91ROqFrVrsthhc/s1600/DSCF0148.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKLMf8GgX32n47SYdBvpgLVsLXpVD8Lpb7SINYdT8F-h7c1b8ONEjmUDd0ndlXZDabc2xBs7lPQma3Qzhr5Zn-4Lc6yiWBwG4OpmfGDB9AMzCmuvAh8Yvq1fActqWyH91ROqFrVrsthhc/s320/DSCF0148.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700787701675105202" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ2tPefum4-nAFov0KrOOaX_soPu8R2xZ-8OnPGixkwQhSHee2xqHpmSbnDcVHzGhfEhvzubEPxlR4949eC4U5FmZRx60x2sSGhWFIyU5PMJR14n1nLiR6Rj_q-RbV2Tx2aQSIDaTI9Vs/s1600/DSCF0144.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">But we are not quite finished! The goose unit needs a little trimming to whip it into perfect shape. We are aiming for a unit of 4.5 by 2.5 inch. Have a look at your unit and you will see it needs a little haircut. Start with a short side as in the photo below. Line up the opposite side on a line on your cutting mat, place your ruler 1/4 inch back from the nearest line and trim - you might find that you don't actually trim a full 1/4 inch off the block, but we are just paring back each side as needed to get to the 4.5 by 2.5 inches required. Rotate the block to cut the long side with the point of the goose and cut again - there should be a seam allowance of 1/4 inch from the point to the edge! Repeat for the two remaining sides and you'll have a lovely 4.5 by 2.5 inch flying goose.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3uE4B0ma6Tzj5iS8MRQ1MwjpgAaihJuAXJWKu_ETa16ZEm1YAPfjDRvBx-DKgWuVqlG77sYDaxxGZJvkrRusuWqxMZYHv0nEGZhSF3FpOGau7w5OoMWhynsP5cylKBn_2c12PpEgjdOI/s320/DSCF0149.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700790098157068754" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKLMf8GgX32n47SYdBvpgLVsLXpVD8Lpb7SINYdT8F-h7c1b8ONEjmUDd0ndlXZDabc2xBs7lPQma3Qzhr5Zn-4Lc6yiWBwG4OpmfGDB9AMzCmuvAh8Yvq1fActqWyH91ROqFrVrsthhc/s1600/DSCF0148.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKLMf8GgX32n47SYdBvpgLVsLXpVD8Lpb7SINYdT8F-h7c1b8ONEjmUDd0ndlXZDabc2xBs7lPQma3Qzhr5Zn-4Lc6yiWBwG4OpmfGDB9AMzCmuvAh8Yvq1fActqWyH91ROqFrVrsthhc/s1600/DSCF0148.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">Now lay out your geese with the neutral rectangles as shown, and sew each rectangle-goose pair together, and press (the direction is not so important here, so whatever feels right).</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><br /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4BMVUv5c7pcd6UIwgUeQnV7wjAloEPRQCwhcx6Cf9DbEa0Z7LUAUHMUGcqNVhmE420BFGBoztr8deOsz_PzSY7KUe5qwEsIdU9skylymi9zQlHAlZyYSE1yLYeT6-v9DFFlT3ewhyphenhyphenSMQ/s320/DSCF0150.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700790106916173778" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></div><div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">Now you're ready to sew the pieced units together. If you want your geese to have nice sharp points, then have a look at the units next to each other - see how the points are a nice 1/4 inch from the edge? We want our seam to go right through those points. If it doesn't, you'll end up with poor cut-off goose wings. Eek! </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">If for some reason you've ended up with a smaller seam allowance poking out above those points, don't worry, you just need to make sure your needle goes through the intersection point. If you do this, you'll still end up with pointy wings, albeit with slightly smaller seam allowances. But no-one's going to know!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghD1mqmVgZrmc5_3aX-YHJFVosnQq8UjC1s62Fa-Zzr6DDFf1XW7Wt221ZbMbTNgsxKuM_FO_tKfCwbldyJpLxXLNvCXS4a4hwkvhVGiy9zvw-Ex4nXjvnzTBAM6nW4CcFMhW4wno5qKU/s320/DSCF0151.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700791031383757458" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div>Easiest way to do this is put a pin right through the intersections on both pieces. </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000ee;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIB00uGNLixvIrGudeN9pUxx6ySGL-y7YHTT17x1mdaI1oPdqXpoYfp3Ytn2GKcaRkc638641DG1tY3KQJTL7HuQIecW7_MD7IY9BPtwFCp2XRYkDnQ6Ng8IWGwnZ0W8YvS5aEKCRDi34/s1600/DSCF0152.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><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/AVvXsEiIB00uGNLixvIrGudeN9pUxx6ySGL-y7YHTT17x1mdaI1oPdqXpoYfp3Ytn2GKcaRkc638641DG1tY3KQJTL7HuQIecW7_MD7IY9BPtwFCp2XRYkDnQ6Ng8IWGwnZ0W8YvS5aEKCRDi34/s320/DSCF0152.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700791035303743698" /></a><div style="text-align: left;">Before you press the paired up units, check which way you want them to lie. I like my seam allowances to nest, so I press one unit with the seams going to the left, and the other going to the right, then they nest nicely. Again, before sewing together, check your goose points to make sure your seam goes straight through that intersection!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixrTgdgcyptIVr65adooVZuYqdwGJ4M2GAZ1aN4U0eisDB43uvUlbh-HZDkQYqfLaq7fRqSGmvK8Datcnm-5cb8c9-nqgASMeliwyO-8K_ltuD0vsTuQxPx9y4bqLY1hSPOKhj_kK4_FI/s1600/DSCF0142.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><br /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwa1m5MeesCayP3PyyqSrOum7yP1eROigzlPuC49E9C_47zlqw3Lg2WNljO8_Xj6tNX4xAwzeB4ao5BCHd3rAxdA82m72X4aiIAWxwK8_ywqQ4gYCi7HmMC_ZxGnHSYJG2ZhIH-_X9irk/s320/DSCF0153.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700791046931071778" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5wFkZZ7WdlncHWx9lI2P5HXQ9FkvjBpMwxnFbIROhC7xRnWF9sdiI3qdq9PqghyphenhyphenLVAU9_apNagOP4QhZookcHLjVTLIEp8uJRQW6zBs6v_N7RfYdVF_sfFhwZsfQl1KGs6qm8485yMBw/s320/DSCF0166.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700794298607299890" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">And there you have it, one Round the Twist block! I hope you've enjoyed this one and hopefully learnt some tips about making flying geese. If you give it a go I'd love to see a pic. And now do go and have a look at <a href="http://quiltjane.blogspot.com/">Jane's blog</a> for some super-clever blocks.</span></span></div>Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11430055697918724733noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3462753777547721174.post-5625168010884583112012-01-25T21:29:00.005+11:002012-01-25T21:55:31.948+11:00I started something new<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNXHCFSKBJ_ZNMZbkjQEC1dReU4G47x7EHaoJwlBYgBc4Bj18Rgs4UaGxzFszhSpdACx2q2VDlWOMv9BGKlDXYhG9hcl5AyO0eooyx1GpXd0GVO-DvdUgXU4cc-eIHhirW9fhgIyLBGNE/s1600/DSCF0219.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><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/AVvXsEgNXHCFSKBJ_ZNMZbkjQEC1dReU4G47x7EHaoJwlBYgBc4Bj18Rgs4UaGxzFszhSpdACx2q2VDlWOMv9BGKlDXYhG9hcl5AyO0eooyx1GpXd0GVO-DvdUgXU4cc-eIHhirW9fhgIyLBGNE/s320/DSCF0219.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5701515601209747714" /></a><br /><div>It's been a little while since I've blogged. The silly season put blogging and sewing fairly firmly on the back-burner. But 2012 has started with a bang and I've been sewing up a (relative) storm. Current big project is a hand appliqué medallion from Sarah Fielke's <a href="http://www.bookdepository.co.uk/Quilting-Sarah-Fielke/9781741967609">beautiful book</a>. A fabulous book that every aspiring quilter must have!</div><div><br /></div><div>I started this one when we were away over Christmas and have been making steady progress. LOVE hand-applique. Once all the leaves are sewn on there are a number of borders to be added, and then the whole she-bang gets a rather intense hand-quilting treatment. So I'm expecting this one will take a while. But I'm not in a hurry, and enjoying the journey....</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMh8xN2AmANBD0eA1OPSQyhw4iWQtqrt-Uwzzl4mCKDZAYwXoTxVHdZ8H7BkWdKwHWjnGUz84cfH-oX7hq7pMyVQ_KXP-GkRp-6AltacAMUdugzBMyt4v_oM0fXpWlFvrOekxDBxoiHpE/s1600/DSCF0218.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><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/AVvXsEgMh8xN2AmANBD0eA1OPSQyhw4iWQtqrt-Uwzzl4mCKDZAYwXoTxVHdZ8H7BkWdKwHWjnGUz84cfH-oX7hq7pMyVQ_KXP-GkRp-6AltacAMUdugzBMyt4v_oM0fXpWlFvrOekxDBxoiHpE/s320/DSCF0218.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5701515591872281554" /></a><br /></div><div>Linking up to Lee's <a href="http://freshlypieced.blogspot.com">Work-in-Progress Wednesday</a> for the first time in an eternity.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11430055697918724733noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3462753777547721174.post-8724364841807535362011-11-28T19:28:00.007+11:002011-11-30T19:14:56.908+11:00Ruby dear<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_J1Y8ofolGOSz6OjBv27Fw6LZZAG9y7WczbM2tWCvEzaaieYnHEIV4d6bZ7KJL74hhHdmyMBCV1yJb49svrzwPybybDGDloPp6rK7r9lPZiUGvLID2-4X8jMIpGoGLo5p1PaGG0X0n8c/s1600/28+11+11_5583.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_J1Y8ofolGOSz6OjBv27Fw6LZZAG9y7WczbM2tWCvEzaaieYnHEIV4d6bZ7KJL74hhHdmyMBCV1yJb49svrzwPybybDGDloPp6rK7r9lPZiUGvLID2-4X8jMIpGoGLo5p1PaGG0X0n8c/s320/28+11+11_5583.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5679965780618262146" border="0" /></a><br />I'm linking up to Lee's Work-In-Progress party today. <a href="http://freshlypieced.blogspot.com">Check in there</a> to see "how everything is doing!"<br /><br />The blogging police will be coming to check up to see that an impostor hasn't moved in - this is my third post in under a week!<br /><br />With a bit of momentum under my belt, I put my foot to the floor and finished off my Ruby Dutchmen's Puzzle quilt. I've really enjoyed this one, the flying geese were fun, and I love the colours of Bonnie and Camille's gorgeous fabrics. It wasn't without its challenges however - the borders were more than a little tricky, but I'm very happy with how they've turned out.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Y4mfq8vRnt28u9TSf_4gnZN4VL9QTuM8sVvB0VgUWvQN2UkD0JKkZhpYz9llSK2VGJs1ArvweNI9MmoveX0IeRfYRlyMRuPY0yOGtDD-h8iziOWjUI8KRxdDCgre0kRA1oHuhrjTrbg/s1600/28+11+11_5586.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/AVvXsEh9Y4mfq8vRnt28u9TSf_4gnZN4VL9QTuM8sVvB0VgUWvQN2UkD0JKkZhpYz9llSK2VGJs1ArvweNI9MmoveX0IeRfYRlyMRuPY0yOGtDD-h8iziOWjUI8KRxdDCgre0kRA1oHuhrjTrbg/s320/28+11+11_5586.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5679961281084794514" border="0" /></a><br />While I was enjoying playing with Ruby, I thought I'd press on and make another block to be turned into a matching pillow.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUPM4lhXNYsUOGRt7bB0CUGfoetnK4g81-UzbTmkrhrGZ9BH6KR3VRG-Bp3chJQkaZg2Ffa81wsF4JdiCSXtwmhIJdUth4aGvlH5YI75uRBckomGnNAI_vXT7etbzum-Y6xPxrx9GuJPs/s1600/28+11+11_5587.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUPM4lhXNYsUOGRt7bB0CUGfoetnK4g81-UzbTmkrhrGZ9BH6KR3VRG-Bp3chJQkaZg2Ffa81wsF4JdiCSXtwmhIJdUth4aGvlH5YI75uRBckomGnNAI_vXT7etbzum-Y6xPxrx9GuJPs/s320/28+11+11_5587.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5679961289217365026" border="0" /></a><br />And now I'm turning my attention to this big project, quilting Lilly Pilly. You can read about my progress on this quilt <a href="http://mespetitselefants.blogspot.com/2011/03/checking-in.html">here </a>and <a href="http://mespetitselefants.blogspot.com/2011/03/put-bird-on-it.html">here</a>.<span style="font-family:arial;"></span> I don't even want to think about how long the quilting will take. I am going to do the full swirly catastrophe on it. It is, after all, 1.4 metres high by 1 metre wide. All that swirly quilting will take a long time and I want to take it easy, and hopefully avoid any repeat of my elbow problems.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyJNTSGe30BC1B4wZkLln5bfxNrFrrklOlVLaa-8okxydd-b_koj_1kEzsXOH6RDDS06yTmwirN-R6l_fKWTIbqraJJDD7TXDVROb75g8VinvTc8mrjxYNmP1uYHrtzXiuajp5JKOh6T0/s1600/28+11+11_5589_edited-1.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/AVvXsEiyJNTSGe30BC1B4wZkLln5bfxNrFrrklOlVLaa-8okxydd-b_koj_1kEzsXOH6RDDS06yTmwirN-R6l_fKWTIbqraJJDD7TXDVROb75g8VinvTc8mrjxYNmP1uYHrtzXiuajp5JKOh6T0/s320/28+11+11_5589_edited-1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5679961298498564338" border="0" /></a><br />So in between quilting sessions, I'll also be turning my mind to Christmas preparations - much as I'm in denial that it will be December this week and I really am so unprepared, even more so than in previous years.<br /><br />If you have any top Christmas organising hints, I'd love to hear them! My first task will be to put up the advent calendar. I really love <a href="http://rosalindgracedesigns.blogspot.com/2011/11/christmas-craft-easy-diy-advent.html?spref=bl">this idea</a> - maybe next year!Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11430055697918724733noreply@blogger.com15